I don't feel that using the vouchers is difficult. I just try to come up with a way of using this resource in a manner that is compatible with the nutritional goals that I have established for myself and my family. (No Corn Syrup, No Hydrogenated Oils, as much real, unprocessed food as possible) Along the way I have tried many different things. Some of those things I have not repeated: African Ground Nut Stew for example - good - but we have some peanut butter based recipes that have been more well received and appear on our menu frequently.
Some things don't require recipes - Peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich on whole wheat bread - why not?
So here are a few peanut butter based recipes (I use the brand Adam's both chuncky and creamy) and a few recipes to use up some of that cereal.
My little boy has grown so much... a one year old Sylvan (practically a baby) getting into the cheerios |
1. Peanut Sauce and Steamed Vegetables
3 Tablespoons oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic
- saute in saucepan until the onions are soft and transparent
- add
3 1/2 cups hot water or vegetable stock
1 cup peanut butter (WIC item)
2 bay leaves
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
dash of hot sauce (optional)
- stir until everything is well blended
- serve with steamed vegetables (cabbage, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, etc), or fresh cucumbers and radishes, hard boiled eggs are also great (WIC item)
- if you want a meat option, strips of grilled chicken are delicious
2. Rice Noodles with Peanut Sauce
8 ounces rice stick noodles
- cook according to package directions
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (WIC item)
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground Red Pepper (optional)
1/2 cup vegetable broth
- combine ingredients and whisk until smooth
Steamed Vegetables (WIC item)
- pour the peanut sauce over the noodles, it is always an option to add a few steamed vegetables
3. Curry
Over the past decade my husband and I have made many, many versions of "curry". My earliest memory of cooking curry together is in my mom's kitchen. Adam, his best friend and I jostling around each other in her narrow kitchen. Chopping, scooping, smelling and tasting. "You're really going to put a banana in that?" He did. And it was delicious. Each and every time it is different and wonderful and so I will give you the basic guidelines of what I do.... the only change I have made since my college days is that it no longer is burn-your-face-off-spicy and that I leave the chopsticks in the drawer and serve the dish with forks and spoons.
Choose some vegetables - 3 or 4 (WIC Item):
Onion
Bell pepper
Mushrooms
Carrots
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Eggplant
Zucchini
Spinach
Kale
- put some oil in the pan, when it is hot add onions and the toughest vegetables first (carrots, eggplant,etc,) add mushrooms a bit later and leafy greens last
1 can coconut milk
1 Tablespoon Fish Sauce
1/4 cup peanut butter (WIC item)
1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar, Honey or a ripe banana
1 Teaspoons oregano
1 Teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon ginger
2 Tablespoons of Green or Red Curry Paste (more or less to taste)
soy sauce, salt and pepper (to taste)
fresh basil (optional)
- all measurements are approximate - add these and then let simmer until the vegetables reach the desired tenderness add fresh basil
- serve with over brown rice (WIC item)
4. Puppy Chow (a very special snack at our house)
9 cups Rice and Corn Chex
- pour check into a very large bowl
- in a saucepan on the stove mix
1 cup chocolate chip cookies
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
- remove from heat and stir in
1 teaspoon vanilla
- pour the mixture over the cereal while stirring gently with a spatula
- once the cereal is evenly coated stir in just enough powdered sugar to keep the chex from sticking together
about 1 cup powdered sugar
5. Baked Chicken
heat up the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2 cups Corn Chex
- put the corn chex into a zip lock back, squeeze the air out and seal
- hand the bag and a wooden spoon to your little helper and let them smash the chex into small crumbs
- while they are smashing away, melt together
1/4 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
- with a basting brush coat 8 chicken drumsticks
- pour the smashed chex into a pie plate and roll the drumsticks until will coated
- place on a greased pan and bake for about 50 minutes
KITCHEN HINT: Smashed corn or rice chex can be substituted in any recipe calling for bread crumbs
More WIC Recipies here:
Sylvan with the Cheerios. Now that's a man after my own heart!!!
ReplyDeleteGrandma