Make Your Own Low Fat "Bisquick"

I love using Heart Smart Bisquick but it's pretty pricey so I found a recipe to make my own.  There are a lot of them out there but I found this to be the best and it's EASY.  I'm also including a few of my favorite recipes using the mix at the end of this post.

In a large bowl, combine 6 1/2 c flour (I use half whole wheat and half white); 1/2 c sugar; 2 c nonfat dry, powdered milk; 1 c cornstarch; 2 T baking powder; 2 t baking soda;  3 t salt (I use the Lite Salt).  

Mix well using a whisk to evenly incorporate all of the ingredients.

Pour into a gallon zip lock bag and store in a cool, dry place for up to a month.

I use this mix for anything that calls for 'biscuit mix' including of course, biscuits.   These are made using fat-free buttermilk but you can use regular or skim milk as well.

Since it's STILL cold here, I made up a few batches of sweet breads to serve with soups and dinners this week including this Strawberry Banana Pecan Bread

and this Blueberry Banana Oat Bread

You'll save a ton of money and a lot of time since you can whip up these breads and sides in no time using the pre-made mix.

RECIPES:

Buttermilk Biscuits

2 1/4 c biscuit mix

2/3 c milk or buttermilk

Combine, pat out on floured surface 3/4" thick; cut and place on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes until golden brown.

Strawberry Banana Pecan Bread

1 c fresh, chopped strawberries

1 ripe banana, chopped

1/4 c chopped pecans

2 c biscuit mix

2/3 c skim milk

1/3 c sugar

1/4 c egg substitute

1/4 c fat free yogurt or sour cream 

Combine egg substitute, sugar, milk and biscuit mix in medium bowl. Add strawberries and banana.  Spread in a greased loaf or round cake pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 min. until tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean.  

 

Blueberry Banana Oat Bread

2 3/4 c biscuit mix

2/3 c sugar

1/3 c quick oats

1 banana, mashed

1 c frozen blueberries, thawed and drained

1/4 c skim milk

1/2 c egg substitute

1/4 c fat free yogurt or sour cream

 

Combine biscuit mix, sugar, oats, banana, milk, egg substitute and sour cream.  Beat well.  Gently fold in blueberries.  Spread in greased loaf or round cake pan.  Bake at 375 degrees 45-50 min. or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.   

 

   

Birrrrrrrrrrrdie Boots Needed

You don't expect to wake up to a covering of snow on the ground on April 20 . . . unless you live in the Midwest.

But what a sweet, little surprise to find these tiny birdie prints on a piece of wood I had laying in the yard.

 I think our birds might want to consider following the example of this little guy!

Nest Decor

 

This is a simple, fun, spring project using:

yarn scraps

dryer lint (okay, tell me you DON'T have this supply!)

and a suet feeder

Fill your suet feeder with all of these nesting materials and hang in your yard.  As soon as a few birds discover it, they'll begin taking the pieces to 'feather' their nests.  While you won't always get to see how they're used, if your fortunate, you'll spot a nest or two flaunting your brightly colored building materials.

     I like to hang mine near the bird feeder and bird bath which makes it easy for the birds to discover.  Yay Spring!!

Linking to these parties this week . . .

The DIY Showoff   http://diyshowoff.com/

Knick of Time Tuesday http://knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com/

Marvelous Mondays http://www.jamscorner.com/

Uncommonly Yours http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

Cedar Hill Ranch http://cedarhillranch.blogspot.com/

Savvy Southern Style http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Ivy and Elephants http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

From My Front Porch to Yours http://frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com/

The Brambleberry Cottage http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

French Country Cottage http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

The Charm of Home http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

While He Was Napping http://whilehewasnapping.blogspot.com/

Funky Junk Interiors http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/

Under the Table and Dreaming http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

Mini Jar Pies

 

So cute and fun . . . mini pies!  I kept it simple by using store-bought pie crust.  All you need are the tiny, canning jars, pie crust and filling ingredients.  

 Grease the jars and then begin tearing the pie crust apart and fitting it into the jars.  

 I used the rings of the lids to cut the pie crust tops.  

 I used frozen, mixed berries for the filling (scroll down for recipe) and then filled each jar 3/4 full with the filling.

 Next I put the top crusts on and baked the pies.

 Two boxes of crust made 22 mini pies.  

Filling:  4 c frozen berries combined with 2 T cornstarch and 1/3 c sugar in a saucepan.  Heat, stirring until thickened.  Remove from heat and stir in 2 T butter and 1 T lemon juice.

I had some leftover filling so I just froze it in small containers to use on top of other desserts like cheesecake or ice cream.

There are lots of recipes on the internet and you can substitute any kind of fruit - even canned fruit works well!