Almond Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites

Green background with the words Easy Homemade Cookie Dough Protein Bites Recipe with a photo image of the cookie dough balls with prominent m&ms and chocolate chips.

We love these almond butter protein bites for peanut-free, easy snacks for elementary kids. Great for lunches and snacks.

Easy Cookie Dough Protein Bites

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup oatmeal Quick cooking works best but we've used old fashioned as well.
  • 1/2 cup almond butter You might need slightly more. It might easier to use this briefly (20 seconds or less) warmed in the microwave. You can also substitute sunflower butter or peanut butter if you prefer.
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup protein powder vanilla We have also had success using chocolate protein powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon salt our favorite is kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup m&ms or mini chocolate chips Or both. You can also add more or less depending on your taste.

Instructions
 

  • add oatmeal, protein powder, honey and almond butter, vanilla and salt to a bowl.
  • Mix with your hands, it really is easier this way.
  • Add chocolate chips and/or mini M&Ms.
  • Mix again. Form into balls.
  • Refigerate overnight.
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Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

Pinterest Image of Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle
It has been very cold lately and we’ve received a bit more snow at once than usual. I’ve taken advantage of the extra refrigerator by making some of our favorite treats that need to be refrigerated to set up, like these Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars. There are loads of recipes out there and some include vanilla wafers, graham crackers, flour, oats and all kinds of other items. I like these just like the Case Elementary School Lunch Ladies made them: pure peanut butter and chocolate. The portions were generous and they still taste just as good today.

Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars

These were THE dessert of elementary and middle school. As I've gotten older, I've also learned they were ubiquitious and not just limited to my elementary and middle school. It makes me think there's a lunch lady recipe book all schools received.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • 2- 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Put Butter and Peanut Butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until butter and peanut butter are melted in 30-second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds.
  • When melted remove and add the remaining sugar and vanilla. Stir together until a large ball of dough forms and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Remove from bowl and spread into a 9x13 pan.
    Image of Peanut Butter Mixture for Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle
  • Pour chocolate chips into another microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until completely melted. Spoon over top of peanut butter mixture and spread evenly.
    Image of Chocolate topping for Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle
  • Allow to cool completely by placing in the refrigerator for about an hour.
  • Cut into squares and serve.
Keyword peanut butter bars
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Miso-Marinated Cod

We had this dish on our trip to Hawaii and have worked to recreate it ever since. The fish takes some forethought and prep, but the cooking time is quick and easy.

Photo of Miso Cod plated by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle

Miso-Marinated Cod

Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup sake
  • 1/4 cup mirin
  • 1/4 cup white miso paste
  • 3 tablespoons white sugar
  • 4 cod fillets
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon green onions for garnish

Instructions
 

  • At least two days BEFORE you plan to eat this dish, make the miso marinade. Bring the sake and mirin to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Boil for 20 seconds to evaporate the alcohol.
  • Turn the heat down to low, add the miso paste, and whisk. When the miso has dissolved completely, turn the heat up to high again and add the sugar, whisk to ensure that the sugar doesn't burn. Remove from heat once the sugar is fully dissolved. Cool.
  • Pat the black cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. We usually use frozen, slightly defrosted filets for this since fresh cod is hard to come by here. Add the fish and the marinade to a sealable Tupperware container. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. We suggest lightly flipping the container when you open the refrigerator during those two days.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat an oven-proof skillet, such as a cast-iron skillet, over high heat on the stovetop. Lightly wipe off any excess miso clinging to the fillets, but leave some on (just not big clumps).
  • Add a bit of sesame oil to the pan, then place the fish in the pan and cook until the bottom of the fish browns and blackens in spots, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the other side is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the oven and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
    photo of miso cod cooking by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle
Keyword cod, miso, Miso-Marinated Cod
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Ground Chicken Bowl

It’s not a surprise we love Japanese food. We are always looking for new recipes that everyone in the family enjoys. This is a great one that is easy enough for a weeknight and filled with protein and our daughter’s second favorite vegetable, peas.

Photo of oboro Don Ground Chicken Bowl by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle

Ground Chicken Bowl

This is a revised version of Soboro Don a delicious, easy protein filled Japanese dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 3 people

Ingredients
  

For Ground Chicken

  • 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
  • ½ to 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1 tsp ginger We use the ginger in the squeeze bottle, it can be hard to find good fresh ginger here.
  • 1 Tbsp sake
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp mirin
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce Dark soy adds a great depth of flavor to this dish

For Scrambled Eggs

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil

To Serve

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • ¼ cup green peas
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Heat the sesame oil in a non-stick frying pan on medium heat, and cook the chicken until cooked through. Tip: cook without breaking until browned, then flip and cook until browned again. Then break it up.
  • Add sake, sugar, and mirin.
  • Add the ginger (Be careful! The ginger may pop!)
  • Cook until the liquid is almost gone. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
  • Beat the eggs in a small bowl and add sugar. Mix well until sugar is completely dissolved.
  • Heat oil in the frying pan over medium-low heat and pour in the egg mixture.
  • Break the egg into small pieces. When it’s cooked through, transfer to another bowl.
  • To serve add some rice to a bowl. Then add the chicken, egg and peas. You can use sesame seeds as a garnish.
Keyword chicken bowl
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Crockpot or Instapot Chicken Tostadas

Sometimes we need a super easy, customizable dinner that can include as many veggies as possible. This is a dish we eat regularly.

Photo of Easy Chicken Tostadas by Aurora Meyer on Dispatches from the Castle

Crockpot or Instapot Chicken Tostadas

This a super easy weeknight dinner that we make regularly. Even the preschooler loves it!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

For the chicken

  • 3 chicken breasts Frozen is fine, see notes.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced or powdered
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 cup chicken stock

Garnishes

  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped
  • 1 can refried beans
  • 1 cup lettuce shredded
  • 1 cup corn
  • 1 avocado diced
  • salsa We like the green salsa for this dish.
  • pickled jalapenos
  • 1 cup cheeses shredded, Monterey Jack is great in this.
  • Tortilla chips or tostadas

Instructions
 

CrockPot Instructions

  • Turn the crockpot to medium. Add half of the olive oil to the crockpot. Add the chicken and chicken stock. (Note: if using frozen chicken, set the crockpot on high). Top with the rest of the olive oil and then sprinkle with garlic and cumin. Let cook for six hours.
  • Remove chicken from crockpot and shred with a fork.
  • Add the refried beans to a pot on the stove top and heat or use a microwave safe bowl and cook following the can directions.
  • On your favorite chips or tostadas add the cooked refied beans followed by the chicken and cheese and then your favorite toppings.

InstaPot Instructions

  • Add half of the olive oil to the crockpot. Add the chicken and chicken stock. Top with the rest of the olive oil and then sprinkle with garlic and cumin. Set the venting knob to Sealing Position. Set to Poultry for 10 minutes (if you are cooking from frozen you may need more time). Make sure the chicken internal temperature is at least 165 degrees before you shred. Follow steps 2 through 4 above.
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