Oat Pancakes

1-1/2 cups rolled oats 
2 cups milk 
1 cup flour (white or whole wheat) 
2 Tbsp brown or white sugar 
2 Tbsp baking powder 
3/4 tsp salt 
3 eggs 
1/4 cup oil 

Mix oats and milk in small bowl. Set aside until milk is almost absorbed, about 5 minutes. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl. Stir well to blend. Add eggs and oil to oat mixture. Beat well. Add oat mixture to flour mixture all at once, mixing until smooth. Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto preheated, lightly greased griddle. Bake until fluffy and bubbles break on surface. Turn and bake other side. Serve hot with butter and/or maple syrup. Makes about 18 pancakes.

Mom's Fruit Platz (Coffee Cake)

Base:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup (approx) light cream or whole milk

Spread in a 9 x 9 pan.

Spread 4 cups fruit on top of the base, then sprinkle with crumbs (ruebel).

Ruebel:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
3 Tbsp butter
2 to 2-1/2 Tbsp cream

Rub in the butter until it makes crumbs. Sprinkle over top the fruit.
Bake at 350 deg F for 30-45 minutes.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Chili

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
16 oz jar thick salsa
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
2-3 tsp chili powder
1 to 1.5 tsp dried oregano

1. Brown ground beef and onion in skillet. Drain.
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 3-6 hours.
4. When serving, add sour cream and guacamole if desired.

Ham Lentil Soup for the Slow Cooker

1 meaty ham bone
5 cups water
Cooked ham or bacon
2 cups red lentils
3 carrots, sliced or diced
1 cup green peas
1 cup corn
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp parsley flakes
1/4 tsp thyme

1. Put ham bone and water in slow cooker. Cover. turn on low for 6-8 hours. Remove ham bone and pull the remaining meat off. Strain water in slow cooker to ensure there are no small pieces of bone left. Return broth to slow cooker, add the pieces of meat, plus as much extra ham or bacon as desired.

2. Add remaining ingredients. Cover. cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

Hamburger Lentil Soup for the Slow Cooker

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup onions, chopped
4 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 garlic clove, minced or 1 tsp garlic powder
1 can tomato soup
2 tsp salt
2 cups dry lentils, washed with stones removed
1 quart water
1/2 tsp dried marjoram or thyme
1 Tbsp brown sugar

1. Brown ground beef and onions in skillet. Drain.
2. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-6 hours.

Mom's Meatbuns

Meatbun Dough for the bread machine:

1/2 Tbsp yeast
2-1/3 Tbsp sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup mashed potatoes
1/4 cup butter or shortening
3-1/2 to 3-3/4 cups flour
1 egg
3/4 tsp salt

Filling:
Fry onions and garlic. Then take either beef broth thickened with flour and water or 1 can gravy (284 mL) and add to ground cooked roast or cooked ground meat. Mix together.

To form buns:
Pinch off balls of dough about the size of a small egg.
Flatten dough in the palm of your hand into about a 3-inch circle.
Place a spoonful of filling on the centre.
Bring the edges of the dough up and around the filling and pinch together tightly to seal edges.
Place pinched side down on a greased baking sheet.
Cover and allow to rise in a warm place.
Bake at 375 deg F for about 20 minutes or until golden.