PENINSULA KITCHEN: 4-H members offer easy-to-make recipes

IT’S THE END of summer, the grass is dry, and the Clallam County Fair wrapped up last Sunday.

Next thing you know the kids will be back in school.

I had the honor this year of being the judge for the 4-H cooking class at the Clallam County Fair.

In addition to showing their animals and archery posters, and participating in a talent show and archery, some kids signed up to demonstrate the making of their favorite after-school snacks.

I was lucky enough to be on hand to witness their skills and sample their results while they did the cleanup.

Here are two classic recipes. Both are delicious, reliable and easy for your 12-year-old to make on their own.

Kyrie Bergen opted for the no-nuts version of Oatmeal raisin cookies, and made them using coconut oil instead of butter.

It was a great substitution.

The cookies were perfect.

Another simple snack or breakfast that anyone with a blender can make in a quick minute was the fruit smoothie Norah Schmidt made.

Norah, who could probably make a smoothie in her sleep, explained that you can combine any type of fruit (fresh or frozen) but be sure to remove the skin.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, adapted from www.simplyrecipes.com

1 cup unsalted butter or softened shortening

1 cup brown sugar, packed

¾ granulated sugar

2 large beaten eggs (Kyrie had duck eggs for this)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1½ cups all purpose flour

¾ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1½ cups raisins

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

3 cups rolled oats

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two larke cookie sheets.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add the brown sugar and white sugar, beat about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla extract.

Mix flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a medium bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture. Stir in the raisins and nuts. Stir in the oats.

Spoon out the dough by large tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie.

Bake until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes. Note that the cookies will seem underdone. That’s okay, they will firm up as they cool.

Cool one minute on cookie sheets. Then carefully remove them, using a metal spatula, to a wire rack. Cool completely. They will be quite soft until completely cooked. Store tightly covered.

Fruit Smoothie

For one 12-ounce glass, place the following in a blender:

1 ripe, medium-sized banana

4 large strawberries (feel free to substitute an equivalent amount of other fruits (fresh or frozen depending on what’s in season)

½ cup chilled orange juice

1/3 cup yogurt (Norah used vanilla yogurt but feel free to use any flavor you like)

Blend the ingredients until smooth and free of chunks, pour into a glass and enjoy.

________

Betsy Wharton is a Port Angeles Farmers Market vendor, Washington State University Extension food preservation information assistant and a registered nurse at First Step Family Support Center. More about her pickling enterprise can be found at www.Clallam CanningCompany.com.

More in Life

Photos by Katie Newton-Salmon
2024 Sequim and Port Angeles Equestrian teams got off to a great start during its first WAHSET competition, bringing home where they brought home nine first place wins. Top row from left: Katelynn Sharpe, Kennedy Gilbertson, Savanah Boulton, Celbie Karjalainen, Asha Swanberg
Bottom row left: Coach Misty Gilbertson, PA member Olivia West, Kenzie Winters, Lilly Meyer, Joanna Seelye, Taylor Lewis, Kiaja Johnson, Paisley Morris, PA member Zakara Braun, and coach Ady Crosby. Not pictured non-competing member Paige Reed and advisor Katie Newton.
HORSEPLAY: First high school equestrian event of the year for Sequim

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL’S equestrian team had a “great first meet,” said coach… Continue reading

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Sequim Ballroom intern Brie Rocha follows instructor Werner Figar’s lead as he keeps an eye on his intermediate/advanced swing class.
Dancers work on moves during classes at Sequim schoolhouse

Beginners, intermediate students learn variety of ballroom styles

ISSUES OF FAITH: The courage of religious leaders

“JUSTICE, JUSTICE SHALL you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). The Jewish Bible, the Tanach,… Continue reading

Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson
Unity in the Olympics service slated

The Rev. Asha Burson-Johnson will be the speaker at… Continue reading

Jamal Rahman
Rahman scheduled for OUUF program

The Imam Jamal Rahman will present “Spiritual Insights and… Continue reading

The USS Argonaught stationed at Pearl Harbor and Brisbane, Australia during WWII.
BACK WHEN: The human cost of war hit the Peninsula in WWII

SEVENTY-NINE YEARS ago the end was in sight for World War 2.… Continue reading

A GROWING CONCERN: Make the most of the last weeks of winter

TODAY IS THE eve of Groundhog Day. Regardless if the furry rodent… Continue reading

Unitarian speaker slated in Port Angeles

The Rev. Terry Barrett will present “The Gift of… Continue reading

Tools for caregivers class set for Sequim

The public is invited to enroll in the Powerful Tools… Continue reading

Prayer gathering for peace slated

Bahá’is of Sequim and Port Angeles will host “Prayers… Continue reading

ISSUES OF FAITH: Finding our way home

THIS COMING SUNDAY is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany and this… Continue reading