Italian Pizza Dough

This is my adaptation of the delectable "Tammy's Italian Cheese Bread" recipe. It's so good! Make sure to try the Cheese Bread when having spaghetti.

Italian Pizza Dough

10 cups bread flour (will not work with AP flour)
4 tsp salt
4 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
4 cups warm water
1/4 cup olive oil

In your mixer bowl with dough hook, combine first 6 ingredients, mix well. Add liquid ingredients and, once dough is combined, allow to knead 4-5 minutes. Let rest, covered, for 20 minutes (can be skipped if in a great hurry). Form into pizzas. Top as desired. This makes three large, thin pizzas or two thick ones.

2010 Canning Inventory

With the year wrapped up, I can post all that I canned this year. Keeping track helps me know what I need to make more of and what I can skip in 2011.

11 quarts strawberry-lemonade concentrate
28 pints strawberry jam
9 pints strawberry-blueberry jam
10 pints pizza sauce
5 pints banana-strawberry jam
9 pints spiced peach jam
6 pints vanilla peach jam
10 pints peach plum jam
5 pints peach strawberry jam
14 pints zucchini salsa
6 pints hot El-Pato sauce
12 pints apricot-strawberry jam
9 quarts picante sauce
12 pints picante sauce
18 quarts mexican tomato sauce
5 quarts apple pear sauce
27 quarts applesauce
37 quarts pickles
8 pints lemon juice
10 half-pints lemon juice
21 quarts apple pie filling
5 quarts pinto beans
9 quarts turkey meat and broth

I canned many more beans in 2009. I found that I was using them almost as fast as I was canning them, though, so I forced myself to stop and get in the habit of cooking beans on a regular basis. In 2011, I plan to get about 20 quarts on the shelf and leave them there for needful meals, not for convenience. I also need to make more meals-in-a-jar. We depleted them when Polly was hospitalized last year. I have chili canning as I type this, for my first entry on the 2011 canning inventory. Several soups are on my to-do list for the coming weeks.

I *miss* having canned green beans. I was not able to make a bulk purchase at the farmer's market at all last year. Spring can't come fast enough! We do have a small number of strawberry based jams left, but they are almost gone. I used our last bag of frozen berries in smoothies last month. I should increase the strawberry jams by a batch or two.

Buckeye Candy

This is going on my Christmas dessert table. Yum! I found it at Plain Pam's Blog.

Buckeye Candy

1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
6 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
2 tablespoons coconut oil

Directions
1.Line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside.
2.In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and confectioners' sugar with hands to form a smooth stiff dough. Shape into balls using 2 teaspoons of dough for each ball. Place on prepared pan, and refrigerate.
3.Melt coconut oil and chocolate together in a metal bowl over a pan of lightly simmering water. Stir occasionally until smooth, and remove from heat.
4.Remove balls from refrigerator. Insert a wooden toothpick into a ball, and dip into melted chocolate. Return to wax paper, chocolate side down, and remove toothpick. Repeat with remaining balls. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.

Apple Farina Pudding

Apple Farina Pudding

Pour the left-over breakfast porridge into a 8x8 and stand it aside. When cooled, cut this into thin slices, cover the bottom of a 9x 13 baking-dish with these slices, and cover these with sliced apples, and so continue until you have the ingredients used, having the last layer apples. Beat an egg, without separating, until light, add a cup of milk and a teaspoon of salt, then stir in a cup of flour. When smooth pour this over the apples and bake in a quick oven a half hour or so.

Jackie Clay's Canned Beef or Venison Stew

This is from Jackie Clay's blog. She's the very best source of canning wisdom.
Beef (or venison) Stew

5 pounds stew meat
1 Tbsp cooking oil
3 quarts cubed potatoes
2 quarts sliced or cut carrots
3 cups chopped celery
3 cups chopped onions
1 quart or more tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes (optional; may use water)
1½ Tbsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
Cut meat into 1-inch cubes; brown in oil. Combine meat, vegetables, and seasonings in large stockpot and cover with tomato sauce, tomatoes, or water and bring to a boil. Do not cook. Ladle hot stew into hot jars, leaving 1 inch of headroom. Remove any air bubbles. Wipe jar rim clean, put hot, previously simmered lid on jar and screw down ring firmly tight. Process pints for 75 minutes and quarts for 90 minutes at 10 pounds pressure.

*Note to self, thicken this after opening and reheating. Use arrowroot, flour or cornstarch.

Oat Dinner Rolls

I found these at Enola Gay's blog Paratus Familia.

Oat Dinner Rolls

5 cups water (divided)
2 cups oats, freshly rolled, if possible
1 1/3 cup brown sugar
6 Tbsp butter
3 tsp salt
1/4 cup yeast
10-12 cups flour

Boil 4 cups of water. Stir in oats and simmer. Add sugar, butter, salt and rest of water. Cool.

Stir in yeast - let sponge.

Add flour, 1 cup at a time. Put dough in lightly greased bowl. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place. Punch down, let rise until almost double. Punch down again. Shape into rolls. Let rise until almost double.

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Harvest Cookies

I found these at Enola Gay's blog Paratus Familia. They sound SO good!

Harvest Cookies

1 cup butter
3 cups packed brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2 eggs
2 cups chopped peeled apples
2 cups chopped walnuts
1/2 cup milk (or apple juice)
2 C all-purpose Flour

Vanilla Glaze:
3 cups confectioners' Sugar
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
5 Tbsp milk

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar, baking soda, salt, spices and egg. Stir in apples, nuts, milk and half of the flour; mix well. Blend in remaining flour. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks. Combine glaze ingredients and spread over cookies while warm. Yield: about 6 dozen.

Coating Mix for Meats

This breading mix can be used on a variety of meats. You can alter any of the spices to your liking, as well.

Coating Mix For Meats

2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp onion salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 cup oil

Blend all ingredients with a fork. If using a shelf stable oil, you can make this ahead of time and keep it stored in your cupboard in an airtight container. I prefer to use coconut oil and make it as I need it.

To use, place spice mix in a baggie or a pie plate. Moisten meat with egg, water or milk. and shake or press, one piece at a time, till covered well. Bake or fry meat as desired.

All Butter Pie Crust

I made two cherry pies and one pumpkin pie for our Thanksgiving gathering. My sister-in-law requested that I make a piecrust pie next time; she loved this crust so much! My father-in-law ate pie for breakfast the following day, with a sad remark about there being no more for the afternoon. Head to Simply Recipes for the full version of the recipe. I'm sure it's even better than the way I did it! Here's the shortcut method I adapted:

All Butter Pie Crust

2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 cup (2 sticks or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into chunks
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
6 to 8 Tbsp ice water

Cut the sticks of butter into chunks and place in the freezer for 15 minutes to an hour.

Combine flour, salt, and sugar in the Bosch bowl with whisks. Change to cookie paddles. Add butter and blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add ice water 1 Tbsp at a time, mixing until mixture just begins to clump together.

Remove dough from bowl and place in a mound on a clean surface. Gently shape into 2 discs. Roll out with a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface to a 12-inch circle; about 1/8 of an inch thick. As you roll out the dough, check if the dough is sticking to the surface below. If necessary, add a few sprinkles of flour under the dough to keep the dough from sticking. Carefully place onto a 9-inch pie plate. Gently press the pie dough down so that it lines the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Use a butter knife or kitchen scissors to trim the dough to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the pie dish.

Add filling to the pie.

Roll out second disk of dough, as before. Gently place onto the top of the filling in the pie. Pinch top and bottom of dough rounds firmly together. Trim excess dough with kitchen shears, leaving a 3/4 inch overhang. Fold the edge of the top piece of dough over and under the edge of the bottom piece of dough, pressing together. Flute edges using thumb and forefinger or press with a fork. Score the top of the pie with four 2-inch long cuts, so that steam from the cooking pie can escape.

Applesauce Cake with Maple Frosting

This delicious creation was featured at CakeWalk. It sounds SO good!

Spanish Bar Cake (a.k.a. Applesauce Cake)
one 9x13 pan

2 1/2 c. white flour
2 c. sugar, raw or granulated
1/4 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. baking soda
3/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
1/2 t. allspice
1/2 c. oil
1/2 c. water or apple cider
1 pint applesauce
2 eggs
1 c. raisins
1/2 c. walnuts, chopped (or more)

Preheat oven to 350.

Sift or mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry, and stir until well incorporated but do not over mix. Fold in the raisins and walnuts.

Spread into a 9x13 inch pan and bake for 25-35 minutes. Cake is done when tester comes out clean, and the top is lightly browned. (Time varies depending on the size and variety of your pan.)

Cool completely, and frost with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting.


Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz. cream cheese, softened
powdered sugar (3-4 cups more for thicker frosting layer)
milk (2-3 T.)
1/2 t. (or more) Mapleine (maple flavoring)
(optional 1-2 T. butter)

Beat the cream cheese and optional butter until well mixed. Add Mapleine and enough powdered sugar to create a thick frosting. Thin with a bit of milk, and correct with additional powdered sugar should it get too runny.

Fresh Hot Cocoa #2

Here's another version of fresh hot cocoa, this time a bit healthier. I found this one at mommyx12's beautiful blog.

Healthy Fresh Hot Cocoa

10 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Pinch of salt
2/3 cup of honey
1 cup hot water
8 cups milk
2 tsp vanilla

Combine the cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and honey in a large saucepan and mix well. Stir in the hot water. Heat until it just begins to boil. Quickly turn down the heat so the mixture barely simmers for about 30 seconds. Add milk to the saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat for 1-2 minutes just to heat it.

Stir in vanilla. Use a wire whisk to beat the hot chocolate until is is frothy.

Old Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies

This is a Food.com recipe.

Old Fashioned Lemon Sugar Cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
Zest from one lemon
Juice of one lemon juice
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large whole eggs

Preheat oven to 350°.
Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and set aside.
Put sugars and lemon zest in your mixer and mix at medium speed for about 30 seconds (until well blended). Add butter, mix at medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in eggs, one at a time, at medium speed, then add lemon juice and continue mixing at medium speed for about 30 seconds.
Reduce speed and gradually add flour mixture. Mix until just combined.

Chill mixture for at least 15 minutes.

Drop cookie dough onto non-stick cookie sheets spaced 2 inches apart. Place remaining cookie mixture in refrigerator and cookie sheet(s) in freeze for 15 minutes. Using the flat bottom of a drinking glass, press the cookies till about 1/2 inch thick. If desired, sprinkle cookies with colored sugar and brush lightly with wet pastry brush. Sprinkle with more sugar to taste.

Return to freezer for approximately 5 minutes. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 3 minutes and transfer cookies to cookie rack and cool. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies with Frosting Options

I have an abundance of lemons right now, so I will be adding some of the lemon recipes that we enjoy. This cookie is wonderful!

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

2 cups softened butter
1 1/2 cup light brown sugar
6 tsp fresh lemon juice (you can use more, too)
1 tsp vanilla extract
zest from 2 lemons (or more, depending on your taste)
4 cups all purpose flour

Preheat over to 325. Cream butter and sugar. Add lemon juice, vanilla, zest and flour and mix well. Shape level tablespoonfuls into logs or balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets or press into a jelly roll pan for bars. Bake 15-20 minutes till cookie spreads and is very light brown in color. Cool. You can dip cookies into melted chocolate or soft lemon frosting when cooled, or drizzle with a lemony powdered sugar glaze.

Lemon Buttercream Frosting

1/4 cup butter
1/2 pound powdered sugar
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 Tbsp milk
dash of salt

Beat butter till soft. Add powdered sugar alternatively with combined zest, juice, salt and milk. Beat till smooth. Add more zest if not lemony enough for your taste. Add a drop or two more milk if it's too thick. You can tint with yellow food coloring, if desired.


Lemon Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp melted butter
2 Tbsp lemon juice

Mix well. Drizzle or pour over cookies. This works without the butter, as well.

The Best Browned Beef Stew

This is a Recipezaar (now called Food.com) recipe. We adapted it for our family and have it at least monthly through the fall and winter. It is SO good!

The Best Browned Beef Stew EVER!

3 -4 1/2 lbs cubed beef stew meat
1 1/2 cups flour
4 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped fine
3 carrots, chopped fine
3/4 cup finely chopped celery with a few minced leaves
3 tablespoons dried parsley
3 pinches thyme
10 1/2 cups beef broth (chicken broth works, too)
6 medium potatoes, diced
6 carrots, diced

1. Put flour, salt and pepper in a large zippy bag.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven.
3. Place meat in bag with the flour and shake until well coated.
4. Shake off meat pieces and add them to the oil and stir until slightly browned, Add remaining flour from the bag and the finely chopped onion.
5. Stir until well browned.
6. Add finely chopped carrot and next 4 ingredients.
7. Cover and cook over low heat for 1 1/2 hours (stirring every 15 minutes).
8. Add diced potatoes, carrots and cook for another 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

I always cook this in my large cast iron Dutch Oven. It imparts a flavor that is missing when it's cooked in a stainless steel pot. I pair this with French Bread, either in roll or loaf form.

Sour Pickles

Another pickle possibility. I found this one at Everyday Finesse.

Sour Pickles

Wash cucumbers and put them in a gallon or larger jar, barrel or another container.

To make the brine:
2 1/4 cups white vinegar
1/2 cup salt
8 1/2 cups water
6 teaspoons dill seed
3 cloves of garlic
3 teaspoons mustard seed

Put garlic into jar with the cucumbers. Put all other ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour over cucumbers until jar is full. Weight down the pickles (you can use a plate). Let set in cool, dark place for up to six weeks.

To can: Put cucumbers in wide mouth quart jars and pour over the brine until full. Cap and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.

Canned Dill Pickle Relish

Found on Life123.com

Canning Garlic Dill Pickle Relish

Ingredients You Will Need:
5 pounds pickling cucumbers (about 14 cups chopped)
2 cups red bell pepper, chopped
5 ½ cups cider vinegar
3 teaspoons dill seed
6 cloves garlic, minced
5 tablespoons pickling salt

Prepare jars by sterilizing them. Jars should be kept hot until filled and processed. Lids and rings should also be sterilized.

Wash vegetables, discard stems and chop. Measure the vegetables and place them into a large bowl. Set aside. In a large, heavy-bottomed kettle, combine the remaining ingredients, stirring until the salt dissolves.

Add the vegetables to the vinegar mix and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for ten minutes.

Using a canning funnel, fill the sterilized pint jars, leaving a ½ inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles with the sterilized handle of a wooden spoon. Adjust hot lids and rings and process the jars in a hot water bath for 15 minutes. A hot water bath means the jars will be covered with water by one to two inches and that the water will be at a full rolling boil for the entire 15 minutes.

Remove the jars from the heat and place them on a rack to cool. Leave the relish undisturbed for about 12 hours. Jars that did not seal must be refrigerated.

Canned Dill Pickles

These are my project for this week.

Canned Dill Pickles

Measurements are for 1 quart. Multiply as desired.

1-1 1/2 pounds of pickling cucumbers
2 Tbsp pickling salt
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp pickling spice
6 peppercorns
1 Tbsp dill weed
1/4 tsp Pickle Crisp
half a clove of garlic (optional)

Sterilize jars and keep hot.

Wash cucumbers, cut into slices or wedges as desired.

Combine salt, water and vinegar. Bring to a boil. Dissolve the salt, then turn reduce heat. Keep warm.

Pack cucumbers into jars. Add spices, including Pickle Crisp. Ladle hot liquid into jars to 1/2" headspace. Arrange cukes until they are all under the brine.

Clean jar rims, sterilize lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Cure for 3 weeks to 3 months before eating.


This recipe is adapted from the refrigerator pickle recipe we like so much. This makes 8 quarts.

Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Clone ~ Canned Recipe

1 gallon pickling cucumbers
1/3 cup instant minced onion
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tablespoon mustard seeds
6 heads fresh dill or 8 Tbsp dill weed
1 1/2 quarts water
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup canning salt

1. Slice cucumbers lengthwise into quarters, or slice into rounds, and add to sterilized jars along with the dill.
2. Boil liquids and seasonings to dissolve the salt. Pour over pickles to 1/2" headspace. Properly prepare lids and rings. Process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
   

Homemade Fresh Hot Chocolate

Homemade Fresh Hot Chocolate

1/2 cup dutch cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
8 cups milk
a bit of vanilla, if desired

Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.

You can put this in a thermos or crockpot to take with you on picnics or potlucks.

This post is shared at The Common Room's Potluck Saturday.

Caramelized Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

We have lots of pumpkin seeds this time of year, so we like to make tasty snacks with them. Here's one from AllRecipes.

Caramelized Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

3 tablespoons white sugar

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 pinch cayenne pepper

2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds,

washed and dried

cooking spray

2 teaspoons salt, or to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons white sugar

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons of sugar, the cumin, cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne pepper, and set aside.

Place the pumpkin seeds on the prepared baking sheet, spray them with cooking spray, and sprinkle with salt to taste. Bake the seeds in the preheated oven until lightly golden, 20 to 25 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, and stir in the toasted pumpkin seeds along with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Cook and stir the seeds until the sugar forms a coating on the seeds, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir the caramelized seeds into the bowl of sugar-spice mixture, toss to coat, and let cool.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Here's an easy fix if you run out of pumpkin pie spice. I read it at The Common Room.

Just mix 1/4 cup of cinnamon with 4 tsp of ground ginger, 2 tsp of nutmeg, 2 tsp allspice, 1 tsp freshly ground cloves.

How simple is that?

Breakfast Bake

This recipe is from Large Family Logistics. I think it will go over well here. It didn't say what to bake it in or the temperature, but I assume it would be a 9x13 and I will be trying 300 degrees, if no one else advises differently. I will be doubling it and using 2 9x13's.

Breakfast Bake

Shred a few potatoes with your food processor
4 T butter, melted
8 eggs
½ c milk
2 c Jack or Cheddar shredded
1 c cooked ham, sausage, or hamburger

Beat eggs; add milk, ½ t salt, ¼ t pepper.
Mix in potatoes.
Add meat, chives, and cheese. Stir.
Bake until eggs are set.

Claussen Style Pickles with Hickory House Option

I found this on Chickens in the Road: Instant Picklefication. I am so glad to find a refrigerator pickle that doesn't required fresh dill. It's not got a very long season around here. I just condensed my last gallon of pickles to a half gallon jar, so this is timely, too. We'll need more pickles soon!

Claussen Style Pickles with Hickory House Option

pickling cucumbers or small slicing cucumbers
fresh dill OR dried dill seed and dill weed
kosher salt
vinegar
fresh garlic
mustard seed
peppercorns
powdered allspice

hot pepper flakes

carrots OR sugar

Pickle Crisp

Select fresh, evenly colored cucumbers. Slice if desired. Wash and pack in sterilized quart jars. Place several sprays of dill on top of cucumbers. (use 1/2 Tablespoon dill weed and dill seed if not using fresh)

To each quart, add 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/4 tsp mustard seed, 6 whole peppercorns, 1/8 tsp powdered allspice, 1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes and either one whole sliced carrot or 1/4 tsp sugar and Pickle Crisp as per the package instructions (I doubled all of these since I used 1/2 gallon jars).

Heat 1 quart distilled water, 1 cup vinegar and 2 Tbsp fine kosher or canning salt to boiling

Cool brine, pour over cucumbers to within 1/4 inch of top. Seal. Refrigerate. This liquid may become cloudy in a few days but will soon clear. The pickles will be firm, crisp and evenly colored.

Now, for the ‘Hickory House’ version (sweet and spicy!):

Use the above recipe, but:

Increase sugar to 1 cup and add to the brine.
Increase garlic in each quart to 2 large cloves each, chopped.
Increase pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon per quart.

Cheddar Pepper Crisps

These sound SO good. It's another Taste of Home recipe from my annual collections. I think they will be making an appearance this week for a snack.

Cheddar Pepper Crisps

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoons vinegar
Coarsely ground pepper

In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cut in butter
until crumbly. Stir in cheese. Sprinkle with water and vinegar.
Toss with a fork until a ball forms. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap;
refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is firm.

Divide into six portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each
portion of dough into an 8-in. circle. Cut into eight wedges and
place on greased baking sheets. Sprinkle with pepper; lightly press
into dough. Bake at 375° for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown
and crisp. Cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.

Yield: 4 dozen.

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

This is a sweet muffin perfect for brunch or dessert. I found it at My Recipes. I adapted it, as it was originally low-fat. This makes 3 dozen muffins.

Strawberry Cinnamon Muffins

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 9 tablespoons whole milk
• 3 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup strawberry jam
• 3 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1 /2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Make a well in center of flour mixture. Combine yogurt, butter, milk, and egg in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add yogurt mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.

Place 12 foil cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Spoon 1 tablespoon batter into each liner. Top each with 1 teaspoon jam. Top evenly with the remaining batter. Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375º for 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan; place on a wire rack.

Red Beans and Rice

This is from Taste of Home. It's SO good! I adapted the recipe to our family's tastes, and made it doubled, so there was leftovers for lunch. I paired it with Alber's cornbread. I wrote out the substitutions I had to make due to ingredient shortages. :) You could add sausage, cooked chicken or ground beef to this if you wanted. It's very versatile.

Red Beans and Rice

• 1/2 pound dried kidney beans, rinsed
• 1/2 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
• 4 cups water
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 quart home-canned tomatoes with liquid
  
• 1 jar (4 ounces) canned peppers, drained
• 1 large green pepper, chopped
• 1 large sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp dried minced onion)
  
• 1 cup chopped celery (I didn't have any, so I used 1 tsp celery salt)
  
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley (I used 1 Tbsp dried)
  
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt (I used less since I used celery salt)
  
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (I used the vinegar I pickled the peppers in)
  
• Hot cooked rice (I used 2 cups dry rice...should have used 3)
  

Directions

• Place beans in a Dutch oven with water. Bring to a boil; simmer 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans. Return to Dutch oven with broth, garlic and bay leaves; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/4 hours. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 1 hour or until beans and vegetables are tender and gravy is thick. Remove bay leaves. Serve over rice. This dish keeps well. Yield: 12 servings.

Homecanned Spiced Applesauce

This is Food in Jars's version of spiced applesauce. I am chomping at the bit to get my hands on an abundance of apples.

Homecanned Spiced Applesauce

4 pounds apples
½ cup apple cider or water
2 pieces star anise
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
½ teaspoon cloves
1 cup sugar

Quarter apples. Put them in a large, non-reactive pot. Add liquid and star anise, put on lid and bring to a simmer. Let fruit cook for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the fruit has broken down. Use tongs to fish out apple skins.

Remove star anise. Using a potato masher or immersion blender, break down the fruit until it has reached your desired consistency. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Taste and add sugar if you feel it is necessary.

Pour applesauce into your prepared jars. Wipe rims, apply lids and screw on rings. Process in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes for half pints and pints, 20 minutes for quarts.

When time has elapsed, remove jars from canner and let them cool on a towel-lined countertop.

To store, remove rings and keep in a cool, dark place. Applesauce will keep in storage up to one year.

Brown Sugar and Honey Granola

I found this at Sweet Country Life.

Brown Sugar and Honey Granola

Mix together:
5 cups of regular oatmeal
1/2 cup of unsweetened coconut
3/4 cups of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or flax seed
2 Tbsp of cinnamon

Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and bake at 300 for 15 minutes.

In a medium saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter, 1/2 a cup of honey, 1/2 a cup of brown sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Stir until dissolved.
Pour over granola mixture and mix until well coated.
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

The longer you bake this granola the crunchier it becomes.
If you want it chewy then bake for 15 minutes or less.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I made this recipe doubled, so I would have enough to freeze for a fast breakfast another day.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1/2 cup oil (or 1/4 applesauce and 1/4 cup oil)

4 eggs

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

2 t. baking soda

1 small can pumpkin

12oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Beat eggs and sugar. Mix in rest of ingredients. Bake for 20 min.

Faith's Pintos

My friend Faith posted this excellent recipe the other day. I made them and they got a thumbs up from everyone in the Crew! I doubled her recipe so I had leftover beans to serve for lunch or use in a recipe later in the week.

Faith's Pintos

Sort and wash two pounds of dry pinto beans (or about 4 1/2 C.)

Cover with 4 quarts filtered water then add:

6 TBS butter
2 TBS. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. cayenne pepper (or more or less depending on the heat you want)
4 tsp. salt

Cook on high for at least 7 hours or until beans are tender.

The Hillbilly Housewife's Garlic Breadsticks.

This is one great recipe! I made it last week when I didn't make French Bread Rolls to serve with spaghetti. It's fast and oh, so good! Go to the original recipe, too, since I adapted it to our family's taste.

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dry Italian seasoning
  
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
  
• 1 more teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
  

Measure flour, salt, garlic powder, parsley and baking powder into mixture bowl equipped with dough hook. Stir well. Pour in milk. Mix until you get a ball of dough that leaves the sides of the bowl. Dust the ball of dough with a little flour if it seems sticky. Knead the ball of dough for 30 seconds. Now place your dough on the counter. You may place a sheet of waxed paper under it you like. Using a rolling pin or sturdy bottle roll the dough out into a rectangle shape. Use your hands to press the edges smooth. You are aiming for a rectangle that will fit into a 9 by 13-inch pan. When you get the dough the right size, set it aside.

Meanwhile place the butter in a 9 by 13-inch pan. Place the pan in the oven at 425°. Allow the pan to preheat and the butter to melt. When the butter is melted, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle the second teaspoon of garlic powder, the 1/2-teaspoon of salt and the optional Parmesan cheese evenly into the pan.

Now, very carefully lay your rectangle of dough into the pan, over top of the butter. Next cut the rectangle into narrow strips. The butter will creep up between the strips. This is normal. It is what gives these bread sticks their texture. After cutting your strips, place the pan in the oven, still at 425°, and bake them for 20 minutes. They will be brown and crispy when they are done.

Making Tomato Sauce from Tomato Paste

Making Tomato Sauce from Tomato Paste

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
4 teaspoons white sugar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
2/3 cup water
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

In large skillet, saute garlic in oil until golden. Add tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, water, cheese and wine. Season with salt and pepper and simmer 10 minutes over medium-low heat.

Orange Julius Smoothie

Orange Julius

6 ounces orange juice, from frozen concentrate, unprepared
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy! We double this recipe for our family.

Zucchini Salsa Tutorial

Zucchini Salsa, Canned

If you want this recipe HOT, add a dozen
jalapenos.

10 cups zucchini, peeled and shredded
4 onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
2 red peppers, chopped
1/4 cup pickling salt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1 tablespoon pickling salt
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon cumin
2 cups white vinegar
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon pepper
5 cups chopped ripe tomatoes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 12 ounce can tomato paste

In a large bowl combine; Zucchini, onions, green and   red peppers and salt. Mix together, cover;let stand over night.

The next day rinse, drain well; put into large pot;
add salt, mustard, garlic, cumin, vinegar,  pepper flakes,

cornstarch, nutmeg, pepper, tomatoes, tomato paste.


Bring to boil; simmer 15 minutes. Blend to smooth with an immersion blender, if desired. Process in a boiling  water bath for 15 minutes for half-pints and 20 minutes  for pints.



Makes 14-16 Half-pints

Mystery Smoothie

I found this at Diet, Dogs and Dessert. I modified it to our tastes, so click the link to see the original.

Mystery Smoothie

This smoothie can be served as a full meal or a dessert/snack–it all depends on the quantity. This smoothie combines the rich nutrient content of spinach with its creamy, fruity base. No one will ever know!

1-1/2 to 2 cups raw milk

1/2 cup blueberries or mixed berries, fresh or frozen

1 banana, fresh or frozen

1/2 cup chopped mango, peaches or apricots, fresh or frozen

1-2 tsp. agave nectar or honey

1 tsp. carob powder (optional)

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2-1 cup packed fresh spinach leaves (or try other greens, such as chard, kale, or lettuce)

Blend and enjoy!

Patricia's Breakfast Cookies

This recipe came from my friend Patricia. She made them for a snack for our fellowship to share after service. They are very good! I modified the recipe slightly to suit our tastes.

Patricia's Breakfast Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp EACH baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon
1 3/4 cup oats, uncooked
1 1/4 cup raisins
1 medium apple, peeled and grated, shredded or finely chopped
2/3 cup grated carrot
1/4-1/2 cup flaked coconut

Oven to 350.

Cream butter, peanut butter and sugars in bowl. Beat in eggs.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add gradually to the creamed mixture on low speed. Beat till blended. Stir in oats, raisins, apple carrot and coconut. Drop by tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until browned on the edges. Do not overbake. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks for cooling.

Pineapple Zucchini Carrot Muffins

I found these at Allrecipes. This is adapted recipe to my family's tastes. They come out so very tender, moist and delicious!

Pineapple Zucchini Carrot Muffins

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup applesauce

6 eggs

2 cups shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded carrot

1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple,

drained

3 teaspoons vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour 4 muffin pans, or use paper liners.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the oil, eggs, zucchini, pineapple and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Fill muffin cups 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Lentil Soup

This is going to make an appearance next week for lunch. I found the recipe link at Crockpot Your Way to Happiness. She converted this recipe to a crockpot version. You can find it at the link.

Lentil Soup

3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrot, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tsp chili pepper
2 cups lentils
2 quarts chicken stock
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup whole milk plain yogurt

Pour olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions, sea salt and pepper. Saute until onions are clear, about 3-5 minutes. Add celery, carrot, garlic, cumin, coriander, and chili pepper. Stir and cook until vegetables are soft. Add lentils. Stir until lentils are coated with oil. Add enough stock to cover lentils. Cover pot and let simmer 30-45 minutes, until lentils are soft and creamy. Add more stock if lentils are too thick. Remove from heat, add lemon juice and 1/2 cup of yogurt. Reheat slowly before serving. Garnish with a dollop of yogurt.

Hamburger Stew

Hamburger Stew

Brown hamburger with a jar of diced tomatoes. *I used 2 pounds of burger and 1 quart homemade Mexican diced tomatoes.

Add lots of veggies of your choice. *I used 3 green squash and 1 orange squash, diced, 6 carrots diced, 1/2 a full bunch of celery, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 6 potatoes, diced. You can add whatever kind of veggies your family enjoys or you have on hand.

Add a complex carb or two. *I used 1 cup of hulled barley. You can use pearl barley, or lentils, canned beans or brown rice.

Add spices. *I used thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic salt and onion powder. I would skip the onion powder if you use onions as one of your veggies. You just have to taste to see if you have enough spice. You use enough salt to make it just right. If it's bland, add a pinch more salt.

Add more water. *I used about 2 quarts. I also added a couple of tablespoons of Frontier Naturals Beef Bouillon powder.

Bring to a boil. Lower heat to simmer and let cook for an hour. Stir occasionally.

I serve it with buttermilk biscuits and raw milk.

Dry Beans Conversion Chart

I needed 96 oz of canned beans for a dish I am making, but I wanted to make it from scratch. This chart helped me convert the recipe.

One 15-ounce can of beans = one and one-half cups cooked beans, drained

One pound dry beans = six cups cooked beans, drained.

One pound dry beans = two cups dry beans.

One cup dry beans = three cups cooked beans, drained.

Baked Egg Omelet

I made this, doubled, for breakfast today. It's really good and very easy. I entered it (then copied it here) into my livestrong account and found that one serving has just 202 calories. I found the original recipe from Taste of Home.

Baked Egg Omelet

6 eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
1 tsp Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp Pepper, Black
1 cup Shredded Medium Cheddar Cheese

Place eggs and milk in the blender. Add flour, salt and pepper. Cover, process until smooth. Pour into greased 9x13. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, until eggs are set. Sprinkle with cheese. Roll up omelet in pan, starting with a short side. Place seam side down on serving platter and cut into 1" slices. You can also add cooked bacon or sausage and veggies if you want.

Italian Diced Tomatoes

Italian Diced Tomatoes

Combine in a large pot:

12 cups diced tomatoes with the juice
6 Tbsp lemon juice

Bring to a low boil for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the following spice mix:

2 tsp basil
1 tsp thyme
1-1/4 tsp oregano
3/4 tsp rosemary
3/4 tsp sage
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes

Prepare pint jars. Make sure they are hot. Ladle in tomatoes till 3/4 full. Add 2 1/4 tsp of spice mix, and 1/4 tsp salt to each jar. Mix gently. Ladle in remaining tomatoes. If short of tomatoes and juice, use some boiling water to fill jars. Fill to 1/2" headspace. Remove any air pockets. Process in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Makes 6 pints

Mexican Diced Tomatoes

This is on the stove right now. I finished off the 40 pounds of tomatoes purchased from the farmers market (along with some from my own garden) with this recipe. I'll use it in chili during the winter.

Mexican Diced Tomatoes

Combine in a large pot:

12 cups diced tomatoes with the juice
6 Tbsp lemon juice

Bring to a low boil for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the following spice mix:

1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp each ground cumin, oregano, garlic powder and coriander

Prepare pint jars. Make sure they are hot. Ladle in tomatoes till 3/4 full. Add 2 tsp of spice mix, and 1/4 tsp salt to each jar. Mix gently. Ladle in remaining tomatoes. If short of tomatoes and juice, use some boiling water to fill jars. Fill to 1/2" headspace. Remove any air pockets. Process in a boiling water bath for 35 minutes. Makes 6 pints

Picante Sauce

This is on the docket for tomorrow. I found it at Great Salsa.

• 1 ½ Gallons Fresh Ripe Tomatoes (peel tomatoes by putting in boiling water for 15 seconds and then in ice water) hand chop and if tomatoes are watery - let set for a few minutes and drain off excess juice. This will make your sauce chunky!

Using a food processor chop the next 3 ingredients.

• 3 large onions
  
• 8 bell peppers
  
• 1 quart jalapeños
  

Measure the following:

• 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
  
• 4 Tablespoon Salt
  
• 1 Tablespoon Pepper
  
• 1 Tablespoon crushed Red Pepper
  
• 2 Tablespoon Sugar
  
• 1 Tablespoon Salad Oil
  
• ½ cup Vinegar
  
• 1 Tablespoon Cumin
  
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
  
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
  

Put all ingredients in large pot - bring to rolling boil - turn down heat - Cook 20 minutes.

Put in sterile jars and seal (boiling water bath for 10 minutes).

Makes approximately 10-12 pints.

Beef Stew for Canning

This is from Two Frog Home.

Beef Stew for Canning

• 3 1/2 lbs beef roast, cubed
• 10 Cups potatoes, peeled & cubed
• 5 Cups carrots, peeled & cut into chunks
• 2 1/2 Cups celery, chopped
• 3 Cups onions, chopped
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3/4 teaspoons black pepper
• Boiling Water

Brown the beef in a pan with as little oil as is necessary. Combine the beef with the veggies in a large stock pot, add the spices, and cover all with boiling water. Bring it all to a boil again. Fill your jars leaving 1″ headspace – fill with the meat & veggies and top off with the boiling water. Process in a pressure-canner (check your elevation for correct pressure): pints should be 75 minutes, quarts should be 90 minutes. Yield is about 7 quarts.
Thicken it up, by adding a roux when you reheat it from the jar.

Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Clone

These are excellent! I've made several gallons of them, even saving the brine in the cupboard for weeks, until pickling cukes came back into season. I found the recipe at Recipezaar.

Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Clone

• 1 gallon cucumber
• 1/3 cup instant minced onion
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 6 heads fresh dill (or 6 tbsp dill seeds)
• 2 quarts water
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup canning salt

1. Slice cucumbers lengthwise into quarters, or slice into rounds, and add to jars along with the dill.
2. Boil liquids and seasonings to dissolve the salt then cool. Pour over pickles and let sit on counter for three days turning them occasionally, then refrigerate for up to a year.
   
3. Please do not try to use the regular grocery store cucumbers, they have wax on them and they will not turn out. You can use grocery store pickling cucumbers as they are not waxed.

Homemade Rice-A-Roni 2

This is more like the boxed version than my other recipe.

Add 1/4 cup butter to a medium sized pot. Melt over low heat.

Add 1 1/2 cup white rice and 1 cup fideo pasta. Saute till rice is translucent and fideo is slightly browned.

Add 1/2 Tbsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 4 cups chicken broth. Bring back to a boil.

Stir and cover. Simmer for 20-22 minutes, till rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed. Fluff before serving.

Vanilla Peach Jam

This is a Pomona pectin adapted recipe. I've been very happy with my bulk purchase of this. I LOVE that I can make jam with so little sugar now! I can use honey or stevia if I wish! I can also double and triple recipes with the same results, and make up my own flavor combinations. I love being able to make super big batches of jam!

I will assume you know the basics of water bath canning. If not, study up. You need to keep everything properly sterilized.


Vanilla Peach Jam

Wash peaches. Cut to remove pits, and place in blender. Do not remove skins.

Puree enough to make 4 cups. Pour into a large pot.

Add 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice and 4 tsp of calcium water. Bring to a boil.

While it is heating, prepare your sugar. Use 3/4 cup to 2 cups of sugar. Mix 3 tsp pectin powder into the sugar. When the fruit comes to a boil, whisk in the sugar-pectin mixture.

Whisk till thoroughly dissolved. Return to a boil and stir continuously. Boil for 1-2 minutes, then turn heat off. You may add 1 tsp of butter to reduce foaming, if you wish. Skim any foam.

Add 1 tsp vanilla extract and stir well. Taste. You may add vanilla in small amounts until you like the taste. (I used 5 cups sugar and 1 1/2 tbsp vanilla for 12 cups of fruit)

Ladle into properly prepared jars and boiling water bath them for 10 minutes. Yield: about 5 cups

Peach-Plum Jam

Peach-Plum Jam

2 1/2 cups finely chopped or ground peeled peaches
1 1/2 cups finely chopped or ground pitted plums
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
7 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter, optional
2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin

In a large nonreactive kettle, combine the finely chopped or ground peaches and plums, the lemon juice, and the sugar. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until sugar is melted. Bring to a boil that can't be stirred down. Add butter, if desired, to keep foaming down. Boil, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the fruit pectin and boil, stirring, for exactly 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and skim off the excess foam.

Using tongs, carefully remove jars from the hot water, draining well. Fill them with hot fruit mixture, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims clean with a dampened cloth and fit seals on tops of jars. Screw on the lids firmly. Lower the jars into the water and add more hot or boiling water so the water is 1 to 2 inches above the jars. Bring to a boil. Cover and boil gently for 10 minutes.

Makes 7 half-pints

Sourdough Strawberry Muffins

Another excellent recipe from Two Frog Home.

Sourdough Strawberry Muffins

• 1 Cup Sourdough Starter
• 1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 1/2 C Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
• 1/2 C Unsweetened Applesauce
• 1/2 Cup Sugar
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 C Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/3 Cup Strawberries, diced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix everything but the strawberries in a large bowl, until combined. Fold in the strawberries. Pour into greased muffin tins. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool 5 minutes in the pan before removing to cool completely on wire racks. Makes 18 muffins.

Homemade Dish Washing Liquid

This is from Two Frog Home and is high on my list of things to try. I need to find a local source for Castile soap and glycerin. Any ideas?

Homemade Dish Washing Liquid

• 4 Tablespoons of Liquid Castile Soap
• 2 teaspoons Vegetable Glycerine
• 2 Tablespoons Vinegar
• 2 Cups Warm Water
• 3 Drops Tea Tree Oil

Mix everything in a clean container and use as you would normally.

Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter

I found this at Food In Jars. It sounds delectable!

Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter
makes approximately 3 1/2 pints of butter

8 cups of pureed blueberries
2 cups sugar
1 lemon, zested
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Put the pureed blueberries in a slow cooker. Place a lid on the pot and turn it on to low. After about an hour, give it a stir. At this point, you use something to prop the lid a bit. Laying a wooden spoon across the rim of the cooker and then placing the lid on gives just enough room to let the steam evaporate.

At the beginning of hour five, add the spices and the sugar, remove the lid completely and turn the heat up to high, in order to speed the cooking down.

Once it’s cooked down sufficiently (perhaps an hour or so at high), pour into jars (leave a good 1/2 inch of head space), wipe rims, apply lids and screw on bands. Process in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes.

40 Minute Rolls

I like the taste of these better than the 30 Minute Rolls I make sometimes.

40 Minute Rolls

Combine:
2 Tbsp SAF yeast
1 cup + 2 Tbsp warm water

Add:
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar or honey

Let sit for 5 minutes.

Mix in:
1 egg
1 tsp sea salt (or 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt)
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

Knead for three minutes. Divide into 12 rolls. Place on greased baking sheet or in a greased 9x13” baking pan. Let rise for 10-15 minutes. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush tops with butter, if desired. 

Lemon Meringue Pie Green Smoothie

I found this at The Green Smoothie Queen.

Lemon Meringue Pie Green Smoothie

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (or you can simply use the juice of one lemon, depending how strong you like the taste of your smoothie to be)
• Few drops of vanilla flavored stevia (or few drops stevia with vanilla essence/pod)
• 2 bananas
• One head Romaine lettuce

Blend and Enjoy!

Honey-Almond Triangles

I found this intriguing recipe over at The Common Room, one of the very few blogs I read daily. I am looking forward to trying it next week, after I visit the grocery store to get the almonds.

Honey-Almond Triangles

1/2 cup butter
1/4 sugar
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup chopped, slivered, or sliced almonds
1 tsp almond extract
1 3/4 cup sifted flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg

In saucepan combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/4 cup sugar, honey, milk, almonds and almond extract. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Set aside to cool slightly.

Sift together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. With pastry blender, cut in 1/2 cup butter until particles are very fine.

Beat egg with a fork until blended; add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork to mix. Gather dough and work with hands until mixture holds together, with lightly floured fingertips, press evenly over bottom of lightly greased 15 1/2 X 10 1/2 x 1" Jelly roll pan.

Pour honey-almond topping over dough and spread evenly. Bake in moderate oven (350) 20 to 25 minutes, or until a deep golden color. Place pan on rack at least 10 minutes, or until cool. Cut in 2 1/2 inch squares, then cut each square diagonally to make triangles. Makes 4 dozen.

Pepperoni Sausage

Pepperoni Sausage- Found at Sustainable Eats, Adapted from Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn

5 pounds lean, grass fed beef, ground
3 tablespoons kosher or sea salt
1/3 cup dry red wine
3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
4 tablespoons organic sugar
2 tablespoons paprika

Combine all ingredients well then freeze as is or fry and freeze until needed for spaghetti, pizza or pasta salads. Another thing you could do is adapt these ingredients and make pepperoni beef jerky with it by slicing the meat as thinly as possible, marinating in this spice mix overnight and then drying on low in an oven or dehydrator until the meat is no longer moist.

For 1.5 pounds of ground beef (one serving for our family)

1 Tbsp salt

1 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp allspice

scant 1/2 tsp fennel

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp paprika

Simple Ranch Dressing

Simple Ranch Dressing

1cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp EACH chives, parsley, dill weed
1/4 tsp garlic powder and onion powder
1/8 tsp salt
milk or cream to thin to desired consistency

Combine all ingredients.

This is a thick recipe, perfect for dipping veggies. Thin it for use on salad.

Sausage Muffins

I think these will go over well with my sons.

Sausage Muffins

1 pound sausage
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper

Cook together in a skillet.

Combine:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Combine in a separate bowl:
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup shredded cheese

Combine meat, dry ingredients and wet ingredients together, mixing just till moist. Spoon into greased, paper lined muffin tins. Bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes. Makes about 2 dozen

Frosted Cinnamon Rolls

These are so good that I misfiled the recipe purposefully so I wouldn't make it too often.

Dough:
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp salt
4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
1 Tbsp EACH sugar and yeast

Filling:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a bread machine, place first 9 ingredients and run the dough cycle. When completed, turn out onto a floured board. Roll out to measure 10"x17". Spread with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up (long side first). Cut into 21 slices. Place in a greased 9x13 and 8x8. Cover with towel and let rise till double, about 45 minutes.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes, while making frosting. Beat all the frosting ingredients in a bowl. Frost the warm rolls. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Makes 21 rolls

Brownies

I can't recall where I saw this recipe, but it has me wanting to teach some girlies how to make brownies! They are an uncommon dessert around here.

Brownies

12 tbsp cocoa powder
1 cup butter
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt

Beat eggs in a large bowl. Gradually add eggs. Beat in butter, cocoa powder and vanilla. Stir in four and salt. Pour into greased 9x13. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Homemade Pizza Sauce #2

Homemade Pizza Sauce #2

1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp EACH oregano, basil, thyme, garlic powder, salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 whole bay leaf
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Simmer together for 20 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Use as desired.

Seasoned Salt #2

Another version of the classic.

Seasoned Salt #2

2 Tbsp salt
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp EACH turmeric, onion powder, garlic powder, cornstarch

Blend together and store tightly covered.

Chocolate Cake Dry Mix

This is a dry mix you make ahead of time, and stir in the wet ingredients when you make it. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good! I found it at the excellent site "Tammy's Recipes".

Chocolate Cake Dry Mix

Combine:
2 cups flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp vegetable shortening, cut into above ingredients well

Store in a glass jar tightly covered.

To prepare cake:
Combine dry mix with 1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil or butter
3 large eggs

Mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" pans (or a 9x13 or cupcake pans) and bake at 350 for 30-33 minutes (or 35-38 mins for 9x13, 19-22 minutes for cupcakes)

FuddRucker's Hamburger Seasoning Clone

Haven't tried this yet, but it sounds good!

FuddRucker's Seasoning Clone

12 tsp paprika
9 tsp pepper
7 1/2 tsp salt
3 tsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Blend and store in airtight container. Sprinkle as desired on hamburgers and even steak!

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Makes about seven pint jars

from Ball Complete Book Of Home Preserving

• 6 cups hulled strawberries
• 4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 25 lemons)
• 6 cups granulated sugar

Prepare canner, jars, and lids. (For more information, refer to the book.)

In a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade, working in batches, puree strawberries until smooth. Transfer to a large stainless steel saucepan as completed. Add lemon juice and sugar and stir to combine. Heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

Ladle hot concentrate into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase fingertip-tight.
Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process for 15 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars, cool, and store.

Wash berries gently in small batches in a colander under cool running water to make sure you remove all dirt and grit and to avoid bruising the soft fruit.

To reconstitute, mix one part concentrate with one part water, tonic water, or ginger ale; adjust concentrate to taste.

Salad Supreme

I found this on Recipezaar, the best recipe site there is.

Salad Supreme

1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp paprika
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp EACH poppy seeds, celery seed, black pepper
1.4 tsp garlic powder
dash cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp grated Romano (or Parmesan) cheese

Combine and store in a jar in the fridge. Sprinkle on salad and enjoy!

Apple Carrot Bars

This is from Is Dinner Ready? I plan to make these for a quick weekend breakfast.

Carrot-Apple Bars or Muffins

2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 pint carrots, drained (I'm going to use 1 1/2 cups fresh shredded carrots)

1 pint applesauce

4 eggs

4 TBSP vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients well in a large mixing bowl. You have enough batter here to do a couple different things. You can make 2 9x13 pans OR lots of muffins OR 1 9x13 pan and 12 muffins.

Spray your pans and divide the batter evenly. Bake at 350 degrees. About 20 minutes for the muffins and closer to 30-35 minutes for the 9x13 pan. Cool completely.

If desired - frost with a favorite cream cheese frosting. I like to frost the 9x13 pan but leave the muffins as is.

Sesame Honey Candy

This is from The Nourished Kitchen.

Sesame Honey Candy: Ingredients

• olive oil, for greasing the baking sheet (see sources)
• 3 cups hulled sesame seeds
• 1 cup honey
• unrefined sea salt to taste

Sesame Honey Candy: Method

1. Generously grease a baking sheet with olive oil and set aside.
2. Heat a well-seasoned cast iron skillet over medium-high flame until it becomes hot to the touch.
3. Pour three cups sesame seeds into the hot pan and stir them continuously with wooden spoon until they’re well-toasted and golden-brown in color – about four to six minutes.
4. Stir honey and a generous dash of unrefined sea salt into the toasted sesame seeds until they become well-coated and the mixture stiffens.
5. Pour the mixture of honey and sesame seeds onto your greased baking sheet and pat down and smooth out the mixture with a wooden spoon.
6. Score the candy into pieces of 1/4-inch by 1-inch and set the pan aside until the candy is cool enough to handle comfortably.
7. When cool to the touch, but still warm enough to be malleable, grease your fingers with olive oil and roll the pieces of honey candy into small small, round logs.
8. Allow to cool completely before serving.

YIELD: approximately 96 candies.