Hungry for love cookbook

My Mexican Pumpkin soup

2012-01-02T03:25:00.000-08:00

Mexican pumpkin soup. I used a butternut squash, 2 onions, 6 potato’s, non dairy cream, a little vegetable bullion and 2 table spoons taco spices. Oh and a can of pinto beans. It's great, and will be even better tomorrow! I just made it up myself. I don’t generally use recipes. You chop the veggies together, boil them in lots of water, mash them with a hand mixer and then add the beans, and other stuff. It makes a warm and filling soup. It is totally vegetarian. I was tired of pumpkin soup with curry. I'm going to try canning this. Make sure and use a non dairy cream if you want to can this. Dairy can be canned, but it's a harder process. I’ll use coconut milk.

2012-01-02T02:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a video about what you can can. And she gave a web site that gives you instructions on how to can. http://pickyourown.org/

Bean soup

2012-01-02T02:15:00.001-08:00

This looks very good. Everyone is telling me I'll have good things to can in the summer and fall, but you can can soup even now. Why wait? I want "fast food" available to feed my family. Food I cooked, that I know is good. I might use a different recipe...but the idea is very good.

beef soup canned

2011-12-26T13:21:00.001-08:00

2011-12-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

I got some books on canning food for Christmas. Here is a video on canning potato's. I'm looking at all kinds of ways to keep the food we grow in our garden. I'm going to try this. I'm also going to make soups and chili to can. I want stuff I can just pull off the shelf and heat up for lunch. Food I know is good because it's home made.

A good gift idea

2011-12-15T03:43:00.000-08:00

I copied this from CNN.
http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/12/13/gifting-from-your-kitchen-a-toffee-tutorial/?hpt=hp_bn8

It looks really good and I think it would make a super homemade gift.

English toffee recipe
Makes almost 3 1/2 pounds

Ingredients:
-1/2 cup water
-2 teaspoons of butter, melted, to brush foil
-2 cups sugar
-2 mounded tablespoons light corn syrup (this makes the texture less like peanut brittle)
-1 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
-3 cups chopped pecans
-12 ounces milk chocolate chips
-6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
-1 pound of unsalted butter, or 1 pound of lightly salted butter if opting out of the salt

Tools to make it easier on yourself:
-Candy thermometer
-Double boiler
-Heavy-bottomed medium saucepan
-Two 1/4-inch 15" x 20" plywood boards
-Pizza cutter
-Wide heavy-duty aluminum foil

Instructions:

-Tear off 23" in length of 18" wide heavy-duty aluminum foil and brush the matte, non-shiny side with butter. Fold up 2-1/2" on each end and 2 -1/2" on each long side, forming a makeshift pan. This should leave you with a 13" x 18" surface on which to pour the hot toffee. This fits perfectly on the plywood with some room around the edges. This will function as your “pan” for the toffee. An actual pan keeps in the heat, which doesn’t allow the toffee to set up as quickly. The board will also keep the hot candy from scorching your work surface.

-Measure out the water and add corn syrup, stirring the two together.

-Pour this mixture into a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add sugar and butter and clip your candy thermometer to the side of the pan before it gets hot. Turn on the heat to medium high, stirring constantly.

-While this is cooking - it should take a while to reach 310 degrees Fahrenheit - put water in the bottom component of the double boiler and turn it on low. Pour your chocolate chips into the top component and melt chocolate. Once the chocolate is melted, turn it off and it’s ready to spread on the toffee

-Chop pecans and have them ready to sprinkle on the finished toffee.

-The candy is going to start bubbling and thickening, and eventually turn a caramel color, until it reaches 310 degrees (the “hard crack stage” in candy making).

-When it reaches that temperature, remove from heat immediately.

-Carefully pour candy onto foil evenly. If need be, you can grip the plywood base to tilt it in the right direction if it doesn’t spread.

-If you use these exact measurements, wait 4-5 minutes before cutting the toffee. If you use a smaller space, you will need more time for the candy to cool.

-Using a pizza cutter, (blunt is best; sharp will go through the foil, but if all you have is a sharp pizza cutter, use a light hand), run through the toffee length and width wise to create 1-1/2 inch squares. (If your pizza cutter doesn’t leave an impression, it’s still too warm and you might want to wait another minute before trying again). This will help the toffee to break later, rather than forming definite squares.

-After cutting, lift the top part of double boiler off and dry the bottom of it so it doesn’t drip onto the candy. Take a spatula and spread a thin layer of chocolate over the top of the toffee. You can use just enough to cover the surface, but thickness is up to personal preference.

-Then, liberally sprinkle the chopped pecans on top of the melted chocolate.

-Place an unbuttered sheet of foil on top of the toffee and tuck foil around edges. Place your second board of plywood on top and flip it over.

-After flipping, remove the top board and let sit for 1-2 minutes before you remove foil. If you peel the foil and it starts to stick, wait another minute and it should come off.

-Once you peel off the foil, repeat the chocolate and nut process.

-Cover this with another piece of foil and the second plywood board, and flip it over again.

-Remove the top piece of foil and retaining the bottom piece of foil, slide it off of the board and onto a wire cooling rack.

-Sit the wire rack in coolest room of your house. The toffee needs to cool for at least a few hours.

-After it is cool, break the toffee into pieces. It usually breaks where pizza cutter went through. If it isn’t breaking into even pieces, it doesn’t matter.

-Store the toffee in wax-paper lined tins at room temperature and it will keep for weeks.

Pad Thai

2010-12-29T06:48:00.001-08:00

Pad Thai is the National dish of Thailand. It's not so hard to make, so we decided to give it a try! Here is some history of the dish. Thai prime minister Luang Pibulsonggram decreed the Pad Thai recipe as a national Thai dish sometime during Word War II, and that the dish is a very important part of Thai culinary history. Further research says that Pibulsonggram popularized the dish in an effort to reduce rice consumption so there was more to export to other countries, and some sources also say that after the war, the Thai government used Pad Thai as part of their plan to decrease the unemployment rate of the people by adopting a new trend of noodle-making and noodle-house dining.
Most of you know that Philip and Thomas were both adopted from Thailand. Our family loves Thailand. I hope we can even travel there in 2011. We will see what comes!

Before you begin to cook this dish you prep everything. You will need...

One chopped onion
5 chopped garlic cloves
2 cups chopped spinach greens
2 cups chopped firm tofu
10 large shrimp, or 2 cups small shrimp
1 pound of soft rice noodles (you can just take the dried noodles and soak them in cold water for 15 minutes).
3 eggs
6 table spoons of Pad Thai sauce
2 cups bean sprouts
1 cup chopped green onion.

In a hot wok with oil, you brown the onions and garlic
then add the tofu
when that's browned add the shrimp and spinach greens
do not over cook the shrimp
then add the noodles and some water (maybe a half a cup of water). Put the lid on the wok and let it steam the noodles for about 2 minutes).
Then stir in the eggs and let them cook.
Finally add the bean sprouts and green onions.

You serve this with freshly cut cucumbers, tomato's, lime. It taste wonderful with lime juice squeezed over it.

Making Scones for yourself or as a gift

2010-12-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

Dry ingredients
300 grams flour
2 tea spoons of baking powder
and a pinch of sea salt

75 grams of cold butter
100 grams of sugar

wet ingredients
120 mi liter double cream
cap of vanilla
1 beaten egg

You mix dry ingredients together, wet ingredients well, and both together with care...not overworking the batter. The ingredients need to be mixed lightly to make light scones. Brush the top with warm milk. bake for 15 minutes. Serve with whipped cream and strawberries or butter and jam.

Scottish Porridge | Make your own with Highland Maid Porridge Mix

2010-12-21T06:10:00.000-08:00

I love hot porridge on a cold day!

green curry

2010-11-10T05:43:00.000-08:00

I would add some red bellpepper and gratted carrots to this for color.

Beef Broccoli

2010-11-10T05:16:00.000-08:00

This is actually more a Chinese dish...but we love it! 10% of the people in Thailand are from China. Philip is Thai/ Chinese.

http://www.thaifoodtonight.com/thaifoodtonight/recipes-YOUTUBEbeefbrocolli.html

basil chicken fried rice

2010-11-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

Philip and Nicole want to learn to cook Thai food. I'm going to post some more Thai videos.

http://www.thaifoodtonight.com/thaifoodtonight/recipes-YOUTUBEBasilFriedRice.htm

more Thailand

2010-05-17T01:15:00.000-07:00

thailand

2010-05-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

baked apples

2010-05-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

Clara's Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression

brownies

2010-05-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

* 7 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
* 3/4 cup butter
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Unsweetened cocoa powder and/or powdered sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9-inch square by 2-inch deep baking pan; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine chocolate, butter, and the water; cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted. Transfer to a large bowl.

2. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar to chocolate mixture; beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed until combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon. Beat on low speed until combined. Spread batter in prepared pan.

3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Sprinkle with cocoa powder and/or powdered sugar.

Makes: 20 to 25 brownies

To Bake Ahead: Prepare brownies as directed; do not cut into bars. Cover pan. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, cut brownies into bars and layer between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw brownies; sprinkle with cocoa powder and/or powdered sugar.
find more great recipes

how to make a chimichanga

2010-05-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271521142?bctid=1455377270

This is Juergen's favorite Mexican dish.

Wolfgang Puck's Famous California Pizza Dough

2010-05-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 package dry active yeast
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
3 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
toppings of your choice

maybe for mothers day

2010-05-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
3 1/2 pound chicken, cut in 8 pieces
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 tsp ground dried herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage)
2 cups buttermilk

for the seasoned flour:
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder

2 1/2 quarts peanut oil for frying

http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/2009/07/buttermilk-fried-chicken-southern-fried.html

How to Make Honey Ginger Teriyaki Sauce

2010-05-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

Tamales Recipe

2009-12-22T11:22:00.001-08:00

Tamales Recipe

Authentic Mexican Tamales
Mexican tamales (tamal is the Mexican "singular" use of the word) are packets of corn dough (masa) with a savory or sweet filling and typically wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves. The history of tamales dates back as early as 5000 BC. Popular varietes include fillings of pork, beef, green chili, chicken or beans.

Ingredients

* 5 lbs. lean pork or beef, cooked and shredded
* 6 to 7 lbs. fresh masa
* 1 1/2 lbs lard
* 1 tbls. salt
* 1 1/2 pts. red chili sauce
* 1 bundle oujas (corn shucks)

Directions

To make tamales, cook meat by boiling in a large covered pot with enough water to cover completely. Add salt to taste and slow boil till completely done. Cool meat and save broth. When meat has cooled, shred and mix in the chili sauce

Corn Shucks:
To prepare the corn shucks ( outer husks), soak them in a sink or large pot of warm water for about 2 hours or until soft. Gently separate without tearing.

Masa:
(make masa by hand or with mixer) Mix the masa, lard , salt and enough broth to make a smooth paste. Beat till a small amount (1 tsp) will float in a cup of cool water. Spread masa (1/8 to 1/4 inch thick layer, or to preference) on ouja, add a small amount of meat and roll up. Fold up ends of ouja and place(fold down) on a rack in a pan deep enough to steam. Add 1 to 2 inches water, cover with a tight fitting lid and steam about 1 1/2 hours. (a cloth can be used under the lid to make a tighter fit)

Many variations of ingredients can be used in making tamales. You can use a combination of beef and pork, use chicken or even fried beans. One or two olives may be added to the center or try adding a few raisins.
This recipe will make 4 to 5 dozen tamales

butter gifts

2009-11-30T10:34:00.001-08:00

2009-11-16T01:30:00.001-08:00

2009-11-16T01:28:00.001-08:00

chicken

2009-11-16T01:21:00.000-08:00

turkey

2009-11-16T01:05:00.001-08:00

butter

2009-11-16T00:48:00.001-08:00

putting food by

2009-11-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

Canning USA .com

2009-11-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

good ideas here at canningusa.com

2009-11-15T13:50:00.001-08:00

canning meat

2009-11-15T13:38:00.001-08:00

Mexican pumpkin soup

2009-11-13T04:57:00.001-08:00

I made a Mexican pumpkin soup today. I used a butternut squash, 2 onions, 6 potato’s, non dairy cream, a little vegetable bullion and 2 table spoons taco spices. Oh and a can of pinto beans. It was great, and will be even better tomorrow! I just made it up myself. I don’t generally use recipes.

you chop the veggies together, boil them in lots of water, mash them with a hand mixer and then add the beans, and other stuff. It makes a warm and filling soup. It is totally vegetarian. I was tired of pumpkin soup with curry.

2009-11-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

2009-10-07T01:21:00.001-07:00

2009-09-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

jelly and juice

2009-09-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

We made 8 jars of jelly and 6 jars of juice from our white grapes today. I used vintage jars to store the juice. I hope it really sealed. I boilded the jars for 20 mins. This is the first time I've tried to can anything. I used a special fruit sugar added to the juice to make the jelly. You follow the instuctions on the bag. I think what is most important is to make sure the jars are very clean, and warm so they don't break when you add hot jelly in them. We then placed the lids on the full jars, screwed tight and turned the jars upside down. They sat upside down for 5 mins to help them seal. I also made jelly from the berry juice we made 2 days ago. We tried some of this jelly and its very good!

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

2009-09-08T07:17:00.001-07:00

CROCK POT APPLE BUTTER

Approx. 3 lb. apples
3 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. cloves
Dash of salt
3/4 c. water

Fill crock pot 3/4 full of peeled, cored sliced apples. Add remaining ingredients and stir until evenly mixed. Cover and cook on low overnight. If butter has too much liquid, remove lid and cook on high until of desired consistency.

Vintage jars

2009-09-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

I found 12 vintage jars at the 2nd hand store today. I'm going to try to make apple butter. I had to look up how to seal these jar (thank God for the internet). I got the jars for 5 Euro (not each jar... all 12 for 5 Euro)! I have to find a canning pot. I think Juergen's mom had one? Maybe I can have it? We go see Juergen's dad next month.

When canning with these jars, most of the steps are the same as with the screw-top jars. You clean your jars, lids and seals well, prepare your jam and fill the jars. Once the jars are filled, you wipe the tops clean and the apply the rubber seal and top with the glass lids (of course, making sure that your vintage jars and lids are without chips, cracks or other damage).

Lock the bailing wire into place and lower the jars into the hot water bath. Process as usual (this recipe calls for a 15 minute process). When the time has elapsed, remove the jars from the water, being careful not to tip them (these jars are mostly glass, which means that if you get the jam on the top of the lid, you’ll see it, and if you’re a bit of a perfectionist, this sad

thai food

2009-08-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

Rick Stein in Vietnam

2009-08-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

2009-08-02T07:57:00.001-07:00

2009-08-02T07:48:00.001-07:00

I give up for now

2009-08-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

I did not realize how busy I would be. I just don't have the energy to post to this blog much. I also have few ideas. So I'll post from time to time, and maybe begin again one day? The prizes will go to Shelley because she contributed so much to this blog. I just found some interesting dishes on you tube. I may try this?

chocolate bananas

2009-07-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Today I fried bananas in butter, then added chocolate chips. I put this yummy mix on top of pancakes. I could also put it on top of ice cream.

BEST STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES

2009-06-23T05:15:00.000-07:00

Recipe

1 Jar pickled grape leaves
2 cups long grain rice, rinsed
1 cup chopped parsley
1 cup chopped tomato
1/2 tsp dried mint
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup to 1 cup lemon juice
1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Mix all ingredients except grape leaves, 1/2 cup of the lemon juice, and 1/2 cup of the olive oil. Roll up grape leaves. Line pot with some sliced carrots. Layer in the rolled grape leaves and place a dish upside down on top, then place a heave object over the dish. Add remainder of lemon juice and 1 cup water, bring to a boil then turn down heat to medium low. Cook for 2 hours on low heat and half way through add 1/2 up of olive oil. When 2 hours is up, let pot rest for minimum of 2 hours or overnight. Plate up at room temperature or cold.

Find more Mediterranean Recipe's HERE

Baked Beans

2009-06-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

I got this from my niece Bridget. I just love crock pot stuff! I'll give it a try and tell you what the kids think! HERE is Bridget blog. I remember when she was just a baby. Boy do I feel old!!!

Baked Beans

Brown together and drain:
1 lb ground beef
2 c chopped onion
Put in crock pot

Chop cook and drain 1 lb bacon, put in crock pot

Add in crock pot:
1 ½ c barbeque sauce
½ c packed brown sugar
3 tbls vinegar (cider vinegar)
1 tbls liquid smoke
1 tsp salt
½ pepper

2-31 oz cans pork & beans
1-15 oz can kidney beans
1-15 oz can red beans
1-15 oz can lima beans
Drain all but 1 can pork and beans

Stir all ingredients together in crock pot. Cook on low for 8-12 hours.

I owe you prizes

2009-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

April- Flowers. How about some real Dutch bulbs?
May- How about olive oil? I was in Cyprus in May and learned to love olive oil.
and June...I'm not sure yet but I'll think about it.

Where have I been?

2009-06-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Well, my parents came for 2 1/2 weeks at Easter, then a few weeks later my brother came for 3 weeks. Sorry I just dropped this blog. No time...no ideas! So I'm going to try to pick the ball up again. Lets talk about summer ideas. BQ and salad, ice cream and grilled vegetables. I'll write you a post about the olive oil and lemons in Cyprus.

The photo is my brother Rick eating lemon ice cream in cyprus. Boy was it good!

Easter

2009-04-08T07:10:00.001-07:00

Do you have any good Easter meal ideas?

these are ways to lower chloresterol and protect your heart

2009-03-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Ben's Friday Pancakes

2009-03-25T06:39:00.001-07:00

LEMON BUTTER

2009-03-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

LEMON BUTTER RECIPE
Makes 4 small cups

8 eggs
1½ cups white sugar
1 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
250 grams (½ pound) butter

Put the eggs and sugar in a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and stir till the sugar is dissolved.
Add the lemon juice and rind, then the butter and whisk for about 20 minutes until the mixture is smooth and thick.
Do not allow the mixture to boil as that will spoil it. You want the mix to thicken well and for all the ingredients to be thoroughly mixed together.
When the lemon butter coats the back of a spoon without running off, it's ready.
Pour the butter into warm, sterilised jars and seal straight away.
Store in the refrigerator.

chicken chili

2009-03-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Chicken Chile Verde - Crock Pot Recipes

2 (9.75 ounce) cans shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
2 (28 oz.) cans green enchilada sauce
1 (15 oz.) can Northern white beans
4 finely chopped garlic cloves
1 small onion, finely chopped
7 ounces Embasa brand salsa verde
7 ounces diced green chiles
1 handful fresh cilantro leaves, washed and chopped

Chef Tip: Soak cilantro in a bowl of water first to remove dirt and sediment.

Preheat a pan with 2 tablespoons oil. Next add and saute onion, cilantro and garlic about 2 minutes. Add chicken and mix well. Cook another minute.

Coat Crock Pot with cooking spray. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot, including the chicken mixture. Stir well. Set on high and cook about four hours.

SPINACH/FETA CHEESE QUICHE

2009-03-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

SPINACH/FETA CHEESE QUICHE

1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach
4 eggs
3/4 c. cream
1 1/4 c. milk
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. parsley, chopped
1/4 lb. Feta cheese, crumbled
1 quiche crust (pie crust)
3 tbsp. fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Drain spinach and squeeze out as much moisture as possible; it should be fairly dry. Mix the eggs, cream and milk. Add the salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Stir in spinach and Feta cheese. Fill quiche crust and place the grated cheese on top.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out dry. Cool for 10 minutes before serving. Can also be served at room temperature.

BANANA MUFFINS

2009-03-23T05:53:00.000-07:00

BANANA MUFFINS
1/2 c. butter, at room temperature
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. flour
1/2 c wheat germ
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 c. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter, sugar, and eggs. Sift the dry ingredients and combine with butter mixture. Blend well. Add bananas, sour cream and vanilla; stir well. Stir in nuts and pour into a well-buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan or several smaller ones. Bake 1 hour. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

wheat germ

2009-03-06T06:45:00.001-08:00

Wheat germ is truly a super food; it is high in nutrients since it is the embryo of the wheat grain and its job is to nourish the growing plant. So it makes sense that this embryonic "germ" is only about two to three percent of the entire wheat kernel, but contains 23 nutrients! Sadly though, wheat germ is considered a waste product and is discarded after wheat is milled into white flour. Just add that onto the list of reasons why I am not so fond of white flour. Once the germ is removed, the wheat kernel is just starch. How nutritionally lonely.

An ounce of wheat germ contains four grams of fiber and eight grams of protein. It is high in iron, potassium and vitamins B1 and B3, as well as vitamin E. Wheat germ is also high in the minerals in magnesium and zinc.

You can find toasted wheat germ or raw wheat germ at health food stores, in the bulk bins of grocery stores, or online. It has a delicate, nutty, slightly sweet flavor and is often used as an ingredient in cereals. You can substitute a 1/2 cup of regular flour with wheat germ when baking. It is also great sprinkled over yogurt with fruit in the morning, but don't limit your germ to just baked goods. You can try it in a casserole or meatloaf or use wheat germ as a substitute for bread crumbs.

Fit's Tip: Wheat germ will go rancid quickly, so keep it refrigerated. You can also freeze germ and thaw it as you need it.

breaking the fast

2009-03-06T04:50:00.000-08:00

Nicole and I are going to break out 10 day fast today. I'm making a big pot of home made chicken soup. I'm using whole wheat noodles in the soup. It is almost totally a Daniel fast food, except with a little chicken in it. I'm finally feeling good. That first cup of coffee is all that I really missed. I'm going to try making the chocolate pancakes in the last post for breakfast tomorrow. I bought all the ingredients, including the blueberries and spinach. Hopefully they will turn out!

chocolate pancakes

2009-03-04T13:34:00.000-08:00

-1 cup all purpose unbleached flour
-1 cup whole wheat flour
-1cup wheat germ, unsweetened
-2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
-1t. pure vanilla extract
-1/4 cup milk
-1 large egg
-1/4 cup of the purple puree*
-2 t honey or maple syrup
-1/4 cup chocolate chips

* Purple Puree
-3 cups of raw baby spinach
-1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
-1 t lemon juice
- 3-4 t water
Puree these ingredients together in a blender or food processor

The Sneaky Chef

2009-03-04T13:29:00.000-08:00

I'm ordering this book!!!

making food healthy

2009-03-04T12:49:00.000-08:00

I'm still fasting

2009-03-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry if I haven't been blogging here. Nicole and I are still fasting until Saturday. I don't want to think much about food. I have many books I just bought on healthy slow cooking. I also bought a book called The Blue Zones. It's about the things people do that help them live longer and healthier lives. Much of this involves what they (the people living to be 100+) eat. It seems like an interesting thing to learn. I'll read the book maybe next week and let you know if it's any good. I had a coffee headache for 4 days. I have been very good staying off coffee...but I will be so happy to drink coffee again on Saturday!!! Coffee actually has many good health factors. It guards agents Parkinson’s disease for one thing. I live a crazy life. It is my one drug. I don't even drink beer or wine. I'll be happy to get my coffee back! I do have a good ear to hear God right now. That's why I am fasting. It really does help me pray. So anyway, I'll get back to food blogging soon, God willing.

Mom's Mango Smoothie

2009-02-28T08:37:00.001-08:00

good tips here

2009-02-28T08:33:00.001-08:00

easy beef stew

2009-02-28T08:25:00.001-08:00

fruit rollups

2009-02-28T04:07:00.000-08:00

The Depression

2009-02-28T01:53:00.001-08:00

Meals from the Depression

2009-02-28T01:14:00.000-08:00

Shelley found this lady on you tube. Thank's Shell! What a jewel!

A 21 day devotional for the fast

2009-02-26T04:17:00.000-08:00

HERE is a 21 day devotional that goes along with the fast. It might be a good resource for you?

Daniel fast blog

2009-02-26T03:56:00.000-08:00

Here is a web site that has ideas of what to cook on a Daniel fast.

no eggs or milk but wait...

2009-02-26T03:30:00.000-08:00

no eggs or milk...this is what I just read on one web site about the Daniel fast. I have a 15 year old daughter, and I am not legalistic! We are going to eat eggs and drink milk. We will only boil the eggs (nothing fried) and no butter or cheese. What ever you decide to do, just be faithful to that. God cares allot more about our faithfulness then weather we eat eggs. The web site also said no herbal tea. I have not decided if I'm giving that up or not. I'm not drinking it now...but I can not promise I will not drink it. For me coffee was the big sacrifice! My point is don't be legalistic. Decide clearly what you will eat, and not eat...then stick with that list. Be faithful with what you decided. I have decided not to give up milk or eggs. I will not eat bread, yeast, fried foods, butter or fats, sugar or coffee or meat. I may eat nuts, and maybe even drink herbal tea.

fast food

2009-02-26T02:42:00.000-08:00

Nicole and I are on a 10 day Daniel fast. I have a killer headache because I'm addicted to coffee. Nicole feels great. I must say, if you have ever fasted just water before, this is a gourmet fast. We had fresh squeezed orange juice and oat meal with raisins for breakfast. I am making a vegetable soup with carrots, celery, and potatoes in the crackpot for lunch. It will probably take me 3 or 4 days to get past the coffee headache! This is Nicole’s first fast and I wanted to try something she could actually stick with while she went to school. Can you eat eggs on a Daniel fast? I don't know? I would like to boil Nicole an egg for school. I'm not too worried about me, I am home...but she has a pretty tuff school schedule. I feel a little strange blogging about a fast. When you fast you should try to keep it a secret. It’s a spiritual thing between you and God. I just feel like I should try to be a teacher here. We live in a world where spiritual disciplines are not taught as much as in the past. Today I think we need the power and closeness to God that comes through the discipline of fasting. But since no one really practices this discipline, we don’t know how to do it. I’m trying to teach my daughter some spiritual disciplines. I write this here to encourage you too. If you have never fasted then a Daniel fast could be a great starting point. You will need time to shop for the raw ingredients, and time to cook the beans and soups you will be allowed to eat. There is no instant anything on this fast. Fresh fruit is the only thing you can just grab to eat. But more important then what you eat or don’t eat is taking time to connect with God. We are fasting for lent…the weeks leading up to Easter. There is no better time to get your heart right with God. No better time to reflect on the beauty of our good God.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.

Our fast

2009-02-25T03:56:00.000-08:00

Nicole and I are going to try to fast for 10 days. Today we are not totally prepared to fast. I ordered the cook book and I need to shop for more fresh veggies and fruit. We both ate oatmeal for breakfast, plain with just milk. For lunch we are eating left over bean soup. It has some meat and seasonings that basically disqualify it for a Daniel fast meal. I told Nicole we would basically warm up to this fast. We cut out sugar, and coffee and tea. In a few days we will get strict with the fast. I already have a headache from not drinking coffee. I will post some more of your great recipes but I will not be eating them for two weeks. I may even make some of the dishes because I still need to cook for the other kids. Shelley’s tomato soup looks so good! Shelley is my big sister if you all didn’t know that. She has a million good ideas. I’m very happy to have her great input. My Mom has also sent me some very good ideas.
If you fast you need to drink lots and lots of water! This is very important to help your body clean its self out. I am fasting for Spiritual reasons. You can fast for spiritual reasons or just to improve your health. Fasting helps clean the toxins from your system. If you do fast for spiritual reasons, take the time to pray. Even if you can not follow a strict fast, what is most valuable is that you prayed!

Shelley' tomato soup

2009-02-25T03:46:00.000-08:00

creamy tomato soup add fresh basil on top and a dab of sour cream

Servings: 8

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons (1/2) stick butter
2 (28 - oz) cans diced tomatoes drained with 3 cups of the juice reserved
I USE HOME CANNED TOMATOES INSTEAD
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons of all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper
cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the drained tomatoes, onion, brown sugar, and tomato paste. Cook. Stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and the tomatoes begin to caramelize, about 15 minutes.

2. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly stir in the broth and the reserved tomato juice, scraping up any browned bits. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Puree the soup in batches in a blender (or food processor) until smooth.
DO LITTLE BATCHES AT A TIME KEEPING YOUR HAND ON THE LID OR YOU'LL HAVE A LUCY MOMENT. I PREFER USING AN IMMERSION BLENDER AND THEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

3. Return the pureed soup to the pot and stir in the cream. Bring to a brief simmer, then remove from the heat. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste before serving.

A Hope

2009-02-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

Please keep sending your great recipes. I’m behind in posting your great ideas. Sarah has been sick, and so have I. I have about 6 ideas to post. I'll try to catch up. In the mean time I found a great March surprise. I bought a bracelet from "A Hope". It will have the name of an orphan in Ethiopia who has died from AIDS, as well as the words A Hope written in Aramaic. The money I paid goes to support the A Hope children’s home. This is a home run by AAI for HIV positive orphans.

A cook book

2009-02-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

I just ordered this book called "Daniels-Fast-Cookbook". I hope I get it fast...in time to actually use it.

Guidelines for a Daniel Fast

2009-02-22T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's going to be Lent on Wednesday. This is the traditional fasting time for Christians, the 6 weeks before Easter. Nicole and I are thinking about doing a Daniel Fast. This is based on the fast Daniel did in the Bible. He did not eat anything special, just fruit and vegetables, whole grains, seeds and beans, and water. I've fasted before, but never in this way. I understand they even have cookbooks for the Daniel fast. If we do this, I will post some recipes here. Lent is a good time to give up something unhealthy like sugar. It is also a great time to take up something good...like walking or praying. It does not need to be a big deal...maybe you can think of one small change you would like to try for 6 weeks. The reason we do this (fast) is to grow a little closer to God. When our bodies detoxify from sugar and coffee, we can hear God in a new and clearer way. This is a gift to us. That’s generally how it is with spiritual things. We start off thinking we are sacrificing …in the end we realize we are gaining much more then we ever gave! Give yourself a gift for lent...give up tv or sugar.

GUIDELINES FOR THE DANIEL FAST
(Foods We May Eat)
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed
Peas
Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,
Cantelope, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes,
Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas,
Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rasberries, Strawberries,
Tangeloes, Tangerines, Watermelon
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage,
Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic,
Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions,
Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes,
Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All
Natural Vegetable Juices
(Foods to Avoid)
Meat
White Rice
Fried Foods
Caffeine
Carbonated Beverages
Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
Refined Sugar
Sugar Substitutes
White Flour and All Products Using It
Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

9 keys to living a longer life

2009-02-22T04:56:00.000-08:00

1) Move naturally -- be active without thinking about it. Identify activities you enjoy and make them a part of your day.

* Inconvenience yourself: ditch the remote, the garage door opener, the leaf-blower; buy a bike, broom, rake, and snow shovel.

* Have fun, be active. Ride a bike instead of driving, for example.

* Walk! Nearly all the centenarians we've talked to take a walk every day.

2) Cut calories by 20 percent. Practice "Hara hachi bi," the Okinawan reminder to stop eating once their stomachs are 80 percent full.

* Serve yourself, put the food away, then eat.

* Use smaller plates, plates, bowls, and glasses.

* Sit and eat � not in the car or standing in front of the fridge.

3) Plant-based diet. No, you don't need to become a vegetarian, but do bump up your intake of fruits and veggies.

* Use beans, rice or tofu as the anchor to your meals.

* Eat nuts! Have a 2-ounce handful of nuts daily (it'll stop you from digging in the chip bag).

4) Drink red wine (in moderation)

* Keep a bottle of red wine near your dinner table.

* Keep the daily intake to two servings or less.

5) Plan de Vida: determine your life purpose. Why do you get up in the morning?

* Write your own personal mission statement.

* Take up a new challenge�learn a language or an instrument.

6) Down shift -- take time to relieve stress. You may have to literally schedule it into your day, but relaxation is key.

* Don't rush - plan on being 15 minutes early.

* Cut out the noise - limit time spent with the television, computer, or radio on.

7) Belong / participate in a spiritual community.

* Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.

* Seek out a new spiritual or religious tradition.

8) Put loved ones first / make family a priority.

* Establish family rituals (game night, family walks, Sunday dinners).

* Show it off: create a place for family pictures and souvenirs that shows how you're all connected.

* Get closer: consider downsizing to a smaller home to promote togetherness.

9) Pick the right tribe -- the people surrounding you influence your health more than almost any other factor. Be surrounded by those who share Blue Zone values

* Identify your inner circle. Reconsider ties to people who bring you down.

* Be likable!

2009-02-17T03:07:00.001-08:00

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

2009-02-17T02:56:00.000-08:00

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Submitted By: RaisinKane aka Patti
Photo By: Allrecipes
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 7 Hours Ready In: 7 Hours 15 Minutes
Servings: 8

"A hearty combination of beans, corn, tomatoes, and taco seasonings, slow cooked with shredded chicken. Deliciously finished, if you like, with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips. Made mostly of canned ingredients, this tasty soup let's the slow cooker do the work so you don't have to!"
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions:
1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.
this is from all recipes.com I'm going to try it tonight.

crockpot yogurt

2009-02-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

--8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk--pasteurized and homogenized is fine, but do NOT use ultra-pasteurized. I’m going to use goats milk.
--1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt (you need to have a starter. Once you have made your own, you can use that as a starter)

--frozen/fresh fruit for flavoring

--thick bath towel

The Directions.
Make your yogurt when you are home to monitor.

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.

Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.

Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt.

Blend in batches with your favorite fruit. I did mango, strawberry, and blueberry. When you blend in the fruit, bubbles will form and might bother you. They aren't a big deal, and will settle eventually.

Chill in a plastic container(s) in the refrigerator. Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days. Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

Mexican Brown Rice

2009-02-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

This is something to have with beans. I love this women, she is always so funny!

What causes gas? Why Beano works...

2009-02-12T08:38:00.000-08:00

Foods and gas

What foods does Beano® work on?

Beano® is not just for beans. It works on a whole variety of gassy foods, including many vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, legumes, grains, cereals, nuts, seeds, whole-grain breads and many other foods.

What causes gas?

The body does not digest and absorb some carbohydrates in the small intestine because of a shortage or absence of certain enzymes. This undigested food then passes from the small intestine to the large intestine where bacteria break down the food, producing gas. The most common symptoms of gas are flatulence, abdominal bloating and abdominal pain. In essence, the body lacks the enzymes needed to breakdown the carbohydrates found in some gassy foods like vegetables, legumes, grains, cereals, nuts, seeds and whole-grain breads. This is where Beano® steps in. Beano® contains a food enzyme from a natural source that works with your body's digestion to breakdown the complex sugars in gassy foods making them more digestible, thereby preventing gas before it even starts.

It came!!! It came!!!!

2009-02-12T07:23:00.000-08:00

I got my crock-pot in the mail today! I am so excited to see how it works. I had some beans, so I put them in the pot with a chopped onion, and one clove of garlic. I added some water, and a little vegetable bullion for taste. I am going to cook this on low for 8 hours. If it works out, I should have some good beans to serve with rice, salad and tortillas tomorrow. I grew up eating fresh beans and rice. This is one of my favorite things to eat. Beans are also perfect protein when served with rice. The best part about beans is the fiber. Fiber is very important for good intestinal health. Your intestines are your bodies largest immune organ. Fiber also helps you lower your level of cholesterol. I am basically a healthy person (I'm pushing 50). My cholesterol is in the normal range, but on the high side of normal. High cholesterol runs in my family. If I'm going to have health issues cholesterol is going to be my problem. I am trying very hard to stop the trend now. I am trying to increase the amount of fiber I eat daily. Beans are loaded with fiber. They are a cheap and tasty way to protect your health. My kids don't realize it, but I've been slowly increasing the number of meals they eat that include beans. We are now eating beans about 3 times per week. In time we may eat beans daily. If you have trouble with gas from beans try this stuff called beano. It is a enzyme you add to your beans. This enzyme breaks the beans up, and helps you digest them fully. You may also want to eat your beans with a few tablets of green alga (chlorella). Chlorella also has enzymes that help you digest beans.

HERE is some more information about beans.

I will get to your ideas

2009-02-12T03:28:00.000-08:00

I want to thank everyone who has given me ideas. I will get to your ideas in time. We have some good food coming!!!!

Home made Pizza

2009-02-12T03:20:00.000-08:00

Pizza is the very favorite food of our family. I think we have it two times per week. Here is the recipe from Steph of Everyday Miracles. Steph just brought Grace home from China. Grace was an older child. She waited for a very long time to find a family. I prayed for this child, and I'm so glad she is in a really good home.

Our Favorite Pizza
3 ½ C Unbleached Flour
1 T yeast (instant)
¾ tsp salt
Combine the first 3 items and stir thoroughly. In a smaller bowl, stir together the wet ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix at medium speed until elastic, about 5 minutes.
1 ¼ C hot water
2 tsp honey
1 T olive oil
Add wet to dry and mix at medium speed until elastic, about 5 minutes.
If dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.

Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead. Shape into a ball and invert a bowl over the dough and let rise until double. About 30 minutes, depending on the temperature. Punch down and let rest 10 minutes while you prepare you pizza pans.
Toppings:
2 small cans tomato sauce (season with Italian herbs and garlic powder plus some red pepper flakes if you like some spice)
1 lb. mozzarella cheese
Pepperoni, sausage, ham, etc.
Olives, green peppers, mushrooms, onions (sautéed a bit)
Bake at 425’-450’ until the crust is brown but the cheese isn’t too dark.

Sloppy Joes

2009-02-07T05:06:00.000-08:00

I made the Sloppy Joes today for Sarah's birthday lunch. They were 100% easy, and wonderful! I'm sure they were a calorie bomb! Juergen and I ate two of them, and Nicole had 3. Surprisingly the boys didn't like them. Maybe it was the new texture? Believe me they were too good!!! If you want something fast and good, and you are not too worried about zipping your pants up Sloppy Joes is a winner!

BTW...I added refried beans and cheese to Jennifer’s Recipe. I used less BQ sauce (1/2 cup) and instead added half a cup low sugar ketchup. Because I used beans in the dish the dish could have been lower in fat. I added cheese so that basically defeated that fat savings!

Buttermilk Pie

2009-02-06T09:49:00.000-08:00

Buttermilk Pie
3 eggs slightly beaten
11/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
3 teaspoons all purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
pasrty for one 9 inch pie crust
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a large mixing bowl whisk all ingredients
together until smooth .
Bake about 45 to 50 minutes or until
filling is a golden brown and center is is set
Cool on wire rack about an hour
Best when refrigerated 2 or 3 hours before serving

I saw this on CNN today. It looks like cheese cake. I love buttermilk. I'm going to give it a try. First I'm going to make Sloppy Joes for the kids.

Coca Cola Sloppy Joes

2009-02-06T09:28:00.000-08:00

Jennifer wrote...
I have a quick and easy recipe. It's coca cola sloppy Joes.
1 cup thick BBQ sauce
1 cup coke
1lb meat (we use turkey)
fry the meat and then pour in the coke and BBQ sauce. You can use it as sloppy Joes, but we love it as spaghetti sauce. I'll email you my husbands spaghetti which is just as delicious.

These sound easy and good but not very healthy. I couldn't see myself making these too often. I'm sure my kids would love them. We could try them out for a treat.
I'm going to call it party food.

lentil soup

2009-02-06T09:22:00.000-08:00

olive oil
2 stalks celery
2 carrots
1 small onion
2 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
2 C Lentils- 1 bag
2 cans chicken broth
1 can tomatoes
1 sprig rosemary
spinach

Saute veggies a few minutes in the olive oil add lentils, broth, bay leaf and tomatoes. Cook for about 20 minutes until lentils are soft. Add spinach (fresh or frozen)

I found a crockpot

2009-02-04T14:26:00.000-08:00

I've never even seen one in Germany. I looked on e-bay and what do you know...I got one. And it is digital! How cool is that! I have had crock pots from America, but we have different voltage here. I could never find a electric transformer to use with it. I'm so excited!!! Now I can really give your ideas a good try.

wanted

2009-02-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

I want the best recipe for...

Chili Beans
Tomato Soup
Buttermilk pancakes
Spaghetti Carbonara
Homemade pizza
Black bean soup
cornbread
tuna melts
Split Pea Soup
Goulash
Potato soup
Baked beans

Beans

2009-02-04T05:13:00.000-08:00

Shelley wrote...
Heres a quick meal.
Take any dried beans cover in water in a crock pot add salt and a little bit of baking soda. Cook for several hours slowly. You can add a chopped onion if you would like and you have beans. Yummy!
Beans for on the side, in a tortilla, mix with rice, or a soup.
I love beans.

Shell, I never put baking soda in my beans. Does it help them cook faster?

Today we are having Chicken and Rice

2009-02-04T02:58:00.000-08:00

This tip from Kim...

2009-02-03T23:42:00.001-08:00

I am able to go to Kroger and get the marked down meat, freeze it until I need it and then use the crockpot for cooking. No matter how tough the cut of meat it is always fork tender after 6-8 hours in the crockpot.

more ideas from Shelley...

2009-02-03T23:36:00.000-08:00

How about carrots and ranch dressing, peanut butter in celery sticks, Cottage cheese and applesauce, or Pears in red jello.

These are ways to get the kids to eat veggies...

Pumpkin Soup

2009-02-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

--2 cups of fresh pumpkin, or 1 can (15 oz)
--4 cups vegetable broth
--2 cups water
--1 red onion. chopped
--2 celery stalks, chopped
--2 yams, peeled and chopped
--3 chopped garlic cloves
--1 inch fresh ginger, peeled and grated
--1 T white sugar
--2 tsp kosher salt
--1 tsp tumeric (this was the first time I bought tumeric, and I do think it's a necessary spice)
--1/4 tsp allspice
--1/4 tsp nutmeg
--heavy whipping cream, 1 T per family member (optional)
--garnish with chopped green onion

Creamy white Bean and apple chili

2009-02-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

--2 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed (I used white kidneys)
--1 onion, chopped
--2 apples, cut in tiny chunks, no need to peel
--3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
--3 T butter. Yes, butter.
--2 tsp chili powder
--1/2 tsp ground thyme
--1 tsp cumin
--1/4 tsp salt
--1/4 tsp pepper
--3 cups chicken broth (unless you are vegetarian. then you should use vegetable broth. because the chicken would be wrong.)
--1/2 cup plain non fat yogurt
--1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (optional)

The Directions.

Any crockpot over 4 quarts would work well with this dish.

Put the butter into the bottom of your crockpot. Dump in the drained and rinsed beans. Chop up the onion and the apple. Add the spices, and pour in the broth. Stir in the yogurt.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4-5. This is done when the onion has reached desired tenderness and the flavors have melded. Stir in the cheddar cheese before serving.

I think corn bread would be awesome with this dinner. I wish I would have thought of it before just this second.

The Verdict.

This is a good meal. The chili is quite mild---you might want to sprinkle some Tobasco on top, or add more chili powder if you want a kick. This was mild enough for the kids to eat.

I was pleased with both the tang and the creamy consistency the non fat yogurt provided. It didn't separate, and added a nice level of creaminess.

I found this on the 365 blog & thought it looked pretty good. Beans are very low in cost and high in fiber. Fiber helps keep cholesterol.

This is a great tip

2009-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

I got a great tip from Kim. She says to look at the blog Crockpot 365. She used her crockpot everyday for the year 2008. She has some great recipes that really help to stretch the food budget. Now I do not have a crockpot. I'm going to try to find one...this is Germany. But even if I can not find one, you could still check out this cool blog!

Scalloped potatoes

2009-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

This is a idea Carina. She got it from the Canadian Living cookbook.
My mom made Scalloped potatoes & I love them. You can add peas and carrots and some pieces of ham. You can also add some cheese. I haven't made them in years. Great idea!

Scalloped Potatoes:
6 potatoes (Yukon gold, if you can get them)
1 small onion

Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
sprinkle of pepper

1. Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour. Cook paste for 1 minute.
2. Slowly add milk while stirring briskly. Add salt and pepper. Cook until thick (about 5 minutes).
3. Take of heat.
4. Thinly slice potatoes. Chop onions.
5. Grease 8x8 pan. Layer 1/3 of potatoes and 1/2 of onion into pan. Repeat. Finish with layer of potatoes.
6. Pour sauce over potatoes.
7. Cover and bake for 1 hour at 350degrees F. Then uncover and bake 30 more minutes.
8. Rest 5 min before serving.

Batata Wada

2009-02-02T06:42:00.000-08:00

I'm in the mood for Indian food, so I found this on the internet.

Batata Wada Recipe
Fried Potato Dumplings
In a large bowl, combine:
5 large potatoes, boiled, peeled, and mashed
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin powder
2-4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons hot red pepper powder
Make small balls with the mixture and set aside. Wet your hand with water to prevent sticking.
Make a batter with:
8 heaping Tablespoons chick peas flour
2 teaspoons hot red pepper powder
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
water, enough to make a thick batter
Dip the potato balls in the batter until well coated and fry in deep oil. The oil should be hot, but fry at low heat.
These are excellent served with Apple Butter Chutney. See Samosa recipe for approximate nutrition information.
Batata means potato and Wada means dumpling.

INDIAN CHICKEN CURRY RECIPE

1 tbsp butter
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup sliced celery
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 to 3 tsp curry powder
3/4 cup cold chicken stock
2 cups milk ( I might even use coconut milk)
1 (3 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
Salt To Taste
Rice Ring
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup light raisins
6 cups hot cooked rice
6 1/2 cup ring mold

How to make curry chicken :
Melt butter in saucepan; add apple, celery, garlic and onion. Cook until onion is tender. Combine cornstarch, curry powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt and broth.
Stir into onion mixture; add milk. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Add chicken and mushrooms; stir and heat through. Serve over rice ring.

Rice Ring : Melt butter in skillet; add onion and almonds (until golden). Add raisins; heat until plump. Add all to rice and mix.
Press mixture into greased mold. Unmold at once on platter and fill with indian chicken curry.