Roasted Cabbage Steaks

January 16, 2019 by

My favorite recipes are always the simplest.  This is one of those dishes.  I tend not to like vegetable dishes that try to make them into something else.  Roasting and vegetables are a match made in heaven and cabbage is no exception.    While I usually serve it as a side dish I would be happy with this for a main dish I love it so much!  I usually serve it with Spaetzle or rye pasta.  (I’m still perfecting that rye pasta recipe!) If you dislike caraway by all means leave it off.

ROASTED CABBAGE STEAKS

Green cabbage, sliced 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick*
Olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
Caraway seeds
Celery seeds

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray.
Arrange cabbage steaks on baking sheet leaving at least 1 inch space between each one.
Drizzle with olive oil (approximately 1/2 teaspoon per cabbage steak).
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and caraway and celery seeds. (just a pinch of each per steak).
Roast for 25 to 30 minutes.
*To slice cabbage I like to cut in half (from top of head to core) and cut the core out of each half.  Slice going from top of head to bottom, saving the round ends for another use if desired.

Filed Under: Side Dishes

Mammograms

January 9, 2019 by

Mammograms.  Not what I usually write about.  But last year I experienced my first after finding a lump.  Thankfully, after some additional testing I was cleared.  However that same week my Mom went for her annual mammogram and was diagnosed with breast cancer.  What a year 2018 became.  It became the focus of our family and I’m so grateful my Mom lives with us and we were able to be of support to her through treatment. (I cannot imagine how someone living alone could manage cancer treatment!)
Through the year in talking with close friends I found that pretty much all of my friends have yet to have a mammogram.  I am almost 40 and many of my friends are in their mid to late 40s.  I found this totally shocking.   I think of all the things I see women around me doing for their health, going to much expense of time and money.  Expensive probiotics, marathons, eating well, vitamins, I’m sure you can think of many more too.  And yet so many women choose not to get a mammogram.  Cancer could care less how fast you ran your last marathon.  Or the status of your gut health.
This simple fast and easy test can save your life.  And can save you from needing more extensive treatments by catching cancer early.
Many doctors are now recommending women wait until they are 50 before starting annual mammograms.  Why?  Because insurance companies research shows not enough women are saved.  I’m not even going to say anything else about that.

1 in 6
Breast cancers occur in women aged 40-49

2 years
Mammograms show cancer up to 2 years before patients and doctors would detect it.

40%
Mammography has helped reduce breast cancer mortality rate in the US by nearly 40% since 1990.

3/4
of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease and are not considered high risk.

30%
Even for women aged over 50, skipping a mammogram every other year would miss up to 30% of cancers.

I promise to get back to sharing my favorite recipes soon.  In the meantime, schedule your mammogram!

Filed Under: Ramblings

Instant Pot Chili

November 29, 2018 by


Winter is here! While I love slow cooked food, especially in the winter, sometimes I break out my instant pot to make things happen fast!
Chili is a perfect use for the instant pot if you don’t have hours and hours to simmer it.  You can even use uncooked, unsoaked beans!
A couple of tips:
1. Never add salt to uncooked beans as it inhibits them from fully softening.  Season after they are cooked.
2. If you want more flavor than spice, try ancho chili powder.  It adds a deeper flavor without all the heat.  If you want more spice, increase the chipotle powder. Chili is really only as good as the spices you use.  While I used to buy mine only from Penzey’s spices I have converted to Savory Spice Shop.  If you have a local storefront I highly recommend going, it is a feast for the senses! They still store in glass jars which is better for retaining spices flavor and quality.  I don’t get into the city often though so I use their website a lot.
3. You can use any ground meat.  Half beef and pork is my favorite and has great flavor but turkey or chicken would work as well.

INSTANT POT CHILI
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dried pinto beans (approx 1/2 pound)
3 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1/2 cup water
2 Tablespoons smoked paprika
1/2 tsp chipotle powder (increase for a spicy chili)
1 tsp ancho powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon dried oregano

Dump everything in instant pot.
Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
Break up meat and stir well to combine.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving ideas: Shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips, sliced green onions, sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, Serve with baked potatoes or cornbread for bigger appetites. 

Filed Under: Beef, Instant Pot (Pressure Cooking), Pork

Lemon Velvet Pie

November 19, 2018 by

This is my go-to pie recipe.  After a big Thanksgiving dinner I love a citrus dessert.  Plus, it’s easy and my absolute favorite! My family always requests it when I’m making the holiday menu.  I always use my homemade piecrust, but whatever works for you is fine. You can find my recipe here, along with easy directions.  I usually make this a day or 2 ahead with no issues.
And since we’re in the Thanksgiving week a little reminder to make a cooking schedule! It takes so much of the stress out of holiday cooking.

LEMON VELVET PIE

1 prebaked Pie Crust*
3/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
4 teaspoons water
4 egg yolks
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
3 Tablespoons heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup lemon juice
whipped cream for serving

Sprinkle the gelatin over the water.  Let soften for 5 minutes.  Microwave for 14 seconds.
Mix together the egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk in a medium bowl.
Beat on high for 2-3 minutes.  Add in the gelatin, heavy cream, and salt.
Mix until thoroughly combined.  Add in the lemon juice and beat on low for 30 seconds.
Pour into prebaked crust and at 375 degrees for 22-25 minutes.
Cool and serve at room temperature or chilled with whipped cream.

*To blind bake (prebake) a piecrust place piecrust in freezer for 10 min (Or even a few days ahead! Use a metal pan though!), line with parchment paper and pie weights or black beans.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes (depending how thick your crust is) until light golden.  Proceed with filling recipe.

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

Filed Under: Halloween / Fall, Pie

Beef Roast Stroganoff (or not)

October 24, 2018 by

I am not a big stroganoff fan.  Something about the sour cream.  It just doesn’t appeal to me.
I am also not a big fan of traditional freezer meals.  I mean, let’s be honest.  Nothing tastes as good after being frozen and reheated.  But what I do like to do is keep components of meals in the freezer.  So when we have a roast for Sunday dinner I make extra and freeze part for another meal.
Enter this recipe.  I decided to make my own twist on stroganoff but leaving the sour cream on the side so those who want it can add it and those who don’t (ME!) don’t have to.  The results? A hearty fall dish, perfect for the cooler weather coming and one totally worth cooking some extra roast up for!

Beef Stroga..not? 
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig fresh
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley
1/4 cup flour
4 cups beef stock
1 1/2 pounds leftover beef roast
2 teaspoons Worcestershire
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tablespoons heavy cream
1 pound egg noodles, cooked
1/2 cup sour cream, for serving

Melt the butter in a large saucepan.  Add mushrooms, onion, and garlic and saute for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
Add thyme, paprika, tomato paste, parley, and flour.  Stir to combine well and cook for a minute.
Add beef stock while stirring.  Add beef and Worcestershire and season to taste.
Add cream just before serving and add egg noodles.
Serve with sour cream if desired.

Filed Under: Beef

Dinner In A Pumpkin

October 19, 2018 by

I love my Mom.  She has done some pretty amazing things in her life.  None more impressive than having 5 kids in 6 1/2 years… I know, my eye is twitching just thinking about it!   This is a dish she made often in the fall… especially that year my Dad had a pumpkin growing experiment in the garden! I’ve tweaked it to be my own but it still tastes reminiscent of hers.  Which is the best kind of food.  The kind that brings a smile or laugh and reminds you of a happy memory.  Love you Mom!

The sauce is like a thick gravy just coating everything.  If you want a saucier gravy double the butter, flour, chicken stock, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
You can do a larger batch in a larger pumpkin but keep in mind you will have to bake longer.
If you have family members who don’t like mushrooms try mincing them up.  They really add a wonderful meaty earthy flavor.

DINNER IN A PUMPKIN

1 small to medium pumpkin
1 lb ground beef
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups chicken stock
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 cups cooked rice (I used Bob’s Red Mill brown and wild rice blend)
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the top off the pumpkin (depending on the size.. I used one about 12 inches across and cut the top third off.  If you have a bigger pumpkin you could even cut off the top half.)  Set on a large cookie sheet or pizza pan and set aside.
In a large skillet brown the beef.
Add the butter, mushrooms, onion, and celery and cook until softened.
Add the flour and cook for a minute, stirring to coat.
Add chicken broth, brown sugar, and soy sauce and cook for several minutes until well combined.
Stir in rice.  Taste and adjust seasoning.  Pour into hollowed pumpkin and cover with foil.
Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour,  remove foil and continue baking until pumpkin is completely baked through. Pumpkin will be easy to pierce with a knife or fork when cooked through.
Serve filling with scoops of pumpkin as well.

Filed Under: Beef, Halloween / Fall

Cinnamon Nutmeg Extract

September 21, 2018 by


This is my favorite extract to make.  I love vanilla but this one beats out vanilla for me.  I use it in all kinds of baked goods, especially in the fall and winter.  I’ve even made syrup with it for pancakes and waffles, used in place of vanilla in cookies.. so much so that I ran out and don’t have any for the picture! But I wanted to share this with you so you can get some ready for the holidays!
In the picture you can see the vodka is still clear (because I added it just before the picture), but within even just a couple of weeks it will all ready be getting dark.  This would make a unique and thoughtful present for holidays for friends who love to bake especially.  And if you make it now you’ll have loads of time for it to be ready!  I use the cheapest vodka from Costco.. funny story.  First time making extract it took me a few tries to buy the alcohol… I felt awkward and chickened out!
I only use freshly grated nutmeg and save the end pieces (so as not to grate my fingers) for this purpose.

CINNAMON NUTMEG EXTRACT

Whole nutmeg
Cinnamon sticks
Vodka

Chop nutmeg into a few pieces.  Place about 6 in a quart jar along with 3 cinnamon sticks.
Pour vodka to the top and cover.
Place in a dark corner or cabinet, shaking a few times a week.
When reached desired potency strain and pour into a clean jar.

Filed Under: DIY / How to..., Holiday Recipes

Instant Pot Taco Meat with Beans

September 14, 2018 by


I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  Even if you don’t love beans, you’ll probably love this.  How do I know? Because my hubby despises beans and yet this is one of his favorite meals!  I have made several recipes over the years with beans he likes but this one takes the taco cake.
I basically took my instant pot taco meat recipe and added dry beans to it and upped the cook time for the beans.  I also increased the seasonings.  If you would rather you can sub out the spices and salt for your favorite taco seasoning blend too.  I just always do my own since we don’t like super spicy or salty.
Normally you don’t want to add salt before cooking dry beans as it can inhibit their ability to completely soften.  This is a small amount though and I haven’t had any issues.  If it isn’t salty enough for you just adjust seasonings after cooking.   I usually use a super lean ground beef but have made this with ground chicken and turkey with good results too.
We use this mixture for tacos, burritos, tostadas, taco salad, nachos…. I usually serve half for dinner and freeze the remaining half for another meal.  Beans are a great way to extend your protein without making your family feel like you’re going vegetarian.  They are inexpensive and healthy and with an instant pot they cook up in no time!  Now go forth and TACO NIGHT!

INSTANT POT TACO MEAT WITH BEANS

2 lbs ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) Frozen is fine too!
2 cups beef stock (or chicken or vegetable)
1 cup water
1/2 lb dry pinto beans (approx 1 cup)
1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
1 Tablespoon cumin powder
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons ancho chili powder
1 tsp chipotle powder (more for spicier)

Place frozen meat and beans in instant pot, sprinkle on spices and pour in stock and water.
Cook for 40 minutes on high pressure then use quick pressure release.
Turn Instant Pot on Saute function and mash beef and beans with a potato masher to break up.
Stir occasionally as it simmers and continue to cook until liquid is reduced to your preference.

For tacos I like to stand up 12 taco shells in a 9 by 13 inch pan and divide half the mixture into the shells.
Sprinkle on a little cheese and put in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or the cheese is melted.
Add shredded lettuce, salsa, and sour cream and taco night is ready!

Filed Under: Beef, Instant Pot (Pressure Cooking), Mexican

Pancake and Sausage Bites

August 15, 2018 by

I am not a fan of the sample tables at Costco.  At least, not when I want to get down that aisle that is being blocked by people waiting for samples.  However, I love that it has gotten my daughter to try so many new things and has really helped with her food aversions.  For some reason she will try almost anything they are giving out as samples! Because of that I’ve discovered that both of my daughters love funky cheese… I mean FUNKY cheese.  Who knew?!  I also discovered they make corn dogs.. but not.  You might have seen them, sausage instead of a hot dog and dipped in pancake batter, frozen.  While I’m not a big fan of processed food I’m also not opposed to having fun in the kitchen too.  So I came up with a home version I could feel better about for treat breakfasts.  These are great for busy mornings, pull out how ever many from the freezer and warm in an oven or microwave.

My favorite way to make them is with whole grain pancakes and turkey or chicken sausages.  One of the things I love about homeschooling is breakfast is not the hectic grab something and rush out the door experience.  We can have some time together to enjoy the morning… but that doesn’t necessarily mean I want to make a hot breakfast every single morning! Oh, and prebaking sausages for the freezer works great too.  Sometimes I have some leftover and I just throw them in a freezer container and when it’s time to reheat just put in a pan with a lid to reheat.  Breakfast presto!

PANCAKE SAUSAGE BITES

Sausage links (pork, turkey, or chicken)
Pancake batter (Whole wheat or oat work great!)

Bake your sausages on a foil lined baking tray at 435 degrees until done (these took about 12 minutes).

Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick coating and place a slice of sausage in the middle of each cup.

Use a small scooper to make easy work of filling 2/3rd s full with pancake batter.
Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through.

Let cool before putting in freezer containers ( I haven’t had any issues with them sticking together).
Pull out how many you want and rewarm in the oven or microwave.

We’ve also done mini chocolate chips..

with and without colored sugar.  Fun for birthday breakfasts!
You can do pretty much anything in these you would use for pancakes.  Blueberries, blackberries do okay but they will get a bit more mushy if you plan on freezing.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Freezer

Ice Cream Party

July 18, 2018 by

An ice cream party is one of the funnest and easiest parties to throw.  And tastiest, of course.
We have done one 2 years in a row for my oldest daughter’s birthday she liked it so much!
I’m going to share my tips so you can do this super simply!
I’ve done this making homemade ice cream or using a tub from the store.  If you make homemade just be sure to make it a day ahead so it can firm up.

For the toppings.  Go to the grocery store and pick out some fun things.  If you have a Winco or other grocery store that sells bulk that works nicely so you only have to buy what you need.  You may have things in your pantry all ready too.

This is a good chance to mix homemade with purchased items.  I made the sauces myself along with the waffle bowls but I’ve also done it where I didn’t make anything but one sauce and it was loads of fun still.

Cute dishes for serving are fun, but even some mason jars are cute.

Since this was for a birthday I made an ice cream themed cake.  Super easy.  When you level off your cake rounds save the scraps and mix with frosting to make a big cake ball.  Put on top of frosted cake and pour ganache over and while wet place cone on top of cake ball.

Topping ideas:
Sauces (purchased or homemade)
Marshmallow cream
Salted Caramel
Hot Fudge (serve in mini crockpot?)
Chocolate
Butterscotch
Strawberry
Pineapple.. you get the idea.  Just pick a few sauces 🙂
Bananas
Strawberries or other berries
Chopped nuts
Mini Reese’s PB Cups
Sprinkles
Whipped Cream
Cookies
Oreos
Pop rocks (This one is always the most popular!)
Crumbled Sugar cones
Mini marshmallows
Pretzels
Mini Chocolate chips
Chocolate dipped dried bananas
m and m’s
Whipped cream
Waffle bowls
Seriously, just have fun with it.  Even gummy worms are fun!
Oh, and don’t forget the ice cream!!! I always just do vanilla since we have so many other flavors with the add ins but if you wanted to go all out you could do chocolate too of course!

The ice cream bowls and spoons are a set from Amazon and we still use them all the time! We ended up using them for the toppings and our big Corelle cereal bowls for serving since the kids could fit a waffle bowl inside them and all the toppings their hearts desired!

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Filed Under: Ice cream, Parties