Cranberry Orange Muffins

Every week I like to make something sweet to put into dh's lunch box.  

Cranberry Orange Muffins

1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups craisins
1 tbsp. orange zest, finely grated

1.  In a mixing bowl, beat together sugar and egg.  Add milk, sour cream and oil.
2.  In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Add to wet ingredients just until blended.  Fold in craisins and orange zest.
3.  Pour batter into greased or paper-lined muffin cups.  Bake at 375 for 15 to 18 minutes or until muffins test done.

Pretzels

 I'm in the midst of recipe testing for a project that I'm involved in.  Today I was testing pretzel recipe.  This is so good, that I don't think I'll have to find another one.  I used pink salt because I didn't have coarse salt.  It was still great.  This would be a great after school snack for children.

Dough
1 1/8 c water
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp. veg oil, shortening or butter
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. yeast

Additional Ingredients
2 qt water, plus 2 Tbsp. baking soda

Wash
1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water

Topping coarse salt or seeds

Toss ingredients for dough in bread machine on dough cycle.  When completed, remove dough from the machine.  Divide it into 10 equal pieces and roll each one into a long rope, 15 or 20 inches.  If you have trouble rolling ropes that long, let them rest for about 5-10 minutes and then roll out again.  After ropes are formed, shape them into pretzel ( or simply cut into 1 inch pieces) and place on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.  Meanwhile bring 2 qts. water to a boil in a large, non-aluminium pan and stir in baking soda.  Reduce heat slightly so that water is just below a boil.  With a large slotted spoon, gently place 2 or 3 pretzels at a time into water and cook for about 30 seconds on each side.  Remove from water and return to greased baking sheet.  Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with salt or seeds and bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crusty.

If you want cinnamon sugar pretzels, brush with melted butter instead of egg wash and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over pretzel before baking.

Chicken Enchiladas

Today when my son requested Mexican food, this recipe came to mind.  My Godson made it for us many years ago, and I had forgotten it until recently.  It's simple, soothing food.  It's not too spicy, but if you like more flavors, by all means add more spice.  serves 8-10

1 can cream of chicken soup (or use magic mix)
1/2 c. sour cream
1 Tbsp. butter
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2-2 cups cooked chicken breasts, chopped
1 (4 oz) can chopped green chile peppers, drained
8-10 (8 inch) flour tortillas
1 cup co-jack cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  In a small bowl, mix the soup and sour cream;  set aside.
Melt butter over medium heat.  Add onion and chile powder and saute until tender.  Stir in the chicken, chile peppers, and 2 Tbsp. of soup mixture.  Cook and stir until heated through.  Spread 1/2 c. soup mixture in the bottom of a 9*13 baking dish.  Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Roll up tortilla and place seam side down in baking dish.  Spoon remaining soup mixture on top. and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake 25 minutes in a preheated oven.

I have been craving cabbage.  It's actually one of my favorite veggies.  This is not my usual Oriental Salad, but it has become a close second.  I used cabbage with no lettuce because that's just the way I wanted it.  This is just a guideline,  it's okay to change a recipe to suit your tastes. For instance,  I added green onions and cashews to the original recipe.  I also cut back on the sugar and increased the sesame oil, garlic powder and soy sauce.  Play around with this recipe.  You will enjoy the results.

Oriental Salad 



1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
1-2 tbsp. water
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Dash soy sauce
6 cups torn lettuce
1/2 cup shredded carrot
2 green onions, slice
¼ cup cashews
1/2 cup shredded cabbage

1. Combine first eight ingredients and mix until well combined. Chill. Store in a jar with a tight fitting lid or air tight container. Serve over salad mixture of torn lettuce, shredded carrot and shredded red cabbage.  Store remaining dressing in refrigerator.   Yield: 6 servings.

Jambalaya

 A co-worker of my husband asked that I send Jambalaya and my personal recipe in to work.  This isn't actually my own personal recipe.  It is the creation of my older sister, Jo Ann who is a phenomenal cook.  I have tweaked it some to suit my families personal taste.  She uses Manda pork sausages while I use Turkey sausage.  The reason is that my children are allergic to pork fat.  I will admit that fat taste good.  If you use Turkey Sausage, you will need to add more seasoning.  They must have liked it.  They asked for Gumbo next week.

Jambalaya

1 lb. sausage (could also be ham)

2 Tbsp. Lard (veg oil or bacon grease could be substituted)

½ lb chicken (breast or thighs)

1 onion, chopped

1 stalk celery finely chopped

1 bell pepper . diced

2 cloves garlic, finely diced

1 tsp. salt

Pepper to taste

Hot sauce

2 cups uncooked Long grain rice

1.        Traditionally you would use a couple of tablespoons lard, but any fat could be used.  Slice that sausage and cook in a single layer in an iron skillet until browned.  Remove from pan. 

2.       Season chicken (I sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme to taste) and brown. Remove from pan and cut into bite size pieces.

3.       Reheat skillet and add onion.  Cook until translucent then add celery and bell pepper.  Cook until tender.

4.       Put meat back into the pan and stir well.  Add garlic and continue cooking.  Stir well.  It will burn if not stirred continuously.

5.       You can do several things at this point.  You can add 2 cups raw rice and toast lightly.  Then add 4 cups water and a couple of tsp. veg or chicken bouillon.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and then cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed.

6.       Sometimes if I have leftover cooked rice, I will add that to the pan instead of the raw rice, and add 2 tsp. bouillon dissolved in a half cup of water.  Heat through and serve.

7.       Salt, pepper and Tabasco are to taste.

8.       This is just a basic clean out the fridge, quick meal.

9.       The “Trinity” celery, bell pepper and onion can be purchased already chopped in the fresh veg department or in the freezer section.  You would use around 2 cups.

10.   This is Cajun Jambalaya.  Creole Jambalaya has a can of diced tomatoes added to it.

Last night I fell down the stairs and sprained my ankle and jarred my shoulder.  I'm fine, but I wasn't really interested in cooking anything complicated.  This meal totally fit the bill.  It took maybe 15-20 minutes and was really good. I saw this recipe on The Green Apple Home on Youtube.

Spicy Shredded Chicken over Rice

½ lb chicken, cubed and cooked than shredded

In a bowl mix:

                ½ Tbsp. water

                ½ Tbsp. soy sauce

                ¼ tsp. salt

                Dash pepper

                ¾ tbsp. cornstarch

Put shredded chicken in sauce mix and stir well.

Add to saucepan

                1 tsp. sesame oil

                1 tsp. chopped garlic

                Red pepper flakes to taste

When garlic is nice a fragrant, add chicken.

Add 2 yellow squash and 2 zucchini , cubed, to pan.  Add ½ cup nuts.

In a bowl mix:

                6 Tbsp. water

                5 Tbsp. soy sauce

                1 Tbsp. vinegar

                2 tsp. sugar

                2 tsp. cornstarch

Add to sauce pan and cook until veggies are done.  Serve over rice.

I didn't have squash or zucchini so I just subbed a package of broccoli.  She used peanuts, but I just subbed almonds.

Chicken Soup

Neil and I just drove 14 hours from our home in Louisiana to our home in Kansas City.  It was so exhausting, that we've mainly just hung out at home and rested this weekend.  Saturday we picked up a rotisserie chicken so we wouldn't have to cook.  It's only the two of us so of course we couldn't eat the whole chicken.  This is what we did with the leftovers.  It was perfect for a cool fall day.

Chicken Soup

1/2 rotisserie chicken, deboned an cut into chunks
1/2 onion, chopped ((I used leftover grilled onions, chunked)
4 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1/8 tsp. Italian seasoning
4 cups water
1 veggie bouillon cube
1/2 tsp. sage
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf

If your onions are uncooked, cook them first in stockpot with 2 tbsp. butter. I used grilled onions, so I skipped this step.
Since the chicken was already cooked, I tossed it in along with the rest of the ingredients and boiled to allow flavors to combine. You could toss this in the crockpot and come home to a nice dinner. We served over rice, but you could use noodles also. I always keep the rice or noodles separate because they tend to absorb all the liquid and become mush which I despise. This was really good and super easy. I should have used brown rice or dreamfield pasta for an "E" meal, but I just really used what was on hand because grocery shopping is tomorrow. Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

This menu is a Dukan  menu plan.  DH and DS have both decided to diet using this plan loosely.  I must say that I am hesitant to try again.  I had such severe gastro issues last year, that I am a bit afraid to try again.  It took months before I felt better.  I've since regained most of my weight lost.  I've decided that while I will diet, I will add more vegetables and fruit than the diet recommends.  I will limit but not avoid carbs.  Anyway this is the plan for this week.

Monday:  Italian Chicken, Salad
Tuesday:  Pizza Soup, Salad
Wednesday:  Lemon Chicken, Salad, Lemon Cheesecake
Thursday: Big Game Meatballs ( http://dukanitout.com/willem-jans-big-game-meatballs/ ) , Salad
Friday:  Roast Turkey, Mashed Cauliflower, Carrots
Saturday:  Tomato Soup, Salad

Oatmeal Scotchies

     When you've committed to making whole food in your home instead of using boxes, you make a lot of dirty dishes.  Yesterday I made bread, granola, and wheat bran flakes for my family.  It made for a lot of dirty dishes.  I can't seem to use less than every pot and pan when I cook. Today was spent re-arranging my kitchen to hopefully make it flow better.

 Since it's Valentines' Day today, I thought I'd make a treat for my family.  I gave them a choice of cookies and of course there was no unanimous decision, so I made Oatmeal Scotchies for my son and Oatmeal Raisin Cookies for the Husband.  These are tried and true.  We love these cookies.  I wanted to post a picture.  Alas, I wasn't quick enough.  Maybe next time.


Oatmeal Scotchies

1 1/4 cup flour (I use a blend of whole wheat and unbleached all-purpose)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup butter (I've used all butter, all shortening, and 1/2 and 1/2--they were all fine)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups uncooked oats
1/2 pkg. (6 ounces) butterscotch chips (Aldis' chips are great)  for the husband I substituted raisins

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.
3.  In a large bowl, combine butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla.  Beat until light and fluffy--gradually add flour mixture.  Stir in oats and butterscotch chips.
4.  Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookies.  Bake 9 minutes for chewier cookies or 11 minutes for crisper cookies.  Yield about 4 dozen cookies.

Weekly Goals in Review

Purpose is a word that has been on my mind the last few weeks.  I'm the kind of person that makes New Year's Resolutions and a week later they are all but forgotten.  I mean well, but am weak on the follow-through.  When I began thinking about resolutions, and listening to others' resolutions, I thought that maybe I should try something different this year.  On the Homestead Honey Hour, Bexar Prepper talked about using  the Acronym SMART--Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic,Timely--when deciding on my resolutions.  My goal was that my resolutions have purpose.  I wanted this year of my life to be a year in which I looked back and said "I did something of value with my time."  I didn't want to waste this precious year that God has given me. Using Bexar's guidelines, along with information from Money Saving Mom, I made a list of projects that I wanted to accomplish, books I wanted to read, and relationships I wanted to nurture.  The month of January is half over and while I can't brag that I've accomplished all on my lists, I am content with what I have accomplished. I realize that this is only the beginning of a long process, but I am hopeful that this year will be different.  I am living with a purpose.

I finished reading Rhonda Barfield's book.  This is my third read of her book.  It is outdated, but I have found quite a few useful ideas that I want to implement.  I also found a few book recommendations from her book that I now have on order.  My desire is to bring down my grocery bill by shopping with a plan and a purpose.

I am currently reading A Love That Multiplies--by Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. From this book, I am finding other new resources, including  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgT8jnG8uFY .     
Jim Bob also said something that so struck me.  I wish I had been told this when my children were young.  How my parenting would have improved.  He said that he had purposed to show his children how to react in difficult situations.  He taught them through his actions and reactions to life difficulties.  How powerful is that idea?  How differently I would have parented if I had been taught this principle.

The Last Lion Winston Churchill will be an ongoing read.  I'm reading it for our book club.  He is such a complex, interesting man. 

I totally failed on my personal goals.  I have no excuses, I just didn't do them.

My homemaking goals were accomplished to a lot of success.
      1.  My sink was shiny.  My counter hot spots were still a problem. My cabinets were organized.  My  
           pantry was cleaned and organized.
      2.  I managed to process all the cannery foods. 
      3.  I unpacked at least one box per day.
      4.  We cleaned  much of the master bedroom.  It is far from perfect, but oh so much better.

Marriage/Family
      1.  I did spend time talking with my husband.  We are making a lot of positive changes in our life.  We
           talk so much.
      2.  I didn't mail the box for my grandsons, but I did manage to get all the things that I wanted to send to
           them.

Blog/Business
      1.  I only blogged 2 times last week.  An improvement yes, but room to work more.
      2.  I haven't had time to begin this book yet.

Financial Goals
      1.  I continue working on this.  I'm really excited about the changes DH and I are discussing.  I will write
           a blog post once the details are worked out.
      2.  DD and I went out once this week.  This will change because of item one.

Tomorrow, I'll post my goals for next week.  DH and I are traveling for the next two weeks, so it will be a little different, but I definitely have goals in mind for next week.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm continuing to work on cleaning out the freezer.  Additionally, on Friday, DH and I will be driving to Kansas City, then on to Dallas and finally on to Houston.  It will be a two week trip so I wont have a menu plan for the next couple of weeks.  My ds usually just eats out or reheats frozen meals.  He will do his own shopping for those meals he chooses to cook.

Sunday:
Brunch:  Waffles, bacon, coffee
Dinner:  Hamburgers, French Fries, King Cake

Monday:
Breakfast:  Eggs, toast
Lunch:  Simple fried rice
Dinner:  Beef Stew, rice

Tuesday:
Breakfast:  waffles, coffee, orange slices
Lunch:  Leftovers
Dinner: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Marmalade-Curry-Chicken/

Wednesday:
Breakfast:  Oatmeal, coffee
Lunch:  Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup
Dinner:  Jambalaya, salad

Thursday:
Breakfast:  Eggs, grits
Lunch:  chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese
Dinner:  Pizza, salad, banana yogurt

Weekly Goals

This was my goal for last week.  The homemaking goals, I did accomplish to some success.  I'm afraid that I didn't accomplish any other goals.

 I am reading 2 books currently  Feed Your Family for $12 a Day by Rhonda Barfieldhttp://www.amazon.com/Feed-Your-Family-For-12-00/dp/0806523557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358208587&sr=8-1&keywords=feed+your+family+for+12+a+day

and my Book Club is reading The Last Lion Winston Churchill http://www.amazon.com/Last-Lion-Churchill-Defender-1940-1965/dp/0316547700/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358208675&sr=1-1&keywords=the+last+lion+winston+churchill+--+william+manchester+and+paul+reid

so my goal to read with a purpose this year is off to a good start.


Goals for the Week:

Family/Marriage/Mothering


Personal Goals:
1.  Gratitude/I did this list
2.  Continue Bible reading



Homemaking Goals:

1.  52 weeks to a more organized home--week 1--clean off countertops and sinks.
2.  Process food purchased from the cannery.
3.  Unpack boxes from the front bedroom.
4.  Clean and straighten out master bedroom.


Blog/Business Goals

1.  Blog 3 times per week
 


Financial Goals:


This Week's Goals


Family/Marriage/Mothering

1.  Spend some real concentrated time on my husband.  I get wrapped up in my projects and forget to give him the time he deserves.
2.  Send off a package to my grandsons.  They moved away and I want to send monthly packages to let them know that I love and miss them.


Personal Goals:
1.  Gratitude/I did this list
2.  Continue Bible reading


Homemaking Goals:

1.  52 weeks to a more organized home--week 3--I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks so I did weeks 1 and 2 last week.  This week I need to work on the pantry.  I will also continue to make a habit of clearing my counter-top hot-spots.
2.  Work on a food storage spreadsheet so that I will know what I need to purchase next.
3.  Unpack boxes from the front bedroom.
4. Pack for our upcoming trip.


Blog/Business Goals

1.  Blog 3 times per week
2.  Download Developing the Leader in You Audiobook and listen while traveling. 

Financial Goals:

1.  I am Keeper of the Home.  My husband gives me 25% of the budget to do with as I wish for our home and hearth.  I want to begin to track my spending in hopes of reducing it.  I realize how blessed I am to have such a budget to work with, but truth be told, I don't think I'm spending it as wisely and I would wish.  Tracking my spending will allow me to find holes and fill them. 

2.  We have reduced eating out.  I am cooking more as a result. I wish to continue that.  Perhaps have my daughter over to my home for lunch instead of going out.

Homemade Granola

This year, I want to begin make items homemade instead of purchasing from the store. This way I'll control ingredients.  I think breakfast is a good place to start cooking from scratch.  I've decided to cut back on purchased cereal. Granola is a wonderful cold cereal treat. It can be made simply of just oatmeal, salt and brown sugar, but we love this granola. We eat it plain, with milk, or as a parfait with yogurt and berries.  This week I didn't have whole wheat flour or wheat germ, so I just left it out.  I didn't have almond extract, so I just doubled up on the vanilla extract. I don't like chocolate chips in my breakfast cereal, but I will add if I make granola bars.  I added sliced almonds and sunflower seeds, but no sesame seeds.  It's a very forgiving recipe.  Just add what you prefer, or what the budget will allow. 

GRANOLA
6 cups old fashioned oatmeal
½  cup wheat germ
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup raw sesame seeds
1/2 cup powdered milk
1 ½  teaspoon salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup brown sugar ( can use 1 ½ cups brown sugar and no honey)
1 cup honey (can use ¾ cup honey, ¼ cup maple syrup)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use coconut oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
2 cups nuts/seeds, (optional) any combination (walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, pine nuts )
1 cup dried fruit, cut into small pieces (optional) (raisins, cranberries or blueberries)
1 cup chocolate chips or M&M’s

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Mix all dry ingredients together except for nut/seeds, and dried fruit. Put honey and oil in a microwave safe dish, and microwave for about 30 seconds until honey is easily pourable. Add vanilla and almond flavorings to the honey/oil combination, and pour over dry ingredients. Stir until combined. If you are using pecans, you can add them now. If you are using almonds, add them the last 15 minutes of cooking time, or they will burn. Stir every 15 minutes until golden brown. It could take as long as one hour. Cool granola on pans, stirring occasionally, to break up large pieces. When cool, stir in dried fruit, if desired. Store in a covered container. Granola can be sealed in canning jars for long term storage.


This is an alternative to the above granola.  The recipe it is based on originally called for peanut butter, but I'm allergic to it so I substituted almond butter.  I'm sure cashew butter would be nice also.

Almond Butter Granola

Mix &; heat in 4-cup glass jug for 4 minutes on HIGH:
2/3  c honey
1-1/3 c margarine
1 t vanilla extract
2/3 c almond butter
1/2 t salt
1 c water

Mix in large bowl:
4 c rolled oats
1 t cinnamon

1 1/2  cup raisins/cranberries

1 cup sliced almonds

Pour wet ingredients over dry and mix quickly and well.
Put onto two small greased cookie sheets.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.
Exchange cookie sheets in oven, cook 10 minutes.
Turn oven off and let granola dry for several hours.
Store in closed jar on kitchen counter and watch it disappear.