tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22150629079746489432023-11-16T04:01:17.169-08:00The 4 O'Clock HustleForresterMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09674754310641285802noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-72022218110425068212011-12-29T15:11:00.000-08:002011-12-29T15:11:06.701-08:00Portuguese Christmas Bread aka Prune CakeThis is another recipe from my Nana Carrie. She grew up in Santa Clara and the family worked in the orchards and canneries. Prunes were a staple product of the valley. Here is her recipe for Prune Cake. Every year at Christmas time my mom and I chat about making it in regular size loaves, mini loaves and muffins. The original was meant to be a loaf or "cake." In current times prunes have gotten a bad rap so I sometimes just tell people it's a portuguese bread. This year when I revealed my secret ingredient, most people were excited to try something new and even said how much they enjoy prunes. And really, they are only giant raisins. ;)<br />
<br />
Nana's Prune Cake<br />
<br />
3C flour<br />
1C sugar<br />
1C oil<br />
1C milk<br />
1C chopped nuts (optional)<br />
1C chocolate chips (a must!)<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 1/2 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp nutmeg<br />
1/2 tsp cloves<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1 lb (20oz) bag of prunes (cook and chop)<br />
<br />
To cook prunes: add prunes to a med pot with 2 C water. Simmer over med-high heat until turning light brown and soft. Reserve cooking liquid and let cool. Chop softened prunes in food processor.<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to350 deg F.<br />
Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Use as much of the reserved liquid as needed to create a smooth pancake like batter. The batter should have a light brown color. <br />
Transfer to a loaf pan.**<br />
<br />
** I also like making mini loaves and the recipe will make 5 mini loaves. You can also bake in a 9x13 cake pan. My mom recently made them into mini muffins.<br />
<br />
Bake @ 350 for 45-50 minutes or until center comes out clean.*<br />
<br />
* mini muffins: bake for 30-40 minutes.<br />
<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-52231947440664773972011-11-03T14:14:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:19:01.283-07:00Pumpkin-Sweet Potato soupThis soup was whipped up just in time for Thanksgiving! It can also be recreated with leftovers after the big feast. I used what I had in my fridg. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygNnfEvj7OvbJ_T3bU3x7r_wIB09olGYvjjHe_PUNE2Nv02nk6v7q_K5lzgPGk6V7ZxoujD_6NKmAmV81VSFVPH5KZ6HRrUOYujWjmf7q-t-zTk-0PWvUTOdRGijPExg4MF6PTcR8KNXB/s1600/P1030402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygNnfEvj7OvbJ_T3bU3x7r_wIB09olGYvjjHe_PUNE2Nv02nk6v7q_K5lzgPGk6V7ZxoujD_6NKmAmV81VSFVPH5KZ6HRrUOYujWjmf7q-t-zTk-0PWvUTOdRGijPExg4MF6PTcR8KNXB/s320/P1030402.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ingredients<br />
<br />
1tbs oil (canola, or olive)<br />
1 small onion, chopped. I used a walla walla from this year's home garden<br />
1 tbs minced ginger<br />
1tsp cumin<br />
1tsp yellow curry powder<br />
salt & pepper to taste<br />
6 C clear broth (I used 2 cups turkey broth, 2 cups mushroom broth and 2 cups water)<br />
1/2 lb canned pumpkin (this is from the big can not the 15oz ones. You could use a whole 15oz can)<br />
3-4 C mashed sweet potato (I am estimating since I used leftovers.)<br />
1 med yukon gold or russet potato (you could easily use 1-2 cups leftover mashed)<br />
1 C coconut milk (optional)<br />
<br />
Using a stock pot add oil and chopped onion. Cook for 5 minutes until tender. Add ginger and let cook for 1 minute to combined flavors.<br />
Add all potatoes and broth. Heat on med high until simmering.<br />
Add spices and turn heat to med low. Let simmer 30-45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and flavors have combined.<br />
Add coconut milk and use immersion blender until smooth and creamy.<br />
Serve in soup bowls and sprinkle with raw unshelled pumpkin seeds.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-860368648477252812011-07-04T19:04:00.000-07:002011-07-04T19:04:40.460-07:00A taste of HawaiiI've been getting back to my roots lately and that means I'm taken back to Hawaii. I have a couple of family Portuguese recipes on here but this one is straight up Hawaiian. Anyone whose been to the islands know that you can't have a lunch plate without a mac salad. So here is my version of that great little bite!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hawaiian Style Mac Salad</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="pod ingredients clrfix" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;"><ul class="clr" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cups</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> macaroni (any kind that tickles your fancy. I let the kids choose.)</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">grated carrot</span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 </span></span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cup</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> mayonaise (NOT Miracle Whip)</span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="value" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">cup milk</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">small can of chopped black olives, drained</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingredient" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="amount" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="type" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1/4-1/2 cup grated or chopped onion. I use whatever I have and this can include shallots or green onion as well as red or yellow.</span></span></span></span></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://food.sndimg.com/2010/se/list-bullet.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 8px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; float: none; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="name" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">salt & pepper to taste</span></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="pod directions" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><h2 style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Directions:</span></h2><div class="rz-e" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 337px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></em></span><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></div></div><span class="instructions" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; width: 406px;"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cook macaroni till tender. Drain and rinse in cold water.</span></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Add ingredients until well coated. Salt & Pepper to taste. Use more mayonnaise if needed.</span></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chill in refrigerator.</span></span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> <span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">When ready to serve, add more mayonnaise to keep salad from drying out.</span></li>
</ol></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-46388920564919624242011-06-18T21:08:00.000-07:002011-06-18T21:11:07.358-07:00What Picky Eaters Eat and those who love them! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My first born was not always a picky eater, but as time went on and we realized what a quirky kid he was becoming (which includes declaring he's a vegetarian at 3 1/2) his eating habits also changed. He's a kid who will eat the same kind of sandwich everyday and be upset if you change any part of it. This sandwich is a peanut butter (smooth kind) and Nutella sandwich on "circle" bread. (The kind that is thin and round and whole wheat) That's it. With a big glass of milk and an apple if I'm lucky. I do have to admit they are delish, but I don't want them everyday! Anyway, dinner can be an exhaustive challenge and I almost always have plain rice or plain noodles so the child won't starve. Oh yeah, and he also likes seaweed. Yes, the sheets. Of nori. To eat right out of the package. I just go with it and I just found out that seaweed actually has more vitamin C than oranges! So. Tonight I made hand rolls for the kids with edame (or biggy peas as we call them) and carrot sticks on the side with their big glasses of milk. Huge success! This was sooo easy and can easily be eaten for lunch or even as a snack. You can add all kinds of yummy foods to it as well. I am not going to give you a whole recipe because it doesn't need one, but I will give you a list of things that can be added.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8UcHEsuA0MqIMxK2Hwr37sxuhMrtpGljy-Waqvq7TBgQXHnpM8iXrM5K-2rUyp7B94ARgQvz5v6T6bCKvaOr04hsFwb0IZsQRrLYTg8MdajkgH7FnpJkx87WW6xbC8GGvwyr6sKUsmc4/s1600/P1020860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8UcHEsuA0MqIMxK2Hwr37sxuhMrtpGljy-Waqvq7TBgQXHnpM8iXrM5K-2rUyp7B94ARgQvz5v6T6bCKvaOr04hsFwb0IZsQRrLYTg8MdajkgH7FnpJkx87WW6xbC8GGvwyr6sKUsmc4/s320/P1020860.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The hand roll has 2 basic ingredients: RICE & NORI sheets.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">STEP 1: Cook up your white jasmine rice in the usual way. I always rinse first and drain and then add the water. Usually 2 cups rice to about 3 to 3 1/2 cups water. Less water tends to make it stickier, especially if you've rinsed first. If you do the rice this way you can just put some in the nori without having to make it "sushi style."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">STEP 2: Cut the nori sheets in half. My kids ate 2 hand rolls easily and this equals 1 whole sheet.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">STEP 3: Once rice is cooked scoop about 1/4 cup (more or less) of rice and pack it onto one end of the seaweed sheet. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">STEP 4: Roll up nori so that it creates a cone of rice and has a point on the end. Mine were not perfect and I could easily turn up the bottom once it was a bit soft. I added a link to a video that shows how to do all this. </span><a href="http://www.howcast.com/videos/254-How-To-Make-Hand-Roll-Sushi"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">making the cones</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">STEP 5: Once it is rolled up put a dab of rice on the flap end and stick it down so it does not unroll.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's it folks! Pretty dang easy. The picky eater will only eat his plain this way but you can easily add up to 3 of the following ingredients or come up with your own. Let me know your favorites!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hand Roll Fillings:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">carrots sticks, thin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cucumber sticks, thin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">avocado</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">proteins like chicken, shredded pork, beef strips, and shrimp or other seafood</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">apple sticks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">asparagus spears</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">jicama</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">parsnip sticks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">sweet potato sticks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be creative! Add 1 protein and 2 veggies. Thin crunchy veggie sticks work best. Grilled chicken strips or BBQ shredded pork would be yummy too!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Happy Eating!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-62885516787878767272011-05-17T21:19:00.000-07:002011-05-17T21:19:36.842-07:00Eat Your Greens! aka Fava beans and spinach pestoI recently signed up for organic produce delivery. I love it! It forces me to eat more veggies and also try things I might not have before. Tonight I discovered some some and creative dishes.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spinach and sunflower seed pesto. </span></b><br />
I figured since traditional pesto was made with a leaf (basil) and a nut/seed (pinenut) why not try something outside the box? I had a bag full of baby spinach, courtesy of Full Circle Farm and a jar of sunflower seeds. Why not make pesto? The recipe that follows was inspired by Jaime Oliver.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKeIDjDduV9QyGHTeq5MKlmy-a8lkD1eaPpKooBeGbQVYMRcW5mvZ0e4k7SuD1J6cONy_GfSza7OFVWS0BwMLKW5a-fAJycc5XKwrVDCtAdX24VIu1nheOQYDr5sJ1x7ZT9cH95n6EfqG/s1600/P1020699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKeIDjDduV9QyGHTeq5MKlmy-a8lkD1eaPpKooBeGbQVYMRcW5mvZ0e4k7SuD1J6cONy_GfSza7OFVWS0BwMLKW5a-fAJycc5XKwrVDCtAdX24VIu1nheOQYDr5sJ1x7ZT9cH95n6EfqG/s320/P1020699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2c spinach</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/4-1/2 c sunflower seeds</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/3 plus EVOO</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 cloves garlic chopped</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 c parmesano reggiano</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">salt and pepper.</div><br />
As with traditional pesto, combine in food processor and slowly add EVOO until smooth. Feel free to play around with amounts as well until it agrees with your palette.<br />
I left mine a little crunchier and spooned it over a tortellini. It was pretty dang yummy!<br />
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I was on a roll with the the greens and was dying to try the bag of fava beans in my organic mix so the recipe that follows is a nice little side dish. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTeeCDJVGYqAHffaMLH9Nb3q_kv7BgsPkM8Mi5K0e3yzpMr3WPRsIaJWKvuycUR_J3Ux7pc9EggF3E-z51lACy_JQl3KFe_6_02jmgGWIb8HosBKZSDprLNrArpfZD5PC-nchyuthWYXn/s1600/P1020689_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTeeCDJVGYqAHffaMLH9Nb3q_kv7BgsPkM8Mi5K0e3yzpMr3WPRsIaJWKvuycUR_J3Ux7pc9EggF3E-z51lACy_JQl3KFe_6_02jmgGWIb8HosBKZSDprLNrArpfZD5PC-nchyuthWYXn/s200/P1020689_2.JPG" width="200" /></a><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fava Beans tossed with parmesano reggiano</span></b><br />
1 C fresh fava beans shelled.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 tbs. EVOO</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 clove garlic, chopped</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">pinch or small shake of crushed red pepper</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">salt and pepper to taste</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1/2 c shaved parmesano reggiano</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwL4bI5m5qjfm0zV2qJ-PhaxIQ3Z9IokM8cnE7w3E-2tOoLVUkmUqFSa61sqlK4-mnMBiiQ3s6yiUWegRQa4ZUjCqLG7o81WEHEGJ4KidPIQ6ZHyIbPZBaa2PIBOX0cCQqaM0dgaFutkb/s1600/P1020705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwL4bI5m5qjfm0zV2qJ-PhaxIQ3Z9IokM8cnE7w3E-2tOoLVUkmUqFSa61sqlK4-mnMBiiQ3s6yiUWegRQa4ZUjCqLG7o81WEHEGJ4KidPIQ6ZHyIbPZBaa2PIBOX0cCQqaM0dgaFutkb/s200/P1020705.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>So, Fava Beans are a thick bean that is encased in a pod and looks like a giant snap pea. Crack it open from an end and pull it apart. Inside are the beans. Do not eat these raw. The first step is to boil a small pot of slightly salted water. Once boiling, throw the beans in for about 1-2 minutes. Drain and rinse. THEN, you must pop the bright green beans out of their little jacket. It's a thick skin like little bean scuba gear. Once this is complete just add olive oil, garlic and red pepper to a medium hot pan. Toss the beans until heated through. Dish up. Add your salt and pepper and shave some cheese on and your done! Another option would be to forgo the heat and just mix the ingredients together (minus the garlic) and toss into a green salad.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-82315972527591965342011-05-09T22:05:00.000-07:002011-05-09T22:05:04.348-07:00Make Your Own Salad Night<div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div id="AOLMsgPart_2_ddaf73cd-d63b-4671-86a3-f9ff8524a975"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> So I have some picky eaters in my house. Namely my husband, who could eat the same food every day for all three meals and be perfectly happy. The second is my gifted and sensory sensitive child who claimed himself a vegetarian by age 4 (including fish b/c he was NOT going to eat a dead fish) and who probably only east about 5 foods. He too will eat the same food everyday for every meal and is perfectly happy about it. It does mean making his lunch for preschool very easy and I can do it before I've had my coffee in the morning. Luckily, I also have a three year old who will happily ask for a steak and will eat a chicken wrap right out of my hand if I let him. Sadly, it makes dinner time for this Foodie an agonizing challenge. When the 4 o'clock hustle begins I dread trying to come up with something everyone will eat or even consider looking at. Once or twice a week we have breakfast for dinner so everyone is happy with their eggs, or pancakes, or cereal and most times they can even get their own food. I always leave a bowl or two of fruit out on the table and this has increased fruit intake by everyone, so thumbs up for that! The veggie situation is the next challenge and tonight I discovered some sort of success. Tonight was "Make Your Own Salad Night." Not sure why I hadn't thought of this before. We've had taco night which is a similar idea where everyone gets a tortilla and puts what they want. Kids LOVE this stuff! So I guess the little bits of sunshine we've had lately was just enough for my veggie garden tending to help set off this brilliant little light bulb. Funny enough, the recipe to "Make Your Own Salad Night" requires one of my famous "lists." I'm not necessarily a fan of lists but it does seem I'm kind of listy that way. So. This is how your family will LOVE "Make your own salad night." </span></span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 bowl romaine</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 bowl red leaf lettuce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 bowl mixed greens like arugula and kale and any other "fancy" looking leafy green</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">in separate bowls:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">sliced cucumber</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bite sized pieces or think slices of carrots</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">tomato wedges</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">raw mushroom slices</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">any other salad pleasing veggie cut thickly for finger food people</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">avocado chunked or sliced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">little bowls or jam jars of dried fruit like blueberries, cranberries, or cherries (or all of them!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">little jars or bowls of raw seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, etc.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">bowl of freshly chopped chives from the garden</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My picky eater also brought to the table a plate of pickles and olives.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">we added some hard cheese like parmesan reggiano so each person could grate their own. (I helped the left handed 3 year old)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And of course numerous salad dressings and croutons or bacon bits can be added as well as other proteins like shrimp or chicken or anything else you might put in a salad. The key is to have lots of options. Sometimes it's just the way it looks or feels in the mouth that gets them to eat it. My 3 year old likes his cucumbers peeled so I had little plate of sliced cucks both peeled and unpeeled.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I desperately wished I had a big lazy susan for this affair and I might go out and buy one tomorrow. Although without it, everyone got to practice their nice restaurant manners for passing food. From mom to mom, let me tell you, this was a huge success! We put the larger salad bowls out and then put little dishes on the side for those who want rice or maybe pasta or even a protein (and the picky eater's seaweed. Yeah, I know, I just go with it.) I used jam jars for the seeds and dried fruit and put spoons and forks out for serving. Let me tell you, everyone had fun and ATE the FOOD. They all asked for "Make Your Own Salad Night" again! Luckily for me I just signed up for organic produce delivery so that will keep the variety going. The bonus of it all, besides the eating was that even the little one could, and wanted to help set the food out. It was truly the family affair I never though would exist. Aaah. A mom's day is done.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ZJpymlwtm_8jyItBEIfC7ahCiUMmlX9zvhvdR64OdG0YN_OGr4t2jTb6iI6fOOHfmPd9ytDy2oIEWEGdOZpiDmAVsQUmb4n6Jq_Nx1ZD7zGwhrDDw0Q7cfkRsvaWdZru6TlktvN_P5s/s1600/P1010087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-ZJpymlwtm_8jyItBEIfC7ahCiUMmlX9zvhvdR64OdG0YN_OGr4t2jTb6iI6fOOHfmPd9ytDy2oIEWEGdOZpiDmAVsQUmb4n6Jq_Nx1ZD7zGwhrDDw0Q7cfkRsvaWdZru6TlktvN_P5s/s320/P1010087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-75736056395264185862010-10-16T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-16T20:20:46.853-07:00Honey Banana Bread<div class="rcpdetail" id="ingredients" style="color: #555555; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;"><h2 style="color: #2a2a2a; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Searching for a banana bread recipe I decided to take the basic recipe and add my own flair with items on hand in my pantry. I discovered that honey flavored yogurt meant I didn't need vanilla and gave the bread a heavenly sweetness. A perfect slice or bread to have with hot tea on a chilly Autumn afternoon. Now, onto pumpkin carving!</span></span></h2><h2 style="color: #2a2a2a; font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span> </h2><h2 style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Ingredients</span></h2><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1 C whole wheat flour</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1 C all purpose flour</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">2 Tbs wheat germ (optional)</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">3/4 teaspoon baking soda</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1 C organic sugar</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1/4 cup butter, softened</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">2 large eggs</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">1/3 C honey greek style yogurt</span></span></span></li>
<li style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Cooking spray</span></span></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="rcpdetail" id="preparation" style="color: #555555; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;"><h2 style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Preparation</span></span></span></h2><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Preheat oven to 350°.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, yogurt. Beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. Spoon batter into an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from pan. Let cool.</span></span></span></div></div><div class="rcpdetail" id="nutrientInfo" style="color: #555555; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-47860029765166942962010-10-08T16:26:00.000-07:002010-10-08T16:27:21.001-07:00Portuguese BeansThis recipe was made by my great grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother. I have recently reworked it to fit my crock pot. My Portuguese ancestors settled in Santa Clara and surrounding areas after first going through Hawaii from the Azores. I hope this translates well!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>1 pkg. dry pink beans (pinto beans can be substituted. )<br />
1 pkg linquica (portuguese sausage) chorizo could probably be a good sub as well.<br />
1 ham hock with or without bone. To fit in the crock you may need to cut it into chunks first.<br />
1 yellow onion<br />
1-2 cloves minced garlic<br />
1 15oz can tomato sauce<br />
<br />
Add pink beans and 4 cups water to crock pot. <br />
cook beans on high 2 hours, until beans are al dente.<br />
Add remaining ingredients.<br />
Continue cooking on high 4-6 hours.<br />
I have a larger crock pot and everything just fit. It can still be done on the stove, but I like the idea of being able to just leave it for the day and coming home to a meaty aroma.<br />
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This is such a hearty meal! Perfect for cold weather. Very comforting. We always spooned it over a slice of bread, but you could easily put it over rice or potatoes, maybe even cornbread! It is also just great alone in a bowl as stew.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-34658408854245182072010-09-26T19:19:00.000-07:002010-09-26T19:23:07.949-07:00Homemade Refrigerator PicklesMy garden was pretty sad and wacky this year and I am still oh so slowly getting cucumbers so these home made pickles came in handy for something different and delicious. My Dad says his mom used to make the best pickles when he was a kid. Maybe I am channeling her because I'm not sure I can ever eat the store bought ones again! I made 2 batches. One with regular white vinegar and one with cider vinegar. I'm thinking the white vinegar ones turned out a bit crunchier. Both were super yummy! I am considering making a batch with rice vinegar...hmm.<br />
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Here ya go!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbM5bg3RSOUSwmnkgVr5h_Vo_rkp7vvBwVYaDl2a5TMjTtr4_oDu4i0HH8kSb6qCyFC7Co9Cs9_CsLvqvBfgGRI2yPe1wrx0D_IJo1B8nvbGwN3VE8_F6MAi_htNG5owsuRA-clMdlUg53/s1600/P1010414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbM5bg3RSOUSwmnkgVr5h_Vo_rkp7vvBwVYaDl2a5TMjTtr4_oDu4i0HH8kSb6qCyFC7Co9Cs9_CsLvqvBfgGRI2yPe1wrx0D_IJo1B8nvbGwN3VE8_F6MAi_htNG5owsuRA-clMdlUg53/s320/P1010414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2 cups cider vinegar (distilled white vinegar can also be used. I may be tempted to try it with rice vinegar as well)<br />
2 tsp. kosher or pickling salt. (non-iodized)<br />
1 Tbs. pickling spices (McCormick)<br />
pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)<br />
8oz or quart size canning jars (I used 8 oz b/c that's what I had)<br />
1-3 or more 3" garden grown cucumbers. Washed and quartered lengthwise. Ends trimmed. (to make spears)<br />
4-8 cloves fresh garlic.<br />
fresh dill<br />
<br />
Bring vinegar, salt and spices to a full boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Cool completely.<br />
Sterilize canning jars by immersing in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. The jars should be hot when adding the veggies.<br />
Layer the cucumbers, garlic, and dill in the hot jars. Pour in enough of the vinegar to cover completely. You may need to spoon the spices into the jars as well. Screw on lid and refrigerate for at least 3 days before eating. (The pickles can be stored, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 month. (Ha! They will not last that long!)<br />
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This is a recipe I put together from a couple of recipes. You could also add some sliced onion and some grape tomatoes as well. The addition of red pepper flakes gives it a little extra bite. If you are a lover of crunchy dill pickles, you will be in heaven! I used fresh cucumbers from my garden but I am curious to try store bought cucks. My garden cucks had a nice little sweetness to them. Also, when using home grown cucks, be sure to pick them while the are still bumpy and prickly. Once they start yellowing and getting smooth they will not make a crunchy pickle. These were like baby pickle spears. I could fit 1 to 1 1/2 pickles in each 8 oz. jar. <br />
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Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Okay, gonna go eat another pickle now!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215062907974648943.post-67468825175561169212010-09-24T20:44:00.000-07:002010-11-25T08:47:12.096-08:00Italian Lemon TartletsThis is my first blog as a "foodie." I usually just post random meals and desserts on Facebook and one day a friend said, "you should start a blog." Today, after going through a bazillion, unorganized recipes, I thought, "Hmm, maybe a blog will help keep my recipes organzied!" So here goes. This recipe, as with many of my recipes, come from taking ideas from other recipes to create a dish or dessert to my own liking. This dessert is an Italian Lemon Tart. I was really craving lemon tarts after buying <a href="http://www.dickinsonsfamily.com/products/curds/default.asp">Dickinson's Lemon Curd</a> for some reason. I just couldn't find exactly what I wanted! So I searched the web to find the Frankenstein parts to create a creamy, lemony tartness with a snap of ginger. Oh my! You will have to stop yourself from eating several before anyone even knows they are gone!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCX2-3NL65hiLQgDJY0yWrG8oJIWbDWFIXuD_RNdKX3GI7lFE7wcQ-o5r3BdFod0hLmqw22-aHziW_zWlfEhxv29EcBvCi36vz0aUxiadjo3IsvvOL9zS18A_fgBswzekcu3wkBUOVNKm/s1600/P1010417.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520697187956971634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCX2-3NL65hiLQgDJY0yWrG8oJIWbDWFIXuD_RNdKX3GI7lFE7wcQ-o5r3BdFod0hLmqw22-aHziW_zWlfEhxv29EcBvCi36vz0aUxiadjo3IsvvOL9zS18A_fgBswzekcu3wkBUOVNKm/s320/P1010417.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
1 jar Dickinson's lemon curd (in jam isle of Safeway or Fred Meyer)<br />
30 gingersnap cookies<br />
4 tbs. unsalted butter, melted<br />
3/4 C. chilled whipping cream<br />
1/2 C. white sugar<br />
1/2 - 8 oz. container mascarpone cheese<br />
1-2 tbs. limoncello (optional) (an italian liqueur)<br />
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<br />
Preheat oven to 350 deg. use muffin cup liners to line a standard size muffin tin.<br />
<br />
For tart:<br />
Use food processor to crush cookies until a somewhat even crumb is achieved.<br />
Place crumbs in a bowl and combined with melted butter until mixed.<br />
Distribute crumb mixture evenly among muffin cups.<br />
Using hands press crumb mixture flat along the bottom and up sides of muffin cups.<br />
Place approx. 1 tbs of lemon curd in each crumb tart.<br />
Bake in 350 deg oven for about 7-8 min.<br />
While still hot, spread warm lemon curd to the edges of the bottom of each tart.<br />
Let cool completely. (over refrigerate overnight)<br />
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For whipped cream:<br />
in a medium bowl add 3/4 C chilled whipping cream and 1/2 container of mascarpone cheese.<br />
Add sugar and limonello <br />
Using hand mixer, beat until stiff peaks form. (Whipped cream consistency)<br />
Spoon whipped cream into a sandwich size baggie. Cut off one corner to create piping bag.<br />
Pipe whipped cream on to cool or chilled tarts.<br />
Add a blueberry on top for accent. :)<br />
Share if you must!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0