Sunday June 26, 2011

Happy Sunday to all.  This week has been so crazy here.  We had convention at our church this week and being on the Praise Team, I had to practice with them 2 nights and participate 2 nights, we had a concert with Russ Taff on Wednesday.  We also helped at the coffee bar 2 nights.  This was family Sunday at church, which means I made breakfast casseroles.  3 casseroles and a breakfast pizza!  I so love doing this cooking! 

Also, our son, Levi, and his fiance, Brooke, are soon to have their baby!  She was admitted to the hospital tonight and they are preparing to induce her.  So maybe this time tomorrow, I'll have a new grandbaby to spoil and love and hold and snuggle. 

Amber and Levi and Brooke were here for lunch today.  Nothing spectacular, grilled burgers, cheese potatoes, green beans, baked beans.  Ice cream for dessert with homemade butterscotch topping! 

This week I dried more Dill.  Keep this up I'll be able to supply the entire town of Goodland with dill seed and dill weed! 

Our neighbor has a mulberry tree right on our property line.  I don't like the little berries, as they stain everything and attracts birds that leave their messy droppings, which of course is right by my clothesline.  I've debated in making mulberry jam...but with everything going on, I have found it difficult to find the time.  so...not sure I'll get it done.  We planted some more of the garden.  We put out a couple plants of cantelope and a couple of watermelon.  Added two more plants of Okra. 

As some of you may already know, I have been trying to find a place to get milk and cream so I can have buttermilk, and make ice cream and have fresh milk.    Well I still have not found a source.   I am so interested, that I am almost desperate!  I made our butter back when our children were growing up and we loved it!  Best butter is the homemade kind.  The buttermilk is great for baking and I love the pancakes and waffles that uses the fresh buttermilk.  So light and tender on the inside, but crispy on the outside. 

Yesterday, Saturday, we went to an auction.  We stood out in the sun for over 4 hours.  I applied sunscreen to arms, neck, ears and face.   My legs never, ever, get any sunburn!    Well, they say.."never say Never".  it is true.  The back of my legs are as red as an apple and very sore.  So my clothing selections this week for work are going to be very limited....the material rubbing against the burn is very painful!  Oh my gosh.....boy does it hurt!  Guess maybe because my legs are so tender! 

I will try to post some of the recipes for the breakfast casseroles this week!  They are very yummy!  so easy! 

Father's Day Menu

Tomorrow being Father's Day, we will be having the kids over for a cook out!  Mmmm shouldn't they be having their Dad over instead...Mmmm  Oh well...we love having them all together.  That is the important thing to us!  Just so you know...My kids have the best Dad in the world.  I had the best, but he is gone, so now my husband is the best in the world!  He is patient, understand yet firm, loving, kind, gentle and funny! 

We will be grilling T-Bone steaks, and my famous jalapeno poppers.  I will bake potatoes on the grill...ha..So..thought I'd share some of the recipes and the ideas with you.  So here goes...

I'm marinating the steaks in red wine!  I put onion and garlic and salt and pepper in a bag (add some seeds from the jalapeno's) and then pour in the red wine...enough to cover the steaks.  Seal the bag and turn over a few times to coat.  Place in fridge.  I'm letting them marinade now until noon tomorrow.  so when I get up in the morning around 7, I'll turn them over again.  When I get home from church ready to cook, I'll drain the marinade off and discard it.  Then I'll grill them to desired doneness. 

Now to "bake" the potatoes!  Wash and scrub potatoes.  Using a meat fork, poke holes in potatoes, 3 to 4 per potatoe.  Rub softened butter and sprinkle with garlic salt and/or onion salt.  Wrap in heavy duty aluminum foil and place on preheated grill and "bake" until done.  I put them on a top rack so they get more heat than fire.  I turn them 2 or 3 time during the baking so they don't burn on one side. 

We will also be having Old Fashioned Baked Beans.  These I started tonight and they will cook while we are at church. 

2 cups Northern Beans

5 cups water

1 small onion chopped

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 thick slices pork (I used thick sliced bacon)

Wash and pick over beans.   Cook overnight or 9-15 hours.  When tender, drain beans and reserve liquid.  Mix these ingredients 1/4 cup molasses or maple syrup; 2 Tablespoon brown sugar; 1 teaspoon dry mustard; 1/4 cup catsup; 3/4 cup to 1 cup bean liquid.  Pour over beans, cover and heat 1 to 2 hours. 

Now....for the biscuits!  Hubby tells me not share the recipe...but I think you'll love these. 

FEATHER LIGHT BISCUITS

1 package dry yeast

 2 tablespoons warm water (105° to 115°)

 5 cups all-purpose flour

 1 tablespoon baking powder

 1 teaspoon soda

 1 1/2  teaspoons salt

 2 tablespoons sugar

 1 cup shortening

 2 cups buttermilk

 Melted butter or margarine

Directions

GETTING STARTED
1. Preheat the oven to 400.
2. Take a small bowl and add warm water to it. Dissolve yeast into it and keep it aside.

MAKING
3. In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar with shortening. Blend the mixture till it resembles coarse meal.
4. Gradually add other ingredients like buttermilk and yeast mixture. Mix them well.
5. Portion out this mixture on lightly floured surface and knead it for about 2-3 minutes.
6. Mould this dough by rolling them in 1/2 inch thickness and cut the dough using 2-inch biscuit cutter.
7. Portion out this biscuit dough on lightly greased sheet and brush their tops with melted butter.
8. Bake this portion for about 400 at 15 minutes.

Tomorrow I think I'll serve them with honey butter. 

Ohhh my gosh....I never even gave dessert a thought!  Hang on...I'm gonna do some thumbing through my recipes....wow...can't believe I never gave dessert a thought.  Be right back. 

Ok...I'm back.  Thanks for waiting.   Ha!  Ha!   

For dessert, we will have Impossible Banana Cream Pie.   It is yummy.  and easy

1 cup milk

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup bisquick baking mix

2 medium bananas, sliced

1 cup chilled whipping cream

2 Tablespoons powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 10 inch pie plate.  Beat milk, margarine, vanilla, eggs, granulated sugar and Bisquick until smooth, 1 minute, with hand mixer.  Pour into a plate.  Bake about 30 minutes.  Cool completely.  Arrange banana slices on pie.  Beat whipping cream and powdered sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff.  Spread over top.  See...how easy is that?!

Okay...guess that covers our Father's Day Feast!  I'll try to come back on tomorrow night and post pictures.  The kids will all be at their homes and Roy will be at work..post.  ..so I hopefully will have some time to post. 

Until then.  Eat and enjoy time with your wonderful Dad!  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of you fathers.  Mine is in heaven and I miss him every day of my life.  He was fantastic!  Always supportive and encouraging!  I miss you Dad...Love ya! 

Dehydrating Dill

My house now has the aroma of dill!  I have dehydrated 5 quarts of dill and now I have just as much going in the dehydrator now!  I love dill but as a room freshener...not so much! 

This last weekend we planted our garden.  1 tomato plant..I'm the only one in the house that will eat tomatoes and they have to be peeled as I can't get it to go down.  We planted 4 plants of jalapenos, 4 plants of green peppers, 5 hills of cucumbers and 5 rows of green beans.  planted 4 plants of cantaloupe and 2 okra and a hill of zucchini.    O yes...some cabbage too.  

We have a good crop of strawberries this year.  Best crop we've had in years if not ever!  Good batch of rhubarb too.  Transplanted from a friend 2 raspberry plants.  so...might have a descent garden this year!  so..come canning season, I might be a tad busy!  Kids want my sweet pickles...I make 14 days sweet pickles.  Lots of work, but they are soooo good.    Gonna do Dill pickles too.   I will pickle most of the okra.  the jalapenos will be chopped and frozen for use in soups, chili's, and meatloaf.  The green beans will be canned.  the tomatoes will be ate fresh and if I have enough I will make salsa.  MMmm yummm 

I'd like to have enough strawberries and raspberries and rhubarb to make jams, jellies and preserves.   

One of these years I'm gonna try my hand at herb gardening.  really would like to do that. 

Well, gonna get off and get some rest for work tomorrow. 

Grilled Hamburger

Today was a typical Monday for sure!  Mondays are so hard to get around for...after having the weekend off!  Made it to work on time though!  That is an accomplishment for me on Mondays! 

Because of sores in my mouth, I can't eat much!  :-(     Lunch time I tried to eat a little salad....my goodness it hurt...so I ate a dab of yogurt.  Tonight I wanted to make some dinner for Roy.  Rilynn, our oldest granddaughter had a softball game at 7 so needed to have dinner over with in time to make it to the game.  So I grilled a hamburger for him.  I mixed some onion and some dry ranch dressing and some salt and pepper with the ground beef.  Made part of it into a patty and grilled it on low.  Then I took a small potatoe and cut it into strips and soaked the strips in salted water.  Drained them well and blotted dry with a paper towel.  While the burger was grilling, I fried the fries.  When they were done, seasoned them with seasoned salt and some pepper.  I sauteed onions for the tooppings and put on some cheese for him.  Toasted a bun for him.  With a pickle spear, and some left over baked beans he had a good dinner. 

We went off to the game in time to watch her take the field.  It is so fun to watch those little ones hustle after the ball and learn the fundamentals of the game! 

muffins 6/12/2011

I tried so hard to take pictures of my cooking last night.  I had every intention of taking the pictures as I mixed up the muffins....kind of slacked off towards the end of the night!  but here goes

First up is the rhubarb streusel muffins.  Wow were they ever a hit!  Roy loves them!!!!!  that is high praise coming from him!  Hardly ever tells me what he likes. 

RHUBARB STREUSEL MUFFINS

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
2 T butter, melted
2 T vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup rhubarb, diced 

TOPPING:

1/4 cup brown sugar,  firmly packed
1/2 tsp grounds cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 crushed sliced almonds (pecans or walnuts work well too)
2 tsp butter, melted















Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or paper line a muffin tin

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt and 2 T melted butter, oil and egg. 

In a separate bowl, combine flour, 3/4 c brown sugar, baking soda and salt. 

Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix only until just blended. 












Fold in rhubarb.

Spoon into muffin cups until two thirds full.  In a small bowl, combine ingredients for topping.  Spoon over tops of muffin mix, press down lightly.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when lightly pressed.  Cool in pan for about 15 minutes before removing to cooling rack.  These muffins freeze well when individually wrapped in plastic wrap then placed in a freezer bag. 

Next up...Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins

I don't think I'd add all the orange zest it calls for in this one.  calls for the zest of an entire orange.  I think I'd add maybe 1/4 or so. 

BUTTERMILK BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2/3 cup canola oil

2 cups fresh blueberries

3/4 cup granulated white sugar

1/4 tsp baking soda

zest of one orange (I'd go for maybe 1/4 or little more)

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Position rack in center of oven.  Spray 24 regular size muffin pans with a non stick cooking spray.  Set aside. 

In a large measuring cup or bowl whisk together the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract. 



In another large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest.  Gently fold in the berries.  

With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined.  Do not over mix the batter or tough muffins will result. 

Fill each muffin cup almost full of batter, using an ice cream scoop.  Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan. 

Now for the strawberry lemonade muffins

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE MUFFINS

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

6 T butter, room temperature

1 T lemon zest

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh strawberries

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line or grease 12 muffin tins.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in lemon zest, then blend in the eggs one at a time. 

Stir in about 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.  Mix well, then add in vanilla extract and half of the lemon juice.  Add another third of the flour, followed by the remaining juice and the remaining flour mix.  Stir until just combined and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.  Mix in finely chopped strawberries quickly, just to distribute them evenly into the batter.  Spoon batter out into prepared muffin cups.  The muffin cups should be very full. 

Bake for 15-17 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, or with only a few moist crumbs attached.  Turn muffins out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

 







BANANA PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL MUFFINS

These I didn't get any pictures taken of, but they were a big hit too.  They were my last batch and it was very late. 

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup mashed banana ( about 2 medium)

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup quick cooking oatmeal

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 T oil

2 large eggs

6 T peanut butter (I used extra crunchy, but your preference would be fine)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease a muffin tin.  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, oatmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  In a medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, brown sugar, eggs, mashed banana, peanut butter and buttermilk until very smooth, making sure all egg has been well incorporated.  Pour into flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain.  Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin tin, filling each just about up to the top.  Bake for 16 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.  Remove muffins from tin and cool on a wire rack. 

There you have it.  Yummy stuff!

June 11th Muffins

As I said in my previous post, this is my muffing baking weekend.  Tonight I sat down and made my decision on what ones I will bake for this Sunday.  I promised you the list and a few recipes, so here they are. 

BUTTERMILK BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2/3 cup canola Oil
2 cups fresh blueberries
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
zest of one orange
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Position rack in center of oven.  Spray muffin pans with a nonstick cooking spray.  Set aside. 

In a large measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract.  In another large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and orange zest.  Gently fold in the berries.  With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined.  Do not over mix the batter or tough muffins will result.    (I usually don't add the berries until after I have combined the wet and dry.  )

Fill each muffin cup almost full of batter, using an ice cream scoop.  Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin come out clean, about 15-20 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan. 

APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 large egg
2 T vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 T butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups diced apple

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and spices.  In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar and egg.  Whisk in melted butter, vegetable oil and vanilla.  Working in two or three additions, alternately stir in flour mixture and buttermilk, ending with an addition of flour and mixing only until no streaks of flour remain visible in the batter.  Stir in diced apple.  Divide batter evenly into prepared muffin cups filling each to the top, or slightly over. 

In a small bowl, stir together 3 T coarse sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon.  Sprinkle generously over muffins.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly pressed.  Cool muffins on a wire rack. 

RHUBARB STREUSEL MUFFINS

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
2 T butter, melted
2 T vegetable oil
1 lg egg
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup rhubarb, diced

Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup crushed sliced almonds (pecans or walnut work well too)
2 tsp butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease or paper line a muffin tin

In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, 2 T melted butter, oil and egg.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, 3/4 cup brown sugar, baking soda and salt.  Pour wet ingredients into dry, and mix only until just blended.  Fold in rhubarb.  Spoon into muffin cups until two-thirds full. 

In a small bowl, combine ingredients for topping.  Spoon over tops of muffin mix, press down lightly. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when lightly pressed.  Cool in pan for about 15 minutes before removing to cooking rack.  These muffins freeze well when individually wrapped in plastic wrap then paced in freezer bag. 

STRAWBERRY LEMONADE MUFFINS

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
6 T butter, room temperature
1 T vanilla
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh strawberries
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease or line a muffin pan with paper liners.  In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in lemon zest, then blend in the eggs one at a time. 

Stir in about 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter mixture.  Mix well, then add in vanilla extract and half of the lemon juice.  Add another third of the flour, followed by the remaining juice and the remaining flour mixture.  Stir until just combine and no streaks of dry ingredients remain.  Mix in finely chopped strawberries quickly, just to distribute them evenly into the batter.  Spoon batter out into prepared muffin cups.  The muffin cups should be very full. 

Bake for 15-17 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, or with only a few moist crumbs attached.  Turn muffins out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

I will post pictures and the recipes again when I am doing my baking this weekend. 

I have been asked by 3 people this week if I was going to give seminars on my Once a Month Cooking.  I am going to pursue it more and work out details and will post it here and let those that request know. 

June 7, 2011

Our BBQ on Saturday was a huge success!  Roy had such a good time and enjoyed seeing everyone!  THAT was our goal...for him to enjoy himself  The night was for and about him.  We had so much meat to eat!  We smoked a brisket, pork loin, baby back ribs, beef short ribs.   Then I also made baked beans (using dry beans, so took all night Friday and all day Saturday) and our jalapeno poppers...4 dozen!!!.  We also served brats!  I made a "brat hot tub" and boy were the brats good!  so so good! 

Boy was I exhausted at the end of the night!  everything was brought into the house.  The perishables were put away and then I went to bed and crashed! 

Sunday after church, Amber and the girls came over and ate leftovers.  Roy and I were still trying to recover from the party! so we just lounged around.  Roy left for work before 4 pm...amber and the girls left to do some of their stuff.  I decided to try to start the dishes.  Times like that is when I wish I had a dishwasher!  I just ran the water and started washing.  I washed, rinsed, dried and put away!  With the dishes done and the kitchen cleaned up I was exhausted. 

Today, Tuesday, June 7th, is Roy's actual birthday.  We had the kids come over for "Fries"  I made "Elvis" fries; cheese fries, Nacho fries; and "Charley's" Fries. 

Elvis fries - Fries with white gravy
Cheese fries - Fries with different cheeses
Nacho fries - fries with nacho fixings
Charley's Fries -Fries with cheese, ranch dressing, bacon bits, sour cream. 

We laughed and talked.  Now everyone is gone, house is quiet.  I'm getting sleepy.  I want to get up in the morning early enough to hang our white clothes on the clothesline! before going to work. 

Okay...for the brat hot tub

in a grill safe pan (i used an aluminum foil disposable heave duty pan) melt 3 tablespoons of butter...when the butter is melted, add an entire onion that is sliced into thin slices.   Add 2 to 3 cans of beer and let it simmer on the grill. 

Cook brats on grill...when they are at desired doneness, place in pan with butter and onions and beer.  Let them simmer slowly.  Yummmmm

This weekend will be my weekend to bake muffins for church, so now I need to be making my list of what kind to make.  I usually try to make 3 or 4 different kind....so far the most popular is banana/chocolate chip!  I'll post my list and recipes AND I'll try to get pictures too!  sorry, not very good at taking pictures.  I'll try to get better. 

later

busy times

Well I've been busy...so that is why no posts since Saturday.  Sunday we were at the farm for the annual WWF (Wassemiller Weiner Fest).  Monday we stayed home and worked in the yard and around the house.  During my baking/cooking marathon on Saturday, my cake overflowed into my oven.  So i ran my self cleaning oven on Monday.  Sure did make it extra hot in the house.  After it cooled down some, I wiped up the debris and got the racks and tray put back in.

Last night I pulled weeds in our garden.  I got sidetracked by pulling up some dill plants.  They were starting to take over the strawberry patch, so I decided to pull them up.  I then decided to dry them so I can use them later on.  I haven't done that for years!  I have four full trays of dill drying in my dehydrator!  Our house smells like dill pickles!  hehehe!  I also cleaned the top of my stove.  Cleaned all the burner trays and decided we need to replace the large burners.  So now have to work that into the budget.  But...my stove shines!  Just in time for a huge batch of cooking for the birthday party we are throwing for Roy this Saturday. 

Tonight, it is on my agenda to clean my 2 refrigerators!  To make room for the food for this weekend.  Here is the menu for the birthday party (the food I will be preparing for the love of my life)

Smoked brisket
Smoked short ribs
Smoked baby back ribs
Jalapeno poppers
Baked Beans
soda/tea/lemonade
Applesauce Cake w/cream cheese frosting

there are some that are bringing in food too so we won't lack for anything to eat for sure.  I know there will be potato salad, chips, dip and veggies. 

I'm so looking forward to this!  I'm very excited.   Almost like it is my birthday!  I'm gonna be mushy...but I love him so much, I want to show the world and him how very lucky I am and how very blessed I am!   I am so very very blessed.  I'm so thankful! 

So...I'm off now to clean my 2 refrigerators.  I'll let you know how I do!  the goal is to have them both cleaned and the floors mopped!  Hmmmm  6 pm now.   wonder if I can get it done! 

until next time.