Last Halloween Irene was Winnie the Pooh

Quinoa Tabbouleh

1 cup quinoa
1 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
6 Tbl lemon juice, divided
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
2 cups finely chopped cucumber
3 scallions, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups firmly paced, fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup firmly packed, fresh mint leaves, shredded

Using a mesh strainer, rinse and drain the quinoa under cold water.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the quinoa, broth and 2 Tbl of the lemon juice.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the broth is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes.  When done, the grains will appear soft and translucent, and th germ ring will be visible along the outside edge.  Transfer to a shallow platter and spread evenly.  Let it coool.

Meanwhile, place the tomatoes in a colander or mesh strainer.  Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with salt and set over the sink or a bowl and let drain for 10 minutes. 

Once the quinoa has cooled, transfer to a large serving bowl.  Add the drained tomatoes, the cucumber, scallions, garlic, remaining 4 Tbl of lemon juice and the oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve,  Just before serving, stir in the parsley and mint. 

Roast Chicken with Spiced Yogurt

First made 9/27-85.  In the cookbook, I wrote "Yum!  Delicious.  Very easy to make - trick is to think of it a day early.
Also called Tandoori Murghi
Notes from Betty Crocker International Cookbook: A tandoor is a clay oven with a live coal or wood fire.  Archeologists have found evidence suggesting that the tandoori method of cooking may have developed by the ancient civilization that thrived along the Indus River valley nearly four thousand years ago.  Today tandoori cooking is popular thoughout Pakistan and India, and is rapidly gaining fans in Europe and America.  You need no special oven or coals to prepare our version of tandoori murghi.  From the 1980 edition.
8-10 Servings

3-4 lb broiler-fryer chicken
1/2 tsp water
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1 cup unflavored yogurt
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red peppers
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup water

Place chicken in large glass or plastic bowl.  Mix 1/2 tsp water and the mustard in 1 quart bowl; stir in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cardamom, ginger, cumin, red peppers, and pepper.  Pour over chicken; turn to coat well with marinade.  Cover and refrigerate 12 - 24 hours.
Place chicken on rack in shallow roasting pan, reserving marinade.  Roast uncovered in 375 deg. oven, spooning reserved marinade over chicken during last 30 minutes of roasting, until thickest pieces are done, 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 hours.  (Place a tent of aluminum foil loosely over chicken during last 30 minutes to prevent excessive browning.)  Remove chicken from pan; stir in 1/4 cup water.  Heat just until hot.  Serve with chicken.

I always like to make Fried Indian Rice to go with this.

Fish in Cream Sauce with Mushrooms

Fish in Cream Sauce with Mushrooms

I made this first on 4/16-90.  We used fresh flounder and Lake Niagara wine.  It was delicious.
8 servings.
8 oz mushrooms, diced
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 Tbl butter
2 lbs fish fillets, cut into serving pieces
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 Tbl lemon juice
2 Tbl butter
2 Tbl flour
1/2 c whipping cream
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 c shredded Swiss cheese

Cook and stir mushrooms and green onions in 2 Tbl butter in 10-inch skillet until mushrooms are tender, about 3 minutes; remove from skillet.  Place fish in skillet; add wine, lemon juice, and just enough water to cover fish.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until fish flakes easily with fork, 4-5 minutes.  Remove fish with slotted spoon to platter; keep warm.

Heat liquid in skillet to boiling; boil until reduced to 1 cup, 7 or 8 minutes.  Pour liquid into measuring cup; reserve.  Heat 2 Tbl butter in skillet until melted; stir in flour.  Cook and stir 1 minute; remove from heat.  Stir in reserved liquid and the whipping cream.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil and stir 1 minute.  Stir in mushrooms, green onions, salt and pepper.  Drain excess liquid from fish.  Spoon sauce over fish; sprinkle with cheese.  Set oven control to broil and/or 550 degrees.  Broil fish 2-3 inches from heat just until cheese is melted, 2-3 minutes.
Recipe is from Betty Crocker International Cookbook, copyright 1980

DIY Flavored Syrups

http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/08/15/diy-flavored-syrups/

I have wanted to buy syrups, but they are very expensive.  I use them in coffee, whipped cream, and frosting.  Yeah!
Vanilla Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.  Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the pan and throw in the pod.  Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.  Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, about 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the heat, discard the vanilla bean pod and stir in the vanilla extract.  Let cool.  Store in the refrigerator.

Raspberry Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

¾ cup raspberries, preferably fresh

Directions:

Combine the sugar, water and raspberries in a small saucepan.  Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.  Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, about 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the heat and pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove the berry solids.  Let cool.  Store in the refrigerator.

Coconut Syrup

Ingredients:

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup water

¼ cups cream of coconut*

2 tsp. coconut extract

Directions:

Combine the sugar, water and cream of coconut in a small saucepan.   Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.  Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut extract.  Let cool.  Store in the refrigerator.

Caramel Syrup

Ingredients:

¾ cup sugar

½ cup water

¼ cups caramel sauce

Directions:

Combine the sugar, water and caramel sauce in a small saucepan.  Heat the mixture over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.  Remove from the heat and let cool.  Store in the refrigerator.

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Caramel Sauce

Vanilla Bean Caramel Sauce

Yield: 1½  cups

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

1¼ cups heavy cream

1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

¼ tsp. coarse salt

½ tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

Spread the sugar in an even layer over the bottom of a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan.  Place over medium-low heat, watching carefully.  When the sugar begins to liquefy around the edges, use a heatproof spatula to gently stir it towards the center.  Continue stirring very gently until all the sugar is melted, taking care not to over stir.  Measure out the heavy cream in a liquid measuring cup and scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the cream.  Set aside.  Once the caramel reaches a deep amber color, immediately remove the sauce pan from the heat.  (To test the color, spoon a drop onto a white plate or bowl.)  Carefully whisk in half of the heavy cream along with the vanilla bean seeds.  The mixture will steam and bubble violently.  Stir until the cream is well incorporated, then whisk in the remaining cream.  Stir in the salt and the vanilla.  If any sugar has hardened, place the saucepan over low heat and whisk until smooth.  

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  If needed, it can be rewarmed in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat.

Printed from Annie’s Eats

Mushroom Puffs

4 oz cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup sliced, sauteed mushrooms
1 Tbl chopped sauteed onion
1/8 Tbl hot pepper sauce or
1 Tbl minced sauteed hot pepper
1 Tube crescent roll dough

Saute the mushroom, onion and hot pepper.  Puree in food processor along with cream cheese.
Separate rolls into rectangles.  Spread filling on dough.  Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side.  Cut each roll into 5 slices; place on an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 425 for 8 - 10 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.  Yield: 20 appetizers.

Pumpkin Bread

1 1/2 c sugar
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c water
2 eggs
1 2/3 c flour
1 t baking soda
3/4 t salt
1 1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1/4 t baking powder
1/2 c chopped pecans

In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, pumpkin, oil, water and egg.  Sift together dry ingredients in a separate bowl and gradually add to pumpkin mixture.  fold in pecans.  Pour into greased loaf pans or mini loaf pans or muffin tins.  Bake at 350 for 70 - 80 min for loaves, or 25 - 30 min for muffins or mini loaves - until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.  Yield: 1 loaf or 12 mini loaves.
I made this in early November 2012 to send to Mollie and Irene in care packages at college.  Bart said this was a particularly good recipe.

Apple Cider Caramel Glazed Pound Cake

Cider House Rules..

Posted By Peabody On October 2, 2012 @ 3:50 pm

Apple Cider Caramel Glazed Pound Cake

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup shortening
3 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup apple cider
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
Preheat oven to 325F. You can use a large tube pan or I made 5 small loaves. Grease whatever pan you are using with baking spray.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment cream together the shortening and butter. Add sugar ¼ of a cup at a time. When all sugar is incorporated beat on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after every addition.
Add the vanilla and beat another 30 seconds.
Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.
Starting with the flour mixture alternate adding the flour, then the cider, than flour, cider, and end with flour. Beat until all the ingredients are well combined.
Tube pan bake for 90 minutes. Small loaves took about 70 minutes. Just watch your oven to make sure a knife inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.
Caramel Glaze
1/2 granulated cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Lyle’s Golden Syrup (dark corn syrup can be used)
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. Drizzle over
cake while cake is still warm.

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Article printed from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody: http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com
URL to article: http://www.culinaryconcoctionsbypeabody.com/2012/10/02/apple-cider-caramel-glazed-pound-cake/

Click here to print.

Homemade Baking Mix

I used to make this all the time when we lived in Avon.  I think I lost the recipe when we moved, and didn't think of it for a long time.  I was happy to find this one today.  So I'm putting it on my blog where I won't lose it.  I use baking mix for biscuits, short cake, and dumplings.  I usually add herbs and Parmesan cheese to the biscuits and dumplings.  My family loves chicken and dumplings.

Frugal Tip: Homemade Baking Mix

http://homefront.prudentliving.com/frugal-tip-homemade-baking-mix/

September 24, 2012

Published August 21, 2012 | By Nancy

Did you know you can make your own “better than Bisquick” recipe at home? It’s very easy and you can store it in your freezer or refrigerator and it will be good for 2-3 months. A friend of mine gave me this recipe years ago, you can use it in any recipe calling for Bisquick such as biscuits, muffins, pancakes, waffles or any other type of dish.
Ingredients:
In a large bowl, stir the dry ingredients together. Mix thoroughly.

Combine all dry ingredients.

Cut the shortening into the dry ingredients until the mix is the consistency of corn meal.

Cut shortening into dry ingredients.putting it on my 

Place the mix in a covered container and keep it in a cool, dark place. In warm weather it should be refrigerated. I keep my container in the refrigerator. Makes about 13 cups. Remember to label your container with the date!

Store in a covered container.

LearningTheFrugalLife, RaisingHomemakers, FrugallySustainable, TheThriftyHome,WeAreThatFamily,  JugglingActMama, Thrifty101

Link to On The Home Front
Just copy and paste the code above!

Homemade Hot Sauce

     I'm harvesting hot peppers now.  I have cherry peppers, jalapenos, and chili peppers.  Wonderful!  I'm drying some in the oven, since I don't have a dehydrator (are you listening, Santa?), stringing some up to hang over my kitchen sink in the window, and freezing some minced in olive oil (I freeze them in ice cube trays - I wonder if my ice cubes will taste spicy now?).  I'm also using up several in making V-8 juice with my cherry and roma tomatoes.

Mollie and Eli love hot sauce.  Maybe I'll give them each some for Christmas.
I'm also pondering what to give Don Wenner, as I have his name in the Putzig family drawing.  Maybe something for his grill, like spices or scented woods?  Do they grill in New Mexico in the winter?
I'll keep thinking about this.


Hot Sauce Made from Dried Peppers
Ingredients:
5 large or about 12 small dried peppers
apple cider vinegar
sea salt
water

Instructions

1. • 1

     

     Open the pepper, and discard the stem and seeds. Heat your peppers in a hot cast iron skillet or other heavy metal frying pan over a high flame. You don't want to roast the pepper, just warm it a little. The heat will soften the pepper's tissue.
   • 2

     

     Toss the hot dried peppers into your blender, and add 1 cup of hot water. You can use any combination of dried peppers, depending on your taste. Plan on using about five large or 12 small dried peppers per cup of water. Add 1 tsp. of sea salt and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar.
   • 3

     

     Cover and turn on the blender. Keep it at a medium speed for three to four minutes or until the the peppers are well-blended. The liquid should be a smooth red consistency that will coat the back of a spoon. It should have a strong pepper smell along with a trace of vinegar.
   • 4

     

     Pour the hot sauce into a bottle sterilized with boiling water. Cap and place in the refrigerator. Don't use it while the flavor develops during the following week. It will continue to ripen as it ages. Use it on tacos, enchiladas, fried eggs or any other food.

V-8 Juice

http://oldworldgardenfarms.com/2012/08/24/wow-i-could-have-made-my-own-v-8-can-your-own-hot-and-spicy-tomato-juice/ This is where I got this recipe.

Wow – I Could Have Made My Own V-8!” Can Your Own Hot and Spicy Tomato Juice

Aug24by oldworldgarden

An easy way to make some hot and spicy tomato juice to can!

So as the garden season nears the end – are you are left with still more tomatoes and peppers?  Here is a quick and easy recipe to turn those extras into a great tasting hot and spicy tomato juice.
Although regular canned tomato juice is fantastic to use throughout the year – how about turning a few of those canned jars into a hot and spicy tomato juice drink.  Not only is it a great tasting and refreshing drink – but you can use it to liven up homemade chili, make a spicy spaghetti sauce, or use as a great base for a bloody mary.
Here’s How:
( This recipe will make enough to can about 6 quarts of juice )
Start with the following garden fresh ingredients:

Tomato juice is a great way to use up those ripening tomatoes on the vine

40 to 50 medium tomatoes (Use them all up here – Roma, Celebrity, Big Boy and any others you have)
2 onions (sweet yellow or vidalia work best)
2 red peppers
2 green peppers
4 jalapeno peppers
4 cayenne peppers
2 seranno peppers
4 Cajun Belles (optional)
4 cloves of garlic
If you have a food processor – chop up all the above ingredients (seeds and all) into a liquidy pulp and place on low to medium heat and cook down for an hour or so, stirring often to avoid scorching the bottom of the pan. If you don’t have a food processor – no worries – just chop up into small pieces and throw in a large pot and cook down..it may take a little longer – but it works just as well. The important thing is to get the tomato and vegetable mixture soft and cooked down to run it easily through a strainer or food mill.
When the mixture has heated and cooked down – strain it through a food mill into a clean pot to remove all of the skins and seeds.
Now add your spices (add to taste – some like a little more – some a little less)
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon of celery salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt
Heat on a low simmering boil for another 30 to 45 minutes.
Simply can up into quart jars, put on your lids and then water bath for 30 minutes. (You can also pressure can it for 12 minutes instead of the water bath)  You are left with some great tasting hot and spicy tomato juice around to enjoy through the winter months!   – Jim and Mary
Shared on Little House In The Suburbs DIY, Funky JunkSaturday Night Special,Homestead Revival Barn Hop and Frugally Sustainable

Cinnamon Rolls

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Dough1 cup warm milk
2 eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 package yeast (1/4 ounce) 

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Filling
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened

Spread for Cinnamon Roll Dough1/4 cup butter, softened

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Icing
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt 

Cinnabon Cinnamon Roll Recipe Instructions

Microwave the milk for 45 to 60 seconds. Then, dissolve yeast in warm milk in a large bowl. Add sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix well. Dust your hands lightly with flour and then hand knead the cinnamon roll dough into a large ball.

Put the ball of dough into a bowl that is sprayed with cooking spray.  Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for roughly 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size.  We turned the oven on and then put the cinnamon roll dough on top of the stove.  The heat generated caused the dough to rise.

Once your dough has risen, it’s time to move on to the next step.  In a new, small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter.  Mix them well.  Spray a flat surface with cooking spray or sprinkled flour.  Roll out your dough ball into a 16″ x 21″ rectangle roughly 1/4 inches thick then spread a 1/4 cup of softened butter on the dough.  Next, sprinkle the rolled, buttered dough evenly with the sugar/cinnamon/butter mixture you prepared in your small bowl.

Roll up the dough starting with the longer side and cut into fourteen (14) cinnamon rolls (or more smaller rolls, if you prefer). Place the cinnamon rolls in a lightly greased 11″ x 15″ glass baking dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let the cinnamon rolls rise until nearly doubled, which should take around 30 minutes.  Note that in our Cinnabon cinnamon roll recipe, we had made two (2) of the fourteen (14) cinnamon rolls consist of the “end” pieces that weren’t as developed or good as the other twelve (12).  

Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.  Once your cinnamon rolls have risen, bake them in the preheated oven until golden brown, approximately 18 to 20 minutes (we used a professional General Electric gas-range oven at 20 minutes exactly).  The dough should still be soft, though fully cooked, especially toward the center of the rolls.    

As your cinnamon rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt for the Cinnabon cinnamon roll icing.  The icing should be spread on your cinnamon rolls when they are still warm, shortly after being taken out of the oven so that the frosting melts into the cinnamon rolls.  This is reportedly part of the official Cinnabon process according to some of the employees.  

Recipe copied from Joshuakennon.com

Fried potatoes

I make these for breakfast, along with turkey bacon, scrambled eggs and toast or tortillas.
When I make mashed potatoes, I leave tha skin on some, and make enough that I have extras for this. If you want to start from scratch, scrub, quarter, and boil at least 4 thin-skinned potatoes.. Then put them on a ziplock bag in the fridge, where they will be good for 3-4 days.

1/4 onion, chopped into pieces a little smaller than a fingernail.
1 lb or so boiled potatoes, cut into bite- size pieces.  Don't make them too small or they won't stay moist in the middle while crisp on the surface when done.
Olive oil for frying
Adobo seasoning
Black pepper
Parmesan cheese
Fry all together in frying pan over medium high heat until lightly brown and crunchy on the surface.  
These can also be mixed with chopped bacon, green peppers, mushrooms, Colby jack or cheddar cheese, and scrambled eggs for a "Breakfast Dinner."
Serve with fresh fruit or homemade applesauce, and homemade bread toasted or fried, for a great meal.

Chicken Marinade for Gyros, Etc.

4 cloves garlic, minced
Lemon, juiced
2 tsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
1Tbl minced oregano (fresh is best.  I put it into an ice cube tray with the olive oil and freeze it)
2 whole chicken breasts, skinless, cut into slices
Put all into ziplock bag and refrigerate at least 1 hour

Chocolate Chip Chunk Cookies

1 cup butter, softened (room temperature: soft but not melted)
1cup white sugar
1cup dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
Beat well and add dry ingredients already mixed:
3 cups flour
1 Tbp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Mix well and add:
1c milk chocolate morsels
1 1/2 cup chocolate chunks

Cream together the butter and both sugars in a hand mixer or stand mixer, for 2-4 minutes on medium.  It should be light and fluffy.  This helps the sugar melt into the butter and adds air.  For more on creaming butter and sugar, go here: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2015/04/27/creaming-butter-sugar
Then add the 2 eggs, and vanilla.  Mix until combined and smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients into a sifter and sift into the bowl to mix. 
Add half of this at a time to the wet ingredients and mix until you can't see any more flour and the mixture looks consistent (no dry/crumbly spots).  Once it looks consistent, stop mixing.  Otherwise they'll turn out flatter/crisper. 
Then stir in chocolate chips and chunks. 

Refrigerate dough until chilled.  If necessary, you might need to cook up 6 right away just to keep the vultures at bay.  Then cook as needed at 375 for about 9 minutes, depending on how big you make them.  Don't use a darkened pan.  No need to grease pan.  Cook just until the cookies look dry and let cool on pan for a few minutes before removing to rack or plate.  Step back for safety from voracious hordes.

Summer 2012 Pictures

Mexican Progressive Dinner buddies - with Bernie Schilling and Audrey Gillette

Allen graduating from Vet School in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Irene and Mollie were there to help celebrate.

Congratulations, Dr. Putzig!

Campobello Island, Canada

August 2012 Mollie and Irene

Mollie and Liz Bowe

Taking the ferry from Campobello to Deer Island to see the Whirlpools - Old Sow

Reversing Falls with seals playing in the rough waters.

Bald Eagle fished near the Reversing Falls.  

We had lobster and crab for dinner twice.  

No, Lizzie, don't name your food.