This is just going to be a short little brag-blog. Our church had a chili cook-off this Thursday, so I whipped up a pot of my trusty chili, and I took 2nd place! They had a bluegrass band and everything, it was so much fun. I love living in a smaller town! We never did things like that in the bigger cities I've lived in.
Anyway, if you want to try some of my Award-Winning Chili, you can find the recipe here.
And just for the fun of it, and because you can't have chili without corn bread, here's my family's favorite best-ever corn bread recipe.
Corn Bread
Makes 9 big pieces
1 c. milk
1/4 c. melted butter
1 large egg
1-1/4 c. cornmeal
1 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9x9" square baking pan. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine milk, butter, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients all at once to milk and egg mixture. Stir just until moistened. Pour into pan, and bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.
For a fun variation, you can add canned green chilies and cheddar cheese.
Also, you can bake the corn bread in muffin tins to make individual servings.
Enjoy!
Saturday, January 28
Thursday, January 26
Homemade Clam Chowder
We're at that time of year where winter starts to get old, but spring is still way off. What do you do to keep things interesting when you're cooped up inside wrestling babies all day? I choose to cook. It keeps my mind and my hands occupied, and it helps to heat the house! It's actually pretty amazing that my husband and I haven't put on a single pound all winter, the way we've been eating around here. Personally, I think that's because of the kinds of things I've been making lately. I still make a batch of homemade fat-free, low-sugar yogurt every week, and I've started making a batch of crackers every week too. They're really great for snacking, and I think that snacking on that kind of stuff instead of my usual cookies and chips has helped a lot.
It can be hard to think of every-day meal ideas that keep winter from being so boring. One thing I like about this clam chowder recipe is that it's very filling, and it doesn't taste so fishy that "sea-food-phobes" (like my husband!!) won't eat it. It cooks up very quickly too, so if you're running a little late on dinner, this recipe is great.
Aunt Janet's Clam Chowder
Serves 4-6
2-3 medium potatoes, peeled
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 cans clams (they look like tuna cans)
1/4 c. + 1 tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pint half-and-half
Put vegetables and bay leaves in a pot. Add juice from clams and water to just barely cover the vegetables. Bring to a boil and cook on medium until vegetables are soft.
In another pot, melt butter and add salt and sugar. Add flour and cook and stir until mixture is light tan (about 2 minutes). Add half-and half slowly and cook and stir until thickened. Pour sauce into pot with vegetables (there's no need to drain the vegetable pot!) and add clams. Stir until warm.
This chowder goes great with French and sourdough breads! For a little variety, try adding different spices to the sauce--I tried oregano, thyme, and rosemary, and it was very tasty.
Enjoy!
It can be hard to think of every-day meal ideas that keep winter from being so boring. One thing I like about this clam chowder recipe is that it's very filling, and it doesn't taste so fishy that "sea-food-phobes" (like my husband!!) won't eat it. It cooks up very quickly too, so if you're running a little late on dinner, this recipe is great.
Aunt Janet's Clam Chowder
Serves 4-6
2-3 medium potatoes, peeled
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 cans clams (they look like tuna cans)
1/4 c. + 1 tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 c. flour
1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 pint half-and-half
Put vegetables and bay leaves in a pot. Add juice from clams and water to just barely cover the vegetables. Bring to a boil and cook on medium until vegetables are soft.
In another pot, melt butter and add salt and sugar. Add flour and cook and stir until mixture is light tan (about 2 minutes). Add half-and half slowly and cook and stir until thickened. Pour sauce into pot with vegetables (there's no need to drain the vegetable pot!) and add clams. Stir until warm.
This chowder goes great with French and sourdough breads! For a little variety, try adding different spices to the sauce--I tried oregano, thyme, and rosemary, and it was very tasty.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 13
More Wheat Recipes: Crackers and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who knew that wheat would be so fun for snacking? I found great recipes for homemade crackers and chocolate chip cookie bars. I've made both of these recipes this week, and both were fabulous. The recipe for wheat crackers is easy, and the crackers taste like homemade Wheat Thins, and actually taste better when they're slightly burnt (it makes them crisper and brings out the sesame seed flavor). You can also experiment with flavors--I've tried the onion-garlic ones, and they're great.
The chocolate chip cookie bars were so good we had a hard time believing they were made using only wheat flour and oats. I made them last night and I've been snacking on them all day today. :)
Homemade Wheat Crackers
Yields: most of a gallon-sized Ziploc bag
Regular flavor:
1-1/2 c. wheat flour
1-1/2 c. white flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
2 c. quick-cooking oats (can use regular)
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. honey or sugar
1/2 c. oil
1-1/2 c. milk or water
1/4 c. sesame seeds
Combine dry ingredients. Add liquid ingredients and knead until smooth. Use a floured pastry mat or counter top to roll the dough very thin (1/16" or thinner). Place dough on a greased baking sheet and use a pizza cutter to slice dough into squares. Bake at 350 until golden brown, between 15-20 minutes. Break up the crackers and allow them to cool completely before storing.
Flavors:
Onion and Cheese
Add with sesame seeds:
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
When crackers have been rolled, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and roll into dough with the rolling pin.
Onion and Dill
Add with sesame seeds:
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion salt
2 tsp. dried dill weed
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
This makes a biiiig batch of cookies!
1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2-1/4 c. wheat flour
2-1/2 c. rolled oats
1-12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Press dough into greased 11"x13" baking pan. Make sure to press dough to an even thickness. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes.
The chocolate chip cookie bars were so good we had a hard time believing they were made using only wheat flour and oats. I made them last night and I've been snacking on them all day today. :)
Homemade Wheat Crackers
Yields: most of a gallon-sized Ziploc bag
Regular flavor:
1-1/2 c. wheat flour
1-1/2 c. white flour
1/4 c. wheat germ
2 c. quick-cooking oats (can use regular)
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 c. honey or sugar
1/2 c. oil
1-1/2 c. milk or water
1/4 c. sesame seeds
Combine dry ingredients. Add liquid ingredients and knead until smooth. Use a floured pastry mat or counter top to roll the dough very thin (1/16" or thinner). Place dough on a greased baking sheet and use a pizza cutter to slice dough into squares. Bake at 350 until golden brown, between 15-20 minutes. Break up the crackers and allow them to cool completely before storing.
Flavors:
Onion and Cheese
Add with sesame seeds:
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
When crackers have been rolled, sprinkle parmesan cheese on top and roll into dough with the rolling pin.
Onion and Dill
Add with sesame seeds:
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion salt
2 tsp. dried dill weed
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
This makes a biiiig batch of cookies!
1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
2-1/4 c. wheat flour
2-1/2 c. rolled oats
1-12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
Cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Press dough into greased 11"x13" baking pan. Make sure to press dough to an even thickness. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 20 minutes.
Wednesday, January 4
Wheat Recipes: Pie Crust, Tortillas, and Pasta
Anyone else out there have hundreds of pounds of wheat stored? My mother-in-law and I have been scouring the globe for good recipes using wheat, and here are three that I found and then re-worked. They work well now, and they taste great. I would recommend using the pie crust with pies that have strong flavors and chunky textures, for instance, apple pie or chicken pot pie. Also, it's probably best to use white wheat, because the white wheat doesn't change the color or taste as much as red wheat does.
Whole Wheat Pie Crust for Savory Pies
Makes 2 single-crust pies or 1 double-crust pie
2 cups minus 2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour (can also use half all-purpose, half wheat)
2 Tbsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening, butter flavored
Ice water to make the dough soft
1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Incorporate shortening using a pastry cutter, pair of knives, or your hands, until shortening clumps are penny-sized.
3. Add ice water by the tablespoon until you have a soft dough that holds together.
4. Divide dough in two equal portions, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
5. Roll dough out on a floured pastry mat.
6. Carefully transfer rolled dough to pie plate.
7. For single-crust pies, trim and flute edges.
8. For double-crust pies, trim edges to size of pie plate. Roll out top crust, fill pie, and cover with top crust. Trim edges to 1/4" beyond plate, fold under bottom crust, and flute to seal.
Whole-wheat Tortillas
Makes 12-15 tortillas
1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. olive oil
1 c. warm water
1. Combine flours and salt.
2. Pour in oil and blend with your fingers or a fork until well-incorporated.
3. Add water; knead until dough is soft and stretchy.
4. Divide into 12-15 balls, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
5. Roll out tortillas on a floured pastry mat or coutner top.
6. Bake on a hot, ungreased griddle until air pockets start to expand. Carefully flip the tortilla, and bake the other side.
Best when warm; will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week or more.
Wheat Pasta
Serves about 6
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
5 eggs
2 teaspoons olive oil
1. Sift dry ingredients together.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the olive oil and eggs.
3. Mix together with a fork or your fingers.
4. Knead until stiff and elastic (hard dough!)
5. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 min.
6. Roll out the dough to 1/16" (really thin) on a pastry mat and cut noodles to your desired width and length. You can also use a pasta machine.
7. Hang or lay flat to dry for at least 15 minutes before boiling.
8. Boil like normal pasta. Homemade pastas cook quickly.
Enjoy!
Whole Wheat Pie Crust for Savory Pies
Makes 2 single-crust pies or 1 double-crust pie
2 cups minus 2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour (can also use half all-purpose, half wheat)
2 Tbsp. corn starch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening, butter flavored
Ice water to make the dough soft
1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Incorporate shortening using a pastry cutter, pair of knives, or your hands, until shortening clumps are penny-sized.
3. Add ice water by the tablespoon until you have a soft dough that holds together.
4. Divide dough in two equal portions, shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes.
5. Roll dough out on a floured pastry mat.
6. Carefully transfer rolled dough to pie plate.
7. For single-crust pies, trim and flute edges.
8. For double-crust pies, trim edges to size of pie plate. Roll out top crust, fill pie, and cover with top crust. Trim edges to 1/4" beyond plate, fold under bottom crust, and flute to seal.
Whole-wheat Tortillas
Makes 12-15 tortillas
1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. olive oil
1 c. warm water
1. Combine flours and salt.
2. Pour in oil and blend with your fingers or a fork until well-incorporated.
3. Add water; knead until dough is soft and stretchy.
4. Divide into 12-15 balls, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for at least 30 minutes.
5. Roll out tortillas on a floured pastry mat or coutner top.
6. Bake on a hot, ungreased griddle until air pockets start to expand. Carefully flip the tortilla, and bake the other side.
Best when warm; will stay fresh in the refrigerator for a week or more.
Wheat Pasta
Serves about 6
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
5 eggs
2 teaspoons olive oil
1. Sift dry ingredients together.
2. Make a well in the center and pour in the olive oil and eggs.
3. Mix together with a fork or your fingers.
4. Knead until stiff and elastic (hard dough!)
5. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 min.
6. Roll out the dough to 1/16" (really thin) on a pastry mat and cut noodles to your desired width and length. You can also use a pasta machine.
7. Hang or lay flat to dry for at least 15 minutes before boiling.
8. Boil like normal pasta. Homemade pastas cook quickly.
Enjoy!
Monday, January 2
Recipe for French Dip au Jus
Ok, this recipe doesn't have much to do with Christmas, New Year's, or anything else, but I found this French Dip recipe in a cookbook I got for Christmas, and it was wonderful. I played with the recipe, and I came up with my own version that tastes even better. It's pretty simple to make, but the people you serve it to will love it anyway. My husband was amazed that I could make it at home and have it taste better than the restaurants.
French Dip au Jus
1 lb. roast serves 4; Choose your roast size accordingly.
1-3 lb. roast (rump works well)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. beef base (bouillon)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dry thyme
3-4 pepper corns
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 sm. med. onion, quartered and split
Use a fork to poke holes all over the roast. Place roast in a slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, beef base, and thyme; rub into roast. Pour remaining soy sauce mixture into slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Add water to barely cover roast. Cook on the high setting for 2 hours; reduce heat to low and cook for 4 more hours. Before serving, skim the fat off the au jus and remove the bay leaf, garlic cloves, and pepper corns.
For French Dip sandwiches, serve roast in crusty buns or French bread with Dijon mustard, mozzarella cheese, and mushrooms. Dip sandwiches in jus.
The jus can also be eaten alone or frozen for later use in gravies or soup bases.
French Dip au Jus
1 lb. roast serves 4; Choose your roast size accordingly.
1-3 lb. roast (rump works well)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1 tsp. beef base (bouillon)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dry thyme
3-4 pepper corns
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 sm. med. onion, quartered and split
Use a fork to poke holes all over the roast. Place roast in a slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, beef base, and thyme; rub into roast. Pour remaining soy sauce mixture into slow cooker and add remaining ingredients. Add water to barely cover roast. Cook on the high setting for 2 hours; reduce heat to low and cook for 4 more hours. Before serving, skim the fat off the au jus and remove the bay leaf, garlic cloves, and pepper corns.
For French Dip sandwiches, serve roast in crusty buns or French bread with Dijon mustard, mozzarella cheese, and mushrooms. Dip sandwiches in jus.
The jus can also be eaten alone or frozen for later use in gravies or soup bases.
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