Sugar Snack

The children kept saying, "I'm bored"  and "I don't have anything to do!"

So I put them to making cookies.. without my help. 

They did a pretty good job working together.  And the result?  Yummy!

{recipe here}

You Can't Eat Just One

My husband rarely turns up his nose at the recipes that I fix.  But when he takes one bite and says, "Yum. You can make this again!"  I know that the recipe is one that I will make again.  And I did.  This is time number two.

Chicken Crescent Makeover

I used fresh ground flour.  I'm not sure how 100% whole wheat from the grocery would do.  It might make them a little heavy.

I also used my own filling that uses celery instead of bell peppers.  Although I'm sure the bell peppers would be tasty also.

 

This dough recipe is VERY easy and fast to make.  Don't let "crescent dough" intimidate you.  I made a 1/2 recipe and had plenty for our family with some left over.  Try it.  I dare you to eat just one.  And you may never buy those tube crescents again.  Which might be a good thing. If you have ever read the ingredient list, you know they're probably not the best choice.  

{I could go on a rant seriously off topic on my feelings about the food supply in America, but that's another thought for another day. :)}

Thanks, Betsy, for asking about these.  It sparked the idea for our meal tonight :)

Christmas...um, Valentine Cookies

I threw all health {you know that gotta-make-them-at-least-a-little-healthier?}caution aside before Christmas and bought white flour and pure white sugar just for decorated sugar cookies.  Well, Christmas came and went and we never got the cookies made.  So with Grandma's helping hand, they made Valentine cookies instead.  Somehow Grandmas are just more patient than mom. 

Yum.  These cookies sure won't be around here long!

~Our littlest helper~

{I tried to lovingly encourage valentine colors for the hearts!}

Biscuits

We're trying to implement a new chore list/schedule.  You know: new year, new schedule?  Well.  We're kinda flaky around here about sticking to a set schedule for long.  So, who knows? 

Speaking of flaky.  MissL made biscuits to go with her meal tonight. {yes, one eve. meal a week is on her schedule. for now. ahem}

The recipe came from a new cookbook that she gave me for Christmas called Healthy Choices. 

They were easy-peasy. {even for a nine year old} and very delicious too! 

I may someday be out of a job in the kitchen.  Maybe if we stick to that schedule better, it will be sooner rather than later, eh?

"Famous Pizza"

After making pizza at co-op yesterday, BigM insisted on making "Famous Pizza" tonight. I'm not sure where the famous comes from?!? Maybe he thinks his pizza will be famous someday! He did a great job, and the pizza was delicious!

Pesto Chicken Pizza

Spread pesto on this crust. Or any recipe that you like.

Saute some onions and peppers...this wasn't quite enough for a 15 in. pizza.

Layer peppers and onions, chicken, fresh tomato slices, feta.
I've made this twice. We really like it the first time, the second time it seemed dry. Maybe it was the smallish amount of peppers and onions that made it seem that way. I will try it again.

We got to enjoy a birthday/pizza night with her. (and the rest of hubby's family too, of course!) Now that she lives in a seems-like-forever-away state, the opportunity doesn't come often enough.

She made a similar pizza..I think the fresh mushrooms would be delicious.

Macaroni / Bucatini

My mom knows I'm into all things healthy {well, mostly, cause I still chow down on m&m's when I have the chance!} and that I like to bake/cook. She gave me this pasta press for a gift. So when I should have been cleaning my house...I decided we'd make pasta!

Farm fresh eggs...

Fresh ground flour...

...and a little water and salt to make this dough...

I thought I would make all small macaroni, but I got impatient because it takes longer for the press to make smaller macaroni and you need to separate it so it doesn't stick together. So I went with the bigger size after messing around with the small stuff.

I also decided to try making some spaghetti with rice flour. It seemed to be dry and a little crumbly. So I used it for the bucatini (bottom picture) instead of thin spaghetti, hoping that it wouldn't break quite so easily.

So now I need to come up with a yummy spaghetti recipe, a green salad, some breadsticks, and ta-da...we can have Olive Garden at home!

Bagel, Bagel

I made bagels for the first time. I've been wanting to make them for awhile, but the recipes always looked intimidating. I found an easy looking recipe and gave it a try!

They turned out a little flat, but they are very tasty! I will definitely make them again soon and just try to let them raise longer or use a little more yeast ??? not sure yet which will do the trick, but this recipe is a keeper!

Here's where I found the recipe:

www.tammysrecipes.com/homemade_bagels

I did use fresh ground flour for these and so I added a little dough enhancer. I'm sure any kind of flour combo would be delicous!

Apple Treat

When you're given a bucket of apples, what do you do? I guess I could have made healthy applesauce, no sugar added. Or ate them like they are. Or...do what I did!

I threw all white flour, not-so-much-sugar caution to the wind. And made apple dumplings. Yum-yum!

My helper...when it comes to this job I always have a willing helper. (And I do really like my apple corer/peeler/slicer. It has a suction cup base so you can use it anywhere. Big plus!)

And here they are...in all their white flour, lots of sugar glory!

And judging from the smiles, I think the family enjoyed them!

Summer Food

Hot Dog (or Hamburger, depending on how you shape them!) Buns

1 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup butter

1 Tbsp. honey

1 egg, room temperature

4 1/2 cups flour (I used fresh ground whole wheat)

1 pkg yeast

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1.Heat the milk, water, honey, and butter until butter is melted. Check temperature. Depending on the temperature, let cool to 120 degrees. Carefully beat in egg.

2. Mix 2 cups of the flour, yeast, and salt. Mix into milk mixture. Stir in the rest of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time. Beat well after each addition. When the dough pull together, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. This should take about 5 minutes.

3. Divide dough into 12-16 equal pieces. This will depend on the size you want for the finished bun. Shape into smooth balls, flatten slightly, and place on a greased cookie sheet. If you are making hot dog buns, roll into large rectangle and cut into smaller rectangles.

4. Let rise for 30-35 minutes. When buns have almost doubled, bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

My take on the recipe: These are extremely easy and fast! I used my mixer, so I just kneaded them in there and then just a tiny bit by hand. I made mine into 13 hot dog buns...I would definitely make 16 the next time because I have a few mammoth ones!

I'm going to stick these in the freezer to await the next cookout. We have some Turkey Brats in the freezer just begging to be grilled up with some peppers and onions. I think these buns will be the perfect companion!

Pizza Crust

Whole Wheat and Honey Pizza Dough

1 package active dry yeast

1 cup warm water

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup wheat germ

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. honey

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2.In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

3.In a large bowl combine flour, wheat germ and salt. Make a well in the middle and add honey and yeast mixture. Stir well to combine. Cover and set in a warm place to rise for a few minutes.

4.Roll dough on a floured pizza pan and poke a few holes in it with a fork.

5.Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until desired crispness is achieved.

6.Top with your favorite toppings and bake till hot through!

I decided to try a new pizza dough recipe because I was burnt out on the one that I always use. I really liked this new recipe. It baked up crispy on the bottom, but was still soft and chewy. Of course if you know me in real life you already know that I have a "thing" for fresh-ground flour, but I'm sure that if you used whole wheat from the grocery it would still be yummy. I only baked the crust 8 minutes..next time I might even try a little longer for an extra crispy crust. This recipe was fast and easy. I will definitely use this again and it may possibly be my new "pizza crust that I always make"!

So...if you don't have an idea to make for supper tonight..consider your dilemma solved. Just be sure and let me know what you think!

*Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com Click here to go straight to a printable recipe.

Bread Baking

Wheat Berries

Fresh Ground Flour

I've heard it said that you should train your children so that you work yourself out of a job. I'm not sure that will ever totally happen, but I did give in today to the "Please Mom, will you teach me to make bread? Please, Please?"

Ready for 350 degrees for 22 minutes.

The finished product!

Around Our Home

Today is such a beautiful, invigorating day. Spring seems so much more likely when it actually IS officially spring, it's warm, and the sun peeps out.

Anticipation

Studying

Laundering

(don't mind the stringy towels..we've been married almost 12 yrs and those towels have seen a lot of showers!)

Creativity

(L with her 'Stellan will Live' bracelet...she has such a concern for baby Stellan. Every once in a while she'll come to me and ask if Stellan's heart is still beating too fast. Check out his story here and please pray!)

A little sweetness to bless my family with!

Bread Snatcher

NOTE TO SELF: It's not a very smart idea to leave hot fresh-baked bread close to the edge of the counter.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Our Thanksgiving Day

Happy Thanksgiving!

Grandma made lots of cookies for all of the grandchildren to ice and put sprinkles on...they were very generous with the icing and sprinkles!

Each family took the things to make a treat. ( A.Lizzie's cookies, peanut butter balls, caramels, and peppermint bark) Yum..Yum...now to leave the things in the freezer and not put them in my mouth!!