Late Christmas Shortbreads

Any simple shortbread recipe + Kids = memories
We did ours late this year, due to baking orders for Bailey's field trip fundraiser.
And an attempt to make a little more cash doing something we're good at.

Check out our efforts on facebook

2 minute, Frozen Banana, Ninja Ice Cream

I know some are rolling their eyes saying
You Can't Make Ice Cream in 2 Minutes...

Ah... but I say yes you can make something even better for you
and maybe better than any of the homemade churn ice cream we
have ever made.



What You'll Need:
Old bananas halved and frozen about 3
about 8 - 10 ox of half & half
about 2 tbsp. chocolate syrup (to taste some may need more)
Ninja Blender
and about 5 folks needing a cool snack.

How to do it:
Put it all in the Ninja Blender
Blend just until it is broken down and has a nice color
do not over blend or you will have ice cream soup.



Scoop out about 1/2 cup for each person and see what they say.
It is softer ice cream not sof-serve you do not need the scoop.
Kids could do this. (I guess you could put it in the freezer for a few minutes
to firm it up)

Two Minute Ice Cream with a Ca + K punch :)
This was an accidental discovery one day when I was out of milk
and my after workout smoothie (which also contained Garden of life
Pure Protein) & instead I had a frosty...LOL
I have also done this with strawberries & cream,
Just freeze your strawberries.



Have a nice day
Desire is the Mother of Invention
& this mother is doing her best to twist some of the
snacks her family loves into something better.

Guacamole~So Ez ~So Good Don't forget the Cilantro

Guacamole seems like quite an exotic thing when I was younger
But now that I am older and appreciate the flavor of each ingredient as well as it's origin
I have to have it & the more Cilantro the better for me at least.
It is so easy to make I do not understand why they sell an enveloped mix

Please try and tweak to your fave flavors
there are a couple substitutions here as we do like the SOur Cream version the best.

It's healthy for you eat it on everything in moderation as is with everything in life.

I hope you enjoy.

First get your ingredients together

Ingredients:
2 Avocados, ripe
Sour cream
Minced Garlic
Cilantro fresh is best
Lime Juice
salt
pepper
1 Jalapeno Minced (with seeds for spicier flavor remove and devein for milder)
Equiptment:
a bowl for mixing & a fork for mashing



You can see I'm using pantry items that a lot of folks
already have on hand

Directions:

Start by peeling your 2 Avocados, you end up using about 3 teaspoons of lime juice I simply
sprinkle on the avocados whilst I am peeling to prevent browning. Mash with a fork, it does not have to be super creamed it is better to me with small chucks on Avocado. But it is to your own taste if you want it creamy you can even blend it.





I then add 1 tablespoon of Garlic minced



2 Tablespoons of Sour Cream you can use Low fat or full fat (we've even used mayo, and greek yogurt)





Chop a bit of fresh cilantro
Curl fingers under to get a good mince and not cut your fingers







Find yourself aProfessional salt & Pepper shaker and stirring expert



And you're done



Thanks for taking a moment with my blog
You are appreciated
~v

Homemade Valentines

I had come across a very cool box of chocolates as I was scrolling through my Twitter Feed about a month ago. I was inspired to make my daughters Valentines treats this year.

I found The seller ConceptsInCandy on eBay

I'll be making the Easter & Christmas candies as well this year :)

Here is a picture of my inspiration with my own creation side by side
Do The Math



My cost was:
Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips 1 bag
3 molds $2.50 each
2 decorative boxes about $1.00 each X2
about 1 hour of time

My candies are delicious dark chocolate
The hearts are filled with Nutella
The Skull is Marshmallow filled
There are solid bones & love shrooms
And 1 large chocolate covered marshmallow.

I planned to color some white chocolate but my girls were home on a
snow day, I got these finished because if the ice storm coming tonight
is bad I'll have no power to work with it tomorrow or maybe into The next day.

Simplicity is the answer th making it a better world.



Have A Happy Valentines Day 2014 ~V

Grasshopper Cookies ~Recipe 3Fer

I have two favorite recipes that I was inspired to experiment with this Holiday Season
I have our tried and true everybody loves em Butter Mints & delicious and versatile Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookies.

So I put them together, kind of a "your peanut butter's in my chocolate" kind of thing :)

The outcome is a Homemade Grasshopper Cookie
You marry these two recipes as pictured
I suggest making both parts ahead of time and letting the kids put them together while you finish another cooking project.

(Make Cookies First) and cool.

Flatten out enough butter mint, for the number of cookies you are making, to the right size. Let them set a while so they can harden a little bit.

Melt a little dark chocolate chips to stick them together on both sides.

For the vibrant Grasshopper Green color in the mints, use green color then add yellow.
It just brightens things up a little like a few drops of Sunshine :)


Here are the two base recipes to get you started

Homemade Chocolate Wafer Cookies

These are good alone, with coffee, and crushed to make cheesecake crusts

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups (6.75 ounces) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (2.4 ounces) unsweetened cocoa powder (see Note)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
3 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, and baking soda in the bowl of food processor and pulse several times to mix thoroughly. Cut the butter into about 12 chunks and add them to the bowl. Pulse several times. Combine the milk and vanilla in a small cup. With the processor running, add the milk mixture and continue to process until the mixture clumps around the blade or the sides of the bowl. Transfer the dough to a large bowl or a cutting board and knead a few times to make sure it is evenly blended.
Form the dough into a log about 14 inches long and 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Wrap the log in wax paper or foil and refrigerate until firm, at least one hour, or until needed.
Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut the log of dough into slices a scant 1/4-inch thick (I went thinner, closer to 1/8 of inch. If you’re trying to emulate the store-bought wafers, slice as thin as you can, and watch the baking time carefully, as it might be less.) and place them one inch apart on the lined sheets (cookies will spread). Bake, rotating the baking sheet from top to bottom and back to front about halfway through baking, for a total of 12 to 15 minutes. The cookies will puff up and deflate; they are done about 1 1/2 minutes after they deflate.
Cool the cookies on the baking sheets on racks, or slide the parchment onto racks to cool completely. These cookies may be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks or be frozen for up to two months.

Makes 50 to 60 1 3/4-inch wafers. However, I cut my thinner than suggested and yielded more.

Note: These cookies should crisp as they cool. If they don’t, you’re not baking them long enough, in which case, return them to the oven to reheat and bake a little longer, then cool again.


Now for an old tyme favorite in my family

Butter Mints

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1/2 tsp. salt
5 drops of peppermint
2 Tbsp white corn syrup
1 box 10 X confectioners sugar
coloring of choice

Directions:
Cream Butter, Syrup, & Salt. Mix well.
Add Sugar & mix well (mixture will look crumby like sand)
Add peppermint & color last & mix well. It will still look crumby but be coming together a little)
When everything is well distributed it is best to knead a little with your hand. The heat from your hand will make the candy smooth in texture and color.
Roll a small daub in palm & press down with thumb. (or roll into small diameter logs roll in waxed paper and refrigerate) Then cut into individual candies.
Makes lots of Holiday Candy

This is one of our Winter holiday favorites with adults and children alike. It is also much fun to do with kids.

Coming up is Old Fashioned Tea Cake Cookies.

Homemade Cheeze Crackers/Biscuits

I made this recipe for the first time this week and let's just say
The recipe says they'll keep in an Airtight Jar for 2 weeks.
Good luck having them last that long.



My first batch I rolled out onto the cookie sheet cut with a pizza cutter and baked for 15 minutes
They were a little poofy but again didn't last...LOL



Second recipe I got a little crazy with the teenie cutters, longer prepare time, very good (I also
Tweaked the recipe...GASP...NO)
I also cut into 1" circles looked very professional.
I was thinking playing with a pasta roller may be the key to getting thinner dough
Thinner dough = crisper crackers, thicker dough = biscuits

Anywho here's the recipe (My Tweaks in Parenthesis)

5 Tbsp Ice Water
1/2 teaspoon salt (1/8 tsp)
1/2 c grated fine parmesan cheese (add 1/4 c grated cheese, Mexican mix)
1 stick butter cut into 8 pieces
1 1/2 c all purpose flour (I used self rising)
(Paprika, Cayenne, Mild Tabasco Jalapeno sauce 7 splashes, & pepper)
use these tweaks to taste

Preheat oven to 425 Degrees
lightly grease 2 baking pans
In processor/blender combine flour, (Spices), butter, salt, & cheese
Pulse until it looks like course meal.
Add 5 tbsp. ice water
Pulse until it just comes together, remove and form into a disc.
On floured surface roll out until thickness of 1/4 " is reached



Cut as desired, any small 1/2" - 1 1/2" cutters are good
Transfer to baking sheets then gather up excess and roll out again until all DOUGH is used up.



Bake from 7 mins - 15 mins depending on cracker size.
Transfer to wire rack or paper towel lined pan and let cool



Keep in a airtight container up to 2 weeks.



I'm thinking the teensies + worstershire chex + candied pecans = Da Bombe Mix



You Control the ingredients and make a better product for your family

WARNING THESE ARE ADDICTIVE BE CAREFUL

This came off a page that looks to possible be a Martha Stewart Mag
But I'm not sure since it's just one page ;)
This was not my own original recipe

Fried Green Tomatoes

There is nothing like the
impatient gardener who just
has to pick something.
(pointing thumb at self)
But one delicious unripened treat is

Fried Green Tomatoes
I do not always have the ingredients on
my recipie cards so there is loads of
improvision in my kitchen.
Today was one of those days

There are oodles of recipies out there
it's a simple thing to make.
Mine had an italian twist today

1/2 c italian bread crumbs
3/4 c flour
1/4 c parmasean chz
4 med green Cherokee Purple tomatoes

Step 1)
choose smooth green fruit, wash & pat dry



Step 2)
Slice thin slices, leaving skin intact



Step 3)
Dredge in desired coating



Step 4)
Fry until golden brown
bread crumbs and chz turn very dark and crisp, Watch closely



Just thought I'd share the first ever Fried Green Tomatoes eaten by my youngest daughter.

Here is Grandmas Recipie
Grandma's Fried Green Tomatoes

3 green tomatoes
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cornmeal
Oil

Wash and dry tomatoes. Slice with peels thin but thick enough to hold together. Heat 1-2"oil in a large skillet to sizzling. Season both sides and dredge in meal. Lay in skillet without sides touching-don't crowd them and fry brown, flip them over and cook them brown on the other side. Drain well on a rack over a papered sheet.
**Flour may be used in place if desired**.
http://www.nancyskitchen.com/2011Recipes/Oct/grandmas-fried-green-tomatoes-recipe.html

Next week we will be picking old tyme yellow plums.

Feeling A Little Blue ~ 2 Blueberry Recipies

Here are two awesome Seasonal Recipies
Nothing beats fresh fruit



Blueberry Yum Yum



Crust:
• 1 cup flour
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 cup chopped nuts
Filling:
• 8 ounce cream cheese,softened
• 8 ounces whipped topping
• 1 cup sugar
Topping:
• 2 cups fresh SC blueberries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch, mix with water


Mix ingredients for crust.

Press into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 350F. for 20 minutes. Let cool.

Mix cream cheese and sugar for filling.

Add whipped topping. Spread on cooled crust.

Cook berries, sugar and water approximately 15 minutes.

Add cornstarch and cook until blueberries thicken.

Cool mixture. Spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate.I find this dessert is best when left to sit for at least 6 hours before serving.

Updated with Step by Step Pictures July 4th, 2013 1:05a.m. est ~Victoria






BERRY BLONDIES

16 blondies at 38 cents each

6 oz good quality or premium white chocolate, chopped
5 T unsalted butter, cut into pieces
2 eggs
2/3 C sugar
1 teas vanilla extract
1 1/3 C all purpose flour
1 teas baking powder
½ teas salt
1 C fresh raspberries
1 C fresh blueberries


Position rack in middle of oven. Heat to 325. Line 9x9x2 inch square
baking pan with foil; grease

In metal bowl, set over saucepan of barely simmering water, melt white
chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth. Let cool to room temp

In large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, vanilla on medium speed until
thickened and pale, about 3 mins. On low, gradually beat in chocolate mixture.
Into a bowl, sift flour, baking powder, salt. Beat into chocolate
mixture until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Sprinkle with
berries.

Bake in middle of 325 oven until top is very lightly browned but center
still soft when lightly pressed, 45 to 50 mins. Let cool completely in
pan on rack. Blondies are easiest to cut if chilled, but serve at room
temp for best flavor

Tomatoes and Calcium (Ca)

Tomatoes heirloom or hybrid they are the most popular grown vegetable, which is actually a fruit.

They are delicious and nutritious, in all forms. Eating tomatoes cooked is the best way to help your body assimilate the nutrients.

Tomatoes require consistant amounts of calcium (Ca), to strengthen cell walls to resist bacterial and fungal infection.

Inadequate amounts of calcium partnered with inconsistant moisture levels are the main causes of Blossom end Rot.
Two organic ways to integrate calcium into your soil is to recycle eggshells, and boil bones to remove leftover flesh and cartlages. I prefer eggshells and will dry them in a low temp oven and grind in a mortar and pestle, you get nice powder about a teaspoon is enough for each plant.

(you can also use bonemeal, tums, and calcium supplement pills)
When planting, place calcium into the planting holes so the roots start transporting it immediately to the new transplant.
Give seeds a good start by planting seeds inside egg shells.

Wash and allow to air dry then fill with soil, carefully make holes in the bottom with a pin.
Plant seeds inside and place in a warm windowsill.

You can give them additional applications of calcium throughout the growing season. Let eggshells sit in a gallon of water about a week (easily made ahead), calcium will leach into the water then use this for your tomato plants,

I will post Tomatoes other important nutrition need in another blog later. We will be talking Potassium (K)

Have a great Garden
Test Your Soil
Feed Yourself Well
~V

Irish Potato Candy

Erin Go Braugh
A little taste of the Irish

ENJOY A FREE PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

IRISH POTATO CANDY

This recipe will serve three candies per each guest of dinner for four.

4 tablespoons of mashed cooked potatoes
2 tablespoons of butter
2 teaspoons of milk
1 cup confectioners' sugar, if mixture doesn't get stiff like dough, add a little more until it does.
2 cups peanut butter

Step 1. Mix together potatoes, butter, and milk. Add enough powdered sugar to make a stiff dough.
Step 2. Roll out on a flat surface sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Step 3. Spread on a layer of peanut butter and roll up. Place on cookie sheet and chill for at least 1/2 hour and then slice in 1/2 inch thickness.
Step 4. Wrap each slice in gold/yellow plastic/Syran wrap and return to refrigerator until just before serving.
Step 5. Place three wrapped Irish potato candies in the Shamrock Favor Cup.

HELP YOURSELF TO A FREE PRINTABLE SET OF SEED PACKETS

HAVE A GREAT HUMPDAY ~V

Amazing No Knead Bread

This was sent to me from another website for a Facebook Group I coordinate posts for

Amazing No Knead Bread

We have done this recipe for no-knead bread ages ago - and it is one I use on almost a daily basis - and I got asked for it again just recently. It is excellent, SO easy.
I still use one tsp yeast per cup of flour, but each to their own.
ADDED - Some want the recipe, so here goes.
Put into a bowl 3 cups of high grade flour,
3tsps of yeast (depending on the type you use - check on instructions to
see what the measure for measure per cup should be),
one tsp of salt
and around one cup to one and a half cups of water; enough to create the dough.
Mix the dry ingredients together, then add the water.
Mix the dough until it is well integrated, then cover with a greased clingfilm and leave on your countertop (or warm place) for 10-12 hours.
Preheat your oven to 425F (220C) and at the same time, put in an empty cast iron or Dutch oven with a lid.
Heat that for 30 minutes.
Empty the dough onto a well floured breadboard, then shape into a round. Bring out the cast iron pot, remove lid, pop dough into it
(do not grease the pot or put any other thing into it).
Put lid back on and cook for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for 15 minutes more. Done!

http://www.frugallivingnw.com/frugal-homemaking/amazing-no-knead-bread-step-by-step-recipe/
— with Gina Rosa and Debbie Logan Romesburg

The Magic Boo Boo Sock

Children believe in Magic, it is a wonderful thing. Today we are making BooBoo sock (has no connection to the name Honey BooBoo we made these before she was ever a concieved marketing idea)

Anyway This is a good use for mismatched baby socks, I used cuter ones for the out side and a plainer one for the inside.
It can be made for someone as a gift with an explination of what a boo boo sock is, or you can make it with your child and let them cast a spell on the magic beans.
Step 1: find your baby socks

Step 2: find a helper to speak some Magic words over the beans as they fill the sock

A Boo Boo sock takes all the pain away
It turnes the tears into sunlight
Magical Beans with all the powers
To make BooBoo go away for hours.
It is simply a sock with lentils inside sewn up tightly at the top leaving enough room to have a cuff over the outside sock top. I found The Socks are easily filled if stretched over the top of a tall glass or mug

Step 3: sew top of sock

The Outside is just a cushy comfort and keep the inner sock from getting dirty. Not connected just remove and wash.
The outside also keeps just the right amount of cool so the magic beans will work;)
POP a couple in the freezer for minor emergencies, scraped knees, bumps, bruises
Great size for little hands, and super easy to make and use.

JUst for the record The little gal in the pic, had run into a door facing two days earlier, because of immediate administering of a small amount of Olive Oil to the area followed by the Boo Boo sock in 15 minute intervals, we quelled the formation of a dark bruise...it was looking quite swelled & horrid but here we are at day one

and above at day two.
Just a Tip: Olive Oil will cause blood to disperse back into the body and can lesssen bruising.

Hope You All Have A WOnder Ful Day
~V