Blueberry Season

Well it's blueberry season and our freezer is full to capacity with those small, delicious orbs. Here is a recipe I just made for my wonderful out-of-town family. Everyone loved it and it was perfect for breakfast....not too sweet.

Blueberry Coffee Cake

Serves 12

This coffee cake relies on a healthy portion of blueberries for sweetness, almonds for richness and yogurt for moistness.

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour, divided
1/4 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt or blueberry yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups fresh or frozen, thawed and drained blueberries, divided
1/3 cup sliced almonds

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray; set aside. Put 2 tablespoons of the whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, butter, cinnamon and cardamom in a medium bowl and mix together with a fork or your fingers until well combined and mixture is in large clumps; set streusel aside.

Put remaining 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, vanilla and eggs then pour into bowl with dry ingredients and stir until combined. Gently fold in 1 cup of the blueberries.

Spoon batter into prepared pan and sprinkle reserved streusel over the top. Scatter remaining 1 cup blueberries over the streusel then top with almonds and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Once cooled, loosen edges of cake and transfer to a plate. Cut into slices and serve.

Up Chuck Chopped Suey

I made chopped suey for the first time last night. It's apparently one of my husband's favorites that I wasn't aware of. His mom made it growing up and I have her recipe. Actually I think I have all her recipes. She graciously gave me a box full of them before we got married. How many of them have I tried to make? 2.....yes, only two in 5 years. Chocolate pie and now chopped suey. Why? Because I think I have this fear that anything of hers that I make just won't measure up. I can't even seem to get my own mom's recipes right. They've both been practicing for years and years!

*Ok, potty break. Zane has pooped through his clothes and onto the swing. Yuck!*

Anyway, I got to try out this special sauce pictured above! The ingredients called for 1- 1/2 tsp of bouquet and I knew that we weren't talking about flowers here. I was able to locate it in the grocery store pretty easily. This stuff is really good! I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I think it's been around forever. It brings up memories of my Nana's kitchen. I'm not positive but I think she used it....it kind of reminds me of her wallpaper.

So, midway through chopped suey, I heard Wyatt make a gurgling sound in the living room. I turn from the stove and see him standing in the doorway with red stuff streaming out of his mouth. I didn't have my glasses on, so at first it looked like blood. My heart stopped and I ran to him. Thankfully it wasn't blood, but pasta coming up. He just stood there and just kept heaving out massive quantities on himself and the floor. There were no sinks or toilets within a mile of us so I just kept him there until he was done. Poor, poor thing! He'd never thrown up before and I think it was traumatic for him. I know it was traumatic for me, not to mention that it was all over the couch, throw pillows and the floor. He managed throw up again as I led him to the bathroom and then again ON the toilet and the wall. Chunks people!! Chunks! I have never seen such chunkiness or such quantity (maybe b/c as adults we usually get most of it in a contained location) and the color was so red. Not orange but red.......... He is doing fine today, thankfully. My couch, not so much. Any suggestions besides soap and water? It stinks pretty bad! Help!

Well, if you're still interested, here is my mother-in-law's recipe, which was delicious by the way and not overly complicated. I am renaming it here, but you don't have to call it..............

Up-chuck Chopped Suey

*upchuck is optional

Saute: 1 large onion diced and celery 3 to4 stalks diced in large pot

-when soft add 4 lbs of cubed meat (usually 2 lbs of pork and 2 lbs of beef but I just used beef)

-brown and add about 2 tsp of kitchen bouquet while browning

-add 1-1/2 TBS of bead sauce (I used molasses)

-add 1/4 bottle of soy sauce

-fill pot with water to cover meat 1"

-cover and simmer 1-1/2 hours till meat is tender

-before serving add 1/2 cup of Argo Starch that has been dissolved in water

-pour over rice (with slotted spoon)

7 minute frosting

7 minute frosting
(The best frosting I've ever had in my life!)

3 egg whites, unbeaten
2-1/4 cups sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 cup water
1 TBS light corn syrup
1-1/2 tsp vanilla

Combine egg whites, sugar, salt, water and corn syrup in top of 2 quart double boiler. Beat about 1 minute. Then place over boiling water and beat constantly with rotary beater (hand held mixer) at high speed for 7 minutes or until frosting will stand in stiff peaks. Remove from boiling water. For a very smooth satiny frosting, pour at once into a large bowl for final beating. Then add vanilla and beat 1 minute or until thick enough to spread.


This stuff is delicious!! Ever so much better than butter cream even pretends to be! It's amazing that out of these few ingredients you get this fluffy, beautiful pan-full. I wish it only took 7 minutes to make, but alas, you will be standing in front of the hot boiling water much longer than that...hmmm maybe 15 minutes? You have to cook and beat it long enough or it will kind of melt off the cake. If your making a sheet cake, then maybe you want it this way. I prefer it crunchy on the outside and gushy on the inside. Nobody makes this stuff anymore. We're all so used to store bought things. If you're in an old-fashioned mood and want something different, then make it! Make it! You won't be disappointed.

The Perfect Day

Blue Skies, warm weather, a picnic, juicy barbeque and a family dinner with Tyne's famous enchiladas

Peanut Butter Christmas Mice

I know it's a little late, but I wanted to post this, so that I could find it next year too. Jon, Wyatt and I made these together on Christmas Eve (made dough a few days earlier) and it was so much fun! You can find the recipe here.

Potato Soup with love

Jon, has given me a holiday! He took Wyatt with him to town and I am all alone with baby Zane. Heaven! I've baked 2 pumpkin pies, made Zane's Christmas puppy, brushed my teeth, put on normal clothes and am halfway watching "Holiday" on TV. I wish it were Holiday Inn, but still nice......so nice. Jon, b/c you did this for me, this is what I'm making for dinner, your favorite. :o)

*Note: I left out green beans/added a head of steamed and pureed cauliflower to broth/ added 2 to 3 TBS fresh, chopped parsley instead of dried Thyme/ added more broth, water, milk and flour and salt to make a larger batch. It was delicious!

Potato Soup with Sausage Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

100% would make again

My great-grandmother passed on this soup to her family generations. In the 1880s, it was a popular meal after a hard day in the field—hardy to satisfy the most ravenous appetite.

• 6 Servings
• Prep: 10 min. Cook: 45 min.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pork sausage links, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup water
• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 4 cups)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sliced green beans, partially cooked
• Minced fresh parsley

Directions

• In a heavy saucepan, brown sausage over medium heat. Remove sausage to paper towels to drain. Drain skillet, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Saute the celery, onion, thyme and salt in the reserved drippings until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually add broth and water, stirring until the mixture comes to a boil.
• Add potatoes; cover and simmer 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove from the heat; cool.
• In blender, cover and process 2 cups soup mixture until smooth; return to kettle. Add the milk, beans and sausage; heat through. Garnish with parsley. Yield: 6 servings.

Snowball Cookies

I love these cookies. I make them every year. My Grandma used to make them as a kid and for some reason they are linked in my head with the song "For we need a little Christmas right this very moment. We need...." Walmart is using that song in one of their commercials this year and every time it comes on, I crave these cookies. Oh, and you better believe they are definitely fattening and only for once a year! Time to go buy butter......at Walmart. :o) SNOWBALL COOKIES

A favorite at Christmas time, pecan-filled cookies are scrumptious all year 'round.

Preparation time: 45 min Baking time: 18 min

Yield: 3 dozen cookies

2		cups all-purpose flour
2		cups finely chopped pecans
1/4		cup sugar
1		cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
1		teaspoon vanilla
		Powdered sugar

Heat oven to 325°F. Combine all ingredients except powdered sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed (2 to 3 minutes).

Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes; roll in powdered sugar while still warm and again when cool.

Pizza!!!

Would you like red salsa or green salsa Wyatt? Hmm.... a chubby finger pointed to the bottle of green on his morning eggs and red on his taco soup for lunch. Yes, my almost 22month old son ADORES salsa! In fact at Mexican restaurants he gets his own bowl and if I am lax in giving him chips, then he scoops it up with his hands! I am not making this up. He even eats the hot stuff with shifts of gulping water! His other favorite toppings are honey and ketchup. He hates ranch dressing, which I think is weird. I still mash steamed broccoli or chopped up raw spinach with his peanut butter sandwiches. I know it sounds gross, but it's the only way I can get some green veggies in there....and he actually likes it! He ate roasted carrot sticks made to look like french fries on Friday. He hates carrots, so I got pretty excited! Tonight we are having homemade pizza, which I think is a family favorite around here. We have 3 versions: thin Jiffy crust (for those nights with no time...and it's really good and crispy), regular (with a touch of wheat) and then Chicago-style deepdish. Tonight is a regular night. There is nothing regular about it, though, it's fantastically delicious!! It requires hanging out at home for 3 hrs before cooking. It's not hard, there are just spaced out steps b/c the dough has to rise.
I got the recipe from "Moosewood Restaurant Celebrates" Here's my version. Oh and this makes 4 pizzas, so I either half it or freeze 2 of the balls.

Yeast Mixture:
3 cups hot water(100 to 115 degrees)
1 TBS Active Dry yeast
2TBS flour
2TBS honey
Stir these together and let rest 5 to 10 min until creamy looking

Dough: In large bowl combine
4 1/2cups unbleached white flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 TBS salt
stir well

add yeast mixture and stir 1 to 2 min until uniformaly moist and can be formed into ball
Lightly flour countertop/hands and knead for 5 to 8 minutes (this is when you want to put on the Baby Einstein video)
Dough will be soft and slightly sticky
When you have a smooth ball then place in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap
Put in a warm, draft-free place until double in size, about 1 hour
1 hour later( or longer if you need to), Preheat oven to 500 degrees
Lightly flour counter, punch down dough and knead for 1 to 2 minutes
Divide into 4 equal balls
If you want to freeze a ball for later, then put in a ziplock baggy by itself
Lightly oil your pans and work into an 8" wide crust.
I use a small can of Hunt's tomato sauce for 1 to 2 pizzas depending how saucy you want it.
Top with toppings (I'll be using thinly sliced onions, bell pepper, pepperoni, mushrooms and fresh spinach).
Top with motzerella and sprinkle of parmesan cheese
cook 8 to 10 minutes or until no longer doughy in center.
Let sit at least 5 minutes before cutting.
YUM!

good news and Snowballs

Saying goodbye

I have finally heard some good news about the CPSIA front:

turtleparktots says:

I just spoke to the CPSIA specialist in Diana DeGette's office (colorado 1st district) for almost an hour. She was one of the co-authors of the law. He said she never intended for this to happen and that the committee that authored this bill will be meeting at the beginning of Jan. He had no idea it affected so many people negatively...he was surprised and said that degette would be too. He asked if I would work with them...I gave some suggestions...hopefully She will take my story to the committee I suggest that you contact your reps that are members of the house commerce committee regarding this issue since they'll be meeting soon...Tell them your story! This makes me feel so much better!!! I can't tell you how sad all that made me....I know you were probably tired of hearing about it. I realize there are so many awful, awful things going on in the world right now.....but this seemed important. Like something good and beautiful was going to die b/c of something evil. Anyway, I just keep praying about it! I'm in the process of making snowball cookies right now. Soooooo good! It's the cookie I wait all year to make at Christmas (lots of butter). It's easy too....not too many dishes!.....and pretty! Snowball Cookies A favorite at Christmas time, pecan-filled cookies are scrumptious all year 'round. Prep: 45 min - Bake: 18 min 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups finely chopped pecans 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla Powdered sugar Heat oven to 325°F. Combine all ingredients except powdered sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed (2 to 3 minutes). Shape rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 18 to 25 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes; roll in powdered sugar while still warm and again when cool. Makes 3 dozen cookies

Soup for 2 and under

Oma eating turkey
Mom, please don't kill me for posting this awesome picture!
My sister-in-law Tyne has been doing a great job of posting Thanksgiving pics of our family.....I have not. You can see hers here. There is a sweet pic of Wyatt and his cousin hanging out in the cupboard.

The show last night went really, really well.....except that Ryan Kelly asked me to make a speech. Ugh, I hate speeches and there was an auditorium full of people! I could hear my too-big heels clunking onto the stage and really, really wished I had worn something more slenderizing! But, I think the words that came out of my mouth were semi-intelligent sounding. Jon didn't even get to hear b/c he had to take Wyatt into the hall. Toddlers don't make for good listeners.

*Toddler Tip: How to get your little one to eat soup.
For those uncoordinated with spoons and taking liquids from the bowl, onto the spoon and into the mouth, I give you a simple solution......BREAD! Ha! You've probably all thought of this before me, but it soooo works. I put a slice of bread (or cornbread) in the bottom of his bowl, slop in the soup and wa lah! The bread soaks up the broth and it is now easily mushable and edible! Yeah for soup!

Sqaush triumph!!!!

Ok, so my 20month old son *finally* ate yellow squash tonight. Yeah! I've tried fixing it every way I know how, creamy, cheesy, baked, mashed. He always spits it out. Tonight I "frittered" it and he loved it. He ate 3 fritters, roast beef with ketchup, half an avocado and 5 grapes. It blows me away how much he can pack in there. It's not like I give him a lot to begin with, he just keeps asking for more! We don't fry food much at our house, but if it gets him to eat his yellow veggies, then so be it!
Here is my version of squash fritters. If you're not from the south, this might be a bit new, but it's pretty yummy!

Squash Fritters

1 cup to 1- 1/2 cup. steamed or cooked squash
1 med. onion, chopped small & steamed with squash
1/3 c. flour, all-purpose
1 egg
1 tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. cornmeal
1/2 tsp. salt or more if using more squash
1 tsp. sugar
dash of pepper
dash of garlic powder
1/4 cup grated cheese

Mash sqaush and onions. Mix all together and drop in oil until golden brown. Oil does not have to cover. Makes 20-24 small fritters.

Banana Bread Recipe

Sorry it took me so long to post this!

Leigh's Yummy Banana Bread

3/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups mashed banana*
1tsp vanilla
1tsp soda
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup wholewheat flour
1 1/2 cup white flour
3/4 tsp salt

-Sift together dry ingredients
-In a separate bowl beat butter and sugar
-add eggs, vanilla, banana
-add dry ingredients alternating with buttermilk
-add nuts if desired
-bake in a greased and floured loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hr 15 minutes or until center comes clean with knife
*Usually 3 bananas. When my bananas start to turn brown, I throw them in the freezer for future bread making. Thaw them a little before using. They come out a bit gross looking but are super yummy!

Fudge Cookies (from Tricia's mom, Judy Burkard)

2TBS margarine
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp vanilla
Melt margarine and chips in pan on stove
Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingrediants into pot
Drop by teaspoon full on cookie sheet
Bake @325 for 12 to 20 minutes
*Hint: I've found that if you wait til batter has cooled a little, it's easier to drop on cookie sheet; but don't wait too long! This is so easy to clean up! I love how this uses one pot and no bowls!