Applesauce

Last fall (2009), we made 21 quarts of applesauce.  This year, I made about 7, but still worth it! The kitchen becomes a workshop! First you wash the apples...  Then you quarter them...  Put 'em in a big pot Add a little water and cook 'em til they're soft but not mushy Get your water-bath canner ready (fill with water and bring to a boil); Start sanitizing those lids too!  Set up the "Squeeze-O" Mash the apples through...

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Lasagna

From the ATK Healthy Family Cookbook, this is a modified lasagna with less fat and carbs than traditional lasagna.  As usual, no photo due to the quick consumption by 4 hungry men! This recipe calls for ground chicken, however I used lean ground beef instead. Ingredients: 2 c. nonfat ricotta cheese (16 oz) 3 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (12 oz) 1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese (1 oz) 1 c. chopped fresh basil 1 large egg, lightly beaten Salt and pepper 1 1/2 t. olive oil 1 onion, minced 6 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 t. dried oregano 1/8...

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New Cookbook!

For Christmas I received thew newest Test Kitchen Cookbook! You can expect to see many recipes from this new favorite in 20...

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Mama Leone's Chicken Soup

Mac's co-worker passed along this recipe to us and it is phenomenal!  I had seconds. :)  Next time, I will add more chicken. Ingredients:1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts2 t. salt plus extra for chicken1/2 t. black pepper plus extra for chicken1 T. olive oil4 t. butter1 medium onion, diced3 celery stalks, diced1 T. minced garlic1/2 t. dried tarragon1/2 t. dried oregano2 t. paprika1/2 c. plus 2 T. all-purpose flour8 c. chicken...

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Peppermint Bark

These have been my favorite Christmas treat so far. Ingredients: 20 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped, divided 30 peppermint candies, crushed, divided 10 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped 6 T. heavy cream 1 t. peppermint extract Directions: Line a 9x13 pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.   Melt half the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water stirring frequently.  Spread the...

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Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

I thought these were a little on the sweet side, next time I will reduce the amount of sugar and use dark chocolate. Ingredients: 2 c. milk chocolate chips 2 T. shortening 1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. peanut butter 1 c. powdered sugar 2/3 c. graham cracker crumbs Directions: Melt chocolate chips and shortening over low heat in a heavy saucepan.  Stir occasionally until smooth, 3-5 minutes. Coat 30 mini cupcake liners with about 1 teaspoon of the melted...

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Pumpkin Bread

From allrecipes.com.  I adapt and use 5 mini-loaf pans and 1 large loaf pan. Ingredients:1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree4 eggs1 c. vegetable oil2/3 c. water3 c. white sugar3 1/2 c. flour (I use 2 cups whole wheat, 1 1/2 regular)2 t. baking soda1 1/2 t. salt1 t. cinnamon1 t. nutmeg1/2 t. cloves1/4 t. ginger Directions:Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour loaf pans (3 7x3 inch loaf pans).In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour,...

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Gingered Nuts

From a good friend of the Ovenell Family, Debbie Sutherland. Ingredients: 1 lb. unsalted mixed nuts 3/4 c. minced candied ginger 1/4 t. cayenne pepper 2 t. coarse salt 1/4 t. pepper 2 T. sesame seeds 1/4 c. sugar 1/4 c. water Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine all but the sugar and water.  Bring sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan, and stir occasionally, about 3 minutes.  Pour syrup over...

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Christmas Treats

Every year around this time, I have a crazy baking frenzy.  This year, my wonderful friends Melissa and Katie joined the bonanza.  This years treats are listed below and recipes are posted following this post: * Gingered Nuts * Pumpkin Bread * Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups * Chocolate Covered Pretzels * Peppermint Bark * Vanilla Bean Sugar Cook...

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Gingerbread Mayhem

This is what happens when 5 tired 20-something year-olds attempt to build a gingerbread house with limited decorations...  The hot tub, bbq, and american flag are the work of Jimmy Neutron Drebin... "ladder" and reese's tornado are from Brett. :) OH MAN, there goes a wall!  I think the frosting is just AMAZING...  Intense work here... Finished product... I promised the guys I would post this on the blog, so here you go, boys!  Merry...

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Healthy

This is not a recipe.  Just a little disclaimer of my philosophy of nutrition... :) God created a variety of wonderful foods, all with its each unique purpose and place in human development.  Man added a few crazy edible items to God's list, all of which are not as easy to digest and most which tend to add pounds and discomfort.  The best way to eat is food in it's natural, original form.  This includes fat foods like unsalted butter, olive oil, and avocados.  Our body needs fat, sodium, sugar to survive and work to the...

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Healthy Fudge

No picture as I have not made this yet for the season... I've made this recipe for fudge a couple times, and while it is not quite as delicious as my Aunty Pam's fudge that I remember from childhood,  it's a close second.  My grandpa's wife requested that I post some "healthy" dessert recipes, so this is my attempt to start that trend... :) Here you go, Bea! Recipe courtesy of http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/ Ingredients: 1 cup cocoa powder 1 cup coconut oil, divided (virgin unrefined coconut oil is recommended for its nutritional...

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Fruit Cobbler

Now is the time of year when I resist the urge to use ALL of my frozen summer berries at once... Unfortunately, once those holiday get-togethers pick up, my ability to maintain composure fails completely and I succumb to baking one of these delicious cobblers, just so I can have a little taste of summer to share with everyone... You can use pretty much any type of fruit (fresh or frozen) for this cobbler, as I have listed for your enjoyment.  My...

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Pumpkin Bars

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I figured it's about time I provide a semi-useful recipe!  These are a favorite in the M&M household, first introduced to us by Mary King.  While they are wonderful anytime of any day, I recommend them as a special Thanksgiving breakfast treat! Ingredients: 2 c. pumpkin puree 1 c. vegetable oil 4 eggs 1 c. sugar 2 t. cinnamon 2 t. baking powder 1 t. baking soda 1 t. salt 2 c. flour Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, beat together pumpkin, oil, eggs, and sugar....

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Chicken Soup

Yummm, bring on the winter chicken noodle soup! Ingredients: 1 medium onion, chopped 2 carrots, sliced 2 celery stalks, sliced 3/4 c. frozen peas 1 lb. chicken thighs 2 c. wide egg noodles 1 c. canned tomatoes 32 oz. chicken broth 1 t. pepper 1 t. dried thyme 1 t. italian herb seasoning 1 t. oregano 1 t. salt Bay leaves 1 t. cilantro 1 t. marjoram 1 t. basil Directions: Put onion, carrots, and celery in a crock pot.  Layer chicken thighs on top of vegetables (I put my on frozen).  Add in tomatoes, broth, and bay leaves.  Cook...

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Chicken & Bean Enchiladas

These are courtesy of my daddy.  They are a great meal to serve to company, easy to prep ahead of time, and delicious the second day! Ingredients: 4 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sour cream2 cups prepared salsa2 cups grated Cheddar cheese2 cups shredded cooked chicken1 14.5 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained1 4 oz. can medium green chiles1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed1/2 teaspoon cumin1/4 teaspoon dried oregano1/4 teaspoon cayenneSalt and pepper4 scallions, thinly sliced12 to 14 soft round 6 to 8inch flour tortillas DIRECTIONS:Preheat...

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Eggs, Anyone?

Just kidding; they're cupcakes!!  Thank you to Krissa for letting my snag this out of her Cupcake Book... check out her blog at http://krissascupcakes.blogspot.com/ Directions upon request!...

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Pumpkin-Apple Muffins

Gobbled up too quickly so no photo!  But, these are definitely worth making for a light autumn breakfast treat.  Adapted the recipe from allrecipes.com Ingredients: 2 1/2 c. flour (I use 2 c. whole-wheat, 1/2 c. all-purpose) 2 c. white sugar 1 1/2 t. cinnamon 3/4 t. ginger 1/2 t. ground cloves 1/2 t. nutmeg 1 t. baking soda 1/2 t. salt 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 c. pumpkin puree 1/2 c. vegetable oil (next time I will substitute applesauce) 2 c. peeled, cored, and chopped apple Topping: 2 T. all-purpose flour 1/4 c. white sugar 1/2 t....

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Tomato-Spinach Tortellini

This is a quick, easy dinner that went great with some garlic bread and steamed green beans. I adapted the recipe from allrecipes.com Ingredients:1 (16 oz.) package prepared tortellini1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes1 c. chopped fresh spinach2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (optional)1/2 t. salt1/4 t. pepper1 1/2 t. dried basil2 cloves garlic, minced2 T. all-purpose flour3/4 c. milk3/4 c. heavy cream1/4 c. parmesan cheese Directions: Cook tortellini...

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Test Kitchen Cinnamon Rolls

It's ironic that the busier we get, the more I bake and the less I cook healthy meals.  Baking is therapeutic for me, and my theory is I make yummy sweets to de-stress.  Lately the baked goods have been dominating the blog, so I will attempt to post some savory, healthful dinners next.  For now, Cinnamon Rolls! We do have a cinnamon roll recipe that we live by, so you can try these out and decide which you like better.  These...

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Melt-in-your-Mouth Sugar Cookies

Apparently I've been lazy lately and have failed to take pictures of any yummy things.... I apologize for the lack of visual aesthetics.  You'll just have to trust my words and believe with faith that these are to die for! These are not your average crisp sugar cookies, but instead soft and decadent.  The recipe comes from Mac's grandmother and we love it! Ingredients: 1 c. butter, softened 2 c. powdered sugar 2 eggs 1 c. vegetable oil 2 t. vanilla extract 5 c. all-purpose flour 1 t. baking soda 1 t. cream of tartar 1-2 T. white sugar Directions: Cream...

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Chicken Orzo

This is a light, but filling test-kitchen meal that can be made fairly quickly.  We have enjoyed it both times I've made it, and it also passed the company-test! :) Enjoy. Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 1/4 t. red pepper flakes salt and pepper 1 c. orzo 2 T. olive oil 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (or diced tomatoes chopped in a food processor) 1 1/2 c. chicken broth 3 T. finely chopped fresh basil Direction: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and rub all over with oregano, pepper flakes...

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Daddy's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have made many-a-cookies in my 23 years.  Of course there has been a variety of textures, tastes, and turnouts... but never a point where I open the oven and think "What is happening in there?".  That is, until last night.  And after the observations from last night, I realize just how amazing my Daddy's cookie recipe actually is.  No questions asked, these cookies survived an on-fire oven (flames and all), both under- and over-cookage, and ridiculously terrible consistency.  Not only did they survive, but they were delicious...

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Coconut Cupcakes

Some friends and I had a Monty Python party... which of course is an excellent reason to make coconut (non-migratory ones of course) cupcakes decorated with armless knights, monty python shields, and fake swords.  I happen to be allergic to coconut and didn't attempt to eat these, but based on the reviews of others, these are delicious! Frosting (Test Kitchen):2 T. heavy cream1 t. coconut extract1 t. vanilla extractPinch salt2 sticks unsalted...

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Carrot Ginger Soup

Mac's parents came to visit last weekend and brought with them an arsenal of garden produce.  I was eternally grateful, until I realized that there was no way the two of us could consume all the yummy vegetables before they went bad.  So, I've been creative this week attempting to use them up without getting sick of them.  Today's attempt was carrot ginger soup.  2 lbs of carrots and one onion later, we have soup in the freezer...

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Chocolate Zucchini Bars

Courtesy of my wonderful mother-in-law, Kathy. You might as well just call these brownies and then all those green-haters would never know they ate something good for them!! Chocolate Zucchini Bars Ingredients:3/4 c. butter, softened2 c. white sugar2 eggs3 T. unsweetened cocoa2 1/4 c. flour (I use 1 c. white, the rest whole wheat)1 t. baking soda1 t. salt2 c. shredded zucchini1/4 - 1/2 c. milk if using fresh zucchini Frosting:4 T. unsweetened cocoa6...

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Caramel Sauce

Funny story.  Anytime a recipe post begins with "funny story" it's guaranteed you will continue reading, correct?  Well, hopefully I do not let you down.  This is my humble, vulnerable cooker's heart being fully exposed: On Friday we hosted an ice cream sundae social.  I decided our contribution would be caramel and hot fudge sauce.  Usually, I am an excellent kitchen-multi-tasker and decided to make the caramel sauce...

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Slow cooker Minestrone

I was told recently that I'm bad at updating my blog... it's true, I won't deny it.  However terrible I am at consistenly updating it, this is my attempt at starting afresh... This weekend I had the amazing blessing of seeing my three best friends all in one place!  It is a rare occurrence that happens only once every six months or so... it was such a treat to be able to host them and enjoy our yummy soup and rosemary bread.  This hearty crockpot dish is satisfying any time of the year!  It's easy to cut up all the veggies...

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Lemon Bars

We forgot to take a picture of these before they were gobbled up at dinner with our friends, Jesse & Amy.  These are the perfect amount of sweet and tart with a hint of saltiness in the crust. From the ATK cookbook: Ingredients1¼ cups flour ½ cup Confectioners sugar ½ teasp salt 12 tbsp butter, cut into 12 pieces and softened 7 egg yolks, Large 2 eggs, Large and whole 1 cup and 2 tbsp Granulated sugar ⅔ cup lemon juice (fresh) ¼ cup lemon zest (grated) (I sometimes use more for more flavor) 3...

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Bobby Flay's Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

For my first attempt at making and eating pineapple upside-down cake, this was fantastic!! My friend's birthday was last week and when I asked for a request, she said she had just watched Throw Down with Bobby Flay and he made this cake, so that's what she wanted.  I happened to find the exact recipe on foodnetwork.com, but adapted it to cook in the oven instead of on the bbq.  (We also left out the YUCK of maraschino cherries and chopped...

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Dehydrator

This is just a quick "rave" post... I LOVE having a dehydrator!  Unfortunately the one I have is old and doesn't belong to me, but it's a great tool to have in the world of semi-natural living!  Currently, it is filling the house with an herby aroma as we have had 2 batches of thyme and rosemary going for the last few hours.  I also like to use it to dry fruit to snack on and have attempted the dehydrating of nuts for flour and almond milk.  Whatever the use, it's a great tool to have... To read more about dehydrators, check...

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Chai Cookies

We have been on 2 kicks lately... chai and lemons.  Ooh! Maybe I should make something chai-lemon... okay, can you tell it's late?  That will be for another post... look forward to LEMON posts in the near future and maybe the addition of a chai-lemon something.  I bet you can't wait. Back to THIS recipe. I made a batch of my homemade chai mix recently (adapted from this allrecipes contribution).  Needless to say, we've been drinking blended chai's every night of the 100 degree summer weather!  As I was sipping on my...

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Cooking in the midst of Craziness

There's still 2 more days until summer officially begins (according to the calendar), but I already feel the busyness taking over.  It seems as though the last month or so has come and gone without so much as a blink of the eye.  There are friends to see, holidays to celebrate, trips to take, and tasks to do.  Yet still, even when life is crazy, it's mandatory that we still eat. What we eat remains in question.  I always strive to make homemade meals, to leave eating-out for special occasions.  To be perfectly honest,...

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Grass-Fed, Pastured Meat

I've been looking into local sources of organic, grass-fed, pastured meat... for those of you who are interested and in the Corvallis area, this is what I've found so far, but have not yet investigated prices or purchasing: At Abundant Life Farm, our goal is to provide a better tasting and healthier product for consumers who care about the food they eat and how it is raised—food from the abundance of life God provides—true food for life.Our layers, broilers, and turkeys are moved daily to fresh pasture and are fed a...

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