tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51598970482792094322024-02-18T23:39:33.943-06:00Stir it! Scrape it! Mix it! Bake it!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.comBlogger407125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-66175910995650954602014-03-02T20:45:00.001-06:002014-03-02T20:49:40.755-06:00Seven! And a Lego-mini-figure<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">My little guy is somehow seven years old. For his birthday, he chose a quiet family party and a chocolate cake in the shape of a Lego mini-figure. I'll be honest - this week has been insane. Hubby and I were out of town until Monday night and we both had conferences until late Thursday night. I hadn't given the cake a second of thought until Friday after work. I looked online and found a Lego mini-figure cake pan...clearly I wadn't going to get one of those in time. So I asked to see one of his mini-figures, took a ruler, traced my 9x13 and my 8x8 cake pans onto a sheet of white paper, and began scaling to make a template. I was pretty proud of myself for how it came out! When he saw the template sitting on the counter, I got the hugest grin and biggest hug ever, with a sqealed, "Thanks, Mom!!! You're the best!!!"</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfsNFZAMcKQQ5AtXbB7g4ZprIehmHN7jUjYCjIgEsm9xgWyDLXr0acmtI9vPzjluEiV2-qtxOxWFBtjI8Aa_jsFwfXj6gFGj59DPdF26UaREMhaRSsH3kMUabeE_DByq1eixrbbw7myo/s640/blogger-image--273122929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfsNFZAMcKQQ5AtXbB7g4ZprIehmHN7jUjYCjIgEsm9xgWyDLXr0acmtI9vPzjluEiV2-qtxOxWFBtjI8Aa_jsFwfXj6gFGj59DPdF26UaREMhaRSsH3kMUabeE_DByq1eixrbbw7myo/s640/blogger-image--273122929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYySIDBf3MoAy9bpKAw1Y44UUmwmsdp03SBTwCkOnZjsVtJdOXTKxZaoxkMVcvI1clT_5MtNYCTY66Ev67N5RLAwRgeTUgCdEkT5annthY9FPek81tDtO9HUlRNlFmnbKNoa6Y7Ck3KQ/s640/blogger-image-1126314972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYySIDBf3MoAy9bpKAw1Y44UUmwmsdp03SBTwCkOnZjsVtJdOXTKxZaoxkMVcvI1clT_5MtNYCTY66Ev67N5RLAwRgeTUgCdEkT5annthY9FPek81tDtO9HUlRNlFmnbKNoa6Y7Ck3KQ/s640/blogger-image-1126314972.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cnh5HUerJ0HfU1pgOtr6g0f1MfOeZdFx5d75ZdQ-hOk4Tafuu2hm4lwhn854ZjrrY2-SWLFaF3k2f_dQTbwxhBzuF5qamWH9OIBz2-6n8ix46PePVnXg5hAdF6kOG9ziBNEgIJaEiMo/s640/blogger-image--702315936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cnh5HUerJ0HfU1pgOtr6g0f1MfOeZdFx5d75ZdQ-hOk4Tafuu2hm4lwhn854ZjrrY2-SWLFaF3k2f_dQTbwxhBzuF5qamWH9OIBz2-6n8ix46PePVnXg5hAdF6kOG9ziBNEgIJaEiMo/s640/blogger-image--702315936.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">I asked the birthday boy if he'd rather have his favorite marshmallow frosting, which is hard to frost with and wouldn't look as good, or a different frosting that would look better. He easily chose the marshmallow frosting, with support from his sister and dad. I told him he could choose three colors; he picked red, yellow, and gray (even though I said no one would want to eat gray frosting).</p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 15px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmdTNrjSUYE824FIlpLuDRvQyHXHDI85dKbyaZREURB8vIYKQyxYTRhEBzmgqaLtBOWUBp8WIPH3Qhh_73lyCFIc145qHN0vSBZUJjtHLrZuFz5jhdCNNSB-ESSyfnc1zbMbjuThgi6I/s640/blogger-image-1341633534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmdTNrjSUYE824FIlpLuDRvQyHXHDI85dKbyaZREURB8vIYKQyxYTRhEBzmgqaLtBOWUBp8WIPH3Qhh_73lyCFIc145qHN0vSBZUJjtHLrZuFz5jhdCNNSB-ESSyfnc1zbMbjuThgi6I/s640/blogger-image-1341633534.jpg"></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">I over-baked the cake, I think, so it was dry and not all that great. But it looked pretty cool!</p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-63640540271964761032014-01-05T16:56:00.003-06:002014-01-05T16:56:45.137-06:00Jalepeno jellyI've <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-get-for-lady-who-has-everything.html">written before</a> about how impossible it is to buy gifts for my stepmom; my dad is equally difficult. This year, he made a special request; although he doesn't like spicy foods, he apparently fell in love with jalepeno jelly at a party some years ago and he asked if I would try making some.<br />
<br />
I immediately got to work. I didn't have any pectin, so I searched for recipes that didn't require it. I found <a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/jalapeno_pepper_jelly/">this one from Simply Recipes</a>. Unfortunately, I only had about a pound and a half of apples (and they weren't green), but I did have the optional cranberries; I hoped that they would compensate for the missing apples. I reduced the water by a cup (again because of the missing apples; I didn't want it to be watery). I used a red pepper (because it was all I had), but otherwise :) followed the recipe exactly.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/981.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_981.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<center>
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I strained the mash through a fine mesh strainer and got exactly four cups of juice. Then I added the sugar and cooked it down. I didn't want to drag down all of my big canning gear, so I used a smallish saucepan to process the two short jars for my dad. The two taller jars were refrigerated and brought to hubby's and my work parties, along with crackers and cream cheese. I'm not into that sort of thing, but the jelly seemed to be a hit.</center>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/982.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_982.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
My dad sent me this picture on the day after Christmas, so apparently the present fit the bill:<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/983.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_983.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
In my search, I also found <a href="http://tadkapasta.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/sweet-little-jar-of-red-hot-stuff/">this recipe for hot pepper jelly</a>; unlike my dad, hubby <i>loves </i>super hot, spicy foods, so I bookmarked it to try next time for him.<br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-90112572089919471102014-01-04T14:44:00.000-06:002014-01-04T14:44:10.667-06:00PirouettesI know it's a little late to be posting Christmas cookies, but I finally have time to write.....<br />
<br />
I saw <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2013/12/cigarettes-russes-cookies/">this post on Smitten Kitchen</a> early in December for making pirouettes. We love the pirouettes that come in the brown and white cannister, with their light delicate cookies and yummy chocolate filling.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/986.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_986.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
The little girl and I were looking for a cookie to bake a couple of days before Christmas, and I remembered the post. We quickly mixed together the batter (it doesn't take any time at all - just one bowl and a whisk) and then I got to the time-consuming process of baking the cookies three or four at a time.<br />
<br />
I used a heaping teaspoon and spread the batter into circles.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/987.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_987.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
They baked for about four minutes until slightly golden. I used a silicone knife to peel them off the pan and quickly rolled the cookies around a plastic cocktail stick.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/988.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_988.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
Once cooled, I melted some chocolate and spread a variety of sprinkles on little plates. The little girl and I had fun dipping the ends of the cookies into chocolate and rolling them in sprinkles. We took them to our annual caroling party where they lasted all of 30 seconds. So yummy!<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/989.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_989.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
And what to make with the leftover egg whites? Why,<a href="http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/do-it-yourself/2011/12/how-to-make-eggnog/"> the homemade eggnog</a> that I've been eyeing for months, of course. Equally delicious and the half-batch did not last long around here. :)<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/990.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_990.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-1664862775550030672014-01-01T20:50:00.001-06:002014-01-01T20:50:47.350-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Happy New Year!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2224.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2224.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2225.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2225.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2226.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2226.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2227.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2227.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><i>pepperoni pizza monkey bread (KAF pizza dough) with pizza sauce, shrimp cocktail (ATK cocktail sauce), crockpot buffalo wings with ranch dressing, sparkling apple juice </i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2228.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2228.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><i>chocolate fondue with marshmallows (KAF recipe), pirouettes (recipe from Smitten Kitchen), and fresh fruit</i><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2229.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2229.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/01/01/2230.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/01/01/s_2230.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />With wishes for a joyful, peaceful, delicious 2014!<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-18008118837172339462013-12-30T16:18:00.000-06:002013-12-30T16:18:57.801-06:00Christmas eats<b>Christmas eve dinner</b><br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/976.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_976.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bread bowls, using Peter Reinhart's hoagie recipe from </i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reinharts-Artisan-Breads-Every/dp/1580089984" style="font-style: italic;">ABED </a><i>(best bread bowls ever!) with </i><a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2012/01/turkey-wild-rice-soup-in-bread-bowls.html" style="font-style: italic;">creamy chicken-wild rice soup</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/977.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_977.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Fresh fruit, <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2010/12/bread-bowls-with-wild-rice-soup.html">green salad</a>, and homemade personalized Christmas ornaments for name plates :)</i></div>
<br />
<b>Christmas morning</b><br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/978.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_978.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Bread-Bakers-Apprentice-Extraordinary/dp/1580082688/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388263830&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=peter+reinhart+bread+baker%27s+apprentic+e">BBA </a>cinnamon rolls and a sausage-cheese-egg bake</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(based off of <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/07/make-ahead-sausage-and-egg-breakfast-bake.html">this one</a>, halved and baked in an 8x8 casserole dish)</i></div>
<br />
<b>Christmas snack</b><br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/979.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_979.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hot cocoa (made from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/monster-hot-chocolate-mix-recipe">this mix</a>) with marshmallows and almond tea bread (made by my dad)</i></div>
<br />
<b>Christmas dinner</b><br />
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/26/980.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/26/s_980.jpg" height="281" style="cursor: move; margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ham from the co-op (made from <a href="http://www.thermoworks.com/blog/2013/03/ham/">this CI recipe</a>), <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/11/cheesy-au-gratin-potatoes.html">au gratin potatoes</a> (made with gold potatoes and half cheddar, half gruyere), <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/05/broccoli-slaw/">broccoli slaw</a>, <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/honey-wheat-rolls-recipe">honey wheat dinner rolls</a>, homemade applesauce, <a href="http://www.traceysculinaryadventures.com/2012/11/sparkling-sugared-cranberries.html">sugared cranberries</a>, and pumpkin custard made by the kiddos for dessert (pumpkin pie without the crust, baked in ramekins)</div>
<br />
Hope those who celebrate it had a very Merry Christmas...and Happy New Year to everyone!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-85979241113049548392013-12-28T14:43:00.002-06:002013-12-28T14:43:58.883-06:00New Christmas toyHubby surprised me with a pasta press this Christmas. Apparently last year during<a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/search/label/Unprocessed"> our first unprocessed month</a>, I was bemoaning the fact that, although I'd gotten pretty good at making <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-whole-wheat.html">fresh pasta</a>, I still had to buy elbows for mac-n-cheese and tuna salad and rotini or fusilli for other pasta salads and casseroles.<br />
<br />
I hadn't really thought about it much - when I made mac-n-cheese, I just used fettuccini...a little unconventional but just as tasty.<br />
<br />
But apparently after hearing me complain a few times, my wonderful hubby jumped online, ordered me the pasta press for my stand mixer, and it's been sitting in the closet of our guest bedroom ever since.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/28/953.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/28/s_953.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
Last night, I mixed up my normal pasta dough (3 eggs and 8.5 ounces of white whole wheat flour) and tried it out. We tested out both the rotini and fusilli plates.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/28/954.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/28/s_954.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
The dough was a little too dry, I think,and the fusilli didn't curl, but we figured it out. We served the pasta with some sauce we received from one of hubby's coworkers for Christmas, and along with some leftover broccoli slaw and Christmas ham, it made quite an easy and delicious dinner!<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/28/955.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/28/s_955.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-16856107684460011122013-12-19T10:20:00.000-06:002013-12-19T10:20:13.544-06:00First catering job :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1104.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
A couple of months ago, a friend of mine from work asked me if I ever catered parties. I thought she was just making conversation. "Well, no, except for my brother's rehearsal dinner last year."<br />
<br />
"Would you want to?"<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
She asked me if I would be interested in handling the food for a bachelorette party she was throwing for another coworker. I put the date in my calendar, said I would for sure at least help if not cook everything myself, and promptly put it out of my mind until Thanksgiving was over.<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1098.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Suddenly Thanksgiving was over, we were swamped with parent-teacher conferences, dance class, and various pre-holiday social engagements, and it was time for the party! Eek!<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
My hostess friend has absolutely <i>no</i> interest in or knowledge about food/feeding large groups, so she told me that the bride-to-be likes brie, teriyaki wings, and these special chocolate nut goodie bars from a local grocery store. She'd handle picking up the alcohol and nut goodie bars; the rest was up to me. Twenty guests, five o'clock on a Saturday.<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1099.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1099.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
I decided we needed another dessert (after all, some silly people don't like chocolate!), which ended up being a good thing because the store only had one small tray of bars. I made mini strawberry swirl cheesecakes, based off of <a href="http://www.annies-eats.com/2010/08/06/raspberry-swirl-cheesecake-cupcakes/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">this recipe from Annie's Eats</a>. I replaced the raspberries with strawberries in the puree and baked the cheesecakes in my mini muffin tin in little foil papers. (The minis baked for about 18 minutes.) I was a little disappointed that the cheesecakes sank slightly in the middle after they cooled, but they were still pretty cute and very delicious. Definitely a recipe to make again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1100.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1100.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
For our "main dishes," I used <a href="http://www.traceysculinaryadventures.com/2008/10/chicken-wings-in-teriyaki-sauce.html#.UrJkAPRDuSo">this recipe from Tracey for crockpot teriyaki chicken wings</a>. I upped the wings to four pounds, but was still surprised by how few there were. I would double the recipe for a large party next time. I didn't get a report on how these turned out, but the crockpot came back empty.<br />
<br />
I also made <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2012/03/showers-of-food.html">these turkey-spinach-boursin roll up sandwiches</a>. I first made this recipe for a baby shower, and have made them for several road trips. They are delicious and so easy to eat. Apparently they were a hit and completely disappeared.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1101.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Because you never want to run out of food, I whipped up an easy cold pasta salad to fill things out: a pound of pasta, eight ounces of fresh mozzarella, a package of halved grape tomatoes, sliced basil, sliced black olives, and a simple vinaigrette.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1102.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
For the brie, I made a <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/baked-brie-with-golden-raisin-compote-10000001591115/">golden raisin compote from Cooking Light</a>. I didn't have time to try it, but one of the party guests said it was so good, she could've licked it out of the bowl. :) I made six baguette using Peter Reinhart's pain a l'ancienne recipe from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Reinharts-Artisan-Breads-Every/dp/1580089984">Artisan Breads Everyday</a> - always a winner.<br />
<br />
Finally (although maybe they should've gone first), I made two dips: my favorite <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/red-pepper-hummus-10000001622529/">red pepper hummus</a> and a <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spicy-black-bean-hummus-10000001867600/">black bean hummus</a> (<i>not</i> an attractive color, by the way!). I served the dips with sliced bell peppers, carrot sticks, and pita chips. And I added some grapes because a meal isn't complete without a little fruit.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1103.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1103.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
Hubby drove me to the hotel and was my faithful assistant, helping me set up. Apparently the party was a smashing success; as for us, we went Christmas shopping for the kiddos.<br />
<br />
I'd agreed to do this catering job to help out a friend, because it sounded like fun, but mostly, just to see if I could do it...and I did! :)<br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-12775421175226006892013-12-18T20:36:00.001-06:002013-12-18T20:47:44.424-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Gifts for teachers<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/18/1093.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/18/s_1093.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/monster-hot-chocolate-mix-recipe">Hot chocolate mix from KAF </a>and <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2011/09/spiced-cinnamon-roasted-almonds.html">cinnamon-spiced almonds</a></i></div>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-89069085779214601822013-12-04T17:14:00.001-06:002013-12-04T17:14:52.290-06:00Homemade nearly-instant peanut brittle<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/04/1133.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/04/s_1133.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Let me be clear: this recipe is not even close to unprocessed, calling for a huge amount of both sugar and corn syrup. Nevertheless, <i>totally</i> worth making.<br /><br />We recently read <i>The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe</i> to the kiddos, which of course led to a search for a description and then a recipe for Turkish delight. In my search, I stumbled on this <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/dining/22curious.html?ref=dining">NYT article on microwaving holiday candy</a>, which included recipes for Turkish delight, pralines, and peanut brittle.<br /><br />This afternoon, I was craving a sweet-salty snack and remembered the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/dining/22curiousrex1.html?ref=dining&_r=1&">peanut brittle recipe</a>. So easy, so yummy.<br /><br />I made a half batch: a cup of peanuts, a cup of sugar, a half cup of corn syrup, 1/4 teaspoon salt, a tablespoon of butter, and 3/8 cup water. Microwaved for 5 minutes, stirred, microwaved for 5 minutes, stirred, and microwaved for 1 more minute. Added 1/2 teaspoon each of vanilla and baking soda, stirred it, and spread on a foil-lined baking sheet.<br /><br />The whole thing made and cooled while doing the dishes. And hubby declared it the best peanut brittle he'd ever tasted. Try it!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/12/04/1134.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/12/04/s_1134.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-87916371759649457112013-12-03T08:18:00.001-06:002013-12-30T16:20:58.705-06:00Homemade ranch dressing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1285.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
I have a fairly easy time when it comes to salad dressings during our unprocessed months. I'm easy to please with good ol' oil and vinegar.<br />
<br />
The winters are hard for me, though; when it's cold, I crave soup, chili, stew...I have a really hard time eating salads. Of course, especially after indulging in a meal like <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/11/happy-thanksgivukkah.html">Thanksgivinukkah</a>, salads are especially important!<br />
<br />
The one dressing that can make me eat a salad even in the winter is ranch; I love the stuff in the green and white bottle. Look at the ingredient list, though, and it hardly counts as unprocessed. (Although <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/search/label/Unprocessed">Unprocessed October</a> is officially over, we have been trying to stick to most of rules.)<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
I found a lot of recipes online that claimed to taste "just like the real thing - or even better!" but couldn't find one that sounded just right. So I looked at what we had...thought about what we liked...and came up with this recipe.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1287.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1287.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
<b>Abby's ranch :)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
1/2 c mayo<br />
1/2 c sour cream<br />
1/4 c homemade kefir<br />
1 tsp dill<br />
1 tsp dried parsley<br />
1/2 tsp garlic flakes<br />
1/2 tsp onion flakes<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper<br />
<br />
Whirl it all up in a blender! (Still loving my Vitamix.) :)<br />
<br />
Many of the recipes I saw called for fresh chives, so I may try adding them next time, but this dressing was pretty perfect as-is.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-11982540186038165032013-11-28T22:36:00.001-06:002013-11-29T09:07:22.213-06:00Happy Thanksgivukkah......from this food nerd to any other food nerds out there. Hubby made fun of me tonight because I simply cannot seem to stop myself from photographing food. I really can't help it - it's all so interesting and beautiful to me! :)<br /><br />Just about our entire meal was locally-sourced, organic, free-range, etc, etc...except for Nana's traditional cranberry jello mold, but I'm pretty sure there'd be a revolt if anyone messed with that! Usually I buy a grocery store frozen turkey with that awesome $.89/pound coupon they have, but this year, I went to the co-op (which we finally joined!) and ordered a fresh, local, free-range bird. It was beautiful.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1456.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1456.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />My new favorite time and stress-saving tradition is making gravy on the night before Thanksgiving with last year's frozen stock and turkey fat. Plus there's enough for everyone to take home leftovers!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1457.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1457.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />For my apple pie this year, I made the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.traceysculinaryadventures.com/2013/11/frosted-apple-slab-pie.html?m=1">apple slab pie that Tracey posted</a>. I struggled a bit with the dough - probably because I insisted on subbing in whole wheat flour for part of it - but it worked out fine and tasted fantastic!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1459.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1459.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1460.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1460.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Plus...again, lots of leftovers!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1461.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1461.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I was really tempted to make latkes to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime Thanksgivukkah, but I just couldn't pull it off. Still, oil made a special appearance with my first ever homemade fried onions - yum!!! And hopefully I can still make latkes this weekend.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1462.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1462.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1463.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1463.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Not exactly food, but my new toy made cooking the turkey so easy-peasy! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thermoworks.com/products/alarm/chefalarm.html">Thermoworks new Chef Alarm</a> - I love it!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1464.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1464.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/honey-wheat-rolls-recipe">Honey wheat rolls from KAF</a> and completely from-scratch <a target="_blank" href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2013/11/green-bean-casserole-with-crispy-onions/">green bean casserole</a>.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1465.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1465.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1466.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1466.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Nana's jello, turkey, green bean casserole, and my dad's sausage-wild-rice-bread stuffing.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1467.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1467.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I'm such a nerd that I actually baked a loaf of bread to cut up, just so he wouldn't have to use the bagged stuff - this unprocessed thing is a little addictive.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1468.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1468.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1469.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1469.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1470.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1470.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The full plate...with gravy:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1471.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1471.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And without:<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1472.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1472.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><i>Update:</i> And how could I forget the most important part of the meal?!? Pumpkin pies, one made by the little guy and one made by the little girl, with a little help from Pa and Grandma - served with homemade vanilla bean ice cream - perfection!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/29/361.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/29/s_361.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Hope your Thanksgivukkah was filled with love, friends, family, good food, and a little drawing on the steam on the windows after dinner. :)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/28/1473.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/28/s_1473.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-78703690991086985392013-11-27T08:45:00.002-06:002013-11-27T08:45:57.671-06:00Leftovers and homemade frozen burritos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1281.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
One of our family's favorite go-to lunches are frozen burritos. During our unprocessed October, we had to give them up; their ingredient list reads like this:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">WATER, WHEAT FLOUR (ENRICHED WITH NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), BEEF, BEANS, VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN, SUNFLOWER, CANOLA AND/OR CORN OIL), CONTAINS 2% OR LESS TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN (SOY FLOUR, CARAMEL COLOR), ISOLATED PEA PRODUCT, SALT, RICE FLOUR, YEAST, CELLULOSE GUM, GUAR GUM, WHEAT, SODIUM BICARBONATE, WHEAT STARCH, FOOD STARCH, DOUGH CONDITIONERS (SODIUM METABISULFITE, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, L-CYSTEINE, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE), MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE, SILICON DIOXIDE (TO PREVENT CAKING), CHILI PEPPER, YEAST EXTRACT, MALTODEXTRIN, FLAVORS, SPICES, SOY SAUCE (SOYBEANS), AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, CALCIUM LACTATE. ALLERGENS: WHEAT, SOY.</span><br />
<br />
Yikes!<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1279.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1279.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
At the beginning of October Unprocessed, I saw <a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/2013/10/chicken-bean-and-cheese-burritos-for-the-freezer/">this blog post on Good Cheap Eats</a> about making your own homemade frozen burritos. I finally tried them at the end of the month (the process, not the actual recipe), and we were big fans. I heated up a little olive oil and sauteed some onion. Then I added a bit of spice (cumin, salt, pepper), a defrosted jar of chicken meat from the freezer, and a defrosted jar of black beans from the freezer. I cooked it until everything was warm, dolloped the filling on large flour tortillas, added some cheese (cheddar for the kids and me, pepperjack for the hubby) and wrapped them up. Onto a tray, into the freezer, into a baggie. The next weekend, we threw them into the microwave, just like our old processed kind, and they were soooo much better. Best part about it - it's such an easy process, you can adapt it to such a wide variety of fillings…spicy salsa for the hubby, nothing added for the kiddos….<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1280.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1280.jpg" height="281" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
Well, last night, as I looked into the fridge, there were way too many leftovers...especially considering that we only need lunches for a few days this week...and that there's a fairly big holiday coming up that's going to make quite a bit of leftovers on its own. :)<br />
<br />
I'd tried two new recipes from this month's Cooking Light over the past couple days: <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pork-shoulder-beans-rice-50400000131785/">Slow-cooker Cuban pork shoulder with beans and rice</a> and <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-mushroom-empanadas-50400000131741/">Chicken and mushroom empanadas</a>. The pork shoulder was ah-maze-ing! We loved it, and it made an absolute ton. The empanadas were good (I hear)...hubby liked them, but they were too spicy for the rest of us. Thus, a lot of leftovers.<br />
<br />
So then I thought, why not turn the leftovers into more frozen burritos?! And now we have a freezer full of easy, healthy, and delicious weekend lunches. :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-90252632603818662372013-11-25T20:56:00.001-06:002013-11-25T20:56:40.984-06:00Unprocessed with kids: Make-your-own ambrosia<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/25/1278.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/25/s_1278.jpg" height="210" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<br />
The little guy's class has been having a visitor from our local co-op every couple of weeks. The guest teacher talks to the kids about real foods and healthy choices; she shares a recipe, and the kids get to make and eat a snack made with whole foods. I absolutely love that our messages about food are being re-affirmed in school.<br />
<br />
Today, the little guy bounced out of school, gripping this paper in his fingers. He could not <i>wait</i> to tell me: they made ambrosia!<br />
<br />
The guest teacher's topic today was long energy sweets and short energy sweets...foods that make you feel good for only a few minutes and foods that give you energy for the day. He compared the short energy sweets to our red foods. :) And then they made ambrosia. He read the recipe to me, and I assured him that we had all of the ingredients in our house. He explained that the pictures at the top were long energy treats: a pear, an apple, a banana, and a pea.<br />
<br />
When we came home, the kids immediately washed their hands and got out their kitchen stools. We talked about the fact that we were low on plain yogurt (Mommy uses it in her oatmeal each morning), so we were going to "break the recipe into three," as the little guy put it.<br />
<br />
Both kids put 1/2 cup plain yogurt into their bowls. We had a little incident when the little girl tried to add her "dashes" of cinnamon...the cinnamon dashed fairly explosively and I had to scrape a bunch of it out of her bowl. Then they both added a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of maple syrup. ("The grown-up has to pour it into the spoon because it's so sticky.")<br />
<br />
The kids brought their snack to the table, stirred vigorously, and gobbled up the entire bowlful. This is especially exciting because, along with cereal, flavored yogurts are a favorite that I have found impossible to get out of our house. I was shocked when I first read that flavored yogurts are one of the biggest unprocessed offenders, with lots of added sugar and ingredients that I certainly wouldn't have in my kitchen. I've tried adding homemade fruit jams, vanilla, and honey to plain yogurt, but to no success. Apparently when they make it themselves, it's somehow different...they loved it!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-83568853124823910042013-11-16T21:09:00.000-06:002013-11-16T21:09:33.699-06:00Meat pies with whole wheat pie crust<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/16/1345.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/16/s_1345.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you read Terry Pratchett? We love his Discworld series. We try to get one or two of his novels on audiobooks for our summer travels each year...we just love his dry sense of humor and all of the off-beat culture references.<br />
<br />
Anyway, one of his characters is a fairly unsavory fellow, and he pops up selling yucky meat pies in many of the books. Every time I make these pasties, my hubby calls them Dibbler's meat pies. These, of course, are way better. :)<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
As promised, I took our<a href="http://www.risingmoonfarm.com/"> leftover potroast</a>, and used it to make these pasties. (Hubby was thrilled to discover that after taking out the three cups needed for the pasties, there was still a lunch of meat leftover for him.)<br />
<br />
This is a <a href="http://cookscountry.com/">Cook's Country</a> recipe. It was published with their Joe Booker stew as a way to use up leftover stew. When I made the recipe several years ago, we thought the stew was okay, but the pasties were divine. Since then, I've made them with all sorts of similar left overs: stew, pot roast, brisket, etc. They're always amazing.<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/16/1347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/16/s_1347.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the biggest changes I've made since we began our <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/search/label/Unprocessed">unprocessed journey</a> is my attempt to eliminate white flour. So, knowing these pasties were on the menu, I went in search of whole wheat pie crust recipes. There weren't that many out there. I found two from <a href="http://bobsredmill.com/">Bob's Red Mill</a>, and eventually settled on<a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/476"> this one</a>. The other one was 100% whole wheat, and I just wasn't sure I was brave enough to try 100% my first time out.<br />
<br />
I had also read recently that you can substitute coconut oil (which is used a lot in unprocessed baking) in place of shortening in pastry recipes. I never buy shortening and usually just replace it with butter, but I have a big tub of coconut oil, and so I was happy to try it.<br />
<br />
The crust was easy to work with and absolutely delicious - flaky, buttery, a tiny bit sweet. You would never know that it had coconut oil in it, or that it was made with over 50% whole wheat flour.<br />
<br />
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/16/1346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/16/s_1346.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyway, dinner was amazing. Hubby said he would be willing to eat it every night of the week. Here's what I did:<br />
<br />
<b>Whole wheat pasties</b><br />
<i>pasties adapted from <a href="http://cookscountry.com/">Cook's Country</a>, pie crust adapted from <a href="http://bobsredmill.com/">Bob's Red Mill</a></i><br />
<br />
<u>for the pasties</u><br />
3 T unsalted butter<br />
1 onion, diced<br />
1/2 pound ground meat (we usually use pork, but only had turkey this time)<br />
1 tsp dried thyme<br />
1/4 tsp ground allspice<br />
3 cups leftover pot roast or stew (meat, veggies, broth)<br />
<br />
<u>for the crust</u><br />
1 c (4.5 oz) all-purpose flour<br />
1 1/2 c (6.75 oz) whole wheat pastry flour<br />
1 T sugar<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
7 T solid coconut oil<br />
12 T unsalted butter<br />
8 T ice water<br />
<br />
1. Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the onion and saute for a few minutes until softened. Add the meat and spices and cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Add the leftover pot roast or stew and cook until the liquid has evaporated, 5 - 10 minutes. Put the mixture in a medium bowl, mash it up, and set it aside to cool.<br />
<br />
2. For the crust, put the flours, sugar, and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until mixed. Add the coconut oil and pulse a few times. Then add the unsalted butter and pulse about 8 times, until the mix is coarse, but you can still see chunks of butter. Dump the mix into a medium sized bowl.<br />
<br />
3. Add the ice water, 2 tablespoons at a time, and press the dough together with a rubber spatula until the dough starts to hold together. You still want to have sandy parts falling off. Divide the dough into two equal portions, each on a piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to fold the dough over on itself several times until it holds together. Then wrap each piece up and put it in the fridge to chill.<br />
<br />
4. When ready to make the pasties, preheat the oven to 450, and put a silpat or a piece of parchment on a baking sheet.<br />
<br />
5. Roll out the dough and cut it into pieces twice as big as you want your pasties to be. I make different sizes: big ones for the hubby, medium ones for me, and little ones for my little ones. :) Put a large scoop of filling in the middle of the dough (again, the size of the scoop will depend on the size of the crust -- experiment). Then paint the edges of the dough with water, fold the dough over, and use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges. Cut a few vent holes on the top of each.<br />
<br />
6. Bake the pasties for 25 minutes. (You can also freeze the pasties on a tray before baking; wrap them in foil, and when you're ready to bake them, just take them out and throw them on a baking sheet. You may need to increase the baking time slightly.)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-32276592660592606102013-11-15T22:13:00.000-06:002013-11-15T22:13:00.320-06:00We have meat!I've mentioned a few times in my <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/search/label/Unprocessed">unprocessed posts</a> that one of our biggest challenges in our unprocessed journey has been meat. We are big meat eaters...hubby grew up in a Western Kansas meat-and-potatoes family, and while I wasn't always a big meat-eater, I have become more so in the past few years. (Starting when I was pregnant with my little guy and developed an absolute obsession with hamburgers...something I'd never really been fond of. Must've been low in iron, or something. Anyway, the obsession lasted throughout pregnancy, and never really went away.)<br />
<br />
So while I liked the idea of eating less meat, and eating more lean meat, and eating only free-range grass-fed organic meat...I couldn't really figure out how to manage it. For one, good meat is just so <i>expensive</i>. For another, I didn't really know where to find it. We'd pick up some whenever we went to the farmers market, but we don't go there every week. And our grocery stores don't have the best selection.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/15/1558.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/15/s_1558.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
In our first attempt at going unprocessed last April, I didn't meet our meat goal <i>at all</i>. This past October, we did better. I was able to find some organic free-range chickens at a couple of stores, and we hit the farmers market a couple of times. We still defaulted to grocery store meat sometimes, though.<br />
<br />
Well, how excited was I when I was contacted about getting a meat share from a<a href="http://www.risingmoonfarm.com/"> local farm</a>?! One of my mom's good friends was planning to split a share of meat with another coworker; when that coworker backed out, they were looking for someone to share with, and she asked my mom, "Would Abby be interested?" She sure would!<br />
<br />
We got our meat a couple of weeks ago. It took some rearranging in the freezer, but we were able to clear a shelf for our bounty: 13 pounds of ground beef, two roasts, six steaks, and one rack of ribs.<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/15/1559.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/15/s_1559.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
I defrosted the first roast this week and made my <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-beef-pot-roast-10000001536793/">favorite pot roast recipe</a>.<br />
<br />
I was a little nervous when after the two and a half hour cooking time, the meat was not fall-apart-tender. With the grocery store roasts, you usually just have to touch it with a fork and it falls to pieces. With this roast, I still needed to work to separate it into servings.<br />
<br />
I needn't have worried. I don't normally think of myself as having that discerning of a palate, but I just could. not. believe. the. difference. The meat was so incredibly tender...almost buttery...with the most delicious flavor. It was like a completely different food from the grocery store roasts. The little ones gobbled up their servings and asked for seconds: "Veggies, too?" "NO! Just meat!" I admit that the hubby and I had seconds, too. :)<br />
<br />
The leftovers are reserved for tomorrow night's dinner: pasties, and we are <i>so</i> looking forward to it. We'll be using our first package of the ground beef for dinner this week, so I'll report back on that.<br />
<br />
If you live in the area, I strongly recommend checking out <a href="http://www.risingmoonfarm.com/">Rising Moon Farms</a>. I have eye-witness reports that they have very happy cows, and we can attest as to the quality of their meat!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-81307310592160341642013-11-01T18:39:00.001-05:002013-11-01T18:39:24.665-05:00Ending October Unprocessed in styleWe fully intend to continue many of the habits formed in the last month: no cereal for the kids, minimal pop for the hubby, no candy for me (I made it through Halloween and the day after with no candy cravings!!). But we did miss going out to eat...and getting take-out from our favorite Chinese restaurant to celebrate November 1 has been our plan for quite a while. :-)<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/11/01/1863.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/11/01/s_1863.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-55707427129178846612013-10-31T21:08:00.001-05:002013-10-31T21:08:35.619-05:00Last night of October Unprocessed<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/31/2115.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/31/s_2115.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/31/2116.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/31/s_2116.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After a loooooong day at work and a quick trip to the grocery store, I came home to make Halloween dinner. We always like to fill our tummies with warm, healthy food before we go out to trick-or-treat.<br /><br />I pulled some beautiful chicken stock out of the crockpot, grabbed <a target="_blank" href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/10/crockpot-chicken-magic.html?m=1">yesterday's crockpot chicken</a> out of the fridge, mixed up some noodle dough, and made chicken noodle soup. Then chopped some apples and made some quick applesauce. Pulled out some <a target="_blank" href="">broccoli slaw</a> from a few nights ago. Unprocessed. Delicious.<br /><br />The kiddos made it through about two blocks before wanting to turn around and come home. They happily passed out tiny lollipops, then picked out a few pieces of candy to eat and set the rest out for the <a target="_blank" href="">Switch Witch</a>. Wonder what she'll bring!<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-70358270575050366572013-10-30T18:01:00.001-05:002013-10-30T18:01:12.263-05:00Crockpot chicken magic<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/30/1357.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/30/s_1357.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />It's amazing: in the morning, before we rush out of the house for work and school, I chop an onion coarsely and put it in the bottom of my crockpot. I throw in an organic, free range chicken, sprinkle it with pure salt, freshly ground pepper, and a little paprika. Put the lid on, set it on low for 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 hours (depending on the size of the chicken and when I expect to get home).<br /><br />When we get home, the house smells amazing. I pull out the chicken and strip off the meat: 4 or 6 cups of gorgeous meat for soups or pasta or.....<br /><br />I throw the scraps back in the crock, add in a carrot or two, a celery stalk, an onion, a couple of bay leaves, a bit of thyme (1/2 tsp maybe?), about a teaspoon of salt, some freshly ground pepper, and 8-12 cups of water. Set the crock back on low for 12 - 24 hours.<br /><br />The next day, I strain the whole thing and have 12 or more cups if amazing chicken stock.<br /><br />All this beautiful, healthy food for maybe 30 minutes of work spread out over two days. Magic.<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-2191147944336068842013-10-27T21:36:00.001-05:002013-10-27T21:36:39.510-05:00Unprocessed October: Productive weekend<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2459.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2459.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2011/09/spiced-cinnamon-roasted-almonds.html">Cinnamon-roasted almonds</a>, maple-almond-vanilla granola, whole wheat butterscotch blondies (<a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/crazy-blonde-brownies-recipe">this recipe</a> with all white whole wheat flour, the lesser amount of sugar, and only a cup of chips), homemade chocolate sauce (based off of <a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/08/25/chocolate-syrup/">this recipe</a>), <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2011/02/toast-bread-mellow-bakers-february.html">toast bread</a> (made with white whole wheat flour), and whole wheat <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/beautiful-burger-buns-recipe">hot dog buns</a> for a backyard pretend camp-out. (The almonds and blondies were for a house-warming gifts...not that we didn't enjoy the leftovers. :-) And I added a jar of granola to the gift, too.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2460.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2460.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gave <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/10/25/recipe-whole-wheat-carrot-applesauce-muffins/">these applesauce-carrot whole wheat muffins</a> a try. And discovered a bonus of my new Vitamix. The recipe called for unsweetened applesauce; I cored a large apple, cut it into a few chunks, and pureed it. Then I needed grated carrots, so I peeled a couple, cut them into chunks, and ran the blender on a lower speed. Sweet!</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2461.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2461.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally got the little guy his own <a href="http://planetbox.com/">Planetbox</a>, and we debuted it at the zoo today. The Planetboxes make packing lunches so much fun, and they make eating so much fun, too. The kids love opening them up and evaluating each compartment. Normally I don't get to see their response to their lunches (of course, since they're at school), so it was neat for me to get to see what they choose to eat first and how they go about tackling their lunches.</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2462.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2462.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His: whole wheat pumpkin muffin (from the freezer), apple slices, pickle, pb & j on whole wheat toast bread, and a tiny piece of blondie bar</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/27/2463.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/27/s_2463.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hers: pistachios, cashews, apples and peanut butter, pickle, almond crackers, and a tiny piece of blondie bar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I posted this on the wonderfully supportive Unprocessed October 2013 Facebook group, about an unprocessed parenting win this weekend: <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I have been trying to be moderate in my expectations for my little ones (ages 5 & 6) following October Unprocessed. All of their packed lunches and dinners at home are unprocessed, but when grandparents give them a store-bought cookie or muffin or something, I haven't been freaking out. We talk a lot about food, but I don't want to be so hard core that they rebel whenever possible. I was rewarded today when we went to the zoo and they each received a package of fun-sized skittles. They were so excited! And then after eating a few, they decided they were done and threw away the rest. :-)</span></div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-56079981426271303002013-10-25T08:56:00.003-05:002013-10-25T08:59:50.470-05:00Happy Food Day, 2013<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/432.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_432.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>One of my favorite recent meals: turkey chili (made with dried beans), whole wheat skillet cornbread with corn kernels and served with local raw honey, broccoli slaw, green salad, and apple slices from the orchard.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So here's a funny little story for you.<br />
<br />
On Wednesday, I had an absolutely horrible day. It started with a 20 minute temper tantrum from the little girl as we were trying to get out of the house (because she lost the race to see who could put on their shoes first). And my day at work made the temper tantrum seem fun.<br />
<br />
By the time I got home, I told the hubby, "If ever there was a day for cheating on <a href="http://www.eatingrules.com/october-unprocessed-2013/">October Unprocessed</a>, it would be today. I just want to go out to eat and have someone else make dinner and clean up." Hubby readily agreed. "Buuuuut," I continued, "today is national <a href="http://www.foodday.org/">Food Day</a>, and it is THE day to celebrate real food with a homemade meal. So I need to make dinner."<br />
<br />
Hubby said, "Seriously, what is more important: your mental health or some made-up holiday that takes place on an arbitrary day?"<br />
<br />
"Food Day, of course," I answered, and proceeded to get out all of the ingredients to make our Food Day soup: butternut squash, corn, carrots, kale, quinoa, homemade chicken broth, organic cage-free chicken (original recipe from <a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-kale-quinoa-soup-50400000130450/">Cooking Light</a>). I didn't have the energy to make any fancy sides, but we had fresh fruit, crackers and cheese that pass the kitchen test, and organic yogurt. I was surprised by how delicious the soup was; even the picky little ones loved it. Yay me!<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/433.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_433.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
At bedtime, the little girl asked me what day it was. "Thursday, October 24," I answered. "No it's not," my hubby broke in; "it's October 23rd."<br />
<br />
Whaaaaaaaat?!? But Food Day is October 24th!!! Argh...I banged my head against my daughter's bed until finally she said, "Don't worry, Mom; in my imaginary land, Food Day is October 23rd."<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/25/434.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/25/s_434.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<br />
So for the <i>real</i> <a href="http://www.foodday.org/">Food Day</a>, I didn't have any fresh veggies or local foods. But we did enjoy a homemade unprocessed dinner: whole wheat pancakes with frozen fruit, grapes and apples, cage-free organic scrambled eggs, <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/08/super-easy-recipe-whole-wheat-biscuits/">whole wheat biscuits</a>, and sausage gravy. Not quite as impressive, but equally delicious.<br />
<br />
And still, a homemade, unprocessed meal, cooked with love and eaten around our family table...and that's what celebrating real food is really all about, isn't it?Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-89778260878960020022013-10-19T15:36:00.001-05:002013-10-19T15:36:54.620-05:00Unprocessed October party (and a new project)<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/19/1239.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/19/s_1239.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The little girl greeted our halfway mark through October with, "I HATE unprocessed month!!"<br /><br />It's easy to see why when you think about what unprocessed month means to the kiddos. Our dinners are basically unprocessed anyway, so there aren't a lot of changes there, at least not ones they notice. And they don't really notice the lack of unprocessed treats in their lunches (Annie's bunnies or a Simply Fruit fruit stick) because they appeared so rarely.<br /><br />What unprocessed means to them is: no Oatmeal Squares for snacks (I'm doing pretty well managing the no cereal rule this time!), no going out for pizza or Chinese once a week, no stopping at the local frozen yogurt shop, and no special candy treats when Mommy is around (although the various grandparents have indulged a couple of times, and I didn't say no when they were given tootsie pops at the homecoming parade).<br /><br />We had a talk about how this month didn't really mean that you couldn't have *any* treats -- it just means that we think a little more about the kinds of foods we choose to put in our bodies -- and really, that's not a bad thing, is it?<br /><br />For myself, I'm being strict, trying not to "cheat" my own rules at all, but I don't want to micromanage the kids to the point where all they want is processed foods or to where they hate talking about food choices. And I'm not harassing hubby when he chooses to order a pizza when I'm not home or sneak a pop during parent/teacher conferences. Everyone has to make this work for him/herself.<br /><br />Nevertheless, I decided we needed an unprocessed party today, so I made a cake: I used <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/the-omega-3-of-all-chocolate-cakes-recipe">this recipe</a> from KAF, but subbed in whole wheat pastry flour for the all-purpose. At some point, I'd like to try honey or maple syrup in my cake, but today, I just went with white. It was a party after all. I made a simple vanilla bean ice cream, opting not to use my normal recipe which calls for both cream cheese and corn syrup.<br /><br />The cake also assisted me with my new baking goal -- at this point, I can comfortably follow a recipe to make just about any bread, cake, pie, cookie, pastry, etc. (Not that I'm an expert or anything, but I don't feel like I have soooo much to learn anymore.) But my cakes and cupcakes never *look* good. So I bought myself a little starter decorating set (I had been using an old one of my dad's with very little success), and have decided to work on decorating. So this cake fit multiple bills.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/19/1240.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/19/s_1240.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />The little girl declared, "That looks magnificent, Mommy! This is the best unprocessed party ever!"<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/19/1241.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/19/s_1241.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-69776898495109557442013-10-06T17:40:00.000-05:002013-10-06T17:40:17.904-05:00Unprocessed October: Week one mealsWell, we've just about survived week one of <a href="http://www.eatingrules.com/october-unprocessed-2013/">October Unprocessed</a>. I survived dinner at conferences (brought cheese and crackers that passed the<a href="http://www.eatingrules.com/2013/09/the-kitchen-test/"> kitchen test</a>, and ate the family's stew when I got home), survived my first debate dinner (brought plain yogurt and homemade granola, an apple, and peanut butter), we survived a play intermission (brought our own snacks: fruit sticks and smoothie pouch that passed the kitchen test), and resisted a very tempting restaurant dinner invitation. Here's what we managed to eat during this busier-than-usual week:<br />
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1864.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1864.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her: leftover <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/whole-wheat-waffles-recipe">whole wheat waffle</a>, maple syrup, pistachios, apple slices, banana-chocolate-pb-<a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-miracle-ingredient-and-joannas.html">kefir smoothie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Him: leftover <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/whole-wheat-waffles-recipe">whole wheat waffle</a>, apple slices, homemade blueberry syrup,fruit-yogurt-<a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-miracle-ingredient-and-joannas.html">kefir smoothie</a></div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1865.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1865.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Same thing</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1866.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1866.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her: pistachios,<a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins-recipe"> whole wheat banana chocolate chip muffin</a> (without the added flavor, cinnamon chips, or walnuts; using all white whole wheat flour), apple slices, turkey roll-ups, banana-chocolate-pb-kefir smoothie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Him: <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/apple-muffins-recipe">whole wheat apple muffin</a> (using all white whole wheat flour), apple slices, turkey roll-ups, fruit-yogurt-kefir smoothie</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1867.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1867.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her: banana-pb-chocolate-kefir smoothie, turkey roll-ups, energy bite (dates, chocolate chips, peanut butter, oats, and a little honey), apple slices, whole wheat banana chocolate chip muffin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Him: fruit-yogurt-kefir smoothie, whole wheat apple muffin, apple slices, turkey roll-ups</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hubby and I took leftovers from dinner for our lunches each day, along with a kefir smoothie and a piece of fruit. I didn't get a picture of Thursday's dinner because the kids ate early with Nana and hubby and I ate as we walked in the door from conferences; I made beef stew from ATK's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cooker-Revolution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1933615699/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381098969&sr=8-1&keywords=america%27s+test+kitchen+slow+cooker">slow cooker cookbook</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1863.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.traceysculinaryadventures.com/2013/08/cilantro-lime-chicken-with-avocado-salsa.html">Cilantro-lime grilled chicken</a>, <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/food/everyday-menus/quick-easy-chicken-recipes-00400000057014/page37.html">mini bell peppers with cilantro-lime-sour-cream filling</a>, <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2009/05/broccoli-slaw/">broccoli slaw</a> from the new SK cookbook</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1868.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1868.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grilled chicken, veggie hobo packets (potatoes, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper), pear slices</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1869.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1869.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homemade whole wheat fettuccini with broccoli, leftover grilled chicken, and mushrooms in a homemade alfredo sauce</div>
<br />
<center>
<a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/10/06/1870.jpg"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/10/06/s_1870.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Homemade <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicken-stock-chicken-noodle-soup.html">chicken noodle soup with whole wheat noodles</a>, grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Laurels-Kitchen-Bread-Book/dp/0812969677"> whole wheat bread</a>, apple slices, and organic yogurt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-25588913431989485472013-10-01T07:27:00.001-05:002013-10-01T07:28:20.771-05:00Unprocessed October: Challenge accepted!Well, I’ve decided to bite the bullet: I signed up to participate in the real <a href="http://www.eatingrules.com/october-unprocessed-2013/">October Unprocessed challenge</a>, even though it’s such a hectic time of year for us (debate practice on Mondays and Thursdays, debate tournaments most weekends, soccer on Monday, dance on Tuesdays, meetings before and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I’m still in physical therapy once a week for my never-ending knee injury).<br />
<br />
Looking back on our <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/04/unprocessed-setting-goals.html">first attempt at an unprocessed month in April</a>, it was fun to see how many things have just become a way of life for us; but there are definitely things we need to work on or go back to.<br />
<br />
<b>New ways of life since April:</b><br />
<br />
1. Fresh noodles have become a way of life for us; we haven’t used store-bought spaghetti or fettucini in months.<br />
<br />
2. I’ve been cooking batches of dried beans and keeping them in mason jars in the basement freezer, so we also haven’t used canned beans in months. Of course, we don’t use that many beans in the summer months, so this will be more challenging as we move into soup and chili season.<br />
<br />
3. Desserts: Hubby and I used to have dessert every night after the kids went to bed. During our unprocessed April, we drifted out of the habit, and we’ve actually never returned. We’ll occasionally have a small dish of ice cream or a cookie, but it is not frequent. And the kids used to have popsicles every night after dinner, but now it’s pretty rare.<br />
<br />
4. We have used the farmers market more than ever, and I’ve continued to look for organic fruits and veggies, and grass-fed / cage free / organic meats.<br />
<br />
<b>Unprocessed October goals:</b><br />
<br />
1. Return to <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-journey-to-whole-wheat.html">100% whole wheat</a>: We’re still using mostly whole wheat (100% in our noodles and most breads), but I’ve gone back to using some white flour (although I usually sub in ½ white whole wheat) in dessert recipes.<br />
<br />
2. Demon foods: Recommit to skipping our demon foods: candy and chips for me, pop and chips for hubby, and hubby also wants to change the sides he orders at restaurants, if we do go out (choosing salads rather than fries or tots).<br />
<br />
3. Snacks: I need to go back to making <a href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-biggest-unprocessed-challenge-snack.html">snacks</a>, crackers, etc. I haven’t done much of that since we stopped the last challenge.<br />
<br />
4. Eating out: We need to cut back on eating out / getting take-out again. We don’t go out often, never more than twice a week and usually not more than once a week, but we have taken to relying on take-out on stressful Tuesdays when I’m with the little girl at dance class until 7:00.<br />
<br />
5. Canned foods: Be sure we’re avoiding canned veggies, beans, tomatoes, especially as we move into soup/chili season.<br />
<br />
6. Cereal: One thing I realized last time was how bad cereals are; I would love to eliminate cereals from my kids’ diets. They are eating much less these days; it would be great to cut it out altogether.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
7. Meat: Now that we’ve begun buying many more organic, grass-fed, cage-free, local, farmers market meats, I’m ready to commit to buying only these for the month. This will probably be our biggest change and challenge.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
8. Lunches, my biggest challenge: I’m now making four lunches a day. Eek! I have to keep up with my freezer supplies, especially for emergency lunch situations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
9. Debate tournament dinners: Debate tournaments are notorious for dinners of bad pizza; I'm going to have to plan ahead to bring myself something unprocessed, in the midst of an already busy time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Deliberate exceptions:</b><br />
<br />
1. Last time, I did try making my own mayo and dressings. I wasn’t super excited by the results, so I’m going to continue to buy the most simple ketchup, mayo, mustard that I can find – making sure that ingredient lists are the same as when I make it myself.<br />
<br />
2. I do use chocolate chips for special cookies or treats, but I recently found ones that fit the kitchen test. I would like to try making my own <a href="http://www.eatingrules.com/2012/10/how-to-make-chocolate/">chocolate</a>, just for fun, following this neat tutorial/recipe, via Eating Rules.<br />
<br />
3. I'm not ready to completely eliminate white and brown sugars, but I'd like to get back to unprocessed sugars: maple syrup and honey, especially in our desserts.<br />
<br />
So...let's see how it goes! Wish us luck! :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-16161434131285166612013-09-13T18:07:00.001-05:002013-09-13T18:12:29.294-05:00First week of school lunchesNot super impressive, but it's a start, and hey, we made it through the first week! :-)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/13/1445.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/13/s_1445.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Him: mixed berry-kefir smoothie, turkey roll ups, whole wheat blue berry muffin, fresh picked strawberries<br /><br />Her: whole wheat chocolate chip muffin, turkey roll ups, pistachios, avocado<br /><br />Leftover: avocado<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/13/1446.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/13/s_1446.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Her: ww chocolate chip muffin, apple-pb sandwich, strawberries and a raspberry, pistachios<br /><br />Him: mixed berry-kefir smoothie, apple-pb sandwich, ww blueberry muffin, strawberries<br /><br />Leftover: her apple-pb sandwich (which she ate as an after-school snack) and a strawberry<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/13/1447.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/13/s_1447.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Her: turkey roll ups, pistachios, strawberries, leftover chocolate chip pancakes<br /><br />Him: mixed-berry-kefir smoothie, strawberries, leftover blueberry pancakes, apple-pb sandwich<br /><br />Leftover: her berries<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/13/1448.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/13/s_1448.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Her: turkey roll ups, grapes and strawberries, ww chocolate chip muffin (from freezer), almond crackers, pistachios<br /><br />Him: mixed berry-kefir smoothie, turkey roll ups, ww blueberry muffin (from freezer), strawberries<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/13/1449.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/13/s_1449.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Her: almond crackers, apple slices, pistachios, homemade uncrustable (from freezer)<br /><br />Him: ww blueberry muffin (from freezer), homemade uncrustable (from freezer), apple slices, mixed berry-kefir smoothie<br /><br />Leftover: two of her apple slices<br /><br /><i>Note: The repeating smoothies and pistachios are requirements for each kid...not lack of creativity from me. ;-) And the little girl is very fruit-resistant, thus the almost daily fruit leftovers. Still, we keep trying! One thing I really like about our lunch system is that the kids return everything to their lunch bags/boxes so I can see what they ate each day. It took the little guy about half the year last year to figure out how to eat in their short lunch period, but now he finishes everything almost every day...especially because they don't have snack time in first grade.</i><br /><br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5159897048279209432.post-14726619740650117202013-09-07T17:15:00.001-05:002013-09-07T17:15:59.856-05:00100% whole wheat lunches!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=13/09/07/1465.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/13/09/07/s_1465.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />On Monday, I begin making <i>four</i> school lunches each morning because <i>somehow</i> (don't ask me how), my little one heads off to kindergarten this week.<br /><br />I think the biggest change is going to be preparation... I can occasionally fly by the seat of my pants when making lunch for hubby and myself... And I was able to punt with the little guy's lunch a couple of times last year. But she doesn't eat the pre-prepared organic snacks (jammy sammies, smoothie pouches, applesauce pouches) that I used as emergency back-ups for him. And they prefer such different foods. And then I have to take into account time: I need to put in easy-to-eat foods that they can get through in their super short lunch period. And the little guy is much hungrier these days.<br /><br />Anyway, I need to prepare. Today, I spent four hours of the afternoon making some 100% whole wheat lunch box goodies: <a target="_blank" href="http://mixitbakeit.blogspot.com/2011/02/toast-bread-mellow-bakers-february.html?m=1">Hamelman's toast bread</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/100-whole-wheat-blueberry-muffins-recipe">KAF's whole wheat blueberry muffins</a> (for him), <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/white-whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-muffins-recipe">KAF's whole wheat chocolate chip muffins</a> (for her, made with a little less sugar and less than half of the called-for chocolate chips), and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/soft-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe">KAF's whole wheat chocolate chip cookies</a> (for all of us, made with half the called-for chips, in tablespoon sized for this weekend and teaspoon sized for lunches).<br /><br />I've started making a lunch schedule, too, which hangs next to our weekly dinner plan. Wish me luck!<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14817529459097888374noreply@blogger.com2