Cooking from scratch: healthier, cheaper, and a great creative outlet
We could never eat everything I bake. So I bake for friends as gifts, as thank you's, and just because. Also because neither my husband or I should be eating much sugar or white flour (though I often do cook with white whole wheat or spelt flour instead). I like giving away food so someone … Continue reading A Gift of Apple Pandowdy
Holiday's are for baking! Here's a quick bread I often make around the holidays for gifts. I buy extra cranberries every year and freeze them so I can make it any time I want! Cranberry Nutbread Delicious with a hot cup of coffee 1 stick stick butter or margarine1 1/2 c sugar1 T vinegar1 egg1 … Continue reading Baking Holiday Bread – Cranberry Nut Quick Bread
I don't know about you, but I collect recipes. From magazines. From cookbooks. On line. Anyplace I find something that sounds good I either print it out, rip it out, or more likely now, scan it and save in a computer file. I had 4 4" notebooks at one point, and decided it took up … Continue reading Two great ways to Meal Plan & try all those recipes collected
I just recently bought some silicone baking cup liners. Not only do they come in such happy colors, but like any other silicone product - think silicone baking mats - they work! I know, they've been around quite a while now, but I had never used them. I usually use paper cupcake liners. I find some … Continue reading You must try silicone baking cups!
Buying dried beans in bulk is usually a whole lot cheaper than a single 15 ounce can. At the local big box store I can get 4 pound bags of a few varieties of dried beans and lentils. The only problem I have is that when I decide to make something, I have to cook … Continue reading How to keep Dried Beans Ready to Use
Who doesn't love a comfort food like mac and cheese, especially now that the autumn weather is really setting in. My mac and cheese has some smoked cheese and bacon to add a lovely depth of flavor. I love about any smoked food anyway. Fox Pines Ultimate Mac and Cheese ½ c butter ½ … Continue reading Fox Pines Ultimate Mac and Cheese
I have a meat spice rub that I use almost exclusively. It's such favorite that I use it on anything - beef, pork, chicken, even fish, especially salmon. I love it most on a prime rib roast. And it smells just heavenly! Fox Pines Sweet Spice Rub Makes 1.25 cup ¼ c sweet or smoked … Continue reading Fox Pines Sweet & Spice meat Rub
Things to make with left over rice - isn't there always left over white rice from a Chinese take out, or you made a big batch on the weekend, intending to use it throughout the week? Since my goal is to use all left overs, here are some ideas I have come up with. Although … Continue reading A Dozen Ways to Use Leftover Rice
Today is damp and heavy rain and high winds predicted for later this afternoon. time for another comfort food that just makes me feel warm inside. Custard is one of those old fashioned desserts that people seldom seem make anymore. I mean, when was the last time you saw custard on a restaurant menu (other … Continue reading Another Fall Comfort food – Baked Custard
Autumn is perfect soup weather. The hot and humid summer days have fallen off to cool nights and breezy , sunny, but cooler, days. Colored leaves are swirling to the ground. Just cold enough so I need something to take the chill off when I come inside. Soups, stew and other comfort foods just fit … Continue reading It’s Autumn – Time for White Bean Soup!