Wednesday, June 5, 2019

DIY Serving Boards 2: Serving Up A Message

I had some more fun customizing my bamboo cutting boards.  I am happy with these results as well.  If you may recall from my first installment Hearts and Crafts: DIY Serving Boards, I created the design using a six pack ring.  This was a wonderful project to share with my youngest, Bronwyn.  I was actually having so much fun with it, It didn't feel like work at all.  Completion took about 1/2 hour, give or take and I was sad to reach the end.  I was satisfied with the overall design, which I made up as I went along, but most of all, the message.  Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.
There is a little something we all can do to reduce our imprint on the Earth, from reusing sour cream or other plastic containers as disposable storage vessels, to refilling your used water bottles with suitable drinking from the store bought gallon or water from home.  We have well water that extends down about 330 feet underground and I think it's better than any bottled water I've had to date! There's nothing wrong with picking up trash that isn't your own along the roadside, it makes your area more beautiful.  Separating plastics and metals etc. at home is awesome.  Composting, if you have the space and/or a garden, is great too.  Remember every bit counts.  The next time you serve up some delicious sandwiches, cheese and crackers or charcuterie, serve it with a message; one of hope, preserving our future and extending our relationship with Mother Earth, Bon Appetit!

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Wholesome Banana Sour Cream Loaves

 Looking for a delicious and nutrient dense recipe including one of the most popular and abundant fruits around, these loaves are sure to please. This moist and handy loaf/loaves can be served for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner.
Packed with protein and bursting with banana flavor, your family from toddlers to tweens and adults can enjoy homemade goodness on the go.  I gave individually wrapped loaves to my a couple of my sisters/spouses for an objective critique of my recipe, and they approved.

There is flax meal and organic coconut flour used in place of an abundance of AP flour.  Pure cane sugar is also used instead of regular granulated sugar.  Since writing this recipe, I have switched completely to pure cane sugar for all my baking needs, with no disappointments! 
The key to this recipe is having bananas that are SUPER ripe!  I had a surplus of bananas on hand that I'd frozen, so once thawed, they were at a banana-y peak! Yeah, I made that word up lol.  In summary, the more ripe, the better flavor, for the best loaves! This a great recipe for bake ahead and freezing.
Recipe:
1 1/2 c. unbleached AP flour
1 c. organic flax meal
1/2 c. organic coconut flour
5 tsp. double acting baking powder
1 1/2 c. very ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 c. pure cane sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. evaporated milk 
1/3 c. canola oil
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350*F.  Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.  Combine wet ingredients in a larger bowl.
Gradually add dry mix into wet ingredients, stirring just until each round is moist.
Use a rubber spatula to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl, making sure it's well incorporated.
Divide evenly among pans, filling about 1/2 inch from the top.
Bake until golden and toothpick inserted comes out clean, about 20 minutes for individual sized loaf pans, closer to 40 minutes for regular sized loaf pans, depending on oven.






Monday, June 3, 2019

No Bake Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake and My Twilight Muse


This year, I thought it was time to physically revamp my herb garden and revamp I did.  I initially wanted a spiral garden, like the one I saw in a magazine 2 summers ago, but lost track of the article!  Needless to say, better late than never!  I built my new garden around my gorgeous rosemary bush, which stands about 3 feet tall and looks amazing.  Rosemary has elevated many a meal from beef to chicken and pork, even squirrel ( I prefer the French word Ecureuil) Ecureuil in Confit I have the same bush as when I wrote that recipe.  She is an Allstar!
This time around, Sage is doing so well.  In the beginning, I had a surplus of oregano and parsley, that returned happily year after year.  The parsley had run it's course and the oregano had bid adieu.  I was gifted some oregano from a portion I'd gifted to my sister Gayle, but I had to buy new parsley seeds, no problem.  I also have more chives, basil, cilantro, Chocolate and regular Mint.  I once had a bright and beautiful Borage plant, with its vibrant purple, white and pink edible flowers, she flew the coop years ago as well.  I'm growing some micro greens and sweet salad greens in the back garden spot, along with some colorful carrots.  I have yet to plant my Rainbow Chard, gotta get on the ball!
I replaced Borage with other edible flowers this time like Marigolds and Nasturtiums, also some "Cheese and Wine" Verbenas. I threw in some Red Russian Kale for adornment and fast greens for salads and sautes and a couple of plants from my compost garden.
I love those (now big) little guys because they grew from what we could not use of veggies past.  Now, they are thriving alongside the other garden goodies and will provide us with its fruits of labor once again.  These plants have come full circle, that's an example of the perfect produce scenario. I am tickled.  I placed some heirloom tomatoes (Purple Cherokee and Giant Pink Belgian ) along the outer wall of my herb garden and also a cucumber plant for dexterity and ready to go salad ingredients.
We have a larger garden where all our other produce is growing, providing some exercise and much  needed therapy in an ever increasingly stressful world.
 My herb garden has become my new Sanctuary, my serenity, my rock of solace.  I embellished her with solar lights, as I may see her when I am seeking refuge in the twilight hours.  She is like a lighthouse beacon, showing me the way, beckoning me to come close, smell the fragrant bounty, entertain her with accolades of how lush and fertile she is.

I have renewed vigor with my latest herb garden design, and not a moment too soon.  Summer for my tween and teen is here, cousins will follow....the "there's nothing to do" and "It's Hot" and "I hate Mosquitoes" will become the summer anthem.  "I'm hungry" will be their calling card, but I wouldn't  trade it for the world.  They are my little herbs too, only not so little anymore...   I have fairy figurines representing my little gems among the greenery.  My fairies even have a wishing well, a bird bath with bedazzled 'water' and a flower laden Trellis for their enjoyment.  I will probably come confessing to my twilight muse, that is this new exciting place, more often than not.
Hello Summer Break, Let the games begin!

Recipe:
2 pkg. Softened Cream Cheese
1 c. Confectioner's sugar or to taste
4 oz. Sour cream
8 oz. whipped topping or whipped cream
1 tbs. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp. Pure vanilla extract
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
1- 9 inch Graham Cracker Crust
Combine cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, lemon,  zest and spices in stand mixer, whipping until light and fluffy.
Add whipped topping and continue whipping until incorporated.
Pour into crust and smooth evenly.
 Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
Serves 8.
Serve with cherry or favorite topping.
Feel free to make lighter substitutions/combinations as desired.

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Go Nuts for Bronuts: Easiest Cinnamon Maple Bacon Pull Apart Donuts


This recipe idea came to me one evening while watching a television show, that I admittedly skipped while flipping channels at one time, but grew to love once I gave it a shot, Two Broke Girls. Once the idea hit, I set out with my trusty assistant and youngest, Bronwyn and we hit the lab!
This is a quick and easy recipe with major gratitude and flavor points.  The kids and I loved them and they are sure to be a requested favorite with your brood too.  These are donuts you can make and eat with your homies...Bronuts!
My favorite part about these puppies is that we used jumbo refrigerator biscuits and other on hand ingredients to achieve what's pictured above. There are several steps that can be spread amongst your help, so everyone can feel included, thus making this treat extra special and even more delicious!
I make slits to the center around the circumference of each biscuit, creating a pull apart donut effect, which was another perk to this simply fantastic sweet and savory treat!
I used a donut machine to bake these donuts, but you can make a hole and deep fry or bake them, the choice is yours.

Recipe:
1 can Jumbo Butter Biscuits, 8
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp. milk
1 tbsp. Cinnamon infused Maple Syrup
1 tsp. brown sugar
2 oz. cooked bacon crumbles
Directions:
Cook/Bake donuts according to desired cooking medium.  I used my fingers to make a small hole to fit onto donut machine. If you fry them, be sure to drain well on paper towels before attempting to glaze.
Meanwhile, combine cream cheese, milk, brown sugar and Maple syrup in a small bowl, until the cream cheese is the consistency of a nice thick, but spreadable glaze.
Dip donuts into glaze and garnish each donut with bacon crumbles, optional.
Makes 8 delicious biscuit donuts!


"BETTERTHANEVERIANS" Whole Roasted Cauliflower

 Bettertarians Movement 
A CONSCIOUS DECISION TO CHOOSE, EAT AND LIVE BETTER, FOR A BETTER LIFE
AND ULTIMATELY BETTER HEALTH, BY MAKING MICRO ADJUSTMENTS IN ALL AREAS THAT APPLY.  GOOD CHOICES LEAD TO BETTER LIVING, SO WE CAN ACHIEVE OUR BEST HEALTH:  PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.

Finally a 'label' that truly fits more of us than not; a chance to get the credit you deserve for the little things, that over time, can have big and lasting benefits.  Some examples include sometimes choosing wheat over white, organic over gmo, nut milks over animal milks, baked over fried, reading the labels instead of ignoring them, choosing an ingredient with no added sugars, being aware of sodium content, water over regular soda, a petite cut of steak over a monstrosity, a blended burger instead of a full meat burger, green tea instead of coffee...the list goes on and on.  
Other times it can be as simple as adding a "superfood" like matcha powder, maca powder, spirulina, acai, acacia, turmeric, flax and chia seeds, tree nuts, ancient grains, raw honey, quinoa, mushrooms, flax meal etc...in with your dishes to give it an extra burst of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants our body human needs.  
Further still, bettertarianism includes taking time to meditate or silently reflect, stretching, incorporating weights into workouts, choosing red wine over beer, one less alcohol drink at a social gathering, drinking more water, one less slice of pizza, researching alternatives to smoking, getting a little more needed rest at night.  All of these are examples of being a Bettertarian.  Singularly, they may seem miniscule, but baby steps are steps, nonetheless! You can be proud. I see you!
Educating ourselves about the foods we consume is partly our responsibility as consumers, to look beyond what we are told about products to reach our own legitimate conclusions.
We all have the capacity to improve ourselves, but no two methods are the same.
Once we have decided to "do better", we have taken the biggest step.
Believe in yourself.  Believe in Better. 
Good Choices, Better Living, Best Health.
Bettertarians become "Betterthaneverians"!

Recipe:
1 whole head cauliflower, excess leaves removed
Tuscan Herb Seasoning
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Seasoned Rice Vinegar, Optional
Shaved Parmesan Cheese
SPST(Salt and Pepper to Suit Taste)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400*F.
Par Boil whole cauliflower in salted water for 15 minutes.
Remove from water and Drain.
Place in oven safe cooking vessel and drizzle liberally with Olive Oil.
Add herb blend as desired and SPST.
Open Roast for about 30 minutes or until tender throughout.
Add Shaved Parmesan during the last 5 minutes of roasting.





Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Unicorn Sushi, Poop and Other Tween News

Being the mother of tween girls is its own reward.  From a family with 8 females, me being the 7th, I may know a thing or two about being a girl! Anywho, my girls have pretty firm likes and dislikes, from clothing to foods, colors to animals, dances to hobbies, which I try to appease, within reason of course.  My youngest told me at the beginning of the school year that her theme was "Unicorns and Doughnuts". I figured,Well heck, I like those things too, plus I had already purchased items for her and myself along those lines anyway; stickers, throw blankets and pillows (we all love them), notebooks, shirts, pajamas, you name it!
Being a fan of the whole Unicorn movement, I set out to create something with the same theme and quite by accident.
 I was showing a friend of the family how to make homemade ice cream, whipped cream and butter, (some of the things you can create with a carton of heavy cream) partly to share what I know with another and partly because her young daughter was getting a bit restless.  I wanted to take her mind away from her malaise at hand and also give her something that she could physically do/enjoy then and there, but also later with her mom at their home.  They may in turn share it with others they know and so on... the circle of knowledge being completed.
I showed the pair how to make homemade vanilla ice-cream  using a zip type bag, the ingredients and some ice/ ice cream salt.  They were amazed and eager to engage.  Together they made enough for a hearty sample, and some remained in the bag, which I pushed to the bottom and across to make a sort of log.  I placed it in the freezer.  A couple days later, it hit me, when I was folding down a bag of Fruity Pebbles,  and just like that, the idea began to grow.
Recipe:
Vanilla Ice cream,
 Frozen into about 1 1/2 inch diameter logs, approx. the length of a qt. sized zip type bag
Fruity Pebbles
Frozen Mango,
cut into small cubes
Directions:
Lightly moisten rolls w/ a few drops of liquid, preferably milk.
Roll in Fruity Pebbles , pressing lightly, but firmly.
Wrap logs in plastic wrap and place back in freezer for at least 1 hour.
Slice 'Sushi' roll into pieces with a moistened knife and press a piece of mango on each side or the sides facing up, it looks like Salmon!
Serve on chilled plates with chopsticks, if desired.
The dipping 'Poo' may be made with whipped cream, folded with softened cream cheese and confectionery sugar to taste. Add food coloring for more dramatic effect.
Garnish with colored sugars.
SERVE IMMEDIATELY or place on plastic wrap covered sheet pan and return to freezer immediately.

Friday, April 12, 2019

Hearts and Crafts: DIY Serving Boards

I recently purchased some bamboo cutting boards for the kitchen.  I wanted to 'trick it out' a bit to give it more personality and eye appeal.  I thought it would be cool to add some stencil work, but couldn't find anything suitable in the particular store I was in at the time.
When I arrived home, I decided to test out my idea by flipping the board over and practicing my design and testing the furniture markers I had purchased for the project.  I started with some freehand diamond shapes, because the tape I purchased to create the design, wasn't the proper tape and would not even remotely stay in place!  It was putting a damper on my creativity, but I kept on going.

My assistant, Aaron,  also aware of my current endeavor, came in with a brilliant idea, using a six pack ring as a stencil, with the positive and negative spaces seeming ideal for a contemporary and unique style. To my pleasant surprise, the design came out well.  I used coconut oil to finish the serving board after allowing it to sit. I have since set out on a search for even more "stencils" to adorn the flip sides of  my cutting boards.

I allowed the design to set for over 24 hours.  I also wiped the board with hot soapy water on a cloth and wiped dry.  I plan to do more serving and displays from this side more than anything.  I was concerned about possible transfer of substances, but after a bit of research, I decided it was safe enough considering the wood is actually stained and there was no further bleeding or wipe off.  Besides, I wouldn't want to damage the artwork.  I'm sure my next one will be even better. The imperfections of my first finished board add to its custom, hands-on flare.  These make wonderful personalized gifts too!

With Mother's Day coming up, this idea is a sure bet.  My sister Linda wants one and I can't wait to come up with her something that she will love.  I have 6 more sisters, so I may just opt for a series of smaller ones, that all fit the same motif, almost like a puzzle, with each one of them having a piece. Fitting, because all of my sisters and my two remaining brothers have a piece of my heart, and we are all a part of the big picture, created by 2 masterful artists; Mom and Dad, Douglas and Laura. My Dad is now my Guardian Angel and my Mom is my angel in this world, almost 80 years strong, my muse and my friend...an integral part of my heart and the reason it beats.


My personally customized boards shown with the Earlywood ™ Trifecta. I gifted these to myself for Xmas.