today I am making pumpkin butter. This is take 2. We made it the other night, but the kids didn't hear me when I asked them to turn off the crockpot, so it did indeed burn. I couldn't smell it because I was sick! LOL
The cooler weather days are wonderful. it isn't getting hot until really late in the afternoon.
I have a lot of fall baking on the list to be done. Harvest bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin butter, roasted apple butter, zucchini bread-the list goes on and on!
Best time of the year!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Roasted Apple Butter / Kiwi Jam
from vegetarian times magazine.
Oven - Roasted Apple Butter
4lb apples, stems removed and quartered
1 cup cider vinegar
2 cups light or dark brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1) place apples and vinegar in large stainless steel pot with 2 cups water. cover and bring to a boil. reduce heat to medium and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples have applesauce like consistency. run the mixture through food mill or press through sieve to seperate pulp from skins and seeds (I used my Ricer)
Transfer pulp (you should have about 5 cups) to large ovenproof dish or dutch overn.
2) preheat oven to 350 degress. stir remaining ingredients into apple pulp. bake 2- 2 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
3) meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids: keep jars in hot water until ready to be used.
4) remove jars one at a time and fill with jam...leaving 1/4 inch headspace. seal with lids. planning canning rock or cake rack in bottom of large pot and return jars to pot, adding extra water to cover jars by 1 inch. bring water to a boil and boil 10 minutes. remove jars from water and cool.
Easy Kiwi Jam:
makes 6 8oz jars
4lb Kiwi Fruit halved
4 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1) scoop flesh from kiwi halves into stainless steel pot. Mash flesh until smooth. Stir in sugar and lemon juice.
2) bring mixture to a boil. reduce heat to med-low and simmer 15 minutes or until thickened, stiring occasionally.
3) meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids: keep jars in hot water until ready to be used
4) remove jars one at a time and fill with jam...leaving 1/4 inch headspace. seal with lids. planning canning rock or cake rack in bottom of large pot and return jars to pot, adding extra water to cover jars by 1 inch. bring water to a boil and boil 10 minutes. remove jars from water and cool
Oven - Roasted Apple Butter
4lb apples, stems removed and quartered
1 cup cider vinegar
2 cups light or dark brown sugar
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1) place apples and vinegar in large stainless steel pot with 2 cups water. cover and bring to a boil. reduce heat to medium and cook 45 minutes to 1 hour or until apples have applesauce like consistency. run the mixture through food mill or press through sieve to seperate pulp from skins and seeds (I used my Ricer)
Transfer pulp (you should have about 5 cups) to large ovenproof dish or dutch overn.
2) preheat oven to 350 degress. stir remaining ingredients into apple pulp. bake 2- 2 1/2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.
3) meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids: keep jars in hot water until ready to be used.
4) remove jars one at a time and fill with jam...leaving 1/4 inch headspace. seal with lids. planning canning rock or cake rack in bottom of large pot and return jars to pot, adding extra water to cover jars by 1 inch. bring water to a boil and boil 10 minutes. remove jars from water and cool.
Easy Kiwi Jam:
makes 6 8oz jars
4lb Kiwi Fruit halved
4 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1) scoop flesh from kiwi halves into stainless steel pot. Mash flesh until smooth. Stir in sugar and lemon juice.
2) bring mixture to a boil. reduce heat to med-low and simmer 15 minutes or until thickened, stiring occasionally.
3) meanwhile, sterilize jars and lids: keep jars in hot water until ready to be used
4) remove jars one at a time and fill with jam...leaving 1/4 inch headspace. seal with lids. planning canning rock or cake rack in bottom of large pot and return jars to pot, adding extra water to cover jars by 1 inch. bring water to a boil and boil 10 minutes. remove jars from water and cool
Monday, March 5, 2012
Meal Plan Monday
breakfast:
green smoothies
brown rice pudding
yogurt and random fruit
lunch: (to be served with fruits and raw veggies)
Bean burritos with homemade refried beans
Pinwheel wrap with tempeh/spinach/avocado
PB&J
grilled cheese
homemade mac and cheese with banana/strawberry
Dinner:
Indian Shepherds Pie
Cashew carrot and ginger soup with bread
Spicy macaroni and cheese
kids night - something fast
homemade pizza and green salad
chicken, rice, roasted brussel sprouts
green smoothies
brown rice pudding
yogurt and random fruit
lunch: (to be served with fruits and raw veggies)
Bean burritos with homemade refried beans
Pinwheel wrap with tempeh/spinach/avocado
PB&J
grilled cheese
homemade mac and cheese with banana/strawberry
Dinner:
Indian Shepherds Pie
Cashew carrot and ginger soup with bread
Spicy macaroni and cheese
kids night - something fast
homemade pizza and green salad
chicken, rice, roasted brussel sprouts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
so what do you eat?
So there have been times when I went completely vegetarian, and others when I allowed some meat. One of the most common questions/responses I got was:
"what do you eat??!!" A lot of food actually! You are amazed at the different types of foods you end up eating and serving. My kids eat cabbage, bok choy, peppers, onions, carrots, asparagus, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, tofu -as long as it is marinated or in smoothie!! They eat curry, sushi, and exotic sounding things like adzuki and quinoa. They love fruits and veggies. Does it mean that they are committed to being vegetarian 100% no, not yet. But that is their choice - but they do eat a huge variety of foods that a lot of people do not.
"I could never eat like that" like what? without meat? I don't understand why that is so weird-except for the fact that we have been trained to look at a normal dinner as this:
a slab of meat. potatoes. and a small veggie.
Vegetarians/vegans are not limited to just a salad. Or a plate as pictured above minus the meat. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes a person makes when wanting to become a veg*n....they try to make a plate as above and fill it with a meat substitute or limit themselves to salad. They fail rather quickly because that is boring and hardly fulfilling.
One of the first books I read that really hit home to me was the Vegan Lunchbox. It taught me a new and exciting way to look at meal structure. I learned that a plate doesn't have to be a slab of meat, veggies and potato. But that you could combine items such as a sliced banana bread with a smoothie for lunch. (Yes, that is one of Harrison's favorites!) That a corn muffin filled with beans and a side of collard greens can be taken in a lunch box to school. I don't have the time to sit and think of all the combinations, but the main point is, I learned there was a different way to make a meal plate. And it was empowering! Yes, you can serve muffins with soup for dinner. And that eating more whole foods type of meals will fill you up more and cut down on your constant rummaging for food!
"aren't those meat substitutes gross?"
Yes, they are. And NO, you don't have to eat them! We hardly ever use them in our meals. I figure vegetarian is to eat no meat. That doesn't mean you just substitute meat with a fake substance to stand in. Instead of using "meat" crumbles for tacos, find a recipe with veggies and rice instead..and so on.
If you try to replace all the meat in your diet with substitutes you will find yourself failing. You have to adjust your way of thinking of what a meal plate is.
harrisons favorite meal:
bananas and strawberries, a small scoop of homemade macaroni and cheese-and yes, an oreo for dessert. Not pictured was his cup of soy milk to drink. We actually didn't have any veggies that day for lunch-and that is ok too! He snacks throughout the day on carrots and edamame :)
But he doesn't like meat. Not sure if it is texture thing with him or what, but for now, he doesn't eat meat but a very small amount once in a blue moon!
Aren't your kids unhealthy without meat? How do they get enough protein?
We eat beans, we eat legumes, we eat nuts, nut butters, alternative milks, grains, eggs etc. they all have protein. The "vegetarians are deprived of protein" is a myth...and if you eat a well balanced meal, you will be good. Now, of course that are exceptions to that rule, just like there would be with an non-vegetarian diet. The point is, if you eat healthy and pay attention to your foods, you are most likely going to be fine.
So yes, that is my experience. I learned recently that Harvard did a study and revamped the food "pyramid"
I have to admit it looks a lot better than it used to, and finally addresses that milk is not healthy for our bodies! but that is a different day, different post! LOL
"what do you eat??!!" A lot of food actually! You are amazed at the different types of foods you end up eating and serving. My kids eat cabbage, bok choy, peppers, onions, carrots, asparagus, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, tofu -as long as it is marinated or in smoothie!! They eat curry, sushi, and exotic sounding things like adzuki and quinoa. They love fruits and veggies. Does it mean that they are committed to being vegetarian 100% no, not yet. But that is their choice - but they do eat a huge variety of foods that a lot of people do not.
"I could never eat like that" like what? without meat? I don't understand why that is so weird-except for the fact that we have been trained to look at a normal dinner as this:
a slab of meat. potatoes. and a small veggie.
Vegetarians/vegans are not limited to just a salad. Or a plate as pictured above minus the meat. I think that is one of the biggest mistakes a person makes when wanting to become a veg*n....they try to make a plate as above and fill it with a meat substitute or limit themselves to salad. They fail rather quickly because that is boring and hardly fulfilling.
One of the first books I read that really hit home to me was the Vegan Lunchbox. It taught me a new and exciting way to look at meal structure. I learned that a plate doesn't have to be a slab of meat, veggies and potato. But that you could combine items such as a sliced banana bread with a smoothie for lunch. (Yes, that is one of Harrison's favorites!) That a corn muffin filled with beans and a side of collard greens can be taken in a lunch box to school. I don't have the time to sit and think of all the combinations, but the main point is, I learned there was a different way to make a meal plate. And it was empowering! Yes, you can serve muffins with soup for dinner. And that eating more whole foods type of meals will fill you up more and cut down on your constant rummaging for food!
"aren't those meat substitutes gross?"
Yes, they are. And NO, you don't have to eat them! We hardly ever use them in our meals. I figure vegetarian is to eat no meat. That doesn't mean you just substitute meat with a fake substance to stand in. Instead of using "meat" crumbles for tacos, find a recipe with veggies and rice instead..and so on.
If you try to replace all the meat in your diet with substitutes you will find yourself failing. You have to adjust your way of thinking of what a meal plate is.
harrisons favorite meal:
But he doesn't like meat. Not sure if it is texture thing with him or what, but for now, he doesn't eat meat but a very small amount once in a blue moon!
Aren't your kids unhealthy without meat? How do they get enough protein?
We eat beans, we eat legumes, we eat nuts, nut butters, alternative milks, grains, eggs etc. they all have protein. The "vegetarians are deprived of protein" is a myth...and if you eat a well balanced meal, you will be good. Now, of course that are exceptions to that rule, just like there would be with an non-vegetarian diet. The point is, if you eat healthy and pay attention to your foods, you are most likely going to be fine.
So yes, that is my experience. I learned recently that Harvard did a study and revamped the food "pyramid"
I have to admit it looks a lot better than it used to, and finally addresses that milk is not healthy for our bodies! but that is a different day, different post! LOL
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Curry in a hurry
new recipe that I tried tonight. The only thing I can say that was bad was that it wasn't actually FAST to make! LOL but oh man, was it good!
I got this new cookbook, Peas and Thank You a few weeks ago. I sat down and promptly read it beginning to end! It is amazing! Such simple recipes that do not require a lot of odd ingredients and only tofu or meat substitutes!
Tonight, we did Curry in a Hurry. Yes, it did call for tofu, but I actually marinated it and cut it down small for everyone to try. I chose this recipe based on what I had received in my Bountiful Baskets box. It calls for cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, peppers, curry, basil, lime and coconut milk.
We topped it off with roasted cashews and white basmati. It was divine. I will definitely make this again!
I got this new cookbook, Peas and Thank You a few weeks ago. I sat down and promptly read it beginning to end! It is amazing! Such simple recipes that do not require a lot of odd ingredients and only tofu or meat substitutes!
Tonight, we did Curry in a Hurry. Yes, it did call for tofu, but I actually marinated it and cut it down small for everyone to try. I chose this recipe based on what I had received in my Bountiful Baskets box. It calls for cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, carrots, peppers, curry, basil, lime and coconut milk.
We topped it off with roasted cashews and white basmati. It was divine. I will definitely make this again!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Meal Plan Monday
I got a new cookbook this last week. Sat down and read it cover to cover. It totally inspired me. this is the first meal plan I have made in a long time, and i can't wait to go to the store to get all the food!
Breakfasts:
variety of smoothies, oatmeals, bagels etc
Lunch/brunch:
Pinwheel wraps with tempeh, spinach and apple
Apple Cinnamon pancakes
Oatbran cereal with pumpkin
"margarita" smoothie with zucchini bread
fruit, cheesecake dip and....
salad available everyday.
Dinner:
Spicy macaroni and cheese
Cashew carrot ginger soup with bread
Curry in a hurry
Lemon Lentil soup and sourdough bread with salad
Indian shepherds pie
leftover night
This cookbook looks great! There were so many things I wanted to try that I had to cut things out of the list for this one week. I will let you know how the recipes turn out!
Breakfasts:
variety of smoothies, oatmeals, bagels etc
Lunch/brunch:
Pinwheel wraps with tempeh, spinach and apple
Apple Cinnamon pancakes
Oatbran cereal with pumpkin
"margarita" smoothie with zucchini bread
fruit, cheesecake dip and....
salad available everyday.
Dinner:
Spicy macaroni and cheese
Cashew carrot ginger soup with bread
Curry in a hurry
Lemon Lentil soup and sourdough bread with salad
Indian shepherds pie
leftover night
This cookbook looks great! There were so many things I wanted to try that I had to cut things out of the list for this one week. I will let you know how the recipes turn out!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Going back to good eating
so over the last few months, I admit-we've been eating a lot more meat. These are things I have learned:
I really hate to cook meat.
My cholesterol has gotten worse after eating it.
My body does NOT like to eat it....
So what does that mean? We are going back to our mostly vegan/vegetarian way of eating. I cannot tell you how much better I feel just making the decision.
So watch for updates, I will be posting our awesome meal plans again. And sharing yummy recipes etc.
I really hate to cook meat.
My cholesterol has gotten worse after eating it.
My body does NOT like to eat it....
So what does that mean? We are going back to our mostly vegan/vegetarian way of eating. I cannot tell you how much better I feel just making the decision.
So watch for updates, I will be posting our awesome meal plans again. And sharing yummy recipes etc.
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