Category Archives: Recipes

Christmas!

Christmas inspiration came my way via Rosella at Rhubarb & Roses. Since the Mennonite Girls adopted me as their American cousin I decided to try a German Christmas tradition this year. Now if I truly was from German descent I’d stick strictly to the recipe but since I’m Russian instead of using Rum or Brandy I’m making Rumtopf using Vodka instead.

For 3 cups of strawberries hulled and halved I added 1-1/2 cups sugar, let it sit for an hour and then added it my 2 gallon mason jar crock and added enough Vodka to cover the fruit by 1 inch. Store the jar in a cool place like your basement if you have one.

Over the course of the summer, once a month or so, I’ll keep layering different fresh summer fruits with the same process. At the end Rosella adds pineapple and pomegranate seeds and you can add a few orange slices and cinnamon sticks if you want (I’ll probably stay away from the cinnamon). By Christmas I’ll have a topping for ice cream, pound cake, cheesecake, pudding, trifle, or whatever strikes my fancy.

I think my next summer fruit choices will be peaches and Nectarines and cherries. When our blueberries ripen I’ll use them and when our pears ripen I’ll add them. Do not stir the fruit layers. Just layer the sugared fruit on top of the last layer and add the alcohol to cover.

With my 2 gallon jar I’ll be able to give away my Rumptopf as gifts, too. I’ll need to keep my eye out for cute little airtight containers for my gifts…

Here’s another link that describes Rumptopf.

A Treat For You…

Head over to MGCC Blog to get the recipe for these date balls. They can be made gluten free if you use the new Gluten Free Rice Krispies. Enjoy!

We are busy doing the last minute fresh food shopping for our all day event before the Wedding. Andrew is flying in tonight and Katie is more excited about seeing him than she is for the wedding on Sunday! Life is rich!

2 more days!

Leftover Turkey?

Try this Toasted Turkey Sandwich that’s simple to make. To see the method head over to Mennonite Girls Can Cook today…

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and encouragement about my Crown trauma. My appointment yesterday was a breeze and having the permanent crown put on was so much easier than being fitted for it. I can bite into that sandwich with no problems whatsoever! Hope you have a great Wednesday!

What to do with your Bounty…

When trying to lose some extra pounds put on over the last year for different reasons what is the best approach to using produce from your own fruit trees? We have an apple tree, a pear tree, and blueberry bushes on our property. Property sounds big but truth be told we only have 1/3rd of an acre. I froze much of our blueberry harvest and made applesause that is frozen from our apples but now I’m working on the pears. Everything that sounds good for pears is sweet and yummy and loaded with calories. I saw this great recipe at LazyonLoblolly and it helped me to use up some of my pears. To make your frosting look more like the Southern Living magazine photo you will need to add more powdered sugar than the recipe asks for. The frosting is delicious so I would not exhange it for caramel sauce.

So back to losing weight. If you are going to continue to use the bounty available to you from your property/garden the best remedy to gaining lots of weight is to give some away to your neighbors. I have a neighbor who is a younger widow and she would never bake a whole cake, pie, etc. for herself anymore. She gladly accepts a  piece of cake, or a piece of pie or a couple muffins from me. It’s a win win situation. I took 3 pieces of this cake to another neighbor who works full time and probably doesn’t have the same time I have to bake. Her husband and daughter would enjoy something homemade.  My sister and BIL were the other recipients of a couple pieces of this cake. My sister travels back and forth from California and even though she stills enjoys baking she also appreciates a treat from her big sister.  If you have creative ideas that need to be brought to fruition don’t abandon them. Think of ways you can share your bounty with those in your neighborhood.

Maybe this started out as an all about me and losing weight post but I hope it was warped into a better love your nieghbor as yourself post instead…

Thank you for your get well wishes! I’m feeling a lot better and happy to say I didn’t get the full on ick my husband endured…

 

Pasta Carbonara ~

 

Head over to Mennonite Girls Can Cook for the recipe.

I’m happy to report my son got Katie and me off the couch last night and we walked over to the local high school and had some exercise. Mostly I walked while Katie and Josh did some jogging and running around the track. After the football squads ended their practices we played a little soccer. I managed to record 7245 steps.

 I hope to get walking back into my normal routine. I have already changed up the way I eat and since June 12th I’ve manged to drop 13 pounds and boy does my body appreciate it. I’ve got another 10 pounds to lose before I shop for a Mother of the Bride dress.

Chalupa or Carnitas

 

This is a recipe that cooks for several hours so start it earlier in the day. You can enjoy a few meals during your week with the yield from this recipe.
Chalupa
Ingredients:

  • 1 pound pinto beans
  • 3 pounds boneless pork
  • 6 cups water
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1- 4 ounce can of diced jalapenos (if you like a little heat) or…
  • 1- 6 ounce can of diced green chilies
  • 1/2 – 1 cup Pace Picante sauce (or any brand of Mexican sauce/salsa available in your area)

Method:

  1. Put all ingredients in dutch oven or crock pot.
  2. Cover and simmer about 5 hours or until roast falls apart and the beans are soft.
  3. Uncover shred the meat and cook to thicken to desired consistency.
  4. If using a crock pot cook on low for 8-9 hours.
  5. Check after 5 hours to make sure the beans haven’t absorbed all the liquid.
  6. Add 1 cup water at a time if you need to.
  7. After the meat is cooked and beans are soft shred the pork.
  8. Enjoy this meat with corn or flour tortillas and with toppings of your choice.

This would also work well wrapped in a small flour tortilla and deep fried. I’ve seen Chalupas on Mexican Restaurant menus served in this deep fried form.

This is a recipe that cooks for several hours so start it earlier in the day. You can enjoy a few meals during your week with the yield from this recipe.

This is a slightly different recipe.

Chalupas or Carnitas

1 lb. pinto beans
3 lbs. boneless pork shoulder or butt
5 cups water
1 cup orange juice (pulp free)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1 Tablespoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon salt
1- 4 oz. can of diced jalapenos (if you like a little heat) or…
1- 6 oz. can of diced green chilies
1/2 – 1 cup Pace Picante sauce (or any brand of Mexican sauce/salsa available in your area)

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in pan and sear boneless pork on all sides. Put all ingredients in dutch oven or crock pot, placing the seared meat on top. Cover and simmer about 5 hours or until roast falls apart and the beans are soft. Uncover shred the meat and cook to thicken to desired consistency. If using a crock pot cook on low for 8-9 hours. Check after 5 hours to make sure the beans haven’t absorbed all the liquid. Add 1 cup water at a time if you need to. After the meat is cooked and beans are soft shred the pork.