• Blog - Kitchen

    In the kitchen

    February 27, 2013 - By 

    Monday was a “stay home” day for me knowing that the rest of my week was much busier. I made my list and got started as soon as everyone was out the door.

    I spent more than half the day working in the kitchen. First was my dad’s recipe for Whole Pea Soup, so much better than split pea. Although finding dried whole peas is very difficult in the stores.

    Next I started a batch of homemade bread, a recipe from my friend Sandy. I believe it was her grandma’s recipe.  I changed things a wee bit and the loaves still turned out really good.

    While the bread was rising I stirred up a batch of pumpkin muffins from the Betty Crocker cookbook with some healthy substitutions. The recipes call for it to be in bread loaves but I just adjusted my time a bit. 20130225_1452

    My last goodie before getting dinner prepped and in the oven was some Chewy, No Bake Granola Bars. They are so yummy! I put chocolate chips on half the bars since I’d rather have them plain. My photo was an afterthought as I was wrapping them up for individual servings.

    They are so good!!!

    I like domestic days…feels good to make things that are healthy and provide homemade, non-processed food for my family.

  • Blog - Kitchen

    Birthday cake

    February 8, 2013 - By 


    Let me just start by saying, I am not a baker. I’m not good at it nor do I enjoy it. But my kiddos think that mom’s homemade cakes and especially my frosting are the best.

    My cakes are generally lopsided. I blame the oven, but it’s very likely my fault.

    This cake came to be because the first one I made broke into about 7 pieces when I was taking it out of the pan.  I nearly cried…

    Did I mention I don’t like baking…?
    I made a whole new cake this morning. I left it in the pan until I was sure it had “set” so to speak.
    This one came out in one piece..thank goodness.

    I decided to use some of the chunks of cake to create a hill for the freshly washed Army men to make their stand upon.

    This was also good to help camouflage the lopsidedness of the cake.
    Since I was adding crumbly cake to the top and trying to frost it as well I needed something to cover my mistakes. Crushed up graham crackers fit the bill.  It looks a bit like sand or at least some rugged terrain if you use your imagination.

    I hope he likes it…

    I do know that it tastes better than it looks. 🙂

     

  • Blog - Kitchen

    Bugle Bells

    December 22, 2012 - By 

    I know I don’t usually offer recipes but I had to since I am completely in love with these tasty treats.

    They wouldn’t be considered a “work of art” but they definitely look as good as they taste.

    To say that there is a recipe for these is really stretching it but here is what you need and how to make these tasty treats that you’re going to love to eat but hate that you can’t stop…or is that just me?

    Ingredients:
    Bugles
    almond bark
    M&M’s

    Directions:
    Melt almond bark in a double boiler
    Dip end of Bugle in almond bark
    Press M&M into the bark covered end of the Bugle.
    Set on wax paper or other non-stick surface such a silicone mat on a baking tray until they have hardened. If you are in a hurry you can pop them in the freezer for a few minutes or set them in the cold garage like I usually do. Gotta love winter in Minnesota!

    That’s it!! So simple, so yummy. Sweet and salty all in one.