Blueberry Cheese Danish

I tried a cheese Danish at church last weekend, and it was absolutely amazing!!!
Here is my twist.

Ingredients

2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, diced
3/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons sour cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Line bottom of baking pan with 1 can of crescent rolls. Pinch all seams together to seal.
In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, white sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract and sour cream. Spread filling on top of rolls. Place second can of rolls on top of filling.
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes.
In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar, milk and butter. After Danish has cooled, drizzle with icing.

I added a cup and a half of frozen blueberries to the cream cheese mixture. YUMMY!!!

Hash Brown Casserole

I have made is recipe twice within the last week and it seems to be a hit! Simple, yet soooo yummy! Ingredients: 1 bag frozen shredded hash brown potatoes 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 soup can full of water 1 8 oz container sour cream 1 package powdered ranch dressing mix 1 package real bacon bits 1 package shredded cheese 1 onion (grated or chopped) In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Spread mixture in a greased baking dish. top with additional cheese if desired. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly and yummy looking!!! I like to garnish it with a little bit of chopped green onion on top.

Lemon Chicken with Green & White Bean Salad

Ingredients:
- chicken breasts
- lemon pepper
- flour
- butter
- lemons
- white wine
- egg noodles
- steam in bag green beans
- cannellini beans
- salt
- olive oil

Lemon Chicken:
1.  Cut chicken into thin cutlets
2.  Season flour with lemonm pepper in a bowl.  Dredge chicken cutlets in seasoned flour.
3.  Brown floured chicken in skillet over medium heat with a little oil and butter. 
4.  When chicken is desired color, add lemon juice (juice of 1-2 lemons) and white wine.  Simmer in skillet with chicken.  You may want to add a little extra flour to thicken the sauce and lemon pepper for seasoning.  (The sauce is the best part.  You can always add a little water, butter, & flour to make more sauce!) 
5.  Serve chicken over egg noodles. 

Green & White Bean Salad:
1.  Steam green beans according to directions.
2.  Drain & rinse cannellini beans. 
3.  Add a little olive oil, lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon), and salt to the bottom of a serving dish.  Add steamed green beans and cannellini beans.  Toss. 

I like the taste of lemon a lot.  Add as much or as little lemon flavor as you like.  I'm sure the dish would be delicious without the wine too.  Enjoy!

Blueberry-Oatmeal Muffins

 

PREP TIME

10 Min

TOTAL TIME

30 Min

SERVINGS

12

INGREDIENTS

1	cup Yoplait® 99% Fat Free plain or creamy vanilla yogurt (from 2-lb container)
1	cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
1	egg or 2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1/4	cup canola oil
1/2	cup packed brown sugar
2/3	cup all-purpose flour
2/3	cup whole wheat flour
1	tsp baking soda
1	tsp ground cinnamon
1/4	tsp salt
1	cup fresh or frozen (do not thaw) blueberries

 

1. 1 Heat oven to 400°F. Place paper baking cups in 12 regular-size muffin cups, or grease bottoms only of muffin cups.
2. 2 In small bowl, mix yogurt and oats. In large bowl, mix egg, oil and brown sugar. Stir in flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and yogurt mixture (batter will be lumpy). Gently stir in blueberries. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.
3. 3 Bake 18-20 min or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan.

Whole Grain Waffle

My children decided to sleep late this morning, so of course...I couldn't sleep.  I turned on the tv, and $40 a day was on.  rachel ray ordered a Whole Grain Waffle, and it looked amazing.  So...Waffles for breakfast!

Below are two recpies...the one I made, and another that's a little more "whole grain."

Mine:

2 cups Heart Healthy Bisquick
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tbsp vegeatble oil
1 egg

Combine ingredients and cook in Waffle maker.  top with fresh blueberries, frozen blueberries warmed for 1 minute, or your favorite syrup.  Makes about 4 waffles.  YUMMY!



This one is more detailed, but looks delicious.  It is from the Food network site.

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons wheat germ
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch fine salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup peanut or walnut oil
• Maple syrup

Directions

Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high.

Whisk the flour with the oats, sugar, wheat germ, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, lightly whisk the eggs, then add the milk, butter, and oil.
Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon, to make a batter. Take care not to over work the batter, it's fine if there are a few lumps.
Pour 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter per waffle (it depends on the size of your waffle iron) and cook until the outside of the waffle is crisp and inside is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. (The time varies depending on the size and spread of a waffle iron). Serve warm with maple syrup. Repeat with remaining batter.

Snack Time...

Here are a couple of snack homeades that some friends shared with me...

Homemade Granola Bars

 

From Carie Facenda     Hartsville, SC

2 c. rolled oats
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. wheat germ
2-3 T. flax seed
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. dried fruit or chocolate chips
3/4 tsp. salt (I omitted this the second batch and didn't notice a difference)
1/2 c. honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. oil
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Generously grease a 9x13 pan. In a large bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, flax seed, cinnamon, flour, dried fruit, and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in honey, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix well. Pat mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bars begin to brown at the edges. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm. ENJOY!

Cheerios Energy Bars

From Annie Nation     Easley, SC

4 cups cheerios (you can use any type but with the other sugar I chose regular)
1 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted (I use pecans, or peanuts...any nut will do)
1/3 cup roasted unsalted sunflower nuts (not everyone like these so sometimes I omit)
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS:
Spray 9-inch square pan with cooking spray (I sometimes use a little bigger pan). In large bowl mix cereal, cranberries, almonds, and sunflower nuts.
In a sauce pan heat corn syrup, brown sugar, and peanut butter to boiling over med-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil & stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
Pour syrup over cereal mixture, toss to coat. Press firmly in pan. Cool completely about 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.

Each bar has 3.5 g fat; 110 cal; 55 mg sodium; 18g carbs

Egg Muffins

This morning I made Egg Muffins for breakfast.  I made 24 little muffins, and now the kids have breakfast for the rest of the week!  The recipe is super simple!  Here it is.

4 eggs
3 egg whites
3 slices of ham
1/2 grated cheese 
salt, pepper, or your favorite seasoning blend
3 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons water

I put all of these ingredients into my Magic Bullet and blended it.  If you do not have a Magic Bullet, (then I strongly recommend it!), no...then you could use a blender or an immersion blender.  Mix all ingredients, and pour into greased muffin tins.  I used the little muffin tins because they are perfect for my little ones. 

Bake on 375 for 15 minutes (for the mini muffins) or until the top is golden brown. 

This recipe can be changed to use sausage or bacon crumbles.  You could also add green onions, grated onion, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, or whatever your tummy desires!  Top with extra grated cheese for a beautiful crispy crust!

Yummy!  Enjoy!

A day of "firsts"...

Today was a special day.  As I was watering some freshly planted tomato plants, I noticed that one plant is developing a perfect little tomato.  The first Tomato of the season! 

Then...as the kiddos and I were feeding the rabbits & chickens,, I noticed that the Bantam Hen (Bobbie Jo) had layed her very first egg!  It was absolutely cute as a button! 

Can't wait to see what the next "first" will be!

VermiDirt

     Last week, my Mother-in-Law found a worm farm right here in ole' Hartsville, SC!  We picked up 20 lbs (roughly 4 gallons) of the fabulous "worm poop."  If you believe that poop can be beautiful, then this stuff is spectacular!  We really enjoyed meeting the nice folks that farm the worms.  Their product is truly amazing!  I can't wait to see what it does for the garden!  I promptly went home and sprinkled a handful on each of my plants.  I also planted some of the seedlings from the coldframes and put a small handfull of VermiDirt in the hole with each seedling. 
     They also sold me a gallon of Bokashi mix for my compost bin.  Bokashi is the biochemical breakdown of organic matter in an anaerobic environment. The "good" microbes outcompete the "bad" microbes essentially killing them. The end result is "pickeled" organic matter that may look the same but has been altered drastically.

They ship this fabulous mixture all over.  Check out their website if you are interested. 

http://www.vermidirtfarms.net/Home_Page.php



Cabbage



Broccoli




Potato (I actually dug this plant out of my compost bin. 
One of my potato scraps sprouted and was growing out the side of the composter!)



Garlic

Corn

Homeade This & That...

Why not make it yourself?  Here are a few of the things that I am making at home instead of purchasing. 

Bread:  Here's the recipe I have found works for me.
In the bread machine in this order...
- 2 c lukewarm water
- 3 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2c honey
- 1/3 c vegetable oil, melted unsalted butter, or olive oil
- 6 c unbleached all purpose flour
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 tbsp coarse salt or 1tbsp table salt
- 1 1/2 tbsp (2 packets) grnulated yeast

Sometimes I use less all purpose flour and more whole wheat flour...just depending on my mood.
I let the dough mix and rise in the machine.  Then, I take the dough out and divide it into 2 parts.  I let it rise again in two greased bread baking pans. 

You can use this same recipe to make FANTASTIC Cinnamon Raisin Bread.  Just add the raisins into the the dough while mixing.  After removing the dough and dividing it, roll it out onto a floured surface, and sprinkle heavily with cinnamon (and sugar or brown sugar if you please).  My Father In Law is Diabetic, so I only use the Cinnamon, and it is great! 

Bake at 350 for approx 30 minutes.
Refrigerate bread to make it last longer. 
Bread freezes very well. 


Homeade All Purpose Cleaner

Fill a quart or gallon size jar with Citrus Peels (lemons, oranges, etc...) as you have them on hand.  Pour vinegar over the peels to cover.  Let the mixture sit for at least 2 1/2 weeks.  The vinegar will take on an orange/golden hue and smell powerfully of citrus.  Fill a spray bottle half full with the citrus-vinegar, straining as you pour.  Fill the rest with water.  Use to clean sinks, windows, floors, mirrors, wood, counters!

The following recipes came from the Duggar's Recipe Website...

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Powdered Laundry Detergent - Top load machine

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar
1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½  Cup Borax

-Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons. Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: We use Fels-Naptha  bar soap in the homemade soap recipes, but you can use Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk's Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps. We buy Fels-Naptha by the case from our local grocer or online. Washing Soda and Borax can often be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. Recipe cost approx. $2 per batch.

Inexpensive Fabric Softener Recipes

1  Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener
4  Inexpensive sponges, cut in half

Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet. 

Mid-March...

Well, it's the middle of March, and the garden is really coming along.  The seeds are really sprouting in the coldframes, and I can't wait for them to get big enough to plant.  Here's what we have thus far...

Bed #1:  (planted "seeds")
Potatos (found plants sprouting out of the compost bin, dug them out, and planted them)  (red potato)
Yukon Gold Potatos
Russet Potatos
Garlic
Shallots

Bed #2  (planted seeds)
Carrots
Beets
Corn

Bed #3
Cabbage
Red Cabbage
Broccoli

Bed #4
Collards
Red Onions
Georgia Sweet Onions
Spinach

Coldframes:
Bok Choi
Lettuce
Leeks
Sunflowers
Peppers
Tomatoes

Herb Pots:  (I planted herbs in pots this year to be able to move them out of the hot sun as summer approaches)
Basil (plant & seeds)
Tarragon (seeds)
Mint (plant x2)
Sage (plant)
Oregano (plant & seeds)
Thyme (plant & seeds)
Dill (plant & seeds)
Cilantro (plant & seeds)
Lavendar (plant)
Parsley (seeds)
Chives (plant & seeds)


Rain Barrel is almost complete!  Drip irrigation system is in the works.  I am so proud of both projects, mainly because I made it up as I went along.  Took multiple trips to Lowes, but it will be so worth it in the end.  Both will be useful year after year and will save a lot of water!  I will post pictures and materials when they are complete.

a novice gardener...

I am fascinated with Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and Prince Charles.  I admire so much their knowledge of gardening!  I grew up with a garden.  Nothing tastes better than a fresh tomato eaten IN the garden with juice dripping down your face.  I have always attempted to have gardens wherever I have lived...in a little house that I rented with 3 college friends, in my appartment with my fiance, in our first house after we got married.  But, I never really felt like it was the "real deal." 

Last year, my husband & i moved into his "family home."  The house is 150+ years old and my children are the 5th generation of the family to live in the house.  I am very thankful to have the opportunity to experience the house and all that goes with it.  So this year...I am jumping in head first into the world of gardening.  In the posts to follow, I hope to journal my experiences with learning to build a "real" garden! 

January - ordered 1000 red wriggler worms from Uncle Jims Worm Farm to add to my compost bin.  i have really been enjoying adding yummy stuff to the bin daily!  I can't wait to see what they will do!

February 12 - My step-dad constructed 2 coldframes using old windows from the house.  Purchased trays, seed starting soil, and seeds.  Also purchased 2 sets of onions and a mint plant.

February 14 & 15 - My Valentine & I weeded the 6 raised garden beds that my mother-in-law had put in a few years ago.  They were overrun with weeds since none of us had any time last summer to keep up with the weeding!  We also cleaned out the rabbit hutch and added a mass quantity of rabbit poop to the compost bin.

February 19 - Purchased 12 bags of composted manure.  Hubby tilled all 6 beds, and we added the composted manure to each. 

February 20 - Planted 1 set of sweet red onions, 1 set of Georgia sweet onions, 1 set of cabbage, 4 red cabbage plants, 1 set of collard greens, and 8 broccoli plants.  Added thick layers of soaking wet newspaper between plants to try to keep weeds at bay.  (we"ll see)  Added straw over plants after newspaper was down.

So much more to plant...stay tuned...