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3.15.2011
Scratch it Out
I'm on this new kick where I'm really trying to cut down on the salt in my food because I want to experience the flavor of food in it's natural state (not to mention, it's healthier).
This lead me to check out what the average person's daily value percentage of sodium should be. Of course, this evolved into something much bigger where I take my calorie view (see my Arm and a Leg blog Daily Values Post) and study it a little more.
It aggravates me when people will buy boxed foods and call it "baking" or "cooking". Whenever I tell Matt that I want to make a cake, he always points to boxed cakes at the store and says, "Pick one out." (I have a look that I give him whenever he does this, he's learned to to say such silly things to me anymore). Please people, do you really think it's the same thing? Check the nutrition label sometime. In the long run, "scratch" cooking (cooking/ baking from scratch) is going to be healthier than buying foods that are prepackaged, boxed, and or you just have to "add water". No to mention, you can buy ingredients that will make your scratch cooking even more healthy.
Look for foods that are as close to the natural as possible. Instead of buying canned tomatoes, go to the produce section and buy actual tomatoes, chop them up yourself. You know what else is cool about doing that? You get more fulfillment out of cooking, you'll take more pride in it, and you'll start learning ways to make things even better! Not to mention the extra bonus of exercise (I know it doesn't seem like much, but anything helps!).
Also, In the long run, buying ingredients for scratch cooking will help you save money. Buying a bag of unhealthy chicken patties costs as much as a bag of flour or sugar, which could last you a few months, rather than a few days. And think of all the things you could make with those! I know a lot of people don't feel like they have time to make anything either. But guess what! You do! For things that I like to make all the time, I put all the dry ingredients, measured out, into a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer (you can keep it in there as long as you want). Then all you have to do is get all the wet ingredients ready and put it all together. You don't have to make a huge extravagant meal either, think muffins and crepes (they're easy and not just for breakfast). You can also make bread, get sliced meat and cheese from the deli, and lettuce and tomatoes from produce and make your own sandwiches.
Buying boxed foods seems easier and maybe you don't care so much about your health, but you will, and it's not easier and definitely not less expensive.
For some more tips you can read Mrs. Meal Maker's blog (my sister :) ).
I think we all need to start a movement of reviving healthy habits and the sanctity of food and cooking across the nation.
This lead me to check out what the average person's daily value percentage of sodium should be. Of course, this evolved into something much bigger where I take my calorie view (see my Arm and a Leg blog Daily Values Post) and study it a little more.
It aggravates me when people will buy boxed foods and call it "baking" or "cooking". Whenever I tell Matt that I want to make a cake, he always points to boxed cakes at the store and says, "Pick one out." (I have a look that I give him whenever he does this, he's learned to to say such silly things to me anymore). Please people, do you really think it's the same thing? Check the nutrition label sometime. In the long run, "scratch" cooking (cooking/ baking from scratch) is going to be healthier than buying foods that are prepackaged, boxed, and or you just have to "add water". No to mention, you can buy ingredients that will make your scratch cooking even more healthy.
Look for foods that are as close to the natural as possible. Instead of buying canned tomatoes, go to the produce section and buy actual tomatoes, chop them up yourself. You know what else is cool about doing that? You get more fulfillment out of cooking, you'll take more pride in it, and you'll start learning ways to make things even better! Not to mention the extra bonus of exercise (I know it doesn't seem like much, but anything helps!).
Also, In the long run, buying ingredients for scratch cooking will help you save money. Buying a bag of unhealthy chicken patties costs as much as a bag of flour or sugar, which could last you a few months, rather than a few days. And think of all the things you could make with those! I know a lot of people don't feel like they have time to make anything either. But guess what! You do! For things that I like to make all the time, I put all the dry ingredients, measured out, into a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer (you can keep it in there as long as you want). Then all you have to do is get all the wet ingredients ready and put it all together. You don't have to make a huge extravagant meal either, think muffins and crepes (they're easy and not just for breakfast). You can also make bread, get sliced meat and cheese from the deli, and lettuce and tomatoes from produce and make your own sandwiches.
Buying boxed foods seems easier and maybe you don't care so much about your health, but you will, and it's not easier and definitely not less expensive.
For some more tips you can read Mrs. Meal Maker's blog (my sister :) ).
I think we all need to start a movement of reviving healthy habits and the sanctity of food and cooking across the nation.
2.13.2011
Toffee or Not Toffee
I made toffee and i'm so excited because it's the easiest thing ever. I have uncovered a new desire to make candy. I even bought a candy thermometer for the purpose. Toffee i am pretty good at now, but it's not that easy to mess up.
now truffles on the other hand, i messed up. Don't use vegetable oil based shortening. It actually doesn't work at all.
Betty Crocker's Toffee Recipe
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter or stick margarine (no veggie oil spreads)
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (if you're a chocolate person, feel free to use the whole bag....or probably just half)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
box of toothpicks
Heat sugar, butter and water in saucepan stirring constantly till boiling. Reduce heat to medium.
Cook, stirring constantly for approximately 13 minutes, to 300 degrees F on candy thermometer (I went out and bought one just for this reason) or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water separates into hard, brittle threads (I just suggest buying a candy thermometer, pretty sure that if you're attempting to make candy it's a good thing to have in the kitchen anyway).
NOTE: there is a point of no return! As the mixture approaches the right temperature you need to watch it VERY carefully because it will burn very fast if you let it go even a minute too long (although I did manage to burn it the second time I made it and it was still pretty delicious).
Immediately, pour the toffee onto ungreased cookie sheet. If necessary, spread mixture to 1/4 in thickness.
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top and drool while watching them melt.
When the chocolate chips look shiny, use a spoon to spread them out over the top of the toffee.
The recipe says to let it stand for about an hour at room temperature or you can refrigerate until firm (which is what I did cause I was too impatient to wait an hour).
Store in airtight container.
Use toothpicks to scrape off the stuff that adheres to your teeth.
1.23.2011
Tomato Soup for the Soul
The restaurant i work in has this tomato parmesan soup that i have fallen deeply in love with. I decided to go home and try to recreate it.
So i took two cans of Campbell's condensed tomato soup (make by directions on can), added about 1/3 of a cup of fresh parmesan, 1/2 a tablespoon, 1/4 a teaspoon of ground mustard, and white pepper to taste.
Now it's not completely earth shattering, but we'll work on that. i also discovered that ritz crackers are quite delicious in tomato soup.
i also made grilled cheese sandwiches with texas toast, colby cheese, sour cream, tomatoe and avocado.
awesome comfort food!
So i took two cans of Campbell's condensed tomato soup (make by directions on can), added about 1/3 of a cup of fresh parmesan, 1/2 a tablespoon, 1/4 a teaspoon of ground mustard, and white pepper to taste.
Now it's not completely earth shattering, but we'll work on that. i also discovered that ritz crackers are quite delicious in tomato soup.
i also made grilled cheese sandwiches with texas toast, colby cheese, sour cream, tomatoe and avocado.
awesome comfort food!
12.19.2010
Halloween
Our Halloween dinner complete with spaghetti green pepper jack-o-lanterns and meatballs, grave stone cheese spread and crackers.
What's for Breakfast?
My parents made these a lot for breakfast and it's still one of my favorites. It's fast and easy.
I use Sara Lee's english muffins, toasted, and two scrambled eggs.
Everyone has their midnight crafts they when they're board at 2am. Me? I make food. Last night was chocolate covered pretzel sticks. I had regular (which I decorated with red and green sprinkles), and peanut butter chocolate (chocolate sprinkles, as shown).
I had bought regular almond bark and white almond bark. I was so disappointed because the white chocolate is my favorite. I made the mistake of putting the burner on too high. Needless to say I burned it and messed it all up. Microwaving it works a lot better. Oh well, this way GE and I can go get more and make some together.
12.13.2010
It's That Time of Year!
Get out the boots, your snow pants and mittens and sit down to a Christmas movie with a mug of hot cocoa!
Try making up your own recipe and send it to me, I'll do a big feature on hot cocoa!
Try making up your own recipe and send it to me, I'll do a big feature on hot cocoa!
Give Thanks
So here is our feast from Thanksgiving. We went to GE's dad's girlfriend's house in his hometown and were completely filled up.
The selection included three bean casserole, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn bread pudding, stuffing, strawberry cream cheese and pretzel desert and of course pumpkin and apple pies. The strawberry dessert is something I will be singing about forever, and let me tell you, it's worth it.
The selection included three bean casserole, turkey, mashed potatoes, corn bread pudding, stuffing, strawberry cream cheese and pretzel desert and of course pumpkin and apple pies. The strawberry dessert is something I will be singing about forever, and let me tell you, it's worth it.
12.03.2010
December 3, 2001
I didn't even make it out of the kitchen ya'll, I had to tell you right away that I MADE MY OWN TORTILLA CHIPS AND GUACAMOLE!!! I know it doesn't seem like a big deal especially since a lot of you have probably already made both of those. But this is my first time making either, no less just winging it through the whole thing! I'm in the midst of taking pictures right now and writing down what I did so pictures and recipes will be up soon!
I sadly forgot to take pictures of the guacamole, but rest assured it looks like any other.
I sadly forgot to take pictures of the guacamole, but rest assured it looks like any other.
9.28.2010
I'll Corn YOUR Dog!
A couple nights ago my mother decided to make corn dogs for dinner.
She used the baking powder biscuit recipe, plus corn meal for the breading, which turned out good.
I'm not so big on the baking powder biscuits because they're always so dry, plus it made the breading turn out very crumbly.
On the up side, it's WAY more healthy than deep frying it like normal.
Baking Powder Biscuits:
1 1/2 whole wheat flour (if eliminating wheat germ use 2 cups flour)
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c wheat germ
4 Tbsp. oil
3/4 c milk (if using buttermilk, use only 2 tbsp baking powder)
bake at 450 degrees F, for 12-15 minutes.
NOTE: My mother makes these without the wheat germ and does not use buttermilk. I like the idea of not having so much flour in the biscuits, as I'm pretty sure that's why it's so dry, either that or the baking powder. I think the next time I make them I will use the wheat germ and buttermilk, just to see if I like it better. Also, my mother used all-purpose flower instead of whole wheat.
One of my favorite easy breakfasts that is made with the biscuit recipe is:
Sausage and Cheese Bites
1 1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour (or 2 cups white flour)
1/2 c wheat germ
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp oil
3/4 c milk
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 lb. milk pork sausage.
Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
Cook and crumble sausage. Drain.
In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients and cheese.
Add liquid ingredients and sausage. Stir.
Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes.
She used the baking powder biscuit recipe, plus corn meal for the breading, which turned out good.
I'm not so big on the baking powder biscuits because they're always so dry, plus it made the breading turn out very crumbly.
On the up side, it's WAY more healthy than deep frying it like normal.
Baking Powder Biscuits:
1 1/2 whole wheat flour (if eliminating wheat germ use 2 cups flour)
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c wheat germ
4 Tbsp. oil
3/4 c milk (if using buttermilk, use only 2 tbsp baking powder)
bake at 450 degrees F, for 12-15 minutes.
NOTE: My mother makes these without the wheat germ and does not use buttermilk. I like the idea of not having so much flour in the biscuits, as I'm pretty sure that's why it's so dry, either that or the baking powder. I think the next time I make them I will use the wheat germ and buttermilk, just to see if I like it better. Also, my mother used all-purpose flower instead of whole wheat.
One of my favorite easy breakfasts that is made with the biscuit recipe is:
Sausage and Cheese Bites
1 1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour (or 2 cups white flour)
1/2 c wheat germ
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp oil
3/4 c milk
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 lb. milk pork sausage.
Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
Cook and crumble sausage. Drain.
In medium bowl, combine dry ingredients and cheese.
Add liquid ingredients and sausage. Stir.
Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes.
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