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Spicy Lentil Soup

I have discovered that I REALLY enjoy eating lentils. They are cheap, yummy and good for you. This soup has a slight kick to it, which I really like.

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cups water
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 1 15-oz can red kidney beans
• 1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup diced carrots
• 1 ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

1. Sauté onions, garlic and ginger in olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil for about 5 minutes. Let simmer for about an hour to an hour and a half (until lentils are tender).
3. Puree half the soup in blender and return to pot.

Spicy Oven Baked Spare Ribs

Heath's grandma gave us spare ribs as part of our Christmas gift. I haven’t eaten spare ribs since I was 10 years old! I had no idea what to do with them. I would have cooked them on the grill, but it is -20 degrees outside with 6 feet of snow on the ground! I found this recipe on cooks.com, but have adapted it to make it my own. The ribs were sticky and slightly sweet and I thought that they were just delicious! Heath, Caitlyn and I really enjoyed them. Josiah…being the picky and temperamental eater that he is…would not touch them. His loss…

• 4 lbs spareribs
• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon powdered mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Hot sauce (to taste)
• Garlic (to taste)

Cook spareribs in a shallow roasting pan at 300⁰F for about an hour. Boil remaining ingredients in small saucepan for 15 minutes. After the ribs have cooked for an hour, set oven to broil and baste ribs with sauce. Broil for about 15-20 minutes, continually basting with sauce so they don’t dry out.

Crock Pot BBQ Pork Chops with Oven Wedges

Pork Chops:
2-4 Pork Chops
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup bottled barbecue sauce
1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot sauce

Heat oil in skillet. Sprinkle salt, pepper and paprika over each side of pork chop. Sear each side of pork chop, about 1-2 minutes per side, to seal in flavor. Place in crock pot. Mix together apple cider vinegar through hot sauce. Pour over pork chops. Cook on low about 4 hours.

Oven Wedges
2-4 sweet potatoes or white potatoes (or combination)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup flour
¼ cup parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

Peel and cut potatoes into large wedges. Cover bottom of baking dish with thin layer olive oil. Mix together flour, cheese, salt and pepper and gently push each side of cut potato wedge into flour mixture. Place in baking dish. Bake at 425⁰F for about an hour, turning halfway through cooking time.

The Best Granola...ever!

My friend, Marcia, introduced me to this granola and it is now our family favorite. We eat it in place of cereal and even Caitlyn can eat it with her hands. It involves “soaking grains” which I am very new to and have only done a few times.

Basically, soaking grains helps to improve their digestibility. Grains contain phytic acid on the outer layer of the bran and this can actually inhibit digestion and block absorption of minerals. This can lead to uncomfortable bloating. Enzymes and other friendly bacteria that are found in yogurt and other acid mediums can “predigest” the grain for us, making it easier for our stomachs to digest. We are able to absorb more of the minerals and do not suffer from abdominal discomfort. The soaking process also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors found in seeds and grains, making certain nutrients more accessible.

As I said, I am new to this process and will be experimenting and taking baby steps to soak more grains. If you would like to read more on this process, please visit - http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/04/whole-grains-grinding-soaking.html

This recipe is originally found on http://healthbeginswithmom.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-make-soaked-granola.html. Marcia has made a few of her own changes and I have adapted the recipe as well. Below is my version:

Mix together:

• 6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup whole grain flour
• 1 cup sesame/sunflower/pumpkin seeds (or combination)
• 1 cup chopped nuts (preferably unsalted)

Add 1 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk. Mix together with hands to make sure all grains are evenly coated. Let soak, covered, at room temperature for at least 7 hours. After 7 hours, break up any clumps with fingertips, and add:

• 1 cup unsweetened, dried coconut

Gently heat the following together on the stovetop, until warmed and mixed together:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup honey
• 1 Tbsp salt (use less if you used salted nuts)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients together until thoroughly mixed. Pour onto two cookie sheets. Bake at 215⁰F for 2 hours, stirring halfway through cooking time.
Remove from oven and add:

• 1-2 cups dried fruit

Let cool to room temperature and store in airtight container. Use as normal cereal and serve with milk or yogurt.

Enjoy!!

Crockpot Stacked Enchiladas

1 lb ground turkey
1 large onion
3 garlic cloves
1 10oz can enchilada sauce
1 16oz jar salsa
1-2 4oz can chopped green chili’s
1 cup sour cream
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups grated cheese, cheddar or Mexican
6 whole wheat tortillas

Cook meat, onions and garlic in a large saucepan over medium heat until browned. Add enchilada sauce, salsa, chili’s, sour cream, and black beans and mix until well combined. Let simmer for a few minutes.

Cover the bottom of your crock pot with a thin layer of sauce, followed by a layer of tortillas, another layer of sauce, and then cheese, and repeat in that fashion until all your ingredients have been added (about 4 layers). Finish with a layer of sauce and cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Recipe adapted from www.passionatehomemaking.com

Easy Mexican Chicken

Chicken breasts
Olive Oil
Chili powder
Salsa
Cheese
Tortilla chips/Fritos (crushed)

Pour olive oil on each side of chicken breast and spread chili powder on top. Top with salsa. Bake at 400 for about 30 min. Top with cheese and crushed chips. Cook additional 10 min.

Spinach Roll Ups

PERFECT appetizer for a party. Everyone enjoyed them at our New Year's Eve party.

1 sheet puff pastry
1 box spinach, thawed and drained
2 cups cheese
1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp water

Brush thawed pastry with egg. Layer with spinach and cheese. Roll up and cut into 20 small pieces. Brush with left over egg mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Bacon Quiche

I wanted to make something special for breakfast on New Year's Day, but I did not want to be in the kitchen all morning. I made this the night before and we just heated it up for breakfast and added some fresh fruit to complete the meal. I made this recipe up off the top of my head. Next time I will add some mushrooms.

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
6 eggs
½ cup milk
6 slices bacon, cooked and diced
1 cup cheese
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

Lay the puff pastry into a pie plate and roll down edges. Beat eggs through Italian seasoning in medium bowl and pour into pastry. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving. This is an easy dish to make the night ahead and serve for breakfast or brunch. Can be eaten cold and warm.

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins

Josiah was begging me to make muffins yesterday. I didn't feel like looking for a recipe, so I decided to make one up myself. I am VERY happy with how these turned out...they are DELICIOUS! They went really fast as well. I will have to make them again:-)

2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour mix (equal parts whole wheat flour, white flour and wheat germ)
1 Tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup applesauce
½ cup milk
½ cup canned pumpkin
½ cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a muffin tin (recipe makes 12 muffins). Mix together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix together until just moistened (do NOT overmix). Bake at 375 for 18 – 20 minutes.

Bean and Lentil Soup

I bought a bag of lentils a few months ago and had every good intention of using them…but I have been a little nervous because I have never cooked them before. I found this recipe and adapted it from the Prevention Magazine. I figured it was now or never. This soup is DELICIOUS! Josiah, my 3-year-old, would not touch it (of course), but Caitlyn (my 10-month-old) and I enjoyed every bite!

1 small onion, diced
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp chili powder
½ tsp salt
1 ¼ cup dry lentils, rinsed and drained
4 cups water
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
1 15-oz can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
4 oz shredded cheese (I use a sharp cheddar, but you can use any kind)
1 tsp freeze-dried chives

1. Sauté onion in olive oil until golden. Add chili powder and salt.
2. Add lentils and water, bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and simmer additional 5 minutes.
3. Stir in cheese and herbs and allow to simmer about 20 minutes.

Buttermilk Oatmeal Muffins

I made these muffins this morning before we headed out to play group...they are YUMMY:-)

1 c. rolled oats
1 c. buttermilk
1 egg, unbeaten
1/4 c. warmed honey
1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1/3 c. melted coconut oil

Soak oats in buttermilk at least 1/2 hour. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Beat egg into oat mixture. Add honey and combine thoroughly. Stir together flour, salt and soda. Make sure no lumps in soda. Stir into oatmeal mixture then add oil. Mix only until combined. Bake in buttered muffin tin 15-18 minutes until brown. Makes 1 dozen muffins.

Adapted from www.cooks.com

Pretzel Snowmen

White chocolate chips or almond bark
10 pretzel rods
10 apricot rings
10 small, round candies
Fruit leather
50 mini chocolate chips
Frosting

Melt chocolate chips or almond bark and dip pretzel. Immediately push in 2 mini chocolate chips for eyes and 3 for buttons. Dab a little orange frosting for a nose and let cool in freezer 2 minutes. Place apricot ring over top of pretzel for hat and secure round candy for top of hat with frosting. Cut fruit leather and tie around pretzel for scarf. Enjoy!

Vegetable Pastry

I made this pastry for a dinner that I had with friends, but I enjoyed it so much that I made it the very next evening for Heath and I. I paired it with pork loin and it made for a yummy dinner.

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Italian cheese
2 cups broccoli
1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
Preheat oven to 375. Mix vegetables, cream cheese and cheese in bowl. Place both pastry sheets on baking sheet and pinch together with fingers to make one big piece. Place vegetable mix in middle of pastry and fold up sides. Close edges with fingers. Brush with egg mixture. Bake about 30 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown.

Traditional Christmas Cake

I grew up eating this traditional English fruit cake EVERY Christmas. I have started to make it so I can continue the tradition. Do not be alarmed when making it...there is MUCH more fruit than batter. I usually add a little more brandy for an extra moist cake.

This cake turns out best when baked during the first week of December and frosted a week later. It will last a LONG time because of the fruit and alcohol.

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
2 cups flour
½ cup glacé cherries
1 ½ cups seedless raisins
1 cup currants
1 ½ cups sultanas
1 ½ cups dates
1 cup pecan nuts
½ tsp mace
½ tsp nutmeg
2 tsp ground ginger
4 tsp all-spice
½ tsp cloves
1 tsp cream of tartar
2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 cup brandy, divided



• Prepare the fruit by chopping the dates and nuts.
• Wash the raisins, sultanas, and currants in cold water and dry well in a tea cloth.
• Add the chopped ingredients.
• Cream the butter and sugar, and then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Add the prepared fruit to the sugar mixture.
• Work in the flour, spices and cream of tartar.
• Add the syrup, vinegar, half of the brandy and the baking soda blended with the milk.
• Fold in the cherries.
• Turn into a prepared tin diameter and bake for 1 hour at 320, and then for another hour at 280.
• No mixture should stick to the skewer when testing to see if cooked.
• Remove the cake from the oven.
• Cool slightly and pour over the remaining brandy, and then allow it to cool thoroughly before sealing in cling wrap/wax wrap/press ‘n seal in an air-tight container.



Icing the cake – you can choose to leave off the icing and just decorate with candied fruit and nuts

Melt smooth apricot jam on a low heat and then paint a thin layer of jam directly onto the cake. Knead and then roll out the marzipan to a thickness you like. Place on top of the cake and then with your hands covered in icing sugar, smooth the marzipan over the cake. Leave for a few days and then cover with fondant. Decorate to your heart’s desire!

Turtle Cheesecake

I made this cheesecake for my father-in-law's birthday dinner and it was DELICIOUS! I don't usually like cheesecake, but I wanted to go back for seconds:-)

Crust:
1 ¾ cup chocolate graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
Filling:
3 x 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Topping:
Caramel syrup (about 1 cup)
Whipped cream
Pecan pieces
Chocolate syrup (about 2 tablespoons)

Crust:
Combine crumbs and butter in medium bowl. Press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of prepared springform pan.
Filling:
Beat cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Melt chocolate chips in microwave until they stir smooth. Stir in 2 cups cheesecake batter into melted morsels and mix well. Alternately spoon batters into crust, beginning and ending with yellow batter. Bake about 70 minutes, or until edge is set and center moves slightly. Store overnight in fridge.
Serve:
Place on serving plate. Spread with caramel syrup and place in fridge for about 30 minutes to harden. Cover with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup and pecan pieces.

Tree Trim Trail Mix

This is a wonderful, healthier snack mix that has all the smells and tastes of Christmas!

4 cups freshly popped popcorn
4 cups cheerios
1 cup nuts, toasted at 350 for 5 minutes
1/3 cup maple syrup
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Pinch of baking soda
1 cup dried cranberries

Heat oven to 300. Grease a large, rimmed baking sheet. Mix the popcorn, cheerios and nuts in a large bowl. Bring syrup, cinnamon and salt to a boil in a small pot over medium heat. Let the mixture boil for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off heat and add baking soda, stirring until mixture is creamy. Pour the mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet and bake until it is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes. Let the popcorn cool for 20 minutes, then mix in the cranberries.

Toll House Snack Mix

My friend, Michelle, made this snack mix for my baby shower for Caitlyn. It is delicious and easy to make! Be careful though...it is VERY addictive!

4 cups rice Chex (or choice of cereal)
1 cup nuts
1 cup (about 20) caramels, unwrapped and coarsely chopped
1 (12-oz) bag milk/semi-sweet/butterscotch chips

Coat a 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine first 3 ingredients in large bowl. Microwave chips for 1 minute, stir, and microwave additional 10-20 second intervals until melted. Stir until smooth. Pour over cereal mixture to coat evenly. Spread into prepared pan and cool 45 minutes, or until firm. Break into bite-size pieces.

Spinach Frittata

This is a quick, easy and cheap dinner. You can leave out the bacon if you are a vegetarian. I have also made it with mushrooms.

6 eggs
¼ cup milk
2 cups cheese, divided
1 small onion, diced
1 box frozen spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
6 slices bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces

Preheat oven to 400. Cook onion in olive oil until tender. Add spinach, tomatoes and bacon. Whisk eggs with milk and 1 cup cheese and add to vegetable mixture. Cook until sides become firm. Place in oven and cook for about 10 minutes. Add 1 cup of cheese to top of mixture and cook until firm (shake pan slightly to check if firm). Leave to sit for about 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Maple Granola

This yummy granola recipe is courtesy of my friend, Kaarin Reese.I have only made it once and it was delicious. I will make it with coconut oil next time.

4C regular oats
1C coconut
1/2C sliced almonds
1/4t salt
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped, dried mango
1/2C olive oil
1/2C maple syrup

Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Pour syrup and olive oil into bowl and mix with dry ingredients. Spread mixture on a jelly roll pan. Bake 325° for 30 minutes, stirring once halfway during baking. Cool and store in jar.