Even on hard days, or during hard weeks, I love teaching. I am only a subsititute, but I love being there, every single day I get to be.
Today - I was at the high school, teaching agriculture, and while I was scared going in that I wouldn't be able to help them, the teacher had a great lesson plan, and the day went off without a hitch. And it was a great day - the kids all very respectful.
So as I was leaving school, happy with how the day had gone, I saw one of the kindergarten students I've had several times running down the hall towards me. I "reprimanded him", telling him to stop running in the halls, and he immediately came to a stop, exclaiming "you're coming to my class tomorrow!"
I smiled, responded with "yes I am!"
At that point, he ran over and gave me an amazing hug....
A spontaneous, from-the-heart kid hug.
As I leaned down to return the hug, my heart was smiling, almost as much as this little boy was.
THIS is why I love teaching. The pure, honest excitement and happiness of one 6-year-old little boy. And the fact that he would share that with me, through his hug.
That is a good day, folks.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Monthly freezer cooking - doing up the favorites!
Having done freezer cooking and prep for my family many times now, we definitely have our favorites. So this month, we decided to do some of our favorites! These recipes are tried and true, and family approved!
Four Cheese Baked Pasta
adapted from The Casserole Queens Cookbook
16 oz box ziti or other tube shaped pasta
14 1/2 can petite diced tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
12 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup dry white wine
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup (4oz) crumbled gorgonzola cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded fontina cheese
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
Cook and drain pasta. Stir in tomatoes and juices. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by about half (about 4 minutes). Reduce heat to medium and add cream, stirring and cooking until slightly thickened (about 5 miunutes.) Remove from heat, and stir in cheeses. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the the pasta mixture in the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and tin foil. Freeze.
To prepare: Thaw in fridge overnight. Preheat oven to 425. Remove plastic wrap, and replace foil. Bake, covered, for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly. Stir before serving to make sure all the pasta is covered.
note: This is a very rich pasta dish. I prefer to make two 8x8 pans, and serve as a side, rather than a main dish.
.......
Spaghetti Pie
adapted from several recipes, including one from Allrecipes.com
note: Because I only have 3 mouths to feed, I can easily divide this into two 8x8 pans.
These two are two of our absolute favorites from my freezer cooking escapades. I hope that you enjoy. There are a lot of recipes out there, and we've tried many, but these are two that our families ask for over and over! Enjoy!
Four Cheese Baked Pasta
adapted from The Casserole Queens Cookbook
16 oz box ziti or other tube shaped pasta
14 1/2 can petite diced tomatoes
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onions
12 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup dry white wine
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup (4oz) crumbled gorgonzola cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded fontina cheese
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
Cook and drain pasta. Stir in tomatoes and juices. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, over medium-high heat, saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Add wine and cook until liquid is reduced by about half (about 4 minutes). Reduce heat to medium and add cream, stirring and cooking until slightly thickened (about 5 miunutes.) Remove from heat, and stir in cheeses. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over the the pasta mixture in the prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap and tin foil. Freeze.
To prepare: Thaw in fridge overnight. Preheat oven to 425. Remove plastic wrap, and replace foil. Bake, covered, for 30-35 minutes, until bubbly. Stir before serving to make sure all the pasta is covered.
note: This is a very rich pasta dish. I prefer to make two 8x8 pans, and serve as a side, rather than a main dish.
.......
Spaghetti Pie
adapted from several recipes, including one from Allrecipes.com
![](http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d22/unsecured/media/1033249144001/1033249144001_1712841288001_th-1365918558001.jpg?pubId=1033249144001" data-lazyload="true" src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d22/unsecured/media/1033249144001/1033249144001_1712841288001_th-1365918558001.jpg?pubId=1033249144001" alt="Garlic: Fresh Vs. Powdered" style="height:70px;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;" />){kind=link}
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage. Drain. Return meat to skillet and add salt, pepper, garlic powder, bell pepper and pasta sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
In a small bowl combine sour cream, onions and cream cheese and set aside.
Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and add the cooked spaghetti. Spread the cream cheese mixture over it, add the meat sauce mixture and sprinkle with Cheddar Cheese.
Cover with plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze.
To prepare: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Remove plastic wrap, and replace foil.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 more minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
note: Because I only have 3 mouths to feed, I can easily divide this into two 8x8 pans.
These two are two of our absolute favorites from my freezer cooking escapades. I hope that you enjoy. There are a lot of recipes out there, and we've tried many, but these are two that our families ask for over and over! Enjoy!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
What a wonderful day....
Today was a beautiful day at home, filled with cleaning, and cooking, and baking... and a lot of relaxation thrown in.
I made two loaves of french bread for tomorrow's cooking extravaganza (freezer cooking day!), a loaf of half wheat bread for everyday, banana bites (not so great), two batches of chex mix, and chicken stock (while poaching chicken for tomorrow.)
Dinner consisted of cube steak parmiagana.
I cleaned the living room, took down the winter decorations, and started to decorate for spring.
I lounged, watching cheesy movies and browsing pinterest in front of the fireplace.
I enjoyed many cups of chai.
I blogged. (:-))
All in all, one heckuva great day.
I made two loaves of french bread for tomorrow's cooking extravaganza (freezer cooking day!), a loaf of half wheat bread for everyday, banana bites (not so great), two batches of chex mix, and chicken stock (while poaching chicken for tomorrow.)
Dinner consisted of cube steak parmiagana.
I cleaned the living room, took down the winter decorations, and started to decorate for spring.
I lounged, watching cheesy movies and browsing pinterest in front of the fireplace.
I enjoyed many cups of chai.
I blogged. (:-))
All in all, one heckuva great day.
think spring?????
Seems like we have gotten a fresh layer of snow every few days for the last month. And I am NOT complaining! It is beautiful after a fresh snow, everything clean and white again! The snowmobilers, ice fisherman, skiers, snow boarders, and snow shoers - are having a GREAT winter here in the northwoods. It's been a typical, wonderful winter.
But today - is a rare day - home all day, just being! So I decided it's time to get the snowmen and valentine things down, and decorate for Easter. But THINK SPRING? Today? With a beautiful snow covered backyard?
But I'm trying.
With the fireplace going, bread baking in the oven, and music on the stereo, I have taken everything down, and I'm dusting, and cleaning, and will eventually put up the beautiful signs of spring all around my home...
The bread for the day is a new French bread recipe - just out of the oven.... house smells amazing. Pinned this off pinterest a long time ago, and never tried it, so today is the day!
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/07/french-bread.html
But today - is a rare day - home all day, just being! So I decided it's time to get the snowmen and valentine things down, and decorate for Easter. But THINK SPRING? Today? With a beautiful snow covered backyard?
But I'm trying.
With the fireplace going, bread baking in the oven, and music on the stereo, I have taken everything down, and I'm dusting, and cleaning, and will eventually put up the beautiful signs of spring all around my home...
The bread for the day is a new French bread recipe - just out of the oven.... house smells amazing. Pinned this off pinterest a long time ago, and never tried it, so today is the day!
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/07/french-bread.html
Thursday, February 21, 2013
On raising a cook....
I remember growing up to watching my mom baking homemade bread when I was a very young girl, a small remnant of her life as a stay at home mom in the 50s and 60s. As I grew older, the baking of fresh bread died with the lessened need for it. All of the other children gone, it was only the three of us then, so baking bread wasn't really necessary. Also, mom had taken a job outside the home when I was only little, so the time for all of that scratch cooking dwindled.
But no matter what my mom made, it was amazing. On special holidays, mom would spend hours making her cloverleaf rolls, light, and fluffy. OH, so good. Everything mom made was amazing. But especially her baking.
Christmas was mom's time to shine, baking dozens of cookies, all different kinds. Cookies that today we make in her memory, to enjoy a little bit of that life.
So I grew up in a kitchen. And so have my kids. Thankfully, I've realized, after losing my mom when I was 36, that you can't wait to share things. You can't wait to teach. You can't wait to share, the recipes, the tips, and the love of cooking and baking.
I think I'm doing better with my second child, my son, then I did with my daughter. But I still cook and bake with her when she comes home, and we share recipes and tips over the phone. But my son, he is a cook. At 15, he loves to be with me in the kitchen, not afraid to try a recipe, or make something new. I love finding him cooking for himself, or showing me a recipe he wants us to try. I have been approached by elderly ladies in our community, handed recipes that my son asked them to give me. Yeah. That ALWAYS makes me smile.
Tonight was a fun night. Baking goodies to send off to my daughter in college via a friend going to visit. Bread in the oven, my son decided that we should make a cinnamon chocolate chip cake that a friend of his brought to a party at our house once. So while he pulled up the recipe, I started on it in the kitchen. It wasn't until the cake was done that he informed me that the original link didn't work, so he just hunted down a recipe that was similar - and it was awesome.
I love that he not only appreciates what I do, but wants to also take an active part. And isn't afraid to hit the web for a fun recipe to try, and dig in. It's good to be raising a cook/baker. Some day, his wife will be happy!
But no matter what my mom made, it was amazing. On special holidays, mom would spend hours making her cloverleaf rolls, light, and fluffy. OH, so good. Everything mom made was amazing. But especially her baking.
Christmas was mom's time to shine, baking dozens of cookies, all different kinds. Cookies that today we make in her memory, to enjoy a little bit of that life.
So I grew up in a kitchen. And so have my kids. Thankfully, I've realized, after losing my mom when I was 36, that you can't wait to share things. You can't wait to teach. You can't wait to share, the recipes, the tips, and the love of cooking and baking.
I think I'm doing better with my second child, my son, then I did with my daughter. But I still cook and bake with her when she comes home, and we share recipes and tips over the phone. But my son, he is a cook. At 15, he loves to be with me in the kitchen, not afraid to try a recipe, or make something new. I love finding him cooking for himself, or showing me a recipe he wants us to try. I have been approached by elderly ladies in our community, handed recipes that my son asked them to give me. Yeah. That ALWAYS makes me smile.
Tonight was a fun night. Baking goodies to send off to my daughter in college via a friend going to visit. Bread in the oven, my son decided that we should make a cinnamon chocolate chip cake that a friend of his brought to a party at our house once. So while he pulled up the recipe, I started on it in the kitchen. It wasn't until the cake was done that he informed me that the original link didn't work, so he just hunted down a recipe that was similar - and it was awesome.
I love that he not only appreciates what I do, but wants to also take an active part. And isn't afraid to hit the web for a fun recipe to try, and dig in. It's good to be raising a cook/baker. Some day, his wife will be happy!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I LOVE a 5$ dinner
I love days at home when I can do some cooking. Some....
what is in the fridge/freezer cooking!
Today was one of those days. I had come across a recipe on All Recipes, thanks to their email newslette,r for a hot chicken pocket. Had one half of a large chicken breast to use up, a can of crescent rolls in the fridge, and cream cheese to boot.
The link to the yummy, husband approved recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Savory-Crescent-Chicken/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=106090773&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2013-02-17&prop28=Feature_1&prop29=Title&me=1#
Cooked up the breast (froze the stock for later), and then took the whopping 15 minutes to put the dinner together. Imagine how great this is for leftover chicken, after boiling for stock, or roasting! Paired it with some cooked carrots and mashed potatoes, and I was able to feed my family of 3 for about 5$.
The breakdown:
Half a breast 2.00 (on sale for 1.99/lb last week, I bought several and froze them individually)
crescent rolls 1.50 (only buy on sale)
cream cheese .75
carrots/potatoes .50
incidentals - negligable (tablespoon of butter, tablespoon minced onion, salt, pepper)
I did not use the crouton topping, and didn't miss it - will not use it next time either!
This was a balanced, complete meal - for only 4.75. Granted, I get potatoes and onions from the grower very cheap, but even with buying those at grocery store prices, you are adding VERY little. This made four chicken bundles - so it would technically feed a family of four. We got one for leftovers. Also, the half breast was actually too much for the recipe - so I have enough chicken salad for someone's lunch tomorrow!
Love finding a super yummy meal like this, with a chance to use leftovers, just what you have in the fridge, and create a home cooked meal for the family. ON A BUDGET.
what is in the fridge/freezer cooking!
Today was one of those days. I had come across a recipe on All Recipes, thanks to their email newslette,r for a hot chicken pocket. Had one half of a large chicken breast to use up, a can of crescent rolls in the fridge, and cream cheese to boot.
The link to the yummy, husband approved recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Savory-Crescent-Chicken/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=106090773&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2013-02-17&prop28=Feature_1&prop29=Title&me=1#
Cooked up the breast (froze the stock for later), and then took the whopping 15 minutes to put the dinner together. Imagine how great this is for leftover chicken, after boiling for stock, or roasting! Paired it with some cooked carrots and mashed potatoes, and I was able to feed my family of 3 for about 5$.
The breakdown:
Half a breast 2.00 (on sale for 1.99/lb last week, I bought several and froze them individually)
crescent rolls 1.50 (only buy on sale)
cream cheese .75
carrots/potatoes .50
incidentals - negligable (tablespoon of butter, tablespoon minced onion, salt, pepper)
I did not use the crouton topping, and didn't miss it - will not use it next time either!
This was a balanced, complete meal - for only 4.75. Granted, I get potatoes and onions from the grower very cheap, but even with buying those at grocery store prices, you are adding VERY little. This made four chicken bundles - so it would technically feed a family of four. We got one for leftovers. Also, the half breast was actually too much for the recipe - so I have enough chicken salad for someone's lunch tomorrow!
Love finding a super yummy meal like this, with a chance to use leftovers, just what you have in the fridge, and create a home cooked meal for the family. ON A BUDGET.
Monday, February 18, 2013
A creative hiatus!
I know I've been neglecting readers, but after the cookie baking, and this past weekend gone crafting, I simply didn't have time. I was pretty much unplugged for three days, and I loved it. I was gone with a friend for three days of shopping, scrapbooking, and relaxing. And it was good.
I do have an update though. Today was a BIG day. Finally I was able to start MY BOOK! I love writing, and have been trying very hard to write more, at some points every day. Today I was inspired to start writing my book (to be revealed later), and I am SO excited at the start I have. I have the book outlined, and the first chapter completed.
It's been years since I took the time to write, and it's the first time that the idea in my head actually translated to the pen and paper. (Yes, I WROTE it down - with pen - in a journal.) Hoping this week to start typing the book up. I will keep you posted on my progress!
I do have an update though. Today was a BIG day. Finally I was able to start MY BOOK! I love writing, and have been trying very hard to write more, at some points every day. Today I was inspired to start writing my book (to be revealed later), and I am SO excited at the start I have. I have the book outlined, and the first chapter completed.
It's been years since I took the time to write, and it's the first time that the idea in my head actually translated to the pen and paper. (Yes, I WROTE it down - with pen - in a journal.) Hoping this week to start typing the book up. I will keep you posted on my progress!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Cookie update....day three
The romance of "taking a break to take photos and blog my progress" from day one is gone.
I am now knee deep in day three. The number of cookies is up to 652. YEAH. Have already delivered 372. Working on the rest now. THIS IS CRAZINESS. Crunch time is upon me. I've restocked baking supplies three times. I've "restored" my kitchen countless times, finishing dishes, cleaning off cupboards, etc.
It's go-time. Making up the last 7 double batches of dough now, will do deliveries and then come back to finish baking and delivering. By this time tomorrow they will all be gone. Gone to happy families. Happy mouths.
I am pretty sure I won't be baking cookies for a couple of weeks.
whew.
I am now knee deep in day three. The number of cookies is up to 652. YEAH. Have already delivered 372. Working on the rest now. THIS IS CRAZINESS. Crunch time is upon me. I've restocked baking supplies three times. I've "restored" my kitchen countless times, finishing dishes, cleaning off cupboards, etc.
It's go-time. Making up the last 7 double batches of dough now, will do deliveries and then come back to finish baking and delivering. By this time tomorrow they will all be gone. Gone to happy families. Happy mouths.
I am pretty sure I won't be baking cookies for a couple of weeks.
whew.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Baking cookies update...nearing end of day one.
Today was day one of my cutout cooking baking marathon. I have approximately 400 decorated cutouts due for pickup or delivery by Tuesday afternoon. Today was a big baking day. And I had a blast. Started later than expected...after church, made a nice dinner for the guys and then did the dishes and cleaned up before getting started.
Finally started mixing up dough about 1pm today. After 6 hours of mixing, rolling, cutting, and baking, I made it through 12 batches of cookie dough. Just what does that mean you ask?
1 1/2 lb butter
6 cups shortening
12 cups of sugar
30 cups of flour
2 dozen eggs
12 tsp baking powder
6 tsp vanilla
12 tsp salt
About a third of the way through the day's baking....
1 1/2 lb butter
6 cups shortening
12 cups of sugar
30 cups of flour
2 dozen eggs
12 tsp baking powder
6 tsp vanilla
12 tsp salt
This is the LARGE "thats-a-bowl" from tupperware... this is 8 batches of cookie dough...
The 12 batches of dough made approximately 250 cookies. I'll know for sure once I frost, decorate, and pack them in the morning. No counting until then. I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised, with a number a little higher than that. THAT would make a good day.
The large hearts are for a fundraiser, for the Children's Miracle Network!
So before I sit down to frost and decorate for the next couple of hours, I thought I'd take some time to update you all on my progress. And share a few pix. Happy Baking!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Baking cookies!
When we were first married, my new husband informed me that I had to get a certain cut-out cookie recipe from his friend's mom. I did, and use it to this day - 17 years later. And I'm known for my cut-outs, made for every holiday and special event in between. Nice and thick and chewy...mmmm.
When I was working in management, I started a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network, selling heart "thank you" cookies that were delivered across the company. Every year we sold HUNDREDS.
I was lucky enough this year to be hired to bake the cookies for their fundraiser, even though I no longer work there. Between the fundraiser, and personal cookie sales to friends, I have over 32 DOZEN cut-out heart cookies to bake and decorate this weekend. Almost 400 cookies! TEN double batches of dough.
Gonna be a cookie-bakin' fool tomorrow. And I can't wait. I love baking cookies, and sharing with people. Especially for a good cause. :-)
When I was working in management, I started a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network, selling heart "thank you" cookies that were delivered across the company. Every year we sold HUNDREDS.
I was lucky enough this year to be hired to bake the cookies for their fundraiser, even though I no longer work there. Between the fundraiser, and personal cookie sales to friends, I have over 32 DOZEN cut-out heart cookies to bake and decorate this weekend. Almost 400 cookies! TEN double batches of dough.
Gonna be a cookie-bakin' fool tomorrow. And I can't wait. I love baking cookies, and sharing with people. Especially for a good cause. :-)
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Life in a Northern Town.....
Life in a Northern Town, the original version, is one of my all time favorite songs. Born and raised in Wisconsin, I lived for about 5 years in Nebraska, and then moved back. Now, I live in a SMALL northern town, where life is accentuated not just by being in the north, but by being a town of 800 people.
We get a lot of snow where I live. Not outrageous, but a lot. Enough that some kids ride snowmobiles to school when able. And tonight, we had friends stop by on a snowmobile. We live a block away from the trail, so they hopped on up to our house and hung out for a visit.
I just think it's cool. As stupid sounding as that might be, I think that the ability to hop on a snowmobile at your house, ride along a river, through the woods, and some ditches, and end up at a friend's house is a pretty cool concept. And I love that we have friends that do that.
So tonight we hung out - after a snowy day - with the fireplace going - chatting with good friends while they warmed up from their ride.
I'm known to enjoy life's little moments. And tonight was one of them.
We get a lot of snow where I live. Not outrageous, but a lot. Enough that some kids ride snowmobiles to school when able. And tonight, we had friends stop by on a snowmobile. We live a block away from the trail, so they hopped on up to our house and hung out for a visit.
I just think it's cool. As stupid sounding as that might be, I think that the ability to hop on a snowmobile at your house, ride along a river, through the woods, and some ditches, and end up at a friend's house is a pretty cool concept. And I love that we have friends that do that.
So tonight we hung out - after a snowy day - with the fireplace going - chatting with good friends while they warmed up from their ride.
I'm known to enjoy life's little moments. And tonight was one of them.
A domestic week...or two!
The deal with being a substitute teacher - is that I have no control over my schedule sometimes. And these last two weeks have been SLOW. So I've enjoyed a chance to be domestic - baking, cooking, freezing meals, and getting the house back in order.
Today I decided (it being cold and snowy) that it was a good day to bake some cutout heart cookies - to surprise my confirmation class and Bible study group tonight. So while doing laundry, and picking up the house, I baked a few dozen cutouts and decorated them, and made yummy porcupine meatballs for the family for dinner.
I have been able these last two weeks to make sure all of our leftovers are getting eaten in lunches, or used in meals. Both yesterday's turkey tetrazzini and today's meatballs cleaned out partials from the fridge - making me feel good to be preventing food from going to waste.
One of the first things I notice in weeks when I work a lot - that we end up having food get buried in the fridge and going to waste. So this week has made me happy - as I make sure that waste doesn't happen!
Time to get the dishes done - and get ready to teach confirmation. I have LOVED these domestic weeks.... it's been such a nice break. Granted, the money will be missed, but money isn't everything. :-)
Today I decided (it being cold and snowy) that it was a good day to bake some cutout heart cookies - to surprise my confirmation class and Bible study group tonight. So while doing laundry, and picking up the house, I baked a few dozen cutouts and decorated them, and made yummy porcupine meatballs for the family for dinner.
I have been able these last two weeks to make sure all of our leftovers are getting eaten in lunches, or used in meals. Both yesterday's turkey tetrazzini and today's meatballs cleaned out partials from the fridge - making me feel good to be preventing food from going to waste.
One of the first things I notice in weeks when I work a lot - that we end up having food get buried in the fridge and going to waste. So this week has made me happy - as I make sure that waste doesn't happen!
Time to get the dishes done - and get ready to teach confirmation. I have LOVED these domestic weeks.... it's been such a nice break. Granted, the money will be missed, but money isn't everything. :-)
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
For the love of my freezer....
I am lucky enough to have a chest freezer. Not a huge one, but one large enough to allow me to shop smarter, cook ahead, and freeze lots of goodies from my garden. In the long run, it saves us a TON of money.
I had no idea today what I wanted to make for dinner. After the whole NOLA weekend, yesterday was ring bologna, potatoes and corn. Just wanted something simple. So I had NO idea today. So I took laundry down to the basement, and stopped at the freezer on the way. Frozen turkey left from Christmas dinner! Perfect start for Turkey Tetrazzini... dinner dilema solved. Pulled a container of frozen strawberries out too, just for a treat. On a cold day like today, with the snow blowing, a little taste of spring/summer is just what the doctor ordered.
I recieved an amazing Taste of Home cookbook from my big sister this Christmas, and looked there for a recipe, finding a traditional from scratch tetrazzini. The recipe called to make a 9x13 pan, but when I got done, I realized that it was WAY more than my family of three could eat, so I prepped 3 smaller pans, one for tonight, and two.. you guessed it - went into the freezer!
There are SO many benefits to having a chest freezer. I can shop sales. It is an outreach of my pantry. I can buy in bulk, and separate. ALL saving me money. I can cook ahead for my family, again saving money, but also providing REAL food - even on those crazy weeks - simply by pulling a prepped dinner up from the freezer to thaw and cook.
So today - is my "ode to my freezer". One of my most important appliances!
I had no idea today what I wanted to make for dinner. After the whole NOLA weekend, yesterday was ring bologna, potatoes and corn. Just wanted something simple. So I had NO idea today. So I took laundry down to the basement, and stopped at the freezer on the way. Frozen turkey left from Christmas dinner! Perfect start for Turkey Tetrazzini... dinner dilema solved. Pulled a container of frozen strawberries out too, just for a treat. On a cold day like today, with the snow blowing, a little taste of spring/summer is just what the doctor ordered.
I recieved an amazing Taste of Home cookbook from my big sister this Christmas, and looked there for a recipe, finding a traditional from scratch tetrazzini. The recipe called to make a 9x13 pan, but when I got done, I realized that it was WAY more than my family of three could eat, so I prepped 3 smaller pans, one for tonight, and two.. you guessed it - went into the freezer!
There are SO many benefits to having a chest freezer. I can shop sales. It is an outreach of my pantry. I can buy in bulk, and separate. ALL saving me money. I can cook ahead for my family, again saving money, but also providing REAL food - even on those crazy weeks - simply by pulling a prepped dinner up from the freezer to thaw and cook.
So today - is my "ode to my freezer". One of my most important appliances!
Monday, February 4, 2013
Our NOLA celebration!
Being from Wisconsin, the super bowl wasn't as meaningful this year, with our Packers not playing. But my long time readers know that New Orleans is VERY close to our hearts. We have dear friends there, and have visited multiple times, and love the cuisine. With the super bowl in NOLA this year, it was my chance to put on a true NOLA feast!
About a week ago, I started building the menu, realizing that if it was only going to be my husband and I, all of the hard work would be wasted. So we invited a few friends over, and preparations began.
I hit more than one road block, as I started looking for some of the ingredients. Note to self: on my next trip to New Orleans I need to hit up a grocery store and stock up on the local ingredients! Luckily, I'm enough of a cook, that I can improvise. I knew what flavors I needed, and wanted, and I did the best with what I could find!
I started the day making fresh beignets for my family and a few friends who stopped by. We enjoyed the fresh and hot fried pillows of dough dredged in powdered sugar over cups of chicory. The only thing missing was the noise and bustle of the people going past the Cafe du Monde patio.... Such a yummy treat - and making them with my son made it all the better. He loves to cook and bake, so when my friends arrived, he allowed me to sit and chat with them, while he continued frying them and replenishing our supply. What a sweetheart. A truly great way to start our day!
While the beignets were frying, I started making some baguettes. One of my favorite sandwiches from the south is the Muffaletta. I had seen a recipe for a muffaletta dip, a deconstructed sandwich, and loved the idea. Rather than follow the recipe though, I did my own version - using what I had available to me. I created a muffaletta bruschetta - served on fresh baked baguettes. And it turned out amazing!
I couldn't have a NOLA feast without a poboy sandwich. The traditional sandwich of New Orleans, steeped in history, I tried to make our southern friends proud. I mixed up a spicy remoulade, fried up some breaded tilapia fillets, and served up a sandwich bar for people to make their own.
Jambalya was also on my mind, a simple version though - with only andouille, rather than three proteins. By the time this was cooking, the house was smelling amazing...
Of course there could be no other finale than a traditional King Cake. While making the yeast dough for the cake, I was shocked that it took over 6 cups of flour. If I'd read the recipe, I would have seen that it made TWO cakes. So, my dear son was able to take a King Cake to the party he was attending also. All good! The cake turned out perfectly - light, tender, and wonderful. Although I did make one huge mistake - in that I forgot to put the baby in the cake. Frustrating, to say the least, but it tasted the same. Just no fun in finding who would find the baby!
With everything baked, I dug out our stash of beads from Mardi Gras, and decorated the house. We had beads hanging from the ceiling fan, decorating the tables, and of course, decorating our guests.
Then I mixed up a pitcher of hurricanes to chill, and we were ready for the big game.
We had three friends over to enjoy the feast, and watch the game, and it was a perfect night. We enjoyed great food and drink, and laughed until we cried. We had a blast watching the game (and of course the commercials).
I love cooking, and more than that, just love having over the people that mean so much to me in this world. No better way to end the week than combining the two - and having a wonderful dinner party. Life is good!
About a week ago, I started building the menu, realizing that if it was only going to be my husband and I, all of the hard work would be wasted. So we invited a few friends over, and preparations began.
I hit more than one road block, as I started looking for some of the ingredients. Note to self: on my next trip to New Orleans I need to hit up a grocery store and stock up on the local ingredients! Luckily, I'm enough of a cook, that I can improvise. I knew what flavors I needed, and wanted, and I did the best with what I could find!
I started the day making fresh beignets for my family and a few friends who stopped by. We enjoyed the fresh and hot fried pillows of dough dredged in powdered sugar over cups of chicory. The only thing missing was the noise and bustle of the people going past the Cafe du Monde patio.... Such a yummy treat - and making them with my son made it all the better. He loves to cook and bake, so when my friends arrived, he allowed me to sit and chat with them, while he continued frying them and replenishing our supply. What a sweetheart. A truly great way to start our day!
While the beignets were frying, I started making some baguettes. One of my favorite sandwiches from the south is the Muffaletta. I had seen a recipe for a muffaletta dip, a deconstructed sandwich, and loved the idea. Rather than follow the recipe though, I did my own version - using what I had available to me. I created a muffaletta bruschetta - served on fresh baked baguettes. And it turned out amazing!
I couldn't have a NOLA feast without a poboy sandwich. The traditional sandwich of New Orleans, steeped in history, I tried to make our southern friends proud. I mixed up a spicy remoulade, fried up some breaded tilapia fillets, and served up a sandwich bar for people to make their own.
Jambalya was also on my mind, a simple version though - with only andouille, rather than three proteins. By the time this was cooking, the house was smelling amazing...
Of course there could be no other finale than a traditional King Cake. While making the yeast dough for the cake, I was shocked that it took over 6 cups of flour. If I'd read the recipe, I would have seen that it made TWO cakes. So, my dear son was able to take a King Cake to the party he was attending also. All good! The cake turned out perfectly - light, tender, and wonderful. Although I did make one huge mistake - in that I forgot to put the baby in the cake. Frustrating, to say the least, but it tasted the same. Just no fun in finding who would find the baby!
With everything baked, I dug out our stash of beads from Mardi Gras, and decorated the house. We had beads hanging from the ceiling fan, decorating the tables, and of course, decorating our guests.
Then I mixed up a pitcher of hurricanes to chill, and we were ready for the big game.
We had three friends over to enjoy the feast, and watch the game, and it was a perfect night. We enjoyed great food and drink, and laughed until we cried. We had a blast watching the game (and of course the commercials).
I love cooking, and more than that, just love having over the people that mean so much to me in this world. No better way to end the week than combining the two - and having a wonderful dinner party. Life is good!
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