12.18.2010

Pancakes and Syrup

Hi, I have discovered this and decided it's worth sharing.

This morning I really wanted pancakes but we had no pancake mix or syrup in the house.

Well, I know you can make pancakes from muffin mix. So, I made blueberry pancakes.

You may be saying "Yes, Bridget everybody knows that."

(In case you do not know this. I used this recipe but added lots more water. I couldn't tell you how much. Add is small amounts until it's thin but not thin as water.)

Ok, ok but did you know that you can make pancake syrup from jelly?

Yup, if you are like us we seem to have lots of jelly even though I don't buy it and we don't eat it.

So, I found this recipe where Sandra Lee made grape pancake syrup from jelly. Now, I don't really want to eat grape pancake syrup on blueberry pancakes but I do like the idea of strawberry syrup on blueberry pancakes.

I made strawberry syrup. I followed Sandra's recipe but added a lot more water.

I have to warn you that my syrup was VERY thick. Very tasty and in my opinion worth it but very thick. It wasn't jelly consistency but it was thick like real maple syrup is thick. I have two thoughts on this. 1. I only left it on the stove for 5 min because I was hungry and the pancakes were already done. So, extending the time on the stove may help. I honestly don't know. 2. I used earth fare jelly. Earth fare jelly is very thick because it has no high fructose corn syrup. So, you used smuckers or something more traditional I suspect it'll work better.

12.15.2010

Crockpot Veggie Stew

So, I said we'ld be talking about holiday food but you can't only eat cookies. We'ld all like to but I don't think it would fly. So, here is a healthy, easy recipe that can accompany your fudge that you'll still feel good about yourself the next day.  With the crockpot during the holiday season it'll free you up to do all of your baking and still eat semi healthy.

1 TBSP minced garlic
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoons oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 onion
1 can of diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted but I bet you can use any kind).
2 cans of water
2 chik'n bullion cubes
1 can beans drained (I used pinto but bet any kind would work).
1/2 cup dried brown lentils
3 new potatoes
2-3 carrots
1 bell peppers
2 stalks of celery
1 can of peas
2 cups of rice

Chop all veggies in bite size pieces

Put all ingredients EXCEPT rice in crockpot.

Stir together.

Set on low for 6 1/2 hours.

When timer is done add 30 more minutes and add rice. If you add the rice too early it'll dissolve and be disgusting to eat.

When it's done enjoy!

*This recipe is 100% Mr. C approved who remember is not a veghead. So, it's approved by herbivores and omnivores alike!

12.13.2010

Classic Cheeseball


This is my cheeseball. I made it on Thanskgiving and didn't get a chance to take a picture before some people got a hold of it. It's not usually in our Thanksgiving celebrations but my uncle used to make one for Christmas every year and I was really missing it. Sadly this is not his recipe but mine but it's still good.

1 1/2 packages of 8 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature
1 package of lipton onion soup mix
2-3 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP of minced garlic
2 green onions chopped
1 bag of finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 tsp  of paprika
salt to taste

chopped nuts (I used flavor groove cashews but i think pecans are more common)

In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, 1/2 of Mexican cheese blend, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, Lipton onion soup mix, paprika, onion, and garlic.

*I did this with my immersion blender and it worked wonderfully. I think an electric mixer would work too but it would just take more time and effort.

If its too thick try adding small amounts of milk to make it easier to work with. I added milk but I'm not sure how much. It did work well.

If it's too bland add salt or more paprika but beware the soup mix will add lots of flavor while it's setting up.

Once it's at the right consistency mix the rest of the cheese in. I added it separately because my immersion blender dissipated the first half of the cheese. If you are using a hand mixer this step may be unneccesary and you can add all the cheese in the beginning.

Next chop your nuts. If you have a food processor or a mini chopper put them in for a couple of seconds.

Put nuts on a baking pan and roll your cheese ball in them until fully coated.

Wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap and let set overnight.

Serve with crackers and veggies! Enjoy.

Happy December!

It's not christmas yet so I'm going to tell you Merry Christmas as it's not quite Christmas yet. Although, I have been already listening to my new christmas glee CD.Which my husband hates because it's not Christmas yet.




Now, I don't know about you but I have a bunch of random things I need to go this holiday season. And, I always struggle with what to bring. Yes, I like to cook but you know I work full time and am preggers so anything easy is a-ok with me. So, over the next couple days/weeks I am going to provide you with the easiest recipes I know that are crowd pleasers.