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Rice Noodle Bowl

I really wanted some type of Asian influenced food tonight. I haven’t cooked a lot of Asian food but I love to eat it! I had several things to create a dish with, on hand. This is what I created.

Rice Noodle Bowl

4 cloves of garlic

2 teaspoons of ginger minced

1 purple onion chopped

1 lime – zested and juiced

2  pounds of cabbage slaw mix

4 chicken breasts (I will add 1-2 more next time) cooked and cubed

1 cup of chopped broccoli (I had frozen so I steamed it a bit and added it when I added the chicken) Raw could be chopped and sauteed with the onions.

gluten free soy sauce

2 teaspoons of sesame oil

Rice noodles  8 oz. box ( I used Annie Chun’s Maifun Rice Noodles) The box says 4 servings but for me, it was easily 6-8 servings of noodles.

Cilantro a small handful

Bake or fry your chicken breasts. Cube the chicken. Start your water to boil. Saute´ the garlic and onions in the sesame oil and then add the cabbage and lime zest and juice and cook this until it is soft. If it is too dry add a couple of Tablespoons of the chicken broth from cooking the chicken.  Add the chicken.  Cook the rice noodles 1-2 minutes. Mix it all together in a large bowl and add the cilantro and soy sauce to taste. 6-8 Servings. Enjoy!

 

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Skillet Pizza Crusts

Skillet Pizza Crusts

In the early 1990’s I started making skillet pizza crusts. They became a favorite and a part of my “once a month cooking” recipes. This is a nice thing to do with a group or your family because you can talk and visit as you work together to chop the veggies or just make your own pizza. When I am ready to assemble I preheat the oven, chop some veggies, set out a jar of pizza or pasta sauce, and set out the pepperoni and cheese. You CAN make them all yourself if you wish but it is more fun to let each person make their own. Call the group in a few at a time to assemble their pizza just the way they like it.  If you have a large group you may want to use parchment paper on your baking sheet and write each person’s name on it so that their pizzas do not get mixed up. My baking sheets hold 4 on each one. I can usually bake on both racks. They each take 10-15 minutes to bake. I bake them until the cheese is melted.

Here is my recipe for Skillet Pizza Crusts. I usually get 10 individual crusts from each recipe.

3 packages or Tablespoons of yeast

1 teaspoon of sugar

3/4 cup of water (105°-115°)

3 cups all-purpose flour ( I like to use a mixture of wheat and white)

1 teaspoon of salt

1/2 cup of additional water

2 Tablespoons oil

cooking spray

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a 2 cup measuring cup; let stand 5 minutes. Combine the yeast mixture, flour, and next 3 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until well blended. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead 5 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl and turn your dough to grease the top. Cover and let rise until doubled in size. Punch down and knead lightly. Divide your dough into small pieces. I usually just pinch off a small blob of dough (my grandma used to “pinch” biscuits as she called it). I roll these out one at a time and use a small saucer as a pattern to cut around. This will make the crusts a bit more uniform. They will still change shape a bit but no problem they taste great. I cook them on the stove in my iron skillet medium heat, 1-2 minutes on each side. When they slightly start to brown I flip them and cook the other side.  Cool on wire racks and then either freeze them or use them.

To assemble pizzas:

Preheat oven 350 °. Put the crusts on a baking sheet. Spread each crust with sauce. Put on toppings and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the oven until hot and bubbly, usually 10-15 minutes.

Some of our favorite toppings:

Artichokes – canned, chopped

Green onions chopped

Mushrooms fresh or canned

Spinach fresh is best

Bell peppers – we especially like the colored ones

Pepperoni

Mozzarella cheese

You may wish to make your pizza a Hawaiian, veggie, or sausage or whatever your favorite may be.

If you have leftover crusts freeze them. They are great to use for tostadas, or just with melted cheese. Either way, they are economical to make and a lot of fun and they disappear rather quickly!

Let me know if you have any questions! Happy Cooking!

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Eggroll in a Bowl

My daughter-in-law Rachel has an adventurous spirit. She is a fitness coach, scuba diver, and she and her husband are building their own floating house! She loves to cook and is always searching and finding great recipes to cook and share.  Rachel recently shared with me how she makes Eggroll in a Bowl. This is a fast, 30 minutes or less, easy, healthy, and delicious recipe! I love Asian food and decided to try my hand at this too!

Eggroll in a Bowl

2  – 1 lb. packages raw cabbage slaw mix

1/2 bunch of green onions thinly sliced

2 Tablespoons fresh ginger or dehydrated ginger

2 lbs. of turkey sausage

8 cloves of garlic minced

2 Tablespoons of soy sauce (wheat free)

2 Tablespoons sesame oil

Balsamic vinegar (if desired)

Parmesan (if desired)

Cook the turkey sausage. Drain the turkey. While it is cooking mince your garlic and ginger and slice your onions. Heat your sesame oil in your skillet and cook your garlic, ginger, and onions 1-2 minutes add your cabbage and cook until it is wilted. Add your turkey to the rest and season with your soy sauce and a little balsamic vinegar if desired. Enjoy! This is how I make mine. Rachel tops hers with parmesan. This is making a regular appearance on my menu!

Let me know what you think!

Happy Cooking!

If you would like to know more about my sweet daughter-in-law Rachel Redding and her fitness coaching then check out www.purefitnessredd.homesteadcloud.com

“I believe in being healthy mentally, spiritually, and physically because when you focus on total body wellness you become the best and strongest YOU that you can be!” Rachel

 

 

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Making Sourdough Starter, Charlie is his name!

Welcome to the adventure of sourdough baking!

I would like to say from the start that this is not one of my quick fifteen minute recipes but one I enjoy tremendously and puts me in touch with roots.

Several years ago my family spent an amazing weekend in Hacker Valley, West Virginia with an amazing lady we call Nanny Pugh. She is a gracious hostess and I learned so much from spending that weekend with her on her farm way out in the hills of West Virginia. While there she made some wonderful bread for us as well as a lot of fresh food from her garden! She taught me to make “Charlie” and how to feed him and make bread with him. I am going to share that recipe with you today. First I will share the starter recipe and then a scrumptious bread recipe.

Charlie Sourdough Starter

To make your starter…

3 packages of yeast or 3 Tablespoons

1/2 cup warm water 105°-115°

1 cup warm water

2/3 cup sugar

3 Tablespoons of instant potato flakes

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of warm water (105°-115°)  and then “feed” it with 1 cup of warm water, 2/3 cup sugar, and 3 Tablespoons of potato flakes

Let this mixture set out all day then refrigerate it for 2-5 days. Take it out and feed it again with the same ingredients: warm water, 2/3 cup sugar, and 3 Tablespoons of potato flakes. Let it set out all day or all night. Now remove 1 cup of the starter and maker your first Charlie bread or shape it into rolls.

Charlie Bread Recipe

1 cup of Charlie starter

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 ½ teaspoons salt

1 ½ cups warm water

6 cups flour

So take your starter and mix it with the sugar, oil, salt and warm water and then I add 6 cups of flour ( I usually use 4 cups unbleached and 2 cups whole wheat). Mix well and then pour the mixture into a greased bowl and don’t forget to oil the top of the dough or it will be a bit tough (don’t ask how I know this) and let it set out all night covered with a clean cloth. Divide the dough into two parts and knead it a bit, maybe 10 times at most, on a floured surface. Put each part into a greased pan. I like to shape some of mine into round loaves and some regular loaves. Brush lightly with oil and let rise on the counter top uncovered (or lightly covered with plastic wrap if you must) for 7-8 hours (mine doesn’t always take that long) or until it has risen and ready to bake. Bake 325° for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with butter. Within 10 minutes remove the bread from the pan to prevent sweating. Place on a cooling rack.

Helpful hints:

Let Charlie breathe. Keep him in a plastic bowl with holes punched in the lid or covered with plastic wrap with holes. Do not put anything on top of it or Charlie will die.

Do not stir with a metal spoon. Use wood or plastic.

If your starter gets too full or you want to share, pour out 1 cup of Charlie into another plastic bowl. Feed both Charlies on the same day and pass one on to your friend. At least 1 to 2 cups of Charlie must be kept in order to keep him alive.

Bread can be baked any day as long as 1 cup of Charlie has been allowed to set at room temperature for 8 hours before mixing.

To see my original article I wrote about my visit to Hacker Valley, West Virginia visit my reddingmountain.com blog

April 17, 2017 UPDATE: I cheated and this is the result! On Sunday morning early I wanted to make some rolls. I decided to take “Charlie” from the fridge and feed him.  I then took one cup full of Charlie and mixed up rolls and shaped them. I put them in the pan and let them rise while I was at church. When I came home I could tell they were ready to bake so I baked them and they were great! So if you need to speed up the process this might work for you!

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Tacos for a Crowd

When my kids call and tell me that they are bringing 20 friends over for dinner (or for the weekend) this is what I make! I have two very fast meals I could cook. Today,  I will share one of them.

Tacos, Taco Salad, or Taco Bar is the fasted thing I can make to satisfy a hungry crowd and leave me with energy enough to visit with my company. One of the things I like about making a taco bar is that everyone can make their own plates. If they are vegetarian or meat eaters, if they are dairy or gluten-free they can all eat.

I brown the ground beef at least 5 lbs and/or start chicken breasts baking in the oven to be shredded and seasoned with taco seasoning or some herbs from your cabinet (chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper and red pepper flakes if you like it hot!) The beef takes me about 15 minutes to get it all browned, drained, and seasoned. The chicken breasts usually take 20 minutes to cook and then I either cut them up or put them through my food processor.

1 to 2 heads of Romaine lettuce ( I like it best, probably because it is greener) or bagged Romaine

A large jug of salsa, if we don’t have homemade in the fridge or two regular jars

Sour Cream at least 24 oz.

2 cans of black olives sliced if not presliced or diced

2 cans of pinto beans or black beans, drained if you do not have homemade beans on hand

One or two bunches of  green onions or any onions chopped in the food processor or chopper

A few tomatoes chopped, 2-4

A large bag of shredded cheese 2-4 lbs.

A couple of bags of tortilla chips, taco shells, or soft tortillas or a combination

If I am in a hurry the only thing I really have to cook is the meat. While the meat is cooking I open the other items and set up the bar. Giant bowls of chips, cheese, lettuce, and smaller bowls of sour cream, tomatoes, onions, and olives.

You may not need tacos for a crowd but hopefully, some of these suggestions will help you get dinner on the table fast whether you are feeding a crowd or just your family.

Now for my tips and shortcuts:

Buy bulk ground beef when it is on sale. Brown and season your ground beef and put it in freezer baggies in 3-4 cup packages. Then it is ready for making quick dinners during the week or for surprises.

Buy large bags of shredded cheese (at great prices of course) and divide it into freezer bags. I do bags with 2 cups each and freeze them.

Make your own taco seasonings. You have more control over what is in your food as well as saving money.

 

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Sour Cherry Nutella Mousse

Sour Cherry Nutella Mousse

This is a quick and easy dessert! Sour Cherry Nutella Mousse can be mixed up and ready to eat in 10 minutes.

Sour Cherry Nutella Mousse

16 ounces whipped topping

1  small jar of Nutella (13 oz. jar)

14-15 ounces of unsweetened red tart cherries, drained

Mix the three ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Remove from the fridge and serve in dessert dishes or teacups if you wish.

Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

This recipe makes 8-10 very rich servings!

 

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Gluten-free Cornbread

This cornbread is soft and tasty!

Gluten-free Cornbread

1 cup of corn meal

1 cup of Pamela’s gluten-free biscuit and scone mix ( I have also used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free baking mix)

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon baking powder

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons cooking oil

1 ¼ cups of milk

Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix the dry ingredients together first and then top it with the eggs, milk, and oil and stir it together until blended. Don’t overmix. Pour into a hot oiled iron skillet or an oiled 8-inch square baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until done. Makes about 9 large servings.

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Steak Fajitas

Steak Fajitas

1 ½ lb. of steak sliced thin against the grain or you may buy it already cut for fajitas

4 green bell peppers sliced and cut into chunks

2 onions sliced thin

8 ounces of pre-sliced baby Bella mushrooms

McCormick Montreal steak seasoning

soy sauce (gluten free)

olive oil

Preheat your broiler on high or you may pan fry. Place the steak in a bowl and sprinkle with the Montreal steak seasoning on both sides and pour on some soy sauce, turn the meat to coat. Let that marinate while you chop the vegetables. Coat your pan with olive oil and place the meat on it and broil for 7 minutes each side. Meanwhile, coat your iron skillet with a little olive oil and stir fry the veggies on the stove top. When both are done pour the veggies on top of the steak and stir. Serve. I served mine with a bit of homemade salsa, made by my wonderful husband, a slice of avocado and some chips. A quick and delicious dinner.

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Coconut Scones

Last night I came home in a baking mood. I looked at what I had on hand and I got excited thinking about creating a coconut scone recipe. I like scones and hot PG Tips tea with milk and a bit of sugar. So I mixed up the scones and got them in the oven. Then we sat down to family Bible reading time and soon the scones were done, right in the middle of a very interesting discussion of why Jesus looked up to heaven and blessed the food. Of course, we had to sample them and everyone approved! Here is the recipe I created!

Coconut Scones

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour

3 Tablespoons sugar

1-2 teaspoons of sugar crystals or granulated sugar to sprinkle on top

1 scant Tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

⅓ cup butter or margarine

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring

4-6 Tablespoons coconut milk
*Additional 1 Tablespoon coconut milk to brush on top

1 cup shredded coconut
*Additional 1-2 Tablespoons of coconut to sprinkle lightly on top

Preheat the oven to 400°. Butter a baking sheet. In a large bowl, stir in the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture is crumbly. In a small bowl beat the egg and vanilla and the coconut milk. Lightly mix until it forms a soft dough. Place the dough on a floured surface and gently knead it 10 times. The dough will feel springy.
Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet. Roll or hand shape it into an 8-inch circle. With a pizza cutter dipped in flour cut your dough into 8 wedges, but do not separate them. Brush the tops with the additional coconut milk and sprinkle with sugar and coconut.
Bake 14-18 minutes until the scones are lightly browning. Remove from the baking sheet and cool a bit. Serve warm.

 

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Swedish Tea Ring

Our friend Janelle has been here visiting for about a week. Today was our last day with Janelle! I wanted to make a special brunch to have with her before her flight. I made cheesy grits, fried potatoes, bacon, oven scrambled eggs and my Swedish Tea Ring. I have made this recipe for more than 20 years. It is my favorite sweet yeast dough! It is light and tender. Here is my recipe made without my favorite rolling pin and baking sheet. I can improvise!

 

Swedish Tea Ring

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons yeast or 2 small packages

1/4 cup lukewarm water

2 eggs

4 1/2 cups all-purpose sifted flour ( I use unbleached)

Melted butter

1/2 lb. brown sugar 

1 Tablespoon + Cinnamon ( I like a lot of cinnamon so I keep adding)

Chopped nuts optional

You may add frosting if you wish. (Recipe below)

Preheat the oven 375°. Scald milk and pour over butter, sugar, and salt, sprinkle yeast over the lukewarm water. Cool milk to lukewarm (less than 110°), add to the yeast mixture. Add well-beaten eggs. Beat in flour to make a soft dough. Turn out on a floured board and knead until smooth. Form into ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Time can vary, it took mine an hour to rise.  When light shape into 2 rectangular sheets about 1/4 inch thick. I mix the cinnamon and brown sugar in a small bowl. I brush the rolled out dough with the melted butter and sprinkle with the cinnamon brown sugar mixture. Roll in jelly roll fashion and shape into rings. Place on greased cookie sheets and cut with scissors at 1” intervals almost through your ring.

You may want to turn your cut slices slightly to make a fancier ring. Cover and let rise until double in bulk. Bake at 375° F for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy. Variations: While warm, frost with powdered sugar frosting and sprinkle with chopped nuts.  This makes 2 rings. I think this is the most wonderful thing I bake!

This frosting is great to drizzle on the Swedish tea ring,  cinnamon rolls or other pastries.

Simple Frosting for Pastries

2 Tablespoons of melted butter

2 cups powdered sugar

the flavoring of your choice: vanilla, almond, etc.

1-3 Tablespoons of milk added one at a time until you reach the right consistency.

Melt the butter stir in the powdered sugar and flavoring and 1 Tablespoon of the milk. Stir until creamy. Add more milk a bit at a time until you reach drizzle consistency.  Yummy!