Friday, January 30, 2009

Pumpkin Blender Wheat Waffles


My friend Christina forwarded this recipe to me from http://everydayfoodstorage.net/ We just tried these waffles this morning, and they were pretty good. You can make them completely from food storage.

Pumpkin Blender Wheat Waffles
1 Cup Milk (3 T. Powdered Milk and 1 C. Water)
1 Cup + 2 Tbs Wheat Kernels, whole & uncooked
2 Eggs (2 T. Powdered Eggs and 1/4 C. Water)
2 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 Cup Oil
1/2 Cup Pureed, Cooked Pumpkin
1-1/2 t. Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Tbs. Sugar
Put milk and wheat kernels in blender. Blend on highest speed for 4 or 5 minutes or until batter is smooth. Add eggs, oil, baking powder, salt, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and honey or sugar to above batter. Blend on low. Pour batter into hot prepared waffle iron from the actual blender jar (only one thing to wash!)
For a yummy variation, put chopped pecans on the top of the batter in the waffle iron before closing.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Apple-Onion Pork Chops


I got this recipe from Allrecipes, and I really liked it. The apple chunks get very tender and were almost applesauce when I served them. I just piled the toppings on top of the porkchops.

I think it needs a side dish, and I'm guessing you could add some little red potatoes in the pot and they would cook up great. I'll update you if I try it!

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 (4 ounce) lean boneless pork loin chops
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil, divided
  • 2 cups sliced red onion (1/2 inch slices)
  • 1 large tart apple - peeled and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, brown chops in 1 tablespoon oil on both sides over medium-high heat. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet, cook onions and apple in remaining oil over low heat until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Return pork chops to the pan. Add vinegar; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes or until meat is tender.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

a tid bit I forgot about my families favorite meal

In case you didn't read the comment I left, I forgot to mention to add 1/4 tsp salt and a dash of pepper to the roux after you add the milk.

Our families favorite dinner - gets gobbled right up!

MAC & CHEESE, BROCCOLI & FRUIT SALAD: This takes about 30 minutes!
While pasta water is boiling, start fruit salad (see *).
Cook 1 lb. of your favorite pasta in a large pot(we like bow tie) don't forget to salt the water when you add the pasta. While it cooks make the white sauce (or roux)
In a small sauce pan (with tall sides) melt 4 TB butter over medium heat, or just a tad warmer. Then whisk in 4 TB flour until it's smooth. Slowly, while whisking add 2 cups milk (we use 1%). Continue to check on it and give it a stir while you prepare the rest of the meal, it will start to thicken up, when it's just barely thickened, turn heat to low. Grate about 2 cups, give or take of your favorite cheese (we use mild cheddar and sometimes a combo of that with mozzarella too), set aside.
*Prepare the fruit salad by draining off two cans of peaches (and chop into bite sizes if needed) and save about 1/2 cup of the juice. Add peaches to a bowl along with one large can drained mandarin oranges. Use 1/4 package of a small package of vanilla pudding and whisk in the peach juice. Stir into the fruit and let sit in the fridge until serving time, then add one banana sliced and toss in.
Steam a bunch of broccoli in the microwave by cutting into bite sized pieces, add a few TB of water, cover and cook checking every few minutes and giving it a stir, total time is about 7-9 minutes.
When the pasta is done drain it off and put it back into the pot. Stir in the white sauce,toss in the cheese and stir until all the pasta has cheese on it, then cover with the lid.
While you grab all you need to dish up, the cheese will melt up and be ready to serve. I usually bake mine in a casserole dish, but discovered if you let it sit in the pot for a few minutes it's just the same as if you bake it essentially except for a golden crust on the top, but time is too precious!
We have what we call "Dinner Captain" where a kid gets to choose the meal and help prepare it and my 5 year old boy ALWAYS chooses Mac & Cheese.