Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups

Photo courtesy of Our Best Bites

My children have recently discovered Fruit Roll Ups.  I bought them the all natural Strawberry Fruit Roll Ups at Target one day only because they were on sale, AND I had a coupon, AND they had free samples that my children could try before I bought a box.  They smelled like real strawberries, the kids liked them, and they had no added sugar so I felt good about allowing them in the house as a snack. 

The fact that they liked them so much reminded me that I bookmarked a recipe a long time ago for homemade Fruit Roll Ups. I decided now was the perfect time to try them. This recipe is from one of my favorite cooking blogs, "Our Best Bites".  If you want to see their detailed recipe with photos, click here.  Strawberries happened to be on sale this week at our local grocery store so I decided that would be the first flavor we tried.

The Recipe (copied from ourbestbites.com):

*2 1/2 – 3 cups ripe or slightly over-ripe diced fruit
*sweetener to taste: honey, sugar, agave, etc. (I used honey)
*2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
*optional: seasonings, spices, extracts to taste (I skipped this step, but I think Almond extract would be a yummy addition)

Preheat oven to lowest temperature, 140 - 175 degrees.  My lowest temperature setting is 170 degrees and it was fine.  Puree all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  Pour onto a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap, or a silicone baking mat (don’t use foil, parchment, or waxed paper), and spread to 1/8″ thick. Place in oven and bake for 6-8 hours, until center is not tacky anymore.  Remove from oven and peel off of baking sheet.  Cut into strips and roll in parchment or plastic.  Store in airtight container or freeze.

The Verdict:
One thing I discovered with this recipe is that there is a serious learning curve in terms of thickness and cooking time.  My first batch was straight strawberry, cooked for about 6 1/2 hours, but it didn't make very much and was pretty thin in parts of the pan.  I used plastic wrap, and it peeled and rolled up just fine.  Here are two pictures from the strawberry batch:

This is the strawberry puree on the plastic wrap before cooking

This looks so un-appetizing, but I forgot to take a picture of the
finished product.  These are the last four in the container.

My second batch was made from applesauce and mixed fruit that I had stored in the freezer from fall.  That batch had GREAT flavor, but I think it was too thick because it took longer to cook.  In the end, I cooked it too long, mostly because I forgot it was in the oven, and although it rolled up when it came out of the oven, it was way to "leathery" for our liking.  I will try those flavors again, however, because it smelled so good and tasted even better! 

I used the plastic wrap and it was fine, but the author also suggests using a silicone baking mat. I have been thinking about getting one but didn't know if I really needed one.  Now that we are hooked on these roll ups, I am going to go ahead and order one for myself.

My kids were very excited about this recipe.  The roll ups didn't last long, but we have talked about flavor combinations they want to try this summer when fruit is so plentiful.  I am excited that they are good fruit eaters, that they had fun making this recipe together, and that I know exactly what they are eating for a snack.  We will definitely make this several more times in the coming months.

Here are a few extra tips from the ladies at Our Best Bites:

-All fruits will produce slightly different results.  Strawberries and Raspberries are two of my favorites, that consistently produce good flavor and texture.  You might have to experiment to find what works well.  If you’re going to make a giant batch, you may want to test one first to make sure it works well.
- The addition of sugar or honey enhances the texture and makes the fruit roll ups a little more chewy than if you leave it out.
- If using plastic wrap, it will shrink a little as the fruit dries, so do leave a little extra around the edges.  A silicone baking mat works the absolute best in my opinion.

Oven Roasted Cauliflower and Broccoli

I recently checked out The 17-Day Diet Cookbook from the library to get some new healthy recipe ideas.  Since I had leftover cauliflower from my pizza crust, I tried this recipe first. 

The Recipe:
2 pounds broccoli florets
1 1/2 pounds cauliflower florets
4 medium garlic cloves, quartered (I used minced garlic because it's what I have)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (Again, didn't have any so I skipped this part)

*Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400*.
*Mix the broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, olive oil, red-pepper flakes, and salt in a large roasting pan or the broiler pan.  I just did my veggies on a parchment lined cookie sheet rather than a roasting pan.

Before roasting

*Roast, stirring and tossing occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and a little browned, about 20 minutes.
*Remove from the oven, sprinkle with vinegar while still in hot pan, and toss well.

Ready to eat

The Verdict:I loved these!  I didn't do a full recipe because I didn't want to buy more cauliflower, but this was a perfect amount of veggies for me.  They were crisp, a little spice with the red pepper, a great side for my grilled chicken.  I am curious about the flavor added with the balsamic vinegar so I will definitely try that next time.  I can see making this recipe quite a bit in the summer, and even adding other vegetables with it.  This could easily be done on the grill in foil packets during the hot summer months.

Bonus:  My daughter, age 3, had never tasted cauliflower.  She ate several raw pieces as I was cutting it up and putting it on the pan, and LOVED it.  I'll make sure I get more in the fridge for her to eat soon!

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

My friend told me about a new pizza crust recipe that she tried that included cauliflower in the crust.  I immediately wrinkled my nose in disgust because I am NOT a cauliflower fan.  She quickly reassured me, "No! I thought that too but it's really good!"

I still doubted her review, but this is a friend who does not eat a wide variety of foods so I figured it must be somewhat good if she made it AND ate it. So I decided to give it a try.

I was going to do a google search for a recipe, but then I turned to my brand new birthday gift - iPad!  I found an app from Spark People, a cookbook I acquired at Christmas, so I loaded it up and searched for "cauliflower crust pizza".  Several recipes came back, all similar, but below is the one I used.

The Recipe:
1 cup raw, grated cauliflower (I used a food processor)
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. parsley
Optional:  Add any other Italian spices as desired, such as dried or fresh basil)

*Preheat oven to 450*
*Spray a cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick spray (can also use parchment paper).
*In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg, mozzarella and desired spices.

Cauliflower pieces in the processor

It's not completely smooth, more like a fine grating

Add egg, cheese, spices

All ingredients mixed together

*Press evenly on baking pan

Ready for the oven

*Bake at 450* for 12-15 minutes

Just out of the oven

*Remove the pan from the oven.  To the crust, add sauce, then desired toppings and cheese. 

Tomato, broccoli, cheese

*Place under broiler, on high heat, until cheese is melted.

I had enough dough that I made a tiny individual pizza.
This individual pizza was just the right crispiness for me.

The Verdict:
I had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It was really good!  My dough was a little too wet, I think, so it didn't get as crispy as I would like.  The next time I make this, I will wash my cauliflower ahead of time so it has time to dry before I chop it.  I washed it right before chopping so I think it was too wet. 

I mixed all of my ingredients in a food processor, and that worked really well.  My friend used a hand grater and grated the cauliflower into a bowl.  She said that worked really well too. 

I added fresh tomato and broccoli for my toppings. I really wanted it to be fresh basil but I couldn't find any at the store.  I do have 2 more cups of cauliflower in the freezer ready to go to make at least two more pizzas.  I am saving one until I have fresh basil and tomato in my hand!

I will definitely make it again.  My kids ate their stand-by pizzas, mini deep dish pizzas, but I shared my cauliflower crust pizza with my mom and she thought it was very tasty as well.

By the way, I am so proud of myself for actually taking LOTS of pictures this time!

A Defining Moment

Picture Source:  Google Images

mourn-ing:  the act of sorrowing; the outward sign of grief for a person's death; a period of time during which signs of grief are shown







People say they can remember exactly where they were when significant historical events happened.  My mom knows exactly where she was when President Kennedy was assassinated.  My dad remembered what he was thinking when he heard the Vietnam War had finally ended.  I can see myself sitting in French class watching the Space Shuttle Challenger explode.  And I remember many details of the terrorist events of September 11, 2001. 

But I think that all of those memories of world events pale in comparison to the loss of a parent.  My mourning began five years ago today, with that late afternoon phone call that told me my father was dead.  Although many things are fuzzy from that day and the days to follow, so many more details are clear and vivid.  Almost like they just happened today rather than five years ago.  I have taken some time today to reflect back on April 14, 2007.  To remember who was with me and what I did to make it through my personal hell.  I recently read a book about a man suffering from dementia, and I remember feeling so sad at the prospect of losing my memories.  That fear has prompted me to write down my memories of my dad's death. I never want to forget how it unfolded and who helped me survive.

4/14/07, 3:15 pm
My husband's plane had just landed in Boston.  He was running the Boston Marathon with a friend that weekend.  He had already called and said they were on their way to the hotel and that he would call me later.  My 1-year old son was napping in his crib.  I took that opportunity to lay down myself, maybe get a short nap in before he woke up.  I had been down for only about 15 minutes when my house phone rang.  I ignored it.  Then my cell rang.  Then the house again.  Then both phones at the same time.  Something was wrong.

It was my brother-in-law, his voice shaky:  "Your brother just called.  Your dad was mowing and collapsed in the backyard." 
"Who was mowing?"
"Your dad.  He's dead."
"Wait a minute.  Who's dead?"
"Your dad."

I hung up and called my mom.  Surely he had misunderstood.  Surely it wasn't MY dad.  My brother actually answered, crying.  "He's dead, I know he's dead."  My mom quickly took the phone from him and told me they were taking my dad by ambulance to the hospital.  She knew I was home alone with my son, and was worried that I would be too upset to drive.  "Mom, is he alive?"  She assured me, "They said they got a response when they shocked him."

I quickly hung up and called my friend who also happened to be my son's babysitter.  I knew that I could leave my son with them for as long as I needed to and he would be fine.  His wife answered, and I spit out "I need help!"  I could tell she was already putting on her shoes before I finished talking.  She was at my house in five minutes and caught me as I collapsed in her arms.   "I'm not ready.  I'm not ready for this."  She just held me.  She lost her father at a young age and knew she could say nothing to comfort me at this time.

I drove to the hospital which was only five minutes away from my house.  My brother and my mom were standing outside, a neighbor was with them after driving them to the hospital.  I could see my sister running down the street.  We all ran inside the emergency room, hoping to somehow find him still alive. Still able to hear us tell him that we love him.  Still breathing with a beating heart. 

But he was already gone.

We gathered in that little room.  It was the last room on the right as we entered the emergency room.  He was wearing blue jean shorts, and his hands were muddy and grass stained.  He had been doing his favorite activity, yard work, when he had a heart attack.  We cried, stunned.  We held his hands.  My mom sang something.

I called my aunt and uncle and they came immediately.  My uncle went to our church up the street to get a priest to give him last rites.  I called my husband who was already on his way back to the airport to try getting on a flight back home.  My brother-in-law arrived after someone, I don't even know who, got to their house to stay with their kids.  He came in tentatively, almost like he was uninvited.  He had lost his own father the year before to a heart attack, and I later learned that those memories came rushing back to him.  Overwhelmed him. 

Other calls were made, and before you knew it we had a full room of family and friends there.  Looking back on it, I wonder what the emergency room staff thought of that.  They were so kind and patient as we took over that space and the waiting room.  Were they talking about us and wishing we would just leave?  Take our sadness somewhere else? 

But we didn't.  Not for a long time.

I'm not sure why exactly, but it was very important to my mom that my dad's sisters see him there, at the hospital, rather than in a funeral home.  So we waited for them.  I called my cousin and told her to go to her Grandma's house, my dad's oldest sister, to tell her the news and bring her there.  I called my other cousin and told her to call her mom, my dad's youngest sister, and ask her to come immediately.  She lived an hour away, but it felt like she was there in ten minutes.  In the meantime, my mom's siblings and spouses came.  And their kids, my cousins, came.  I was so shocked every time one of them walked in the door.  I couldn't believe they came!  Many of them from out of town too.  But there they were.  They looked shocked, as I imagine we did upon arrival.  They cried with us.  They made phone calls for us.  They brought us food that we didn't eat.  And when our friend came from the funeral home to take my Daddy away, they held us as we cried. 

grief:  a deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement

We left the hospital, unsure what to do next.  What do you do when the life you have always known suddenly doesn't exist anymore?  I knew that I didn't want my mom to be alone in her house, and I didn't want to be alone in my house.  My husband, by this time, had rented a car and had started the long drive back home.  There were no flights that night, and an ice storm was moving into the East coast the next morning so they couldn't guarantee that he would get out anyway.  So he rented a car and started driving before the storm arrived.  I picked up my son from my friend, packed us a bag, and went to my mom's house where I would stay for the next few nights.  My sister came there too.  The three of us - me, mom, my sister - laid awake in my parents' bed for most of the night.  We talked about my dad, about missing him.  We cried.  The bed smelled like him, and I think that made us all feel safe, like he was still with us.

sup-port:  to hold up or serve as a foundation or prop for; to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage; to keep something going

So much of the next few days are very fuzzy. They passed by in a blur.  I had no awareness of what was going on in the world outside of my grief.  I had no idea, for example, that a mass murder took place on the Virginia Tech campus on April 16th.  I would read about that several days later.  I do, however, remember some things from those days very clearly.  Mostly, I remember the outpouring of support we received from family and friends.

*I remember my three cousins dropping everything in their personal lives - work, children, home - and being with us during those horrible days.  They brought us food, and much needed coffee and Diet Coke.  They stayed with our children while we made funeral arrangements.  They held us when we didn't have the strength to stand.

*I remember my dad's good friend, he would be a pall bearer at the funeral, saying to me, "He was my best friend.  And I'm going to miss him." as he dissolved in a pool of tears. 

*I remember a grainy phone call early in the morning at my mom's house.  It was my cousin, serving in Afghanistan.  He had just gotten in from his rounds and read an email from his mom that my dad had died.  He called, from halfway around the world in his own personal hell, to say "I love you" to my mom. 

*I remember my mom's cousin running down the street, bagels in the bag in her hand, as she rushed to my mom to hug her and hold her.
 
*I remember another friend of my mom's coming early in the morning, the day after my dad died.  She had bags of food in her hand and just started unpacking all this food into my mom's kitchen.  She didn't really say anything, she just unpacked and put away food.  I wondered what we would do with all of that food!  She had lost her mother a few years before and clearly remembered that people would come. And we would need food. 

*I remember the moment my husband walked through my mother's door late at night.  The relief I felt at seeing him.  The tears I could not hold back anymore.  The look of exhaustion and sadness on his face.

*I remember my brother went out to finish mowing the yard where my dad had left off.  Where his heart quit before the job was done.  I couldn't watch, but mom and my sister watched him do it.  They all cried. 

*I remember going with my family to the funeral home to make arrangements.  Choosing a picture to put on the program.  Writing his obituary.  Looking through a large book of prayers and poems to find the perfect one, a poem about being at peace in a garden, for his program.

*I remember when my husband arrived at the funeral home to help with arrangements.  It was his first chance to see my dad since he wasn't with us in the hospital.  He was shaken.  He asked for time alone in a room with my dad.

*I remember my mom talking us into going to church on Sunday afternoon, after we had just ordered flowers.  The priest saying mass was the same one who had given last rites to my dad at the hospital.  The gospel was about "Thomas" who came to believe that Jesus had risen.  Easter had been the week before.  During the homily, the priest started talking about being taken to the hospital the day before.  To the family who had just lost their "Thomas" and  were grieving.  He was talking about us.  What were the chances that we would be at THAT mass to hear THAT homily about us?  We felt like it was a sign of some kind from dad as we quietly sobbed in the back of the church.
 
*I remember walking back into my parent's house after making the arrangements.  It was full of people, family and friends.  I went straight to our former neighbor, a woman who had known me since I was a small child.  She held me and I remember saying, "That sucked."  What had they all been doing while we were making those arrangements?  They were taking care of our kids.  They were answering the phone.  They were putting away and eating food.  They were waiting for us.  They were waiting to catch us when we inevitably fell. 

*I remember all of us writing letters to my dad to put in the coffin with him.  The kids drawing him pictures. 

*I remember the friends that were present to show their love for my dad and all of us.  The line out the door at the funeral home for his visitation was the proof that we were all loved by many. 

*I remember standing up in front of everyone to say a few words.  I don't remember all that I said, but I have it written down somewhere in a bag with the sympathy cards I received. 

*I remember when the time came for the coffin to be closed.  Looking back, I think I probably looked like a hysterical mess!  I didn't want to stop touching him.  I was already afraid that I would forget his face as soon as I couldn't see him anymore.  I made my uncle bring my 1-year old son inside to the coffin so that he could see Grandpa one more time.  I didn't want him to forget Grandpa.  I remember crying such loud, gut-wrenching sobs as they wheeled the coffin out to the car, and my cousin finally coming forward and grabbing me so tightly and just hanging on until I calmed enough to stand on my own. 

*I remember holding my Dad's hat all through his funeral.  It smelled like him.

*I remember "Taps" being played at the cemetary.

*I remember staying to watch as they lowered him into the ground.  We threw flowers on top of his coffin.  We each kept a flower to save. 

*I remember not wanting to leave the cemetary.  Not wanting to get in the car that would take me away from him for the last time.

friend:  one attached to another by affection or esteem

*I remember calling my friend in California, leaving her a voice message about my dad.  I knew she loved my dad too, and I just wanted her to know.  She called me back later, sobbing, already had a flight booked and would be here the next day.  I never expected her to come be with us, but she came. My mom's simple words to her when she arrived at the funeral home, "He loved you so much", gave her a comfort I would not know until much later.

*I remember a friend, who would soon be moving out of the country, changing her plans so that she could be at the visitation and funeral.  I hugged her so tightly, like a lifeline, when she walked into the funeral home. 

*I remember a friend from high school calling me and just saying, "what can I do?"  I didn't know what I was going to wear.  What does one wear to bury her father?  I gave her several shirts and a skirt and she ironed them all and put them on hangers in my closet so they would be ready when I decided.  She also took the remaining pictures and put them on a board and delivered them to the funeral home when my sister and I just couldn't do it anymore.  This same friend, who I had known for 25 years, told me I looked green when I entered the church for the funeral.  She said it in the way that only a friend of 25 years can say it.  With love.
 
*I remember my teammate at work telling me that she had every thing taken care of, and that I didn't have to go back to work for two weeks.  She had lost her mother just the year before and knew I didn't need to think about work at all. 

*I remember our friends who made arrangements for their daughter to pick up my son at the funeral home and take him home to bed so that my husband could stay with me until the end. 

*I remember two friends, one pregnant and taking care of her own father who would die in August, driving almost two hours to come to the funeral home for a couple hours, and then driving back home. 

*I remember a friend of my husband's, who had met my dad several times, giving me the biggest, tightest hug of the night.  Like he could somehow protect me from the pain if he held me tight enough.

*I remember old friends of my parents waiting in the long line so they could hug us, share a memory. 

mem-o-ry:  the time within which past events can be or are remembered

Five years have passed since that day, the day that changed my life forever.  Some things have changed. My sister got a divorce and has remarried.  I gave birth to a baby girl, who I believe knew her Grandpa before she knew me, and was sent by him to complete my family.  My husband and I bought a new house.  A house that I declare almost daily could seriously be improved if my dad were still here to help us with the things that need to be repaired.

We have lost other friends and family members who have gone on to join my Dad in Heaven.  I have felt a twinge of envy with each death because that person would get to see my Dad while I would have to continue to wait.  But, at the same time, I did not wish to trade places with that person because I would so miss the love and life I have here on Earth. 

I have watched my Mom adapt to her life without Dad.  She keeps busy with friends and her grandchildren.  She tells us that, on some days, her grandchildren are her only reason "to be".  The only lifeline that keeps her from letting herself drown in her own grief and loneliness.  I am thankful that she is so strong, that she is healthy, and that she is HERE.  I talk to her every day and cannot imagine what my days would be like if she were not here.  I hope that I will be a symbol of strength to my own children as they grow older.  That they will believe I can overcome any obstacle life throws at me. 

I still miss my Dad so much every day.  I still feel grief, sorrow, sadness when I think about him, but I don't cry every day anymore.  I talk to him often.  I share stories with my children so that they may know him.  I see him in photos around my house and in the memories in my mind.  And I pray that he knew how much I loved and appreciated my time with him, and how grateful I am that I got to call him "Dad". 

I am thankful for all of my memories, the happy and the sad, for they are the foundation of me.  Thanks for a great foundation, Dad!

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan



Photo from Bettycrocker.com

  I had chicken in the freezer, pasta in the pantry, and a crockpot ready for food.  A quick google search yielded this recipe for crockpot Chicken Parmesan.  I remembered to take a couple of pictures, although they are not great.  I really need to get better at the picture taking part of my cooking.






The recipe:
1 egg
1/3 cup bread crumbs (I used seasoned bread crumbs and skipped the Italian seasoning below)
1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb)
1 jar (26 oz) tomato pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (2 oz)
2 2/3 cups uncooked penne pasta (8 oz)

1. Spray 2- to 3-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. In small shallow bowl, beat egg until foamy. In separate shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Dip chicken into egg, then coat evenly with bread crumb mixture; place in cooker.

3. Spread pasta sauce evenly over chicken.



4.  Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours.
5.  Sprinkle Italian cheese blend over top. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 10 minutes longer. Meanwhile, cook and drain pasta as directed on package. Serve chicken with pasta

The Verdict:
Great flavor!!  I loved how simple this was to throw together.  I put it all in the crockpot at night, and then turned it on the next day to cook while I was at work.  This would make a great meal to share with someone as a gift because it is so easy, makes a lot, has good flavor and stores pretty well.  It is also perfect warm, comfort food for cold nights.  I did not add as much sauce as the recipe calls for because I had less chicken, but my husband liked the sauce best so I will make sure I have extra sauce next time.  I also like that it was chicken parmesan flavor without all the heavy breading typically found at restaurants.  Both of my kids ate this meal, although my son liked only the chicken and my daughter liked only the sauce.  I swear I cannot please both of them EVER!

The bottom line - I will make this again for us and will likely make it for a friend who is having a baby this week! 

Creamy Berry Pie

I found this recipe in "Parents Magazine" and thought it would be a good dessert for Easter dinner.  I am a big fan of cheesecake, and this looked so springy and yummy!



The Recipe:
There was a part of the recipe that included how to make your own graham cracker crust, but I skipped that step and just purchased a graham cracker crust at the store. 

Filling and berries:
1 unflavored gelatin

3 tablespoons water

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 8-ounce container sour cream

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup strawberry jelly

1 6-ounce package raspberries

1 cup blueberries

1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved or quartered

1/2 ounce white chocolate

1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

1.  In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle gelatin over water. Let stand for 3 minutes. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.

2. Transfer softened gelatin to microwave; heat 15 to 30 seconds on HIGH. Stir until smooth. With mixer running, pour gelatin into cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth. Pour into chilled crust and smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. Melt jelly in microwave on HIGH for 10 seconds. Gently toss with berries in large bowl. Remove plastic from pie; top pie with berries. Microwave chocolate and oil on HIGH 20 seconds. Drizzle over pie. Slice and serve.

Modifications:
I used low-fat cream cheese and sour cream.  I used some Hershey Hugs candy that I had leftover from Valentine's Day instead of buying white chocolate.  You can see in the picture that my chocolate is darker than if you used only white chocolate.  I also didn't want to purchase all the separate berries so I purchased a small bag of frozen mixed fruit and then added more fresh strawberries.  I think next time I would stick to the fresh fruit, or else skip the jelly mixed in because frozen fruit has enough of it's own juice.  The beauty of this recipe is that you could top it with any fruit combination.

The Verdict:
SO YUMMY!!  See my "modifications" above regarding changes I made and would make.  I was amazed at how well this pie set in such a short time.  I am guessing that is due to the gelatin?  I have never added that to a cream cheese pie so I'm guessing that is what did it. 

I shared the deliciousness of this with my neighbors as well so that I wouldn't eat the entire thing by myself.  My husband is not a big fan of pie, other than chocolate cream pie, so I knew I would be on my own if I didn't give some away.  My mom and my sister tasted it and thought it was delicious too.  Definitely a repeat recipe for occasions when I will have others to help me eat it.

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Since I didn't try any new recipes last week, I tried two new recipes for Easter dinner.  I didn't want to have our usual mashed potatoes with our Easter ham, so I did a little search and came up with these Cheesy Potatoes from a website (I can't remember the name of the site).  The burnt cheese on the side of the baking dish doesn't look great, but they tasted yummy!


The recipe:
2 lbs frozen hash browns (I use the diced kind)
1/2 cup butter
1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup diced onion
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Defrost potatoes, melt butter, and mix together all ingredients
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour in a 9x13 baking dish.
3. I sprinkled a little more cheese on top and let it melt for about 5-10 minutes.

The verdict:
My husband LOVED these potatoes and requested to have them more often.  I will probably make a 1/2 recipe when it's just for us rather than a full 9x13.  I also thought about adding peppers, diced ham, or bacon to it for more of a breakfast potato.  My kids are not big potato eaters, but they did try it.  I think they liked that the hash browns were smalled diced pieces, easier to take a small bite.

I will definitely try these again in the future!

Jelly Bean Easter Centerpiece

I took a much needed vacation away with girlfriends last week so I didn't try any new recipes.  I did, however, try a new craft project that I found on Pinterest.  I am so proud of myself for not only "pinning" something cool, but for actually DOING IT! 

Click here if you want to see the original post where I got the idea.  This centerpiece is so easy to make, and I got so many compliments on it. 



I spent a long time trying to find just the right vases or bowls.  You need two vases of different sizes.  Easy enough.  Except for the fact that one vase/bowl has to fit INSIDE the other one, and there has to be enough space between them to add jelly beans. 




I shopped my local second-hand shops, and found two vases for $1 each.  Then I went to a dollar store and picked up two bags of jelly beans for $1 each.

A $4 centerpiece before flowers is a pretty good bargain in my book!

Fill the smaller vase with water, and center it inside the larger vase.  Carefully pour the jelly beans into the larger vase and surround the smaller vase.   Add flowers of your choice to the smaller vase and it's done!

The beauty of this is that it doesn't have to be just an Easter centerpiece.  The original post shows it with different sizes of vases/bowls, and different materials inside:  peeps, M&M's, marbles, the ideas are endless!



Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

I had some sweet potatoes in the pantry that I intended to use for sweet potato fries, but time was running out on their life so I had to go with Plan B.  I found this recipe for a slow cooker stew and decided to try it instead.

The recipe:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1⁄2-inch slices
1 can (28 ounces) whole stewed tomatoes (I used diced tomatoes)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon celery seeds (I didn't have this on hand so skipped it)
1⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup nonfat, low-sodium chicken broth
1⁄4 cup fresh basil, chopped (I used dried, all I had)

1. Combine the chicken, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, salt, paprika, celery seeds, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and broth in the 4 1⁄2-quart CROCK-POT® slow cooker.



Not a good picture, but I remembered to take a picture!
This is before it started cooking.

2. Cover; cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

The Verdict:

First, I have to say, the flavor of this stew is AMAZING!  The combination of cinnamon and nutmeg with the spice of pepper and paprika provided a warm, wonderful flavor.  I ate two bowls, and had another the next day for lunch.  My daughter, surprisingly, ate the chicken out of my bowl.  I wasn't sure if she would like the flavor, but she said it was really good.  She doesn't like tomatoes so she wouldn't taste those, but I did get her to eat the sweet potatoes.  My son and husband were not home so I didn't get their opinion, but my mom happened to stop by and gave it a taste and really liked it too.

I made a smaller batch this first time, but I think this would be a great soup to make in the fall/winter to add to the freezer in smaller portions for lunches.  I will definitely make it again!

Fried Potatoes

I am a big fan of fried potatoes.  They are buttery, salty, peppery goodness.  For any meal.  They remind me of my Grandma's kitchen, and therefore comfort my soul.

This is not a new recipe, but rather a tasty side that I want to record.  It also is not a recipe with exact measurements, but instead full of "dash of this" and "dab of that" measurements.  When I make these potatoes, I feel like my Grandma is watching me and smiling as I "wing it". 

The Ingredients:

*Sliced potatoes (I have used yukon potatoes and baking potatoes both)

*Butter

*Salt and Pepper to taste

*Diced Onion (optional)

1.  Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a skillet

2.  Sprinkle a layer of salt and pepper to taste in the bottom of skillet

3.  Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes

4.  Slice or chop potatoes, whatever your preference

5.  Put potatoes in the pan in a single layer

6.  Sprinkle a little more salt and pepper (I go light on the salt and heavier on the pepper) over the potatoes

7.  Cook for about 5 minutes over medium-high heat, then stir

8.  Cook 10-15 minutes or until tender, stirring as needed to prevent sticking and burning.

9.  If needed, you can add a little more butter halfway through the cooking process if they start to stick.  It will make them all the more yummy to add more butter!

We eat these with "Stand-By Chicken Strips" (seen in picture above and in this post), with meatloaf, with eggs and bacon for breakfast, and with steak from the grill.  You just can't go wrong with fried potatoes!  And my husband, a big fan of onion, is happy that the older I get the more willing I am to add onion to recipes.  My preference is to omit the onion from my potatoes, but they do add a good flavor that I appreciate. 

Thanks for the inspiration, Grandma!

Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

Remembering my earlier oath to try more slow-cooker recipes, I pulled out my Sparkpeople Cookbook and looked for a healthy recipe that would use the chicken in my fridge.  I found this recipe for salsa chicken and decided to give it a try.  The bonus was that I had all the ingredients in my house already so I could start first thing in the morning without a store run.

The Recipe:
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 packet low-sodium taco seasoning
1 cup low-sodium diced canned tomatoes, with juice
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
1 cup salsa (I had pineapple salsa so I used that this time)
3 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
Optional:  Add any of the following vegetables - finely diced celery, shredded carrots, diced peppers, corn

1.  Place the chicken in a slow cooker.  Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat then layer the tomatoes (and optional vegetables) and salsa on top.  Pour 1/2 cup water over the mixture, set on low, and cook for 6-8 hours.  The meat is cooked when it shreds or reaches an internal temperature of 165* F.

2.  When ready to serve, shred the chicken with two forks, then stir in the sour cream. 

3.  Serve with warm tortillas, and green salad on the side.  Other options include serving beans and/or rice on the side.

The Crisis:
Recall that my first obstacle with slow cooker cooking is that you actually have to plan ahead enough to get the meal in the crockpot early in the day so that it has time to cook by dinner.  My second problem with slow cooker meals, and the realization I came too nearly too late, is that you actually have to plan to BE HOME when the dinner in the crockpot is supposed to be done cooking!

Luckily, this was set on low heat so no major crisis.  At the last minute, we decided to make a quick trip to a neighboring city for an errand.  This "quick trip" diverted to a visit with a relative, and dinner at a favorite restaurant.  It was at said restaurant that I said to my husband, "Crap!  I have dinner in the crockpot and it should be done in 30-minutes!" 

Note:  we were still waiting for our food at the restaurant AND we were more than 30-minutes from home. 

So we ate dinner, as I visualized fire trucks racing to our home, and got home in time to rescue the chicken from the crockpot.  I put it in a container, after stealing a taste that was YUMMO, and put it in the fridge for dinner the next night. 

The Verdict:
We ate our chicken on tortillas with rice, beans, lettuce, corn, and cheese.  I just put all the ingredients in bowls on the table and let them build their own tacos. 

They thought that was very fun, by the way, and it looked very pleasing on the table.  I do need to get better about taking pictures to document my efforts however. 

My daughter, who can be a very picky eater, tasted the chicken and exclaimed, "Oh Mommy!  I love this chicken!"  My son, usually very easy to please in the food department, said the chicken was "okay" and liked the beans and lettuce best.  I can't please both of them every time so I have to just be happy that one loved it.

I will make this recipe again.  It was easy, it was tasty, and it made a lot so we had leftovers for lunch the next day.  The leftovers could just as easily be frozen for a future quick meal, or shared with another family as a house warming or new baby gift.  I think it would be fun to experiment with different types of salsa as well, but the pineapple salsa was a fun first try.

I apologize for no pictures.  I actually took a picture of it all in the slow cooker, and I had the picture saved to the blog but deleted off my camera.  And now, of course, I can't find the "saved" picture so I have nothing.  I will add a picture or two the next time I make this.

Pico De Gallo and Guacamole

Growing up, I was not a fan of Mexican food.  In fact, I had a fairly strong aversion to Mexican food until about my 30s.

When I was a kid, my parents had a favorite Mexican restaurant that we went to several times a year.  It was a very entertaining place.  There were singers roaming around while people ate.  There was a "treasure room" that held trinkets for kids to choose on their way out the door.  There were fake people up in fake windows doing daily chores like hanging out their laundry.  Picture a ride at Disney World with characters all around doing things all the time.  That was this place.

I was always so grossed out by the food there because I detested tomatoes, onions, peppers, and anything spicy.  So, of course, I couldn't stand salsa, shredded chicken tacos (peppers always were added) or anything else on the menu.  Except for the "loose meat sandwich with fries".  Nothing says "Mexican Restaurant" like a loose meat sandwich and fries on the kid's menu!

The only reason I had any interest in going to this favorite place of my parents time and again was for the dessert - warm sopaipillas with honey.  Oh. My. Goodness.  They were good.  I would order and eat the sandwich and fries just so I could have the warm sopaipillas with honey.

Note to self:  Find a recipe for sopaipillas and make for my family.  Stat.

Anyway, back to the point, I was never a fan of Mexican food.  But then I met a man who LOVES Mexican food.  He loves tomatoes, onions, peppers - the hotter the better.  And I fell in love with said man, and married him, which meant I would forever be subjected to Mexican food.  So I may as well try it and like it because there would be no escaping it.  I have spent the last 20 years developing a taste for, and actually really loving, Mexican food.  Imagine how thrilled I was to find a recipe for Pico De Gallo that looked incredibly yummy and just HAD to be made in my kitchen and eaten by ME!

The recipe comes from my newest cookbook, Pioneer Woman Cooks, and was so easy and yummy that it will likely become a staple for me.  The Guacamole comes right after the Pico recipe in the cookbook, and avocados were on sale, so I made that too.  I remembered to take a couple of pictures this time, but if you want to see really cool step-by-step pictures of these two recipes, click here to The Pioneer Woman Cooks blog.

Pico De Gallo Recipe:
Yellow or Red Onion, diced (I used about 3/4 of a medium sized onion)
Roma Tomatoes, diced (I used 4) 
1 Bunch Fresh Cilantro, chopped fine
1 or 2 Jalapeno Peppers (I used 1, but I don't like things too hot)
Lime
Salt

1.  Dice up the tomatoes and onion, and finely chop the cilantro.  Ree Drummond points out the key to good Pico De Gallo is to have equal parts tomato, onion, and cilantro.  I kept that in the back of my head as I started chopping. 

2.  Slice 1 or 2 jalapenos (depending on how hot you like it) in half.  Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds (or leave a few in to make it more spicy).  Finely dice the jalapeno.

3.  Dump all four ingredients into a bowl.  

4.  Slice a lime in half and squeeze the juice from one half into the bowl. 

I actually remembered to take a picture!

 5.  Sprinkle with salt and stir together until combined.

I only had boring chips in the house, but YUM!

Guacamole Recipe:
*Avocados cut in half lengthwise (I used 2, but you can use as many as needed)
*Salt

1.  Remove the pit from the avocados and scoop out the inside onto a plate. 

2.  Sprinkle with salt and mash with a fork.  I left a few small chunks, but it was mostly smooth.

3.  Scoop some of the pico de gallo on top of the avocado, and mix gently. 

4.  Serve with chips.

The Verdict:
Keeping in mind that I don't really care for onions, I did like the pico recipe. I will probably add even less onion if I am making this for myself, but I will do it the same way if I am making it for a party or guests.  I ate almost the entire thing by myself. 

When I had about half of the pico left, I added it to the avocados for guacamole.  I have never been a huge fan of guacamole, but I have a recipe from a colleague that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!  I will likely stick to that recipe for future quacamole making, but I am glad I tried this way because this recipe is much faster.  Made in large quantities, you could actually have two bowls of dip for entertaining - one of just pico and one of guacamole. 

Extra:  I had a little bit of guacamole left in the bowl tonight, and I was hungry for a little more than just "chips and dip".  I added some cooked diced chicken to what was left of the guacamole, threw some shredded cheddar on top, and heated the whole thing in the microwave.  Then I dipped chips in that mixture for a little more filling meal and less an appetizer or snack. 

Happy Cooking!

Book Review: The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

This book was suggested to me by a friend.  I had not heard of it, and probably would not have chosen it if someone hadn't suggested it.  I am, however, very happy that I read it. 

It is the story of 91-year old Ptolemy Grey.  He lives a very isolated life, alone in an apartment, with only the ghosts of his past talking to him throughout the day.  We learn that he is suffering from dementia, but at first I wondered if it was that or just the effects of loneliness.  I can only imagine that so many years of isolation would eventually lead to one having difficulty distinguishing between past and present.  Between memories and dreams.  Between reality and imagination.  Ptolemy Grey remembers so many things from his past, but is he remembering them accurately?

With the help of a young woman who eventually becomes his "adoptive daughter", Ptolemy is given a brief respite from the foggy world he has been living in for so many years.  He agrees to participate in a medical study where he takes medication to enhance his memory, but the side effect is that he will likely die from the medicine.  He takes the gamble.  His last chance to clearly remember his past, to grab the future for those he loves and set everything right before he dies. 

Given the chance, would I take the gamble?  I suppose it can be compared to a stage 4 cancer victim who takes the experimental drug to MAYBE have a few extra weeks with family rather than the drug that will keep him/her out of pain in the remaining days of life.  It's a last chance to set things right before the inevitable happens.  I think that must be what Ptolemy Grey was thinking.  He was, after all, 91-years old.  He knew that he was close to death anyway, and he made a choice to help his loved ones have a secure future.  Even if that choice meant dying possibly any day.  I can respect that decision.  Putting your family before yourself.  That is a scary thought, but one that parents make all the time.  Most parents would say they would do anything for their children, even trading their own lives for the life of their child.  I think that is what Ptolemy Grey did.  He traded his life for the life of his loved ones.  An admirable person.  And a good read. 

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

I forgot to take an "after" picture, but this
is what it looked like in the crockpot "before"

I have been inspired recently to use my crockpot more for cooking.  With summer and warmer temperatures coming, I need to utilize my crockpots more for meals so that I won't have to use the oven and heat the house.

I love the concept of a crockpot, aka: "slow cooker".  You put the food in and forget about it, and voila...Dinner! 

My problem:  slowing down enough in the morning to actually put the ingredients in the pot and plug it in so it can start cooking!  I usually think of a crockpot recipe around 3:00, much too late to actually have dinner ready.

So, this week I actually made an effort to try a slow cooker recipe. I had an open box of lasagna noodles so I did a quick google search for a lasagna recipe.  I found this recipe at allrecipes.com, and I didn't follow it exactly.  I noted which ingredients I left out this time, mostly due to the fact that I didn't have them on hand and did not want to go to the store.  In general, when I make lasagna for my family, I do not include meat.  We are not big fans of meat in our pasta sauce, so I have always made vegetarian lasagna.  The original recipe below does include meat, but note that I did not use it. 

The Recipe:

1 pound lean ground beef (I left this out and added diced green pepper instead)

1 onion, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 (29 oz) can tomato sauce (I used a 15 oz can plus a can of diced tomatoes)

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste (I didn't have this so left it out)

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 (12 ounce) package lasagna noodles

12 ounces cottage cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

1. In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorporated. Cook until heated through.  (I skipped the meat part and just combined the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, green pepper, salt and oregano in a bowl)
2. In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
3. Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.
4. Cover, and cook on LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours.

The Verdict:
It wasn't great.  The whole bottom layer was stuck to the bottom, a real pain to clean by the way.  And it just didn't look pretty when it came out of the pot. 

NOTE:  In it's defense, I did not spray the inside of my crockpot with canola oil or some other non-stick cooking spray.  I read this tip on a few other recipe sites and wish I had thought of it sooner. 

Both of my kids took one bite and pushed their plates away.  They were not impressed.  I thought it tasted fine, but it just wasn't pretty and therefore didn't look appetizing.  Maybe I'll try it again, maybe not.  I'll post an edit if I try it again and it turns out better. 

For now, I think I'll stick to my mom's lasagna recipe that I have been making in my 9x11 baking dish for the past 20 years.  It has never failed me!  I will hunt for another slow cooker recipe to try soon.

Twice-Baked Potatoes

Photo Credit: "Pioneer Woman Cooks" blog

My first recipe from "The Pioneer Woman Cooks". So exciting!  There are several recipes that I want to try, and really didn't think this would be the first one, but my husband came home from the store with a bunch of potatoes and we all love bacon so why not?!?!   I forgot to take a picture of the finished product, but they turned out so pretty!  I borrowed this photo from Ree Drummond's blog until I make these again and take a picture.  If you want to see her more detailed description of the recipe, along with step-by-step photos, click here. 

The Recipe:
8 baking potatoes, scrubbed clean
Canola Oil
8 slices thick-cut bacon, fried
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, cut into slices
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1/4-1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, such as Lawry's
1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 green onions, sliced

One Possible Change: 
My husband had purchased a 5-pound BAG of potatoes so I used those.  It was fine, but the skins were not very thick so I may try larger baking potatoes next time.  It's a hard trade though because these smaller potatoes were a good size for kids.

The Verdict:
Yum, yum, and more yum! 

My daughter does not like potatoes and never eats them. Well, except for chips and fries which do come from potatoes, but not the form I would prefer her to eat.  Anyway, she ate 1 1/2 of these little beauties.  And she liked them!

My husband has always been a big fan of twice-baked potatoes.  There are often some yummy chive and bacon potatoes for sale in our local deli case, and I get him one when I want to make him a special meal.  Or when I want something from him and have to prime him with a god meal.  I think I can skip those deli potatoes and make my own now!  He loved the flavor of these.

My son ate one, and he said it was okay, but I know he was really after the bacon.  He is a big fan of bacon.  Huge.  And since he doesn't get it very often, he was thrilled to see it on his plate.  At night.  On a side feature.  To him, bacon should always have the spotlight and be the main course, and it is best in full strips at breakfast.  But he'll take bacon any way he can get it!  So he ate one of the potatoes, and I gave him a little extra bacon off one of mine.

I liked them and will make them again.  I think they are fairly easy to make ahead of time as well.   You would have to do the initial potato baking and stuff the potato all at once, but then put the stuffed potatoes on a baking dish in the fridge and finish baking in the evening for dinner.  I am also always looking for easy meals to give as gifts for new homes, new babies, sick friends, etc.  This would be easy to bake and put in containers that can just be reheated.  In fact, we had one potato left over so I reheated it the next day for lunch and it was fine.

Try it and let me know how your family likes them, or any variations you try!

Book Review: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes From An Accidental Country Girl

I finally got the third cookbook that was on my Christmas list.  It is so pretty!  It is also the first cookbook that I have ever read from cover to cover.  I mean that literally.  I got it yesterday,  I opened it and started reading as soon as I got it home, and I read every page.

I READ EVERY PAGE!  Every ingredient list.  Every step of every recipe. Every photo caption.  Every short story that went along with the recipe.  Every "tip" for how to use the recipe.  I READ EVERY PAGE!

And I could have read more if she had written more.  Which is why I was THRILLED when I saw on her blog that she has a new book coming out:  "The Pioneer Woman Cooks:  Food From My Frontier".

Not only does Ree Drummond have yummy recipes, but she peppers it with stories about life on the ranch, how she came to be there, and things she loves about her life.  And the photographs!  The photographs are absolutely beautiful. 

What I loved most, I think, was the connection it gave me back to my memories of my Grandma.  She too loved to cook for the many people in and out of her farm house.  I have written about her cooking in this post, and a bit about her farm in this post.  I found myself laughing at some of Ree Drummond's stories because they brought up a memory from my childhood and my own experiences on the farm.  Although we didn't have "cowboys" on the farm, we did have muddy men and boys coming in from fields and livestock, and they were HUNGRY!  And Grandma did not disappoint on her delivery of food. 

I look forward to trying many recipes from this cookbook this year.  I will likely have to share the food with others because some of the recipes look yummy but make A LOT.  The cinnamon rolls are high on my list of things to make soon. And the pico de gallo.  And the guacamole.  And the "perfect pot roast".   I better get started!