Christmas Cake

**This is the cake Caroline decorated last year.
John's mom was English and often made the traditional English Christmas cake with marzipan frosting and all the dried fruits and currants in it. We were not big fans of this cake, but wanted to try and keep up the tradition. This wonderful apple cake looks similar to it with it's white cream cheese frosting. The warm butter sauce is so delicious served on it. We also put a silver dollar covered with tin foil between the layers and the lucky person who gets it in their piece receives a present(another English tradition). The other great thing about this cake is that you make the cake ahead of time and freeze. Here is the recipe Al:

Apple Cake:

2 eggs

2 C sugar

2 tsp Soda

1/2 salt

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 C oil

4 C apples (peeled and shredded)

2 C flour

1 C pecans or Walnuts chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 2 9" round pans (floured and greased). Cream together eggs and sugar. Add vanilla and oil. In a Separate bowl combine soda, salt, cinnamon and flour. Mix into egg mixture. Add apples and nuts. Beat for 2 min. Bake 45 minutes. When done cool on counter. When cool, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. Frost as desired while cakes are frozen.

Frosting:

1 80z cream cheese

3 T softened butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

1 1/2 C powdered sugar

Butter sauce:

1 C sugar

1/2 C butter

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 C cream

heat on low. Don't boil. Serve warm over individual slices of cake and with a dollop of whipped cream on top if desired.

Cranberry Salsa

I made this for an appetizer for Thanksgiving. It is very easy to make and unique. Everyone loved it and wanted me to blog it.

2-3 cups dried cranberries (I got craisens from Costco) chopped

1 bunch of cilantro (chopped)

1-2 jalapenos (seeded and chopped)--I used one

1 purple onion (chopped)--if large just use half

Cover with the following mixture:

1/4 C honey (mixes best if warm)

1/4 C orange juice

juice from 2 limes

The recipe will easily cover 2-3 8 oz. cream cheese. Serve with club crackers or tortilla chips. Tastes best if made the night before so that flavors can blend.

Spring Easter Grass

Last week was our Relief Society Birthday dinner.  It was a little intimidating being in charge of this, but I had a great committee and it turned out great.  I particularly liked how the buffet table looked.  My friend Shannon grew all the wheat grass and I made the fruit "flower" basket.  Here is how to grow the grass for Easter or a spring decoration.  Takes about 8-10 days to grow.

     Grass How to:

basket lined with plastic

at least 1 1/2 inches of soil

wheat berries soaked over night in warm water

put soaked berries on soil and cover lightly with more soil

gently water soil

keep in warm spot and keep moist

Favorite Granola

RayAnne gave me this recipe and we love it.  I make a batch at the beginning of the week and it is gone by Sunday.  John takes some on the road for a snack.  I have recently substituted the canola oil it calls for with coconut oil, which I have learn is healthier.  This has replaced any cold cereal I used to purchase.

Granola

Combine:

6 Cups rolled oats

1/2 C sunflower seeds

1/4 C sesame seeds

1 C unsweetned coconut

1/2 C. wheat Germ

1 Cups chopped nuts ( we like almonds)

1/3 cup canola oil ( I use a glass measuring cup and add oil first then honey and then the honey comes out easier)

2/3 cup warm honey (or more if you like, original recipe had 1 cup)

Mix well and spread on two oiled cookie sheets.  Cook for 30 min at 275-- Do not over bake.

Mix in: 

an additional 1/3 honey (warm in microwave) --adjust this to more or less depending on the sweetness you prefer--I think the original recipe had up to 1/2 of cup.

add 1-2 Tlbs Vanilla

       1/4-1/2  tsp almond extract (opt)

       1/2 C ground flax seed (opt)

Let cool and store in sealed container. Refrigerate if storing for long periods.

You may add raisins, craisins, other dried fruits, cinnamon, or other spices. 

* I sometimes add a cup of 6 grain flakes also. I purchase most of the items in bulk at the health food store.

Pizza --economics

Almost every Friday we make homemade pizza.  John was gone and I was a little bored, so I was curious to see how much we save making our own pizza.  I figured this out from my recipe that follows, which makes 3 large (12-14 inch) pizzas.

flour                                           .65

yeast                                          .10

sugar                                         .08

pepperoni                                 .22

cheese (5 oz per pizza)          1.72

pizza seasonings                      .24

tomato paste                            .41

salt                          

Total                                       $3.42  for 3 large pizzas

I usually make the crust with 1/2 ground wheat flour which would bring the cost down even more.  More importantly, I am happy I am serving my family pizza which is healthier (a little wheat,less grease and no preservatives, etc).  I also usually zap the pepperoni in the microwave for 40 seconds to dab off most of the grease.

Here is my Pizza Crust Recipe(turns out great every time!!!)

2 Cups warm water

1 T Yeast saf instant yeast

5 C. Flour

3 T brown sugar

1 tsp salt

cornmeal

In mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water.  Add flour, salt, and sugar. mix well and knead for 3 minutes.  Divide into 3 sections put olive oil on hands and shape into balls.  Set on baking sheet with seran wrap over and let rise 1-2 hours.  Preheat oven to 500 (we heat a pizza stone).  Roll out pizza on pizza board sprinkled liberally with corn meal.  Brush with olive oil and spread with sauce and toppings.  Slide onto hot pizza stone.  Bake for 6-7 minutes.  If you don't have a pizza stone or board, just roll out on counter and put in your regular pizza pan.

Variations:

Wheat--add 2-3 cups

Honey Pizza-- (my kids love this--had some at a restaurant in Moab) spread with honey and sprinkle a little mozzarella cheese.  When done you may put a little more honey on top.

BBQ Chicken pizza:    brush dough with olive oil, and top with about 1/3 cup BBQ sauce.  I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's.  Sprinkle with cheese, sliced red onions and cooked BBQ chicken.  Bake 6 minutes and sprinkle with chopped cilantro when done.

I make this recipe in my 14 C cuisinart and put dry ingredients in first then pulse and then add water and let knead for 45 seconds once in a ball.  So FAST!!!

Caroline Cake Tips

For a moist cake:  let cool 5 minutes then wrap in plastic and freeze until you frost.  It will be easier to frost and yummier to eat.  

If you live in high altitude add 1/4 c. flour.

Instead of spraying the pan with PAM mix equal parts crisco, flour, and oil.  This can be stored in the cupboard or refrigerator.  Brush this on the pan sides and bottom and the cake will come right out.  I added 1/4 C of each and saved the rest.

This cake is called a mosaic cake and I made some of the roses and my teacher made some.  I did all the rest.   Roses were hard and I need to practice some more.

by: Caroline

White Chile

This is one of my fast food recipes.  I adapted this recipe from my friend Lori for my electric pressure cooker.  Not only is this recipe fast, healthy but also economical.  It also is in the clean bowl club--all my children love it except one (there is always one).  I also love that I do not have defrost or soak anything.  I love my electric pressure cooker!!!

1 lb. bag Great Northern Beans

2 frozen chicken breasts

1 medium onion chopped

1-2 garlic minced

6-7 cups water

5-7 chicken bouillon cubes 

2 1/2 tsp cumin

1-2 can can chopped green chilies

Set your pressure cooker to saute and saute onion and garlic in a little olive oil.  Add frozen chicken breast, beans, water, and bouillon.  Set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 37 minutes with slow release.  When pressure comes down add rest of ingredients.  It will stay warm in pressure cooker till ready to serve. You can serve it with grated cheese, green onions, sour cream, and tortilla strips.

Using grains

Yesterday was our wards first enrichment activity.  My theme for this years monthly activities is "Dollars and Sense".  Each month we will be learning about and discussing a different topic that will help us stretch our dollar or manage our resources better.  My friend Chris taught a class on cooking with different grains and the benefits of each one.  Not only are these healthier, but also so economical. I am excited to try to incorporate some in our family's meal plan. I really liked the Mexican flavored millet and the quinoa pilaf.  My goal this month is try to use one of these grains each week in some form.  This is the handout she made and my scribbled notes.  Just click on it and it will bring it up large enough to read. 

Better than Best Buttermilk Syrup!!

On Sundays I only cook one large meal after church and everyone is on their own for dinner.  Yesterday, I actually cooked twice and made our favorite syrup for the pancakes that Jake was making.  This syrup is soooooo gooood!!! I usually double the recipe and keep it in the refrigerator.  It never last long, though.

1 1/2 C Sugar

3/4 C Buttermilk

1/2 C Butter

2 T Corn Syrup

1 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp vanilla

Combine all the above ingredients except vanilla in a small deep sauce pan, Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly(till light brown color). Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Store leftovers in refrigerator.

Note:  When you add the baking soda the mixture rises up.--always use a deep pan. :)

Snow Pudding

When I was younger and there was a fresh snowfall, my mom would let us make snow pudding.

Basic recipe:  1 bowl fresh white snow(never yellow snow!)

   sugar to taste

   1/2 tsp vanilla

I loved it as a child probably because of the sugar.  It snowed today and as I look out on the sparkly white snow I wondered whether snow was indeed safe to eat.  After googling the question and reading a few articles I think I will still let my children catch snowflakes on their tongues but no more bowls of snow pudding.  One article I read said, "licking a little snow is OK....a meal of snow is not."  I guess it is time to retire this recipe. :(

Homemade yogurt with powder milk

My friend gave me this recipe who has been making her yogurt this way for years.  

2 quarts warm(not too hot) milk made from powder milk (use an extra 1/3 cup powder milk when mixing this)

1-2 Tbspn yogurt(make sure it has live cultures) or/and acidophilus culture added and gently mix

Put lids on jars and put in small cooler with two other mason jars with(very hot) water bottles next to them.  Let culture for 8-12 hours.  Put in refrigerator and enjoy!!!

***I usually just half this recipe.  I fill one mason jar with warm water up to where it starts to curve.  I pour into a blender and add a almost a cup of powder milk.  Pulse to mix and then add the 1 Tlb yogurt and gently pulse once.  I pour this into two jars.  It makes about 1 1/2 quarts.  I put my hottest tap water into 2 other mason jars (sometimes I may microwave the water if it doesn't feel hot enough) and put them in a box with the yogurt and wrap with a towel and blanket because I don't have a small cooler the right size.  This is great for fruit shakes.  You can experiment using different yogurt starts.  I may try some Greek yogurt from the health food store and see how it turns out.

Pumpkin Carving

Yesterday we designed and carved our pumpkins.  It is fun to see what each person creates.  Caroline usually does the very detail ones using a pattern.  Jake decides quickly what he wants and is always done first.  No one likes to clean out their pumpkin, but if they don't they do not get any toasted pumpkin seeds the next day.  We had 12 cups of pumpkin seeds this year.  YUM!!

Pumpkin Seeds:

2 Cups pumpkin seeds

2 Tablespoon butter

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt

Boil washed seed 15 minutes.  Drain and mix with melted butter and other ingred.  Pour in pan and toast seeds 250 for 2 hours till crunchy.  Stir every so often.

Gooey Caramel Popcorn Balls

These are a favorite around Halloween and Christmas--they make a lot.  I think I made 55 yesterday with this recipe--plenty to eat and to share.

2 C Brown Sugar

2 C White Sugar

2 cubes butter

2 C Karo Syrup

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

2 lbs popped popcorn (2-4 big white tupperware bowls full depending on how sweet and gooey you like it)

In large saucepan combine sugars, butter and Karo syrup.  Heat over Medium high heat stirring well until it comes to a boil.  Cook to softball stage.  Use a thermometer if possible.  When it reaches the softball stage, remove from heat.  Add 1 teaspoon of soda and stir very well.  Mixture will rise up in the pan.  Add one can sweetened condensed milk and stir. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and stir until mixed in well.  Pour over popped corn and mix to coat popcorn.  At this point, butter your hands and form balls and place them on wax paper or plastic wrap spread out on counter and spry with cooking spray.  After all the balls are formed, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap.   You can also just put all the caramel popcorn in a bowl and let people just pull off what they want.

Crazy Bread sticks

I made these for the mother daughter activity at our church.  They are called crazy because they can be on the table 40 minutes after starting them and it is crazy how fast they are eaten!!!

1 T. yeast (I use about 3/4 T)

1 1/2 C warm water

2 T sugar

3 1/2 C flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 C butter

Parmesan cheese

In large mixing bowl (like your Bosch) mix together yeast, water, sugar, flour, and salt.  Knead 3 minutes.  Cover and let rise 10 minutes.  While rising preheat oven to 325.  Melt butter and pour into large cookie tray that has sides.  Roll out dough and put in pan flipping over to coat with butter.  with pizza cutter cut down middle long ways and then in to 1 inch strips.  sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.  Bake 20 minutes

For Crazy cinnamon sticks -sprinkle the buttered dough with cinnamon sugar.

I do this recipe in my Cuisinart food processor.  Add all dry ingredients pulse a few times to mix.  Add room temperature water while mixing.  Add the water till forms into ball. (I usually have about a tablespoon left over from the 1 1/2 cup--don't want it sticky).  Once in ball leave mixer on for 45 seconds to knead.  Then follow rest of above directions.  

You also can make these a head of time and cover in refrigerator till later and cook when ready

Spaghetti Recipe

I found the recipe on All recipes.  I blanched, peeled, and seeded the tomatoes first before putting them in the saucepan.  I also just did mine on the stove top.  I used fresh oregano and doubled the amount which was a little strong, but still good.  It is a good recipe to play around with.    Thank you Al for showing me how to add this link!

Quick and Easy Wheat Bread Recipe

Here is the no fail recipe Natalie used.  I usually make a different recipe that uses honey and applesauce instead of oil and less yeast--but that recipe is a little more tempermental.  This one turns out great every time.

In mixer(like a Bosch) combine:

4 Cups warm water

4 Cups whole wheat Flour

Mix on low speed until combined

Add :

1/4 Cup SAF instant yeast

Mix and let sit for 5-10 minutes

Add:

1/2 C sugar

1 Tablespoon Sea Salt

1/2 C oil

Mix on low speed.  Add 4-6 cups of wheat flour (one cup at a time) until it starts to pull away from sides of bowl, --smooth but still tacky.  Knead with mixer on medium speed for 6 minutes.

Turn on oven to 350 degrees.

I always either wet my hands with cold water or put shortening or butter on my hands when I form the loaves so they don't stick to my hands.   spray pans.  Let rise until 1/2-1" above pan rim.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Take out of pans and let cool.  YUM!

Makes 4 loaves