A website worth sharing

SO excited to find this website!  Shipping is free with any order over 10 bucks and you get a free 1 oz spice sample of your choice with any purchase and if you spend 20 bucks you get 4oz of applewood smoked sea salt.  Their prices are fantastic!  Selection is AMAZING!  Check it out!

http://www.myspicesage.com

Pot Roast for the one I love

 

I do not have many heroes. For the ones I have, this is the dish I would prepare for them to showcase my cooking skills as well as show them my appreciation. Jen did not feel well today, she had a massive migraine that forced us to have to go to urgent care because it was that bad. She needed medical attention, and a comforting meal. She is definitely one of my heroes and I wanted her to have a comforting meal when the day wound down and kiddos were already sound asleep. The flavors of this pot roast were further concentrated after I made a roux and added the drippings from the meat and vegetables after they cooked for over two hours to make the gravy. I am very proud of this dish and discovered that my favorite way to cook is to braise a big old hunk of meat for a long time in a lot of wine. Enjoy!

My Version of Otter Pops

I’m so tired of giving the kids the otter pops that are loaded with sugar and food coloring.  They always want at least two each.  Not only is it not good for them, it’s not good for my laundry!  Shirts and dresses stained with the not-from-nature blues and reds.  So, I got creative with my Foodsaver, and made my own version.  I got the highest compliment, that mine were the best ever!

Yogurt in action

 

Here’s Mr. Russell enjoying his yogurt this morning!

Homemade Breakfast

I have started making my own yogurt. My kids eat SO much yogurt. The girls will easily each eat 2 cups with granola in the morning.  Russell is not far behind, and Bear, well he still just makes a mess of it, but it won't be long before he's eating a ton too!  I make the yogurt with milk and just 2-3 Tbs of already prepared yogurt (either store bought plain, or my own homemade from the previous batch).  It gets pitched (mixed) with the milk after it is brought to 185 degrees and then cooled to 110.  After mixing it gets covered with the lid, covered with a dish towel, put on a heating pad (on medium) and let to sit for 7 hours.  Then.....TADA!

YOGURT!

Yes, at this point it is crazy tangy.  No one (at least in my family) will eat it like this.  So, we add a nice big dollop of “Kirkland Signature Organic Strawberry Preserves” and then suddenly it’s a nice, sweet, creamy treat.  If I really want to indulge them I take a few frozen strawberries, defrost a bit, chop and use that to top the yogurt.  

Cost Breakdown:

1/2 Gallon Organic Whole Milk:  $3.29
2-3 Tbs. Plain Yogurt:               $0.59
                                              -------
Total Cost…………………………….$3.88 for 64 ounces of organic yogurt

Next I want to make homemade granola to make the whole breakfast homemade!  Our good friend Frank, has this awesome recipe that is next on my agenda.

http://goingforseconds.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/make-your-own-granola/

Spinach Enchiladas

I tried something new tonight, Spinach Enchiladas. I was looking for something more hearty (and healthier) than cheese enchiladas, but without the meat. This turned out to be a go to alternative. Not too spinach-y tasting because it was mixed with ricotta and monterey jack. It held up well and didn't disintigrate into mush. Adapted from this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/spinach-enchiladas/detail.aspx

p.s. I used more green onion and definitely doctored up the sauce!