Now this looks really good and very simple to make..
Packed with kid appeal, this culinary nod to Old Glory, from cookbook author and FamilyFun contributor Ken Haedrich, is made by layering strawberry sorbet and vanilla and blueberry-flavored ice cream in a loaf pan, chilling each layer until it's firm. Served with homemade blueberry sauce and fresh fruit, it's a sweet, summery ending to any Independence Day meal.
1. Combine the blueberries and the water in a medium-size saucepan. Partially cover the pan, then bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Continue simmering the berries until they begin to break down, about 2 minutes. Stir in the sugar and cook the berries until they become soft, about 1 to 2 minutes more.
2. Stir together the lemon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl until evenly blended. Stir the mixture into the berries, then cook them at a low boil, stirring constantly, for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and transfer it to a medium-size bowl. When the sauce is cooled, cover it and place it in the refrigerator to chill.
3. Line a 9- by 5-inch metal loaf pan with two sheets of crisscrossed plastic wrap, leaving a 3-inch overhang on all sides, then chill the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes.
4. Place the container of sorbet in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to soften, then spoon the sorbet into the pan and mold it, using a sheet of plastic wrap to smooth the top as needed. Cover it with foil and freeze it for 2 hours. The last 30 minutes, soften the vanilla ice cream in the refrigerator. Remove the pan from the freezer, add half the vanilla ice cream, mold it, cover it with foil, and freeze it and the remaining ice cream for 30 minutes. For the third layer, mix the remaining ice cream with 3/4 cup of the blueberry sauce, and add it to the pan. Freeze the dessert for one more hour.
5. Chill a platter in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Right before serving, thin the remaining blueberry sauce with a spoonful of water or orange juice. Invert the dessert onto the platter, unwrap it, and garnish it with fresh berries. Use a sharp knife to slice the dessert, and serve it with the sauce. Serves 10.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 slice, 10 servings per recipe, with 2 tablespoons of blueberry sauce):
Calories 277
Total Fat 10 g (15% DV)
Saturated Fat 5 g (27% DV)
Cholesterol 54 mg (18% DV)
Sodium 58 mg (2% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 46 g (15% DV)
Fiber 0.9 g (4% DV)
Sugars 43 g
Protein 4 g (8% DV)
(Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.)
A movie night just isn't complete without popcorn. Single-serving paper cones and a popcorn seasonings bar allow viewers to customize their snacks.
To make your family movie night picture-perfect, check out our printables for a classic popcorn holder, tickets to the festivities, and a decorative wrap for your favorite drink.
1. To make one cone, roll a piece of 12-inch-square scrapbook paper into a cone and secure it with tape. Trim the top to make it flat. Bend the cone's tip up about an inch and tape it in place. For a lid, make a second cone using a piece of 11- or 10-inch paper; after sprinkling seasonings on the popcorn, fit the mouth of the smaller cone over the larger one and shake the popcorn to distribute the toppings.
2. TOPPINGS: For epic amounts of flavor, pop up a big batch of popcorn, toss it with a bit of melted butter, and put out a spread of jars with shaker lids containing these mixtures:
Cajun: Combine 1 teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, and salt to taste.
Cinnamon and Sugar: Mix 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Italian: Combine 1 teaspoon dried parsley and 2/3 cup grated Parmesan with 1/2 teaspoon each of dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Add salt to taste.
Well I just got notification that my side of the family is having a big BBQ at my brother's house on the evening of the Fourth. I am thrilled since hubby's family is all busy and doing their own thing. His mother and father will be at their church's 3 day meeting, his oldest sister is in Washington and unable to come home but will be home in a few weeks for Grandma's 90th bday, and his youngest sister and her hubby and daughter are in California at Disney!
Of course I asked what I could bring and my SIL told me maybe a salad or a dessert. So I plan on taking both. LOL Not sure what kind of salad to take, and I have a simple dessert recipe I will make (it is red white and blue). Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill sound so good right now. And I know several of the other dishes will be potato salad and baked beans, etc. One gal there doesn't cook, so she usually brings the pop, or ice and sometimes a large tub of icecream depending on what we are all having.
We aren't shooting off any fireworks there though. One of the twins is scared of fireworks, 2 of the other kids are with their dad for the weekend and won't be there either. So it is the one if the twin who likes fireworks, and Noah, who is only 3 but loved them last year, so I unless he decides to change his mind, LOL, I think he will be ok with them again this year. After the BBQ, several of us will drive back to town and watch the citywide fireworks display at the lake. We won't buy much this year....maybe some snappers, some smoke bombs, and some other smaller items for Noah. I just can't see spending alot of money on big bangs this year when we have so many things we could spend the money instead.
Matthew got called today for a small electrical job. The guy wants an electrical hookup for a camper put in behid his barn by this weekend. So Matthew is running a little late tonight getting that done. He was hoping it was a 10 minute job, but knows things happen and it might take longer. Oh well, we need the money to take care of part 2 of fixing my car's air conditioning. (Part one was putting in a new fan, which he did last night. Part 2 is??? LOL I have no idea. I know the fan works now but no cold air. Maybe it needs freon?? Who knows. That is hubby's job)
I have discussed having a yard/garage sale and then canceled it thinking I would just have an auction (a HS friend has an auction business and is going to hold a consignment auction), but now I am thinking I should just open up a Ebay shop, and possibly put some stuff on Etsy as well.I think in the long run I will end up getting more money for the items. I will just advertise that I go to the post office once or twice a week, etc. so I don't have to go every single day. That would be crazy. On days I have many packages, I will ask a girlfriend to watch Noah, or drop him off for an hour at grandma's shop.
Speaking of grandma's shop.....she has offered me one of her large display windows to put items in if wanted. I told her I would speak to Matthew, pray about it and get back to her. I know I won't make alot of money from it, because her shop is kind of out of the way, and not many people walk around there either. However, the customers that come into her shop for Speech (She is a Speech Pathologist) might see something and buy it, or order one in a different color, tell their friends, etc. I was thinking of putting some vintage items in the window, and making up some aprons and shaggy blankets to display and sell there. I am getting excited about the opportunity to make some money to help with household items and Christmas, etc. When I get the shops up and running, I will post the addresses here for all of you!!!
Matthew (who is the king of putting things off, starting projects and then not finishing them, etc.) has turned a new leaf. I am not sure what happened, but I am not about to ask and screw this up. LOL Projects like Noah's bedroom upstairs that have sat for over 3 years without being finished are now being worked on! He comes home from work and instead of colasping in his chair with the laptop, he asks if there is anything I need him to do! Mostly it is small stuff like, take out the trash, take this box upstairs, etc. But recently he has fixed part of the air conditioning on the car, fixed the leaky roof, replaces a filter on the furnace/air conditioner, and my favorite, bought and hung a ceiling fan in Noah's new bedroom!!! The later was all his idea and he was so pleased to be able to buy the fan with his extra money coming in from electrical jobs. :) Makes me smile to see this part of Matthew blossoming.
Noah has been talking up a storm!!! I can't believe in the last couple of months since his birthday screening in April, how much he has developed. He is definately not the same little boy. He is doing better every day. Last night I told Matthew that he had been talking up a storm all day long and learning new words every day. Later on Matthew said, how do you turn HIM off?? LOL We both had a great laugh over that one. The little boy that wouldn't talk earlier except for mom, dad, cookie, candy, etc. little words, is now talking 4 word sentences, answering questions with words instead of sign language, and asking for items instead of pointing and grunting. God is so good to us. I love this little guy. And yes, there are times you want to turn him off still. LOL But most of the time, I love hearing him talk (now not only in English but a little Spanish and Chinese due to a few tv shows he watches)
I recently made vanilla ice cream and it was delicious!!I wanted to share my recipe with you.You can now find all my ice cream recipes (eggless recipes and non dairy too) and ice cream making directions here:http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/makinghomemadeicecream.htmIf I have more recipes to post I will be adding them to that page.
Vanilla Ice Cream
6 eggs 3 cups cane juice crystals 2 T vanilla (only the real stuff) 2 c. whole cream Whole Goat Milk, as much as needed to fill ice cream maker container (whole cow milk will work too.. :) 1 T arrowroot powder (helps make the ice cream smooth.. but this is optional if you don’t have any)
In a big mixer (like a Kitchen Aid or Bosch) mix together (with the wire whip) the eggs and cane juice crystals until light and lemony colored. Add vanilla and mix again. Add cream and arrowroot powder (if using). When all of this has mixed together completely pour it into your 1 gallon ice cream maker container. Add whole milk until you reach the "fill line" on your ice cream maker container.Follow the instructions that came with your ice cream maker or click on the above link for general instructions.
Friends... I am being pulled in a million and one directions right now. I hope to be able to share with you something of interest soon. But for now... I have nothing.
I am dry toast.
I am about to s l o w down though... truly.
I am going to create, to sit, to read, and enjoy the remainder of my summer with my children instead of running.
Bear with me.
Good things soon.
xoxo
Basil Chicken Burgers with Pesto Mayonnaise ~recipe and picture
Now this looks and sounds good..Its late and all I can think about is food...lol
Ken Haedrich, cookbook author and FamilyFun contributor, came up with this extra juicy burger that's made with ground chicken -- often a leaner alternative to ground beef. Pesto, used both in the burgers and in the special sauce, adds a savory, garden-fresh flavor to his version of a cookout classic.
3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar or 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons pesto (store-bought or your favorite recipe)
Oil for brushing the burgers
6 burger rolls
Lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
For the Pesto Mayonnaise:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons pesto
1. Line a medium-size baking sheet with plastic wrap and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, cheese, salt, and pepper, gently tossing the mixture with your hands or a large fork, until evenly blended.
2. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and pesto, then add it to the ground chicken mixture and combine until evenly blended. Shape the meat into six 1/2-inch-thick patties, placing each one on the lined baking sheet as you go. Cover the burgers with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes to firm them. (Note: The patties will be softer than traditional hamburgers.)
3. While the meat is chilling, prepare the grill and make the Pesto Mayonnaise (just combine the ingredients in a small bowl). Then brush one side of each of the burgers with a little oil and place them on the grill, oiled side down. Lightly brush oil on the other side of the burgers and cook them for 5 minutes on each side, turning once, or until the meat is no longer pink inside.
4. Serve the burgers on the rolls, dressed with the lettuce, tomatoes, and Pesto Mayonnaise. Makes 6 burgers.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1 cheddar-based burger on a bun with 1 1/2 tablespoons of pesto mayonnaise):
Calories 572
Total Fat 41 g (62% DV)
Saturated Fat 9 g (47% DV)
Cholesterol 122 mg (41% DV)
Sodium 833 mg (35% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 23 g (8% DV)
Fiber 1 g (5% DV)
Sugars 3 g
Protein 28 g (55% DV)
(Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie neeeds.)
1. In a frying pan, cook the turkey bacon strips until crisp and let drain on a paper towel. When cool, crumble the bacon into bits and store for later.
2. Scrub the new potatoes and place in a large pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Cook just until tender enough to pierce with a fork (about 20 minutes). Drain and immediately plunge the potatoes into cold water to prevent further cooking. When they are cool enough to handle, peel and cut the potatoes and put into a large bowl.
3. Chop the hard-boiled eggs and add to the potatoes. Wash and chop the celery. Scrub the radishes and slice very thin. Add the vegetables to the potatoes and eggs.
4. In a separate mixing bowl, whip the vinegar, mayonnaise and mustard together, and fold into the other ingredients until they are evenly coated. Keep the salad chilled until it's time to eat. Just before serving, sprinkle the crumbled turkey bacon on top and garnish with snipped scallions or radish rosettes. Serves 10 to 12.
1. Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a plate and return it to the freezer to harden. Meanwhile, construct an Uncle Sam hat out of a wafer ice cream cone.
2. Use frosting to attach a blue band of fruit leather around the bottom of the cone. Squirt vertical stripes of red decorating gel down the sides and blue gel on the top.
3. Using a star tip, squirt on white frosting stars around the blue fruit leather, if desired. TIP: To avoid smudging the Uncle Sam hat design, have your child hold the cone from the inside while decorating it with fruit leather and icing.
4. Remove the ice cream-scoop "head" from the freezer and top with the Uncle Sam hat. Working quickly so the ice cream doesn't melt, add blue M&M's eyes and a red M&M's nose. Finally, add a whipped cream beard. To do this, have your child hold the canister upside down while squirting on a long white beard.
5. Serve up your Uncle Sam ice cream cone immediately. Makes 1.
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or less for a milder taste)
Salt
1. Place all of the ingredients but the salt in a blender or food processor and pulse until the ingredients are mixed but still chunky.
2. Transfer the salsa to a bowl, salt it to taste, then cover and refrigerate it until ready to serve. Makes 2 cups.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (1/4 cup):
Calories 20
Total Fat 0 g (0% DV)
Saturated Fat 0 g (0% DV)
Cholesterol 0 mg (0% DV)
Sodium 148 mg (6% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 6 g (2% DV)
Fiber 0.2 g (1% DV)
Sugars 3 g
Protein 0.3 g (1% DV)
(Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.)
Ramblings about what goes on around here.
I am a Christian homeschooling mom of five, we live on 6 acres with Nubian dairy goats, chickens, a garden, and various other critters.
Friends... I am being pulled in a million and one directions right now. I hope to be able to share with you something of interest soon. But for now... I have nothing. 
