A Distinctly Different Homestead

Lemon Loaf

{ 06:11, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Dessert } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is a delicately flavored dessert or sweet breakfast bread. The texture is like pound cake. Very good!

Lemon Loaf
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
1 cup milk
3 cups bread or AP flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
The rind of 2 lemons, grated and minced
1/4 cup (or more) lemon juice

Glaze:
Juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup sugar

Oven to 350.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between additions. Blend in milk.

In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and lemon rind. Pour into batter. Stir just till moistened.

Pour into 2 greased 9x5 loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes.

Combine glaze ingredients and heat until sugar dissolves.

Cool loaves for five minutes. Poke holes in the top with a toothpick.

Spoon glaze over evenly.

Beef and Rice Meal

{ 05:52, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

Here's a good basic pantry meal that tastes really good! We had this for dinner one night and for lunch the next day, too.

Beef and Rice Meal
1 pound ground beef
1 medium bell pepper
2 cups rice
2 cans (32 oz total) diced tomatoes (or equivalent freshly diced)
2 cans (16 oz. total) tomato sauce
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp basil
3 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 cup cheese

Brown the meat with the onion and the peppers. Add rice and cook 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese) and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 25-30 minutes if using white rice, 50-60 minutes if using brown rice. Sprinkle with cheese.

Breakfast Bread

{ 05:47, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 0 comments } { Link }

Another on the list of recipes to try. Prepare this one the night before you plan to eat it, since it cools and sets for 8 hours.

Breakfast Bread
2 cups buttermilk or kefir
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup raisins, nuts

Oven to 400.

Grease two loaf pans. Mix all ingredients together and pour into prepared pans. Place in the 400 degree oven, and immediately lower oven to 350. Bake 1 hour. Turn out and cool, covered with a towel, for 8 hours.

Everything Breakfast Bar

{ 05:39, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 0 comments } { Link }

We tried this one this morning. It was very cake-like and soft in texture and well-flavored. I do think I'll put a touch more cinnamon in next time. I did use the entire can of pumpkin (what would I do with half a can leftover, anyway?). Give it a try!

Everything Breakfast Bars
4 cups oatmeal
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup canned pumpkin (can use entire small can if desired)
1 cup milk
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 cup raisins

Oven to 350.

Combine oats, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Spread in a greased 9x13. Bake for 40 minutes.

Large Family Breakfast Casserole

{ 05:32, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 1 comments } { Link }

Another on my list of dishes to try soon.

Large Family Breakfast Casserole
2 pounds sausage
8 cups bread, cut into pieces
4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
20 eggs, beaten
8 cups milk
2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp onion powder, garlic powder

Cook crumbled sausage until done, drain. Thickly butter two 9x13 pans. Add bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine milk, eggs, and spices. Pour over bread and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with sausage. Cover and chill overnight. Preheat oven to 325, and bake casseroles uncovered for 1 hour.

Homemade Sausage

{ 05:15, Tuesday, July 22, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Mixes and Sauces } { 0 comments } { Link }

I haven't yet tried this, but it's on my short list of new recipes to make soon.

Homemade Sausage
2 1/2 pounds ground turkey
5 tsp sage
2 1/2 tsp salt, fennel seeds, thyme, black pepper
1 1/4 tsp white pepper, cayenne pepper
5/8 tsp garlic powder
1/3 tsp ground cloves, nutmeg, allspice

Mix well. If time allows, let sausage sit overnight in the refrigerator to allow flavors to blend. Form into patties and cook as needed. Do not overcook! You may add an egg to the mixture if desired.

BLT Pasta

{ 12:22, Thursday, July 17, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 1 comments } { Link }

This is a new recipe I haven't tried yet, but plan on having it later this week.

BLT Pasta
1 pound shaped pasta, cooked and drained
8 slices bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tsp sugar
1 large tomato, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup green onion, sliced
2-3 tsp chicken bouillon powder
4 cups lettuce, thinly shredded

Combine the mayo, lemon juice, sugar and bouillon powder for the dressing.

Combine all remaining ingredients, except the lettuce.

Just before serving, combine all the ingredients including the lettuce.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

{ 03:19, Sunday, July 6, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 1 comments } { Link }

Here's my recipe for the old time diner favorite. We have this just once in a while, since it's not that kind to the waistline. I have never measured the amounts of ingredients I use in the gravy, so you'll have to eyeball it, too! It's a very forgiving dish, so do try it!

Kefir Biscuits
4 cups flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup kefir or buttermilk

Preheat oven to 450.

Mix together the dry ingredients. Cut in butter. Make a well in the center and pour in kefir. Stir just till flour is moistened. turn out on a floured surface and knead till smooth, about 12 times. DO NOT OVERKNEAD! Press out to about 1" thick. Cut out biscuits. Place close together, but not quite touching on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes.

Sausage Gravy
1 1/2 pounds bulk mild breakfast sausage
bacon grease
flour
milk
salt pepper

In a large skillet, cook the sausage till browned, keeping it chopped in small pieces. When it's almost finished, add in about 1/4 cup (ok, maybe about 1/2 cup) of bacon grease. You save your bacon grease, right? If you do not add the bacon grease, this gravy will not taste right! I told you it isn't a diet breakfast!) When that's all melted and mixed around, sprinkle on about 3/4 cups of flour. You want all the meat coated with flour and all the grease mixed with it, too. Then add milk until the meat is covered by about 1/2 inch. As you bring it to a boil, add in salt and pepper to taste. It needs a lot of salt. I guess I use just over a tablespoon, but add 2 tsp, then add it a bit at a time, to your taste. Use your pepper liberally, too.

When the gravy is incredible, and the biscuits are hot from the oven, serve as follows:

Split a biscuit and spread with butter, if desired (I do not, but my husband does). Cover with the sausage gravy. Serve with a scrambled egg on the side and orange juice.

Simple Beef and Rice Dinner

{ 04:24, Friday, July 4, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 1 comments } { Link }

This simple recipe got five stars from all my children! Yeah, a new popular (cheap, too!) dinner!

Simple Beef and Rice Dinner
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp. dried, minced onions)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (I used about 1/2 cup, minced)
2 cups white rice
2 (16 oz) cans diced tomatoes (I used quartered home-grown cherry tomatoes and 1 (7 3/4 0z.) can of El Pato jalapeno tomato sauce)
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried basil
3 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 cup grated sharp cheese

Brown the meat with the onions and bell peppers. Drain, if needed. Add the rice and cook two minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese). Bring to a boil. reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-25 minutes, until rice is done. Stir, then serve, sprinkled with cheese.

That's it. Simple, tasty, and cheap. Just my kind of supper.

Chulupa

{ 12:11, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 } { Posted in Crock Pot Dishes } { 1 comments } { Link }

I found this on a friend's blog, and have made it a couple times. Our family really likes it, and it's so darn easy! What could be better than that? The original recipe is HERE and here is how we made it:

Chulupa

2 pounds of dry pinto beans (no need to soak, just rinse)

1 cup onion, chopped fine

3 cloves of garlic, minced

12 oz chopped green chilies

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder (made it once without this, and it's good, too!)

4 pounds pork roast (with our without the bone)

1 1/2 teaspoons of oregano

1 1/2 tablespoons of salt

Cover with water and simmer until beans are tender and meat falls of bone. Remove bone, return meat to crockpot. This takes about 6-7 hours in my crockpot.

Serve over tortilla chips (unless you're Liberian, then you eat it over rice). Add any toppings that you would to tacos: salsa, sour cream, cheese, olives, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes etc.

We ate it wrapped in a warmed tortilla with many of the above toppings.

40 Minutes Rolls

{ 03:57, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Bread } { 1 comments } { Link }

Forgot the bread for dinner? Try this recipe! It's from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures.

40 Minute Rolls
2 Tbsp yeast
1 cup + 2 Tbsp warm water
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-2 cups white flour

Combine the yeast and warm water. Add the oil and sugar and let sit for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and knead until a soft dough forms. Shape into balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Rest 10 minutes. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes until done. Makes 12 rolls.

Chicken, Tomato, Zucchini, Stew

{ 03:52, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Soup } { 4 comments } { Link }

Kimi at Nourishing Gourmet is hosting a frugal and nourishing carnival! What a great way to get some healthy and inexpensive meals! This carnival is focusing on main dishes. Can't we all use some tried and true help there? The next carnival will feature sides, salads and desserts and will be here.

See the others recipes submitted to the carnival here.

I was given some zucchini and found this recipe to use it in. All the children thought it was good enough to add here.

Chicken, Tomato, Zucchini Stew
4 cups tomatoes
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp basil
1 tsp EACH thyme, marjoram
2 tsp salt
cubed, cooked chicken meat
2 cups brown rice
2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2" chunks

Combine tomatoes, chicken stock and spices. Bring to a boil.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer 45-55 minutes until rice is cooked.

Very good with 40 minute rolls!

Pizza Meatloaf

{ 03:40, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is very kid-friendly meatloaf. After making it the first time, my children insisted I prepare it every day for a week! I did not, of course, and they are very happy when it appears on the menu.

Pizza Meatloaf
4 pounds ground beef
4 eggs
2 cups oatmeal
16 oz. pizza sauce, divided
1 cup EACH Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup EACH green pepper and onion, chopped
1 tsp. EACH seasoned salt, oregano
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix 1 1/4 cup pizza sauce with half the mozzarella cheese and all the other ingredients till well-combined. Pat into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes till done. Drain if needed. Top with remaining sauce and cheese, return to oven 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

Homemade Pizza Sauce

{ 03:35, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Mixes and Sauces } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is a great tasting sauce that is wonderful in many other recipes.

Homemade Pizza Sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 (29 oz) can tomato puree
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Saute garlic in saucepan in the olive oil. Stir in remaining ingredients. bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. store in fridge for up to a week. Makes about 5 1/2 cups sauce.

Buttermilk or Kefir Pancakes

{ 02:24, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 0 comments } { Link }

Here is my favorite buttermilk (kefir) pancakes. The amounts in the ( ) are for when I have a guest.

Buttermilk/Kefir Pancakes
3 cups flour (4 cups)
3 Tbsp sugar (4 Tbsp)
1 Tbsp baking powder (4 tsp.)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda (2 tsp)
3/4 tsp salt (1 tsp)
3 beaten eggs (4 eggs)
3 cups kefir or buttermilk (4 cups)
6 Tbsp. melted butter or oil (1/2 cup)

Combine dry ingredients.
Combine wet ingredients.
Add the wet to the dry and stir just until moistened. The less you stir the better!
Heat a griddle to about 350. Spread with butter then pour out pancakes and cook until edges are dry and middles are bubbled. Flip over and cook till golden brown.

Superbly Simple Spanish Rice

{ 12:24, Saturday, June 21, 2008 } { Posted in Side Dish } { 1 comments } { Link }

Pour red palm oil or other oil into the bottom of a pot. Add 2 cups white rice and brown it in the hot oil. Add one 8-10 oz. can of tomato sauce, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Adjust seasonings to taste, of course. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Pinto Bean Casserole

{ 04:23, Thursday, June 5, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 3 comments } { Link }

Here's one of my oldies, but goodies. I used to make this fairly often, but then the recipe went away....I found it last week and made it yesterday. All the children liked it, even the picky one! This was my choice for "Say No To Kraft" at Keeper of the Home's blog.

Pinto Bean Casserole
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
tortilla chips
2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
4 (15 oz) cans pinto beans drained and rinsed OR soak 2 cups dried pintos overnight, then cook until soft
2 cans tomato sauce
1 pound frozen corn
1/2 cup taco seasoning
shredded cheese

Brown the ground beef, then add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cups of water. Cook until most of the water is evaporated.

Combine seasoned ground beef, beans, tomatoes, corn and tomato sauce in a very large bowl.

Grease a 9x13 lightly with butter. Lay down a layer of crushed tortilla chips. Cover with the mixture from the large bowl. Top with shredded cheese. Repeat layers once.

Bake in a 350 oven for 15-20 minutes to warm everything and melt the cheese.

Yummy, nourishing and simple! Just my kind of meal. I like it topped with shredded lettuce, too. You could also add olives, sour cream and/or hot sauce! The picky one liked it with about a gallon of hot sauce.

Berry Green Smoothie

{ 10:13, Tuesday, June 3, 2008 } { Posted in Beverages } { 1 comments } { Link }

Berry Green Smoothie

1 ripe banana

1 cup frozen berries (mixed blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are good!)

1/8 head of cabbage

4-5 spinach leaves

2 cups milk

honey to taste

2 cups water

1 cup ice

Blend till smooth.

Homemade Carpet Freshener

{ 10:45, Monday, May 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Cleaners } { 2 comments } { Link }

Once in a while, the carpets need a good freshening. Don't go to the store for a box of that expensive, chemical-filled carpet cleaner! Mix this up and do it yourself for pennies!

Homemade Carpet Freshener
1 1/2 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch OR salt
3/4 cups crushed lavender buds (or a few tbsps ground cinnamon, or some rosemary...use what you love!)

Blend, then sprinkle on the carpets and let sit for at least an hour. Vacuum well.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

{ 10:36, Monday, May 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Playthings } { 2 comments } { Link }

Do your kids love doing the messy sidewalk chalk thing? Did you know it's easy to make yourself? I made this a lot (years ago) when working at a special ed preschool.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
1 cup Plaster of Paris
1/2 cup water
powdered tempra paints
empty toilet paper rolls

Mix the Plaster of Paris, water and as much paint as you wish together. The more powdered paint, the richer the color. Seal one end of the toilet paper rolls with duct tape. Pour the mixture into the prepared roll. Let dry 24 hours or more. Peel the paper off and enjoy the fun!

You can use other things to mold the chalk. Be creative!

Homemade Play Dough

{ 11:15, Saturday, May 24, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Playthings } { 2 comments } { Link }

My children enjoy playing with Play-Do very much, but I hate the smell and the crumbly mess. So I make this instead! It's very smooth, soft, and I can make it smell nice with any essential oil or extract that I'd like!

Homemade Play Dough
4 cups cheap white flour
4 cups water
2 cups cheap salt
1/2 cup canola oil
8 tsp. cream of tarter
food coloring and essential oils as desired

Mix everything together in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon, over medium heat, until the dough forms. This only takes a couple of minutes. When the dough forms, plop is out onto a counter and knead a few times until smooth.

If you want different colors, wait to add the food coloring until now. Separate the dough into as many different colors as you want and add different food coloring to each. Knead it in and add drops until the color you want develops.

Store in zippy bags.

Soft Peanut Brittle

{ 10:44, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 } { Posted in Dessert } { 2 comments } { Link }

Have you ever tried this? It certainly isn't healthy, but is a terrific Christmas treat!

Soft Peanut Brittle
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup corn syrup
2 cups salted peanuts
2- 2 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Butter a cookie sheet well and set aside. Measure out all ingredients before beginning, as you need to be able to add them quickly!

Heat peanut butter in a double boiler. Add the peanuts and cook until hot and creamy.

Meanwhile, combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the corn syrup. Cook nearly to hard crack stage (209 degrees). Use a thermometer. Just before the corn syrup mixture reaches 209, add vanilla, stir and when it reaches 209, turn off the heat.

Add the hot peanut mixture and the baking soda. Stir quickly and vigorously. Working quickly, pour onto buttered baking sheet and spread with a buttered spatula. Cool and cut into pieces.

This is a tender candy, so package carefully.

Two Gallons of Great Granola

{ 09:17, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 1 comments } { Link }

I made this today for breakfast cereal for the next few weeks. It is a really good tasting granola and makes a ton! I adapted this recipe from one found here.

Two Gallons of Great Granola
30 cups of rolled oats
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
2 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
1 1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 1/2 cup flax whole seeds
1/2 cup ground flax meal (just whir the flax in the blender)
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 cups of nuts (I used almonds and peanuts)

Combine and toast in a large pan at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir and return to oven for 15 more minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine:
2 cups butter
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups honey
1/4 cup vanilla

Heat and stir on low until sugars are all dissolved. Be very careful not to scorch the mixture! Be patient!

Drizzle sweetener over granola while mixing, until it covers all the dry ingredients. I did this in a four gallon food grade bucket and mixed with my *clean* hands while my daughter drizzled the liquid.

Return to the large pan and bake (in batches) at 350 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Do not overbake!

Let cool completely and break into chunks or stir occasionally as it cools for loose granola.

Blackeyed Peas in Tomato Sauce

{ 04:45, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

I saw this today at Food is Love.

I haven't yet tried it, but want to save it here for future reference. I think I'll double it, at least!

Black eyed peas in Tomato Sauce

-6 cloves garlic

-1 yellow onion

-pinch saffron

-olive oil

-butter

-salt

-dash of red wine

-1/4 cup cream

-1 cup black eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed

-1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

-1/2 bunch kale

-parmesan cheese to taste

black pepper to taste

Soak the peas overnight and rinse. Boil in a pot of water with a piece of kombu (to make them less gas-inducing) until they’re soft with just a bit of bite to the texture. Remove from heat and water.

Chop the onions and garlic. In a large, heavy pan, sauté onions in butter and olive oil until they’re clear and a little browned. Halfway through cooking, add a pinch of saffron, and a generous pinch of salt, and stir. The onions are properly salted when you can smell them cooking more intensely than you could without salt. Add the garlic and stir more. Add half the cream and let the onions absorb it, stirring as needed.

Pour in the drained black eyed peas and a dollop of red wine. Stir to coat the peas. Let it cook about two minutes. Add the tomato sauce and stir again, then cook covered for ten minutes.

Remove cover and add leaves of kale, chopped into large pieces. Turn heat to low. Add the rest of the cream, salt to taste, and serve with pepper and parmesan when it tastes just right to you.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

{ 02:17, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is last night's meal. Everyone liked it and there were only a little bit of leftovers. It makes a great quick meal!

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Boil 1 1/2 pounds of pasta (I used elbows) and:

Brown:
1 pound of ground beef
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion (or 2 tsp. onion powder)
salt and pepper to taste

Stir in:
1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 pound of frozen veggie of your choice (I used corn)
the cooked pasta

Simmer a few minutes, then stir in 4 oz of cream cheese.

When the cream cheese is melted, serve and top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

I served this with a green smoothie for our veggie servings. Enjoy!

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