Yummy Stuff: Valentine Cookies

Posted on February 12, 2013 by lauren

This is a super-sweet cookie recipe that we can only get away with once a year. It has been in my family for who knows how long, so I don’t know the original source of the recipe. If anyone knows, please leave info in the comments so I can give credit where credit is due. This makes about 24 – 30 cookies, depending on how big you make ‘em, of course!

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

Frosting:

1 stick (1/2 cup) softened butter
2 – 3 cups confectioners sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 – 3 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

Preheat oven to 350. For the cookies: mix top 5 ingredients well. Whisk together remaining dry ingredients (flour, soda, and cream of tartar) and add to wet mixture. Form into a ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes, up to two days.

Roll out onto a well-floured surface with rolling pin to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes (we did hearts for the kids’ teachers and little people for the classmates) and bake 7-8 minutes on a greased cookie sheet until edges are golden. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting: mix all ingredients together well until it reaches the desired texture. Use a butter knife to spread frosting onto cooled cookies.

Adorn with sprinkles if you know what’s good for you!

Little man never stood a chance…

And of course, if cookies aren’t your thing, there’s always, always chocolate!

Yummy Stuff: 30-Minute Meatballs

Posted on February 5, 2013 by lauren

Meatballs used to be one of those foods that I was too intimidated to make. They seemed better suited to Italian grandmas who stooped over big pots in the kitchen all day. Until I listened to a radio program I get absolutely giddy about (The Splendid Table on NPR). It was a while ago, but one thing I took away was that you can add anything to meatballs and as long as you pack in a lot of flavor and keep the balls small, it only takes about 25 minutes to bake them. I threw some yummy stuff together, and they turned out great! I have been making these for a couple of years now, and they never fail to please all of the boys (a difficult task these days)!

And speaking of, Oliver has become so incredibly picky at the table, I have all but thrown my hands up in defeat. In a perfect world, he would try everything on his plate and be conscious of his vegetable consumption. But after what seems like months of his veggie-strike, I have resorted to hiding veggies in his most beloved food. Meatballs included. Here is my sneaky recipe:

30-Minute Meatballs

1 lb 90% grass-fed ground beef (do it, people, for the environment and your health!)
2 slices whole wheat bread, toasted and ground to bread crumbs in a food processor
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 large leaf of kale, minced finely
3 shakes of worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 cup raw gruyere (grass-fed raw milk cheese is the best way for your body to absorb calcium, and has many other health benefits as well)
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
sea salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, being careful not to overwork the meat. Roll into walnut-sized balls (or smaller) and place on a lightly-oiled pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Once baked, you can add to your favorite sauce on the stove and simmer for however long you like before serving. However, you can eat these plain or add sauce later. They are that good! Our favorite way is to serve with tomato sauce over spaghetti or bow tie noodles (Oliver’s favorite!).

Enjoy!

Yummy Stuff: Cheesecake with Lemon and Sour Cream

Posted on January 29, 2013 by lauren

Last weekend, I was majorly jonesing for something sweet. You see, I have given up ice cream (which I used to eat after dinner every single night) until further notice, especially since my last breastfeeding session was likely last Thursday (which also means my chest will be returning to that of a 12-year-old boy soon) and that means fewer calories out. Which completely negates the baking of cheesecake, but you know, my birthday is coming up and I wanted some cake.

This cheesecake was only slightly adapted (by adding sour cream, adding more crust, and slightly altering the baking directions) from Mollie Katzen’s The New Moosewood Cookbook. I highly recommend this cookbook. Every recipe I have ever made from this book has turned out and turned out delicious. It’s a good one. And so I really cannot take credit for this recipe, but had to share my version of it’s awesomeness. If you want the original, I urge you to buy/borrow the cookbook (I mean, it’s only $11)!

** Adapted from Montana’s Mom’s Dynamite Cheesecake **

Crust:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs (you can grind them up in the food processor or by hand using a rolling pin and a plastic bag)
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 stick butter, melted

Combine and press firmly into the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan.

Filling:

16 oz. (2 packages) cream cheese, softened & room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
4 eggs (also room temperature)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp lemon rind

Preheat oven to 375. Beat all filling ingredients together until smooth. Pour onto crust and bake for 25 minutes, or until set (you will know it is set when edges are firm but center slightly wobbles). ** A tip: place a tray of water on the bottom rack of the oven while baking your cheesecake ** Remove from oven and allow to cool completely (you will need the oven again, so you can either leave it or reheat it later after the cheesecake has cooled).

Topping

1 1/2 cups sour cream
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Reheat oven to 375. Blend topping ingredients well and pour over the top of cooled cheesecake. Bake for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Cover tightly (still in the pan) and refrigerate for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours (24 is better!). Enjoy with blueberries– they bring out the lemony freshness of the cake.

And don’t blame me if this puts a damper on your New Year’s resolution!

Yummy Stuff: Spinach-Stuffed Crispy Baked Chicken

Posted on January 22, 2013 by lauren

Today I want to share a recipe that was inspired by my own mama’s Chicken Florentine that has all the flavor but a little bit less of the fat (you know, for you New Year’s Resolution-ers out there!). Start with a few fresh ingredients and break out the old cast iron skillet (my bestie Mary got me this one).

Ingredients

1 package boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or breasts, if you prefer)
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
about 8 small slices of havarti cheese
handful of fresh spinach
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1/2 cup flour
salt & pepper, to taste

Mince spinach and garlic, and mix the two together in a small bowl. Place each chicken tender inside a plastic baggie and gently pound it flat with a meat mallet (don’t go overboard). Set aside. Place flour and salt in a shallow bowl, then egg in a separate bowl, and in the last bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese. Now comes the fun part!

One at a time, take a piece of chicken, coat it in flour mixture, then dip in egg mixture, then place in bread crumbs. Place piece of havarti, then about 2 tsp of the spinach garlic mixture inside. Next, gently roll the chicken around the filling.

Stab with a toothpick to keep the tender together, and place in a lightly oiled skillet (you could also use any baking dish):

Continue until all tenders are used:

You can either bake right away, or refrigerate until you are ready to use. I often make dinner in the morning or afternoon while the boys are at preschool and Emil sleeps, then I can do all the dishes, clean up, and later just throw it in the oven during the busiest time of day.

When you are ready to cook, Preheat oven to 425. Bake chicken for 15 minutes, flip, and return to oven. Bake another 10 – 15 minutes, depending on how thick your chicken is. Remove from oven, take toothpicks out, and serve hot with a big spinach salad, roasted cherry tomatoes, or the old stand-by, roasted potatoes.

Sorry I couldn’t get a good picture of the plated chicken- it gets dark so early, all my pictures are awful by the time dinner is actually ready.

Enjoy!

Weekend Shenanigans

Posted on January 14, 2013 by lauren

Oliver took the above picture– seriously!

This weekend was full of a lot more rest (man, this abdominal surgery really knocked me on my behind!) as well as some reorganization and brainstorming about what I want to bring to the blog this new year. In addition to the old stand-by’s (Dress That Mama will be up in full force, with Dress That Prof making the occasional appearance; as well as recipes; DIY Fun for the kids; and Favorite Places), I will be posting portraits every Saturday morning of the boys in coordination with the 52 Project inspired by Jodi. I am really excited about sharing more of St. Louis with you, especially because it gives me an excuse to get out and discover new places. And on those days when I am struggling for a kid’s activity to share with you, I will be sure to share a favorite book for kids. And of course, as soon as spring has sprung, we will do plenty of garden-related posts. It’s going to be a great year!

Seasoned came this weekend! It turned out great!

Tomorrow is Andrew’s first day of teaching this year, so we will go back to a somewhat busy schedule. I am hoping not to undo all of the good that has come from Andrew taking care of the boys for the past 5 days. Seriously, he put my parenting to shame. He has Emil on a nap schedule, Oliver getting himself dressed and undressed and independently toileting (he always asked for help for all of these things before), laundry and dishes all caught up, and Emil sitting at the big boy table eating breakfast every morning with his big bros. Plus, he took them on all sorts of adventures and has started their third Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:

Look at Oliver’s concerned expression! They were reading the part about Augustus Gloop getting sucked up the tube from the chocolate river… troubling for sure!

And I do have one teensy tiny question for you, if you don’t mind my asking… in order to improve and reach my readers, I was wondering, what is your favorite feature of this blog? In other words, what would you like to see more of? I really appreciate the feedback!

Seasoned

Posted on January 8, 2013 by lauren

*** Sorry we didn’t get a chance to put the videos of the boys up today– will surely do it as soon as we can!***

Just recently, Julie of Cinnamon Girl worked her patooty off to produce this fine piece of work: Seasoned: Whole Food for Thought & Consumption // Winter 2013. It is a beautiful collection of photography, recipes, and stories about winter and slow living. Julie and Craig are raising their toddler son Gus in Maine and dreaming of a farm. They are good, wholesome people with big dreams who take chances to follow those dreams (just the type of people I admire… I’m definitely not as courageous as these guys!).

A little while back, Julie asked me to contribute a recipe and a little something about what winter means to me… and it automatically took me to my own kitchen. Along with my story and recipe are several others that brought tears to my eyes and a rumbling to my tummy! Seriously, I’ve already ordered two copies and I can’t wait to get my hands on the hard copy so that I can get started on some of the amazing recipes, including a couple of homeopathic remedies (one of which includes honey, garlic, and thyme living in a jar together in perfect harmony for that day you come down with a nasty cold… um… where were you, magical elixir, last week?). I will be making that asap.

If you would like to take a peak inside, click on this link, then click on the “preview” button directly under the illustration. It will give you a glance at the first few pages. I have seen the whole thing and trust me, it’s awesome.

Also? If you end up buying a copy, know that any profit from the magazine goes toward this lovely family‘s dream to purchase their own farm (sooner, rather than later, I’m thinking). Check it out! I feel extremely lucky to have been included in this amazing work of art. Congratulations, Julie! You should be so proud.

Yummy Stuff: Vegetarian Chili

Posted on December 28, 2012 by lauren

It’s cold outside. You probably need to eat less meat. Have no fear. You do not have to sacrifice flavor or heartiness (or texture) in this healthy vegetarian version of a rich chili. It’s one of my favorite recipes, adapted over years of trial and error. The secret ingredients include Guinness beer, molasses, and a good-quality cocoa powder, and lots of cans (make sure you have a can opener handy!).

This makes a very large batch of mild chili (aka kid-friendly). Feel free to spice it up if you prefer!

Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

2 packages meatless ground beef (I like Trader Joe’s brand, found near their tofu and produce area)
1 (15-oz) can kidney beans
2 (15-oz) can black beans
1 large onion, chopped
4 or 5 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes
2 (6-oz) cans tomato paste
1 (14-oz) can tomato sauce
1 small can chili peppers (or use a fresh, chopped jalapeño pepper if you like your chili spicier)
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp coriander
1 can dark beer (I use 3/4 of a large can of Guinness)

Heat oil in large dutch oven or chili pot. Cook onion and garlic until tender, then add veggie crumbles (fake ground beef) and stir. Add all spices (I usually measure them all out ahead of time, then add all at once), Add tomato sauce, chili peppers (and/or jalapeño pepper), diced tomatoes, broth, molasses, tomato paste, and salt. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Add beans, brown sugar, and finally, beer. If I’m leaving anything out, add that too. Simmer for 2 hours or more, and serve with cornbread, sharp cheddar cheese, and sour cream (or however else you like to eat chili!).

Let me know how you like it!

Simple Food: White Bean, Parmesan, and Chard Soup

Posted on November 27, 2012 by lauren

With Thanksgiving behind us and weather dropping into the 20′s at night, I decided to harvest almost all of the remaining chard that has given us 8 full months of greens. I might be wrong, but it probably won’t survive such cold nights for much longer. And after a bit of gluttony (way too much whipping cream and butter hidden in rich holiday dishes), we were craving something simple and light.

With only five ingredients (six if you count the olive oil used to sauté the garlic), this soup is simple, efficient, cheap, and nourishing. Whip this together for a hearty winter lunch with a hunk of crusty bread, or serve it in place of a salad before dinner.

White Bean, Parmesan, and Chard Soup

12 small chard leaves (or 6 large)
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 to 1 1/2 cups cannellini beans
2 to 3 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup freshly shaved parmesan cheese (use a high-quality cheese: it makes a difference with so few ingredients!)

Remove tough stems on chard and discard. Slice leaves into thin ribbons and set aside. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium heat and add smashed garlic cloves. Cook until fragrant and tender, about 2 minutes (be careful not to burn the garlic or it will become bitter). Add broth, chard, and 1/2 of the parmesan. Simmer for 20 minutes, until chard is tender and parmesan is melted.

Garnish with remaining parmesan, and serve immediately.

Thanksgiving 2012

Posted on November 23, 2012 by lauren

I hope you all had a great turkey day! We had such a nice relaxed day filled with reading The BFG out loud, cooking at a leisurely pace with all the windows open downstairs (it was 65 and beautiful outside!), raking leaves, and just spending good old-fashioned quality family time together. The perfect holiday after so much traveling on Andrew’s part!

We made waaaaaaay too much food for our little family, but leftovers are kind of the best part of Thanksgiving, don’t you think? At least we won’t be cooking for the next couple of days… until Andrew’s mom and stepdad and little brother and sister come to town. It’s been so long since we’ve seen them, so we are really looking forward to it.

Anyone partaking in the BLACK FRIDAY MADNESS???!!!!! If so, good luck.

Yummy Stuff: Purple Potato Hash with Parmesan and Kale

Posted on November 9, 2012 by lauren

Inspired by this post by the lovely and creative Julie, I recently experimented with my own rendition on a breakfast hash… only I served it for dinner with a side of sunny-side-up eggs. It was a major success, so I wanted to pass on the recipe!

*Serves about 3 or 4 adults, give or take*

**Do not skip the lemon in this recipe– it was the key to a very flavorful vegetarian hash**

Ingredients

one bag of small variety potatoes (like red-skinned, purple, and baby yukon gold)- I snagged mine at Trader Joe’s (about 10 small potatoes), chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 sweet onion, finely chopped
1 bunch kale, shredded
1/2 lemon, squeezed
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
sea salt, to taste

Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until almost caramelized (just beyond the translucent stage), stirring but not too often or they will not achieve that sweet flavor that comes with caramelization. Add potatoes and salt, then stir. Cover and turn down heat a bit (to medium low). Cook for 10 – 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add kale, stir, and cover for another 2 minutes. When kale has wilted, add lemon juice, stir, then sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. Cover, turn off heat, and allow cheese to melt. Serve warm!

This makes a tasty, cheap, and somewhat healthy meal when combined with fresh eggs. The perfect stick-to-your-ribs fall breakfast!

Hope you have a happy weekend!

CrumbBums

Young Bums, Crumb Bums

Category Archives: Yummy Stuff

Yummy Stuff: Valentine Cookies

Yummy Stuff: 30-Minute Meatballs

Yummy Stuff: Cheesecake with Lemon and Sour Cream

Yummy Stuff: Spinach-Stuffed Crispy Baked Chicken

Weekend Shenanigans

Seasoned

Yummy Stuff: Vegetarian Chili

Simple Food: White Bean, Parmesan, and Chard Soup

Thanksgiving 2012

Yummy Stuff: Purple Potato Hash with Parmesan and Kale