Summer Lunch

One of my favorite things about this past summer was the knowledge that, even when I hadn't been to the grocery store in a while and didn't have a plan for my next meal, there was food waiting out in the garden, inspiring my creativity.  This is the result of one of those times.

Summertime is long gone, but even as I eagerly anticipate the snow predicted for tonight, I find myself looking back at pictures I took this summer and fondly remembering the warm days when I ate out of my garden.  So here we are: a summer lunch recipe.  Even if you don't want to make it now, hopefully you'll enjoy thinking about the joys of summertime. :)

Cranberry Mandarin Orange Muffins

Total time (approx.): 30-40 min
 Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. white flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking power
1/2 c. oil
1/3-1/2 c. honey
1 egg, lightly beaten.
1 c. orange juice
1/4 tsp. orange zest
1 mandarin orange, cut up (1/2 sections)
~1/c dried cranberries (but 1 c. fresh would probably be fantastic!)


 Why you might want to make this: Maybe you are tired of banana or blueberry muffins.  Maybe not, but these are great breakfast (or anytime!) muffins!  Additionally, these muffins are dairy free.

How to Enjoy Squash - Part II

Squash of almost all varieties is ridiculously cheap at the market these days, so I figured it was high time to share one of my favorite recipe discoveries from this fall.  I don't have a name for it yet, other than "that yummy squash and chicken baked dish".  It is inspired by this recipe over at Crepes of Wrath.  Every time I make it, I think it is a bit different, but so far I haven't had any bad reviews :).

I'm making it this weekend to help feed a crowd, so you might find this comes just in time for the holiday season.  It's a nice alternative to the traditional dishes.  Plus it's all vegetables that are easy to find in the early winter.  Enjoy!


Total time (approx.): not sure.. 2 hrs?  It bakes for about an hour.
 Ingredients (all approximate):
Chicken: I use about 1/2 lb chicken breast pieces, but more meat would work, and of different cuts.
3 carrots
1 butternut squash
1 onion
3 small potatoes (optional)
1/2 - 1 green pepper (optional)
2 T olive oil
1 t paprika (optional)
1/2 t  ground black pepper
pinch rosemary
herbes de provence
salt
3-5 cloves garlic
2-3 Tbsp butter
1 c. chicken stock.


Here's how you make it:

The Best Pumkin Pie I've EVER EATEN

And I've eaten quite a bit of pumpkin pie.  I'm not joking.  It was amazing.  So amazing that you need to know about it, and I don't want to forget about it.  Which is why I'm writing this post.


Total time (approx.): 1 1/2 hours (plus chilling)
 Ingredients: see link below. 
 Why you might want to make this: see above.

You can find the recipe at Taste of Home: Maple Pumpkin Pie.  My mom made it for Thanksgiving this year, and I just had to share.  Here's a picture of the deliciousness.

 p.s. I am partial to maple syrup, which may be why I thought this recipe was so good.

"the morsel of the story is..."

Isn't this a neat idea?

They bake pies in jars, which are great for sharing and sending!  What do you think?  I think I might have to try it.  (I saw this idea on Cup of Jo)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Pie and other Thanksgiving Festivities

Carefully reading the recipe for sweet potato muffin tops

It's that time of the year again.  Thanksgiving!  Christmas!  Lot's of baking to come.  This weekend we had an early early Thanksgiving dinner on campus and I hosted the group of young women making the desserts.  We had a great time!

Moroccan Apricot Chicken for Crock Pot

Total time (approx.): 45 min + 5-7 hours crock pot cooking time
 Ingredients: 

• 5 Medium carrots, sliced
• 2 large onions, sliced
• 1-3 lb chicken, cut up
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c dried apricots
• 1/2 c raisins
• 2 T flour
• 1 can chicken broth (or whatever you usually use)
• 1/4 c tom paste (I used pretty much a whole can)
• 2 T lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 1/2 t ground ginger
• 1 1/2 t ground cumin
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 2/3 t pepper
• hot cooked couscous

 Why you might want to make this:  This is a tasty crock pot recipe.  You can make it when you have time earlier in the day and dinner will be ready for you in the evening.  And if you use instant couscous, it will really only take you a few minutes to put together into a meal!


I am always interested when the title of a recipe includes the word Moroccan.

Spaghetti with ... LENTILS?

Total time (approx.): 40 min

 Ingredients:

• Spaghetti sauce (tomatoes, peppers, seasoning, sugar, salt)
• 1 onion
• Lentils (about 1/3-1/2 c. per serving)
• Spaghetti

 Why you might want to make this:  Because it's fast, easy, cheap, a source of protein and fibre, and (hopefully) yummy!  Perhaps the question you should ask is why wouldn't you want to make this.

How to enjoy squash - part I

I have decided that I love squash. There are so many possibilities! Here's one I came up with recently:

• Cut an acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds.  Place in a baking dish.
• Cut up an apple.
• Chop up some nuts - I used pecans but walnuts would work well too.  About 1/2 c is probably what I used.
• Mix apple, nuts, a bit of butter (cut), and a dusting of cinnamon.  Divide this and put it in the two halves.
• Pour about 1 Tbsp of maple syrup over each half.
• Put water into the pan with the squash so that its about 1/2" deep.  Cover with foil and bake the whole thing in the oven for 40-60 min at 400, until the squash is cooked.
• Enjoy!

Evening snack

 Looking for that perfect bedtime snack? I usually am. This can be done with either apples or peaches:

•  Cut up an apple or a peach and put it in a small bowl. 
• Put some butter inside Sprinkle liberally with rolled oats, brown sugar (or maple syrup), and cinnamon. 
• Microwave until the fruit starts to become soft and cooked. (If you have more time, you could bake your concoction instead) Enjoy with a warm cup of tea on a cool evening! 

 The variations are endless. Try putting granola instead of just oats, or using bananas and chocolate chips. Feeling like this is a special occasion? Why not add some whipped cream on top? Berries would probably also work well.