Monday, May 7, 2012

Going on a hiatus...

Seasons change, times change and thankfully people do too.  When you're a Mother you wear many hats in life, some mandatory and some that just create excess stress.  When my time is spent on thinking what will I blog about, what recipe will I fix to put on my blog, how can I get my stats up, on and on, it's time for a change....  Instead I should be thinking how can I make my husband's day better, or my children's day happier.  Most importantly, how can I draw closer to the Lord! I haven't read my Bible in the past 4 days, no, instead I've been reading and researching about things that don't really matter in life, in my life.  I make no money from this blog, so it's just a wasteful time drainer that I'm not willing to make anymore. Not that my blog was ever active, but I tried.

What got me thinking about stopping my blog was when I read about a woman getting cyber stalked.  Someone stealing and copying her blog.  It was very creepy to say the least!  If you put yourself out in this cold hard world, that is certainly the possibility!  I for one don't want to risk it anymore.  I'll stay here in the safety of my sweet family, that I know care about me and love me!

I'm not deleting my blog, not as of yet.  Maybe some of the posted recipes could be of help to someone.  Like I said before, times change, so until next time.....

Friday, May 4, 2012

Homemade Applesauce (Pressure Cooker recipe)

-2 bags of apples or 6 lbs, just mix and match varieties (I like it best with 3/4 sweet apples and 1/4 Granny Smith thrown in)
-1/3 cup brown sugar (or more depending on type of apples used)
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 cup water
-1 Tbls lemon juice
-pinch Kosher salt

Peel and core your apples.  Dump all ingredients into your electric pressure cooker and put on VEGGIE setting for 5 minutes.  You can leave it chunky, or if you have kids like mine, you need to puree it till it's smooth!  Enjoy :-)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Strawberry Syrup (and Jam)

This has got to be one of the best, most delicious syrups I have ever tasted-in my life!!  I don't remember where I found this recipe, but it was from the internet.

-2 LBS fresh strawberries, hulled
-4 cups white sugar
-1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh)

1. In large bowl, crush berries in batches till you have 4 cups of mashed berry.  (I use my Pampered Chef Mix 'n Chop).
2. In large saucepan, mix berries, sugar and lemon juice. Stir over low heat till sugar is dissolved.
3. Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a full rolling boil.
4. BOIL, stirring often,  for about 3-4 minutes  *TO FIX JAM* boil till mixture reaches 220 degrees, about 8 minutes.
5. Transfer to hot sterile jars, leave 1/4 - 1/2" headspace, seal.  Process 10 minutes in a hot water bath.

My first attempt at making homemade strawberry jam was an amazing, tasty flop!!  I'm so glad I messed the recipe up :-)



Strawberry Crepes

This makes a very rich breakfast dish, but so delicious! The recipe is from Taste of Home Magazine. I'm not sure of the issue number, I've had it for years and it's put away in my magazine mess :-)
Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 to 2 tablespoons butter
FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
 
TOPPING:
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 medium firm bananas, sliced
1/4 cup sugar, optional


Directions: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, milk and eggs. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. In an 8-in. nonstick skillet, melt 1 teaspoon butter. Stir batter; pour about 2 tablespoons into the center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, add butter to a skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper on paper towels in between. In a large bowl, beat the filling ingredients until smooth. Spread 2 rounded tablespoonfuls on each crepe; roll up. In a large bowl, combine topping ingredients; spoon with crepes. Yield: 18 crepes.

 *NOTE* I top these with my homemade strawberry syrup. It's just a batch of homemade jam that didn't thicken all the way :-) I've discovered it makes the most delicious syrup, great for this recipe and great for a topper on ice cream, YUMM!!! I will look and see if I've already posted the recipe for homemade strawberry jam, if not then I will post it!

 Vicky