The Night Shift Cook Did A Good Job!

And....we liked it! (See this post for the recipe...)

This morning at 5:30 I turned the crockpot on high for about 25 min.
At 5:55 am, we sat down to eat. Everyone said they liked it rather well, although Jakin made it clear that he wouldn't want it EVERY morning. But he liked it.
I didn't get a pic before we dug in, but here is a pic of what was left...

I have definitely entered a new era in my view of what is possible for make ahead breakfasts...hmmm. What shall we throw in next time? Ideas?
Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

I'm Hungry, So I Made Breakfast Before Bed *UPDATED With Pictures*

I am trying out a new recipe/idea tonight. Sitting in my crockpot on low is my version of this blogger's recipe...

A Year of Slow Cooking: Overnight Egg, Cheese and Sausage CrockPot Casserole

Picture of set to cook crockpot:

Here is what my version included:
I don't have sausage, so I used 1 lb ground beef with some misc. herbs/seasonings.
I shredded my 4 baking potatoes instead of chopping them.
I threw in a handful of Romano cheese, thanks to my good friend Lydia sharing her stash.
I added a roughly chopped onion on top of my 10 eggs and dribble of milk.
Salt and pepper used liberally on all layers.
I drizzled olive oil over the meat and potatoes and then dumped the unbeaten eggs on top, and then poked them a bit with a fork.
I think I stuck the fork down to the depths of the crockpot and lifted up a bit to let the layers combine a little, but not too much. It wasn't really a legal stirring of the pot. More of a poking at it.
We'll see what we have in the morning after letting it cook on low all night....
(Click here to view my results...)

Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Buttermilk Bread

Buttermilk Bread with poppy seeds

This is my favorite bread recipe. It comes out as an excellent sandwich bread.

Buttermilk Bread

5-51/2 C. bread flour (I just use my hard spring wheat)
3 T. Sugar (or honey, sucanat)
2 t. salt
1/4 t. baking soda
1 pkg or 1 T. active dry yeast (or 1 t. instant yeast)
1 C. water, almost hot to touch, 

about like a baby's bath water or slightly warmer
1 C. buttermilk (or kefir)
1/3 C. butter (or coconut oil, etc)
Topping after rising in pans:
1 egg, beaten
  sesameor poppy seeds for sprinkling

  Stir first 2 C. flour and dry ingredients together, put the rest in a pan on the stove to warm until the butter begins to melt, or to 120-125 degrees. Add liquid to dry and beat on high for 2 min, add 2 C. flour and beat 2 min more. Add rest of flour 1/2 C. at a time until dough cleans the side of bowl. Knead under dough hook for 8 min. Rise in greased bowl, punch down, rest 5 min and divide in 2 and shape. Place in greased bread pans, Rise and just before baking, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle seeds on top. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 min. Bread will be brown and hollow sounding when tapped on bottom when done.

Nichola http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Help With Homemade Products

A friend asked me to share some of what I use instead of buying expensive cleaning products/personal care products. I am still learning in this area, but here are a few things I do to save money. This is actually a quote from an email to another friend asking for help...

Here is the laundry soap I am currently using. It is working well.
http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/Homemade%20Liquid%20Laundry%20Soap-%20Front%20or%20top%20load%20machine-%20best%20value

"Organic Body Care" is a good book I would recommend for recipes for personal body care recipes. It is a great resource. I use her recipe for herbal shampoo. This can also be used as a face wash for oily/combination skin/body wash.

Here is the basic version I use:

 Bring to boil:
2 C. water
Add to boiling water, remove from heat, cover and steep 30 min:
1 T. each of dried herb: Yarrow, Lemongrass, Lemon Balm, Peppermint (I get these from Mountain Rose Herbs and the Bulk Herb Store.)
Strain herb mixture, add:
1/2  C. shampoo base or all natural shampoo. (A natural baby shampoo will work as well. I use this one. http://www.vitacost.com/Jason-Daily-Shampoo-Fragrance-Free)
Add essential oils to empty shampoo bottle:
5 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops basil essential oil (Unless user is pregnant.)
10 Rosemary essential oil (unless user is pregnant. Rosemary is not to be used by pregnant women!)
5 Lavender essential oil

Add shampoo mix to shampoo bottle and gently mix. Let sit for 24 hrs to fully blend, but I have used it right away many times. =) The book suggests storing it in the fridge or only having a small bottle in the shower and the rest in the fridge...

Toothpaste:
Yes, it works and we really like this. David asks for it if I run out. We like cinnamon oil in it. Oh, I use the baby toothpaste recipe. This is very easy.  Note: Don't use a metal spoon or container for the clay. I use a plastic measuring spoon to measure the clay and to stir the mixture and I use a small canning jar for the finished product.
http://www.aboutclay.com/info/Uses/toothpaste.htm

A friend and I are about to experiment with soapnuts for handsoap etc. I will let you know how that goes. =)

 Hope this helps!

What are some of your favorite homemade products that work?
Nichola
http//:peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com

Hot Chocolate Mix

I have been craving hot chocolate. I don't know if this is due to baby, the weather or just weirdness. =D What ever the case is, I am.
So, I made some. Hot chocolate, that is. And it was so good I thought I would share it on my blog for whoever else is having a thing for the hot drink that warms you down to the toes.
Here is the recipe I used:

Hot Chocolate Mix

3 1/2 Cups nonfat dry milk
1 Cup powdered sugar (Hint: I put some of my natural sucanat sugar in my Vitamix dry container and turned it into powdered sugar. This gives rich taste as well as being a bit healthier than the white stuff...)
1/2 Cup cocoa powder. ( I like the dark chocolate...)

Combine all ingredients and store in air tight container.
To make a mug of yummy brown stuff, add 1/4-1/3 Cup of the mix to a mug, and fill with hot water. Stir and enjoy!

Mixes

Image by alifayre via Flickr
I am finally having a little room to breathe in the kitchen project. Up to this point, so much of my input/research etc. has been needed, almost constantly. But the past week or so, I have not had to be "on site" quite as much. This has allowed me the luxury of giving our meals more attention.
So, I gave them some attention. It has been slim pickin's at times around here with mom busy with other stuff.

Several years ago, I borrowed a book from a friend titled, "Make-A-Mix Cookery" by Karine Eliason, Nevada Harward and Madeline Westover I now own my own copy and have wanted to get to a place that I could really start using it. I found that place last week.



I made the Quick Mix, Roll Mix and Muffin Mix listed in the book. In no time flat, I had cranked out biscuits, rolls, muffins, cookies, and even a cake from these 3 mixes. (Although, not all at the same time.) I love the ability to make things fast for my family without any additives, preservatives, etc.



Here is the recipe for the Quick Mix:

8 1/2 C. flour (I used white whole wheat flour)
1 T. baking powder
1T. salt
2t cream of tartar
1 t. baking soda
1 1/2 non-fat dry milk

2 1/4 shortening (I used Palm Shortening)



Mix all the dry ingredients, then cut in the shortening until it resembles cornmeal in texture.

Here is one recipe to use the quick mix for:




Never-Fail Rolled Biscuts

3 C. Quick Mix
2/3 milk or water


Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine ingredients and let sit for 5 min. Knead about 15 times and roll out on floured board to 1/2" thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter. Bake 10 to 12 min until golden brown. Makes 12 large biscuits.



These were very good and fast to do. I doubled the recipe for Quick Mix to give me more time between having to mix up the mix. My whole family has been enjoying these mixes, or at least they are enjoying the products made from them. =) Maybe your family will enjoy them as well.

 If you have a favorite mix/recipe to share, leave me a comment or leave a link to your blogpost with the recipe!