Italian Sausage and Bread

I made some partly whole wheat bread (more white flour than whole wheat) today and while it was raising I wondered what to make for supper. I had thought of spaghetti but that just did not sounds that good to me. Humm what to do with too much bread dough... So our supper was homemade  Clazones (sp?) I grabbed a jar of spaghetti sauce out of the cupboard and some shredded cheese out of the freezer and then wondered, what kind of meat. I had a lone package of ground pork and I thought Italian sausage!

I thawed the 1# of pork and added to my trusty old electric coffee grinder reserved only for spices:
1 t fennel seeds
1/2 t salt
1 t seasoned salt
1/2 t ground sage
1.25 t sugar
1/4 t pepper
1 T parsley flakes
Grind for a few seconds in the grinder then mix well with the meat and place in the fridge for an hour or more. This is nice to freeze too. Shape into small meatball size and freeze on a cookie sheet, remove from the sheet once frozen solid and place in a zip bag. This makes it nice to do just a few at a time or you can use the whole bag.

I rolled out pieces of bread dough as round as I could make them and placed a good tablespoon of spaghetti sauce  in the center of the dough,  next added about 1/3 c of the browned meat, topped it off with cheddar and mozzarella cheese. I folded the one side over the other and pinched sealed the edges and then rolled the edges up  once and pinched again. I baked it at 400 degrees for a good 12 minutes and served it with the left over sauce from the jar.

Supper was Delicious, even Daisy our dog gladly ate some leftovers. Both loafs of bread turned out nice and light, will have some toast with jelly in the morning with my coffee before I go and meet my mom at her old place.

Tomorrow I have to get some shopping done, not my favorite job but a much needed one.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus and have a good night!  Kimi

Kraut

Today was such a lovely day I decided to make a batch of kraut in my outdoor kitchen. My outdoor kitchen consists of a long table, lawn chair, the hose and my trusty 2 burner wood cook stove. I had my lovely assistants helping me.


Making kraut is fun and easy. I like to make a verity of krauts such as the ones I made today. Carrot and onion kraut and Apple onion kraut. There are endless things you can add to your kraut such as caraway seeds, peppers, Dill, fruit and herbs.

To start I peeled 2 # of onions from my garden.

I cut them in half and sliced them thin. Now there is a myth out there that the cabbage needs to be sliced as thin as a dime, not true. You can chunk, slice or dice your cabbage. I just like to have nice sized pieces, not too big and not too small.


I next peeled and shredded 2 # of carrots.


Next I cut 2 large heads of cabbage into quarters and remove the core.
For this batch I sliced the cabbage into thin strips.



As I finished slicing each quarter of cabbage I added it to my pot and tossed in a handful each of the shredded carrots and onions and about 2 t salt over it all. I repeated this layering with each quarter of one head of cabbage then I mixed well.


Once I had one cabbage worth done and in the pot I mixed well with my hands. I slice and layer the remaining cabbage using the same method. Once I have the last of the cabbage, onion, carrots and salt in the pot I mixed well again.

Once mixed well cover with a cloth and let it sit a good hour or two. At this point it will be moist and you can squeeze water out of it easily.

While I let the cabbage mix sit, I peel and shred 8 apples. I add a couple of teaspoons of salt to the apples and mix well, cover and set aside. Now it is time to start packing the cabbage mix into the jars. I add a couple of huge handfuls of the mix to the jar and then push down firmly with my fist. This releases lots of juice. I add in a couple more handfuls of the mix and press down firmly again. I repeat this till I have used half the cabbage mix.

By this time there is a lot of juice on top of the cabbage. This is what you want.

I add the apples to the remaining cabbage mix and mix well.
I do the same method of packing this batch as the previous one.
I now fit a quart sized zip lock bag so the bag is in the jar and the top is open. I add 2 teaspoons of salt to this bag and 2 cups of water. I zip it closed removing as much air as I can and then smooth the bag over the top of the cabbage. This will help to weigh the kraut down during the fermentation process as it tends to like to rise and needs to remain under the brine.

The bag is weighted down with a glass of water.


I cover a cookie sheet with sides on it with plastic garbage bags. This is in case the brine over flows during the fermentation process. Not a fun mess to have, much easier to toss a bag then do all the scrubbing.


I cover the jar and glass of water with a gallon food bag that you use a twist tie with and secure with a binder of sorts. I use a rubber band.
The finished jars are placed on the covered cookie sheet and then covered with a towel to keep light out ( I have thicker towels under the light weight one)

This is left for 2 weeks to ferment. At that time you can place it in the fridge and it just tastes better with age (6 months is wonderful!) or you can can it.

To can heat kraut in a stainless steal pan until l nice and hot (add water if there is not much brine). Ladle and lightly pack into sterilized jars. I use pint sized jars as it is just me and hubby here. Process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes.

Recipe I used:
9.5# cabbage
2# onion
2# carrots
about 8 T salt
8 apples

I'll do a picture post of the canning process in two weeks! LOL

Life and Hypo

Lots has happened since I was last here. First my Dad was DX with Small Cell Lung Cancer. Just a few days before Christmas he went home to be with Jesus! I am so happy he is with Jesus and healthy!!! I do miss him very much though.

My 50th birthday is the first one I have had that he will not be here. There were years that he did have to work and such so he was not there on my birthday but he always wished me a happy birthday. That is not to be this year. Plus Mom will be in Florida too and not here for my birthday. So it will be even more strange. We are going to supper with her tomorrow night and knowing her, she will call.

Last week when I saw my normal Endocrinologist Doctor to check on how things were going for the thyroid cancer, he said my TSH thyroid levels were too low. This means I was getting too much thyroid replacement hormones. So I had to go a couple of days with out any thyroid meds and then only did 2 half doses. Monday I saw the new Endro and he took me off of all meds for at least 4 weeks in order to do a Whole Body Scan (WBS) to see if there is any thyroid cancer in my body. So now I get to enter the gates of HYPO HELL.

Hypo Hell is what us Thycan's (thyroid cancer survivors) call the time of getting hypo thyroid for our scans. So far the symptoms I have been experiencing are: tiredness, cold, (any one who knows me well knows I am always hot!) headache, legs feel like lead and dizziness. Oh and emtional! Ugh, not fun.

I plan on posting here as I go through the hypo hell experience. I did this last time I had to do this over 5 years ago. It helped me get through some of the rough days. I am also going to be more open with family and friends and let them know when and if I need help. Some times I go through this with out many symptoms but other times I feel like I have been hit by a truck.

This weekend between birthday activities I will be making meals to freeze for the low iodine diet I have to go on in 3 weeks. I want to do it now while my mind is still kinda sharp. Hyponess really makes me dull and dim witted. I get so bad at times I can not drive and I even slur my words almost like some one who has been drinking.

Time for me to get my self to bed. I am nearly ready to drop my head on the keyboard and sleep right here. But those square dents on the face the next day are really hard to explain to people. So I am off to get pillow sleep lines instead.

Night all, remember God is right there, waiting for you to turn your hears to him.
Kimi

White Chili

Tonight's supper is going to be White Chili. It is a reasonably priced meal to make and full on flavor and nutrition.
1 # ground Turkey can use left over diced chicken as well ($1.29)
1 lg onion diced ($.20)
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup ($.89)
1/2 c sour cream (can use fat free) ($.50)
2 t chicken bullion ($.15)
2 c water
4 oz diced or shredded pepper Jack cheese ($1.00)
2 cans beans, I used a pint jar each of while beans and pink beans but the recipe called for navy beans ($1.50)
1 to 2 t black pepper ($.15)
1 t cumin ($.10)
1 t oregano ($.05)
1 T magic rub (recipe below) ($.25)
1/2 t salt ($.01)

Brown the meat with the onion/ Add all ingredients except the beans to the crock and mix well. Add browned meat and the beans that have been drained and rinsed well. Mix well and set crock to high to serve in a few hours or low if you want it later. Stir well once you see the cheese is melted to incorporate that. Serves 5

I figured this meal to cost under $1.20 per serving.

Magic Rub mix
½ c smoked paprika
¼ c salt
1/3 c brown sugar
2 T mustard powder
¼ c chili powder
¼ c ground cumin
2 T black pepper
¼ c granulated garlic ( a tablespoon less if using powder garlic)
2 T chili pepper flakes

Old recipe emails and recipe sites

Seems I am always giving out recipes to family and friends, what a joy that is to me to do. I just got a bunch together from old emails i have sent for a dear sister and thought I would post them here as well for all to enjoy. Kimi

Lentil soup

I just tasted our supper for tonight and all I can say is Nummy! It is wonderful. There are a few things I would do different though, one is to add a couple cups more water. I needed to add water a couple of times along the way. Second I would add just a bit less salt if you use the bullion. It is a little salty for my taste but then I am not a huge salt fan either. Lastly I added a couple of tablespoons of oil, I only had cooking but olive would have been much better.

The black lentils I used, well I think they are the best tasting lentils I have had. I have had several different types too. I was a little concerned that Dh would like this one but after tasting I have no more fear. I think it would taste wonderful too with out the meat.

I met a lady at the farmers market I got the black lentils at and she said she cooks them up in chicken broth and then serves them with salt, pepper, butter and cream! I just may have to try that.

Here is the recipe again with red highlights to what changes I will make.

2 c lentils ( I am using black one as that is what I had but any are fine)

3.5 c water (or same in broth but eliminate the bullion) change to 5 c

4 bullion cubes maybe change to 3

1 c finely diced onion more would be fine

1 c finely diced celery more would be fine

1 t Cumin

1 t salt might want to decrees this

1 t mustard seeds. or 1/2 ground

1 T garlic graduals

1/2 t chili pepper flakes

1 rounded T green pepper flakes

2 T parsley flakes

2 t lime juice (or lemon)

2 c left over turkey diced ( can use chicken or what ever) not needed

add 2 to 3 T olive oil

place in the crock and simmer on high for a good 4 hours. Serve over brown rice. Last time I made this I did not put the meat into it and I liked it even better. I added more onion and more celery to it.

Bronchitis Broth

As the original recipe from "Tonics" by Robert A. Barnett states, "...the soup is delicious even if your breathing is fine." I found this recipe while in college and learning to deal with being sick without my mom! The soup freezes well, so I make it when I'm well so that when I'm sick, it's in the freezer ready to go. That way, it's easier than opening a can!

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion; peeled
• 1 lb carrots; peeled and trimmed
• 1 bunch celery with leafy tops
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. curry powder
• 2 tsp. cayenne; or to taste
• 12 cups low-sodium canned chicken broth
• 2 heads garlic; cloves lightly smashed, peeled, and thinly sliced
• 5 dried red chili peppers
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 bunch fresh mint leaves, minced
• 1 bunch fresh basil (optional), minced
• 1 bunch fresh parsley leaves, minced
• Squirt of fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into bite-size pieces. Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, carrots, celery, and curry powder and cayenne. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft but not too brown. Add the broth, bring to a boil, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Add the garlic, chili peppers, salt, pepper to taste, cilantro, mint, and basil and parsley if using. Cover the pot, bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to a high simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the garlic is soft but not mushy. Fish out the chili peppers with a slotted spoon. Add the lemon juice; taste for seasoning, and add more pepper if you like. Serve hot and feel better!

Servings:	8
Time:	15 Minutes Preparation Time 50 Minutes Cooking Time

Source: "Tonics" by Robert A. Barnett, 1997.

Enchiladas

I wish I had a tortilla press but I just roll them out and cook them on my electric griddle. They are not that hard but to cook and roll at one time is a trick! Dh sometimes helps me. I want to make whole wheat ones some time, will use half WW and half white flour.

The sauce is from Emeril on food network. It is a good and tasty sauce, and not over powering. Pretty much all the sauce recipes are pretty much the same that I have found.

To make the rice and cheese ones tomorrow I will use 1 pt of black beans rinsed, 1.5 c cooked brown rice, 1/2 c of the enchilada sauce and 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese. I may have to adjust the sauce and cheese though. Think I may need a bit more. Wrap this in the tortilla's and place in a baking pan with a small amount of the sauce spread on the bottom. Pour remaining sauce over the top of the rolled enchiladas and sprinkle with more cheddar cheese. Bake at 400 till the cheese is starting to turn a bit brown in spots.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 10 ounces tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

In a medium saucepan heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings. Serve atop your favorite enchiladas.

Kimi's French Onion soup

3 T butter

2 yellow onions

1 T sugar

Slice the onions and separate the rings. Melt butter in a fry pan and add the onion rings, sprinkle the onions with the sugar and then fry till tender.

In large pot add:

1.5 teaspoons sugar

2 cans beef broth

1/3 cup cooking sherry or cooking white wine (or dry white wine would probably work, add a bit more salt if you use real wine)

1/3 t kosher salt (might need a bit more though)

heavy pinch each of ground rosemary, garlic powder and black pepper

Add onions and simmer on low for about a half hour. To serve fill oven proof bowl with soup about 2/3 up, place a piece of toasted French bread or a nice chewy type bread on top and cover with slices of provolone cheese. Place in oven under boiler until cheese is melted and starts to brown.

Pickles

Here is my recipe:

2 qts water (filtered or bottled if ya have it)

1 qt white vinegar

1/2 c canning salt

1/2 c sugar

1 t alum (opt)

Bring all this to a boil (this is the brine) and then simmer a few minutes, keep it nice and hot! I just keep simmering it.

dill, garlic, onion and green/red peppers

I place a thick slice of onion in the bottom of the jar and then a large dill head. Next add a couple of peeled whole cloves of garlic. Pack the cucumbers upright and tight. Add some slices of pepper along with the cucumbers. Add another large dill head on top as well as a thick slice of onion and a clove or two of garlic. Leave a inch headspace. Pour the brine over till every thing is covered with the brine. Tap the jar to remove air bubble and add more brine if needed.

Cover with a lid and tighten the ring. Place in a boiling hot water bath canner and bring back up to a boil. As soon as it comes to a boil again, remove the jars and let them cool.

You can add less garlic or none, more or less dill, no pepper or hot peppers. Have fun and play around with it. Try to wait two months before eating but we often start as soon as a week. LOL, the longer you wait the better


Veggie bean soup

My veggie bean soup mix. This can be all put into a jar for a fast slow cooked meal! LOL

one of our favorite soup mixes is:

2 c 32 bean soup mix I get this at our local food co-up, it has all kinds of beans, split peas, barely dried carrots etc.

4 T of beef bullion

2 T of minced onion

1/4 c of dried veggies (get this at co-up too)

1/2 t garlic powder

1 t sugar

heavy pinch each of chili flakes, thyme, ground rosemary

This mix goes into the jar and can be held at least 6 months. To make soup add 10 cups of water and one large can diced tomatoes. I usually add some diced ham, ham bone or left over beef. Put this on high in the crock first thing in the morning. Stir every few hours and it will be ready by supper time. (can cut in half, just use a smaller can of tomatoes and half the water)

Here is a great site for crock pots stuff: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

These are all soup mix sites:

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml#soups

http://www.recipe-recipes.net/soups/soup-mixes.htm

http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/soup-mixes.htm

http://www.cookingcache.com/cat/gifts_in_a_jar/default.aspx

Some things just stink

Today I got an email from my mom. Dad's cancer is growing and starting to spread more. This just stinks. So many emotions are going through my head right now, I feel all jumbled up. A part of me wants to scream and cry, another keeps giving it back to God.

They will be trying a new chemo but that one is only about 30% effective for this cancer and yet it is the best option left.

I have no fear for dad of where he will be going, I know he knows the Lord and will be going to see Jesus. That is what the goal in life is to me, it is the end and then forever begins! But yet it hurts so much here on earth to know he will be leaving us much sooner than I am ready to let him go. I just want to keep him here for ever.

Mom seems to be holding out well but I know this is eating away at her. I hardly want to let my mother in law know what is going on too as she is having such a hard time seeing this all happen, she loves my parents so.

Tears are coming easily today. I know this is normal. I fear I am not much good for getting anything done today. Mental-pause is not helping any either. Been way too emotional with that, ugh.

We buried out old cat Zack on Sunday, he died on Friday. he was almost 20. Badges the older cat seems to be doing fairly well. She is nearing 24 years.

Supper tonight is going to be enchladas with rice and beans. It is all going to be made from scratch including the tortillas.

Guess that is all the news for now. Kimi

Cooking

Well did ya all wonder if I fell off the face of the Earth? No, just been busy.

I thought I would put up a recipe I made today for our supper. It is Chow Mein. Now when looking for recipes I learned that Chow Mein actually means noodles. So what I made is actually a Chicken Chow Mein.
2 large Chicken breast cut into 1" cubes. Add to this 1 T soy sauce. I use one I get at a Asian food store, it is a brewed one. 2 t cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.



Next slice thinly the following:
2 carrots
5 to 6 stocks celery
1 large onion (I cut in half and then slice)
3 c cabbage (napa or green)

Add to a wok or a frying pan 2 T coconut oil (or what ever oil) and stir fry the veggies till nice and tender crisp. Remove veggies and set aside. Now add a couple more tablespoons of oil and the meat. Fry till near done. Add veggies to the meat. Finish cooking the meat.

Now add: 2 large dried black mushrooms that have been ground to a powder in a coffee grinder or blender, 3 c water, 3 t bullion or 3 bullion cubes, 3 T soy sauce, 1 T molasses, 1 t garlic powder, 1 t ground ginger or 1 T fresh ginger root, 5 t cider vinegar, 1/4 t chili pepper flakes and mix well. Simmer for 10 minutes. Lastly use 1/2 c cold water and 3 T corn starch to thicken. Add to the crock pot and heat on high for an hour. Turn to warm till serving time.

Serve this over rice, or your favorite type of Asian noodles.