Waste or mistakes never happen in a farm kitchen.....only future animal or plant food.

September 30, 2011

Cottage Cheese and Potato Casserole GF

 This was inspired by all the baked mac and cheese recipes I've been seeing......
  1. Whip 1-2 eggs in a large bowl.
  2. Mix in cottage cheese (I was using up a container, so approximately 1.5 cups)
  3. Add a generous portion of salt (approximately 2 TBS) plus desires spices (I used granulated onion and 90,000 HU cayenne) and blend well.
  4. Add peeled, shredded potatoes (approximately 6 medium) and mix until evenly coated
  5. Coat a casserole dish with coconut oil and add potato mix
  6. Top with 1/2-1 lb white cheese (I used Jack)

Bake at 375* for about an hour

Let cool for about 15 minutes and serve.

Savory Sunday

Pan Fried Baked Potato




  • Place a few TBS of coconut oil in a frying pan and heat at medium 




  • Take your leftover, room temperature baked potatoes, cut in half and place cut side down in hot pan




  • Fry for about 10 minutes until golden brown




  • Remove from heat, salt and serve.



  • Friday Potluck
    Friday Food 
    Potato Blog Hop

      Baked Potato

      1. Collect a bunch of whole potatoes (from garden or bag)
      2. Scrub potato skins under water, let dry
      3. Stab top with a fork a few times  
      4. Place directly on oven rack (holes up, evenly spaced...I use a toaster oven)
      5. Bake at 400* for 45-60 minutes depending on size
      6. Split with fork and serve with desired topping and generous dashing of salt.                                     (Butter, Sour Cream, Coconut oil, Cheese etc.)

      September 29, 2011

      Aloe Up

      For those times when you are not wanting the caffeine of a Aloe Dew (or there isn't any in the fridge or even worse, you're out!) this make a good runner up....Aloe Up!

      Aloe Up
      1 part 7 Up "retro" (sugar, NOT HFCS)*#
      1 part aloe vera
      pinch of salt or liquid minerals
      fresh squeezed lemon juice (optional, but very tasty)
      Cream of tartar (optional, if not using lemon)

      *disregard the packaging, I am of the personal opinion that everything 70's is better off staying buried.

      # or Sierra mist or other similar type....I think 7 up tastes slightly "less fake" than Sierra Mist, but it's a pretty minor difference.

      September 27, 2011

      Beware of marketing...some truths about coconut oil

       
      This is what I keep in my cupboard...or it's equivalent.  Current pricing/shipping makes buying the 31.5 oz size from Walmart significantly cheaper than buying in bulk in my area.  This wasn't the case just a few years ago, and may not be in the future.  If you are needing to stock up, do the numbers....maybe your local Asian market is a better bet?

      The benefit of coconut oil is its fatty acid profile, predominantly saturated fat.  It can not be contaminated by growth hormones, antibiotics, gmos, or excess pufas like tallow, lard or even butter can and the stability and protectiveness of the saturated fats far outweigh any processing it might undergo. The admonitions regarding cold press, etc just don't apply to coconut oil because saturated fat is naturally stable and doesn't go rancid.  I have stuff that is 6 plus years old that I am just now using that tastes as fresh as the day I bought it.  Hypothetically, the minuscule amount of polyunsaturated fat could be hydrogenated, but the benefits would STILL outweigh the minuses.  It's just that good.

      Don't get me wrong, the virgin coconut oils or the "organic" oils are NOT bad.  I, personally, LOVE the smell and taste of virgin coconut oil and I do keep some around (purchased long before the current price spike) for certain, specific uses.  I just get upset when they are promoted as the ONLY product one should use to be healthy.  Paying $80 for a sport bottle's worth of  "extra virgin OG coconut oil" is just WRONG.  (Most pricing is NOT that extreme, but I did see an ad on line at that price...someone claiming their source was extra special.)

      So when you read about the benefits of coconut oil (Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, weight loss, colon health, etc) have peace of mind knowing that they are attainable for both "Whole Foods" budgets AND "Walmart" budgets.

      Real Food Wednesday 
      Homemaking

      September 23, 2011

      Potato Soup ( or Chowder) GF

      Base
      Leftover mashed potatoes
      Beef gelatin
      Milk
      Salt/pepper to taste

      I use approximately 1 TBS gelatin to 1 cup potatoes with a 1:1 ratio of milk for a THICK chowder and 1:2 cup milk for a thinner soup.  Heat and serve.

      Optional Add ins
      Clams
      Oysters
      Leftover bacon (is there such a thing?????)
      Chicken
      Sausage
      Beef
      Shrimp
      Salmon
      Mushrooms
      Onions
      Pickled hot peppers/red pepper flakes

      Mocha Syrup

      Substitute strong coffee for water in chocolate syrup recipe to make Mocha syrup!

      1 cup coffee
      2 cups cane sugar (brown or white works)
      1 TBS Beef gelatin
      1 cup cocoa powder
      Salt
      Homemade Vanilla extract

      I use gelatin instead of butter now in my syrup.  It adds a little extra protein and the syrup comes out consistently thick (but still very pour able) with no settling.  I use about a TBS or so of syrup to 1 cup of milk.

      I had a lot of leftover coffee, so I now have 3.5 quarts of mocha syrup in the fridge.

      I can't seem to keep milk in the fridge lately, wonder why?


      What's on your Plate?
      Simply Delish

      Mashed Potatoes (steamed or boiled) with or without garlic

      Mashed Potatoes (Steamed)

      Ingredients
      Potatoes (Russets, Golds, etc)
      Coconut Oil and/or Butter, preferably grass fed
      Skim milk, preferably fresh and grass fed
      SALT
      Pepper (optional, preferably freshly ground)
      Horseradish (optional, SHHH....don't tell Ketchup boy I sneak some in there sometimes)

      Fill a steamer with whole peeled potatoes
      (We use our apple peeler.)

      Add 1-2 inchesof water to bottom of pan, assemble and cover

      Bring to boil, then turn heat down to about egg temperature (medium low) to simmer.

      Set timer for 40-50 minutes and cook until soft through the largest potato. (Cutting into smaller pieces can reduce cooking time, but increases prep time.)

      Dump water out of bottom of pan and add good fat of choice

      Toss in some salt, be generous ;)

      Add any desired extras

      Plop potatoes in and mash with a potato masher (single wire bent into an undulating pattern.)

      Add milk to desired thickness.  (We like ours on the wet side.)

      Adjust seasoning and serve.  (Hopefully there still some left after taste tasting.)



      Mashed Potatoes (Boiled)

      Fill a stock pot with whole, scrubbed potatoes
      (We use a dedicated green scotch brite scouring pad.)

      Add water to cover potatoes and a little salt and cover with lid.

      Bring to boil, then turn heat down to about egg temperature (medium low) to simmer.

      Set timer for 40-50 minutes and cook until soft through the largest potato.

      Drain and rinse with COLD water.  When potatoes are cool enough to handle, the skins should slip right off.

      Mash, add other ingredients and serve as above.  Potatoes will be "stickier" cooked this way, so adjust other ingredients accordingly.


      Garlic Mashed Potatoes

      Prepare as above, but soak freshly sliced garlic in butter or coconut oil in a small pan at a low temperature while potatoes are cooking.  Low and slow will bring out the sweetness of the garlic and prevent burning or bitterness.

      September 5, 2011

      Mochanoff (Beef Stroganoff with Coffee/Cocoa Sauce) GF

      I was wandering around online and found a delicious looking recipe for a Beef/Coffee Stew.  I also had a large portion of fresh mushrooms that needed to get used.  We are experiencing a bit of cold spell* but Soup/Stew was vetoed...so I decided to sneak the coffee into some Stroganoff instead.


      *Ok, it's not THAT cold but 60's at night and 70's during the day IS cold compared to 100+ weather...I like it!


      Here is my basic recipe:  Beef Stroganoff.   I doubled all the ingredients because of the amount of mushrooms I had, except the meat.  My skillet was practically overflowing with mushrooms, so I cooked the meat separately in the wok, using this recipe:  Deep Fried Beef.
      I substituted the Sugar/COT with a 2:1 cane sugar/cocoa powder mix when I remembered that coffee and cream of tartar taste absolutely horrid together.  I mixed the dry ingredients together (gelatin, cocoa, cane sugar, salt) then sprinkled it slowly, while stirring, over the already sautĆ©ed mushrooms.  It looked like fudge with mushrooms. ;)
      I added coffee to thin the sauce, about a cup or so, then the sour cream, then the meat.  The noodle were done right when I was finishing the sauce,  so I added a little extra salt and served everyone a small portion (just in case) over penne rice noodles.  It was a well received.

      Something was missing for me though, I couldn't put my finger on it.  Then I remembered, I usually add vinegar....

      I added a few dashes of Balsamic Vinegar to my bowl and mixed in.  Oh yeah....it all just came together.  Sweet, savory, salty, sour in balance.....and extremely filling.  Everyone used the balsamic for the second pass and agreed, it was even better.

      I can totally see this as a topping for mashed potatoes or use goat meat for a shepherd's pie filling.

      If I was going to use a crockpot/slow cooker for this recipe, I would add a layer of coconut oil on the bottom and wipe it up the sides a little to prevent sticking.  I would then add the rest in this order:

      Beef
      Mushrooms
      Onions and/or Red pepper flakes (if using)
      Dry ingredients mixed with Coffee (as a paste)
      Vinegar

      I would cover and cook it low and slow for 8 hours or so, then turn it off and add the sour cream and correct for seasoning right before serving.

      Hearth and Soul Hop 
      Hunk of Meat Monday
      What's Cooking Wednesday
      Totally Tasty Tuesday
      Made From Scratch Tuesday
      Gluten Free Wednesday
      Foodie Wednesday 
      Ultimate Recipe Swap 
      Ingredient Spotlight: Cocoa

      September 3, 2011

      Healthified Ramen

      Ok, I admit it...I have a "thing" for cheapo ramen noodles.  I haven't actually eaten them in years, but the longing is still there.  I used to like them on the soggy side and would always rebelliously add the flavor packet DURING cooking.  I suppose it wasn't really the noodles I was craving, but the salt and flavorings.  If I was feeling guilty, I would add some frozen peas or corn to make it "healthy".  Yeah right.

      Years later, I have found a "natural" version that has "acceptable to me" ingredients.
      Specifically, Koyo Lemon Grass Ginger Ramen.  Technically one package is one serving, but we STRETCH things here by adding protein and extra salt...which is really what the flavor packet is anyway, mostly.
      No soy, no MSG or "natural flavor", no super ubber long names.  I could, in theory, make it from scratch in my kitchen if I had the time, tools and the inclination.  There is one or two other flavors this brand carries that are acceptable as well, but I prefer this one.  It is in the "fun treat" category of our food repertoire as it contains wheat, "heirloom" wheat (whatever that means), but wheat none the less.  I always have to make a special effort to chew, chew, chew...too easy to be in a hurry, especially with ramen, as it has a tendency to slurp up and slide down in one fell swoop.

      Healthified Ramen (Variations)

      Base: (AKA things I always add)
      Coconut Oil
      Unflavored beef gelatin
      Koyo Lemon Grass Ginger Ramen
      Flavor packet
      Extra Salt


      Extras: (AKA...things I add depending on mood and availability)
      Fresh Mushrooms...usually Crimini
      Dried Mushrooms (Oyster mushrooms are a particular favorite)
      Leftover brats
      Leftover meatloaf
      Leftover spaghetti sauce
      Egg
      (beat the egg and drizzle into hot broth while stirring in a circle...going for the whirlpool thing...right before removing from burner)
      Onion - color or type doesn't matter
      Cane Sugar/Cream of Tartar to balance
      ACV or Rice vinegar
      Red Pepper Flakes
      Hot Pepper Oil

      Simply Delish 
      Fight Back Friday 
      Pennywise Platter Thursday