These recipes are the extent of my "French" cooking but they're all fun, easy and yummy real food recipes, so I thought I'd share. ♥ I bake two loaves of the French Bread at a time to make sure there is some left over for French Toast the next morning. Thinking ahead and preparing for upcoming meals is a huge time saver in the kitchen for me. So, whenever you can, make an extra batch of dough and freeze it or bake it right away and freeze it for a later date. If you wrap this bread up well, it keeps for a couple days on the counter. Enjoy!
French Bread
makes 1 loaf
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 T white sugar (can substitute honey)
2 T vegetable oil
3 c all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
cornmeal
1 egg white
1 T cold water
Place yeast, warm water, sugar, oil, flour and salt into bread machine. Set to "dough" setting.
When done rising in bread machine, turn dough onto floured surface and punch down. Shape into a 16 - inch long loaf, tapered at the ends. Sprnkle greased baking sheet with cornmeal and place loaf on top of cornmeal. Cover loaf with a damp cloth and let it rise until doubled in size. When it is done rising, make a diagonal cuts across the top of the loaf. Beat egg white and cold water. Brush the top of loaf with egg mixture. Bake in a 375* oven for 25 - 30 minutes.
**********************************************************
French Toast
8 - 10 slices day old French Bread
5 eggs
3 T half and half with 1 T. white sugar dissolved in it
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Whisk eggs and half and half, whisk in cinnamon. Lightly oil and pre heat a griddle over medium heat. Dip bread in the egg mixture and place on heated griddle. Flip when the bottom side is golden brown and cook until other side is golden.
Serve immediately topped with maple syrup or cinnamon sugar.
Wonderful served with baked apples.
************************************************************
Sweet Potato French Fries
3 large sweet potatoes
kosher salt
course ground pepper
olive oil
Pre heat oven to 450*. Peel sweet potatoes. Cut pointy ends off of potatoes. Cut potatoes into 1/2" - 3/4" slices and then into french fries. On a large cookie sheet, sprinkle fries with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. You want the fries to be glossy, but not soaking in oil. Mix all the yumminess together with your (clean, preferably) hands. Spread fries out into a single layer, fries not touching each other. Bake for about 12 minutes, then flip fries and bake for another 10 minutes or so. Let fries sit for a couple minutes before serving. Serves 5-6.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Life in the Slow Lane
Hello Friends!
I hope you're having a fantastic day! I've been thinking for a couple days, "What should I write about next?" The tragedy in Arizona has been high on my emotional radar since it occurred, a most upsetting situation for everyone injured, the families of the victims and our country. The biggest thing in my head was, immediately, that I was annoyed by the sheriff of Pima County for bringing "political vitriol" into the situation. Politics had nothing to do with this horrible act and bringing it up was an extreme example of inciting hatred, which, I'm sure, was not his intention, we as humans try to find an explaination for terrible events, but his comments were a prime example of extreme irresponsibility. That said, the emotional aspect of this event is just very difficult... Lives lost, people injured, lives turned upside down. When things like this happen, it just makes me want to spend more time with my family and hug them and hold them all very tightly.
My thoughts wandered to something that I hold near and dear and just recently, it has been given a name - The Slow Movement. In our hurried and harried society, going slow is the exact opposite of what we're accustomed to. We're used to rushing to get places, make appointments, see people, do things, run errands, take the kids to soccer, dance, karate, play dates, clean the house, make dinner, pick the kids up from school... and on and on. The Slow Movement, and the Slow Food Movement in particular, seeks to trek a new path through the rush. We're certainly used to Fast Food - A day's worth of Calories, fat and sodium, delivered through your car window in two minutes... and all this for ONE DOLLAR! Slow food is the opposite of the mess that is fast food. Slow Food is lovingly prepared REAL FOOD, nutritious, good for the body and soul. Sure, it takes time to prepare, but the pleasure of consuming something that is good for you and your family is well worth the time spent in the kitchen. The Slow Food movement also encompasses the themes of sustainability, eating fresh, seasonal, local foods, raw milk, small scale farming and biodiversity. Some of the themes are a bit on the tree hugger side for some, but if you take a look at the purpose and think about the positive outcomes of this lifestyle, I think even the most skeptical will agree that, for the most part, this is a good idea.
I'd like to share a website with you. I found it a few days ago, and there is so much to read and ponder and enjoy, I think you'll like it too.
The Slow Movement
And I'm going to leave you with a few pictures of our farm...where we try to enjoy life in the Slow Lane. Much Love and Peace, My Friends.
George, our milk machine. :)
Sam, helping make a "salad" treat for the chickens and goats - all homegrown and wildcrafted edibles from our yard - edible for animals AND people!
Homemade crusty french bread
One of "the girls" - Paco
A day's harvest
Family Dinner Table
Happy Kids (Daniel with baby turkeys)
I hope you're having a fantastic day! I've been thinking for a couple days, "What should I write about next?" The tragedy in Arizona has been high on my emotional radar since it occurred, a most upsetting situation for everyone injured, the families of the victims and our country. The biggest thing in my head was, immediately, that I was annoyed by the sheriff of Pima County for bringing "political vitriol" into the situation. Politics had nothing to do with this horrible act and bringing it up was an extreme example of inciting hatred, which, I'm sure, was not his intention, we as humans try to find an explaination for terrible events, but his comments were a prime example of extreme irresponsibility. That said, the emotional aspect of this event is just very difficult... Lives lost, people injured, lives turned upside down. When things like this happen, it just makes me want to spend more time with my family and hug them and hold them all very tightly.
My thoughts wandered to something that I hold near and dear and just recently, it has been given a name - The Slow Movement. In our hurried and harried society, going slow is the exact opposite of what we're accustomed to. We're used to rushing to get places, make appointments, see people, do things, run errands, take the kids to soccer, dance, karate, play dates, clean the house, make dinner, pick the kids up from school... and on and on. The Slow Movement, and the Slow Food Movement in particular, seeks to trek a new path through the rush. We're certainly used to Fast Food - A day's worth of Calories, fat and sodium, delivered through your car window in two minutes... and all this for ONE DOLLAR! Slow food is the opposite of the mess that is fast food. Slow Food is lovingly prepared REAL FOOD, nutritious, good for the body and soul. Sure, it takes time to prepare, but the pleasure of consuming something that is good for you and your family is well worth the time spent in the kitchen. The Slow Food movement also encompasses the themes of sustainability, eating fresh, seasonal, local foods, raw milk, small scale farming and biodiversity. Some of the themes are a bit on the tree hugger side for some, but if you take a look at the purpose and think about the positive outcomes of this lifestyle, I think even the most skeptical will agree that, for the most part, this is a good idea.
I'd like to share a website with you. I found it a few days ago, and there is so much to read and ponder and enjoy, I think you'll like it too.
The Slow Movement
And I'm going to leave you with a few pictures of our farm...where we try to enjoy life in the Slow Lane. Much Love and Peace, My Friends.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Have You Ever Had A Day....
Hello Friends!
Have you ever had a day when everything went...right? I'm in the midst of one of these rare, coveted days and I have to admit that I might be enjoying it, maybe even a little too much! The big boys (the twins) played basketball and took dogs out earlier while I was doing school work with Sam. Then Sam shifted over to practicing his Bible verses while I started Daniel and Jonah on their school work. Then I went into the kitchen and got hamburger buns started in the bread machine and pulled the pork and got it into the crock pot. Then Jonah went to sleep (this part is not the best in the world... he has his days and nights mixed up again, but it is good that he's sleeping) and Daniel helped me make BBQ sauce - and I don't usually get excited about dinner, but I can't wait to feed my family tonight! I hope they feel all the love that went into their meal.
Does that sound hopelessly corny? I love making things from scratch and do so joyfully because I know it is the best thing for my family (do we really need High Fructose Corn Syrup in our hamburger buns?), but honestly, sometimes I get tired and wonder if it is worth it. Well, I know it is worth it every day and I'm grateful for an easy day that has allowed the blessings to shine through.
Here are the recipes for our BBQ Sauce and Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (this is the first time I've used this recipe and it is WONDERFUL!).
Homemade BBQ Sauce
********************
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery with leaves, diced
3 T. extra virgin coconut oil (can substitute other oil)
1 jar (half pint or small store-bought can) tomato paste
2 cups water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
4 pinches celery salt
1 t. garlic powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1 t. molasses (can substitute 1/4 cup brown sugar for white sugar and molasses)
5 drops hot sauce
3 T. yellow mustard
Sautee onion and celery in oil until soft. Add tomato paste and water and stir until tomato paste is broken down completely in water. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 15 minutes.
Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (from Bread Machine Magic)
***************************
1 cup water
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 t. salt
1/4 cup shortening (or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup sugar
3 t. yeast
Place all ingredients in bread machine container and select dough setting. When it is done with its cycle, turn out onto floured surface and roll and shape the dough into a 12 inch rope. Divide dough with a sharp knife into 8 hamburger buns. Grease baking sheet. Roll dough into balls and flatten for hamburger buns. Place on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm oven until almost doubled in size. Preheat oven to 400*. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on racks.
Have you ever had a day when everything went...right? I'm in the midst of one of these rare, coveted days and I have to admit that I might be enjoying it, maybe even a little too much! The big boys (the twins) played basketball and took dogs out earlier while I was doing school work with Sam. Then Sam shifted over to practicing his Bible verses while I started Daniel and Jonah on their school work. Then I went into the kitchen and got hamburger buns started in the bread machine and pulled the pork and got it into the crock pot. Then Jonah went to sleep (this part is not the best in the world... he has his days and nights mixed up again, but it is good that he's sleeping) and Daniel helped me make BBQ sauce - and I don't usually get excited about dinner, but I can't wait to feed my family tonight! I hope they feel all the love that went into their meal.
Does that sound hopelessly corny? I love making things from scratch and do so joyfully because I know it is the best thing for my family (do we really need High Fructose Corn Syrup in our hamburger buns?), but honestly, sometimes I get tired and wonder if it is worth it. Well, I know it is worth it every day and I'm grateful for an easy day that has allowed the blessings to shine through.
Here are the recipes for our BBQ Sauce and Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (this is the first time I've used this recipe and it is WONDERFUL!).
Homemade BBQ Sauce
********************
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery with leaves, diced
3 T. extra virgin coconut oil (can substitute other oil)
1 jar (half pint or small store-bought can) tomato paste
2 cups water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
4 pinches celery salt
1 t. garlic powder
1/4 cup white sugar
1 t. molasses (can substitute 1/4 cup brown sugar for white sugar and molasses)
5 drops hot sauce
3 T. yellow mustard
Sautee onion and celery in oil until soft. Add tomato paste and water and stir until tomato paste is broken down completely in water. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 15 minutes.
Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns (from Bread Machine Magic)
***************************
1 cup water
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 t. salt
1/4 cup shortening (or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup sugar
3 t. yeast
Place all ingredients in bread machine container and select dough setting. When it is done with its cycle, turn out onto floured surface and roll and shape the dough into a 12 inch rope. Divide dough with a sharp knife into 8 hamburger buns. Grease baking sheet. Roll dough into balls and flatten for hamburger buns. Place on prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise in warm oven until almost doubled in size. Preheat oven to 400*. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on racks.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Quick, Healthy and Easy Lunches
Hello Friends!
One of the comments I get all the time is "I wish I had time to..." (Fill in the blank). Busy moms feel pressure from so many different directions that things suffer. When we get so busy that we can't find time to _____ (again, fill in the blank), it is time to shift our priorities slightly. This doesn't neccessarily mean a big shift, because my priorities include God, my family and friends and the running of the household, but if I find myself spending too much time in the running of the household, family or God suffer. So, as with anything else, I must seek balance in all things. I've found ways to simplify the running of the house, and the biggest time eater around here is still cooking. When you make things from scratch, not relying on pre-made, packaged conveniences, you spend a lot more time in the kitchen. So, I need easy and fast lunches from time to time so that I can get other things done but still provide healthful food for the boys. Here are two of our favorites, Focaccia and Taco Rice.
Focaccia Bread
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (not hot)
2 cups all purpose flour (can substitute up to half of this with whole wheat flour)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
(optional ingredients: 2 tsp. rosemary, 1 jar (or store-bought can) diced tomatoes or fresh, 1/2 onion, thinly sliced)
*************************************
1. In a small bowl, dissolve honey and yeast in warm water. Let stand for about 5-10 minutes, until mixture gets bubbly.
2. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour, mix well. Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time, until all of the flour is absorbed. (add rosemary if using) When the dough comes together turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 minute.
3. Slightly oil another large bowl. Put the dough in the bowl and turn the dough to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size. About 30 minutes
4. Preheat oven to 475*.
5. Punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead for 1 minute. Pat dough onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet or pizza pan. Brush the dough with oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. (add tomatoes and onion on top of focaccia before baking if desired)
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, less time for moister bread and longer for a crunchier, darker crust.
You can also use this as a pizza crust or top with parmesan and mozzarella chees and cut into bread sticks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Taco Rice
Brown Rice (prepared)
1 jar (or store bought can) diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons (or a store bought packet) taco seasoning
2 cups black beans
*****************************
Mix everything together and serve warm on top of shredded lettuce. You can top this with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos.
One of the comments I get all the time is "I wish I had time to..." (Fill in the blank). Busy moms feel pressure from so many different directions that things suffer. When we get so busy that we can't find time to _____ (again, fill in the blank), it is time to shift our priorities slightly. This doesn't neccessarily mean a big shift, because my priorities include God, my family and friends and the running of the household, but if I find myself spending too much time in the running of the household, family or God suffer. So, as with anything else, I must seek balance in all things. I've found ways to simplify the running of the house, and the biggest time eater around here is still cooking. When you make things from scratch, not relying on pre-made, packaged conveniences, you spend a lot more time in the kitchen. So, I need easy and fast lunches from time to time so that I can get other things done but still provide healthful food for the boys. Here are two of our favorites, Focaccia and Taco Rice.
Focaccia Bread
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water (not hot)
2 cups all purpose flour (can substitute up to half of this with whole wheat flour)
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
(optional ingredients: 2 tsp. rosemary, 1 jar (or store-bought can) diced tomatoes or fresh, 1/2 onion, thinly sliced)
*************************************
1. In a small bowl, dissolve honey and yeast in warm water. Let stand for about 5-10 minutes, until mixture gets bubbly.
2. In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture with flour, mix well. Add additional water 1 tablespoon at a time, until all of the flour is absorbed. (add rosemary if using) When the dough comes together turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 1 minute.
3. Slightly oil another large bowl. Put the dough in the bowl and turn the dough to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size. About 30 minutes
4. Preheat oven to 475*.
5. Punch down dough and turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead for 1 minute. Pat dough onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet or pizza pan. Brush the dough with oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. (add tomatoes and onion on top of focaccia before baking if desired)
6. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, less time for moister bread and longer for a crunchier, darker crust.
You can also use this as a pizza crust or top with parmesan and mozzarella chees and cut into bread sticks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Taco Rice
Brown Rice (prepared)
1 jar (or store bought can) diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons (or a store bought packet) taco seasoning
2 cups black beans
*****************************
Mix everything together and serve warm on top of shredded lettuce. You can top this with shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year!
Hello Friends!
So, sadly, Rogue Zahmbie Chickens was a failed blogging attempt. Not because I wanted it to fail, but because when dealing with me, we are dealing with a sometimes very worn out, tired Mama! The good news, however, is that things are still going exactly the same way and so I'm still sometimes very tired and worn out! Good News? Of course! I'm worn out and fatigued because my family is active and healthy and there is a whole lot of work that goes into doing things the way we do them. With that said, I'm in a much better place now with priorities and activities (I've begun to say "no"! Don't tell anyone!) and am committed to making this work.
Now down to business... HAPPY NEW YEAR! I pray for God's blessings on each of your families and each of your lives! I hope this year sees health and contentment covering each of you!
I'm not much of a resolution-maker. Last year, my "resolutions" included things like "Not getting frustrated with the boys and saying "because I said so..." in response to them"... that worked for the most part, but I think the first "Because I told you to..." came out of my mouth around January 3rd or 4th. (OOPS!) Its not something I say frequently, but sometimes....ah, yes... I'm human. Last year's other resolutions included things like eliminating red food dye (happy to say we did this and the boys consume ZERO red dye when they're with me... LOL, Daddy's not quite as on top of it as I am...) and raising and growing as much of our own food as possible. Basically, my list last year was a list of things that I was already doing and I was setting myself up for success in my resolutions. This year, I think I will continue to do the same! Here goes:
* In 2011, I promise to beat myself up whenever I say something stupid.
* In 2011, I promise to get angry with myself when I feel I'm falling short
as a mother and wife, which will ultimately lead to me being frustrated and
lashing out at a loved one.
* In 2011, I resolve that I will read into every little word people say and make
myself slightly sick to my stomach worrying about what they think of me, my
parenting skills, my children (and their behaivior, manners, education, etc.)
* In 2011, I resolve that I will step on toes and offend others in the course of
my daily life.
* In 2011, I will harbor resentment and guilty feelings and not share them with those
I love. I will, further, allow these feelings to fester and bubble over and not
confront or deal with the issue.
Sounds like I can TOTALLY accomplish these things, huh?
I hope that your resolutions are healthy and productive and not an action of self-punishment. My "resolutions" are, obviously, actions that I am working on but still lean toward. Let's embrace the new year as a time to be kind to ourselves. It is too easy to fall into the same old pattern of feeling guilt, shame and anger and then allowing those feelings to take over without dealing with any of the issues in our lives that continue to make us feel negative emotions. I am going to continue to work on dealing with issues that arise head-on and working through things so negativity doesn't keep on rearing its ugly head. What do you need to examine in your life, what kind of self-punishment are you perpetually doling out to yourself? It is time to let those things go and time to get on with our lives! One day at a time, one baby step at a time toward a less negative world starts with me.
So, sadly, Rogue Zahmbie Chickens was a failed blogging attempt. Not because I wanted it to fail, but because when dealing with me, we are dealing with a sometimes very worn out, tired Mama! The good news, however, is that things are still going exactly the same way and so I'm still sometimes very tired and worn out! Good News? Of course! I'm worn out and fatigued because my family is active and healthy and there is a whole lot of work that goes into doing things the way we do them. With that said, I'm in a much better place now with priorities and activities (I've begun to say "no"! Don't tell anyone!) and am committed to making this work.
Now down to business... HAPPY NEW YEAR! I pray for God's blessings on each of your families and each of your lives! I hope this year sees health and contentment covering each of you!
I'm not much of a resolution-maker. Last year, my "resolutions" included things like "Not getting frustrated with the boys and saying "because I said so..." in response to them"... that worked for the most part, but I think the first "Because I told you to..." came out of my mouth around January 3rd or 4th. (OOPS!) Its not something I say frequently, but sometimes....ah, yes... I'm human. Last year's other resolutions included things like eliminating red food dye (happy to say we did this and the boys consume ZERO red dye when they're with me... LOL, Daddy's not quite as on top of it as I am...) and raising and growing as much of our own food as possible. Basically, my list last year was a list of things that I was already doing and I was setting myself up for success in my resolutions. This year, I think I will continue to do the same! Here goes:
* In 2011, I promise to beat myself up whenever I say something stupid.
* In 2011, I promise to get angry with myself when I feel I'm falling short
as a mother and wife, which will ultimately lead to me being frustrated and
lashing out at a loved one.
* In 2011, I resolve that I will read into every little word people say and make
myself slightly sick to my stomach worrying about what they think of me, my
parenting skills, my children (and their behaivior, manners, education, etc.)
* In 2011, I resolve that I will step on toes and offend others in the course of
my daily life.
* In 2011, I will harbor resentment and guilty feelings and not share them with those
I love. I will, further, allow these feelings to fester and bubble over and not
confront or deal with the issue.
Sounds like I can TOTALLY accomplish these things, huh?
I hope that your resolutions are healthy and productive and not an action of self-punishment. My "resolutions" are, obviously, actions that I am working on but still lean toward. Let's embrace the new year as a time to be kind to ourselves. It is too easy to fall into the same old pattern of feeling guilt, shame and anger and then allowing those feelings to take over without dealing with any of the issues in our lives that continue to make us feel negative emotions. I am going to continue to work on dealing with issues that arise head-on and working through things so negativity doesn't keep on rearing its ugly head. What do you need to examine in your life, what kind of self-punishment are you perpetually doling out to yourself? It is time to let those things go and time to get on with our lives! One day at a time, one baby step at a time toward a less negative world starts with me.
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