Outnumbered

Easy apple sauce

Although summer is my FAVOURITE season by far -- I must admit I love autumn because of all the wonderful baking and cooking I do.

There are quite a few recipes listed on my blog  - and I often actually end up using the blog as a recipe book (the other day I made my favourite 'healthier choice' chocolate chip cookies and looked it up on here because I couldn't remember all the ingredient list!

Here's my latest recipe for apple sauce. It's a big batch, but we're hoping to make applesauce muffins with some of it and might freeze some too.

 

Keri's Easy Apple Sauce

20 apples, cored and peeled, cut into eighths
About 3 cups of water (less if you like thicker sauce)
3/4 cup of organic cane sugar
cinnamon to taste (we used 4 cinnamon sticks)

Once the apples are all cored and peeled and cut, put into a large pot.
Pour water in. For thicker sauce, try 2 cups instead.
Bring to a boil for 20-30 min or until apples are mushy. During this time, you can add the cinnamon sticks. I did it about 1/2 way through the cooking time.
Take off heat and add sugar. Stir it up well.
Let it cool.
You can mash it with a potato masher, or put it through a sieve. I borrowed by dad's vegetable mill and put it through that way (similar to a sieve with a turning handle) because I like it less chunky.

Easy as that! ENJOY!!

AND if you're short on time and want to do it in 2 sittings - cut up all the apples one day, drizzle with lemon juice to keep from browning, put it in the fridge and make the sauce the next day (That's what we did!)

For other great seasonal recipes, check out Foodland Ontario's website.  

Happy Fall!

Vegetarian Chili recipe

I am in the mood for FALL! Anyone with me? Summer is my favourite season, but fall is a close second.

I wanted to make chili last week after our apple picking, chip truck lunching, village market shopping day.

I was in the mood for fall and felt like making chili.  I wasn't, however in the mood for beef.  So, I decided to make a veggie chili in my crockpot.

This is a vegetarian chili recipe that is FULL of delicious & healthy ingredients and full of fibre too! (You'll thank me the day after you eat - just drink lots of water too!)
I made enough for an entire meal & then set aside the remainder to freeze for another day.   Just cut my recipe in half if you don't want all that food leftover. It is a large recipe, FYI.

The meat subsitute I used is "bulgar" (not vulgar, but bulgar).
Bulgar is made from soft wheat kernels that have been cooked, dried and then cracked. Therefore, you don't actually have to cook it, it's more "rehydrating" it!

Step One:

Cook bulgar - about 2 cups of bulgar wheat. Cook as per directions. (you can buy it at Bulk Barn or health food stores) While you're cooking the bulgar, you can get the crock pot ready.

In crock pot add:
2 chopped onions
1 red pepper diced
1 yellow pepper diced
2 celery stalks, chopped
3 cloves of garlic
fresh parsley
oregano
basil
2 large cans of diced tomatoes
1 or 2 can crushed tomatoes (or cheat and add marinara spaghetti sauce - depends how saucy you like it!)
2 cans mixed bean medley (I like PC organics) with liquid
1 or 2 cans of chick peas (PC Organics) without liquid
1 can kidney beans (optional)
1 small can corn (optional)
3-4 tbsp chili powder
3-4 tbsp cumin (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
Hot sauce optional

Add the bulgar to the crock pot to make the chili to the consistency you like.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours, high if you want to eat it sooner.

Grate cheese and put it on top....Enjoy!

: ) Keri

Momma K's Spaghetti Sauce

This is a sauce that I use for many different recipes ... and it freezes really well too!
It's also super for hiding ANY type of vegetable, so use your imagination and add in whatever you have on hand at home!

1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 red/yellow pepper, chopped
one small zucchini, chopped & quartered
1 small pkg frozen spinach
2-3 carrots shredded or chopped
basil, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper
1-2 cans diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1-2 jars jarred sauce (if desired)
2 lbs cooked ground beef

In large pot, heat oil on medium heat. Add onions & cook until translucent.  Then add peppers and other veggies.  When the vegetables are tender, add 1-2 tbsp each of basil, oregano and thyme.  Add S&P as you desire. Add chopped garlic cloves (I usually used already diced garlic in jars - 2 or 3 tbsp)
Cook for another 2-5 minutes.  

 
Pour in the tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring well.   I always cheat a little and add some organic tomato sauce.  If I was childless I'd leave the sauce chunky but the extra sauce helps hide things like zucchini and spinach.   If the extra sauce doesn't hide it, remember that parmesan cheese sprinkled on top probably will!

Add cooked ground beef to the sauce mixture, and let it simmer while you reward yourself for all your hard work with a glass of red wine.

I also use Omega flax pasta...whole wheat is always good too. I worked my fam up to the flax pasta slowly - starting with regular whole wheat and now they can't even tell the difference.

Here is the sauce simmering...(I'm behind the camera, likely sipping Shiraz)

If you have leftovers, this sauce freezes easily. Once I get my act together, I will post other recipes that call for this sauce  (my cheesy tomato macaroni is a hit!!) 

: )  Keri 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These are just delicious! I promise.

I absolutely did not create this recipe, so I can't take credit for it being original but as always I made a few alterations in the ingredients, so I will take the credit for sharing it!

1 and 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/2 cup turbinado sugar (or use brown)
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg (THANK-you for fixing my typo Janine @ www.3girlmomblog.wordpress.com)!
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
1/2 to 3/4 cup of plain yogurt  (I used natural Balkan)
1 tsp vanilla
3 ripe mashed bananas
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

First combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla.
Stir this mixture in with the dry ingredients just until moistened.
Stir in bananas (best kid job is to mash those bananas!) and then chocolate chips (best kid job too, because they inevitably sneak a few!)
Fill paper muffin cups about two-thirds full.
Bake at 325 or 350 degrees F depending on your oven for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

You can also make mini-muffins and bake them for about 1/2 the time.

Yummy. These never last in my house, I think I'm going to start making a double batch!

Pulled Pork Dinner & TGIAF!

Oh my gooooooodness, I am TGIAF (thank goodness it's almost Friday)!!!

This week has been a busy one at work...I am really looking forward to staying in my jammies until noon on Saturday and hanging out with the boys! Jackson has a hockey tourney this weekend, but Brian will take him in the early morning and then the little boys and I will go and cheer on the team later.  Yeah!

Tonight we had the in-laws over for dinner, and I didn't make it back from work until after 6pm...so I needed a quick, easy and yummy recipe to have prepared ahead of time... 

This recipe ain't for the calorie counter, vegetarians, or health fanatics. 

It IS however a quick & easy slow cooker recipe, and our entire family LOVES it (and I think our in-laws liked it too!)

Ingredients:

Pork loin (or any cut of pork you have on hand)
2 cans of Coca Cola (or Pepsi)
BBQ sauce (I like BullsEye Original)

Directions:

1) Place pork into your slow cooker, pour 2 cans of Coke over the meat.
2) Cook on low for about 6 hours, or high for 3 hours (the time will depend on your slow cooker and the amount of meat you cook;  my slow cooker cooks a bit hotter)
3) After the meat has cooked, drain the liquid and fat from the slow cooker.
4) Pull a fork through to shred the meat
5) Add your BBQ sauce and another splash of Coke to the meat in the slow cooker,let it sit for about 1/2 hour more to reheat.

Since I was feeling extra sassy I served the pork on white Kaiser buns (a stark contrast from the norm in our home, I must say)  I add some sliced cheese on top and served it with fries and salad.

Here's what the final product looked like (minus the salad)

Yummy!

I hope everyone workin' M-F has a great day on Friday and a great weekend...for my stay-at-home/work-at-home mommas, I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your families & I hope you get some relaxation time 'cause YOU deserve it.
(I will be getting a taste of stay-at-home-mommyhood in May, I will fill you in on that in another post)
For my shift working friends, you probably had your weekend on Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday/Thursday...so I hope your shifts are rewarding and not toooo eventful!
What is everyone planning for the weekend?
I am finding with working full-time out of the home, I just want to lounge around here whenever I can. Is anyone with me?
I can't wait!

: )  Keri


 

Momma K's favourite Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup of butter
1 cup organic white sugar
1 cup turbinado sugar (use brown if you don't have turbinado)
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups Quick Cook Oats
2 cups semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

Cream the butter, sugar & brown sugar in large mixing bowl.
Add eggs and mix/stir well.
 Next add flour, wheat germ, salt & baking soda.
Mix all ingredients well.
Stir in the oats, then stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
Use a tablespoon to shape into 1" balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.
This makes about 5 dozen cookies, but I wouldn't worry - they will go fast!!

Momma K's Curry Chicken

Sometimes our family dinner choices become a bit mundane (to put it nicely).   Boring, repetitive, bland, blahhhhhhhh is more like it.  Working full-time has made me become very organized in the meal planning department, but often equates to casserole mania!!! at our house.

I do plan to share my casserole recipes because they're great for freezing ahead of time & pulling out in a pinch.  But today I will share a "real meal" with you.  It's tastes like an adult meal, how exciting!
I'm not sure if this is the thai version, or the indian version as I am NO foodie (my brother who is an amazing chef got all that talent)...but here is the recipe I like to call :
Momma K's Thindian Curry Chicken (yes, as in Thai & Indian. And yes the h would be silent.)

2 lbs of chicken thighs or breasts cubed
4-5 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp chopped ginger
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1 med. onion chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you like it spicy!)
398 mL can of coconut milk
1 pkg of Asian Home Gourmet Mild Chicken Curry Madras paste OR you can just use 3 tbsp of mild curry if you can't find the package that I use.
3/4 cup of Balkan style yogurt (any 6% MF yogurt works well) if you want it more mild

Your choice of rice.  I like President's Choice brand Sticky Rice.

Directions:
Heat 2-3 tbsp oil on medium heat in a large pan, then add onions, garlic and ginger.
Saute for 3-4 min or until onions are nicely translucent. 
Add your chicken, additional oil, salt and cayenne pepper and stir fry for another 4-5  minutes.
Then turn heat down and let it all simmer for about 5-7 minutes. 
Add your coconut milk, curry powder/curry paste.  Stir well and bring it to a boil.  Then reduce heat and let it simmer for as long as your heart desires. 
You can add the yogurt after you've boiled it if you want it to be less spicy. 

Cook rice as per directions and serve chicken over rice.
Serve with salad of your choice (I like Costco's Asian Salad)

*Last night I tried this version because I used 9 large chicken breasts cubed:
Heat oil, add onions, garlic and ginger in large pan. 
Add curry paste (2 pkgs if needed) to this mixture.
In a separate pan, stir-fry the chicken. 
Once the chicken was mostly cooked, I added the mixture of onions, garlic, ginger & curry paste with the chicken.  I let this simmer for a few more minutes, then added my cayenne and coconut milk. (If you're making a bigger batch, you can use 2 cans of coconut milk if needed)
I added pineapple to mine, you can add apples, potatoes, carrots...whatever you choose to make it your own!

Bon Appetit!

(Oh....I mustn't forget - a glass of red wine makes this meal complete!)