What I've been reading...

I thought I'd share what I've been into reading lately (Yes! I read cookbooks!), and where I am getting a lot of recipes from. They aren't all about cooking, but I am growing a lot of our food, so gardening and preserving are big priorities this year too.

Make It Fresh Make It Healthy
Favorite recipe: Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese
My variation coming soon!

Season's Best Spring/Summer
Favorite Recipe: Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes
My orange raspberry version coming soon!

Quick Vegetarian Main Dishes
Favorite Recipe: Green Minestrone

Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats
Favorite Recipe(s): Veggie Fritters & Sesame Eggplant Subs

Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book
Favorite Recipe: Coffee Cake Muffins (My blueberry version coming soon!)
Plus, super useful charts for cooking grains and meats.

A Homemade Life 
Easy to read, with fun stories and yummy sounding recipes. I haven't tried any yet, but I'm enjoying reading it.

Preserving the Harvest
Love the simplicity of this book. Easy to read charts about freezing veggies and fruits too.

Rodale's Ultimate Encyclopedia Of Organic Gardening
I've used this book to reference everything from how deep to plant seeds to how to make your own pest repellent. LOVE IT! Wonderful resource.

Root Cellaring
This book goes a little deeper than I plan on using our root cellar, but the basics are there and it's a good starting point. I plan to get another book or two about root cellars.

Rodale's Vegetable Garden Problem Solver
I love Rodale's books. This one is a keeper too. Very useful, with easy to accomplish solutions.

Stocking Up 
Just got this as a gift. Looking forward to gathering lots of info from it.

Basic Cleaning Supplies

I use some very basic cleaners that I make myself to do almost all of the cleaning in my home. I make the sprays in clearly labeled, re-usable spray bottles.

Vinegar/Water Spray Cleaner: 1part White Vinegar + 2 parts water
Good for:
Window Washing
Kitchen Counter tops and appliances
"Freshen Up" cleaning in the bathroom
Pet Stain clean-up
Carpet Spills
Cleaning floors
& MUCH MUCH MORE

Bleach/Water Spray Cleaner: 3/4 cup bleach + 1 gallon water
Good for:
Kitchen Disinfecting
Bathroom Disinfecting
& MUCH MUCH MORE

You can clean just about everything in your home with these two easy to make cleaners.

Borax:
I use this for cleaning the toilet and tub/tile in the shower. I find it works well for deep cleaning. I use vinegar water or bleach water to clean regularly.

For the toilet, sprinkle in about 1/4 cup Borax. Let sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with toilet brush.

For the tub/tile: Sprinkle Borax in tub. Use a wet scrubbing sponge to scrub. Rinse with water.

Baking Soda Paste
Make a paste with baking soda and a little water. Use with a damp scrubbing sponge clean grout, stove tops, and to remove stuck on food off of countertops or appliances.

Magic Eraser
For ceramic stovetops & stubborn stains or spots on walls and painted furniture.

Guardsman
The only cleaner I recommend for wood. Follow this advice to keep your wood furniture in the best shape possible.

Laundry Detergent Powder

1 bar Fels Naptha, finely grated
2 cups Borax
2 cups Washing Soda
1 cup Baking Soda

Whisk everything in a large bowl to combine. Store in a large jar. Makes about 7 cups.

For use:
Small Load: 1 tbsp
Medium Load: 2 tbsp
Large Load: 3 tbsp

Plus 1/2 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle.

Sprinkle in washing machine and stir to dissolve before adding clothes.

For heavily soiled clothing, soak before washing.

Peanut Butter Coconut Granola

This granola packs a calorie punch…good for my hardworking husband, who likes to start his day with an energy packed breakfast.

1 1/2 cups raw sugar
1 jar natural peanut butter
1/2 cup oil (evoo or canola)

16 cups oats (quick cook or whole)
1 bag unsweetened coconut
2 cups chopped walnuts

1 box dried currants or raisins

Combine sugar, pb, & oil in a large bowl. Stir in oats, coconut, & walnuts. Fold until mixture is coated and crumbly.

Spread out on 3 parchment lined cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Stir granola and return to oven for another 20 minutes.

Return to large bowl and combine the currants.

Let cool and store in large jars in refrigerator.

Serve as a cold cereal in milk.

1/2 cup serving approx. 275 calories.

Yields 24 cups.

Green Bean & Cheesy Potato Casserole (Healthy Version)

I created this so we could have a taste of two of our favorite dishes (green bean casserole & cheesy potatoes) without the high fat & calorie guilt from eating them!

1lb bag frozen green bean pieces
1/2 bag frozen Southern Style Hashbrowns

1 1/2 cups stock (veggie or chicken)
1 1/2 cups low fat milk
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning
1 tsp. seasoned salt
2 Tbsp. minced onion
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Add green beans and potatoes to a 9x9" baking dish (I use this).

In a cold saucepan, combine the stock and milk. Sprinkle in flour and whisk until smooth. Place saucepan on medium-high burner. Add seasonings. Bring to a boil, whisking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and add cheese. Stir to combine.

Pour sauce over potatoes and beans in baking dish. Stir to incorporate the sauce.

Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until it's bubbly and golden brown.

Serve hot as a delicious comfort food side-dish.

Smoky Feta Chicken Burgers

These are so yummy! I love re-purposing ingredients, and using the Pampered Chef dipping seasoning gives these burgers a real depth of flavor. These are also low-fat & low-calorie.

1lb. ground chicken
Drizzle of EVOO
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1 Tbsp. Pamper Chef Spinach & Red Pepper Oil Dipping Seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
3 tsp. worcestershire sauce
3 green onions (scallions), sliced thin

Combine all ingredients by gently mixing with hands. Divide into 4 equal portions and form patties.

Heat skillet to medium-high with a little EVOO in the pan. Cook burgers approximately 6 minutes on each side or until internal temp is around 160 degrees. Flip them only once so you get a nice caramelization on each side.  The residual cooking should bring the temp up to 165 degrees which means they are cooked through (essential when cooking poultry).

Serve on a whole wheat bun dressed with caesar dressing & a handful of spring mix salad.

Egg Substitute

This works for baked goods including yeast breads. It also works in the veggie burger recipe. 

Equivalent to one egg:

1 tbsp ground flax seed*

3 tbsp water

Whisk together in a shallow bowl with a fork. Add to recipe as usual. 

*I have a spare coffee grinder in my spice cupboard to grind things like this. 

Extra tip: You can clean your coffee grinder by grinding plain white rice in it. It will will clean the sides and blade. For cleaning something that was very fragrant, grind two batches of rice. It should come very clean.