Jammin'

I love making freezer jam! It is pretty easy and quick and tastes so good! You start with these ingredients:










Make this kind of mess:











And end up with this:

I made two batches of strawberry and one batch of blackberry. I got my berries at pretty good prices too! On Monday (Strawberry day) Mechelle (one of the Laurels) came over and helped. It was great fun!

Food Friday - Chicken Cacciatore

Prep Time: 1/2 Hour
Cooking Time: 2 Hours
Total Time: 2 1/2 Hours

In a large pot combine:
2 Cans - Stewed Tomatoes-Diced
1 Can - Sliced Mushrooms (or fresh)
1/2 Chopped Green Bell Pepper
1/2 C Chopped Yellow Onion
1/2 T - Corn Starch
1 T - Minced Garlic (fresh or bottled but not dried)
1 t - Dried Basil (or fresh)
1 t - Dried Oregano (or fresh)
Ground Black Pepper to taste
(there is enough salt in the tomatoes and broth that you shouldn't need to add any)
1/2 t - Red Pepper Powder
1/2 t - Creole Seasoning (Emeril has a recipe for it or you can buy it - I have Tony Chachere's)
cook until it begins to get thick then add:
1/2 C - Chicken Broth
1/4 C Brown Sugar
simmer with a lid for 1 hour then add:
2 Cooked Chicken Breasts - Shredded
simmer without a lid for an additional hour then serve over:
Cooked Angel Hair Pasta (or other pasta or rice)

I made this one up and it was really, really good! Feel free to change it, improve it, and pass it along. This is great served with French bread.

Who Said It? -Motherhood Edition

Match the quotation with the author (give your answers in a response). Answers will be posted in a few days.

1. "Woman, Mother, --your responsibility is one that might make angels tremble and fear to take hold! To trifle with it, to ignore or misuse it, is to treat lightly the most sacred and solemn trust ever confided by God to human kind. The training of children is a task on which an infinity of weal or woe depends. Who does not covet it? Yet who does not stand awe-struck before its momentous issues!"

2. "I am impressed by countless mothers who have learned how important it is to focus on the things that can only be done in a particular season of life. If a child lives with parents for 18 or 19 years, that span is only one-fourth of a parent’s life. And the most formative time of all, the early years in a child’s life, represents less than one-tenth of a parent’s normal life. It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners. I am grateful that today many fathers are more involved in the lives of their children. But I believe that the instincts and the intense nurturing involvement of mothers with their children will always be a major key to their well-being."

3. "Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one."

A. Gloria Steinem
B. M. Russell Ballard
C. Anna Julia Cooper
D. Colin Powell

Do you have a favorite motherhood quotation? Do share...

And now I know...

I've learned a few lessons lately. Here are two:

1 - If you are going to get your hair cut where it is arid, don't be surprised if it looks different when you get back home to the humidity.

2 - Read the fine print on labels.

Here is some explanation:

1 - I got my haircut while I was in Utah. This hasn't been a big deal in the past because I would just get trims but this time I went short. When my medium/long hair is subjected to the humidity it goes a little wavy and it is okay. When my short hair is subjected to the humidity, the nice smooth look I had in Utah goes all tweaky. It flips where it should be smooth and goes limp where it is supposed to have volume. Oh well...

2 - I bought some apple juice for my family (especially Eden) to enjoy. I looked over my options and then noticed that there was a brand that was 100% juice - not from concentrate. It was also a good price. I bought it, took it home, and then gave Eden a sippy cup full of it at lunch. At dinner Phil said, "oooh, apple juice!" (we don't have juice much) and so I put it on the table for dinner. Phil filled his glass. About half way through the meal I noticed some smaller print on the label. This is what then transpired...

Heidi: "How can apple juice have fiber?"
Phil: "Fiber? I don't think it can."
Heidi: "It says it right there, 'A Good Source of Fiber.'"
Phil: "No way."
Heidi: (looking at some even smaller print) "Oh, they've added fiber - like Metamucil or something."
Phil: "No way."
Heidi: "This could be bad, Eden had about 6 ounces today."
Eden: as if on cue - makes all kinds of stomach-churning-digestion-working sounds.

Let's just say the diaper was full, the guts clean.

And now you know too...

Food Friday - I don't want to cook edition

No matter how much you like to cook, there are times when you just don't want to do it. Last night was one of those nights. In honor of that, there will be no recipe today. Instead, here is a list of 5 great eating experiences I've had over the years:

1 - Sylvias - Harlem, NY - with Charlotte
Charlotte and I went to NYC where I had a conference. Our flight got canceled and our luggage was lost for three days. Since I didn't have any conference-appropriate clothing, we went to buy some and while we were out we went to Sylvias which Tayneshia had recommended. It was fabulous!

2 - Ruth's Chris Steak House - Philadelphia, PA - with my brother Mark
I had meetings in Philadelphia and it just so happened (or perhaps he made it happen) my brother had meetings there at the same time. We were able to spend a couple of days together and he took me to Ruth Chris for the first time. Good food! (and I'm not a huge steak fan).

3 - Some restaurant - Hannover, Germany - with brother Paul, his wife Meg, and Phil
Paul and Meg were spending the summer in Hannover and Phil was spending it in Switzerland teaching. I flew over and we all had a little vacation together. We went to a cute restaurant and Paul was translating for us. We pointed to one thing and asked, "what is that" he'd answer "beef" or "chicken" or whatever. Then we asked again and he stumbled and looked confused. He couldn't think of the right word in English. Finally he blurted out, "Pig!" ("pork" is the word he couldn't think of). We all cracked up. It was just a fun, fun time and I think the food was pretty good too!

4 - Some cafe - Paris, France - with Phil
We had these sandwiches that were made with French baguettes and chicken and carrot sticks and a yummy curry sauce. Then we topped that off with gelato (of course). We ate all of this outside in the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral. Lovely.

5 - Indian Oven (also known as the Indian Dive) - Logan, UT - with the Sugar Gliders
Ok, this may seem totally out-classed by the other entries but I LOVE the Indian Oven (it was originally in the back corner of a gas station convenience store - hence the "Indian Dive" but now it has a respectable store front on main street). We had heard that the food was good and so we tried to go for lunch only to find out that they were (then) only open for dinner. Upon seeing our disappointed faces, the owner/chef said, "stay, I will make you something very good." He won my love and devotion! The food is great (I really like Indian food) and how can you beat that service! Top that off with the fabulous company of wonderful women and you have a winning combination!

Now, have your husband take you out tonight and then let me know where you went or what your favorite food experiences have been.

Food Friday - Saturday Edition

Ok, so I've been in Utah to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday (I'll post on that soon) and so I think I have two recipes to make up for. So here is the Saturday Edition of Food Friday.

Fried Bread

4 C Flour
4 t Baking Powder
1 t Salt
2 C Milk

Mix dry ingredients. Add milk and stir 10 minutes (I use my trusty Kitchen Aid). Put some oil in a shallow pan and place on medium-high heat. Knead dough until it is rubbery. Divide into small flat pieces. Pinch a small piece off and place it in the oil. When it quickly bounces to the top and begins to fry, you know it is ready. Fry in oil - turning it over once.

Serving suggestions: eat with butter and jam; sprinkle cinnamon sugar on it; squeeze honey all over it; use it as the base for Navajo Tacos. YUM!!!!

Crepes

3 Eggs
1 1/3 C Milk
3 T Butter (softened but not melted)
1 C Flour
1/2 t Salt

Mix all ingredients with either a hand mixer or (and this is my little secret trick) a blender (because then you can pour the batter right out onto your pan). Heat a small round frying pan with sides on medium-high. When the pan is hot pour a small amount of batter (maybe 1 1/2 T) into the pan and swirl the batter all around (the thinner the better). When the batter doesn't look wet anymore, carefully flip it and brown the other side (maybe 30 seconds).

Serving Ideas: eat them for breakfast with sugar, cinnamon, jam, fresh fruit and whipped cream, or make a yummy center and have stuffed crepes for dinner (suggestions for stuffing available if there is interest).

Food Friday - Fudge Sauce

In a small sauce pan combine:
1 can of Sweet and Condensed Milk
1 C of Chocolate Chips (milk or semi-sweet or dark - whatever you like)

Heat over medium until everything is well mixed.

If it is too thick you can add some regular milk or cream.

Serve over Ice Cream

"it is so easy!" - Heidi
"and yet so much better and more rich than the other stuff!" -Phil

Food Friday: Zucchini Chicken

This looks like a complicated recipe but it is really yummy. You can buy the "flash frozen" breaded chicken breasts and cut out some of the steps. Try it - you'll like it!

4 Chicken Breasts
6 T Olive Oil
Medium Onion - diced
1 clove of Garlic - minced
2 Cans Tomato Sauce
1 t Salt
1/4 t Pepper

1/8 t Oregano (ground)
1 Egg - beaten
1/4 C dry Bread Crumbs

1/4 C + 3 T grated Parmesan Cheese
1 C Mozzarella Cheese
2 Zucchini - sliced

In a Sauce Pan mix:
3 T Olive Oil, onion & garlic - cook until clear.
Add:
tomato sauce, salt, pepper, & oregano - cover and simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour.

Dip the thawed out chicken in egg, bread crumbs, & parmesan cheese then brown in 3 T of Olive Oil.

Place chicken in a casserole pan and layer tomato sauce & mozzarella then zucchini, then remaining sauce and mozzarella, then sprinkle with parmesan.

Bake uncovered for 30 minute at 375.

Recipe for Fun

Start with:
2 Best Friends (preferably roommates for 9 years)
2 Devoted Husbands
1 Adorable Baby

Add:
Plenty of leisure time
Lots of laughter

Yields:
Lots of fun, good memories, and deeper friendships.

Charlotte (and Eric) and I (and Phil and Eden) have had a great week together!

Food Friday

Sorry that I didn't get a recipe posted this last week. We got home from the hospital Thursday and it just didn't even cross my mind.

I'll try really hard to remember this next Friday but I have a BIG day that day. Charlotte and Eric will be here (yippee!) and my brother Mark will be coming into Anniston for breakfast that day (he is in Atlanta this week for meetings). After breakfast, Phil, Eden, Char, Eric, and I are heading to the Talladega Speedway for a tour (yes, Mr. Anonymous, this could be YOU if you visit us!). We are looking forward to a fabulous week with our friends (we are going to the Georgia Aquarium on Saturday). So much fun!!!!

Kinda Rough

This weekend we finally tackled our hall bathroom! Those of you who have seen it know that this was no small task. The walls were painted purple but had bleach streaks making the walls purple AND blue. There was a hideous wallpaper border. The worst thing though was that the previous owners had put in an exceeding amount of metal anchors which had to be removed and then patched. We spent most of Friday and all day Saturday tackling this project. It is now a beautiful off-white bathroom. I did the patching and I have to say that I did a pretty good job (18 patches on one wall!) but it is a little ROUGH in a few places. At this point I don't even care.

Since we spent so much time on our bathroom, I didn't spend as much time as I like (I was told by a fabulous teacher/stake president to spend 10 hours of prep for every hour of teaching). Therefore, my lesson didn't go as I'd like. In fact, it was pretty ROUGH. It was on eternal marriage (again) and there are a couple of girls already planning non-temple weddings. I was informed by a couple of the girls that I am too critical of them and that I just don't love them. This is good for me right?

During Sunday School Eden fell and bonked her head on the chair in front of us (she was sitting on the floor). She screamed quite loudly so I took her out - like all the way outside. As I was walking around outside, one of the branch members told me the following: "I was sayin' to my wife the other day that you sure have been lookin' ROUGH lately. You are a beautiful woman so I figure it must be the little one here that is making you look so ROUGH." I thought to myself, "wow, you only ever see me on Sundays when I've actually put on makeup and tried to look nice. You should have seen me yesterday covered with paint and grime and without a shower!"

Yeah, it was a ROUGH weekend...

So, now it is on to a new week which includes my sister, Merilee, arriving (tonight) for a week and Phil's surgery on Wednesday. I'm sure it will all go smoothly. In fact, Phil received a fabulous Priesthood blessing last night from our home teacher and branch president. Smooth is definitely the order for this week!

I'll have to post pictures of the bathroom when I get them.

Food Friday Phil's Brownies

Phil is famous for his brownies so I've asked him to do a guest post for this week's Food Friday.

Preheat oven to 375.

In one bowl:
1 C melted butter
4 eggs
2 C sugar
add: 2 t vanilla

In another bowl:
1 1/2 C flour
1/3 C cocoa
1 t salt

Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until all is moist. Grease/flour 9x13 pan (I use that flour spray). Spoon batter into pan and cook for 20-25 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean).

Cool, cut, serve (don't eat them all by yourself).

Food Friday: Black Chicken

I got this recipe from Alicia and it is yummy and pretty easy too!

4 chicken breasts - cubed, uncooked
1 C flour
1/8t red pepper
1/4 C butter
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C soy sauce
1/4 C lemon juice
1/2 C honey
1-2 t curry

Mix flour and red pepper; coat chicken with flour mixture; place in casserole dish.

Melt butter and pour over chicken.

Cook for 20 minutes at 350f.

Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl.

Remove chicken from oven and pour sauce over the chicken; return to the oven and cook for another 20 minutes.

Serve with rice.

Food Friday: Buttermilk Pancakes/Waffles

These are so good! They've been in the Beck family for years (as long as I can remember). They are pretty easy and if you cut the recipe in 1/3 it is perfect for a couple.

Buttermilk Pankcakes/Waffles
3 C flour (1C)
1/4 C sugar (1T)
1 rounded T baking powder (1 rounded t)
1 t salt (1/3t)
3 T oil (1T)
3 eggs (1)
1 C buttermilk (1/3C)
2 C water (2/3C)

Mix dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients and stir just enough to make flour wet (lumpy is ok). You don't want to over-stir because then you'll have tough pancakes.

Bonus Recipe
Caramel Syrup (perfect on top of your waffles)

In large pan combine:
1/2 C butter
1 1/2 C sugar
3/4 C buttermilk
1 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
2 T Karo syrup

Mix and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.

Yummmm!

Pizza Crust and Breadsticks

I found this recipe for quick breadsticks and decided to use it for pizza crust too and it is the best I've found (for quick recipes).

Pizza Crust/Breadsticks

Brew:
1 T (or package) dry yeast
1/2 C warm water
1 t sugar

(you can combine these ingredients right in your mixer or bowl and let them brew, make sure you wait to add the following ingredients until the yeast is frothy)

Add:
1 C warm water
3 C flour
1 T sugar
3/4 t salt
knead (by hand or with mixer) for 3 minutes

Add:
1 C flour
blend this last flour into the dough until well mixed

You can immediately form into pizza dough or into 24 breadsticks. Create and cook your pizza according to your pizza recipe. Brush the breadsticks with egg (well beaten) and sprinkle with garlic and/or parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 for 15-18 minutes.

enjoy!

Food Friday: Buttermilk Biscuits

Introducing a new feature on this blog ... "Food Friday". Each Friday (for as long as I'm amused by this) I will post a recipe. This will accomplish two things: 1) eventually I will have all my recipes available on this blog for myself to access and search - so much easier than my disorganized recipe book; 2) others will have access to some tried and true recipes.

Today's Recipe is for:

Buttermilk Biscuits
3 C flour
2 T sugar
1 T (rounded) baking powder
1 1/2 t salt
1/3 C shortening
1 C buttermilk
water as needed (approx. 1/3 to 1/2 C)

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add shortening and crumble. Stir in buttermilk and enough water to make a moist (but not runny) dough. You can either roll these out and cut them into circles or spoon drop them with a large tablespoon. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes.

Variations:

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits - add 1/2 C of shredded cheddar cheese to the dry ingredients.

Garlic Biscuits - add 2 t of minced garlic just before the buttermilk -OR- sprinkle biscuits with garlic powder or salt before baking.

Parmesan Biscuits - sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of biscuits before baking.

Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits - add 1/2 C of raisins to dry ingredients. After mixing the dough lightly fold in a mixture of 1 1/2 t cinnamon and 1/2 C brown sugar. This mixture should not be mixed all the way in but should be "marbled" throughout. You can glaze with a powder sugar glaze or serve "as is."

Blueberry Biscuits - After mixing the dough, lightly fold in 1/2 C of blueberries. These may be glazed as well.

NOTE: when making these for just Phil and me, I will third the recipe and it is just the right amount.

ABCs of Homemaking

Charlotte "tagged" me on this and so here it is:

THE ABC's of HOMEMAKING

Aprons- yes or no? If yes, what does your favorite look like?

• I always forget to use them (although I have a blue/white checked one and a New Orleans/Jazz one). In fact the last time we had people over for dinner I looked down to find my shirt covered with flour, etc. I didn't have time to change so I put the apron on to cover the mess (I believe most people use aprons to catch the mess).
  

Bake-What's your favorite thing to bake?

I love baking cookies and breads (hmmm, I like eating those things too!)
Clothesline- yes or no?

• No, I never really understood the "dried in the breeze" thing because any time I've dried something on a clothesline it was just really crispy instead of "Spring fresh."
  

Donuts- have you ever made them?

• Yes, I have a great spud-nuts recipe and it is a family tradition to make them at Halloween.
  

Every day-Name one homemaking thing you do every day.

• Cook the meals.
  

Freezer-Do you have a separate deep freeze?

• No, but I would like to.
  

Garbage disposal- yes or no?

• Yes, although Phil doesn't like it when I put too much stuff down it. One time I actually clogged it and he had to take it apart and be the hero!
  

Handbook- what is your favorite homemaking resource?

• My mom and the internet.
  

Ironing- do you love it or hate it?

• Hate it, I have come to realize that one of the most hateful things about ironing is the sound the board makes when you put it up and down. Now I just leave it up and I hate ironing much less than I used to.
  

Junk drawer- yes or no? Where is it?

• Junk drawer? Try junk room! Right now our laundry room is the junk room and the last room in the house to have order put to it. Some day...
  

Kitchen-What is your kitchen color and decorating scheme?

• We just painted our kitchen walls. They are now "cloud burst" a lovely blue/green color. Eventually the cabinets and trim will be painted an off-white color. The new floor is a wood laminate - kind of a medium color.
  

Love- What is your favorite part of homemaking?

• I do love the creativity involved in homemaking. When I create a meal or crochet or sew or even create order out of chaos there is a great sense of creativity. Of course the best thing right now is the little person we've just created (co-created). It is a wonderful thing to sit and watch her little facial expressions and body movements and talk to her about her past and her future.
  

Mop- yes or no?

• Yes, but far far less often than I should.

Nylons- wash by hand or in the washing machine?

• Machine (unless of course they get a run faster than they get dirty, then they just get chucked).
  

Pizza-What do you put on your pizza?

• My favorite is Thai pizza but that is off limits until Eden can handle the spicy-ness of it.
  

Quiet- what do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?

• Blog of course. Sometimes I take a nap.
  

Recipe card box- yes or no? What does it look like?

• Nope
  

Style-What style is your house?

• Ranch - brick with a front porch and a great deck in the back.

Tablecloths and napkins- yes or no?

• Tablecloths when guests come, Phil and I use place mats. Paper napkins with every meal.

Under the kitchen sink- is it organized or toxic wasteland?

• Mostly organized.

Vacuum-how many times per week?

• Probably once a week - we share that duty and it doesn't get done as often as either one of us would like. We have the blessing/curse of having carpet that doesn't show anything and so it doesn't get vacuumed as frequently as it should.
  

Wash- how many loads of laundry do you do per week?

• Three or four loads every other day. Darks, Whites, Lights, Towels/Baby blankets.
  

X's- do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?

• Not regularly but I do sometimes. Phil is the list person in the family.
  

Yard- yes or no? Who does what?

• Beautiful yard with huge trees, flowering shrubs, bulbs, grass, swing set, large deck, squirrels, and the neighbor's cats. Phil is the yard guy (although last fall, I did some of it while he was sick and before I was too pregnant).
  

Zzzz's- what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?

• Scripture reading and prayer with Phil. At first I thought, "that isn't homemaking!" But then I realized it is one of the most important ways we make our house a home. I LOVE having that time together. It is a great habit!

Now I am supposed to tag three other people. I tag Layne (although I doubt she'll do it), Amanda (although Jodi may have also tagged her), and Michelle.

Mother Knows Best

When I was in high school I was very social and very involved in choir and theatre. I loved it. I wasn't so serious about the more academic subjects and I certainly wasn't interested in homemaking skills.

I remember one day having a discussion with my mother about my need to assess my priorities. She said, in exasperation, "your husband is not going to care how well you sing or how many shows you were in! He will care how well you can cook!" Well, according to Phil, she was absolutely correct. The other day as I was making dinner (I quite enjoy cooking these days) this conversation of long ago came flooding back to my memory. I mentioned it to Phil and he confirmed that my mother (as always) was right.

Phil often mentions what great "perks" the good meals, cookies, breads, etc. are. He truly appreciates the fact that I enjoy homemaking. He thinks it is cool that I made my own wedding gown (although it ended up being a complete fiasco) and that I am using the remaining fabric from it to make our daughter's blessing dress. He likes that I crochet and even asked me to teach him (although he didn't find much satisfaction in doing it himself). Just as I'm in awe of his ability to create art out of thin air, he is in awe of my ability to "throw a meal together" (often without a recipe). He really DOESN'T care that I was in several musicals/shows in high school (except he likes to tease me about kissing Howard Bickle on stage). How did mother know?

Of course there are other things that he appreciates about me and these aren't just perks. He loves that I have a testimony of the gospel and a respect for the power of the priesthood. He loves that I enjoy children and the way I interact with them. He truly appreciates that I am interested in social and civil issues and that I like to be informed and form opinions about things that are going on in our nation and communities. He is proud of my degrees.

Although it took me a while, I'm so glad I listened to my wise mother and finally developed the skills that bring me such satisfaction and cause Phil to swell with pride about his talented wife. That mom, she's pretty smart! Here is a picture of her with my nephew, Caleb, after being drenched on the log ride at Lagoon. (isn't she cute?) :)

Lime-Cilantro Pork Tacos

Here is a recipe I tried for the first time this week and it was pretty quick and very yummy (and healthy too!). It is from the Cooking Light, June 2004 magazine.

Lime-Cilantro Pork Tacos
1 lb pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into thin strips
1/4 t salt
1/8 t freshly ground black pepper
2 t olive oil
1 1/2 C thinly sliced onion
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and chipped (I actually used bell peppers)
1/2 C fat-free, less sodium chicken broth
1/2 C chopped tomato
3 T chopped cilantro
2 1/2 T fresh lime juice
8 flour tortillas

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; sprinkle pork with salt and black pepper; add oil and pork; saute 4 minutes or until browned; remove pork from pan; place in bowl.

Add onion and pepper to pan, saute 5 minutes or until tender; add broth, reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; stir in tomato; simmer 2 minutes.

Return pork and accumulated juices to pan; stir in cilantro and lime juice; cook 1 minute or until pork is done.

Serve with warmed tortillas and fat-free sour cream.

Calories: 208 each taco
Fat: 6.5 grams
Protein: 15 grams
Carbs: 21.5 grams
Fiber: 1.8 grams
Cholesterol: 62.5 mg
Iron: 1.9 mg
Sodium: 284.5 mg
Calcium: 50.5 mg

It came together in about 20 minutes and was really good! Try them, you'll like them!