A Distinctly Different Homestead

Simple Beef and Rice Dinner

{ 04:24, Friday, July 4, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 1 comments } { Link }

This simple recipe got five stars from all my children! Yeah, a new popular (cheap, too!) dinner!

Simple Beef and Rice Dinner
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (I used 1 Tbsp. dried, minced onions)
1 medium bell pepper, chopped (I used about 1/2 cup, minced)
2 cups white rice
2 (16 oz) cans diced tomatoes (I used quartered home-grown cherry tomatoes and 1 (7 3/4 0z.) can of El Pato jalapeno tomato sauce)
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried basil
3 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 cup grated sharp cheese

Brown the meat with the onions and bell peppers. Drain, if needed. Add the rice and cook two minutes. Add remaining ingredients (except cheese). Bring to a boil. reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-25 minutes, until rice is done. Stir, then serve, sprinkled with cheese.

That's it. Simple, tasty, and cheap. Just my kind of supper.

Chulupa

{ 12:11, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 } { Posted in Crock Pot Dishes } { 1 comments } { Link }

I found this on a friend's blog, and have made it a couple times. Our family really likes it, and it's so darn easy! What could be better than that? The original recipe is HERE and here is how we made it:

Chulupa

2 pounds of dry pinto beans (no need to soak, just rinse)

1 cup onion, chopped fine

3 cloves of garlic, minced

12 oz chopped green chilies

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder (made it once without this, and it's good, too!)

4 pounds pork roast (with our without the bone)

1 1/2 teaspoons of oregano

1 1/2 tablespoons of salt

Cover with water and simmer until beans are tender and meat falls of bone. Remove bone, return meat to crockpot. This takes about 6-7 hours in my crockpot.

Serve over tortilla chips (unless you're Liberian, then you eat it over rice). Add any toppings that you would to tacos: salsa, sour cream, cheese, olives, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes etc.

We ate it wrapped in a warmed tortilla with many of the above toppings.

40 Minutes Rolls

{ 03:57, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Bread } { 1 comments } { Link }

Forgot the bread for dinner? Try this recipe! It's from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures.

40 Minute Rolls
2 Tbsp yeast
1 cup + 2 Tbsp warm water
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1-2 cups white flour

Combine the yeast and warm water. Add the oil and sugar and let sit for 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and knead until a soft dough forms. Shape into balls and place on a greased baking sheet. Rest 10 minutes. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes until done. Makes 12 rolls.

Chicken, Tomato, Zucchini, Stew

{ 03:52, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Soup } { 0 comments } { Link }

I was given some zucchini and found this recipe to use it in. All the children thought it was good enough to add here.

Chicken, Tomato, Zucchini Stew
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp basil
1 tsp EACH thyme, marjoram
2 tsp salt
cubed, cooked chicken meat
2 cups white rice
2 medium zucchini cut into 1/2" chunks

Combine tomatoes, chicken stock and spices. bring to a boil.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20-25 minutes.

Very good with 40 minute rolls!

Pizza Meatloaf

{ 03:40, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is very kid-friendly meatloaf. After making it the first time, my children insisted I prepare it every day for a week! I did not, of course, and they are very happy when it appears on the menu.

Pizza Meatloaf
4 pounds ground beef
4 eggs
2 cups oatmeal
16 oz. pizza sauce, divided
1 cup EACH Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup EACH green pepper and onion, chopped
1 tsp. EACH seasoned salt, oregano
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix 1 1/4 cup pizza sauce with half the mozzarella cheese and all the other ingredients till well-combined. Pat into a greased 9 X 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes till done. Drain if needed. Top with remaining sauce and cheese, return to oven 5-10 minutes or until heated through.

Homemade Pizza Sauce

{ 03:35, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Mixes and Sauces } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is a great tasting sauce that is wonderful in many other recipes.

Homemade Pizza Sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 (29 oz) can tomato puree
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Saute garlic in saucepan in the olive oil. Stir in remaining ingredients. bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. store in fridge for up to a week. Makes about 5 1/2 cups sauce.

Buttermilk or Kefir Pancakes

{ 02:24, Thursday, June 26, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 0 comments } { Link }

Here is my favorite buttermilk (kefir) pancakes. The amounts in the ( ) are for when I have a guest.

Buttermilk/Kefir Pancakes
3 cups flour (4 cups)
3 Tbsp sugar (4 Tbsp)
1 Tbsp baking powder (4 tsp.)
1 1/2 tsp baking soda (2 tsp)
3/4 tsp salt (1 tsp)
3 beaten eggs (4 eggs)
3 cups kefir or buttermilk (4 cups)
6 Tbsp. melted butter or oil (1/2 cup)

Combine dry ingredients.
Combine wet ingredients.
Add the wet to the dry and stir just until moistened. The less you stir the better!
Heat a griddle to about 350. Spread with butter then pour out pancakes and cook until edges are dry and middles are bubbled. Flip over and cook till golden brown.

Superbly Simple Spanish Rice

{ 12:24, Saturday, June 21, 2008 } { Posted in Side Dish } { 1 comments } { Link }

Pour red palm oil or other oil into the bottom of a pot. Add 2 cups white rice and brown it in the hot oil. Add one 8-10 oz. can of tomato sauce, 2 cups chicken broth, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Adjust seasonings to taste, of course. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Pinto Bean Casserole

{ 04:23, Thursday, June 5, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 3 comments } { Link }

Here's one of my oldies, but goodies. I used to make this fairly often, but then the recipe went away....I found it last week and made it yesterday. All the children liked it, even the picky one! This was my choice for "Say No To Kraft" at Keeper of the Home's blog.

Pinto Bean Casserole
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
tortilla chips
2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
4 (15 oz) cans pinto beans drained and rinsed OR soak 2 cups dried pintos overnight, then cook until soft
2 cans tomato sauce
1 pound frozen corn
1/2 cup taco seasoning
shredded cheese

Brown the ground beef, then add the taco seasoning and 3/4 cups of water. Cook until most of the water is evaporated.

Combine seasoned ground beef, beans, tomatoes, corn and tomato sauce in a very large bowl.

Grease a 9x13 lightly with butter. Lay down a layer of crushed tortilla chips. Cover with the mixture from the large bowl. Top with shredded cheese. Repeat layers once.

Bake in a 350 oven for 15-20 minutes to warm everything and melt the cheese.

Yummy, nourishing and simple! Just my kind of meal. I like it topped with shredded lettuce, too. You could also add olives, sour cream and/or hot sauce! The picky one liked it with about a gallon of hot sauce.

Berry Green Smoothie

{ 10:13, Tuesday, June 3, 2008 } { Posted in Beverages } { 1 comments } { Link }

Berry Green Smoothie

1 ripe banana

1 cup frozen berries (mixed blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are good!)

1/8 head of cabbage

4-5 spinach leaves

2 cups milk

honey to taste

2 cups water

1 cup ice

Blend till smooth.

Homemade Carpet Freshener

{ 10:45, Monday, May 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Cleaners } { 2 comments } { Link }

Once in a while, the carpets need a good freshening. Don't go to the store for a box of that expensive, chemical-filled carpet cleaner! Mix this up and do it yourself for pennies!

Homemade Carpet Freshener
1 1/2 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch OR salt
3/4 cups crushed lavender buds (or a few tbsps ground cinnamon, or some rosemary...use what you love!)

Blend, then sprinkle on the carpets and let sit for at least an hour. Vacuum well.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

{ 10:36, Monday, May 26, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Playthings } { 2 comments } { Link }

Do your kids love doing the messy sidewalk chalk thing? Did you know it's easy to make yourself? I made this a lot (years ago) when working at a special ed preschool.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk
1 cup Plaster of Paris
1/2 cup water
powdered tempra paints
empty toilet paper rolls

Mix the Plaster of Paris, water and as much paint as you wish together. The more powdered paint, the richer the color. Seal one end of the toilet paper rolls with duct tape. Pour the mixture into the prepared roll. Let dry 24 hours or more. Peel the paper off and enjoy the fun!

You can use other things to mold the chalk. Be creative!

Homemade Play Dough

{ 11:15, Saturday, May 24, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Playthings } { 2 comments } { Link }

My children enjoy playing with Play-Do very much, but I hate the smell and the crumbly mess. So I make this instead! It's very smooth, soft, and I can make it smell nice with any essential oil or extract that I'd like!

Homemade Play Dough
4 cups cheap white flour
4 cups water
2 cups cheap salt
1/2 cup canola oil
8 tsp. cream of tarter
food coloring and essential oils as desired

Mix everything together in a large saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon, over medium heat, until the dough forms. This only takes a couple of minutes. When the dough forms, plop is out onto a counter and knead a few times until smooth.

If you want different colors, wait to add the food coloring until now. Separate the dough into as many different colors as you want and add different food coloring to each. Knead it in and add drops until the color you want develops.

Store in zippy bags.

Soft Peanut Brittle

{ 10:44, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 } { Posted in Dessert } { 2 comments } { Link }

Have you ever tried this? It certainly isn't healthy, but is a terrific Christmas treat!

Soft Peanut Brittle
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup corn syrup
2 cups salted peanuts
2- 2 1/2 cups peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

Butter a cookie sheet well and set aside. Measure out all ingredients before beginning, as you need to be able to add them quickly!

Heat peanut butter in a double boiler. Add the peanuts and cook until hot and creamy.

Meanwhile, combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in the corn syrup. Cook nearly to hard crack stage (209 degrees). Use a thermometer. Just before the corn syrup mixture reaches 209, add vanilla, stir and when it reaches 209, turn off the heat.

Add the hot peanut mixture and the baking soda. Stir quickly and vigorously. Working quickly, pour onto buttered baking sheet and spread with a buttered spatula. Cool and cut into pieces.

This is a tender candy, so package carefully.

Two Gallons of Great Granola

{ 09:17, Tuesday, May 20, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 1 comments } { Link }

I made this today for breakfast cereal for the next few weeks. It is a really good tasting granola and makes a ton! I adapted this recipe from one found here.

Two Gallons of Great Granola
30 cups of rolled oats
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
2 1/2 cups sunflower seeds
1 1/2 cup sesame seeds
1 1/2 cup flax whole seeds
1/2 cup ground flax meal (just whir the flax in the blender)
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 cups of nuts (I used almonds and peanuts)

Combine and toast in a large pan at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir and return to oven for 15 more minutes.

Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine:
2 cups butter
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups honey
1/4 cup vanilla

Heat and stir on low until sugars are all dissolved. Be very careful not to scorch the mixture! Be patient!

Drizzle sweetener over granola while mixing, until it covers all the dry ingredients. I did this in a four gallon food grade bucket and mixed with my *clean* hands while my daughter drizzled the liquid.

Return to the large pan and bake (in batches) at 350 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Do not overbake!

Let cool completely and break into chunks or stir occasionally as it cools for loose granola.

Blackeyed Peas in Tomato Sauce

{ 04:45, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

I saw this today at Food is Love.

I haven't yet tried it, but want to save it here for future reference. I think I'll double it, at least!

Black eyed peas in Tomato Sauce

-6 cloves garlic

-1 yellow onion

-pinch saffron

-olive oil

-butter

-salt

-dash of red wine

-1/4 cup cream

-1 cup black eyed peas, soaked overnight and rinsed

-1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

-1/2 bunch kale

-parmesan cheese to taste

black pepper to taste

Soak the peas overnight and rinse. Boil in a pot of water with a piece of kombu (to make them less gas-inducing) until they’re soft with just a bit of bite to the texture. Remove from heat and water.

Chop the onions and garlic. In a large, heavy pan, sauté onions in butter and olive oil until they’re clear and a little browned. Halfway through cooking, add a pinch of saffron, and a generous pinch of salt, and stir. The onions are properly salted when you can smell them cooking more intensely than you could without salt. Add the garlic and stir more. Add half the cream and let the onions absorb it, stirring as needed.

Pour in the drained black eyed peas and a dollop of red wine. Stir to coat the peas. Let it cook about two minutes. Add the tomato sauce and stir again, then cook covered for ten minutes.

Remove cover and add leaves of kale, chopped into large pieces. Turn heat to low. Add the rest of the cream, salt to taste, and serve with pepper and parmesan when it tastes just right to you.

Homemade Hamburger Helper

{ 02:17, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

This is last night's meal. Everyone liked it and there were only a little bit of leftovers. It makes a great quick meal!

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Boil 1 1/2 pounds of pasta (I used elbows) and:

Brown:
1 pound of ground beef
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion (or 2 tsp. onion powder)
salt and pepper to taste

Stir in:
1 (15 oz) can of tomato sauce
1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 pound of frozen veggie of your choice (I used corn)
the cooked pasta

Simmer a few minutes, then stir in 4 oz of cream cheese.

When the cream cheese is melted, serve and top with shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

I served this with a green smoothie for our veggie servings. Enjoy!

Homemade Mayo

{ 11:08, Friday, April 25, 2008 } { Posted in Homemade Mixes and Sauces } { 3 comments } { Link }

This recipe is from one of my favorite food blogs, The Nourishing Gourmet. I haven't yet made this, but am excited to get the ingredients I lack so I can! I encourage you to go visit Kimi and learn, learn, learn!

Homemade Mayo

2-4 egg yolks (I use farm fresh eggs from my local farmer)

½ tsp. mustard

1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice (of course fresh is optimal)

1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

2 tsp. white wine vinegar

1 tsp. celtic sea salt

¾ c. oil- hemp or grapeseed (I use grapeseed)

1. Combine everything EXCEPT the oil. I use a container just large enough for the stick blender to go into.
2. Mix with a stick blender until creamy.
3. While blending, add the oil in small increments and mix until it’s homogenized. My daughter holds the container in place while I pour oil with one hand and with the other I lift the blender up and down as it’s blending- the quick up and down motion helps the mixture to homogenize, and it will thicken right up. That’s it! This mayonnaise lasts about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Strawberry Crepes

{ 07:05, Saturday, April 12, 2008 } { Posted in Dessert } { 0 comments } { Link }

Strawberry season is in full swing here in Central CA, and we are taking full advantage of it! Besides serving them over Incredible Pound Cake (which is my favorite) we make these delicious dainties. Enjoy them!

Strawberry Crepes
Make a batch of Strawberry Sauce, using fresh berries.

Have a small bowl full of unsweetened sliced strawberries ready.

Prepare the crepes as follows:
In a large bowl combine:
1 1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 Tbsp oil
2 Tbsp sugar

Beat with whisk or beater until well blended. Heat a lightly greased 8" skillet. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into pan and cook until well set. Flip and cook just for a few seconds.

Slide crepe onto a plate. Spoon strawberry sauce onto crepe. Fold with a fork. Add more strawberry sauce to top of folded crepe. Spoon on sliced berries, top with whipped cream. Serve with a smile!

I doubled this recipe for our family and had enough to serve ten eager people two, and for some, three, each!

Lemon Garlic Chicken

{ 06:58, Friday, April 11, 2008 } { Posted in Crock Pot Dishes } { 0 comments } { Link }

I made this yummy recipe tonight and all the children like it! That's saying something!

Lemon Garlic Chicken
1 whole chicken
3 small lemons
3 large cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp EACH oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme
2 tsp lemon juice

Slice lemons and garlic into slices. Lay 1/2 of the lemon slices and 2/3 of the garlic slices on the bottom of the crockpot or baking dish. Place remaining lemon and garlic under the chicken's skin. Season chicken with salt, pepper, herbs. Sprinkle chicken with lemon juice. Bake at 400 degrees for 45-55 minutes OR cook in crockpot on high for 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Remove chicken from pan and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, remove lemons and garlic from bottom of pan and thicken juices to serve over the chicken.

I served it with brown rice cooked in chicken broth and butter, and steamed mixed veggies.

Speedy Spaghetti

{ 06:50, Friday, April 11, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

Here's another version of spaghetti that I use. I double everything but the meats and it makes enough for dinner for our family. My most used spaghetti recipe is a family secret from my dear mother-in-law's father. This one is good, but no match to Grandpa John's recipe. I will not be posting that one. Sorry!

Speedy Skillet Spaghetti
1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound ground beef
2 cups water
2 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz.) tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian allspice
1/2 tsp EACH oregano, basil, parsley
1/4 tsp thyme
sprinkle of onion and garlic powders
8 oz. pasta, broken into pieces

Brown meats, drain if needed. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 16-18 minutes, until pasta is done.

Quick Spaghetti For A Bunch!

{ 06:18, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 } { Posted in Main Dish } { 0 comments } { Link }

I made this one up by combining a few different recipes. It's good with garlic bread!

Quick Spaghetti For A Bunch
1.5 to 2 pounds of ground beef
1 pound of Italian sausage
2-3 large cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 Tbsp, Italian seasoning
2 tsp EACH basil, chives
1 tsp EACH sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary
5 cups water
1 #10 can of tomato sauce
2 pounds (7 cups) salad macaroni

Cover the bottom of a large pan with olive oil. Add garlic and sautè lightly. Brown the meats with the garlic. When meat is done, add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer, stirring often, for 20-25 minutes, until pasta is done. Serve with green salad and garlic bread.

This makes enough for dinner and lunch the next day for our big family! It works just as well if you leave out the meat.

The Best Chocolate Muffins

{ 12:00, Monday, April 7, 2008 } { Posted in Breakfast } { 2 comments } { Link }

I haven't yet made these, but I think they sound good. I'll update when I have made them once or twice.

The Best Chocolate Muffins
2 cups applesauce
2 tsp olive oil
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup oat flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 cinnamon
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.
Combine wet ingredients,
Combine dry ingredients.
Then mix together just until moistened.
Bake 20-22 minutes.
Makes about 20 muffins. I'll probably double the recipe.

Garlic Storage

{ 08:26, Monday, April 7, 2008 } { Posted in Kitchen Tips } { 2 comments } { Link }

I've been very disappointed with the freshness of the garlic I've been buying. It seems to be sprouting in a matter of days! So I researched garlic and how to store it and found out this:

Never store the garlic in the fridge, as it causes quick sprouting and a bitter taste.

To store garlic longterm, divide the heads into cloves, leave the paper on, and freeze in a sealed baggie. Take out as needed! What could be easier than that? I bought a BIG bag of garlic at Costco this weekend and will be prepping it for the freezer today!

Chocolate Delight Smoothie

{ 06:56, Sunday, April 6, 2008 } { Posted in Beverages } { 1 comments } { Link }

We had this new smoothie this afternoon, and the Lambies all loved it! It may not be on the menu every week, but it will make an appearance often! This came from Happy Foody, but I adapted it a little to our tastes.

Chocolate Delight Smoothie
3 sweet bananas
2 cups kefir
2 cups water
4 Tbsp dutch cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar (more or less to taste)
pinch of salt
ice

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Enjoy! This will make wonderful popsicles this summer!

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