Speaking of Pancakes...

It seems there is a theme here this week at Ate Is Enough.  Pancakes!  (Completely unintentional, but it's one of the few food items that I can always count on Joe to eat!)

I found THE best pancake recipe-- again, from KAF- Baker's Companion cookbook.  I've been making this recipe for a few years.  It has a wonderful texture and taste. 

The Problem:  It uses buttermilk and heavy cream.  I call it a "problem" not because of the calorie count (heavens, no). I call it a "problem" because I don't always have buttermilk or cream on hand, so I can't make it spur-of-the-morning. It seems that the buttermilk around these parts has a short shelf life in the grocery stores.  The heavy cream can be bought as "ultra-pasteurized" so it can stay in the refrigerator longer, but I don't use it much either (and it's expensive) so I find it still goes to waste before I can use it up-- and then I don't buy any the next time I'm at the grocer.

The Solution:  As seen on Pinterest, I could just freeze buttermilk into my ice cube trays and take them out as needed.  Yes, this would be one solution.  But, because I'm thinking of an even faster way to enjoy these flat lovelies, I decided to cook them up, then freeze them in batches instead.  That way the school age boys can heat them up in the microwave before heading for the bus, and momma can heat them up when Joe is ready for breakfast.  No," Leggo my Eggo" here-- this is quick breakfast the made-from-scratch way!

After allowing the pancakes to cool, I separate them by using my Emerald Deli Paper.  I have plenty of this left over from the coffee shop, but if I didn't have this, I'd just cut up squares of wax paper to use.  It's microwave friendly :)  It's important to separate the pancakes in the freezer or you won't be able to break off one individual pancake when frozen-- they'll all be stuck together!

I typically get about 20 pancakes out of this recipe. 

Zephyr Pancakes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups  unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 T sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3 large egg yolks
• 1-1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1-1/4 cups buttermilk
• 2 T butter, melted (I use salted butter for this)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Whisk together the dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients.  Combine until a few lumps remain in the batter.

Preheat lightly greased skillet.  You want the skillet to be hot, but not so hot that the outside of the pancake gets brown, but the middle is still wet batter! Scoop 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet.  Turn over when light gold brown color and edges start to look dry. 

Of course I serve this with a side of bacon!

Free Range, the End and the Beginning

I am a chicken farmer. 

I like how that sounds. It makes me feel very earthy and organic. 

This last summer I got it in my head to turn our "rustic" storage shed into a hen house.  The shed was piece-mealed together by Mr. Ate many years before I met him.  Another unfinished project, but I felt it had potential.  Three walls made from half timbers (the fourth wall plywood), a working double hung window, a leaking flat-top roof.  All salvagable, in my opinion.



Next, the chicks.  (Is it "Chicks" or "Chics"?) This was the easy part.  Aren't all chicks cute?  I say "Yes".

A kids plastic pool and one mail-order later, I had my chics.

The thing is, chicks grow.  And they get to be too big for a kiddy pool.  So what do you do with them until they're ready for their hen house?  A trip to Fleet Farm proved to be useful-- there I found the transition home I needed-- a hen hutch to hold these growing ladies. 

Then Mr. Ate came home for a visit.  He wanted the "Chick Experience" too.  So away we went to our local feed mill where hundreds of chics awaited homes-- chicken chicks, Guinea Hen chicks, Duckling chicks.  We came home with 7 more chicks.  I blame him.

As the chicks grew, we noticed the new chicks were not as friendly, and one even seems a bit aggressive.  That's when we had an inkling we had ourselves one rooster.

Here's the demon when he was still cute and somewhat innocent.

 Now for this next part, viewer discretion is advised....

Our little chicks grew into mini-hens and were able to stay in their new digs-- the converted hen house and new attached pen.  They were loving the pad and enjoyed  being turned out into the yard to find woodticks and other delicacies.  They started turning out eggs.  Lots of eggs.  Very pretty eggs.

All laid the pretty eggs, except one.  One who grew into a beautiful long-tailed, colorful, big-red-comb-having rooster.  And he was mean. He drew blood on several of the hens. But he wasn't just mean to "the girls", but to humans, too! 

(My iPhone crashed and I lost all my mobile pictures, so I no longer have any pictures of said rooster)

So there came a day, when I went out to feed my feathered friends and I ended up fending off a crazed, lunatic, beady-eyed rooster with the lid from a garbage can and some swift foot action.  At that point, I called my father-in-law and hinted that if the rooster was not around when I returned home from work, that would be perfectly okay.

The next night, my in-laws invited us over for chicken dinner.  The end.

PS-- the "girls"are very happy.

Amaze Your Kids with THIS!!

It's the simple things.

Like watching a skillet of yellow "goo" rise up in the oven to become a puffy, golden miracle of science--  fun to watch, but equally fun to eat (yum, yum).

Call your kids over to take a gander in the oven, right before you pull this baby out, and they will think you are really one amazing mom (or dad) to be able to create such a thing.

Dust it with some confectioner's sugar and serve it with a side of bacon.  Viola! 

It's okay to get a little messy with the confectioner's sugar.  Really, it is. 

Puffy Pancake (aka Oven Pancake, German Pancake, and others):

• 6 T unsalted butter
• 6 eggs
• 1 C milk
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 C flour
• Confectioner's sugar

In a cast-iron skillet (or a glass 13 x 9 pan), melt butter in oven pre-heated to 400-degrees.

Meanwhile, combine eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla.  Mix well.  Add flour.  Mix well.

Pouregg/flour mixture into melted butter in skillet.  Put back in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until puffy and golden brown. (Note:  my pancakes usually get much puffier than what you see in these pictures, so don't be alarmed if it looks as though the Goodyear Blimp parked in your oven!)  Using a metal sieve, dust the pancake with confectioner's sugar to taste.  Cut into wedges and serve with maple syrup, fruit or jam.

Mama Mia!

You've probably noticed by now my blog is mostly about food.  I mean, who doesn't like food, right? It's a topic we can all relate to.  Along those same lines, who doesn't like pizza?  I can say with much confidence that it is probably the favorite cuisine of most of my family members.  Aww, who am I kidding?  It's everyone favorite!  And especially with mamma's homemade crust and sauce! 

So last night we had a pizza party.  And guess who "helped"?

 

Oh yes, he was rolling out the flour.  And sharing some with the dog.

 

And who hasn't had the urge to taste flour?  When you're two years old, anthing is fair game.

And what's a pizza party without a toddler grabbing a fistful of the remaining shredded cheese and shoving it in his mouth? 

Now that's what I call a party!  Oh yeah, the pizza was delicious, too!



I'm a little Nutella

As most everyone who has access to the internet knows, Pinterest is all the rage.  I like it too.  It has some great DIY projects, recipes and just some pretty cool things.

I think it's funny how people post recipes, but never make them.  So I created a board called "Tried and Tasted" which contains the pins of recipes I've actually made. Some good, some, well...we won't try those again.

 

 

This little ditty is called a Chocolate Nutella Popover.  I'm a Nutella freak (creator of the Nutella Frappe and every other recipe I can use it in!) It was very simple to make and the kiddos enjoyed it thoroughly (as did the mama unit).

 

The players:  Biscuit dough, Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, and Nutella (Mmmmm!) You can use any brand of refrigerated biscuit dough, though the recipe calls for Pillsbury Grands Honey Butter. 

 

 

You'll want a non-stick rolling pin and a non stick surface to roll the dough out on.  Begin by rolling out each bisquit to approximately 1/4-inch in thickness.

 

 

 

Next you'll want to spread some of the sweet, nutty, chocolatey, delicious, tastefully sinful Nutella onto the rolled out dough.  Use as little or as much as you want.  Next sprinkle with the mini-chocolate chips.  I decided that next time I'm going to omit the chips and use a tad more Nutella. I would like to taste more Nutella, than chocolate chips.

 

 

 

Next, roll up that little Nutella dough tostada.  Then slice it into approximately one-inch chunks. You should get three chunks out of each  roll up.

 

 

 

 

Plop each chunk into a mini-muffin pan that's been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray.  Bake according to package directions.

 

Meantime, you can mix up a little vanilla glaze to top these babies.  I do it up with powdered sugar, a little butter, pure vanilla extract and some half 'n half.

 

 

After baking, allow to cool, then drizzle with the glaze.

 

 







 

These are the perfect size for popping in your mouth! 

 

This should make 24 mini-popovers.  You can combine 3 chunks into a full size muffin if you're feeling like you need a larger portion. 

 

 

This recipe came from shakentogether.blogspot.com.  That's where I re-pinned it from, but I'm not sure if that is the original source.  Enjoy these!



 



13

This is a boy who just turned 13.  Yep.  13.  It's quite a big deal for this boy.  He (thinks) he may now purchase and play any Rated-T game (Mom may have a thing or two to say about this).  He graduates from the "tween" to "teen" label. He no longer has to ask if watching a PG-13 movie is okay. He feels he is nearing the point of getting a driver's permit.  He refers to all younger children as "the little kids".

Little does this boy know that he should savor every moment of being young.  Of being free from responsibility. He doesn't understand it when mom says "Slow down, you don't have to grow up so fast!"  He does not see that when he grows up, he most assuredly will want to be young again. But of course, that is the way things are...when you're 13.

Stray Sheep

Several months ago (maybe even a year or more??) I started to attend my church less often.  At first it was because I was too terribly exhausted-- running the coffee shop and playing the role of "single mom" left little mental or physical energy left.  Something had to give.  Well, in hindsight, several things were compromised. 

One very large compromise I made was that I attended church less.  Not just the Sunday morning service. No, I completely stopped going to Adult Bible Study (ABS), which meant my children no longer attended Sunday School.  Wednesday night Awana and bible study?  Forget it. Fellowship at "extracurricular" church events?  Hardly. Quiet time reading scripture?  Not a chance.

Was I that busy?  Well, maybe at first.  But as I look back, I realize I began to detach myself from my church all on my own.  I'd find myself thinking 'maybe I should start looking for a new church', 'nobody even notices that I'm not attending-- I guess they don't care', 'they are all too clicky-- no wonder I don't feel a connection'.  Easy to have these thoughts when you're not attending on a regular basis and letting your relationship with the Lord slip away!!

Since the coffee shop closed, I've had time to think about this process.  And time (thank you!) to realize that the sheep does best with its flock and shepherd. I must get back to my flock. I strayed a little bit too far and evil took advantage of that, creeping in and trying to tell me that I was on the right track. 

It's soooo important to stay connected with other Christians, keep in the word and attend worship service-- this allows the Lord easier access to your heart and guides you in the right direction in every other area of your life!

PS-- sheep are one of my favorite animals. Baaaa!

IDIOGLOSSIA\ id-ee-uh-GLOS-ee-uh \ noun

Because it is Easter.  And because millions of people today are sharing a meal around their dinner table with family and friends (either enjoying or loathing this holiday tradition),  I have chosen DEIPNOSOPHIST for today's "Idioglossia".
 
Deipnosophist is described as "one who excels at conversations at the dinner table". 

This reminds me of the movie The Break-Up with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn.  In the early part of the movie, the dating pair (Aniston and Vaughn) invite eachother's familys to dinner at their condo so they can get to know one another.   Halfway through the akward gathering  Brooke's (Aniston) obviously gay brother (played by John Michael Higgins) begins a "conversation" about his passion for his men's acapella group.  This, of course, turns in to a strange melodic, rhythmic conversation involving other members of the family each having a musical part, leaving  Gary (Vaughn) bewildered at what is taking place at his dinner table.


Who at your dinner table is a deipnosophist?

The Tree

I almost drove right past it.  I was intent on getting to where I was going in a timely manner-- and I almost missed this shot.  This beautiful tree.  These beautiful mountains.  The depth of the clouds in the sky.  I would have just blown right past it.  But thanks to Mr. Ate, I stopped.  With much grumbling ("do we have to stop and take a picture of EVERY tree and mountain??" I pulled over-- in an area which did not leave any room  for a parked vehicle-- risked my life by getting out, walked along the edge of the road, jumped over a small bog-type ditch, and got this shot.  It's stunning, and magical.  The way it stands proud.  The only tree-- growing from a rock, no less-- for a few miles around.  This is the Scottish highlands.  This is The Tree.

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Oooooo....got this recipe from The Pioneer Woman-- Ree Drummond.  I used fresh strawberries, picked from a local patch right here in MN.  The cake just got better when I ate it the next day.  No kidding. It was light, sweet and fruity.  Loved it so much, I bought her book-- which I'll review at a later date :)

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Cake Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 3 T cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 9 T butter, softened unsalted
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3 whole Large eggs
• 1/2 cups sour cream, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla

Icing Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 sticks butter, unsalted
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 pound strawberries

Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and corn starch.

In a separate bowl, cream 9 T butter with the sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Add sour cream and vanilla. Add sifted dry ingredients. Mix on low until just barely combined.

Pour into greased and floured 8-inch x 2-inch deep cake pan (must be 2-inches or more deep!). Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Place on cooling rack as soon as it comes out of the oven.

Stem strawberries and slice.  Place into a bowl and sprinkle with 3 T of sugar.  Stir, then let sit 30 minutes.  Mash in two separate batches.  Then sprinkle each half with 1 T of sugar and allow to sit another 30 minutes.

Make icing: combine cream cheese, 2 sticks butter, sifted powdered sugar, vanilla and dash of salt in mixing bowl.  Mix until light and fluffy.

Slice cake in half when cooled.  Spread strawberries evenly over each half (cut side up), pouring all the juice.  Place cake halves into freezer for 5 minutes.

Remove from freezer, use a little less than 1/3 of the icing to spread over the top of the strawberries on bottom layer.  Place second layer on top.  Add half of the remaining icing to the top spreading evenly, then spread the remaining 1/3 cup around the sides. 

Garnish with strawberries on top.  Store in the fridge. 

Cookbook Review: Baker's Companion (KAF)

Well, since I have this obsession...

I figured I better share by knowledge..or at least my experience, with others. 

So I've decided to blog about  each of my cookbooks, tell you which recipes I've tried, which I would LIKE to try and the results of thus such "trying".  It ain't always pretty, so hang on to your hats.

First up:  The Baker's Companion by King Arthur's Flour.  Not really my cookbook.  I gave it to my husband, Mr. Ate, in 2008. 

Mr. Ate is the baker in the family, although I'm desperately trying to outdo the man.  This guy can make some caramel pecan rolls that are to die for!  (Sorry, can't divulge that recipe, or he'd have me hung!).  But alas, my baker husband has not had much time to use this book quite as much as me.  In fact, I don't think he's used it at all.  Except maybe once.  We had a "date night" of making apple pies.  We took 3 apple pie recipes, three different crusts and baked each so we could compare and come up with our favorite.  It was fun. And sort of romantic. Anyway... got off the subject there.

These are some of the recipes I've made:

Zephyr Pancakes (page 4):  Got 5 stars from me.  The best pancake recipe I've ever made. I think it's the buttermilk and cream that got me.

Walnut-Strawberry Quick Bread (page 86): I substituted pecans for the walnuts, and I made these in mini-loaf pans.  I made this when it was strawberry season.  The taste was out of this world!

All-Star Muffins (page 63): This was just so-so for me.  I like the fact that it stores well (up to one week in the refrigerator) and I can make a ton of variations of it.  I tried apricot & almond (delish), white chocolate macademia nut (didn't use enough white chocolate--but probably won't try this one again), Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (everyone's favorite variation).

Finally, Chocoate Mint Cake (page 345)- without the mint:  This was very chocolatey-- a bit too much for me.  But it was fun to make.  I omitted the mint part. Maybe that's why it was too chocolatey?

I learned how not to assemble a cake with this one.  I should have used a deeper round cake pan and cut it in half, OR cut the tops off of these more shallow ones, that way they'd fit together more snug. And maybe taken a little more time to frost.  I must have been in a hurry to eat it.

What I'd like to make soon:  Tender Focaccia (page 252), Blueberry Buckle (page 132) and most everything else (come on! this is a baking book! hello?? i want to make and eat everything in it!)

Boys in Motion 2

Homework.  Studying.   Reading.  These are all quiet activities.  Normally (but not in my world) these would be quiet activities. 

I love this picture.  If a picture is worth 1000 words, this one captures my little Number 5 to a "T".

As Number 3 works on his studies for school, Number 5 struggles-- wriggling, rocking, tapping, shifting, sitting up/down, daydreaming-- and probably thinking about his next meal. 

That's my Number 5.  When he's supposed to be focusing on his homework...he's a Boy In Motion!

Boys in Motion 1

Thought I'd try this "link up" thing and submit my photo to http://homewiththeboys.net/ for their Boys In Motion giveaway.  These, of course are only TWO of my boys in action.  The others must be running around unsupervised, rock climbing, swinging from trees and other heart-stopping activities in the state forest we visited this last October.  We had such a great time there.  Next year we'll buy a season pass so these kids can get all that Boy Energy out on a regular basis!

Well this really socks!

Yesterday my time was filled with various home-maker tasks.  Baking Snickerdoodles, vacuuming, washing dishes and the ever so dreadful SOCK MATCHING.  Yes, it's a chore I do so adore (sorry about the rhyme!) At one point I had over 40 socks that were missing their mate-for-life.  It's inevitable that one lonely stocking is left alone as the other is discarded for various reasons-- a hole in the heel or toe, wore out on the bottoms, held together by only a few threads (yes, my children keep on wearing them in this condition until I finally have to demand they put the sock to rest!).

But alas, I am stuck with only one sock of each type.  And of course I cannot throw out the one sock.  Maybe its mate is out there somewhere?  Hiding beneath a child's bed, discarded on the bathroom floor, or even worse-- FALLEN BEHIND THE CLOTHES WASHER!!! 
Is this a sickness I have? (Not being able to throw away single socks)  Do I need help?  Is there a 12-step program for people like me?  Is there any hope? Will the Packers win over the Steelers? (had to throw that in there).
Yes, I believe there is hope.  In the form of a craft.  Yes, I said a craft.  I ordered not one, but TWO books that address just such an issue. 

I can't wait to make these adorable little guys!  I have found my cure!

PS-- When you have one single sock laying in the middle of your living room floor, do you find everyone in your house ignores it and walks around it?  Just curious if my household is the only one with this issue.

Which Mother Are You?

I thought today would be just another day.

To my "surprise", I entered my children's room this morning to find they had not cleaned their room yesterday like I had asked.  Oh wait, I think it may have been their version of clean.  Which is clearly NOT my version of clean.  So as the little angels were rubbing their tired eyes and having their morning stretch, I took a gander underneath their beds. 

This is what I pulled out.

Wait...is that a box of Hamburger Helper, you say?  Yes.  Indeed it is.  I think there is some elbow macaroni in that bag as well.

I feel like I am playing some twisted Where's Waldo game.  Now see if you can find the granola bar wrappers?  How about the Mario Fruit Snack wrappers?  The Sponge Bob golf ball?  How about the pencil labeled with a name?

And so this leads to my opening question... Which Mother Are YOU?  The type of mother who gives a chuckle and thinks to herself I guess the joke was on me while dotingly cleaning up her sons' bedroom?  Or are you the one with the fire under you butt thinking I can't wait until they get home from school so I can watch them clean up this pig stye!  (And what exactly is a pig "stye"??)  Perhaps some other thoughts come to your mind?

I won't tell you which mother I am.  Those of you that know me, know exactly how I'll handle this one.

My Science Experiment

This is a "Cutie".  Umm, errr, or I should say this WAS a "Cutie".  A Cutie is a small orange type citrus fruit.  I bought a whole bag of them.  I put them on display in a beautiful white ceramic bowl in our dining room.  When my children wanted a snack I gladly recommended a Cutie to them, thinking I was being such a good mom by giving them a wholesome treat.  Within minutes I heard "Gross!"  And then "Mom, the orange is white... and green... it's green and white!"  No one would touch it.  Did I mention I have all boys?  Uh huh, such manly and brave young things.   Geesh, it's not going to bite!  Is it??

High Flyin'

Today Mr. Ate was in Dubai.  He was up up up very high.  This was his view this morning. The highest building in the world, I believe.  The Burj Khalifa.  aka The Dubai Tower. Mr. Ate had to make a reservation to go up on the observation deck.  I'm sure he bought a t-shirt or other trinket to add to his collection.  And now Mr. Ate is on his way home.  Yay!  Merry Christmas!

Quilting....again!

WAAAAAYYY back in 1999 I took my first quilting class.  It was at a shop in St. Anthony Park, St. Paul-- of course I can't remember the name of it-- that is now closed.  It was a beginning quiliting class.  When I took that class I had no idea that that was the beginning of a lifelong hobby for me.  It was such a great class and the instructor was wonderful. 
I did not grow up in a home with a quilter.  In fact, no one in my family quilts.  I just thought quilts were beautiful, loved how the fabric felt after it was quilted, and wanted to experience it for myself.
It was a 9-block sampler that we hand-pieced.  I made it for my son who was born in October of that year.  I chose some bright fabrics, the theme was bugs.  Since then I've tried out many methods of piecing, methods of quilting and types of projects.  I've done applique with freezer paper and fusible web.  I've done paper piecing (that is FUN).  I've made hand bags, rag quilts, placemats, wall hangings, lap quilts, bed quilts. 
Quilting is addicting.
But then I had more babies.  Got divorced.  Got remarried.  Had another baby.
Time went by.  One year, and then another, and then another...
Last month I decided my fabric stash and UFO's had sat neglected long enough.  So I took another class.  This time a Binding Basics class at Silver Lane Quilting.  A refresher on binding.  And boy did I need a refresher. 
And it was good.
Finished a Christmas wall hanging.  Ahhhhh......

Thanksgiving 2010

This is a picture of our Thanksgiving table this year.  It's not "finished", but I had a spare moment so I figured I better take a picture while I can/have time.  It's now the-day-after-Thanksgiving and I'm perusing the internet, looking for some good deals.  Can't find much I'm interested in.  Baby is on my lap, trying to eat the power cord (don't worry, I'm removing from his reach as we speak!).  I'm reflecting on all that has happened this year and how blessed I am.  I just can't help to feel overwhelmed by how good God is.  And I can't help but remember the scripture that reads "You meant it for bad, God meant it for good".  It just speaks to me.  No matter what is going on in our lives, how bad we might think things are, or how people may offend us/sin against us-- how tragic things may seem-- God is GOOD!  All things good come from above.  And although we may not always know His reasons, we can trust that if we believe in Him, he will definitely take care of us.  I have to remind myself sometimes... this life is only a short stepping stone to the one after :)

November 13, 2010

Well, it's now undeniable. Uninevitable. Un....summer? Yes, here in the land of 10,000 lakes we can't escape from the white stuff. But... who would want to? At least, not yet. The first snow fall is so beautiful, so surreal. The way it sticks to the trees making them beautiful dark extensions outlined in white. And the kids... oh how the kids LOVE the first snowfall. They wake up early, run to the window and hollar, "Mom, mom! It's snowing out!" Their eyes light up and their smile is from cheek to cheek. I remind them they need to eat breakfast before going outside. Before you can blink an eye, the empty cereal bowl is going in the dishwasher and snow gear is flying left and right. Boots, hats, mittens, scarves, snowpants... all were ready a day or two before in anticipation of this glorious moment. It's probably the one and only time of the winter that I DON"T have to ask if they would shovel the sidewalk-- they just do it on their own because they are so excited.
The snow is still coming down... going to enjoy this while it lasts.