February Book List

I really got out of control this month with my book reading.  I'm reading 5 books at the same time.  And honestly, it's too much.  I'm jumping around so much that I've only finished one book as of this weekend.  I'm hoping to finish one more tonight.  I'll update this post with my list of books in the next day or so.

UPDATE:  Here is the list of books read in February.

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms; Dr. Laura Schlessinger.  This book gives good advice and has a lot of great resources in the appendix, but it has the tendency to run on and on.  She repeats herself many times and each chapter almost seems just like the last.

The Bondage Breaker; Neil T. Anderson.  This book is about overcoming negative thoughts, irrational feelings and habitual sins.  A great book for anyone wanting to grow in Christ and be a better Christian.

The Purpose Driven Life; Rick Warren.  This is a 40 day read and I'm on day 15.  A great book for all to read and DO.

Blue Book guide to preserving; by Ball.  Nice little book teaching you how to can and preserve fruits and vegetables.

Orange-Yogurt Muffins

I made these muffins today and they had really good flavor.  But to be honest I didn't like the consistency of the muffin, it was too spongy for me.  I don't know if it's because of the yogurt or I over mixed them.  Anyway, give them a try, like I said, great flavor. 

3 large oranges
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp water
5 tbsp unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup milk
Orange Glaze for drizzling

Preheat oven to 375-. Grease standard muffin pans to make 18 muffins.

Grate the zest from the oranges, you should have 1/4 cup of grated zest.

Combine the grated zest, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the water in a small saucepan.  Stir over medium heat for about 2 minutes, just until the sugar dissolves.  Add the butter and stir until melted, about 1 minute longer. Set aside.

In a bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and the remaining sugar.  Set aside.  In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, milk and reserved orange mixture until smooth.  Add the combined dry ingredients and stir just until blended.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin pans, filling each cup about 3/4 full.  Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 14-18 minutes.  Let cool in the pans for 3-5 minutes then remove.  Drizzle with glaze.

Orange Glaze
Mix together 1 cup confectioners sugar, 2 tbsp orange juice and 2 tsp orange zest.

So Sorry ......

I want to apologize to those of you who view my blog.  I promised new Italian recipes this week, but I haven't cooked once all week.  My entire household has been sick with some ferocious "cold".  Cooking has not been on my list of "to do's" this week.  We've been living on Campbell's soup and Marie Calendars pot pies.  I have every intention of getting back to the real world next week and will share my cooking experiances with you then. 

Family Inspiration - 24 FEB

A child's sense of security and well-being is primarily rooted in the stability of his home and family.

May God who gives patience, steadiness and encouragement help you to live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward the other.
Romans 15:5

I'll get him to love Italian food!!

My food inspiration for next week is Italian food.  Matt is not a fan of Italian food, meaning he doesn't like the usual pasta dishes.  I on the other hand love Italian food and I'm going to cook some items that are traditional Italian dishes that he is going to LOVE!  So, stay tuned next week for the recipes I'll be posting and I'll let you know Matt's reaction.

No New Recipes ......

I have to admit, I haven't tested any new recipes this last week.  I have so much in the freezer from the last month of cooking, that we've been eating all of that.  I have to say, it sure has been nice not having to cook.  I did however make some killer taco's last night with all the fixings.  I used left over pot roast and mixed it with a combo of ground turkey and beef .... oh so good!! 
I will get back on the ball next week with a new recipe and let you know how it goes.

Family Inspiration - 15 FEB

It's time to get back to some old-fashioned values, like commitment and sacrifice and responsibility and purity and love and the straight life.  Not only will our children benefit from our self-discipline and perseverance, but we adults will live in a less neurotic world too!

Kit together by strong ties of love.
Colossians 2:2

Choco Nutter Oaties

If you love a good cookie, and who doesn't, this is a good cookie. And my own recipe, baked up for Madalynn and her preschool class.

2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp dark molasses
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2-1/2 cups oatmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup crushed wheat cereal (like frosted mini wheat's)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter chips

Heat oven to 375*.
Mix together first 6 ingredients. 
In a small bowl whisk together flour, soda, baking powder and salt, add to mixture.  
Add in oatmeal and wheat cereal, then add in chips. 
Using a 1 oz. scoop drop onto cookie sheet.
Bake 8-9 minutes
Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Bierocks

So what is a bierock? Like the empanada, the calzone and the Hot Pocket, the bierock, simply put, is a filling encased in pastry. The bierock originated in Russia, known there as pirogi. It spread throughout eastern Europe, constant in form but changing in name. German settlers on the banks of the Volga adopted the pirogi, christened it “bierock” and brought it to the Great Plains in the 1870s.  And hence you have one of my easiest & favorite things to eat.

2 lbs. hamburger
1 c. onion, chopped
4 c. cabbage, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Frozen Dinner Roll Dough (follow instructions on package for rising & defrosting)

2 tbsp. melted butter

Cook hamburger, onion, cabbage, garlic, salt and pepper until browned. Roll out dough into large circles. Put 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of dough. Pinch closed. Bake until browned, approximately 20 minutes, at 375 degrees. Brush with melted butter while still hot. Makes 2 dozen Bierocks.

Family Inspiration - 6 FEB

For all the rough edges in a relationship and the faults which can never be eradicated, try to develop the best possible perspective and determine in your mind to accept reality exactly as it is.

My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.
1 John 3:18