Monday, January 26, 2015

Date Molasses Bran Muffins



These Muffins are so delicious
and healthy, adding fiber to your diet.
Your kitchen will smell so nice while they are baking

Preheat oven to 400 deg. F.

Makes about 15 muffins.


In a large bowl, whisk together
1 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt




Fold in the rind of 1 orange
and 1/2 cup chopped dates,
(I used scissors to cut up dates.)
set aside.






In another bowl add
1 1/4 All-Bran cereal
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup orange juice
Stir together and let stand for 3 minutes.























After 3 minutes,
 add to the Bran cereal mixture
1 eggs
3 tbsp vegetable oil
and 1/2 cup molasses.

Add both bowls together,
the flour mixture and the Bran mixture. 

Fill Muffin Tins
I used large muffin papers for the first time.
love them...


Bake 400deg. for 18-20 mins.


    Insert a toothpick in the centre of the muffin, 
if it comes out clean, it's done.



 tip:

The secret of good muffins is to stir the batter until the flour is just dampened.
The batter should be lumpy. 
Over mixing causes tunnels and a tough texture.
Perfect muffins are light and tender with rough shiny golden crusts.

Enjoy!
Thanks for visiting my blog xo


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Mini Maple Sugar Cones


In Eastern Canada, and especially here in Québec, 
Spring time means maple sugar time.
It's a time to taste all the pleasures
of our Maple Sugar Products.

Today I made these sweet little cones
.A delightful tasting little treat.


Also great to make around Christmas or New Years
while spending time with grandkids.

And a nice idea for Children's Birthday Party








Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb butter
  • 3 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk 300ml.
  • 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • About 60 mini cones 


In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
After butter is all melted, add the maple syrup.



Add sweetened condensed milk and brown sugar






Cook on medium heat for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
(Stay with the pot stirring, to prevent burning)






Remove from heat and
add marshmallows and mix until 
they are completed melted and blended.







Fill mini cones, be careful, it is HOT
I use a small ladle or a tablespoon to fill them.
A small measuring cup can be used also.

Place on a cookie sheet and refrigerate to cool.



 Garnish before they harden (optional)
I garnished some with nuts, coconut, 
candy sprinkles, white chocolate chips
 and chocolate chips. ~






I also made these with the pointed cone bottom.
click here to view how my grandkids
and I came up with a plan to keep them upright.



A popular recipe this time of year here in Quebec,
 Poudin Aux Chômeurs or Poor-Mans Pudding.
To view my recipe, click here.


For a tasty dessert, try my





Thanks for your visit xo

💛💛💛


Saturday, January 17, 2015

Blueberry Molasses Bran Muffins

Add fiber to your diet with
 these healthy nutritious muffins 

This recipe makes 1 dozen large muffins




Preheat Oven to 400deg.F



Mix together  1 1/4 cups all-bran cereal, 
1/2 cup skim milk, 
1/2 cup orange juice
Stir together and let stand 3 minutes to soften.



In another bowl put 1 cup white flour, 
1/2 cup whole wheat flour, 
2 tsp baking powder,  
1/4 tsp baking soda,  
1/4 tsp salt.
Whisk all the above together...
Fold in 1 cup of blueberries and set aside.
I use frozen wild blueberries.



In smaller bowl or large measuring cup,
 mix together  2 eggs
3 tbsp vegetable oil,
 1/2 cup molasses
Add this mixture to the 
softened all-bran mixture,
then add all to the flour mixture.



Fill muffin tins
Bake 400deg. for 20-25 mins.








Another batch in larger papers.




E💛💛












tip: (from my favourite old cookbook. 
Five Roses Flour)
The secret of good muffins is to 
stir the batter until the flour is just dampened.
The batter should be lumpy. 
Over mixing causes tunnels and a tough texture.
Perfect muffins are light and 
tender with rough shiny golden crusts.


Thanks for your visit xo💛💛💛






Monday, January 12, 2015

Beef Stew with Parsley Dumplings

Warm up to Winter 
with a bowl of this hearty homemade stew.







Ingredients
2 lbs. stewing beef
1 large onion
2 celery stocks
2 garlic cloves
4 mushrooms
homemade beef stock or
1 box beef broth  900ml ~ low salt
2 tblsp. beef bovril (optional)
1/2 tsp. savory
2 tblsp.. parsley 

4 carrots 
2 parsnips
1 medium turnip
4 potatoes

  
Directions:
Mix beef cubes in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of flour.





Chop up onion, celery, garlic and mushrooms.
Add beef, onion, celery, garlic and
mushrooms to pot with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. 
In your stew pot, fry all together, 
in vegetable oil,  about 10 mins.,
turning the beef to get it browned.

Pour in beef broth, bovril, savory & parsley
cover and cook on low for about 1 hr. to
1 1/2 hrs. This will tenderize the meat. 

Add in the carrots, parsnips and
turnips cook another 15 mins.

Add in the potatoes and cook another 
15 mins.(string beans can also be added)
(optional) add in a can of tomato juice.





Parsley Dumplings
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking
1 tablespoons parsley
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk
powder

Whisk together flour, baking powder, and parsley
Cut in butter into the flour mixture. 
Stir in milk to make a soft dough
Drop by spoonful into boiling stew




Cover and simmer 15 mins. without lifting the lid.




Enjoy this delicious Stew, even 
better reheated the next day.
Served with baby beets.







I grow and harvest my Parsley each year. 

For easy how to tips click  here



Thanks for your visit. xo

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Rich Raisin Bread in a Bread Machine.

Nothing smells better than the rich aroma 
of Homemade Raisin Bread in the Kitchen.
This easy delicious bread is made in a Bread Machine


Ingredients:

2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter at room temperature
             cut in 1/2" pieces
2 Large Eggs at room temperature
1 tsp salt
3 tablespoons Sugar + 2 tsp.Sugar
3 3/4 Flour
2/3 cup Raisins
2 1/4 tsp. Yeast, active dry, instant or bread machine

Directions:

Place Milk, Butter, Eggs, Salt,  Sugar, Flour and Yeast, in the order listed, in the bread pan fitted with the kneading paddle.
Place the bread pan in the Bread Maker.


All ingredients are in
Yeast on top


Press Menu and select Sweet Breads.
Press Crust and select Medium (or to taste)
Press Loaf and select dough size. (The one I made is Large)
Press Start to Mix.Knead, Rise and Bake.
When Mix-in's tone sounds, add Raisins
If desired, when pause tone sounds, remove dough and paddle.
Shape dough into a ball and replace in bread pan.
Press Start to continue.
When cycle is complete, remove bread from machine and transfer to wire rack to cool.
Bread slices best when allowed to cool.





A Beautiful Loaf




Thanks for your visit.






Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce

~•´¯`>>✿Classic Homemade Meat Sauce✿<<´¯`•~
Serves 8-10 people
Ingredients:
2 tblsp Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
Some Ingredients
1 Onion Chopped
2 Celery Stock Chopped
3/4 cup Chopped Mushrooms
2 tblsp Chopped Parsley
1 Green Pepper Chopped                                                        
 1 lb Ground Beef- (I use extra lean)
1/2 lb Ground Pork

1 28oz. can Tomatoes
1 213ml (7.5 oz.)Tomato Sauce
1 5.5 oz. Tomato Paste

Chopped Chillies
1 tablespoon. salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne
1.5 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper 
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon crushed chillies

16 oz. Spaghetti


Spaghetti
Directions:
Fry vegetables in oil until onion is golden.

Add beef and pork and cook until lightly browned.

Add remaining ingredients and simmer 2 hours.

Cook spaghetti according to package directions.

Pour sauce over Spaghetti and sprinkle with grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional)

If more liquid is needed, add water


Serve with Garlic Bread

The recipe comes from an old Five Roses Cookbook.