Sunday Morning Blueberry Pancakes

Good Morning Boys and Girls!

There is nothing better on Sunday morning than blueberry pancakes. OK, bagels and lox would be nice too...and maybe a latte on the patio...But! I have fresh organic blueberries and a really good recipe.

I only use King Arthur flour.www.kingarthurflour.com What I like about this recipe is that is calls for both white and whole wheat flour. So, a little white flour is ok on Sunday morning!

Start out with this recipe I have been using for 40 years. I do not have the source of its origin.

Jackson Lake Lodge Blueberry Pancakes
Makes about 20 pancakes

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 tsps baking powder
1 TBLS sugar
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cups milk
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/8 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup drained blueberries
Blueberries and powered sugar to garnish

Combine flours, baking powder, sugar, salt and cinnamon in large bowl and mix well. Stir in milk, egg, oil, lemon juice and vanilla; do not overmix. Gently fold in blueberries.

Preheat griddle to 400 degrees; grease lightly. Stir through batter several times. Using about 1/4 cup batter for each, cook pancakes until done, turning once, about 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with blueberries, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

I heated griddle just to the smoking point.

I like my pancakes a little brown and crisp. I doubled the recipe so Roberto can pop them in the microwave when he wants.

Now, you compare these to any fast food or sit down restaurant pancakes! No comparison. Listen...this took me all of 30 minutes and I have left overs!

The syrup is Blueberry Syrup from Maine. I found it at TJMaxx...what a place! http://www.tjmaxx.com/

It is called Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Syrup. You can find this also at www.stonewallkitchen.com This would also be excellent over ice cream.

So, next Sunday whip up a batch of blueberry pancakes! Make it a family affair. You will have so much fun. That is the point of family meals together....FUN!!

Until next time...Call your mother and then go to the church of your choice...even if it is your own backyard.

Keeping You on Your Toes!

Hi Boys and Girls!
I had to post this wonderful, mouth-watering e-mail from Gourmage of New Braunfels. Beer ice cream? Read this and see what I mean!
Until next time...only drink the best wine you can afford. If you can't afford good wine, drink water.

July 18, 2011

Dear Friends,  Well, hello!  It's been a little while since you've heard from us... and as you might guess, we've got all sorts of good things going on.  Never predictable, we always have something going on that keeps us on our toes! And we want to keep you on your toes too... so this week for Tasting Tuesday we're featuring Balarina Aged Goat Gouda.  New to Gourmage, toffee-colored Balarina Goat Gouda comes to us from the Netherlands. Aged one year, the cheese has time to develop a crystalline cr unch and a rich, caramel sweetness that is delicious served with fruit or meat. (We sometimes describe the flavor as being a goat-milk Parmesan.) Balarina sidles up nicely to a Zinfandel, Riesling, Merlot, or Belgian Ale, such as Chimay.  It is devine.  We'll decide tomorrow which beverage we're going to use as the pairing, but I suspect it will be a red wine! And speaking of beverages, we are now making small batches of ice cream -- thanks to our friends at the Faust who brought us some of their newly-brewed Stout beer.  Chef Linsey whipped up some Chocolate Stout ice cream, and now we just can't stop.  After the Stout ice cream came Coconut Saffron and then Butterbeer (in homage to the last Harry Potter film).  Today's flavor is Cardamom Rose.  Tomorrow we'll have two flavors -- Pink Peppercorn and Goat Cheese.  The Pink Peppercorn has a big flavor and a tiny bit of heat, and the Goat Cheese tastes like cheesecake ice cream.  Yum. We were going to top the Goat Cheese ice cream with strawberries mascerated in 6-year balsamic vinegar, but the ice cream is so darn good that we're going to let it stand on its own.  In other fruit news, we are now making our own pickled cherries.  They are sweet and hot, and excellent with cheese and on a snack plate, so definitely come by and give them a try.  We're guessing you'll want to take some home!  We liked them so well that we also whipped up a batch of Spiced Peaches today -- from lovely Frederickburg peaches that we picked up at the NB Farmer's Market on Saturday.  We just made a small amount, and they'll go in the case tomorrow.  They are begging to be poured over vanilla ice cream or pound cake! Speaking of the NB Farmer's Market... did you know that you can vote for our market to be the Number One market in the U.S.?  Here's the link if you'd like to log on and vote.   I urge you to take a minute and vote  -- it would be a great way to help establish downtown New Braunfels as a great food destination. Humbolt Fog In general cheese news, we have a few favorites back in the case.  We now have Humbolt Fog (goat), Lemon Zest Stilton (cow) and both Ardi Gasna and P'tit Basque (sheep).  In non-cheese news, we're selling our chicken salad by the pound and 1/2-pound. Lots of customers are finding it to be a nice, easy supper on these 100+ degree days.  So that's it for this week.  We hope to see you tomorrow, and as always, thanks for coming by and sharing our passion for good food and drink.

Fellow Foodies, Stephanie Richardson and Amanda, Jen, Linsey and Megan For more immediate updates from Gourmage, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Lavender is Not Just For Eye Pillows!

Hi Boys and Girls!

I hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! Did you partake in the bubbly? Beer? Wine? Heaven forbid...soft drink?? Well, if you are of age, you are in for a treat. Tequila is not just for shots and lavender is not just for eye pillows!

I made lavender margaritas. Many of you know that I am a tequila snob and only buy the best. I sip straight tequila with fresh lime juice, ice, and a bit of salt. I caved when I read this recipe for lavender margaritas. Don't be scared off by the "work" it takes to make these. Keep the shot glass handy and full and you will have these made in no time!

Start with The Lavender Cookbook by Sharon Shipley. http://www.amazon.com/Lavender-Cookbook-Sharon-Shipley/dp/0762418303/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309832208&sr=1-1

Even if you don't cook anything in this book, you will love looking at it! Honestly, I have not cooked one recipe that was not delicious!

Lavender Margaritas

Makes 10 to 12 Servings

Lavender Sweet and Sour Mix (recipe below)

1 1/4 cups tequila (not cheap and not most expensive)

3/4 cup orange liqueur

1 lime

1/2 cup Lavender Salt Dry Rub (recipe below)

Prepare the sweet and sour mix.

In a large pitcher, combine the mix, tequila, and liqueur. Add ice.

Cut the lime into wedges and use to rub the rims of margarita glasses.

Dip into the lavender salt. Fill with the tequila mixture.

Lavender Swee and Sour Mix

3 cups sugar

2 cups water

1 TBLS dried culinary 'Provence' lavender buds (available at health food store)

2 cups fresh lime juice

2 cups fresh lemon juice

Note: Packaged bag of limes and lemons makes almost 2 cups.

In a medium saucepan, mix the sugar, water, and lavender. Bring to a boil over high heat and stir to dissole the sugar. Cover, remove from the heat, and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain into a pitcher or large jar. Add the lime juice and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until cold.

Lavender Salt Dry Rub

1 TBLS culinary 'Provence' lavender buds

1/2 cup coarse sea salt

In a spice grinder, pulse the lavender until finely ground. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with the salt.

Note: Store unused rub in a jar. Keeps for 3 months.

I am telling you...this is a good margarita!

Until next time, kiss the cook!

Christmas in July?

Hi Boys and Girls!

Is it too early to start Christmas presents? I think not! If you have even two things going on at the same time (and who doesn't?) you will be wise to start gift-making projects.

Do you like Moda fabric? http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/modahome Moda is one of many fabric manufacturers that produces quality fabric and irrisistible choices. Moda makes what is called "charm packs." There are 42 5-inch squares in each charm pack. They are precision cut and the edges are pinked to prevent fraying. Moda also makes Layer Cakes (10") and Jelly Rolls ) 2 1/2"). Most of the time you can purchase fabric yardage that matches. However, there are books published devoted to projects using these smaller cuts of fabric. Layer Cake, Jelly Roll & Charm Quilts amazon.com has "recipes" (directions) for using these smaller cuts of fabric.

Green Fairy Quilts has a large selection of Moda charm packs at reduced prices.
http://greenfairyquilts.com/catalog.php?category=49 I am going to stock up! There are lots of cute projects at www.modabakeshop.com

The charm pack I am using for my Christmas project is called Nature's Gift.

The pattern I am using is called "Disappearing 4-Patch or the 4 to 9-Patch. Directions will appear in this post. This starts out as a 4-patch block. Use 1/4" seam allowances. Very important.
This pattern is for the beginner quilter or someone like me who is lazy and/or rushed for time!

The charm packs come with an assortment of all the fabrics in the entire line. For instance, Nature's Gift has 42 squares with repeats of the entire line. For this pattern to really be dramatic it is best to use only lights and darks. I am not that picky about that for the Christmas quilt will still be lovely. It is meant to be used a lot and will be washed a lot. So, the dramatic look takes a back seat. But, if you are going to use this pattern and want to use Charm Packs, buy a charm pack with only lights so you can mix them up.

The Disappearing 4-Patch or 4 to 9-Patch starts with a 4-patch block with good contrast in colors or shades and tones. The picture below was made with 5 inch squares and it will finish to a 8.5 block from raw edge to raw edge if accurate scant 1/4 inch seams are used. I am using my quarter inch foot on the Bernina. I can move my needle over if I want a scant 1/4" seam. http://www.berninausa.com/

Next, make 4 cuts without moving the block or the cut pieces. Use a small mat so you can turn the block without disturing it. Using the center seams as the reference point, measure out 1 inch and make a cut; then make a cut on the other side of the seam. Rotate and repeat measuring 1 inch from the center seam for each cut.

Next, rotate only the center outside sections 180 degrees. This will be more obvious  when using two contrasting colors. You do not want same colors next to each other.

Sew the sections together to complete the block.

You can see that this is a little busy compared to using contrasting light and dark. However, I think it will work.

My main objective was to reduce the amount of cutting I had to do. If this is not a problem for you, use yardage. You can choose your lights and darks and have a more dramatic block.

 If you use a 7" square of fabric, make your cut at the center 2".

This pattern would look terrific done up in pastels for a baby quilt. So, what do you think? Check out some of these sites. Go to You Tube for video demonstrations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjZOXxPazg

Or just type in disappearing nine patch and see all the videos demonstrating this easy block.

Have fun! Remember to let me know how you like this block and PLEASE send pictures!

Until next time, kiss your kitty and hug your dog. They love you so!

Life Sure Does Get in the Way....

Hi Boys and Girls!

Boy! I cannot believe I have been away so long! I am sure you all, I mean, y'all missed me! You will be pleased to know I am still alive and kicking...mostly kicking! Besides my commitments to Master Gardeners, quilt guild, adorable husband, even more adorable daughter, I have finally committed to building a new quilting studio. So, as this progresses, I will post pictures. As of today, the old one is no more and my supplies are now in the garage covered with drop cloths! So, if I want to work on something I have to try and remember where I put it in the garage!

Anyway, I had to share my new recipe with you. I discovered this absolutely delicious tomatillo sauce at Costco costco.com I wish you could buy this online but you cannot. It is in the refrigerated section.

It looks like this. Really cute name. Anyway. this is what I did with it. BTW, this would be good for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I had leftover flank steak that was shredded for tacos, but you could use leftover chicken, salmon or pork.

• Spray your pan with Pam or other nonstick pan. I personally use cast iron skillets. You know the reason. No toxins and the iron is good for you. Anyway, let's get on with the recipe.
•  Break up 1-2 corn torillas in the pan. (OK, I will leave you alone about choosing corn tortillas GMO free. Happy now?)
• Stir the corn tortillas until a bit brown.
• Add the meat.
• Pour the tomatillo sauce over the tortillas and meat.
• Cook on low until warmed.
• Break 1 or 2 farm-fresh eggs on top of this mixture. Add salt and pepper.
• Turn heat down to low and cover pan.
• Cook to your desired "doneness" of eggs. I like sunny side up...
• Enjoy!

• Yes, I added 3 eggs!
• 
  
  Doesn't this look good? If it does not look good to you it is because you see my foot in the picture! Please give this recipe a try. I had lots of meat lefover so I made enchiladas.
• 
  
  
  Maybe this picture will convince you!
• Until next time, call a friend or family member that you have not talked to for a while. Just say, "I missed hearing your voice." You will make their day!
   

Quick Version Chicken Noodle Soup

Hi Boys and Girls!

Yes, it is cold here again. So, out comes the soup pot for chicken noodle soup. This is a quick version. I did not have time to put chicken pieces in the pressure cooker. That is when  you get the really good chicken stock. I belive I posted that version at one time. So, this quickie version just uses chicken broth and chicken breasts.

Even though this recipe is scaled down, don't skimp on the veggies. I still use organic celery and organic carrots. You cannot believe the difference in your soups.

Here are the ingredients:

Central Market Organic chicken broth is not my favorite. As you know, I prefer Pacific Organic chicken broth. http://www.pacificfoods.com/our-foods/broths/organic-ls-chicken-broth But, I have not been to Costco in a while so I was forced to use what you see pictured.

See the celery? Organic is preferred but if you don't have that, be sure to use the heart of the celery. This adds the most flavor to soup. I am giving away my life-long secret to fabulous soups! My mother taught me this trick.

Reames Egg Noodles taste just like home-made! This link even has a coupon. You will be buying these noodles by the case and keeping them in your freezer. They are addicting. I bought mine at Albertson's but even the Wal-Mart in Lexington, VA had them. So maybe Wal-Mart here does too.

http://www.marzetti.com/products/reames/product.php?bc=22&cid=7

Other ingredients are parsley (add last), onion, salt and pepper to taste and chicken breasts.

Start the broth simmering. Use about 3 boxes. Chop the onions, carrots and celery.

Next, cup up the chicken breasts. Note: It is so much easier if your chicken knife is sharp.

Don't worry about any pieces falling to the floor. If you have a pet, like Angie my kitty, it will be picked up and eaten really fast! 

Here is the cut-up chicken. Cut all the fat off the chicken breasts.

Cut the chicken up into chunks. If it is cut too small, the chicken will get tough during the cooking process.

Add the chicken to the pot and simmer for about 30-40 minutes.

When the carrots are starting to get soft, drop in the noodles, chopped parsley, salt and pepper and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes.

Here is your finished soup in less than one hour.

You can do this for dinner tonight for dinner! Granted the soup will taste better tomorrow but hey, tonight you can have a nice hot bowl of chicken soup.

Reminder: If you use a wooden cutting board like I do be sure to wash it with hot soap and water. Wash the knife too.

Have fun and remember to kiss the cook!

Big Cup of Chai Tea Latte

Hi Boys and Girls!
Is it cold where you are? It sure is here and will be Sunday and rest of the week. So, while watching football (unfortunately, the Saints lost) I decided to make a chai tea latte.

If you like chai tea you have probably become addicted to Starbucks chai tea latte. It cannot be helped!
starbucks.com In fact, they are having a special until the January 10, as you will see on the link. If you are watching your calories and your pennies, you have probably limited your visits to Starbucks. I know I have.

So, I have come up with a fair tasting Chai Tea Latte ala Gardenquiltlady.

Here are some of the items you will need.

You will also need honey or raw sugar.

Start with really good chai tea. My most favorite, and I have mentioned it before, is Zhi tea. http://zhitea.com/ They have a very robust chai tea that is almost addicting. http://www.zhitea.com/black-tea/cacao-chai.html You will notice that it is low in calories but high in flavor. It is very hard to stay away from this chai tea! When you search this site you will find a recipe for Chai Tea Latte. I like to think mine is easier but I am willing to give their recipe a try.

Next, you need milk whether it be whole, soy or my preference, Almond Breeze Almond Milk. http://www.almondbreeze.com/ They have recipes for warm drinks and smoothies and also have nutritional contents. This is a great alternative to dairy milk if you are lactose intolerant and it is lower in calories.

Unless you have an espresso machine that can foam milk, you need a battery-powered milk frother. I found one for .99 or $1.99 at Ikea. I cannot remember the price but I wish I had bought more! It takes two batteries and as you will see, it really foams the milk (in my case the almond milk). You can also find one on Amazon. It has a brand name but looks exactly like the one I have.

I have even used a Mexican molinillo.

Of course, this takes more time to froth milk than a battery-powered frother but if you have friends over you will really impress them with your skills!

Use a good size coffee mug. The one I like using is from Fiesta Ware. It is large, heavy and oh, so pretty. The one in the picture above is eggplant color. Any good size mug will do but if you worry about lead content, use Made in USA product.

OK, boil about 2 cups filtered water. Place about 4-5 teaspoons of chai tea in the water and let steep for 10 minutes. In the meantime, heat 2 cups of milk in the microwave or on the stove. Strain the tea into your mug and fill mug only half full with tea. Fill to almost the top with the warm milk. Add 1 tablespoon honey or raw sugar. Stir. Froth the remaining milk. Spoon the milk on top of your tea. You should have enough for two full size mugs of chai tea.

Here is my finished product.

Now, I hope you are not thinking this is too much trouble...you are, right? OK, you can buy a chai tea latte concentrate on Amazon also.

This is pretty close to what Starbucks uses. However, it is not economical nor low in calories. If you make your chai tea yourself, you will save lots of money and appreciate the art of making tea.

So, my wish for you is to give this a try. It is most fun and a real treat. Oh, and if you get to Ikea, buy half a dozen of the battery powered milk frothers. You can make a super nice gift basket with all the ingredients shown here.  Hey, Valentine's Day is coming up really fast! A gift of all the ingredients for making Chai Tea Latte will really be speacial. What a great idea! You're welcome!

Until next time...spoil yourself...and kiss the cook!