Chicken Enchiladas
12 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in cooking, domestic arts, Uncategorized Tags: asparagus, enchiladas
We had rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and I took the leftovers off the bone and saved them for this recipe I found on Pinterest: http://joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-chicken-enchiladas.html
It was a big hit with both of us and I would happily add only two changes for you to try. I added some sliced, caramelized onions to the chicken/cheese mixture, but I would add more. I used a medium onion and I think a VERY large one would be better. Also, the recipe calls for one very small can of chopped green chilis and at least another half-can would be an improvement. Or maybe just a little bit of crushed red pepper flakes. I’m not one who likes things very spicy-hot, but even I think this recipe is on the bland side and my timid palate would like more heat. With those caveats, I give you the finished product.
We had the leftovers with oven-roasted, fresh, local asparagus tonight. What a fantastic combination! Oven roasting is my favorite preparation of asparagus–easy and amazingly good. I usually just use olive oil, kosher or sea salt, and fresh ground pepper before roasting, but I added some parmesan cheese tonight and…is there anything that isn’t improved upon by adding cheese? Just sayin’.
Have a great weekend!
Happy Birthday to me!
06 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in cooking, domestic arts Tags: cooking, kitchen accessories
My most wonderful birthday gift just got installed today and I’m so pleased I could bust! I’ve been wanting a pull-down cookbook holder for ages, so this year when my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday I was ready with an answer. I looked at many models online and most of them were wood-trimmed and expensive. I don’t have anything else with natural wood showing in my entire kitchen. All my cabinets are white and my accessories are either black, white, stainless or chrome. Then I found this clear acrylic one and it was considerably cheaper than most of the others, so that’s what we ordered. Hubby and I were very satisfied with the quality construction of it when it arrived.
It is nearly invisible when closed:
Isn’t that cool?
It just holds my larger cookbooks and my only teeny problem is that shadow on the top 1/3 of the page, but I think I can place a small light nearby that will fix that. My oven is 10″ to the right of the corner, which means I’m standing in that corner when I’m cooking. This upper cabinet is to the left of that corner and right at my left shoulder. Perfect.
Homemade laundry detergent revisited
06 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in domestic arts, homesteading Tags: frugal living, homemade laundry detergent
I promised a report after using the first batch of homemade detergent and I’m happy to report that it was a success. I got about 6 weeks out of that batch and I’m quite pleased with that for the cost, which was considerabley less than the equivalent in commercial detergent. I never saw any excess sudsing, which was important to me with my h.e. washer. I still use my Oxyclean when I’m doing lights or whites, only use chlorine bleach about once a month on my whites, and pre-treat stains, if necessary. I didn’t see any difference in the results of how clean things came out.
I did begin using white vinegar in my rinse dispenser and I’m pleased with that, too. I haven’t used any fabric softeners for many years because of skin sensitivities and the oily residue it leaves on the fibers. I use rubber dryer balls when I use the dryer, but it’s even better with the vinegar and terribly cheap.
So don’t be afraid to go for the recipe and it works safely with the h.e. washers!
Happy garden stuff
06 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in gardening/nature Tags: flowers, gardening, nature, spring
I am a very lazy gardener and, therefore, it makes me extremely happy when things bloom yearly with little or NO effort on my part. So I am enjoying these things this week:
I am so grateful for the nature of our earth which brings us beauty, season after season and year after year.
Wisteria
22 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in domestic arts, gardening/nature Tags: gardening, nature, wisteria
Last weekend I took some great photos of the wisteria I have grown from seed. Keep in mind that I started these plants only 3.5 years ago in a pot–several pots, actually, but only 3 did well before being placed outside. The first summer in the ground, they grew round and round, up the arched trellis (only two seedlings survived) and had lots of foliage, but no flowers, which is normal. The next summer, they had maybe a half-dozen blooms. Last summer they had dozens of them and put out many, many pods (I saved some seeds and gave them to my sis-in-law to start her own.) Here we are in the 4th spring and it looks like THIS:
Apparently, my seeds were from a “parent” plant, because wisteria doesn’t usually bloom like this for a number of years; in some cases, as much as 10! Parent plants do bloom early and prolifically, so I guess I was lucky to get one of those! I would like to say that these seeds came from J.L. Hudson, so if you do business with them, you will be happy. They are a “seed saver” company and the seeds are truly economical; in fact, the wisteria seeds were freebies that came with my order for Job’s Tears seeds. 
Some organization, finally!
01 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment
in domestic arts Tags: organization, spice racks
My spice cabinet was totally stuffed full and with so little organization that I wound up buying duplicates because I couldn’t find what was in there. The same cabinet is also shared with vinegars and all sorts of baking supplies, like powdered cocoa, baking powder and baking soda. I try for order, putting like products together and tried to alphabetize the spices, but there are too many, and I can’t see the ones that are behind, three or four deep. So I found a wonderful spice rack online at Organize. com. It came this week and is now proudly attached to a nearby wall.
I actually bought two of them and placed them one above the other. I’ve filled them up already, alphabetically, and here it is:
My cabinet is still full! I kept the smaller bottles in the cabinet because they are on a stand that has levels and I can find the ones behind easily, so it’s fine. Since the racks didn’t hold ALL of my larger bottles, I put the duplicates in the cabinet and a few oddly shaped ones that I rarely use. The rest of the cabinet still holds the baking supplies and vinegars, as before, but it’s much easier to find things now.
This was an early birthday present, and my next one is going to be a much-needed, pull-down cookbook holder. It will be placed right where I can see it while I’m working on a recipe at the stove. I can’t wait!
Chicken and Dumpling Chowder
31 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in cooking, domestic arts Tags: chicken soup, homemade soup
I decided that, since I invented this soup, I could name it whatever I wanted and this seems to be a very accurate name. I did something I rarely do when it comes to cooking–I winged it! I knew what I wanted it to be and I used the experience I have in the kitchen to come up with something on my own. I didn’t even think I had it in me to do that, but I did and we were both more than satisfied with the result. I always use other people’s recipes so this is really a first for me. And here it is:
I had leftover rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, boxes of store-bought chicken stock, frozen corn and frozen store-bought dumplings. I made a roux first, since I like the slightly thickened soup one gets from homemade dumplings added to chicken stock. I knew it wasn’t going to happen with the frozen dumplings, so I made the roux before I added the stock. I used 4 tbs. each of butter and flour, whisking while heating it for just a couple of minutes. Careful not to burn this!
Then I gradually added the stock, continuing to stir to prevent lumps. I used a very large box and a smaller box of low sodium chicken stock, which added up to about 9 cups, give or take a little. Then I seasoned it generously with Poultry Seasoning and some extra Thyme, just because I like it. I kind of eyeballed this (like Rachel Ray!), but I’m guessing a heaping tbs of the poultry seasoning and maybe another tsp of the thyme. Adjust this for your own taste or use your own favorite combinations of herbs that you like with your chicken. I did NOT add salt or pepper, as I didn’t feel it was needed. Here’s why: the chicken is loaded with both when they inject it at the store, so that’s going to be already in there. Honestly, I thought it tasted fine even before I added the chicken.
When this seasoned stock was boiling, I added 2-3 cups of frozen corn. Feel free to add whatever frozen or leftover veggies you prefer. I only cooked that for a few minutes and then started gradually adding Anne’s frozen dumplings, about 20 or so I’m guessing, but it could probably do with less than that. I cooked that mixture for 10 minutes and then added in the leftover chicken, cut up in small chunks. It only needs to heat until the chicken is hot again, so I left this to simmer with a cover on it while my rolls baked. By then the flavors were blended and this was a totally excellent soup.
This all took less than an hour, because Jim had taken the chicken off the carcass ahead of time for me. There was no chopping or long-term stewing for this soup and I would call it “semi-homemade” but no one will care when they eat it!
Another homemade……this time dishwasher detergent.
31 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in domestic arts, homesteading Tags: homemade cleaning products, homemade dishwasher detergent
I’ve been pleased, so far, with my homemade laundry detergent and figured the next thing to try was the dishwasher detergent. Used the recipe from http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/2011/05/hard-water-stains-dishwasher-detergent.html that I had found through Pinterest. So far it’s working really well. I did follow the advice to use the Lemishine first in the washer with no dishes to get it clean. I also am using white vinegar in my rinse dispenser. My dishes are as clean as I ever remember, but time will tell if is going to continue. I think as long as the white vinegar is in there, it’s going to be really successful.
There are a lot of comments in the link for the recipe about clumping of the mixture. The suggestion for stirring it often for the first 24 hours is helpful, but I found that it took several days (3-4) of doing so before it stopped continuing to clump. I have lots of very small clumps, but as long as it dissolves well in the washer (and it does!) then I can deal with it. I waited till it was completely finished clumping to put it in a container (I had it sitting out in an open bowl, but if you have children or pets that might be curious, PLEASE DON’T DO THAT!) Since mine was going to be stored under the sink, it didn’t have to be pretty, so I used an empty Oxyclean container and it was the perfect size. It is airtight, so nothing is going to leak and moisture shouldn’t get in.
If you’re on the fence about trying some of the homemade cleaners, this one is a success, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot. If you’re having any trouble finding the Lemishine in your local stores, Wal-Mart’s site said they have it, but I was in Target that day and found it there, even though their website didn’t find it. So check whatever store you’re in. I had no luck with my local grocery store (Food Lion.) You can use regular citric acid or Fruit Fresh (sold where canning supplies are) but I found the Lemishine to be cheaper by volume. I think I paid $3.69 for it at Target.
Homemade laundry detergent trial
17 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in domestic arts, Uncategorized Tags: DIY laundry detergent
Recipes for DIY laundry soap abound on the internet and most of them are similar to this one. Originally it called for adding water, using a 5 gallon bucket and having it turn into a gel-type soap overnight. I don’t have room or the desire for a 5 gal bucket in my utility room and didn’t want the added mess, so I stopped at the powdered version and it came out like this:
You only need 2 tablespoons for a normal load; less for smaller or lightly soiled and more for larger or heavily soiled loads. This should last us awhile, because there are only two of us here and we don’t get grass stains, motor oil and such on our clothes.
The basic recipe I used is thus: one bar of Fels Naptha soap, 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda. I found the Fels and the Washing Soda at Ace Hardware, and the Borax in the grocery store. It is said that you can substitute Zote or Ivory for the Fels, but let me say this as a disclaimer: This is being touted as safe for high efficiency washers, due to its low sudsing. I know nothing about Zote, but Ivory soap is likely to make more suds and might negate the safety for h.e. washers. I’m not going to risk it as long as I can find the Fels.
The process for mixing goes thus: Grate up the Fels soap. I used my food processor grater attachment and that worked fine, but if you don’t have one, you can do it by hand. It is hard work and takes longer, but it will work. Then mix in the other two ingredients with the soap in your blender, blending till everything looks equally incorporated and is a powder. Use pulsing so that you don’t overdo this. It could be tiring for your motor. Pour into a storage container. That’s it! Done!
Also, be sure you get Arm and Hammer WASHING soda, not BAKING soda. It is in the aisle with detergents and cleaners, not in the baking aisle. It has a different alkalinity level and it is what you absolutely NEED. Don’t substitute here. I have heard some say that they added Oxyclean to their recipe, but I don’t know the proportion. I’d rather just add that when I need it. I don’t need it for lightly soiled or dark clothes, so why spend the money?
I wash my darks in cold water, my lights in warm and only use hot water once a week for my white towels, face cloths, dish cloths and cloth “paper towels” and hubby’s white underwear. I use bleach only occasionally and not during times when I can hang my whites outside. The sun is a great, natural bleacher. I will report back when I’ve finished up my first batch of this and let everyone know how it worked.
Sausage and peppers and mushrooms, oh my…
17 Mar 2012 Leave a Comment
in cooking, domestic arts, Uncategorized Tags: food, pasta, sausage
One night a few weeks ago we had this wonderful dish thanks to a posting by one of my favorite bloggers, Anneliese, of Aesthetic Nest. I’m going to include a photo of my own, but for better pictures and the complete recipe check that out at http://www.aestheticnest.com/2012/02/cooking-fettuccine-with-sausage.html#more
The results were great, but I did have a problem finding the type of sausage she called for and then had trouble removing the sausage from the casings. I’ve seen this done on t.v. and they sure make it look easy, but my casings just broke into bits and I’d still be working on that if I hadn’t given up and done something different. I sliced the sausage into pieces and sautéed them up, which worked out fine. If anyone has a tip on removing these from the casings, please let me know. Wish I could just find bulk sausage of the Italian type and then it wouldn’t be an issue.
So here’s my finished dish
We have enough leftovers to feed an army, so we’ll be eating it again one night and maybe sharing some. Like nearly all of the “pasta and other stuff” recipes that I’ve tried, I think this one has way more pasta than needed. If I make it again, I’ll cut it in half or maybe reduce by a third. We like the other flavors and textures so much and less pasta would make it healthier, since we are not using whole wheat pasta. I’ve tried whole grain pastas and I just don’t care for the taste or the crumbly texture.
I’d call this recipe a great success!
