Flavored Milk Kefir

I've been making my own kefir the last few weeks. Then adding some fruit and sweetener to flavor.

To every cup of kefir I add a handful of frozen fruit and 1/2-1 teaspoon of sweetener-honey, sugar. Stevia does not need as much. Sometimes for more intense flavor I add a spoon of frozen 100% fruit juice concentrate.

Blend.

Delish.

Automatic Dishwasher Cleaning

Amy over at Homestead Revival has a great post detailing how to clean your Automatic Dishwasher.

It makes a great difference in how clean your dishes will become if your machine is clogged with gunk.

Try it, I think you will be surprised at the difference it makes!

Real Food Learning-GNOWFGLINS

I've been learning all kinds of interesting information over at GNOWFGLINS from Wardee.To join in follow my link If five friends sign-up, I'll receive a free video!

Grain Mills

I've been enjoying the podcasts and information on GNOWFGLINS.com

Last week's podcast was about grain mills. Very informative if you are considering one for your home.

http://gnowfglins.com/2013/02/21/kyf-022-grain-mills-with-vickilynn-haycraft/

Snickerdoodles

A classic home-made cookie. The original recipe came from a very dear friend…Nancy. I've teaked it a bit to all butter and sometimes use part whole-wheat pastry flour.

Cream together:
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs

Mix into creamed mixture:
Up to 3 cups flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt

Shape into balls 1 - 1 1/2" diameter. Roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. We like lots of cinnamon, hence my mix is heavy on cinnamon and light on sugar. Bake at 400°F for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove to cooling rack.

Black Homemade Licorice

Thought I'd share our recipe for homemade licorice. It comes from good friend Robynne.

1. Melt 2 sticks (1 cup) of butter in 3 qt or larger pan
Add 2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

Heat to boiling, keep stirring. Keep at a slow boil. It will turn a brownish caramel color. Don’t let scorch.


2. Add 1 bottle anise oil flavoring and 1/2 a container black food color paste or gel AFTER soft ball state is reached on a candy thermometer.

3. Pour into a 9” x 13” well buttered pan.

4. Cool 2 hours before cutting with pizza cutter. Wrap individual pieces in wax paper

Christmas Dinner Menu-2012

This is our planned menu…we are expecting at least 20 for dinner…

Appetizers–served in the afternoon with Knudsen Sparkling Juices

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Bruschetta

Gouda Cheese

Dinner in the Evening:

Soup, Salad,  and Bread:

Potato Soup

Green Salad

French Bread

Main Course:

Cross-rib Beef Roast

with mushroom sauce

Herbed Spatchcocked Turkey

Rice Pilaf

Cooked Green Vegetable

Raw Vegetables

Dessert:

Lemon Meringue Pie

Blueberry Pie

Carob-Pecan Pie

Chocolate Beet Cake

with 

Ice Cream or Whip Cream

Coffee

Tea

What is on your menu plan?