Johnnycake Bread

Posted in Cakes, DESSERTS by Katherine

Johnnycakes are thought to be the original pancakes. Last year, I made Johnnycakes for my son to bring on a field trip to a historic one-room schoolhouse, wrapped in his old-fashioned lunch basket with a potato! (his request… I am sure something else was in there but it was not as memorable!) They are delicious cornmeal pancakes served with butter and honey. I love cornmeal pancakes served with syrup as well.

When I read about this bread version of Johnnycakes from Bon Appetit on First Look then Cook, I wanted to make it right away. Her description was wonderful, and we ate it as suggested- warm with butter. My kids and I loved it! A great change of pace for breakfast. It would also be a delicious snack with a cup of tea or a glass of milk.

¼ cup vegetable oil, plus more for pans (cooking spray can be…

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9Apr2014

Quinoa with Chopped Prunes, Apples and Plums

Posted in Breakfast, MEALS by Katherine

To help the weight loss, we did the Dr. Oz’s 48-Hour Weekend Cleanse http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/48-hour-weekend-cleanse. This is the breakfast. It tastes OK. I felt great during and after the cleanse and was 2lbs lighter in 48 hours. Actually, I still make this for breakfast, in advance and reheat in the morning. Hope you enjoy this high fibre and protein breakfast.

Ingredients
Makes 1 serving

1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 cup water
1 pinch nutmeg
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tbsp flax seed oil
1/3 cup chopped prunes
1/4 cup rice milk

Directions

In a small pot, stir 1/2 cup quinoa, a pinch of nutmeg and 1 tsp of grated ginger into a cup of water.
Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir in the prunes and rice milk. Cover again and cook another 5 minutes.
Before serving, stir in 1 tbsp of flaxseed oil.

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/48-hour-weekend-cleanse

4Apr2014

Ravioli with Rose Sauce and Fresh Tomatoes

Posted in Family Night, MEALS by Katherine

This was so quick and easy, I thought I would share. Truth be told it was a treat from the New Years Diet but, everyone (the kids) enjoyed it!! Victory!

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings
Cook time:5 Minutes
Prep time:10 Minutes

Ingredients
1 (20-oz.) package refrigerated spinach and cheese ravioli
1 (16-oz.) container of rose sauce
2 medium-size fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, optional
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, pour Rose sauce into a medium saucepan. Stir in chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped basil, and cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Toss with pasta, and top evenly with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish, if desired.

1Apr2014

Cabbage Soup, wait…it actually tastes good

Posted in MEALS, Soup and Sandwiches by Katherine

Not an April Fool’s joke!! This weight loss resolution is taking a serious turn, I’m making cabbage soup. My poor kids. I visited my mother in law at work with my son. I told her that dinner that night was cabbage soup, followed by “part of the weight loss routine”. An older man nearby responded with “blah, cabbage soup”. At least I am losing weight! Lucky 13 so far….

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ready In: 45 Minutes
Servings: 15

Ingredients:
5 carrots, chopped
3 onions, chopped
2 (16 ounce) cans whole peeled
tomatoes, with liquid
1 large head cabbage, chopped (I used a precut bag of cabbage- if I am eating cabbage I’m taking the easy route)
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
2 quarts tomato juice
10 stalks celery, chopped
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth

Directions:
1. Place carrots, onions, tomatoes, cabbage, and celery in a large pot. Add onion soup mix, tomato juice, beef broth, and enough water to cover vegetables. Simmer until vegetables are tender.

May be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

29Mar2014

Penne with Italian Turkey Sausage

Posted in Family Night, MEALS by Katherine

Ingredients

1 lb turkey sausage
1 lb penne
1 jar(s) spaghetti sauce
mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 onion, chopped (optional)
1 cup of favourite frozen vegetable

Directions

1. Cook turkey sausage until thoroughly cooked.

2. Cut sausage into 1 inch pieces and set aside.

3. Prepare penne according to package.

4. Place a small amount of spaghetti sauce in the bottom of your casserole dish; add cooked penne, sausage, onion and frozen vegetable

5. Pour remaining sauce into the casserole; add mozzarella to the mixture and thoroughly blend all ingredients together, then top with more mozzarella.

6. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted and lightly browned

– Serve with a nice green salad and bread.

28Mar2014

Cake Pops

Posted in DESSERTS, Sweet and Easy by Katherine

I came across this and thought I would share this creative yummy idea.

Kochis Kitchen Corner

I baked double chocolate cake for my kid’s birthday, both my kids did really enjoy the cake, but they could not able to finish 🙂 Had more left over, that they can not finish in a day or two.

To utilize the left over, I thought of making them pops. Here is how I did..

Bake Cake (I used the left over cake).
Crumble the cake with hands after cooling down, mix with frosting (I mixed 1 and 1/2 teaspoon of frosting for 12 pops) and make like balls. Let it set in room temperate for 10 minutes.
Melt few candies (microwave or stove top), dip an inch of lolly pop sticks, and insert into the pops.
Keep the pops in fridge for 30 minutes.
Melt colored candies, dip the pops, sprinkle nuts/candy sprinkles when the pop is wet.
To decorate with different colors, let the dipped pop set for…

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23Mar2014

Healthy Red Velvet Smoothie

Posted in Drinks and Smoothies, MIXOLOGY by Katherine

Makes 1 or 2 smoothies

1/4 cup of crushed raw almonds
1 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries
3/4 cup of greek vanilla yogurt
2 tbsp of raw cacao powder
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1 cup of light coconut milk

water, just enough for desired consistency

Place all ingredients in a blender
Blend until all mixed together