On the Menu Tonight! :-)
Stick-To-Your-Ribs Black Bean Soup (slow cooker) with Hearty Potato Scones
Both recipes are from:
The Groovy Green Kitchen: Weeknight Veggie Slow Cooker.
I know a lot of you already have this cookbook and I hope you’ve enjoyed these particular recipes too!
I had an abundance of peppers (this soup requires 2 large ones) and some leftover mashed potatoes (for the scones) in the fridge this morning, so this menu combo from the GGK came to mind. Comfort food at it’s best.
Yummm…can’t wait!😉
What’s are you making for dinner tonight?
Happy Cooking.
Recent Review Round-Up!
These are 5 recent product and book reviews (2 good, 2 ok and 1 STINKER!!!) that I’ve posted at Amazon and at My Real Life Reviews.
I hope you find them interesting and helpful.
If you do, a “helpful” vote for any of my reviews at Amazon (I’m Geraldine in BC over there) 😉 would be appreciated! 🙂
Backyard Berries by Susan Burnetter
The Rekindled Affair by Peter John
Fermenting: How to Ferment Vegetables by Rashelle Johnson
Epson XP-310 Wireless Color Printer
Mr. Cheddar and Some New Pals! ;-)
Mr. Cheddar is having a wee bit of fun today with some new garden pals!
They are also not-so-patiently, waiting for spring to arrive. 😉
How’s the weather, where you are?
Here in BC, the sun is shining today ♥ it!
Hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
Toodle loo for now…from me, Chedster and the Rockin’ Gnomes!!!
***
PS: On an entirely different topic:
I have another free Kindle book promo this weekend, you can check out the details here.
I’m Baaack….and Some Pizza Too! ;-)
Homemade Zucchini, Onion and Artichoke Pizza
Well, I’m finally back online with a new computer and Windows 8 (fun, fun!!!) to learn. Why do they have to change these programs so much every time there’s an new edition? Makes no sense. 😦
Now I know first-hand why so many people are complaining about Windows 8.
Anyone else learning Windows 8 right now? If you have any quick tips to share, PLEASE DO!
Even simple things like minimizing a page etc…have changed. And I can’t figure out how to copy my photos from a USB drive, into the Photo app. on the start page.
I also have a gazillion emails and other things to catch up with.
But, I’ll get there, chipping away at the to-do pile, day by day.
I have missed blogging SO much!
I hope to get around to visit all my fav blogs by this weekend. I read a LOT of blogs so it might take a while. 😉
In the meantime, hope you enjoy this pizza crust recipe from my first cookbook: Not Just for Vegetarians. (see recipe below)
So easy to make and another thing I’m making ‘from scratch’ more and more these days.
What is your favorite pizza and do you make homemade too?
Happy Week and Happy Cooking! 🙂
***
Homemade pizza is so much better than commercial and for so many reasons.
Obviously, not as expensive. Ingredients not questionable (many commercial crusts contain lard) and of course the varieties you can have fun making are endless. Healthier choices made easy for a ‘fast food’ that has stood the test of time. Pizza will be around forever I think. I certainly hope so. Enjoy!!!!
This dough recipe makes enough for 2- (14″-15″) regular crusts OR 3- (12″-13″) thin crusts (my preference).
HOMEMADE PIZZA DOUGH
Pizza dough doesn’t have to be complicated to make. This way, you can be sure what you are eating; many commercial pizza crusts contain lard. This one is from my brother Wendell’s collection of recipes and it is one of the best I’ve ever made or tasted.
1 C. lukewarm (not hot) water
1 T. raw sugar or honey
2 T. dry Traditional yeast
¼ C. olive oil
½ teas. sea salt
2 ½-3 C. unbleached white flour
Optional: 1 T. mixed dried herbs of choice (oregano, thyme, savory etc…)
In a large bowl, combine lukewarm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and stir just once. Cover and let dissolve in a warm place, about 10-15 minutes, yeast should be frothy.
Add oil and salt and then stir in just enough flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board and knead 100 times, adding more flour if required. Dough should be smooth and satiny but not dry. Note: Add dried herbs with the flour (opt.).
Grease mixing bowl and place kneaded ball of dough in it. Cover with a dampened tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes or until doubled.
Preheat oven to 450 F. Grease pizza pans.
Divide dough in half (or 3 for thin crusts), spread out on prepared pans, forming a thin crust around edges. Hint: Wet your fingers slightly to help with this step.
Top crusts with a thin layer of tomato sauce ( go easy on this, too much means a soggy crust ) and toppings of choice.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, reduce heat to 400 F after first 10 minutes, if browning too fast.
Reprinted from: Not Just for Vegetarians, Delicious Homestyle Cooking, the Meatless Way by Geraldine Hartman. All rights reserved.
Raiding My Cookbook Stash! ;-)
I ♥ cookbooks!
I have a large collection of all kinds of cookbooks. Many of them supplied by publishers and authors over the years, as review copies. I spent one afternoon last week, going through some of my favs from the cookbook shelf and picked out some recipes from all of the ones shown here. And yes, two of those are mine. 😉
I made a new version of ratatouille last night from Alive Magazine, which was quite good and from the slow cooker, ♥ that too.
Today, I’m making: Dilly Potato Salad from the Sensational Salads cookbook. I’ve made that one before and it’s delish. Lots of dill and other yummy ingredients in this one.
Here’s a link to that recipe from a previous post, if you’d like to try it.
What’s on the menu for supper at your place tonight?
And do you have a favorite ‘go-to’ cookbook?
Happy Cooking! 🙂
Your Smoothie (Powder) Suggestions Please! ;-)
I’ve been TRYING to find a protein/greens powder product to add to smoothies that:
-Provides a good amount and variety of essential vitamins and minerals.
-Good quality protein too, if possible.
-Is organic (or mainly organic).
-Tastes great, but I’d settle for palatable!
Do you have any suggestions for a brand to try?
I really am stumped on this one.
The ones I’ve tried or have looked at so far are either: lacking in vitamins/minerals/protein, taste absolutely gross unless masked by a bunch of other add-on ingredients or have a lot of strange, non-organic ingredients that I don’t want to consume.
Thanks if you can help.
Happy Blending! 😉
A Sneak Peek Recipe from My Upcoming Cookbook!
My new cookbook: The Groovy Green Kitchen II. Simply, Super, Supper Soups is coming along nicely! 😉
I’ve still got a lot of typing ahead of me, formatting and a few more recipes to develop. But well on the way.
In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy a ‘sneak peek’ recipe to enjoy now:
Southern Nights Slow Cooker Veggie-Sausage Gumbo.
If you didn’t think gumbo could be good without shrimp or meat added to it, think again.
This version is truly: YUMMY GOOD! 🙂
What a perfect time of year to enjoy a bowl of hearty, stick-to-your ribs gumbo.
And this one is oh so easy, from the slow cooker!
I featured some herbs and spices from The Spice House in this gumbo and they have now added this recipe to their website for readers to enjoy there too. Hope you will as well!
Stay tuned for the second volume of The Groovy Green Kitchen, which I hope to have available at Amazon by the end of February.
And if you haven’t checked it out already, here’s a link to the first volume of that cookbook series:
(Kindle and Print versions available)
Happy Cooking! 🙂
***
Southern Nights Slow Cooker Veggie-Sausage Gumbo.
Copyright 2014, Geraldine Helen Hartman. All rights reserved.
HEALTHY HOLIDAY COOKIE ROUND-UP!
***YUMMM….DON’T THESE LOOK YUMMY?***
I’M GOING TO TRY SOME OF THESE HEALTHIER, HOLIDAY COOKIE RECIPES.
REBLOGGED FROM: SIFT, STIR & SAVOR. THANKS FOR SHARING!
HAPPY BAKING! :<)
Last year I was obsessed with eggnog. This year I’m obsessed with cookies.
So when I was asked to be a part of a healthy christmas cookie round-up that Sandra from Candida Diet Plan was organizing, I was pretty excited! Sandra was able to organize 18 different bloggers, which means there are 18 scrumptious cookies to drool over. And these aren’t just any cookies, these are healthy cookies- virtually all of the recipes are gluten-free and loads of them are also grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, refined sugar-free and vegan. So, what are you waiting for? Here are the links to all of the cookies:
Sugar-Free Sugar Cookies (Candida Free Candee)
Dark Chocolate Truffle Cookies (Tessa the Domestic Diva)
Macadamia Coconut Cookies (Candida Diet Plan)
No-Bake Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies (Gluten-Free Cat)
Jungle Balls (Carrie on Vegan)
Raw Gingerbread Men (Om Nom Ally)
Chocolate Orange Gogi Cookies (Coconut and Berries)
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Christmas Gifts With Mason Jars
***I’ve always loved Mason jar crafts/gifts!***
Check out this post at: Twines & Vines for some beautiful, last minute handmade gift ideas. :<)
Happy Weekend and Crafting!
Crazy about Cranberries!
***When I think about Christmas foods, cranberries are close to the top of my favs for this festive time of year. ***
Hope you enjoy this reblog that features a yummy alternative for traditional fruitcake.
A beautiful loaf, brimming with the flavours of cranberries and Mandarin oranges.
Happy Baking and Week! :<)
I really do love cranberries! And for so many reasons. 😉
Their unique taste,beautiful deep red color, nutritional value, even their shiny, glossy texture! The interesting way they are grown and harvested.
And of course, their special significance at Christmas and all the memories that enjoying cranberries over the years, conjures up. 🙂
My blog-bud Caroline Brown over at Earth Friendly Gardeninghas graciously agreed to do a co-post (new blog word???LOL) on cranberries.
I’m providing a cranberry loaf recipe (see end of this post)and Caroline shares her wisdom on this fall fav. fruit in this archive post from:
Cranberry Mandarin Christmas Loaf
I know I’ve learned a thing or two about cranberries, reading Caroline’s post. 😉
I hope you enjoy reading these interesting facts about this beautiful berry and do give the Cranberry Mandarin Christmas Loaf recipe a try too.
Especially nice…
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VEGGIES, YARNS & TAILS 