Cookbook Cleaning

Life has been busy during the last few weeks but in all the craziness of doctor appointments, dentist visits, playdates, classes and mama getting a tattoo. I decided to start cleaning my cookbook stash.  I will choose one cookbook at a time a work my way threw it trying a variety of recipes. The first book I am working with is "Company's Coming Meatless Cooking".  

I bough this book about a year ago thinking that it would be nice to have some recipes to make homemade veggie burgers and sausages; however was highly disappointed when I realized how many of the recipes include cream of mushroom soup or condense tomato soup. - Ingredients we never use in our house. That being said we have had a few great recipes from this book like "Dhal" and "Chessy Nut Bake".

I also found a few recipes that once altered a bit were a hit with C Monster.

Nut and Fruit Shake

Sweet Potato Whole Wheat Pancakes
Peanut Balls

Apple Pancakes

So all in all I don't think I would recommend this cookbook and will probably not keep mine; just copy the recipes I like.

iF it's wiseman mOnster apprOved...

I have a new blog I just started. This blog will concentrated on food and recipes that are toddler friendly....

Check it out and please do tell me what you think.

http://wisemanmonsterapproved.blogspot.com/

Tasty Tuesday - Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

This week I am sharing a healthier version of Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies: these are made with spelt flakes. If you have a hard time finding spelt flakes you can substitute them for quick oats. I have a hard time keeping little hands out of the cookie jar when I make these (well, big hands, as they are my huband's and my own)

Ingredients:

● 1 cup butter, softened
● 1 cup panela, packed
● 1/2 cup white sugar
● 2 egg
● 2 tsp vanilla
● 1 cup all-purpose flour
● 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
● 1/2 tsp baking soda
● 1 tsp salt
● 3 cups spelt flakes
● 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Combine the flours, baking soda, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture until just blended. Mix in the spelt flakes and chocolate chips. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets.


3. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tasty Tuesday - Cajun Seasoning Mix

Cajun seasoning mix is basically salt with a variety of spices. You can get tones of commercial versions however at the Wiseman Residence we like to keep it to the basics and make things from scratch.

Ingredients:
6.5 oz. table salt
1 1/4 tbsp cayenne pepper
3/4 tbsp black pepper
3/4 tbsp onion powder
3/4 tbsp garlic powder
3/4 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tbsp thyme
1/4 tbsp sweet basil
1/4 tbsp bay leaf

Directions:

Add all the seasoning, in a blender or food processor. Cover and blend to a fine consistency. Don't breath the dust it will make you sneeze.

Use as you would salt.

Day 2 of being sick

I am beyond congested and poor little Christophe had such a hard time sleeping last night. I think he wok up at least 10 or 15 times because he was too congested to breath properly. We had the humidifier going but it did not seem to be enough. This morning I used saline spray and it seems to have loosen some of his goobers.

All in all I think Christophe has more energy then me. I have spent the day sitting at my laptop and drinking tea; while Christophe seemed to have found the energy to make toum with his papa.



If you want to try to make your own toum:

Ingredients:

* 3-4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
* ¼ cup of vegetable or olive oil (or less depending on garlic used)
* 1 lemon, juiced
* ¼ teaspoon salt

Preparation:

For a truly authentic preparation of Toum, a mortar and pestle is used. If a mortar and pestle are unavailable, ingredients can be blended using a food processor.

Start by crushing the garlic cloves until a smooth consistency. Add salt and mix further. Once garlic and salt are of desired, smooth consistency, gradually add oil.

Add lemon juice and mix. The finished product should be smooth, paste-like, and creamy. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator.

Recipe taken from About.com

Tasty Tuesday - Jam Jam's

This weeks TT are Jam Jam's, I first made these when my dad was visiting at his request. I believe that all the cookies were eaten up within 48hours.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup strawberry jam

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar, vanilla and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with 1/2 teaspoon of preserves.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Tasty Tuesdays

Edamame

Many people have no clue how to eat or prepare edamame; however it's extremely easy to cook and very nutritious and tasty.

You can use frozen edamame (still in pods) but fresh is much better. All you have to do is bring a pot of water with a teaspoon of salt to a boil. Once boiling toss in the edamame (aprox. 3 cups). Boil for about 8 minutes. Drain. Toss with about a tablespoon of butter and a 1/2 teaspoon salt. Enjoy. (for those of you who have never eaten edamame simply squeeze the beens out and eat, do not eat the pods)

Tasty Tuesdays

I have been meaning to share this recipes with you guys from the Avoca Cafe Cookbook. It is the absolute best shortbread cookie in the world.

450g plain flour
225g corn flour
225g icing sugar
450g butter, diced

Mix flour, cornflour and icing sugar in bowl; rub in butter until mixture forms soft balls. If required add a tiny bit of water. Roll out until 1/4" think and cut into various shapes. Place on cookie sheet and cook until golden on the bottom; about 20min depending on your oven. Transfer to rack and let cool - these are very fragile.