I am spending the first day of Spring doing what I do most Saturdays – doing my once a week cooking.

The menu this week includes:

• Dal – lentils stewed with onions and fresh tomatoes, Indian spices, and finished with coconut milk* to be served over jasmine rice
• “Spanish” chicken thighs – skinned and trimmed of excess fat, topped with crushed tomatoes, drizzled with olive oil, and well seasoned with dried herbs and minced garlic
• Poached chicken breasts – to be the main source of lean protein for GamerDude’s lunch each day
• Pasta Sauce with Mushrooms – the last time I made meat sauce will be the last time I make meat sauce for quite some time and so rather than just making a plain marinara I wanted something with a deeper flavor
• Tomato Soup – defrosted the last of the season and will have it for dinner one night this week, next winter will find me making a vegetarian version of this

I also defrosted some ham that has been in the freezer since New Year’s.  Originally the plan was to turn it into a casserole, but I just cant bring myself to do it as I am doing so wel with my healthier eating habits.

For now it is on the “lunch shelf” in my ‘fridge so that my Dad can nibble on it, or eat it for dinner when what I serve (like the dal) doesn’t appeal to him.  I might fry some up tomorrow as breakfast for the girls with some eggs.

Miss Artistic has a friend coming over later for a sleepover and Princess Nature is on a playdate (which includes a dinner invite).  Mr Grumpy is going out for dinner with friends, so its looking like a quiet evening ahead once I get everything done that needs doing.

Enjoy the day!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

* I am aware of how high calorie and high fat the coconut milk is.  But, when added to a high fiber, meat-free dish I feel that it still has a place, if nothing else because there is no way to capture the flavor and texture otherwise.

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, food, once a week cooking

I know three posts in as many days …. it’s almost like the old days.  This is what happens when I sit down and write my posts ahead like a good little blogging Witch.

Anyway, as I’ve been writing, I am determined to simplify our lives and live healthier.  What I have yet to share is that Princess Nature is bound and determined to go vegetarian.

I was vegetarian for about three years back in my early twenties.  I went back to eating meat while pregnant with Miss artistic and never really looked back.  Over the years Gamer Dude and I have talked about the merits of decreasing the amount of flesh foods in our diet, but I’ve never really had the gumption to act on it.

Having promised Princess Nature that she can follow her conscience come summer, and with the knowledge that we can all stand to eat healthier (especially me with my lousy high cholesterol), I am gradually adding vegetarian fare to our weekly meals.

Two of our meals this week will be meat based.  I roasted two chickens from the freezer, which will be served with homemade gravy and vegetable sides.

The rest of the week however will be meat free.

I made a batch of Kosheri.  Its a mix of lentils, rice, and pasta served topped with a tangy spicy tomato sauce and caramelized onions.  I’ve made this before, and for the most part it was enjoyed by all.  This time I added some drained canned corn to add some crisp texture and some bright color.  I made what I thought was enough for two meals and it might last more like four!

I also made a batch of Bainghan Bartha,  Indian curried eggplant.  I used 4 large eggplants and 8 tomatoes, but it made less than I was anticipating, but as it is meant to be served over rice (and odds are Mr Grumpy won’t even taste it) I can manage two dinners out of it.  This was my first attempt at this dish and I found that had to add more spices than the recipe called for (and toss in some peas) to approximate the taste of when we’ve had it “out.”

I have no clue what I’ll make next week.  Its time to dust off my vegetarian cookbooks and experiment I guess.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, family, food, meals, meat-free, vegetarian

We woke this morning to a world covered in white.  Since both Miss Artistic’s art class and Princess Nature’s flute lesson were canceled due to the inclement weather it was a lovely lazy morning.

After my period of becoming one with my couch and the TV remote, the bulk of my day was spent cooking and crocheting.  I made two large meatloaves (for later in the week) and a batch of chicken and dumplings.  The later was my first attempt at this dish and it was well received by all, even Mr Grumpy who rarely has a compliment to offer.  And, best of all (in my opinion) there is enough left of the chicken dish to be served another night (so long as I make another batch of dumplings and boil up more egg noodles).

Tomorrow will find me whipping up a batch of mashed potatoes (to go with the meatloaves of course) and a pot of vegetarian chili (with TVP in place of ground beef) and probably doing more crocheting in front of the fire.

There is so much that needs to be cleaned, tidied, or organized around the house.  There is so much work I could be doing in terms of working here on the blog or even the book project that I’ve been playing with for the past couple of years.  But, lately, both seem to be insurmountable tasks.

I can only hope that as my depression wanes and my health improves my energy and inspiration will return. In the meantime, I am off to do more crocheting (and the never ending task of weaving in those cursed ends).

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, crochet, family, life

Thanksgiving is one of our household’s favorite holidays.  It is a day to sit around relax, spend time together, and stuff ourselves silly on all kinds of good food.

I came home form work a little less than an hour ago and after some well deserved R&R I am off to do the bulk of my cooking for the big day and I thought that I’d share with you all this year’s menu.

I make a lot of food, especially considering we are only 5 people.  But, half the fun of the holiday is that we live on leftovers all the way through Sunday.

Most of dinner is made by me (thus the upcoming hours ahead in the kitchen) but I do supplement here and there with pre-made items as I can frankly only do so much.

As I am every year I am grateful for the ability to feed my family.  I am grateful for the happy yummy sounds that will be made.  I am looking forward to serving my family off my grandmother’s china, lifting a glass of champagne and being grateful for making it through another year.

May each of our readers here in the US have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with friends family and feasting.  For everyone else may the holiday season start off happy for you & yours and continue on as such all the way through the new year ahead.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Appetizers/Light Lunch – laid out around noon

Gherkin sized pickles – both sweet and sour
Olives
marinated mozzarella balls
various cubed cheeses
pepperoni, sopresatta, genoa salami
fried ravioli w/ sauce
deviled eggs
spreadable port wine/cheddar cheese & crackers
cocktail franks

Dinner – served around 4pm

Turkey – deep-fried by the men
Bread Stuffing w/ apples sausage and caramelized onions
Candied Yams w/ mini marshmallows
Mashed Potatoes w/ roasted garlic
Spicy Peas & Mushrooms
Cheesy Cauliflower
Oven-fried Artichoke Hearts
Mizeria – cucumbers w/ sour cream
Cranberry sauce – from a can
Rolls – from a can
Gravy – from a jar

Dessert – served around 7:30pm

2 Mrs Smith’s pies – sweet potato and cherry
3 kinds of cookies (store-bought)
fruit
nuts

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, feast, holiday, Thanksgiving

Yesterday was a particularly busy day – a fitting end I guess to what felt like a really busy week.

I worked 6 hours, finishing up my 40 hours and earned a nice amount of commission for the week as well.

I picked up Miss Artistic early from school. She’s had a cough that I originally attributed to allergies after her weekend away camping over Labor Day. Except instead of getting better it gradually got worse. The past week has seen it really kicking up especially during exercise. So, I brought her to the Dr. who prescribed some antibiotics, more as a “just in case” than anything else.

Then we went food shopping. I overspent. Granted I stocked up on a few items that were on sale that will see me well beyond this week alone. Granted I purchased a lot of meat, toiletry items, and more goodies for our friend “D” who is serving overseas. His box is as full as it is going to get at this point, and will be being shipped out soon.

We came home and in the midst of unpacking the car and putting away groceries I did a quick straightening of my pantry, filling a bag for Princess Nibbles’ school’s food drive collection, and my ‘fridge. At this point Miss Artistic ran off to the Mall with her friend “S” and I was in the middle of dishing out food for leftover night when Mr Grumpy announced that he wanted access to our bedroom today so he can start replacing our windows. Now, I’ve mentioned before how the 4 of us live in the upstairs of my dad’s house. I’ve mentioned before that I live surrounded by clutter, that I am gradually dealing with. I’ve also explained that we are trying to dismantle the room we use as a mini living room of our own so that Miss Artistic can have her own room. Needless to say my room was a sight!!!

So instead of eating, instead of putting my feet up on the recliner, I wound up doing a mad dash clean of my bedroom for the next 2 hours. Sad thing is that, it still has as much clutter in it as before, but now its an organized clutter and it gives me a head start on spending time in the coming weeks finishing the reorganization of our upstairs living quarters.

The plan for today’s once a week cooking includes a pot of meat sauce (with meatballs and both hot & sweet sausage), a batch of tuna casserole, Swedish meatballs (some of which are going to a neighbor’s house as he had asked for them some time back), and roasted pork loin. I fully expect to be able to freeze some of it when I am done.

In the meantime dear readers I wish you all a glorious weekend filled with blessings that carry you all through the Fall.

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, food, life, once a week cooking

I tweaked a recipe I found at allrecipes.com and am enamored enough to want to tweak it again.  But it was rather yummy and I thought you’d might enjoy the recipe. 

This recipe is a work in progress.  It can get better.  I’d like the get a more uniform texture, but the extra-large eggs I get at the farmer’s market (cheaper than the price of medium eggs at my grocery store) are throwing recipe proportions a little askew.  I might add a little more brown sugar next time.  I’m thinking of using regular chocolate chips and mixing in actual cut up caramels.  I could go with more cinnamon (maybe even a little black pepper which took my candied yams into the level of awesome this past Thanksgiving) in the glaze.  I could even add caramel to the glaze as well.  But for now, its pretty darn good as it is.

The Cake

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F

Apply butter-flavoed non-stick spray to a non-stick 10 inch Bundt pan.

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa, then whisk to thoroughly blend.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.

Fold in chips and mix until well-blended.

Add dry ingredients alternately with the milk.

When well-blended batter will be uniform in color and quite glossy.

Spoon into Bundt pan and smooth.

Bake at 325 F for 75 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate

Glaze

Melt butter and chocolate together in a double boiler, stirring constantly until smooth.

Add cinnamon and blend thoroughly.

Pour on top of cake, coating evenly.

If you are in a rush, this can be poured on top of a warm cake as well. In this case the glaze with absorb into the cake creating a dense crust. Not as pretty, but just as tasty.
Enjoy!

Mama Kelly

PS  Cake recipe was inspired by this and glaze recipe was adapted from here.

PPS I left a little early the other day so I would have time to procure a cake for my hubby’s birthday and soas to have a little extra time for family.  I left work at 3:00, came home and made this for Gamer Dude’s birthday cake.  At the same time I had a loaf of cinnamon-raisin bread doing its thing in the breadmaker with whom I have recently taken up an elicit affair.

Yes I work a really terrible job.  But for a little while today I caught a glimpse of who I was before I started working there.  The person I was when taking care of my family was the focus of my day not the inane mutterings that comprise my days now.  For a few moments today I also caught a glimpse of who I could be, of who I want to be.

Flour, sugar, butter, and a few sundries.  This may be the cheapest thereapy I’ve ever taken part in.

Written by Mama KellyTags:baking, cake, cooking, recipe

After dealing with some health issues recently and learning that I have to reduce my sodium intake to very low levels, this weekend I decided to make a huge pot of roasted veggie soup so I would have something nourishing and healthy that was easy to heat up and serve all week.

As I washed and chopped the various veggies, and gathered the fresh herbs from my garden I found myself humming a familiar tune (the earth, the air, the fire, the water, return return return return). And even though I was hot and tired from being on my feet in a small hot kitchen I was smiling. I found the colors and smells simply wonderful. After the veggies roasted (tomatoes, onions, leeks, parsnips and carrots) I added them to the pot along with the herbs, garlic, and a shreddred head of purple cabbage. The broth turned an increbile beautiful rich earthly color. Each time I would stir it I felt connected to the earth and the aromas filled my soul with a quiet calmness and joy. As the soup simmered, when I stirred I began to consciously stir it clockwise and added a blessing and prayer for healing and nourishment.

I hadn’t consciously planned on making a “spiritual” pot of soup — but as the creating unfolded, being mindful of the experience and allowing myself to enjoy the moment it became a wonderful way to connect with Goddess and the healing of Mother Earth, that I can tap into all week as I have the soup for lunch and even longer when I defrost the lovely containers of it I have in my freezer.

Blessed Be, Lady Rose

Recommended reading list:
The Real Witches’ Kitchen: Spells, Recipes, Oils, Lotions and Potions from the Witches’ Hearth.
Witch in the Kitchen: Magical Cooking for All Seasons.
Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook.

Written by Lady RoseTags:cooking, goddess, health, witch