salt – We Aren't Chefs

Cinnamon Crumb Blueberry Muffins

Kristin W. — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:50:38 +0000

Cinnamon topping:

1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Topping: Combine flour, sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and mix together. Add butter chunks and either use a fork or your hands and just mix the butter around and it will begin to form cinnamon chunks. Once done, sprinkle on top of muffins before going into the oven.

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Slow Cooked Beef Stew

Kristin W. — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:45:02 +0000

I had a bunch of leftover veggies from our Bountiful Basket one week, including these gorgeous rainbow carrots. I got some stew beef at the market and put that in the crock pot with some flour and made sure the meat was lightly coated in flour. I cooked the meat a bit then added in broccoli, rainbow carrots, white potatoes, chunks of corn on the cob, onion, celery, garlic, kosher salt, black pepper and two cans of beef broth. I then just let it cook all day long in the slow cooker. You may have to add more liquid throughout the day, I just use water at that point. The meat fell apart in the stew it was so tender. I was able to store the leftovers for another quick, easy meal.

This past weekend, I made this again and used up the veggies from my basket which included brussel sprouts and fresh green beans. My kids and husband had no clue they were eating brussel sprouts, loved it!

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Chewy Granola Bars

Kristin W. — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:55:01 +0000

These are pretty tasty and cost effective, given granola bars without trans fat or dye are about $3.99-4.99. I get the majority of the ingredients at Sunflower in their bulk section. Also, where I have almond slices and cranberries, feel free to experiment just use the same measurement. I’ve used chocolate covered peanuts and even added peanut butter. The almond/cranberry is probably the healthiest though.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

I put this all in my bread machine and just let it mix it up. You can also do it by hand, just toss all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Depending on how thick you want them will dictate the pan size you use. Spray the pan lightly and put in granola mixture. Press down to flatten and bake for about 15-20 minutes.

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Dinner Rolls

Kristin W. — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 13:47:17 +0000

Since everything has high fructose corn syrup in it we have been making more from scratch, including dinner rolls. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have help; thank you Mr. Bread Machine.

These are pretty quick rolls to make, the most time spent is waiting for it to rise fully. So it’s best to start them about 2.5 to 3 hours ahead of dinner time. Once these are ready to sit to rise, you can make your main course, you have about 40 minutes. Easy, tasty, and high fructose corn syrup-free!

Ingredients

Directions

Add wet ingredients first then dry adding the yeast on top last.
Put on dough cycle. Once done, lay on a floured area and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Place the rounds into a round, lightly greased baking pan.
Cover the rolls with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in volume, about 40 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, mix together the egg white and 2 tablespoons water; brush lightly onto the rolls.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown.
Remove from pan and let cool on rack for a few minutes.

Enjoy!

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Easy Yellow Cake

Kristin W. — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:41:18 +0000

My mom always made white cakes growing up and I never really liked them as much as yellow, no offense Liz. There is something about yellow cake with chocolate frosting that I just love. This is a good, basic yellow cake recipe great for layer cakes, sheet cakes and cupcakes.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
Beat butter and sugar in mixer on medium-high until pale and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
Beat in one egg at a time then add vanilla and blend until thoroughly mixed, about 3 minutes.
Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and milk alternatively ending with the flour mixture.
Mix until the batter is smooth but be careful to not over mix.
Spread batter evenly into pans or cupcake holders and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Put a toothpick in the middle to test, if it comes out clean - the cakes are done.

Set the pans on a cooling rack for a few minutes then completely transfers the cakes over to the cooling racks and let stand until cool.

Spread one of the many frostings on it and you are good to go!

Pot Roast w/ Mashed Potatoes

Kristin W. — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:29:47 +0000

On Sundays when there is usually someone around the house, I will take advantage of this by throwing something in the Croc Pot or cooker all day long.

I like to cook Pot Roast slowly all day long so it’s moist and falls apart. In a roaster I will put in some water with minced garlic, salt, and pepper and just let the meat slowly cook all day long.

Serve it up with some mashed potatoes, bean and veggies and your family will be happy and full!

For mashed potatoes, take the desired potatoes and peel them and cut into chunks. Place in boiling water and cook until they are very soft and almost fall apart when you put a fork through them. Once potatoes are done, drain and put back in pot. Mix milk and butter in then add garlic powder, salt and pepper. There you have it, easy mashed potatoes!

You can make gravy with the juice left over from the pot roast by mixing it with flour or corn starch. Make sure to mix it up well so there are no clumps.

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Pasta Primavera

Kristin W. — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:28:11 +0000

Directions

Boil chicken breasts in separate pan until done, then cut into chunks.
In saucepan, combine garlic, cream, wine and spices and cook over low to medium heat.
Once it begins to bubble, reduce heat to low and simmer.
Slowly add cheese and continuously stir, then add in diced tomato.
Mix in chicken and let simmer for three to five minutes.

Toss over some angel hair pasta and that’s it!

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Coconut Shrimp

Kristin W. — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:46:16 +0000

This was our first attempt at making coconut shrimp at the house and I’m quite impressed how well they turned out. We made two different sauces for dipping and those were also first-timers and while I liked both, I was more partial to the plum sauce.

Directions

Spread the coconut out on a plate or a pie pan.
Whisk all ingredients except coconut together.
Dip shrimp into batter and then dredge in coconut, coating it completely.
Press gently to adhere coconut to shrimp.
Heat oil in large pan on stove.
Place eight shrimp at a time in the oil and turn after minute, cook until gone olden brown (about one minute each side).

Pull out and place on towel to remove any excess grease. Serve with fresh fried rice and veggies. For a dipping sauce, use Sweet Death Plum Sauce or as on the plate, a Dijon Ginger Sauce.

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Cheesesteak Sandwiches – No Whiz

Kristin W. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:58:18 +0000

When I use to think about cheesesteaks the two that came to mind where the ones you get in the mall, you know the staple mall food chain cheesesteak place that also has fresh cut french fries? Yeah, that place and then Steakums, which thinking back make me wonder what my palette was thinking when I ate those. MMM… school lunch. I found these thin steaks in the meat department and gave it a whirl. I recommend after making these a few times that you do in fact use the Thin Sliced Steaks.

Season the steak as you wish (lemon pepper, pepper, salt, red pepper, etc) and let soak in. These are great on the grill as well … cook them up in a pan, Foreman type grills work well.

In another pan (or on the grill place in tinfoil and add oil on top), add oil, onion, peppers, garlic, and mushrooms. Saute until tender. Once meat is done, slice into thin pieces, top with saute mixture and add cheese. Toss under the broil for a few minutes or until cheese is melted.

This meal is great served easy with baked beans, veggies, and homemade fries.

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Breadbowl Chili

Kristin W. — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:38:42 +0000

The chili tastes just as good not in a bread bowl, they are just more fun to eat. : )

Directions

Cook ground beef, onion, garlic and peppers in large pot.
Once meat is cooked and crumbly, stir in remaining ingredients.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes to one hour.

Take the breadbowl and cut the top off, which is great for dipping, add the chili, top with cheese and you are done! Mmmmmm……