The Pioneer Diva

My mom made homemade bread the whole time growing up--and still does.  I guess I thought everybody's mom made homemade bread almost everyday!  Women in my generation act like you have completed an intense brain surgery if you make a loaf of homemade bread.  What I am trying to say is that bread-making is becoming a lost art.  

A food writer in my local newspaper (yes, I am a tangible media junkie), wrote an article this week on sourdough bread.  She has had her starter in her fridge going for 40 YEARS!  It was passed down from her mom.  It piqued my interest in the art of bread making, so I set out to further educate myself on the specifics of sourdough bread.  I found these great tutorials on YouTube, called 'Pioneer Living' (click here) hosted by a woman who grew up in the Alaskan Bush before Alaska was a U.S. state.  She has been my sourdough professor, if you will.  

There are so many interesting things about sourdough. It is actually 'wild yeast' that is found in your home.  Here is another interesting link on sourdough bread: 

My starter on Day #2!

This ain't your Campbell's, baby!

I made the most AMAZING Creamy Tomato Soup today.  It was a rainy, cold March day here in the Midwest, so I pulled out a recipe I cut out several weeks ago from our local paper.  Dixie Yates, owner of Yates House Bed and Breakfast in Rocheport, MO submitted this recipe.  

1 T. olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1-1/2 T. Italian seasonings (I used Herbes de Provence and boy was it good!)

1 23-oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 tsp. baking soda

2 c. chicken broth

1 12-oz. can evaporated milk

salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in dutch oven over med-high heat.  Add onion; saute 5-7 minutes.  Stir in seasonings, cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Add tomatoes and baking soda, then chicken broth.  Bring to a simmer partially covered to blend flavors.  Puree soup with a hand-held blender until creamy!  Stir in milk and heat to simmer.  Season with salt and pepper.  

My 3-1/2 year old taste tester.

The final product--ready for Chris's taste buds!

Spring Inspiration

The Dolce Vita Aries sandal is serving up some pretty good spring inspiration right now! A variation of the oh-so-popular gladiator, it is fresh and looks good with skirts and shorts!  Now, where is the metallic clutch to go with?

St. Patrick's Colcannon

Every year we have a traditional Irish meal on March 17--complete with the dark beer.  Sometimes I cook a little too much, though.  Wondering what to do with the leftovers from a St. Patrick's Day feast? Look no more! Here is a wonderful recipe.  

Ingredients: 

3 lb. red potatoes, quartered

1 head of cabbage (it is 15 cents a pound at my market right now!)

1/2 c. plus 2 T. butter. separated

1 tsp. minced garlic

4 green onions, sliced.  May sub leeks

white pepper to taste

1 1/4 c. hot milk

1 lb. leftover corned beef, cut into pieces and warmed

Directions:

Place potatoes in a lg. saucepan and cover with water by 1 inch.  Bring to a boil and reduce to med-low. Simmer 20 minutes.

Meanwhile bring a lg. pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in cabbage with 2 T. butter, cover and simmer until softened. Drain.

Melt 1/4 to 1/2 c. butter over med. heat. Stir in garlic with white parts of onion. Cook until soft and mellow.  Drain potatoes and mash with white pepper. Fold in melted butter, milk, cabbage, and corned beef. Sprinkle with green onion tops and serve!

3 1/2 and 18 months already?!