Category: in my kitchen

good eats and fond memories

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

a bit of monkey business, as usual

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Sometimes there is just no way around it.  Today was one of those days, thankfully.  We had friends over who knew it too…  So, this was a good day for a lot of excellent monkey business.  I am thankful for days when God’s provision and goodness comes to my home in the form of friendship.  And He seems to know just when I need it.

When I found out our friends were coming over I decided to practice something new on them.  It’s important to know that when these dear people come to our house, or we go to theirs, it is not unusual to experience fun and laughter and food, not necessarily in that order; and if they come to my home, there is usually (always) dessert. This is not shocking, I know.

Well,  monkey business, should always involve cake.  I just made my mind up about this today.  In this case, it is especially true because the new recipe I made was a banana cake, with brown butter frosting that was absolutely divine, possibly Heaven sent.  And I will share it with you, because you need monkey business at your house, too.  I’m sure of it.

(I feel confident my friend, Reina will be absolutely thrilled I am sharing this photo with all of you…  )

Here is the recipe, so you can get on with some monkey business of your own!

Monkey Squares:
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup sour cream
½ cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1 ¾ cups (3 or 4) ripe bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts

 Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour 10×15 jelly roll pan. Beat first four ingredients until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla one minute. Add dry ingredients and blend one minute. Stir in nuts and spread in pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Cool and frost with Browned Butter Frosting (recipe below).
Browned Butter Frosting

½ cup butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
about 3 tablespoons milk or half and half

Heat butter in saucepan over medium heat past the melting point until it boiling, and a delicate brown. Remove from the heat and immediately add the remaining ingredients. This should be thicker than a glaze and thinner than frosting. Using a spatula smooth over the top of the Monkey Squares immediately. The frosting will be easier to spread once it’s on the warm bread.
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Thank you Heavenly Father for precious friends and delicious Monkey cake!
in my kitchen

oh sweet marie!

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I have to be honest with you on two counts.

First, I have no idea why these lovely little squares are called “Sweet Maries.”   I would love to offer you a quaint little anecdote – but, alas, I’ve got nothin’.

Second, these little treats are delightful.  They are wonderful.  But they are not fancy or impressive.  For me, that is why they hold such a special place in my heart.

If you have children at home these days, you probably also have all of the necessary ingredients to whip these little babies up in a jiffy.  So, have at it and enjoy every bite.    Simple bliss is only moments away!

Here’s the recipe:

Sweet Maries

instructions:

In a sauce pan bring 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup corn syrup (or honey) to a boil.  Remove from the heat. Then add 1/2 cup peanuts and 2 cups of cheerios or rice krispies.  (today I left out the nuts and did 2 1/2 cups of cereal) Spread the mixture in a 9×9 pan.  If you want you can sprinkle chocolate chips over the top while the mixture is still hot and then spread them over the top once they’ve melted.  (I don’t do the chocolate chips… shocking, I know.)

a bit of history · in my kitchen

rocky road

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I have memories of my Great Aunt Betsy, tucked away in my heart.  My sister and I spent a lot of time at her home during our grade school years.  Many overnights, and a lot of Sunday afternoons.  I loved spending time with her.  Her sweet and gentle spirit was constant;  she showed me Jesus, often when I needed it the most.

She also baked.  Whenever we stayed with her it seems she had these tiny chocolate chip cookies on hand and I ate exponential amounts of them or Rocky Road bars, while drinking several glasses of chocolate milk.  But the Rocky Road bars -those were my favorite.  I have the recipe (in my grandmother’s handwriting) and I’m considering making them this afternoon.

At any rate, I have these memories of chatting with Aunt Betsy at the kitchen table while enjoying our snack.  One conversation I remember in particular.  The circumstances, when I think of them now, make me giggle.  But they weren’t funny at the time.  My sister and I were required to share a double bed when we spent the night at her house.  And there was one night where my dear, lovely sister became very frustrated with me (something about crossing on to her side of the bed) and she pushed me right out of the bed.  with significant force.

That was on a Saturday night.  Sunday morning we went to church, and my forehead was adorned with this huge knot.  I was not thrilled at the time.  I remember that afternoon talking it over with my Aunt…  I’m pretty sure there were rocky road bars present… but, she encouraged me that I couldn’t stay mad at my sister.  I would have to forgive her.

What I wouldn’t give to have a chat and a treat with my Aunt Betsy right now.  this very minute.  I’m struggling.  I’d like to forgive, I really would.  In fact, it wasn’t long ago that I blogged about how easy it was to forgive someone else… and it was.  Typically I’m not one to hold a grudge.  I mean, I forgave Marilyn for pushing me out of bed.  But this time, its different- it seems so much harder.

This time it is personal.  I’m not just angry, although I am a tad-bit mad.  My feelings are hurt – my heart has been squeezed tightly and wrung right out.  I have no idea how to get back to a place of forgiveness…  how do I get there?  I’m not sure even Aunt Betsy could help…

But it is during this season of Lent, I’m reminded of Jesus. He forged the path of redemption and forgiveness himself, through the pain of being beaten and hung on a cross ’til death.  Truly, it was my sin, my offenses that put Him on the cross to die.  And yet, on the other side of His death, with His resurrection secured on the timeline of history, He offers forgiveness, so that I am forgiven.  so that I can forgive.

If He can look at me with eyes of compassion after all that I’ve done, how can I do any less for someone else?  Its a difficult road, a bit rocky with stones of anger and frustration, hurt and even injustice.  But, I don’t have to walk it alone…  He’s already been there, so that I can walk the road of forgiveness too.

In Colossians 2, Paul reminds me that Christ has accomplished the necessary work, forgiving us:

11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

I am so thankful for these words today.  It puts in perspective for me just how much I am able to forgive, because I truly am forgiven and free.

Thank you Heavenly Father. Thank you for your love that meets me in the middle of the afternoon, while I’m trying to survive this “rocky road” life.

Well, in honor of my Aunt Betsy and all of the wisdom she offered to me so long ago, I’m headed to the kitchen.  I’ve got some rocky road bars to make.

a bit of history · in my kitchen

warning: valentine’s day is approaching…

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For all you lovers out there, who are bakers, (or even if you aren’t a baker) and need to do something for the valentine in your life, I’ve got just the thing for you! Recently, in order to celebrate valentine’s day properly, I made these really wonderful cookies.  A chocolate and vanilla sandwich cookie; super simple and super yummy for your special someone.

The recipe I used called them homemade oreos.  I will not call them that because I just, well, I just can’t.  An oreo is an oreo- and there is nothing else like it.  But, these cookies are a little chocolatey piece of loveliness for the tastebuds – and I will make them again.  and again. and not just for my little valentines…

These cookies are chewy, the filling is creamy and together they are a match made in heaven.  Just like you and your valentine.

Here’s the recipe:

chocolate sandwich cookies

cookie dough ingredients:

1 package of devil’s food cake mix

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil or shortening

filling ingredients:

1/4 cup butter at room temp.

1/4 cup shortening

2 tsp vanilla

2-3 cups powdered sugar.

instructions:

heat oven to 350.  mix cookie dough ingredients, then roll into small balls -( I used a teaspoon cookie scoop.) place on baking sheet and then flatten. (I used the bottom of a glass)  then bake for 8 minutes.  remove from baking sheet and cool.

then cream butter and shortening, add vanilla and then powdered sugar to desired consistency.

take a moment to match up the cookies so that you have the sandwich ready- then, frost the bottom side of one cookie and top with its match.

Enjoy them, friends!  Be prepared, you won’t want just one.  😛

(the recipe was adapted from the Mommy’s Kitchen blog)

in my kitchen

the business of baking comfort…

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Today, because I’m feeling really generous, even benevolent, I am publishing this recipe.  You need to know that the cookies this recipe makes are wonderful, but seriously addicting…

Consider yourself warned.

Here it is:

Great Grandma Gingrich’s Oatmeal Cookies.

Ingredients:
1 egg (beaten)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup margarine (I use butter)
1/2 cup crisco
1 1/2 cup oatmeal
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c shredded coconut (optional)
chocolate chips or raisins (to your taste)

Directions:
cream sugars and butter/crisco together.
add egg and vanilla – mix well
Add all dry ingredients – stir until well combined
Drop by the tablespoon on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake @ 350 F – around 9-11 minutes

For honesty’s sake I have to say that I don’t know of my grandmother ever using anything other than dates and raisins.  But, I on the other hand have included in my dough combinations such as craisins and white chocolate chunks or  peanut butter chips and dark chocolate or heath bits with milk chocolate chips.  and chopped pecans are always a lovely addition.  Just do whatever floats your boat.

So – go bake up a batch – for your Super Bowl Party or your valentine…  you know you want to!

a bit of history · friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

the comfort of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies

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Last evening we spent time with one of Michael’s cousins, Ross. He is actually Michael’s dad’s cousin.  That means Ross is my first cousin, twice removed, in-law.  I hope I’ve sufficiently confused you with all of this information.  At any rate, it was remarkable to meet this man.

Hearing him and Johnny (Johnny is my father-in-law) relive some of their history was very intriguing; it was like peeking through the windows into the soul of this wonderful family that I’m a part of now. Towards the end of our time together, I shared a bit about my history with Ross – and about how most of my family is far away and how I try to visit when I can.  And he looked at me and pointed, gently, as any only a good southern gentleman can do and said, “Go.  Go as often as you can. It will mean so much later.”

And I took his advice to heart. Later, I reviewed my day, I thought about all of its details; my train of thought went sort of like this:  school work, cleaning and laundry, piano lessons,  workout and baking cookies for a friend…stop.  Everyone knows I love to bake.  Sometimes I find a great recipe online, other times I come across something in a magazine or cookbook, once in a while a friend gives me a recipe.  But yesterday – yesterday I used a recipe for oatmeal cookies from my grandmother’s kitchen.

After all of the chatter with Michael’s family and the disappointment of not seeing mine any time soon, this thought began to shine warmly and tenderly, like the glow of a night-light in my heart:  When I was baking those cookies, it was like spending time with my grandmother.   I thought about her and my grandpa and our times together more than I had to pay attention to the ingredients or instructions, I know the recipe so well.  And though my friend came and took the sweets to an event, and I did not taste even one, the time spent was good for my heart.  There was comfort in making those cookies.

I’ve come to realize I can follow Ross’ advice in some ways without hopping on the next plane.  I can spend time with them, in my memories right here at home.  And I can keep doing things right here in my kitchen that will keep my thoughts of my loved ones real and fresh.

I apologize that there isn’t a particular Scripture for these thoughts.  I thought that one might come to me…I believe it is His Will that I value the things that are truly important- time with loved ones, laughter with friends- this is what makes life sweet.   Hopefully I can appreciate these things more in 2012. If I have to bake a few cookies to do it better this year than last, I guess that’s just the way it will have to be.  I wouldn’t want to let Ross down.

Thank you Heavenly Father that you are the giver of all good things.  Every perfect gift comes from you.  I treasure the family you have given me, near and far.  May I never take for granted the beautiful gift of family.  amen.

From James 1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

friends and loved ones · in my kitchen

an uncommon, but terribly ordinary list…

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It was just a few days ago that I sat, here at my house – with nothing and everything to do all at once.  Sick babies can make a Mama feel that way.  Its in those moments of slowly hurried time that I typically collect up my burdens.  I try to sort them all out but, in the end it is my Savior who picks them up and I’m left with what I can only describe as His goodness in my life.

So, in an atypical turn of blogging events (for me anyway), I’m going to make a list.  I really only do this once in a blue moon, I promise.  This is a list of plain old, usual, every day  stuff ; things that are His goodness in my life.  And they most likely mean absolutely nothing to anyone else.  In fact – others might not even find them that good…  But, He is good – and He has taken this life and made even the smallest tidbits His grace to me.  How can I do anything but rehearse it all and thank Him with this full heart.

1. for my blue flowered apron which makes me smile and protects me from certain disaster.

2. for a newly organized tupperware cabinet that no longer overflows onto the floor the minute I touch the door.

3. for a kind and thoughtful husband who is a hard worker, and organized the cabinet mentioned above.

4. for my sick baby who reminded me (again) of God’s healing power.

5. for bappies and blankies and children’s tylenol and other earthly comforts that assist us on the physical road to recovery.

6. for peanut butter cake. (with chocolate chips)

7. for a fun  U.S. map that brought a “new love” to the surface for my sweet boy.

8. for quiet time.

9. for patience, and all the ways He’s making me practice it these days…  with my children, the plans for our future, for His timing and guidance… its actually a really long list.

10. for the newly purged spaces in our home- our house is lighter, my mind is free and I can walk in the toy room again.  hallelujah.

11. for creamy roasted red pepper hummus on whole wheat crackers.

12. for my precious children who love and forgive and love again…often they are Christ to me – and I am blessed.

13. for red grapefruit. it is the love of my weight watchers heart – and has the power to quench most other desires… except peanut butter cake…

14. And most of all – this Scripture – which is on my refrigerator – where I can be reminded daily:

Psalm 68 : 19  Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

amen.

to my friends:  I would love to hear some of the ways you are blessed- the ways you notice His goodness in your life – Feel free to comment here and share!

amen.

Me and my snazzy blue flowered apron, a gift given to me by my understanding and loving hubby.  (I am not a tidy cook, after all – but he promises that he didn’t marry me for my immaculate kitchen skills, so its okay.)

in my kitchen

because this is our first day back to school…

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I am sharing this with you.  A muffin recipe.  This is a wonderful pumpkin cake donut that happens to be in the shape of a muffin.  and they are DIVINE.   They are helping us start the week out right.  I knew I couldn’t make it thru this blogging week honestly without sharing them with you, my friends.

Now, you need to know:  They are NOT, I repeat NOT, weight watchers friendly.  But with that said,  in spite of all those New Year’s Resolutions you made last week, you still need to eat one of these beauties.  My mom always told me, don’t waste your calories; well, I promise you – not one calorie is wasted here.  It is worth every tiny crumb.   And I know it is the truth because my husband couldn’t stop smiling while taste-testing the first one of the batch.

I apologize if it messes up all of your diet plans.  Its okay. You can get on the treadmill twice tomorrow. Here it is:

Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins.

Ingredients

  • For The Batter

    • 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
    • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
    • 1/3 cup buttermilk
    • 1 1/4 cups pure pumpkin puree (from a 15-ounce can)
    • 3/4 cup light brown sugar
    • 2 large eggs

  • For The Sugar Coating

    • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 12 standard muffin cups. Make batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and allspice. In a small bowl, whisk together buttermilk and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down bowl as needed. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three additions, alternating with two additions pumpkin mixture, and beat to combine.
  2. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each muffin cup and bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Let muffins cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Working with one at a time, remove muffins from pan, brush all over with butter, then toss to coat in sugar mixture. Let muffins cool completely on a wire rack.

(this recipe was taken from the Martha Stewart website.)

in my kitchen

dutch oven cleansing

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(originally written December 15, 2010)

I made chili on Saturday.  There’s a recipe I’ve been using for several years now and we love it. It makes so much that I have to use my really large dutch oven.

The problem is that I’m not supposed to use my particular pot on my stove top.  I have a glass top appliance and it doesn’t work well with my Le Creuset.  In fact the manufacturer’s instructions indicate  that I should not cook with it on my stove.

Well, I don’t like those instructions.  Why should I not be able to use my favorite pot?  Its ridiculous.  So on Saturday, I did it anyway.  again.  I made my chili in the Le Creuset dutch oven.  And do you know what happened?  The same thing that always happens.  I’m experienced, you see, because my pot is probably 7 years old.

I scalded the bottom of my favorite pot.  After 7 years and knowing better – I chose to do the very thing that I know not to do.  During the early part of the chili making I found that the bottom was already dark black and burnt – which forced me to finish the chili in the crockpot.

The Le Creuset dutch oven was a lovely Christmas gift several years ago from my sweet husband who knows how much I love to cook.  He gave it to me on a year when we didn’t have a lot to spend – it is precious because it was such a sacrificial gift.   As I stood at my kitchen sink, looking at the mess I had created I got a bit choked up because I was afraid that I had ruined my precious pan.

The worst part about this situation is that I can never get it clean – I have to call my husband in to scrub.  Its a bit embarrassing to let him see that I have disrespected His gift.  But when I asked him to clean it, he wasn’t even surprised. I mean, seriously, how could he be after 7 years of this pattern?   He just rolled up his sleeves, pulled out the Cerama-brite and my pot was clean in a few minutes.

As I stood and watched him scrub, I was reminded of Paul’s words.  (this is my paraphrase) – “The things I know to do, I don’t do.  The things I know I shouldn’t do – I do them.” My own life choices are just like my decision to cook in the wrong pot.  I sin.  a lot.  I do stuff that I know not to do all the time.  But there is good news.

Matthew 1:20-21 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Many years ago, God sent a very precious gift.  He gave us His son, knowing full well we would continue to sin, needing a Savior.  He knew we would insult Him by sinning again and again in spite of His Son’s gift of life.  How often I go to Him, asking Him to forgive me again, needing Him to cleanse my heart.  With patience and love in just moments my heart is made new.

He is faithful to His promise.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for graciously caring for me, for forgiving my sin time and again.  If it weren’t for your love, my heart would be like the bottom of my grimy, greasy, burnt up dutch oven.  May I never forget the compassion you have shown to me.

amen.

a bit of history · in my kitchen

Christmas in the kitchen

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People have been asking me hard questions this holiday season that have made me think.  Not the least of which is a question that goes something like this:  Why in the world do you bake so much?   I never have an answer.  The words just won’t come that express how I feel.  So, I’ve had to do some soul-searching this year, back to a few of my Christmas memories.

Christmas in the kitchen during my childhood was a very special place for our family.  My mom would bake a lot of goodies, just as her mom had done years before.  We would spend time together mid the flour and sugar with our rolling pins and cookie cutters…  Some of my best and loveliest Christmas memories are centered on those times together in the kitchen.

How can I possibly create Christmas in my home, without spending time in my kitchen?  Its just not possible.

I don’t suppose my mom really knew back then that our time around the baked goods was such a treasured gift that I would want to give away in abundance someday.    But, isn’t that how giving works?  I mean, really and truly – when someone gives generously to me- I always want to give away more.

As I dwell a bit more on this season of giving, I’m able to answer another question that has been circling around in my heart and mind this season.  Why do I have such a desire to give gifts to my loved ones?  It is complicated to have such a desire when I also don’t want to be materialistic and focused on earthly things so much.  Well, I think I’ve caught a glimpse of the answer…

My Heavenly Father, gave the very best present when He sent His son.  It was wild and extravagant affection for us that made Him do it – setting into motion His ultimate plan to redeem each person who calls on His name.  Once I experienced His gift of love fully in my own heart, I became a giver too…  When I realized how much He loves me and gives the very best gifts to His children, I wanted to become that same kind of person.

And so, I give from the heart of my kitchen…  I love to bake for friends and family, not because they need to eat goodies.  No, I spend time and energy, love and affection, mid the flour and sugar just the way my mom did with us – and I give it to those who I want to show love.  And I am hopeful.  Hopeful that, as I set the example of giving love during this season, that those who receive my gift will feel it to the very tips of their toes and become givers too.

Isn’t’ that what this life is about – giving my life and my love away to others freely- just as Christ did?  Yes.  I believe that it is.    And that pretty much sums up the answer to the big question – I bake so much because the kitchen is where I can give away my love well.

May your Season of giving this Christmas be sweetened by the love of our precious Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas.