I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe

 Breakfast Lasagna

(there are more versions of this online)

The recipe is found on a YouTube video.  It uses a lot of cheese to make this a "zero" carb recipe, but not low in calories.  You start by scrambling 18 eggs. 

Here is the video LINK for the YouTube video on how she makes the breakfast lasagna.

Gravy is made with breakfast sausage, cream cheese and beef broth.   Like I said, it uses a LOT of cheese.

I'm not a subscriber, so I could not get actual measurements from her recipe, so I "eyeballed" it.  I used a mix of mozzarella and pepper jack, and some Parmesan cheese.

The ham I used.  Honestly, didn't feel one 6 oz. package was enough, but I wasn't sure on the size of pan to use either.

Here is my review:  I used a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.  It was too big of a baking dish, to get even layers.

It was very good, but I will use my own milk based sausage gravy next time, and will utilize frozen diced ham we saved from the last holiday season.  Overall, very good, but you could make your own changes to suit your taste.  You can cut it in half and make a smaller batch too.

The final look after it came out of the oven.  I heated it at 350°F until it was heated through out the dish.

I guess all of these "zero" carb dishes are full of cheeses, so we will cut the cream cheese out and use homemade breakfast sausage gravy next time.  I use very little flour to make mine anyway.

It's a great idea for a breakfast for a group, or gathering, and it re-heats nicely.  It's perfect for a brunch as well.

 It didn't last long here, but again way too much cheese for us.  

Toodles!

I tried it, so you don't have to, recipe © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

I tired it recipes, so you don't have to. . .

 

First, here is the link for the Pumpkin baked oatmeal with toasted pecans (The Real Dietitians). 

One of my biggest challenges has been to cook and bake without white flour, sugar and pasta.  Per my husband's doctor's strict instructions (for the last 7 years), I am trying my best, but as a baker and cook from scratch gal, it's been a huge challenge.  Hence, the new recipe trials.

I found this recipe on social media, but have no source for it.  I'm thinking someone just tossed stuff together.  Anyway...

  1st - I added cinnamon and nutmeg, and I'm glad I did.

2nd - they are a bit on the "dry" side, any ideas on what to add that is healthy?

3rd - they need more blueberries

Notes:  I used 1/3 cup monkfruit (I feel monkfruit is sweeter than real sugar), and used homemade vanilla.

I tried this recipe first, as I had frozen (vs. fresh) blueberries, and plain greek yogurt.  Oven bake times may vary, as you see mine are a bit toasty on top.

Mix 3 cups of almond flour with 1 Tbsp. baking soda.

In another bowl, whisk 4 eggs, 1/2 cup Greek plain yogurt, 2/3 cup swerve (or your choice of sweetener), 1 tsp. vanilla.

Mix wet with dry ingredients, and fold in 1 cup of frozen blueberries.  Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.

I have another recipe that calls for milk and fresh blueberries to try soon as well.

Southern Beefy Skillet.  Delicious.  Uses beans vs. pasta.  Recipe is online with Eating Well (previously Diabetic Living).  Be sure to read the instructions first, as they left out the tomato sauce in the ingredients list.

I didn't quite follow it 100%.  I added a bag of frozen thawed, diced yellow squash to it as well.  I used home canned tomato sauce, the oregano came from the herb garden, and the bell peppers and jalapenos also came from the freezer (from last year's garden).  Sadly, I am out of freezer garden tomatoes.  Other than the addition, and using my homegrown sources, it was very good.  I will be saving this recipe.  I keep cans of organic butter beans on hand on a regular basis.

Butter beans, sausages and kale pesto.  A nice wintery dish. There are a few different recipes online for this, and they never specify exactly what type of "sausages" to use, so I decided to slice and cook turkey sausages (original recipes say to cook whole sausages).  It was delicious.  Next time I will serve a side vegetable too.  I have some kale pesto leftover, so I'll either be freezing it into cubes, or using it for a chicken dinner.  

My blog has once again compromised (or was anyway).  Why?  To annoy me?   Most likely the same person, however, did you know you can report an "issue" on your Google account?  You can. 

Enjoy!  The sun is out again today!

I tried it recipes, so you don't have to . . .  © Feb 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix (Question) ~ Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

We are getting just a wee bit of snow this weekend.  We literally did not get a lick of work done Saturday (if you read our winter project list I posted recently).  We did a lot of "window" shopping to check prices on supplies for the winter project list.  Only one hardware store had an attachable ladder shelf, which required a half hour drive.  I can now paint with lot more ease.  The ladder we are using to paint and do work, does not have a shelf, nor the smaller ladder.  We also needed the odor killing primer, which only one store had in stock, and only on can left on the shelf.

The prices for anything right now are so over the top, it is mind boggling.  How can anyone afford to even buy groceries right now?  Due to the cost of paint, we will do a re-check on what paint is leftover from other rooms, re-calculate, and see if we can use any for the hallway.  We priced light fixtures, mirrors, and other items, and could not believe the price of mirrors for the bathroom.  We came home to look at ours, and we cannot take off the hardware and frame them either.  They were installed used, and the mirrors are scratching off the edges.  Anyway.  The cost of anything is crazy high right now.

On a good note:  one large box of donations and one huge bag of random baskets were all donated on our day road tripping for supplies.

Although it is so convenient to buy the ranch packet dip at the store, the ingredients are not healthy.  If you google the top two ingredients, they are basically of a form of some sort of sugar/flavoring.  The packet also contains bioengineered (gmo) ingredients.  They also just say "spices" so what is that?

 Back in the day, I found a recipe for homemade Ranch Dressing (Simply Scratch, online) making our own dry mix and using that for making the homemade dressing.

The post to the recipe link is HERE.  The recipe is very extensive, and I have to buy my dried chives, because the last time I tried to dehydrate my own from the herb garden, they blew all over in the dehydrator.  If you have a tip for this, please share.  

My question is, do any of you have a tried and true dry ranch mix (homemade) for using as a dip?  One that perhaps has less ingredients, but tastes good?  We like to add it to a container of blended cottage cheese to dip fresh vegetables in.

Living up to our motto, I had four opened bags of different (non-gmo) pretzels.  I wanted to try a new recipe, but I should have made a half batch of these, and used the other half for whiskey stix.  Anyway, I mixed them all up and tried Cinnamon sugar pretzels.  They are good, but I made too much lol.  I will need to gift some to the kids perhaps.  It's an easy recipe for a make and take food for gatherings (recipe is from The Southern Lady Cooks online).  Did you know that Snyder's now makes non-gmo pretzels?

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix (Question) ~ Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday

 I tried a new recipe, and we love it - Southwest Chicken Quinoa Casserole (The Real Food Dietitians online).  It was similar to a "bowl" recipe we like that is layered, but this recipe is much easier and quicker to prepare.  I used frozen bell pepper from the garden, and frozen jalapenos from the garden, so that created more liquid as it cooked (note to self: use less chicken broth).  I used homemade tomato sauce for this too. 

The chicken coop roof is finally done.  We may be moving the coop's location.  Not sure just yet.  

We also got the fallen pine trees moved, but it took part of the lilac bush with it.  It is about half the height, so hopefully, it will recover.  I think we removed about 6 fallen pine trees.  One more job checked off the to-do list.  Actually two, if you count the chicken coop roof being completely done.

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

The weather . . .

Over the weekend we hit a high record.

However, with this, came more rain, and now much cooler.

Right now I am  . . .

Getting ready to post this blog post.

Thinking and Pondering . . .

What needs to be on the to-do list today/this week.

How I am feeling . . .

Fantastic!  I completed two fitness goals.  Now onto the next few goals....

On the breakfast plate . . .

Sausage, egg, potato, and bean breakfast burrito.

On the lunch plate . . .

Chicken salad cucumber bites and omega 3 nut mix.  I used part home canned hot pepper relish, and part sweet for the chicken salad.  So good!!  Can't wait for summer cucumbers again.

On the dinner plate . . .

Not sure just yet.

On the menu . . .

-Chicken spaghetti using spaghetti squash (new recipe)

-Cauliflower crust homemade pizza, with our pizza sauce

-Jalapeno Chicken Cheddar Fritters, veggie

-possibly a fish dinner of some sort

On the reading pile . . .

I'm still reading this, and my goal is to finish it before it's due back.  It was not what I thought it would be, but so far okay.

On my TV this week . . .

Any movie that looks interesting.

Looking around the house . . .

I have one more craft show tote to go through, and more yarn to put away.

On the to-do list . . .

I still need to write this out for the day/week.

From the camera . . .

I got some sitting time in the good ol' sunshine.  It took the "crankies" away for a while.  The weather was gorgeous (until the rain moved in).  

Something to share . . .

Homemade Omega-3 Nut Snack Mix:

Some of you may already roast your own snack mixes, but I finally started to make our Omega-3 mix myself.  The packets have changed (they started adding chocolate bits to it), and it's expensive.  I found some of the non-gmo (no oils) nuts at Menard's and the rest at other grocery stores.  I then add the dried cranberries (the packets had too many cranberries). 

I roast (all non-gmo, with no added oils):

-1 cup raw walnuts
-1 cup raw almonds
-1 cup raw pecans
-1 cup raw pistachios
-1 cup raw pepitas 

Roast at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, cool and add 1 cup dried cranberries.  Store in an air tight container.  One serving - 1/4 cup.

If you have a Costco or other membership, look for non-gmo bulk nuts.  We do not, so I have to really look around for them.

Christmas ideas, DIY's, tips and recipes . . .

Egg Soufflé (Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole)

I love to make this recipe with homemade bread.  Our favorite make ahead breakfast.

Devotional, Quote, Prayers. . .

Frigid ~ New Crock Pot Recipe Tried

 We warmed up from an 8°F wind-chill to 18°F.  I had the brainy idea it was great weather to muck the coop.  It was a bit windy, but half the coop was cleaned anyway.  Nothing like fetching one frozen egg in this frigid weather.  

Although the sun was out, the chickens wanted no part of the outside world.  They wanted to huddle inside.

I have been lazy with cooking, so it was a recipe to try from this cookbook.

Chicken Chickpea Tortilla Soup

I love my crock pot, but I'm not a big fan on "soups" for dinner.  It typically is not a substantial meal, and my brain immediately associates it served with some sort of bread.  Then I think a side sandwich.  What do you serve with your soups?  Another vegetable side sounds good too.

The recipe suggestions for serving it, say try yogurt, cheese, crunchy blue tortilla chips.  By the way, the nutritional information is included with the recipes in this book.

Anyway, the above recipe was easy and quick, and the results of test tasting were good.  Delicious!  We loved it.  I used a full 4 cloves of garlic (recipe says 3-4), and I only had one can of regular diced tomatoes, so the 2nd can was fire roasted (organic) tomatoes.  Also, the recipe states for 6 cups of stock.  I used 4 and it was plenty.  The photo is deceiving, as it shows very little broth.  Otherwise, I followed the recipe, and did not top it with anything, it was that good.

New Cracker Recipe Tried ~ The Good and the Bad

I dusted off my rolling pin, and tried a new cracker recipe for our hummus.

 

Recipe states to bake 15 minutes on parchment, flip over and bake again on parchment.

Cut into crackers, and make sure they don't touch and bake 30 more minutes on a lower heat.  I had to remove the thinner ones on the edges, or they would burn.

I left them cool on the baking tray.

My review?  First, I do not like to try a recipe, where the website online, has no comments.  I like to read through the comments and get tips or tricks or whatnot.  I went ahead and tried it, as I was looking for one without white flour, wheat flour and without any sweetener or sugar.

I do like this recipe, other than the original recipe calls for salt, and the to top it with everything bagel seasoning (I used homemade).  It is too salty.  I will omit the salt next time.  Although, my husband loved these crackers as is.

Delicious with homemade hummus!

Tahini too expensive?  You can make your own tahini:  Click Here.

Secondly, do not use parchment.  The dough sticks with the first flip.  You could use the parchment, but you lose some of the dough after the first bake (when peeling off the parchment).  I will be using my silicone sheets next time (for the first flip), and I may try other seasoning such as rosemary and garlic.

So...the good?  It's easy, tastes good, gets crisp like a cracker should be.  Very little ingredients.  I rolled the dough into sort of a log shape, then flattened it, then I used the rolling pin (over a second sheet of parchment).

The bad?  Use silicone baking sheets, it sticks to parchment, and omit the salt in the dough (unless you use a different, less salty topper for the cracker dough).  Also, do not leave the kitchen during the last 30 minute baking time.  It's hard to get the entire dough rolled evenly, so you'll need to watch for the outer crackers to be removed and continue to bake the thicker crackers in the center.  I sort of rotated them around, putting the thicker ones at the edge of the pan.

The recipe is online, 3-Ingredient Everything Bagel Grain Free Crackers (it has more than 3 ingredients).  Recipe is by Liz Moody.

 Bake time:  1 hour (or more, until crackers are crisp), with a 10 minute dough rest time in addition.

I have made many different types of homemade crackers, and we like this one the best.  I have also made many types of hummus. You can search my blog for beet hummus, pumpkin hummus and a few other types.

Updated:  I placed my crackers in a rubbermaid container, after covering the top with plastic wrap.  The crackers lost their crispness over night.  Can anyone recommend an airtight cracker container without breaking the bank?

New Recipe Tried ~ Rhubarb Infused Vodka

Go figure.  The one year we did not grow cherry or grape tomatoes, and I am finding many new recipes that we love!

Mediterranean Orzo Salad, and we love it!  We can't wait to make with with our own cucumbers, and bell peppers, but next year I will be growing cherry and/or grape tomatoes.  There is nothing better than a cold dinner on a very hot day.

 I was a bit late, but finally got the rhubarb infused vodka strained and bottled.  The light makes the color look different, but they are all looking good.

Rain is on the move today, so mowing is in progress.  The tomato patch (larger one) is too dry to weed, so I am thankful for the rain.  I've been out in the gardens every morning.

I was a bit surprised to see a banana pepper so early this year, but happy for the harvest.

I have a stack of library books to look through.  I am looking for a specific type of hat pattern.  I just have not had time to open the books.  I am hoping today, with the rain, I will get some free time.

Happy Homemaker Monday

It's a doozy of a post today, ha ha!  I cut part of the post out, and will post it tomorrow.

I took advantage of the holiday weekend sales, and finally ordered a sheer, double rod curtain, for the side door.  My Mom was always upset people could see directly in ha ha!     I already have the new rods, so I am looking forward to that update being done.

As for the "honey-do" list for these rainy days, we got the walk-in closet inside trim back up,  moved an antique desk from utility room (put there during renovations) to the spare room upstairs, along with the newly painted bookshelf, the last ceiling fan installed, ceiling paint touched up, camper items put in camper for the season, and started on rectifying the utility room.

Before:  Desk buried, with pharmacy door buried.

The utility room was originally the back of the house, so it was an addition before we moved in.  I unburied the desk and gave it a good cleaning.  I already had a nice chair upstairs for it.  I will cover it all with a sheet for now (upstairs).

I tossed out two large paper mache art projects collecting dust, found a shoe box of check book copies, got rid of the board games to the kids, donated one board game, started another box for donations, washed up our rain coats, some doilies, and stuff to donate.  My husband said, "oh we could play Scrabble" and I just laughed.   We haven't played it for over 14 years. 

 That is the problem with cupboards that don't go all the way to the ceiling.  Stuff like games and kids art projects get stored there.  I'll admit the deer is very life like, but if she didn't take it with her, it gets tossed.  We can't save everything.

My husband wasn't happy with his honey-do list, but with a full day of rain in the forecast, I made sure we stayed on track.  However, by 2:30pm, we did not get one drop of rain, and he was upset for not going on a motorcycle ride.  It was very, very humid out, and the rain eventually arrived.

He is already making his own to-do list, as we talked about the fact some projects were sitting un-done and becoming an eye-sore.  We are on the right track to getting it all looking spiffy around here.

Once I get the rest of the floor cleaned up in the utility room, I'll be starting back on this project:

Our handy man put the outside trim on to make it fit, now I will need to paint that trim, and have the door finally installed.  I'll share the story behind this door in another post.

New Recipe Tried:

It's a ground turkey/quinoa casserole (online at iFoodreal.com), and suggested toppings of fresh tomatoes, and snipped green onion from the herb garden.  I'll admit, this was a lot of ground turkey and quinoa, but we like it.   The one thing I will do next time, is add more spices/herbs to it.  I would add more spinach to it as well.  It was good, and has 4 cloves of garlic, but we both felt it needed just a bit more flavor.  It's very healthy, and can be frozen. 

I think other toppings would be good on this as well.  I'd try it with freshly made salsa on top.  Hm.  Maybe I'll add jalapeno to the dish next time.  It's a nice recipe to make if you have any leftover quinoa as well.

Popcorn was a fail crop this year.  The drought may be the problem, so that area of the garden is going to be tilled up.  We got 5 stalks in 4 rows.  First time to have a fail popcorn crop.  Did you have a fail in your garden this year?

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Hot, humid, and raining.  I'm pretty sure it's too wet in the garden for any work.

As I look outside my window . . .

There is a haze in the air, and the sun is trying to shine, but rain is in the forecast.  There is little to no traffic.  The weekend traffic was crazy going by here.

Right now I am . . .

Writing my to-do's for the day, and sipping coffee, slowly getting my energy to get a start on this day.  We worked very hard yesterday, and I was exhausted by dinner time.

Thinking and pondering . . .

If the garden is too wet to walk in today, and if the heat dries it up by morning, the plan may be to spend the 4th of July in the tomato patch, followed by an full afternoon of purging the garage.  It's all weather permitting of course.  The garage organizing is long over due, and one daughter may be visiting, which would be perfect for her to go through all the Christmas totes she left in the garage.

Listening to . . .

80's rock

How I am feeling . . .

Exhausted from yesterday, but pleased with our progress.  It's strange to have the weekend with my husband, then for him to get up to go to work for one day, then have another day off.  I'll take it.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm just wondering why his company just didn't let them have Monday and Tuesday off.  Most places around here are closed.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Cheddar and Chili Egg Casserole

On the lunch plate . . .

Leftover dinner from last night - Ground Turkey/Quinoa Casserole, topped with fresh tomato and some snipped green onions from the herb garden.

On the dinner plate . . .

No idea just yet.  Possibly cauliflower crust pizzas with home canned pizza sauce.

What I am wearing . . .

Still in pajamas, taking today a bit slower than yesterday. 

What I am reading . . .

Switching to this book, as I picked it up from the library.  I picked up a crochet book, because I am looking for a "hippie" beanie pattern (hat).  The library really reduced their selection, so I have to order from other libraries.

On my TV . . .

Older movies on Netflix

On the menu . . .

-Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Quinoa, and

-Cauliflower crust homemade pizza with veggies and home canned pizza sauce

-chicken fajitas

-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

To-do list . . .

-dishes

-laundry

-pay a few bills

-clean both bathrooms

-dust

-sweep and mop floors

-water porch pots

-check zucchini

-exercise

Extreme Clean this week:

 -put all these patterns back in the binder.  It may take all week, depending on days I get to work outside, but they have been like this since we removed the carpet from our bedroom and closet.  It's time to get them in their home.

-working in the utility room now, and trust me it is over due.  I had it clean and spic and span, then we started repairing and renovating.  Everything was boxed and moved to other rooms, and I found two more boxes of stuff in the utility room that were from the living room repairs.  

From the camera . . .

I used leftover door paint from the bathroom remodel, and it turned out great!  Love it!  We put it in the spare bedroom.  

Devotional, Bible Verse, Prayers . . .

Prayers for the family of the deceased man on the bicycle (see yesterday's post).  He was 60 years old, and riding his bicycle on the sidewalk.