Pioneer Woman at Heart

  First time to cook with organic split green peas.  If I have, it's been a very long time, and we cannot find these (organic) in our area stores.  I re-stocked while out restocking, where bulk foods are so much less expensive. Of course seasonings are dried herbs from the garden (other than the bay leaf). I can say, that we loved the soup, but I adjusted a soup recipe from stove top to crock pot (again).  The split peas do break down in a crock pot soup, but I will be buying more of them, especially over winter months.  I will be using a different meat next time too I think.  We did not have "Farmers Sausage" so I adapted, but still good. The recipe is from Mennonites Girls can Cook - Anderson's Pea Soup. It will be 14 degrees warmer today, but the bitter cold plans to return again.  I am so busy making up for the 6 weeks of not being able to clean like I normally clean/upkeep, but it's getting done.  I completely forgot to get a photo of the cu...

  Black-eyed Pea and Cabbage Soup - The Southern Lady Cooks ( recipe free online ). My take on this soup.  I made it as a crock pot soup.  I used a can of organic black-eye peas vs. dried.  It was delicious.  I will be making this again.  I also used my homemade jalapeno salt to season the meat in it. Hearty 3-Bean Soup - Clean Food Crush ( free recipe online ) My take on this soup - I made it as a crock pot soup, and did not cook any of the veggies in tallow on the stove first.  I used a can of organic fire roasted tomatoes vs the sun dried tomatoes.  I would use home canned tomatoes if we had them. I've made this 3 different times, and each time used up some leftover broth (vegetable, chicken and beef) from various recipes, and we have loved it! I have a new biscuit recipe to try, that I have had sitting around for a few months now.  I thought it would be nice for the soup meals.  If I ever get around to making it, I will be sharing th...

  I tried another new crockpot recipe, and we loved it.   The only thing I discovered, is my crockpot "low" setting is pretty hot, and I can lower the cook time on this, and it lacks "color" due to the homemade basil pesto.  We think adding some red bell pepper next time would be nice.   Also, it did not make a lot.  It's about a 3-4 serving dish, but it ended up a 3 serving for us, ha ha.  I would double this for leftovers. What is it? Chicken with Zucchini Noodles and Basil Pesto Where is the recipe from?                           I prefer to cook my raw chicken separately, and not with other vegetables, when it comes to crockpot cooking.  It's just me.  I cooked the chicken the day before (in the crockpot), shredded it and cooled it (recipe called for chicken breast sliced). I simply added the chicken at the end of cooking, as well as grated parmesan cheese, because I fr...

  The photo pretty much depicts the recent snow storm.  We did get a slight bit of sunshine yesterday.  I think we got about 3 inches.  My husband finally got to use his drivable mini snowplow (he bought it from an auction a few years ago and never needed it).  He walked in the door that day giggling that he was happy to finally try it out on snow.  Ha!  I have to say it worked perfectly.  All those years I joked he was a collector of such do-hickies, but it sure came in handy for us. However, I did hand shovel the side patio to get out to tend the hens (there is a side story to this) and get the mail that particular day.  There was 2 foot drifts to get to the coop, and I slipped slightly on the underlying ice (which I didn't see until I shoveled).  Anyway, when I put my right foot down to catch myself, it shot pain right up that already beat up leg.   I put in a call to our main doctor, and the nurse called me back.  I, a...

Breakfast for the next few days - crock pot steel cut oats with apples, raisins, walnuts, and cinnamon. I cut the recipe in half.  I'm sort of getting used to cooking for 3 people now. I took advantage of the beautiful weather, so I headed out to muck the coop.  Didn't happen.  This chicken herself, saw that the skunks did a lot of yard damage near the barn I get my straw from.  I was too chicken to go in the barn.  I messaged my husband (who got a chuckle out of this), and asked if he'd check out the barn tonight after work.  I know skunks generally sleep in dens during the day, but I saw one out during the day last week (up the road).  I didn't want any surprises in the barn.  Sigh. Update on a crock pot meal I recently made.  Didn't really follow a recipe, but tried cooking bone-in chicken thighs a different way. I sliced up some red skin potatoes and tossed them with 2 Tbsp. olive oil and 2 Tbsp. melted butter,5 cloves of minced garlic, p...

  I sliced up 6# of apples and cooked them down, while I multitasked.... ...and sliced and diced 6# of onions and filled my large dehydrator. Part of them will be ground into onion powder and part will be saved as they are. I'll probably make applesauce again.  I didn't write down any notes on my recipe (basically instructions with number of pounds), and may have doubled it last time.  Thankfully I thought ahead for the busy day.  I put an all-in-one dinner in the crock pot.  Four beans and sausage , with home grown green bell pepper and home canned ketchup. I cut up yellow netting, and it took almost 3 hours to cut enough strips for 11 scrubbies.  It's sort of back breaking work, as it is a lot of netting and I cannot just simply fold it over several times (10 yards) and cut it quickly.  I'm not sure how many more years I'll be selling them. By the way, two tips with homemade scrubbies.  I've had someone buy them for her husband and said he uses ...

  It was time to re-stock my celery cubes for winter.  I really like this better than dehydrating.  I just dice and add some water and freeze.  Store in air tight containers. I finally got to town again, due to one daughter being home with the truck.  We hightailed it to town and restocked butter and a few other items.  I was able to save $.85 on one of the boxes and thankful for that.  I brought home 4# because I noticed the other organic butter went up to $6.99.  I may go back and get 4 more if I have room in the freezer.  It's filling up fast now that it's the end of the garden season. I had grand plans to buy myself fresh flowers, and totally forgot.  Sigh . I just wanted to do something nice for myself.  I hope to remember next chance I get.  I mixed up the menu for the week.  A few days ago I made crock pot taco soup using leftover taco meat, opened jar of home canned taco sauce, opened a jar of home canned tomato sa...

  Bourbon Chicken (Crockpot Recipe) Place 2lbs. of organic chicken breast in a crock pot. In a bowl mix the sauce: 1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger 4 cloves homegrown garlic 1/2 tsp. organic crushed red pepper flakes 1/3 cup organic apple juice 1 1/2 Tbsp. organic honey 1/4 cup organic brown sugar 1/4 cup home canned (or organic) ketchup 3 Tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup Bourbon 1/4 cup organic soy sauce 1/4 cup water Mix all together and pour over chicken.  Cook on low for 7 hours or so. Just about 15 minutes before serving, remove chicken from crock pot, shred and set aside.   Mix 3 Tbsp. water with 3 Tbsp. organic corn starch.  Add to the crock pot mixture and stir.   Shred chicken and add back to the crock pot. Stir. Note:  I did not turn up the heat to speed up process, I simply let it sit on low, put the chicken back in, and gave it a stir. Serve over organic wild rice or rice of your choice and top with chopped green onions from your ...

I took some egg shells out to toss in the garden (where the tomatoes will be planted), and took a look-see at the garlic. I am thrilled to say, that some of it has green tops.  Not all, but I'm hoping it all comes up.  The only downside of grow bags - squirrels.  I had to plant a garlic clove that a rodent dug up.  Otherwise, I am a happy gal to see this. Tried three new recipes yesterday.  Due to lack of ingredients on hand, each one was adjusted. Cod in the crock pot with seasonings and onion.  Didn't have red onion, so I used white.  It cooked perfectly and tasted great. Veggie quinoa in the crock pot.  Didn't have carrots, so I just made it without.  Cookbook said cook 4-6 hours on low.  It cooked in 4. Low carb chocolate chip cookies (almond flour).  I didn't have maple syrup for these.  I didn't have any eggs, so this recipe was fitting to try.  These were so good! The first two recipes are...

First thing on the agenda was go through my library loot.  I didn't get any really good gift ideas from these garden gift books. I'm looking through this one for new recipes.  I've ordered another one for the slow cooker for "diabetic" recipes.  I will wait and see which is better to buy.  There are several recipes for this next recipe online, but I really like using crock pots for dinner (trying new recipes for easier days this summer). One recipe from the above slow cooker cookbook - Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes.  Yes, those are sweet potatoes (different organic variety).  Loaded with garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes. A second crock pot was filled with a turkey breast, loaded with seasoning and a few homemade beef bouillon cubes. Both were delicious, and it was the first time I ever cooked a turkey breast in a crock pot.  I'll definitely make them again, and I'll be doing a turkey in the crock pot next Thanksgiving. Homemade B...

We woke up to almost 80°F at 5:30am yesterday.  Yeah, it started out hot, and continued.  I could only hope we got more rain.  We hit a high of 106°F heat index yesterday.   Woke up to the sweet sound of rain early this morning.  It'll be hotter today than yesterday, so I'm sure I'll be taking crushed ice to the chickens. I got another bracelet done (requested colors).  Seven more to make yet.  I actually got 10 orders.  They are turning out so nicely too, but I'll be raising the price.  It's a good way to use indoor time, but the bathroom needed cleaned too.  Youngest was home, so she helps count the 196 beads for me, and helps string them.  I may need to raise the price after these 7 are all done.  I hope to get some made this summer for the fall holiday show I do.  I think they would sell very well.  So glad I tried the art of crocheting with beads.   Carpet shampooing will happen after thi...

Did you freeze any parsnips, turnips or carrots from your garden?  Or have some in your root cellar?  We love this side dish. In a crock pot, place: All organic/homegrown ingredients 4 carrots, washed, peeled and sliced 2 parsnips, washed, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces 1 turnip, washed, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces Top with 1/2 cup brown sugar, dot with 2 Tbsp. butter, and pour in 1/2 cup of water. Salt to taste. Cover.  Cook on low 3-4 hours.  I typically turn mine on high for an hour than back to low to speed up the process.

(the start of cooking it) Brown 1 lb. of organic ground beef and drain. In a bowl, mix 1 cup of water and 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar.  Slice 6 potatoes thinly and toss in the water mixture and drain. In another bowl mix: 1 onion diced 1/4 cup organic all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper 1/2 cup shredded organic cheddar cheese In a crock pot place browned ground beef and top with a potatoes, then top with onion mixture.  Dot the top with bits of organic butter. Top with one "can" of homemade mushroom soup (or 1 can organic mushroom soup). Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup organic shredded cheddar cheese about 30 minutes prior to serving.

Tiger is feeling better now.  In fact, the day we took him to the vet he got a shot and when we got home, he was running around the house chasing nothing, ha ha!  Then later I found a ball of yarn that was dragged all down the hallway, ha ha! Every year we joke about what will get left out, after putting all the Christmas decor away.  I did it again this year!  Ha!  While pulling dried clothing off the drying rack, I noticed all the stocking holders sitting on the breakfast bar.  Hmpf!  Guess I'm digging out a tote to fit them in. I finally got around to locating a Tupperware dealer.  I have lots of items that are cracked and need replaced.  I just have to pick up the phone and call her now.  Then go around and collect all the cracked stuff. Has anyone used psyllium husk powder in a recipe?  I have a new recipe I want to try, and wonder if this stuff is available in most stores?  It's the "glue" in a recipe I want t...