Mini Mexican Corn Muffins

Tonight is leftover night. Specifically, leftover vegetarian chili with brown rice. These mini jalapeno/cheddar muffins were easy to make and should go over well with my family. This recipe came from Cooks.com.

Mexican Cornbread

• 2 boxes Jiffy cornbread muffin mix
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 can creamed corn 
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup finely chopped jalapeno pepper

Fix Jiffy mix according to package directions. Add remaining ingredients. Mix. Pour into greased and floured 13X9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees until center is firm. About 20 minutes.

I used a mini muffin pan because I like how cute they look when they are done! I also omitted the creamed corn...I do not like pieces of corn in a muffin, but go for it, if you do! I did not measure the onions/jalapenos.

These muffins are NOT gluten free since there is wheat flour in the Jiffy cornbread mixes. It would be pretty easy to make this recipe gf.

The Promise of Spring

male goldfinch

Spring arrived early in our area after a mild winter so the weeds and the insects have had a head start. The leaf lettuce my husband planted last fall is growing strong, and is enough to feed my daughter's guinea pigs daily!

A few weeks before planting our vegetable garden, I added most of the stuff from our compost bin into the soil. Not all of the eggshells or clementine peels had completely de-composed, but it is still valuable. We also put in shredded paper to aerate the soil.

We also have quite a few strawberries. They seem to get sweeter every year. I try and pick them before they are completely ripe, otherwise the birds nibble them.

Parsley, cilantro and basil

Tomato plants

I planted zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes. I also put some sugar snap pea seeds in. We have a lot of mysterious seedlings sprouting from all the compost leavings...not sure what they are, but I am yanking them out.

I have been birding with a bit more intensity this year. My brother-in-law and sister came for a visit, and they are both avid birders. I bought some good quality binoculars and am trying to encourage a variety of birds to our yard. Above is a bluebird house which is currently vacant. I bought live mealworms to try and entice a bluebird mama to set up housekeeping, but so far, no blues. I was thrilled to see that the tufted titmice and wrens have been gorging on the worms, so maybe the bluebirds will catch on?

fruit feeder

tufted titmouse eating mealworms

I bought this fruit feeder in the hopes of attracting orioles, bluebirds, tanagers, waxwings etc. So far, I have seen cardinals, titmice and wrens visiting the feeder. There is hummingbird food, a dollop of grape jelly and live mealworms. I read that for the fruit eating birds, grapes jelly is their favorite. You can also put orange slices on the feeder.

titmouse

Wren waiting his turn for the mealworms

new Droll Yankee seed feeder

                                                 

                                                Happy Gardening and Happy Birding!

Today Show talks about the gluten-free diet

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 http://todayhealth.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10437409-gluten-free-diet-may-be-a-waste-of-money-for-some-new-research-suggests


This short clip explains the gluten-free diet very well. Many people have asked me what eating gluten-free means.  Back in 2007, when I was diagnosed, my first stop was to Borders bookstore to buy a copy of  Living Gluten-Free for Dummies, by Dana Korn!


Click on the link above to answer your questions about GLUTEN!

Owls

Barred Owl

http://flickriver.com/places/United+States/Maryland/Southern+Md+Facility/in-Prince+George's/

It is the end of February and spring is around the corner. It seems like winter never really arrived this year. We had only a trace amount of snow, no ice storms, and unfortunately for my kids, no snow day! Don't get me wrong, I love when I say goodbye to my sometimes surly teenagers in the morning and can enjoy my second (or third) cup of coffee in peace and quiet. But there is something about a snow day. Our daily routine is suspended, everything outside is transformed into a snowy wonderland, and bird-watching takes on a whole new level of enjoyment for me!

I have given up on a good snowstorm this winter and am looking forward to the birds returning. Lately, it seems that some are already here, setting up their territory. I hear cardinals, robins, and yesterday I spotted a bluebird!

Eastern Bluebird

A few years ago, I bought a book for my daughter. Wesley the Owl, by Stacey O'Brien, seemed a perfect choice for her since she is interested in animals. After she finished it, she strongly encouraged me to read it. To tell you the truth,  I was reading something else, was busy and put her off. Eventually, when I needed a book to read, I picked it up. Before reading about Wesley, I didn't know much about owls.

excellent book!

This book taught me so much about owls.  Did you know that owls have excellent hearing as well as eyesight? They are silent hunters since they make almost no sound when flying, because of the way their feathers are designed. Their diet consists of mice, voles, small birds, rabbits etc. So when I read that the Wild Bird Lovers store nearby was having Mike Callahan, the current president of the Southern MD Audubon society give a talk about owls, I signed up.

I used to buy my birdseed, suet etc at the Wild Bird Center in Waldorf. A couple years ago, I noticed it was closed, and I read in our local paper that there was some sort of conflict between the owner and the corporation. I missed going there to buy my birdseed as well as chat with the Lee and his wife Dee. I loved that they had their German Shepherd roaming throughout the store. I never just went in and out quickly, but stayed to browse, chat and talk about birds.

Imagine my surprise yesterday when arriving at the store for the owl talk, that this "new" store, Dee's Wild Bird Lovers, was owned by the same couple that owned the Wild Bird Center Store. And it not new, but has been open for 2 years, as Lee Duer promptly corrected me.

I learned a lot about the 4 types of owls common in southern Md. Mike Callahan was able to make each of the sounds the Eastern Screech , Barred, Barn and Great Horned owls make. ( and it wasn't "hoot-hoot!") Many of the people attending the talk were knowledgeable birders, and listening to their questions was also a learning experience. I can't wait for March 9 when Mike Callahan is hosting an owl prowl! It begins at 7pm, location near LaPlata, Md, and to sign up click on the link below and look for the section on SMAS Field Trips 2011-2012.

 Click here for more information on the Southern Maryland Audubon Society.

Super Easy Homemade Applesauce

I grew up watching my mother and grandmother turning the handle of a food mill transforming fresh cooked apples into a soothing, sweet and comforting sauce. We would traditionally eat it cold for breakfast, especially in the winter months, when fresh fruit was not as available. Occasionally, when eating lunch in the cafeteria at school, the applesauce served to me tasted completely different. After being disappointed a couple times, I would never eat store bought applesauce. I mean, how do they change the taste of cooked apples that much???

Food Mill

I use a food mill to make my applesauce, but it can also be made with a potato masher.

My family loves applesauce when it is still warm, slathered over potato pancakes. We also eat it for breakfast.

This recipe is very simple. You can substitute Macintosh apples for another type and add more or less sugar, cinnamon or nutmeg.

I do not measure any of the ingredients. Just taste it and adjust accordingly.

Ingredients:

• 8 medium Macintosh apples
• 1 cup sugar
•  dash or two of cinnamon
• dash of nutmeg
• water

Directions:


Wash apples.
Fill medium saucepan with enough water to just cover bottom of pan.
Core apples with apple corer. Do not peel.
Place all cored apples in saucepan.
Cook on medium heat, uncovered until apples are mushy.
Put food mill on top of bowl.
Pour cooked apples and liquid into food mill.
Process apples by turning food mill handle until all that is left in mill is apples peels.
Remove food mill from bowl and let sauce cool a bit.
Add sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to taste.

 cooked apples

cooked apples in food mill

Food mill on bowl ( you may want to use a bigger bowl!)

Food mill after processing apples

Applesauce!

Cheeseburger Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

It has been a pretty mild winter here in the DC area. We have yet to have a snowstorm, or the more common, ice event! I really look forward to a good old fashioned, get out the snow shovels, snowsuits and boots kinda snow. I love watching the news waiting for the school closings, sitting by the fire, and drinking my second (or third cup!) of coffee.

I also love bird watching during and after a snowfall. The birds stand out so beautifully against the pure white background, and their determined search for birdseed can keep my attention for quite awhile.

But, I digress. We do not have any snow. But it is cold, so it is the perfect day to get the slow cooker out and make cheeseburger soup! This recipe came from Better Homes and Garden, and I have adapted it to my gluten free requirements. My kids love it, it makes the whole house smell so good, and it is super easy!

( I added a few handfuls of cheddar cheese to thicken it but my gf adaptations does not allow for the cheddar cheese soup ingredient)

Cheeseburger Soup 

ingredients

• 1
  pound ground beef
• 1/2
  cup chopped onion (1 medium)
• 2
  cloves garlic, minced
• 2
  medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/2
  cup sliced carrot (1 medium)
• 1/4
  cup ketchup
• 2
  tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1
  fresh serrano chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4
  teaspoon salt
• 1/4
  teaspoon black pepper
• 2
  14 ounce cans beef broth ( gluten free)
• 1
  10 3/4 ounce can condensed cheddar cheese soup (I substituted gluten free tomato soup)
• 1/2
  cup shredded cheddar cheese (2 ounces)
• 
  

Dill pickle spears (optional)

Directions:

In a large skillet, cook meat, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onion tender. Drain off fat.

In a 4-5 qt slow cooker, combine meat mixture, potatoes, carrot, ketchup, mustard, chili pepper, salt and black pepper. Stir in broth and soup.

Cover and cook on low for 10-11 hours or on high for 5-5 1/2 hours. Top each serving with cheese.

Enjoy!

"Spritz" cookies, traditional and gluten-free

Spritzgebacken cookies

I have been baking Christmas cookies the past few days. Growing up, one of my favorite memories was coming home to the the aroma of freshly baked spritzgebacken cookies. My mother baked many varieties of cookies during the holidays, all beautifully decorated. 

My father is originally from Germany and he introduced us to a few traditional German recipes as well. One of my favorites was stollen. This distant cousin to fruitcake was labor intensive, requiring an enormous bowl, as well as a lot of vigorous kneading. We were only allowed to indulge in these once a year treats beginning on Christmas Eve, making them taste even more special.

Unfortunately, I can no longer enjoy these gluten filled goodies and this is especially difficult for me at this time of year. Nothing could beat a slice (or two) of stollen with a cup of coffee in the morning! 

I also love to bake during the Christmas season, but I only bake 3-4 of my favorite cookies. This recipe for "spritz" cookies is simple and delicious. I use a cookie gun to create different shapes. My sister, Karen, gave me the below adaptation for the best gluten-free spritz!

Spritzgebackens (traditional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Use parchment paper on a cookie sheet

3/4 lb butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 egg yolks

3 3/4 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 T vanilla extract

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the egg yolks, flour, salt and vanilla.

Mix thoroughly.

Bake 7-10 minutes until lightly browned.

Cool on wire rack.

Gluten Free Spritzgebackens

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Use parchment paper on cookie sheet.

1 3/4 cup white rice flour

1/4 cup sweet rice flour

1/4 cup potato starch

1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum

1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk dry ingredients; set aside.

Combine butter, sugar, egg, vanilla.

Cream until fluffy.

Add dry ingredients. Mix.

Bake at 375 degrees until lightly golden brown.

Enjoy!