Organizing Your Cookbooks

Who knew that all of those recipe books were hiding in my buffet? Only me! It was simply another one of those projects that I kept thinking I'll work on it later. And everyone knows "later" never works out well. A couple of years ago, I did a massive sort with my cookbooks and I was able to sell many of them on a garage sale. Since I love to cook and bake, I felt some sort of attachment to my cookbooks! (I know, it's weird). Many of them are old, family members have written cute little notes in them and I didn't want to part with them. But when I took them out and saw my cookbook disaster, I quickly changed my mind.  

 
I started this project by giving myself limits. I used the top shelf in the buffet for my favorite cookbooks that I actually use. The bottom shelf is for our blog information and family recipes. My first rule in throwing away was to throw away any loose papers, you know the internet recipes, magazine, newspaper recipes or those free recipe brochures that I've picked up at the grocery store. Next were the recipe books that I haven't touched in the last year (or ever), I am donating those. Remember to picture what you want it to look like in the end. By the time I was finished I was left with only the items that I use or those that have a special meaning to me.

 

4 hours later

Even though this can be a time consuming project, once you are finished it's worth it!  This was the last organizing project left in my kitchen. I love the feeling when everything is sorted and organized. So get started before the weather is too nice, you can do this!! And don't forget to share your organizing tips with us, we love to hear from you!

Love and peace,

~ Simply Tammi

Meatloaf for Meatloaf Haters

 

For some reason, I have never really been a meatloaf lover..I think it might be a texture thing...or a flavor thing. My sister doesn't like it either. I don't remember being forced to eat it as a child or anything..actually I don't remember eating it at all as a child...must've blocked it out! (just kidding). Even the picture I took, doesn't make it look too appetizing! I took several and this is the best I could make it look. (I even added the drizzled ketchup, it still didn't make it look much better, you don't have to do that...unless you want to!) Anyway, the other night for no particular reason, I got hungry for meatloaf. My family and I almost ate the whole thing and they said it was my best meatloaf recipe ever! So I had to blog it before I forgot how I made it. I usually don't get too technical when I cook, I just eyeball it. So feel free to make it yours and add or not add what you like.

Here's what you need:

• 1 pound ground beef, uncooked
• 1 pound ground pork sausage, uncooked (I used Jimmy Dean, in a tube shape. there are a few sage, reduced fat, spicy or regular)
• 1 egg, this helps it stick together
• 1 Tablespoon dry onion flakes or 1/2 of a finely chopped onion 
• minced garlic, I used one clove
• 1/4 c dry bread crumbs
• 1/4 c ketchup 
• salt and pepper and any other seasonings you like

Gently mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, it works better to use your hands. You just want to mix it well, but don't over mix or you will have tough, dry meatloaf. Pour into a loaf pan. I have also seen meatloaf made in a muffin tin, that might work too, I think the bake time would have to be adjusted a little.

Meatloaf Sauce

• mix about 1/4 cup ketchup with about 3 Tablespoons brown sugar and pour or spread over the top of the meatloaf

Bake 350 degrees for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Hope you like it too!

~Simply Angie

 

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it!

Ingredients:

5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread. 

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 T vanilla

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Caramel Sauce Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

• Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins. 
• Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove.
• In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk and butter mixture. Whisk together. Pour over the bread and raisins. Let it soak into the bread for about 30 minutes. 
• Heat oven to 340F. Bake for about an hour. Your pudding should be set in the middle. You may have to adjust your time depending on your oven. 
• Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack to cool. 

Sauce Directions:
This is my basic caramel sauce recipe I use for caramel rolls, ice cream topping, lattes, etc. You can store it in a glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator.

• Place all ingredients (except the vanilla) in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat on the stove. Stir only until the sauce comes to a full boil, it only takes about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. 
• Spoon over warm bread pudding and serve.

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Sunflower, Sesame and Flax Seed Brittle

I love snacks! I'm pretty sure I could snack my way through every day. One of our favorite snacks when we want something sweet is sunflower, sesame and flax seed brittle. It only takes a few minutes to mix the ingredients, a few minutes cooking on the stove and some cooling time. I use organic ingredients and raw seeds but use what you like.

Ingredients:
3/4 c sugar (I use organic cane sugar but white sugar will work)
1/4 c honey
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 T water
1/2 c sesame seeds
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c flax seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 T butter
1/4 tsp baking soda

• Use a medium-small saucepan over medium heat, mix sugar, honey, nutmeg and water, and stir until mixture is fairly smooth. 
• Add seeds and stir.
• Continue to cook over medium heat about 10-12 minutes. I used a candy thermometer and waited for the mixture to reach 302F. Remove from heat.
• Stir in the vanilla extract and butter, keep stirring until the butter has melted. 
• Stir in the baking soda. It will foam a little, don't panic - its supposed to do that!
• Pour brittle onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• When it's almost cool, I make some lines over the top (carefully with a large knife) so when it cools, you can break it apart on the lines. If you are not handy with a knife, just break it into pieces.
• My family loves this - happy snacking!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi