MommyCoddle

Simple heart-shaped Valentine's Day crackers

We're revisiting an old favorite around here for Valentine's Day. These heart-shaped Valentine crackers are a fun twist on what is seriously my absolute favorite snack, well maybe second only to "the best snack ever". 

These thin, crispy crackers are made from Wonton Wrappers, which you can almost always find in the produce section of your grocery store. 

But in honor of Valentine's there must be heart-shaped crackers, people! 

The responsible part of me must tell you that these heart shapes can be made by simply pressing the shapes out of the un-baked wonton wraps. 

But the "throw caution to the wind" crazy side of me, must be honest. We make these perfectly heart-shaped crackers with a paper punch. Yes, I admit it. I promise I cleaned and wiped it. But darn if it doesn't make the easiest, coolest, simplest shapes. (Seriously, you'll never look at your paper punches the same way again, will you?!)

The recipe is absolutely simple, they only take a few minutes to bake, and if you manage to have any left, they keep pretty well in a ziploc baggie.

Heart-shaped, thin and crispy Valentine's Day Crackers

Cut out heart shapes from crackers (or don't and leave as squares). Place a sheet of parchment on a cookie sheet and lightly brush the parchment with olive oil. Place wonton wrappers onto oiled parchement paper. Brush tops of crackers with olive and sprinkle with coarse salt, or any other tasty combination you'd like...sesame seeds, dill, rosemary, we've even sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar and stuck them in a bowl of ice cream. Yum!

Bake the crackers in a 350 degree oven for approximately 3-5 minutes. You'll want to watch the crackers and pull them out as soon as they become golden brown. They can go from golden brown to dark brown very quickly, so keep an eye on them. Remove from the cookie sheet, snack on them and make another batch! 

 

How to: de-seed a pomegranate

I'm pushing the pomegranates these days which means I'm also de-seeding my fair share of this beautiful little fruit of health. Antioxidants! Vitamin C! We are on day number "it's been so long I've lost track" of Birdy's fever/flu/cranky/mama's losing her mind sickness. I actually saw a glimmer of health from her today, so I'm cautiously hopeful. But everything you hear and read these days says this winter is a doozy for sickness. So we're amping up the goodness in the food department. 

I've always been kind of intimidated by pomegranates. All that pith inside. Those pockets of seeds that I couldn't figure out how to get to. But I've finally come up with a good system for de-seeding them and removing all those packages of crunchy goodness hiding inside. 

So here you go! 

First, cut the pomegranate from stem to stem, top to bottom.

Take one of the halves and turn it over in your hands so the open side is facing down. Gently apply pressure with your thumbs to the outside of the pomegranate. The purpose of this is to loosen and crack some of the pith and membranes inside. Don't go too crazy, just losen. You'll do this a few more times as you go along and feel pockets of seeds that are still stuck.

With the pomegranate half face-down in your hand, hold it over a bowl. Now, with a wooden spoon smack of the back of the fruit. (Can you say, therapy?) You'll begin to feel the seeds fall out between your fingers into the bowl. Woohoo! You may get a few bits of white membrane, but they're easy to pick out.  

If you turn the fruit over and see pockets where the seeds are still stuck, you can gently press and crack on these spots again with your thumbs. And then turn it over to smack them with the wooden spoon again.

 

(See that slice in the fruit? That's what happens when you multi-task while de-seeding. You {almost} cut it the wrong way.)

You won't get every single seed with this method, but you will get practically all of them. (The picture below is how mine looks after a good whopping with the wooden spoon. Almost all the seeds have come out!)

You can either pick at the remaining seeds that are hiding, or if you're really nice, you can toss it to your chickens and boost their immune systems, too. I chose the latter. 

Side note: keep that wooden spoon handy and smack away little hands that dip in the bowl too many times. Kidding. Sort of. 

So, how do you eat your pomegranate seeds? We're pretty much a "straight from the bowl" family, but I also like them on salads and just discovered adding them to my yogurt. Yum! 

Happy health and pomgranates, my friends! 

 

 

 

Things I've made lately that taste good

I always love hearing what other people are making, baking, cooking, especially when it's yummy. I definitely go through dinner-time slumps where I feel burned out on my rotating list of recipes. I'll call my sister and say, "tell me what you're making for dinner." Or ask my friends on twitter. Or browse my recipe box on pinterest, for ideas. Or dust off one of the cookboks on my kitchen shelf. 

In an attempt to break out of a recent slump I tried a few new recipes, mixed up some of my own ideas and came out of it all with some new inspiration for my dinnertime arsenal. And they're definitely worth sharing. 

From my own kitchen:

Boiled red potatoes with pancetta and spinach

These are SO SO good. One of those, "What's in my kitchen that will taste good together?" moments. I boiled red creamer potatoes until fork tender. While they were boiling, in a medium-sized skillet I browned about 4 ounces of diced pancetta. (Wegmans conveniently makes little ready-to-go packages, thankyouverymuch). After the pancetta has browned, drain off almost all of the fat and then add in several handfuls of fresh spinach. You may need to add a little pat of butter or olive oil to help soften the spinach. Stir these all together until the spinach has wilted. Once the potatoes are done, drain them, add some butter, coarse salt and ground pepper. Then add the spinach and pancetta over and stir it all to mix with the warm, soft potatoes. These potatoes are so good, people.

And bonus--if you have left overs, they are delish warmed up and mashed a bit, browned and crisped in a skillet the next morning with your eggs. 

Other good things I've made lately...

Baked shells with sausage and spinach

Sarah Carey's simle chicken pot pies, but with a phyllo crust.

Baked blueberry granola (but hold the bananas, blueberries and maple syrup, substitute apples and honey. Birdy pounds this stuff.) Lots of good questions and variations in the comments on this one.

So, now it's your turn. What have you been making lately that tastes good? I'd love to hear! 

my new kick: homemade magic shell

Good morning. I'm on my second cup of coffee this morning after sleeping with a sick Elizabeth last night. We played musical beds, Dan sleeping in Elizabeth's room with Mary. And me, with Elizabeth in our bed. Confusing. But sleeping with Elizabeth when she's sick means waking up with her feverish sweaty legs draped over you, covers ripped off, or waking up with her feet in your face. She tosses and turns and cries all through the night. Fun times. We've all been there, I know. Hence, cup of joe number two. 

Speaking of numbers, I've been trying to teach Birdy how to count in french. Just as she's getting it down in english I'm throwing in french. I wonder if I have her completely confused? The girls are learning French with Rosetta Stone this year (and I'm refreshing my french) so it's always in my mind. But I just can't resist a sweet little two year old counting in french. 

Speaking of sweet (apprently I'm a fan of the segue today), I'm on a new kick in the kitchen. Remember the chocolate chip meringues? Mmmmn. I'm going to have to make those again soon. Anyway, my new kick is danergously simple and dangerously good. Yummy. Excellent. Divine. 

From my study of chocolate sauces this past summer, you know that I come from a long line of ice cream-with-sauce lovers. Now while I'll never let this recipe overshadow my grandmother's chocolate chewy sauce, this recipe is so so good.

We love magic shell in this house. You know, the stuff that gets all hard and crackly on top of your ice cream? But if you've ever read the back of the bottle (don't do it!) or felt that waxy post-magic shell feeling on the roof of your mouth, you know it has its down sides. 

I'm starting to realize there are about a zillion uses for coconut oil. But this just might be my favorite-homemade magic shell. The recipe is simple:

Melt together 1 + 1/4 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of coconut oil (in its hard state) over medium heat. Once smooth, pour over your ice cream and wait for the magic.

It is so good (have I mentioned that yet?). No waxy mouth. No yucky ingredients. And it's made with coconut oil. Doesn't that put it in the healthy category now? So if you're looking for a little something to impress your kids, or your guests or your taste buds, you must, must join me on this new kick.

(And fyi, I poured my leftover sauce into a glass jar and have reheated it in a lightly boiling hot water bath. Works perfectly.) 

Peanut butter cereal bars

I thought I would revisit a favorite this morning. It's on my to-make list today. A long-time favorite recipe that's been in my repertoire since sixth grade home economics class. It's a simple recipe, a great first recipe to make with your kids and has tons of flexibility for whatever you have on hand. And of course, it tastes really good.

The original recipe calls for corn flakes. And while they're really good, I rarely have that kind of cereal on hand. Multi-Grain Cheerios is more likely to be in my cupboards these days. So Cheerios it is, and yum. It's still good. 

The original recipe also calls for corn syrup. But I've also subsituted honey, when I didn't have the corn syrup on hand and that was great, too. However, it doesn't keep as well with honey. 

So if you're looking for a simple afterschool snack or easy dessert for your menu this week, I highly recommend this old classic. 

Peanut Butter Cereal Bars (aka O'Henry Bars):

 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

3 scant cups of cereal

Combine sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until smooth. Pour over cereal and stir to coat. Press bars into 8 x 8 baking dish. Cool and enjoy. 

Bring on the roast and potatoes

I know, I know, I've been gone for days! But this is too good not to share on a Friday afternoon.

Happy 100th to Julia. And bon appetit, my friends. 

crispy garlicky easy dill pickles (aka what to do with all those cucumbers)

I just dropped Emma off for a week of 4-H camp. The house feels remarkably empty without her. And my chore load has suddenly tripled because of all the daily work she does caring for the animals. She's a good little farm girl. And now I'll be picking up the slack while she's away.

The ease with which she kisses my cheek, waves goodbye and melts into a crowd of campers is a bit overwhelming for her mama as she drives away. She's a brave one. I am proud.

The other girls are standing beside me as I type this, anxious for a trip to the craft store where we'll be stocking up on art supplies for a week of prep for county fair entries. This is so unlike me to be organized so soon. 

But the real reason I am here is to tell you that if you are swimming in cucumbers, as I am, then you must must must make this recipe for refrigerator dills. 

The recipe could not be simpler. And in 24 hours the pickles come out crisp and fresh--with the perfect balance of garlic and dill. 

So good!

Alright, my friends. The weather has broken here in the mid-atlantic, and I am looking forward to a week of refreshing weather and finally some productive energy.

Happy Monday!

One simple question: No. 9

We're entering the season where I have to make a conscious effort not to talk about the hot weather, and the fact that we have no air-conditioning in this old farmhouse in every post. But I am going talk about it for just a wee bit. Because it makes me feel better. 

We are in the midst of a heat wave here in the mid-atlantic--one of those times when I'd consider trading all this in for a little condo in the city. 

But still, I have much to be thankful for.

We still have our electricity, when folks all around us are black, many for the rest of the week. That never happens. It's always us.

The house has stayed remarkably cool for a good part of the day. 

We found the window in our room that produces the coolest temperatures at night and pumps in that fresh cold air that hits around 4am. Last night, I pulled up the comforter. Crazy.

My family has been wonderfully patient with my "it's too hot to cook" dinners. There's been a lot of tuna salad. And pasta salad. And taco salad. And cereal.

Yes, I'm not above a good dinner of cereal when the temperatures get really ridiculous. 

But here's my simple question for all of you, because I'm kind of reaching the end of my hot weather menu arsenal:

What's your favorite keeping cool, it's too hot to turn on the oven, meal? I need some inspiration. And if it involves cucumbers (because I have about 40 sitting on my kitchen counter, with about 20 still out in the garden) you get super bonus points. 

:::::::::::::::::::::

Apparently, I've asked these "simple" questions before. 

I randomly found these: (and hello?! I think I need to bring back the cute little question banner!)

No. 3 |  No. 4 |  No. 5 | No. 7 | No 8

Batten down the hatches

There are big storms brewing in our area this afternoon and this evening. We got a robo-call this afternoon from the county governemnt...hail....tornadoes...damaging winds....power outages.

Since the master gardener is still at work, the girls and I had to handle all the outside pre-storm prep this afternoon. 

Standing in the garden, cell phone in hand, I had to call him for his priority list--who would get covered, who would not? On a recent decluttering whim, I thrifted a bunch of mismatched, unused sheets. Crud. So we're short on garden cover and there's just so many vintage tablecloths that I'm willing to lend to the garden. 

So with our makeshift weights to hold down corners, and a good supply of clothespins we covered up as much as we could with priority to the tomatoes and cucumbers. Beans can always be replanted. Corn will have to fend for itself. We're crossing our fingers for you, potatoes. (***edited to add: So there's some controversy on covering the plants...will the sheets act as sails and knock everything over in the wind? Or is it the best defense against the hail? Opinions? Thoughts? Experience?***)

Animals are fed. Water buckets are filled. Flakes of hay are distributed. The barns feel all kinds of cozy.

Inside, water is gathered. We're starting a steady stream of baths and showers in anticipation of no power, no water. 

The big crock has been brought in, washed out and filled up with fresh water. I'm so thankful for this birthday gift from Dan many years ago. It's been put to lots of good use. 

There's nothing like a little storm excitement. I can hear the thunder as I sit here at my desk in the kitchen.

Happy weekend, friends. Here's to blue skies on the other side....

lots of little things

Two batches of jam were made yesterday. It was supposed to be this lovely, music-in-the-background, mama and her daughters time, but the straw that broke this camel's back was when the bowl of strawberries went flinging across the kitchen floor. Again. Then it became a solo jam-making session. Ahem. 

I think I'm back on coffee. I gave it up several months ago and switched to tea. But I'm sorry, tea you're lovely, but that first cup of coffee in the morning, savored and sipped? Delightful. We'll see how I feel switching back (it's been two days). I do know I felt good drinking tea--just maybe not quite as awake. Ha.

Emma has stolen the family record player and put it in her bedroom. Fiddler on the Roof is blasting through our upstairs. There could be worse things.

I switched to Mrs. Meyer's Laundry Soap (lavender) this last time I bought detergent. I really, really like it and feel like my clothes are getting really clean. It was also on sale, which is why I splurged. Anyone else use it? And walking into my laundry room smelling lavender is pretty lovely.

I just made an appointment for a mole check with my dermatologist. This is me, reminding you, that it's a good thing to do. It's one of those things that stays on your to-do list forever, but really, it only takes a moment and it's so important. 

So hi! Hello! What little things are up with you?

 

Six weeks of goodness

You know how sometimes you get on a culinary "kick" and you make one recipe part of your list of usuals....and then sometimes you forget about them.....for a long time?

And then when you suddenly recall them or crave them, or find the recipe card all scrunched down in your recipe box and have that....Oh yeah.....these were good! moment.....Am I the only one who does that?

Here is one such recipe. I first started making these before we even had kids. The fact that the batter kept for 6 weeks was vital. Now,with many more mouths, they don't need to last 6 weeks. But it is so convenient. Make up the batter. Put it in the fridge. Scoop out some, bake it and have warm fresh muffins whenever. They are super moist and I would like to think all that bran gives them a push towards healthy. Give 'em a try. I don't think they will disappoint.

Six Week Bran Muffins

5 c. flour

5 t. baking soda

2t. salt

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. nutmeg

15 oz. box of Raisin Bran cereal (8 c.)

3 c. sugar

4 eggs

1 c. oil

1 quart buttermilk

2 t. vanilla

Beat eggs, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir well. Add cereal last, mixing in well. Transfer to large plastic container with tight fitting lid. Store in refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to bake, don't stir batter. Dip batter out and fill paper lined or greased cups. Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Batter keeps for up to six weeks in fridge.

When to step back. When to step in.

Oh my goodness, hello. Phew, there has been lots of animal drama and changes and excitement around here this past week. I'll be updating very soon, but we're still recovering and regrouping from a crazy-busy weekend. Dan put in 16 hours on Saturday alone, just working on a new project for the girls and me. And he was up again Sunday morning, before church, putting in more time. He's a good, good man. And now a very tired and sore man.

In the meantime, I'm back tracking a bit, to catch up and catch my breath...

With a house full of four girls the dynamics are very interesting to observe. The girls go through so many different phases. Even with the baby, I love seeing how one of her sisters will emerge at different stages to be the one that has what we call the "magic touch". When Birdy was in those early newborn stages, it was Mary. With her gentle hands and cooing whispers in her tiny ears. Then Emma was a master at that crawling, giggly stage--all peekaboo and belly laughs and carrying her outside on her hip to tackle morning chores. Now Birdy and Elizabeth are partners in play, though Birdy's joy when any of her sisters walks in the room is downright contagious. 

But the same kind of dynamics happen with my older girls, too. This winter, Mary and Elizabeth were bound at the hip. There were all things dress-up, Little House on The Prairie and dance parties. And Emma was on the outside, feeling a little too old, sometimes left out, and not exactly sure how to jump in. 

In the last month or so, there's been a shift again. Mary and Emma are "grown up" best buddies. Sometimes a little too cool, oftentimes too cool for their little sister, Elizabeth, who finds herself waffling between trying to keep up with their "big girl" plans or playing "baby games" with her littlest sister.

As a parent it's sometimes hard to watch. I want to step in and get involved, but I find it's best to sort of let things be, as long as no one is being purposely left out or hurt. As long as no one is being mean or rude, I try to let the changes play out their own way. 

But last week, my sweet Elizabeth was feeling out of sorts. Her sisters were either deep into school work, or making big plans for projects and things she wasn't involved in. I could tell she needed a little something special, just for her. 

And so I pulled an oldie out of my parenting carpet bag. I knew she needed a project. Needed something to do with me, just the two of us. Something special. So I dug deep into my recipe box (very, very deep) and pulled out an old faded, wrinkled recipe for homemade play dough. 

It's nothing new or earth-shattering, I know. But the making of the dough, the choosing of colors, the kneading of the warm dough, was just what she needed. I've always believed there is something therapeutic about making things with kids. It softens hearts, repairs hurt feelings, brings everyone around the table, together. 

And that's just what happened. Eventually, her sisters wandered into the kitchen with us--playdough knows no age limits. "Elizabeth, can I play with the green? Elizabeth, want me to get out the cookie cutters? Elizabeth, lets see who can make the best cake out of all the colors." Suddenly the playing field was level again. Everyone was included. And Elizabeth found her place at the table again. 

This parenting gig isn't easy. The when to step back, when to step in question always challenges me--whether its letting them work out differences, play out different relationships or solve problems. Whether it's walking a hard line or extending grace. 

But on this day, I think maybe with dough in-hand (and ground into the carpet) I got it right. 

I had to dig pretty deep for my playdough recipe. It's always nice to have it handy, so I've shared mine below. 

Click HERE to download the recipe card.

 

The kitchen remodel: part 1

I am a patient woman.

And it really does take a great dose of this virtue when living in an old farm house.

My sister and I both grew up in one. We both live in one now.

We’ve been in ours for almost 14 years. And when my husband and I walked through the newly purchased house in our young, married, no-kids-yet phase, we dreamed of how it would look when it was complete.

New exterior, some much needed landscaping, paint that paneling, pull up those stained shag carpets, we can do this!

And the kitchen was at the top of that list....fourteen years ago.

Little by little, we saved, as with all our projects. When a bit of money or tax return came our way, I tucked it away and secretly whispered “kitchen!” But then other things came along. Other expenses.

The luxury of being able to have a healthy flush from our toilets came from a new septic field.

Feeling the winter wind through our rotten sills and old windows resulted in new windows.

The kitchen, where I spend the most of my time, was always put on hold.

So, when my husband told me this winter he was ready to do the kitchen, I didn’t really think much. We’d been in this position before. But later when he said: Get going! Figure out what you want to do! I’m ready! I knew it was really going to happen this time.

So I immediately started a pinterest page (that’s normal, isn’t it?) and pinned pictures left and right of things I loved. It helped me get a feel for what really was going to work. That color might get old after a while. That gorgeous farm house sink? Out of budget.

Slowly I pieced together, in my mind, what it would look like. Nothing fancy. Practical. Affordable. Fitting with our old farmhouse.

And so it begins.

The perfect week to begin happened to be the time I was to be away at Outdoor School with my daughter’s class. My husband, along with his trusty four year old helper (who lives in destructo mode 24/7) removed the old cupboards. I can’t really say I will miss their peeling paint, swollen particle board selves.

I won’t miss that drawer that closes, then very slowly, ever so quietly rolls back out when my back is turned so that a quick spin around to stir something on the stove and I get wacked in the hip.

Those faux butcher block countertops, that I have almost intentionally tried to damage with hot pots just to accelerate the process, gone. It will be nice to have something new, with the old. And while new is not something I am used to around here, I think I will adjust. I know it will be a long process, as most of our re-do’s are.

And I look forward to sharing with you our progress on this “little” project.

My favorite version of chocolate mousse

I've been trying to count points again. I haven't in quite awhile. Just a few weeks after I started the last time, I discovered I was pregnant with Birdy and that gives you a quick ticket out of "the program". Things have changed a lot since then--all these mobile tools that I can have on my iPhone make it almost impossible to have an excuse not to keep up with my food journal. 

But one of my favorite sweet treats when I'm on Weight Watchers is a chocolate mousse dessert--self-named to make me feel fancy and sophisticated despite the fact that it took me all of four minutes to put together. 

If you're related to me or you've ever eaten a meal in my home, chances are pretty good I've made this for you. It is simple, takes all of 3 ingredients (4 if you want to get super-fancy), and about five minutes of your time. 

Serve it up in a sweet little bowl--these happen to be my faves--or a little glass dish, and you've got a pretty impressive riff on a yummy classic. Try it. I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

MOMMYCODDLE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

1 packet fat-free, sugar-free JELLO Chocolate Instant Pudding

2 cups fat-free skim milk

6 ounces COOL WHIP Whipped Topping (in this recipe, I used the free version)

Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (if you're gonna get fancy)

Prepare the pudding according to the package directions. Before placing pudding in refrigerator, whisk in 6 ounces of COOL WHIP until well blended with pudding--no lumps. Place whole mix into refrigerator to chill and thicken. Spoon into cute bowls. Add a small dollop of COOL WHIP and a sprinkle of mini-chips. Serve and stand back and marvel at how easy this was and good it tastes.

(According to my rough calculations, a half cup serving of the chocolate mousse only costs you 2 points, if you're counting. Though I should note, that I didn't count the mini chips. Eating it straight from the bowl with a rubber scraper costs you many more than 2 points. Tempting. But not recommended.)

Sponsored posts are purely editorial content that we are pleased to have presented by a participating sponsor. Advertisers do not produce the content. I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all my own.

on Friday

Molly:

Locally sourced. (And how she does breakfast every morning.)

Mary:

Outside my bedroom window. Wakes me every morning with a grateful heart for the beauty of the season.

Happy Weekend friends!

xo.

Molly