Typical Ramblings, Atypical Nonsense

The World of Strawberry Bread

>> Thursday, May 7, 2009

The other day on twitter @familyeducation posted a link to a strawberry bread recipe on their blog. As soon as I read it, I knew I wanted to make it. Since I had 3lbs of strawberries in the fridge, I decided today would be the day. The recipe was very simple to put together and it didn't create a huge mess in the kitchen when preparing it, so it definitely gets bonus points in my book. I made a double batch of the batter and the only thing I changed was using 4 whole eggs rather than 8 egg whites. If I would have had egg whites in the carton I would have just used that. I really didn't want to separate all those eggs and then have to find something to do with all the yolks too. The resulting batter was really thick, so I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. It turned out just fine. I will be making this again as strawberry season gets into full swing here.

Strawberry Bread

1 cup all purpose flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour (or you can use all purpose flour)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 egg whites (I used 2 whole eggs)
¼ cup applesauce
¾ cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups of diced fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl mix the flour, salt, sugar and baking powder. In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites and add the applesauce, milk and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture, mixing only to incorporate. Add the strawberries and mix just a few times, to ensure good distribution throughout the batter.

Grease a 9x5 loaf pan. Add the batter. If desired, top the batter with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Click to save & print recipe card

Hope you enjoy this as much as we are, and thanks Family Education for a great recipe.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

>> Tuesday, May 5, 2009

As I promised yesterday I'm back with a photo and a recipe for the chicken enchiladas. Everyone really enjoyed them and they are super filling. For those of you on the West coast you still have time to get the ingredients and whip these up for your family for a Cinco de Mayo celebration. :)

Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas (I use organic/free-range ingredients as much as possible)
Serves 4-5

Ingredients:

2-3 chicken breasts, chopped (done easily if partly frozen)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup low fat sour cream
1 small can green chillies
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 flour tortillas

Directions:

In skillet brown chicken with garlic powder, salt & pepper. When chicken is browned add soup, sour cream, green chillies. Stir and heat until warm throughout. Add 1 cup cheddar cheese and stir.
Spoon sour cream chicken sauce into tortillas. Roll and place seam down on a baking sheet or 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with a sheet of aluminum foil and bake for 15-20 minutes at 350F

Click photo above to enlarge and print recipe card

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Let me know how your family likes it. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Menu Plan Monday May 4 - 9

>> Monday, May 4, 2009

I'm a bit late getting this up today, but it's really the first time today I've had a chance to sit down and work on the blog. Gonna get right to the menu because I am ready for sleep ;).

Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs, Salad (Tonight was the first time I used this recipe. Everyone loved it! Definitely will be making this again - very easy too!)

Tuesday *Cinco De Mayo* - Chicken Enchiladas, Spanish Rice (Uncle Ben's), Salad. (I'll post the recipe for the Enchiladas tomorrow after I make them)

Wednesday - Grilled Sausages on homemade rolls, Grilled Veggies, Potato Salad

Thursday - Chicken Burgers on homemade rolls, Oven Fries & Veggies

Friday - Homemade Pepperoni Pizza & Salad (Homemade Pizza Dough made in the bread machine)

Saturday - Homemade Fish and Chips, Coleslaw

Sunday - Undecided since it's Mother's Day (holding out for a surprise :P )

Have a great week everyone! If you have any questions about any of the meals I am making please leave a comment and I'll try to sort it out for you. For more menu planning ideas head over to Laura's @ I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies E.V.E.R.

Today I decided I wanted to bake. It's been since my last cupcakes that I have done any sort of baking, so it was nice to get in the kitchen today. Little guy co-operated very nicely too. He took a nice long nap. :) These are seriously some good chocolate chip cookies. It's taken me years of trying different recipes to find one that I am really happy with the results. Lets get to it...

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes Approx. 7 Dozen
Original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, firmly packed (I always make my own w/granulated sugar and molasses - just add as little or as much molasses as you like.)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour (or use 4 cups all-purpose flour)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 bag chocolate chips (I use milk chocolate or swirled)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F or 176°C. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs in large bowl. Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt. (I add the flour 1 cup at a time and mix well). Stir in entire bag of chocolate chips.

Using a cookie dough scoop drop on lined cookie sheet. Bake in oven for 9-12 minutes.

If you want a chewy cookie, you'll want to take these out of the oven just as they begin to brown. If you want a crunchy cookie leave in for 11-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 -3 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Since this makes so many cookies and kids are kids, I usually just put out 1-2 dozen on a tray and package the rest up for the freezer.