I've always liked zucchini, but my mother-in-law had a garden this year so I got a LOT of it. I've shredded some for the freezer, I've pureed some and added it to spaghetti sauce. Here's a few other things I've done with zucchini this month.
Zucchini Boats - great to make with small zucchini. Can be used for a whole meal or as a side. Easy enough to change up the ingredients to suit your needs - add ground beef, mushrooms, etc.
Zucchini Chips - I've made these as chips (using small zucchini) and fries (with big to jumbo zucchini), dredging them in either milk or eggs. Both work, both are tasty.
Zucchini Cobbler - I prepared the zucchini according to this recipe, but added my usual crisp blend for the top. My husband loves apple crisp and gave a big thumbs up when he tried this. And THEN I told him it was zucchini. He was stunned. This is now known as deceitful crisp at my house. And this is awesome for large/jumbo zucchini because it uses so much up at once.
Zucchini Pizza - Yum Yum YUM! Fabulous use for large zucchini (not too huge, or you get the soft spot in the middle with all the large seeds). Tastes like regular pizza, but you don't feel so guilty eating a lot of it because there's no crust, just zucchini! Definitely a favorite.
Zucchini Carrot Muffins - when given a lot of zucchini everyone's first thought is to make bread or muffins. This was actually the last thing I tried (and they just came out of the oven). I halved the sugar, and replaced the oil with more applesauce. Very similar to the spiced carrot muffins I made last month, but with added pecans and raisins. I'd make them again. There are many other muffin recipes I'd like to try, so it's a good thing I've got a stash of shredded zucchini in the freezer.
28 September 2014
25 September 2014
thrift store sheets
I found a purple Tinkerbell twin flat sheet at the thrift store, and there's not much more my toddler loves more than Tinkerbell (except maybe cheese). And from that one sheet I made my own crib sheet (from this crib sheet tutorial), a pair of pajamas, and I'll use the last of the material for a little pillow cover. Not bad for six dollars. (And people say sewing is expensive.)
01 September 2014
happy anniversary!
Today is the anniversary of Operation Domestic Goddess! Sept. 1, 2006 was my first day as stay-home mom, full-time domestic engineer, happy homemaker ...
We've been canning all weekend. That means that Adam has been canning, and I've been washing dishes and getting more jars out of the storage room and kinda/sorta keeping the kids out of the way. 18 quarts of peaches, a bunch of small jars of peach syrup, 8 pints of tomato sauce, 8 pints of red cabbage chow-chow (a type of relish to put on meat), pickled peppers, a bunch of corn scraped off the cob and put in the freezer, and we still have probably 10 or 12 quarts of cucumbers to make into pickles. We're at 24 gallons and counting of pickles.
Today, I cut Adam's hair, had school with the girls, and mowed the lawn for the first time. Adam did the front yard and I did the back (which is a lot bigger). Tonight, I need to sit down with RG and have her choose her pattern for her birthday dress - RG and TA's birthdays are only 3 days apart at the beginning of October, so I need to get going on their dresses now to have both of them done on time.
We decided that Labor Day weekend is going to be LABOR Day for our family - we get work done with the house. We have beach plans for next weekend, when the crowds have gone away to school and work and it will still be 90 degrees. Ha ha ha!
Sidenote: For August sewing, I was planning to make a denim picnic blanket cut from old jeans for a Labor Day holiday challenge item. Alas, it was not to be. I cut some squares but didn't get very far. For as long as the summer is, I got a lot LESS done with sewing and around my house in June/July/August than I'd been planning. I really don't know why but I have very little to show for this summer.
My girls have been watching the sewing instruction videos on the MADE blog and JE liked the pillow cover. So I experimented with the envelope pillow cover with my couch throw pillows - JE chose some "spring" fabric and it went together very quickly. The back does have a bit of a gap - I need to do an overlap of 3 or 4 inches when I do it again rather than 2 inches as instructed in the video. The pillow is really poofy so that's probably why. My plan is to make Christmas pillow covers for the couch throw pillows - the couch is white and the covers zip off the pillows anyway. Should look good! Now to find the time to do it ...
We've been canning all weekend. That means that Adam has been canning, and I've been washing dishes and getting more jars out of the storage room and kinda/sorta keeping the kids out of the way. 18 quarts of peaches, a bunch of small jars of peach syrup, 8 pints of tomato sauce, 8 pints of red cabbage chow-chow (a type of relish to put on meat), pickled peppers, a bunch of corn scraped off the cob and put in the freezer, and we still have probably 10 or 12 quarts of cucumbers to make into pickles. We're at 24 gallons and counting of pickles.
Today, I cut Adam's hair, had school with the girls, and mowed the lawn for the first time. Adam did the front yard and I did the back (which is a lot bigger). Tonight, I need to sit down with RG and have her choose her pattern for her birthday dress - RG and TA's birthdays are only 3 days apart at the beginning of October, so I need to get going on their dresses now to have both of them done on time.
We decided that Labor Day weekend is going to be LABOR Day for our family - we get work done with the house. We have beach plans for next weekend, when the crowds have gone away to school and work and it will still be 90 degrees. Ha ha ha!
Sidenote: For August sewing, I was planning to make a denim picnic blanket cut from old jeans for a Labor Day holiday challenge item. Alas, it was not to be. I cut some squares but didn't get very far. For as long as the summer is, I got a lot LESS done with sewing and around my house in June/July/August than I'd been planning. I really don't know why but I have very little to show for this summer.
My girls have been watching the sewing instruction videos on the MADE blog and JE liked the pillow cover. So I experimented with the envelope pillow cover with my couch throw pillows - JE chose some "spring" fabric and it went together very quickly. The back does have a bit of a gap - I need to do an overlap of 3 or 4 inches when I do it again rather than 2 inches as instructed in the video. The pillow is really poofy so that's probably why. My plan is to make Christmas pillow covers for the couch throw pillows - the couch is white and the covers zip off the pillows anyway. Should look good! Now to find the time to do it ...
many muffins
I've been on a muffin kick lately. Last month I tried three new recipes, and within the last week I've tried five more recipes. I tend to fail with sweet breads, never getting them to cook all the way through, so I'll stick with muffins. They freeze well - I can pull out one or two, nuke it for a minute, and I've got breakfast.
Blueberry Applesauce Muffins - Specifically suggested for toddlers, my toddler did actually enjoy them. Not something to add to my recipe box, but not bad. Won't make them for a while again because my little one suddenly has decided she dislikes all muffins.
Peanut Butter Muffins - I honestly can't remember if I used this recipe or a different one, but either way the muffins just came out okay. As much as I love the idea of a peanut butter muffin, the final product was a lot more rich than I expected.
Orange Muffins - After reading the comments I altered this recipe - switching the proportions of the liquids (one cup of orange juice and half cup of milk instead of the other way) and used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I added more zest - at least from two oranges if not more. Lastly, I skipped the glaze - there is already plenty of sugar, I don't need to add more. And they were delicious! Very light and fluffy and orange awesomeness. After the first batch I made a double batch a week later. This recipe is a keeper.
Oatmeal Cookie Muffins - The first bite of every muffin throws me off, but really enjoy it by the time I'm finished. Slightly different texture, but not as bad as straight oatmeal ones. I added mini chocolate chips, raisins, and crushed pecans. My husband won't eat them (he doesn't like chocolate, raisins, and there's banana in there too), but they are pretty tasty, and good for giving away (I think - I've only eaten them warm). AND they can be made gluten free.
Peanut Butter Apple Muffins - The peanut buttery flavor was much better than the straight peanut butter muffins. Maybe the apple balanced it out better. Not sure how often I'd make these, but it's a good use for a couple leftover apples that no one is eating. (And again, I didn't make the topping.)
Mini Coconut Orange/Lime Muffins - I really liked the texture that the coconut added - a slight crunch without being overwhelming. Much faster than the straight orange muffins (no squeezing oranges), but yum! I did make them semi-mini and find that size perfect. And this morning I tried them with lime - it worked!
Spiced Carrot Muffins - Delicious. Warm, spicy, carroty goodness. I was very hesitant when I made the batter - half of it was the shredded carrot! But it baked up beautifully. Since I'm going to eat muffins anyway, the least I could do is include more vegetables sometimes. I think I'll make these often during the fall and winter.
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins - Husband approved. Following the baking instructions (425 for five minutes down to 375) made a nice crisp top with fluffy inside. Light lemony flavor, that could be enhanced with the glaze, but tasty as is.
Blueberry Applesauce Muffins - Specifically suggested for toddlers, my toddler did actually enjoy them. Not something to add to my recipe box, but not bad. Won't make them for a while again because my little one suddenly has decided she dislikes all muffins.
Peanut Butter Muffins - I honestly can't remember if I used this recipe or a different one, but either way the muffins just came out okay. As much as I love the idea of a peanut butter muffin, the final product was a lot more rich than I expected.
Orange Muffins - After reading the comments I altered this recipe - switching the proportions of the liquids (one cup of orange juice and half cup of milk instead of the other way) and used Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. I added more zest - at least from two oranges if not more. Lastly, I skipped the glaze - there is already plenty of sugar, I don't need to add more. And they were delicious! Very light and fluffy and orange awesomeness. After the first batch I made a double batch a week later. This recipe is a keeper.
Oatmeal Cookie Muffins - The first bite of every muffin throws me off, but really enjoy it by the time I'm finished. Slightly different texture, but not as bad as straight oatmeal ones. I added mini chocolate chips, raisins, and crushed pecans. My husband won't eat them (he doesn't like chocolate, raisins, and there's banana in there too), but they are pretty tasty, and good for giving away (I think - I've only eaten them warm). AND they can be made gluten free.
Peanut Butter Apple Muffins - The peanut buttery flavor was much better than the straight peanut butter muffins. Maybe the apple balanced it out better. Not sure how often I'd make these, but it's a good use for a couple leftover apples that no one is eating. (And again, I didn't make the topping.)
Mini Coconut Orange/Lime Muffins - I really liked the texture that the coconut added - a slight crunch without being overwhelming. Much faster than the straight orange muffins (no squeezing oranges), but yum! I did make them semi-mini and find that size perfect. And this morning I tried them with lime - it worked!
Spiced Carrot Muffins - Delicious. Warm, spicy, carroty goodness. I was very hesitant when I made the batter - half of it was the shredded carrot! But it baked up beautifully. Since I'm going to eat muffins anyway, the least I could do is include more vegetables sometimes. I think I'll make these often during the fall and winter.
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins - Husband approved. Following the baking instructions (425 for five minutes down to 375) made a nice crisp top with fluffy inside. Light lemony flavor, that could be enhanced with the glaze, but tasty as is.
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