One of the great things about visiting home was getting to grocery shop and cook and not have to pay for any of it. Going to the store with my mom was fantastic - "Whatever you want, get it" she told me. It was such a new concept for me that for once I didn't actually need to snap up the cheapest items and count every penny. I was able to splurge on a few things - like a 4 pack of bottled Sprecher's Rootbeer :) We went to the apple orchard, constantly went to restaurants, traipsed up and down Oktoberfest - in other words, I was constantly eating my entire vacation. Which is as it should be. But as time went on, I increasingly felt of one mind with Hwin, when. staying with the Hermit, she proclaimed, "I'm getting as fat as a pet pony - eating all day and getting no exercise." Too true, my friend, too true. Though, I weighed myself every day, and never gained any weight. Huh. I sure felt fatter.
Anyway, here are the PFC recipes I made while on vacation. I made many other things as well, but didn't want to take the time to photograph and write them all down.
Anyway, here are the PFC recipes I made while on vacation. I made many other things as well, but didn't want to take the time to photograph and write them all down.
Roasted Chicken and Vegetables with Mashed Cauliflower (wk 22 - click the names for links to the original recipes)
Roasting Chicken (I bought a fine fowl fellow named Horatio)
Vegetables - I used 4-5 carrots, 2-3 celery sticks, 1 large onion, 2 sweet potatoes, a bit of garlic, and brussel sprouts (per my brother in law's request)
olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 head cauliflower
A few tablespoons of vegetable broth
1 TBLS butter
Salt and Pepper
(I changed this recipe because Rob can't have cream)
Roasting Chicken (I bought a fine fowl fellow named Horatio)
Vegetables - I used 4-5 carrots, 2-3 celery sticks, 1 large onion, 2 sweet potatoes, a bit of garlic, and brussel sprouts (per my brother in law's request)
olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 head cauliflower
A few tablespoons of vegetable broth
1 TBLS butter
Salt and Pepper
(I changed this recipe because Rob can't have cream)
1. Chop up all the veggies and put in a bunt or angel cake pan seasoned with a bit of olive oil and S/P. Place the bird's butt on top of the hole so he's sitting nicely. (Ok, I know that sounds really dirty, so I'm just going to snigger quietly to myself and move on.) Feel free to season your bird however you so desire. I used what was in my sister's kitchen - so Basil, Parsley, Oregano, some lemon pepper seasoning, olive oil, and a bit of butter. Make sure you season under the skin as well.
2. Roast at 400 degrees for 15minutes per pound, plus an extra 15minutes. I think Horatio roasted for about 2hrs. A meat thermometer would be a good idea, esp. if your oven is funky. Also, be sure to put a cookie sheet underneath to catch the drips.
2. Roast at 400 degrees for 15minutes per pound, plus an extra 15minutes. I think Horatio roasted for about 2hrs. A meat thermometer would be a good idea, esp. if your oven is funky. Also, be sure to put a cookie sheet underneath to catch the drips.
I put the brussel sprouts in for the last 30-40 minutes. I'd never made them before, and read a whole lot of different things about how to make them. The ones on top turned out fine, but the ones not directly on the surface didn't cook quite enough. My sister and I aren't partial to them anyway, but Rob enjoyed them.
This was a fine way to roast a bird and vegetables together, and it tasted delicious, but having the bird upright made Horatio come out kind of funny...
This was a fine way to roast a bird and vegetables together, and it tasted delicious, but having the bird upright made Horatio come out kind of funny...
How YOU doin'?
Anyway, on to the cauliflower:
1. Cut up the cauliflower head into small pieces and put in a microwave safe dish with the vegetable broth and butter. Microwave 5 min, stir, and microwave another 5 minutes.
2. Process in a blender. Season with S/P and cheese if you want, and done!
I'd never tried mashed cauliflower before, and indeed am not a huge fan of cauliflower in the first place.
However, once I made this dish, I am a firm believer. It was so light and fluffy, utterly delicious, and super easy! Definitely will be making these instead of mashed potatoes from now on.
1. Cut up the cauliflower head into small pieces and put in a microwave safe dish with the vegetable broth and butter. Microwave 5 min, stir, and microwave another 5 minutes.
2. Process in a blender. Season with S/P and cheese if you want, and done!
I'd never tried mashed cauliflower before, and indeed am not a huge fan of cauliflower in the first place.
However, once I made this dish, I am a firm believer. It was so light and fluffy, utterly delicious, and super easy! Definitely will be making these instead of mashed potatoes from now on.
Being the Fall time of year, of course I was going to try as many apple recipes as possible. Here they are.
Apple Cider in an Apple Cup (wk.21)
Ok, ok - I didn't make the actual apple cider, I was just doing this to make a cup out of an apple, because how awesome is that? Pretty awesome.
So, you cut out the core from the top, then scoop out the insides with a spoon - being careful not to puncture all the way through. Fill with warm apple cider, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and voila!
It was the presentation. Isn't it always? And after you're done, you can EAT your cup!! Awesome!
I got super excited when I found out the cinnamon stick could act as a straw...
Ok, ok - I didn't make the actual apple cider, I was just doing this to make a cup out of an apple, because how awesome is that? Pretty awesome.
So, you cut out the core from the top, then scoop out the insides with a spoon - being careful not to puncture all the way through. Fill with warm apple cider, garnish with a cinnamon stick, and voila!
It was the presentation. Isn't it always? And after you're done, you can EAT your cup!! Awesome!
I got super excited when I found out the cinnamon stick could act as a straw...
Definitely the highlight of that day. Oh Appleton, the things you do to me.
Crockpot Caramel (wk 21)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Cook 8hrs on low, completely submerged in water, in the crockpot. Cool for 2hrs in the fridge. Voila! Well, supposedly. I, however, found this to be quite disappointing. I mean, just compare the two pictures (mine here and from the original link)- an obvious difference. I followed the directions, but heck if I know why it didn't taste (or particularly look) like caramel. I thought this'd be an easier, cheaper alternative to buying the caramel from the store, but it didn't taste like caramel at all - but rather, sweet, thick milk. Bleg. Ahh well, can't win 'em all I suppose.
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Cook 8hrs on low, completely submerged in water, in the crockpot. Cool for 2hrs in the fridge. Voila! Well, supposedly. I, however, found this to be quite disappointing. I mean, just compare the two pictures (mine here and from the original link)- an obvious difference. I followed the directions, but heck if I know why it didn't taste (or particularly look) like caramel. I thought this'd be an easier, cheaper alternative to buying the caramel from the store, but it didn't taste like caramel at all - but rather, sweet, thick milk. Bleg. Ahh well, can't win 'em all I suppose.
Apple Oatmeal (wk 22)
1 C Steel Cut Oats
3 diced apples
1 C apple cider
3 C water
Cinnamon/nutmeg/allspice (optional)
Combine everything in a crockpot, cook on high 2-4hrs until you achieve desired consistency.
I've never been one for oatmeal, and the original title was Apple Pie Breakfast, so I expected something amazing. I was slightly disappointed. I found it rather bland, as I do all oatmeal. However, when I decided to add in some of the store bought caramel, it was absolutely delicious! Maybe it wasn't as sweet because I used fresh apple cider from the orchard instead of apple juice with all its unnatural sweeteners. But with the caramel it was pretty delicious and made a whole lot. I'd probably make it again.
1 C Steel Cut Oats
3 diced apples
1 C apple cider
3 C water
Cinnamon/nutmeg/allspice (optional)
Combine everything in a crockpot, cook on high 2-4hrs until you achieve desired consistency.
I've never been one for oatmeal, and the original title was Apple Pie Breakfast, so I expected something amazing. I was slightly disappointed. I found it rather bland, as I do all oatmeal. However, when I decided to add in some of the store bought caramel, it was absolutely delicious! Maybe it wasn't as sweet because I used fresh apple cider from the orchard instead of apple juice with all its unnatural sweeteners. But with the caramel it was pretty delicious and made a whole lot. I'd probably make it again.
Sparkling Cider (wk 23)
half cider
half ginger ale
bourbon (optional)
I wasn't in the mood for bourbon at that time of day, so I just mixed some cider and ginger ale and was pleasantly surprised by the taste - it felt like sparks were dancing on my tongue. Not in a painful way - it was crisp and refreshing. I will definitely be drinking this again.
half cider
half ginger ale
bourbon (optional)
I wasn't in the mood for bourbon at that time of day, so I just mixed some cider and ginger ale and was pleasantly surprised by the taste - it felt like sparks were dancing on my tongue. Not in a painful way - it was crisp and refreshing. I will definitely be drinking this again.
Sausage and Lentil Soup (wk 23)
1 pound green lentils
olive oil
1 lb italian sausage
1 onion, diced
3-4 celery stalks, diced
2-3 large carrots, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced
2 cloves minced garlic
salt/pepper
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
6 C chicken broth
2 cans diced tomatoes
3 C water
1 pound green lentils
olive oil
1 lb italian sausage
1 onion, diced
3-4 celery stalks, diced
2-3 large carrots, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced
2 cloves minced garlic
salt/pepper
1/2tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
6 C chicken broth
2 cans diced tomatoes
3 C water
1. In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and let sit 15min. Drain. (Even if the bag says they don't need to be soaked, do this - it'll help them soak up less of the broth).
2. In a dutch oven or large stock pot, heat the oil and brown the sausage (if it's not already pre-cooked).
3. Add in all the veggies and spices and cook for 15 min - stirring often.
2. In a dutch oven or large stock pot, heat the oil and brown the sausage (if it's not already pre-cooked).
3. Add in all the veggies and spices and cook for 15 min - stirring often.
4. Add chicken stock, canned tomatoes, lentils, and water. Cover and bring to a boil.
5. Uncover and simmer for 1 1/2hrs, or until lentils are tender.
This is an absolutely healthy and delicious dish, easy to make, and it makes a lot! Very warm and filling - perfect for this chilly weather we're getting.
5. Uncover and simmer for 1 1/2hrs, or until lentils are tender.
This is an absolutely healthy and delicious dish, easy to make, and it makes a lot! Very warm and filling - perfect for this chilly weather we're getting.
I'm very happy I was able to continue my PFC while on vacation - and it was so nice not to have to buy all my own ingredients. Hopefully, one day, I'll be as financially secure as my parents. But aren't you supposed to be a poor penny pincher in your twenties? Looks like I'm right on track :)
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