Chicken And Dumplings

Here is a wonderful recipe that "The Pioneer Woman" posted - we have made it several times and absolutely love it!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/12/chicken-and-dumplings/

Photo courtesy of Ree (The Pioneer Woman)

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to y'all!  We had grandma and grandpa Sitko, Nanna, and Fred over for New Year's Eve - but they didn't make it till midnight :)  We had delicious little Mexican tacos that Mom makes, then played a bunch of rounds of ping pong, and watched a movie called "Eight Below".  I can't tell you how entertaining it is to watch Nanna and Fred play ping pong!  They all left after the movie - then Mom, Dad and Hannah went to bed and me and Caleb watched about half of the movie "Thor" (the first Thor) until we couldn't keep our eyes open any longer :)  Here are some pics of the fun night!

Mom trying to put the apron on Caleb :)

Hannah and Nanna reading a book

Caleb got a little entertaining :) lol

Mom and Grandma

Frying tortillas for the dinner

The chicken and bean filling

My beautiful mother :)

sitting around talking and waiting for dinner

Movie time candy!

Watching Grandma and Nanna play ping pong was quite entertaining! :)

Fred was the supervisor

Happy New Year!!

Hanging out and Baking Cookies With Friends!

Yesterday we went to the DeMyer's house to hang out and bake cookies!  We were experimenting with a bunch of different gluten-free recipes.  Caleb is gluten intolerant - so we all avoid it as much as we can - so I will be sharing some delicious, healthy recipes!

Mom's having a lot of fun!

Sabrina

Mom eating (no - actually pretending to eat) the molasses :)

Mrs. DeMyer

Abby :)  So cute!

Sabrina and Abby

Nick, Caleb, Sam, Me, Reuben and Sabrina taking weird pics of each other :)

Me and Sabrina

Here is one of the recipes we used!

Gluten-free Ginger Snaps:
This makes really soft wonderful tasting ginger snaps - and you would never know that they were gluten-free!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
1 or more cups flour blend
3/4 cups coconut flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 teaspoon ginger
1 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
scant 1 teaspoon cloves (that means almost full :)

 Cream together the first 4 ingredients

Then mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then mix the two (dry and wet ingredients) together

Get a bowl of evaporated cane crystals - you get a little lump of dough and roll it into a ball (about 1 inch in diameter) and roll it in the sugar so the outside is coated in it.  Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.  And there you have it!

Yummo!

 Hope you have a great time experimenting with this cool recipe! :)

~ Megan

Lamb Meatballs in Green Curry Sauce

Last night we made lamb meatballs in green curry sauce.  We got out extra ground lamb thinking the DeMyers would be back - so we are going to be eating meatballs for days! :)  We might try to save them some for when they come home tomorrow.

First you pour a glass of wine

Then you take out the piece of cork

Then take a drink :)

Lamb meatballs:

• 1 lb ground lamb
• 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

To make the meatballs, mix the ground lamb, bread crumbs, egg, cumin, garam masala, and salt together in  a large bowl.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Green curry sauce:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or lard (real home rendered lard)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons peeled and minced fresh ginger
• 1 jalapeno or serrano chile, seeded and minced
• 1 (13 1/2 - ounce) can coconut milk (do not shake)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 cup packed chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 teaspoon tamarind concentrate (sold at Indian grocers) or fresh lemon

Chopped onion and garlic

Used half lard and half olive oil this time

To make the sauce, heat the lard in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Add the onion, garlic, ginger, and chile and stir well.

Spoon out and measure 1/2 of the thick coconut milk that has risen to the top.  Add to the saucepan with the cumin and garam masala.

Cook until the onion mixture is softened and the coconut milk is reduced and looks oily, about 5 minutes.

Add one cup water, the cilantro, tamarind concentrate, and remaining coconut milk (about 1 1/4 cups).

Whisk well and bring to a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking occasionally until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.

Using your hands rinsed under cold water. shape the meat mixture into 24 equal small meatballs.  Transfer to a plate.  Carefully add the meatballs to the simmering sauce and cover with lid ajar.

Simmer until the sauce is thickened and the meatballs are cooked through with no sign of pink, about 20 minutes.  Season with salt.  Serve hot.  You can also put some more cilantro on top.

Yummo!!!! :)

Hope y'all have a great day!  And have fun making this delicious meal!