Crockpot!

Chicken Cacciatore!

1 1/2 C. Marinara Sauce

1/2 Onion, sliced
1/4 C. Tomato Paste
1/4 C. Chicken Broth
1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
8 oz. Mushrooms, sliced
8-10 Small Chicken Thighs, skin removed

Mix marinara, onions, tomato paste, broth, rosemary, salt, and mushrooms in crockpot. Add thighs and mix with sauce mixture. Cook in crockpot on low for 8 hours, high for 4 hours. Chicken will be very tender and delicious!

I served with frozen green beans sauted on medium-high in olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Gingerbread Muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/3 C. Unsweetened Applesauce

1/2 C. Molasses

4 Tbsp. Canola oil (or vegetable oil)

2 Eggs

2 Cups Rice Flour

4 tsp. Sugar

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Ground Ginger

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Ground Cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place liners in cupcake pan or oil a loaf pan if you prefer to make a gingerbread loaf.

Mix applesauce, molasses, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Stir in eggs.

Blend remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add to "wet" ingredient mixture. Stir until blended.

Pour batter into cupcake liners or loaf pan. Bake cupcakes for 25-30 minutes and loaf pan for approx. 30 minutes. Check with a toothpick in the center of gingerbread loaf to verify if toothpick is completely clean. It may have a few crumbs. This is a moist "treat". Remove from oven. Cool for at least 10-20 minutes. Remove loaf from pan by flipping onto a wire rack or plate. Serve warm!

Concord Grape Sorbet!

Fresh Concord Grape Sorbet!

5-pounds Fresh, Concord Grapes
1/2 Cup Water

1 Cup Cane Sugar

4 TBSP Honey

Pluck grapes from stems and clean fresh grapes thoroughly. Place grapes in a large stock pot with water. Bring grapes to a boil then turn heat down and let simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat. Strain grapes and juice through a large strainer. Press grapes through the strainer letting the pulp of the fruit pass through leaving the skin and seeds in the strainer. Discard seeds and skin. Add sugar and honey to juice. Stir completely and pour mix into a metal ice cream bowl or a large deep bowl. Place in freezer, stirring every two hours. Enjoy!!!

Crepes!

My kids have been asking me for days to make them crepes. They are so good and fun! And well honestly, very easy. So here is our version of "the crepe".

2 Eggs                                            1 C. Rice Flour

3/4 C. Rice or Coconut milk          1/2 C. Water

2 Tbsp. Canola oil                          3/4 tsp. Salt

Heat skillet to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil Combine eggs, flour, milk, water, and salt in blender. Blend on medium speed for one minute. Pour crepe mix slowly onto one side of pan and lift pan so it slowly crawls to the other side. You want a thin layer of batter. Let the batter cook until it is almost completely "dry" then flip. It should be lightly browned. Cook for 20 seconds. You want them light and flexible.

Here are some serving ideas:

jam and jellies

butter and syrup

fresh fruit/whipped cream

Nutella

butter/cinnamon/sugar

veggies/cheese

meat/cheese

These can be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

You Don't Care for Rice Cakes?

So you say you do not care for rice cakes? No taste? Cardboard? I beg to differ! Since Brandon and I are tired of looking for a gluten-free bread that does not contain corn of any kind without paying $8 a loaf, we have resolved for an alernative - Rice Cakes. Quaker Lightly Salted Rice Cakes. Now we do not eat them plain typically. Below is a list of concoctions that will change your mind about the Rice Cake!

Like toast - margarine/butter and jelly or applebutter 

                - peanut butter and banana

Like PB & J - peanut butter and jelly

                 - chocolate peanut butter or Nutella and strawberries!

Like popcorn - Melt 2 Tbsp. margarine/butter, mix 2 Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon in a separate bowl. Crumble 2 rice cakes, pour melted margarine/ butter on top (toss halfway, then add the rest), then add cin. and sugar mix. Toss while adding. Enjoy!

And then just getting creative like Josh. Adding marshmallow cream then drizzling Hershey syrup on top! Yum.

Now, tell me you do not like rice cakes!

P.S. The Rice Cake has only 35 calories, 1 gram of protein, 7 carbs and 0 fat. Now that is before you put anything on it!!! :)

Sweet Blossoms and Sweet Chicken!

Yesterday we had a dentist appointment and there was a beautiful tree right out front of the office. I couldn't help myself! I had to pick some stems off the tree and bring them home. Beautiful, pink blossoms that look like roses when you first glance at the tree. They are so delicate; the moment you touch the branch the dainty petals fall to the ground. So I carefully removed two branches and brought them home to my blue vase of water.

Now to the chicken!!!! Brian doesn't care for sweet sauce with meat so when he is gone I try to remember to make meals that the boys and I enjoy that Brian doesn't care for. So here is a Sweet and Sour Chicken that is so tasty!

Oil to cover skillet

4 Chicken breasts cut into bite size chunks

3 Eggs, beaten

1/4 C. Pineapple juice

1 C. Arrowroot powder

Heat skillet to medium, medium-high heat. Add oil. Toss chicken breast chunks in pineapple and egg mixture then toss individually in arrowroot powder. Cook chicken until brown and done.

1 Can Pineapple chunks, drained (reserve juice)

1/2 C. Apple cider vinegar

1/2 C. Sugar

1 Med. Green pepper, cut into 1-in. squares

1/4 C. Water

2 Tbsp. Arrowroot powder

2 Carrots, cut into small strips

In a 5 quart pan, add pineapple juice, vinegar, and sugar. Mix well. Mix arrowroot powder and cold water in a container. Mix well then add to pineapple juice mixture. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to meduim. Add green pepper and carrots. Cook until vegetables tender. Add meat until warm. Serve over rice or Quinoa.

DoubleTree Cookies

This post is inspired from a crazy dream I had about the DoubleTree cookies! You know the ones you hear about at the nice hotels when you go to check in and they offer you the ooooeeeeeyyyyy gooooooeeeeeyyyyyy cookies. I had the opportunity to have these cookies twice before finding out I am allergic to wheat so I have to turn them down for now on. BUT, a friend of mine sent me the recipe for the cookies! (Thank you, Betty Guyer!) Now I am sharing with you! Of course I had helpers while making these.

DoubleTree Hotel Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep time: 0:30 Overall time: 1 day
20 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 C. Rolled oats
2-1/4 C. Rice flour
1-1/2 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1 C. Margarine, softened
3/4 C. Brown sugar, packed
3/4 C. Sugar
1/2 tsp. Lemon juice
2 Eggs
3 C. Enjoy Life chocolate chips

1-1/2 C.Chopped walnuts, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Grind oats in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine the ground oats with the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl.

Cream together the margarine, sugars, and lemon juice in another medium bowl with an electric mixer. Add the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir the dry mixture into the wet mixture and blend well. Add the chocolate chips and nuts to the dough and mix by hand until ingredients are well blended.

For the best results, chill the dough overnight in the refrigerator before baking the cookies.

Spoon rounded 1/4 cup portions onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Place the scoops about 2 inches apart. Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-18 minutes or until cookies are light brown and soft in the middle. Store in a sealed container when cool to keep soft.

**Note - I made two bathches; one with butter, one with margarine. The original recipe called for butter. Margarine works better with rice flour. Also, you can make smaller cookies, but you need to cut back on your cooking time.

Arts and Crafts!

This is truly God's doing. I have never been arts fartsy and have never loved crafts, but I have to admit, I loved doing this project! And I love it more on my wall!!!!

If you are interested in doing something like this (and the cost is less than $100), here is a site to help http://www.sheknows.com/articles/813266/how-to-make-your-own-headboard

The best thing about it is that you can personalize with whatever material you like. I might do one for Brandon's room!

Chicken of the Sea!

In the Biernat house, we are big fans of sea-food. Here is a "taste" of the ocean!


Mahi Mahi

While on oiled broiler pan, season lightly with salt and pepper, squeeze lemon/and or lime juice gingerly, and a hint of paprika. Bake thawed Mahi Mahi on 350 for 20 minutes in the oven.


Sauteed Shrimp

Place shrimp on medium heat in a large saucepan in olive oil and garlic. When shrimp has turned pink it is done. (Olive oil is much lighter than butter, because after all, it is about the shrimp!)

PIZZA!!!!

Pizza is one food that is associated with a party or just good times. Today was the last day for the boy's end of the year testing at their old school and I made pizza! It tasted so good!! Of course when you make your own, you can personalize it to your liking. And so we did....

Pizza Dough (10 minutes/makes 2 pizzas)

1 1/2 C. Rice Flour

1/4 C. Tapioca Flour

1/4 C. Arrowroot Powder

1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

2/3 C. Rice Milk

1/4 C. Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix dry ingredients in mixer. Slowly add wet ingredients. If mix feels too dry, add more milk. When mixed, you should be able to roll into a ball without it falling apart. Once all mixed, separate into two pizzas and roll out. Make a crust so your sauce will not roll off!  Cook pizzas for 10 minutes before adding any sauce or toppings.

Pizza Sauce (Enough for 4 Pizzas)

1 (6 oz) Can Tomato Paste

1 C. Water

1/3 C. Olive Oil

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

Salt and Pepper to Taste

1/2 Tbsp. dried Oregano, Basil, Rosemary

Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan. Let cook until everything is well blended. Place sauce on warm pizza and add toppings as desired. Cook pizza until cheese is melted or items are cooked to your liking (approx. 10-20 min.)

Enjoy and Celebrate!!!

Not about the food today.

This morning when I woke up, God placed this on my heart. So today, it is not about the food.
Some people believe that we are here on this earth randomly living, by chance having a good day or bad day. Circumstances happening by chance to no fault of our own. And for people who believe that, I guess it means you came from nothing and then will return to nothing. That doesn't make sense to me.
I am here for a purpose. I am created for a purpose. I did not come to live just to die. What a waste.
I am a child of God.  And some of you may not believe in God. Well let me tell you my friend, He is real. Very real. Very real to me and my family. When we didn't have enough money to pay the bills and we put God first, He provided the money we needed. Unexplainable to us and our checkbook, but all we can do is thank God. When I was sick for 8 months and didn't know what was wrong, yet I could still take care of my children without my husband taking time off from work and be at church three times a week, unexplainable to me, but all I can do is thank God! When I have felt alone and hurt, God has put his arms around me and comforted me and let me know that I am never alone and that He will always be with me. Heb. 13:5
God created me, formed me in my mother's womb. I am special. All of  us are so very special to God. Why else would he send his only son to die on a cross to shed his blood for our sins so that we can be forgiven? Because He loves us. Oh how hard that was. As a mother I cannot even imagine the pain of it. But he did.
So are we here just randomly to live having things thrown at us and having to cope and deal with things. No! We were created by God to live for God and when life does throw a curve, we have a loving God who helps us get through whatever the circumstance. He promises!
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

Desserts!

Here are two desserts that my family really enjoys. The first is a chocolate chip cookie that is made with one ingredient that makes such a difference - brown sugar! 

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 C. softened butter or margarine

1 1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1 Egg

2 1/4 C. Rice Flour

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 tsp. Salt

1 C. Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

3/4 C. Nuts (optional)

Preheat oven 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the egg and stir until blended. Slowly add the dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes (optional). Roll spoonful in hands to form a ball. Place on cookie sheet (may line with parchment paper to make clean-up easier). Cook for 8-10 minutes, until cookies get light brown.

The second dessert is an individual dessert so it quite fun. You can make it and then add whatever you want to personalize it. Enjoy!

Chocolate Mug Cake

4 Tbsp. Rice Flour

4 Tbsp. Sugar

2 Tbsp. Cocoa

1 Egg

3 Tbsp. Milk

2 Tbsp. Canola Oil

3 Tbsp. Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

Pick out your favorite large mug! Add the dry ingredients. In a bowl, mix egg, milk, and oil. Add to mug. Mix wet ingredients with dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Place a saucer under mug and cook in microwave 2 1/2-3 minutes. Cake will rise over top of mug. Eat plain or add whipped cream, ice cream, milk, cream, jam, syrup, or fruit. You can always place jam or fruit on the bottom of mug before you add ingredients to give a little "surprise"!

Spaghetti & Meatballs!

I made Spaghetti and Meatballs last night for dinner and my intentions were to take pictures but as I reached for my camera, I realized my battery was dead. I was able to get one picture of the best taste testers! 

Spaghetti Sauce

2 Large cans Hunts All-Natural Crushed Tomatoes

2 C. Water

4 tsp. Minced garlic or 4 garlic cloves, minced

2 Bay leaves

3 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Pepper

2 Tbsp. Oregano

1 Tbsp. Thyme

1 Tbsp. Marjoram

Place all ingredients into a 5-quart or larger stock pot. Keep on low heat for as little as 1 hour or as long as 5 hours. The longer you have the sauce on the heat, the more time the flavors have to blend together.

Meatballs

1 Pound Pork

1 Pound ground beef

1 Tbsp. Oregano

1 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1 Tbsp. Marjoram

1/4 C. Onions, chopped fine

2 Tbsp. Minced garlic or 2 garlic cloves finely chopped

1 Tbsp. Fennel seed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all above ingredients. Roll into ball - whatever size you prefer. Put in a pan that has a lip on all sides (it will be juicy). Place in the oven for 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Then place in spaghetti sauce.

Lunchtime!

Today at breakfast, Brandon and I talked about going out for lunch. Yes, I know it was still breakfast but Brandon was thinking hamburgers and fries for breakfast. So for lunch I made, you can guess, hamburgers and fries. With food allergies, we cannot just go out anywhere. So by making it at home, we have control how it is made. So here is our version of hamburgers and fries.

Homemade Fries

4 Large russet potatoes
1 C. Rice Flour
Salt
Pepper
4 C. Canola Oil

Heat canola oil in stock pot on medium high heat. Cut potatoes long wise in half. Cut again in small strips long wise and again in thin strips keeping them long. Measure one cup of flour and put in a long tupperware container with 1 Tbsp. salt and 1/2 Tbsp. pepper added. Mix. Check oil by dropping a pinch of flour to oil. If it bubbles, it is ready for potatoes. Flour potatoes a couple at a time. I cooked potatoes in four batches for 10 minutes each. When they are ready, take out with a slotted spoon. Salt immediately. Taste test!!!! :)

More Salsa!!

Well, since we have all this salsa, and I do love it, I decided to make good use of it at lunchtime today. I made Huevos Rancheros. If you do not eat eggs much, eggs are a wonderful protein to add to your diet. In our family, we go through 5 dozen eggs in 2 weeks. We eat eggs in every way possible, well almost. I don't care for poached. But anyway, here is a little easy recipe for Huevos Rancheros that is just something quick and easy but delicious. I served mine on a plate with lettuce and half of an orange.

 Huevos Rancheros

Cook two eggs together on medium heat in a pan sprayed with canola oil until firm enough to flip the eggs. Flip and add 1/3 C. salsa and 1/4 C. shredded cheese. Cook until desired yolk consistancy. I like my yolk a little runny so I took mine off pretty quick and put it in the microwave for 20 seconds to let the cheese melt completely. A very quick and healthy lunch!

We have a new addition to the Biernat house. Dexter is our female Guinea Pig. She is 3 months old and belongs to Brandon! He is so proud of her and is a great father. She loves apples, oranges, kiwi, carrots, and spinach. Spinach is her favorite! So please welcome Dexter to our family. She is very sweet.

Slow-Cooked Salsa Chicken

Tonight it is all about the chicken. Sometime when you make a dish, it is just so divine that you wish you can just keep eating it and never get full. This is one of those dishes! Easy and delicious! Can't beat that! Prep. time is 5 minutes and cook time on high was 4 hours and on low allow 7-8 hours (depending on your slow cooker). You cannot overcook this recipe. The longer it cooks, the more tender the chicken!

Slow-Cooked Salsa Chicken

4-5 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 C. Salsa

1 Tbsp. Cumin
1 1/2 Tbsp Salt (more to taste if necessary)

1/2 Tbsp. Chili powder (depending on how hot you like it)

1/4 tsp. Pepper

1/2 tsp. Thyme

1 8oz. Package of sliced mushrooms

1 13.6 Thai Kitchen Coconut milk

Add chicken to slow cooker. Sprinkle with spices and herbs. Pour salsa, coconut milk, and mushrooms over chicken. Stir. Cook on high for 4 hours and low for 7-8 hours. I served over brown rice but you can use pasta, corn chips, etc. Of course, I also used my husbands homemade salsa! My tastebuds are a little bit spoiled!!!!

Morning - GLORY!

It is a Sunday morning and typically we would be at church right now. We had to have Biernat Baptist Church this morning. My husband did a devotional and my son played the piano. It was quite sweet.

We woke up to the blinding sun this morning. Oh, I am not complaining, trust me. It is beautiful especially against the snow. God gives us such beauty.
So I went on and made a big breakfast this morning. Waffles, eggs, fried potatoes, and ham. It is amazing how boys love you when you cook for them. Lots of hugs are given! There is a truth about "a way to a mans heart is through his stomach".

Basic Waffles

2 1/2 C. Rice milk

4 eggs, Broken and blended

1/4 C. Canola oil

3 C. Rice flour

3 tsp. Baking soda
2 tsp. Cream of Tartar
1 tsp. Salt
1Tbsp. Cinnamon
3 Tbsp. Sugar

Mix milk, eggs and oil together in a large bowl. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix well. Bake in hot, oiledwaffle iron.

If you wish to add extra ingredients, here are some suggestions:
1 cup apples, cut into small pieces w/ 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 cup blueberries and 1/4 C. sugar
1 banana, smashed and 1/4 cup walnuts, cut into small pieces
dates, aprictots, prunes, raisins, etc...  Any fruit is delicious!

Enjoy!!

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

Here in Virginia, we have been hit really hard with snow. This year we have made up for the last 10 years of having such dismall winters! I homeschool so my kids don't get the breaks that most kids get so they do not feel as fortunate as most. We still make life fun.
For instant, we invited one of there favorite people over for a couple of days and they have been having so much fun playing indoors and out. Also, they have been great at shoveling. It is much more fun with friends. I know my husband and I have more fun when we work together and our neighbors are all out and we get to talking. We have a good time!
Last night we had tacos and guacamole! Yum! We had a fiesta! Not really but we did have guacamole! I hope you find it as tasty as I do. I love it and it is so healthy for ya!

Guacamole

5 Ripe (Soft to the touch) avacados

2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped or 2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. Salt (or more by taste)

1/8 C. Finely chopped onion

1/8 C. Roma tomatoes, cut into small pieces (remove seeds)

2 Tbps. Fresh Cilantro or 1 Tbsp. Dried cilantro

Smash avacados with fork or potato masher until all mooshed! Add garlic, salt, onion, and cilantro. Blend well. Fold in tomotoes.

Enjoy!!

Josh's Birthday

We celebrated Josh's birthday with just the family. The weather has just been crazy this winter. A lot of snow. So, I made him a luscious chocolate cake with a fluffy, mocha frosting. It was a huge hit. I must say, I had several pieces!!! Delicious and no need for ice cream. If you are interested, here goes! Enjoy!

Delicious Chocolate Cake w/ Fluffy Mocha Frosting

1/4 C. Coconut oil

1/2 C. Unsweetened Applesauce

1 2/3 C. Sugar
2 Eggs

2 1/4 C. Rice flour

2/3 C. Baking Cocoa

3/4 tsp. Baking soda

1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1 tsp. Salt
1 1/4 C. Water

1 C. Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Enjoy Life brand)

In a large bowl, beat coconut oil and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in applesauce. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Add to the sugar mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition. Fold in chips. Pour into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan coated with canola oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Fluffy Mocha Frosting:

2/3 C. Sugar

3 Tbsp Strong Coffee

1/4 C. Pure Maple Syrup

1/4 C. Honey

2 Egg Whites

1/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1/8 tsp. Salt

In a double boiler over rapidly boiling water, place all the ingredients in pan. Whip with rotary beaters until frosting reaches stiff peaks. Remove from heat. Frost cooled cake.