My Winter Breakfast Recipe: Microwave Oatmeal w/ Apple Cider

Smoothies are for summer. Oatmeal is for winter! I recently "discovered" Quick 1-minute oatmeal. I was amazed that I actually liked it and really couldn't tell the difference from the long cooking original variety I had always used. It was a pain too. Always running over on the stove and the pan was hard to wash. Cooking the Quick variety in the microwave in a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup solved all of my problems.

The first few times I "cooked" it in the microwave for 4 minutes using box instructions it did not run over and I was thrilled. Then, for some reason, it started running over. I decided to experiment and ended up with the perfect recipe for me. I started out with 1/2 cup apple cider and 1/2 cup of tap water. Then I added a generous 1/3 cup oats and a HEAPING tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal. I grind my own seeds in my coffee and spice grinder. You can buy the flax meal already ground if you wish. I cook this mixture in the microwave for 4 minutes and it doesn't run over. I was able to omit the salt too. It is delicious and the measuring cup is so much easier to wash than the pan on the stovetop was. I am thrilled.

This photo shows my entire kitchen wall. I was leaning on my refrigerator to snap the picture. I have always had "old men" friends and we often discussed the woes of the oatmeal pan running over. My mother wanted oatmeal every morning no matter the season or weather. We had elderly next door neighbors when I was young and the man ate a vegetable bowl of oatmeal every morning. All of these old men in my life lived to be 100 or nearly that ripe old age and I think the oatmeal helped. I think its gooey consistency must remove some of the plaque from your arteries as it passes thru your body. What do you think? I have never read this, it's just something I suppose must be going on.

Anyway, I wanted to share my new way of cooking quick and easy oatmeal in the winter. Let me know if you try it. Stay safe and warm since it seems to be cold or very cold almost everywhere. xo

MORNING SMOOTHIE or "HOW I EAT MY GREENS"

My Oster blender has an additional container for smoothies and it works wonderfully. I filled it about half full with soy milk but you can use the liquid of your choice. I add 1/2 a banana, sliced. Then I put in some leftover beets, some leftover crushed pineapple, and two really big handfuls, tightly packed, of raw collard greens. I buy them in a large bag already washed and torn into small pieces and they last me at least a week. Raw collard greens are the best greens you can eat for your eyes and I can honestly say my vision has improved in only two weeks of making these smoothies. I vary the ingredients but the banana and collards are always included as is the soy milk.

This is a closeup before my first sip.

I ordered these stainless straws with an adjustable sipper and cleaning brush recently because a standard straw is too short for my Oster container. They are made by OXO (see link HERE) and there is a carrying case for travel. These are life changing and I love them. What do you think of My Breakfast of Champions? I was having an awful time eating my greens in other ways so this has solved my problem completely. If I somehow miss it at breakfast time, I will have it for my dinner. I add berries too, just didn't this morning. I always have frozen blueberries on hand. Each one has been delicious and the greens don't impart much of a taste but the banana does! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

Here is my complete Oster package.

Maybe you have the same one hiding in your cabinet like I did.

xo

Blackberry Pies with Cornmeal Crust - Recipe

Don't these look divine? I bought two cartons of big fat blackberries a few days ago and they were delicious. I think they are my favorite berries since I grew up picking them in the wild. 

The recipe looks very simple and so does the cornmeal crust.

The website is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

Enjoy viewing it and dreaming of blackberries.

Click HERE.

xo

2x Chocolate Muffins Twice as Delicious

Don't these look delicious?

There's no icing but none is needed.

Photo found here.

It led me to the recipe here.

Question: Are there fewer calories if you call them muffins rather than cupcakes? I'm calling them mini chocolate cakes.

xo

Missy's Back

I moved her dishes to another location by the radiator.

This was taken Thursday evening.

Friday morning, thawing out after a walk.

She likes this new cushion I bought at the Firehouse Flea Market in September. I have her until Tuesday morning. 

Thawed and back to the living room for a nap. I liked the head shadow made by the sun coming in through one of the French doors that open to my balcony. The other one is still closed because of the sun glare.

We'll see you later. 

PS: I will be adding photos to this post. 

I love popovers and have a special pan made for them. I have avoided making any for way too long because most recipes call for SO MUCH melted butter. This one calls for only one tablespoon. It's worth a try. If you don't have a popover pan you can use a muffin tin.

Click here for full recipe and the backstory.

xo

Nantucket Cranberry Tart Recipe

Click HERE for Recipe and more photos.

Click HERE to jump directly to the recipe.

Doesn't this look delicious? 

I love anything cranberry and will definitely bake this when bags of cranberries appear in the stores. 

xo

Flourless Muffins and A 1945 Movie

I used my last banana this morning in a smoothie but when I go to the market again I will definitely make these muffins. I need carrots too.

Recipe HERE. It has a place to click to double and triple the recipe if desired. 

It has been overcast with gray skies for days here. 

Yesterday I decided to look for 

A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN 

movie to watch and found it on YouTube. I have always thought of this as a Christmas Movie but that must be a well-kept secret because you never see it offered anywhere. I streamed it from my laptop to my TV using Chromecast but I would have been just as happy watching it on my computer. 

It was free had had no commercials. 

Here's the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FMYoKfgAKk

Bookmark it if you want to watch later.

ENJOY!

Small Honeycrisp Apple Galette

 

I really like this recipe. 

The ingredients are simple and you probably already have them on hand.

You will enjoy reading about this delightful recipe and 

see some pretty wonderful photos too. 

http://www.wrytoasteats.com/petite-brown-sugar-honeycrisp-galette/

Enjoy! xo

Amazing Bread Baked To Look Like A Pumpkin

It took me the longest time to realize this was pumpkin bread and not a real pumpkin. Sadly, there is no recipe for this ginger pumpkin bread but doesn't it look delicious. 

Photo found here.

!!!UPDATE!!!

King Arthur Recipe and instructions for making the pumpkin shape. https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/ginger-pumpkin-braid-recipe

Thank you, Nancy🧡

Halloween Oreo Cookie Recipe

 These cookies are too cute, aren't they? 

They are healthy too.

Recipe & Instructions HERE.

Trick or Treat? These are definitely treats.

https://www.gutsybaker.com/post/halloween-oreos-vegan-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free

Crustless Tomato Pie

This looks so good. If you are looking for ways to use your tomatoes on the vine that will soon be gone, you should consider making this tomato pic that is crustless.

Recipe found here.

Tomato Zucchini Pie (Recipe)

This recipe is really called Tomato-Milpa Pie but suggests Zucchini as a substitute if you don't grow the Mexican squash called Milpa. The first thing you do is bake the empty pie crust so this is a perfect opportunity to use a frozen one and save yourself some work. It gets baked again after you layer it with your homegrown or farmer's market tomatoes, half-moon zucchini slices, and fresh corn kernels.

I think this is the perfect "end of summer" recipe! Enjoy. xo

A Wonderful Farmhouse and A Cobbler Recipe

Just wonderful only I wouldn't want to mow around all those rocks in the lawn. I'm sure they must have a backstory. via

I really like this cobbler recipe saved from an old newspaper clipping. It could be used on any seasonal fruit and the peaches are especially good right now. via

Irish Lemon Pudding Recipe

I bookmarked this recipe because it calls for ingredients I always have on hand very little sugar. It's almost like a lemon meringue pie and is adapted from an authentic Irish recipe in the cookbook pictured below. I'm a true lemon🍋 lover and buy lemons in bulk and always have them in my refrigerator crisper drawer. Limes, not so much, except in limeade.

Irish Traditional Cooking by Dariana Allen

This link has a preview of the book and the history behind it.

Recipe and images found here along with the cookbook information. Happy baking. Enjoy! xo

Quilter's Potato Salad Recipe

I photographed this recipe from one of my oldest and most favorite cookbooks, THE OLD-FASHIONED COOKBOOK by Jan McBride Carlton. It was published in 1975 and I grab it first when looking for a recipe. 

When I prepare this potato salad, I mix the hot dressing over the potatoes that have been cooled slightly in cold water but are still hot. I leave the red-skin peeling on and cut into cubes before cooking. The dressing makes this dish. Try it and let me know if you like it. I always get compliments when I bring it to a pot luck. People love it and are always surprised that it is somewhat sweet. Anyway, try it with the sugar the first time around. It's a fabulous recipe for the 4th of July or for Father's Day this weekend. xo

Here is a used book search with some very inexpensive prices if you want to buy a copy. The American First edition is earlier (1975) than the English one published in 1984. 

The illustrators also "wrote" a delightful children's book. Thanks, Mundi for mentioning OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS AT MAPLE HILL FARM in the comments. xo❤️

https://permies.com/t/34679/Book-Review-Animal-Friends-Maple

 

Home Page with Updates & Additions

Pancakes or Japanese Hot Cakes + Recipe

Don't they look delicious????? These Japanese Hot Cakes look like a stack of English Muffins, don't they? The recipe is easy and most of you will already have all the ingredients on hand. I can't wait to make them for breakfast. Recipe here. YUM!

♡HOME♡

Chicken Pot Pie Cornbread Muffins

I have been saving this recipe ever since it appeared in my inbox. I love cornbread and chicken pot pie and muffins too so I had to look at the recipe. It is a winner. It pops up immediately under the photo when you click on the link so you can decide for yourself. I have everything on hand except buttermilk so I might substitute my homemade yogurt. You can google buttermilk substitute to find other suggestions. I just did that and think I will wait and pick up some buttermilk when I go grocery shopping this week because it has a flavor none of the substitutes have and I happen to like it too. Enjoy if you make these pie/muffins that just might turn into your favorite comfort food. xo

Foolproof Pie Dough w/ Video Tutorial

I always look at and read recipes for pie crust but have never found one that is foolproof. I think this one might be it. The recipe makes two crusts. It looks pretty simple and straightforward and I plan on making one pumpkin pie and freeze other round of dough. 

Jump straight to the recipe and print it here.

Read the lengthy article and watch the video tutorial here. There are lots of delicious pie recipes at the end as well. This is one-stop-shopping for pie ideas. Enjoy. xo

Delicious looking Cowboy Cookies

These cookies have my name written all over them. Jump directly to the recipe here. Read the article and look at many more yummy photos here. They remind me of oatmeal bars my mother and I used to make with all of these ingredients except for the flaked sea salt sprinkled on top. I dare not make them unless I have to take a dessert to a gathering and those are few and far between in the days of Covid. Enjoy if you dare make them.

Pumpkin Dream Cake Recipe

Are you drooling yet? This sheet cake with cinnamon cream cheese icing is absolutely the best pumpkin recipe I have seen in ages. See more photos and read all about it here. Can't wait? Jump directly to the recipe here. You're welcome!