Polish Bread Recipe for Easter and Christmas

Every Easter, we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection.  One way we celebrate is with food. Michael always had a special Easter breakfast with his family, growing up.  So, the week before Easter, we travel down to Baltimore to buy the kielbasa.  This has been the tradition of Michael and his friend, Mr. Miller, for years. When the kids were small, one kid was allowed to go along.  Now, we all like to go because we know what a special treat it is.  Each year, it gets harder for Mr. Miller, who is getting older.  This year, he was still recovering from a fall, so he was not able to go along.  It was sad for all of us, and we missed him terribly.

Last year with Mr. Miller and Blane at Jimmy's Restauran

Last year at Jimmy's

Traditionally, our first stop is Vaccaros to buy coffee and a treat.  Then we pick up the kielbasa at Ostrowski's.  Sometimes, we stop by a church for Mass, a polish store, or the market.  Then we go to Jimmy's for lunch.  This year, we went to Chick-fil-a, then Ostrowski's, then a bakery nearby.  We got donuts, enough for us and the Miller's.  Sadly, Jimmy's was closed because they changed owners and were remodeling.  We just stood outside, not knowing what to do.  After looking for a restaurant, we just ate our donuts and went home.  Our day was special, but had a sadness in the loss of tradition and missing Mr. Miller.  We visited the Millers in the evening.

The sad picture of Jimmy's with the chair all outside, closed for renovation.

Here we are, eating donuts for lunch!

On Easter morning, we eat a special Polish breakfast of kielbasa, hard-boiled eggs, horseradish, and bread (which Michael's family always calls "bulka").  The closest bread that I have found is called "Babka."  We have been buying all different kinds of holiday breads for Easter and Christmas each year.  This past Christmas was the first year I made this recipe of Holiday Babka.  It turned out great, so I made it again for Easter this year.

Here is the recipe:  Cooks.Com Holiday Babka (Mother's Polish Bread) from Belle
We went to be with family and went to their church.  There we proclaimed:  He is Risen!  No matter what this life brings, we have hope of eternal life because Jesus died for our sins and rose again, conquering death.

After lunch, we had an Easter egg hunt.  

Shredded Chicken for Tortillas

This is an easy meal that I have been making in the crockpot and on the stove top.  Then when we went to Mexico, Celia made it, too!  So, I thought I would share it with you.

Shredded Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:
Three Chicken Breasts 
1 Chipotle Pepper with a little sauce (you can buy these in a can with adobo sauce.  Freeze the extra for another day)
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil the chicken breasts in water on stove top for 20-30 min. (until cooked enough that they will shred apart when still warm)
Or put in the crockpot on high for 4 hours.
Shred, then add seasonings.  (I think Celia may have added fried chorizo, as well.  Of course, this would make it extra special).
Put shredded chicken into soft tortillas.

Add toppings of your choice:
chopped tomatoes
lettuce
cucumbers
sliced red onions
lime juice

Suggested Sides:  
Refried Beans
Rice
Fresh Garden Salad

Guacamole (Celia's recipe)

When Carlos was grilling the steaks for Carne Asada, Celia showed me how she makes guacamole.  I usually make guacamole the way our friend, Pablo taught us.  That recipe is here.  Celia's recipe was new for me; I never heard that some people add milk!

Smooth Mild Guacamole 

6 avocados

1-2 cups of milk 

1 1/2 small cucumber

Blend (in a blender) avocados and cucumber, 

and add milk until it is a smooth guacamole sauce.

(The amounts listed are approximate.  Use the amount of avocados that works for your family, and adjust the amount of milk and cucumber)

Thank you, Celia!

Carne Asada Recipe (Meat with Sides in Tortillas)

This is the special meal that Carlos, Celia, and their family made for us.  Carlos cooked the steaks on the grill and chopped up the meat.  Karla and her boyfriend were cutting up the vegetables when we came back from a church service.  Celia and I continued to cut up more vegetables.  I squeezed the small fresh limes into the red onions.  This meal is a special meal that takes a lot of time, but is so delicious.  

Our families together (Blane and Liv went to bed)

The best part of the meal was when each of the members of the family told us how happy they were to have us in their home.  It was very kind, meaningful, generous.

Of course, I asked how Carlos made the meat.  At first he said that it is his secret, but then he told me.  Thank you Carlos and Celia!

Carne Asada (Meat with Sides in Tortillas)

Beef Steaks with a lot of fat

Marinade steaks with Garlic and Coarse Salt for about 10 minutes

Then grill and cut into small pieces

This is the beef, cut into small pieces

Cut up vegetables:
Chopped cucumbers
Diced tomatoes

cucumbers, jalapenos, tomatoes

Red onions, sliced with lime juice on top
Limes quartered
Jalapeno peppers, diced small
Guacamole (Celia's recipe)
Grilled green onions and peppers on the side

grilling steaks and green onions

Put meat, then vegetables in your choice of corn or flour tortillas, add lime and hot sauce to taste.  Add a lot of love and generosity, and you have a wonderful treat!  Enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Soup as Easy as 1 2 3

We have been sick for over a week now!  All of us, but not all at once.  About every two days, another person falls.  Michael has been the last one standing, and he is sick now.  It sure makes me thankful for health!  

So tonight we are having Chicken Noodle Soup.  I grew up in Lancaster County eating Chicken Corn Soup that was always made by simmering the leftover chicken parts, after eating a roasted chicken.  Then we added noodles, corn, and all the seasonings.  It is delicious, but lately I go for the easy version with carrots, chicken breasts, and chicken stock.

This is adapted from the crockpot meals by Lauren Greutman, from an earlier post.  I do not like to use bouillon cubes.  So, I use chicken broth.  

Time saving tip:  If you are feeling ambitious and want to freeze an extra meal to use on another day, just get out a freezer bag and add one set of ingredients into the crockpot and one set into the freezer bag.

Chicken Noodle Soup as Easy as 1 2 3

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
3/4 cup celery, chopped
1 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. black pepper
4 cups (32 oz.) chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups uncooked egg noodles

Easy as 1 2 3 Crockpot steps:
1.  Add all ingredients except noodles to Crockpot
2.  Cook on high for 4 hours (medium for 6, low for 8)
3.  Shred or cut meat and add noodles for the last 1/2 hour

Enjoy!

Kale and Sausage Soup

Ingredients: 
(do not add sausage or chicken broth for vegan or vegetarian meal)
1 pound sausage
1 med. onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 large potatoes, chopped
1 can cannellini beans
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cups kale, chopped

Easy as 1 2 3 
Stovetop Steps:
1.  Brown sausage with onions and garlic
2.  Add all other ingredients
3.  Boil, then simmer for about 20 minutes

Easy as 1 2 3
Crock-pot Steps:
1.  Crumble or cut up sausage on the bottom.
2.  Add all other ingredients
3.  Cook on Low for about 6-8 hours or High for about 4-5 hours

This recipe is a variation from Fresh from the Vegan Slow Cooker by Robertson
It is delicious with or without the sausage, and so easy to make.

Molasses Cookies Recipe

 Molasses Cookies Recipe with Better Ingredients

1.  Cream together:
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. black-strap molasses
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. flax meal (optional)

2.  Add:
2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/3 c. almond milk or cow's milk

3.  Stir in:
4 1/2 c. whole-wheat flour

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes
Enjoy!

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Classic Chili

Classic Chili, As Easy as 1 2 3

This recipe was adapted from Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair

Ingredients:
2 med. onions
1-2 pounds ground beef (or 1/2 c. quinoa, if you are vegetarian or vegan)
2 tsp. sea salt
4 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 lg. green peppers
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 15 oz. can kidney beans
1 15 oz. can pinto or black beans
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce

Steps:
1.  Saute onions and brown beef
2.  Add all other ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.
3.  Optional Side:  Brown rice, corn bread, salad

Please, Follow by blog, for future recipes, meal plans, and give-a ways!  Just click on the button on the right column.  I really appreciate your support!  Thanks in advance.

Easy as 1 2 3 100% Whole-Wheat Bread

This is the recipe that I've been making for years, and we still like it!  It is soft, delicious, and easy.

Whole-Wheat Bread for the Bread Machine (Check out the health benefits of these ingredients!!!)

1 1/2 cup water
2 tbsp. butter or coconut oil
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. black-strap molasses
1 tbsp. flax meal (optional)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp. yeast

Easy as 1 2 3 
Steps: 
1.  Put the ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed.  
2.  Put on the whole-grain setting and press start.  
3.  Enjoy!

(You could also use the bread machine dough setting, electric mixer, or knead by hand, and then bake it in the oven. )

Delicious Pizza

I learned to make this kind of pizza from Eileen Czaja, my mother-in-law.  When she makes pizza, it is always amazing!  She uses sourdough crust from Berkshire Mountain Bakery, in MA.

Ingredients:

Crust:  I use Trader Joe’s (2 packs of 2) these are long rectangles of chewy bubbly dough

Other crust options:  Whole-Wheat Homemade Crust just put the bread machine on dough setting, Naan (about one for each person), Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough crust

Olive Oil

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

1 (28 oz.) Organic Diced Tomatoes, drained and cut up a little more

fresh basil leaves (or dried seasoning, if you are in a pinch)

2, 8 oz. blocks of Mozzarella Cheese

Easy as 1 2 3
Steps:

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees or hotter (Mom Czaja makes it in a 500 degree oven).  Heat pizza stone in oven or use cookie sheets.  
2.  Drizzle crust with olive oil, and rub garlic on crust.  Layer other ingredients: tomatoes, basil, cheese, and any other toppings you like.  
3.  Bake about 7 minutes.  

Enjoy!

Meal Plans: Because We Have to Eat

I dream of meals that are quick, easy, healthy, and delicious.  Why?  Because just when you make one yummy meal, it gets eaten, and you have to make another one in a few hours, and the next day, and the next day...

This can be stressful.  Sometimes, the concoctions I come up with just don't work.  I have realized that whenever I have a plan, there is less stress and the meals are so much better.

So, since we all have to eat and I have a hungry family to feed, here are some ideas for meals.

Quick Breakfasts:  My husband and older kids wake before me, so they make their own breakfasts on normal days.  Their favorites are:

Cereal, Oatmeal, 10-Grain Hot Cereal with Bananas, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Toast with Eggs


Lunch:  Often we have leftovers, soup, egg sandwiches, turkey or ham sandwiches, veggie sandwiches, grilled cheese, quesodillas, noodles with sauce...

Dinners:  

Sunday-  Pork chops with Maple Syrup and Apples/ Brown Rice/ Veggie

Monday-  Stir-fry with Brown Rice and egg rolls or potstickers

Tuesday- Tacos or Fajitas

Wednesday- Chicken Pot Pies with Salad

Thursday-  Chuckwagon Stew with Biscuits (Beef stew that was made famous by RVR- River Valley Ranch)  

Friday- Paninis (Bacon or Turkey, Avocadoes, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach, Onion, Mayo) we use a George Forman grill

Saturday- Spinach and Venison (or Beef) Lasagna


If you want one of the recipes above that does not have a link, just comment, and I can post it.

Everything Veggie Soup

I found a great recipe that is quick and delicious.  If you add quinoa you will have a complete protein.  Or you could add brown rice and beans, for added protein.  This is my own variation of a recipe from The China Study All Star Collection by Leanne Campbell, PhD.  Hope you like it!

Everything Veggie Soup

1 onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Crushed red pepper
1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 Red or Yellow Sweet Pepper, chopped
3 c. chopped vegetables (I like zuchinni, carrots, beans)
2 c. vegetable stock
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes
1/4 c. quinoa (rinsed)
1 15 oz. can white beans (optional)
1 c. brown rice (cooked)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Easy as 1 2 3 
Steps:
1.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil.  Add seasonings.  Add pepper, vegetables, stock, tomatoes, and quinoa.  
2.  Cook 10-20 minutes.  
3.  Add more water, stock, or tomato juice if you need more broth.  Add beans, rice, salt and pepper.  Heat and serve.

I double or triple this and freeze the extra.  It always comes in handy when I don't know what to make or don't have the time to cook.

Learning More for Change

I was encouraged this week, again, to continue to read and learn more, for physical and spiritual health.  What we choose to read and fill our minds with is so important because it will change our thinking, thus will change our lives.  Our actions will not change without first a change in our thinking.

This week, I read The Vegucation of Robin by Robin Quivers.  I found some great plant-based recipes in this book about Robin's experience of how plant-based food changed her life.  It has many interesting recipes, with some ingredients that I never heard of.  I bought miso paste for the first time in my life, made a brussells sprouts recipe, which was gobbled down by my family with rave reviews!  The butternut squash soup was eaten, but the comments were, "That was spicey soup!" and "Is this good for me?"  (Like, I'll eat it, but it's not the best).  I also made a really good salad with cucumber ribbons, made with a vegetable peeler.  It was fun to eat, and delicious.  Most of all, the book gave me more education and encouragement that eating plant-based meals is the way to go!  For me, it is easy to slide back into easy, processed, sugary junk without remembering why the vegetables are important.  Therefore, continued education is necessary!

Another book, which I picked up at the library because we love reading the books and watching "Little House on the Prairie," is the book My Prairie Cookbook by Melissa Gilbert.  It has fun pictures of Melissa playing the part of Laura in the show.  She also includes great recipes.  I found two that our family loved; Vegetable Souffle and Very Veggie Soup.  They were so tastey!

Very Veggie Soup with cheddar cheese added 

Vegetable Souffle

Another book that I read recently was The Insanity of God:  The True Story of Faith Resurrected by Nik Ripken.  This book has amazing real life stories of Christians around the world who grow in their faith through persecution.  It is agonizing to hear the stories, but challenging and eye opening.  I really recommend this book.

Mike just read the book Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham Jr.  This is an encouraging book that challenges men to lead their homes.  

Another way of learning is through listening to books or sermons on the internet.  This morning I listened to a sermon by Tim Keller.  He is one of my favorite teachers of the Scriptures.  He had me in tears this morning by the end of the sermon.  The children are also doing a Romans study that he wrote.  They are learning so much through the study.

Above all, when I read the Bible, I am challenged and changed.  "The Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12, NIV).  The Holy Spirit teaches us as we open the Bible and read.  There is no better book to learn from and live by.

Let's continue to learn and grow, for our health physically and spiritually.

Jam Session

This week I've been jammin' in the kitchen!  I have a great new (for me) way to make jam without the tons of refined sugar I usually add to my fruit jam.  My friend, Hope gave me a pack of Pomona Pectin last year to try.  I must say I wasn't hooked right away because the taste of sugar is hard to beat, but I've come around slowly.  I figure, why try so hard to cut out refined sugar, and then smear jam with loads of sugar all over my toast?

So, I'm going to try many different ways to use Pomona Pectin this year. So far, I made strawberry jam using only white grape juice concentrate and apple juice concentrate as sweetener.  We had a busy jam session that day!  My friends, Laura and Lisa came over, which always makes jam sessions more fun.  The jam was still tart, but good.  I think I could have added some honey to help make it sweeter.

Then, on Saturday, the kids and a friend decided to shake the mulberries out of some trees.  I remember doing this when I was little.  They put sheets under the trees and shook down the mulberries.  It worked fantastically!  That evening, we made mulberry jam with only one cup of sugar per batch (rather than the normal 5-7 cups).  We just made one large pot because you can double or triple the recipe.  All in all, it took a lot of work, but the mulberry jam is delicious!

If you want to try Pomona Pectin, they have it at many health food stores and you can order it at  www.vitacost.com

Next time, I want to add 1 cup of honey per batch.  It sure beats 7 cups of sugar!  Let me know what works for you!

Happy Jammin'!