Root and Lentil Stew

Root and Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

10 tomatoes

2 sweet potatoes

2 turnips

2 rutabagas

2 carrots

2 parsnips

1 sweet onion

4 cups red lentils

6-8 cloves of garlic

olive oil

4 tbsp of dill weed

4 tbsp of honey

salt 

pepper

(You can leave out any root vegetable that might be hard to find locally.)

Directions:

Dice tomatoes and stew in a large pot.

Dice sweet potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, carrots,

parsnips, and onion.

Chop garlic.

Drizzle a large baking pan with olive oil.

Cover with root vegetables and garlic.

Drizzle more olive oil on top.

Bake for 30-40 mins. at 400.

Boil lentils separately in a pot.

Occasionally, turn root vegetables in the pan.

Once root vegetables are soft add them to the pot of tomatoes and stir.

Add lentils and stir.

Add some of the lentil broth if you need more liquid in your stew.

Add dill weed, honey, salt, & pepper.

Enjoy!

This recipe makes a large pot of root stew.

Great for a group of friends, or eat some and freeze the rest!

Chocolate Chip & Oats Pancakes

Chocolate Chip & Oats Pancakes

Ingredients: 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

egg

1 1/4 cups milk

2 tbsp softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup oats

Directions:

Blend flour, baking powder, salt, & sugar.

Stir in egg, milk, butter, and vanilla extract.

Gently mix in oats and chocolate chips.

Cook on lightly greased pan.

Top with a local syrup!

Enjoy!

Josiah loved them this morning! Mmmmmm . . . 

Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients: 

16 mushrooms 

1/4 cup bread crumbs 

1/4 cup grated Parmesan 

1/4 cup mayo 

tomatoes

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp oregano

basil

white wine (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400.

Wash mushrooms and remove stems.

Finely chop stems and put in a bowl.

Add bread crumbs, Parmesan, mayo, salt, & oregano.

Mix well.

Place mushroom caps, face up, in a baking dish.

Drizzle mushrooms with white wine.

Stuff mushrooms with mixture.

Place a sliced grape tomato or diced tomato in center.

Sprinkle with basil.

Bake for 15 mins covered 

and 5-10 minutes uncovered until tops are golden.

Enjoy! 

Stuffed mushrooms will always be appreciated at a potluck gathering!

I've never seen a stuffed mushroom left on a platter. :)

Great with crumbled sausage or lump crab meat mixed in them, as well!

Chicken & Broccoli Pie

Chicken & Broccoli Pie

Ingredients: chicken, broccoli, cheese, whole wheat flour, milk,
butter, baking powder, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano

Preheat oven to 450.

Bake 3 chicken breasts. Cool and dice when done.

In a large bowl combine 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking powder,
1 tsp sugar, & 1 tsp salt.
Stir in 1/2 cup melted butter & 1 cup of milk.
Pour batter evenly into a lightly greased baking dish.
Bake for appx. 10 minutes until crust edges are golden brown.

Steam 4 heads of broccoli, keeping broccoli fairly firm.

Stir 1 cup of milk and 3 cups of cheese into a pot and cook on low,
stirring occasionally until cheese is melted.

In a large bowl mix melted cheese, diced chicken, and broccoli.
Add salt, pepper, & oregano.
Season to your liking.

Add sauteed onions, too, if you would like.

Pour chicken broccoli mixture on top of crust in casserole.
Sprinkle with some shredded cheese.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese turns golden brown.

Enjoy!

Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded Potato Soup

Ingredients: 

potatoes, sweet onions, milk, cheese, butter, bacon, green onions, salt, pepper

Dice 6-8 large potatoes with skins, and boil in a pot.
Meanwhile dice 1/2 an onion and saute with 1/4 cup of butter.
Once potatoes are soft, drain.
Blend potatoes with approximately 6 cups of milk.
Add mixture and onions to a large pot and cook on low, stirring occasionally.
Add 2 tbsp of salt and 2 tsp of pepper.
Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheese.
Season to your liking!

Garnish soup with shredded cheese, bacon, and green onions.

Enjoy! 

Fall Cookies

Beef & Barley Stuffed Peppers

Beef & Barley Stuffed Peppers

Local: ground beef, peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, honey

Non-local: barley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, basil, oregano

Dice 1/4 of an onion and chop 2 cloves of garlic

and simmer in pot.

Add 5-6 tomatoes diced.

Add 1 tsp basil, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper,

& 1 tbsp of honey

Cook for 30 mins on stove top stirring often.

Meanwhile cook 1 lb ground beef.

After sauce has thickened, add ground beef and stir.

Add 1 cup of uncooked barley and stir. 

Cook on low covered for an additional 20 mins.

Slice 3 green peppers in half and place in a baking dish.

Fill bottom of baking dish with a thin layer of water.

Take 3 cups of the beef/barley mixture and put in a bowl.

Add 1 cup of grated Parmesan and stir.

Fill peppers with mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan and basil.

Bake covered at 400 for 30 minutes until peppers are soft.

Enjoy!

There will be beef/barley mixture left over.

You can serve it the next night in burritos.

You could also add corn/beans/okra for a yummy stew or goulash.

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Loaded Baked Potato Casserole

Local: potatoes, cheese, butter, onion, chives 

Non-local: sour cream, bacon, salt, pepper, 

olive oil (optional instead of butter)

Chop 5-6 medium potatoes or 3 large potatoes

into hash brown size squares.

Dice 1/2 a sweet onion.

Butter a pan with 1/4 cup of butter or olive oil

and cover with potatoes and onions.

Season with salt and pepper.

Bake at 400 for 20 mins, occasionally turning potatoes.

Put potatoes and onions in a casserole dish.

Add 2 cups sour cream, mix, and top with 2 cups of shredded cheese.

Bake at 400 for an additional 20 mins.

Top casserole with crumbled bacon (appx. 5 strips)

and chives.

Enjoy!

I like to prep this casserole in the afternoon, refrigerate,

and then bake for the last 20 mins right before dinner.

Serve with a mixed greens salad.

Butternut Tomato Soup

Butternut Tomato Soup

Local: butternut squash, tomatoes, onion, garlic, milk, butter, honey

Non-local: seasoning (salt, pepper)

Cut open and bake butternut squash face up

covered with foil until soft.

Dice 4-5 tomatoes.

Scoop out squash and blend with diced tomatoes

and 4 cups of milk

Heat mixture in a pot.

Saute 1/2 chopped onion and 2 cloves of chopped garlic

in a 1/4 cup of butter.

Add to soup.

Add salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp of honey.

Cook on low for a couple of hours.

Add 2-4 more cups of milk while cooking
depending upon how creamy you want your soup.

Serve with biscuits, salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches!

Enjoy!

Sausage Whole Wheat Gravy

Sausage Whole Wheat Gravy

Local: sausage, butter, milk, whole wheat flour

Non-local: salt, pepper

Take 1 cup of sausage and cook in a pot on the stove top

until brown and crumbled.

Add 1/2 cup butter and melt.

Add 2 cups of milk and 1/2 cup of  whole wheat flour.

Bring to a boil and beat quickly for appx. 3 mins.

Turn on low heat and continue to cook for 20 mins,

beating frequently.

Season with salt and pepper.

Gravy will thicken.

Yummy on open faced biscuits!

If I am in a hurry to serve breakfast,

I will put the gravy in the fridge for a few minutes

after I cook it to help it thicken.

Another Local Sausage

 

Chambers Mountain Meats

Blairsville, GA

Sold at the IGA in Cleveland.

$2.99 a lb

If you can't make it down to Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont,

the Cleveland IGA sells Chambers sausage.

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Local: chicken, cheese, milk, butter, onion

Non-local: broccoli, rice, salt, pepper, basil

This is a super easy casserole that I like to make during the day

and pop in the oven in the evening.

Cook 2 (uncooked) cups of rice.

(rice: 1 cup of rice to 1 1/2 cups of water)

Bake three chicken breasts on a pan until done.

Heat 2 cups milk, 1/2 cup of butter, and 3 cups of shredded cheese

in a pot on the stove top until melted.

Chop up half an onion and 3 heads with stalks of broccoli.

Chop up cooked chicken.

Mix onion, broccoli, chicken, rice, & seasoning in a big bowl.

(I used 2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, 1 tsp basil)

Pour into a baking dish.

Pour melted cheese mixture on top.

It will soak down into the casserole.

Sprinkle 1 cup of  shredded cheese on top.

Cool, cover, and store in fridge until you are ready to bake.

Bake, uncovered, at 400 for appx. 30 mins.

Broil for a few minutes to brown top layer of cheese.

Enjoy!

This a simple recipe that doesn't used canned 
"cream of whatever" soup!

Kids will love it!

I recommend basmati rice or wild rice.

Jasmine rice may get too soft in this recipe.

Substitute any other vegetable instead of broccoli.

If you don't have chicken, leave out the chicken.

Organic Cacao Bars

Organic Cacao Bars

Local: milk, honey

Non-local: cacao powder, raw sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups organic cacao powder

1 cup milk

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup raw sugar

1/2 cup coconut oil

4 tsp vanilla extract

Melt coconut oil in a double boiler.

Add honey and vanilla extract, stir until melted.

Stir in sugar and cacoa powder.

Add milk.

Stir well until creamy.

Pour into molds or a foil covered pan.

Cool in freezer.

Cut out cacao bars.
Store in freezer.

Enjoy!

This is a semi-sweet cacao recipe.
These bars are rich and melt easily.

Add more honey and sugar for a sweeter bar.

Add another 1/2 cup of milk for more of a milk chocolate bar.

Use for eating plain or add to desserts
like chocolate chunk cookies!

3 Reasons to eat Cacao . . . 

1. High Concentration of Antioxidants: Cacao contains more flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, than any other food. That’s more antioxidants per cup than wine or tea! The presence of the high amounts of antioxidants can protect against damage by free radicals. Furthermore, the phytochemicals in flavonoids may fight diabetes.

2. Improved Heart Health: According to researchers, regular cacao intake may reduce blood pressure by thinning blood and relaxing blood vessels. The Zutphen Elderly Study (2005) found that flavonoid intake was inversely associated with coronary heart disease, and high systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

3. Mood Booster : There’s scientific research that explains why we reach for chocolate when we’re feeling down. Cacao stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, the two chemicals that naturally boost our happiness levels.

Blanching & Freezing

I am preparing for the winter . . . 

making soups & sauces and freezing them, 

and blanching & freezing fruits & vegetables.

Blanching is super easy!
The process kills the enzymes and bacteria,
but saves most of the nutrients in the food.

You just boil the fruits or veggies for a few minutes,
drain, submerge in ice cold water for a few minutes, drain,
put in an air tight freezer bag, and freeze.

Here are some great links about blanching & freezing
fruits & veggies:

http://southernfood.about.com/od/freezingfood/a/aa082101_2.htm

http://www.helpwithcooking.com/food-storage/prepare-freeze-fruit.html

http://pickyourown.org/beansfreezing.htm

I blanched some green beans to make a casserole
and apples to make a cobbler.

Green Beans

Apples

Freezer

Lettuce in boxes for the Fall and Winter!

Tip: Plant lettuce in boxes to be able to move inside.

Our lettuce has been sprouting towards the end of September.

We will be able to bring our boxes in when it gets cold outside and have lettuce all winter long!

Nutrition as Prevention

From http://www.facebook.com/GrowFoodNotLawns

Curry Corn Cabbage Chowder

Curry Corn Cabbage Chowder

Local: potatoes, corn, cabbage, milk, chives

Non-local: curry, salt, pepper

Chop up 4 medium potatoes.

 Boil potatoes & 4-5 corn cobs.

Saute 1/2 head of chopped cabbage in pan.

Blend potatoes, cabbage, & 4 cups of milk.

(Blend 1/2 at a time.)

Pour in pot.

Cut corn off cobs, and add corn.

Add 2 tsp curry, 2 tsp salt, & 1/4 tsp pepper.

Add some chopped chives.

Enjoy!

Homemade Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese

Homemade Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese

Local: Farmer's cheese, milk, egg, butter, wheat bread crumbs

Non-local: whole wheat elbows, salt, pepper, Parmesan (optional)

Cook elbows.

Stir 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1/4 cup melted butter, 

1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Butter pan. Pour drained elbows into pan.

Pour cheese mixture over elbows.

Sprinkle with bread crumbs & Parmesan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Broil for a few minutes to brown top.

Enjoy!

No more fake, orange mac and cheese ever again!!!

Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Tomato Basil Soup 

Local: tomatoes, onion, garlic, butter, honey, milk

Non-local: basil, salt, pepper

Chop half an onion & 2 cloves of garlic 

and saute with half a cup of butter.

Dice 10-12 tomatoes.

Put tomatoes, onion, & garlic in a pot and cook until thick.

Add 2 tbs basil, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, & 2 tbs honey.

Add 4 cups of milk and cook until thick

I like to simmer this soup for about 4 hours.

(2 hours diced tomatoes, 2 hours with milk added)

I like using the first pour of the creamery milk because it is thicker.    

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Local: bread (pumpernickel), butter, Farmer's Cheese

Banana Bread & Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Banana Bread & Butter Pecan Ice Cream 

Local: butter, pure cane syrup (optional), eggs,
whole wheat flour, milk, ice cream

Non-local: bananas, sugar, vanilla extract (optional), baking powder, salt

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease and flour a loaf pan.

Chop 2 bananas and mix with 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 

1 tbs pure cane syrup (optional), & 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional).

Beat in 2 eggs and 1/2 cup milk.

In a separate bowl mix 1 1/2 cups wheat flour, 2 tsp baking powder,
& 1/4 tsp salt.
Add dry mixture to wet mixture and stir.

Add banana mixture and stir.

Pour batter into loaf pan.

Bake for appx. 50 minutes.

Serve with ice cream.

Enjoy!

Substitute pumpkin for pumpkin bread.
Add nuts if you would like!

Baked Linguini, Butternut Orzo, & Cucumber Salad

Baked Linguini, Butternut Orzo, & Cucumber Salad

Baked Linquini

Local: ground beef, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, farmer's cheese

Non-local: seasoning, organic whole wheat linguini

Make sauce: saute diced tomatoes, chopped onion, 

chopped green pepper, chopped garlic, add cooked ground beef & seasoning

Add sauce to cooked linguini and bake for 10 mins 

with shredded Farmer's Cheese on top.

Bake until cheese is melted.

Butternut Orzo

Local: butternut squash, milk, butter, onion, green pepper, garlic, honey

Non-local: seasoning, parmesan, organic whole wheat orzo

Make sauce:

 Bake 1 butternut squash in oven until soft.

Saute 1/4 onion chopped, 1/2 green pepper chopped, 

& 2 cloves of garlic chopped 

with 2 tablespoons of butter on the stove top.

 Blend ingredients with 2 cups of milk.

Heat sauce in a pot, add 1/2 cup grated parmesan,

 2 tbs of honey, and season with salt, pepper, & sage.

Add sauce to cooked orzo,

and bake for 10 minutes with parmesan sprinkled on top.

Cucumber Salad

Local: cucumber, tomato, onion

Non-local: balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, seasoning (mixed for dressing)

Enjoy! 

Eggs at Nacoochee Valley Farm

Eggs at Nacoochee Valley Farm

$4

One of the highlights of our week is going to get eggs at
Nacoochee Valley Farm in their little egg building. 

Josiah loves putting the money in the box.

Bring your cartons back for them.

The farm carries Blalock sausage and lamb, as well.

Blalock Sausage and Lamb at Nacoochee Valley Farm

I saw Judy Hancock the other day,

and she told me that they do have blalock sausage and lamb in the barn

at Nacoochee Valley Farm.

The blalock sausage is sold in 2 pounds bags for $4 a pound.

She said that someone is in the barn between the hours of 9-4, Monday-Friday.

She said that if you don't see someone, 

just knock on the door to the left because they may be in the office.

Has anyone tried their sausage or lamb yet?

I am going soon!

Blackberry Syrup

Blackberry Syrup from the Sautee Market

$4.50

8 oz

Last week I purchased pure cane syrup from Nora Mill Granary.

I bought it because that was the only ingredient in the syrup.

I thought it would be healthy, but it is very strong and my family didn't like
it very much even when I diluted it and added melted butter.

So I bought this blackberry syrup at the Sautee Market yesterday.

The ingredients are blackberry juice, corn syrup, & sugar.

I may mix some of this with the pure cane syrup I already have or serve it as is.

I may use the pure cane syrup as a sweetener
in desserts like pumpkin bread and pecan pie.

I look forward to trying this syrup!

I am guessing that Josiah will love it!

Alternative to MFC Butter

Morning Fresh Farms Butter at Betty's

$3.19

Mountain Fresh Creamery was out of butter, so I went to Betty's and purchased this butter.

The company is based out of Hickory, NC.

Does anybody know anything about this company?

Thanks!

Honey Tip: Wildflower!

Wildflower Honey at Fritchey's

This is Berry Wright's honey with Pure Georgia Mountain Honey.

$3.45!!!!!

If you want a honey bear, Fritchey's sells the cheapest around.

The sourwood honey bear is $5.25, & wildflower is only $3.45!

We have both, and both taste wonderful!

Soap at Greenstone

Soap balls at Greenstone Soap

$4.50 each

Tea Tree & Lemongrass, Appalachian Wilderness

I love that Greenstone sells soap balls from their leftover molds.

The balls are between $1 and $3 cheaper than buying the square soap with paper packaging.

White Cornmeal

White Cornmeal

$5.95

I bought this cornmeal at Nora Mill Granary because I want to make cornbread muffins.

The man behind the counter said that this is their best selling cornmeal.

I look forward to trying it!

Pure Cane Syrup

Pure Cane Syrup

$6.95

We have been using this pure cane syrup that I bought at Nora Mill Granary.

I purchased it because it was the only syrup that they carried without other ingredients.

The syrup has a strong flavor, and I have been adding water and melted butter to it to help ease the taste.

I think next time I will try a different syrup.

Sausage, sweet potato hash browns, & cheesy scrambled eggs

Local: sausage, sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, farmers cheese

Non-local: oil, seasoning

"Yummy, yummy in my tummy," says Josiah.

He also said, "This sausage is delicious!"

Bulk order for Oct/Nov/Dec

Order was placed on Sept. 21

Total: $124.69

Bulk Order place with Nuts.com

Milk Chocolate Chips 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Brown & Wild Rice Blend 1 x 1lb bag	$4.99
Sea Salt 1 x 1lb bag	$1.99
Double Active Baking Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Whole Wheat Couscous 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Oregano 1 x 1lb bag	$6.99
Basil 1 x 1lb bag	$3.99
Raw Sugar 1 x 1lb bag	$1.99
Organic Whole Wheat Spirals 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Organic Whole Wheat Elbows 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Curry Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$4.99
Thai Jasmine Rice 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Rolled Oats 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Popcorn Kernels 1 x 1lb bag	$2.09
Barley 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Great Northern Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Dark Red Kidney Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Black Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Chickpeas (Raw) 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Red Lentils 1 x 1lb bag	$3.99
Dark Raisins 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Cacao Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$10.99
Roasted Sunflower Seeds (Salted, No Shell) 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Raw Almonds (No Shell) 1 x 1lb bag	$6.99
Roasted Cashews (Salted) 1 x 1lb bag	$9.99
Cart subtotal	$102.35

ADDRESS
Jessica P Evans 255 Teresa Dr, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571-2928

SHIPPING
UPS Ground To arrive Tue, Sep 25	$19.39
Heat resistant packaging	$2.95

TOTAL	$124.69

Creamy Potato Cabbage Soup

Creamy Potato Cabbage Soup

Local: red potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green pepper, onion, garlic, milk, honey, (garnish) cheese & chives/green onions

Non-local: seasoning (salt, black pepper/red pepper, sage)

Chop up 2 sweet potatoes and 6-8 red potatoes and boil until soft.

Chop up 1/2 cabbage, 1/2 green pepper, & 1/2 onion, 

and cook on stove top until soft.

Drain potatoes.

Blend ingredients with 4 cups of milk in a blender or food processor.

You will not be able to blend all ingredients at once.

Today I blended 4 times, using 1 cup of milk each time.

Pour blended ingredients into a pot.

Add 1 tbs of chopped garlic, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper or red pepper, 

1 tbs sage, 2 tbs honey.

Season as you like to flavor!

Simmer for at least an hour to mix all of the flavors.

When serving, sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on top 

and garnish with green onions/chives.

Serve with bread or biscuits!

Enjoy!

Tip: There will be soup left over for you to freeze and save for winter months.

Veggie & Sausage Flat Bread Pizza

Veggie & Sausage Flat Bread Pizza

Local: whole wheat flour, milk, eggs, tomatoes, garlic, cheese, onions, peppers, sausage, honey, butter

Non-local: seasoning (salt, pepper, basil, oregano)

This is a pizza recipe made with local ingredients. 

I made it for dinner last night, and it was yummy.

The crust is yeast free, so it is more of a flat bread crust. 

Start with the sauce: 

Saute chopped garlic in a pot.

Blend 2-3 diced tomatoes and pour into the pot.

Add seasoning to your liking (salt, pepper, basil, oregano).

Add 1 tbs of honey.

Cook down for 30 minutes with lid off to thicken.

Make the crust:

Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly grease a pizza pan with butter or olive oil.

Stir together 1 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp oregano, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup of milk

Pour batter into pan. Spread evenly.

Bake for 20-25 mins until crust is set.

Make the pizza:

Add sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings.
(I cooked sausage in a pan and had it ready as a topping.)

Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
(The Farmers Cheese melted down wonderfully. 
Next time I want to try the tomato herb cheese from 
Mountain Fresh Creamery.)

Broil an additional few minutes to brown the cheese a bit.

Slice & Enjoy!

Tip: Freeze extra chopped onions and peppers for pizzas in the winter.
Cook extra pizza sauce to freeze, too!