From Italy with Love:

Homemade Ricotta

 When I was a child, weekly I would wait in anticipation for the "cheese" man to drive by and ring his bell alerting the street that he was selling fresh ricotta.

A sweet, smooth fresh cheese made from cows milk.

Originally my grandfather used to make it from sheep's milk, pungent and salty.

As sheep's milk was not easily available to the new immigrants in the early '60's, they adapted and made this creamy spreadable cheese from cows milk.

 My mother bought it and I would watch the "cheese" man slide it out of it's long cylindrical container onto my mother's dish.

Aah those were wonderful memories as they no longer are made in that type of form and are now sold in cold plastic containers in the dairy section.

While in Italy, so as not to let the milk go to waste my sister in law would make her own ricotta!

I know some of you have made it and I didn't believe it could be done with lemon juice as my grandfather used rennet to make his cheese, but I am a converted believer.

It's so simple anyone can do it!

1lt of  full fat milk

1/2 lemon juiced  

(zest can be used if you want a lemon flavour)

On medium high heat bring the milk almost to a boil.

You should see a foam develop on top.

DO NOT BRING TO A BOIL

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Allow to sit for a few minutes until you see a curdling of the milk.

Skim off this curdled milk with a slotted spoon, until the cheese is all gathered.

Place in a clean and dried empty strawberry container.

You know, the one that is green and has holes.

Place on a flat plate to catch drippings.

Allow to cool to room temperature.

Use immediately or place in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

My lovely snack is topped with my sister in laws

backyard berries and homemade jam.

Her sister's homemade bread holds this wonderful

dish together!

Ya ya, I know they are too much!  

 

A. Vogel

Bio Snacky Sprouter

Day 4

Ready to Eat and Enjoy!

This whole journey has been so exciting.

As an avid gardener, I actually watch my plants grow daily.

You can imagine how fun it was to watch these next to my sink in the kitchen as they changed.

Here is what they looked like on day 4.

The mung beans were the largest and easiest to see. These would be great in a salad and sturdy enough for stir fry.

Now I can distinguish that these are radishes because they are the 2nd largest.

Just in case I couldn't figure it out....

I tasted them!

Wow did they ever taste like a radish with the hot kick too!

The tiniest seed are the alfalfa sprouts.

These are the ones we see in the grocery store packaged.

I must admit these are not as earthy as the store bought ones. That's a good thing.

This is a fabulous revelation for anyone (child) that is picky and apprehensive to try new foods.

I made two recipes you might want to give a try.

Wrap N' Roll

My kids love wraps this needs no recipe.

Just use any leftover chicken, slice or shredded.

Toast a tortilla wrap

Slather with Tzatziki

Layer carrot ribbons

Sliced peppers

Chicken or any deli meats

Fresh herbs or chives

Top with Alfalfa sprouts

Wrap and Roll

Chow down

Sprouty Spring Salad

This colourful hearty side dish or salad can be made up to 3 days ahead and enjoyed.

Recipe:

1 roasted yam, peeled

1/2 green or red pepper, chopped

1 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

1 peeled carrot, diced

1 cup bean sprouts (mung, radish, alfalfa)

1 can black beans, drained

Dressing:

3 tbsp. walnut oil

1/2 lemon, zested and juiced

1 clove garlic minced

3 tbsp. chopped chives

1 tbsp. chopped oregano fresh

(1 tsp dried can be substituted)

Mix together toss with salad ingredients.

ENJOY!


#biosnacky @A.Vogel.ca 

Apple & Cheddar

Thyme Biscuits

Is there anything more comforting than the glorious aromas from baked goods?

Most of us don't have thyme (time, tee hee)to bake
 
The scent of bread baking just puts us in a  wonderful relaxed state that, leaves us waiting in anticipation for the end product. 

Throughout the world breads are the symbol of home, comfort and food on the table.

This is an easy biscuit.
Of course, if I make it, it has to have some nutritional value in it! Right?

The addition of apple adds sweetness and fiber.
Um, your family and friends won't even notice it~
Unless you tell them
~AFTER~
they tell you how delish they are~~

2tbsp coarse corn meal

3 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

 1 tsp thyme

1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1/2 tsp baking soda

3/4 stick vegetable shortening or butter

2 cup old sharp cheddar, shredded

 1/2 apple, peel on, shredded

1/4cup milk or water + more if needed

In a large bowl add the apple and cheddar. Drop in the dry ingredients. Using your hands "sift" the shredded ingredients into the dry ingredients to coat the mixture.

 Using a pastry cutter tool, cut the shortening into the dry ingredients.

 Begin to slowly add the water to add just enough so that the dough begins to stick together.

~you may need more or less depending on the humidity outside~

On to a floured surface, form into a round, gently pressing together.

Form into approx. 8"-9" circle

 

I used the bottom piece of a springform cake pan, which is quite thin.

Spray the bottom with non stick spray or grease and flour it.

Using a knife or pizza wheel cut wedges all the way through. 

Bake in a 350F preheated oven for 

30-35min.

The top can be brushed with melted butter before baking for a deeper browning.

Enjoy with love!

How to:

 Shape Panzarotti or Calzone

 

It's fun to make smaller size foods!

They are easy for handling, can be frozen and stored or transported to any function you are running too.

When I have time on the weekend I mix up a batch and the kids have lunch ready.

When they were smaller I had snacks for after soccer, dance or hockey.

These "fast foods" really help out parents who are looking for  easy foods but don't want to compromise the health factor.

 

1 raw uncooked pizza dough

corn flour for sprinkling

any fixin's you have:

 

mozzarella cheese,

salami, sausage, pepperoni

mushroom, peppers,

etc.

Be adventurous

 

 

Cut the dough into portion sizes

Remember the dough will be stretched or rolled to a larger size.

 

Using your hands, stretch the dough to the desired size for each person

 

Cut, chop or grate the desired fillings

 

 Place filling in the center of the dough

 

Fold the dough over to cover filling

 

Twist edges over to create a decorative seal.

Sprinkle a baking sheet with corn meal to prevent the dough from sticking to the pan.

 

Alternatives: grease and flour a baking sheet

or place on parchment paper or silpat

 

You can brush the tops with: an egg wash or oil.

Pierce the top with a fork to allow steam to escape.

 

Bake in a preheated 350F-375 oven bake until golden on top and bottom.

 

Alternatives: you can fry them in 2" of preheated 365F canola/vegetable oil until golden on both sides.

Of course this version is higher in fat calories

If you are counting

"just sayin"

 

Enjoy with love!

How to...

 

Make Pizza Dough

No Fat Version

 

There are many types of pizza dough recipes

try some and see which suit your tastes best

This one is particularly crunchy

Be adventurous!

Change the topping to suit your needs or just add whatever ingredient's you have in the refrigerator.

 

 

2 cup lukewarm water

3 tsp traditional yeast

pinch of sugar

3 cups all purpose flour + extra

1 1/2 cup durum wheat flours

course ground corn meal for sprinkling on counter

 

Preheat the oven to its lowest temperature 100F for 5 min. Turn off heat. If you have a gas stove the pilot light will be warm enough to allow the dough to rise.

Add water to a large bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the water, then the yeast. Swirl with your finger do disperse the yeast. Allow to sit for 10min until yeasts bubbles and floats to the top like puffs of clouds.

Drop in flours, 1 cup at a time mixing with a fork. When you can no longer stir because the mixture is thick and sticky begin to mix and blend with one hand, using the other hand to turn the bowl.

When mixture is a rough ball.  Scrape mixture onto a clean, lightly floured surface and continue to knead with both hands adding flour if the mixture becomes sticky. You will see and you use your palm to push and fold the dough over itself it will begin to become elastic.  Continue adding flour until it is no longer sticky but is firm to the touch, like a babies bottom.

Place in the same bowl, no need to dirty another dish. Cover with a tea cloth. This will not stick to the dough but plastic wrap will.

 

 

 

Allow to rise in the warm oven until double in size approximately 1- 1 1/2hrs.

 

 

  

Remove from oven and on a clean, lightly floured surface with your hands, begin to shape dough to you baking sheet or stone.  Adding dough if it becomes too sticky. If it will not yield allow to rest in between stretching.

Allow to rest and rise again for 15-20min.

Spread or fill with desired toppings and bake in a 350F-375F preheated oven until edges are brown and underneath is golden brown when lifted from the sheet.

 

If you stretch the dough out on a large sheet you will get a thin crust. If you spread it out on a smaller sheet you will get thicker crust pizza.

Your choice!


Dorset Cereal

I have been one of the lucky bloggers chosen to sample this fabulous cereal/granola/musli

from

Dorset Cereals

I discovered this cereal/granola in the quest to find healthy cereal alternatives years ago. We love extra fibre and flavours with our breakfast cereal or add in's to our meal and now I get to write a review about it!
 I love baking and cooking;
I don't always have the time or want to make granola!
I feel this brand has the same ingredients minus the fillers, fat and sugars that I would not add to my own homemade granola.
This brand however, has way more ingredients than I would have at any given time in my pantry, so nutritious, delish and wholesome, The choice is easy.
It is vegetarian, vegan and has no preservatives
Bonus!
You should find it displayed in the health isle at your better grocers.

As you all know Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to kick start your morning. Dorset cereals are high in protein and low in fat, helping get the metabolism on the right track, by keeping your blood sugar level.

This wholesome product comes from Poundbury, England.

http://www.dorsetcereals.ca/about-us/

Here are the 7 tasty combinations:

• Simply Nutty Muesli: a blend of multi-grain flakes with whole almonds, oat flakes, dates, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds
• Honey Granola: a lovely blend of crunchy oats, sunflower seeds, flaked almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds (This is the first box I opened and everyone just ate it with their hands!)
• Simply Delicious Muesli: blend of raisins, sultanas, sunflover seeds, dates, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts & multi-grain flakes
• Really Nutty Muesli: crunchy mix of cashews, Brazils, hazelnuts, almonds, sultanas, dates, flame raisins and multi-grain flakes
• Super Cranberry, Cherry & Almond Muesli: cranberries, cherries, almonds, raisins, sultanas, sunflower seeds, flame raisins & toasted cereals (see the Bread Pudding below)
• Super High Fibre Muesli: blend of toasted cereals, flame raisins, dates, sunflower seeds, toasted coconut and chopped roasted hazelnuts
• Fruits, Nuts & Seeds Muesli: blend of raisins, flame raisins, dates, sultanas, banana, pumpkin & sunflower seeds, flaked almonds, whole hazelnuts & multi grain flakes (my personal fave)

My Decadent way to use Dorset Cereal!

This is a great "do ahead" breakfast/dessert for any Brunch

or

Pot Luck

1 (400g)loaf cinnamon bread

250 ml cream cheese

1/2 cup icing sugar

1/2 cup nutella

1 cup prepared lemon curd (ED Smith) (jam can be substituted)

500 ml 10 % cream

3 eggs

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

6 tbsp granola

Toast all of the bread slices.

Beat the cream cheese with the icing sugar untill combined and fluffy.

Begin to spread half of the slices with nutella and the other half with cream cheese mixture.

Sandwich the two flavours together.

Slice each sandwich diagonally in half creating two triangles. Generously spread each triangle with lemon curd on the outside and stack the triangles together. 

 Work in batches of two placing in a greased 8" x 8" casserole dish, with some points facing up to get a crusty texture when baked. Tuck the end pieces of the loaf under the other sandwiches, to get more moisture as the crusts are tough.

If there is any nutella, cream cheese or curd left over tuck it in between the sandwiches.

With a fork whisk eggs, cream, sugar and cinnamon together. Pour over bread. Press down to soak in.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hrs. to absorb liquid. Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle with granola.

Bake for 40 min in a 350F. Can be served hot or at room temperature

Serves: 6-8

Kitchen Sink Bread Pudding



Whole Grain Pancakes
with
Super High Fibre Muesli

 Yogourt Granola Frosting

add 1/2 cup Muesli + 1/2 cup extra liquid to your favourite pancake batter
cook as directed on package
A dollop of your favourite yogourt with a sprinkling of Muesli on top

Simply Delicious Muesli 

 Strawberries, Vanilla Yogourt &
Fruit, Nuts, and Seeds Muesli Parfait

Layer yogourt muesli & fruit for a burst of flavour to your breakfast

This can be placed in a sealed container for on the go breaks or snacks too!

Sprinkle your favourite flavour over any muffin batter 

Simply Nutty Muesli Carrot Muffins

http://tastyd.blogspot.ca/2013/04/trail-mix-carrot-muffins-2-cup-flour.html





 Overnight Muesli with Fresh Fruit

This one is fast, nutritious and delish!
I make this particular breakfast several times a week for myself

Pick your favourite muesli or granola:

1/3 cup Dorset cereal

Pour milk or non dairy milk just to cover cereal.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning:

Add any fresh berries, 1 tbsp chia seeds

Grab a spoon!

This can also stored in a portable container ready to go when you are.

I received these products from Dorset Cereals, but the review and recipes are my own opinion.



TURKEY PIZZA

 Who doesn't love Pizza!

You can have it hot, room temperature

and even cold!

It's most people's comfort food

Generally I make pizza from scratch

every weekend

Every weekend it changes because the topping and even the dough are made with whatever ingredients I have in the house!

This crunchy crust was no exception.

Having used the corn meal the day before for Polenta

I decided why not add it to the pizza.

So when the dough was ready to stretch instead of white flour, I added coarse cornflour to the clean counter for rolling.

I made sure that both sides were covered liberally to make it crunchy and this is how I experiment in the kitchen!

I was not in the mood to make a tomato sauce so I substituted store bought Hummus!

Something I have in my home weekly. I use it for sandwiches, dips and spreading on the bottom of

PIZZA!

This was a great recipe and everyone loved it!

If you love it too. By all means go ahead and try it. If pizza dough from scratch is not your thing yet, buy the dough. It will save you the time.

I entered this pizza in an Ontario Turkey Contest

I would love it if you and your friends could visit the site and vote for my

Turkey Pizza!

https://www.facebook.com/OntarioTurkey?v=app_292663397533883&app_data=gaReferrerOverride%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fl.php%253Fu%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fa.pgtb.me%25252FgX5WK6%2526h%253D5AQFS70t9AQGBGNqNMAYs_1Ld0SipxwjthfUgzfjOqHr-uA%2526enc%253DAZNVXrZga_YDCd6bYbo9e9BthyA8yaGWREoZby6cG1B5hW7UjMlhlVCyj28oPWic2v79UFBF_1wMNug5yC56-fCf%2526s%253D1

I will be having a big surprise in a few weeks!

Watch out for it, members will get first dibs!!

How to make:  No Fat Pizza Dough

This is a crispy dough

2 cup lukewarm water

3 tsp traditional yeast

pinch of sugar

3 cups all purpose flour + extra

1 1/2 cup duram wheat flours

1/2-1tsp salt

 

course corn flour for rolling; this is what gives it crispy texture

 

Preheat the oven to it's lowest temperature 100F for 5 min. Turn off heat. If you have a gas stove the pilot light will be warm enough to allow the dough to rise.

Add water to a large bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the water, then the yeast. Swirl with your finger. Allow to sit for 10min until yeasts bubbles and floats to the top like puffs of clouds.

If it does not bubble the yeast is no longer active, discard.

Drop in flours, 1 cup at a time mixing with a fork. When you can no longer stir because the mixture is thick and sticky begin to mix and blend with one hand, using the other hand to turn the bowl.

When mixture is a rough ball.  Scrape mixture onto a clean, lightly floured surface and continue to knead with both hands adding flour if the mixture becomes sticky. You will see and you use your palm to push and fold the dough over itself it will begin to become elastic.  Continue adding flour until it is no longer sticky but is firm to the touch, like a babies bottom.

Place in the same bowl, no need to dirty another dish. Cover with a tea cloth.  This wil not stick to the dough but plastic wrap will.

Allow to rise in the warm oven until double in size approximately 1- 1 1/2hrs.

Remove from oven and on a clean, lightly floured surface with your hands, begin to shape dough, flattening with your hands into a disk then stretching with your knuckles underneath the dough. Pulling and gently stretching to the size of your  baking sheet or stone.  Adding flour/cornmeal if the dough  becomes too sticky. If it will not yield allow to rest in between stretching.

Allow to rest and rise again for 15-20min on the greased baking sheet/stone.

 

You can also shape into Panzarotti's!

 

 

 

Spread or fill with desired toppings. I used Garlic Hummus!

Leftover cooked poultry makes this a nutritious and hearty meal!

Top with 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or cheddar and

bake in a 350F-375F preheated oven until edges are brown and underneath is golden brown when lifted from the sheet.

Enjoy with love!

https://www.facebook.com/OntarioTurkey?v=app_292663397533883&app_data=gaReferrerOverride%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252Fl.php%253Fu%253Dhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fa.pgtb.me%25252FgX5WK6%2526h%253D5AQFS70t9AQGBGNqNMAYs_1Ld0SipxwjthfUgzfjOqHr-uA%2526enc%253DAZNVXrZga_YDCd6bYbo9e9BthyA8yaGWREoZby6cG1B5hW7UjMlhlVCyj28oPWic2v79UFBF_1wMNug5yC56-fCf%2526s%253D1

 



 I would appreciate it so much if you could add a vote to this recipe! Thank you in advance



Jalapeno & Green Pepper

Vegan Cornbread

 

 

Cornbread is technically not a bread because it is a pan "bread" that rises with baking powder instead of yeast but, it is so fast and easy, that any cook can make it in minutes and have a great dish ready for dinner and perhaps a snack later on ;)

Mix it quickly and pop it in the oven to bake and you have a steamy side with your meal.

I have seen and tried quite a few recipes. Some have been good some have been too pasty(spoonbread) for my liking. Some have had too much of a grit feel in my mouth.

I like a combo of flour and cornflour with some fresh or frozen kernels in the mix.

 

When I make cornbread as an accompaniment to a main meal, I want it savoury, not sweet as many recipes put enough sugar to classify this as a dessert, in my humble opinion.

I omitted the sugar suggested, in my quest to lower the calories and used sweetened dairy free milk, so that it would have a touch of sweetness.

Just like me!    What!

This recipe is a version that I found in a

Vegan cookbook.

It has no dairy or eggs and is even good for you with the addition of wheat flour.

As you can see by the picture it is not as yellow as expected because of the wheat and lack of eggs. But, it rose to the occasion and is very fluffy.

I added pickled jalapenos that you can find in the Mexican isle of your favourite grocery store. Thinly diced they are not too hot, even for a child.

I added a compound garlic "butter" made with margarine so that it would have some more substance because of the lack of eggs and fat.

AND

when it's hot out of the oven what else are you going to do other than slather somethin that will melt off!!

Of course use your imagination and add any ingredient your family loves and make it your

very own.

 

This is quite delish, very low in fat and high in fiber!

 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup whole grain corn flour

1 tbsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (I only had red wine vinegar)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cup sweetened soy, rice or almond milk

1/2 chopped green pepper  (red can be substituted)

1 tbsp jalapeno fresh or canned

1/4 cup chopped chives or green onion

1/2 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels (I ran out! humpf)

 

Garlic Butter

 

1/3 cup margarine

1 garlic clove, pressed

pinch of sea salt & pepper

1 tbsp chives or any herb you like

Mix together and refrigerate until needed. Spread to your hearts desire. Keeping the calories in mind of course ;)

 

 

 

Lightly oil or spray an 8"x8" casserole dish

Preheat the oven to 350F

 

In a large bowl, blend dry ingredients together

 

Mix wet ingredients together. Pour into dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon. Before everything is mixed, add in the herbs, and vegetables. Continue to blend, do not over mix.

 

Spoon into casserole dish. With the spatula evenly spread the mixture to the sides.

Bake for 35-45 minutes until a skewer pierced through, comes out dry.  

 

 

Enjoy with love!

Cheddar Cheese Bread

 

 

 

Ahhhh!
the fresh smell of bread baking in the oven!

Anyone entering your home will know it's distinct aroma.
Ready for a slather of butter or homemade jam!
Is there anything more comforting?
You feel fuzzy and warm all over.

 

This is a leavened bread using yeast and eggs!

It is a Challah with cheese, fluffy on the inside great for toast and sandwiches.
Crunchy and flaky on the outside, permeated with specks of old sharp cheddar.

 

This recipe makes one loaf which I like to form into a loaf pan for perfect toast slices.

You can shape it any way you like!

 

1/4 cup warm water

2 1/4 tsp yeast

1/8 cup sugar

 

3 1/2 - 4 cup flour + extra for kneading

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp butter, room temp

2 eggs,beaten (reserve 1 tbsp for brushing on top)

3/4 cup warm water

 

In a stand mixer bowl with a hook, add the first three ingredients and let stand until yeast foams, approx. 10 min. (If the mixture does not foam the yeast can be old)

 

To the bowl add eggs, butter and 2 cups flour. Turn the machine on med/low and begin to mix.

 

Add the salt, remaining water and continue mixing adding more flour. Mix for 3-5 minutes to develope the gluten (gluten is the stretch which adds lift to the bread)

 

Remove to a floured surface and knead until the dough is no longer sticky, adding flour if needed.



 

 

Step 1: Cut dough into 3 and roll into 3 long ropes. 2"x12"

 

Step 2: Cross the top of Left strand over to the Right. Cross
the Right top strand over to the Left.

Step 3: Continue crossing the strands until you reach the end.

 

 

Step 4: Pinch and tuck in the ends.

 









Step 5: Place in a greased or sprayed loaf pan or leave free form

Brush with 1 tbsp egg wash. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.

 

Proof for 1 hr in an oven with the pilot light on, uncovered to allow it to develop a crust.

 

Bake in a preheated 375F oven to golden brown approx. 20min.

 

 

Enjoy with Love!