Okay. . . so its more like a Challah cake, but OMG! So good:) I met Sarah while we were living in Texas. We shared several Shabbat dinners with their family, and for some time, they were our Jewish connection away from home. We always looooved her challah, and one Friday morning, she had me come over and learn with her. All the while, her 4 (i think 4. . .they have more now) kiddos ran around happily enjoying the smells of a yummy dinner that night.
This recipe is HUGE, but the dough freezes well, and if you only make it for your family, it can last 5 weeks or so. . . . if you share (:)) then less time. . .
1/2 cup warm water
4 packets active dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
**************************
7 eggs (really 8 because one is needed to paint the braided challah with for that golden shiny look, set this one aside)
2 cups sugar
1.5 cups vegetable oil
7 teaspoons salt
4 cups boiling water
1 5 lb bag of flour (i've used wheat flour and its fine)
Place warm water, yeast and sugar (only 1 tbsp) in a separate bowl. leave to rise.
In a large bowl, put in:
7 eggs
sugar (2 cups)
oil
salt
4 cups boiling water
Mix (i use my hands:)
add risen yeast mixture
then add :
flour
knead very well
leave to rise about 3 hours
*keep 1/2 cup of flour for the balling process
ball up some dough, and make 3 (or more) dough ropes for braiding
'paint' with beaten egg
leave to rise 30 minutes
bake at 350 for 30 minutes
enjoy!!!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Gali's Beans and Yellow Rice
A mama friend of mine shared the following with our mama;s group. Ive made it a couple times already and its been a HIT with my boys!
Prepare Zatarans Yellow Rice as the box instructs.
5 minutes before its done, add:
4 spoonfuls of diced or crushed tomatoes
**I added:
a can of black beans
and steamed peas from the freezer (the birds eye steam in the bag kind)
This makes a lot of food, especially toddler sized portions, and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. This may become something I make almost weekly and keep on hand for easy meals for the kids!!
Prepare Zatarans Yellow Rice as the box instructs.
5 minutes before its done, add:
4 spoonfuls of diced or crushed tomatoes
**I added:
a can of black beans
and steamed peas from the freezer (the birds eye steam in the bag kind)
This makes a lot of food, especially toddler sized portions, and keeps well in the fridge for a few days. This may become something I make almost weekly and keep on hand for easy meals for the kids!!
Danah's Turkey Meatloaf
This recipe is super yummy. Ive had it twice before, and we all enjoy it! I finally asked for the recipe and here it is:
2 lbs. ground turkey ( any combo, turkey breast or reg. ground (more flavorful)
2 medium stalks celery, chopped fine
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
3/4 c. whole wheat breadcrumbs ( or regular, just not as healthy)
1/3 c. fat-free milk ( or regular, just not as healthy), or you can use chicken broth
1 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 egg white
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 TBSP. olive oil ( any healthy oil to cook celery and onion in)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
BBQ sauce of your choice for the top.
Preheat oven to 375. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.Add onion and celery. after 3 minutes add garlic. Cook for 5 more minutes until everything gets soft.Stir frequently to avoid browning. Let cool before adding to turkey loaf.
In a separate bowl, add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg,egg white, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, ketchup,milk, and COOLED celery,onion and garlic mixture.Mix well, do not over mix.Mixture will be moist.
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray it with PAM. Form the turkey mixture into a loaf. Pour BBQ sauce on top. Bake for 1 hour, or until the center temperature reads 165 degrees. Let meat stand 10 minutes before slicing
2 lbs. ground turkey ( any combo, turkey breast or reg. ground (more flavorful)
2 medium stalks celery, chopped fine
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
3/4 c. whole wheat breadcrumbs ( or regular, just not as healthy)
1/3 c. fat-free milk ( or regular, just not as healthy), or you can use chicken broth
1 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1 egg white
1 egg (lightly beaten)
1 TBSP. olive oil ( any healthy oil to cook celery and onion in)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
BBQ sauce of your choice for the top.
Preheat oven to 375. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.Add onion and celery. after 3 minutes add garlic. Cook for 5 more minutes until everything gets soft.Stir frequently to avoid browning. Let cool before adding to turkey loaf.
In a separate bowl, add turkey, breadcrumbs, egg,egg white, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, ketchup,milk, and COOLED celery,onion and garlic mixture.Mix well, do not over mix.Mixture will be moist.
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray it with PAM. Form the turkey mixture into a loaf. Pour BBQ sauce on top. Bake for 1 hour, or until the center temperature reads 165 degrees. Let meat stand 10 minutes before slicing
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Almond Butter Banana breakfast muffins
I found this recipe:
http://weelicious.com/2010/08/11/breakfast-cupcakes/
on weelicious. Weelicious is a kids food blog, only its not crap. . not at ALL!!! I adapted the recipe to use almond butter and i added 4 bananas, and I doubled the recipe since we have company this weekend:) They came out really yummy, but next time, if I use almond butter again, I might more than double the amount. I could have had more almond butter taste in there.
http://weelicious.com/2010/08/11/breakfast-cupcakes/
on weelicious. Weelicious is a kids food blog, only its not crap. . not at ALL!!! I adapted the recipe to use almond butter and i added 4 bananas, and I doubled the recipe since we have company this weekend:) They came out really yummy, but next time, if I use almond butter again, I might more than double the amount. I could have had more almond butter taste in there.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Chicken Escondido
Check out this link,
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/recipes.asp?recipe=22525
I doubled this recipe earlier this week. We added chopped mushrooms and chopped yellow, orange and red peppers. The recipe was a bit skimpy on the balsamic vinegar, and I added olive oil since everything else was doubled - it was needed to sautee more stuff. came out GREAT!!! our friend and her toddler were staying with us for a few days, and all three kids ate this dinner very well. N picked out all the black beans and ate those!!
I made and doubled the recipe again tonight, and added mushrooms, but forgot about the sundried tomatoes. Still VERY good, and my boys did well with this dish. This was especially thrilling since they have been teething/sick/picky the last few days.
Both times, we added brown rice - the kind you heat up in a bag for 3 minutes from the freezer. Leftovers are awesome in a tortilla. . . . definitely looking forward to lunch tomorrow:)
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/recipes.asp?recipe=22525
I doubled this recipe earlier this week. We added chopped mushrooms and chopped yellow, orange and red peppers. The recipe was a bit skimpy on the balsamic vinegar, and I added olive oil since everything else was doubled - it was needed to sautee more stuff. came out GREAT!!! our friend and her toddler were staying with us for a few days, and all three kids ate this dinner very well. N picked out all the black beans and ate those!!
I made and doubled the recipe again tonight, and added mushrooms, but forgot about the sundried tomatoes. Still VERY good, and my boys did well with this dish. This was especially thrilling since they have been teething/sick/picky the last few days.
Both times, we added brown rice - the kind you heat up in a bag for 3 minutes from the freezer. Leftovers are awesome in a tortilla. . . . definitely looking forward to lunch tomorrow:)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
'Fiesta Tuna Salad!'
I figure Ill call it that when the kids are old enough to know what it is. . . I made some tuna this afternoon, and used my lovely hand chopper to finely chop a red, yellow and orange pepper, some carrots and some cucumber. Add to tuna, DONE! SUPER yummy, very pretty and an easy way to sneak veggies into the kids, and even me:)
drain tuna can
add mayo or whatever you use
chop veggies finely
add to tuna, mix well
enjoy!
drain tuna can
add mayo or whatever you use
chop veggies finely
add to tuna, mix well
enjoy!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
A couple things I might have done differently. . .
Babywearing:
As Ive shared multiple times, I was horrified of my kids when they were babies. Whether or not that fear was valid, thats up for more discussion, lol, but seriously, I was horrified. From a very early time though, I wanted and really needed them to be somewhat independent. I didnt want my kids to need to be with me at all times, or need to be held in order to sleep or settle. I wanted my body back and some freedom - remember, 15 weeks of bed rest because my body wasnt mine, but was a baby baker. However, things as always, did not go as planned. I still feel to this day that E was traumatized during his second hospital stay. Im sure the care was good and all, but he had spent 28 days in the hospital, came home for 2 weeks and then was back for a few days with his reflux. He was taken away, again. The beginning weeks and months of a childs life are vital for their attachment to family, mommy and daddy. . . and he had to go back to the hospital. He came home and we had to re-learn how to feed him. We had to give him prevacid 3 times a day. He screamed, a lot. Especially during the first weeks while the medicine kicked in and started to heal him to he could feel better. Through my own exhaustion and hormones, it was hard to see past my own discomfort. I was still afraid of creating this dependent creature, and I failed to see that he and N were born dependent creatures. That it wasnt the time to teach independence. . . yet. While N was ok to be left in the crib or pack n play with a toy or musical toy going, E just wasnt there yet. N hadnt been taken from his home though, his NICU issues were far less severe than E's.
So, what might I have done differently? I would have worn E all the time! Baby wearing is the use of a baby bjorn type thing. There are a million on the market, and its important to find what is comfortable for you and baby at the same time. There is one on the market called the baby ergo:
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
I wish I had gotten that one. Everyone I know who has it looooves it. Im not sure what the weight limit is, but I understand you can use it for quite some time. I think E would have benefitted from being close more, earlier. I gave in at one point and bought a maya wrap, but I wasnt as happy with it and didnt use it as often as Id have liked. I tihnk I might have if it was more comfortable. Part of the issue too was that the ergo cost $100+. But. . . I probably could have found on on craigslist and washed it. . . . whatever. . . hindsight is 20/20, and I promise you, and the dr. agrees, both E and N are perfectly happy, well adjusted, developing on target little men:)
Its just a PHASE!
Often I have said I wish someone told me that. . bla bla bla. But I cant say this here. We've all heard that 'oh, its just a phase'. Babies do that, and it changes, etc. . nothing is forever. Im not sure how I could have hard wired this into my brain, especially since Im still working on that part. But nothing is forever, as soon as you get one thing down, another changes. Its all fluid. A LOT of trial and error. I havent figured out a way around that part yet, but will share if I do. I had a hard time with the sleep thing, and the routine thing. Every time we had a piece of the sleep issues down, or a new part of the routine that I felt worked. . . anything that threatened anything I had down pat was to be squashed. Eventually though. . . they go to sleep, mama gets her shower, and even gets to sleep. . . through the night:) It might take a while, but it DOES happen. I was so hung up on not losing any part of what I had created that I refused help and made up excuses a lot. Maybe it was the hormones?
Again though, I have to say. . . . my boys are happy, healthy, and currently as I type? Playing in their cribs before nap time:)
As Ive shared multiple times, I was horrified of my kids when they were babies. Whether or not that fear was valid, thats up for more discussion, lol, but seriously, I was horrified. From a very early time though, I wanted and really needed them to be somewhat independent. I didnt want my kids to need to be with me at all times, or need to be held in order to sleep or settle. I wanted my body back and some freedom - remember, 15 weeks of bed rest because my body wasnt mine, but was a baby baker. However, things as always, did not go as planned. I still feel to this day that E was traumatized during his second hospital stay. Im sure the care was good and all, but he had spent 28 days in the hospital, came home for 2 weeks and then was back for a few days with his reflux. He was taken away, again. The beginning weeks and months of a childs life are vital for their attachment to family, mommy and daddy. . . and he had to go back to the hospital. He came home and we had to re-learn how to feed him. We had to give him prevacid 3 times a day. He screamed, a lot. Especially during the first weeks while the medicine kicked in and started to heal him to he could feel better. Through my own exhaustion and hormones, it was hard to see past my own discomfort. I was still afraid of creating this dependent creature, and I failed to see that he and N were born dependent creatures. That it wasnt the time to teach independence. . . yet. While N was ok to be left in the crib or pack n play with a toy or musical toy going, E just wasnt there yet. N hadnt been taken from his home though, his NICU issues were far less severe than E's.
So, what might I have done differently? I would have worn E all the time! Baby wearing is the use of a baby bjorn type thing. There are a million on the market, and its important to find what is comfortable for you and baby at the same time. There is one on the market called the baby ergo:
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
I wish I had gotten that one. Everyone I know who has it looooves it. Im not sure what the weight limit is, but I understand you can use it for quite some time. I think E would have benefitted from being close more, earlier. I gave in at one point and bought a maya wrap, but I wasnt as happy with it and didnt use it as often as Id have liked. I tihnk I might have if it was more comfortable. Part of the issue too was that the ergo cost $100+. But. . . I probably could have found on on craigslist and washed it. . . . whatever. . . hindsight is 20/20, and I promise you, and the dr. agrees, both E and N are perfectly happy, well adjusted, developing on target little men:)
Its just a PHASE!
Often I have said I wish someone told me that. . bla bla bla. But I cant say this here. We've all heard that 'oh, its just a phase'. Babies do that, and it changes, etc. . nothing is forever. Im not sure how I could have hard wired this into my brain, especially since Im still working on that part. But nothing is forever, as soon as you get one thing down, another changes. Its all fluid. A LOT of trial and error. I havent figured out a way around that part yet, but will share if I do. I had a hard time with the sleep thing, and the routine thing. Every time we had a piece of the sleep issues down, or a new part of the routine that I felt worked. . . anything that threatened anything I had down pat was to be squashed. Eventually though. . . they go to sleep, mama gets her shower, and even gets to sleep. . . through the night:) It might take a while, but it DOES happen. I was so hung up on not losing any part of what I had created that I refused help and made up excuses a lot. Maybe it was the hormones?
Again though, I have to say. . . . my boys are happy, healthy, and currently as I type? Playing in their cribs before nap time:)
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