Italian Cooking: Crockpot Style

Italian cuisine is not nearly as difficult to master as some may believe. In fact, when you throw a crockpot in the mix, it becomes nearly effortless. There are many ways to create a delicious Italian meal with just a little organization and preparation. Here are a few tips and ideas that can turn your kitchen into an Italian bistro – crockpot style.

Get Ingredients Ready

Ravioli Marinara (Mangia Trattoria) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most important things to remember when using the crockpot is to have all the ingredients you need on hand. Having the right ingredients for a crockpot meal is very important since the reason for cooking in a crockpot is convenience. If you are trying to throw a meal together fast in the morning, you don't want to be running to the store when you are trying to save time. With a little bit of preparation you can have a stocked pantry and refrigerator in no time.

A few of the ingredients you want to stock would be fresh or frozen vegetables, especially onions, garlic, celery, tomatoes, and green bell pepper. Fresh or dried herbs such as basil and oregano should always be in the kitchen. Then of course you'll want meat, chicken, seafood or other protein of choice on hand. Frozen meat is fine as long as it's sized right and cooks long enough in the crockpot to cook thoroughly. Olive oil, pasta, cheese, and wine are a few other must-have’s when creating a delicious Italian feast.

Get Recipes Ready

Start searching for crockpot recipes now so you are ready when the time comes to cook something Italian style. You don't need a whole arsenal of recipes to get started. Here are just a few classic Italian dishes to keep in mind.

Cheesy Tortellini – There are some variations to this recipe but for the most part you can keep it as basic and simple as you want. You will need ground beef or Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and any vegetables you want to add to the slow cooker. A few favorites tend to be mushrooms and tomatoes. Once the sauce has been slow cooking all day, you can throw in the tortellini and some cheese to top it off. When the pasta is tender, you are ready to serve and enjoy.

Spaghetti all' arrabbiata (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – This is a true favorite that you really can’t go wrong with. You can combine ground beef with Italian sausage, onions, tomatoes, and seasonings of your choice such as garlic, basil, and oregano. Let this mixture cook all day in the crockpot to develop all that flavor. Then when it's dinner time, just cook the spaghetti pasta and you are ready to dig in.

There are a few things that you can do ahead of time that will ensure your meal has the best flavor. You can start my browning the meat before adding it to the crockpot. You can also saute the veggies in olive oil or butter before adding them to the crockpot. This will mean a little extra effort on your part but the end result is worth the trouble.

The crockpot has been a favorite tool for busy families and will continue to have a place in our homes, and our hearts. Pick out a few favorite Italian dishes and put your crockpot to work for you. With just a little preparation and a few simple steps, you can create an Italian meal in your crockpot that will draw everybody to the dinner table with a smile on their face!

Fall Recipe: Orchard Apple Martini

While fall is a great time for cooking, don't forget about the beverages! This adult beverage mixes the flavors of fall for a simple, delicious cocktail perfect for an evening by the fire. For a virgin version, leave out the vodka and schnapps, and add a splash of sparkling water or sparkling apple juice for a pretty and special-occasion drink the kids can enjoy!

I have a new juicer that I absolutely love, and have been making apple juice with it regularly - it's the best apple juice I've ever tasted!  You just can't beat fresh - so use fresh apple juice if you can.

Orchard Apple Martini
(Serves 1.)

Ingredients:

2 oz. apple vodka
2 oz. apple juice
1/2 oz. apple schnapps
1/2 oz. pomegranate juice

Directions:

• Fill a shaker with ice, add ingredients, shake vigorously, pour into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish with a crescent cut out of a red apple or with a curl of apple peel.
• Enjoy responsibly!

This makes amazing juice!

Recipe: Spiced Maple Glazed Pork With Roasted Sweet Potatoes And Pears

This is a perfect fall recipe! The autumnal flavors of sweet potatoes, pears, and maple combine with spices to make sweet and spicy magic in this hearty roast - perfect for a cool fall evening, or dinner party with guests.

Spiced Maple Glazed Pork Roast With Roasted Sweet Potatoes And Pears
(Serves 8-10.)

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 pork shoulder roast (about 6 to 7 lbs)
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup water
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 large firm pears, peeled, cored, and quartered

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Mix together the salt, pepper, and cinnamon, then gently rub this mixture over the pork roast; then put in a large roasting pan, fat side up, and roast for about 2 hours or until the fat is golden brown.
• To make glaze:  Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then add the maple syrup, brown sugar, cloves, nutmeg, and water, stir and bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the burner.
• Put the sweet potatoes and pears in a large bowl, pour half the maple syrup mixture over them and toss until coated well.
• When pork roast is done, remove the roast from the oven and arrange the sweet potatoes and pears around the pork roast. 
• Carefully drizzle the remaining maple syrup mixture on the pork, coating the top and sides of the pork roast - use a brush if that works better.
• Return the roast to the oven and cook an additional 1 hour.
• After the 1 hour, increase the oven temperature to 425 and continue to cook until the pork reaches 165 degrees with a meat thermometer and the vegetables are fork tender, about 30 to 40 minutes, a bit more or less.
• Remove the roasting pan from the oven and transfer the pork to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil and let rest 8 to 10 minutes before slicing to serve. Spoon sweet potatoes and pears on each plate with pork, and spoon sauce from roasting pan over all.

Farmer's Market Foods & Festive Fall Decorations

Well, the leaves are turning yellow on my drive home, and it looks like it's really here to stay.... I'm talking about fall of course. Fall is an amazing time of year - and one of my favorite seasons! There is a chill in the air that just makes you want to cuddle up next to a cozy fire with a great book and some delicious food, right? The leaves are changing and it looks as if Mother Nature is beginning to wind down for a peaceful rest through the winter. As the squirrels begin to desperately seek out places to hide their last finds, you begin to think about decorating your house to give it some much needed warmth. Let's take a look at a few ideas on how you can create some festive Fall décor this year - and maybe even use some fall farmer's market finds to do so!

Nature's Bounty

Maple leaves (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The great outdoors is teeming with natural décor just waiting for your creative mind. Sure, corn stalks, pumpkins, and scarecrows are the typical approach for the fall season, but if you want more than typical, look deeper into the bounty that Mother Nature provides and see if you can't be inspired by Her. A simple pine cone can become an ornate candle holder with a few simple modifications. Different leaves can be used to make artwork in all kinds of medium. Fall foliage and vines make beautiful ornamental centerpieces for a table or mantle, or even doorways and windows. And don't forget the late fall flowers.

However, if hauling in armloads of dried leaves, bark, pine cones, and branches isn't exactly what you want in your house, try photographs instead. Photos taken of nature create amazing pieces of art during this time of year. The reds and oranges and yellows against a blue sky presents a great contrast in tones. You don't have to be a professional photographer to get great fall pictures. With a subject like that, you can't miss.

Colorful Contrasts

Snowy winters produce a stark white landscape. Summers produce a bright color palette that sometimes washes out to pastels in the sun. But during the fall, there is a myriad of rich colors in every shade of red, yellow, orange, green, gold, and brown. You'll even find rich, deep purples to mix in the blend. Decorating with these colors naturally makes you feel warmer and cozier, which is perfect as the days get shorter and the nights get longer, and cooler.

The trick to creative fall decorating is to keep your eyes open to all the colors you have available.  Rather than bringing in leaves and other outdoor elements to decorate, consider using them instead for inspiration. Bring home paint samples and match them up to that tree outside. Bring home fabric samples that transport you to a glade awash in fall colors.  If you have a chestnut brown sofa, scatter bright yellow, red, orange, and gold pillows around.  And don't forget to add a bright blue pillow, too.  After all, the fall sky offers a beautiful contrast with its cool shade of blue mixed in with the richer colors of the fall foliage.

Cover of Harvest

Decorative Harvest

Fall harvest foods are great for getting your table set for a family feast, but did you ever think to use them for decorations around your house? Keep your eyes open the next time you visit the farmers market or roadside stand and take a second look at the crops.

Many garden plants don't just produce delicious produce and herbs, but also provide a glorious display of flowers and seed pods when they are done growing the edible parts.  When these vegetables and herbs 'go to seed' they produce what can be a very lovely decoration.  Chives and onions have a gorgeous flower. You might want to consider planting a small section of your garden with your regular vegetables and herbs and just letting them go to seed to see what you get.

The Autumn months are a wonderful time to use Mother Nature as the inspiration for your home's decorations.  The colors and textures are so welcoming.  The hues of this season are warm and easy to incorporate in any home.  Just look out the window and you'll have all the creative ideas you need!

And of course, fall is also a wonderful time to get creative in the kitchen! Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty fall recipes.

Recipe: Amish Breakfast Casserole

I'm not exactly sure if this is really an Amish recipe or not, but it does contain simple, hearty ingredients which make a great breakfast on a cool fall morning. Be sure for the healthiest breakfast to use all-natural sausage, and eggs sourced from chickens raised on pasture, which contain the most healthy fats and proteins.

Amish Breakfast Casserole  

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
1 package sausage
4 cups hash brown potatoes
6 fresh eggs
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/4 cups Swiss cheese
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese

Directions:

• Over medium-high heat in a large skillet, cook the onion and sausage until browned. Drain the grease and set aside.

• In a medium mixing bowl, add the remaining ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Add the sausage and onion mixture.

• Place all this into a 9x13 inch baking dish.

• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until bubbly. Before serving, let stand for 10 minutes.

Recipe: Egg Cheddar Sourdough Breakfast Casserole

This tasty breakfast combines the nutritional punch of eggs with tomatoes, onions, and cheese for a delicious, filling meal that covers all the food groups! Since most of it is made ahead of time, it doesn't take too long to prepare in the morning. This one also makes a great "breakfast for dinner" option if you prepare the ingredients earlier in the day.

Nestled Egg Cheddar Sourdough Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 pound sourdough bread, cubed
4 tablespoons melted butter
12 ounces bacon
1 large onion, sliced
28 ounces diced tomatoes, drained 
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese 
4 green onions, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken stock
Salt
6 free-range pastured poultry eggs

Directions:

• While preheating oven to 350 degrees, in a large mixing bowl toss the sourdough bread and butter. Spread the sourdough evenly on a large baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bread is golden brown.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it to a paper towel lined plate. Save 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease, pouring out the rest. 
• Add the onion to the skillet and cook until caramelized (approximately 10 minutes). 
• Now add the tomato and cook until all the liquid has evaporated (approximately 5 minutes).  
• In a large mixing bowl, pour the onion mixture and add the bread, bacon, green onion, stock and cheese. Stir together until well mixed and season to taste with salt. 
• Spread this mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and cover with tin foil, and refrigerate overnight. 
• To bake:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Keep the tin foil on the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. 
• Now, remove from oven and make 6 indentations in the bread. Once the indentations have been made, crack 1 egg into each indentation. Once all 6 eggs have been added to the indentations, bake for another 15 minutes or until egg whites are set.

Why Eggs Win The Nutrition Excellence Award

Welcome back!  I do apologize for the lack of posts over the last couple of weeks. We had planned to take a week off for the move, but unfortunately, once we got moved in, we discovered that our new internet service did not work. After two weeks of frustration, we are finally connected, and back to our blogs! This week, we're talking about one of my favorite foods. Actually I just boiled a bowl of them which are now sitting in the fridge ready to become a quick snack or healthy addition to breakfast. Of course I'm talking about...eggs!

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you think of a hearty nutritious breakfast, do you think of a bowl of cereal?  Probably not.  Even a bowl of hot cereal doesn't have the same appeal as a skillet of eggs with sides of meat and potatoes, or a omelet loaded with goodies, or a big thick breakfast casserole.

There are reasons why, other than habit, that we think of eggs for breakfast.  They are cheap, taste good, satisfy just about any appetite, and they can be cooked in so many ways. 

But, eggs have come under some criticism through the years.  Should you eliminate eggs from your diet because of some bad press?  Maybe eggs should be reconsidered before you make your final decision.  Let's take a look.

Eggs Pack a Big Punch in a Tiny Package

Just eating one whole egg provides a wide range of nutrients that your body needs to function.  As the advertising goes, eggs are an incredible food.  A whole egg is what is known as a 'nutrient-dense' food.  This means in the relatively small volume of that egg you receive a large volume of nutrients.

If you have decided to stop eating eggs because you've heard they may be bad for you, let's look at the facts.  Eggs are high in cholesterol, yes, but they are also a tremendous source of nutrients at a very frugal cost.  For this reason, families have depended on eggs to provide healthy meals when budgets are tight. 

In a nutshell (or eggshell), a whole egg provides all the basic building blocks in just the right amounts to maintain a healthy and functioning body. You'll find the entire list of essential amino acids (proteins) including lysine.  This particular amino acid converts fat to energy and helps the body absorb calcium and promotes the production of collagen.  Eggs are the perfect food for not only maintaining health, but for building strong bones and muscles. 

According to many studies, eating an egg a day will help you meet your daily protein requirements as well as other necessary nutrients.  However, there is always that question lurking in the background;  what about the cholesterol?  Let's look at the breakdown to help you understand where the nutrients come from in this super-food so you can make an informed decision.

Egg yolks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Egg Yolks

We hear a lot about complete proteins, and this is one example.  Egg yolks have about 2.5 grams of protein which includes lysine, one protein that is not found in all protein-rich foods.  Yolks also provide a wide range of nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, B12, E, D, K, and folate, as well as iron, calcium, zinc, carotenoids (antioxidants), and essential fatty acids. You'll find only 40 calories from fat in an egg yolk, but you'll also have over 200 grams of cholesterol.  This is where the concern often lies. However, cholesterol is not the evil substance you may have heard, and it actually performs many essential functions in your body.  In fact, for many people, egg yolks may offer a much needed source of nutrients in your diet.

Egg Whites

The great news is, if you are looking for an excellent source of protein with absolutely no cholesterol, egg whites are the perfect solution. You'll get even more protein in the egg whites than the egg yolks, about 3.5 grams.  Egg whites also have only 1 calorie from fat.  But you must consider the downside.  Egg whites offer none of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or essential fatty acids that egg yolks do. Also, they are meant to be eaten together, as your body does not absorb all of the protein from the whites as well without the yolks. In fact, an egg cannot be considered a complete protein if you leave out the yolks.

The Best of Both

As you can see, egg yolks offer a lot of nutrients that egg whites don't.  If your diet is restricted for some health reason, you may want to talk to your doctor about how many eggs you should consume, but most likely you'll want to consider the nutrients in eggs, including the yolks, before you eliminate them from your diet.

Keep a carton of fresh eggs on hand at all times so you can whip up a hearty meal in a snap with this old fashioned super-food.  A strata, quiche, omelet, casserole, or any simple egg dish can be easily suited to most diets.  Give eggs a try today and start enjoying both the healthy and frugal benefits.

For more explanation about the health benefits of eggs, and why they're so good for you, check out the excellent book, Eat the Yolks, by Liz Wolfe.