Just Another Meatless Monday #82 Ratatouille

It's been a long time since writing about Ratatouille, the stew not the movie, and I discovered I love eating it as much now as I did almost 3 years ago. Why has it been so long since I made Ratatouille? I don't really know why, but the hiatus is over, ratatouille consider yourself warned, it is so on. I like mine long simmered on the stove, each vegetable still tasting of itself but also just starting to meld with the other flavors.  You can also bake it in the oven but I love to have big pot of something simmering on the stove, especially on days like today when it snows for the first time, it's comforting. I usually serve Ratatouille over some hearty polenta, so perhaps in the last 1/2 of cooking you may want to whip up a pot?

Ratatouille

1 eggplant
2 TBSP of oil
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic, crushed and chopped
1 pound assorted mushrooms
1-2 green peppers
1 can of fire roasted tomatoes
1 26 ounce box of Pomi crushed tomatoes
1 bay leaf
1-2 teaspoons of herbs de Provence, or appropriate amounts of fennel, basil, savory and thyme
1 teaspoon salt +more as needed
1-2 cups of water, as needed
2 zucchini

wash or otherwise clean all vegetables
slice the eggplant into rounds, salt it and then place in a large bowl of water to soak for at least 15 minutes to remove the bitterness, I have found that you can simply peel most eggplants to remove their bitterness
meanwhile heat the oil in a large dutch or french oven
chop the onion and saute for 5 minutes
add the garlic
roughly chop the mushrooms into the pot
seed and chop the peppers and then add them too
add the tomatoes and bring to a simmer
add the herbs and the salt
thoroughly rinse the eggplant and chop into one inch cubes, add them to the pot
cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for an one to two hours
add water if your sauce reduces too much
cut the zucchini lengthwise and then into half circles
add them and continue cooking for at least 1/2 hour until they are done but not mush
taste and add salt as needed
serve over cooked polenta, over with a good wedge of bread to enjoy the veggies with

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Peace and Love--

The Penny Worthy Project

How do you survive in the consumer driven world today, how do you opt out, or make ends meet? I'd love to have your thrifty living posts linked up. I like to see what folks are doing to make themselves happy in our mad mad world these days. Me personally, I like to buy things second hand that I would have had to buy no matter what, like clothes for my kids and other necessities. I also buy presents for friends who get that 'Laura's Treasures' are the best presents of all, some folks just don't understand and never will. I have friends who make things to sell, not only to make ends meet but because it makes their hearts sing, I wish I was there, or talented enough to be there. Other friends clip coupons and save tons o' money, more power to you sister! So tell me, what do you do?

This week I bought the most adorable little sweater for a friend who is expecting in a few months. All handmade and cute as can be, how could I resist? I'm sure I'll find a handmade quilt to gift her too and perhaps I'll give her some frozen meals too. I think that will make the nicest present, I'd love to get it, well IF I were having a baby which I'm not.(whew) Check out the sweater cuteness!

I found 3 pair of perfectly good pans for Mr. SirPrize too, who has suddenly shot up 3 inches and out a size. Can you say growth spurt? WOW!

And I found 4 nice button down shirts for Union who has an unseemly habit of leaving modeling beeswax in his pockets and ruining his school shirts. Yes I know I am supposed to be checking his pockets before washing but seriously I think just actually washing them is a miracle some weeks.

And then I saw this pumpkin, or what I see as a pumpkin, it was only 75¢ and I had to have it. I'll donate something else to make room for this, I love it.

Isn't it great? It's by a lady in Vermont, Katherine Washburn and looking at her site I can see some Christmas presents I need to buy! Hope she can do a Mastiff mug.
 Wanna join in? Leave a comment, grab the button and link!

Peace and Love--

I'm Loving

this new sample of a Bounce dryer bar I got from Proctor and Gamble. You do not even want to know how static-ky our house is in the cold and dry winter months, so much so that a static shock can light up a room in the dark. I hope this will alleviate that. I just put it in and I'm already feeling happier about not having to buy anything else for 3 months. Sunday is laundry day and I think we'll see a big difference on Sunday night folding laundry, no sticking pet hair or static shocks, fingers crossed.

I love the Bog boots. Yes they cost a pretty penny but they are worth every cent to me. They are neoprene and rubber. They have built in handles so kids can pull on their own boots with no help from me. They are good for fall, winter and spring wear because they are rain boots AND winter boots in one. They are good to 30˚ below zero and with our winters I'm pretty sure we'll be testing that out come January, February and March. Can't beat an all weather boot.

This puppy face.

Seriously does it get any cuter? Well yes it does.

 And these long languishing sunsets, seems like they last for hours these days.

Peace and Love--

Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn

Want to make a great Halloween snack parents can enjoy too? Lets face it, most treats this time of year center on kids but lets think about that for a minute. We spend a lot of time hauling kids from house to house so they can get a bag of free candy that they won't even share with you, is that fair? Or worse you spend the night at home praying you don't run out of candy so you don't eat any of it, again not fair! Adults need something, perfectly suited to us, for us, by us. May I introduce Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn?

hello darling

Can there be a more perfect snacking food than Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn? No, I don't think so. Sweet? CHECK! Spicy? CHECK! Salty? CHECK! Crunchy? CHECK! Bacon? CHECK! The  only thing missing is chocolate, which would be an easy fix, really. (dear thighs I did NOT just suggest covering Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn in chocolate, you did not just hear that)



Spicy Caramel Bacon Popcorn

2 TBSP oil
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
3 cups sugar
3 TBSP butter
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup of crispy cooked bacon pieces

In a large pan with a lid heat the oil and the salt, add the popcorn, cover and shake until it pops
remove from heat, remove lid
butter a large mixing bowl and pour the popcorn into it
while you're at it butter two baking sheets and two spatulas too
set the popcorn aside
make the caramel by combining the sugar, butter and water in a large pan, you will need a pan big enough to contain the foaming of the caramel after you add the baking soda, choose accordingly
place the pan over med/high heat and cook without stirring for 10 minutes until light golden brown
meanwhile combine the baking soda and the chile powder and set aside
attempt NOT to eat all the bacon pieces just waiting to be dipped in caramel
when the caramel is golden brown remove from the heat and add the baking soda/chile powder mixture, it will foam and bubble but just stir away
then pour it over the bowl of popcorn and sprinkle on the crispy bacon pieces
use the buttered spatulas to toss the popcorn to coat it
taste it before the caramel gets hard to see if it needs more salt, it will be molten lava hot so blow on a small piece to cool it
add salt as needed, stirring to mix in
pour into the buttered pans, breaking up as needed
cool completely and then use within 24 hours
store in the fridge

Peace and Love--

Pardon My Dust

While I clean up my site, stream line it and try to make it easier on the eyes. I also want to get rid of the massive blank real estate over to the right -----> and generally make Hey What's for Dinner Mom? look it's very best.

Why? Because dear readers I have a blog anniversary coming up, 3 years. And I have decided to have the biggest best self sponsored give away I can. It's going to be fabulous and all you need to do is think about what your favorite color is.


Peace and Love--

Beef and Green Bean Skillet

So simple, so fast and so delicious, Beef and Green Bean Skillet makes a perfect lunch. I have been playing with frying green beans for a while now, ever since I discovered them in San Francisco at Henry's Hunan a few years ago. I suppose if someone were willing to pay for it I would eat at Henry's Hunan everyday, it is simply great food. I eat there whenever I'm in San Francisco and try to replicate it at home when I'm not in the city. This is inspired by their Dry Sauteed Green Beans which are so good I would quite possibly shove small children out of the way to get to. What? I said possibly.

Beef and Green Bean Skillet
--serves two
1 pound bag of frozen green beans, still frozen
8 ounces good beef
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp garlic powder, or fresh minced
2 good dashes of soy sauce or Braggs amino acids
1 TBSP hoisin sauce

 heat a large cast iron skillet over med high heat, you want the pan hot but not smoking
while the pan is heating open the beans and set them aside
slice the meat into thin strips and then coarsely chop to bite sized pieces
when the pan is almost smoking hot add the frozen beans and stir for about 2 minutes
then add the beef, cooking and stirring for another 2-3 minutes
add the ginger and garlic cook until the beef is done, 1-2 minutes more
add the soy sauce and remove from heat
stir to coat
then stir in the hoisin sauce
serve as is or over brown rice

This was a great lunch for a day that was pouring rain when it should have been snowing. I am not complaining but some little souls in our house were waiting for snow. I am perfectly content to continue 'waiting' for snow.

Peace and Love--

Just Another Meatless Monday #81 My top 5

My top five favorite vegetarian meals. I thought I'd share my favorite vegetarian meals, as they occurred to me today. They may change in a year or two but for now we are loving these meals.



#5-Vegetarian Sheppard's Pie-mmm happy curry tummy in casserole form

#4-Savory Mushroom Strudel--lovely enough to serve to guests

#3 Vegetarian Pot Stickers--A nice big batch to have for company

#2 Vegan Meat Substitute--a great way to make meaty vegan dishes

#1 Crock Pot Refried Beans--simple fast food ready to eat when you are

Peace and Love--

The Penny Worthy Project

Have you ever seen a noise maker like this?

I didn't buy it the first time I saw but when I went back and saw it again I decided I needed to buy it. I've never seen a little wooden noise maker like this, I have several noise makers but none like this. I'll be putting it away with our New Years Eve supplies, pretty sure there will be a fight over it too.

I picked up a few Architectural Digests to browse through. The local thrift store gives magazines away so whenever I see a few I'm interested in I grab them. When I'm done I re-donate them, as a matter of fact I donate any magazines I happen to get.

This vile bright orange fabric is perfect for a couple accent pillows on our bed. We have a turquoise/white bed spread and I've been looking for 3 months for a piece of orange fabric. Not being in a hurry to make the pillows covers made it possible to find enough fabric for 50¢. I could have easily bought the fabric brand new but it's the thrill of the "not buying retail hunt" that I enjoy.

And one bit of interesting excitement for me this week, I won a giveaway over at Cheerful Thrifty Door. I never win anything so this is neat for me. On that note I want to encourage everyone to make sure you keep coming back because my 3rd blog anniversary is coming up and I have an awesome giveaway dreamed up.

How about you, did you find anything exciting this week?

Peace and Love--

A Pear Potpie

Now hear me out, I think I can hear you screaming already, I KNOW potpies are usually(always?) savory, I know this. I just finished reading the Little House on the Prairie series to Union, our 8 year old, and in one of the books Ma makes a potpie. When Pa serves it up for dinner first he scoops a piece of the top crust onto the plate, then he scoops deep into the pie and piles steaming chicken(or blackbird perhaps) and vegetables on to the top crust. This was the idea I had for the one crust pie, serve it on the top crust and not worry about a soggy bottom crust. I let my family drizzle it heavy cream over tender pears and flaky crust.

Pear Potpie

oven 350˚

10 pears
1/2 cup flour--I used whole wheat
1/2 cup sugar or sucanat
1 teaspoon grated bottled ginger, use fresh if you have it, finely grate it
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 recipe of your favorite pie crust or the vlog is good too

preheat oven to 350˚
butter a 7X9 baking pan
wash and dry the pears, split them down the middle and scoop out the stem and seeds
roughly chop them into the buttered 7X9 baking pan or any appropriate pan you have
sprinkle the flour right over the top of the pears and lightly turn the pears over
mix the sugar and the bottled ginger together and sprinkle evenly over the top of the pears
sprinkle on the cinnamon
roll out the pie dough to fit the top of the baking pan
lay it over and pinch the edges as for a pie
cut a few vent holes in the top and bake until brown and bubbly, around 40 minutes

This certainly got my NON pear eating little boy to eat some pears and enjoy them. I don't know what is going on with that boy but he has decided he doesn't like fruit too much. I kind of feel that way myself so I don't ride him too much. He has his favorites and then he has one he tolerates and then there are bananas.

Peace and Love--

I'm Loving

quite a few things right now and thought I'd share a few. First up the new dog containment system, wireless, fenceless and worry free. I bought this with my next to last paycheck from my part time temporary job. I love this thing, the dogs have already learned where their boundaries are and don't even attempt to go beyond them. I bet in a month we won't even need this thing to be hooked up. One "static correction" per dog taught them to listen to the beep and go back home. Due to a minor shipping difficulty we only received one collar, I have tried it on each dog, when they were out together with me one made it beep and they both turned around and headed home. Basically it sets up a perimeter around your home and yard, if they get close to the edge it beeps, then if they continue it corrects them until they return to inside the perimeter. We are all much more relaxed, the neighbors chickens aren't being bothered and our dogs (one at a time until the second collar gets here) are peacefully laying around in our yard instead of plotting escape.


I LOVE Paper Culture, I received a voucher for some product at BlogHer 11 and I can't decide what to pick. Every card, every product equals way too cute and hard to choose. Look at the sheer number of Winter holiday cards and try to pick just one! I can't tell you how many lovely hours I have spent dithering over my choices. If you are in search of cards try them out, this link will tell you all about their awesome dedication not just to their customers but to the earth too.

I'm partial to this one, except it would be my sons in the photo.

One more goodie to talk about. I love this little salt and sesame grinder thing I found on Azure Standard. It's organic sea salt and sesame seeds, you grind it right on your food for super flavor. I love toasted sesame seeds. I ordered it just to try it out and man I love it, actually we all love it.

Peace and Love--

Taco Soup

This is an easy to make little recipe that is endlessly variable. Make it with chicken, or beef, lots of veggies or just what you have on hand. Got leftover rice? Throw it in. Beans to use up? They'll work. Gluten free? Yep you can do that too. And it makes a nice big pot of steaming soup to warm you to the very center of your being on a day that can't decide whether it will rain, snow or shine. Perfect fall soup.

Taco Soup

1 teaspoon oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
8 ounces boneless chicken or beef
2 cloves minced garlic
1 TBSP oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chile powder
pinch of cinnamon
8 cups water
2 TBSP lemon juice
2 cups good salsa
shredded cheese-optional topping
crushed corn chips-optional topping




in a 5 quart dutch oven over medium heat warm up the oil, cook the onion and the meat until the onion is transparent
you don't need to cut the meat up because once it's cooked you'll be shredding it
add the garlic and cook for another minute or so
sprinkle on the oregano, cumin, chile powder and the pinch of cinnamon
add the water and lemon juice, scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any browned on bits
bring just to boil, the reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes
remove the meat carefully and shred it or finely chop it
add it back to the pot
stir in the salsa and cook for about 5 minutes more
taste for salt and pepper and adjust it accordingly
serve with the cheese and the chips for topping

So you can see this is the basic recipe, while it is simmering you can easily add veggies. Add cooked rice or beans after the meat is shredded just to reheat them. So simple really and yet so very delicious!

sun?

or snow

Peace and Love--