Gingerbread Scones

I like these for breakfast, and so do the kidlets. We eat them all so poor B. has never tried them.

~2 c. flour

~3Tbsp. brown sugar

~2 tsp. baking powder

~1 tsp. ground ginger

~1/2 tsp. baking soda

~1/2 tsp. salt

~1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

~1/4 tsp. ground cloves

~1/4 c. cold butter, diced

~1/3 c. molasses

~1/4 c. milk

~1 egg, separated

~ a handful of dried cranberries, if you like 'em

In a large bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. If your adding the cranberries, mix them in now. In a small bowl, combine the molasses, milk and egg yolk until smooth; stir into flour, and mix just until moistened. Turn onto a floured surface and gently knead 6-8 times. Pat into and 8 inch circle; cut into 12 wedges (I do 8) and place 1 inch apart on a greased baking sheet. Beat egg white until frothy; brush over scones, sprinkle with white sugar. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown (which, to be honest is kinda hard to tell, since these are already rather golden...)

Serve warm with a cold glass of milk.

French Onion Soup

One of B.'s favorites, and I say the cheesier, the better. One of the few things I don't make the kids eat, 'cuz that means more for us.

~6 c. thinly sliced onions

~1 Tbsp. sugar

~1/2 tsp. pepper

~1/3 c. vegetable oil

~6 c. beef broth (I do 8 bouillon cubes dissolved in 6 c. water)

~Thick sliced, toasted French Bread

~ Grated Swiss Cheese

In a large pot, over medium-low heat, cook onions, sugar, and pepper in oil for 20 minutes, or until onions are caramelized, stirring frequently. Add the broth, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Ladle soup into oven proof bowls. Top with sliced French bread, sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted.

                                                                                  Serves:8-ish

Fabulous Bean Soup

I on the whole, don't really like bean soup. Never have. The herbs in this recipe caught my eye though, and I decided to give it a go. I am SO glad I did. Honey could not get enough, "it's just so delicious!" Its kind of an all day affair, so plan accordingly, and serve with crusty bread.

~2 c. dry great northern beans

~5 c. chicken broth

~3 c. water

~1 large meaty ham bone (mine wasn't super meaty, so I threw in leftover keilbasa diced up)

~2-3 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules

~1 tsp. dried thyme

~1/2 tsp. dried marjoram

~1/2 tsp. pepper

~1/4 tsp. rubbed sage

~1/4 tsp. dried savory

~2 medium onions, chopped

~3 medium carrots, chopped

~3 celery ribs, chopped

~1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Place beans in a Dutch oven or soup kettle; add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain. Add broth, water, ham bone, bouillon, and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 2 hours.

Saute onions, carrots, and celery in oil; add to soup. Cover and simmer 1 hour longer. Debone ham and cut into chunks, return to soup. Skim fat.

                                                                                      Yield:10 servings (2-3/4 quarts)

Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Vinegar

My children, and actually, my husband too, ADORE asparagus. I happen to love it as well, but fresh, not that awful looking canned stuff.

I don't remember if I came across this recipe, or just made it up on my own, but whichever it is , it seems we never have enough.

~1 bunch fresh asparagus *

~Olive Oil

~Salt- I use a grinder, I will never go back to the other kind for the table again

~Pepper, fresh ground, or I use corse ground

Wash and dry asparagus, trim the ends. The easiest way to know where to trim is to take one stalk, hold each end and gently bend 'til it snaps. Cut the rest at the same place.

Drizzle a shallow baking dish with olive oil, add the asparagus, and roll around to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to what ever your guess at taste is.

Place in oven on broil (so I guess technically this is broiled asparagus...) and keep a close eye on it. You want them a nice brilliant green. You'll just *know* when that is. Remove from oven and drizzle around a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar over the asparagus. Serve to your impatient family.

* I like the slender stalks, I find them to be less woody and more tender. Also look for nice full heads.

B's Favorite BBQ Sauce

A few years ago, B. asked me to make ribs for dinner. Having never made ribs before, I was in a bit of a quandary. How do you do this exactly? I started looking for a sauce recipe, not being one to think to buy a bottle of sauce, and made up the rest as I went along.. B. nearly cried when he tried these (with joy). If you just want to make the sauce it doesn't take long at all, but if you're planning on making ribs too, count on being home all day.

1/2 c. maple syrup (the real kind, naturally is better, but the fake works just fine too)

1/2 c. ketchup

1/4 c. orange juice

1 Tbsp. dried minced onion

1 Tbsp white vinegar

1 Tbsp. steak sauce

 1 tsp. grated orange peel

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce

3 whole cloves

In a small saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until the flavors are blended. Remove from heat, discard cloves, and cool.

That's the sauce, and it makes 1-1/3 cups. 

Now, if you want to make ribs, read on:

For just us, a rack is fine, if they are a good price, I buy 2, so B. can have the leftovers in his lunches. If I am doing 2 racks, I triple or quadruple the sauce. For one rack, I double it.

Preheat oven to about 325 F.

Line 2 cookie sheets with foil ( ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!!!! I destroyed 2 baking sheets not lining them.). Lay a rack of ribs on each sheet. Spread about 2/3-3/4 of a cup of sauce on each rack.  Cover with foil, and place in oven. When doing 2 racks, I switch shelves and baste with sauce and/or drippings every 30 minutes. If  just one rack, baste every 30 minutes.

I bake them roughly 2-1/2- 3 hours, depending on how thick they are. I have found that if you can twist one of the bones (easily), they are done. I like to finish them on the grill for about 15-20 minutes, you're really just going for the grill flavor. Slather on sauce as you see fit.

Serve with lots of napkins.

French Dressing

Homemade dressings are (usually) SO much better than store bought. B. really likes French, I think its okay. Until I tried this one. It is delicious, and makes a vat of dressing.

1/2 a medium onion, quartered

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

3/4 c. ketchup

3/4 c. vegetable oil

1/2 c. vinegar (I use cider vinegar)

1/2 c. sugar

1/2-3/4 tsp. salt

In a food processor or blender, puree onion and lemon juice until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Store in refrigerator, shake well before using.

Yield: 2-1/2 cups.

Smoked Sausage Skillet

Really good, and really easy. Also, a great way to get cabbage down non-cabbage lovers.

1 lb. fully cooked kielbasa OR Polish sausage, sliced

3 c. shredded cabbage

1 celery rib, finely chopped

1 Tbsp. oil

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard ( I used a grainy deli- mustard, because that's what I like)

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp. rubbed sage

2 c. cooked noodles

In a large skillet, saute the sausage, cabbage, and celery in oil for 5 minutes. add the mustard, garlic salt, and sage. Cook and stir over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in noodles and heat through.

Serves 4 generously.