Sunday Supper: Cheesy Grains and Veggies

Here is a nice versatile recipe! We often make this as an alternative to Mac N Cheese. It’s so simple that it doesn’t really even need a recipe.

1. Choose your grains. We’ve used barley (be careful with barley if you don’t regularly eat it–it doesn’t digest easy and can cause some…um…embarrassing problems! You’ll probably want to soak it overnight, in water and some kind of acid medium, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Then rinse it and you should be good to go), millet, and brown rice. Cook the grains until they are at an edible consistency (to cook grains, you just boil them in water or broth). While the grains are cooking, add some veggies and boil them with the grains. Be sure to boil all the water away, rather than draining.

2. Melt a stick of butter in the grains. Yes, butter. Don’t worry, it’s your friend. It’s much better for you than margarine (aka trans fat sticks) or omega-6 oils.

3. Mix in some garlic salt and pepper. They are, after all, the perfect seasonings!

4. Choose your cheese. Barley likes parmesan. Millet likes colby, Pinconning, or something a bit more “cheesy” flavored. Rice goes well with anything. Muenster is always a favorite of mine, for melting. Break up the cheese and stir, until it melt right in.

5. If this isn’t hearty enough, add an egg or two.

Enjoy your easy dinner!

Sunday Supper: All Purpose Pancakes

These make an excellent base for other recipes, and they’re great on their own! We’ve eaten them covered with butter, or with melted cheese. If you leave out the garlic, they are great with fruit. Cover them with pizza toppings for an easy dinner. They can substitute for bread or tortillas, when you want something different.

1. Fill a regular soup bowl with whole-wheat flour. (About 2 cups).

2. Add one egg.

3. Add 2 tbsp garlic salt.

4. Add 1 tbsp baking soda.

5. Add 1/8 cup oil.

6. Mix together. Add enough water so that it has the consistency of pancake batter.

7. Cook in a skillet, like pancakes.

There is your basic pancake. Over the next few weeks, I will share some of my favorite recipes that use these!

Sunday Supper: Lasagna

This is a wonderful, special dinner. You need to start out by making these noodles, nice and wide. Then, grease a cast iron pan. Layer noodles, cottage cheese, chopped vegetables, meat (optional), shredded cheese (I like colby), and tomato sauce. Repeat 3-4 times. Cook 30 minutes. Yummy!

Sunday Supper: Perfect Pizzas

Good morning! In an effort to include more simple (and often off-the-grid) recipes, I will be giving you a dinner idea every Sunday. My first recipe is for the perfect pan pizza.

To begin, you will need a good bread recipe. Make the dough, kneed it, and allow it to rise. I would recommend this soaked recipe or this sourdough recipe. Please do use whole wheat flour. It takes some getting used to, but it is much healthier. (For risks of white flour, click here).

Once you have risen your dough, spread it in greased cast iron skillets. Please do not use shortening to grease! I keep a mug of butter at room temperature all day, dip a clean, dry washcloth in it, and spread a thin layer on my pan. Once your dough is spread, either put it in the oven (at 350 degrees) or on the grill (with medium heat). Bake for 30 minutes.

When you’re done baking, it is time to add the toppings! I use either home made or canned sauce. Be sure it does not contain HFCS or sugar! I’ve found the cheaper brands, in the cans, tend to be unsweetened. Add some garlic and basil if you wish. Anything can be a topping: leftover chicken, browned ground beef or turkey, leftover veggies, olives, mushrooms, anchovies–anything! Be creative. Then top with lots of cheese. Shred your own, as the preshredded varieties contain anti-mold agents that affect the flavor. Bake or grill until the cheese is melted; 10-20 minutes.