Cast Iron Cooking Makes A Very Tender Roast...

Cooking in cast iron is a very easy way to have

A moist and tender roast!

It heats up so evenly!

You can use this on top of the stove or,

Pop it in the oven!

You can even use it on top of your wood stove!

And I have done this when we have had power outages!

I have cooked many Beef roasts in this 

Cast Iron Dutch Oven!

Deer Meat and Elk also come out very tender!

  

 Cooking roasted Potato's or carrots will

Make them scrumptious.

Also, using cast iron is a better and safer cooking material!

Do not use the old aluminum ones.

 It leaches the aluminum from the pan into your food.

They say the iron that comes from the Cast iron

Will help with your iron that is needed in your body!

I am not sure how true all this is but that's what

Google is for, right?

I think every woman would enjoy having a

Cast Iron Dutch Oven!

Tell me if you ever use Cast Iron cookware?

Blessings,

Roxy



Preparing To Bake Pumpkin Bread, This One Makes Three Loaves...

I love to bake pumpkin bread!

I use this recipe all year long, because it is so

Moist and really nutritious.
Pumpkin is packed with Beta Carotene.

But, I must say this is really a yummy and delicious recipe!
Bake some for your family;
As I will tell you
 This one is a keeper!

Freshly baked right out of the oven!

Spiced Pumpkin Bread

3 1/2 c. Flour

2 c. Sugar

2 tsp. Baking soda

2 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Ground allspice

1 tsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Ground cloves

4 eggs

1 can (15 oz.) solid pumpkin

3/4 c. Canola oil

2/3 c. Water

1/2 c. Chopped nuts, optional

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In another bowl, combine eggs, pumpkin, oil and water. Mix well.

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour into 3 greased loaf pans. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes or
Until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool for10 minutes before removing from pans.

From the Test Kitchen by Amy and Roxy

One thing I love about this recipe is the fact it does,

Three loaves of bread.

So you can have one to eat right away,

And one to freeze.

And one to give away!

Blessings,

Enchilada Casserole Recipe...

Warm and Spicy Enchilada Casserole

This is our families stand by and stand up,

~Enchilada dish~

She has a few steps but well worth the work and effort.

I think a casserole is so yummy and tasty.

I took a picture of this casserole, sometime last year,

As you can still see my old cupboards in the background.

Here is how I make mine;

Tortilla's

Firstly, take your corn tortillas and lightly cook them

in a pan with some olive oil,

Use a pair of tongs, so you won't get burnt.

You have to get the pan very hot and quickly cook both sides

of the tortilla. Go ahead and do at least 13 tortilla's

for this is how many will fit in a 9x13 pan.

Set these aside on some paper towel to cool.

You do this to help the tortilla's become soft and pliable.

Filling

Then make your enchilada filling mix;

You can use either 2 cups of

 Hamburger meat cooked and browned well.

Or you can use cooked chicken, diced up. 

Place an 8oz. Bar of cream cheese in a bowl

allow it to soften.

Now, add at least 2 cups of grated cheese

I like to use a medium cheddar

If  you like onion, dice some up very fine

and add it to your mixture.

Cream Sauce

Make up your cream sauce now, you will use some for the

bottom of your 9x13 pan,

 and the rest for the top of your casserole.

Ingredients for your sauce;

Use one can of cream of mushroom soup.

Add a 1/2 can of diced tomatoes

(I like Ro*tel brand)

Add a can of green chili's

or fresh ones :)

Pour enough Cream Sauce to coat the

bottom of your 9x13 pan.

Now, use your hands and form the filling mixture

into little mini log shapes.

Place one in each tortilla and lay in your pan,

Fill your baking dish with all 13 tortilla shells filled

with mixture.

Now, pour the rest of the cream sauce on top

Add at least another cup of cheese

Cover with aluminum foil

Bake on 350 degrees

For 35minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.

I usually serve this with rice!

Enjoy!

Living From Glory to Glory



Stocks and Butter And A Filled Pantry...

Nothing should be wasted!

We live in a world where everything is disposable.

See these corn stalks, good for nothing right?

Well, not exactly;

The farmer's go back in and shred these old

corn stalks to feed their cattle.

They make a product called silage.

It is stinky, but it is used to feed and sustain,

The cattle in the long, cold winter months.

We are entering our winter months of needing

Warm foods, keeping our homes warm.

Feeding our families!

So as you see all your store adds for sale items,

this month, try to think ahead and stock u
on some of your cooking and baking items.

I do  promote being a wise woman in the

Pantry area of your home.

Watch for all the cream soups on sale.

Green beans and canned corn also.

Butter is around 2.00 lbs.

Chicken broth is very inexpensive now.

Watch for the different pastas on sale too!

Sometimes, we get on the eat only natural kick,

We forget we have had some real tough times.

Believe me, if you were starving;

You would not care if it was organic :)

REALLY...

Why, do we need a well stocked pantry?

Because it is what a wise woman does for her FAMILY!

Also, we must think of those who will need

some assistance this long winter.

Buy some of these sale items to give to your

own town or cities needy!

We must always remember the poor!

I want to tell you a true story;

I know of a wise woman

Whose Husband lost his Job!

 And do you know it was almost a whole year before he found another one.

But, this Wise Woman had a pantry that fed her family

Almost that entire year, with only having to add

The fresh produce and milk and eggs!

Blessings,

Roxy



How To Make your Own Vanilla Extract...

You Are Going To Love This Vanilla Extract...

 Making your own vanilla is so good!!

And much better tasting than store bought.

Also, the cost is much cheaper in the long run...

Here is how I make it;

First buy a bottle of dark rum

(Not spiced rum)

It's not like I am an expert in Rum :)

Use any bottle or jars you have;

Then poor the dark rum into the jars or bottles.

I prefer to use little jars, so then I have them ready

To give away as gifts!

So, maybe using the half pints is a better idea!

Now, you must have some fresh vanilla beans.

I purchase mine from Vitamin Cottage in the

Refrigeration section.

They come in about 3 to 4 beans per bag.

Now, take your vanilla beans and slice them with a slit down the middle,

Scrap each bean to loosen the vanilla paste in them.

I cut some beans in half, so I place a few small ones

in the little jars, and the longer ones in the

bigger jars or bottles.

See, how pretty they look!



I now take these jars and put them a cool dark place,
 allow them to steep for at least a month or longer!
(I do shake each jar a few times while curing)

Now you have a natural and delicious vanilla

With its own amazing

 Fragrance and taste.

There is NO comparing in store bought,

for your baking!

My friend adds it to her coffee and tea also!

If you start this now,

It will make a perfect Holiday and

 Christmas gift!

You can tie a pretty ribbon around it with a favorite

cookie recipe attached to it!

Or;

You can keep it all!

It will last forever on your shelves.

Blessings,

Roxy

May I Not Complain...

May, I not complain this day while preparing our meals!

I am so grateful for the women who have
Weathered many a storm!

They have stood and endured hard times in this country,

When we were not so prosperous.
Yet:
Many women still today,
are having tough times!

I feel, so blessed to have a very large kitchen,

with running water, and cupboards filled

with food and provisions!

We sometimes can forget that not too long ago,

This country of ours was in dire straights.

Depression...

May we give thanks now while we have plenty!
I always think of the story of Joseph...
He prepared and put back for seven years,
while there was plenty...

I want to encourage you women, to be wise homemakers!
  We have to learn to take advantage
of the sales of food items!

Also to buy vegetables and fruits in season,
so you can either freeze them or learn to can them.

This growing season is now over for most of us.
But, may we start where we can;
Purpose in your heart, and plan to put together
A pantry that will sustain your family,
for at least a month!

You must be wise, and buy on sale!
Date and rotate all items!
Buy only what you will eat!
Take a class and learn to can food items!
Always have plenty of drinking water put back!

I have learned this one thing;
No matter the crisis, my family still gets hungry :)

  

God, has put it in a Mommas heart to feed and

To take care of her family.

I do not want to complain or murmur,

But rather give thanks!

We are very rich indeed!

Blessings,

Roxy

Table Talk...

 Table Talk

How does your table get used?

For many, many years we did homeshooling at it!

We have done Bible studies on it!

We have laughed till we cried at it!

This wonderful hutch is filled with my many

Aprons, that I have made for myself.

I consider them my lovely uniform :)

Now, I have saved a many cute shirt or top from permanent damage,
By wearing an apron when I cook

Over the years...



Okay, Now I got your attention!!



 This is an Anaheim Green Chili,

Placed in an omelet mixed with a little bit of

Pancake batter to make it really full and filling.

You use a nice cheddar cheese on both the top and bottom.

Allow it to get fully done and slightly crisp.

Ta-Da-moment!!



 Yummy Yummy

This is for my Hubby!

I think he likes me...

I have many Girlfriends;

But this Girlfriend Rocks!!

Here she is....

This Girl has been known to get jealous over my other girlfriend.

(The Crock-Pot)

Isn't she just darling?

I have had her for almost 30years.

She has aged well, hasn't she?

It is because she is loved!

Buy a cookbook for your crock pot!

So any way you cook it!

It will bless and nourish your loved ones!

Blessings,

Roxy



A Girl's Best Friend Could Just Be Her Crock-pot...

 The Crock-Pot

It's a girl's best friend!!

See me smiling??



Here I am at church enjoying the Praise and Worship!

A sweet message from the Lord has lifted my heart!

Now we have the long drive home, (Remember, we live in the country)

I think Sunday's are always the hardest day to prepare a meal.

After the long drive and the Word being preached,

And of course after visiting with everyone,

I am tired and hungry.

OH MY

So; After many years

I have learned  to use

 My amazing Crock-Pot!

So when the service is over we can come home to a

Wonderful meal!

It is hot and ready to eat!

In The Winter And Summer Months Both...

Look for a site filled with great Crock-Pot meals!

Here are some pretty prairie flowers for all you lovely ladies!

Blessings,

Roxy

Momma's Cooking...

 My Mamma's Cookbook's

The Encyclopedia Cookbook

Better Homes and Garden

Cookbook

There are so many cookbooks out there!
And we all have our favorites.

It is funny how now days every star has their own cookbook.
Every single ingredient's  warrants is very own book.
You name it!
But really it is an investment as a homemaker to
purchase a few of them.

Sometimes you can just sit and have a good read
while looking at all the different choices for making any one recipe.

And baking is another skill that brings great pleasure.
Making the time to learn culinary skills, is a wise investment.

Remember the saying the way to a man's heart,
is through his stomach.
Now, I really do not think that...
But; A wise woman will feed her man!

I myself prefer good home style cooking.
I love things that make me feel satisfied!

I do think casseroles were God's gift to Mommas!

Give me a potato any way you like,
Baked, mashed or fried!

I also like to cook my meat slow and tender.
Crock pots are very economical (thrifty tool)
And they serve up very moist and tender meats.

I always like to have a fresh vegetable.
Or some I have canned myself (Green beans)
Or serve a nice green salad.

I love any kind of root vegetable,
 they are so easy to grow!
(potato and butternut squash)
They really last a long time in a cool place.
But the potatoes are best to eat up quickly.
We still have some we canned last Fall.

I just think it is so wise to own a few much loved cookbooks.
So you can hand down yours to a daughter, or a young new wife.

We must reach out to this new generation that really knows so
little about cooking and baking.
Reading it in a book is great, but as my Momma use to say;
The proof is in the pudding!

Blessings,

How To Make My Secret Walnut Recipe...

 A Delicious and Nutritious Walnut Recipe

This walnut snack is so delicious, I just crave it!

I have decided that this cannot be kept a secret any longer.

I have made and consumed so many batches of these;
They are very healthy for you!

My Secret Walnut Recipe

2 cups raw walnuts

 (I get mine from the health food store)
Here is a tip I have learned,
~ I place my walnuts in a strainer and shake them to get off all the little bitter peices~

2 heaping Tablespoons of coconut oil

Add a sprinkle of cayenne powder 

A shake or two of a Creole Seasoning

Also add a shake of a good mineral salt

Mix well



 I love coconut oil so much!

And it is so healthy and good for you!

I like a nice thick coating of coconut oil on my walnuts.

I add my spices to taste, you can also use a bit of garlic salt.

~I store my walnuts in a pint size jar in the refrigerator.~
They taste yummy cold!

Here is a link on how healthy walnuts are and why we should eat them!

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=99

Here is a link of 10 health benefits of eating coconut oil

http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/

I would love to hear how you liked this if you try it.

I will tell you they are amazing!

Blessings,



Using Lard In My Pie Crust...

  As I was doing some research on using Lard instead of butter or Crisco:

( For my pies)

 I was amazed at what I found.!

I have been really rethinking some of all the bad fat facts over my baking lifetime.

  I now will lean towards using lard for at least my pies.

   On some of the web sites I visited it is a bakers friend for certain rustic breads.

  I am sure that it is much healthier for you than Crisco!!
  I am a butter girl from way back,

I love the smell and taste of it.

 I never could stomach margarine.

  Everything in moderation is always the best way to cook and live.

I also have been looking for a recipe for biscuits that use lard.

   I can tell you for certain that every time something new comes out, I shiver knowing that the food industry has played with Mother Nature   (God's Creation).

   Another thought has been that in the days of hard times in our history,

 butter was hard to come by.

  Maybe we should not turn our nose up to something that could give us a flaky crust or biscuits!

Because no one can convince me that Crisco is better than lard.

   I found this blog, that of course is a foodie blog: 

 And I wanted to share her post on the Lard.

Google;

Earthy Delight Blog/ Lard Story

I was wondering if any of you wonderful ladies had a thought on this matter?

Have you tried natural Palm shortening?

Have you tried the shortening from the Health food store?
This has been my choice!

Blessings,

Living From Glory To Glory

Life According To Pie...

Needing a slice of Pie!

Feeling the deep down inside feeling of  needing a slice of pie today?

Oh Baby, I can hear it calling my name!

Pie making is fast becoming a lost art.

I don't want to hear that...

Apple pie

Cherry pie

Key Lime that's another post...

Ok, what I was saying is this!

Pie is...

Just what it is Pie....

We need pie, because one day it could become extinct.

Now, I got your attention!

Get out your rolling pins, ladies and let's roll!

Learning to cook and bake will never go out of style...

A wise woman will make the time to cook and bake to bless and nourish

Her hubby and family.

I think I will be looking for a good  Banana Cream pie recipe,

Because I had a slice of one last night, at a friends Birthday party

and it really was a slice of heaven.

When was the last time you baked a pie?

Blessings,





Berry Wild Shortcake Recipe...

So happy that we live in such an amazing and wonderful world!

Strawberries in any month...

It makes me berry happy!

Fresh and juicy and semi-sweet.

Washed and sliced, and I did add some sugar.

This is a wonderful shortcake to make;

It is probably the best I have ever tasted.

I haven't decided if I should share the recipe!

Let me think about it...

Ok, I will post it, but if this does not make my top ten posts,

You gals will never know what your missing.

This comes from a woman who has grown strawberries for

over 34 years. And believe me she knows how to make

the yummiest and moistest strawberry shortcake ever.

 Shortcake Recipe

3 cups flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 Tab. Baking powder

3/4tsp. Salt

3/4 cup cold butter

3/4 cups milk

Mix all dry ingredients together;

Cut in butter till small pieces.

In small bowl, combine milk and egg together

Add to flour mixture till moistened

Knead gently 7 to 10 times

Pat the dough into a greased round pie pan

Bake in a 450 F. Oven for 15-20 minutes,

or until golden.

Brush melted butter on top.

Cool.

Now cut a slice of your shortcake;

place in a bowl, top with your fresh strawberries

Top with fresh whipped cream.

ENJOY!!

Blessings,



Getting Out Of The Box And A Yellow Cake Recipe...

 Making a yellow cake mix from scratch.

The goal is to find one that will produce,

a moist and semi-light texture.

Not a puffed air texture like you get from a box mix.

I baked this cake in two 9inch round pans.

It was nice that it was not in my usual 9x13 pan size.



This cake baked up very moist and hardy.

It tasted like a shortbread cookie.

I used a basic buttercream frosting for this yellow cake.

It is nice to make a cake from scratch because you know

Exactly what has gone into it!


Here is the link for this cake;
Yellow Scratch Cake

Blessings,



Why We Need To Be Pantry Prepared...

Fresh Eggs

 Fresh Spices

This could be the time we had better stop relying on fast food and

pre-packaged food items to feed our families.

I have been very concerned about the state of affairs on every front.

But as a woman of God, I do not fear.

But, after saying this I also must say many families

could have much more hardship.

Just because Momma doesn't know how to really cook

and prepare meals from scratch.

Many people have had it so easy to just eat what they buy each night.

 In most homes we are no longer

preparing nutritious soups, or serve home cooked meals.

Most baked goods are bought from the store.

No freshly baked cookies made from scratch, even

the dough comes in a roll now.

This is my concern!

If we were to have a real crisis in this country,

would you be able to feed your family with

only uncooked and raw items?

Like dried beans not cooked for you?

What if you had no soups all made up in a can?

No jelly in a jar!

No bread all baked up and sliced.

Could you feed your family?

I will say this; we must get in a better prepared state,

for our families.

I believe if you will put forth the effort God will help you

accomplish this task.

For it is the woman's mandate to be the keeper of her home.

But I am all for the help of all who live in our homes.

Take stock of what you know about cooking;

Make time to learn what you do not know!

Start putting staples back now, before the prices get much higher.

A List Of Staples:

Flour, Sugar, Powder and canned milk,

Shortening and lard,

(Don't freak out, I do not normally use these

ingredients, but these foods will be a must if things collapse)!

Vegetable oil

Beef and Chicken bouillon

Salt, vinegar,

Baking soda, and baking powder, yeast.

All kinds of pasta

Dried beans!!

Tuna, canned vegetables and fruit.

Be wise and really pray about this,

As I believe that our families are counting on us!

Blessings,