2011 October

maui here we come!

10/31/2011 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

Tomorrow morning, at the crack of dawn, we will be waking up two peacefully sleeping boys and taking them to the airport.

(image source)

We are running away to Maui… for a well-earned vacation, and to find the sun!

After one of the worst summer’s for weather that we have ever had in the Pacific Northwest… we need this warmth and sun more than you would believe.

Seriously… I am cold to the center of my bones.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I am still loving this beautiful cold fall weather and looking forward to my favorite season: Winter! (Hello! Christmas!!!)

But… we had better get a good snow-full winter to make up for it, is all I have to say.

Anyways, while we are off enjoying our sun and family time, I will be posting as much as possible.

Probably not everyday, and definitely not many (if any) recipes, but lots of little snippets and ramblings so you can enjoy our trip with us, if you’d like.

Goodness though… I wish you could all come with us! How fun would that be?!

Filed Under: ramblings, travel ·

for your viewing pleasure…

10/30/2011 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

Cuteness beyond belief…

A girl, her dog… and a pumpkin.

You’re welcome.

Filed Under: baby haakon, bjørn, family pics, navy, ramblings ·

[a trick] for thickening soups…

10/29/2011 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

I’ve mentioned this before (in my Cheddar Fondue Soup recipe) but I thought this trick needed its own post for clarification.

My secret for thickening soups (and we like most of our soups thick around here!)…

is Instant Mashed Potatoes!

I buy a big box of these Honest Earth* natural instant mashed potato packets at Costco, and use about 1/4-1/2 of a packet for each batch of soup, depending on how much there is or how thick we want it.

Some soups, like Split Pea & Ham, turn out nice and thick the second day when you reheat them, but sometimes not so thick the first day.

To solve this problem, I sprinkle in a bit of instant mashed potatoes and instantly we’ve got perfect soup!

*Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post. Honest Earth doesn’t know anything about me… I just love their product because #1: it is natural - potatoes, butter and salt, nothing more… and #2: I can buy it at Costco!

Filed Under: ramblings, recipes, recipes - soup, recipes - tips and tricks ·

apple crisp yogurt parfaits

10/28/2011 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

After making my vanilla chai spiced granola the other day, I couldn’t stop thinking about making some yummy fall treats with it.

The beautiful fragrant spices in the granola remind me so much of apple crisp that I decided to combine them into breakfast.

(Not that I don’t just eat apple crisp for breakfast if I have it… because I do!)

This parfait is perfect with homemade applesauce… but you can also use finely chopped fresh apples tossed with brown sugar if you don’t have any applesauce on hand!

Apple Crisp Yogurt Parfaits

Ingredients:
1/4 cup homemade chunky apple sauce
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup chai-spiced granola

Directions:
Layer the ingredients in order in a small dish.

This makes one serving. Adjust accordingly!

Filed Under: recipes, recipes - breakfast, recipes - desserts, recipes - kids, recipes - toddler, recipes - vegetarian ·

vanilla chai-spiced granola

10/27/2011 by Annalise · Leave a Comment

All the wonderful flavors of chai spice in a comforting granola form… absolutely perfect sprinkled over a bowl of yogurt, or snacked on by the handful!

I finally recovered enough from the great pumpkin granola debacle of last month to attempt to make some more.

I was not, however, ready to attempt another pumpkin granola yet. Bad memories and all…

So I switched from pumpkin to one of my other favorite fall treats. Chai!

And boy am I glad I did!! This simple cardamom-vanilla chai granola is perfect for this cold fall weather we’re having!

Vanilla Chai-Spiced Granola Recipe

adapted from Together Table and Bon Appétit

Ingredients:

5 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cardamom

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

pinch of ground cloves

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup honey

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly spray or grease the foil.

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar, salt & spices.

In a small saucepan combine the oil, honey & sugar and heat over medium heat, stirring often, until melted and smooth.

Pour the warm honey mixture over the oats mixture and combine well, using your hands to really get every bit of oats coated.

Spread the mixture out on the greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring every 10 minutes for loose granola and every 20 minutes for bigger clumps, until the granola is golden brown and dry.

Cool completely and then store in tupperware in the cupboard for up to 2 weeks if it lasts that long!