When I see the first snow falling, it brings a sense of relaxation. There is something tranquil about big white flakes drifting to the ground. This weather gives adults permission to curl up in a warm blanket and enjoy a movie or book.
For kids, it is a time of excitement because it means Christmas is getting nearer. It is also a time of playfulness because they cannot wait to throw the snow in the air and let it fall down all over them, or catch the flakes on their tongues or make a snow angel.
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It also is a time when I like to bake cookies or casseroles or have something simmering to fill the house with aromas of warm spicy meals.
When I am cooking these recipes it forces me to clean out the fridge and take stock of what is lurking in the shelves. And it brings out the “do not waste” that we have all been taught.
For example, I found four half-used jars of salsa. How come the amount of chips never matches the amount of salsa? I couldn’t throw them out. I also found a bag of apples that had not even been opened. Here are some recipes to help use up the leftovers.
Slow cooker taco soup
Try this recipe from Company’s Coming Soups cookbook. This publication takes a thorough look at this popular dish, offering more than 100 all-new recipes in addition to guidance on preparing, serving and adjusting recipes to fit low-fat or sodium diets.
Our readers always comment on how well our soup recipes go over, and want to see more, especially this time of year.
1 lb. lean ground beef 500 g
6 cups beef stock 1.5 L
1 can (19 oz.) kidney 540 mL
beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups chopped red 500 mL
onion
1 can (14 oz.) diced 398 mL
tomatoes (with juice)
11/2 cups chopped 375 mL
celery
11/2 cups grated carrot 375 mL
1 cup chopped green 250 mL
pepper
1 cup salsa 250 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
brown sugar,
packed
1 teaspoon 5 mL
dried basil
1 tablespoon 15 mL
chopped fresh
parsley (or 3/4
teaspoon/4 mL
dried)
1/2 cup sour 125 mL
cream
1/2 cup grated 125 mL
Monterey Jack cheese
Fry beef in large frying pan on medium for about 10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain well. Transfer to a five to seven quart (five to seven litre) slow cooker.
Add next 10 ingredients. Stir. Cook, covered, on low for eight to 10 hours or on high for four to five hours until vegetables are tender. Add parsley. Stir.
Spoon sour cream and sprinkle cheese on individual servings. Makes about 14 cups (3.5 L).
Taco chicken packets
4 boneless, skinless chicken
breasts
4 teaspoons taco mix 20 mL
seasoning
2 cups thinly sliced 500 mL
peeled potatoes
1 cup shredded 250 mL
cheese
1/2 cup salsa 125 mL
1/4 cup sour cream 60 mL
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Sprinkle chicken evenly with seasoning mix. Place 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the potatoes on centre of each of four large sheets of heavy-duty foil; top each with one chicken breast, 1/4 cup (60 mL) of the
cheese and two tablespoons
(30 mL) of the salsa.
Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and both ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place in single layer in baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender. Remove packets from oven. Let stand five minutes. Place one packet on each of four dinner plates. Cut slits in foil with sharp knife to release steam before opening.
Top each serving with one tablespoon (15 mL) of sour cream. Source: Kraft Kitchen.
Apple cake
Try this dessert that uses up leftover apples. I found this recipe in Taste of Home magazine.
The original recipe was award winning, and sent in by Debi Benson of Bakersfield, California. I adapted it to suit my taste.
1/2 cup butter, softened 125 mL
2 cups sugar 500 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 mL
extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose 500 mL
flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon 10 mL
1 teaspoon ground 5 mL
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt 2 mL
1/2 teaspoon baking 2 mL
soda
6 cups chopped, 1.5 L
peeled apples
Sauce:
1/2 cup packed brown 125 mL
sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed 60 mL
1/2 cup whipping cream 125 mL
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in apples until well combined.
Spread into a greased 13 x 9 inch (33 x 22 cm) baking dish. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 40-45 minutes or until top is lightly browned and springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted. Gradually add cream. Bring to a slow boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Serve with cake.
Yield: 12-14 servings.
Energy saving ideas
- Install and use a programmable thermostat.
- Check your furnace filter once a month and change or clean it when it is dirty.
- Inspect your home for the condition and amount of insulation.
- See that your attic access hatch is insulated and weather-stripped.
- Regular maintenance of your hot water heater is necessary. Partial draining, done periodically, will help remove sediment.
- Substantial savings will be realized if your heated garage is insulated and weather-stripped. Also, consider keeping the garage heater at a low temperature setting.
- Replace regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or halogen bulbs. They last much longer than incandescent bulbs and use substantially less energy to operate.
For information on using natural gas safely, visit home safety and outdoor safety at www.atcogas.ca.
Memorable gifts contest
The giving and receiving of gifts can occur any time of the year but Christmas is the season that we most often associate with gifts.
In planning for our annual Christmas contest we thought it would be fun to reflect on some of the most memorable gifts that we have received. We encourage our readers to do the same. We invite you to send in your stories of your most memorable gift.
Traditionally, in this column we have had a Christmas cookbook draw. This year we are offering as prizes a metal cooler and 10 beverage vacuum containers, all donated by the Western Producer.
Dorothy Long of Canolainfo has also donated canola made soaps and spa kits, and canola cookbooks.
We invite you to send us your reflections along with your name and address to “Memorable Gifts” c/o TEAM Resources, Western Producer, Box 2500, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2C4 or e-mail to team@producer.com.
The draws will be made on Dec. 4. We will be sharing some of your stories in our December columns.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
