Pumpkin Oatmeal

4 c. water, bring to a boil
Add 2 c. oatmeal, 1 t pumpkin pie spice, 1/4-1/2 c. pumpkin puree and 1/4 c. maple syrup. - cook 5 min
Meanwhile - heat a cast iron skillet on low heat.  Add 2 T butter, 1 t salt and 1 c. pecans - roast 'til fragrant - remove, chop and add desired amount to pumpkin oatmeal.

Enjoy!  We like adding raisins, too!

Food Industry Website

This is a European website however there seems to be a US version as well. Seems like a great resource on relevant food issues:

FoodNavigator.com

Applesauce

I am already finished with applesaucing for the year. I usually spread it out over a few weeks but this year I had a deadline to make. In less than a week my kitchen is going to be ripped out and over the course of a month, put back together. It is exciting for sure but I have no idea how we are going to eat!

Back to applesauce. Making applesauce is a very vivid memory of mine from childhood. I remember the smell and the taste of the sauce as it squished out of my mom's Squeezo Strainer. . It is the same strainer that I have used for the past 4 years to make my own applesauce and create the same memories for my children.

I process 1/2 a bushel of apples at a time that I get as seconds from Lohrs Orchard for $10. The smaller amount makes it manageable for me because I don't have half a day to spend on this project at any given time. I can wash and cut the apples and get them cooking (it takes about 30 minutes to do this step) and then later when they are cooked I can process and can them.

This year I put up 1.5 bushels, 33 qts canned. I hope I do not run out quite so soon as last year but the children LOVE applesauce and I love to bake with it so I don't have high hopes. The first two batches were unmixed one of Gala and one of Golden Delicious. The last was a mix of Golden & Red delicious. Most folks recommend a variety of apples for the best flavor.

If you are looking for step by step in canning your own applesauce the ultimate guide is right here. I'd love to hear about how it goes for you!

In a Pickle

I haven't yet delved into canning pickles. However I did find two great, easy pickle recipes on McCormick's website that are worth sharing. They make small batches of pickles that will last up to 3 months in the refrigerator (if you can resist them that long!)

Asian Refrigerator Pickles

Refrigerator Bread & Butter Pickles

If you were to catch my husband, he would tell you I am not a huge fan of pickles. But I could pull up a bowl of these pickles and just dig in!

Grass Fed vs. Grocery Store

Here is the comparison: http://blogs.villagevoice.com/forkintheroad/2009/11/battle_of_the_d_18.php

Luckily there are plenty of choices if you live here in Harford (or Cecil) County for great grass fed beef. Check out my favorite farms in the side bar. If you are looking for grass fed beef in your neck of the woods try EatWild.com.

Don't be put off by the price either. For the past five years we have been purchasing meat locally in bulk. We buy a quarter of a cow and a half of a pig. The price is much less than buying cuts individually as needed and we make it last for a year eating each meat type only once a week.

Drying Out

I think it is appropriate that amidst all this rain I would test drive the Nesco Professional Food Dehydrator. It is my little 'rage against the moisture' :-) The dehydrator was a birthday gift from my sister in law and although I had been itching for one for a long time, the 'busy'ness of every day just kept me from opening the box.

This morning was definitely one of those, 'Why didn't I do this sooner!?' moments. There was nothing to put together, I simply had to wash the trays in warm soapy water and then the machine was ready to go. Loading it up was equally simple. I decided to try apples for this first go round. I simply cut them into a bowl of orange juice, let them soak for 5 minutes and then lined them up on the trays. The whole process took about 10 minutes. I did it all before walking my son down to the bus stop. Drying took the whole day. Most of the apples were finished after 10 hours with a couple pieces taking twelve.

When I do this again, I am going to use a corer to make the job even simpler and then slice the apples in rings.

I am looking forward to trying watermelon, tomatoes, sage and cranberries next. Oh the possibilities are endless!

Blueberries

It was a perfect day to venture out blueberry picking and the blueberry bushes were heavy with berries at Spring Valley Farm in Cecil County. The berries are $2.65 a pound. We managed to pick 11 lbs in no time with the three little ones 'helping.' Little J was an expert picker whereas we had to guard our bowls from little E's sticky fingers.

The farm also has ripe yellow and white peaches. After picking I made healthy blueberry muffins for snacks later this week and a fresh open face blueberry pie. My favorite!

I will likely freeze the remaining berries and make some jam. I'll probably need to pick one more time to have enough to last us through the winter.