Sleepy, Sleepy All the Time

Dear Home Ec 101, I’m pregnant with my second child. If I could I would sleep until noon and nap after lunch, too. I know I need some sort of routine for when the baby arrives. Any advice? ~Yawning in Yemassee Heathers says: First of all, take heart, part of your problem is simply being …

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Not Quite Cookie-a-day

Heather says: I had some company arrive unexpectedly and have been playing hostess all day.  So instead of a cookie, today I am sharing a recipe for caramels from Home Eccer DivaKitty.  The recipe looks divine.  Deadly Caramels* 2 cups butter (1lb) 2 lbs dark brown sugar (1 sack)2 14-oz cans sweetened condensed milk 2 …

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Pseudo Shepherds Pie Recipe

Heather.jpgHeather says:

Traditional Shepherd’s pie contains lamb, gravy, and vegetables, covered with mashed potatoes. Its close cousin cottage pie contains beef. This version substitutes vegetable stock for the broth used to make the gravy and contains kidney beans to provide protein. As the mashed potatoes contain milk and are topped with cheese, this one dish* meal is suitable for lacto-ovo vegetarians. If you are opposed to alcohol, just use an additional 1/2 cup of stock.

*It ends up in one dish but takes several to cook.

Pseudo Shepherds Pie Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic – minced or pressed
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 ribs of celery, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms – sliced
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or substitute an additional 1/2 cup of stock)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 cups or 1 can kidney beans (fully cooked)
  • 1/2 cup frozen vegetables (use whatever you have on hand: corn, green beans, peas)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pepper to taste
  • 4 potatoes – peeled, and cut into 1″ cubes
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 oz of cheddar cheese

Directions after the jump.

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Gingersnaps Recipe

This recipe makes cookies that are a nice balance between crispy and chewy. If you like your ‘snaps to have a sharp bite add a little crystallized ginger and even a pinch of cayenne pepper. This version is kid-friendly but is a great base recipe for experimenting to find your favorite flavor combinations to make …

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Self-Rising Flour Substitute

Dear Home Ec 101, Crap girls. I can’t figure out which is better between self-rising and all-purpose. Signed, ~Flummuxed by Flour  Heather says: Self-rising flour is nothing more than flour with a little salt and baking soda already included.  For every cup of flour mix in: 1 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt Self-rising …

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Cookie-a-day: Peanut Butter Balls

Heather says: These are quite simple, but if you are planning on giving a variety of cookies as gifts, these round out the selection nicely. Peanut Butter Balls Ingredients: 2 sticks of butter – melted 1 lb powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 1/2 cups peanut butter Mix sugar …

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What is Pastry Flour

Dear Home Ec 101: What’s the difference between pastry flour and regular flour? I came across this– and looks like it’d be easy enough to do gluten free if I can just figure out which grain would best cross over to pastry flour. ~Wheatless in Wilshire Heather says: Supermarkets often carry four kinds of white …

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Stupid Questions: Holiday Edition

Kathy T is back with more Stupid Questions™. This time, it’s a holiday edition. The tree is in my attic. Gathering dust. It’s an artificial 6- or 7-footer. What’s the best way to clean it before spreading the dust throughout my house? Heather – There are several methods you could try, depending on how dusty …

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