Almond Button Cookies Recipe

Heather says: These soft, cake-like almond button cookies are straightforward and not overpoweringly sweet. If you would like, feel free to substitute almond extract for up to half the vanilla. These cookies are simple and nicely complement a cup of coffee as an afternoon or after dinner treat. Almond Button Cookies Recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup …

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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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Would You Eat This?

Dear Home Ec 101, I made some pottage the other day. (Lentil beans, brown rice, leeks, garlic.) It was really good! Last night in some sort of mad crazed binging spree my boyfriend and I were munching on it and somehow left it out all night, uncovered. *sigh* So out, uncovered, for about 10 hours …

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How To Make Beef Stew

Heather says: Growing up, I thought I hated beef stew. I avoided it at all costs. Then came the day I was on complete bed rest during my first pregnancy. I had just gotten out of the hospital, and my ex-husband’s grandparents were kind enough to bring over dinner. Not knowing the depths of my …

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Molasses Cookies Recipe

These molasses cookies are like soft ginger snaps. These are delicious any time of year, but especially good for holiday time. How to round your cookies. These are large cookies, so you will need a wide-mouth ring for mason jars or a small bowl for these. While the cookies are cooling, place the ring over …

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Butter, Margarine, and Shortening a Comparison

Dear Home Ec 101, What is all the hoopla about butter, shortening, and margarine. Does it matter if I substitute one for the other? And lard? Ew! Signed, Baffled Baker Heather says: I’ll address lard at the end. There are many differences between the other three, but I’ll try to keep this short rather than …

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Cookie-a-day: Basic Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Heather says: Shortbread cookies have very few ingredients, so it is important to ensure those used are of high quality. This means no margarine and no imitation vanilla. Shh, I don’t want to hear your arguments. Shortbread Cookie Recipe: 1 cup butter – room temperature 1/2 cup confectioner’s (powdered) sugar 1 tsp vanilla 2 cups …

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