Marshmallow Fondant

Marshmallow fondant is a great alternative for cake decorating.

It is fun to use and easy to make.  Not to mention that it is extremely yummy!

This is not so much of a recipe as it is a method.  No measuring required.

Marshmallow Fondant

Photo from Clockwork Lemon

marshmallows (large or small)

powdered sugar

food coloring

Place a few handfuls of marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl (3-4 handfuls of small marshmallows frosted a double layer 9" cake).

Microwave in 10-30 second intervals until they are easy to stir.

Separate marshmallows into different bowls if you are going to be making different colors.

To each bowl, add food coloring - You want to make it darker than the color you want it to turn out like, since you will be adding powdered sugar.

Pour marshmallow mix into a mixer bowl and attach the kneading blade.

Add powdered sugar to the bowl and knead until fondant is no longer sticking to blade and bowl.

Transfer to counter onto wax paper.

Add more powdered sugar and knead until fondant is no longer sticking to your fingers and hands, and is stiff enough to roll out.

Can be stored in an airtight container for months until ready to use (do not refrigerate).

To frost cake:

Put a thin layer of icing on cake to help fondant adhere to it.

Roll out fondant and layer over icing.

Smooth out with fingers.

Italian Seasoned Bottled Tomatoes

These are fabulous tasting tomatoes that add great flavor to practically any dish!  I particularly like this recipe because it has limited juice/liquid, which results in a more concentrated and enriched tomato flavor.  Petite dicing the tomatoes does result in using more tomatoes per jar, but the outcome is well worth it!

Italian Seasoned Bottled Tomatoes

Menu Managed Original

Tomatoes

vinegar

kosher or canning salt

minced garlic

seasoned tomato spice blend (below)

Spice Blend

6 Tbsp. dried basil

3 Tbsp. dried thyme

3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. dried oregano

2 Tbsp. dried rosemary

2 Tbsp. dried sage

Blanch tomatoes and remove stems and skins.

Petite dice tomatoes and place in a large colander over a bowl to catch all of the juice.

In sterilized jars, using a slotted spoon, add tomatoes half way up the jar.

To each quart sized jar add:

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

1 Tbsp. spice belnd

1 tsp. kosher or canning salt

1 Tbsp. vinegar

Spoon in additional tomatoes.

Gently shake the jar to compact tomatoes, and spoon in more to within 1" headspace.

Ladle in tomato juice (from the bowl under the colander), to within 1" headspace.

Remove air bubbles.

Wipe bottle rim clean.

Screw on lids and bands to fingertip tight.

Continue filling other jars.

Due to the size of the tomato chunks, and to the limited amount of juice (and the fact that you are using tomato juice instead of water), processing time must be increased to ensure that heat fully penetrates to the center.   

Process in a pressure canner at 13 lbs. (Utah elevation) for 25 minutes.

Tomatoes and liquid will seperate during processing - this is normal.

Once cooled, simply shake the jar to stir contents together.

Because this is a cold pack method (no cooking before putting tomatoes in jars), the tomatoes will shrink slightly, resulting in the larger headspace.

Quinoa and Cheese {with Brocolli}

Just like the average Mac and Cheese, this recipe swaps out the noodles in replace of quinoa.  Chopped brocolli makes it the perfect side dish, and a thin layer of panko bread crumbs adds a slight crunch.

We all loved it, including my 3 and 6 year old boys.

Quinoa and Cheese {with Broccoli}

Recipe modified and photo from Around The Table

1 c. quinoa, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 c. water

1 chicken bouillon

1 1/2 c. chopped broccoli

salt and pepper to taste

2 cloves garlic

2/3 c. milk

1 egg

1 c. grated cheddar cheese

1 c. grated pepperjack cheese

Pando bread crumbs

Bring water and bouillon to a boil.

Add quinoa and cover.

Simmer for 15 minutes over low heat.

Add broccoli to the top of quinoa, cover again and continue to simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 5 minutes more.

Meanwhile, whisk egg and milk together and grate the cheeses.

Remove pan from heat.

Stir broccoli into quinoa and add salt and pepper to taste.

Add egg/milk mixture and cheese to pan and stir until cheese is just melted.

Transfer to a greased 8 or 9" square baking pan.

Top with a thin layer of panko bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, until crumbs are just golden.

Bottled Mango Peach Salsa

This delicious summer salsa can now be enjoyed all year!

Mango Peach Salsa - Bottled

Recipe adapted from Ball Book of Home Preserving

6 c. chopped tomatoes

3 c. chopped peaches

3 c. chopped mango's

1 bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 1/2 c. chopped red onion

4 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped

2 c. loosely packed finely chopped cilantro

1/2 c. honey

1 Tbsp. lime juice

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar

Blanch tomatoes to easily remove skins.

Chop tomatoes and place into a colander to drain.

Meanwhile, chop the bell pepper, onion, jalapenos and place in a large pot.

Chop cilantro and set aside.

Combine honey, lime juice and vinegars and set aside.

Chop the mango's and peaches and add to the pot.

Immediately measure out the strained tomatoes and add to pot.

Over medium-high heat, bring salsa mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.

Add cilantro and liquid ingredients.

Reduce heat and boil gently, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Ladle hot salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/2" headspace.

Remove air bubbles and wipe the rim of jars clean.

Screw band down on lid to fingertip-tight.

Process in steamer or waterbath canner for 10 minutes (half-pints), or 15 minutes (pints).
Remember to adjust for altitude.

Makes ~7 pints.

Steak and Cheese Sandwiches

These sandwiches are quick and easy and taste fabulous.  We served ours on mini homemade french bread loaves.

Steak and Cheese Sandwiches

Recipe modified from SkinnyTaste

1/2 lb. thin cut beef round steak

1/2 tsp. olive oil

garlic powder to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1 large bell pepper, sliced

1 large onion, carmelized

Provolone cheese

French Bread or Baguettes

In a large skillet heat olive oil

Season steak with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Cook in skillet until just done and transfer to cutting board.

Let steak rest for 5 minutes before slicing against the grain into strips.

Meanwhile, add carmelized onions and peppers to skillet and heat through.

Return steak strips to skillet and stir to combine.

Top each bread half with steak mixture and sliced cheese.

Place under broiler until cheese melts.

Bottled Pizza/Pasta Sauce

This is an excellent way to use up all of those tomatoes from the garden.  I particularly love this recipe because it has a lot of other veggies included, and still has a great taste.  We use ours primarily for pizza sauce, but it is also a great substitute for any marinara or spaghetti sauce for recipes.

If you don't have a pressure canner, this also freezes very well.

Bottled Pizza/Pasta Sauce

Menu Managed Original

20-25 slicing tomatoes

1 zucchini

1 1/2 onions

1 bell pepper (preferably red, orange or yellow)

4 carrots
1-2 stalks celery

2-3 jalapeno's, seeds and ribs included

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. kosher salt

1 Tbsp. pepper

2 Tbsp. parsley flakes

4 Tbsp. minced garlic cloves

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. celery seed

2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

2 c. fresh basil leaves (or 2 Tbsp. dried)
1 large handful cilantro, chopped

2 cans tomato paste (optional)

balsamic vinegar

Blanch and peel tomatoes.

Chop tomatoes and drop into a large colander.

Let sit for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, to remove juice.

Meanwhile, chop remaining vegetables into large chunks.

Put tomatoes and veggies in a large pot and turn to medium-high heat.

Add seasonings and cider vinegar.

Bring to a boil and boil, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

With an immersion blender, blend everything until desired consistency - we like ours smooth (if you want a chunky sauce, you can use a potato masher).

Let simmer, uncovered, until sauce reduces to your desired thickness - at least 2 hours.

The longer you let it simmer, the thicker it will become.

Add tomato paste (optional), for an even thicker sauce.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Add balsamic vinegar to hot pint or quart sized mason jars (1/2 tsp. for each pint, 1 tsp. for each quart).

Ladle hot sauce into hot jars, leaving 1" headspace.
Remove air bubbles with a rubber spatula or knife.

Wipe rims clean and put on lids and screw bands, fingertip tight.

Process in pressure canner at 13 lbs. (Utah elevation); 15 minutes for pint jars, 20 for quarts.

Allow canner to release pressure naturally.

Remove from canner and place on towel to cool, tightening lids with hot pads.

Yields: ~14 cups (7 pints, or 3 1/2 quarts)
One pint jar makes enough sauce for 2 pizza's.

**If freezing:

Once sauce has reached your desired thickness, simply let it cool, place in freezer containers or bags, and freeze.

Coconut Crispy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I dont make cookies very often; mostly because I end up being the only one to eat them.

Still, I have a plethora of 'recipes to try' in the cookie department.

But then I noticed these on pinterest, and they immediately jumped to the top of the list.

I even made them the next day (which is saying a lot).

I have thought about them ever since (which is saying even more).

They are delicious.  Enough said.

Coconut Crispy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Recipe modified and Photo courtesy of Marta Writes

2 1/4 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 rounded tsp. salt

2 sticks butter, softened

1 1/4 c. brown sugar

2/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

2 1/4 c. rice krispies

1 3/4 c. chocolate chunks (or large chocolate chips)

1 3/4 c. sweetened coconut flakes

Beat butter and sugars until fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add dry ingredients and vanilla, until just mixed in.

Mix in rice krispies, chocolate chunks and coconut just until well dispersed.

Roll into balls (ping pong size), and place on greased cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.

Transfer to wire racks after 1-2 minutes.