Picnic Amenities

Beautiful surroundings, good food and each others company make for the perfect eating occasion.  A perfect autumn day, even in late October, gave us reason to keep our Sunday picnic streak alive.  Today's menu featured Chili con Carne, Apple Cinnamon Muffins and Cheddar Cheese.  The Chili recipe is our pick for next Saturday's Farmers Market Culinary Demo after which I'll share the recipe.  The muffin recipe is from Made to Be Momma.

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

(12 Muffins)

In mixer bowl with dough hook in place, mix 1 cup flour with sugar and dry yeast.
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 tablespoon sugar
1 pkg yeast

Heat water and milk to 125 F.  Stir in buttery spread.
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup skim milk
2 1/2 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread
Slowly add to dry ingredients in bowl.  Mix at medium speed 2 minutes.  Scrape down sides of bowl.

Add egg and salt.  Mix at medium speed 2 minutes.
1 egg (sit in warm water for 15 minutes)
1/4 teaspoon salt

On low speed with mixer running, slowly add remaining flours, kneading for about 8 minutes and occasionally scraping down sides. 
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

Place dough ball in bowl greased with olive oil spray.  Turn to coat.  Cover and let rise 30 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll dough into a 12 inch rectangle.  

Melt buttery spread.  Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon.  Mix with apples. 
2 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread
3 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 apples, peeled, cored and diced 
Spread filling over dough rectangle to within 3/4 inch from edges.  Roll dough from long end.  Cut into 12 pieces.  Place each piece (with filling showing) into muffin tin greased with olive spray.  Cover and let rise 20 minutes.

Bake at 375 F. for 20 minutes.  Cool in pan 10 minutes, then cool on wire rack.

 I was so happy to find these gorgeous plates at FNCE 2016.  I purchased them from Livliga. They have elegant portion control serviceware.  For picnic purposes, I purchased the side dishes.  I was also please that they donated a beautiful basket of these plates for the Foundation Fund raiser. 

 Our picnic today was at Fort Necessity in Farmington, Pa.  The parks picnic area was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) project under Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration. 
   

Egg All Around Pizza

Frost might be on the pumpkin, but local farm fresh eggs and cheeses are available year round.  I mixed egg whites with "Allegheny Chevre", reserving the deep yellow egg yolk for the center of the pie.  Even my crust has extra calcium and protein as I used yogurt as the "liquid" for the yeast dough.  At the second rising and shaping of the dough, I sprinkled a homemade pesto, followed by the chevre, topping with a local diced fresh tomato, the yolk and a sprinkling of Bella Vita cheese.  Always a winner year round!

Egg All Around Pizza

2-7 inch pizzas (2 1/2 Servings)

Mix flours, salt and yeast.
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon rapid rise yeast

In a mixing bowl with dough hook in place, mix in yogurt.  Beat for 2 minutes.
1/2 cup plain, nonfat yogurt, heated to 125 F.

Add oil and warm water, beating 2 more minutes.
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup warm water (125 F.)

Slowly add remaining flour, beating until dough forms a ball and leaves side of the bowl.
1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Spray dough ball with olive oil spray.  Turn over.  Cover bowl and let rest for 45 minutes.

Divide dough in half.  Grease 2-7 inch pizza pans with olive oil spray.  Press dough ball half into each pan, and press up the sides of the pan.  Primp edges.  Let rest 30 minutes. 

Make pesto by chopping garlic, salad greens an cheese with olive oil in mini food processor.
3 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sprinkle pesto onto crusts.
1/2 cup salad greens, stems removed
2 tablespoon Bella Vita cheese

Mix Allegheny Chevre with egg whites.  Divide and spread over pesto lined crusts.
1/2 cup Allegheny Chevre
2 large egg whites

Garnish with tomato, egg yolks, grated cheese and Mrs. Dash.
1 tomato, diced and drained on paper towels
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoon grated Bella Vita cheese
Sprinkle of Mrs. Dash

Bake at 425 F. for 15 minutes.

 

 


   

Boo-tiful Blackwater

We'll soon be at the end of our picnic season as the chilly weather has arrived!  A warm sausage & white bean pasta with "devilish eggs" and "witch finger" cheese straw comprised our meal today.

The "Spooky Snacks" were inspired by Food Network Magazine.

 "Witch Finger" Cheese Straws

(7 fingers)

Combine water, buttery spread, sugar and salt in a saucepan over medium heat;  bring to a simmer.

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup Earth Balance Buttery Spread

1/4 teaspoon sugar

1/8 teapsoon salt

Add flour and stir until dough forms a ball.  Transfer to the bowl of a mixer.

1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour

Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Transfer to a decorator tube with large round tip.  Pipe 6-inch crooked finger onto parchment-lined baking sheet.

2 eggs

Press slivered almond into end of each.  Sprinkle dough with grated Parmigiano and paprika.

Parmigiano cheese 

Slivered almond

Paprika 

Bake at 400 F. until puffed, about 25 minutes.

 

Italian Sausage & White Bean Pasta 

 (Serves 4)  

Cook pasta in water until al dente.  Drain, reserved some of pasta water.

3/4 cup dry pasta

Cook beans in water until soft.  (I use my counter-top pressure cooker and cook 45 minutes.  Drain.

1/4 cup dry beans

2 cups water

Saute vegetables in olive oil 3-5 minutes.

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1/3 cup sweet pepper, diced

1/4 cup fennel, diced

1/4 cup celery, diced

1/4 cup onion, diced

Add sausage.  Break into small pieces.  Brown.

4 ounce Italian sausage

Add broth.  Bring to a boil;  lower heat to simmer.

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth (can use pasta water with 1/2 "Not Chicken" low sodium vegetable cube

Stir in tomato, greens and oregano.

1/2 large diced tomato

1 cup fresh greens, snipped

1/4 cup fresh snipped oregano

The next day (for 2 servings), heat chicken broth in saucepan.  Stir in other ingredients and heat to 165 F.  Pour into preheated thermos.  (I preheat mine be filling with boiling water, then emptying before adding soup).

1 cup low sodium chicken broth 

Our picnic today was at Blackwater Falls, a West Virginia State Park.

We found a beautiful spot to set our table:

 

 Have a beautiful week!

 

  

Bakin' Up Butternut

Beyond autumn soup, this sweet winter squash-the butternut-is perfect in baked goods.  The creamy flesh, when roasted and pureed, looks very much like pumpkin. And like pumpkin, butternut squash is rich in Vitamin A.  This recipe was inspired by Clean Eating.

Butterscotch Squash Coffee Cake

(Serves 16)

Glaze

In saucepan over medium heat, melt buttery spread.  Add milk, syrup, squash puree and extract.  Simmer until thick, whisking occasionally.  Cool.

6 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread

3/4 cup evaporated skim milk

3 tablespoon maple syrup

1 1/2 tablespoon butternut squash puree

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Cake

Mix dry ingredients:  flour, flaxseed, spices, baking powder and baking soda.  Stir in nuts.

2 cups spelt flour

3 tablespoon flaxseed meal

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped pecans

With electric mixer, beat squash, oils, syrup, coffee, vinegar, ginger, vanilla and water until coffee is mixed. Fold into dry ingredients.

1 1/4 cups butternut squash puree

1/4 cup Canola Oil

1/4 cup Olive Oil

5 tablespoon maple syrup

3 tablespoon instant coffee granules

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger

2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup water

Spoon batter into Bundt pan greased with olive oil spray.  Bake at 350 F. for 30 minutes.  Cool on wire rack in pan.

When cake is cool, invert and remove from pan.  Pour 1/2 of glaze over cake.  Sprinkle with flaxseed meal.  Pour rest of glaze over cake.

1/2 teaspoon flaxseed meal

I also made a marbled "pound cake" with butternut squash puree in both the cocoa layer and orange layer.  Remembering that I had an early morning appointment and unable to properly cool the cake, the result was a somewhat dense product.  I sliced it and froze individual pieces.  Now I'm loving a heated piece of this "cake" with almond butter.  I'll have to try something similar again!

Reaping Harvest Stars with this Pasta & Pesto

Sun-dried tomato pesto with almonds, corn cut off the cob and sweet red peppers adorn this handmade farfalline pasta.  Mine has a local aged goat cheese-Bella Vita-now sold out till spring when the aging process nears 9 months-which makes this dinner even more special.  The recipe is from Rachael Ray.   

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto 

(Serves 3)

Pour 1/3 cup boiling water over sun-dried tomatoes.  Soak for 10 minutes.
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)


Combine drained tomatoes, almonds, basil, garlic and cheese in a mini food processor.  Process until finely chopped, adding some of the tomato soaking water if necessary.
1/4 cup toasted almonds
2 tablespoon fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup parmigiano type cheese, grated

1 ear of corn, cooked and cut off the cob

Saute celery, shallots, peppers and mushrooms in oil for 3-5 minutes.
1/4 cup celery, diced
2 tablespoon shallots, diced
1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
1 teaspoon olive oil
Stir in corn.

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain, reserving a small amount of water.
1 1/2 cup farfalline pasta 

Combine sauteed vegetables with corn, pesto and pasta.  Add some of the pasta water as needed.

 
    

Picnic Under a Canopy of Color

The autumn lentil blend in the vegetable soup and the layered frittata muffins made for a colorful meal to match the beautiful "canopy of color" we sound in our picnic spot.  The soup recipe is from Food Network Magazine.   

Curried Lentil Soup

(Serves 4)

Saute shallots, celery, carrots and peppers in olive oil for 5 minutes.
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoon shallots, minced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/4 cup carrots, diced
2 tablespoon sweet peppers, diced

Add garlic, ginger, curry and paste. 
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon tomato paste


Add water, bouillon and lentils.  Bring to a boil.  Cover.  Lower heat to simmer and simmer 25 minutes.
3/4 cup autumn lentil blend (red, black & green lentils)
3 1/2 cups water
1 low sodium vegetable bouillon cube (non GMO-gluten free)

Stir in greens and cook until wilted.
3 cups spinach-green blend, stems removed

The frittata muffin has 2 layers-the bottom layer an egg rich blend-the top layer a whole grain muffin blend.  I loved that I was able to add the local corn, fresh off the cob!  The recipe is from Clean Eating.

Cornbread Frittata Muffins

(6 Muffins)

Bottom layer
Saute shallots, squash and garlic in olive oil 3 minutes.  Divide in half-save 1/2 for later!
2 tablespoon shallots, diced
1/3 cup yellow squash, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil

Stir in eggs, seasoning and corn.  Portion (heaping 2 tablespoon each) into muffin pan greased with olive oil spray.
3 eggs,
1/4 teaspoon Mrs. Dash
1/4 cup corn, cut off he cob
Bake at 375 F. for 10 minutes.

Top layer
Mix dry ingredients, flours, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2 tablespoon spelt flour
2 tablespoon whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup whole grain cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt

Stir in remaining sauteed vegetable mix and corn.
Remaining sauteed celery, shallot, pepper blend.
1/4 cup corn, cut off the cob

Mix remaining egg, milk, lemon juice, melted buttery spread and syrup.
1 egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup skim milk
2 tablespoon Earth Balance Buttery Spread
1 tablespoon maple syrup

Fold dry ingredients into liquid.  Portion (heaping 2 tablespoon each) onto partially cooked bottom layer of muffin pan.  Return to oven and bake 14 minutes.

Our picnic today was at Ohiopyle, a Pennsylvania State Park.  The leaves are not at peak, but the park couldn't have been prettier.  We found a spot in the "Cucumber Falls" picnic area about a mile in by the creek.

  This park if just under 50 miles from our West Virginia home.

 

  


    

Sweet & "Creamy" Kabocha Squash Soup

This delicious squash soup requires no "cream".  I roasted the cut, unpeeled pieces in the oven-then peeled.  I added the pieces to sauteed celery, onion and garlic with spices along with low sodium vegetable broth and simmered shortly.  Blended and topped with roasted seeds made for a delicious brunch with my homemade pita bread. The recipe is from Elise Bauer.   

Kabocha Squash Soup

Makes 6 1/2 Cups

Carefully cut squash, removing pulp and seeds.  (Reserve the seeds for roasting)
Spray unpeeled squash pieces with olive oil spray.  Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash.  Roast (peeled side up) in 400 F. oven for 45 minutes.  Cool slightly. 
1-10 inch round kabocha, pulp and seeds removed, cut in 4 inch pieces
Olive oil spray
Mrs. Dash

Saute onion, celery and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes.
2 tablespoon onion, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
2 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil

Sprinkle in seasoning.  Saute 2 minutes.
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
1 1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 tsp coriander

Add vegetable broth and Mrs. Dash.
4 cups low sodium vegetable broth 
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash

Peel squash pieces and add to pot.  Bring to a boil.  Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Carefully place soup in a blender and puree.

Serve with roasted seeds.

Roasted seeds (garnish)

Thanks to my farmers market friend, Sudawan Richardson, for the challenge!   

Autumn Picnic Meant for Loafing

Who doesn't like a good meatloaf sandwich, and this turkey vegetable meatloaf wasn't just any meatloaf!  Accompanied by potato salad, warm applesauce and onion rye bread, this picnic meal made with local foods was a good one!  The meatloaf recipe was inspired by Eating Well.

Turkey Vegetable Meatloaf

(Serves 7)

Saute onion, pepper, celery and sweet potato for 3 minutes.
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoon onion, diced
1 small sweet pepper, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
1/3 cup sweet potato, diced

Add zucchini and garlic.  Saute 3 more minutes.
1 small zucchini, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Remove from heat.

Combine turkey, corn, Mrs. Dash, milk, wheat germ, herbs and ketchup.
1 pound ground turkey
1 ear of corn, cut off the cob
1/2 teaspoon Mrs. Dash
1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 tablespoon ketchup, without high fructose corn syrup
Add sauteed vegetables.

Shape into leaves.  Place into pans greased with olive oil spray.  Bake at 350F. for about 40 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165F.
 
Sauce for 4 servings:
Mix ketchup, mustard and brown sugar.  Brush on outside of loaves.
1 tablespoon ketchup, without high fructose corn syrup
1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
1 teaspoon brown sugar 

Our picnic today was at Teter Creek Wildlife Management Area between Philippi and Belington, West Virginia.  This is one of those places we wanted to visit in the fall, but there just aren't enough weekends in the season.  In 2016, we have picnicked almost 25 times!

 
   

Sharing Culinary Goodness with Local Foods

Farmers market meats and produce are at the peak of freshness.  You won't find anything as good at the grocery store!  It's been so much fun conducting culinary demos at our local farmers market.  Today we were promoting fresh turkeys from the Working H Farms.
The Hardesty family is taking orders for Thanksgiving Turkeys.  They'll process the cage free birds on Monday and deliver them to the market on Tuesday evening in time for Thanksgiving Day meal preparation.  For today's demo, we gave samples of turkey tenderloins that were roasted yesterday.

Earlier in the week, I gathered autumn produce from several of the market vendors to make a vegetables soup.  Kohlrabi, butternut and acorn squash, sweet and red potatoes, carrots, pinto beans and more went into the autumn soup with some coriander, cumin and cinnamon seasonings.  The wonderful aroma of the hot soup certainly drew in the crowd.

The recipe was inspired by Del Sroufe in his "Forks Over Knives" Cookbook.

We were delighted to have two dietetic students from WVU join us today.  Their professor encourages community service. . . and what a great place this is to achieve that!

Sharing recipes made with foods from the farmers market encourages people to go home and try the nutrients dense recipes, made at the peak of freshness with local foods.