Cheddar Rosemary Biscuits

I have a slight love or maybe addiction for biscuits. Pillowy soft on the inside a slight golden brown crust on the outside and light and fluffy all the way through. Okay, I’ll admit it I know I need help. Tonight I made minestrone soup and I really wanted biscuits but wanted them to have an Italian flavor to them. However, I also wanted cheddar biscuits. It was an internal conflict I would quickly resolve with the creation of a new kind of biscuit.

Cheddar Rosemary Biscuits

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 Tbs baking powder
• 2 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp cream of tartar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter – cubed (cut into cute little squares)
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 Tbs lemon juice
• ½ tsp dry rosemary
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup finely shredded cheese (use the small grates on the cheese grater)

Combine the milk and the lemon juice and let sit. I measure the milk and then put the lemon juice in the cup and let it sit. This is how you “make” buttermilk. I don’t buy buttermilk anymore because I can never seem to use it fast enough. Anyway…

In the bowl of your food processor (if you don’t have one don’t worry, I can walk you through this) put the dry ingredients and the cubed butter. Make sure you have the blade in place first. Pulse everything together until it resembles course crumbs. Pour the mix into a mixing bowl. Add the cheese and mix it in evenly.

Okay if you don’t have a food processor, skip what you read above and just put everything into the mixing bowl.

Cut the butter into the flour mixture by using a pastry blender or two forks.

Make sure everything is well mixed now.

Add the cheese and mix it in evenly.

Then pour in the milk and with a fork gently incorporate it into the dry mixture. Mix just enough to make everything wet and hold together. Do not over work the dough or you will not get light and fluffy.

With a large cookie scoop also called a #20 disher, scoop the dough and put on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. (If you don’t have parchment paper you really should get some, it makes all baked goods cook better on the bottom and the clean up is so easy.)

Make sure you space them apart a bit to account for them rising a spreading a bit. Place them into a 350 degree oven (You did turn it on before you started, right?) allowing them to bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. Check them at 10 minutes to help you gauge how long they need to stay in there. This makes 12 light and fluffy golden pillows of yumminess.

If you want more, this recipe does double easily. Or you can mix everything but the milk mixture ahead of time and put it in the fridge and make them the next day in no time.

Tips for Summer Outings

With the summer heat here I thought it would be appropriate to list 13 things to help with a summer outing. Whether you are just going to the park for an hour or going to an amusement park for the day, these tips should help you survive your day.

1. Bring a sippy or bottle of water for each little one. If you have a newborn and you are going to be out in the sun/heat, it is okay to let them have a tiny bit of water if they are hot or sweating. Tiny meaning no more than an ounce.
2. Bring extra water if you are going to be out for a long period of time.
3. Snacks! It is important to make sure you have food for your munchkins if you are going to be gone around a normal eating period for them. Mini carrots, apple slices, grapes or raisins if your little one can handle them. If they are too small for those whole grain crackers, bananas, or cheese sticks are also good snack choices.
4. Sunscreen. I like Aveeno sunscreen. Remember to ask your doctor about sunscreen on newborns.
5. Hats or sunglasses. Protect their eyes from the sun and hats help shade the face.
6. Something to cover up the seat in the car. I use a neat sheet for the back bench of the mini van and receiving blankets on the 2 car seats in the middle row. If you don't cover the seats they will be too hot and can actually give your baby a burn.
7. If you are doing a lot of walking, don't forget a stroller. And if you like your baby carrier.
8. Diapers and baby wipes. I love baby wipes and use them for so many more things than just changing diapers.
9. A change of clothes is important in case of accidents.
10. Plastic bags to contain messes.
11. Appropriate shoes. If you are walking or playing at the park, tennis shoes are the best shoes. (It really bothers me when I see kids at the park in flip-flops. That is an accident waiting to happen.) If you are going to the creek, water shoes are a must.
12. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke so if your little one becomes over heated, you will know it. Learn what to do too. (I think I will post on this next.)
13. A squirt bottle with water in it. This is good if you know it is really hot and you need to cool down.
    

Pumpkin Pancakes

My son loves pancakes. He would eat them every day if I allowed. However, he is not a fan of produce. So... I put the produce in the pancakes. (genius I know) I have put everything from apples to zucchini in my pancakes. I thought I would share his favorite pancake of all, pumpkin pancakes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

4 1/2 cups flour*
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 TBS baking powder
1 TBS cinnamon
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
3 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
2 TBS melted butter
2 TBS lemon juice
1 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

Combine all of the dry ingredients together.
Dump in all of the wet ingredients on top of the dry ingredients.
Stir until just moistened.
You will see lumps, this is okay just drop the spoon/whisk and walk away.
Resist the urge to stir the lumps out. If you stir too much you will have tough flat pancakes not fit for the dog. You want light and fluffy pancakes fit for your family and friends.
On a barely buttered hot griddle pour 1/3 cups full of batter.
Cook until the edges are set and you see bubbles on the top of your pancakes then flip.
If the batter is too thin, add some flour a little at a time. If the batter is too thick add a little milk. This makes about 16 decent sized pancakes.

*Use any flour you think will taste good here. It can be all-purpose, whole wheat, graham or any combination. The more whole wheat you use, the more milk you may need.

Enjoy!

Laundry Trick

Here is a quick little tip for keeping all the baby socks under control. I use a delicates mesh washing bag to keep them all accounted for as they travel through the wash. Just thought I would pass that on for any mom who is tired of searching for those tiny little socks every time you wash them.

Bath Time

Today was a two-bath day for Baby G and I thought about how much I love our little inflatable bathtub. I bout this one when Vincenzo was almost one and I still have it. The only thing that has worn out on it is a slow leak somewhere on the bottom section of it that makes the cushioning on the bottom - no big deal. It has survived three kids and I am confident will survive the fourth. When we first had Vincenzo, we got a bath seat because everyone said to get one and quickly decided we did not like it because it could easily come unsuctioned to the tub, it was difficult to put him in and take him out, and you could not really clean him in it. A friend suggested getting the inflatable tub and I am so glad I took her advice. It is a perfect fit until they are about two then they are big enough for the big tub on their own. In our last home, I was able to give Baby G a bath in the shower because I had this little tub. I use a showerhead that is on a hose so that it is easy to fill the tub and I keep it on the gentle mist so I can easily rinse her hair also. I have found this to be the easiest way bath a little one. No mess, little fuss and Baby G loves her bath time.

Bath time Checklist

• Inflatable tub
• Heat sensing ducky to make sure the water is not hot
• A couple of toys (no more than 3 at a time)
• Hooded Towel (make sure it is a fluffy, soft, bigger one so baby doesn’t get cold)
• Wash Clothes (I always grab 2)
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Wash (Or you can get the 2 in one, but with curly hair, it does not really work well.)
• Changing station ready with lotion, diaper, and clean clothes.
• A dirty baby - or not so dirty…

My Crockpot - My Personal Chef

I love my crockpot! If you do not have a crock pot - you must get one. I use mine at least once a week on most weeks. It is my personal chef. It slaves away all day for about 8 to 10 hours cooking for my family and friends. All I have to do is "tell" it what I want for dinner. I can throw practically anything into it and get a yummy dinner.

Today, while it cooked our dinner; I cleaned up the house a bit, did a load of laundry, schooled the kids, checked emails, played with the kids, took the kids to the park for PE, and then hung out with friends that came over for dinner. I know I did more today but now I cannot remember. When our friends came over for dinner, all we did was put on the potatoes for mashed potatoes and steamed the veggies. And all day, we had the wonderful smell of dinner. I use my crockpot often when we have friends over, it helps me out tremendously so while they are here I can focus on them and hang out instead of trying to finish up the meal and get stressed.

So would you like to know what was for dinner? Well here it is a very simple dinner.

• 3 - 4 lbs cheap thin cut steak like top round or what ever is on sale. It can be a tougher cut because you will be cooking it all day.
• 1 cup of water
• 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
• 2 envelope packets of Lipton Onion Soup Mix

• First, get your morning coffee. Get your munchkins their breakfast so they aren't upset with you that you are making dinner in the morning when it is breakfast time.

• Second, put a crockpot liner in your crockpot so you don't have that much to clean. (Have you seen these? Very cool plastic liners that are made by Reynolds. I love them, yes they cost a little bit of money but, if you have ever had to scrub the crockpot a few days later because you put it in the garage to get it out of the way and then forgot that is what you did with it, you will understand. - Okay, okay cut me some slack, sometimes I can be very ditsy.)

• Third cut the meat into smaller portion sizes. I cut each one into six smaller pieces but you can go as big or small as you want. Throw them carelessly into the pot. Don't worry you can't hurt their feelings.
  
• You can do this the night before if you remember. Just cut it up and put it in a ziplock baggie in the fridge.
  

• Mix all the other ingredients together and pour it all over the little cuts of meat. Think of it as a long luxurious mud bath for your meat. - Just kidding.
  

• Cover the pot.

• And then, VERY IMPORTANT: PLUG IN THE CROCKPOT AND TURN IT ON TO LOW for 8 hours
  
• If you don't plug it in or forget to turn it on, you will hate yourself in the middle of the day when you realize - it's not cooking. Dinner is not being made and you have to come up with plan B. I hate plan B. It is never as good a plan A.

The meat will be tender and seasoned and yummy. The gravy will be done. No flour or cornstarch to mix in. No constant stirring to make sure the lumps are out. Nope, you have perfect gravy and perfect meat. Then serve that with the mashed potatoes and well need I say more? Oh yeah, and don't forget to eat your veggies.

The Bamboo Skewer - A Great Little Tool

I know that a bamboo skewer isn't normally included on the list of things you need as a mom but in my book it is. Skewers are great multitaskers that I use often. The latest trick I have discovered they are good for is cleaning out the plastic straws in the kids straw sippy cups. I cover one in dish soap, then insert it into the straw. Then I roll the straw against the palm of my hand using the skewer end as a handle to make sure the entire interior is clean and guaranteeing that every part of the straw gets a good scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly and then I'm good to go. I feel so much more comfortable giving the cup to my kids now knowing that the straw isn't harbouring any unseen nastiness.
I also use the skewers to test baked goods when a toothpick is just too short.
I have used them as stakes for plastic wrap tents over desserts.
Of course the expected way - for kabobs of all sorts.
I have used them to reach in spaces that couldn't be reached any other way.
I have used them to poke little holes in cookies and play dough creations.
The list goes on and on.
I just had to share with everyone my new found trick of how to clean a sippycup straw.