Knitting Machine

I am a knitting machine... no, wait... I have a knitting machine! Woo hoo! This machine, a 1950-60's KnitKing AM3 was owned by a gentleman who's wife had passed away and he didn't want to store it anymore. He tried to give it to the local museum, but they already have one. He dropped it off at the local fabric store and said that he wanted it to go to a home where it would get used. I know the owner of the fabric store pretty well, so she gave me a call.
Wow, I have wanted one of these for a long time, but they have been out of my price range.
It didn't come with a manual, but I managed to find on online. I also found some great instructional videos on YouTube.com. Diana Sullivan is just one of those wonderful teachers who posts her videos. The machine itself is a little greasy, but in good condition.
Now, to try it out...
I will try to show off my creations in future posts. ;)

Doughnuts Extraodinaire!

A friend posted her family recipe for doughnuts. I haven't tried them, but I'm inclined to believe they would be really, really good!
Her blog is carolynnsrecipebox.blogspot.com
Here is the doughnut recipe.
ENJOY!

Chocolate Chip Goodness!

My husband has been expressing his concern (complaining) that we don't have cookies in the house that he likes. So, I have taken on a project... modifying my mom's chocolate chip cookie recipe. In my first attempt, they were too crumbly and too sweet. So, I will keep you updated on the progress. On the bright side, when frozen, the cookies were edible and not too bad.

What to do about soy sauce?!

Soy sauce can be a troublesome thing. The sauces that I usually buy have preservatives and gluten in them. As well, I don't really like the taste. So, what to buy or make to replace this?
Well, I did a little research and found a blog written by Kimberly Harris who cares about good-tasting, quality food, www.thenourishinggourmet.com. She talks about her experience with soy sauce and how she overcame her aversion to it.

Now, I have found a recipe to make my own soy sauce alternative. So, here it is...

Soy Sauce Alternative 

 An easy and tasty alternative to Soy Sauce.

Ingredients:

8 oz molasses
3 oz. balsamic vinegar
sugar to taste (you can replace with unpasteurized honey or 100% maple syrup)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together.

Summer's Here!

Every kid loves freezies, popsicles, and ice cream. Who can resist, really? Well, my kids can't have the sugar that is in these things. Ah, it is so hard to tell them that, no, they can't have what their friends are having. But, I have since realized that there are so many other options available to them, if I make it myself. For instance, with my Tupperware popsicle molds, I can make pretty much any flavor of popsicle I want.

Frozen Delight

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) plain yogurt
1 banana, sliced
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
1 cup (250 ml) 100% pure fruit juice
    (orange, peach, pineapple, grape)
To assemble:
7 or 8 paper cups
    (approx. 4 oz. each)
7 or 8 plastic spoons or wooden sticks OR
popsicle mold

Directions:

1. Put the yogurt, banana, vanilla, and juice in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour liquid into small paper cups or mold.
3. Place filled cups or mold into the freezer.
4. If using cups, when the yogurt mixture is half frozen, place a spoon or stick in each cup.
5. Return the cups to the freezer and freeze until firm. This will take about 4 to 5 hours.
6. To serve, turn cups or mold upside down and run warm water over them until the frozen treats slip out.

Tips:

For more flavor, add small chunks of fresh, canned or frozen fruit.

Indonesian Barbecue Sauce

The coconut makes this a sweet sauce.

Ingredients:

4 oz / 100g coconut, fresh or desiccated
1 onion
¼ pint / 140 ml milk
½ tsp / 1g chili powder (to taste)
1 juice of one lemon

Directions:

Finely chop the coconut and onion

Mix all the ingredients together and cook very gently until the onion is soft. This sauce can also be served without cooking.

Fudge Brownies

 

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/2 cup corn margarine
1/2 cup uncooked Cream of Rice hot cereal
1 egg 

1 teaspoon GF vanilla
1 cup sugar or 3/4 cup raw honey
3 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon GF baking powder
1/4 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a medium saucepan, heat the water and margarine to a boil. Sprinkle in the cereal and cook for 1 minute. 
Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let it sit for 4 minutes. Stir in the egg or egg product and vanilla.
       
In a medium bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa, and baking powder. Stir in the cereal mixture until well blended. Stir in the nuts, if desired.
       
Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 8 x 8 x 2 inch baking pan.
       
Bake for 40-50 minutes.
       
Cool and cut into 2-inch squares (This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 inch pan.).