Special request: Ribs

 We've all been sick for weeks now, so to cheer us up, I've started taking special requests.  Mr. T asked for ribs.  He is such a little man!  My favourite recipe for ribs is Hubby's Kentucky style ribs done on the barbecue.  I, however, am also sick, so I could not commit myself to such an undertaking.  I decided on an easier, fail safe option: the slow cooker.  I tried a new recipe from Canadian Living : http://www.canadianliving.com/food/fall_off_the_bone_ribs_in_barbecue_sauce.php

I have made ribs in the slow cooker before, but knew that I could do better.  I liked this recipe because it included an overnight dry rub and broiling in the oven, before going into the slow cooker.  Also, I liked how it wasn't drowning in sauce because Mr. T is not a sauce loving guy.

The ribs going into the slow cooker.  The magic will happen while we are out at after school art class.

After six hours on high in the slow cooker.

 The feast awaits!  Boiled baby potatoes and baked beans to accompany the fall-off-the-bone ribs.

 A close up of the ribs - I just couldn't resist this close-up!

 A Halloween inspired creation!

One happy, though sick, foodie!
I loved this meal because, though it required a bit off effort in planning, it was pretty easy to prepare and the results were amazing.  I  put the ribs into the slow cooker in the afternoon and the meal was perfectly ready when we came home after a long Friday.  I think that I will make Friday my slow cooker day from now on.  We have an activity smack in the middle of the dinner hour and by the end of the week, it is just too easy to do take-out. 
I recommend you try this- it's good enough for company, too!

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

I made these the other day for a baking exchange.  Our theme was autum, but I think everyone used pumpkin in their baking!  I considered making an applesauce cake that is super moist and yummy, but wanted to try something new and different.  The recipe I went with was from Canadian Living- I don't love the magazine but their website is pretty good!  I actually used two recipes this week from them. 

Here is the link for the recipe:
http://www.canadianliving.com/food/quick_and_easy/pumpkin_cupcakes_with_cream_cheese_icing.php  

I used more cinnamon in mine and switched to light cream cheese to make things a tiny bit healthier! I also decorated them a bit differently.

I just picked up new baking soda and baking powder and it made a huge difference in how well these muffins rose in the oven.

The kids and Hubby were fighting over the beaters!  Next time I will add a dash of cinnamon and orange liquer to the frosting.

 Frosted cupcakes waiting for delivery.

The final touch to make them more festive!  These were so good that I am going to make them again for school snacks without the frosting.  Maybe I'll add some chocolate chips to make them more fun, but they were so moist and rich tasting that they don't need anythign extra done to them.

The Sick Days of Autumn

Flu season has just started and we're already crazy sick. That means only comfort food for us this week. After a tough night with Little D who had a fever and upset tummy, it was time to call in the soothing powers of oatmeal. He loves it, but we're still working on Mr. T...

Apple and Cinnamon Oatmeal

2 cups water
1 cup large flake oatmeal
1/2 apple, grated
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
maple syrup to taste
golden raisins to taste
milk
(I also sneak in a teaspoon of ground flax, ground chia and wheatgerm when no one is looking.)

Cook the oatmeal with the grated apple.  Add cinnamon and vanilla to the pot.  Spoon into bowls and top with raisins, maple syrup (the boys like to see how much I put on) and milk.

It's like a hug in a bowl on a cold fall morning.  I could eat oatmeal everyday.  Sometimes I substitute in some peaches and it tastes pretty close to the peaches and cream prepackaged ones that the kids love, but have half the sugar and way more nutrients.  We've been gradually moving towards the healthier, whole grains out there.  We started with the instant and moved on to the large flake.  Next step is steel cut oats, which I really enjoy but the kids and Hubby find have too much "bite."  Slow and steady- I'll have them eating it yet!

Another week

Monday: Pierogi with sour cream and baby carrots
Tuesday: Veggie soup with toast and salad
Wednesday:  Beef and broccoli stir fry (+ baking day!)
Thursday:  Prosciutto wrapped chicken with roasted potatoes and peas
Friday: Shrimp with quinoa and fruit salad
Saturday:  out to dinner
Sunday:  tba

I'm participating in Trail of Crumbs and am searching the web for a pumpkin dessert.  I think cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting- there are so many choices...

Beef-broccoli stir fry with rice and quinoa.

An uninspired meal plan

I've been searching the web all day for inspiration without success.  Yesterday was a quick pasta dinner at 7pm after a busy afternoon of after school activities.  Many of the blogs I visit had very uninspired meal ideas for this week.  But, after a quick visit to the grocery store today I've nailed it down.  It doesn't help that I've been fighting a bad cold for two weeks (I finally caved and am currently medicated).  I hate it when I have something that chicken soup can't heal.... 

Monday: Pasta shells with tomato sauce and spinach salad
Tuesday: Panko Pork Chops with boiled baby potatoes and carrots and peas
Wednesday:  Chicken korma with rice pilaf and cauliflower-potato curry
Thursday:  Garlic-butter shrimp with quinoa and sauteed spinach
Friday:  Beef-barley soup with toast
Saturday:  An anniversary feast -TBA
Sunday:  Meatloaf with mashed potatoes

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving long weekend came and went.  It was a low key holiday for us this year since we only saw one side of the family.  Nonetheless, I had to made a turkey!  Any excuse available, I like to have a turkey in the house!  There are so many possibilities!  I made it for the Saturday and we had dinner ready for the next three days!

I got a $20 turkey!  ($1.99 / pound at Metro and I got the second last one for that deal!!!)  We got one Thanksgiving feast out of it, hot turkey sandwiches (twice), two pot pies and soup!  Now that was a bargain!  It was the fist time I bough a regular turkey, as in not pre-basted, and it turned out very moist, though I noticed one side of it was more thoroughly cooked than the other, and I did turn it occasionally.  I think- gasp!- my oven is acting up!

This is the recipe I use for my pot pie, thought I use some homemade stock and half and half cream instead of the canned soup.
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/grams-chicken-pot-pie-108134.aspx
I've prepared it and it's sitting in the fridge waiting to get popped into the oven.  It's a busy day so I had to plan ahead.  Very looking forward to these left-overs!

Turkey pot pie just out of the oven.