powdered milk rice pudding

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/fn_142.pdf

This was runny and not so great. I didn't let it simmer very long before adding an egg yolk so that might have made not be as creamy. I added an egg yolk to thicken it, but I should have added two. I might experiment with the powdered milk thing.

Next time: let it simmer for a while before adding anything to thicken it. The rice needed to break down more. Try it with short grain brown rice.

(note: if you thicken with egg yolk, make sure it doesn't boil. It will curdle. Just let it sit on heat for ~10 minutes stirring occasionally, but not boiling. Or bubbling.)

Update:

I've made this 3 times now. It isn't necessary to thicken with egg yolk if you let it simmer long enough. I cook it about an hour in all I think, or possibly more until it thickens. It is really obvious when it gets thick because the starch releases from the rice and makes it like porridge. Anyway, I like it.

Hamburgers

So I know this might be stupid to make a post for hamburgers, but this is the first time I ever made them so I wanted to write it down.

I used 1 lb grass fed beef (which is actually affordable now thanks to the Milk Pail!) and cut it into 4 pieces. I shaped them so they were really thin and had a diameter of at least 6 inches. I did that because I know they shrink a lot and I didn't want to have tiny balls of beef left after cooking.

I cooked it in a non-stick skillet (heavy duty), which worked ok. It would be better to have used a ribbed cast iron pan so the grease has somewhere to go, or better yet, a grill! Also next time use the grease splash screen so it doesn't get all over the stove and floor...

But it turned out pretty well. I flipped them when the juices were coming out on top and still pink, so they weren't super well done but pretty close. I put cheese on the top after flipping them so that DH could have a cheeseburger.

Veggie Pot Pie

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/veggie-pot-pie/Detail.aspx

I've been on a pot pie kick lately. Something to do with pie day perhaps. I made this pot pie for a vegetarian neighbor who just had a baby. I made one for DH and me too. It turned out pretty well. DH and I are definitely not vegetarian, but even so I think this dish could be improved by using a different kind of broth, and some porcini mushrooms for some depth of flavor. I used trader joes veggie broth, which is really carrotty I think. I actually made 1.5 times the recipe and it fit into 1 standard 9 inch pie dish and 1 deep dish 9 inch pie dish. I only did top crusts as well. I increased the cornstarch to 5 Tablespoons (for a 1x recipe, so for 1.5x I put in 7.5 T cornstarch). It helped make it a better thickness.

I followed the crust recipe recommended on the allrecipes link in the footnotes, which is here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crust-for-Veggie-Pot-Pie/Detail.aspx. (It makes a double crust). The crust was completely uninspiring. Don't make it again! I much prefer my crust recipe that goes with my chicken pot pie recipe.

Chicken Tikka Masala

http://traceysculinaryadventures.blogspot.com/2011/03/chicken-tikka-masala.html

This was a bit runny, but had a great flavor. I used diced tomatoes instead of crushed, and that probably made it too runny. We ate it with warm homemade flatbread. This is a new favorite of mine.


Update:
I made this again and used crushed tomatoes. The consistency was perfect and it tasted delicious. I recommend just baking or boiling the chicken, and forgetting about all the steps/ingredients to do with chicken preparation. My broiler doesn't really work, but maybe the recipe would work fine if the broiler worked! Anyway, I think putting the chicken coating spices in the sauce works fine, or just putting them on the chicken and baking it works too.

Instant no ice cream maker banana ice cream

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/desserts/instant-no-ice-cream-maker-banana-ice-cream/

this was great! I used an immersion blender to mix 1/4 cup cream with 3 frozen bananas. They were ripe, not black! Save black for banana bread...

Flatbread

http://thisfoodthing.com/2008/11/28/quick-flatbread/

This was tasty and very fast. I want to try it with whole wheat flour next time. I made half a recipe and it was 4 medium sized flatbread sections. I rolled it out on my silpat and then cut it into 4 sections.

update: I made this again half whole wheat/half white flour. It was still good but not as chewy. I don't think using all whole wheat would work out. I made the whole recipe and put unused dough in the fridge. The dough rolled out easily and cooked nicely the next day, and the next...for about a week. It did oxidize and turn brown, but still tasted great.

Beef Pot Pie

I sort of made this up. It turned out well. Also, I literally took only 20 minutes to prep this dish. I was in a rush! I did use a pre-made crust, which is never as good. I used the Safeway brand, but really don't recommend it because the crusts are too thin. Pillsbury crusts are too thin as well.

1/2 lb ground beef

1 carrots

1 onion

handful green beans (or add another carrot, or 1/2 cup peas if you are a pea person (I am NOT one))

2 small potatoes

1 can of beef broth

1/4 cup flour

1 T paprika

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 9-inch crust

Brown ground beef. While browning, chop carrots, onion, green beans, and potatoes. After beef is cooked, add chopped veg and saute with meat for 5-10 minutes. (add oil if skillet is very dry). Toss in flour, paprika, salt, and pepper and mix until distributed. Then add beef broth and simmer 3 or 4 minutes until thickened. Pour into 9 inch pie dish. Top with crust and seal. Cut a few slits in the crust. Bake for 30 minutes at 350F, until crust is deep gold.

Light Apple Crisp

http://livingawholelife.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-recipe-delicious-apple-crisp.html

This did not turn out as well as I'd hoped. It was not sweet enough, the apples were crunchy, and it was too liquidy at the bottom. I don't think I'll make this recipe again. I used agave nectar for the sweetener. I will stick with my regular recipe for next time--in the Best Desserts cookbook.

Pizza Sauce

This recipe is from David's sister Sonrisa. I am not rating it since it doesn't go by itself, but it has a lovely smell.

Pizza Sauce

8 oz can tomato sauce

1/2 tsp oregano

1/8 tsp cayenne powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4-1/2 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients in sauce pan. Bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Yogurt Salad Dressing Base

I met a woman during the Stake R.S. Conference lunch today who was telling me about a german boyfriend she'd had who taught her how to make a good base for salad dressing.

Yogurt

garlic

toasted lemon thyme

cardamom

salt & pepper

Puree those things, and then you can add more things to smaller portions to make more specific flavors.

You could add cilantro, lemon juice, or vinegar.

Enchilada Chicken Chili

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2010/01/enchilada-chicken-chili.html

This was good, and I managed to fit it all into my 3 qt crock pot!