Mango...seed to garden

A Mango will make my taste buds smile every time.  Mango smoothies in the am, mango slices for a snack, mango chutney on chicken...you get the idea, I am a fan.

I thought I would try one more time, I have many failed attempts under my belt, to take the mango seed and grow a tree.  Mango...seed to garden.

After devouring my mango fruit I cleaned the seed and set it to dry on the window edge.  two days later it was dry and I could "crack" it open and harvest the seed inside the husk.

The next step was simple, I wrapped the seed pod in wet paper towels and put in a sealed zip lock bag.  The seed pod went into a dark cabinet and I checked to make sure the paper towel stayed damp and waited patiently for signs of growth.  One week later I was surprised I had started a mango!

Unwrap the mango seed(s) gently and put into pot with soft soil, water, and more waiting... 

Eight days later I have Mango...seed to garden!

Another week of warm sunshine in the sun room and one of the Mango seedling trees are ready for garden.  The other mango seedling has a few more days before I can do so.

hmmm.... wonder how quickly they will grow and produce fruit....

Blueberry Cobbler

I love the simplicity of a cobbler, Blueberry Cobbler in particular.  This Blueberry Cobbler recipe is a family favorite.  

Blueberry Cobbler

8 x8 pan, Bake @ 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Ingredients:

1.5 cups AP flour

3/4 cup sugar

1.5 teaspoons cinnamon

dash salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup of butter, cubed

1 egg

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pulse above ingredients together until blended into crumbles.

Put half of crust mix in greased 8 x 8 pan.

In mixing bowl put 

1.5 to 2 cups fresh blueberries

sprinkle with 2 - 3 Tablespoons cornstarch, turn berries gently until coated in cornstarch.

Spoon the berries over the bottom crust evenly.  Top with the remaining crumb mixture.

Bake until top is golden brown 30 - 40 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Fresh from the oven!

Now, the only choice remaining...ice cream or whipped cream?

Yummmmm...........

Artisan Multi Grain Bread

Is there any aroma in the world that smells as good as fresh baked bread wafting through your kitchen on a rainy and cold afternoon?  Not...

I love homemade bread.  Multi grain bread tops my must gobble up baked bread list.  Multi Grain is easy peasy with Red Mill 7 Grain hot cereal or their Hot Cereal Muesli multi grain with raisins etc. 

Multi Grain Bread

makes two loaves

1 cup 7-grain Hot Cereal, such as Bob's Red Mill  (I used Bob's Red Mill Muesli)

2 ½ cups boiling Water

¼ cup honey

1 package quick rise yeast

1 Tbsp salt

3 cups flour (all purpose)

1 ½ cup whole wheat flour

4 Tablespoons melted butter

½ cup oatmeal

Non-stick spray

Directions:

1) Boil water, pour over Red Mill hot cereal. Stir and let set until temperature cools to 100 degrees.

2) In mixing bowl with dough attachment, put in hot cereal.  Add honey and yeast.  Combine on low setting. Add in melted butter. Slowly add in flour and salt.  Mix and knead until all ingredients combine in mixer.  Cover and let rest for 20 minutes.

3) Remove dough from mixer bowl, and put on a lightly floured surface. Flatten and knead until dough.  Spray down a large bowl with non-stick spray. Add dough to bowl and roll around bowl to coat with spray. Cover and set aside in a warm place for one hour.

4) Remove risen dough  and shape dough into a 18x12 inch rectangle. Using a sharp knife divide in half so it measures two 9" x 12"squares. Tightly roll each dough square into a log. Pinch all ends together.  Repeat with other dough log.  Set aside.

5) Sprinkle oatmeal out onto surface. Spray each dough log with non-stick spray and roll in oats to coat. Set dough loaves into two loaf pans. Cover and set in warm place to rise a second time for one hour.

6) Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 35-40 minutes or until the center of the loaves are golden brown.  Remove bread from loaf pans and let cool.  

The cool off period begins...

Artisan Multi Grain Bread to warn you from the inside out and soooo delicious.

Cauliflower "Mac and Cheese"

Nothing beats smooth, cheesy macaroni and cheese for comfort food.  We do healthy versions when possible now.  Or we try to do the healthier version : )  Just cutting the pasta out and replacing with fresh cauliflower qualifies as healthier for me.  Fresh cauliflower florets are the base of my new comfort food.  Add in the smooth, creamy cheese sauce and it is a perfection.

The healthier version of Cauliflower "Mac and Cheese" gets a thumbs up from all at the table tonight!

Cauliflower "Mac and Cheese"

Basic cheese sauce:

1/4 cup melted butter

1/4 cup flour

whisk flour into butter to create a roux

add in 2 cups milk and 8 ounces of cheddar cheese

melt cheese into milk mix until smooth.

Stir in cauliflower.  Put in spray oiled pan and bake at 350 degrees 45 minutes until cauliflower is fork tender.

Mmm...healthier is sooooo good!

Banana Crumb Baked Donuts

When it comes time for a coffee break, nothing compares to these Banana Crumb Baked Donuts to accompany the cup of Joe.  In my humble opinion.  Mmm...

The tasty rings of yum easily become the lunch box snack favorite for the brown baggers in the house.

Banana Crumb Baked Donuts

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large bananas
3 oz. cream cheese

Mix all together and put into greased baked doughnut form pans.

Banana Crumb Baked Doughnuts Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
Using a fork cut all ingredients together and make crumb topping.  Sprinkle over the top of donut batter.
Bake @ 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 9 - 14 minutes until done.

Fight Song

What's on your playlist when you are running your marathon?  What sets you in motion towards your goals and dreams?  The Fight Song is on my playlist.

Cinnamon Chip Bread

1 cup warm milk (120 degrees Fahrenheits)

1 cup warm water (120 degrees Fahrenheit)

1/3 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoon quick rise yeast

• Combine above ingredients and let bloom (bubbly) for 5  minutes.

1/3 cup oil
1 egg

• Add to yeast mixture above ingredients.

5 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 Tablespoon salt

1 cup Hershey's Cinnamon Chips

• Slowly add 2 1/2 cups flour and blend in salt to mixture.  Continue to add remaining flour until dough pulls away from side of bowl.  Add in cinnamon chips.  Let dough rise in mixing bowl for 30 minutes.
• Cut dough in half and form into loaf shape.  Put into spray oiled loaf pan, cover to rise an additional 30 minutes.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30- 40 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven, cool on rack and brush with melted butter.
• Makes two loaves.

Happy Birthday Brody and Bailey!

Two years!