Friday's Kitchen

September 18, 2010

On Wednesday this week I made pancakes for supper. Then on Thursday, after getting home from the farm, instead of cooking supper I had a hot bath with this book. We ordered pizza (and bought a frozen g-free version at the grocery store for Damien) and drank farm-fresh apple cider. It felt like I had just taken a mini-vacation or mama retreat.

After these little breaks Friday called for some serious attention to my job as chief cook and kitchen manager.

Time to make a new batch of laundry soap.

Considering what to do with a bushel bag of apples. It's definitely the season of baked apples for Saturday morning breakfast.

Getting ready for winter. Using Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family as my resource. What a great book!

Pondering what to do with almost-too-beautiful-to-eat tomatoes. Many of them are destined to be dehydrated for a fall backpacking trip. Maybe if I was ambitious I'd make Debbie's ketchup recipe from the Loving Path.

Getting ready to make more vanilla extract.

And the crowning achievement of a day in the kitchen. Preparing my family's favorite vegetable shepherd's pie. With enough for leftovers (score).

It was nice to have a little break for those nights but it felt good to be back.

Kika on Sept. 18, 2010, 4:28 p.m.

Would you share the Shepherd's Pie recipe?

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Debbie on Sept. 18, 2010, 8:02 p.m.

Oh...I'd love the Shephard's Pie recipe too. I have memories of it growing up (not veggie though) and have a turkey variation that I love - but a vegetarian option would be great. It looks so yummy.

AND...I think you should make the ketchup. :) At least once. It's not that time comsuming and it offers something different and more exotic than the commercial brands. Thanks for the link(s) by the way. xo

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Jen on Sept. 18, 2010, 8:39 p.m.

We had pancakes for breakfast last night! Sometimes you just have to have breakfast for dinner.

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Naomi on Sept. 18, 2010, 11:21 p.m.

Sounds like someone deserves a pat on the back! Although I'm sure your families contented bellies after eating your shephard's pie did the job. You served it to us once and it was great! I have saved the recipe and used it myself. And thank you for the recommendation of the book. I've been trying out a few herbal remedies myself. Right now I have yarrow and skullcap tinctures aging, but I'm always looking for new ideas.

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- renee on Sept. 18, 2010, 11:31 p.m.
  
  Last night's version was better than the one I served you I think (smile). I managed to achieve the perfect alchemy of just done veggies, lots of gravy and creamy potatoes - yum....
  
  I highly recommend Gladstar's book. I own it. One of the few books I valued enough to buy.
  
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  - Naomi on Sept. 19, 2010, 11:59 p.m.
    
    Did you change the gravy recipe? I found yours works much better than me just throwing some gravy together without a recipe. I usually hand the sauce-making job over to Glen, but your gravy tastes good even when I make it! But if you have an updated one you like better I'd love to try it.
    
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Heather on Sept. 19, 2010, 12:56 a.m.

Oh, all of this sounds deliciously like autumn to me...

I sent you a blog award. I'm not sure if you 'do' that, but one was sent to me and I wanted to share it with you since you're one of the blogs that I read regularly and enjoy very much! Thanks for being awesome :) Here's the post: http://thisadventurelife.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/my-first-blog-award/ ~h

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- renee on Sept. 19, 2010, 2:27 a.m.
  
  Thank you Heather. Trust me, I'm not so awesome but I'm glad you enjoy reading here (smile).
  
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Hillary on Sept. 19, 2010, 1:35 a.m.

Oooo, can I come over and play. So much wonderfulness :)

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Hillary on Sept. 19, 2010, 2:52 a.m.

Oh Renee! I want to come over and have some kitchen fun with you. You just inspired me to call my herbalist friend and schedule a date to create. Enjoy :)

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- renee on Sept. 19, 2010, 10:58 a.m.
  
  ooo, can I come too??
  
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Shannon on Sept. 19, 2010, 12:29 p.m.

Hubby took us to Whole Foods Sabbath morning for breakfast. What a treat and a vacation for me. And only $10 for all four of us.

I am going to be checking out that book on herbal recipes. I am trying to put together our winter medicine cabinet of salves, tinctures, and syrups. Also peeking at your baked apples recipe. I made super easy apple butter out of our too many apples. Peel and core apples, throw into crock pot, cook down until sauce, prop lid open with wooden spoon, and cook down until about 1/5 of original volume, stirring occasionally. Add cinnamon and sweetener if desired (i used stevia or none at all). Then I just froze it in half pint jars. So good in oatmeal with coconut oil or butter.

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