Freezing Spring Produce on Indy Style

This is a segment from an Indianapolis-based talk show in which I demonstrated how to take advantage of local spring produce.

http://wishtv.com/2015/05/26/save-money-and-time-with-seasonal-eating/

When produce is at its peak in freshness and nutrition, it is a cost-effective time to acquire bulk amounts to preserve for enjoying year-round.  While many people are hesitant to jump into canning, most spring produce can be preserved easily by freezing.  For leafy greens like kale, spinach and Swiss chard, remove any woody stems, wash well, blanch in boiling water for a minute or two, then remove greens to an ice water bath.  When cool, place in a colander to drain.  After draining, put greens into a freezer container, being sure to label with contents and date.  These greens can easily be used in soups, lasagnas, smoothies or creamed in au gratin-type dishes  Asparagus uses the same freezing method, though it is helpful to spin or towel-dry the spears a bit before freezing.  This last step will keep quiches from getting soggy when using the asparagus after being frozen.  Strawberries can be washed, topped, sliced and frozen in portions that are conducive to making pies, smoothies or jams.  Rhubarb is also easy to freeze.  Just wash, dice and put in a freezer container in desired amounts for use in Victoria sauce, breads, jams or crisps.  Eating regional, in-season produce is a great way to save money, take in higher nutrition and support your local community.

Rhubarb Coffee Cake

I got this recipe from my friend, Cyndee, last year.  With a hot cup of coffee, it is such a treat for breakfast!

The finished product freezes very nicely.

 

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 1/2 cup flour

1 c buttermilk

 

Mix all together and add:

 

1 cup fine chopped rhubarb.

 

Put in 9×13 baking dish.

 

Sprinkle with following topping:

 

1/4 c brown sugar

1/4 c sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

 

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Turkey (or Chicken) Casserole

http://wishtv.com/2015/02/16/eat-cheap-with-trista-hill-how-to-make-your-own-white-sauce/

This is yet another recipe that demonstrates how handy it is to know how to make a basic white sauce.  Not only can this save you the cost of buying canned cream soups, but it can also provide healthier options since you can control the level of salt, sugar and preservatives.

This is what I call a “skeleton recipe”—a flexible recipe that can be a fabulous way to keep those odds and ends in the fridge from going to waste.  When you throw away food, you throw away money.  Plain and simple.

White Sauce (to use in place of two cans of cream soups):

¼ c. butter
¼ c. flour

Melt butter over medium-low heat, then add flour, stirring constantly.  Once bubbles form, cook and stir for another minute or so.

Slowly add the following to the butter mixture, whisking constantly:

3 c. milk (preferably not skim) OR broth.

Stir until it comes to a simmer, then allow to simmer for about half a minute or so until thickened.  Remove from heat.

Season to taste with:

salt & pepper
a couple of dashes of hot sauce OR 1 tsp. ground mustard or yellow mustard

Now comes the creative part!  Check to see what you have on-hand, then combine your white sauce with the following:

3 or so cups of cooked pasta or rice
3 -4 c. cooked turkey or chicken
1 c. or so of cooked veggies of your choice
1 c. or so of grated cheese, if desired

Pour into a buttered 9×13″ baking dish.

If you want a crunchy topping, combine the following:

1 c. fresh bread crumbs, cracker crumbs or even crushed potato chips
1-2 T. melted butter

Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes, or until bubbling around edges.

NOTE:  This will freeze beautifully before baking.  Just allow it to thaw completely after you’ve pulled it out of the freezer and bake as directed.

Garlic Mac & Cheese

http://wishtv.com/2015/02/16/eat-cheap-with-trista-hill-how-to-make-your-own-white-sauce/

My daughter, Rachel, and I just made a batch of this as a practice run for tomorrow’s IndyStyle cooking segment, and all we want to do is eat it.  Since we don’t have enough time to make it and bake it on the air, this one is supposed to show the finished product toward the end of the segment.  I’m going to have to start smacking hands to keep my kids out of it!

It really is super yummy, and not hard at all to make.  This makes a huge batch, so feel free to halve it if you don’t want leftovers for a second (or third) meal.  Or, you can make two 8×8″ pans and put one in the freezer before baking.

In salted water, cook one 16-oz. package of elbow macaroni according to package directions; drain.

Cheese Sauce:

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. flour

Melt butter over medium heat, then add flour.  Whisking constantly, cook until bubbly; then, cook (still stirring) for another minute.

2 c. milk (preferably not skim)

Slowly add milk to butter mixture, whisking constantly.

Then, add:

couple dashes hot sauce
1 tsp. yellow mustard (or ground mustard)
2 cloves minced garlic

Stir until combined, then bring to a low simmer (sauce will be thickened, slightly less than a pudding).

Remove from heat, then stir in:

3 c. grated cheese (sharp cheddar is my favorite)

Stir until cheese is melted.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pour over pasta; mix well.

Pour into buttered 9×13 baking dish.

Top with cracker crumbs, if desired.

Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes–or until bubbling around edges.

TV Appearances and Other Surprises

Yesterday at this time, I was in the WISH-TV parking lot whispering a quick prayer.  I am not one of those folks who have aspired to work in television, so this whole idea of talking and cooking in front of cameras is a little bit unexpected.  But, it’s mostly fun and most of the people are wonderful.

In the past several months, I’ve had three or four people ask me if, ten years ago, I thought I would be doing what I’ve done in the past year–plant, care for, harvest and preserve a huge garden, publish a book, speak at ladies’ retreats both in and out of the state of Indiana and be a guest on a television show.  Well, the answer is mostly no.  I’ve known since childhood that I wanted to write a book, so that is a dream fulfilled.  The rest is kind of a surprise.  God seems to be keeping me on my toes lately.  Actually, it’s nothing very new.  I had no intention of homeschooling until our oldest was ready for Kindergarten.  I had no intention of being a resource for people who wanted to cut grocery expenses until a friend point-blank asked me to show her how we fed our family for $200/month.  There have been lots of surprises in my life.

There have been bad surprises, too, but, thankfully, not nearly so many as the good ones.  Even while walking through the grief of the bad ones, though, I have been pleasantly surprised by the peace and the joy that come to soothe the journey. That’s grace–smoothing the way in spite of my sinfulness.  Grace isn’t really a surprise, though.  God offers it as a gift to any who are willing to take it.  I sign up daily.  I am greedy for grace.

So, yesterday I was on Indy Style with the goal of helping folks find some freedom in the grocery store by showing them how to feed a family with healthy, low-cost meals.  Today, I’m home with my family being a wife and momma.  Those last two jobs alone will require half a dozen different hats today, but they’re all here in the same four walls with the most remarkable people.  There are no cameras, no big surprises.  But there are a lot of little surprises.  I’m surprised by how amazing this little family of mine is.  I’m surprised by how quickly the kids have grown and how hard-working and patient my husband is.  I’m surprised by how the kids so often mirror their daddy and me (gulp!) and how intentional they sometimes are in mirroring Jesus.  I’m surprised by their gratitude and their delight in the little things and how content they are to play Sorry! and Monopoly and Canasta and Battleship with their old ma.  Maybe “surprised” isn’t even the right word.  Maybe I’m just blessed and surprised by the abundance of these blessings.

God, thank You for this abundance in this season of my life.  Please help me to soak in every moment and to live a life that not only sees and savors the abundance, but also shares it willingly.

Rice & Bean Burritos

These are great to make ahead and stash in the freezer for quick, healthy, inexpensive lunches. This recipe is also VERY versatile. We have even added leftover corn, chopped peppers, shredded chicken, salsa and cheese to them when we have had them on hand.

8 c. cooked brown rice, slightly cooled
4 c. cooked beans (black, pinto or whatever)
1 onion, chopped
2 T. oregano
2 t. garlic powder
2 t. salt
1 ½ t. chili powder
1 t. cumin

Combine the above ingredients, adding more or less seasoning to taste. Wrap in flour tortillas and serve hot or cold.

Mini Cookie Cup Filling

This filling can be used to fill any brownie or cookie cups.

2 oz. chocolate (white, milk semi-sweet), chopped

2 T. milk

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

¼ c. powdered sugar

1 c. whipped topping

Nuke chocolate and milk for about a minute until melted; stir until smooth.

In mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and powdered sugar; mix well. Gradually stir in melted chocolate mixture. Fold in whipped topping.

Pipe filling (from pastry bag, decorator or even a zipper bag with the corner cut off) into mini cookie or brownie cups. Top with seasonal garnishes such as candies, chocolate chips, fresh berries or chocolate curls.

Chili Queso Dip

Screenshot of the Chili Queso Dip I shared on Indy Style.

2 T. butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeno, finely chopped (or minced in your garlic press)

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 ½ tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. salt

½ c. tomato puree or salsa

¼ c. milk

2 c. Monterey Jack or Colby Jack, grated

2 c. cheddar, grated

 
Saute onions in butter. Add onions, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder and salt; saute 4-5 minutes or until onions have wilted. Add tomatoes and cook for another few minutes until tomato liquid has evaporated.

 
Add the milk and remove from heat. Stir both grated cheeses until they are melted and combined. Transfer cheesy goodness to a 1-quart baking dish.

 
Bake at 320 until bubbly. (Or, you can wrap it up for the freezer.)

Oatmeal Pancakes

These are so good–hearty and filling.  You can easily use whole wheat flour in them or add some wheat germ if you want. They are excellent topped with warm applesauce, black raspberry jam or pure maple syrup.  They also make a nice supper option with sausage or leftover slices of ham.

2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. rolled oats

Combine and allow to sit for 30-40 minutes.

1/3 c. oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 – 2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 T. sugar or honey
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. cinnamon (or not)

Add oil and eggs to milk mixture.

Add remaining ingredients; stir until moistened.  Batter should resemble lumpy oatmeal.  If it looks runny, add a little bit more flour.  If it looks too thick, trickle in a bit more milk.

Cook on hot griddle until cooked through.