Author Archives: Julia Ann

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

The air is cooler, the leaves have that rustling sound and it is quieter. The fields of green are no of longer green corn stalks or green soybeans.  The horizon is a golden and amber of fall.  Soon we will remember what  James Whitcomb Riley wrote, “The frost is on the punkin”.

Indiana Pumpkin Patch

 Pumpkin becomes the vegetable in the dessert buffet. It is delicious with a cream cheese spread.  I selected my  reliable Pumpkin Bread recipe that was received in a elementary school bazaar.  It had to be goo.

Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Another favorite pumpkin dessert is Libby’s Pumpkin Roll recipe..  It is easy to make this extra special dessert with the canned pumpkin with the cream cheese filling. 

 I still prefer to buy my pumpkin in a can. Children or grandchildren are not available to enjoy the fun of jack-0-lanterns.  Remember when Halloween was a one day event.  Now it is as festive with decorations and tree lights like Christmas. 

Pumpkins and Mums

Pumpkins and Mums

Another favorite dessert in the Midwest is persimmon cake,  bread, pudding, cookies and some places have persimmon ice cream!  Our family favorite, American Persimmon Cake uses the small Midwest persimmons.

Enjoy a slice of fall:  Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

Julia Ann
A moist dessert bread to enjoy with your coffee or tea. Share the recipe and a loaf at the next church or school bazaar.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups sugar
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 4 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup cooking oil
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 2 cups canned pumpkin

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Grease and flour 2- 9 x 5 loaf pans, or put greased parchment paper on the bottom.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients.
  • Add the eggs, oil, water and pumpkin.
  • Mix until very smooth.
  • Pour into the prepared loaf pans.
  • Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.

Notes

While bread is still very warm, wrap in plastic wrap and let cook completely. Bread tastes better after setting at room temperature 24 hours. This freezes well....Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Spices, bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spices for your cooking experience. ©2007-2019 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® .All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

This makes 2  large loaves of Pumpkin Bread,  it can easily be frozen, or given away in a bazaar.

Loaves of Pumpkin Bread

Loaves of Pumpkin Bread

I received a pumpkin recipe that is making me to ‘think outside of the box’ of desserts.  jenreviews sent a tantalizing recipe for using pumpkin as a spaghetti sauce.         

Fresh Sage Whole Wheat Sage Spaghetti with Creamy Pumpkin … www.igotthatfire.com/fresh–sage-whole-wheat–sage…Fresh Sage Whole Wheat Sage Spaghetti with Creamy Pumpkin Sauce and Crispy Presunto Source: ( Jen Reviews ) The go-to food in my home, like many others I assume, is a plateful of spaghetti.

Once Upon a Chef– Pumpkin Bread

Simply Recipes — Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinabox
bring you great recipesfor your cooking experience. 2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®.  All rights reserved.

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Chuckwagon Stew

There is a long history behind the Chuckwagon.  They were used by the cowboys working on the Texas cattle drives as early as 1867.  Each had their own cook, often called “Cookie” and was king of his chuckwagon.  The chuckwagon was the social center for the cowboys out on a drive.  He determined when, what to eat and sometimes, how much. 

Turkey Chuckwagon Stew  Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Not much different than the  home “Cookies”   However, I doubt turkey was very the main meat in the stew, not when moving beef across the land.  There are some very interesting stories of the chuckwagon history.

Every ready baked potatoes.

My real intention of taking about this stew was the use of prebaked potatoes to have in the refrigerator to add to soups, stews, or for stir frying without the waiting for the potato to bake.  I bake four russet potatoes, wrapped in foil for 1 hour at 400 F.  They are cooled to room temperature in the foil, and stored until ready for addition to a recipe.  That was the beginning of the Chuckwagon Turkey Stew.

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Julia Ann
A savory stew to enjoy around a camp fire or picnic. Just as great to have for a quick evening week day dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Stew
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons of jalapeno pepper diced (more if preferred hotter)
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/2-3/4 cup cooked or canned navy beans drained (other canned beans if preferred)
  • 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1-2 cups baked potatoes diced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon Netta Belle's Choice Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/4 cup of ketchup
  • Netta Belle's Choice Sea Salt
  • Netta Belle's Choice Ground Black Pepper

Instructions
 

  • Brown the ground turkey in the olive oil, drain on paper towels, set aside.
  • Brown the onion, garlic, jalapeno pepper in olive oil until soft.
  • Add the browned turkey to the skillet.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the turkey, stir to blend. This is to thicken the juices.
  • Add beans, tomatoes and potatoes.
  • Stir to blend together.
  • Add the seasonings.
  • Simmer for 25 minutes.

Notes

This recipe is versatile to prepare to your family's taste. Ground beef or sausage could be used in place of the turkey, as well as your choice of beans and seasonings. Enjoy for a quick supper/dinner.-----------------------------------
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery®cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® .All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Chuckwagon Turkey Stew

Stone Ground Corn Bread

Stone Ground Corn Bread                                                                                                       

 

Enjoy Stone Ground Cornbread
with Chuckwagon Turkey Stew.

 

 

 

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

 

Coconut Oil Pie Dough

Joining the trend:  Baking with Coconut Oil

For years nutritionists have limited the use of the coconut because of the fat.  Now it is a considered a good fat and not the culprit any more. Although this information as been  available since 2004 or earlier, I am finally coming around to use the coconut oil in cooking.  So I started it with a Coconut Oil Pie Dough. My pie dough often leaves much to be desired, so why not kick up the challenge.

Coconut Oil Pie Crust

Coconut Oil Pie Crust for Peach Pie

Since my cookbooks are too old to discuss use of coconut oil, the internet provided a variety of recipes and information related to the benefits and use.  I looked on the internet for information for recipes, use and how to substitute shortening and vegetable oils. Coconut Oil Online was informative and helpful, even how to measure the oil and listing the healing benefits.

Here is a simple “how-to”

Pure Coconut OIl

Pure Coconut OIl

coconut oil in flour_499

I first measured and chilled the coconut oil  in the refrigerator as it is liquid at 76 degrees.  Too long in the refrigerator, it would become hard solid and brittle.  This was cooled about 30 minutes, enough to cut into cubes.

I measured the flour into the food processor, then added the cold coconut oil and the cold butter.

Cold butter added to the flour and coconut oil.

Cold butter added to the flour and coconut oil.                                                                                                                                            

Putting coconut oil pastry in pie plate.

Putting coconut oil pastry in pie plate.

The rolling out of the dough was a bit tricky.  Rolling it on floured wax paper was best, though it did get sticky as it warmed. The wax paper also made it easier to handle placing on the pie plate and adding the top crust.

Making of a peach pie….

Fresh peaches were in season at this time, I had 4 medium size peaches, or about 3 cups more or less, added 2 tablespoons of minute tapioca, 3/4 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Sliced one tablespoon butter on the top before covering with the top crust.  Baked at 400 F, 45-50 minutes.

Fresh Peaches for pie

Making a peach pie.                                                                                                    

Coconut Oil Pie Crust

Coconut Oil Pie Crust for Peach Pie                                                  

Coconut Oil Pie Dough

Julia Ann
A How-To to making Coconut Oil Pie Dough for a fresh peach pie.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 slices

Ingredients
  

  • Pie Dough
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold pure coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup very cold water as needed
  • Peach Pie
  • 3 cups fresh peaches in 1/2 inch size.
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons instant tapioca
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions
 

  • Use a food processor.
  • Put the flour in the processor bowl.
  • Add cubes of cold coconut oil and cold cubes of butter.
  • Pulse off and on until dough is the size of peas.
  • Put dough into a large bowl, add water a tablespoon at a time,
  • While mixing dough until it can be gathered into a ball.
  • Divide the dough in 2 pieces, flatten and wrap each in wax paper or plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Roll out the dough on wax paper, lightly floured two inches larger than the 9 inch pie plate.
  • Fit dough into the pie plate.
  • Fill with the fresh peach mixture.
  • Dot with butter.
  • Roll out the second round of dough and place on top of the peaches.
  • Trim edge off of excess pie dough, fold under to have 1 inch edge to crimp.
  • Cut steam vents in the top crust. Bake.
  • Cool before serving

Notes

Fruit pies often bubble out when baking. Put aluminum foil under the oven rack to catch any drippings. ...............................................................................
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2020 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery®,cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®. All rights reserved.
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The fresh peach pie with Coconut Oil Pie Dough.

Yes, this was an OOPS!

First servings of the peach pie with Coconut Oil PIe Dough

First servings of the peach pie with Coconut Oil Pie Dough

The rest of the pie was refrigerated. 

Peach pie with flaky Coconut Oil Pie Dough

Peach pie with flaky Coconut Oil Pie Dough                                                                         

It did become solid and nice slices were cut.  The servings were put in the microwave about 15 seconds to warm.

Over all tasty, not considered food porn.  Oh, well. There are successes and failures.

Hope you give the recipe a try and  best wishes.

 

 

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® 
bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Condiment:  Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sometimes my refrigerator looks as though all we eat are condiments:  ketchup, mustard, salsas, mayo, chili sauce, and oriental sauce.  Finally I found one oriental Sweet and Sour Sauce to be enjoyed on many dishes:  vegetables, poultry, meats and seafood which is easily made in my own kitchen.  I have a sweet-loving husband who likes to eat everything with sugar” on it.  It seems this sauce satisfies the ‘sweet tooth.’

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and Sour Sauce

I do not remember the original source of this Sweet and Sour Sauce, I  first published it with the Oriental Vegetable and Rice Bowl. 

Oriental Vegetable and Rice Bowl

Oriental Vegetable and Rice Bowl

House Favorite Sweet and Sour Sauce

Roasted and steamed vegetables lacked that little extra piazza.  This Sweet and Sour Sauce became the house favorite condiment for that extra special zip. 

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Julia Ann
Enjoy a basic Sweet and Sour Sauce for mixing with vegetables or as a condiment for meats, poultry and seafood.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine Asian
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
  

  • 3/4 cup of white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon dry white wine or water
  • 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Put the first 5 ingredients into small sauce pan.
  • Stir the cornstarch into the water until smooth and dissolved.
  • Add to the sugar mixture.
  • Whisk to blend.
  • Heat over low heat, stirring until thickened.
  • Keep warm to add to steamed vegetables.

Notes

The sauce can be served cold or warmed to use as a condiment. --------------------
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2015 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® . All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Meat, poultry and seafood can be enhanced with the same Sweet and Sour Sauce

Check us out on Facebook.

  

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes, outstanding herbs and spice for your cooking experience.  ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

  

Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Have you ever had a day when things are not going your way.  From cartoons to health magazines, chocolate is there to help offset.  Creamy Chocolate Pudding is a quick simple recipe to ease what ever ails you or for your chocolate sweet tooth.  There may be a few people who do not like chocolate, however, following the food community blogs, they must be few and far between.

Chocolate Fact:  There is a little caffeine in chocolate, darker chocolate can have as much as a can of Coca-Cola.  More interesting facts of chocolate  

Pudding , a dessert for adults, not just kids!

Of course I had to tamper with the original recipe I found in Fight Back With Food:  Use nutrition to heal what ails you”. It is a 2002 edition The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.  This is an interesting  book of defining foods and their nutrients for various diseases with recipes to follow. The pudding recipe recommended soy milk, I have used rice milk, and currently using 2% lactose free milk.  The recipe is “Mint Chocolate Chip Pudding.”  Because mint chocolate flavor is not a favorite of my husband, I used coconut flavoring, giving it a very nice taste.

Inspiration

Chocolate Pudding with Maraschino Cheerries

Chocolate Pudding with Maraschino Cherries

Chocolate Pudding

Julia Ann
A creamy chocolate pudding for a quick and easy dessert, eat it plain or dress it up for adult company dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Pudding
Cuisine American
Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1/3/ cup cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups milk 2% lactose free
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut flavoring
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan, blend together the brown sugar, cornstarch cocoa powder and salt.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisk often to keep it smooth.
  • Boil for 1 minute or until pudding is thickened.
  • Remove from heat, stir in the flavorings, coconut and vanilla.
  • Allow to cool to lukewarm, not yet at room temperature, stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Spoon into 4-6 dessert dishes.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

Notes

This recipe adapted from Mint-Chocolate Chip Pudding in Fight Back with Food, Reader's Digest Assoc.Inc.---------------------Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®.All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Recently I had some cherry truffle chocolate ice cream.  Aha!  To add a little pizzazz to the pudding, I diced up some maraschino cherries to stir in with the chocolate chips, topped the dishes with a drizzle of the maraschino juice and a cherry on top.  I was just missing the whipped cream.  I had added some crushed toasted almonds to some of the dishes, which was good too, however almost too much with the size of these dishes.  It became,  “Where is the pudding?”

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Creamy Chocolate Pudding

Suggested Luncheon for 4

Netta Belle's Choice cookbookinaboxJulia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes 2007-2017 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.