From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

 

Here's a family recipe from a friend of mine for Crescent Rolls that I've made and they are so easy and sooo good!!

Crescent Rolls
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1  1/2 C. warm water
1 C. unseasoned lukewarm mashed potatoes
2/3 C. sugar
2/3 C. Crisco
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. salt
6 to 7 C. all purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in potatoes, sugar, Crisco, eggs, salt and 3 C. of the flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover bowl tightly; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 5 days.
Punch down; divide into 4 equal parts. Roll 1/4 of dough into 12" circle on floured surface. Spread with margarine, softened. Cut into 16 wedges. Roll up tightly, beginning at rounded edges, stretching dough as it is rolled. Place rolls with points underneath on greased cookie sheet; curve slightly. Let rise 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Bake 15 minutes.

Books and Movies

     Do you read fiction or non-fiction? Myself, I am pretty solidly set in reading fiction, but I have been told there are some very readable non-fiction out there that I should try. Bill Bryson is one such author. People have also suggested that I listen to him, because his books are fantastic as audio books.


 

Here's the movie trailer for the movie of A Walk In The Woods coming out this year....





Finally, Book Riot has an article up with thoughts on the book and the movie. http://bookriot.com/2015/06/24/thoughts-walk-woods-movie-trailer/

Whether you fiction or non-fiction, it's worth a look.

Are you unsure of what to read next?

     Are you stuck finding a book to read? Do you walk into the library and feel overwhelmed about what to read? I found this new website to help you discover new books!!

Aptly named, What Should I Read Next, when I entered in a title, it recommended books that I've actually read and liked!! I will definitely use it again!

Go to http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/ and try it and start discovering new favorites!

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     If you have noticed from reading this blog, I love camping and cooking in Dutch Ovens! Anytime someone has  a new recipe I want it!! Anyway, I ran across this recipe the other day and it's not a Dutch Oven, but it is cast iron and it's from The Chew so it  must me good!:)

Watch a video on how to do it here:
http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/cast-iron-peach-crisp-carla-hall?linkId=14922921

CARLA HALL

Cast Iron Peach Crisp

4.0 stars based on 1 reviews servings: 8easy2+ hr

Create this delicious peach dessert on the grill this summer!

ingredients

CAST IRON PEACH CRISP

• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 8 ripe peaches (peeled and sliced into 1/2" wedges)
• 1 1/2 cups Carla Hall's Fruit and Nut Granola
• 2 cups vanilla bean ice cream (to serve)

step-by-step directions

• Preheat gas grill to 500ºF or charcoal grill. Turn off gas on half the grill or push charcoals to one side.
• Whisk together the dry ingredients until evenly combined. Toss in the butter and vanilla. Add the peaches and toss to coat in the mixture. Pour into an 8" cast iron pan. Distribute the granola evenly over the top and cover with foil.
• Place on the grill not over the flames or coal. Close lid on grill and cook for 30-45 minutes. Remove foil and check to see if peaches are cooked through, if not continue to cook for a few more minutes.
• Serve warm with a large scoop of ice cream.

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

     A few years ago, my daughter made a raised strawberry bed for a 4-H fair project. This is the first year we will have any large amount of strawberries to do anything with. In the past, we've enjoyed a handful or two on ice cream or just pop them in your mouth warm from the sun! The kids and I love strawberry jam. I ran across this "clean" jam recipe the other day that looks super easy and yummy!

http://www.bewholebeyou.com/2015/02/19/recipe-post-simple-strawberry-chia-refrigerator-jam/

Strawberry Chia Refrigerator Jam

Prep Time:5 Min Cook Time:4 Hr

Ingredients

• 16 oz. fresh strawberries, stems removed
• juice of 1/2 of a lemon
• 3 T chia seeds
• 2-3 T 100% pure maple syrup

Instructions

• 1
  In a food processor, pulse strawberries to puree. I like chunks of strawberries in my jam so I don't process them until completely smooth. Process to the desired smoothness.
• 2
  Pour into a small mixing bowl and stir in lemon juice, maple syrup and chia seeds.
• 3
  Transfer to a glass container with an airtight lid.
• 4
  Cover and refrigerate for about 3-4 hours or until thickened to the desired consistency.
• 5
  Enjoy on toast, in yogurt or straight from the jar!

This one looked like a fun afternoon treat too!!

 http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2015/04/23/strawberry-dole-whip-recipe/

Strawberry Dole Whip Recipe

(serves 4-5)

• 1 cup sliced frozen strawberries (120g)
• 1 cup frozen raspberries or more strawberries (120g)
• level 1/4 cup milk of choice or canned coconut milk (60g)
• pinch uncut stevia OR 1 1/2 tsp sugar or sweetener of choice
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/16 tsp salt

Strawberry Dole Whip Recipe: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Scoop out and eat OR put in a plastic bag and freeze ten minutes, then cut a hole in the bag’s edge and squeeze out in a swirl. (Or you can use a Yonanas machine if you have one – I used the bag method.) The addition of lemon might sound strange, but it really makes the recipe!

Libraries and bucket lists...

     One of the things we hope for with our library is that people feel comfortable here and want to spend time with us and the books. It's neat to think of going to the library as a destination spot, instead of a stopping point along the way.  As in, "We're going to the Library!"
     The library in this article http://bookriot.com/2013/02/25/americas-most-beautiful-public-library/ is one to add to your bucket list just to say you've been there!!!

Check it out!

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Being outside in the hot summer sun makes me crave a cool refreshing drink. This one is awesome for kids and adults alike!  

  Blue Raspberry Lemonade Jello Slush

A delicious Jello slush that can be mixed with lemon-lime soda or just scooped into half of a lemon or a bowl and enjoyed with a spoon!

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Spending all day in the heat just makes me want have a cool refreshing drink! This lemonade is fun for children and adults alike!!

Ingredients

1. 1 cup boiling water
2. 1 cup Sprite or other lemon-lime soda
3. Juice from 1/2 of a lemon
4. 1 box Berry Blue Jello (3.4 oz. size)
5. Fresh raspberries and lemon slices for garnish (optional)
6. Additional Sprite, lemon-lime soda or lemonade to add to drink when serving.

Instructions

1. In an 8x11 or similar sized baking dish combine the boiling water and Jello until the Jello is dissolved.
2. Stir in soda and freeze for 4 hours or more until frozen solid.
3. Remove from freezer 10-15 minutes before serving.
4. Fill your glass with half of the slush mixture and the other half with soda.
5. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh raspberries.

Notes

1. If you decide to serve the slush in a hollowed out lemon, use the remaining half of the lemon from the recipe for this purpose!