Kitchen Crafts 'n' More Newsletter "Recipes, crafts and help around the home." Issue #495 November 15, 2006 ~11,000+ SUBSCRIBERS~ ================================= Today's FEATURE Sponsor Is... Debbie's Ol-Blue.com Please come by my site, have a look at some of the recipes, check out my new book, see what people have to say about the recipes/book and Enjoy! Debbie. Debbie's Recipes & Cookbook ***** By supporting these sponsors, you support our FREE newsletter. Thank you for your continued support of our valued sponsors. ***** Beckley's Best Blends - All Natural Soy Candles At Beckley's Best Blends, a husband and wife team (along with help from their kids!) carefully create beautiful, all-natural soy candles. No dyes or additives are ever added, and there are DOZENS of scrumptious scents to choose from - or have a candle customized, and create your own scent! Support a family business that creates the highest quality candles by visiting Beckley's Best Blends - All Natural Soy Candles today! ================================= ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** NEW on The BLOGS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Are you NEW to the idea of blogs? All a blog is is a simple WEB LOG - sort of an online diary. :) It's an easy way for me to post LOTS of delish recipes, ideas and all sorts of other lovely things that I know KCnM readers will love. So if you haven't taken a moment, pick a blog or two to visit - and be sure to post a comment while you're there! I read every one. The Always Popular KCnM BLOG Jam packed with even MORE recipes, household hints, craft ideas...everything you've come to love about KCnM! Remember to post a comment while you're there! Household Hints Loads of great hints submitted by readers! Bath Stuff Blog! For all of us who just LOVE a great bath - and a fabulous bathroom to go along with it. The Pie Recipes Blog I am determined to share as many delicious, amazing pie recipes with you as is humanly possible! :) And what a fun challenge to undertake...we're up to 181 pie recipes listed. The Happy Slob's Housecleaning BLOG Housecleaning, made fun! The Coffee Creations BLOG All sorts of gorgeous Coffee Creations - Recipes & Ideas for using coffee Frugalites - Fun Frugality Making frugality easy and fun. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Hi everyone, Here is a fresh new issue of Kitchen Crafts 'n' More for you to enjoy. :) I've had fun compiling it with loads of delish new recipes, helpful household hints, and all-around great submissions from all of you. You readers are what makes this newsletter something truly special. As such an interactive newsletter, I look forward to your emails - send in your requests, questions, or send in your favorite household hints, answers to questions, or your best recipes. I'll gladly include them in upcoming issues. (You can always contact me at christinam@nucleus.com) Thanks for your help! Take care, Christina ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** READER'S QUESTIONS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Ask a question, or provide an answer! :) Email questions or answers to Christina at christinam@nucleus.com Thanks! ----------------- COOL OR WARM MIST HUMIDIFIER? One reader asks: "Is a warm or cool mist humidifier better for one's health? I'm looking to buy one, but I'm not sure what kind to get...Thanks!" ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** HOUSEHOLD HINTS & HELP FROM READERS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Help a fellow reader - send an answer to one of the above questions, and we'll post it here! (Send to christinam@nucleus.com) ----------------- NATURAL HEALTH REMEDIES Jeenie submitted these tips: "For Arthritis, if you boil Mint and olive oil, and rub it on the affected area, it relieves the pain, and also helps to keep the area(hands,feet) warm especially in the winter time. Also, for sore throat you could use ginger,star anise, cloves, chamomille,lemons; limes, honey and cinamon sticks, if you put it to boil (as if you were making a tea) and drink it while hot and put on a scarf... it is garanteed to vanish the feeling and bring back your voice within hours." Mothball Substitute One reader wrote: "Mothball Substitute: Take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. You place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm but also they'll smell great when you pull them out." These & other tips featured now at: The Household Hints Blog For more great cleaning ideas, visit: The Happy Slob's Guide to House Cleaning ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** FREEBIES OF THE WEEK ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Free Febreze Sample A Free Sample of Febreze will make your home smell nice and fresh! Free Sample of Febreze Spray Free Crest White Strips Sample A free sample of Crest White Strips will make your teeth look their best! Get Your Free Crest White Strips Free Coupons on the Products YOU Use Get the coupons you need to save on the products you actually use! Get Your Coupons Now ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** REQUEST A RECIPE ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** One of the most popular sections of our newsletter - request a recipe or send in requested recipe. Contact: christinam @ nucleus.com ======================== ~~~RECIPE REQUESTS: ~~~ Please help these readers find these recipes! :) Thanks for your help everyone... VANILLA CARAMEL COFFEE CREAMER RECIPE Janice asks: "Do you know where I can find a recipe for the coffee mate vanilla caramel coffee creamer? I love this, but it gets quite expensive to keep buying it. Thanks!" ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** RECIPES FOUND! The recipes readers have been asking for... ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Toaster Oven Recipes Thanks to Collette for sending in these fantastic toaster oven recipes. LIP-SMACKING BAKED CHICKEN 1 pkg. skinless, boneless chicken (approx. 4 thighs/2 breasts) Wheat germ Garlic powder Chives Pam cooking spray (or olive oil) Preheat toaster oven to 350 degrees. Thoroughly rinse chicken and place in toaster over tray sprayed with Pam. Coat each chicken piece with wheat germ. Sprinkle with garlic powder and chives. Coat with Pam. Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes. Serves 3-4. ---------------------- Banana Walnut Muffins 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 egg 1/4 cup cooking oil 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 ripe bananas, coarsely mashed 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts Preheat toaster oven to 350 degrees. Brush a six-muffin tin with oil or cooking spray. Using a whisk or spoon, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, buttermilk and bananas. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and mix just until thoroughly blended. Add the walnuts and mix in. Spoon batter into pan. Bake (with or without convection) for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes, then remove and serve warm. -------------------- Steamed Pudding and Custard Sauce Recipes Big thanks to Sue B. for sending in these recipes! STEAMED BREAD PUDDING & 2 SAUCES Prep. Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 90 minutes INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup butter or margarine melted, 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup dark corn syrup, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. ground cloves, 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1 cup raisins, 2 cups fine white bread crumbs. LEMON SAUCE INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup water, 1 egg beaten, 3 tbsp's. lemon juice, grated peel of 1 lemon. DIRECTIONS: In the top of 1 1/2-qt. double boiler, place melted butter; set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, corn syrup, sugar, baking soda and spices. Mix until smooth. Stir in raisins and crumbs. Pour over melted butter. Add at least 3 inches of water to bottom of double boiler; cover and steam over medium-low heat for 1 1/2 hours. Meanwhile, for the sauce, combine butter, sugar, water, egg and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Add lemon peel. Serve sauce hot over warm pudding. SERVES: 6 to 8. CUSTARD SAUCE Prep. Time: 15 minutes INGREDIENTS: 8 cups milk, 2 cups sugar, 6 eggs beaten, 2 tbsp's. vanilla extract. DIRECTIONS: In a heavy saucepan over low heat, cook and stir milk and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat. Stir in a small amount of hot milk mixture into egg; return all to the pan stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat a metal spoon. Remove froom the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool to room temperature stirring several times. Transfer to a bowl; press a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap on top of custard. Refrigerate. YIELDS: 8 1/2 cups. ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** 'KITCHEN CRAFT' RECIPES & CRAFT PROJECTS ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** Bath and beauty products, home remedies, craft recipes, food mixes, natural cleaning formulas, fun kids recipes and other unique recipes! ======================== Easy, Natural Body Scrubs You can find all sorts of the simplest scrubs at: Natural Body Scrubs Age Spot Fading Tips from Readers Natural ways to fade age spots. Natural Tips to Fade Age Spots Wheat Germ Moisturizing Mask Recipe Wheat Germ Mask Mix Recipe: Beef Gravy Mix Recipe Make Your Own Gravy Mix Mix Recipe: Homemade Pancake Mix Recipes Homemade Pancake Mix ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** TRADITIONAL RECIPES ~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~** The family favorites everyone loves! Please submit your recipes to christinam @ nucleus.com and I'll include them in an upcoming issue. =================== Vegetable Noodle Soup Recipe Submitted by PJ 2 tablespoons cooking oil 2 onions, chopped 3 carrots, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices 2 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 1/2 quarts canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock 1 3/4 cups canned diced tomatoes with their juice 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice 1/2 pound green beans, halved 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 3 ounces fine egg noodles 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley Cooking Directions In a large saucepan, heat the oil over moderately low heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, potatoes, green beans, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables are almost tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the egg noodles. Bring the soup back to a simmer and cook until the vegetables and noodles are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley. (Serving size: 4 servings) ------------------- Pecan Pancake Pizza Submitted by Jeannie 2 cups pancake mix 2 egg, beaten 1 3/4 cups milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 teaspoon maple flavoring 1/4 cup granola cereal without raisins 1/4 cup pecan halves maple syrup, optional Place pancake mix in a bowl. Combine the eggs, milk, oil and maple flavoring; add to pancake mix and mix well. Pour into a greased 14 inch pizza pan; sprinkle with granola and pecans.Bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cut into wedges. Serve with syrup if desired. Yield: 6-8 servings. -------------------- ------------------------ Southern Living Cherry Cobbler Recipe Submitted by Dorina Save even more time by using store-bought, crustless white bread for the topping. 2 (20-ounce) cans cherry pie filling 1 (15-ounce) can pitted dark sweet cherries in heavy syrup, drained 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 5 white bread slices 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 large egg 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind Stir together pie filling, cherries, and 2 tablespoons flour. Stir in almond extract. Place in a lightly greased 8-inch-square baking dish. Trim crusts from bread slices; cut each slice into 5 strips. Arrange bread strips over fruit mixture. Stir together remaining 2 tablespoons flour, sugar, and next 3 ingredients; drizzle over bread strips. Bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Too-Easy Peach Cobbler: Substitute 2 (16-ounce) packages frozen peaches, thawed and drained, for cherry pie filling and canned cherries. Omit almond extract and grated lemon rind. Proceed as directed. Too-Easy Berry Cobbler: Substitute 1 (21-ounce) can blueberry pie filling and 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen whole strawberries, unthawed, for cherry pie filling and canned cherries. Omit almond extract; add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Proceed as directed. Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings Source: Southern Living Get Your Subscription to Southern Living Today ----------------------- Dilly Salmon Fillets Recipe Submitted by Christi 4 6-ounce fresh skinless salmon fillets, 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick 3 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill (2 tsp dried) 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard Dash freshly ground black pepper 1. Rinse fish; pat dry and place in a shallow dish. In a small bowl combine the lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the dill; pour over fish and marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir together the remaining dill, the mayonnaise, mustard, and pepper; set aside. 2. In a grill with a cover arrange preheated coals around drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place the fish on the lightly greased grill rack over the drip pan. Cover and grill for 3 minutes. Turn fish; spread the mayonnaise mixture atop the fish. Cover and grill 2 to 6 minutes more or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Makes 4 servings. Tester's note: I broiled this under the broiler rather than grilling and it worked fantastically. Broil for 3 minutes on one side, take out, flip and spread on the mayo mixture and then grill until done on the other side. =============================== --THANKS FOR READING THIS ISSUE Thanks for reading this edition of Kitchen Crafts n' More! ===============================