Sunday, February 2, 2014

Domestic Sunday

Some days I'm in the mood  to cook and bake and then there are days when I'd just rather sit and stitch or sew.  Thankfully I have things in the freezer that I have put by for those "don't feel like cooking" days.

This morning my kitchen beckoned.

I started by preparing our favorite veggie beef Weight Watcher's soup with a few changes, of course.
It's so easy to make and delicious as well.  If you'd like to give it a try, here's what you'll need...

EDIT: I forgot the diced tomatoes - Duh!

1 pound of extra lean ground beef, browned and drained
2 medium onions, sliced
4 (+ or -) carrots, peeled and shredded
4 (+ or -) celery stalks, sliced
1 parsnip, peeled and shredded
3/4 C pot barley
2 cartons low sodium beef broth
1 large bottle V8 juice
1 can of diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped fine
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
fresh chopped parsley to taste
Worcestershire sauce to taste 

Place all ingredients into a large pot and simmer for 2-3 hours.

It tastes even better the second day because the pot barley thickens it.



While the soup was simmering on the stove, I decided to make some cinnamon rolls.  Once again, they are easy-peasy to make and ever so good.
Here's what you'll need...

4 C all purpose flour
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
8 tsp baking powder, level (yes, you read right...8 tsp)

Measure all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and stir with a whisk to incorporate all the ingredients.

Then add 1C margarine to the dry ingredients and cut into the mixture with a pastry cutter.

1 1/4 C milk
2 eggs, beaten with a fork

Slowly add the milk and eggs to the dry ingredients, mixing with your hands. Knead dough on a floured surface.  If your dough mixture is too wet, keep on adding a bit more flour a little at a time, kneading as you go.

Roll out to a 1/4" thickness on a floured surface.

Spread generously with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon...nuts and raisins are optional.
Roll into a big roll...
then slice into 1" segments.
Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
Then enjoy with a nice hot cup of tea or coffee.  

To die for!
Guess what we had for lunch?

Now it's time to head up to my studio to sew for the afternoon.


Happy stitching!

30 comments:

Tammy said...

Kaaren, looks delicious. Thanks for providing the recipes, particularly for the cinnamon rolls. I've only used recipes that require yeast, but your use of the baking power lets them go right into the oven.

annie said...

think I might be at your house for lunch! sounds so good! enjoy your day!

Heartsdesire said...

Those cinnamon rolls just brought back a lovely memory. My mom used to make them when I was a child and they were so good. Can't understand why I never made any. Now, I have no excuse. Thanks for providing a great recipe. Enjoy your sewing studio today and stay warm.

Kathy MacKie said...

Yum, Yum.

Shelley said...

YUM :) Think I will make those cinnamon rolls today. Do you think the soup would taste just as good without the tomato juice...it makes my mouth break out in blisters.

Michelle said...

those cinnamon rolls look DELISH.

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

Thanks for the recipe Kaaren. About this time of year I want to be trying out some new ones. This will fit the bill perfectly!I can smell the yummyness already:)
Have a great week!
Marg.

gracie said...

Yum...I will be over tomorrow! ..save some for me...both recipes look wonderful.

Lee Prairie Designs said...

WOW!!! Would I ever love to pop in and visit you!!! Thanks for the recipes and enjoy the rest of your day stitching!

:) Carolyn

Lesley said...

I am getting hungry just looking at the pictures! Bet your kitchen smells yummy!

Kathryn said...

I love soup in the winter. There's no way my husband and I could eat that much soup, even in a week. Does it freeze well? Thanks.

quiltingtaylormade said...

Hi Kaaren -- I've been following your blog and love your quilts, pincushions, recipes, and everything else you post !! I'm a bread baker too (and NOT with one of those machines) and so I'm going to be bold and question.....EIGHT teaspoons of baking powder ??? Just wanted to clarify before I start .... I'm used to making yeast breads so this was a new one on seeing 8 teaspoons of baking powder. Please clarify and get me set on the right patch. Stay warm !!!!

Sheila said...

Oh my that soup looks yummy and the cinnamon rolls have my mouth watering , I bet they taste as good as they look .

Sandra said...

Looks yummy! I make a very similar soup, I change the barley out for rice and add chopped tomatoes instead of the V8. Hubby just loves it. Glad to hear it is similar to a Weight Watchers recipe! Once again Atlantic Canada is due to get a major snowstorm, there's a good reason to try those cinnamon rolls (another storm day!)

Pam in IL said...

Yum! Thanks for sharing the recipes too. Have a great week!

Janet O. said...

Both look very yummy, Kaaren. Thanks for the recipes.
I just made curry coconut chicken, roasted potatoes and two cream pies to serve 12 today, so I don't feel like cooking for another day or two, but this will make a great meal when the mood strikes--and the leftovers are all gone! : )

margaret said...

very mounthwatering but those cinnamon buns are naughty to the waistline and I need to lose weight not gain it!

Wendyb said...

ooooh so yummy Kaaren...my mouth is watering!!!!! Thanks for the recipes...will have to try both!
xox sugary hugs
Wendy :o)

Three Sheep Studio said...

I'm coming for dinner !! Oh wait, I cannot get out of my driveway because of all the snow !!
Fabulous food...thanks for the recipes ;)
Rose

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Thanks for the recipes, especially the cinnamon rolls! I just do not seem to be able to master breads requiring yeast ... but I do love cinnamon rolls! I'm definitely going to try them!

KatieQ said...

Thank you for sharing the recipes. It's snowing here in NY (again) so soup ad cinnamon rolls sounds perfect. I've never seen a recipe for cinnamon rolls without yeast so I am eager to try it.

Lindah said...

Your soup looks so good. Great on winter day --or any other time. I have a question re the pot barley. I have not heard of "pot barley." Does that differ from the usual barley used in beef and barley soup? Curious minds, y'know.

Beverley said...

Hi Kaaren. Lovely recipes. What is V8 juice please? This is not a known name in Britain. Best Wishes. Beverley.

Janet said...

I guess the low calorie soup means you can have two cinnamon rolls, that's how my brain works, lol. I've been getting the baking urge lately too.

Barb said...

thanks for the new recipes. I love cinnamon rolls and this looks like a great recipe! thanks!

Elizabeth said...

Today will be Domestic Wednesday for me as it's pouring and blowing a gale so I'm making bread to go with our leek potato and haddock soup. Hope you are well and snug.

Kate said...

Both look delicious - thanks for sharing!

Cyndi said...

Your recipes sound delicious! I plan to try them both!!

AnitaC said...

Tried your cinnamon roll recipe yesterday - it just might be too good. Had to have a second one! I usually visit to look at your wonderful quilts.

Kim said...

Most delicious post I've seen in a long time...and so joyful! Thanks Kaaren. :-)