Late July Organic Snacks

Health, Happiness & Peace for 2009!

 

As we prepare to face the new opportunities and challenges of 2009, we are more committed than ever to our values and creating a better world for our children.  We wish everyone health, happiness & peace in the New Year.

Special Memories & Warm Moments

The holidays should be about spending time with family and friends, but this year I found myself getting caught up in last minute work deadlines, shopping insanity and other distractions to the point where the season was slipping by.  Realizing I was missing the things in life that truly matter, I thought I would take a break, crank up the holiday music and bake organic gingerbread cookies (recipe follows) with my kids.  As we sat down to decorate we noticed a family of deer, or reindeer as we're calling them, eating in our back yard.  For that moment, everything was perfect.  Wishing you and yours many special memories and warm moments this holiday season.

Organic Gingerbread Boys

2 C Organic All Purpose Flour

1 C Organic Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

1 Tsp Baking Soda

¾ Tsp Organic Ginger (Ground)

¾ Tsp Organic Cinnamon

½ Tsp Organic Nutmeg

1 Stick Organic Butter

¼ C Organic Vegetable Shortening

¾ C Organic Light Brown Sugar

½ C Unsulfured Molasses

1 Egg

 

1.  Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.

2.  Add egg, molasses and spices and mix.

3.  Combine the flours and baking soda then gradually add to the mix.    You can add a little additional flour to stiffen up the dough, if necessary. 

4.  Divide into a few parts, wrap tightly and refrigerate for a few hours or put in the freezer for about 20 minutes if you have anxious kids!  You can also make the dough ahead of time.  It’s also fun to play with the spices and find a combination that you like the best.  Many people use allspice and clove, too.

 

Preheat Oven to 325º.

1.  Put the first piece of dough on a piece of parchment sprinkled with flour then dust with flour and roll it out to about 1/8” – 1/4” thick.   

2.  Cut into your favorite gingerbread boy or girl shape!  Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment and bake for 5-7 minutes.  Do not over bake. 

3.  Cool on the sheet a little before you move them to a wire rack.  Cool completely before decorating. 

4.  Decorate and enjoy! Most people use royal icing to decorate, but I prefer using buttercream frosting.

Warm Up With Easy Alphabet Soup and Late July Saltine Crackers!

It was so cold yesterday that my car doors were frozen shut in the morning and last night my oldest son said he was too cold to have anything other than soup for dinner.  It seemed like the perfect night to make my favorite alphabet soup recipe.  It warmed us right up.  Please note: the fresh rosemary gives it a lot of flavor pretty quickly so keep checking until it's to your taste.   

Easy Organic Italian Alphabet Soup & Late July Crackers

All ingredients available organically except salt and pepper

1 1/2 C Organic Alphabet Pasta  (I use Trader Joes)              

3-4 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil                            

2 Organic Carrots – sliced                  

4 Organic Garlic Cloves – sliced thin        

1 Organic Onion Diced                                

2 Organic Celery Stalks Sliced              

1 large Organic Rosemary Sprig       

28oz Organic Whole Tomatoes Mashed

6 C Organic Chicken Broth

Organic Parmesan Cheese              

Kosher Salt

Fresh Ground Organic Pepper        

Late July Organic Classic Saltines

 

Cook Alphabet Pasta until al dente and set aside

 

1. In a large pot combine oilve oil, onion, carrots, celery, garlic and cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes.

2. Add tomatoes and 2 cups of chicken brith. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Add fresh rosemary.

4. Add pasta and remaining broth, remove rosemary.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve with parmesan cheese and Late July Classic Saltines.