Friday, May 6, 2011

Simple Food

With the last few days being rainy and cool, I reflected on the simple food I prepare for my family.

One night we had quiche for supper.  I was so happy a couple of years ago, to finally find a simple pie crust recipe that is easy to roll out.  It is from The Amish Cook.

Never-Fail Pie Crust

2 cups flour (all whole wheat or half white, half wheat)
3/4 t. salt
 2/3 cup lard or butter
2 t apple cider vinegar
1 egg
3 1/2 T. ice water

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.  Cut in the lard or butter with a pastry blender until the mixutre is uniform.  In a separate bowl (I just use the same bowl to have less dishes to wash...) blend the vinegar, egg, and water.  Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, pour the vinegar mixture into the well, and stir until blended.  Work the dough into a ball.  Divide this ball into two.  For each pie crust, press one ball into a flat circle and roll into 1/8" thick.

With some local spinach, our onions and garlic, our hen's eggs, and some cheese, quiche is a satisfying meal.




Another evening, I made soup on the woodstove and baked some muffins and biscuits to go with it.

Carrots, Onions, Rice and Local Pasture Raised Sausage

I am looking forward to our meals transitioning to reflect the offerings of spring very soon.

What are you eating?
Warm wishes,
Tonya

17 comments:

  1. I was just going to write a post on our simple dinners lately...LOL! Last night, I stopped at the health food store and two towns over a lady supplies them with a salad mix that is out of this world! I made that with locally made blue cheese, added walnuts and cranberries and balsamic vinegar--so yummy:-) Then we had a cream of tomato soup I made from canned tomatoes. I can't wait for some more greens:-) Ooooh, thanks for mailing that out to me too!!!
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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  2. Isn't it great that as the seasons change, so do our meals...I love the variety that the spring and summer bring to the dinner table. Thanks for the reminder of quiche, we love it and I've not made it in a long time. Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

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  3. Our garden is getting into high gear so we have been eating a lot of fresh salads. We have had to start cutting the squash so I am getting ready to start freezing some for next winter. You know the saying...Feast or Famine? I think it was written about squash! Have a wonderful weekend Tonya.

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  4. What am I eating? NOTHING as wholesome and healthy and simple as what you are cooking... I do know that quiche is simple and want to make a few small ones (for they do freeze well) - and the soup you made looks incredible - can you give a recipe?

    I'm an old 65-year old woman who lives with my two cats up on the Hudson River - I work in NYC M-F and commute by train (after walking to the station) - when I get home at about 6:30 I'm exhausted and simply grab something to eat... nothing healthy, take out Chinese, mac & cheese from box mix, grilled cheese sandwich with canned soup... you see I am a slouch and really want to begin eating healthy - I NEED to begin eating healthy... I'll start with your soup and small quiche...

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  5. Dear Tonya, I love this post! Thank you for sharing your simple meals. We are also eating simply, home baked goods like your family, and chickens we raised from last year, eggs- and the last of our canned/frozen foods. At this point all that is left are peppers, grape jelly, applesauce, pear sauce, pickles, tomatoes, and chickens. But the garden is yielding some rhubarb and chives and mints- I look forward to the gardening year!

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  6. Man that looks tasty. We are eating pancakes. Mama is tired so pancakes made by dad it was. We have also been eating whole wheat pasta with lemon sauce and salads!
    Happy Mother's Day!

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  7. yum to the simple food Tonya. I tried Rachel's (house full of jays) yummy German pancake the other day with blueberries and raspberries frozen from last summer, very good! That pie crust recipe is intriguing, i'll have to try it.

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  8. thank you for sharing your pie crust recipe! i will try it for sure. and quiche sounds wonderful!

    we made some cranberry muffins the other day with some organic cranberries i found at the back of the freezer, and i think i'll make a pile of brownies tonight. just because. oh, and some simple grilled burgers for a special meal. because i'm really hoping this boy comes out. REALLY :)

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  9. I think I'll have to try your pie crust -- do you think it will work with duck eggs. My eldest is allergic to chicken eggs. Lovely, inspiring narrative you write.

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  10. We're getting back to basic foods as well...I've just watched that movie Food.inc and was very shocked at what I saw...so we are on a corn syrup strike. It does feel nice knowing more about our food and what we're feeding our kids. Your post was very inspiring as has helped me to see that it's not that hard and I can continue with this adventure...

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  11. I made a crustless quiche a few days ago with some of my fresh red mustard, spinach and baby kale, my eggs, sausage from my pig we just had butchered a few weeks ago, fresh onions from the garden, then some cheese and mushrooms. It was SO good and mostly what I had raised or grown right here. I love meals like that.

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  12. I love quiches,but for some reason don't make them often (I am to lazy to do the crust,I know) Barbeque,baked potatoes,spinach,green beans,pumpkin,spare ribs,smoked trout,to name a few are big favourites around here! It is to warm here,but I wish I could have my own trout ponds!!

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  13. Good morning Tonya

    So excited to see you also use the 'Amish Cook' I love it and have used it often. I love the its simplicity. I am sure that you are longing for your Summer and I am sure it is on its way soon. Our weather is turning much colder here. Tonya I had no idea that you were having a baby. Scrolled down to see a picture of you. How wonderful~! We have been having numerous soups and stews...Raw eating is at a bit of a low but we are still managing two raw meals a day. I must say, Winter is just beggining and I need to think of new recipes....

    Love to you
    Suzanne
    x

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  14. My girls were taught how to make pies using this crust recipe. I too had never made such an easy pie crust. The funny thing was, the young mom teaching my girls and her daughter got embarrassed when I was surprised by the addition of eggs and vinegar. She had never made pie crust before and was afraid she was doing something wrong!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  15. I have used quite a few of the Amish Cooks recipes over the years (including Rhubarb Dump Cake - yum!). Such good, tried and true recipes. Thank you for sharing this one. I will be giving it a whirl soon!

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  16. yum. I adore quiche, will have to try your crust recipe - thank you!

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  17. The egg in the crust is interesting. I wonder if that makes it easier to roll out? Now I'm going to have to try it.

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