Wednesday, September 09, 2009

WORK ALL DAY, SLEEP ALL NIGHT...

Homemade spaghetti sauce with meatballs

With the weather a bit cooler, my thoughts nearly always turn to homey, one-pot meals.
Stews. Soups. Casseroles.
Today I had a hankering for spaghetti.
I typically use my dad's recipe, but I had no mushrooms, and no spicy and sweet italian sausage.
But, other than those missing ingredients, it is my father's sauce.
And my kids can hardly wait.
"Pepere's Spaghetti"


To go with the spaghetti, I have a loaf of artisan bread rising, ready to be baked in the next hour.
I have been using my "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" cookbook on a regular basis, and LOVE it.


On the other hand, nothing beats a great sourdough bread.
So yesterday I began a sourdough starter, and will let you know how it comes out.
I just mixed water with an equal amount of flour and left it right next to the starter for the artisan bread.
That way the yeast which is in the air from the artisan bread can creep on over to the sourdough starter, thus insuring a healthy sourdough!

Cabbage/sauerkraut pressed down with a plate.
It is then covered with a gallon jug of water to force the liquids up and over the plate.

Two days ago I took my huge heads of cabbage and grated them up for homemade sauerkraut.
Never having done this before, I did a bit of research on the internet.
So far it is doing and smelling exactly like it should!
Can't wait to give it it taste in a few days!


This mornings breakfast: steel cut oats, soaked overnight in water to cover, with a bit of lemon juice.
In the morning you simply drain off the water, add fresh water, and simmer till done.
I tell you, I LOVE steel cut oats but they are such a pain to cook in the mornings.
They typically take over half an hour to get tender.
Not any more!
The pre-soaking reduces the cooking time to only about 6-7 minutes!
So delicious with a teeniest pat of butter, maple syrup, and a bit of milk.
And they stick to your ribs for hours!

And THAT'S what I've been doing the past couple of days!

Ooh, ooh! I almost forgot to tell you!
HomemakerAng is having a cheesemaking class next week and I'm gonna be there!!!
Also getting a few Cuckoo Maran hens while I'm there to round out my little flock.
I'll be sure to take LOTS of photos!
Can hardly wait!
Pin It!

10 comments:

Renata said...

That spaghetti & meatballs sounds delicious!!
Interested in how your sourdough starter goes - I think I'm going to give one a try as well. Enjoy your cheesemaking class - I'd love to see her place but alas the whole different continents prevents that!

Faith said...

Oh, how I wish I had the time for cooking! I am looking forward to winter when I can spend time in the kitchen. :)

I hope I can remember your post and sourdough recipe starter. I'll be back. :)

~Faith

Maria said...

Hi Cyn!
A pot of spaghetti sauce & meatballs can conjure memories from long ago times!
homemade bread! ahhh the best aroma in the world!
I'm thinking COMFORT food right now...
and
...What's for supper? maybe some spaghetti?

Thanks so much for the kind comments, Cyn! You are such a dear soul~
Have a wonderful weekend,
~Maria

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

I am so jealous about the cheesemaking class!!!!!!! I want to know how to SO BAD!!!! I have read a bit about it but always get discouraged when I have to order stuff of the internet...like rennet?
Think I need a copy of this book of yours (the bread one) I am burned out on my baguettes. They are so good but so much work.
Have you ever thought about building an outdoor clay oven for your bread - that is my latest brainstorm. So many ideas so little time.
I know what you mean - you must sleep like a log. Even pregnant I do!!!

SentimentsbyDenise said...

We make our spaghetti sauce from scratch also - no better tasting than homemade!
Steel cut oats is one of my favorite things to have for breakfast. I never thought about soaking them. I usually make up a four-serving batch one evening and put it in the fridge, then microwave a single serving in the mornings with fresh fruit and vanilla soy milk - so tasty!

Melodie said...

Thanks for following me!We love sourdough.My son has either sourdough waffles or pancakes several times a week with homemade blueberry syrup!I hope you starter turns out good.

TRUTH SHARER said...

You are quite the cook dear girl!! You make me long for home in Michigan - where I was born on the farm!

Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS - For His Name's Sake]

Victoria said...

OK, I'm sorry to post a comment that's not about your post. I confess, I can't eat regular spaghetti or bread, so I can't utilize these recipes. :(

I started my etsy shop and wondered if we could be etsy friends? :) Pretty please?

Lovella ♥ said...

Don't you just love the pizza dough in that cookbook? I always have some in the fridge. I blind bake it in the oven just until it is set. .and then with the toppings on .. throw it on the grill just to crisp the bottom.
Our favorite. .. .cream cheese, thinly sliced smoked salmon and red onions. . oh yum

My Casa Bella said...

Don't you love the smells of homemade sauce throughout the house?? I froze 25 pints of homemade sauce from tomatoes I grew, so satisfying. Can't wait to use them this winter. YUM!!
My Casa Bella