Author: cathysmaha

I am a country girl, born and raised on a farm in Central Iowa. I am the youngest of three children by 9 and 14 years….I was the OOPS! Being younger had its advantages in that I was an Aunt at age 7 and grew up with my niece and nephews. My Father died from a farm injury when I was 12, which forever changed my life and strengthened my bond with my Mother. I tagged along with my Mother to visit older people in our community and learned about their lives in the early 1900s, enjoying the many wonderful traditional foods and family stories. I graduated from a class of 25, which gave me the advantage of being involved in sports and clubs that would not have been possible in a large High School. At that time, Home Ec was still an elective and I loved the cooking lessons (not so hot on the sewing classes). While at the University of Northern Iowa, I began to collect and read cookbooks. Perhaps it was the absence of Mom’s home cooking that drew me to dream about cooking (and eating) wonderful food. After college I moved to St. Joseph, MO and then to Scottsdale, AZ and began to experiment with traditional recipes and discovering those of my own. It was such an adventure to discover new dishes and restaurants in historic St. Joseph, Kansas City, then Scottsdale, Phoenix, San Diego…and the list goes on. In the early ‘80s, I moved to Denver, got married, started my telecommunications sales career and discovered the fabulous restaurants in Denver and Aspen. My career took me to cities never before experienced and the seafood in San Francisco, Cajun fare in New Orleans, Tex-Mex in Dallas, Italian in New Jersey, etc. are experiences I will cherish. In 1986 our first daughter, Megan, was born and then Sarah in 1988. Instead of indulging in dinners out, we were cooking more at home and seeking ways to have good meals with limited time. Dinners went from adult gourmet to more kid friendly meals. Megan’s tastes were more basic while Sarah adopted a gourmet palate at an early age. At age 6 her favorite meal was steamed artichokes and crab legs with drawn butter…still her favorite. Megan’s tastes expanded rapidly when she went to college and started cooking for her roommates and now loves to whip up gourmet dishes. I am blessed to have many gal pals that also share my passion for good food. I love to try new restaurants and look forward to the ‘pot luck’ feasts at our book club meetings and other gatherings. It isn’t just the good food that brings us to together, but the great love and admiration we all have for each other. We are addicted foodies…but we try to remember our 12-step foodie program is needed. God grant me the serenity to only eat the food that I LOVE, the courage to walk away from junk food, and the wisdom to recognize the difference. Oh YEAH!
Cookies and Bars · Family Favorites

Clementine Butter Cookies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Clementine Butter cookies are amazing, or as one family member said, ‘these are addictive’. I didn’t even use the orange liquer! I decided to roll the rough into balls then flatten them (vs. rolling them out and using a cookie cutter). Either way, these cookies are worth making. They were gone in a couple of days with kids, grandkids, etc.

Clementine Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated clementine zest (about 3)
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
  • For the glaze:
    • 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
    • small pinch table salt
    • 1 tablespoons orange liqueur (I used more clementine juice)
    • 1 tablespoon half and half
    • 1–2 tablespoons juice from clementine
DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon; set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the sugar butter and zest on medium speed until well blended, about two minutes. Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing until well blended after each addition. Add vanilla extract and orange extract and mix until well blended. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until little moist clumps form, about one minute.
  3. Divide dough into two equal piles and form dough into smooth balls. Using your hands, knead dough into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes or up to three days ahead.
  4. When ready to bake the cookies, preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper or silicone baking sheet.
  5. Working with one disk at a time, roll the dough on a well floured surface to about 1/4-inch thick. Using cookie cutter of your choice (I used a 2-inch circle), cut out shapes. Arrange them about 1-inch apart on the cookie sheets. Re-roll and cut out dough scraps until you’ve used all the dough.
  6. Bake the cookies in preheated oven about 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the sheet about 5 minutes and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
  7. While cookies are cooling, prepare glaze by combining powdered sugar, salt, orange liqueur, half and half and 1 tablespoon of clementine juice. Add more clementine juice, if necessary, to make a nice spreading consistency.
  8. Top each cookie with about 1 teaspoon of the glaze, using the bottom of a spoon to spread the glaze to sides of cookies. Let cookies sit at room temperature for at least an hour until glaze is set. Serve cookies immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days.

Recipe from MountainMommaCooks

Breads · Holidays

Soda Bread by Ina Garten

cathysmahaLeave a comment

St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be complete without corned beef and cabbage accompanied by Irish Soda Bread. I’ve made Irish Soda Bread in years past, but decided to try Ina Garten’s recipe. The texture was wonderful and the taste was sweeter than the past versions with the addition of orange peel and raisins. It is wonderful toasted the next day for breakfast.

Soda Bread

INGREDIENTS:
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice
  • 1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
  • 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1 cup dried currants (I used raisins)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.
  3. With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
  4. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.
  5. Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  6. Optional: I buttered the top of the warm bread when it came out of the oven.

Recipe from FoodNetwork/Ina Garten

Breakfast · Cookies and Bars

Banana Breakfast Cookies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

There is nothing easier for breakfast that an oatmeal breakfast cake (like Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal Breakfast Bars or Breakfast Cake) or these Banana Breakfast Cookies. The recipe made 9 cookies. I froze 4, refrigerated 4 and, of course, ate one just to be sure they were delicious!

Banana Breakfast Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 2 over ripe bananas
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional +2T. for topping)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper, and set aside.
  2. In a mixing bowl combine oats, mashed bananas, peanut butter, cinnamon, and salt. Mix together with rubber spatula and add ½ cup chocolate chips. Mix again.
  3. Divide the dough into seven cookies and place them in the parchment paper pan. Press down on the cookies to make a cookie shape and about ½ inch thick. Top cookies with extra chocolate chips if desired.
  4. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe from Kitchenfunwithmythreesons

Italian Dishes · Pastas · Sauces

Sauage Ragu

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Sausage Ragu is a family favorite. We made this recipe for the first trip during the COVID lockdown when we took Zoom cooking classes with Chef Lucas of Italy. When we are hungry for pasta, this our go-to recipe. The red wine colors the sausage a darker color but the taste of this sauce is heavenly. The left-overs are just as good and we now double or triple the recipe so we can freeze sauce for an emergency Ragu night.

Sausage Ragu

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 12 oz. Italian sausage (remove casings)
  • 1/2 cup of tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1 cup mascarpone
  • 1 1/2 cups red wine
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • 1 pinch of chili peppers
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb. pasta of choice, cooked per directions
DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a large frying pan, brown garlic, chili peppers, rosemary and sausage in the olive oil.
  2. After the meat is cooked and brown, add the wine and reduce to half. (Note from Cathy: I like to remove some of the drippings and oil at this point, then adding the wine).
  3. Add the tomate paste and the stock. Let it cook for ten minutes on low heat.
  4. Turn the heat off and combine with the mascarpone, then toss with the pasta.

Recipe from Chef Lucas cookbook ‘Cooking with Lucas’

Poultry

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Who doesn’t love an easy, crowd-pleasing chicken dish. This recipe is sooo good and is wonderful served with wild rish or potatoes and a salad. This could easily be made ahead of time and just pop it in the oven when it’s time. Lefovers are divine!

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2-3 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup diced cooked bacon
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp Dukes mayo
  • 1 tsp diced garlic
  • 1 bundle chopped chives
  • 1/2 tsp Tabasco (if you like heat, add more to taste)
  • 1/4 c diced pecans (or almonds)
  • pepper/salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 375, and begin to clean {trim fat) from chicken.
  2. Place chicken in a baking dish.
  3. In a separate bowl, place all other ingredients (NOT the chicken) and stir together.
  4. Scoop a spoonful of the mixture on top of each chicken breast and spread to cover.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes (depending on the thickness of chicken, make sure inside is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees).

Recipe from CoastalBend/MomCollective

Appetizers

Apple and Brie Crostini

cathysmahaLeave a comment

The Brie at Costco is always wonderful this recipe from their Magazine was a winner. What’s not to like with almond butter, brie, apple, honey, spiced pecans–wow! I used the spiced pecans that I make every Christmas. This would be a wonderful appetizer for Valentine’s Day or a gathering of friends and family.

Apple and Brie Crostini

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 baguette, thinly sliced on the bias (Fork-Lore: I used Croccantini Original Sea Salt Artisan Crackers)
  • ½ cup Kirkland Signature Almond Butter
  • 3 oz. brie cheese
  • 1 large Honeycrisp apple
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • ½ cup candied pecans, chopped (for garnish)
  • ¼ cup honey
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Heat oven to 375 F. Arrange baguette slices on a rimmed 9 x 13-inch baking sheet. Thinly spread almond butter on one side of each baguette slice, about 2 tsp.
  2. Slice the brie and the Honeycrisp apple thinly so one flavor doesn’t overpower the other, about ¼-inch-thick slices. Place brie on top of almond butter spread. Set apple aside.
  3. Bake 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  4. Top crostini with apple and pepper. Sprinkle pecans on top for garnish and drizzle with honey. Serve immediately. Makes 4 to 6 servings, about 12 crostini.

Recipe from Costco Magazine

Mexican Dishes · Soups and Stews

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

cathysmaha1 Comment

What a quick, easy and delicious soup! Temperatures were bitterly cold in Colorado when I made this soup. It came together in 30 minutes or less and was delicious! What an easy dinner for a busy family night. I’m thinking this soup would freeze well, if there are any leftovers!

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1lb chicken breasts, chopped into bite sized pieces (I used rotisserie chicken)
  • 1 large shallot or small onion, chopped 
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend (could use AP flour if not GF)
  • 3 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup milk, any kind
  • 15oz can gluten free green enchilada sauce (I like Hatch brand)
  • 4oz can chopped green chiles
  • 2, 15oz cans great northern beans, drained and rinsed (I used 1 can white beans, 1 can black beans)
  • 2 teaspoons cumin (I use 1 tsp.)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano 
  • 8oz freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese, plus more for topping
  • Toppings: tortilla strips, shredded Monterey jack cheese, fresh cilantro, green onions, lime wedges, sour cream, green Tabasco sauce
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped chicken breasts and shallot/onion, season with salt and pepper, then saute until chicken is opaque, 4-5 minutes – chicken does not need to be entirely cooked through. Add garlic then saute until extremely fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
  2. Sprinkle in flour then stir to combine and cook while stirring for 1 minute. Slowly stream in chicken broth while stirring until a smooth sauce has formed then pour in remaining chicken broth and milk. Add green enchilada sauce, canned chiles, beans, cumin, and dried oregano then turn heat up to bring soup to a bubble, stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to medium-low then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally.
  3. Turn heat off then remove pot from hot burner, add half the cheese, and then stir until completely smooth. Add remaining cheese then stir until completely smooth. Let soup sit and thicken for 15 – 20 minutes then scoop into bowls and serve with toppings.

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Czech Heritage and Dishes · Soups and Stews

Kapustnica: Slovak Christmas Sauerkraut Mushroom Soup

cathysmaha2 Comments

My Father’s ancestral roots are Czech and Slovak. I’ve always been interested in the ethnic foods of these regions and love trying the foods that they may have eaten. Kapustnica mean Sauerkraut Soup and is often served on Christmas Eve as well as throughout the winter months. Imagine the ingredients of these foods were preserved for use during the winter months. The soup is smoky and a bit sour due to the sauerkraut. The broth is delicious. Serve the soup with a nice crusty bread to complete the meal.

While this is a traditional Christmas soup, I prefer this soup in the cold, dark days of January.

Kapustnica: Slovak Christmas Sauerkraut Mushroom Soup

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 to 1.5 lbs. Sauerkraut (Frank’s refrigerated is recommended)
  • 1 tsp. caraway seed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2-3 links of smoked sausage
  • 3 quarts water
  • 1 oz. dried mushrooms (porcini recommended)
  • pasta (I cooked 1 cup of dried Kluski noodles)
  • Roux:
    • 3 tablespoons oil
    • 1 small chopped onion
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. pepper
    • Paprika to taste
    • 1 cup water
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Add three quarts of water to a large pot. Add sauerkraut, caraway seed, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
  2. Soak mushrooms in cold water for 15 minutes. Drain and discard liquid. Add to soup.
  3. Using a fork, poke many holes in the smoked sausages. Add to soup.
  4. Simmer soup for 1-2 hours.
  5. Prepare the roux: Add oil to pan. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute. Add flour and stir until mixture is light brown. Add salt, pepper, paprika and ____. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup water. Whisk and cook until mixture thickens. Add to soup. Continue simmering soup.
  6. Remove smoke sausage from soup and slice into pieces. Add back to soup.
  7. Remove bay leaf.
  8. Cook pasta separately. When cooked, add to soup.

Recipe from YouTube

or

https://tasteisyours.com/slovak-sauerkraut-soup-kapustnica/

Kapustnica ( Slovakian Christmas Stew )

https://cookpad.com/uk/recipes/274784-kapustnica-slovakian-sauerkraut-sausage-soup

Breads

Healthy Banana Bread with Honey

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Banana Bread is always a winner and I have tried many. My go-to Banana Bread is moist and delicious; my Christmas verision with maraschino cherries and chocolate chips is a family favorite, and I enjoyed this version made with honey. Honey is a precious commodity in my home, so I will routinely opt for my other two recipes, but know this version is also delicious.

Healthy Banana Bread with Honey

INGREDIENTS:
  • ⅓ cup (75 grams) melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil or high quality vegetable oil*
  • ½ cup honey (168 grams) or maple syrup (155 grams)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup (225 grams) mashed ripe bananas (about 2 ½ medium or 2 large bananas)
  • ¼ cup (56 grams) milk of choice or water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (NOT baking powder; they aren’t the same!)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to swirl on top
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour**
  • Totally optional: ½ cup mix-ins like chopped walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dried fruit, fresh banana slices…
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the oil and honey together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and milk. (If your coconut oil solidifies on contact with cold ingredients, simply let the bowl rest in a warm place for a few minutes, like on top of your stove, or warm it for about 10 seconds in the microwave.)
  3. Add the baking soda, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, and whisk to blend. Lastly, switch to a big spoon and stir in the flour, just until combined. Some lumps are ok! If you’re adding any additional mix-ins, gently fold them in now.
  4. Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. If you’d like a pretty swirled effect, run the tip of a knife across the batter in a zig-zag pattern.
  5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (typically, if I haven’t added any mix-ins, my bread is done at 55 minutes; if I have added mix-ins, it needs closer to 60 minutes). Let the bread cool in the loaf pan for at least 10 minutes. You may need to run a butter knife around the edges to loosen the bread from the pan. Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool before slicing.

Recipe from CookieandKate

Fish

Honey Mustard Salmon Bake

cathysmahaLeave a comment

The Honey Mustand Salmon is so delicious and will remain a favorite recipe with or without the vegetables. I had several vegetables on hand, including leftover roasted brussel sprouts, that I used in this recipe. I like roasted radishes, but if that is not your thing, you could easily replace with sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, etc. A one pan meal is always a great way to prepare a meal. Enjoy!

Honey Mustard Salmon Bake

INGREDIENTS:
  • Salmon:
    • 1 tsp. mustard
    • 2 heaped tsp. Wholegrain mustard
    • 1 1/2 tsbp. honey
    • 3 minced garlic cloves
    • 1/2 tsp paprika
    • 1/4 tsp chili flakes
    • 1 pound salmon
  • Vegetables:
    • 1 pound new potatoes, halved or cubed potates
    • 1 red onion, sliced thin
    • bunch of radishes, halved
    • 2 tbsp. olive oil
    • a big pinch of: salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, ground coriander and ground cumin
    • 8 oz. brussel sprouts, halved or sliced thinly
    • 3 spring onions, halved and cut into pieces
    • Lemon & dill to serve
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mix together mustards, honey, garlic, paprika and chili flakes. Brush over flesh side of salmon and set aside.
  3. Combine potatoes, radishes and red onion. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, ground coriander and ground cumin. Stir to coat
  4. Add potatoes, radishes and red onion to baking sheet and baked for 25 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, combine brussel sprouts, spring onion and squeeze over juice of one lemon. Add sprout misture to potato mixture and stir. 
  6. Make a well in the center of the baking sheet and lay the salmon down with a slice of lemon.
  7. Bake for another 12-15 minutes depending on how you like your salmon. Serve with fresh dill.

Recipe from Mediterranean.diet.plan