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!
Breads

Green Chile Cheddar Beer Bread

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Green chile cheddar beer bread is a flavorful, easy quick bread that I will make again and again. It stands well on it’s own, toasted with butter, paired with soup. I love an easy delicious bread and this one is a winner!

Green Chile Cheddar Beer Bread

INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
  • 1 (12 oz) can room-temperature beer (light beer or medium depending on your flavor preference)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green chiles (about 2 4-oz cans, drained)
  • 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping (mild or sharp both work)
  • Additional melted butter for brushing on top
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Whisk in melted butter and honey until flour is a bit clumpy.
  3. Pour beer into dry ingredients and add green chiles and cheddar. Fold batter until just combined.
  4. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese over top if desired. Bake beer bread at 350F 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  5. Brush warm bread with additional melted butter if desired. Cool bread in pan 15 minutes, then use parchment to lift out of pan and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow bread to cool at least 45 minutes before slicing. Serve bread warm and enjoy!

Recipe from WholeandHeavenlyOven

Holidays · Pies and Pastries

Homemade Eggnog Pie

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Oh my gosh, this recipe is amazing. Daughter, Megan, made it for our holiday dinner in addition to our traditional Rum Cake and it was amazing. The family may have voted for this Eggnog Pie slightly over our beloved Rum Cake. I never thought that would be possible. Megan took the original recipe and kicked it up a notch with a homemade graham cracker crust and homemade eggnog, sans the alcohol, because of the kids. Even if you’re not an eggnog fan, I think you’ll love this pie!

Homemade Eggnog Pie

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups cold eggnog OR make your own (recipe below)
  • 1 large box of Jell-O instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 cup whipped cream (or cool whip)
  • Splash or rum (optional)
  • pre made graham cracker crust OR make your own (recipe below)
  • sprinkle of nutmeg
  • Homemade Eggnog Option:
    • 4 beaten egg yolks
    • 2 cups milk
    • 1/3 cup sugar
    • 1 cup whipping cream
    • 2 tablespoons light rum (optional)
    • 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • Ground Nutmeg
  • Graham Cracker Crust
    • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 16 full sheet graham crackers)
    • 1/3 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Mix together eggnog, vanilla pudding, whipped cream (or Cool Whip).
  2. Pour into graham cracker crust.
  3. Homemade Eggnog Option:
    • In a large heavy saucepan, combine the egg yolks, milk and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture just coats a metal spoon. Remove from heat Place the pan in a sink or bowl of ice water and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in whipping cream, rum, bourbon, and vanilla. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours. Use in recipe above or to serve as a beverage, sprinkle with nutmeg.
  4. Homemade Graham Cracker Crust:
    • Stir the graham cracker crust ingredients together. Pour into a 9 or 10-inch springform pan or pie dish and pack in very tightly. The tighter it’s packed, the less likely it will fall apart when cutting the cheesecake. I recommend using the bottom of a measuring cup to pack it into the bottom and up the sides. Freeze for 10–20 minutes as you prepare the filling.

Pie Recipe adapted from B. Dylan Hollis on Instagram

Homemade Eggnog Recipe from The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook

Graham Cracker Crust recipe from SallysBakingAddiction

Cookies and Bars · Holidays

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

My daughter, Megan, has been making soft Gingerbread Cookies for years to give to neighbors and friends. This is her go-to recipe and it never disappoints. The family eagerly awaits her gingerbread making day! Decorate to your liking with icing and enjoy.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup butter flavor shortening
  • 1 1 ⁄ 4 cups sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 ⁄ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 4 cups flour
  • raisins (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Place cloves in hot water; set aside.
  2. Cream shortening and sugar.
  3. Add egg and beat.
  4. Add molasses, beat.
  5. Remove cloves from water, discard cloves.
  6. Add clove water, beat. *Dough will look “curdled”.
  7. Add rest of ingredients, except the last 4 cups flour, and beat. Gradually beat in last 4 cups flour.
  8. Chill dough.
  9. Roll out to 1/2″ thick or slightly less.
  10. Cut into shapes.
  11. Decorate with raisins if desired.
  12. Place carefully on ungreased cookie sheet.
  13. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes. Do not over bake.

Recipe from recipes.com

Cookies and Bars · Czech Heritage and Dishes

No Bake Christmas Honey Balls (Czech Medovníkové koule)

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Czech Honey Balls remind me of a very rich cake pop, only better. I like the cookie dough as well and could easily just eat it as a cookie, vs. crumbled in this yummy honey ball. My family is divided about this cookie. One half loves it and says it’s one of the best cookies they’ve ever had. The other half doesn’t like the texture…what? I just want to give honest feedback here. Just know my grandsons will eat every one I make and any you have leftover.

No Bake Christmas Honey Balls (Czech Medovníkové koule)

INGREDIENTS:
  • Honey dough:
    • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (230 g)
    • ½ cup powdered sugar (60 g)
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 Tablespoons honey liquid (I heated in microwave for 20 seconds)
    • ⅓ stick unsalted butter (40 g) softened at room temperature
  • To finish:
    • 1 stick unsalted butter (110 g) softened at room temperature
    • ⅔ cup caramelized sweet condensed milk (200 g) Dulce de Leche or make your own with 1 can sweet condensed milk (see recipe below).
DIRECTIONS:
  1. If you are making your own caramelized sweet condensed milk, it’s so easy. Remove the label from the can and place, unopened, in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 hrs. Remove from the water and cool. Ta-da you have caramel!
  2. Mix the flour with the baking soda and put the floury mixture in a bowl. Add the eggs, softened butter, liquid honey, and powdered sugar. First, mix the wet ingredients with the flour using a fork, then work into a soft dough with your hands.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge to rest for an hour.
  4. Roll the rested honey dough into sheets about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick. The shape doesn’t matter too much, as the dough will be crushed into crumbs when baked. When rolling out the dough, I recommend dusting the work surface lightly with flour to prevent the dough from sticking.
  5. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the honey dough sheets on it. Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for about 12 minutes.
  6. Once baked, take off the parchment paper with the honey dough sheets and put them on a wire rack to cool. If you let the baked dough cool on the tray, it’s fine, but in that case, I recommend placing the tray in a cool spot.
  7. Once the sheets of dough have cooled, break them into crumbs. You can do this by hand or by placing the pieces of dough in a food processor and pulsing them a few times until they turn into small crumbs. Alternatively, you can grate the dough using a hand grater.
  8. Set aside about half a cup of the crumbs to coat the balls. Combine the remaining crumbs with the caramelized milk and softened butter. Start by mashing them together with a fork, then use your hands to form a soft dough.
  9. Cover the soft dough with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for about an hour to firm up.
  10. Scoop equal-sized portions of the dough, roll each into a ball using your hands, and coat them by rolling in the reserved crumbs.

Recipe slightly adapted from CooklikeCzechs.com

Home · Pastas · Poultry · Soups and Stews

One Pot Gnocchi (or Noodle) Chicken Pot Pie

cathysmahaLeave a comment

One Pot Chicken Pot Pie, with gnocchi or with noodles, is a taste of home. The dish was so easy to make, but midway through I discovered I was out of gnocchi. Egg noodles to the rescue! I added more broth to allow the noodles to cook through. This recipe is a great way to use leftover turkey or chicken and is a delicious dish to serve on a cold night!

One Pot Gnocchi (or Noodle) Chicken Pot Pie

INGREDIENTS:
  • 4 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter
  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • 4 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 large or 2 small stalks celery, thinly sliced
  • 1 large shallot or small onion, chopped
  • homemade seasoned salt (I used Lawry’s) and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • pinch dried thyme
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten free flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Baking Flour)
  • 2 cups chicken stock or broth
  • 1 cup milk (any kind, I use unsweetened almond milk)
  • 12oz package gluten free gnocchi (I used egg noodles)
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded chicken breast (~1/2 lb pre-cooked)
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • optional: extra broth if cooking noodles
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Heat a Dutch Oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, melt butter in pan then add carrots, mushrooms, celery, and shallots/onions. Stir to coat the vegetables in butter then saute until the mushrooms release their liquid and it has evaporated, 3-4 minutes. Season with homemade seasoning salt and pepper then continue to saute, turning the heat down slightly if necessary, until vegetables are tender, another 6-7 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, poultry seasoning, and dried thyme then saute until garlic is very fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle flour over vegetables then stir to combine and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps then add milk and turn heat up to medium-high. Bring mixture to a bubble, stirring occasionally, then add gnocchi and stir combine. Turn heat down to medium then simmer, stirring frequently, until gnocchi are tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in chicken and peas then taste and add seasoned salt and/or pepper if necessary. Ladle into bowls then serve.

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Salads

Kale Apple Salad

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Kale salad is a favorite of mine and this Kale Apple Salad is perfect for Fall and Winter, perhaps even for your Thanksgiving meal. I added Craisins to the salad and like the addition. I ate the leftovers 2 days later and the entire salad, including the apples were perfect.

Kale Apple Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • Dressing:
    • 1/4 cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 tsp of Whole Grain Mustard
    • 2 Tbsp of Champagne Vinegar
    • 1/2 tsp of Honey
    • Salt and Pepper
  • Salad:
    • 1 Bunch of Kale, leaves removed from the stem and leaves cut into bite size pieces
    • 1 Granny Smith Apple, peeled and sliced
    • 1/4 cup of Toasted Chopped Walnuts
    • 1/4 cup Craisins (optional)
    • 1/2 cup of Goat Cheese Crumbles (I used Feta)
    • Salt and Pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
  1. To make the dressing, add all the dressing ingredients in a jar, close it tightly with a lid and shake for about 30 seconds, set aside.
  2. Add the freshly washed and trimmed kale leaves to a large bowl, add about one tablespoon of olive oil and using clean hands, massage the kale (kind of scrunching it in your hands) for about 1 minute.
  3. Add the slices of apple, toasted walnut, touch of salt and pepper and the dressing. Give everything a good gentle toss and right before serving, top with the goat cheese (or feta) crumbles.

Recipe from LauraintheKitchen

Desserts · Family Favorites · Holidays

Easy Pecan Shortbread Bars

cathysmahaLeave a comment

The Easy Pecan Shortbread Bars are to die for. Daughter, Sarah, is the master of this recipe. The bars are rich, and so yummy. If you bring these to holiday gathering, be prepared to be on the hook for this recipe for all future events.

Easy Pecan Shortbread Bars Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
  • Shortbread Crust
    • ½ cup butter {softened}
    • ⅓ cup brown sugar {packed}
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups flour
  • Pecan Filling
    • ¼ cup butter
    • ½ cup brown sugar {packed}
    • ¼ cup honey
    • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
    • ½ Tablespoon vanilla extract {or vanilla bean paste}
    • 2 cups pecans {roughly chopped}
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Shortbread Crust
    • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9×9 pan by lining it with parchment paper and spraying with non-stick cooking spray, set aside. 
    • Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until it is light and fluffy.  Add salt and flour, continue to mix until it resembles coarse crumbs.  Pour mixture into prepared pan and pat down into an even layer.  Bake for 15 minutes or until the sides start to turn golden brown.  Remove from oven and cool.
  2. Pecan Filling
    • Once crust has cooled, preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine butter, brown sugar, honey and heavy cream in a small sauce pan over medium-high heat.  Stir mixture and cook until it boils.  Remove from heat, add vanilla and stir.  Finally, add the chopped pecans and stir until coated. Pour the filling over the prepared crust.  Spread filling out into an even layer and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the filling is bubbly.  Remove from the oven and sprinkle the top with a small amount of flakey sea salt {optional}.  Cool and cut your pecan shortbread bars into squares.  Store in an air tight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

  • Don’t skip the step of preparing the pan for this pecan bars recipe.  The topping is super sticky, so be sure that parchment paper goes up the sides of the pan.  I would also spray with nonstick cooking spray to be sure that it will remove easily.
  • The shortbread dough may look crumbly when you pour it into the pan but that is how it is supposed to be. It will come together as you press it into the pan and create a buttery shortbread crust.
  • This recipe can be easily doubled and made in a 9×13 pan. This will give you a good amount of bars and is great for feeding a crowd. 

Variations:

  • Chocolate Shortbread: Add cocoa powder to the shortbread crust ingredients for a delightful chocolate twist.
  • Spiced Crust: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom to the shortbread crust for a warm and aromatic touch.
  • Chocolate Pecan: Sprinkle chocolate chips or chunks over the shortbread crust before adding the pecan filling for a chocolatey delight.
  • Coconut Pecan: Mix shredded coconut into the pecan filling for a tropical twist.

Recipe from PracticallyHomemade

New Favorite · Soups and Stews

Stove Top Beef Stew

cathysmahaLeave a comment

I love my 5-hour oven beef stew recipe but when Megan introduced me to this recipe, WOW! The beef is so tender and serving it over mashed potatoes takes it to a new level. If you wanted to add potatoes to the stew vs. serving over mashed potatoes, I think it would be fine. This is definitely a new family favorite.

Stove Top Beef Stew

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed between your fingers
  • 2 medium-sized carrots, chopped small
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped small
  • 1 large shallot or small onion, chopped small
  • salt and pepper
  • 8oz button mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1-1/2lbs stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces (1″ or so)
  • pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
  • 3 Tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten free flour or all-purpose flour (dish will not be GF if using AP flour)
  • 32oz gluten free beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • prepared mashed potatoes, for serving
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Heat oil in a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add dried thyme and rosemary then saute for 30 seconds. Add carrots, celery, and shallots then season with salt and pepper and saute until the vegetables are browned and tender, 10 minutes. Add mushrooms then saute until they release their liquid, the liquid cooks off, and the mushrooms become tender, 7-9 more minutes. Add garlic then saute for 1 minute, or until very fragrant. Turn heat up to medium-high then add stew meat, red pepper flakes, if using, and more salt and pepper, then saute until meat is evenly browned, 8-10 minutes.
  2. Mash together butter and flour in a small dish with a fork until smooth then add to the pot and stir to coat the meat. Cook for 1 minute then stream in beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Turn heat up to high to bring stew to a simmer then add bay leaves. Place a lid on top, turn heat down to low, then simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Remove lid then gently simmer for another 1-1/2 hours, or until the meat is tender and stew has thickened, stirring occasionally. If the stew begins to reduce too quickly before the meat is tender, place the lid back on top. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary then add frozen peas and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove bay leaves then serve over mashed potatoes.

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Pastas

Pumpkin Rigatoni with Rosemary Walnut Crispies

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Pumpkin Rigatoni with the savory, delicious rosemary walnut crispies is a real treat. Daughter, Megan, first made this (substituting the pasta) and it was divine. I made it a couple of weeks later and, again, loved the results. The Rosemary Walnut Crispies can be made in advance to save prep time. I opted to add cooked, shredded chicken to add some protein, a nice addition. The rosemary walnut crispies would be delicious on a pear or other fall salad!

Pumpkin Rigatoni with Rosemary Walnut Crispies

INGREDIENTS:
  • Pumpkin Rigatoni:
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1–2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • squeeze of lemon
  • 1 lb. rigatoni
  • Optional: 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
  • Rosemary Walnut Crispies:
  • 1 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1–2 tablespoons brown sugar (I like 2)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
  • black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Rosemary Walnut Crispies: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Run the walnuts through a food processor until they have a chopped texture. Arrange chopped walnuts on a small sheet pan and toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and toss with rosemary, butter, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside to cool.
  2. Pasta: Cook according to package directions. Drain.
  3. Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat the butter in a skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant (do not brown the garlic – it tastes bitter). Add the pumpkin and broth; simmer until smooth. Add the cream and salt; simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Add a little squeeze of lemon juice if you’re into that. Add cooked pasta to the sauce. Optional: stir in shredded chicken
  4. Assemble: Serve pasta in shallow bowls with a sprinkle of the walnut crispies on top, and a little sprig of rosemary for a fancy garnish if, you know, you’re fancy.

Recipe from PinchofYum with modification to add chicken.

Asian Dishes · Poultry

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Chicken Lettuce Wraps are delicious and a little different than the lettuce wraps I have experienced at local Asian restaurants. I like this recipe and feel it would be wonderful over cooked rice.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1.5 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large carrot, julienned
  • 1/2 cup cashews, roasted
  • 1/2 yellow onion
  • 3 garlic clovers
  • 1 inch piece of fresh ginger
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • small pinch of salt (note, soy sauce is salty)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil, to finish
  • black pepper
  • green onions for garnish
  • fresh cilantro, for garnish
  • sesame seeds (optional)
  • Bib Lettuce or Butter Lettuce for serving
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Julienne carrots and chop onions.
  2. Sauté chicken thighs in olive oil with a bit of salt and black pepper, until lightly caramelized and set aside.
  3. In the same pan sauté onions until softened, shred ginger and garlic, bring the chicken back along with carrots and cashews; add sweet chili sauce, soy sauce and lime juice, stir well and cook for a few minutes.
  4. Finish with the chopped green onions and cilantro.
  5. Serve with lettuce wraps and enjoy!

Recipe from VessysGourmetKitchen