Dutch Oven Cooking and the Chicken of Awesomeness!

My husband LOVES to cook in dutch ovens. We have a larger one and a smaller one. We usually use the larger one when camping, but this week I pulled the smaller one out, seasoned it, and made my new favorite chicken recipe. Cooking and baking in a dutch oven is really an art. We have two recipes that Brian and I would consider perfected (Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler and Chinese Chicken Stir Fry - the two SHOULDN'T be mixed! Ask me if you want to hear THAT funny story!) and have recently begun perfecting a blueberry cake. Now that the little one is out and seasoned, I'd like to cook in it more often! 

I know that there are benefits to cooking in dutch ovens, but without doing any research because I'm tired and want to go take a nap, the only one that I can spout off is that you get a dose of iron in your food, which is good for you! Good for your blood! Anyway, it's super fun and feels halfway as if you were camping. 

Here's some tips about maintaining a cast iron dutch oven.

1) If you've got a brand new dutch oven, heat your oven (or fire!) to 350 degrees. Wipe your dutch oven down with some Crisco, or a more healthy option would be coconut oil or olive oil. (Have never used coconut oil, but I'm assuming it'd work just fine.) You should wipe the lid down as well, and be generous with your oil of choice. Throw your dutch oven into the oven for an hour, then bring it out to cool, unless you've got a meal ready to cook in it or something to bake in it. (Hmmmm. I think I may try some corn bread!) 

2) Clean up's a snap with a dutch oven! Never wash it with soap. Always use water and a some steal wool. If there is food baked on, put water in it and let it soak for a while, and it should come off with some steal wool. Don't worry about getting off every little bit of it though. That's the glory of the dutch oven and seasoning it. The chicken recipe that I recently tried had a sauce and I simply rinsed it out, wiped more oil into it, stuck it back into the oven, and it was good to go. 

3) Make sure you store your dutch oven in a dry location. When left damp it will rust. If it does rust, simply scrub it with steal wool, season, and you're back in business!

So, now for the moment you've all been waiting for. Drum roll, please!!!

From the kitchen of Mary Goodell and the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society Cookbook . . . 

"Mary Goodell's Honey Salsa Chicken"

12 in. Dutch oven - Serves 4-6 

3-4 lbs chicken, cut up (did whole breasts. You could do thighs, just shorten the cooking time.)

1Tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped (or sliced)

Sauce: (I doubled the sauce recipe)

2 tsp chili powder

2 Tbsp prepared mustard (I used dijon)

1/4 c. salsa

1/2 c. honey

dash of hot sauce

1 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

I did this recipe in the oven, which I heated to 325 degrees because I knew I wanted to let it cook for more than an hour. You could cook it at 350, or 300 depending on how long you needed it to stay in the oven.

Preheat the oven with the dutch oven inside (up to 45 minutes). Throw the butter in it until melted and sizzling. Throw the onions in and toss until coated. Let the onions cook for 10-20 minutes, depending on the oven temperature. Add in the sauce and chicken, making sure that the chicken is well coated with sauce. Put on the lid and let it cook for 1 hour-2 hours, again, depending on the oven temperature. 

This recipe could be down in a slow cooker! I'd layer the chicken on top of the onions and pour the sauce over the chicken and cook for 6ish hours on low. 

Last night we served this over brown rice, and it was amazing!

I'd love to hear about any other great dutch oven stories, tips, or recipes ya'll might share!

God's Thoughts Are Precious Thoughts

Just last month I wrote this post while I had some time to think. Seems like such a long time ago. Great reminder for myself now that we're into the swing of the fall!

But before I go there . . . 

Life here at the Heather House has been busy. Brian has a bigger load at school and is much busier (but still not as busy when he was teaching marching band!), 3 little girls come to the house 5 days a week (two of which are 6 months old), David started 1st grade and is about to start soccer and Club Rock Salt, and Johnny is almost two . . . need I say more? :) We're all enjoying what we're doing, and enjoying being a family. We were able to do a little more as a family this summer, including taking a canoe camping trip. I think I'd like to blog about that later, as well as another fun canoe trip we did earlier in the summer. I love that our family likes to do outdoor things, and canoes. I think we're pretty cool! :)

Anyway, here are some things that were on my heart in August. 

Psalm 139

17-18 “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would out number the sand. When I awake I am still with you.”

23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”

Being a former teacher, and being married to a teacher, the rhythm of our life revolves around the school year. I always get excited around this time of year. The new books, supplies, a new teacher, new students, and the routine that the school year provides. Like most people celebrate the New Year, I find myself internally preparing for the school year. Something I love to do in preparation for the year is to gather my thoughts, spiritually speaking, and to come up with a spiritual theme for the year. I don’t know if the above verses will end up being my theme, but for where I’m at in the process, this is where my heart is.

My eldest is 6 right now, and he asks a lot of questions. At times his questions are bothersome and my first instinct is to ask him to go play somewhere else so mama can work without interruption!! I’m learning that questions are important to learning, to be patient with him, and talk with him. My thought is that if questions are good for him, maybe they’re good for me too! I really am not the type of person to ask questions. It really is a fault of mine. The pride in me causes me to want to look like I know what I’m doing, so asking questions would mean that I’m lacking in some way. This attitude has gotten me into trouble in countless ways and situations. So, this year I am trying to counter this inclination by acting like a child. I think I remember God saying something about being like a child, and I’m pretty sure it was a good thing! So this year my goal is to ask lots of questions, to learn from God about His thoughts and ways. J

In Psalm 139:17-18, David puts into words what my heard longs to say to God, and so perfectly sums up the theme I’d like to adopt for the year. God knows ALL things, and I do NOT know all things. Not only do I not know all things, but my bent is to not ask about what God knows and thinks about things. So to counter this, my desire is to keep this verse on the forefront of my mind so that I’ll remember to ask lots of questions, and in response to getting answers as I seek God’s mind, I commit to hold them as truth, and in high regard. While I do this, I also want to draw my sons’ attention to God and to teach them how to seek after Him.

The second set of verses speaks to my desire to place my anxious thoughts before God, and to strive towards purity of heart.

As I read over this post in preparation for publishing it, I realize how simple and childish these thoughts are. As I’ve sat down to read God’s Word over the years, I do ask questions. In this, I’m seeking God and His thoughts.

Another Healthy Breakfast Idea

This is another recipe from my favorite cookbook, Magic Foods. This helps keep your blood sugar from spiking. It doesn't taste healthy either. Lemon zest adds a hint of fruitiness. 


Multi-Grain Pancakes or Waffles

Pour 2 cups low-fat buttermilk over 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and let sit while you put together the other ingredients.

mix together:
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour (I did all whole wheat)
1/4 wheat germ
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar
Zest from 1 lemon
In separate bowl mix:
2 large eggs 
1 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Add buttermilk mixture with other wet ingredients and pour over dry ingredients. Mix until just moistened. Makes delicious waffles or pancakes and is actually healthy!

We've topped with real maple syrup, which is better on your blood sugar level than pretend syrup. :) We've also topped the recipe in waffle style with ricotta cheese, blueberries, and just a drizzle of real maple syrup (cheapest when bought in a large bottle at Trader Joe's, and Winco's prices are next best). 

Whole Wheat Scones

These are super yummy and is a healthier breakfast option as well! 


Whole Wheat Scones

1 3/4 whole wheat flour

1/2 c. oats

3 Tbsp sugar (I put in a little more)

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt 

1 tsp cinnamon

lemon zest from 1 small lemon

cut in 1/3 c. butter

mix in 1c. fresh fruit, or 1/2 c. dried fruit

mix together 1 egg and 6 Tbsp half and half

Pour wet ingred. into dry ingred. and mix loosely with a fork until the dry is moistened. 

Work the dough with your hands and form into a ball, and then smooth out into a circle with the inside being taller than the outside and the diameter is approx. 8-10 inches. 

Cut dough into 8-10 equal pie shapes.

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake at 375 degrees for approx. 16-20 minutes. 

Variations:

Orange zest instead of lemon. You can also use the juice from the fruit. Just use less half and half so the dough isn't too sticky.

Poppy seeds would be great!

I sprinkled raw sugar, which usually are larger crystals, and is a little healthier than refined white sugar.

Fruit ideas:

Blueberry, peach or nectarine, lemon, orange/craisin, raisins, mixed dried fruit. I do prefer fresh fruit. 

Another suggestion I have is that you can mix the flour mixture, including the butter, the night before. Makes for a quicker morning.

Life happens while you're making plans

I wrote a post at the end of June telling the whole world that I was going to start writing devos (devotionals, as my hip sister calls them) once a week. Yeah RIGHT! The summer is 2/3rds gone and I have had a really hard time even getting into the Word, let alone writing something coherent about it. Something I am planning to change ASAP! Life is about to settle into a nice calm rhythm for about a week before more summer fun happens, so I can count on at least one week of consistent time with God. (Plans for a daily walk have been made as well, as long as my weak "princess" ankle cooperates!) I love what happens when I get those times with Him, so I'm pretty motivated. Something else I'm looking forward to is listening to the summer series from our church on my planned walks! We've missed church for too many weeks now, and after this morning's sermon I'm really looking forward to catching up!

Well, I'm off to help the hubby put a vent up in the front porch . . .

(GIRL) Book Recommend for SUMMER!

Created to Be His Helpmeet. I've found that I've been recommend this to gals on the countdown to marriage, and I realized that I haven't really shared this book with ladies who've are married. This book has revolutionized my marriage. Actually, applying Biblically based concepts to my marriage has revolutionized my marriage. :) Created to Be His Helpmeet was written by Debbi Pearl. She and her husband, Michael founded the ministry, No Greater Joy. The website itself is something I'd recommend checking out. They have articles that are geared towards marriage, parenting, homeschooling, etc.

Created to Be His Helpmeet is one of those books that you can't put down. Debbi is a down to earth woman who focuses on becoming not only a woman of God, but on becoming a FUN wife who understands her man and his needs. This book is almost like a really practical owners manual for marriage and men. She spends a chapter reviewing four different types of men. When I read this, it was easy to identify which of the personality types my husband was, and so refreshing to see someone "point out" the amazing qualities he possesses. It was also refreshing to learn how to support him in ways that would speak to him. As I started applying the Biblical principles I was learning, I found myself relaxing into my God given role as wife and helpmeet to my leader-type husband.

Another thing I really loved about this book, is that it also teaches you how to lighten up a little. For those who know my dad, he's really sincere, and came come across as being intense at times. I definitely take after him in my marriage life, so this aspect of the book was particularly helpful. I want to be fun and spunky too!

I was walking with a friend the other day who has read this book, and something she pointed out is that it is fraught with scripture. There is no principle that isn't found in scripture.

I'd love to recommend getting it from NGJ ministries, but being rich in blessings and not in cash, I usually hit up amazon.com first. I did a search on Amazon and found several used copies for under $7!

I've love to hear from you if you've read this book, and one thing you found to be particularly helpful for you in your marriage!

Coming soon . . .

Starting the second week in July I'm going to be posting a simple devotional every Friday OR Saturday. This is the first time I've done something like this so it may last one week . . . or it may last longer. It may be super simple, or deep, useful, or not. I'm not an accomplished writer by any means, so these may be fraught with grammar mistakes, and I'm going to try and ignore those. :) The purpose for doing this is to give myself reason to study God's word deeper than I would otherwise, and my hope is that the result of that study might benefit others too! I would love feedback and discussion for those who are interested!!