My Mums are Covered in Snow, So I Cooked

My Friend Amy is hosting a Fall Recipe Exchange this week and amazingly, I actually started cooking this week.  My husband in the main chef in my clan. This weekend, Minnesota turned blustery cold. It not only snowed on Saturday, but it also snowed on Monday! We are technically not suppose to be this cold until November; so needless to say, I’m not too thrilled for this weather. Especially, when my beautiful orange mums are covered with snow.

On the bright side, the cold gets me in a baking mood. I love when the house smells like baked goodies and the oven turns the house all toasty and warm. On Sunday, I made Beef Stew along with some Apple Cake. The Apple Cake was a huge success among my husband and kids, but I loved the soup the most. The Beef Stew was made in a crock pot, so the house smelled good all day long and the meat was really tender.

I can’t take complete credit for these recipes. I took the base of them from the Better Homes and Garden New Cook Book and then doctored them to fit my family’s needs (mostly quantity) and taste buds (who doesn’t like more cinnamon?).

Beef Stew

1/2 cup flour

2 pounds beef stew meat

3 tablespoons cooking oil

Cover beef stew meat with flour in a plastic bag. Shake to coat. Place meat into a large saucepan with hot oil. Brown meat. Drain fat.

2 cups vegetable juice

2 cups water

1 medium onion (cut into wedges)

1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon pepper

1 bay leaf

Mix vegetable juice, water, granules, Worcestershire sauce and seasoning in bowl. Set aside.

3 medium potatoes (cubed)

1/2 bag of small carrots (halved)

1/2 bag frozen green beans

1/2 bag frozen corn

Layer vegetables and meat in a 4 quart crock pot. Pour liquid over meat and vegetables. Cook and cover on low for 10 to 12 hours, or 5 to 6 hours on high. Serves 6 to 8.

Apple Cake

3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground allspice

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup cooking oil

2 beaten eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

3 cups chopped, peeled apples

1 cup raisins

Grease 13×9 baking dish. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and all-spice. In separate bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add dry mixture. Mixture may be thick, add tablespoons of water if needed. Fold in apples and raisins. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Use toothpick to check if done.

I’m hoping for no more snow until November, but if it does, I’ll look for some more recipes from My Friend Amy to keep me busy in the house.

What do you do when the weather turns cold? Do you bake or read more?