Mimi's Cornbread Dressing (Chicken and Dressing)

     My family has always used this recipe for Cornbread dressing at all the major holidays. It is great to stuff into the bird or on the side. When I was a kid sometimes Mom would add cooked and chucked up chicken in the dressing and cook it that way for dinner. So yummy. I am actually forgoing the Turkey this year for Christmas and making the Chicken and Dressing together instead. So here is the recipe, like Mom made.

Cornbread Dressing:

-½ loaf of day old bread
-Same amount of corn bread, an 8x8 pan full. You will use ½-¾ of this. (We have always used Jiffy brand, but you can use what you want. You just don't want it too sweet).
-1 large Onion, diced.
-1 Cup Celery, diced.
-Carton of Chicken Broth.
-Poultry Seasoning, Salt &Pepper to taste.

1) Tear up all the white bread and the cornbread and put in a big mixing bowl.
2) Add the onion and celery.
3) Start adding broth slowly and start smooshing the mixture with your hands. Until really mixed.
4) Add the seasonings and continue to squish and mix. Adding more broth as you need it for moisture. It should not be dry, but more pasty.
5) Once the mixture is good and gooey and the flavor is how you like it, (Now would be the time to add your chicken if you are adding it) squish the mixture into a casserole dish, nice and flat.

6) Bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 mins.

Of course gravy is really good on this so if you have any drippings from cooking the chicken (or your turkey), use them to make a great gravy.



**** I am allergic to Sage and therefore allergic to Poultry seasoning. Here is what I use instead. I make my own.

Homemade Poultry Seasoning


3TBL Thyme
3 TBL Rosemary
1 TBL Marjoram
½ TBL Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Celery Seed
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Smoked Paprika

Store in an airtight container.


(if you like Sage add 3 TBL)

Vinegar Slaw

4 ½ to 5 cups of finely chopped or shredded cabbage

(about ½ a head or 2 bags from T.J.’s)

1 cup White Vinegar

⅔ cup of sugar

Salt, Pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to taste.

Instructions:

1. Place Cabbage in a bowl. 
2. Add vinegar, sugar and spices.
3. Stir.
4. Cover tightly and put in the refrigerator for a couple hours or even overnight. Will make more juice over time.

(I serve right away often due to time).

Fever Reliever Roller Bottle

My Littles got sick. Both of them ran a fever and were so miserable. I made this fever reliever which helped make them feel just a bit better. Both of them would ask for it. So, here is the recipe.

I used equal portions of:
Lavender, Thieves, Lemon, and Peppermint, with Almond oil as a carrier.
You use at least equal portion of the carrier oils as the other oils as peppermint and thieves is a "hot "oil. If you have a younger child, use more carrier oil. It will keep the from feeling the burning sensation that comes from having these "hot" oils straight on their skin.

     I would roll this up and down their spine every few hours. It's nothing fancy or magical but, it does help when you are feeling so poorly.
     I also, would apply my Pain Cream to their achy parts from the fever. I will post that recipe next.

DIY Shower Stones

     I made these and am really liking them. They are a bit fragile but, work nicely. If you don't know what one is, Vicks used to sell a shower stone for when you have a cold. You would put the giant thing that looked like a blue Alka-Seltzer tablet in the bottom of the shower and let the hot water run on it. As it melted you would inhale the vapor smell that helps with a stuffy head. Here is a homemade version, minus the chemicals. Also, you don't have to be sick to use them. They are great for waking up in the morning and helping you get going, to sleepy mixes to help you relax in the evening. It's all in the combo of oils you put on the stone. So here is how to make the stones and some combos you might like to try.


 Aromatherapy Shower Discs
1 cup Baking Soda
1 heaping TBL Cornstarch
⅓ cup of water
Foil lined muffin papers

1) Mix baking soda and cornstarch so that there are no lumpy bits.
2) Slowly add in the water. Mix that until it is a pasty consistency.
3) Spoon into the lined muffin tins. Only about half full.
4) Bake for 20 mins in 350 degree oven.
(When you bake them instead of letting them dry naturally, they tend to be less crumbly and come out of the papers easier.
5) Once they have completely cooled you can add 4-5 drops of your choice of Essential Oils.
6) Store them in an air tight container to prevent them from getting more crumbly or evaporating.

Good combinations are:
Thieves, Eucalyptus Globulus, and Peppermint. This is great for a stuffy head or chest, sinus issues and allergies. It has a warm vapor like effect.
Lavender or Peace And Calming. This is good for encouraging relaxation before bed.
Lemon, Orange and/or Peppermint. Are invigorating to wake up in the morning to.
Joy, Tangerine, Vetiver and Valor. Any one of those or a mixture of those are good for anxiety and stress.
And let's not for get Stress Away for the obvious stress reliever.

So, once you have these made, you can add the oils right away or I wait until right before I want to use it. Put it in the bottom of the shower or even drop one in the tub. Such a nice way to take a shower and use your oils in a new way.

Anxiety Roller Mix (Chill)

     I have anxiety. Actual terrible panic attacks. It's awful. I have been using natural and medical medicines for over a year now, with some change. Then I started using Young Living Essential Oils. I came across a recipe someone called their anxiety mix. I tweaked it a bit (I know boys.) but, here it is. I will start by telling you, often I use just Valor and Vetiver. They help tremendously together. I use them neat and just put a drop on each wrist and across my chest.


 

     Now here is the recipe for my "Chill" roller bottle:
Equal parts;
Joy, Vetiver, Grapefruit, Stress Away, Valor, Tangerine and Release. I added a bit of carrier oil so it would go longer but, it isn't necessary.

     I usually use Almond oil but, I used Jojoba this time as I had loaned my Almond oil to a neighbor.
I apply this to each wrist and a small amount on my chest.

****Update: I now use fractured coconut oil as a carrier and often add another layer of Release on top of my arms where I have rolled the chill. I also use Release in my diffuser necklace almost exclusively. It really helps with the anxiety and to cover all of the other smells.

Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie

Posted 11/28/14






A cross between a fudge pie and pecan pie, this is all the more stunning if you arrange the pecans from the center in a spiral pattern.

Southern Living NOVEMBER 2013

Yield: Makes 8 servings
Hands-on: 25 Minutes
Total: 1 Hour, 20 Minutes


Ingredients:

Chocolate Filling
1 1/2 cups sugar                                                        1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish piecrust shell
3/4 cup butter, melted                                                     2 cups toasted pecan halves
1/3 cup all-purpose flour                                                 Salted Caramel Topping (I used Trader Joe's)
1/3 cup 100% cacao unsweetened cocoa                        1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
1 cup toasted chopped pecans
(Toast pecans by putting them in a single
layer on a cookie sheet and baking for 5 mins on 350)





Preparation:
1. Prepare Filling: Preheat oven to 350°. Stir together first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add eggs, stirring until well blended. Fold in chopped pecans. Pour mixture into pie shell.

2. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. (Filling will be loose but will set as it cools.) Remove from oven to a wire rack.

3.Arrange pecan halves on pie.

4. Top with warm caramel.

5.Cool 15 minutes; sprinkle with sea salt.

This was one of the most amazing pies I have ever had. A new family favorite and added to the family traditions.

Garlic Beef Enchiladas

GARLIC BEEF ENCHILADAS

Enchiladas:

2lb ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

2 tbsp cornstarch

¼ cup of taco seasoning

1 can (14oz) stewed tomatoes

10 corn tortillas (7")

2c shredded co jack cheese

Sauce:

6 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 c butter

1/2 c flour

1 can (14oz) beef broth

1 can (15oz) tomato sauce

¼ cup of taco seasoning (as to taste)

Prepare:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink.
• Add cornstarch and seasonings, mix well.  Stir in tomatoes, bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another saucepan, saute garlic in butter until tender. 
• Stir in flour until blended.  
• Gradually stir in broth, bring to a boil. 
•  Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until bubbly.
• Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings, heat through.
• Pour about 1-1/2c sauce into a 13x9x2 in baking dish.
• Spread about 1/4 c beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, top with 2 tbsp of cheese.  Roll up tightly, place seam side down over sauce.  Top with the remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese, bake, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or until the cheese in melted.

yield: 6-8 servings

This made two casserole dishes.