Thursday, October 19, 2017

Cabbage and Sausage Foil Pack Dinner


Foil packet dinners are easy to prepare and clean-up, and are not just for camping; they can be baked in the oven year-round.  Cabbage and sausage were meant to be paired, and here is a simple and tasty way to serve them up for dinner tonight.

  • 1/2 small head cabbage, cut into 3/4" or 1" wedges
  • 1 pound farmer sausage, sliced (or your favorite smoked sausage)
  • 20 nugget potatoes, cut in half 
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • garlic butter
  • salt and pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Prepare 4 pieces (12" x 18") of heavy-duty foil.
  3. Divide cabbage wedges, potatoes and sausage slices evenly on the four pieces of foil.
  4. Top each mound with a dollop of garlic butter and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Seal each packet well.
  6. Bake for 1 hour, or until veggies are tender. 
Serves 4



Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Pear Hazelnut Muffins


Hazelnuts and pears make 'the perfect pair'.  Combine them in these muffins and enjoy the taste of autumn!  I served them to the 'corn harvest crew' on the farm recently, and they disappeared in a hurry.

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups flour (or use 3/4 cup all purpose flour and 3/4 cup whole wheat flour)
  • 3/4 cup rolled oats
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 large pears, peeled and diced 
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts

  1. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla.  
  2. Combine dry ingredients and add alternately with buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. 
  3. Add diced pears and hazelnuts; fold into batter.
  4. Spoon into greased muffin tin.  
  5. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  6. Cool for several minutes; then transfer to wire rack. 
Yield: 1 dozen muffins