A Fragrant Oatmeal with Cinnamon Apples to Enjoy During the Quiet Moments

"Well, we're in the midst of it." You hear yourself say to yourself with a sigh. Winter Break. Christmas Vacation. The "Holidays". And, you want to be that Mom. Really you do. You know, the one who is fun all the time. But you see, you have a "noise aversion". And with each day that draws Christmas nearer your children become that much more excitable. Louder. And you become that much more irritable. Cranky. But, you can't really be angry with them. No. Because they are truly just giddy with glee. And you want to feel their glee but all you feel is the pounding.

The pounding brought on by your sweet 13-year old daughter, who for no real apparent reason other than sheer joy, starts running through the house. And, at almost 5 feet 8 inches tall....bless her heart....well, those are loud footsteps. And of course, her brothers who adore her every move (especially the 11-year old) start following her, swinging over the furniture like chimpanzees. And then the 5-year old, who isn't quite as adept at the "swinging" as his older brother, gets stuck atop a chair and almost knocks over a snow globe as he tries to swing his leg around...a gigantic snow globe. (Never mind the fact that they are not even supposed to be "climbing on the furniture".) It's at that instant that you feel the stress level in your body move up a notch.

But somehow you keep moving forward. Stress and all. Checking things off your list. And you manage to get everyone into bed after which you collapse into yours and fall sound asleep. Only to wake up at 5:30am thinking about what you need to get done that day.

So, you quietly slip out from under the covers and head downstairs. You flick on the lights of the Christmas tree which sparkle against the windows and a still dark sky. You sit down at your worn kitchen table...the one that has stoically held up after years and years of "art" projects....with your cup of tea. In the background, your current favorite rendition of Silent Night is playing. Silent Night. Your favorite Christmas carol. The one you sing to your 5-year old every time you tuck him in. The one you used to sing to your older children until it was too awkward to tuck them in with a lullaby. And you enjoy the stillness of the moment.

It's not long before you hear a door open and then, the sound of lego pieces "clicking" against each other. The 5-year old is up. You rise from your seat and head into the kitchen. As you stand at the counter slicing apples and pears, you notice that the sky is starting to brighten. Your slices quietly saute in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon and your oatmeal gently gurgles next to them. Your two eldest slip down the stairs...awoken by the warm smells. They both have those sleepy eyes. You know the ones. Those eyes, no matter how old they get, are the same ones that looked at you when they were sleepy babies.

You call them over to the table and set down bowls of oatmeal topped with the cinnamon apples in front of them. Your husband kisses you on the cheek as he heads off to work and for just a moment, everyone is awake and everyone is calm.

And then, the sugar from the apples hits their systems and its back to swinging over the furniture but you tell yourself you can persevere through the chaos because you know tomorrow morning, a little slice of calm will be waiting for you.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas...Happy Holidays...Season's Greetings! Wherever you are and whatever you may celebrate, I hope a little bit of silence finds you amidst the bustle of the holiday season.


I'll "see" you after we ring in 2011. Happy New Year!

Fragrant Oatmeal Topped with Spiced Apples

I love oatmeal. It's probably my favorite breakfast dish. I'm always trying to find ways to entice the kids to eat the homemade version as opposed to the kind that comes in a little packet. They LOVED this. If you don't like your oatmeal too "milky", you can always substitute water for the milk. I prefer that my oatmeal isn't too sugary but you can add more honey if you like yours fairly sweet. Also, you can substitute the apples with a good baking pear such as Bosc if you'd like.

Ingredients:
1 c milk
1/2 to 1 c water (less water equals a thicker oatmeal)
1 c rolled oats
A pinch of kosher salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp honey
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 baking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced (Braeburn, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, etc.)
2 tbsp light brown sugar (I didn't pack mine down too tightly.)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1/8 tsp ground cloves

Optional: toasted walnut pieces

Directions:
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring your milk, water and salt to a boil. Stir in your oats and vanilla. Reduce heat and let simmer on very low heat 5-15 minutes depending on the consistency that you like your cereal. Stirring occasionally. Once it's done cooking, stir in your honey, remove from heat and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large non-stick pan, melt your butter. Add your apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Saute, stirring occasionally, until your apples are tender, about 5 minutes.

Spoon your oatmeal evenly into four bowls. Top with your cinnamon apples and sprinkle with walnuts, if desired. Enjoy....

Yield: 4 small bowls of oatmeal or two large ones







All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010

A Little Minestrone, A Little AM Northwest and A Lot of Calendars

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who purchased a 2011 La Pomme de Portland calendar. They have completely sold out. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. I am touched...truly. As my 5-year old would say, "I'm not jus' sayin' that. It's for true!" Once the dust settles, I believe we'll be able to donate almost $1000 per organization.

Those of you who wanted one this year but didn't get one....(for which I feel guilt, guilt, guilt... Can we just call me Catholic for the day? Or maybe the season?)...we'll definitely be back next year with a new version.

I won't take up too much of your time today because if you're like me (and you're probably not...you're probably much more organized) you still have Christmas shopping to do, cards to address, cookies to bake, a house to finish decorating....basically everything the season requires...in the span of a week. Plus my daughter has apparently volunteered me to chauffeur boat loads of teenagers up to the mountains every day next week.

And just in case you've been wanting to make the delectable Baked Minestrone I posted about last month, here is my AM Northwest live version of the prep for that crowd pleaser.



If you do not see a video screen above this line, please click here to be taken directly to the site.

Have a most wonderful Holiday Season!!

Cheers,
Carrie

All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010

Simple Little Ginger Crisps

If you'd like, cue up, Christmas Time is Here.....

I watched her walk toward me through the snow. Snow at least 2 feet deep. Deep by Portland standards. A steaming mug of tea precariously balanced in each hand. A few tense minutes later she successfully arrived at my front porch and handed me one of the mugs. We sat down in the weathered adirondack chairs. We chatted. My neighbor and I. We watched our children build their snowmen and engineer their sledding jumps. We enjoyed these cups of black tea with a pinch of cardamon and a smidge of milk. Something so seemingly simple and yet, she was sharing with me, the way her Persian mother makes tea for her. I was touched.

"Carrie," she said to me tapping me on my hip. "Are we going to have those drinks again?" I must have looked puzzled so my 6-year old neighbor continued. "Remember, the ones in the Santa cup? The ones with the sprinkles on top? Those drinks we had last year." "Oh...the egg nog." Every Christmas growing up, my Granny served her grandchildren egg nog in Santa cups, complete with a dash of nutmeg on top. Those mugs were eventually passed down to me. I continue the tradition. Nothing fancy. Egg nog bought from a store. A pinch of nutmeg. But always in the Santa cup. Last year, I had set out a round of egg nog for the neighbor kids as they decorated cookies. Such a simple thing. But, remembered.

With the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the holidays upon me, I struggled with what to feed my boys who were apparently "famished" from the long day at school. It had to be quick. It had to be mess-free. I grabbed the corn chips, a can of black beans, some grated sharp cheddar cheese. I quickly assembled some nachos, popped them in the microwave for 45 seconds and set them down for the boys with a scoop of salsa. A few hours later as I unpacked another box of Christmas decorations, my Kindergartner skips up to me and says, "Mom. I really like those nachos you make. I'm not just sayin' that. It's for real. I love 'em. Really. I'm not just sayin' that. I love beans. Really. This is for true. I'm not just sayin' it." And off he skippped.

We curled up on the couch. The winter sun was beaming through the window warming us. We each held a cup of peppermint tea. A plate of ginger crisps rested on the ottoman next to us. And she, my dear friend, talked. She, who just needed someone to listen. And somehow, that pretty little plate of cookies, took a sad moment and helped bring a little cheer. Nothing fancy. No elaborate frosting. No sprinkles or silver balls. Just a simple little cookie. But it was enough.

Sometimes, when I find myself at the height of holiday madness, embarking on yet another crazy project, I have to stop and ask, "Carrie, what are the bits and pieces of the holidays that people actually remember?"

Simple Little Ginger Crisps
Adapted from Cookie Cutter Ginger Crisps by Susan Branch

These really are so easy to make and they don't need any extra adornment. They are perfectly sweet as is. My favorite part about them is that they freeze really well. So, you could have a friend or two drop by unannounced over the holidays and before you panic as to what to set out for them to nibble on, you remember that you have Ginger Crisps in the freezer. By the time you've pulled some cookies out of the freezer, made everyone a cup of tea (or coffee would be good too) and set it all down in front of your guests, they are defrosted and ready to nibble. They are also nice alongside a little scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:
1 c softened butter
1/2 c brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 c sugar
1/3 c molasses
2/3 c light corn syrup
4 1/2 c flour (sifted if you have the time)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions:
Begin by creaming your butter and sugars until light. 3-4 minutes. Then, add your molasses and corn syrup and mix well. Next, mix in your cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda and cloves and combine well.  Finally, add your flour, little bits at a time, ensuring that it is all incorporated into your mix. When it is finished being mixed, the dough should have a smooth appearance.

Wrap your dough in parchment paper or plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

When you are ready to bake, preheat your over to 350 degrees. Roll your dough out on a lightly floured surface to less than 1/8 inch thick. Cut with floured cutters. I personally like to choose just one shape - little gingerbread men, scalloped edges, snowflakes. There is something pleasing about the repetition of a single design. Bake on greased cookie sheet, or one lined with silpat, for 8 min. Cool and store in an airtight container or freeze them. Enjoy.

Yield: 3 dozen or so depending on the size of your cookie cutter

Calendar Update:

The calendars are IN!!

And, I have to say they look quite lovely. A huge thank you to all of you who have already placed orders. I'm so touched. Truly.

Out of the 200 we had printed up, I have about 16 left so if you were hoping to get one, email me or get your order placed on Etsy soon. They are $15.00 a piece.

If this is the first time you're "hearing" about these calendars, below is the link to the original blog post explaining the calendars as well as the link to my Etsy "store."

http://www.lapommedeportland.com/2010/12/2011-la-pomme-de-portland-calendar.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63516254/2011-food-photography-calendar

All orders leaving the Portland area have been shipped. East Coast and Mid-West orders were mailed Friday, 12/10. All Southwest and West coast orders were mailed Saturday, 12/11, as well as a few Portland area orders. Everyone else, I will contact you on Monday or Tuesday for the "pick-up" schedule.

One last note, after the original 50 I had listed on Etsy sold, I've only been able to list 3 at a time. And being the Etsy rookie I am, I can't figure out how to change that. So, if by chance you want more than 3 calendars, email me and we will work it out so you don't get charged twice for shipping.
Email: carrieminns (at) me (dot) com



All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010

Would You Be So Kind....

....as to allow me to clear things up. As you are probably well aware, I have a tendency to be long-winded. And, my lengthy announcement of the sale of my calendars was no exception. However, even though I may be a tad bit wordy, I go to extreme measures to check and double check and triple check for errors and omissions in that wordiness. How is it then, that I did not realize that I had failed to mention the cost of my calendar on the main page of my last blog post?? For crying out loud.....  (Thank you to all of you kind people who gently pointed that out.)

So without further ado, the cost of each 2011 La Pomme de Portland calendar is $15.00.

You can find them for sale on my Etsy page: http://www.etsy.com/listing/63516254/2011-food-photography-calendar

And I promise this isn't just a line, but really and truly they are selling like hot cakes. I had no idea. Really. We've sold over half our inventory in just a couple of days. I'm humbled by everyone's generosity. And no pressure (well, maybe just a little) but if you are planning on ordering one, I encourage you to do so soon. I would feel badly if you had wanted one and we sell out. Then, I'll have to add more guilt to the guilt I already haul around with me. Although...selling out would be a good thing.

When all of this is said and done, I will let you all know how much money we were able to donate to the Northwest Sarcoma Foundation and the Oregon Food Bank.

And, that's all I have to say for now. And that was pretty "short and to the point" for me. Although, I could probably think of more things to say like, "Why is it that every year at this time, when the temperatures drop to near freezing, the children fight me tooth and nail in regards to wearing a warm coat? Not a flimsy little wind breaker or a cotton zip-up hoodie but an actual winter jacket?"

Okay, I'm done now.

"Sleep tight!"

Or maybe it's "Good Morning" to you.

Or "Good afternoon."

Okay...

Bye.

Really.

Bye.



All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010

2011 La Pomme de Portland Calendar

I am thrilled to say that I am officially taking orders for my 2011 La Pomme de Portland Calendar which I have talked about before here.

These are the perfect little gift for yourself, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers....

I am running the sales through my virtual store on Esty where I have listed all pertinent details regarding the calendar. You can find it by clicking on the link below.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/63516254/2011-food-photography-calendar

As I said before, all profits made from the sale of this calendar during the month of December will be divided equally and donated to the following organizations:

Northwest Sarcoma Foundation
Seven years ago, my sweetie underwent surgery to remove a malignant chondrosarcoma tumor from his pelvis. And although he will forever have to deal with the repercussions from that surgery, there is not a day that goes by that he doesn't inspire me with his incredible enthusiasm for life and his courage. Others we have met and grown to love along the way have not been as fortunate. Because of all we have learned as a family from my sweetie's experience, we no longer look at food as just something to eat but as something to keep us healthy.

Oregon Food Bank
One of the greatest joys of my life is to not only be able to feed my children but to set down nourishing and delicious food for them. Food with smells and tastes and memories of sitting at the table together. Food that they will carry with them throughout their lives. I cannot even begin to imagine how I would feel if I could not afford to simply just feed them. Oregon remains one of the 5 hungriest states in our nation. A large percentage of those families include children. To spare even one family from having to send their children to school or to bed hungry is worth any efforts put forth for this calendar.


A HUGE thank you, to all of you, for considering purchasing a calendar. All the emails I have received to let me know you're planning to purchase 1, 2...6 have been incredibly heartwarming. Thank you again.....

Cheers,
Carrie


NOTE: ETSY does require purchasers to sign up for an account before placing an order. This is simply a name/password type account. I hope this will not be a deterrent for purchasing. ETSY was the best venue for me to organize the listing/shipping/payment since there are so many of you generous readers of La Pomme de Portland all over the world.

QUESTIONS: Please don't hesitate to email me: carrieminns (at) me (dot) com


All photographs on the calendar are originals taken by Yours Truly.

All graphic design elements of the calendar can be attributed to my talented sister, Courtney Cook Hopp.
You can find her at Flair For Design.



All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010

Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Mexican Soup...the Perfect Meal at the End of a Long Ride Down the Highway

On a highway. In the middle of Mt. Hood National Forest. Our car was in park. The engine off. And even though there was a line of cars behind us, as far as I could see, in the same predicament, it was strangely quiet. Dark. The snow gently falling all around us. Those big luscious feather-like flakes. I thought about how a little over 10 years ago I was parked here as well. Going the other direction. My 11-year old was a baby and we had just rung in the 2000 New Year. I was in a panic about whether to take him out of his car seat to nurse him. Never sure when the line of cars would start moving again. I sang Raffi songs for the hours we were parked on the highway to entertain his sister because that was back when I was even more of a glutton for punishment than I am now. Back when I thought children should not have electronic devices in the car but instead, should gaze out the window and let their imaginations run wild. As I looked at my three children, now, lit up by the glow of the movie they were watching...with headphones...in the quiet, quiet car, I thought, "Thank goodness, I came to my senses."

We were headed to Sunriver in Central Oregon. Our yearly destination for Thanksgiving. Nana and Papa, aunts and uncles and a gaggle of cousins were waiting for our arrival. But here we were, stopped on this oft-traveled highway. A highway that was a means to an end. A highway I'd traveled on my entire life. A highway that was like an old-time movie. Little bits of memory from my life flickered by in my mind as we made our way down the road. The spot I handed off the baton on my one and only Hood to Coast race. The little church in which I sang "One Hand, One Heart" at the bride's request. (Poor thing should have had me stick to just playing the piano.) The end of the Glade trail. Our back door way to get off the mountain from all-night New Year's Eve skiing. The turn-off for Timothy Lake where we survived the Dust Bowl '03 camping trip which rendered our children so covered in dirt, they looked like extras from the set of Grapes of Wrath.

A few hours later, a few more miles down the road, we're stopped again. I'm under the car dealing with chains and cursing myself for not taking the forecast for snow more seriously. My hands are covered in grease. I think of the times, as a teenager, I had to put chains on our Toyota and how often I had put them on the wrong tires....front instead of back. Or was it back instead of front? Not far from here was the road marker I somehow backed into and blew out the back window of our car in 100 degree weather. Not sure what to do about it in the middle of nowhere, I kept driving. The cat howling. The eldest children, preschoolers at the time, crying. My sweetie still raises an eyebrow no matter how many times I say to him, "Cross my heart, hope to die, I never saw a road marker. It came out of nowhere."

Moving again, we pass the turn-off for the short-cut into Maupin. Where I hit a rabbit. At 1 in the morning. In my '73 VW Bug. Back when my sweetie and I were newlyweds. I'm still sad about that rabbit.

On and on down the road we go, and on and on plays the grainy film of my life.

A week later, the 10 hour drive and Thanksgiving behind us, we strike out onto the highway again. Headed for home. This time we opt for the more southern pass but the same grainy movie plays as we drive. Sisters Coffee Company we stumbled upon last summer. Camping under the stars and fly-fishing in Camp Sherman back in college. Driving a golf cart around Black Butte Ranch back in high school. Wondering if that rope swing stills hangs there on the edge of Suttle Lake all these years later?

I felt as if I was in an old silent movie house as these little scenes played out. Only the sound of the clicking of the film, as it went round and round the reel, could be heard. It made me think that this is how life works. We keep driving down the highway and life happens. Scenes are filmed.

The snow gave way to rain signaling that we were almost home. We pull into our driveway, just in time for me to make dinner, and go inside. It takes me awhile to shake the feeling that I'd just left a dark movie house and stepped out into bright light. The film wound down. The clicks coming more and more slowly, as I pulled ingredients from the pantry to whip up a quick Tomato and Red Pepper soup. By the time I sat the bowls down, sprinkled with sharp cheddar, tortilla chips and cilantro, the movie was over. I was back to creating new scenes. Scenes that would eventually be sliced into the grainy film of my life played out again on some long, snowy drive down a highway.


Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Mexican Soup
Passed on to me by my sis

This recipe is so so fast. A great one to keep handy as you're getting ready for the holidays and don't have much time to cook. The salsa you decide to use can really change the flavor of this soup. The last time I made this soup, I found a tub of salsa in the back of my fridge crying to be used. It happened to be a fresh, medium salsa made by Whole Foods. Was perfect. I served it with some homemade guacamole and sliced pears because that's what I had in the house, but you could also whip up a little green salad or just serve it as is. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 boxes (32 oz.) of Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup (I've found this at Trader Joe's and my local grocery store.)
1 can of corn or 1 small bag of frozen corn
2 c salsa
2 c (approx) chicken breasts, grilled, poached*, leftover from a roasted chicken OR 1 lg can of white chicken

Possible toppings:
grated, sharp cheddar cheese
tortillas strips or crushed tortilla chips
chopped cilantro

Directions:

Heat your olive oil in a heavy-bottomed soup pot. Add your onions and garlic and saute for about 5-10 minutes or until your onions soften and start to become translucent. Pour in your roasted red pepper and tomato soup. Add your corn, salsa and chicken. Bring to a boil. Then, turn down the heat, simmer, serve.

Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, chips and cilantro, if you'd like. Enjoy.

*The last time I made this soup, I poached a couple of boneless skinless breasts and they were delicious in this soup. Basically, I sprinkled my chicken with salt and pepper and put them in a small pan. I covered them with some chicken stock that I needed to use up but you could use water or a combo of the two. Sprinkled in a teaspoon or so of Herbes de Provence. Tossed in a bay leaf. Put the lid on. Brought it to a boil. Then, lowered the heat and simmered with the lid on for 15 minutes. The chicken was cooking while I put together the rest of the soup. The timing came out perfectly.

Yield: One big pot-full


Conclusion to the Turkey Saga.....
In case you were curious about my turkey dilemma, I thought I would let you know that I survived. I ended up going my own route and had the turkey cut up into pieces before we left town. I gave it a salt rub the night before. Then, pulled it out of the fridge for 45 min before roasting. Rubbed it with butter, more salt and pepper. Surrounded it with herbs from my garden (rosemary, sage, Italian parsely, oregano) and garlic cloves still in their "paper". Then, put it in the oven at 425 degrees for an hour and a half. Smelled delicious and tasted delicious. The only thing I would do differently next time is check the temperature of the meat at about the one hour mark since the breast were done a little more than I prefer. All in all, I'd say it was a success. But, if I may be completely honest with you....here's what I learned through this entire process: Call me crazy but I don't even really like roasted turkey. Where's the grilled salmon? I just don't feel the turkey love.


Calendar Update....
My Etsy shop where you will be able to purchase the 2011 La Pomme de Portland calendar, should be up and running later today. I will send out an official announcement tomorrow. Thank you so much to those of you who have sent emails and so forth letting me know you'll be ordering one or two or...six. I am so excited about this project and the thought of helping out two great organizations. Cheers!



All original text and photographs copyright: Carrie Minns 2009-2010