Cookies My Kids Can Eat (aka Reduced Allergen Cookies/Lactation Cookies) AND Milk Maid Giveaway!

How's that for a title? ;)

This week has been another roller coaster/wild ride at our house.  To start, both of my kids tested positive for some pretty tough food allergies.  This was just the first round of testing and they will both be going to an allergist to get more information.  In the meantime, you can expect to see more gluten free (GF), dairy free (DF), egg free (EF) & soy free (SF) recipes posted here on RITK.  Also, all the recipes that have any of these in their description have now been marked and you can now search by these labels as well.

One of my most popular and requested recipes is for my Lactation Cookies.  Not only do they taste really, really good, they are a healthier cookie to serve to your family and they have an added bonus of providing good fats, minerals and extra calories to nursing mommas when they need them most.  And honestly...who doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie.  So when I was faced with having to change the way my family eats my friend Jennifer (The Glad Kitchen) told me I was not only going to be fine...that I was going to excel at it.  She also challenged me to turn my lactation cookies into a recipe that my kids could eat and any momma who is nursing and on a restricted diet could also eat.

I told her that I would accept that challenge and we set up a plan.  As soon as the recipe was ready and posted we would also do a giveaway.  You see, Jennifer is also the maker of the very popular Milk Maids!  Milk Maids are reusable nursing pads that are super soft and luxurious but most important, they work great.  Jennifer has donated one pair of her hard to get Milk Maids for a giveaway here on RITK!

I am happy to say that the recipe turned out great!  The cookies are free of the 4 major allergens and they taste good enough to fool my kids into thinking they were eating my regular cookies.  They set up just like my original recipe too.  I hope you like them as much as the original.  Enjoy!

Here is how to enter!

This entry is mandatory if you want to win! Follow RITK and post a comment here saying that you follow the blog. Also, you must include your e-mail address if it's not already in your profile! These two things are uber important and if you do not do these then all entries of yours will be invalid and I don't want to have to do that.

For more entries...

1. Like RITK on FB and leave a comment in this post.
2. Grab the new RITK Blog Badge (again, a Greenspired Design) from the right hand side of the blog and add it to your blog. This is worth 2 entries so leave 2 comments with links to your blog in both!
3. Share this giveaway with any social media (message boards, Facebook, etc!). Leave a comment with a link. You may do this each day for multiple entries.
4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following "RITK is giving away AFFF Milk Maids @Rumble_Kitchen http://bit.ly/9aV3hs" Leave a comment with a link to your status.

Winner will be chosen on Friday, May 14th.

P.S.  Happy Mother's Day to everyone.  I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing day full of happiness, family and fabulous food! 


We have a winner!  Random.org gave me #12...which is Rebecca!  Congrats to the best friend and doula that a girl could ask for.

Field Trip Friday - Laine's Letters (Pizza Sauce) & My Three Princess (yep...it's a two for!)

I have to give credit where credit is due.  I never would have found the recipe for this pizza sauce if it wasn't for my amazing friend Robin.  And I can't give credit to Robin if I don't brag about her, her blog, our friendship, her stunningly beautiful daughters and her strong as steel faith. 

I met Robin just under four years ago.  We met because we both gave the same advice to someone on a fairly mainstream message board.  This poster had a little one with an ear infection and Robin and I both told her to use Garlic Oil. Considering that we had both never seen anyone else give that advice on line AND that we lived within a few miles of each other a friendship was born.  Turns out that we had a lot in common and a shared respect for women with strong minds and a willingness to debate issues without attacking the other person.  We have been there for each other through happy times and scary times and we both say that it feels like we have friends forever.  And did I mention that her children are beautiful?  Don't take my word for it.  Check them out on her blog, My Three Princesses.

I mentioned earlier that Robin has a rock solid faith.  While mine has wavered over the last few years and I still struggle with finding my spiritual path, I can always count that Robin's faith is steadfast and strong.  She has this grace about her, this peace and this knowing that someday I hope to achieve.  It is her faith that led her to the blog Laine's Letters.  While Robin found this site for spiritual guidance, I thank my lucky stars that she found it because of the recipes.  Robin would tell you it was God's will...I just know that this is the best darn pizza sauce I've ever made and the fact that it's ready in under 3 minutes is enough to make anyone jump with joy.  Enjoy.

http://www.lainesletters.com/recipe/pizza.html

Quick, Simple and Easy Tomato Soup and the introduction of The Rumbles!

The other night I needed dinner on the table fast.  But...I hadn't taken anything out of the freezer and I had no desire to make the salmon patties (recipe coming soon) that were my back-up plan.  Basically I felt like crap and didn't wanna do nothing.  But I had to feed my family, right?   

An idea was born.

How many times have you needed to get dinner on the table FAST and had no idea what to make?  How many times have you ordered out pizza or grabbed fast food because you were tired, stressed, pressed for time and had hungry, crabby, pissy and otherwise obnoxious kids and spouses?  How much $$ have you spent doing this because honestly, you didn't know what else to do?

Introducing the Rumbles!  10 Minute, 20 Minute and 30 Minute Rumbles that are quick fix meals that are wholesome, healthy and delicious.  Part of the way this works is having a well stocked pantry so I will be doing a post on that coming up very soon, but my goal is to make these recipes something that ANYONE can cook.  Even my #1 Taste Tester...who as we all know can burn boiled water.  We have a "rule" in my family and that is that we eat dinner as a family.  Even last night my #2 taste tester said that it wasn't dinner until daddy got home. (He works late on M,W and F so we eat later than some families.)  My hope is that The Rumbles will help you spend more time sitting at the dinner table with your family and less time slaving over the stove to make it.

First up a simple and easy soup that you can dress up or down.  You can serve it with a salad and bread or yummy grilled cheese sandwiches...really anything!  But this is so simple you almost won't believe how tasty it is until you try it.  I honestly had no idea how big of a hit it was going to be until my family raved and asked for more.  Which I didn't have.  Next time I'll make a double batch for sure.  Enjoy!

Blueberry-Juneberry-Rhubarb Jam (low sugar)

I love homemade jams and jellies. I hate the amount of sugar some of the recipes call for! I live with two diabetics and the idea of having something with that much sugar makes me cringe...almost as much as the cost for buying one small jar of the spreadable fruit at the grocery store. We try to stay away from fake sugars here and go for more natural options like stevia so the recipes calling for sugar substitutes don't work for me either. Looks like I have a mission! Especially because my friend Kathy and I bought a brand new All-American Stainless Steal Pressure Canner to use this garden season and we hope to do a wee bit of canning.

So I researched some, played some, thought some and finally just dove in and tried something out. I used a high acid fruit so I didn't add any extra acid like lemon juice or vinegar. I was a little worried about it setting up so I had a couple of friends taste test and everyone has agreed so far that it was perfect. And it's so sweet one even asked me if I was sure it was low sugar! Score one for me. Here is the recipe I made this weekend. More to follow as I make them up this spring. Enjoy!

Creamy Ham & Potato Soup (but surprise - no cream used!)

Who doesn't like soup? Especially when it's cold and damp like it has been around here lately. I stocked up on hams after Easter (gotta love sale prices) and I experimented with a smaller ham (about 7 pounds) to see how many meals I could get out of one ham. Well...I did manage to get 4 meals out of it but I also managed to slice up my finger and win a trip to St. Joe's fancy schmancy new ER. It's way nicer than it used to be. But I digress...back to food.

This is a super easy, flavorful creamy ham & potato soup. It can be made dairy free very easily and is already gluten free for those that can't have gluten. Of course I served it with my No Bricks Allowed Whole Wheat Bread which is most surely NOT GF. The pureed beans up the protein and give that creamy mouth feel without needing to add a lot of cream to the dish so that helps keep this soup low fat too. Best part is that the soup is also one of those soups you can park in the crock pot all day or throw on the stove and get on the table in just under 30 minutes. It all depends on how much time you have and how small you chop the potatoes. Enjoy!

Easy Enchilada Sauce

I love enchiladas but for years I couldn't eat them because the canned sauces always had MSG in them. MSG and I do not get along. For some reason I don't care for the nasty headache and muscle ache that comes with whatever I eat that has that in it. Call me crazy...but I try to avoid feeling like that. A few years ago my friend Colleen wanted to make them for me but we had to do something different for the sauce and I found this recipe on line. I've played with it a bit over the years and mine is very, very similar but has just a few tweaks.

Just a word of warning. This stuff is GOOD. Not just lick the spoon good. It's more of a 'must resist from eating like a soup' good. Enjoy!

Scalloped Potatoes

Sometimes I find recipes in the strangest places. Some come to me when I'm thinking about food...which is pretty much all the time. My husband is always kidding me about how much I think about and plan around food. Sometimes I'll catch a recipe in a magazine or see one in a blog that I need to try. Lots of times you will see me scouring through cookbooks looking for inspiration. But rarely will you see me boast about a recipe that I find in a Nora Roberts novel. Well...here one is.

I haven't been feeling the best so I've been hibernating with a few books that my friend Kathy sent over to keep my mind occupied. One of those books is Angels Fall, written by Nora Roberts. It's not a great epic novel or something that I would tell someone they have to read right now...but it had some pretty yummy and basic recipes at the end. So I tried one. And it was REALLY YUMMY! Like...super duper yummy and now I want it all the time good.

So I am sharing. It's simple, stick to your ribs scalloped potatoes. Nothing fancy, nothing hard but pure bliss. Plan ahead because while it's not hard to make it does take about an hour and a half to cook. But make it soon because it's simply delish. Enjoy!

Birthday Cake Part 1

The first few weeks of April are crazy around here! April 1st is my husband's birthday, then next is my dad's on the 4th. My Sous Chef was born on April 7th and my great grandmother (who my Sous Chef is named after) turned 94 this year on April 10th. Now...add in Easter to the mix and you can understand why things get a bit nuts. Not to mention school for Monkey, pool therapy for my back, Sous Chef learning to use the big girl potty and all the other daily things that add to our wonderful but chaotic life. So it's no wonder I was at a loss of what to make for my Number One Taste Tester's birthday. I was sore (it was a therapy day for me) and didn't have a lot of time.

Recipe Review - Pioneer Woman's Goat Cheese Polenta

I feel so much better when I can get into my kitchen to cook. It's just that lately I've only been able to get in there in spurts...and I haven't really had the time or energy to do much more than just "cook". I have been trying out some recipes that other people have sent and they have honestly been a God send. This recipe is one of my favs and might need to become a staple here. I mean who doesn't love creamy goat cheese in anything? The only change I made to the recipe is that I added about 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of crushed thyme to help bring out the earthy flavors of the beef ragu I made to serve with it. Sorry...no recipe for that. I just made it up. But this Goat Cheese Polenta recipe was easy and to die for good. I gave it 5 mitts! Enjoy!

Homemade Protein Bars that mascarade as Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars!

On one of the board I love someone posted this recipe. It sounded like a great idea...but with my back the way it has been standing to make cookies sounded like a daunting task. Instead I thought that maybe I could make cookie bars instead. And then I got to thinking that maybe I could play around with it and bump up the protein. So I started playing around in the kitchen and less than a week and 3 batches of bars later we have the final results. And they are so good that my family and friends are not sick of taste testing at all...in fact they want me to make more! Can't complain about that.

Oh! And the best part? The whole pan has NO refined sugars (okay, there are chocolate chips but chocolate doesn't count because it's heaven) and only 1 cup of honey for the whole thing! Yummy & healthy all in one. Enjoy!

Sinfully Delicious Brownies

That aren't really sinful at all. These brownies are so rich, so chewy, so yummy and so easy that you almost feel guilty eating them. Almost. Because they are made with whole wheat flour so they aren't as bad for you as they could be. Sure they have some sugar (or a lot) and some butter (or coconut oil) and some chocolate. But they have whole wheat so you are getting a whole grain. And no one needs to know because they taste so darn good! So fool your family and friend and make these for dessert one night this week. They will think you are a God or Goddess...and it took you under an hour to get them to fight to eat whole grains. Enjoy!

Awesome Asian Coleslaw

Another recipe from my good friend Kathy. I am so blessed to have a good friend that lives just across the street and who loves to experiment and eat as many different things as I do! I'm also lucky that like me she tries to have her family eat as healthy as possible...but at the same time she loves all things donuts, pumpkin pie & bread puddings too. :) Not to long ago she made this awesome coleslaw and she shared some with me. Knowing me as well as she does she sent the recipe too. Thanks Kathy! Oh, and it's easy too and now you all can enjoy.

Thai Chicken Curry

I am very lucky to be a part of a community that brings meals to each other quite often. Any time babies are born or someone is in the hospital or are sick...meals get brought. I have been on the receiving end and have been so grateful. So in turn I make meals for families as often as I can. This is one recipe that I made for a friend when she had her beautiful twins. It is quick, filling, easy and very flavorful. She is pregnant again and just called asking for the recipe because she is craving it. Here it is Cori. :)

This is great as is or served over rice. You can also really play with it...add in any veggies you can think of, pump up or turn down the heat...sky is the limit. Enjoy!

Strawberry Balsamic Preserves

For my birthday this year my good friend Kathy made me a wonderful dinner, bought me a cool new cheese knife and some schmancy measuring cups and gave me a jar of preserved gold! I can't think of a better summer dessert than fresh strawberries macerated in balsamic vinegar and served as is or over ice cream. We have it quite a bit here and everyone loves it...even the kids.

But Kathy 'kicked it up a notch' and made Strawberry Balsamic Preserves. WOW. What a treat. I've tried it on the classic PB&J, spread on whole wheat toast and even swirled into some Greek Yogurt. Every way has been a treat. I may never go back to plain strawberry preserves again. It just won't be the same.

I asked Kathy if she would share her recipe and she did. She even said I could share it with everyone else. So here it is. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Scotchies

It's officially Fall here in MN but with the recent snowfall it's looking a lot more like Christmas. Christmas means cookies to me! Okay...so it's more then cookies but you can't tell me you don't love all the cookies that seem to surround us at Christmastime. The younger of my Taste Testers loves Oatmeal Scotchies. He loves the smell of the cinnamon and says it makes the house smell yummy. He's right. So bake up a batch and enjoy the Fall/Winter Weather. Enjoy!

Taco Seasoning

My family loves tacos. It is one meal that I know everyone will eat and I love that it's an easy one to make sure everyone gets lots of veggies!

What I hate is that most of the spice packets/mixes you can buy have lots of additives and extras that I don't want. Especially MSG. I'm one of the lucky ones who happens to be allergic. Not as bad as my allergy to Cilantro...but an allergy all the same.

So I came up with my own spice mix. Easy to make and super easy to use. My family loves it and that had no idea that I made it on my own until I told them. Hope your family loves it too. Enjoy!

Killer Cornbread

This is a simple and sweet cornbread. It works every time I make it and everyone who tries it loves it. Now...keep in mind I live in Minnesota. Someone from south of the Mason-Dixon line might think that this is Cornbread Sacrilege because this is a sweet cornbread. Sorry. I've tried it your way and we hate it. By we I mean my entire family. If I make it using any less honey then I've listed it goes to waste. So Southerners you've been warned. ;) Everyone else should be good to go. Especially if you like the cornbread from Boston Market. This is a very similar recipe.

And it's super easy to make this cornbread into a full meal and not just a side dish. Top pieces of cornbread with any of 'toppings' you can think of and you are good to go. Leftover chili, taco meat, veggies, canned beans, fresh chopped veggies and cheese are all just starting points. Have fun and enjoy!

Overnight Oatmeal (AKA Sweet & Creamy Steel Cut Oats)

A few weeks ago I wanted to attempt this overnight oatmeal I had heard so much about. I couldn't find the recipe my friends had talked about but I found a different one and started working on that...and just as I had dumped a LOT of ingredients in the crock pot someone found the recipe I was supposed to be using. Opps. The recipe I was working on was about 3 times the amount I needed.

It was too late to take out the brown sugar and spices to I decided to try my own version of Overnight Oatmeal. I added to the ingredients I already had to make a base, measured out a more reasonable amount of oats and let the crock pot do the work. The results were super yummy but I needed to try it a few more times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Now that it's been taste tested and approved by multiple sources I can now post it here. Enjoy!

Cranberry Rhubarb Chutney

I posted a similar recipe in June. I had gotten it from a mom at Mom's Night Out and it was to die for good. I figured I'd post it in the height of rhubarb season so people could enjoy it. I didn't get the chance to try it myself until today and I didn't like the recipe as much as I thought I would. I also realized that the other mom must have played with it too...because what I made didn't taste like what she served.

So I played around a bit and finally came up with something really yummy. I took it to our neighborhood swap and it was a huge hit. I served it to my family, my dad and my friend Colleen when they stopped by today and they loved it too. So I think we have a winner. Enjoy!

Meatless Mondays are back! (Walnut Wheat Crumbles)

Another goodie from my friend Robin. I haven't made them in awhile...partially because I'm lazy and partially because we have so much 'real' hamburger from our Meat CSA. But these are a great source of protein and came in really handy when I couldn't eat meat while pregnant with Kate. Enjoy!