Tomatoes Stuffed With Goat Cheese, Nuts and Garlic

In France they call this dish Tomates farcies au Chèvre et aux Noix. It's a simple dish that is wonderful for a light lunch or dinner. Enjoy!



Ingredients:
4 large tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 oz goat cheese
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 egg, beaten
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven at 450º F. Trim the stems of the tomatoes and cut off the top third of each. Scoop out all the pulp, discarding the seeds. Chop the flesh to make a pulp and set aside. Place the tomato shells hole-down to drain while preparing the filling. In a bowl, thoroughly mix the walnut, breadcrumbs, garlic and cheese. Add the herbs, the egg and tomato pulp; stir to mix well. Season to taste. Fill the tomato shells with the mixture and set in a shallow baking pan. Bake for 6-8 minutes, so that filling is cooked but tomatoes don’t collapse. Serve immediately.

Serves 4

Baked Brie With Peaches

You could use just about any flavor of preserves in this simple and delicious recipe.


Ingredients:
8 oz. round Brie cheese
2 Tbsp. raspberry preserves
1 cup diced peeled peaches
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place Brie in small shallow baking dish. Spread preserves evenly over cheese and top with peaches. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese softens. Serve with crackers and french bread slices. Serves 8-10

Poppies

The flower symbolism associated with poppies is beauty, magic, consolation, fertility and eternal life. The Egyptians included poppies at funerals and in burial tombs. The Greeks used poppies in the shrines of Demeter, goddess of fertility, and Diana, goddess of the hunt. Poppies denote sleep, rest and repose. In modern times, poppies have been associated with Flanders fields as an emblem of those who died in World War I.

In many Commonwealth countries, artificial, paper or plastic versions of the poppy are worn to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I and other wars, during the weeks preceding Remembrance Day on November 11. In the United States, it is common practice to wear "Buddy Poppies" (artificial, paper or plastic versions sold by the Veterans of Foreign War) during the weeks preceding Memorial Day, the last Monday in May to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans in the various wars; whereas Veterans Day on November 11 is used to honor "living" veterans. It has been adopted as a symbol by The Royal British Legion in their Poppy Appeal.

In Canada, poppies are distributed by the Royal Canadian Legion each fall prior to Remembrance Day. The design of the Canadian poppy consists of petals made of red plastic with a felt lining and black centre held on by a pin. In 1980, the Royal Canadian Legion formed a committee to decide the future of the poppy and it was decided that the centre should be changed to green to represent the green fields of France. This proved unpopular with the Legion membership and the design was changed back in 1986.

In New Zealand and Australia, plastic poppies are widely distributed by the Returned Services Association leading up to ANZAC day (April 25th).

The golden poppy, Eschscholzia californica, is the state flower of California.

A Tip To Save Your Manicure

If your long, manicured nails sometimes puncture the fingertips of your dishwashing gloves, here's a solution you'll appreciate. Push a cotton ball into the fingers of your gloves. The soft barrier should pro-long the gloves' life and help save your manicure!

Butterfly Superstition

I find superstitions interesting. Take this one for the Butterfly for instance.

If the first butterfly you see in the year is white, you will have good luck all year. Three butterflies together mean good luck.

Make Your Own Aloe Cleanser

Making your own cleansers is one of the best ways to know exactly what is in your products. Aloe is one of the most soothing ingredients in skin care and here is a cleanser you can make yourself.




30 ml aloe vera gel
50 ml olive oil
30 ml rosewater
4 drops rose essential oil
2 drops grapefruit seed extract

Blend the ingredients together in a food processor and decant into a small bottle. Keep in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Shake before use, as the ingredients may separate. Massage into your face and remove with either a cloth or water.

Interesting Uses For Mustard

Oh, just look at the uses I came upon for mustard in my quest for trivial information.

Soothe an aching back
Take a bath in yellow mustard to relieve an aching back or arthritis pain. Simply pour a regular 6- to 8-ounce (175- to 240-ml) bottle of mustard into the hot water as the tub fills. Mix well and soak yourself for 15 minutes. If you don't have time for a bath, you can rub some mustard directly on the affected areas. Use only mild yellow mustard and make sure to apply it to a small test area first. Undiluted mustard may irritate your skin.

Relax stiff muscles
Next time you take a bath in Epsom salt, throw in a few tablespoons yellow mustard too. The mustard will enhance the soothing effects of the Epsom salt and also help to relax stiff, sore muscles.

Relieve congestion
Relieve congestion with a mustard plaster just like Grandma used to make. Rub your chest with prepared mustard, soak a washcloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it over the mustard.

Make a facial mask
Pat your face with mild yellow mustard for a bracing facial that will soothe and stimulate your skin. Try it on a small test area first to make sure it will not be irritating.

Remove skunk smell from car
You didn't see the skunk in the road until it was too late, and now your car exudes that foul aroma. Use mustard powder to get rid of those awful skunk odors. Pour 1 cup dry mustard into a bucket of warm water, mix well, and splash it on the tires, wheels, and underbody of the car. Your passengers will thank you.

Remove odor from bottles
You've got some nice bottles you'd like to keep, but after washing them, they still smell like whatever came in them. Mustard is a sure way to kill the smell. After washing, just squirt a little mustard into the bottle, fill with warm water, and shake it up. Rinse well, and the smell will be gone.

*GASP*

Isn't this the most beautiful cake? Since my birthday is coming up I decided to browse through birthday cake photos and came upon this! It's like it was made just for me..but alas, it wasn't..sigh. The baker is a true artist!! Even if I was to have a cake like this I have to wonder, could I even cut in to it or would I just bask in it's loveliness? After all it includes many of my obsessions...teapot, teacups, pearls, roses, gold trim all sitting atop beautiful china, not to mention I am a lover of sweets! I will have to accept this as my "virtual" birthday cake for now and know that somewhere out there, there is a baker that knows exactly how to make my perfect cake. Oh where are you???

Graham Cracker Cake

I hope you enjoy this cake! I will be baking it as soon as I visit the market to collect a few missing ingredients.




Ingredients:
1 14-ounce box graham crackers, crushed
2 cups sugar
5 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 cup coconut
1 cup pecans, lightly toasted and chopped
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups butter, softened, divided
1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
1 pound box powdered sugar
Preparation:
Grease and flour a tube or Bundt Cake pan. Mix crackers, sugar, eggs, milk, coconut, pecans, baking powder, vanilla and 1 cup of butter together. Do not use electric mixer. Pour into prepared pan. Preheat the oven and then bake for 1-1/2 hours at 300 degrees F.
While cake is baking, mix remaining butter, pineapple and powdered sugar. Pour over warm cake.

Feed New Geraniums

I recently came across some of my old gardening tips and I'm going to give this one a try this year.

A raw potato can give a fledgling geranium all the nutrients it could desire. Carve a small hole in a potato. Slip a geranium stem into the hole. Plant the whole thing, potato and all.

Maple Sesame Walnuts

These sweet and spicy sesame-covered walnuts are a great snack. They also make a nice topping for fruit or vegetable salads.



Ingredients:
4 cups walnut halves
4 tablespoons real maple syrup
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
generous pinch of cayenne pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325°F.
In medium bowl combine all ingredients. Mix until walnuts are evenly coated with maple syrup and seasonings.
Spread walnuts on non-stick baking sheet, or baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until nuts are lightly browned. Allow to cool on baking sheet. (Nuts will become dry and crunchy as they cool.)
Makes 16 servings, about 1/4 cup per serving.

Rye Honey Cake..French

I came across this honey cake that is still made in many regions of France and couldn't wait to post it for all to enjoy! The recipe is referred to as couque in rural areas. This is the very rustic and traditional version of the recipe that you are likely to come across in small inns and out-of-the-way taverns. Easy to prepare, this honey cake recipe makes 12 servings; and it is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy it slowly, with a small cup of café.


Ingredients:
1 cup rye flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon anise seeds, crushed (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup honey
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup light vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease an 8-inch by 8-inch baking pan and set it aside.

Stir together the dry ingredients, and then add the honey, eggs, oil, and water. Mix the batter until the ingredients are incorporated, but not overmixed, about 2 minutes. Pour the honey batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes, until the cake tests done 1/2-inch from the center.

Cool the honey cake for 10 minutes in the pan and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

This rye honey cake recipe makes 12 servings.

12 Uses For Butter

Here I am again, bringing you more crazy tips that I've found to help with daily life! Ha! I know..there's no end to the zany things I post but admit it, you love them! Check my archives on how to make your own butter.

Keep mold off cheese
Why waste good cheese by letting the cut edges get hard or moldy? Give semi-hard cheeses a light coat of butter to keep them fresh and free of mold. Each time you use the cheese, coat the cut edge with butter before you rewrap it and put it back in the fridge.

Make cat feel at home
Is the family feline freaked out by your move to a new home? Moving is often traumatic for pets as well as family members. Here's a good way to help an adult cat adjust to the new house or apartment: Spread a little butter on the top of one of its front paws. Cats love the taste of butter so much they'll keep coming back for more.

Get rid of fishy smell
Your fishing trip was a big success, but now your hands reek of fish. What to do? Just rub some butter on your hands, wash with warm water and soap, and your hands will smell clean and fresh again.

Swallow pills with ease
If you have difficulty getting pills to go down, try rolling them in a small amount of butter or margarine first. The pills will slide down your throat more easily.

Soothe aching feet
To soothe tired feet, massage them with butter, wrap in a damp, hot towel, and sit for 10 minutes. Your feet will feel revitalized, not to mention soft!

Remove sap from skin
You've just gotten home from a pleasant walk in the woods, but your hand is still covered with sticky tree sap that feels like it will never come off. Don't worry. Just rub butter on your hand and the gunky black sap will wash right off with soap and water.

Keep leftover onion fresh
The recipe calls for half an onion and you want to keep the remaining half fresh as long as possible. Rub butter on the cut surface and wrap the leftover onion in aluminum foil before putting it in the fridge. The butter will keep it fresh longer.

Zap ink stain on doll's face
It always happens, one of the kids used a pen to draw a new smile on that favorite doll's face. Try eliminating the graffiti by rubbing butter on it and leaving the doll face-up in the sun for a few days. Wash it off with soap and water.

Treat dry hair
Is your hair dry and brittle? Try buttering it up for a luxuriant shine. Massage a small chunk of butter into your dry hair, cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes, then shampoo and rinse thoroughly.

Cut sticky foods with ease
Rub butter on your knife or scissor blades before cutting sticky foods like dates, figs, or marshmallows. The butter will act as a lubricant and keep the food from sticking to the blades.

Emergency shave cream
If you run out of shaving cream, try slathering some butter onto your wet skin for a smooth, close shave.

Prevent pots from boiling over
You take your eye off the pasta for two seconds, and the next thing you know, the pot is boiling over. Keep the boiling water in the pot next time by adding a tablespoon or two of butter.

Alert On Fabric Softeners

I just read that liquid fabric softener builds up in clothes over time and can cause all cotton clothing like fleece or children's sleepwear to become more flammable. This is surely frightening news! Who wants to become a human wick after all? The article went on to say that if you want to use a fabric softener with your all cotton clothes, use a dryer sheet if the label on your clothing says it's ok. Otherwise, stick to vinegar in your rinse wash as I do. It removes the soap, softens your clothes and amazingly enough, it does not leave the vinegar smell in your clothing.

Diabetic Apple Sour Cream Cake

Here is a decadent, low-fat, sour cream cake with an apple oat topping that everyone will enjoy.


Ingredients:
2 tbsp Margarine, soft, 80% fat
4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup egg whites (cup)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cup white all purpose flour
3/4 cup sweetener (sugar substitute like Splenda)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp low sodium baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup fat free sour cream
2 cup chopped apples
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
6 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
Topping:
1/2 cup Oats, whole, instant
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup brown sugar substitute (Splenda or similiar), granulated
2 tsp salted butter
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and grease a 13 x 9 baking pan.
2 Mix the margarine and applesauce in a mixing bowl and add the sugar. Beat well with a mixer. Add egg whites and vanilla, continue to beat well.
3 In a separate bowl, sift together flour, Splenda, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
4 Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the sour cream and gently combine. Stir in chopped apples.
5 Spread the mixture evenly into the greased pan. Mix together ingredients for topping and sprinkle topping over batter.
6 Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

The Pansy

Call me curious or crazy, I always seem to be searching for the meaning of something. Since I have been in the planning stages of my spring and summer garden I have been obsessed with pondering my flower choices. You probably know that by now, since this is not my first post on the subject. Oh, I know. Most people head off to the market for seeds and grab haphazardly at whatever is on sale. I have been known to do that as well, but in my quest to bring meaning to everything in my life, my curiosity gets the best of me and I do what I can to bring love and luck to my small garden space.

In my quest to find the meanings of the flowers I am choosing, I found that there is actually a name for what I am doing. The study of the meaning of flowers is an actual science known as floriography, and it reveals an extra underlying meaning to sending or receiving flowers - subtle and secret messages can be passed through the different blooms. We all need magic in our lives and what better way than with flowers? Who would have known? To know there are others who share my quest, helps me to know that I have not lost my mind on a trivial matter such as seeds. In the coming weeks you will be able to tell what I am planting as I post the meanings. Flowers that have always been near and dear to me are even more so when I know why I am attracted to them.

One of the first flowers I will plant will be the Pansy. I have always loved them. Dainty, with their little faces pointing up towards the sun, how could you not love them? The flower symbolism associated with the pansy is merriment and you occupy my thoughts. The pansy is also called the Heartsease or Johnny Jump Up. The name pansy is derived from the French word pensée meaning "thought", and was so named because the flower resembles a human face. In August the pansy is thought to nod forward as if deep in thought.

Buttermilk Soak For Vintage Linens

Old vintage linens are lovely, but they can yellow in spots as well as hold stains. Here’s a recipe to help brighten things up. You can soak items for a few days if they are heavily yellowed and the cleaning solutions aren’t giving you the results you want. Just replace with fresh hot water and another dose of the recipe every day or two.

First check a spot to make sure the recipe won’t damage the fabric or colors before soaking the entire item.

1 Quart Buttermilk
1 Gallon Water
1 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice
Soak linens in the buttermilk recipe for up to 24 hours, rinse twice, then launder as usual.

11 Health Benefits Of Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice has become popular in the past few years, but does it really live up to the hype? I know it's full of antioxidents, which is why I drink it, but what else does it do for you? Read on and find out.

Fights Breast Cancer
Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

Slows Prostate Cancer
It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

Keeps PSA Levels Stable
In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.

Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

Protects the Arteries
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

Lowers Cholesterol
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

Lowers Blood Pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

Dental Protection
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Homemade Beauty

Chamomile is wonderful and does so much for your skin and hair. If you have a hard time finding loose chamomile you can check in Our Scented Cottage Shoppe. Peek in the Cottage Scents Section.



Chamomile & Oatmeal Mask
1 Cup distilled Water
2 T. Chamomile Blossoms
2 T. Instant Oatmeal (not flavored)
Boil water in a small stainless steel saucepan, add chamomile, turn off heat, cover and let cool. Strain chamomile. Place oatmeal in ceramic bowl, add enough chamomile infusion to make a spreadable paste, using a blender if necessary. Apply mask to face (except eyes and lips), leave on for 20 minutes, remove with warm water. Makes 2oz. mask mixture


Here is a wonderfully fragrant splash, especially nice chilled in the refrigerator in the summer months. You can also find lavender in Our Scented Cottage Shoppe.
Lavender Facial Astringent
2 Cups fresh Lavender Blossoms or 1 Cup dried
2 C. White Wine Vinegar, or unseasoned Rice Vinegar
Place lavender and vinegar in a quart glass mason jar, screw on lid. Place outdoors for 3 days, shaking daily. Strain lavender and place mixture in plastic container. To use, wash face, pat dry, moisten cotton squares with astringent, apply. This makes 16oz. of mixture.

The Meaning Of Sweet Peas

While planning your spring garden stop and give thought to the flowers you are planting. Not only are flowers beautiful but they all have meanings and symbolisms from the past. I will be planting sweet peas in my garden and if you are thinking of planting them as well, here is their meaning.

With their richly colored yet small, delicate flowers, the sweet pea’s history can be traced back to 17th century Italy, when a Sicilian monk, Franciscus Cupani, sent its seeds to England. Although that original sweet pea bore little resemblance to the flower we know today, when Harry Eckford, a Scottish nurseryman, crossbred the original flower, he created the colorful, ornamental and sweetly scented sweet pea we know today.

Ekford’s varieties included the pink Dorothy Eckford, the lavender Lady Grisel Hamilton, the scarlet King Edward VII and perhaps his most famous, the Countess Spencer. Meaning delicate or blissful pleasure in the language of flowers, this enchanting flower remains a favorite fragrant blossom.

Aigo Boulido - Garlic and Herb Soup With Eggs

I have read that this aigo boulido, or garlic soup, recipe is the Provencal cure for anything that ails you. A traditional recipe that incorporates garlic, herbs, and water, it is known informally as “boiled water.” For me it looks the perfect recipe for a cold winter's day.


Ingredients:
4 cups water
10 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
6 sage leaves
1 small bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 egg yolks, beaten
Garlic croutons:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
6 slices baguette
1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese
Preparation:
In a large saucepan, bring the water, 10 cloves garlic, sage, bay leaf, salt and pepper to a simmer. Continue simmering the broth until the garlic is softened and cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the burner and strain the garlic and herbs from the water. Return the water to the pan.

Remove the bay leaf and sage leaves from the garlic and discard. Using a fork, smash the garlic into a paste and return it to the pan. Bring the soup to just under a simmer and rapidly stir in the beaten eggs yolks. Continue stirring for 30 seconds, until the eggs are set into thin strands.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, sauté garlic in the oil and butter until tender –about 7-10 minutes total. Transfer the garlic to a plate. Place baguette slices into hot oil and sauté both sides until they are golden brown.

Place each finished crouton into an ovenproof bowl, top with the soup, and garnish with a bit of Gruyere cheese. Melt the cheese under a broiler, if desired.

This aigo boulido recipes makes 4 to 6 servings.

Peach Crumb Cake

Bring a little summer in to your home with this fragrant peach crumb cake. Pair with some coffee or tea and sit back and dream of the warmer days to come.

Peach pie filling makes this delicious brown sugar crumb topped cake easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (4 ounces), room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup milk
Filling:
1 can (20 ounces) peach pie filling
Topping:
1/2 cup flour
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preparation:
Grease and flour a 9-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350°.
Combine 1/2 cup of butter and 1 cup brown sugar; beat until light. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and cinnamon mixture; add to the batter, beating slowly, alternating with the milk. Beat on low until smooth. Spread about half of the batter in the prepared baking pan. Spread the peach pie filling over the batter. Spoon the remaining batter evenly over the peach layer and spread gently to cover the filling.

Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle evenly over the top. Bake for about 45 to 55 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center.