Sauted Jerusalem Artichokes

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!!  I want to share this new and random veggie I found a few weeks ago...

Have you ever heard of, or tried Jerusalem Artichokes?  I hadn't until about two weeks ago, when we saw them at the Farmers' Market.  It turns out North Carolina is about the perfect place to grow these little jewels.  And even though they look a lot like ginger (to me and Rocket Scientist at least) it's not anything like it.  In fact, they aren't even anything like regular artichokes.  They are more like potatoes.  Yummy though.  Here's a great way to fix um! :)

What you'll need:
Jerusalem Artichokes, washed
Onion diced
Olive Oil
Salt/Pepper to taste

 Looks a lot like ginger, right?  But it's not, these are Jerusalem Artichokes.  Yum.

 Slice them up.

 Gentley saute about 1 T. Olive Oil with some diced onion and sliced Jerusalem artichoke.

 Keep stirring until it starts to brown and the pieces of Jerusalem Artichoke are tender in the middle. (About 10 minutes on Med.)

Enjoy!  :) Afternoon snack, side for dinner...whatever floats your boat! 

Homemade Gnocchi

Gnocchi is easy to make as far as pastas (and noodles) go.  All you do is mix your dough up, roll it into little logs and cut into pieces.  Easy peasy right?  :)  And they are SUPER yummy!  Sweet potato gnocchi is by far my favorite.  I can just eat it by itself it's SO good!  :)

My recipe: (2 hearty servings)

1 c. mashed sweet potato (~1 large sweet potato, cooked, peeled and mashed up)

1.5 c. Flour

1 Egg

1/4 t. Kosher Salt

Mix together all the ingredients of the dough.  (Adding flour in a half cup at a time.)  Knead rest of the flour in, if needed.

Roll dough into logs, cut into pieces and toss with a little flour so they don't stick together before cooking.

Cook in a pot of boiling water for about 3 minutes or until done.  Fresh pasta (gnocchi included) cooks super fast.

Serve immediately with sauce or toppings of your choice.  Tomatoes and garlic pair very nicely with the sweet potato.  :)

You can really substitute any type of potato in this recipe too just fyi.  Sweet potatoes are just my fave.  :)  Feel free to experiment and let us know what you think!

Cascara -- A Coffee Cherry Tea

I was just recently introduced to Cascara.  It's an herbal beverage you make by steeping the dried coffee cherries in hot water (like tea).  It's quite delicious too.  It has notes of plums and raisins, with a real natural sweetness to it.  If you ever have the chance to pick up some Cascara, or enjoy a cup of it, I highly recommend the experience.  

Here's the wet cherries after they steeped for about 3 minutes.

 The tea...

 Ready to drink. :)

It's a pretty popular beverage in Coffee growing regions of the world, but rather rare here in the States.  I got some of the Cascara from the El Salvador Finca Mauritania lot available at A Southern Season in Chapel Hill, NC right now.  So if you happen to be in the area you can get some there, or check out your local roasters etc...

Turkey Craft

Here's a little turkey craft you can use to decorate your table for Thanksgiving!  I actually saw Our Best Bites post today, and got to crafting myself.  Since I didn't have silk flowers on hand, I just used little craft paper flowers and scrap-booking paper.  Cute huh?  Here's how you can do it too...

 Here's what you'll need:  hot glue, some paper flowers, and some paper.  Fall colors are best, but I also used some neon green....and I really like the way it turned out for some reason!  :)

 Cut out the bodies of the turkeys and add some beaks.

 Layer three or so flowers on top of each other until you like the color combos...

 Hold in one hand, and cut in half (carefully!).  Then use hot glue to glue each layer together and the body to it.

 Then repeat till your turkeys are all done.  I make six altogether.  Love the color combos...

 Then you can decorate whatever you'd like with them.  I particularly like them on the place cards though!  :)

Vegetarian Chili

You can either make this on the stove or in a crockpot.

Here's what you'll need:

1 can Kidney Beans 

1 can Black Beans 
1 can Pinto Beans 
2 c. Roma Tomatoes, diced 
1 pkg Tempeh, crumbled
1 Jalapeno, finely diced 
2 Tbsp. Chili Powder 
1 Tbsp. Barbque Sauce or Hot Sauce of your choice 
1 can Tomato Paste (small can)
1c. Water 

Salt and Pepper to taste

Drain and rinse the beans.  Pour everything in the pot, crumbling the tempeh as you go and stir together.  Then set it on low for 8 hours in the crockpot or simmer for 3-4 hours on the stovetop.  


This makes a nice thick, hearty chili, so if you'd like it thinner add more water.


Enjoy!  :)

Personalized Charm Earring Giveaway!

WINNER ANNOUNCED:  Andrea.  Please email me to claim your prize!

Since it's already November.  And since it's Tuesday night at 10:00pm.  And since I haven't been blogging/making as much food lately because my hand.  And since I feel sorry about that.  And because I love y'all!  I'm giving away some of these super cute personalized earrings by JewelsNJoys Etsy Shop.

You may remember me mentioning something about this shop before, because they have some super cute vintage finds as well as jewelry.  They actually just listed these today, and I am super fond of them. (And I already own a pair!:)  

Here's a glimpse of what these cute charm earrings look like:

 And since they are made to order, you'll get a personalized pair for yourself or a loved one this holiday season!  Super cool huh?  

Comment on this post and you are entered in the giveaway for these cute personalized charm earrings by Jewels N Joys. 

Rules:

Must live in the contiguous United States of America.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Giveaway ends at 11pm (EST) Friday 11/11/11.  (No entries will count after 11pm 11/11/11.)

Additional Entries: 

~"Like" A Delicious Melody on Facebook, and leave a separate comment on this post stating that.

~"Like" Jewels N Joys on Facebook, and leave a separate comment on this post stating that you did.

~Tweet or Blog about this giveaway, and leave a separate comment on this post stating that you did.

~Add my new ADM button (found on the right sidebar) to your blog or website and leave two comments saying you did.  (Yep, you read that right, that's two extra entries for this one.)

Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed!

4 ingredient cookies

In the mood for some yummy, yet quick and easy cookies?!?  Look no further!  You only 4 different ingredients and you're on your way to eating these goodies...

1 Betty Crocker Devil's Food Cake Mix (you could use other brand but the proportions would be different...)
3 Eggs
1/4 c. Butter or Crisco, softened in microwave
1 c. Mini marshmallows

Mix ingredients together until well combined.  I recommend blending cake mix, eggs and butter/crisco before adding the marshmallows.  Drop by the spoonful and slightly flatten on baking sheet.  Bake for about 15minutes at 350degrees.  Then enjoy these light fluffy somewhat chewy cookies!  :)