KITCHEN MUST haves!

So I thought I would share some of my favorite things that I absolutely have to have on hand in my kitchen.  Of course there are lots of other essentials BUT in the interest of time & keeping it simple, here are a few:

VEGAN BOULLION:  This is Rapunzel vegan boullion.  I've included the actual cubes in this photo so you can see the size.  These sell at Whole Foods, usually 2 for $5.00.  At a regular health food store, they are closer to $4 for just one package, but still worth it.   I use these for oven baked potatoes with sausage, every soup, kale or chard cooked stovetop, and more.  The no salt version actually has plenty of  flavor so it cuts down the need for salt, plus you can control how much salt goes in!  Love this and always keep it on hand.  

OATMEAL BAGGIES: This has been my creative breakfast attempt/moneysaver.  I simply buy any kind of old fashioned oats, measure out one serving, add a small bit of organic sugar and cinnamon, and voila!  Inexpensive, individual serve oatmeals for breakfast that are a lifesaver for hubby and I!  I also reuse the bags by washing them, since they never get wet, with some nice hot water & soap and drying them out right away.  I like to get these baggies put together at the beginning of every week so I have less work to do putting together breakfasts during busy weekdays!

BUTLER SOY CURLS:  So these are a soy-protein "chickn" subsitute.  I recently bought them bulk with my mom for $30 each, and we got 12 pounds!  Six pounds  (for $30) has lasted me for ever in the freezer and they are so easy to prepare for tacos, pasta, stirfry, and more.  I simply reconstitute them in hot water for about 15 minutes, drain, and fry up with some olive oil or butter.  Adding chicken style seasoning, broth, taco seasoning, etc.  works great.  These take on most flavors very well.  For more info, google "Butler Soy Curls."  

EWHITE VINEGAR:  So this is a recent discovery.  I keep this on hand (had it before for some potato pancakes but never used it again) NOW, as of a few weeks ago, because of a wonderful recipe for vegan muffins I discovered by googling.  More to come on that recipe in another post:-).  1 tablespoon of vinegar replaces EGGS for 12 vegan muffins.  YES, I said EGGS.  This is not only a CHEAP solution but a healthier choice if you are watching your diet or simply eliminating dairy products.  You can use any white vinegar, this isn't an endorsement for the brand--it's just what I had on hand.  Trust me, fluffy and delicious muffins, all with ONE tablespoon of this stuff.  MUST HAVE:-)  Sorry for the ugly hand/fingers.  Crazy hot water will do that to ya!:-)

WHITE WINE:  So this one is self explanatory.  Once again, not a brand endorsement just a cheap and useful white wine.  Since Dwight and I don't drink, I use this inexpensive white wine to deglaze the bottom of my pot when making soup (fantastic recipe for a tomato, white bean, crimini mushroom soup started me on this!), as well as to make white wine butter lemon sauce for pasta.  I still need to perfect cooking with this, but I will always keep a cheap bottle on hand for recipes!  This one probably only set me back about $6.  

So once again this isn't extensive but I didn't want to be too detailed!  What are some of the things you can't live without in the pantry and fridge?  

Time to Update! Veggie Burgers!

Ok, it has been FAR too long since I've posted on this blog.  Sometimes it's hard to be motivated to keep up.  However, inspired by my recent obsession with all things home-made, I have decided to start posting more of my day-to-day adventures in cooking, baking, and just generally being more crafty and resourceful around the house.  Couponing has helped me to save money when I shop, but cooking home-made things that usually can be bought at the store has become my most recent challenge!  So, without further wordiness, I'd like to post the first home-made HIT recipe from my MOM, for the most finnicky of eaters!  This is her recipe for vegetarian burgers and it is FANTASTIC.  Meat cravings, OUT the window!:-)  Well, hopefully;-)

Ok so I said I'd post the recipe, this is COURTESY OF MY MOMMA! Thanks MOM! :-)  These burgers are the PERFECT burgers to impress any meat lover with.  You can add extra sliced cheese or just dress with tomato & lettuce and your favorite toppings...its good cheeseburger style or not and it has cheese built right in anyway!:) Here goes:


Oat-Nut Burgers

4 cups water
4 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not the quick cook kind)
1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari--I use tamari because its so rich in flavor)
1/3 cup veg. oil
1 cup chopped nuts (i used pecans for the richness but walnuts or a mix will be fine)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes (the best brand of these is Red star, found in bulk section of whole foods and some natural foods stores)
chikn/beef like seasoning to taste (this can be salty so test it out--maybe a tablespoon)
1 tsp bakon seasoning (optional)
1 TBSP italian seasoning
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp rubbed sage
1 tsp thyme
2 beaten eggs or egg replacer
1 cup grated vegan or regular cheddar cheese

Place all ingredients except oats, nuts, cheese, & eggs in a large pan.  Stir & bring to a boil over medium heat.  Stir in oats & remove from heat ASAP.  Cover and set aside to thicken and cool enough to handle (this will just be something you have to check on and see when its cool enough to not scramble the eggs).  Add cheese, beaten eggs, and nuts.

Preheat oven to 350.  Use parchment paper or a sprayed baking sheet and bake about 1/2 hour on each side.

Arizona Photos!

Here are some memories so far from Arizona!

Want breakfast? Wait in the line!

Helicoptor relief

Red fire at night

"Thumbs up, I'm still clean!"

The First Fire Assignement for Engine 63

So my husband is gone on his first fire assignment of the 2011 season.  Sunday night he received the call that his engine was going to leave to Bakersfield area for a smaller fire, and that he would be left behind because he had classes to finish on Tuesday & Wednesday.  But an hour later, he got another call that he was going to leave with the engine.  All of his fellow engine members were hoping that the fire in Kern county was not all they would do, because it was contained quite a bit and only 100 acres. So this was it! I went to bed Sunday night knowing I didn't know if he'd come back in 2 days or 2 weeks or more. 

He left Monday morning early to wait for orders, and sure enough they left to Kern county.  It's now Thursday and he is in Apache county, Arizona, where the brunt of the huge Wallow fire, which has consumed hundreds of THOUSANDS of acres and forced evacuation of many people from their homes.  This fire is a monster!

Learning to be home without him is a little strange.  The first night, Monday night, I was with my mother-in-law so it was not too hard.  Tuesday was the first time I was home alone, and it felt very strange.  I spent my evening with two great friends eating dinner, which caused a weclome distraction.  But when I got home that night, it was a strange feeling.  Assignment on such a huge fire as the Wallow is at least 14 days.  Trying to get adjusted to this is going to be a challenge but a good learning experience for me.  The apartment felt empty, cold, and I felt antsy.  I found myself up until 2 am, watching movies & playing games on my phone, finally falling asleep on my side of the bed.

Wednesday, day 3 of him being gone, was a lot better. 

I went to work, treated myself to some home decoration shopping (under $10 :-), and vegetarian indian buffet.  Later, sitting on my porch enjoying sun & a book with strawberry lemonade, I still couldn't stop thinking about how everyone there is.  The picture is not of Dwight but of a firefighter that's in arizona from a news site...Praying everyone keeps safe & I am happy even missing Dwight because I have him for a husband. And so it begins, my life as the wife of a wildland firefighter.  Can't wait till he gets back.  I have a great DVR of the CMT awards and I won't tell him that Shania Twain ate it walking out to announce an award:-) He'll have to see for himself:-)

Keeping Track of my days....

My life as a Droze has been really amazing.  I decided I cannot let moments go by without remembering them.  This picture above of Dwight and I in Nashville at Cadillac ranch with Laura Bell Bundy the night after the 2010 Country Music Awards is just one example of some of the amazing times we've got to have so far together. 

When my brother was born, my mom kept a journal of everything they did every day--handwritten, on paper, for about his first year.  That was the blogging of the 80's..and today I have the resource at my fingertips to put my memories into writing.  Dwight and I do too many really cool things and I've learned so many new things this year and I want to keep those things forever with me.  

The other night, we counted that each of us had seen at least 50 of our favorite country artists in the last 2 years or so.  AMAZING.  In just this last year of being married, we have both been at new jobs, moved, went on two vacations, changed cars, and planted tomatos. :-) 

I'm so glad for the chance to take this adventure until we're too old to move and just sit together and make cracks at eachother because that's "how we roll."

...More to come!!