Thanks to Ana at Sweet Almond Tree for choosing our Halloween themed dessert – jack o’lantern oranges with sorbet. I used orange sherbet for mine. This is a really cute dessert that would be perfect for little kids. Carving a pumpkin is a lot of work for little kids and takes forever in their eyes. This is quick and then you get to fill it to make a nice little dessert. Loved it!

It’s my pick for next week and I already know what I want to do! The Chocolate Beet Cake from November Living (if you need the recipe, let me know).

Thanks to Ana at Sweet Almond Tree for choosing our Halloween themed dessert – jack o’lantern oranges with sorbet. I used orange sherbet for mine. This is a really cute dessert that would be perfect for little kids. Carving a pumpkin is a lot of work for little kids and takes forever in their eyes. … Read more →

I was dying to try making my own sauerkraut after seeing Martha’s article on it in October Living. It sounded so easy! My mom remembers her German grandmother making homemade sauerkraut, which she kept in a crock on the kitchen counter. My mom says she just remembers it smelling awful. I wasn’t afraid (and mine actually did not smell at all).

To start you thinly slice up a head of cabbage and mix it with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon caraway seeds. You let it sit for about 5 minutes then you are supposed to squeeze the cabbage to release the juices. This was not easy! I kept squeezing and squeezing, and didn’t get much. Next you’re supposed to put it in a jar and cover it with a cabbage leaf and put a lid on it, opening it each day to let the air out. I decided to follow the method in a book I have, DIY Delicious, and instead covered the jar with a cloth attached with a rubber band. You were supposed to make sure the cabbage was covered in the liquid. It was, but barely. You leave it out on the counter for several days until it reaches the sourness you like. I left mine out for 5 days and it did not get very sour, but that was ok with me. (Next time I will let it sit a little longer, just to experiment with the level of sourness).

The problem I did have was that the liquids evaporated a bit and it grew kind of a white crust on top (which I scooped out) after a few days. I checked with some friends who said that was ok – and also that I probably should have added some water if the liquid went down (I’ll do that next time).

I put my jar in the fridge for a few days, then decided it was time to use it in a dish, so I came up with this hearty supper:

4 bone-in pork chops

1 small shallot, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

4 slices bread

3 corn muffins

salt and pepper

1/2 teaspoon sage

1/2 teaspoon thyme

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cups sauerkraut

4 apples, cored

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

Spray an 8×12 pan with cooking spray. Cut a deep, wide pocket in each chop. Rip up the bread and muffins and mix with shallot, garlic, sage, thyme, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Add water until the stuffing is moist enough that it holds together. Stuff the chops and place them in the pan. Season them with salt and pepper.

Distribute the sauerkraut around and on the chops. Cut each apple into 4 slices and place on top of the chops. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours, or until the chops are completely cooked. Be sure to spoon some of the liquid from the pan onto your chop and stuffing when you serve it.

This was fantastic. First of all, the kraut. It wasn’t very sour at all, but it had a little bite. It tasted so much fresher and sweeter than kraut I’ve purchased in the past. I will definitely be making this again, particularly since you can keep it in the fridge for months. And this time I’ll add a little water.

The chops baked up very moist, which pork chops often do not do when they are baked. The kraut and apples added moisture and lots of flavor. The stuffing had interest because of the corn muffins. The apples were tender and pretty and tasted delicious with the chops and kraut.

This was the perfect fall meal! I want to make it again soon because I just could not get enough of it!

I was dying to try making my own sauerkraut after seeing Martha’s article on it in October Living. It sounded so easy! My mom remembers her German grandmother making homemade sauerkraut, which she kept in a crock on the kitchen counter. My mom says she just remembers it smelling awful. I wasn’t afraid (and mine … Read more →

October 22 marks the third anniversary of MarthaAndMe. It’s been a fun and amazing three years. I started out the first year blogging every single day, and unofficially apprenticing myself to Martha. I learned so much in that year and it ended up being a great bootcamp for me. In year two, I slowed things down and added in my own recipes. The third year was an even bigger change, with more and more of my own recipes. I also wrote and sold three cookbooks in year three! I have Martha and this blog to thank for that!

Along the way I’ve made some great friends, tried new and different projects, and continued to expand my love of cooking and my skills with decorating, organizing and (sometimes!) crafting. What will this fourth year bring? I don’t know for sure, but I do know Martha Mondays continues (click the tab at the top of the blog to learn and to join!), I’ll continue to share my own recipes and my forays into Martha’s world. Cookbook #1 (The Parchment Paper Cookbook – You can enter to win a copy of that on my other blog) is out. The Organized Kitchen and The Muffin Tin Cookbook will be coming soon. I’m contemplating a major site redesign this year as well, so that will be an exciting change.

Mostly I want to thank all of you who have followed me, commented, read along, popped in occasionally, and become my friends. My thank you gift to you is a one year subscription to Everyday Food Magazine. I’m giving away one to a lucky reader. To enter, just leave a comment on this post.

You must enter by midnight ET on Wednesday October 26. I’ll randomly and blindly select the winner by random number drawing (numbers assigned in order of comments here). Sorry, offer limited to U.S. addresses only and entrants age 18 and up only. One entry per person. Winners notified by email given when entering, not responsible for email transmission problems. You are responsible for notifying me of your correct mailing address if you are selected as a winner. Contest closes at midnight Eastern time on 10/26/11. Prize is nontransferable and may not be redeemed for cash. MarthaAndMe reserves the right to announce the name of the winner on the blog.

October 22 marks the third anniversary of MarthaAndMe. It’s been a fun and amazing three years. I started out the first year blogging every single day, and unofficially apprenticing myself to Martha. I learned so much in that year and it ended up being a great bootcamp for me. In year two, I slowed things … Read more →

Pru at Perfecting Pru chose Lighter Chicken Potpie for today’s recipe. Pru has never had chicken potpie before! Well, Pru, what did you think?

I had a little trouble with the recipe. First off, I quickly poached some chicken breasts but did not use the poaching water as directed – I used chicken broth, but that was just my cheat for the recipe. Secondly, as I was making it, it seemed like there was not enough liquid, so I increased the broth (and increased the flour). It was nice and thick when it went in the oven, but it came out looking like soup, so it was pretty disappointing. My family did not like the tarragon in this, something I don’t normally use. The phyllo dough was nice and I thought the flavors were fine otherwise. I don’t make chicken potpie often because I find it to be messy. I always think I would like it better with a bottom crust, but even when I make it that way, it all still runs all over the place. I’m posting a recipe for chicken and biscuits later this week and that is my version of chicken potpie that I like the best.

Pru at Perfecting Pru chose Lighter Chicken Potpie for today’s recipe. Pru has never had chicken potpie before! Well, Pru, what did you think? I had a little trouble with the recipe. First off, I quickly poached some chicken breasts but did not use the poaching water as directed – I used chicken broth, but … Read more →

I’ve got my life back together! The cookbook was submitted today and I am breathing again! I not only made today’s project, but I started a batch of sauerkraut, as per the recipe in Oct Living, so I’ll be reporting on that in a few days once it ferments. I’ll also be once again posting lots more here, and over at the NoPotCooking blog.

Now, as for today’s project, baked apple wedges, (chosen by Sassy Suppers) what did everyone think? I have to give this one a thumbs down. I don’t quite understand what it was supposed to be really. You bake apple quarters but you don’t bake them long enough for them to get really soft. I also did not understand why the recipe said to sprinkle brown sugar on the baking sheet. All it did was make a sticky mess that was hard to clean up! I did like the oats, brown sugar, ginger, nutmeg, and almonds, but would enjoy it much more on an apple crisp.

I’ve got my life back together! The cookbook was submitted today and I am breathing again! I not only made today’s project, but I started a batch of sauerkraut, as per the recipe in Oct Living, so I’ll be reporting on that in a few days once it ferments. I’ll also be once again posting … Read more →

Today’s project, Chicken Fried Rice, was chosen by SteakNPotatoes Kinda Gurl. I make fried rice a lot and I was mightily confused by the 1/2 cup of chicken broth in this. It turned it all wet and mushy and I had to really cook it down to get it to be less than soup.  I also felt there was just too much chicken for my tastes.

I usually toss in tons of veggies when I make fried rice – peas, carrots, sprouts and sometimes I chop up some cabbage. I usually make mine without meat, but do use egg in it.

Desi posted her link as a comment back on the assignment post for this project, so scroll back to find it.

I have to admit I am itching to try the sauerkraut recipe in October Living. Anyone else?

Today’s project, Chicken Fried Rice, was chosen by SteakNPotatoes Kinda Gurl. I make fried rice a lot and I was mightily confused by the 1/2 cup of chicken broth in this. It turned it all wet and mushy and I had to really cook it down to get it to be less than soup.  I … Read more →

I chose today’s project, fruit roll ups from September Living (recipe posted here). I used strawberries. I had a little trouble getting this to bake enough. I kept taking it out and checking it and ended up baking an extra hour to get most of it to that fruit leather consistency. The center still was not done and I ended up just tossing the middle part.

To be honest, I’ve never tried a fruit roll up in my life so I had DudeMartha be the tester on this one. DudeMartha has had them, but not in my house! I never bought these for my kids since I treated them like candy.  He’s had them elsewhere of course though. He did not like that there were some seeds (I guess my fine sieve is not fine enough) but other than that he thought it was ok.

If I had little kids who begged me for fruit roll ups, I could see making this, so that I would know exactly what was in it and be able to control the sugar. If you want to try it without sugar, my friend Kristin Gough did a recipe on her blog, MyKidsEatSquid with a recipe for that. You’ll also note her recipe has a very long baking time – 10+ hours which seems to be what is needed!

I chose today’s project, fruit roll ups from September Living (recipe posted here). I used strawberries. I had a little trouble getting this to bake enough. I kept taking it out and checking it and ended up baking an extra hour to get most of it to that fruit leather consistency. The center still was … Read more →

Perfecting Pru chose this week’s project, Almond Blackberry Squares.  This recipe was easy (or it would have been if I hadn’t burned the almonds first time around — the phone rang and I couldn’t get back in time!). I made half a batch in an 8×8 pan. I am not a blackberry fan – I like the flavor but just hate all the seeds. Everyone else in the family likes them though. This got a thumbs up all around. It was easy to make. I didn’t have a single orange in the house, so I put a few drops of orange extract over the berries instead of zest which worked out quite well. This would be good with raspberries too I think, or even a combo of both.

We’re taking a break from Martha Mondays for the next couple of weeks.  I am hoping to get back to regular posting this fall!

Perfecting Pru chose this week’s project, Almond Blackberry Squares.  This recipe was easy (or it would have been if I hadn’t burned the almonds first time around — the phone rang and I couldn’t get back in time!). I made half a batch in an 8×8 pan. I am not a blackberry fan – I … Read more →

Sassy Suppers chose a craft project for today – drink umbrellas. What a cute project! It was really easy too. We pleated one of the umbrellas to try to make it look a bit more like the ones you get in restaurants and it turned out really well. These would be adorable for a summer party. Side note: I remember bringing a drink umbrella home from someplace as a child and using it as an umbrella for my Barbies! Barbie would definitely give these a thumbs up as well.

Next week’s project is blackberry almond shortbread squares.

Sassy Suppers chose a craft project for today – drink umbrellas. What a cute project! It was really easy too. We pleated one of the umbrellas to try to make it look a bit more like the ones you get in restaurants and it turned out really well. These would be adorable for a summer … Read more →

SteakNPotatoKindaGurl chose turtles for today’s project. I was amazed at how easy this recipe is. It literally took 10 minutes. Pretty amazing – and no bowls either. It’s all done in the oven. Mine turned out nicely. I thought the caramel was a little hard to chew – maybe it got cooked too much in the oven, but other than that they were good. I immediately got them out of the house though and send them to Mr. MarthaAndMe’s office.

SteakNPotatoKindaGurl chose turtles for today’s project. I was amazed at how easy this recipe is. It literally took 10 minutes. Pretty amazing – and no bowls either. It’s all done in the oven. Mine turned out nicely. I thought the caramel was a little hard to chew – maybe it got cooked too much in … Read more →