Cold weather food!

With the colder weather approaching, I thought that I'd start to post some of my favorite recipes for some yummy cold weather meals!

I love my slow cooker. It allows me to make a nice dinner on a busy schedule and slow cooking is the perfect way to prepare make ahead meals for the freezer!

So, I thought I'd begin with one of my favorite recipes that I've modified to make it a tad bit healthier.

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with ground turkey and Quinoa!

Here's the recipe;
1 head cabbage
1 lb. ground lean turkey thawed
1 small yellow onion, diced. A red onion will do.
2 garlic cloves minced
1 cup cooked Quinoa
Salt and pepper to taste
1 small can tomato paste
32 oz. jar of Sauerkraut
toothpicks

Directions:
1) You need to be able to peel away the cabbage leaves which is a little difficult to do unless you soften the outer leaves. Here's how:
Bring a 4 qt. pot of water to a rapid boil.
Cut out the core of the cabbage head with a small, sharp knife. Using tongs, carefully and slowly immerse cabbage, core side down, and boil for 2-3 minutes.

Remove with tongs, place on a plate and carefully peel away the softened leaves. Be careful, the cabbage is hot! Return to the simmering water for another 2-3 minutes, remove and peel away some more leaves. Do this until you have peeled about 12 - 14 leaves. Set aside to let the leaves cool.

Save remaining cabbage for later.

2) Combine in a medium bowl the following ingredients;
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 lb thawed ground turkey
1 small yellow or red onion diced
2 cloves fresh garlic minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. tomato paste. Save remaining paste for later

3) Empty the 32 oz.jar of sauerkraut into your slow cooker. This lines the bottom of the pot and keeps your cabbage rolls moist. Shred the remaining cabbage and add to the sauerkraut.

4) Now you get to stuff the cabbage leaves. Line up the leaves, center rib facing you, drop a large spoonful of the turkey mixture into the center of the leaf.

5) Roll up the leaf once, fold in both sides and continue to roll loosely and secure with a toothpick. Repeat until all filling is used.

6) Place the stuffed cabbage rolls into your slow cooker, heat up the remaining tomato paste with a little filtered water to make a sauce and pour over the top of the rolls and slow cook for 3-4 hours. Serve on a bed of sauerkraut and top with sour cream.

IF you have any leftover cabbage rolls you may freeze them! To reheat I steam mine for about 5 -10 minutes.

Voila! Stuffed cabbage rolls!

Here we go!

So, the last few days I've been debating on what to say and how to introduce myself. What would set this blog apart from every other craft/foodie/self discovery blog out there on the net? Many share tutorials, recipes, product reviews and opinions. What's left? I'll start to type, thinking I have a brilliant subject to talk about, then backspace and erase everything. Mind you, I've done this several times.


Ten weeks ago I was laid off from my “temp” job, days before my contract was due to end. It was bittersweet. I’m back in the unemployment boat, a place that these days I am not a stranger to.

I tend to always look for the positive in everything! The upside to this tale is that I finally have the time to really work hard at my dream!

Many of my childhood memories were spent at Fabric King in Anaheim, California. Countless hours perusing through McCall's, Simplicity and Vogue pattern books looking for just the right outfit to sew. There were piles and piles of stacked fabrics and my mother and I spent the better part of an afternoon digging through every stack. My mom sewed all of my clothes, all of our table linens and bedding sets; she's very good at her craft.

I on the other hand had no interest what-so-ever in sewing my own clothes until I was about seven years old when my mother taught me how to sew a T-shirt. She was so excited that I showed any interest in a hobby that she loved so much. Unfortunately, the T-shirt was the first and the last article of clothing that I have ever sewn. Not to say that as I grew older I didn't do any crafting; I wouldn't be my mothers daughter if I didn't.

Now that I am "older", a lady never shares her age, I have found a love for French ribbons, vintage trims and jewelry, textiles, ribbon work, tutus (yes, I know) and baby shoes. I have opened a store on Etsy selling all of these items, varied and a tad A.D.D I know, but I'm loving it! My Etsy shop is called Piccadilly Cottage and my blog will bring to you my journey of starting a business on a shoe string budget, my favorite recipes, and any other information and knowledge that I can share. By the way, my name is Lisa, it’s a pleasure meeting you.