Brunch · Healthy Eating · Make-Ahead · Weight watchers

Crustless Quiche

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When I make up my weekly menu, I look at what I have on hand and look for recipes that use those items. Last week I had fresh broccoli in the fridge and I had some ham slices in the freezer. When I was looking at my Pinterest boards for healthy recipes, I came across a pin for a Ham and Cheese Crustless Quiche on Skinny Taste’s site. She has such delicious, healthy recipes! This one joined the ranks of favorites!

I used Swiss cheese as my cheese option and it was so good with that ham! Steaming the broccoli just a couple of minutes gave it tenderness without being super limp or soggy. This whole recipe is just delicious! I also prepped the ingredients ahead of time because I was working outside on my back porch and wanted supper to be easy to complete.

To make ahead, I chopped the broccoli and ham and grated the cheese and then set all that in the fridge. I mixed up the custard ingredients and set that bowl in the fridge. All I had to do 45 minutes before suppertime was assemble it in my pie plate.

Here’s Skinny Taste’s recipe:

Ham and Cheese Crustless Quiche

INGREDIENTS

  • cooking spray
  • 1 3/4 cups diced ham steak or leftover ham, 9 oz
  • 1 cup chopped steamed broccoli, fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup fresh grated Swiss cheese
  • 2/3 cup 2% milk
  • 1/4 cup half & half cream
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • pinch of nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the to 350F degrees. Spray a pie dish with oil.
  • Evenly spread the broccoli in the dish and top it evenly with the ham.
  • Make the custard mixture by whisking together the milk, half and half, eggs, salt, black pepper, and the nutmeg.
  • Pour the custard into the dish and top with Swiss Cheese.
  • Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until the center is set.
  • Cut the quiche into 6 pieces and serve.

I served this at supper with a side salad, toasted bread and fresh fruit. It would also be perfect menu item for brunch!

This recipe is 5 points on the Blue WW plan and 6 on the Green Plan.

Enjoy!

Back Porch Refresh
Cleaning · refreshment at home · summertime

Back Porch Refresh

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Now that things are warming up, we are spending more time on our back porch once again. This is an outdoor room that we just love and use a LOT! But like every other room, it needed a spring cleaning! I was amazed at how much better everything looked after I scrubbed down every inch of this space. Not sure why I’d never considered the need for a deep spring cleaning out there! Oh, I always wiped down the tables and wash the linens, but it needed lots more!

The rug and the concrete nearly sparkle now, but they were caked with dried worms and debris!
  • First I pulled everything out of this space except for the swing.
  • Using the hose, I gave the concrete slab a cleaning, using the spray nozzle on high. I had to go over it several times to remove all the dried worms (!), and bird mess!
  • Using soapy water, I washed down all the chairs, the swing, the posts on the porch, and the siding on the house.
  • I sprayed both sides of the outdoor rug. It looks brand new (see picture below). These outdoor rugs are worth the price! They really take the weather and all the elements well! I got mine at Lowe’s.
  • The glass door was washed.
  • All the summer toys were inspected, and then either put back in place or were pitched to be replaced.
  • My swing cushion is on its way to the laundry mat this week.
  • I added annuals to my containers.

Everything looks and feels so clean and inviting! I only wish I had taken a before photo, but I hope that my “after” pictures will inspire you to scrub down your porches, too!

I am looking to replace the cushions on my furniture. We store them away during the winter, but they have a weird feeling that doesn’t wipe off. Do you have outdoor cushions that you love? I’d be so thankful for your suggestions!

Later this week my front porch will get the same treatment! Do you need to refresh your porches for summertime?

Made From Scratch Lemon Meringue Pie
dessert · Pie

Made From Scratch Lemon Meringue Pie

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Last weekend I got to spend Mother’s Day in Kentucky with my mom. I made her Mother’s Day meal, and when planning the menu, I knew immediately what dessert would be – her favorite – Lemon-y. Tart. Mouth watering. Creamy. Fluffy. Sweet.What is it? Lemon Meringue Pie!

I hadn’t made one in a couple of years, so I was a little nervous about how it would turn out. I have had times that the meringue flopped or crept away from the crust, or wept, leaving little dewy droplets all over, so I could only hope and pray all would go well.

The recipe is from this very old cookbook of my mom’s, printed in the 60’s. I grew up flipping through the pages of this cookbook, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the tempting desserts pictured on its pages, this pie being one of them. Now it was time to see if I could make it happen!

Cream pies like this just take patience.

  1. Make the crust
  2. Bake the crust
  3. Make the filling
  4. Let it cool
  5. Make the meringue
  6. Top the pie with the meringue
  7. Bake the meringue until lightly browned

It’s worth every bit of effort to make this delicious pie at home! Just find a day that isn’t rainy and humid, or you might have trouble with the meringue. You’ll be so glad you took the time and effort to make this from scratch. It simply can’t be beat! The meringue in this recipe has a little twist! See if you can catch it.

How about a slice?

My sweet mom slicing up her Mother’s day pie.

A few tips:

My homemade crust is made from – 2 C flour, 1 tsp salt, 3/4 C Crisco, ice water.
Combine the flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut Crisco into flour. Add ice water a little at a time until it holds together without crumbling or being too wet. Makes 2 crusts.

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, if possible. It makes it extra fresh and tart.

Be sure to cool the pie to room temperature, then refrigerate it a few hours before you attempt to cut it. The filling needs that time to set up.

Did you catch the twist in the recipe for the meringue?

I hope you’ll make someone’s day (and your own!) and bake a lemon pie!

Getting the Most Done Each Day
Cleaning · Home making · refreshment at home

Getting the Most Done Each Day

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It was 10:00 in the morning. I was dressed and ready for the day and I had already:

  • Taken care of the cat (If you’re a cat owner, you know that your cat will make sure that happens first!)
  • Swept the floor in the laundry room
  • Thrown in a load of laundry
  • Made the bed
  • Cleaned the bathroom
  • Wiped off the mirrors in the bathroom and bedroom
  • Made baked oatmeal
  • Emptied the dishwasher

I had also had my time in the Word and prayer, and my husband and I had also been guests on a podcast before 10:00! I was thankful that these things were done, because the rest of the day was also full of responsibilities. Not every day is as busy or productive and “My life is not about checking off boxes!” (I say to myself each day!).

My life is driven by my relationship with the Lord. I desire He direct my steps each day so that I can live my life for His glory. But God is a god of order and beauty, so that motivates me to live out each day in the same way. I don’t want to be driven by the constant demand of household chores and duties, but I desire to be the Keeper of my home so that it runs smoothly and efficiently.

In my years of homemaking, I have learned that the most adequate way to keep that happening is by having a daily routine. Most every bullet at the top of this post is done every single day of the week. I could do most of those things half asleep simply because it’s part of my daily routine.

Getting my day organized by doing the same things every day keeps my meals prepped, my laundry clean and the house in order. Here are some of the other things that I do every single day:

  • Put away my clothes when changing.
  • Clean up the kitchen after each meal.
  • Clear off any clutter from the kitchen counter.
  • Wipe down the stove top after cooking.
  • Spray the fridge, microwave and kitchen trash can with window spray.
  • Empty the trash.
  • Do one load of laundry.
  • Fold and put away the laundry as soon as possible after it’s dried.
  • Empty the litter box.
  • Sweep the floor.
  • Clean the main bathroom.
  • Straighten up the living areas (family room, living room).

The picture of my family room at the top of this post is my view while I’m writing. I did nothing to this room when I came in here today, and we use this room every day. It stays neat and clean, thanks to my daily routines. Without that, things would be a mess!

What do you need to add to your daily routine in order to be more effective as the keeper of your home? Make an evaluation of your “problem areas” then make a routine that will keep things in check. I’ve heard Whitney say many times that she has a routine for each day of the week – a day for laundry, a day for watering the plants, etc. That’s also helpful!

If I can give you suggestions or help, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments, or feel free to email me. My email address is in my contact page.

Here are some other cleaning posts (done in our previous home) that might spur you on to do some deep cleaning.

Refresh your home with routine!

French Breakfast Puffs
Bread · breakfast · muffin · Quick Bread

French Breakfast Puffs

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French Breakfast Puffs

While visiting my parents recently, I wanted to make a muffin for breakfast that wouldn’t require any “special” ingredients. I thought for a minute, then these beauties came to my mind…French Breakfast Puffs. They require the basics – flour, butter, eggs, milk and spices. The muffin is so fluffy and delicious and it is encased in a crunchy, buttery, cinnamon/sugar coating.
These have been a favorite in our family for years! Here’s the simple recipe:

French Breakfast Puffs

1 1/2 C flour
3/4 C sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 C milk
1 egg, beaten
1/3 C butter, melted


Topping
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C butter, melted

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.  Add milk, beaten egg, and 1/3 cup melted butter.  Mix well.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. 
While the puffs are baking, mix the cinnamon, sugar in a shallow dish. Place the melted butter in another shallow dish.
Remove the muffins from the pan while still hot; dip in melted butter, then mixture of sugar and cinnamon.  Makes 1 dozen

These are heaven! What a delicious way to start the day!

Do you have a “go-to” muffin you make? If not, these are a great choice!