Tag Archives: Fall

Gluten-Free & Egg-Free Potato Pancake (aka- Kartoffelpuffer, Latke, Hash Brown Cakes, etc.) Vegan Recipe with Baked & Fried Versions for Oktoberfest

September 12, 2015 Leigh 1 Comment

Willkommen to a wunderbar meal of potato pancakes made without gluten or eggs! This allergy-friendly recipe is based on the fried kartoffelpuffers I grew up eating at Wurstfest in a small German town in the Texas Hill Country. Known the world over by many different names, these hash brown cakes can also be baked as a healthy and easy make-ahead dish. Serve up these tasty latkes with a variety of sweet and salty toppings for a hearty brunch buffet. Be warned… always make way more than you’ll think you need, and never expect any leftovers!

Ingredients:

6 medium or 5 large potatoes
1 onion
1 cup gluten-free flour blend (I used Namaste brand this time)
3 teaspoons sea salt (adjust according to sodium needs)
4 servings Ener-G brand egg substitute (= 8 tablespoons warm water + 6 teaspoons powder… or just use 3 chicken eggs)
grapeseed oil for fried version… or olive oil for baked version
Optional: sweet or salty toppings like apple sauce, sour cream, sauerkraut, cottage cheese, mixed berries, cheese, fruit syrup, goulash, sugar & cinnamon, etc…

Instructions:

Wash and peel the potatoes and onion.

Grate the potatoes and onion. (I’ve previously made these the hard way with an old-school grater and the easy way with an electric food processor. On this occasion, I went the eco-conscious direction with a vintage hand-crank shredder contraption that has actually been passed down 3 generations… and it still works beautifully!)

Soak the grated goodies in a bowl of cold water. (This reduces the starch content and adds crispness to the finished product.)

Mix 6 teaspoons egg substitute powder well with 8 tablespoons of warm water, until it becomes opaque white (or just crack and whip 3 eggs).

Mix this with the salt and flour. (I add salt to the batter, but if you have a family with vastly differing sodium requirements, just omit it in this step and salt them individually after cooking.)

Drain the potatoes (squeezing / pressing all the water out of it), and then add in the “egg” and flour blend. Mix this up really well.

Tastier Fried Version: Heat the oil and drop spoonfuls of batter into it. (Grapeseed oil is best for frying because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor.) Spread them flat with the back of a spoon. Flip them over when the edges have browned well. Drain them on clean cloth or paper towels before serving.

Healthier Baked Version: Fill oiled muffin cups ¾ full, and then brush or spray olive oil onto the top. (Olive oil is great for baking and will some impart flavor which isn’t infused the same way as with frying.) Convection bake them in a 350ᵒ oven for 35 minutes, and then broil them for 10 more minutes to brown and crisp the tops.

As a make-ahead breakfast test… I filled a 6 muffin cup pan with batter, covered it with clear wrap, and refrigerated it. (The rest of the batter was fried up on the stove.) The next day, I baked the batter filled tin in a toaster oven. It made perfect little hash brown cakes for breakfast without any morning effort.

Though the fried version is admittedly tastier, I’m thinking that baking a whole oven full would a be much easier way to prepare them for a brunch crowd.

These kartoffelpuffers were served with all beef knackwurst sausages made in Texas, Bavarian style sauerkraut, and homemade applesauce… and pretty parsley garnish.

Wunderbar!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Bavarian Oktoberfest Party Décor Ideas for a Fall Tablescape

September 12, 2015 Leigh 24 Comments

Willkommen to an Oktoberfest party where the tablescape décor will transport you to a fanciful Bavarian hunting lodge straight out of Grimm’s fairy tales. So don your dirndls or lederhosen, fill your bier steins, and raise prost to a chorus of “Ein Prosit” for a wunderbar family folk fest!

Dark brown tablecloths reminiscent of solid Alpine earth ground the tablescape. Nail-head trimmed pewter chargers topped with true blue dishes echo the pewter hinged lids and stoneware glazing of the steinkrugs. A feather motif dances around the edges of ivory salad plates.

Feathers encircle “leather” rings containing lederhosen protecting cloth. (Find the napkin ring craft tutorial here.)

Carved wooden acorns tied with feathers and nametags direct polka dancers to their seats. (Find the place-card craft tutorial here.)

Tiny acorns scatter across the table acting as yesteryear confetti.

An Alpine “horned” tray befits the base of a centerpiece glowing with candles, scattered feathers, and a large vintage steinkrug of gathered fall branches and long feathers. (Find the centerpiece tutorial here.)

Green foliaged trees and a one-of-a-kind European armoire, refit with a placid oil painting, set the background scenery.

A vintage wooden sign carved with a German message of welcome stands in greeting. A carven hare guards an antique pewter pitcher festooned with colorful plumes. A tiny bierkrug sits feather-filled alongside it.

A toast is proposed… may our hearts forever be filled with merriment just as the kartoffelpuffers, knackwurst, sauerkraut, and apfel sauce fill our bellies this very evening! Gemütlichkeit!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

P.S. Wondering how to prepare such a hearty meal for your own wunderbar gathering? Try my Gluten-Free & Egg-Free Potato Pancake (aka- Kartoffelpuffer, Latke, hash brown cups, etc.) Recipe with Baked & Fried Versions for Oktoberfest!

Arts & Crafts

Feather & Vegan Leather Napkin Ring Craft Tutorial + Easy DIY Centerpiece & Fall Place-card Holders for Oktoberfest

September 12, 2015 Leigh

Making your own feather and vegan leather napkin rings is an inexpensive way to bring an element of elegance to any gathering, but especially an Oktoberfest celebration of German heritage. Use a stein as a vase for feathers and fall foliage along with feathered wooden acorns to transport your guests to a fanciful fairytale version of a Bavarian hunting lodge. Then reuse the rings and acorns with a different centerpiece for Thanksgiving!

Start with finding a remnant of realistic appearing vegan leather and feather ribbon trim (these are available from Le fidèLe Design’s fabric affiliates whose links appear in the sidebar). Use a pen to mark the underside of the fabric into 6 inch long strips that are about 2¾ inches wide (vary according to the width of your feather ribbon). Cut them carefully to make a smooth self-sealing edge.

Cut the feather ribbon into 6 inch strips as well. (If you’re feeling super-crafty… you make this from scratch by gluing individual feathers onto a strip of ribbon, overlapping them as you go.)

Use fabric hot glue to adhere one end of the vegan leather to the other end, forming a ring.

Lastly, glue a feather ribbon strip around the middle section of the ring you just made. (How easy was that?!)

This would’ve cost so much more if purchased from a department store or boutique!

Next, make place-card holders using simple decorative acorns. (I found these carved wooden types in a 6 pack at 40% off this summer.) I’ve seen various types from burlap and fabric to glittered and beaded… just pick those which suit your linens and dishware best.

Use a punch cutter to make small gift tags from a parchment-like cardstock, and punch a hole in them (or just buy readymade tags). Use a brown calligraphy pen to scroll on the names of your guests.

Use a few inches of jute cord (I get mine super-cheap at the hardware store) to tie the name tag and a small handful of feathers onto the stem of the acorn. (Think about adding brighter feathers to the typical fall colors… so that your ensemble doesn’t resemble mulch. I included some teal feathers to tie in with my other décor.)

Set them into place, and you’re done! The best part is that they can be reused with a different theme because the feather decoration and tag slip right off… however, feel free to glue them into place for a permanent set.

Make a centerpiece by simply using a steinkrug in place of a vase. (I used my grandfather’s, but a new one would look great too!) Fill it with a few boughs of natural or faux fall foliage and some gathered branches. Tuck in long feathers from the local craft store.

I set this onto a faux horned tray and placed shorter candles around it. (I got the tray 90% off because it had some broken tips which were easily camouflaged with paint.) Any decorative tray can visually contain the elements into a cohesive appearing centerpiece.

I then distributed feathers around the outer edge of the tray to coordinate with the others. (Look in the children’s craft section of your local craft store to find a larger quantity of bagged feathers much cheaper than those in other aisles.)

Time to go download some “oom-pah” music… so kidding! (Click here to see more Bavarian Oktoberfest Party Décor Ideas for a Fall Tablescape)

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Last Minute Cocorico Rooster Theme Dinner Party Décor Ideas (+ Free Printables)

November 24, 2014 Leigh 2 Comments

With the winter season so turkey saturated for the holidays, I thought I’d utilize my overabundance of rooster décor and host a cozy dinner party by the fire. I used my Healthy “One-Pot” Cocorico Roasted Chicken (or Turkey) & Root Vegetables Recipe as a family-style centerpiece of food. And with my printable place-cards, it’s an easily emulated dinner party that offers a warm welcome for out-of-towners in for the holidays! I love the idea of taking dinner out of the dining room, especially in winter when there is a cozy fire available. So, my first task was to move the couches into a dining configuration. I have a large round antique coffee table that is mechanized to pop up to dining height. To accommodate more guests, I topped it with a $12 precut 4’ x 4’ plywood square from a chain hardware store. The edges of this were taped to avoid snagging the tablecloth. A card table is another easy option. Layering fabrics is a quick and easy way to add warmth to a gathering, so I draped layers of tablecloths over the square. The first layer was chocolate brown, then beige burlap with added trim, and a fall paisley print over the top. I exchanged the usual living room décor with various bits of rooster ephemera. I set a ceramic chicken on a side table next to cranberry colored candlesticks, and tucked feather tassels under the large candles. By the fireplace, I placed a rooster painting on an easel atop an old burgundy leather suitcase. Another served as a base for a spiral topiary. It was housed in an inexpensive and lightweight cranberry pot meant to simulate glazed pottery. In front of that, I positioned a small vintage brass rooster doorstop. I actually have many more roosters, but I was able to (somewhat) contain myself. I gathered sage and chocolate colored throw pillows to coordinate with the linens and dishes. These softened the deep chocolate leather sofas. Switching out small elements of your décor for an evening is an easy way to experience a change of scenery without breaking the bank. I set the table with wood-handled flatware and layers of dishware in various patterns. This included wooden plates as chargers, sage green bordered dinner plates, and a selection of chicken and rooster plates. Though completely untraditional, I figured these could be set to the side for bread later… they just looked too cute stacked this way! I actually found these little gems for $3 clearance at Dillards. Now they’re a part of my last minute rooster dinner party arsenal. My other go-to elements are antique chicken salt and pepper shakers from my grandmother, and vintage multicolor rooster stemmed glassware from my mother. It’s really great to have coordinating pieces that can be thrown together without much forethought, while having the appearance of effort. In this way, a simple chicken dinner is elevated to a special evening. Make a point of collecting what you like, and pull it out for your get-togethers. Another component which you can make for yourself is my DIY Rusted Rooster Chicken Wire Votive Holder Craft. Because they were so easy, I actually made many more than I used in the pictures. (These can be made with any shape you like, fall leaves for example.) They really added a beautiful glow to the table. I transformed, recolored, combined, and resized vintage images to make 3 free printables for invitations, labels, signs, menus, food tents, name place-cards, recipe cards, etc… (These are free for personal use only.)

These are available at the end of the article (simply right click on each image, and print in color and on photo settings on cardstock). Then just cut out your place-cards as needed… or enlist a significant other or kiddo to do it while you prep for dinner! The last step was to add the food… artisanal rosemary bread in terra cotta to compliment the Cocorico, compound butter in a rooster dish, mixed olives seasoned in flavored oil and spices, and the off-center centerpiece of roasted chicken and multi-colored root vegetables of carrots, beets, parsnips, radishes, and fingerling potatoes. Cocorico roasters are perfect “one-pot” wonders that deliver beautifully from oven-to-table. Root veggies may be peeled and seasoned the day prior to an after-work gathering if need be. Simply pick up bread and dessert to accompany your meal. Or, try out my Easy No Cook Layered (N)ice-Cream Pie with Nut Crust (Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free) which may also be made with traditional ice cream, and can be made and frozen well in advance. Happy Fall Y’all! (…I couldn’t resist.) Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

DIY Rusted Rooster Chicken Wire Votive Holder Craft

November 24, 2014 Leigh

These votive holders were made to complement my Last Minute Cocorico Rooster Theme Dinner Party Décor Ideas, but you can easily craft them with plier/cutters and glue. The base is made of pre-rusted chicken wire “ribbon” (which may be substituted with chicken wire from the hardware store). Atop that are rusted rooster shapes (which are available online and at local craft stores… or made from scratch if you’re feeling super crafty). They can be lit by candle filled glass votives or LED tea-lights. It’s actually a very easy DIY project that just takes a little patience and elbow grease. Once made, they are lovely elements that can be pulled out anytime you need last minute dinner party décor to complement a simple chicken dinner.

Using a single roll of pre-rusted chicken wire “ribbon” saves time, because it already has 2 smoothed edges. If you can’t find this, regular chicken wire may be cut and bent over (toward the inside) at the top and base. Keep it naturally gray metallic or rust it with a liquid chemical solution. (There are several brands of liquid rust that may be found online or at a craft store.)

Use a glass votive as a measuring guide for wire length. Loosely wrap the chicken wire around the glass, overlapping it, and then cut the wires in a straight line. The extra length is needed for the tightening that occurs when joining the ends together later. This cut section may be used as a guide for cutting the rest. (The process would be the same for an LED tea-light candle.)

The next step is to twist the ends together, just as you would begin tying a shoelace, with one end over the other. Begin at one corner and continue the rest of the way, closing the cylinder like a zipper. (This was the part that took patience, so I “multi-tasked” by watching a movie while I twisted.) Pinch these joined ends together with pliers to completely tighten them.

I found many dozens of reasonably priced pre-rusted shapes online. There is a shape to suit any theme. Also, feel free to cut your own out of thin metal. I’ve cut butterflies from various types of thin sheet metal and also up-cycled shapes from aluminum cans. These can be painted to mimic rust. In the future, I’ll show you how to make “metal” shapes from paper (these of course would need to be used with LEDs). If you need a rooster shape for a template, just cut it out of the free invitation PDF from my Cocorico dinner party.

Glue the joined section of a wire cylinder to the underside of your rooster. Let this sit face down overnight. I used E6000 glue, because I wanted to ensure that it stuck together despite the rust. This stuff has glued down everything I have ever tried it on, so it’s a go-to product where other glues have failed. It does have fumes though, so use it in a well-ventilated space.

Slide candles into your newly handcrafted wire cages, and set on your table. Then light to delight!

Faithfully yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Fall Leaves & Pumpkins Themed Thanksgiving Tablescape Décor Ideas

November 3, 2014 Leigh

When I think of fall, images of brightly colored leaves and plump pumpkins immediately fill my mind’s eye. This was the initial inspiration behind this tablescape for Thanksgiving.

I craved more color than is typically seen in fall décor, and so added a tablecloth with a denim background.

The blue color perfectly balanced the orange of my pumpkin topiary crafts that I made for place-card holders.

More color was added with green plates and green crystal votive holders.

Deeply stained wooden bowls and chargers were utilized to reflect nature. Turning some upside down made stable pedestals for serving pieces.

I chose terra cotta to echo the pots of the topiaries and because the covered dishes would better retain the warmth of the meal. Little tassels tied to the handles softened the hard look of the pottery.

Wooden stands added interest and height to the tableware, thereby making the food the centerpiece. Bringing the floral out and the food in, contributed further to my untraditional Tablescape.

The silverware and golden basket weave glasses provided the finishing touches for the table, just as one would finish an outfit with jewelry.

After the salad course was served, the wooden pedestal hosted turkey slices that had been carved in the kitchen. This is a lovely alternative for round tables where the turkey would make up the entire centerpiece otherwise. This way, no one has to look at the carcass for the remainder of the meal, which is a blessing to any vegans who were invited.

This is my healthy quinoa pilaf stuffed patty pan “mini” squash recipe which is Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free so that everyone may happily partake of the meal. Ground meat may also be added to make a complete meal.

This is my quick and easy heart-healthy “shortcut cauli-potatoes” recipe that is also Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free. It’s great year round because it’s so healthy and so fast to prepare.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

Fabulous Fall Leaf & Pumpkin Décor Crafts (Place-card Holders & Easy Remade Basket)

November 3, 2014 Leigh

I’m combining what are essentially two projects, because they entail exactly the same easy process of hot gluing your way to a fabulous fall! With so many beautiful options in faux foliage available, you can keep your creations to display again. The pumpkin topiaries may be placed throughout your home or office as small floral elements, or used as place-card holders as I have for my Fall Leaves & Pumpkins Themed Thanksgiving Tablescape. And though I used a vintage pumpkin shaped basket, I’ve seen similar variations of it at several craft and party stores that are just begging for embellishment.

For those of you who are brand new to this kind of thing… always buy fall foliage on sale (and there is always a sale somewhere). There are a plethora of leaves, sunflowers, berries, twigs, and mini-pumpkins available in fall colors. Rip off (or cut) the pretty bits from the largest stem.

Make curlicue vines by first wrapping brown floral tape around wire (pulling as you go). Then take that and twirl it around a pen. Pull the pen out, and you’re ready to use your newly made vine.

Now glue, glue, glue to your heart’s content. For the basket, start with leaves in order to form a base platform (at the junction between the handle and bowl of the basket). Then glue the larger elements on top of that blanket of leaves (without covering them completely).

Add smaller elements like berries, by dropping glue onto the stem ends, then tucking them in behind the biggest center element. Lastly, glue the vine ends (in the same way as the berries) and tuck those in wherever you see empty spaces.

It’s just that easy! You may now fill your creation with anything from candy to potpourri. To see it action, check out my “Glitter-Ween” Halloween Party Theme Decorating Ideas (With DIY Links).

As for the pumpkin topiaries… simply start with small terra cotta rose pots (because they are taller than regular pots). Fill these with floral styrofoam cut to size (not squishy “oasis” as that is made for wet arrangements). Next, hot glue a stack of tiny pumpkins (with a leaf in-between each) onto the top’s center. Cover the styrofoam with a layer of green moss. Then add a leaf or stem of berries here and there. Voila!

If you’d like to turn these into place-card holders… simply make flags out of toothpicks and washi tape, by using a ruler as a guide to cutting similar lengths.

Or… you can use floral tape, like I did, so long as you stretch it as you smash it between your fingers. A permanent marker writes the name well. You can also do this for your décor, to add a message like, “Happy Fall Y’all!”

See more of these here: Fall Leaves & Pumpkins Themed Thanksgiving Tablescape Décor Ideas.

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Recipes

Quinoa Pilaf Stuffed Patty Pan “Mini” Squash Recipe (Healthy, Gluten-Free & Dairy Free)

November 3, 2014 Leigh

Growing up, I would eat any vegetable that my mother said was of the cute “baby” variety. Broccoli became baby trees, Brussel sprouts were baby cabbages, and patty pans renamed baby squashes. Now that I’m an adult, I make those adorable mini squashes into a healthy yet beautiful dish that’s actually really easy to make… it just looks like it took work. It will satisfy the vegans when made this way, as a side dish, but you can add ground meat to the pilaf to make it a complete meal. And as it’s a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe, everyone at the table can enjoy it. This makes it perfect for this time of year when folks gather to celebrate together in the spirit of Thanksgiving. See more of the Fall Leaves & Pumpkins Themed Thanksgiving Tablescape Décor Ideas here.

Ingredients:

½ cup cooked quinoa (or brown rice) with 1 cup water
I container of patty pan squash
½ cup chopped leeks (or onion)
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons olive oil
½ teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
dash of ground peppercorns

Instructions:

Cook the quinoa (or brown rice) according to package instructions. (If you’re just making this for yourself… it’s the perfect way to spruce up leftover grains.) Steam the squash about 4 or 5 minutes or until bright, soft, and tender. (Time will vary depending on method… electric steamer, in a steamer basket on the stove, microwave.)

Chop, mince, and measure while you’re steaming. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. When the patty pans are cool enough to touch, cut an inverted cone shaped depression into each squash (like you would cut the top out of a strawberry).

Set these into your serving dish. Dice the cut-out squash bits, and mix this into the rest of your ingredients. Spoon this quinoa pilaf into each squash and serve immediately. (If you need to prepare this ahead of time, the pilaf stuffed squash reheats beautifully.) Bon appétit!

Another great recipe for Fall is my Quick & Easy “Shortcut” Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Recipe (Heart-Healthy & Dairy-Free) 🙂

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Living Faithfully ~ Embracing Creativity