The Kohlmans

The single most amazing lasagna in the whole world? My Grandma Donna's. The only thing is... you have to plan ahead because it has to refrigerate overnight (which might be the reason we always have it a day or two after I'd intended). Otherwise you probably have to cook the lasagna noodles. (I don't know this for sure because I've never made another kind of lasagna.) And then the sauce isn't as thick, and that I do know, because I have eaten other kinds of lasagna. I'm telling you - it's worth it. 1 1/2 lb. hamburger uncooked lasagna noodles 1-2 jars spaghetti sauce 3 c. cottage cheese 2 beaten eggs 12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, plus extra for topping 2 tsp. dried parsley 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper Brown hamburger, mix with sauce. In separate bowl, mix all other ingredients. Layer in 9x13: hamburger/sauce, uncooked noodles, cheese mixture. Repeat layers as needed (I usually do two full layers). Let sit covered overnight in refrigerator. ...

I'm about to embark on my first annual (maybe) pre-Thanksgiving baking extravaganza. I'm making butterhorn rolls, pecan pie, double-crust apple pie, and pumpkin pie for the first time . For the in-laws, no less. (I've made dutch apple pie a lot, just never the double crust version. And now that I've committed that to writing, I can't chicken out.) But first.... Need an easy to make supper? Maybe for post-shopping nourishment on Black Friday? Or Small Business Saturday? Or, quite possibly, Cyber Monday? Last night I made my new favorite meal... at least, my new favorite meal to make. It's quite possible the easiest thing I've ever cooked thrown in the crock pot. Here it is: 1 package round steak (or minute steak or any other stew meat) 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can french onion soup 1/2 an onion, sliced Throw into crock pot on low all day. Serve with rice. Or noodles. Or alone. That's it. The onion wasn't in the original recipe; I ...

A local TV station has a weekly segment called "Does It Work Wednesday?" They test products to see if the advertising claims are true - typically infomercial goods. So when Leah pulled out Barb's new "Eggies" this weekend (let me assure, no laughter was had at the thought of Barb buying these!), I knew I had to document the process. In case you're like me and have never heard of "Eggies"... So we opened the box and puzzled over the pieces - four per eggie. We had to actually read the directions... ...but we eventually got them put together. Then it was time to crack the eggs right into the eggie. This step didn't go quite as smoothly as on the ad. But once we decided to crack them into a measuring cup first, then pour into the eggie, things went a little more smoothly. Then it was into the pot! And when we pulled them out?! Some were just fine, others were not quite cooked. The whites looked really s...

We are on the downhill slide into "back to school" days. As much as I'm not ready to go back, I think I'd better start preparing - while we do our best to soak up what's left of a lazy summer. Yesterday for lunch we went to a local drive-in, where Brad has apparently been a few times. We walked up to the window to order, and the college girl who works there (her family owns it) saw Brad and asked, "Do you want what you always have?" "Yep," he replied with a grin. She wrote down his order, complete with the "ketchup and mustard only" directive for the hamburger. In my disbelief, I could barely order. He informed me later that, when he calls his order in he doesn't have to give his name - they just know. So either he goes there too often or they need a few more customers... Or maybe he's just that famous around here?! Nah. Slice of Life Tuesday!

My friend Sarah came over yesterday. We made strawberry jam. Homemade strawberry jam is my favorite. At one point in my childhood I gave up eating jam/jelly because we ran out of homemade strawberry jam - for about three years. I'll now eat peach, too. :) And occasionally some others, when I'm feeling really grown up. We only made 2 batches. I think last year I made 4. Or 5? I lost track. Either way, it's almost all gone, which is a pretty big accomplishment for two people. Well, we gave a bunch away. (Okay, so I've decided that homemade jam is the best Christmas present - everyone is amazed that you made it, even though it's not that hard , just hot and sticky.) I might have to make some more... especially since it froze at weird times in KS this spring and there probably won't be peaches to go pick... :( So if you want to come make some jam with me, just let me know! (I also just realized that I still have cherries in my freezer from last summer....

Hummus was on sale this week AND I had a coupon. Hmmm... I just needed to make some pita bread. It turned out great. I just need to roll it a little thinner next time. I didn't take pictures. I got the recipe on About.com's Greek Food section ... I did not brown in before eating. I couldn't wait that long. (Mostly this is here for me - to "record" the recipe so I can make it again.)

Kipfel This is a recipe that both my grandmas make. Instead of rolling them into sticks, I made balls like my Grandma Lu. When shaping the cookies, smaller is better... you have to be careful not to burn the bottom of them.

Peanut Butter Bon Bons I remembered after I finished that Grandma sometimes used crunchy peanut butter. Darn. You can see in the picture of the recipe that I've started making some notes...

These are amazing. I'm usually a dig-a-piece-out-of-the-middle kind of girl, but the edges are the best - they're crunchy and taste a lot like real toffee. It doesn't say to grease the pan, but I trusted my instincts - thankfully, because it needs a good layer. These didn't grow as much as I thought they would, so next time I'll spread them a little thicker around the edges so the middle can get crisp. That's my only complaint, though. They're delicious!

Another of Grandma Donna's cookie recipes... I have to admit that Sarah and Brad really made these. I just scooped the dough onto the cookie sheets. These are really yummy if you like the extras, like coconut and cranberries and nuts. I do. Brad doesn't.

One of the goals on my new list (by the way, I've kind of abandoned my 25 list and just made a life list without a deadline ... did I forget to mention that?!) is to bake all my Grandma Donna's cookie recipes found in our family cookbook. Here's number one... Dump Bars (the name is unattractive, but the result is great!) super easy + super chocolate-y = super good

I don't know why, but this is my ultimate in comfort food/meal. This is the perfect time of year for it, too. I remember always thinking that mom didn't make enough biscuits.... sooooo I'm not gonna tell you how many I ate tonight. Baking Powder Biscuits 2 c. sifted flour 3 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 1/3 c. shortening 3/4 c. milk Mix dry ingredients with a fork. Cut in the shortening until coarse crumbs. Make a well; add milk all at once. Stir quickly with fork until dough follows fork around bowl. Turn onto lightly floured surface. (Dough should be soft.) Knead gently 10-12 strokes. Roll or pat dough 1/2-inch thick. Cut into circles (2 1/2"). Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 450 for about 12 minutes. Makes 10-12. Oven Stew 1 1/2 lb. stew meat (I use minute or round steak, cut up) 3 carrots 3 potatoes 3 celery stalks 1 large onion 1 can cream of celery soup 2 beef bouillon cubes in 1 c. water 1 can tomato soup 1 can water Salt and pepper ...

I've decided that the #1 Rule of Entertaining is to make good food.  If you do that, people will have a good time and want to come back.  Right?! We had some friends over for the ( awful! ) KU-K-State game on Thursday. We made a little food... I've always been self-conscious about having people over... for lots of little reasons. But we are now working to be more intentional about hospitality, to enjoy fellowship with others, to build new and strengthen existing relationships, to open our home and our lives to others. So our new philosophy?! If you cook it, they will come.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins 4 eggs 2 c. sugar 1 can pureed pumpkin (16 oz.) 1 1/2 c. oil 3 c. flour 2 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. salt 1 package mini chocolate chips In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin, and oil until smooth.  Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups.  Bake 14-18 minutes at 400 degrees.

I don't really know what inspired me to do this, but today I made pita chips, hummus, granola bars, strawberry cream cheese coffee cake, bierocks, and supper. Here's the granola bar recipe ( originally found here ) 2 cups oats 3/4 cup wheat germ 3/4 cup sunflower seeds 1 cup peanuts, crushed 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup honey 4 Tbsp butter 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp Kosher salt approximately 8 oz. dried fruit (I used chocolate chips instead, at Brad's request) Preheat oven to 400. Crush the peanuts. Mix peanuts, oats, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ in a baking dish. Toast these ingredients for about 10-12 minutes. Line a 9x13 pan with greased wax paper. Yes, you need to grease (or spray with Pam) the waxed paper. Otherwise it sticks to the granola bars and you spend lots of time peeling it off. Melt the brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan. Stir constantly until it simmers. Mix everything together (now is when you add your fru...

Chocolate Zucchini Cake 1/2 c. oleo 1/2 c. oil 1 3/4 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 t. vanilla 1/2 c. sour milk 3 T. cocoa 2 1/2 c. flour 1/2 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 1 t. baking soda 2 c. shredded zucchini chocolate chips Cream oleo, sugar, oil. Add eggs and vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Add zucchini and pour into greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and 2 T. sugar and nuts (I don't use nuts). Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.