Homemade Playdough- Apple, Pumpkin, and Gingerbread

I really love this playdough and thought I would share the recipe with everyone.  I made my first batch of this stuff back during the summer and it hasn't dried out at all, not like regular playdough.  I really like this stuff.  It    uses stuff that I have in my cupboard, makes the perfect amount, and the texture is perfect!

The original recipe can be found at the blog Oopsey Daisey.  She has some wonderful preschool packets that have songs, hand plays, flannel board stories, activity ideas, worksheets...talk about a labor or love!  Definitely check out her stuff!  T loves to go pull out the flannel board stuff and asks demands that I tell her the story.  And she loves it when I sing the songs.  She thinks they are so fun. Seriously go check out Alison's awesome packets!

I know there are lots of other recipes floating around out there but I feel that this recipe is the fastest and the simplest.

Here is the basic foundation for the playdough:

1 c. flour
1/2 c salt
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 c water

All you need to do is change the spices and add some food coloring to change it up.  I want to try some glittery peppermint playdough but I want it to be safe to eat so my little man can play with it too.  I pinned something forever ago about making glitter from salt or sugar so I think I will try that and if it works I will make sure to share.

I'm going to share the three variations I've done here with the instructions after the last variation.  Hope it provides some fun play in your home!

Apple Pie scented playdough
recipe from Oopsie Daisey

1 c. flour
1/2 c salt
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cardamom
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 c water
Red food coloring

Pumpkin Pie scented playdough

1 c. flour
1/2 c salt
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Dash of ground ginger
Dash of ground cloves
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 c water
Red and yellow food coloring (ratio of 2 yellow to 1 red)

I used 10 drops yellow and 5 drops red to get the light orange color of my playdough.

 Gingerbread scented playdough

1 c. flour
1/2 c salt
1 Tbsp cream of tartar
1/2 Tbsp ground ginger
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 c water

Mix all of the dry ingredients in a pot.  Add water and oil and food coloring and mix to combine.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a ball.  Turn dough onto a board and knead until smooth.  Cool.  Store in a plastic container.

recipes adapted from Oopsie Daisey

Check out the new blog at jonesinfortaste.com

Crockpot Korean Style Short Ribs (gf)

I've mentioned before how much I love Pinterest.  It has exposed me (in the non-flasher way) to all sorts of new people and new blogs.  Not that I now follow all those blogs but I've at least explored there blogs for a while.  I usually glean some new ideas and they hopefully benefit from the increased traffic flow.  I've even benefited  from Pinterest.  I found out I had been pinned by people I don't even know!  Yipee! It was a good day in my eyes.  Anywhoo...so I try a lot of recipes from Pinterest and do love lots of them but I've come across a few that haven't really worked for us.

One of those recipes was these Korean Style Short Ribs from What's Cookin, Chicago?  They looked delicious but we were kind of underwhelmed by them.  Didn't hate them but didn't love them.  Kind of underwhelmed by flavor and overwhelmed by the grease.  Total bummer.  But I was not about to give up on it.  Try try again!

I've made it twice now and have absolutely loved it.  It is now solidly engrossed in the favorite meal list.  The main change- separating the fat from the sauce- it was a major factor I believe in allowing the flavor of the sauce through.  I also changed out the type of ribs because whenever I've made it it seems to fall apart anyways.  Just my preference.  So go check out the recipe below and remember to have hope when you find a recipe you really want to like!

Crockpot Korean Style Short Ribs (gf)

1 cup low sodium soy sauce or gluten free tamari
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 Tbsp sesame oil
4 Tbsp rice vinegar
4 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 head of garlic, peeled and minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
3-4 lbs beef short ribs, flank cut
1-2 stalks green onions, sliced thin for garnish (optional)

1/2 tsp white sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Mix first 7 ingredients together in crock pot.  Add short ribs and press down to make sure sauce mostly covers.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.  Remove meat from slow cooker.  Pour sauce into gravy separator in batches. Let fat rise to top.  Pour sauce (that is on the bottom of the gravy separator) back over ribs and toss the fat away.  Repeat as needed.  Serve with rice and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

Note: For gluten free cooking make sure to use gluten free tamari instead of the soy sauce.

adapted from What's Cookin, Chicago?

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