Kitchen Tip Tuesday - Bulk Hamburger ( Slow Cooker)

For the past few years, I've browned hamburger, rinsed it, and divided it into smaller portions. Sometimes I'll use some of the meat to make sloppy Joes and/or taco meat and then freeze that. It's so convenient to have it in the freezer when I need it.

I was cooking it on the stove top but then discovered a trick I now cook it in my slow cooker on low for 4 to 5 hours. That way it will cook up while I'm doing other things.

Hints:

1. Use a slow cooker bag.  It will be easier to clean up the mess if you use the slow cooker bag.
2. Break up the meat into smaller pieces before you cook it.
3. Use some of the meat to make sloppy joes or taco meat.  Portion those out and then put them in the freezer.  There might one night you need some quick and easy.

Raw Hamburger

Cooked Hamburger

Cooked Hamburger (Closer look)

Homemade Pizza Crust

In the last week, we've had homemade pizza twice.  Last Sunday I made a pizza for our Sunday night dinner at my mother-in-law's house.  We then had it for supper on Saturday night.  I tried two new crust recipes and enjoyed the second one.  In fact, Hubby told me that the pizza was great on Saturday night.  Coming from a man who works in the pizza business that is a compliment.

The only problem with having homemade pizza is the Imaginative One does not like pizza.  He likes a few kinds but overall will not eat pizza at all.  He is allowed to eat something else for dinner when we have pizza.  It's usually a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

The Wee One loves pizza and could have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if allowed.  We had gone to the Home Depot for a DIY project for the kids earlier on Saturday.  They gave him an apron to wear when he's doing projects.  He's decided it's his cooking apron.  He put it on to help me put the sauce, pepperoni, and cheese on the pizza.  We had strawberries for dessert and he put on the apron to help me prepare the strawberries.

While the pizza was baking, he watched the timer and would give me updates that were usually "2 minutes until 7 minutes."  So cute and funny!

Onto the recipe:

Pizza Crust

Brown Sugar Toast

That's the Wee One's hand - He was fake cutting the pizza.

Stars of the Recipe:

• 1 c. warm water (105 -115 degrees)
• 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
• 2-1/2 c. flour
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. sugar

Steps:

1. Make sure the water is 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit so the yeast can dissolve.  Add the yeast to the water.
2. After the yeast is dissolved, add the rest of the ingredients to your mixing bowl.
3. Using either your mixer or with a spoon, mix the ingredients.
4. Knead your dough either using a mixer or with your hands on a clean floured surface for about 3 to 5 minutes.
5. Place dough in greased bowl covered with a damp towel.  Allow it to rise in a warm place.  (This is the first time I've tried using my oven.  Turn it onto the lowest temperature.  Mine was 170 degrees.  Then turn it off and allow the dough to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.
6. Spread out on a cooking pan or pizza stone.  Top with sauce and your favorite toppings.
7. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Enjoy!

If you don't have enough time you can do steps 1 through 4.  Skip step 5.  Then do steps 6 - 8.

The Imaginative One could live on chocolate, popcorn, and French Fries.  I've started baking my French Fries.  He loves them and will eat any fries left on the tray.
The first hundred times (maybe not that much), it would take the fries a long time to bake which doesn't help when I have to get dinner on the table between 5 and 5:10 so hubby can eat and get to work.  So I decided to do something different.  I cut up the potatoes and then out them into a microwaveable bowl, cover the potatoes with water (about an inch above), and then parboil them in the microwave for 5 minutes.  Then I drain the potatoes, spread them on a greased cookie sheet, and then bake.  They turn out perfect.
To cut the potatoes into fries, I first cut the potatoes in half length wise.  I place one of the half flat size down and cut it half.  I then cut each half in half once again.  If the fries are still too big, I once again cut it in half.  If not, I place it in the pile of fries.  I repeat with the other halves.  Here's what the look like after I cut the potatoes:

Here is the potatoes in the water:

I used my 8 cup measuring cup so the fries were able to stand up in the water.

Baked French Fries

Easy Microwave Popcorn

The Imaginative One could live on 3 different foods - chocolate, popcorn, and French fries.  Sometimes in the evening, he'll pop up some popcorn to eat as his nighttime snack.  I've shown him how to make microwave popcorn without all that mess that's in microwave popcorn.  It's as easy as 1 -2 -3 to make.  Now instead of grabbing a bag of microwave popcorn, he'll grab a paper bag, a measuring cup, and popcorn kernels.

That's all you need:  a paper bag, a measuring cup, and popcorn kernels.   Oh you'll also need different popcorn toppings.

First melt some butter or coconut oil or use a little extra olive oil.  Then add whatever topping you want.

Here is a list of possible popcorn toppings:

1. ranch dressing (Or buttermilk ranch - add some buttermilk powder to your ranch dressing spice blend)


2. taco seasoning


3. Greek seasoning (one of my fav's)


4. garlic powder (Use extra virgin olive oil.)


5. cinnamon and sugar


6. pumpkin pie spice or 5 Chinese spice


7. a Tbsp. or 2 of mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips.  Don't use butter, olive oil, or coconut oil.  Add while the popcorn is still hot.


8. Italian seasoning  (Use extra virgin olive oil.)


9. Parmesan cheese  (Use extra virgin olive oil or butter.)


10. Barbecue seasoning blend  (Use butter.)

or you can go for the old standby, salt.

The Imaginative One loves only butter and that's the only time he'll eat anything with butter.

Coconut Cream Homemade Lara Bars

The medicine I was given yesterday really has helped me feel better.  Plus the 11 hours of sleep I got last night has really helped me.  I'm still not at 100% but I'm at least at 70%.  Much better than I was feeling 3 days ago.

My father-in-law had diabetes and blood pressure issues.  For a few years at Christmas time, I would buy him treats he could enjoy.  These treats contained low sugar and low sodium.  He also couldn't swallow almonds all that well and I would buy him lots of almonds.  He kindly told me not to any more.  Plus he hated coconut.  So what did I get him?   I would go to Trader's Joe and get him various nuts but not almonds with no salt, pumpkin butter, and Larabars.

I thought Larabars looked interesting but did not try them for the longest time because I didn't know what the dates would taste like.  I know, I know I'm such a chicken.  Then when I did I was hooked.  They are so good.

This Christmas I had planned to make him some homemade ones.  In fact, I bought the dates the Friday before his death.  It took a month or so after his death to make the homemade ones for myself.  I ended up making coconut cream ones which I know he would have hated.

Let me tell you, they are delicious!!!!!  I would take one of those and a cheese stick and would be set for breakfast.  Yummo!

(Sorry I don't have a picture of one.  I forgot to take one but will post one as soon as I make another batch.)

Click on the recipe so you can print it.

My Whole Food Life

This is an easy snack to assemble and bake.  They are also very yummy!

They are also like Lay's Chips.  Once you eat one, you can't stop.

Dilly Oyster Crackers

Adapted from Cooks.com

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 package of Ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 tsp. dill
• 3/4 c. vegetable or olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 package oyster crackers

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Mix the first 5 ingredients thoroughly in a big mixing bowl.
3. Add the oyster crackers and toss gently.  (Get the topping on all of the oyster crackers.)
4. Spread on a cookie sheet and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Stirring 2 to 3 times during baking.
5. Cool and then store in an air tight container.
6. Enjoy!

In August 2010, I posted a recipe for an All Star Muffin Mix.  With this cold weather, I've been baking more than usual.  Last night I decided to make a batch of it.  Then I asked the Imaginative One what he thought I should use as add-ins.  He suggested chocolate chips.

Once they were baked, the Imaginative One had 1 and the Wee One had 2.  I'll say they were a hit.

I'm going to give you the recipe 2 different ways.  One using the All-Star Muffin Mix and one without the muffin mix.

Chocolate Chip Muffins

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

In August of 2010, I posted an entry for Instant Oatmeal Mix.  As we are experiencing another cold snap, oatmeal is a good way to warm up on a bitterly cold morning.

I was pursing Yummy Life's instant oatmeal packets' blog entry and found some good ideas for different types of instant oatmeal.  Making your own instant oatmeal mixes is  better than the Quaker or off brand instant oatmeal packets.  You control the ingredients.  Plus it doesn't have preservatives.

Using some of the ideas from Yummy Life and what I had around the house, I came up with an apple cinnamon instant oatmeal that is divine.

Apple Cinnamon Instant Oatmeal

Stars of the recipe:

• 2-1/4 c. Instant or Quick Oatmeal


• 1/3 c. powdered milk


• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar


• 2 to 3 tsp. cinnamon


• 1/3 c. dried apples


• 1/3 c. chopped nuts (I used cashews.)


• 2 -3 Tbsp Chia seeds


• 2 tsp. salt


• 2 Tbsp. vanilla powder (optional)

Steps:

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.


2. Store in an airtight container.


3. When you are ready to make oatmeal, mix 1/2 c. of the oatmeal mix with 3/4 c. water.  (Make sure the bowl is big enough because the oatmeal with expand in the microwave.)


4. Heat in the microwave for 90 seconds.

Or:

1. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.


2. Store in an airtight container.


3. Mix 1/3 c. oatmeal mix, 1/2 c. water, and 1/4 c. yogurt in a mason jar or a similar type jar.


4. Make sure the lid is on tightly and shake up the mixture.


5. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.


6. Enjoy straight out of the fridge or allow it to warm up to room temperature before eating!

Northern Cornbread

My husband is a northern with southern roots.  His mom's family was from the Charleston, South Carolina area.  During his childhood, his family would travel to Folly Beach which is near Charleston.  We've traveled there ourselves several times.  One of our favorite things is to do while there is to eat southern cuisine.

So when we had pinto beans and ham for supper, he was a happy camper.  I needed something to serve with the pinto beans and ham so I decided to bake up some cornbread.  I made them the northern way which is more cake like.

The Wee One and Hubby both gave thumbs up when they tried the cornbread.

Northern Cornbread

adapted from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Stars of the recipe:

• 1-1/4 c. flour
• 3/4 c. corn meal
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1-1/4 c. milk
• 1/4 c. shortening
• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.
3. Add the milk, shortening, and egg to the dry ingredients.
4. Mix until combined.
5. Pour into a greased 8 by 8 pan.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
7. Enjoy with butter, syrup, or honey!

Or follow steps 1 through 4.  While you are making the batter, place a cast iron skillet with a tablespoon of butter in the oven.  When the butter is melted, place the batter in the skillet.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

My family loves soft pretzels.  In fact when we go to the mall, we have to stop and get the pretzel sticks.  My mom used to do that when I was a kid and now I do that with my two.  If you don't watch the Imaginative One, he will eat almost all of the pretzels.  I love mine dipped in cream cheese or nacho cheese.  He loves his dipped in chocolate.

We also love going to the Target cafe and getting the cinnamon soft pretzels there.  I've learned to get two of them now because once again the Imaginative One will eat the majority of the pretzel if you share with him.

I've tried the cinnamon soft pretzel at Sam's Club and was not too thrilled with the flavor.

I made these on Monday, the sixth, which ended up being a temperature related snow day because it dipped down into the negatives.  People in our area are not used to those temperatures and don't have outer clothes to combat those temperatures.  Both the Imaginative One and Hubby gave the soft pretzel nuggets a thumbs up.  Yeah!

(I also realized when I did the Best of from last year that I did not post any bread recipes so I'm trying to post some bread recipes this year.)

Soft Pretzel Nuggets

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Stars of the recipe:

Dough:

• 2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour or white whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat flour.)


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 1 tsp. sugar


• 2-1/4 tsp. instant yeast (If using active dry yeast, increase amount to 1 Tbsp. and then proof it in warm water and sugar (bubble and foam) for about 5 minutes before adding it to flour and salt.)


• 1 c. very warm water

Toppings:

• 1/2 c. warm water


• 2 Tbsp. baking soda


• Coarse salt (pretzel salt), optional


• Cinnamon sugar mixture, optional


• 3 Tbsp. butter, melted

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, place the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.  Mix until combined.


2. Add the water and mix well, adding more flour, as needed to form a soft, smooth dough that clears the sides and bottom of the bowl.


3. Knead the dough by hand or machine for about 5 minutes, until it is soft and smooth.  (You don't want a soft dough that is not sticky.)


4. Lightly flour the dough and place in a plastic bag; close the bag with room for the dough to expand.  Let it rest for 30 to 60 minutes.


5. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.


6. Spray or line two cooking sheets with parchment paper.


7. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface and divide into about 4 strips of dough that are equal length.  Allow the strips rest for 5 minutes.


8. Meanwhile combine 1/2 c. warm water with the baking in a small bowl.  Make sure the baking soda is completely dissolved.


9. Cut each strip of dough into 6 to 8 pieces.  Dip each pretzel nugget in the baking soda/water solution.  


10. Allow them to rest for 10 minutes.  Bake the pretzels for 7-8 minutes (mine took 6 minutes).


11. Remove the pretzels from the oven and roll them in the melted butter.  Add the salt or cinnamon sugar mixture.


12. Enjoy warm with your favorite dip!

Easy Rolls Revisited

I originally posted this recipe in July of 2010 when my blog was only a month old.

"A while ago, I was looking for a recipe for biscuits or rolls on Paula Deen's website.  I found this recipe for Easy Rolls.  They looked easy so I decided to try them.  Once I tried them once, I was hooked.  They have a slightly sweet taste and are so tender.

The Imaginative one tasted one and his response was "M-M-M."  After you try them, I'm sure you will say the same thing."  - July 2010

One thing I did differently is I added some cinnamon to the top before baking them.  I'm now wondering if I could add some vanilla extract.  That might take this rolls to another level.

Enjoy this blast from the past.

Easy Rolls

Stars of this recipe:

• 2 cups of Self Rising Flour


• 1 cup of milk


• 2 Tbsp. of sugar


• 4 heaping Tbsp. of mayonnaise


• cinnamon to taste, optional

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Mix together flour and milk.


3. Add sugar and mayonnaise.


4. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray or grease the muffin tin.


5. Fill each muffin tin 1/2 way full.  If using cinnamon, sprinkle of the muffins.


6. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until brown.


7. Enjoy with butter or your favorite jelly!

This recipe makes 12 rolls.

Pork and Sauerkraut (A Slow Cooker Recipe)

It's a family tradition to have pork and sauerkraut for our New Year's dinner.  My father-in-law would make a big pot of it and family members would eat the sauerkraut so that they would have good luck for the new year.  Since he died two weeks ago, I offered to make it this year.

I made some changes to how it was cooked.  First of all I made it in my slow cooker instead of in a big stock pot.  I also roasted potatoes instead of cooking the potatoes in the slow cooker with the meat and sauerkraut.  Hubby loved it and was impressed because it didn't have the bitter/sour taste you usually associate with sauerkraut.  He even took some to work with him to share with his co-workers.

The boys did taste the sauerkraut so they would have good luck but being kids didn't really like it.  At least they tried it which is better than on New Year's Eve.  I made fish for supper.  The fish was cooked with olive oil and a seasoning mix from one of my Foodie Pen Pals.  Hubby loved it but the boys wanted to give me excuses on why they could not eat it.  They still had to eat it but it was interesting on what excuses they came up with.  The best one is their brain was going to explode since I told them fish is brain food.

Now onto the recipe:

Pork and Sauerkraut in the Slow Cooker

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 -2 lbs. pork roast


• 16 - 32 oz. of sauerkraut (depending on how much pork you have)


• 1 big carrot or 2 small carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces


• 1 apple, peeled and cut into small pieces


• 1 - 2 Tbsp. brown sugar


• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Drain and rinse the sauerkraut several times to remove the brine.


2. Place the pork roast in the bottom of the slow cooker.  (Mine is 5 qt.)  Sprinkle salt and pepper on the pork roast.


3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the rinsed sauerkraut, apple pieces, carrot pieces, and brown sugar.


4. Place the sauerkraut mixture on the pork roast.


5. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.


6. Shred the pork and combine with the sauerkraut.


7. Enjoy with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes (just serving suggestions)!

My absolute favorite breakfast besides granola and yogurt is sausage gravy and biscuits.  Sometimes I treat myself to an order of them at our local farmer's market.

Since I was on winter/Christmas break and life was back to normal or almost normal, I decided I needed to make some for Hubby and my lunch.  The Wee One and the Imaginative One won't touch the gravy with a ten foot pole.

So if you are looking for a delicious lazy Saturday type of breakfast, this recipe is for you.

Sausage Gravy

Crumbs and Chaos

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 pound of bulk sausage


• 1/2 c. flour (I used whole white wheat)


• 4 c. milk or 2 c. milk and 2 c. half and half


• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce


• black pepper and seasoning salt (or white salt) to taste

Steps:

1. Brown crumbled up sausage in a skillet on med. heat.  Don't drain the grease off.


2. Add the flour and stir until all of the sausage is coated with flour.


3. Cook for about 2 minutes.


4. Add the milk and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet.


5. Turn the heat up to high and allow the mixture to boil.  (Keep an eye on the mixture.)


6. After it boils, turn the heat down to med. low and allow to cook for 5 more minutes or until the gravy is thickened.


7. Enjoy over biscuits!  Some biscuit recipes from my blog are 7-up biscuits, buttermilk biscuits, or buttermilk biscuits revisited.

I like kettle  corn but not if it's too sweet.  The microwaveable kettle corn packets are way too sweet for my liking.  The ones you get at fairs have the right balance of sweetness and saltiness.  When I found this easy recipe for honey butter popcorn, it reminded me of a kettle corn that has that perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.

It would be a great snack for a movie night.  Make some honey kettle corn and then watch a movie.

 

Honey Kettle Corn

Finding Joy in my Kitchen

Stars of the recipe:

• 6 c. of cooked popcorn (I use an air popper for my popcorn.)


• 2 Tbsp. butter


• 1/4 c. of honey (Spray the measuring cup with cooking spray before measuring out the honey.)


• Salt to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. Pop the popcorn and then put into a baking dish.


3. Place butter and honey in a microwaveable dish.  Microwave for 1 and a half minutes on high.


4. Pour the butter-honey mixture over the popcorn.


5. Stir to coat the popcorn.


6. Bake in oven for five minutes.


7. Remove from oven, add the salt, and stir.  Bake for an additional 3 minutes.


8. Remove from oven.  Allow to cool.


9. Enjoy!

IHOP Pancakes (Copycat recipe)

When my kids stayed overnight at the grandparent's house, my father-in-law would make them pancakes for breakfast.  On the day of his funeral, the boys asked me to make them pancakes.  At first, I told them no because I did not think I would have time to make them any pancakes.  I used a baking mix to make the pancakes because I did not have time to make them from scratch.

I found this recipe from Finding Joy in my Kitchen's countdown to the new year linky party.  Mostly Homemade posted her list of best breakfasts.  This was one of her best breakfast recipe of 2013.

When I made it for breakfast one morning, the Wee One licked his lips when I asked him what he thought of the pancakes.  He told me that licking his lips meant he liked them.  So he gives his seal of approval.

IHOP Pancakes (Copycat Recipe)

Mostly Homemade

Stars of the recipe:

• 1-1/4 c. flour (I used white whole wheat.)


• 1 tsp. baking soda


• 1 tsp. baking powder


• pinch of salt


• 1 egg, beaten


• 1-1/4 c. buttermilk or 1-1/4 c. milk with 1 Tbsp. and 1/2 tsp. vinegar added to it


• 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


• 2 Tbsp. melted butter


• 1/4 c. sugar

Steps:

1. Preheat griddle.  (I used my stove top, I heated mine to med. heat.)


2. In a med. mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.


3. Add the melted butter and beaten egg.  Stir to combine ingredients.


4. Next add the melted butter, vanilla, and sugar.  Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.


5. Grease your griddle or griddle pan with butter or spray with nonstick cooking spray.


6. Cook pancakes until bubbles form.  (I ladled the batter onto the griddle pan in 1/4 c. portions.)  Flip and then cook for another minute or two.


7. Enjoy with butter, syrup, or even strawberry jelly!

Smells Like Grandma's House Soup

We had a turkey for Christmas dinner.  The left-overs were shared between my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, and my family.  I decided to use the turkey to make a soup for the next day's dinner.

When the Wee One walked into the kitchen for dinner, he sniffed the air.  Then he remarked "It smells like grandma's house."  He was given a bowl and ended up devouring it.  While he was eating, he sang about Kookaburra birds which is a Girl Scouts' song.  My mother-in-law is a Girl Scouts' leader so this was an appropriate song to be singing.

The other fan of the soup was my Hubby.

So if you have any turkey or even chicken left over from your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even just dinner, make this soup.

Smells Like Grandma's House Soup

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 c. chopped or shredded chicken or turkey


• 1 c. left over veggies or frozen mixed veggies (We had left over mixed veggies and corn.  That's what was in our soup.)


• 4 c. chicken broth


• 1 - 2 c. water


• 1/4 to 1/2 box of small pasta (I used whole grain shells.)


• 1 bay leaf


• Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste

Steps:

1. Combine the chicken or turkey, veggies, broth, water, bay leaf, and spices in a dutch oven or big soup pot.


2. Turn the burner to high and allow the broth/water to boil.


3. Once the broth/water is boiling, add the pasta.


4. Follow the directions on the pasta box for how long to cook the pasta.  (Mine took about 7 minutes.)


5. After the pasta is cooked, discard the bay leaf.


6. Taste and if necessary, add more spices to taste.


7. Ladle into bowls.


8. Enjoy with pretzel rolls, a slice of bread, crackers, or a biscuit.

I had some leftover candy canes and Chex cereal left over from making Chex Mix so when I found this recipe I knew I needed to make it.  It may be difficult finding peppermint baking chips.  Look for them anyway because this recipe is delicious.

I decided to post it so I can put it on my Christmas baking and making page for next year.

Candy Cane Peppermint Puppy Chow

Daily Dish Recipes

Stars of the recipe:

• 5 c. Chex cereal (rice or corn)


• 10 oz. Andes  peppermint baking chips (red bag) or any other peppermint chips


• 1 c. powdered sugar


• 6 candy canes, crushed

Steps:

1. Place peppermint baking chips in a microwaveable bowl.  Melt at 50% power in 30 second interval periods, stirring each time, until the chips are melted.


2. While the peppermint chips are in the microwave, place the Chex cereal in a big bowl.  Pour the melted peppermint chips over the cereal.


3. Stir until the cereal is coated with the melted peppermint chips.


4. Put the powdered sugar and crushed candy canes in a gallon sized bag.  Add the cereal to the bag.


5. Shake until all of the cereal is coated with powdered sugar.


6. Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks.


7. Enjoy!

Hot Chocolate Mix

Here's another easy gift idea.  Who doesn't like a nice cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows?  Okay maybe someone who doesn't like chocolate.  Since it's winter, this is a nice gift to help the recipient of the gift warm up on those cold days.

Hot Chocolate Mix

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 c. dry milk


• 1/2 c. cocoa powder


• 3/4 c. sugar


• 1/2 c. non dairy creamer (I used French vanilla.)


• optional:  mini marshmallows, mini candy cane, or chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Combine all the ingredients except for marshmallows, mini candy cane, or chocolate chips.


2. When ready to make a cup of hot chocolate, place 2 to 3 heaping Tbsps. of mix in a coffee mug.


3. Pour 6 ounces of boiling water over the mix.


4. Top with either chocolate chips, marshmallows, or mini candy cane.


5. Enjoy!

If you want to make a Mexican hot chocolate, add 2 tsp. ground cinnamon to the mix.

If you are going to give it as a gift, place 6 Tbsp. of the mix in a bag and the marshmallows or chocolate chips.  If you are going to give a candy cane, tape it to the outside of the bag.  Place the instructions: combine 2 - 3 Tbsp. mix with 6 ounces of boiling water.

French Onion Dip Mix

Are you looking for an easy gift to give for Christmas or the holidays?  This is an easy mix to whip up.  Place in a fancy holiday bag with instructions and give to a friend or relative.  (Or be like me and put in a snack sized bag with the instructions.  I have an over abundance of sandwich/snack bags.)

French Onion Dip Mix

Grandma Loy's Kitchen

Stars of the recipe:  

• 3/4 c. minced onion
• 1/3 c. beef buillon granulates
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 tsp. celery seed
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. parsley

Steps:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  
2. Store in an airtight container.
3. When ready to make the dip, mix 5 Tbsp. of the mix with 1 c. sour cream or Greek yogurt.
4. Chill for an hour.
5. Enjoy with your favorite veggies or chips!

As I stated in the blog entry about the ginger snaps, I've really been loving the flavors of gingerbread this holiday season.  So when I decided to make some granola to give to friends and family members, I decided a gingerbread flavored granola sounded yummy!

While to base of the granola was baking in the oven, I was on the phone with my mom.  I asked her what add ins I could use that would be yummy with the gingerbread flavor.  It was decided that pecans or walnuts would be yummy and cranberries or even raisins would also be yummy!  I ended up putting pecans and cranberries.  You could even put chocolate chips for a chocolate gingerbread flavor.

Gingerbread Granola

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 c. oatmeal (I used quick oats.)


• 1 Tbsp. cinammon


• pinch of cloves


• 2 tsp. ground ginger


• 2 Tbsp. molasses (Spray measuring spoon with cooking spray before measuring.)


• 1/4 c. honey (Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before measuring.)


• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil


• 1/4  - 1/2 c. raisins or dried cranberries (I used cranberries.)


• 1/4 - 1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (I used pecans.)


• Optional:  1/4 c. chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


2. In a medium measuring bowl, combine oatmeal and spices.


3. In a small bowl, place coconut oil.  Melt in microwave for 1 minute.


4. Add the molasses and honey to the coconut oil.


5. Pour over the oatmeal and spices.  Stir until all of the oatmeal is combined.


6. Place on cooking sheet in a thin layer.


7. Bake for 8 minutes.  Remove from over and stir.  Place back into oven.


8. Bake for an additional 8 minutes.  Take out of the oven.


9. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before adding the raisins or cranberries and nuts.


10. Store in a air tight container.


11. Enjoy with yogurt or milk!