I am surrounded by favor. I decree the favor of God. I am always in the right place at the right time because my steps are ordered by the Lord. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus! Always welcomed Holy Spirit. Blessed is the work of our hands.
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
Homemade Extracts
Vanilla Extract
3 whole vanilla beans - Vodka
Cut your vanilla beans in half, then split open each half to expose the vanilla seeds on the inside of the pod. Place cut vanilla beans inside your glass bottle. Add vodka, filling up to the neck of the bottle. Seal tightly and store bottle in cool, dry place. Every few days, tilt the bottle upside down to gently mix the liquids inside. After 5 to 6 weeks, you have extract. If you leave the beans, when you start running low you just add more vodka and wait a little time.
Mint
1/2 cup mint leaves - Vodka
Stuff mint leaves into your glass bottle. Using a chopstick, skewer, or other poking device, lightly bruise/crush the leaves inside the bottle. Add vodka, filling to the neck of the bottle. Every few days tilt bottle. Can't save the leaves this time and you should sieve to another bottle to get remaining leave pieces out.
Orange
1 large navel orange - Vodka
Peel thin strips of zest from 1/2 of your orange. Place zest in bottle. Add vodka, filling up to the neck. Every few days tilt and turn upside down. 5-6 weeks later. Leave orange peel in bottle if you want. I probably won't.
Lemon
1 large lemon - Vodka
Peel thin strips of zest from your lemon. Place in bottle. Add Vodka to the neck. Tilt.
These are from Gemma. She has almond too but a bit more complicated.
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Cole Slaws
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 Granny Smith apple, julienne d
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, carrot and apple.
In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, poppy seeds, salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour mixture over cabbage mixture and stir using a rubber spatula until well combined. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Serve cold.
Sweet and Sour Coleslaw Dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed (I use ground if that's all I have)
1/2 celery seed
Coleslaw Dressing
1 cup mayo
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
5 cups cabbage
Shred cabbage. Mix all ingredients and pour over cabbage.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Lots of Homemade Dressings
2 Tablespoons dried Parsley
2 Tablespoons dried Chives
2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon dried Dill Weed
1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 Tablespoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Pepper (I don't use cause I don't like)
I use Organic spices. Mix all of these together and the next time you want the best dip ever just add a Tablespoon or so to sour cream. Mix it to your liking.
To make it a dressing combine 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayo or milk and 1 Tablespoon the Ranch spices. Chill for an hour. Just make sure it isn't to thick.
Thousand Island Dressing
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup sweet pickle relish
pinch of salt and pepper if you want. I also don't add that much relish.
Put 1000 island on your burger and its better then a big mac.
Coleslaw Dressing
1 cup mayo
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
5 cups cabbage
Shred cabbage. Mix all ingredients and pour over cabbage.
Honey French Dressing:
1/2 cup Organic Ketchup
1 cup Organic Olive Oil (I use grape seed oil)
1/4 cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Honey
1/4 cup Organic Onion (coarsely chopped) (I use powder)
1 tsp Sea Salt (I use Himalaya salt)
1/4 tsp Organic Ground Black Pepper (Don't use)
1 small clove of Garlic (I use powdered)
Combine everything in your blender and blend until smooth! Will keep for 2 weeks in the fridge, enjoy!
Western dressing from Dixie - Very good
Sweet and Sour Coleslaw Dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mustard seed (I use ground if that's all I have)
1/2 celery seed
Poppy Seed Dressing
3/4 cup just mayo
1/3 cup sugar (a bit less)
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons poppy seed
Potato Salad Dressing
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cup just mayo
1 Tablespoon mustard
1 teas salt
1/4 teas pepper (Don't use pepper)
Add some ranch dressing to spice it up. Very good.
Quick & Easy Barbecue Sauce
Makes: 1 cup
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 Tablespoons spicy mustard (I use Guldens' Spicy Brown Mustard)
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder (NOT powdered chili pepper)
Instructions:
1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat and sauté onion & garlic for 2 minutes until golden brown.
2. Add everything else and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about
25 minutes. Sauce with thicken as it cools.
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Meals/Desserts in a Mug
1/3 cup pasta
3/4 cup water cold
4 tablespoons milk
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch or aka corn flour
4 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper
In a large microwavable mug or large bowl add in the macaroni and the water. You need a large mug as the water will boil up. Microwave for roughly 3 1/2 minutes. You want the pasta to be fully cooked. Again based on a 1200 watt microwave oven. Pour off the remaining water. Stir in milk, cornstarch and shredded cheese and mic for a final 60 seconds to create your sauce. Stir well, season with salt and pepper and enjoy.
Breakfast Burrito in a mug
1 large 9 inch tortilla
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons scallions, chopped
salt and pepper
Garnish
salsa
sour cream
In a large microwaveable mug press in a fresh tortilla. It will naturally fold into shape of the mug and find its way. Crack your eggs and whisk up with a fork, taking care not to tear the tortilla. Now add in your favorite burrito mixins like cheese, beans, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper and mix together. Whatever ingredients you have on hand will work great. Microwave for 1 minute 20 seconds. Check, and if the eggs are still liquid, cook for another 15-20 seconds. Keep and eye during cooking so the eggs don't overheat. You don't want an egg-splosion in your mic. Cook time based on 1200 watt microwave. Once done, let it sit for 3 minutes to cool and serve with some sour cream and salsa on top. You could eat a bit out of the mug and then your able to pull it out of mug and roll it like a burrito.
Mug Pizza
Serves: 1
Ingredients
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon baking powder
1/16 teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon marinara sauce
1 generous tablespoon shredded mozzarella cheese
5 mini pepperoni
½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil or oregano will work)
Instructions
Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a microwavable mug
Add in the milk and oil and mix together. There might be some lump but that is okay.
Spoon on the marinara sauce and spread it around the surface of the batter.
Sprinkle on the cheese, pepperoni and dried herbs.
Microwave for 1 minute 10-20 seconds, or until it rises up and the topping are bubbling (timing is based on my 1200W microwave so your timing might vary). My microwave is only 1000 watts so my time will be just a tad more.
Enjoy straight away!
Notes
Cooking time will vary greatly depending on your microwave and the width and depth of the mug. The mugs I use are small, roughly 6oz (¾ /1 cup)
Always keep a close eye on your mug while in the microwave so it doesn’t over flow or over cook.
⅛ teaspoon is simply a ½ of a ¼ teaspoon
1/16 teaspoon is simply a ¼ of a ¼ teaspoon
2 T butter melted in a mug
Add 2 T water, 1 t vanilla and dash of salt
Mix with fork
Add 2 T cocoa pd, stir, 2 T sugar and stir 4 T flour and stir
Microwave 1 minute and 30 seconds
The recipe calls for 4 T of sugar but its great with just the 2.
Chocolate Mug Cake
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
2 teaspoon flavorless oil (sunflower, coconut, canola)
4 tablespoons milk
Mix together - 40 -50 seconds in microwave.
Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie
1 tablespoon room temperature butter
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
Mix together, wet first then microwave 40-60 seconds.
Jelly Doughnut in a mug
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon strawberry jelly
Place butter into a microwaveable mug and microwave until just melted. Add in the remaining ingredients; mix well with a fork until just combined. Once the batter is mixed place the spoonful of jam down into the batter to get a jammy center. Microwave for 45 seconds or until it is firm on top. This time is based on a 1200 watt microwave so time may vary. Always keep a close eye while cooking.
Saturday, March 14, 2020
Homemade Products
Tile and Grout cleaner
Add 1/2 cup Dr Bronner's Sal suds or Dawn ultra or other dish washing soap to 16 oz spray bottle. I used Dawn. Add 1.5 cups vinegar. Add 7 drops of each: Lavender essential oil - Lemon essential oil - eucalyptus essential oil - Tea tree essential oil.
Shake to mix ingredients. Spray on shower, tub, faucet, and glass shower doors. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (and as long as overnight, if needed) scrub if needed. Rinse with hot water.
DO NOT USE ON GRANITE OR MARBLE. THE ACID IN THE VINEGAR COULD EAT AWAY AT THE SURFACE AND CAUSE PITTING.
Cleaning your glass top stove
Drizzle some dawn (careful not to much you will have to wipe it off)
Then some peroxide - Then a good amount of baking soda. Work it in and wipe off.
I had a bad stain on mine so I actually did this procedure twice. The ring was gone.
Goo Gone
1 teaspoon vegetable oil - 2 teaspoons baking soda. Combine and try it.
How to remove water stain from you stainless steel appliances
1/4 cup vinegar to 1/2 cup baking soda. 1 Tablespoon of oil. Make it into a paste. Apply on dishwasher in circle motion with a soft cloth. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes. Wipe off with a damp cloth.
It worked very well on the dishwasher.
Blessings in a 24 ounce bottle
Kitchen Magic: 12 oz of White Vinegar - 12 oz of Dawn dish soap - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent.
Use everywhere. Kitchen as well as bath. The laundry detergent is optional.
Window Cleaner: 1 oz of White Ammonia - 4 oz of Rubbing alcohol - 1 drop of laundry detergent. Fill remaining space with water.
Air & Fabric Freshener: 1 oz of scented fabric softener - 2 Tablespoons baking soda - Fill with water. This is fake febreze. (Ann's note: I have made and used this one. I like it.)
Bleach Cleaner: 2 oz of bleach - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent - fill with water.
The Cure-All: 5 oz of rubbing alcohol - 3 oz of white vinegar - 1 teaspoon laundry detergent - 1 teaspoon of white ammonia - 2 drops essential oil - Fill with water. Use this like an all purpose cleaner.
Homemade Hand Soap: Fill your jar about 2/3 of the way to the top with white sugar. Next fill the rest of the jar with your soap. Stop when the soap is about 1/2" from the top of the jar. Stir till reaches a paste like consistency. If you let it sit the sugar will dissolve without stirring. Now the next time your hands are really dirty try it.
Coconut oil - Vanilla - Brown Sugar. Use for hands and feet.
Himalayan Salt Scrub
2 Tablespoons finely ground pure Himalayan Salt
1 Tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil
1 Tablespoon jojoba oil
6 drops of pure lavender or meditation synergy blend Essential oil
Mix together and apply to your wet body in the shower. Massage and rinse. Pat yourself dry.
Vanilla Lavender Relaxing Scrub
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup almond oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
15 drops lavender essential oil
Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.
Lemon Scented Hand Scrub
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil is optional
15-20 drops of lemon essential oil
Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.
Gingerbread Sugar Scrub at Christmas Time
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon clove
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.
Pumpkin Pie Scrub
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup almond oil
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons vanilla
Place everything in a bowl and stir until combined. Store in a jar with a lid. Maybe small mason jars.
Homemade Hand Scrub
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
2 Tablespoons raw honey
1/4 cup sea salt (You know I will try my Himalayan salt first)
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
Sugar Scrub
I make my own sugar scrubs. I don't even measure anymore. You will need sugar and coconut oil. Then add whatever you. Vitamin E, Essential oil to make it smell good and anything else you want. Take in the shower using a plastic container.
Simple body scrub my daughter likes. I don't even measure. I put sugar in a bowl - add liquid coconut oil and she likes peppermint - so I add peppermint essential oil. I put in a plastic container with a cover.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Cookies & Cookies & more Cookies
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
Ranger Cookies
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs beaten
2 1/3 cups flour
1 cup coconut
1 cup oats
1 cup rice Krispies (I might put in a different cereal one I can buy organic)
1 teaspoon salt - 1 teas baking powder - 1 teas baking soda - 1 teas vanilla
Cream butter with the sugars, add vanilla, and eggs. Mix well. Add flour with salt, powder and soda. Add oatmeal, krispies and coconut. Make into small balls and bake 350 for 10-12 minutes.
Thin Mint Cookies
These taste just like the Girl Scout thin mint cookies only much much better
Ingredients: Ritz cracker - Andes Mint chips (You buy them in a bag like you would buy choc chips)
Melt Andes mint chips in microwave. Doesn't take long
Dip cracker in chocolate and place on parchment paper.
Pretzel thins too dipped in the chocolate are good.
Do your like peanut butter. I bet you could take melted peanut butter chips and dip cracker in the chips too. So many different things you can make. Use your imagination.
Ann's note: The first time I made them I couldn't find the Andes Mint chips so I just bought the little individual bars and just had to open them all up separate.
Toll House Cookies
I have learned a lot about recipes over the years. The first thing is you never need all the sugar the recipe calls for. Also I don't pack brown sugar like the recipe calls for. Here is my version of the Toll House Cookies.
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar in stead of 3/4 (I also use coconut sugar in stead sometimes)
1/2 cup brown sugar instead of 3/4 and don't pack it (I use my homemade brown sugar)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 dark chocolate candy bars chopped
1 cup nuts chopped optional
Oven to 375 degree's. I mix butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Then add the flour, salt and baking soda. Mix and add chocolate and nuts. Bake on ungreased sheet 9 to 11 minutes or until done.
Most of my recipes I don't use vanilla anymore either. I also use organic products and the taste is so good.
Remember homemade brown sugar is just 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tablespoon molasses. Little lumps are okay. You can also blend it. I don't take time to do that. I never pack it like recipe says.
Molasses Cookies
3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar (I used 3/4 cups, will try coconut sugar too)
1 egg
1/2 tsp cloves (Don't use)
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups flour
1/4 cup molasses
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt
Melt butter in a 4 qt saucepan over low heat. (I just use soften butter) Remove from heat let cool and add sugar, molasses, and egg, beat well. Add everything else and mix well. Chill. Form into 1 inch balls and roll in sugar (if you want I don't) and place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 375 8-10 minutes.
Strawberry Jam and Butter Cookies
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teas salt
1/2 teas baking powder
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
2/3 cup sugar plus more for rolling
1 egg
1 teas vanilla
1/3 cup jam
Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them.
Whisk together flour, salt and baking powder.
Beat butter and sugar till fluffy. Add egg and vanilla until just combined. Slowly beat in dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Roll into 1 inch balls. Roll in sugar if you want, I don't. Place on your cookie sheets 2 inches apart. Press thumb gently into the center of each ball, about 1/2 inch deep. Fill each thumbprint with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam.
Bake 15 - 17 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool on baking sheet.
Pumpkin cookies
2 & 1/2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
I large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 & 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Beat butter and sugars - add pumpkin, egg and vanilla - add dry ingredients - fold in chips. Drop a tablespoon on cookie sheets. Bake 375 for 10 - 12 minutes.
Make your own brown sugar - 1 cup sugar add 1 Tablespoon molasses’s
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Crackers
1 cup flour
4 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small squares
1 8oz bag grated extra sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper - I don't use
Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in food processor, and pulse until crumbly. Add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until dough comes together. Form into ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Place dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper, and roll out to 1/8 inch thickness. Transfer to parchment lined baking sheet, and, using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut into 1 inch squares. Sprinkle with salt and bake 25 minutes. Test for crispiness; cracker may take a few minutes more to finish crisping. Remove from oven when crisp and just starting to brown. Let cool and serve. They aren't as good the next day so eat them when fresh.
Artisan Crackers
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour This forms the base, offering structure.
- 1 teaspoon salt Enhances the flavor; don’t skip it!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder Helps create a lighter texture
- 1 tablespoon dried herbs Customize with rosemary, sesame, etc.
- ¾ cup water Use room temperature for best results.
- ¼ cup olive oil Adds richness and helps achieve a crispy texture.
- to taste flaky sea salt Enhances every bite.
- Whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and dried herbs in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine wet ingredients with the dry mixture to form a dough.
- Knead the dough lightly for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and let the dough rest for at least 10 minutes.
- Divide the dough in half, keeping one piece covered.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/16-inch thickness.
- Cut into rectangles, approximately 3 x 1.5 inches.
- Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, placing them 1 inch apart.
- Dock each cracker several times with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Bake at 425°F for 9 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool on a baking sheet for a few minutes before enjoying.
- Repeat with the remaining half of the dough.
SALTINE CRACKERS
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ cup unsalted butter
1 ⅓ cup milk, you can substitute non dairy milk if you need to
coarse salt, for sprinkling
1 egg white, OR egg yolk. The whites make them crisper.
1 tablespoon water
- Blend the egg white with the water to make an egg wash. Set aside.
- Mix together the flour and baking powder.
- If you are adding seasonings mix those in with the dry ingredients.
- Cut butter into flour mixture until it forms coarse crumbs.
- Add the milk and knead gently to form a ball.
- Divide in 4 parts and roll out paper thin on a floured surface. The thinner they are the crisper they will be.
- Cut the dough into squares or desired shapes. (a pizza wheel works great for that!)
- Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and prick all over with a fork.
- Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt (or cracked pepper ..or..)
- Bake at 325 until golden brown..about 15- 20 minutes. (check after 10 minutes)
- Let cool before serving. They crisp as they cool.
1 - 1 1/4 cup oil
1 packet ranch dressing
2-3 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
4 sleeves of saltine crackers
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Let sit 5 - 10 minutes. Lay them out on a cookie sheet and drizzle the yummy, ranchy, peppery oil that's in the bottom of the bowl, over the top of the crackers. Bake at 250 degree's for 15-20 minutes, stirring them around about halfway through. Let them cool and store in a big old baggie. Or a few little baggies.
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