Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Freezer storage..............


You can store butter in the freezer for up to six months. Plus to last longer, opened flour bags can be stored in the freezer also.

Healthy New York Strip Steak Recipes

From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Healthy New York Strip Steak Recipes. Delicious and Healthy New York Strip Steak Recipes with recipes including; Steak and Vegetables with Chimichurri Sauce, Skillet Steak with Mushroom Sauce, and Steak Diane. Find these recipes and more all at the EatingWell website. Enjoy and Make 2109 a Healthy One!   http://www.eatingwell.com/

Healthy New York Strip Steak Recipes
Find healthy, delicious New York strip steak recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.


Steak and Vegetables with Chimichurri Sauce
Originally from Uruguay and Argentina, chimichurri is a sauce or marinade with the main ingredients being fresh parsley and garlic. In this recipe it is paired with grilled steak, zucchini and tomato skewers......................


Skillet Steak with Mushroom Sauce
This steak, broccoli rabe and pea dinner is a one-skillet meal that will be on your table in just 25 minutes! The pan drippings combine with mushroom, broth and grainy mustard to make a thick and delicious sauce................


Steak Diane
A brandied mixed mushroom sauce tops seared strip steak in our healthy version of the classic dish Steak Diane. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed green beans.......



* Click the link below to get all the Healthy New York Strip Steak Recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/19145/ingredients/meat-poultry/beef/steak/new-york-strip/

One of America's Favorites - Grilled Cheese

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A grilled cheese sandwich is a sandwich generally made with one or more varieties of cheese (a cheese sandwich) on any sort of grilled or toasted bread, such as flat bread or wheat bread, that may include spreads such as butter or mayonnaise. Additional ingredients such as pepperoni and ham are also common.

Cheese sandwiches commonly referred to as a grilled cheese sandwich or a cheese toastie, are sandwiches that can be grilled so that the bread toasts and the cheese melts. A grilled cheese is often heated by placing the buttered slices of bread, with the cheese between the slices, on a frying pan or griddle. Grilled cheese is not typically made on a grill.

Another form of cooked cheese sandwich is the cheese toastie or toastie, a dish particularly popular in the United Kingdom that is prepared by either baking or grilling a cheese sandwich in an oven, or toasting bag in an electric toaster, or using a pie iron in order to toast the bread and melt the cheese. Cheddar is the most common cheese used in a toastie. It is usually served as a snack, or as a (usually lunchtime) meal, in most cases with a side of salad.

Cooked bread and cheese is an ancient food according to food historians, popular across the world in many cultures. Evidence indicates that, in the U.S., the modern version of the grilled cheese sandwich originated in the 1920s when inexpensive sliced bread and American cheese became readily available. The cheese dream, an open-faced grilled cheese sandwich, became popular in the U.S. during the Great Depression.

U.S. government cookbooks describe Navy cooks broiling "American cheese filling sandwiches" during World War II. Many versions of the grilled cheese sandwich can now be found on restaurant menus across the U.S. and internationally.

In the United States, grilled cheese sandwiches are often served with soup (usually tomato soup), and may be served as a whole meal.

A grilled cheese sandwich is assembled by creating a cheese filling between two slices of bread,

A grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup

which is then heated until the bread crisps and the cheese melts. It is sometimes combined with an additional ingredient such as peppers, tomatoes, or onions, though many other ingredients may be used. Several different methods of heating the sandwich are used, depending on the region and personal preference. Common methods include being cooked on a griddle, grilled, fried in a pan or made in a panini grill or sandwich toaster. This last method is more common in the United Kingdom, where the sandwiches are normally called "toasted sandwiches" or "toasties", and in Australia, where they are called "jaffles".

Some restaurants, food carts and food trucks in the United States specialize in the grilled cheese sandwich. The Grilled Cheese Grill restaurants are a combination of reclaimed vehicle and food cart restaurants that focus on gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches in Portland, Oregon. The Grilled Cheese Truck is an American food truck company serving gourmet "chef driven" grilled cheese sandwiches. The company started in Los Angeles, California in 2009, and has since expanded throughout Southern California, Phoenix, San Antonio and Austin. The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen is a restaurant in San Francisco, California that specializes in the sandwich.

Garlic-Herb Linguine w/ Argentinean Red Shrimp

Dinner Tonight: Garlic-Herb Linguine w/ Argentinean Red Shrimp





To start my Sunday Morning off I had Glier's Turkey Goetta and Hash Browns. It had been a while since I've had Turkey Goetta. I picked up a roll of it at Kroger the other day. I sat it in the freezer after I got up for 30 minutes. Reason being is that it slices a lot better and stays together when sliced as a

patty. I fried a couple of slices up in a small skillet that I sprayed with Pam Non Stick Spray, fried until both sides were golden brown. Then I also prepared some Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns. When  done I sprinkled it with Sargento Off the Block Sharp Cheddar. The Goetta goes great with Hash Browns! Cloudy, windy, and 48 degrees out today. After Breakfast I went to McDonald's and picked up Breakfast for Mom. She loves those Golden Arches Breakfasts! Mom went on to Church afterward. I did a couple of loads of laundry and cleaned the house today. For Dinner tonight I tried Argentinean Red Shrimp for the first time. I prepared Garlic-Herb Linguine w/ Argentinean Red Shrimp.


I purchased a frozen bag of Private Selection Antarctic Wild Caught Argentinean Red Shrimp at Kroger last week and couldn't wait to try it! They come peeled and deveined. The description for Red Shrimp reads; Private Selection Antarctic Wild Caught Argentinean Red Shrimp are native to the antarctic waters off the coast of Argentinian and are prized for their succulent and buttery lobster-like taste and texture. There's 90 calories in a serving of 6 Shrimp.





To prepare the Shrimp I got a large skillet, sprayed it with Pam and added 1 table spoon of Extra Light Olive Oil and a pat of Blue Bonnet Light Butter. Heated the skillet on medium heat. I seasoned the Shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning. Old Bay is perfect for all Seafood and Chicken. When the Skillet was heated and ready I added the Shrimp. Cooked them for 4 minutes, turning them over after 2 minutes. And done! They fried up easy and they have an excellent flavor to them. And they are a lot like Lobster! I'll be using these again.



As the Shrimp was cooking I prepared the Barilla Whole Grain Linguine. I brought a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cooked the Linguine at a boil until tender, about 11 minutes; drain and transferred pasta to a large bowl.Then I mixed melted Butter, minced Garlic, and Parsley in a small bowl;  and drizzled over the Linguine and toss to coat. Season Pasta with seasoned Sea Salt.






 To make the Dish I made a bed of the Linguine in a bowl. Topped it with the Red Shrimp with a
sprinkle of Kraft Grated Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese. The Red Shrimp is so good and works perfect with Linguine! I had also baked a loaf of La Baguetterie Roasted Garlic Oval Bread that I got from Meijer. I love Shrimp and Pasta! For Dessert later a bowl of Skinny Pop - Pop Corn and a Diet Peach Snapple to drink.










Barilla Whole Grain Linguine

Made with one simple ingredient, whole grain durum wheat flour, Barilla® Whole Grain Linguine is an excellent source of fiber. This pasta is ideal for anyone seeking to increase their intake of fiber and whole grains without sacrificing taste.

Barilla Whole Grain pasta is made with non-GMO ingredients. For more information, please read our position.

Linguine is made from long, flat strands of pasta, but is thin and narrow. Linguine, which means “little tongues” in Italian, originated in the Liguria region of Italy. Barilla Whole Grain Linguine cooks up perfectly al dente everytime, delivering the delicious taste and texture you expect in every bite.

BENEFITS
* Made with 100% Whole Wheat
* Good source of Fiber
* Delicious taste and texture
https://www.barilla.com/en-us/products/pasta/whole-grain/whole-grain-linguine

Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes

From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes. Time saving and delicious Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes with recipes like; Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats with Banana, Peanut Butter Protein Overnight Oats, and Savory Curry-Cashew Overnight Oats. So find these recipes and more all at the EatingWell website. Enjoy and Make 2019 a Healthy One!  http://www.eatingwell.com/

Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes

Find healthy, delicious overnight oatmeal recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.


Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats with Banana
It takes just a few minutes to prepare these overnight oats and you will be all set with 4 packable healthy breakfasts to enjoy throughout the week. Use whatever milk you have on hand for this easy meal-prep breakfast recipe...........


Peanut Butter Protein Overnight Oats
Powdered peanut butter is a handy pantry staple that makes a great vegan protein booster for oatmeal and smoothies. Double or triple this recipe to meal-prep breakfasts for the week or to have breakfast ready for the entire family.......


Savory Curry-Cashew Overnight Oats
If you think oatmeal can only be sweet, this savory oats recipe will change your mind. Rich curry powder pairs perfectly with nutty cashews and sweet-tart raisins for a unique whole-grain breakfast (or dinner!)...........



* Click the link below to get all the Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/21919/mealtimes/breakfast-brunch/cereals/oatmeal/overnight/

Jennie - O Turkey Recipe of the Week - Turkey Sausage and Sassy Scrambled Eggs

This week's Jennie - O Turkey Recipe of the Week is - Turkey Sausage and Sassy Scrambled Eggs. Made using one of my favorites the JENNIE-O® Lean Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links. These links are so good and always taste so fresh! You'll also need; Butter, Egg Substitute, Bell Peppers, Green Onions, Hot Pepper Sauce, and Shredded Cheddar Cheese. No one will skip Breakfast with this recipe! You can find this recipe at the Jennie - O Turkey website. Enjoy and Make the SWITCH in 2019!  https://www.jennieo.com/

Turkey Sausage and Sassy Scrambled Eggs 
Spice up your breakfast or brunch with this carb-conscious Mexican recipe. Fluffy scrambled eggs mixed with fresh green onion and bell peppers pairs perfectly with savory lean turkey sausage.

INGREDIENTS

1 (12-ounce) package JENNIE-O® Lean Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links
2 tablespoons butter
2½ cups egg substitute or 10 eggs
½ cup diced red bell pepper
½ cup diced green onions
¾ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS
1) Cook turkey sausage links as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
2) Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium-high heat melt butter. In medium bowl, beat together eggs, bell pepper, green onions and hot pepper sauce. Pour into skillet. Cook 3 minutes or until eggs are set; stirring occasionally.
3) Sprinkle with cheese and stir to combine. Serve with sausages
* Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.

RECIPE NUTRITION INFORMATION

PER SERVING

Calories 200
Protein 17g
Carbohydrates 2g
Fiber 1g
Sugars 1g
Fat 14g
Cholesterol 75mg
Sodium 590mg
Saturated Fat 7g
https://www.jennieo.com/recipes/136-turkey-sausage-and-sassy-scrambled-eggs

One of America's Favorites - Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato (British English) or mashed potatoes (American English and Canadian English), colloquially known as mash, is a dish prepared by mashing boiled, peeled potatoes. Milk and butter are frequently used in preparation and it is frequently whipped at the end. The dish is usually a side dish to meat and/or vegetables. The closely related smashed potatoes dish is made with unskinned potatoes and it is hand mashed and not whipped.

Mashed Potatoes

Recipes for making the dish started appearing in 1747 with an entry in The Art of Cookery by Hannah Glasse. Dehydrated and frozen mashed potatoes are available in many supermarkets.

Mashed potato may be used as an intermediary ingredient for other dishes such as dumplings and gnocchi, in which case the potatoes may be baked or boiled, and may or may not have dairy or seasoning added.



The use of "floury" types of potatoes is recommended, although "waxy" potatoes are sometimes used for a different texture. There are a multitude of "floury" types, but the most commonly known include russet, golden wonder, and red rascal potatoes. Butter, vegetable oil, milk and/or cream are usually added to improve flavor and texture, and the potatoes are seasoned with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs and spices. Popular ingredients and seasonings include: garlic, cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, crisp onion or spring onion, caramelised onion, mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, spices such as nutmeg, and chopped herbs such as parsley.

One French variation adds egg yolk for pommes duchesse or Duchess potatoes; piped through a pastry tube into wavy ribbons and rosettes, brushed with butter and lightly browned. Pomme purée (potato puree) uses considerably more butter than normal mashed potato - up to one part butter for every two parts potato. In low-calorie or non-dairy variations, milk, cream and butter may be replaced by soup stock or broth. Aloo Bharta, an Indian sub-continent variation, uses chopped onions, mustard (oil, paste or seeds), chili pepper, coriander leaves and other spices.


Mashed potato can be served as a side dish, and is often served with sausages in the British Isles,

Mashed potato served with Frankfurter Rippchen,
sauerkraut and mustard

where they are known as bangers and mash. Mashed potato can be an ingredient of various other dishes, including shepherd's and cottage pie, pierogi, colcannon, dumplings, potato pancakes, potato croquettes and gnocchi. Particularly runny mashed potatoes are called mousseline potatoes.

In the United Kingdom, the cold mashed potato is mixed with fresh eggs and then fried until crisp to produce the potato cake. This dish is thought to have originated in Cornwall and is a popular breakfast item. When instead combined with meat and other leftover vegetables, the fried dish is known as bubble and squeak.

A popular accompaniment to mashed potatoes in the United States is gravy. The most common forms of gravy paired with mashed potatoes are beef gravy or turkey gravy, though vegetable gravy is becoming more common as the vegetarian and vegan trends see a rise in popularity.

A potato masher is a utensil which can be used to prepare the potatoes, as is a potato ricer. They may also be whipped with an electric hand mixer, or with sufficient boiling, can be mashed effectively with a durable wooden spoon and brute force.

One of America's Favorites - Sautéed Mushrooms

Baby bella (portobello) mushrooms being sautéed

Sautéed mushrooms (French: Champignons sautés au beurre) is a flavorful dish prepared by sautéing edible mushrooms. It is served as a side dish, used as an ingredient in dishes such as coq au vin and beef bourguignon, in foods such as duxelles, as a topping for steaks and toast, and also as a garnish.

Sautéed mushrooms is a common dish prepared by the sautéing of sliced or whole edible mushrooms. Butter is typically used when sautéing the dish, and margarine and cooking oils such as olive oil and canola oil are also used. Clarified butter can be used, as can a mixture of oil and butter. The dish is typically cooked for over a high heat until the mushrooms are browned, with the oil or butter being very hot in a pan before the mushrooms are added. Overcooking may create an inferior dish by the causing the mushrooms to lose moisture and becoming shriveled.

A steak topped with sautéed shiitake mushrooms

During the cooking process, the dish can be deglazed with the use of wine, and wine can be used as an ingredient in and of itself without deglazing. The dish can be flavored with lemon juice, various herbs and seasonings, salt and pepper. Additional ingredients such as minced green onions and shallots can also be used. The dish is vegetarian, and may have a meat-like texture.

Sautéed mushrooms is sometimes served as a side dish, and is also used as an ingredient in the preparation of dishes and foods such as beef bourguignon, coq au vin, poulet en cocotte, Poulet Saute Chasseur, soups and stews, sauces, and duxelles, a paste prepared by sautéing mushrooms, onions, shallots, and herbs in butter. Sautéed mushrooms is also used as a topping for cooked steaks and toast, as a side dish meant to specifically accompany steaks, and as a garnish. The dish can serve to add significant flavor to various dishes, in part per the glutamic acid present in the cells of edible mushrooms.

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Pass the Olive Oil..........


Instead of tossing a pat of butter into your frying pan, try a splash of extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil.

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

My neighbor passed this Turkey prep hint along to me........


Rub the turkey with butter or oil - Before putting it in the oven, make sure the skin of the turkey is as dry as possible, and then rub it all over with butter or oil. For even moister meat, place pats of butter under the skin.

One of America's Favorites - Biscuits

Biscuits

A biscuit in the United States and parts of Canada, is a variety of small baked goods with a firm browned crust and a soft interior. They are made with baking powder or baking soda as a chemical leavening agent rather than yeast. They are similar to British scones or the bannock from the Shetland Isles.

Biscuits, soda breads, and cornbread, among others, are often referred to collectively as "quick breads", to indicate that they do not need time to rise before baking.


Although the American English and British English use the same word to refer to two distinctly different modern foods, early hard biscuits (North American: cookies), were derived from a simple, storable version of bread. The word "biscuit" itself originates from the medieval Latin word 'biscoctus', meaning "twice-cooked".

The modern Italian baked goods known as biscotti (also meaning "twice-cooked" in Italian) most closely resemble the Medieval Latin item and cooking technique.

In the Hispanic world a bizcocho refers to an array of differing baked goods depending on the country, from Spain and throughout Hispanic America. In the Philippines, a biskotso (also spelled "biscocho"), derived from a word used by the Spanish conquerors, refers to a type of garlic bread.

The definitive explanation for the differences in the usage of "biscuit" in the English speaking world is provided by Elizabeth David in English Bread and Yeast Cookery, in the chapter "Yeast Buns and Small Tea Cakes" and section "Soft Biscuits". She writes,

It is interesting that these soft biscuits are common to Scotland and Guernsey, and that the term biscuit as applied to a soft product was retained in these places, and in America, whereas in England it has completely died out.

Early European settlers in the United States brought with them a simple, easy style of cooking, most often based on ground wheat and warmed with gravy.

The biscuit emerged as a distinct food type in the early 19th century, before the American Civil War. Cooks created a cheaply produced addition for their meals that required no yeast, which was expensive and difficult to store. With no leavening agents except the bitter-tasting pearlash available, beaten biscuits were laboriously beaten and folded to incorporate air into the dough which expanded when heated in the oven causing the biscuit to rise. In eating, the advantage of the biscuit over a slice of bread was that it was harder, and hence kept its shape when wiping up gravy in the popular combination biscuits and gravy.

In 1875, Alexander P. Ashbourne patented the first biscuit cutter. It consisted of a board to roll the biscuits out on, which was hinged to a metal plate with various biscuit cutter shapes mounted to it.


Southern chefs may have had an advantage in creating biscuits. Northern American all-purpose flours, mainly grown in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, are made from the hard spring wheats that grow in the North's cold-winter climate. Southern American bleached all-purpose flours, originally grown in the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee before national food distribution networks, are made from the soft winter wheat that grows in the warm southern summer. This summer growth results in wheat that has less protein, which is more suited to the creation of quick breads, as well as cookies, cakes and muffins.

Pre-shaped ready-to-bake biscuits can be purchased in supermarkets, in the form of small refrigerated cylindrical segments of dough encased in a cardboard can. These refrigerator biscuits were patented by Ballard and Ballard in 1931.

Biscuits can be prepared for baking in several ways. The dough can be rolled out flat and cut into

Open biscuit with honey being drizzled in it

rounds, which expand when baked into flaky-layered cylinders. If extra liquid is added, the dough's texture changes to resemble stiff pancake batter so that small spoonfuls can be dropped into the baking sheet to produce "drop biscuits", which are more amorphous in texture and shape.

Large drop biscuits, because of their size and rough exterior texture, are sometimes referred to as "cat head biscuits". A common variation on basic biscuits is "cheese biscuits", made by adding grated Cheddar or American cheese to the basic recipe.

Home cooks may use refrigerator biscuits for a quicker alternative to rolled or drop biscuits. Refrigerator biscuits can even be cooked over a campfire on a stick.

A sweet biscuit layered or topped with fruit (typically strawberries), juice-based syrup, and cream is called shortcake. A type of biscuit called an "angel biscuit" contains yeast as well, as do those made with a sourdough starter.

While there are many different ways to prepare and top biscuits, the ingredients from recipe to recipe are generally the same. Most recipes will call for all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, either milk or buttermilk, and either butter or shortening (about half will also call for a small amount of sugar as well). The amount of each ingredient will vary for each recipe much the general concept is the same for these simple baked goods.

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Freeze Flour and Butter??........



To last longer, opened flour bags can be stored in the freezer. Also you can store butter in the freezer for up to six months. I didn't know this one!

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

When Baking.....

Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature unless otherwise specified. Butter creams more easily at room temperature and room temperature eggs incorporate more quickly into a batter. Having all of your ingredients at room temperature — including the flour —will ensure that your recipe comes together smoothly. Bake On!

Chicken and Dumplings and Cornbread!

Dinner Tonight; Chicken and Dumplings and Cornbread




For Breakfast this morning I toasted a Thomas Light 100% Whole Grain English Muffin that I topped with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Also had my morning cup of Bigelow Decaf Green Tea. Partly

cloudy with rain later in the afternoon, high of 90 degrees. Did a load of laundry and some light house cleaning. Then spent most of the afternoon writing an appeal letter to my insurance over my policy increase and balance of over $7,000. My insurance has been one big screw up! All I can do is wait and see what happens with the Appeal. On top of that I had to go the Dentist, which I can't stand doing. But had no choice I've got a cavity. More on that later. Anyway a real Dinner treat tonight! My Mom is making her melt-in-your mouth Chicken and Dumplings and some Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread.



My Mom is making her Chicken and Dumplings for Dinner Tonight! She used Bisquick Heart Smart Mix for the Dumplings and Amish Chicken Breasts for the Chicken. She first made the Dumplings using a recipe found on Bisquick Boxes. Made those and set them aside until ready to use.










For the Chicken. She boiled the Skinles Chicken Breasts in a pot until they were done adding more water to them twice. After the Chicken was cooked she removed them from the pot and roughly shredded it. Returned it to the pot of Broth or Stew and added the Dumplings, reducing the heat. Cooked the two together uncovered for 10 minutes and then another 12 minutes covered until they were done.







As I said these Dumplings just melt in your mouth! Just incredible flavor with the Chicken being moist and adding it's flavor. I can't have these often, having Diabetes 2, but once in a while is fine!












As the Chicken and Dumplings were cooking I made the Cornbread. I made a small Cast iron Skillet of Cornbread. As always I used Martha White Corn Meal Mix, something I think I could eat every

meal. I like a nice fresh and hot slice with Butter on it. When I make this I just make it by the instructions on the package but I only use half the ingredients because I use a small cast iron skillet to make it. I use Egg Beaters and Extra Virgin Oil instead of Eggs and Vegetable Oil the recipe calls for. Bake at 450 degrees for about 25 minutes and you have some golden brown piping hot Cornbread! If you use a small cast iron skillet just cut the recipe in half and it comes out just right for the skillet size. What a dinner tonight! For Dessert later a Jello Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pudding.





Betty Crocker Bisquick Heart Smart Pancake and Baking Mix

Betty Crocker Bisquick Low Fat Pancake & Baking Mix Heart Smart 40.0 oz Box. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease. Bisquick Heart Smart is low in fat, low in saturated fat and naturally cholesterol free. Excellent Source of Calcium; Fat Free; Naturally Cholesterol Free; Kosher.

* Pancake mix makes fluffy, mouth-watering pancakes, waffles, and more
* Quick and easy breakfast; just add water and pour onto griddle
* Easy to personalize with fruits, nuts or chocolate chips
* Stock up your pantry with an easy and delicious breakfast option for everyone
* The Red Spoon is my promise of great taste, quality, and convenience; This is a product you and your family will enjoy, I guarantee it - Betty Crocker 

Spicy Texas Pecans

Thought I would pass along a perfect snack along off the CooksRecipes website (https://www.cooksrecipes.com/index.html), Spicy Texas Pecans. Made using the anyway you have them, Pecans. You'll also need; Butter, Splenda Sweetner, Paprika, Chilie Powder, Ground Cumin, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Salt. A treat you can enjoy anytime! Again, it's off the CooksRecipes website which has a huge selection of recipes that will please all tastes, diets, and cuisines so check it out today! Enjoy and Eat Healthy in 2018!  https://www.cooksrecipes.com/index.html

Spicy Texas Pecans
This easy-to-make snack is a fun and flavorful take on a classic favorite.

Recipe Ingredients:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 cups pecan halves
1/4 cup Splenda® Sugar Blend
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons pure chile powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 pinch salt

Cooking Directions:
1 - Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2 - Melt the butter in a large skillet over high heat.
3 - Add pecans and sauté until lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
4 - Add the Splenda® Sugar Blend for Baking and cook until caramelized, about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
5 - Stir in the paprika, chili powder and cumin. Add the vinegar and cook until all the liquid has evaporated; season with salt(optional).
6 - Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until crisp, about 3 minutes.
Makes 16 (3 tablespoon) servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/16 of recipe; 3 tablespoons): Calories 170 | Calories from Fat 150 | Fat 16g (sat 2.0g) | Cholesterol 5mg | Sodium 30mg | Carbohydrates 7g | Fiber 2g | Sugars 4g | Protein 2g.
https://www.cooksrecipes.com/diabetic/spicy_texas_pecans_recipe.html

One of America's Favorites - Fried Clams

Fried clams are clam dipped in milk and then flour and deep-fried. Fried clams are an iconic food, "to New England, what barbecue is to the South". They tend to be served at seaside clam shacks (roadside restaurants). Clam rolls are fried clams served in a hot dog bun. Tartar sauce is the usual condiment.


The clams are dipped in evaporated milk, and coated with a combination of regular, corn, and/or

Fried clams

pastry flour. Then the coated clams are fried in canola oil or soybean oil, or lard.

The usual variant in New England is made from whole soft-shell clams, known as "Whole-Bellies"; these include the clam's gastrointestinal tract and have a fuller flavor. Some restaurants remove the clam's chewy siphon called the neck.

Outside New England, "clam strips", made of sliced parts of Atlantic surf clams, are more common.

Fried clams are mentioned as early as 1840, and are listed on an 1865 menu from the Parker House hotel. How exactly they were prepared is unclear; the 1865 menu offers both "oysters—fried" and "oysters—fried in batter", but only "fried clams".

Nineteenth-century American cookbooks describe several different dishes of fried clams:

* Seasoned clams sautéed in butter. (1850)
* Clams breaded (with egg binding) and sautéed in butter or fat. (1850) (1904)
* Clams in a beaten egg batter, fried in butter, called "clam fritters". (1850) (1904)

The modern deep-fried, breaded version is generally credited to Lawrence Henry "Chubby" Woodman from Essex, Massachusetts. He is said to have created the first batch on July 3, 1916, in his small roadside restaurant, now Woodman's of Essex. One of his specialties was potato chips, so he had large vats for deep-frying. He used the clams, which he had collected himself from the mud flats of the Essex River located close to his home.

Later, Thomas Soffron, of Soffron Brothers Clam Co., based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, created clam strips, which are made from the "foot" of hard-shelled sea clams. He sold these to Howard Johnson's in an exclusive deal, and as the chain expanded, they became popular throughout the country.


Clams in themselves are low in cholesterol and fat, but fried clams absorb cooking fat.

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Thank you to Betty L. for sharing this hint......


Butter will go farther and have fewer calories per serving if you beat it well. This increases the volume by adding air.

One of America's Favorites - Apple Butter

Apple butter on a slice of bread

Apple butter is a highly concentrated form of apple sauce produced by long, slow cooking of apples with cider or water to a point where the sugar in the apples caramelizes, turning the apple butter a deep brown. The concentration of sugar gives apple butter a much longer shelf life as a preserve than apple sauce.




The roots of apple butter lie in Limburg (Belgium and the Netherlands) and Rhineland (Germany), conceived during the Middle Ages, when the first monasteries (with large fruit yards) appeared. The production of the butter was a perfect way to conserve part of the fruit production of the monasteries in that region, at a time when almost every village had its own apple-butter producers. The production of apple butter was also a popular way of using apples in colonial America, well into the 19th century.

The product contains no actual dairy butter; the term butter refers only to the butter-like thick, soft consistency, and apple butter's use as a spread for breads. Sometimes seasoned with cinnamon, clove, and other spices, apple butter is usually spread on bread, used as a side dish, an ingredient in baked goods, or as a condiment. Apple butter is also used on a sandwich to add an interesting flavor, but is not as commonly used as in historical times.

Vinegar or lemon juice is sometimes mixed in while cooking to provide a small amount of tartness to the usually sweet apple butter. The Pennsylvania Dutch often include apple butter as part of their traditional 'seven sweets and seven sours' dinner table array.

In areas of the American South, the production of apple butter is a family event, due to the large amount of labor necessary to produce apple butter in large quantities. Traditionally, apple butter was prepared in large copper kettles outside. Large paddles were used to stir the apples, and family members would take turns stirring. In Appalachia, apple butter was the only type of fruit preserve normally rendered into fruit leather.

In Europe, an apple butter is traditionally made which is closer to dense syrup, in the Netherlands (known as appelstroop, meaning apple syrup) and in Germany (known as apfelkraut) and frequently eaten on bread with (or without) thinly sliced cheese and with Sauerbraten. A sweeter version, made using pears, as well as apples, is more popular in Belgium, where it is known as sirop de Liège. Other than in Benelux and the Rhineland, apple syrup is a minority taste in Western Europe (in Germany, outside of the Rhineland, it is generally sold in health food shops), and a similar food is produced in francophone Switzerland, where it is known as vin cuit.

Russian Пови́дло (from Czech povidla, or Polish powidła or powidło) is prepared by the reduction of fruit puree with some sugar and sometimes spices. The final product should contain no more than 34% of moisture and about 60% of sugar. The most popular one is made from apples, but povidlo is also made from apricots, cherries, prunes, pears, and cranberries. Polish powidła are made from fresh purple plums and with addition of sugar.

In Jersey, in the Channel Islands, apple butter is known as black butter or lé nièr beurre and includes liquorice as an ingredient.

In Japan, apple butter often contains actual butter and is a considerably lighter in color, typically a shade of yellow. It is used as a spread on toast or as a filling in baked buns, and may consist of a mashed texture with small apple chunks, similar to the red bean paste filling used in anpan. It is produced in apple-growing regions such as Nagano and Aomori Prefectures and often uses local apple varieties such as Fuji.

Apple butter can be used as a fat substitute in reduced-fat or fat-free cooking, as well as vegan recipes.


Ingredients
* Apples (peeled, cored, and finely chopped)
* Brown (or white) sugar or unrefined sugar beet juice
* Apple juice (or apple cider)
* Spices (nutmeg, cloves, allspice, cardamom, vanilla extract and lemon juice – optional.)

Types of apples
Different types of apples can be used for the production of apple butter. Apples are chosen based on

Soft apples are usually used to make apple butter

their physical and chemical properties – such as hardness, sweetness, acidity/tartness, etc. Soft apples are often chosen for the production of apple butter because they can be broken down more easily and faster when cooked. These types of apples include: McIntosh (soft, creamy), Cortland (soft, sweet-and-tart, all-purpose), Granny Smith (tartness sweetens upon cooking, ideal complement to savory and salty foods).

Manufacture
Apples are first selected based on ripeness, texture, natural sweetness and tartness/acidity. Some of these apples are pressed into fresh apple cider, while the rest are peeled and cored, then wholly steamed and cooked into apple puree. The freshly pressed apple cider and cooked apple puree are added to a large steam vat. Small amounts of sodium bicarbonate are added to the mixture in order to reduce acidity and help bring out sweetness from the natural fructose available in the apples. The mixture will then be boiled during the evaporation process, allowing the volume to reduce by about seven times. The end product will be a concentrated mixture used as apple butter.

Packaging and storage
Apple butter is typically packaged in the same way whether it is prepared in a factory setting or made

Apple butter packaged at home in jars

at home. It can be packaged mechanically in jars or cans through the use of machinery.

Apple butter is a product created as a means of preserving apples. Due to its high acidity, high sugar content and low amounts of free water, an opened package can be kept for months at room temperature without spoiling. Nevertheless there are numerous methods that can be used for the storage of apple butter. No method is 100% dependable, as there is always a chance of the presence of bacteria or other microorganisms within the food itself, on the storage equipment or in the storage facility.

Typically, the jars are sterilized before packaging to ensure no harmful microorganisms or bacteria will infect the product, causing it to spoil. Ideally, jars are sterilized using a combination of high temperature heating and ensuring a tight seal.

Apples are a high acid food, with a pH below 4.6. Therefore, the apple butter can be placed in hot jars without chances of compromising quality of the product. The main sources of spoilage, molds, yeasts and enzymes, are killed at the temperatures reached in the hot water bath during the sterilization process for cans and jars. The spoilage microorganisms in acid foods can be destroyed in a small amount of time at temperatures below that of boiling water, so there is little risk of microorganisms appearing in the food product itself.

Freezing
Freezing jars of apple butter can help to maintain quality and inhibit bacterial growth. This storage method does not destroy pre-existing microorganisms that may be present in the product, so it is important to be wary when consuming previously frozen product.

Nutrition
The nutritional value of apple butter varies quite a bit based on the recipe used to prepare that particular product. The ingredient list can be as simple as just two ingredients to a much more complicated mixture of foods. Although the ingredients may vary, which changes the nutritional value of the apple butter, the two main things that stand out to consumers on the nutritional facts table are the amount of carbohydrates and the amount of sugar that the apple butter contains. For 1 tablespoon the amount of carbohydrates range from 4-15 grams and the sugar content ranges from about 4-10 grams. Apple butter is not a good source for iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B, though it contains a small amount of vitamin C. Although all the recipes vary the main ingredients in all apple butters is apples and apple juice. In commercial brands of apple butter the type of apples used are not specified, but in certain homemade recipes they specify what types of apples to use. Commercial brands tend to use corn syrup in their apple butter. In homemade apple butter, sugar or brown sugar are more frequently used. Apple butter may be a healthier choice of spread than other breakfast spreads, but would not be considered to be healthy, as it does not give the consumer very many nutrients. Apple butter is more of an accessory food to put on your toast or other foods simply added for its taste.

Uses
Apple butter and apple sauce also have different uses. Popular ways of using apple butter include, condiment or spreads for pastries and pie fillings. It can also be used as a healthier alternative for oil, shortening, or butter. Some people also enjoy using it to marinate meat, or pairing it with cooked meat and cheeses such as cheddar, brie or chevre. Apple sauce, in contrast, is usually served on its own or as a side dish for a variety of dishes.

Difference between apple sauce and butter

A comparison of Apple Sauce to Apple Butter. Apple Sauce is a lot lighter in color and has a more

A comparison of Apple Sauce to Apple Butter. Apple Sauce

liquid consistency.
During the preparation, apples are cored for apple sauces but not for apple butter, allowing it to have a much stronger apple taste. The two also differ in cooking time; apple sauce just needs to be cooked until the apples are soft enough to be pureed, while apple butter needs to be cooked until the apples brown, break down and thicken. As a result of its long cooking time, apple butter is a much darker, caramel brown color, while apple sauce is usually a lighter golden color. Apple sauce has a more liquid consistency while apple butter is thicker and is more spreadable.

Healthy Pancake Recipes

From the EatingWell website and Magazine its Healthy Pancake Recipes. Start you day of right with these Delicious and Healthy Pancake Recipes like; Blueberry Pancakes, Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes, and Whole-Grain Buttermilk Pancakes. Find these recipes and more all at the EatingWell website. Enjoy and Eat Healthy in 2018!  http://www.eatingwell.com/

Healthy Pancake Recipes

Find healthy, delicious pancake recipes including blueberry, banana, chocolate chip and low-calorie pancakes. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.


Blueberry Pancakes
This healthy whole-grain blueberry pancake recipe uses 100% whole-wheat flour, heart-healthy canola oil and just a tablespoon of added sugar. If you want to experiment with different types of whole grains, replace up to ½ cup of the flour with cornmeal, oats and/or buckwheat flour. Or add extra fiber and healthy omega-3 fats by adding up to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed or chia seeds.............


Apple-Cinnamon Pancakes
This healthy whole-grain apple-cinnamon pancake recipe uses 100% whole-wheat flour, heart-healthy canola oil and just a tablespoon of added sugar. If you want to experiment with different types of whole grains, replace up to ½ cup of the flour with cornmeal, oats and/or buckwheat flour. Or add extra fiber and healthy omega-3 fats by adding up to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed or chia seeds........................


Whole-Grain Buttermilk Pancakes
This healthy whole-grain buttermilk pancake recipe uses 100% whole-wheat flour, heart-healthy canola oil and just a tablespoon of sugar. Compared to most store-bought mixes or a classic recipe, this recipe saves about 30 calories, 3 grams saturated fat and 4 grams total sugar per serving, plus you'll dish up 2 extra grams of fiber. If you want to experiment with different types of whole grains, replace up to ½ cup of the whole-wheat flour with cornmeal, oats and/or buckwheat flour. Or add extra fiber and omega-3s by adding up to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseed or chia seeds...........



* Click the link below to get all the Healthy Pancake Recipes
http://www.eatingwell.com/search/results/?wt=Healthy%20Pancake%20Recipes&sort=re

Kitchen Hint of the Day!

Butter it up...........


Before you store semi-hard cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss or Gruyere, rub the cut edges with a little butter. You'll never notice the taste difference, and the cheese will be less likely to dry out or become moldy