I was so excited to try this! Providentially, while I was pinning this tip, my son was upstairs burning the grits. Breakfast was saved by the 'burnt beans' kitchen tip. But the bottom of the pot was rather encrusted. Indeed, rather more burnt than the frying pan of my apartment dwelling friend.
My 'normal' is to put the stinky pot outside, and sav...
This healthy fudge recipe is made with extra virgin coconut oil, honey, and a few other common pantry ingredients. It's easy, and this is a tasty way to get the health benefits of extra virgin coconut oil and raw honey, which I'll tell you more about at the bottom of the page. If you use the butter, the coconut flavor is very mild and not really noticeable. Though this isn't a traditional 'holiday' fudge recipe, it packs a really amazing chocolate punch, and is more of a 'fill the cravin...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Friday, January 13, 2012 In : Main Dishes
This IS the best meatloaf recipe ever...according to my son. "The kids in my class were CRAZY...they didn't LIKE meatloaf! I couldn't believe it. I guess it's just because they had cafeteria meatloaf." I'm generally not a fan of tooting-my-own-horn, but the other suggestion was 'meat muffins'...and that just didn't sound appetizing.
Truly, though, this is a very awesome meatloaf recipe, and I think you should try it, even if you like your current recipe, or if you have family members w...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Monday, January 9, 2012 In : Cooking Tips
A while back, I posted a kitchen tip on freezing bacon flat on a cookie sheet. This weekend, my man and I were making breakfast together, and he had a great idea for freezing bacon in a much smaller space. So I took a few snapshots for you. This is for everyone who has a side-by-side freezer, or (like me) keeps their freezer too full to slide in a cookie sheet.
I first learned the value of individually freezing bacon when we were newlyweds. I'd used part of a pack of bacon, and tossed th...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 In : Main Dishes
Mmmm...can you hear the lime fajita recipe sizzling? I crave good, savory food this time of year, and this is such a simple, quick dinner with loads of flavor. It's a nice change from sugar cookies and cheeseballs. And it's *fast*...as in 'set the table before you start heating the pan' fast. And delicious. It's definitely man pleasin' vittles.
Oh, and I've been playing around with a new way to do a printable recipe...check the end of the post for the link!
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Friday, October 21, 2011 In : Beverages
This is the perfect mulled cider recipe, and I don't say that lightly...I'm actually not a big fan of spiced apple cider usually. But this recipe has a tartness that strikes a perfect balance with the sweet and spicy. My sister brought a steamy pot of this to Thanksgiving last year, and I've been dreaming of it ever since cool weather hit. So, here it is...a warm and puckery toast to a lovely fall.
You'll need:
Apple juice or cider, cranberry juice, allspice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and a... Continue reading...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Monday, September 19, 2011 In : Menus
The worst part about planning a menu is the part where you have to sit down and plan out what's going to go on the menu. I hate that.
I used to sit down every week, and relive the agony of 'What's for dinner?' for an entire weeks worth of meals. While I'm not hugely fond of this, it does enable me to only grocery shop once, and majorly relieves the feeling of dread that settles on me at 6:30 if I haven't planned anything. So it's a necessary evil.
A good ranch dressing recipe is something every home cook should have in her recipe box. This is a 'bulk' recipe, so you're making up a big batch that can be used as a seasoning in many other foods, as well as making a mean ranch dip and dressing...among other things. It's very versatile!
I've layered in all of the dried herbs, and I'm ready to shake and blend!
I've been working on this recipe for a couple of years, because I've been on a personal vendetta against using products with MSG ...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 In : Dessert Recipes
Banana Pudding is one of the quintessential desserts in the Southeast. It's a requirement for potluck suppers, and summer holiday meals. If you've never tried it, it should go on your dessert bucket list. Unlike trifles, banana pudding is at home hot or cold, and ranks in the top comfort foods for most Southerners. It all makes perfect sense when you dip into your first bowlful...creamy custard, layered heavily with sliced chunks of banana, and pudding-soft Nilla wafers, topped off with w...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Real, homemade custard makes my heart flitter-flutter. Sure, it got like, the worst dessert name *ever*, but I won't hold that against it, and neither should you. It's pure, creamy goodness cannot be sullied by its unfortunate name.
Custard is essentially a homemade vanilla pudding, using eggs and corn starch as a thickener. It can be used in all
sorts of thigh busting, fanny growing, lip smacking desserts. Homemade custard is amazing
served with fresh berries; or as the filling in choco...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 In : Cooking Tips
I made this lovely banana pudding for an event, and I didn't want to mess up the whipped cream with plastic wrap. What to do? Mom used to use toothpicks, but those just poke holes right through the plastic wrap.
But wait! I remembered these little flag picks that I found last year at the 90% off Hobby Lobby sale...they'll work perfectly to hold the plastic wrap off of the whipped cream! I've also used the cute little beach umbrellas with great success.
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 In : Side Dish Recipes
I don't love coleslaw, but this dill pickle coleslaw recipe is *GOOD*. My kids even like it! It's tart and twangy and pickle-ish. It's the perfect side dish for summer eatin'...brilliant with BBQ, delicious on chili dogs, and yummy on fish tacos.
This is what you'll need to make it:
Cabbage (or pre-cut coleslaw mix), onion, carrot, fresh or dried parsley, limes, mustard, dill pickles, and Italian dressing (I used my Greek dressing, and Greek seasoning mix).
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 In : Menus
Menu planning was a love hate relationship for me. I needed a menu. I *wanted* a menu. Especially when it came to making a grocery list...I saved way more if I knew exactly what to buy. And I loved knowing exactly what was for dinner that night. Or, if plans changed, I would just switch a meal from one night to another, knowing I had what I needed in the house. Menus are awesome like that.
But I really, really, really didn't want to *make* the menu.
These would be darling Easter cupcakes, if you're looking for something quick and cute for this weekend. I designed these for my baby girl's first birthday party, because she's very partial to her 'lovey lamb'. These are easy and fun to make! I made two dozen cupcakes (one dozen chocolate and one dozen butter cake), but you can use any cupcake recipe that you'd like.
I decorated the chocolate cupcakes with green frosting and flowers. They add a cute 'field' for the lambs to frolic in. T...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 In : Snacks
Chocolate covered bananas were spotted in the freezer section recently, and wheels began to turn. My boy just *had* to make some. So in honor of spring break, warm weather, and all things that are right and good with the world, we made up our very own, and very healthy...and yummy...Chocolate Covered Banana recipe. I am here to testify that these things are GOOD.
If you've been scarred by the misuse of the word 'healthy' and 'good', then let me hold out my hand, friend. There is not a ca... Continue reading...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 In : Main Dishes
40 clove garlic chicken recipe
First, I have never, ever have used anywhere close to 40 cloves in this dish, and it always turns out fantastic.
Second, this is awesome...if you have never tasted roasted garlic, then you're majorly missing out. Just like fresh onions are a totally different experience than caramelized onions, garlic also goes through a major flavor transformation in the oven. It has a richness, and a sweeter flavor when it's roasted. The flavor is milder than garlic bread, an...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Friday, January 28, 2011 In : Bread
This is the simplest focaccia bread recipe ever!
"What is that?"
Well, focaccia is sort of like a sauce-less, cheese-less pizza.
That sounded a lot less charming that I meant it...I think I can do better.
Focaccia is It's like a breadstick that is the size of a pizza, but it has all kinds of extra toppings on it, which makes it BETTER than a breadstick, and almost like a pizza.
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 In : Cooking Tips
I love, love, love using glass jars to store leftovers, and the plastic lids are so much easier for leftovers and freezing than the standard ring lids. However, I do not love trying to clean sharpie marker off the lids of the jars.
So, I bought a China Marker, which is a waxy pencil that marks on the surface, but wipes clean with a bit of oil or dish soap. Craft stores, and hardware stores carry china markers. I found a two pack in the area where sharpie markers and drawing pencils are s... Continue reading...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 In : Main Dishes
This baked potato pizza recipe will be on my dinner table on Friday night. I was in a pepperoni rut, and need a change. This is a really yummy and different 'specialty' pie, that is our favorite at our favorite local pizza place. You won't believe how easy it is to toss together this recipe! I like to plan ahead and bake extra potatoes earlier in the week, and fry up extra bacon, so there is very little prep work to be done on Family Movie night.
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 In : Cooking Tips
Here are a few more freezing tips for all of those holiday leftovers!
Problem 1: I don't like to reheat things in plastic...and the large glass jars split when I freeze in them.
I have in the last couple of years nearly phased out plastic storage containers in favor of quart and pint jars. I love them for leftovers, but I've had a number of problems with them cracking in the freezer. I finally figured out why. The larger quart jars, even those with wide mouths narrow in at the top, creatin...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Friday, November 5, 2010 In : Beverages
Here's a yummy soda pop recipe for times when you want a treat! I prefer to avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors, but we still like special drinks. This is what I made for the kids when they were participating in Mama's work camp a few days ago...
It couldn't be easier! You'll need
One bottle of carbonated water or seltzer water, and a container of juice concentrate.
Pour the juice concentrate into a pitcher.
Next, use the juice container and refill it four times with sparkli... Continue reading...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Sunday, October 31, 2010 In : Main Dishes
This homemade pizza recipe is very, very dangerous. It's so easy, and so delicious, that I'm temped to make it WAY too often. And it's *so* easy. Even my two year old thinks it's great fun to make pizza!
We have this at least once a week, on our Friday Family Night. Fridays are the day we clean house, put away all the school stuff, and veg out in front of a movie.
I am grounded from picking out movies from Redbox. It's a self-inflicted grounding, for the good of all involved.
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 In : Snacks
This is the granola bar recipe of my dreams.
I'd been on the hunt for a way to make my own granola bars for a couple of years now. I kept finding recipes that required lots of ingredients, and too many steps. Like "Make a double batch of granola, and then use it to make bars with this recipe."
Not. Happening.
I wanted a recipe that was simple. Fast and easy would also be good. And versatile, because I get bored easily. Plus, they had to be delicious, and use stuff that I already have in m... Continue reading...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 In : Cooking Tips
Bacon is one of those foods that I just can't imagine living without. Whether your preference is for thick cut, pepper crusted, turkey, beef, or pork; bacon=love. It is so versatile...I use it on everything from pizza to soup to our standard Saturday morning brrunch-a-thon.
The kind I usually buy comes in large, 3 lb. packages. As much as I enjoy bacon, I cannot use 3 pounds before it starts to go bad. Once, when I was but a blushing bride, I tossed a package in the freezer. But I wasn'...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Thursday, August 12, 2010 In : Soups
It is so stinkin' hot here. This White Gazpacho recipe is the only thing that sounded edible for lunch, so I whipped up a batch, and basked in the creamy, chilled cucumber goodness. I am not usually a fan of tomato based gazpacho soups, but this one is in a class by itself. It's perfect.
My Mom was given this recipe by a family friend (Hi Miss Jere!), and pretty much everyone who tastes it loves it. Including my two year old.
You'll need:
Several cucumbers, diced into chunks; chicken bro...
I just love this dill pickle recipe given to me by my friend Jill. I like to call them Jill Pickles.
This is the first time I had ever made pickles, and the beautiful thing about these little dillies is that... 1) it's a really easy pickle recipe. 2) You can make one jar if you want...or a whole fridge full. 3) They saved my honor.
I put these together the night before a family get together because I had promised pickles from my garden. Oops! As a novice pickle maker, I didn't realize tha...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 In : Bread
This easy bread recipe has become the staff of life around here. If you're used to baking bread, or even if you've never tried before, this recipe is going to impress you. It rocks our world, and you won't believe how easy it is!
No more mixing up bread dough just because you want fresh baked bread.
No digging around to find your pizza or breadstick recipe...this dough is ultra versatile, and ready to go when you are!
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Thursday, July 1, 2010 In : Breakfast Recipes
In my quest for the perfect scone recipe, I discovered this lovely Scottish variation using oats. Think oatmeal cookie meets scone. The oats add something homey and filling, and make this recipe a healthy breakfast choice. So I should feel no guilt whatsoever about piling them high with lemon curd or jam, right? Right.
Today, I'm making lemon poppy seed scones, but you can really add anything you like to this basic recipe. I also make them with dried cherries and slivered almonds, dried c...
Posted by Gwendelynn Brown on Thursday, June 17, 2010 In : Main Dishes
Feast your eyes on this super easy ground beef recipe...it's a new family favorite recipe! This, my friends, is bacon cheeseburger rice. It's goo-ood. And easy. Thanks W.R. for a new favorite main dish!
Here's what you need:
One pound of ground beef, browned with a chopped onion. Ketchup, yellow mustard and BB-Q sauce. Five slices of fried bacon, two cups of prepared rice (left over from last night's meal, even!), shredded cheddar cheese, and dill pickle relish. Or you can use your fav...
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