Ingredients:
3 tbsp/45 mL pan drippings, butter or Watkins Grapeseed Oil
1-1/2 tbsp/25 mL all-purpose flour
1/4 cup/60 mL Watkins Mushroom Soup and Gravy base
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Beef Soup and Gravy base
1-3/4 cups/375 mL water
1/8 to 1/4 tsp/0.6 to 1.2 ml, to taste Watkins Black Pepper

Cooking Directions: Heat pan drippings or oil in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour and cook until bubbly. Add remaining ingredients and bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Add a bit more water if gravy is too thick. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, etc.

Makes 2 cups/500 ml, 1/4 cup/60 ml per serving.

You’ll make the best tasting homemade gravy every time with Watkins soup and gravy bases.

Technorati Tags: gravy

Ingredients
2 cups/500 mL all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp/7.5 mL baking soda
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Organic Cinnamon
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Organic Nutmeg
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL salt
1 1/2 cups/375 mL sugar
12 tbsp/180 mL butter (1 ½ sticks), softened
1 egg
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Organic Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup/60 mL molasses

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F/180C. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. In a shallow bowl set aside 1/2 cup/125 mL sugar.

With an electric mixer beat butter, remaining sugar, egg, vanilla, and molasses until well blended. Combine with dry ingredients until dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch/2.5 cm balls and dip in 1/2 cup/125 mL reserved sugar.

Arrange cookies on a baking sheet, about 3-inches/7.5-cm apart. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen.

Want to know about Watkins organic spices and why buy organic?

Technorati Tags: cookies, organic food

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground turkey
2 tsp Watkins poultry seasoning
1 tsp. Watkins black pepper
1/2 tsp. Watkins ground ginger
1/2 tsp. Watkins cayenne pepper
Watkins grapeseed oil

Directions: Place the turkey into a large mixing bowl. Add the poultry seasoning, pepper, ginger and cayenne pepper. Mix with your hands until completely incorporated together. Shape the mixture into 2 inch balls or patties about 1 inch thick. Place a tablespoon or so of grapeseed oil into a large skillet and place over medium heat. When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the meat balls till the pan is half full, brown the sausage balls on all sides by gently shaking the pan so they can roll around. Cook balls for 5 - 8 minutes or until cooked through. If making patties brown for about 5 minutes, turn the patties and continue cooking 5 minutes longer or until the meat is not longer pink.

Makes 16 -24 sausage balls or 8 patties.

Nutritional Information: (Approximate Value for 2 patties) 85 calories; 5 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 45 mg cholesterol; 25 mg sodium; trace carbohydrates; trace fiber; 10 g protein

Using Watkins poultry seasoning and other spices makes it quick and easy for you to have perfectly spiced delicious sausages every time!

Technorati Tags: Breakfast, poultry seasoning, turkey

Ingredients:
2 tbsp Watkins grapeseed oil, original or flavor of choice
1 cup popping corn
6 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp Watkins cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp Watkins paprika
1/4 teaspoon Watkins garlic granules
1 tsp Watkins seasoning salt

Directions: in a large, heavy saucepan heat the oil, add the popcorn, cover and cook while shaking the pan until the corn stops popping. Place the popcorn in a large serving bowl.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in the saucepan, stir in cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic and seasoning salt and pour over popcorn. Mix well and enjoy!

Tips from the kitchen:

• Make this an even healthier snack, reduce the fat, calories and cholesterol by substituting 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil for the butter called for.

• Craving plain buttered popcorn but want a low fat snack? Simply use Watkins butter flavored salt instead of butter and salt.

Don’t like it hot? Substitute one or a combination of these herbs and spices for another tasty snack, try parsley, dill, onion granules, minced green onion or curry powder.

You can find the best gourmet or organic herbs, spices, seasonings and grapeseed oil for delicious and healthy popcorn at Watkins.

You can find lots of great popcorn information, recipes and tips at PopCorn.org.

Technorati Tags: snacks, spices

Pancake Syrup With Molasses

1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
3 cups water
2 Tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons Watkins Maple Extract
1 teaspoon Watkins Butter Extract
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract

Directions: Stir together water and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil, remove from heat and add molasses and extracts. Stir well to combine. Syrup will thicken when cool. Makes 28 oz. Use warm or cold, store syrup in refrigerator.

Basic Pancake Syrup

1 cup granulated white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Watkins Maple Extract
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Butter Extract (optional)

Directions: Stir together water and both sugars in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil, remove from heat and add extracts. Stir well to combine. Syrup will thicken when cool. Serve warm or cold, store extra in the refrigerator.

Tips from the kitchen:

• Make your syrup ahead, it keeps well in the fridge for an indefinite length of time.
• Let the syrup cool a bit before pouring it into a storage container or bottle. Hot sugar syrup can cause a very bad burn.
• Place the contain you wish to fill in the sink for easier filling and clean up if you happen to have a spill. A funnel will help you prevent over pour and spills.
• For a thicker pancake syrup, boil the sugar water for a 2 - 5 minutes before adding the extracts.
• Try substituting honey for some of the sugar for a different taste or if you wish to reduce your refined sugar consumption.
• To serve syrup warm, reheat in the microwave for 30 - 60 seconds. Be careful not to make it too hot especially if children will be serving themselves.
• For cinnamon syrup, add 1 teaspoon of Watkins cinnamon with the extracts.

You can order Watkins Vanilla extract, maple extract, butter extract and other gourmet extracts in the online catalog. Please leave a comment and let us know which pancake syrup recipe you prefer.

Ingredients:
5 medium onions
3 tbsp/45 mL butter or Watkins grapeseed oil
1-1/2 quarts/liters water
1/4 cup/60 mL Watkins Beef Soup and Gravy base
1 tbsp/15 mL Watkins Onion Soup and Gravy base
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Black Pepper
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Pinch of Watkins Thyme
6 slices French bread
Butter or butter and grapeseed oil mixed half and half
1 cup/250 mL (4 oz/113 g) shredded swiss cheese

Directions: Peel and thinly slice onions. Heat the 3 tbsp/45 ml butter in a heavy 3-quart/liter saucepan over low heat; add onions and cook slowly, stirring until golden in color, about 10 minutes. Gradually blend in water, soup bases, and seasonings. Bring to a boil; cover and simmer about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, toast one side of bread under broiler until golden brown. Butter untoasted side and sprinkle slices with 1/4 cup/60 ml cheese; broil until cheese is melted. To serve, place hot soup into oven-proof bowls or mugs; float French bread slices on top. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; broil until cheese is bubbly and brown.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories 300, Protein 12 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Sodium 1130 mg, Fat 14 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 33 mg, Dietary Fiber 3 g

You’ll find the best gourmet ingredients for your soup in the Watkins US catalog or the Canadian catalog.

Tips from the kitchen:

• If onions make you cry, try chilling them in the fridge for an hour or two before peeling and slicing them. Or if that doesn’t work for you, try wearing a pair of snug fitting goggles to prevent the fumes from getting into your eyes. You might look a bit funny but it really works! If the weather is warm or goggles aren’t your style, take your cutting board and onions out doors and let the breeze blow the fumes away.
• Stock your pantry with Watkins soup and gravy bases, they are a handy staple so you can quickly and easily make a variety of soups, stews and other delicious entrées.
• To reduce the calories and saturated fat in this soup, replace the butter with grapeseed oil and reduce the amount of cheese, it will still be delicious.

Technorati Tags: soups

Ingredients:
2 cups/500 mL powdered sugar (icing sugar)
1/2 cup/125 mL Watkins Dessert Mix, Chocolate, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Lemon or Banana
1/4 cup/60 mL butter
1/3 cup/80 mL half-and-half (creamo)

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in medium bowl and mix with electric mixer for about 2 minutes. Add more half-and-half or powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency.

This recipe makes enough to frost one 8 inch 2-layer cake, 12 servings.

Tip from the kitchen: Make the vanilla version and then flavor it with one teaspoon of your choice of Watkins extracts and flavors.

Technorati Tags: frosting & icing

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Watkins grapeseed oil, original
1 (16 ounce) bag prepared coleslaw vegetables, washed or 4-5 cups shredded cabbage, and carrots
1 tablespoon Watkins cilantro
1 teaspoon Watkins chili powder
1 teaspoon Watkins sea salt
1 teaspoon Watkins ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Watkins ground turmeric
3 tablespoons lime juice
Optional - 1/2 - 1 teaspoon Watkins Red Pepper Flakes, for more heat

Instructions: Heat the oil in a large skillet until hot over medium high heat. Add the coleslaw mix, cilantro and chili and blend together. Sprinkle in the salt, and cumin; stir well to incorporate the flavors. Continue cooking and stirring continuously for 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp tender. Pour in the lime juice and cook an addition 1 minute.

Makes 6- 8 servings. This healthy slaw goes great with both a Mexican and a south western menu. Learn more about cooking with hot peppers and their associated health benefits.

You’ll find Watkins grapeseed oil, coleslaw seasonings, spices and more in the US store and the Canadian store.

Technorati Tags: Salads

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic or 1 teaspoon Watkins garlic granules
2 tablespoons Watkins chili powder
1 teaspoon Watkins black pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes, fresh or canned
1 tablespoon Watkins grapeseed oil
1 cup cooked turkey, diced or shredded
1 onion, chopped
3 cups water
1 tablespoon Watkins chicken coup and gravy base
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

Directions: Place the grapeseed oil in a soup kettle over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook 7 minutes. Place the garlic, chili powder, pepper, salt and 1/2 cup of the tomatoes into the blender. Blend together until mixture becomes juice consistency. Pour into the kettle. Continue cooking 7 minutes. Pour in the remaining 1 cup of tomatoes, water and the chicken soup base. Stir well to incorporate all the ingredients together. Cover the kettle and simmer 30 minutes. Add the turkey and beans and continue cooking 10 minutes longer.

Technorati Tags: soups

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Watkins caramel extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
optional decorations - candied or glace cherries, colored sugar, sprinkles

Directions: Heat oven to 300º. Cream butter, sugars and caramel extract in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour . The dough will be a bit dry and crumbly; you may use your hands to mix completely.

Roll dough into rectangle, 15 by 8 inches, on lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters or into 1 1/2-inch squares. Place about 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with colored sugar, sprinkles or half a glace cherry. Bake about 25 minutes or until set. These cookies brown very little, and they hold their shape. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Tip from the kitchen: best made with real butter!

Technorati Tags: cookies