Moms Pickled Beets Recipe

My Mom was an industrious homemaker, she grew a large organic garden every year and then lovingly preserved the fresh picked produce. Here’s Mom’s pickled beet recipe, I found it written on a tattered, yellowed scrap of paper, tucked away safely in my recipe box. I’ve expanded on the details as the recipe only had the pickling solution.

Red BeetsYou’ll need:
10 1bs beets, cooked
7 quart or 14 pint canning jars with lids and rings
Canner with rack, or large pressure canner
Pickling solution, recipe below.

First, cook and peel beets. If you don’t know how read: How to cook beets. While the beets are cooking, wash and sterilize your canning jars and lids. Fill jars up to one half inch from the top with prepared beets, small ones can be left whole, large beets should be sliced. Prepare pickling solution.  Continue reading Moms Pickled Beets Recipe

Easy and Quick Vegetable Stir-Fry

I love stir fry, hubby does not! So as you can probably guess, I don’t make them as often as I would like, especially since the girls left home. The girls love making and eating stir fry as much as I do so I had allies when they lived at home. I’m glad they enjoy healthy eating and miss working with them in the kitchen. Here’s how to make an easy and quick vegetable stir-fry. Feel free to switch up the vegetables with what ever you have on hand!

Bok Choi Thanks to Live♥Laugh♥Love, on Flickr for the photo, click the image to see more of Sabrina’s photos.

2 tbsp sesame oil
1 chili, finely chopped
1 lb oriental mushrooms (oyster, shitake etc)
3 1/2 oz pine nuts
1 onion, sliced
1 lb green vegetables (Pak Choi, Bok Choi, Spinach, Chinese cabbage etc)
1 11 oz can baby corn, halved lengthwise
2 red bell peppers, sliced
3-4 tablespoons soy sauce
Handful fresh cilantro, chopped Continue reading Easy and Quick Vegetable Stir-Fry

Banana Ginger Jumbles

These moist, drop cookies combine the flavor of banana and ginger and will sure to become one of your family’s favorites! What a great way to use up those over ripe bananas you have sitting on your counter.

Watkins Spice Rack
Watkins Spice Rack

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 teaspoon Watkins ground ginger
2 eggs
1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (2 medium)
1/4 cup milk
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar, if desired Continue reading Banana Ginger Jumbles

Apple Cider Quick Bread

This moist delicious apple cider loaf is filled with healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, yogurt, grapeseed oil, apples and raisins. Like all quick bread recipes you can whip this up in no time to have a healthy treat for your family.
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons toasted wheat germ
2 tsp. Watkins Baking Powder
1 tsp. Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. Watkins Nutmeg
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 egg white
1/2 cup apple cider or unsweetened apple juice
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup Watkins grapeseed oil, original unflavored
1 tsp. Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 cup shredded peeled tart apple
1/3 cup golden raisins
1 tsp. Watkins Grated Orange Peel Continue reading Apple Cider Quick Bread

How To Make Croutons

If you have been wondering how to make croutons, you’ll be delighted to know it’s really easy. Homemade croutons are economical to make, taste better than store bought and they can be healthier for you too. You’ll find several crouton recipes here which are a delicious addition to your soups and salads. Try the whole wheat garlic croutons or one of the herb variations. I prefer to use whole wheat but you can use any type of bread you like, from white, sour dough to rye! Continue reading How To Make Croutons

Four Reasons Why You Need A Well Stocked Pantry

My mother taught me four great reasons why you need a well stocked pantry and freezer. In our modern world we often shop for groceries every day, just picking up what we need for the for the time being. Do you ask yourself if is this really is the best way to manage your shopping? Having a well stocked pantry will save you money, save time, plus you’ll enjoy less stress or worry and ensure that you have food during an emergency.

Stocking your pantry with commonly used ingredients will save you lots of time. You’ll spend less time shopping for food and it will make it easier for you to plan and serve meals when you have your most commonly used ingredients on hand. Nothing is worse than searching through recipes for tonight’s dinner and then finding out you are missing key ingredients.

If you purchase non-perishable foods and pantry essentials on sale and, or in bulk you’ll save money. You’ll also save money because you are organized and prepared so you’ll do less spur of the moment purchases for higher priced ingredients and you’ll also buy less prepared or expensive take out foods. An added benefit, already prepared foods and take out are not as healthy for your family either! Don’t forget every trip to the store costs you money for fuel plus wear and tear on your vehicle so you’ll also save money by reducing your transportation expenses.

You’ll be prepared in the case of emergencies! You never know when you’ll have to face an emergency due to bad weather, a natural disaster, illness or a loss of income. What if the supermarket’s shelves are bare because goods can’t be delivered due to a snow storm? Imagine dragging yourself or sick kids to the store when you have the flu. It doesn’t sound like much fun! If you have a well stocked pantry and freezer this won’t be a worry for you.

Life will definitely be less stressful if you have a some extra groceries on hand. Your menu planning will be easier, you’ll save time by running to the store less often, you’ll be prepared for an emergency and having extra money also means less financial worries.

What do you think? Do you prefer to have a well stocked pantry or do you prefer to do your grocery shopping daily? Do tell, we’d love to know!

Seasoned Greetings

During this special time of the year I’d like to wish you a warm, wonderful holiday filled with good food, happy memories and safe travels.

Food is always the center of our celebrations and family gatherings and we always take the time to remember that some people are not as fortunate as we are. This time of year I personally reflect on how many things I’m grateful for including an abundance of good food.

I hope you will enjoy all the joys of the season!

Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf

Enjoy a slice of this delicious poppy seed lemon loaf with a cup of coffee or tea. We’ve always found that this cake makes a nice snack or dessert. It freezes well so make an extra one to have on hand in the freezer to serve when you have unexpected company.

Ingredients for the cake:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon Watkins All-Natural Pure Lemon Extract
1 1/2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon Watkins baking powder
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
Peel of 1 lemon, grated or 1 teaspoon Watkins lemon peel
1/2 cup milk
Watkins Cooking Spray Continue reading Lemon Poppy Seed Loaf

Cooking With Herbs And Spices

Cooking with herbs and spices is as Martha says, “It’s A Good Thing!” You can easily change the flavor of plain meat and potatoes into a completely new dish by simply changing the herbs, spices and seasonings used in the recipe. Here are a few tips on how to best use herbs and spices when cooking and preparing meals. Continue reading Cooking With Herbs And Spices