• Recipes

    Homemade Vanilla Extract

    You Will Need 2 – 3 Whole Vanilla Beans (Approximately 1/2  Ounce) 1 Cup Brandy or Vodka 1 Jar with Tight Lid Split the vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seeds intact.  Place the vanilla beans in a jar and cover with alcohol.  Cap tightly.  If the beans are very long, you may have to cut them down so they are covered in alcohol.  Shake the jar once a day for approximately four – six weeks.  The mixture will turn a dark brown color and will become stronger in flavor with time.  You may infuse the vanilla beans for as long as you would like but a minimum…

  • Recipes

    Make Your Own Homemade Butter

    You Will Need 2 Cups Heavy Cream or Manufacturing Cream Sea Salt {optional} Pitcher of Ice Water Stand Mixer Wire Wisk Attachment Beater Attachment Splash Guard or Hand Towel To Cover Mixer Yield: 2 Cups Heavy Cream =  8 Ounces Butter plus approximately 1 Cup Buttermilk To begin, the heavy cream should be between 60°F and 65°F so it will separate quickly.  Per the instructions, I used one cup heavy cream at a time.  Begin with the wire whisk and mix until it forms firm peaks.  I set my mixer on medium high so it took maybe two to three minutes to reach that point.   I would suggest you cover the mixer with a…

  • Recipes

    One a day….

    ….chases the clouds away….  🙂 Add in the order shown…. A few ice cubes…. one part orange juice, one part mango juice…a cup total… …..a teaspoon of vanilla…. ….cut up one small banana and blend well in an 8 ounce bullet blender cup… …or your blender. Good stuff!

  • Recipes

    For Those Cold, Wet Days…or Nights

    White Hot Chocolate 1 Cup White Chocolate Chips 1 Cup Heavy Cream 4 Cups Half and Half 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract In a medium sized saucepan combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream.  Over medium heat, stir continuously until white chocolate chips have completely melted.  Stir in the half and half and vanilla extract.  Heat through while stirring occasionally.  Makes two to four servings, depending on the size of your mugs.  I use Ghirardelli Classic White Premium Baking Chips when I make this….delicious! For a printable copy, click here.  Homemade biscuit with butter and delicious Mayhaw jelly not included.   🙂

  • Recipes

    A Recipe or Two

    Confetti chicken is up on the menu tonight…. ….an easy to make dinner dish…. It can be served with a heavy cream sauce…. …or it can be prepared with just the vegetables and maybe some fresh mozzarella…. This is the Italian Seasoning I use….but like any recipe, this is a starting point…take it and run with it, make it your own.  I personally think some fresh, summer basil would also be a nice addition….something I will try this summer. Either way, I hope you enjoy.  Click here for Confetti Chicken and Spicy Cream Sauce.  Enjoy!  🙂  

  • Recipes

    Granola Revisited

    I’ll be honest…I’m struggling with the every day post this time…I think I need to get out and shoot a little more than I have been lately.  I made some granola this evening and thought I would re-post this for those who may not have seen it yet. Click here to get the recipe…..once the file opens up, you should be able to print directly from your browser.  Enjoy.  🙂

  • Recipes

    Heavenly Cream

    As I have mentioned several times recently, I’m attempting to catch up on some unfinished items.  One of those items is posting recipes for goodies I have featured in a previous post.  This heavenly delight is a giant cream puff….and yes, it is delicious!  Want to make one for yourself….check out the recipe here ~ and do enjoy!  🙂

  • Recipes

    Breakfast Burrito

    A quick and easy meal for breakfast tomorrow….you will need eggs, your favorite breakfast meat, cheese, taco sauce or salsa and flour tortillas.  Begin by scrambling some eggs. Add a bit of cooked, chopped bacon ~ sausage ~ or your breakfast meat of choice when the eggs are close to done.  Heat up enough burritos for your meal by placing the flour tortilla in a damp paper towel and place in microwave for about 20 seconds…just enough to warm them.  Turn the corners of the paper towel inward and roll from the bottom up.  Once the tortillas are heated, place a spoonful of your mixture in the center of a flour…

  • Recipes

    Artichoke Frittata

    Thanksgiving tomorrow…Christmas around the corner….hectic mornings with lots to do.  My very good friend Sharon turned me on to this dish years ago…something she served her family for breakfast Christmas morning.  And folks, if you like eggs, artichokes, onions and cheese ~ you are going to love this!   🙂  Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to prepare.  I like to enjoy mine with chopped tomatoes on top…or sometimes salsa.  As far as the cheese….I use sharp cheddar, but I would think you can substitute for your personal favorite. Interested ~ click here, prepare and enjoy!

  • Recipes

    Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap

    Not too long ago I wrote about a grilled chicken Caesar wrap I sometimes make myself for lunch and/or dinner.  I thought I would share my “how to” with you today.  These are the ingredients I’m using tonight…..hearts of romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, pre-packaged grilled chicken, olives and large flour tortillas.  I lightly heat up the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel….it makes them a little easier to work with and they are less likely to tear.  Wet the paper towel and wring out the excess water….you just want it damp, not soaking wet.  Place the tortilla on the paper towel and fold the bottom and sides…