Food
Lemon Meringue Pie Martini
Approximately 10 years ago we visited family in Eagle, Idaho, and they took us to a cool eatery called Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery. We had a drink there that night that we could not get out of our minds. And no, that’s not code for “we had too many.” Let me explain. Have you ever had lemon meringue pie? It’s tart, yet sweet and the meringue gives it a light, creamy finish. Now imagine if you put that pie in a martini glass. Are you with me now? Can you see how brilliant this is going to be? The Lemon Meringue Pie Martini at Bardenay’s tasted exactly like PIE. It was beyond…
How to Freeze Berries and Other Fruit
It wasn’t all too long ago that I didn’t spend much time in the kitchen. Then I had kids and apparently, you have to feed them ALL. THE. TIME. So, I’ve had ample opportunity in the last 6 or 7 years to practice all things culinary related. I have had my fair share of big fat flops. One of those is related to freezing berries and other fruit. Now, everyone loves a good comeback story, so I definitely did not let those berries get the best of me the next time. Go me. So, here’s my number one tip for freezing berries. Are you ready? TIP #1: Freeze berries in a…
Peach Freezer Jam That Actually Sets Up
UPDATE: The recipe described in this post is delicious. However, it was in response to a problem with the Sure Jell pectin recipe. The recipe in the Sure Jell pectin box has improved since this post was written. I have since made the jam using the Sure Jell directions and the jam has set up. Try them both and see what you think. Have I mentioned how much I love freezer jam? Okay, yes, I’ve mentioned it one or two million times. It just tastes so much fresher than cooked jam. Trust me. I’ve had great success making raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry and marionberry freezer jam. Peach jam? Not so…
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Here’s one of my rules to live by: “oatmeal raisin cookies should be soft and chewy.” It falls somewhere on the list between “treat others the way you want to be treated” and “always wear a slip with a dress.” Now that you know what my priorities are, my mission to find a homemade oatmeal raisin cookie recipe to end all recipes, doesn’t really seem all that ridiculous. Does it? So I began my quest (aka I Googled it) and after the longest 3.2 seconds of my life, I found a recipe that had almost 5 stars and close to 2,500 comments. I took that as a “sign” that my righteous quest was…
Bacon Feta Jalapeño Potato Salad
My husband doesn’t cook very often anymore. So when I came home last week to find him cooking up something that looked highly questionable, I’ll admit I had my doubts. Which, in retrospect, was totally the wrong attitude – especially if I’d like him to do more cooking. *insert major forehead slap here* When all was said and done, instead of eating crow, I ate two helpings of his potato salad. It all started with bacon. And, really, all good things start with bacon. I’m just not sure why it had to be on the grill, but I’m going with the flow here. Again, husband cooking = excellent idea. He…
Blueberry Freezer Jam with Frozen Berries
If you’ve known me for 3 seconds, you will know that I LOVE freezer jam. I love it so much that when we moved to Georgia, I packed a cooler with our remaining precious containers of jam and some ice packs and checked it as luggage on the plane. I’m sure TSA (and my family and friends) thought I was cuckoo, but I didn’t care! I brought a little piece of home to our new home. There’s just one little problem with freezer jam. Say it isn’t so! Freezer space can be a problem. Even having enough containers can be a problem. So, what’s a girl to do? Simple. Freeze berries in…
Dave’s Killer Bread Copycat Recipe
You know that point when you grow up and realize you’ve got to make your carbs count and white bread just isn’t doing you any favors? I’m totally kidding. A life without carbs…where’s the joy in that? However, I have moved passed my white bread phase onto a more heartier bread. It started for me several years ago when I tried Dave’s Killer Bread. If you live in the Northwest, you’ve probably heard of it and I hope, for your sake, that you’ve tried it. It combines the smooshie goodness you associate with white bread with the benefits of “healthy” bread (fiber, protein, whole grains, etc.). Plus, the story of…
Easy Strawberry Freezer Jam – fresh and delicious
I used to be scared of making jam. There’s no such thing as an easy strawberry jam recipe is there? Making freezer jam sounded complicated and like a heck of a lot of work. Plus, it never tasted good enough that I’d go through the trouble to make it myself. I have enough to fill my day, thank you very much. Then one day I tasted strawberry FREEZER jam, courtesy of my in-laws. I swear the clouds parted and my taste buds did their happy dance. It was so. darn. good. Possibly the best strawberry jam recipe ever! I was finally motivated to put on my big girl panties and attempt to…
