One of the great things about summer is the variety of cool beverages that you can enjoy. While you don’t normally think of coffee along those lines of summer drinks, it can very well fit the bill if you make Iced Coffee.  You can have it with sugar and cream or without - whatever makes you happy.

Iced  Coffee

2 shots Espresso

2 Tbs. Condensed Milk

ice cubes

Thoroughly mix the Espresso and milk, then pour over ice.

Simple enough and you can make variations. You can pour the mixture into a  shaker and shake to add air, which produces foam.

You can make your ice cubes from cooled Espresso instead of water. Just fill an ice tray with your favorite coffee and freeze. If you are going to use sugar in your drink, add it to the mixture that you’re freezing also. That way, when the ice starts to melt, you won’t have a watered down Iced Coffee.

And, of course, you can make an Iced Coffee Slushy - throw it all into a blender and give it a  whirl. A little bit of  Khaula added to the mixture wouldn’t hurt either.

If you don’t have an Espresso Machine, go on over to our sister site and find out about The Espresso Machine.

This is an example of a compelling reason to shop for your espresso machine online.

Do you remember when you could go to a good butcher shop and buy premium cuts of meat? Boy, I do. Most of the butcher shops are closed now, but Omaha Steaks still produces that special cut of meat that you can’t find locally anymore.

The premium cuts seem to be reserved for the upscale restaurants that charge a week’s salary for a meal for two to enjoy.  Well, not anymore. Right now, Omaha Steaks has a special going on that saves you 60% off the price of several assortments of meat. Plus, you get a 10 piece cutlery set for free.

Why Omaha Steaks?

• Grain-fed Beef.
• Inspected by the USDA for your safety.
• Naturally aged to unlock full flavor & tenderness.
• Trimmed by hand for consistency.
• Individually vacuum-wrapped to eliminate freezer burn and allows you to thaw just the number of steaks you need.
• Flash-frozen to capture freshness and flavor.
• Fast and friendly expert service.

That’s just the technical stuff. There is hardly any way that you can describe the exquisite taste of Omaha steaks. I remember the first time that I ate an Omaha steak. It was like nothing I had experienced before. I have dined at some fine restaurants, but there is nothing like taking one those fabulous steaks off of your own grill.

They deliver the product packaged in dry ice in a really neat reusable cooler. They will even cut to order for you. I don’t know about you, but I like to make sure that  I have enough food to ‘go around’ for everyone. My son-in-law often goes back for  thirds, lol.

Whether you have a special occasion coming up, or you just want to indulge yourself, check out Omaha Steaks. You won’t be disappointed. They offer an unconditional 100% guarantee, but you won’t need it.

She can use  it to keep her original recipes organized. Have you ever seen her going through a mountain of papers that have one recipe scribbled on each piece of paper looking for a certain recipe? She can put those recipes into her new software to help her save time. She can also use the software to download recipes from the Internet that she finds interesting instead of printing each recipe out - there’s another scrap of paper that she doesn’t have to keep track of.

Cookbook software has really improved in the past few years. You can manage your recipe collection, plan meals, create grocery lists, and figure the nutritional analysis for any recipe. I like Living Cookbook Recipe Management Software for a variety reasons. This software is very easy to use and that is an extremely useful feature for most people. Let’s face it, if it’s too difficult to work with, most people won’t even try it.

You can format your cookbook to look just like a ‘real’ cookbook. You can make the print, or font, any size you want. No more magnifying glass!

The Living Cookbook software has a 30 day free trial, so you could even download the software and “borrow” your Mothers recipes and make a family cookbook to give her for a Mothers Day present. You could print the cookbook and take it to a local office supply store and have them laminate the front and back cover and spiral bind it for you for an economical price.

This would be a really unique Mothers Day crafts project that you could do for your Mother.

The software has a feature that lets you include a picture above each recipe. This could be a picture of the completed recipe, or you could scan her original hand written recipe and use that instead. My Mother has passed on, and, believe me, it really is wonderful to have her original hand writing above those precious family recipes.

We have done another cookbook that includes recipes from my Mother, Grandmother and Aunt. It has recipes that were always served at family reunions and we used their hand written recipes in the pictures. It really is beautiful. It would be hard to find a more unique present for your Mother on Mothers Day.

Pinto beans are among the most nutritious of all of the plant foods. They are high in protein, B-complex vitamins, iron, potassium and other minerals. They also provide large amounts of fiber, including the soluble type, that are important in controlling blood cholesterol levels.

Pinto beans are great all by themselves or they can be added to soups, stews, dips and casseroles.  This is one of my favorite recipes from my Southern Wild Game and Seafood Cookbook for Pinto beans.

How To Cook Pinto Beans

This makes a spicy side dish.

2 Lbs.    Pinto Beans, Dried
1/8 Lb.   Salt Pork
2 tsp.    Chili Powder
1 Tbs.    Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbs.    Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 Tbs.    Jane’s Krazy Mixed Up Salt
1 Tbs     Lawry’s Garlic Salt
1 Tbs     Oregano, Dried
1 Tbs     Beef Bouillon

1 Sort beans according to package directions. Remove the broken and discolored beans.

2 Wash thoroughly. Cover in cool water and lift them out of the water into the stockpot. You may need to do this two or three times to remove all of the dirt, depending on your region of the country.

3 Cover with water and soak overnight, or do the ‘quick soak’ method. The quick soak method is when you put the beans into the stockpot and cover with at least 3″ of water over the top level of the beans. Bring the pot to a boil, cover and remove from the heat. Let this stand for 1 hour.

4 Add the rest of the ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer,  covered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

5 If you want the liquid thickened, tilt the lid during the last hour of cooking.

Servings: 10

Cooking Tips
For a healthier alternative, substitute 4 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for the salt pork. It’s not Southern, but it is still very tasty. Pinto Beans are the backbone of many of our soup, chili and stew recipes. We always cook a large batch and freeze the leftovers to be used in many recipes.

If you prefer to cook the beans in a crock-pot, use the  soaking method of your choice, then cook on low for 10 to 12 hours.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories   178.65
Calories From Fat (28%)   49.69
% Daily Value
Total Fat 5.57g   9%
Saturated Fat 1.88g   9%
Cholesterol 5.08mg   2%
Sodium 686.36mg   29%
Potassium 427.80mg   12%
Carbohydrates 24.67g   8%
Dietary Fiber 8.68g   35%
Sugar 0.11g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 15.99g
Protein 8.66g   17%
MyPoints 3.2

Green tea is rapidly becoming one of the most popular beverages across the globe, because not only does it offer a fabulous taste and versatility, but green tea benefits your health and well being as well. The Chinese have long used green tea for the health benefits that it offers for thousands of years. Green tea is not hype, but rather is backed by scientific research that is showing that the green tea benefits are real, legitimate and measurable.

Green tea contains catechin polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate, which is why green tea benefits the body in so many ways. You may better know epigallocatechin gallate as EGCG, a very powerful antioxidant that can help to curb the growth of cancer cells within the body, also possibly killing off already existent cancer cells without attacking the body’s healthy tissues and cells. EGCG is also capable of preventing blood clots, which will curb the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.

Green tea has also been shown to alleviate pain that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis in addition to fighting infections, repairing the immune system, and even preventing cardiovascular disease. Green tea benefits are not limited to just one or two facets of the human body, but rather it positively impacts your overall health and well being.

Another of the green tea benefits that are worth considering is that green tea has been linked to helping people lose weight, according to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and the University of Geneva. The conclusion of the study was that when men were given green tea as a staple in their diet, they lost more weight and burned more calories than those who did not incorporate green tea into their diet. Additionally, green tea has been linked to fighting tooth decay and promoting a healthy smile. Green tea is capable of destroying bacteria, killing off the bacteria that cause plaque and abscesses in your mouth.

The ECGC in green tea can also help to boost your metabolism, eliminating the free radicals that cause cancer and other harm to your body. Free radicals can damage your cells, leading to premature aging, the development of cancers and other damage to your body. The antioxidants found in green tea can contribute to making you feel younger and healthier and can give you an overall improved sense of well being.

Green tea benefits the body in a multitude of ways and is inexpensive and tastes great. Green tea is often organically produced, meaning that it is completely natural and cannot harm your body. Green tea has a taste that is naturally sweet, but balances well by an almost pleasant bitterness. It has a complex taste with a lot of depth, allowing it to appeal to the general public. Because anyone can afford green tea, and because it can be made fresh so easily, it is easy to implement green tea into your daily life in order to get all of the green tea benefits that your body needs.

Anyone that loves to cook would really appreciate this thoughtful gift for Christmas. Removing odors from your hands can be a challenge for most cooks and this little beauty solves the problem.

Love cooking with garlic and onions, but hate the smell they leave on your hands? Then this little item is a must have for you. This Stainless Steel Soap Bar by Blomus removes smells from your hands such as garlic, fish, and onion in a hurry! It’s easy to use, just run your hands under cool water and rub the bar between your palms, no liquid soap needed. Dry off and you’re ready to greet your guests at the door. The only clue to the question ‘What’s For Dinner’ will be the delicious aroma coming from your kitchen, NOT your hands.

Features: Made of stainless steel. Removes smells from your hands Great for removing odors from garlic, fish, onion and more Includes black soap dish.

Click the picture to get more information.

The spices are really the most expensive part of this recipe, but they will make many, many batches of this wonderful sausage. The money savings are a big plus and this is a great time of year to save by making your own appetizers.
Serving Size : 36

Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
——– ———— ——————————–
5 Lbs Ground Venison
2 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
2 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, Coarsely Ground
2 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Hickory Smoked Salt
6 tsp Morton’s TenderQuick
3 Tbs Liquid Smoke
1 tsp Garlic, Granulated

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well and place in the refrigerator.

For the next two days, take out of the refrigerator daily, re-mix the ingredients and return to the refrigerator. Keep the mixture tightly covered.

On the third day, divide the mixture into seven equal portions and roll each portion out into a roll.

Place the rolls on a rack over an oven broiler pan and bake in the oven at 175 degrees for 13 hours. Turn each roll after the first six hours of baking.

Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients)
———————————————-
Calories: 74
Calories From Fat: 16
Total Fat: 1.8g
Cholesterol: 11.3mg
Sodium: 349.8mg
Potassium: 4.3mg
Carbohydrates: <1g
Fiber: <1g
Sugar: <1g
Protein: 13.7g

Cooking Tip: You can serve this by itself, with crackers, or on rye bread with any type of mustard you like. We also serve this on a platter with different cheeses, olives and cherry tomatoes. It makes a beautiful centerpiece. The crowd loves this one.

Comments: This is great to have on hand when unexpected Company drops by.

Well, I found just such a device. It sanitizes your food in a bowl using ordinary tap water. In addition to that, there is a spray bottle attachment that you use for household cleaning. Oh, by the way, for you other new grandmothers, there is an attachment to sterilize BABY BOTTLES! Bingo!!! You can use the bowl to sterilize the baby’s toys, pacifiers and other things.

I view this as a win-win situation. My brother says “if you look in the dictionary under ‘anal kitchen cleanliness’ that you will find my picture there”. “Ha” I say. Just think of all of the time saved by NOT going to the emergency room after a meal at my house. I am seriously serious regarding that topic.

Check out the video from the manufacturers of the product.

Lotus Sanitizing System

Save money on household cleaning products and give yourself peace of mind knowing your food is safe all at the same time.

Katherine Baldwin

Easy Meatloaf Recipe

Amount  Measure       Ingredient — Preparation Method
——–  ————  ——————————–
3      Lbs.                Ground Chuck
6      ounces           Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
2      slices             Bread, Toasted and Pulled Apart
1/2  Cup                 Green Bell Pepper, Diced
1/2  Cup                 Celery, Chopped
1                            Onion, Diced
2                            Eggs, Beaten
6      ounces           Tomato Sauce

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Combine all ingredients except the Cheddar Cheese in a bowl large enough to mix the ingredients together, approximately a 4 quart size. Use a spoon to mix with so the heat from your hands will not warm the mixture. It is easier to work with if it is as cool as possible.

2. Line a drip pan with foil and use a rack over the pan so the drippings can drip through.

3. Place half of the mixture on the rack and shape into a rectangle. Press on the edges to form a ridge all the way around, similar to making a pie crust.

4. When the base is formed, evenly spread the shredded cheese over the flat part of the base.

5. Place the remaining meatloaf mixture in flattened sections over the cheese. Use your hands to spread the mixture to a thin layer, covering the whole base.

6. Press all the way around to seal the cheese inside the meatloaf so that it doesn’t come out while the meatloaf is cooking.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for one and a half hours.

8. Remove from oven and let stand for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients)
———————————————-
Calories: 396
Calories From Fat: 202
Total Fat: 22.1g
Cholesterol: 177.3mg
Sodium: 402mg
Potassium: 726.6mg
Carbohydrates: 6.9g
Fiber: 1.1g
Sugar: 2.4g
Protein: 40.4g

Cooking Tip: If you want this to be an Italian Meat Loaf, add some Italian seasoning to the mixture and substitute Mozzarella Cheese instead of Cheddar Cheese.

Comments: Spicy and stuffed with cheese. The way meatloaf should be.

Katherine Baldwin

Spicy Chicken Creole

This is my variation of Shrimp Creole for those who prefer to not eat shellfish. Some people are allergic to shellfish and are unable to eat any variety of it. This gives them an alternative using chicken, but the flavor is definitely still there for lovers of Creole.

4 Tbs            Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1½ cups        Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1½ cups        Onion, chopped
1½ cups        Celery, chopped
3 cloves         Garlic, minced
1 pound         Chicken, Boneless, Skinless Breast Meat, trimmed and cubed
28 ounces      Tomatoes, Whole Canned
1 Tbs.            Paprika
1/2 tsp.          Cayenne
1 tsp.             Salt
1 tsp.             Pepper, fresh ground
1 cup             Water
1                    Bay Leaf
4 Tbs.            Corn Starch
1/2 Cup          Ice Water
2 Cups           Rice, cooked

1 Heat Olive oil in a deep sauté pan over medium heat.
2 Lightly sauté the bell pepper, celery and onions.
3 Add the cubed chicken and stir to lightly brown all sides.
4 Add the garlic and stir to combine all ingredients.
5 Add the tomatoes, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, Bay leaf and water. Stir to combine   ingredients.
6 Reduce heat, cover pan with lid and simmer for 25 minutes.
7 When cooking has finished, combine the corn starch with the ice water. Stir to make a   paste. Add to the pan and stir continuously until mixture is thickened.
8 Serve over rice.

Servings: 4

Cooking Tips
Put a damp paper towel under your cutting board to prevent it from moving.
Either dice the chicken after chopping the vegetables or use a seperate cutting board for the chicken to prevent cross contamination.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 serving
Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.

Amount Per Serving
Calories   272.67
Calories From Fat (10%)   28.55
% Daily Value
Total Fat 3.34g   5%
Saturated Fat 0.61g   3%
Cholesterol 10.30mg   3%
Sodium 649.40mg   27%
Potassium 957.73mg   27%
Carbohydrates 53.06g   18%
Dietary Fiber 6.18g   25%
Sugar 13.67g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 46.88g
Protein 9.86g   20%
MyPoints 4.9

You can freeze the leftovers, if you have any!