The Grateful Girl Cooks!

23
Jan
2017

How To Can Strawberry Jam

571 Shares

Make your own delicious strawberry jam at home and can it for long term storage, using a water bath canner and safe canning guidelines.
One of the first things I ever learned how to can was Strawberry Jam. There’s just something about a jar of home-canned jam that makes it special. Do you know how to can strawberry jam? It’s not so hard. Really! It can be made year-round, due to the availability of this delicious fruit.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

We LOVE Fresh Strawberries!

I grow strawberries in my small backyard garden, and love to have them to snack on. But when I am going to make jam, I usually end up going to a local U-Pick farm in the Spring and picking a large amount of them, as you can see from the photo below.

Regardless of how you “get” the strawberries (growing them, grocery store or picking them at a farm), jars of homemade strawberry jam are wonderful to have in the pantry to enjoy. It’s also great to have jars available to give as gifts throughout the year.

Strawberry Jam is canned for long term storage using a water bath canner. While getting the jam made and ready for canning, you can begin heating the water in a canner, and prepping jars, lids and rings per manufacturer instructions, so everything is ready to go when the jam is ready.

How To Can Strawberry Jam

Start by placing clean and de-stemmed strawberries in a large bowl and crush them. I use my potato masher to crush the fruit. You can also use a food processor for this, but do not puree the fruit. Use the pulse button to chop up the strawberries. You need small pieces of the strawberries in the jam!

Measure the exact amount of crushed fruit the recipe calls for into a large heavy saucepot. Add fresh lemon juice and 1 box of powdered pectin into the fruit; stir to combine. I also add 1/2 teaspoon of butter to the fruit, which helps to keep the fruit from foaming too much while it cooks (but this is optional).

Measure exact amount of sugar into a separate bowl. Set aside until ready to add to the hot fruit mixture.

Cook The Strawberry Jam

Bring the strawberry mixture to a FULL ROLLING BOIL over High heat. Stir mixture CONSTANTLY. NOTE: A full rolling boil means that the strawberry mixture doesn’t stop boiling, even when you are stirring it). As soon as mixture comes to a full rolling boil, dump ALL the sugar in at once, and stir well, to combine.

Bring the jam mixture back to a FULL ROLLING BOIL, then let it boil for 4 minutes. Be sure to stir jam constantly so it won’t burn on the bottom of pan. Remove pan from heat. Skim off any foam that appears on top of jam and discard.

Filling The Jars

Ladle the hot jam quickly into clean, pre-heated jars. Fill each jar almost to top, leaving 1/8 inch headspace. Insert a non-metallic utensil into each jar two or three times to remove air bubbles, then adjust the headspace, if necessary.

Wipe the rims of each jar with a wet paper towel or clean dishcloth to remove any jam residue (residue would prevent jars from sealing properly). Cover each jar with prepared flat lid, add screw band and tighten to fingertip tightness. Place the hot jars (using canning tongs) onto a canning rack.

Processing Strawberry Jam

Lower rack into simmering water in canner (the reason the jars must be on a slightly elevated rack is so the jars don’t crack while in contact with direct heat on bottom of pan). Make sure the hot water completely covers the jar tops by a couple inches (add additional hot water if needed). Cover the canner. Bring the water inside to a gentle boil. Once boiling, process the jam for 10 minutes.

When the processing time is complete, remove jars and place them upright on a dish towel until they have cooled completely. Do not place hot jars directly onto kitchen counter, because temperature variances could cause the jars to crack.

Test The Seal Before Storing The Jars

Once jars have completely cooled (12 hours or overnight), make sure to test the seal on the jars before storing in pantry. Press the middle part of the lid. If the lid springs back, the seal is bad, and the jam will need to be stored in the refrigerator. If the jars have a good seal, label and store in pantry, as they are now shelf stable. I unscrew and remove the rings before storing.

When ready to use, open up a jar, and spread some of that thick, sweet strawberry jam goodness on a piece of toast… and ENJOY the delicious work of your hands! Now you know how to can strawberry jam. YUM!

Have a wonderful day! Spring is just around the corner… can’t wait to get out there, pick some fresh delicious strawberries and make yummy strawberry jam! I’ve given away so many jars of homemade jam to friends and family recently, I need to make more just so WE can have some around to enjoy this year! Go figure! Have a great day.

Looking For More JAM Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have many jam recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so. If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: Written instructions with box of MCP Premium 100% Natural Fruit Pectin

0 from 0 votes

How To Can Strawberry Jam

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

40 mins

Make your own delicious strawberry jam at home and can it for long term storage, using a water bath canner and safe canning guidelines.

Category: Jam, Jam / Canning and Preserving

Cuisine: American

Keyword: strawberry jam

Servings: 11 cups (5.5 pints approx.)

Calories Per Serving: 39 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

5 3/4 cups crushed strawberries (approx. 6 pints of strawberries)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 small box MCP powdered pectin (2 ounces) (some boxes are 1.75 ounces now)
1/2 teaspoon butter (to help cut down on foaming-optional)
8½ cups granulated sugar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

While getting jam ready for canning, begin heating water in canner, and prep jars, lids and rings per manufacturer instructions , so they're ready to go once jam is ready.
Place strawberries in large bowl and crush them (I use my potato masher to crush the fruit). You can use a food processor for this, but do not puree fruit. Use pulse button to chop fruit. You need small pieces of strawberries in the jam!
Measure exact amount of fruit the recipe calls for into large saucepot. Add fresh lemon juice and 1 box powdered pectin; stir to combine. (I add 1/2 teaspoon of butter also, which helps keep foam amount down during cooking.
Measure exact amount of sugar into separate bowl. Set aside.
Bring strawberry mixture to a FULL ROLLING BOIL on High heat. Stir mixture constantly (*A full rolling boil means the fruit doesn't stop boiling, even while stirring). As soon as mixture comes to a full rolling boil, dump ALL the sugar in at once, and stir well, to combine.
Bring jam back to a FULL ROLLING BOIL, then let it boil for 4 minutes. Be sure to stir jam constantly. When done, remove pan from heat. Skim off any foam on top of jam and discard.
Ladle hot jam quickly into clean, pre-heated jars. Fill each jar, leaving 1/8 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles from jar by inserting a non-metallic utensil into jar 2 or 3 times. Wipe rims of jars with wet paper towel or dishcloth to remove any jam residue (residue prevents jars from sealing properly). Cover jars with prepared flat lid, add screwband and tighten. Place jars carefully (using canning tongs) onto canning rack. Lower rack into hot simmering water in canner. Make sure hot water completely covers jar tops by a couple inches (add additional hot water if needed). Cover the canner.
Bring water in canner to a gentle boil. Once boiling, process jam for 10 minutes.
When processing time is complete, remove jars and place them upright on a dish towel on counter until they've cooled completely (do not place hot jars directly onto kitchen counter. Temperature variances could cause jars to crack).
Once jars have completely cooled (12 hours or overnight), make sure to test seal on the jars before storing in pantry. (Press middle part of the lid with index finger. If it springs back, seal is bad, and jar will need to be stored in refrigerator). If jars have a good seal, label the jars and store in pantry.

Nutrition Facts

How To Can Strawberry Jam

Amount Per Serving (1 Tablespoon)

Calories 39

% Daily Value*

Potassium 7mg0%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Sugar 9g10%

Vitamin C 2.9mg4%

Calcium 1mg0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

19
Jan
2017

Smoked Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet

categories: Beef, Main Dishes

47 Shares

Pin47

Yum

Smoked Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet is a delicious meal, with beef kielbasa, veggies and rice, and can be made in under 30 minutes!

Are you looking for an easy “all in one pan” dish to prepare quickly after a busy day? How about this recipe for a Smoked Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet? This meal with meat, broccoli, onions, bell peppers and rice can be made in under 30 minutes!

A few months ago my husband and I had dinner with friends prior to their move to Japan for a new work assignment. I asked my friend Erin (who has tried other recipes of mine) what type of recipes she would like to see on my blog that would help her feed her family of 5. She said she loves easy One Pan meals.

Well, when I saw this recipe on Pinterest pop up, I knew it would fit the bill! S0 I tried it, and found this meal to be tasty, filling, and economical. This sausage veggie rice skillet is also EASY to make, so I am sharing it here on the old blog!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At the Bottom Of The Page

How To Make The Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet:

First thing you will need to do is get all the veggies prepped/sliced and have the rice ready to cook before you begin.

Heat olive oil on medium heat in large skillet. When hot, add sliced sausage. Cook until sausage has lightly browned. Add the minced garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional minute, stirring often so the garlic won’t burn.

Add The Colorful Veggies

Add the sliced bell peppers, onion, broccoli, chicken broth and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir well, to combine all the ingredients.

Simmer the smoked sausage veggie rice skillet uncovered on low heat for 10-12 minutes. Cook until the liquid has been fully absorbed.

Stir In the Rice

While sausage and veggies are cooking, cook the rice per package instructions. When done, stir the 2 cups of hot, cooked rice into sausage/veggie mixture.

Season And Serve!

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add any other additional spices you may want to add to the sausage veggie rice skillet. Immediately sprinkle the hot dish with grated mozzarella cheese. Continue cooking on low heat without stirring until heated through. Cheese on top should be melted. Serve sausage veggie rice skillet dish hot.

That’s it! Not bad for an “all in one” smoked sausage veggie rice skillet, right? It really does fills you up, too! Depending on the portion size you choose, you can expect to get between 4 and 5 servings out of this meal. EASY PEASY, and it tastes GOOD!

If you enjoy cooking with kielbasa an sausages and enjoy EASY dinners, then try my recipes for Simple Chicken Sausage Pasta, Italian Sausage & Potato Casserole, and Sweet n’ Sticky Polska Kielbasa (only 2 ingredients!).

Hope you will give this ridiculously easy smoked sausage veggie rice skillet recipe a try. It’s very tasty! Be sure to check out ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. Have a fantastic day, and God Bless You!

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://www.hillshirefarm.com/recipes/easy-smoked-sausage-skillet

0 from 0 votes

Smoked Sausage, Veggie and Rice Skillet

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

Smoked Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet is a delicious meal, with beef kielbasa, veggies and rice, and can be made in under 30 minutes!

Category: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sausage veggie rice skillet

Servings: 5 servings

Calories Per Serving: 450 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1 package smoked sausage link (I used Hillshire Farm), cut into 1/4 inch slices
¼ cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves , minced
½ red bell pepper , thinly sliced
½ yellow bell pepper , thinly sliced
1 small yellow onion , thinly sliced
1 small package frozen broccoli , thawed (approx. 1½-2 cups)
½ cup chicken broth (can substitute water)
½ cup tomato sauce
2 cups pre-cooked rice (prepared according to package directions)
½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
salt and pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Heat olive oil in large skillet. When hot, add sliced sausage. Cook until sausage has lightly browned. Add minced garlic; cook for an additional minute, stirring often so that garlic will not burn.
Add sliced peppers, onion, broccoli, chicken broth and tomato sauce to the skillet. Stir to combine ingredients and simmer on low heat for 10-12 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed.
While sausage and veggies are cooking, cook rice per package instructions. Stir hot, prepared rice into sausage/veggie mixture when done.
Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Immediately sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese and serve while hot.

Recipe Notes

This dish (as written)is not highly seasoned (which is great for kids!). If desired, add additional spices (garlic powder, dried chili pepper flakes, etc.) to suit your personal taste. May also substitute Pepper Jack cheese (for the mozzarella) for a bit more spice!

Nutrition Facts

Smoked Sausage, Veggie and Rice Skillet

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/5 of total))

Calories 450 Calories from Fat 279

% Daily Value*

Fat 31g48%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 54mg18%

Sodium 876mg38%

Potassium 430mg12%

Carbohydrates 26g9%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 14g28%

Vitamin A 740IU15%

Vitamin C 66.7mg81%

Calcium 117mg12%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

16
Jan
2017

Butter-Topped Homemade White Bread

categories: Breads

461 Shares

Pin461

Yum

You will love these delicious loaves of butter-topped homemade white bread, and the wonderful smell in your kitchen while they bake!
What do you do when you’re housebound because of snow and ice for days and days? Well… I like to bake, so I tried a new recipe, and made some absolutely delicious Butter-Topped Homemade White Bread. It tastes amazing!

Recently we had almost 9 inches of snow overnight, and it stuck around for a week due to a crazy layer of ice AND well below freezing temperatures. We were almost out of bread, so I decided to bake a couple loaves of homemade white bread, using a recipe I found on Pinterest.

It was a bloggers old family recipe from their Grandma Rosebud… and boy was it GOOD! The recipe is absolutely going into my permanent collection of “make again” homemade bread recipes! Our “snowed in house” smelled amazing as it baked, and the bread turned out perfect!

Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Make The Dough For Homemade White Bread

Dissolve yeast in warm water until bubbly (about 5 minutes). Then add (in the bowl of a stand mixer), sugar, salt, butter and more warm water and mix, using the paddle attachment.

Add part of the flour (5 cups) while mixer is on Low speed and the dough is mixing. Once the flour is mixed in, add the remaining flour slowly until dough is smooth. I ended up only adding 4 additional cups of flour.

(Note**: At this point if you have a really LARGE stand mixer, continue on with a dough hook. I added a dough hook (as in photo) but realized there was too much dough for my small stand mixer to handle as it mixed, so at this point in the recipe I removed the dough to a lightly floured work surface and continued by hand).

Kneading The Dough-Two Options

You can either divide dough in half and use the dough hook for each portion, OR you can knead the dough by hand. I like to knead the dough by hand. Knead the dough (either method you choose) for 10 minutes. Here is what the dough looked like after kneading.

Let The Bread Dough Rise

Lightly spray a large bowl with cooking spray (or butter). Place the kneaded dough in the bowl and flip over, so that the dough is completely covered with cooking spray. Cover the homemade white bread dough (I used several dish towels) and put it in a warm spot to let the dough rise for an hour. The dough should double in size.

Form The Loaves Of Homemade White Bread

After an hour, punch down the dough with your fist (boom!); divide the dough in half and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out each piece until each piece is about 12 x 12 square. Make sure the dough is of uniform thickness.

Roll up each piece tightly, and seal the edges well. Repeat the process with the other piece of dough, being sure to tuck the ends of dough under the bread and placing the seam side down.

Lightly spray two 9 inch bread loaf pans (bottom and sides). Place bread dough into pans, seam side down. Cover pans, put them in a warm spot, and let dough rise for another hour.

Bake The Loaves Of Homemade White Bread

Once the dough has doubled in size, place loaves on low rack in preheated 425 degree oven. Bake for 15 minutes; then lightly cover each loaf with aluminum foil (so it won’t get too brown), then continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. (30 minutes total- half uncovered, half covered).

As soon as the homemade white bread is done baking, remove from oven, place pans on wire rack, and brush the tops with melted butter.

Once bread has cooled slightly, remove loaves from the bread pans. Don’t the finished loaves look great? Look how tall the loaves are, also!

Time To Enjoy A Slice (or two!)

Once the bread has cooled down a bit, cut a big ol’ slice with a serrated knife. My husband and I could hardly wait to try a warm slice of homemade white bread with some butter on it! Wow- it tasted fantastic!

We’ve been enjoying toast for breakfast, as well as having thick slices of bread with soup or our dinner as we wait for the snow to melt this week.

I really cannot express to you just how good this homemade white bread was (and still is!). Yes… the downside of baking your own bread is that it takes a bit of time waiting for the dough to rise, but the end result is well worth it in every way!

Besides… when you are snowed in, you’ve got all the time in the world! Sure do hope you will consider making this delicious bread. Have a great day!

Looking For More BREAD Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some lovely bread recipes, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://www.thecurvycarrot.com/2011/03/28/rosebuds-butter-topped-white-bread/

0 from 0 votes

Butter-Topped Homemade White Bread

Prep Time

2 hrs 30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

3 hrs

You will love these delicious loaves of homemade, butter-topped white bread, and the comforting, wonderful smell in your kitchen while they bake!

Category: Bread

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade white bread

Servings: 20 slices (2 loaves)

Calories Per Serving: 258 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

4½ teaspoons dry active yeast (or two packets)
3/4 cup warm water (don't use HOT or it can kill the yeast!)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
3 Tablespoons butter (room temperature, cut into pieces)
2 + 2/3 cups additional warm water
9-10 cups all purpose flour (I ended up only needing 9)
4 Tablespoons (½ cube) butter, melted (to brush on finished loaves)
Non-stick cooking spray (or butter) (to coat bowl and loaf pans)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Dissolve yeast in warm (not hot!) water until bubbly in bowl of stand mixer (about 5 minutes). Add sugar, salt, butter and more warm water and mix, using paddle attachment. Add 5 cups of flour slowly while mixer is on low speed until dough is mixed together. Slowly add remaining flour until dough is smooth. I ended up only adding 4 additional cups of flour (a total of 9 cups).
You can either divide dough in half and use the dough hook and stand mixer for each portion or you can knead the dough by hand. I chose to knead the dough by hand on a lightly floured surface. Knead dough (either method you choose) for 10 minutes.
Lightly spray large bowl with cooking spray (or butter). Place dough in bowl and flip over, so dough is covered with cooking spray. Cover dough and put in a warm spot to rise for an hour.
After an hour, punch down dough with your fist; divide dough in half; place on lightly floured surface. Roll out dough (one at a time) until each is about 12 x 12 square. Make sure the dough is of uniform thickness. Roll up each piece tightly; seal the edges well and tuck ends under the bread; set aside, seam side down. Repeat the process with other half of dough.
Lightly spray two 9 inch loaf pans (bottom and sides). Place bread dough into pans, seam side down. Cover pans, put them in a warm spot, and let dough rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
Place loaves on low rack in preheated 425 degree oven. Bake 15 minutes; then lightly cover each loaf with aluminum foil (so it won't get too brown); continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. (30 minutes total- half uncovered, half covered). As soon as bread is done, remove pans from oven, place on wire rack, and brush top of loaves with melted butter.
Once bread has cooled slightly, remove loaves from the bread pans. Slice and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

If you have a small standing mixer, I would advise dividing the dough and kneading each portion separately using mixer and dough hook OR kneading the dough by hand. Kneading entire amount by hand was much quicker! There is a LOT of dough (too much for a small mixer to handle without burning out motor).

Nutrition Facts

Butter-Topped Homemade White Bread

Amount Per Serving (1 slice)

Calories 258 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 10mg3%

Sodium 386mg17%

Potassium 85mg2%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 120IU2%

Calcium 10mg1%

Iron 2.7mg15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

12
Jan
2017

Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Mushrooms

categories: Bacon, Side Dishes, Vegetable Dishes

201 Shares

Pin201

Yum

Pan-seared Brussel sprouts with bacon, mushrooms, shallots, butter and garlic are a perfect side dish for your holiday dinner, or any other meal!
If you like trying new vegetable dishes, I’m sure you will LOVE this simple side dish recipe for Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Mushrooms!

We enjoyed this delicious side dish with our dinner recently! This delicious veggie dish is a perfect one to be enjoyed for the holidays or other meals!

I grew up not liking Brussel sprouts at all, but as an adult, I’ve come to love them! We eat them pan-seared, roasted, steamed, and practically every way they can be prepared.

I decided to create a new recipe from scratch, to come up with a new way to enjoy them!

For this recipe I pan-seared Brussel sprouts with bacon, then added mushrooms, shallots, salt, pepper, minced garlic. I finished this dish off with a touch of butter. The results are DELICIOUS!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Brussel Sprouts With Bacon and Mushrooms

Chop up the bacon and add it to a large skillet. I like to use kitchen scissors to cut the slices of bacon into tiny pieces before cooking. It makes the bacon cook a lot faster this way!

Cook the bacon on medium heat 2-3 minutes, until it is about half-way done.

Place brussel sprouts (that have been cut in half) into the same skillet. Continue to pan-sear the vegetables in the bacon drippings for a couple minutes.

If necessary, you might want to add a little bit of olive oil to skillet, in order to keep from burning the veggies. Lightly season the brussel sprouts with salt and pepper.

Continue cooking the brussel sprouts until they begin begin to soften (3-4 minutes). Make sure to turn them over to the other side, half way through cooking time.

Measure 3 Tablespoons of water into the pan, and cook until the water has dissipated.

Add the sliced mushrooms and shallots to the skillet. Continue cooking until the mushrooms are done and cooked through (approx. 3-4 minutes).

Stir in the minced garlic, and cook for an additional minute, stirring often, so you won’t burn the garlic.

To Finish Cooking The Brussel Sprouts

At this point, the brussel sprouts and mushrooms should be cooked through. Toss a tiny pat of butter into the skillet, and stir until it melts and coats the veggies.

NOTE: **Butter is completely optional, but it does add more flavor… just sayin’.

Serving The Brussel Sprouts

Remove pan from the heat, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and then serve the brussel sprouts. Transfer them to a serving plate, and dig in!

The bacon will be fully cooked , the Brussel sprouts will be tender, and there will be a whole lot of flavor going on!

Brussel sprouts with bacon and mushrooms is a very simple, yet tasty side dish to prepare. I hope you will have the opportunity to make this easy recipe.

It’s one more way to get yummy veggies (including Brussel sprouts!) onto dinner plates. Plus… everything’s better with bacon, right?

Thanks for stopping by, and please come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, and have a great day!

Looking For More VEGETABLE Dishes?

You can find all of my vegetable dishes in the Recipe Index at the top of the page. A few favorite recipes are:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Mushrooms

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

Pan-seared Brussel sprouts with bacon, mushrooms, shallots, butter and garlic are a perfect side dish for your holiday dinner or any other meal!

Category: Side Dish, Vegetables

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brussel sprouts

Servings: 2 servings

Calories Per Serving: 144 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

10 Brussel Sprouts (approx. 5 per person), cut in half (and stem removed)
1-2 slices thick cut bacon , chopped into small pieces
Olive oil (only if necessary due to low bacon dripping residue in skillet)
salt & pepper , to taste
3 Tablespoons water
4-6 mushrooms , sliced
1 teaspoon finely chopped shallots
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon butter

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add chopped bacon to medium skillet. Cook on medium heat until about 1/2 way done. (do not drain bacon drippings).
Add brussel sprouts that have been cut in half (and de-stemmed). Continue to pan-sear brussel sprouts in bacon drippings for a couple minutes (add a tiny bit of olive oil to skillet only if necessary). Lightly season brussel sprouts with salt and pepper.
Continue cooking until brussel sprouts begin to soften (3-4 minutes), flipping over half way through cooking. Add 3 Tablespoons water to skillet; cook until water has cooked away.
Add sliced mushrooms and shallots to skillet. Continue cooking until mushrooms are done and cooked through (approx. 3-4 minutes). Add minced garlic; cook for additional minute. At this point, brussel sprouts and mushrooms should be cooked through. Add butter, and stir until butter has melted and coated veggies. (Note: Butter is completely optional, but adds good flavor)
Remove pan from heat, season with additional salt and pepper (if needed), then serve.

Nutrition Facts

Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Mushrooms

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 144 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 17mg6%

Sodium 164mg7%

Potassium 532mg15%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 780IU16%

Vitamin C 81.6mg99%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

09
Jan
2017

Beef and Barley Soup

categories: Beef, Main Dishes, Soups

65 Shares

Pin65

Yum

You will love this simple, yet hearty Beef and Barley Soup, with tender beef chunks, barley, carrots, celery and onions! It will hit the spot on a cold day!We had snow, freezing rain, and below freezing temperatures in Oregon this weekend. Brrr. We were stuck inside waiting for the ice and snow to melt, so I made a large pot of delicious Beef and Barley Soup. A big bowl of hot soup sounded perfect on such icy cold days!

When I was growing up, my Mom occasionally bought cans of a name brand’s Beef and Barley Soup. I always liked it, so it was a natural choice to try making my own. I found the recipe on Pinterest (from blogger and author Gina Homolka at Skinnytaste.com), and loved the SIMPLE ingredients it takes to make it.

The soup cooks on low for a couple hours, which allows the meat to become VERY TENDER. The addition of barley helps make it very filling – the soup tastes delicious… AND only has 336 calories per serving (1½ cups of soup). Interested? Here’s how to make it:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Beef And Barley Soup

Heat oil in a large heavy pot on medium heat. Once oil is hot, add beef, which has been lightly seasoned with salt. Brown the meat on all sides (this will take 3-4 minutes).

Once the meat is browned, drain grease. Add chopped carrots, onion, celery and minced garlic. Stir to combine.

Time To Cook The Soup!

Add water, salt, and a couple of bay leaves to the pot. Stir well, and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil, turn the heat down to LOW. Put a cover on the pot. Let the soup simmer on low heat for 1½ to 2 hours (leaving the lid on the pot the entire time).

The long cooking time helps tenderize the beef. While it cooked, I worked on a puzzle, read, played with our dog, did some laundry, and enjoyed it as the amazing smell from the cooking soup began to fill our home.

When the long cook time is done, add dry barley to the soup. Stir well. Taste the broth. Season with ground black pepper. Add additional salt, if needed (to taste). Stir well.

Let the soup simmer on LOW (uncovered) for an additional 35-40 minutes, while the barley cooks. The barley will “plump” a bit as it cooks and will absorb some of the liquid.

Beef And Barley Soup Is Ready To Enjoy!

When done cooking, remember to take out the bay leaves, then ladle some of this delicious beef barley soup into individual bowls. If you want, garnish each bowl of soup with a bit of dried or fresh chopped parsley, and serve!

Hope you enjoy this simple, yet hearty and filling beef barley soup. My husband and I sure enjoyed it, served with a slice of crusty sourdough bread. I’m looking forward to the leftovers for lunch today! The beef was incredibly tender, and the taste was wonderful. Best of all, it was a very simple soup to prepare!

Have a great day! The last report I heard on the news yesterday said that 47 of the 48 mainland states have snow in one part of them or another. That’s a whole lot of COLD WEATHER! Stay warm, make a big pot of hot beef and barley soup… and enjoy your day!

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of delicious soup recipes I’m confident you will enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://www.skinnytaste.com/beef-barley-soup/

0 from 0 votes

Beef and Barley Soup

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

2 hrs 15 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 25 mins

You will love this simple, yet hearty soup with tender beef chunks, barley, carrots, celery and onions!

Category: Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef and barley soup

Servings: 7 ½ cup servings

Calories Per Serving: 266 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1 teaspoon oil
1½ pounds beef round stew meat (1-2 inch pieces)
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic , minced
6 cups water
1-2 teaspoons salt (season to taste)
2 bay leaves (in spice section-added for seasoning)
2/3 cup dry barley
1/2 teaspoon Ground black pepper (approx. 1/2 teaspoon)
Additional salt , to taste
Dried parsley (for garnish-optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Heat oil in a large heavy pot on medium heat. Once oil is hot, add beef, which has been lightly seasoned with salt. Brown meat on all sides (this will take 3-4 minutes). Drain grease from pan.
Add chopped carrots, onion, celery and minced garlic. Stir to combine.
Add water, salt, and a couple of bay leaves to the pot. Stir well. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil, turn the heat down to Low. Put a cover on the pot. Let the soup simmer on low heat for 1½ to 2 hours. The long cooking time helps to tenderize the beef. Meat should be tender when done.
Add barley. Stir to combine. Season with ground black pepper. Taste the soup. Add additional salt, if needed. Let soup simmer on low (uncovered) an additional 35-40 minutes, while the barley cooks.
When done cooking, remember to take out the bay leaves (!!!), then ladle some of this delicious soup into individual bowls, garnish with a bit of dried parsley, and serve!

Nutrition Facts

Beef and Barley Soup

Amount Per Serving (1 1/2 cup serving)

Calories 266 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 75mg25%

Sodium 399mg17%

Potassium 405mg12%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 29g58%

Vitamin A 3085IU62%

Vitamin C 3.3mg4%

Calcium 34mg3%

Iron 3.1mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

06
Jan
2017

How To Can Ranch Style Beans

categories: Canning And Preserving, Side Dishes, Vegetable Dishes

7.1K Shares

Pin7.1K

Yum

Ranch style beans are a perfect “grab and go” side dish for chicken, hamburger, hot dogs, etc. Learn how to make and can them for long term storage!
If you enjoy beans as a hearty side dish for chicken, burgers, hot dogs, etc. AND like canning, then you might be interested in learning how to can ranch style beans.

I learned how to can ranch-style beans from a website for canning enthusiasts (sbcanning.com). Canning some ranch style beans to have in my pantry to use as a side dish for some of our dinners sounded wonderful to me. The recipe was actually easy to prepare, and the beans are quite delicious!

This recipe to can ranch style beans as written makes 5 pints, but can be easily doubled. In the original recipe it calls for 4 Tablespoons chili powder, but I used only 3 Tablespoons, to lower the “spicy factor”. That was the only change I made to the original recipe. Here’s how to make them:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare Pressure Canner, Jars And Lids

Prepare your canning jars, lids, and pressure canner, according to recommended canning guidelines and the manufacturer instructions for your appliance. You must use a pressure canner to can ranch style beans!

Cook The Pinto Beans

Place the dried pinto beans in a large saucepan (or Dutch oven). Add water to the pan, and make sure to cover the beans fully, by at least two inches. Bring the water to a full boil, and continue boiling for 2 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, and cover the pan. Let the beans sit and soak for 1 hour, then drain the beans. **SEE NOTES SECTION IN PRINTABLE RECIPE FOR ALTERNATE METHOD**

Prepare The Sauce For The Ranch Style Beans

In large skillet, heat the oil on medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, and cook them for 9-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook (stirring constantly), for 1 minute (don’t let the garlic burn).

Add the tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water and spices (paprika, cumin, chili powder, and oregano) to the skillet. Stir, to fully combine the ingredients. Transfer this mixture to a blender or food processor (You may have to do this in batches). Process well, until the sauce mixture is smooth.

Bring 3-4 cups of water (or beef broth) to a boil in separate pan. Once the liquid is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Set this aside.

Add Prepared Beans To The Sauce

Add the prepared pinto beans to the hot, pureed tomato mixture. Stir well, to combine. It is important to make sure everything is very hot, before adding it to the prepared canning jars.

Filling The Canning Jars

Fill the hot pint jars 3/4 of the way full. Add salt and pepper to each jar. Next, add boiling water (or beef broth) to each jar, being sure to leave a 1″ headspace in each jar.

Make sure to remove the air bubbles from each jar by inserting a plastic utensil into each one, and then adjust the headspace, if necessary. Wipe the rims clean with a damp paper towel, and then put on flat lids and screw bands. Tighten screw bands to fingertip tightness.

Time To Can Ranch Style Beans!

Process the jars in a prepared pressure canner. If you are using a weighted gauge canner, process pint jars at 10 pounds pressure for 75 minutes. If you are using a dial gauge canner, process pint jars at 11 pounds pressure. Quart sized jars should be processed for 85 minutes.

Once the ranch style beans are done, and have safely been removed from canner (following manufacturer instructions!), let the jars cool on a dish towel. When the jars of ranch style beans have completely cooled, wipe them clean and label the jars. Check to make sure each jar has sealed properly. Store the jars in your pantry (to use at a later date) as a quick “grab and go” side dish!

I love canning during the cold Winter months when I’m inside a lot, due to cold weather, snow or rain. It feels wonderful to have my pantry stocked and ready for the rest of the year. Hope you will consider trying this recipe for ranch style beans.

Looking For More CANNING Recipes?

You can find all of my canning recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. Hope you will check them out! A few canning recipes you might enjoy include:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://www.sbcanning.com/2013/10/canning-ranch-style-beans.html

5 from 2 votes

How To Can Ranch Style Beans

Prep Time

1 hr

Cook Time

1 hr 15 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 15 mins

Ranch style beans are a perfect "grab and go" side dish for chicken, hamburger, hot dogs, etc. Learn how to make and can them for long term storage!

Category: Canning

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ranch style beans

Servings: 5 pints

Calories Per Serving: 418 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

1 pound dried pinto beans (16 ounces)
3-4 Tablespoons chili powder (I used 3)
6 cloves garlic , finely minced
1 brown onion , diced
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes (can substitute 2 medium, peeled/diced tomatoes)
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 cup water

To Add To Jars:

1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3-4 cups boiling water (or beef broth)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare jars, lids, pressure canner, according to manufacturer instructions. Put dried pinto beans in a large saucepan (or Dutch oven). Add water to pan, making sure to cover beans fully by two inches. Bring to a full boil; continue boiling for 2 minutes. Take pan off heat, cover, and let beans sit (and soak) for 1 hour, then drain beans.
In large skillet, heat oil on medium. When oil is hot, add chopped onions; cook for 9-10 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute (don't let garlic burn).
Add tomatoes, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and oregano. Transfer mixture to a blender or food processor (may have to do this in batches). Process until mixture is smooth.
Bring 3-4 cups of water (or beef broth) to a boil in separate pan. Once boiling, remove from heat.
Add prepared pinto beans to hot, pureed tomato mixture. Stir to combine. (Make sure mixture is hot before adding to prepared jars.
Fill hot pint jars 3/4 of the way full. Add salt and pepper to each jar. Add boiling water (or beef broth) to each jar, being sure to leave 1" headspace. Remove air bubbles, then adjust headspace, if necessary. Wipe jar rims clean, then put on flat lids and rings, tightening to fingertip tight.
Processing: If using weighted gauge canner, process pints at 10# pressure for 75 minutes. If using dial gauge canner, process at 11# pressure. Quart jars must be processed for 85 minutes.
Once beans are done, and jars have been removed from canner (following manufacturer instructions), let jars cool on a dish towel. Once completely cooled, label jars; store in pantry.

Recipe Notes

Alternate Method For Beans: Sort and rinse beans. Soak in water overnight. Drain. Place beans in LARGE saucepan. Cover with cold water (water must be two inches above beans). Bring beans to a LOW BOIL and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. Drain. Proceed with remainder of recipe.

Nutrition Facts

How To Can Ranch Style Beans

Amount Per Serving (1 pint jar of beans)

Calories 418 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Sodium 996mg43%

Potassium 2282mg65%

Carbohydrates 79g26%

Fiber 19g79%

Sugar 14g16%

Protein 24g48%

Vitamin A 2915IU58%

Vitamin C 27.1mg33%

Calcium 167mg17%

Iron 8.5mg47%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

02
Jan
2017

Pecan-Crusted Halibut With Lemon Wine Sauce

categories: Main Dishes, Seafood

5.3K Shares

Pin5.3K

Yum

You’re going to enjoy pecan crusted halibut featuring pan-seared seafood fillets covered w/ pecan panko crumbs, and cooked in a lemon wine sauce.

My husband and I ushered in the New Year with a home cooked dinner, featuring Pecan Crusted Halibut With Lemon Wine Sauce. It was just the two of us this year, enjoying a delicious meal, a great movie (“Sully”) and a glass of champagne together. What a great start to the year!!!

We don’t buy halibut too often (it can be a bit pricey), but my husband found a fillet on sale for $14 and we got 3½ servings out of it! It ended up actually costing less per serving than a fast food meal! I found a recipe online that sounded wonderful, so I made it for us, and WE LOVED IT!!!!

The halibut is baked, with an amazing Panko breadcrumb/pecan/Parmesan crust on it. Once cooked, a lemon wine sauce is drizzled over the halibut, then served.

If you make the lemon wine sauce while the halibut is baking, this dish can be made in 30 minutes! (*Note: I cut recipe in half so my photos reflect that): Here’s how to make pecan crusted halibut:

Scroll Down for A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Pecan Crusted Halibut

First things first… make sure to preheat your oven to 425 degrees. While it is preheating, cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and give it a good coating of non-stick spray.

Pat the pieces of halibut dry with a paper towel, lightly season with salt and pepper, then place halibut pieces onto the baking sheet. Keep pieces about 1/2-1 inch apart. Set aside.

Prepare The Pecan/Crumb Topping For The Halibut

In a separate bowl, combine Panko breadcrumbs, chopped pecans, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Add melted butter, horseradish, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, dill, and lemon zest.

Mix these ingredients together with a fork until the mixture is fully combined. It will be crumbly and look like the photo below. This is the pecan crusted halibut topping!

Bake The Pecan Crusted Halibut

Now use a spoon and/or your clean hands and divide the mixture evenly on top of each piece of halibut. Cover the top completely, lightly pressing the crumbs onto the fish to get them to “stick”.

Scoop crumbs up that fall off fish and press them back onto fish. When all the halibut pieces are coated, drizzle each piece with a bit of olive oil.

Place the pecan crusted halibut into a preheated oven. Bake the fish at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through and the crust is golden brown (mine took 15).

While The Halibut Bakes, Make The Lemon Wine Sauce

While the halibut is baking, make the lemon wine sauce. Heat olive oil in a saucepan on medium heat.

Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), add finely chopped shallots. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the shallots are cooked and slightly softened.

Turn the heat up to High. Pour in the wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and continue to cook for 6-8 minutes (or 5-6 minutes if making a half recipe), until the liquid has reduced slightly.

Turn heat down to Low, and add the butter. Stir until the butter has melted and is incorporated into the sauce.

Remove the pan from the heat. Add fresh (or dried) chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

You will drizzle some of this delicious lemon wine sauce over the finished pecan crusted halibut!

Serve The Pecan Crusted Halibut

When the halibut is done baking, the crust will be a gorgeous golden brown color. The fish should be cooked through, and it will look like this:

Use a spatula to place the pecan crusted halibut onto individual serving plates. Drizzle some of that delicious lemon wine sauce over each piece, then serve and enjoy! I served the pecan crusted halibut with some rice, and a fresh vegetable medley on the side.

The fish flaked so easily, and the crumb topping with the drizzled lemon wine sauce was out of this world good. REALLY good.

I sure hope you will consider giving this recipe for pecan crusted halibut with lemon wine sauce a try. We felt like we had a gourmet meal for a fraction of the cost of ordering halibut at a restaurant… and it was absolutely delicious!

Hope you are looking forward to the New Year ahead with great anticipation for new adventures, making new friends, new (yummy) recipes to fix for the ones you love. May you find joy in serving others, and know the peace that comes from knowing how much God loves YOU… just as you are.

Looking For More SEAFOOD Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of seafood recipes! A few of my seafood recipes you might enjoy include:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: http://www.bitememore.com/feedme/125/walnut-crusted-halibut-recipe#

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

5 from 2 votes

Pecan Crusted Halibut With Lemon Wine Sauce

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

You're going to enjoy pecan crusted halibut featuring pan-seared seafood fillets covered w/ pecan panko crumbs, and cooked in a lemon wine sauce.

Category: Entree, Entree-Seafood

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pecan crusted halibut

Servings: 6 servings

Calories Per Serving: 508 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6 (6-8 ounces each) halibut fillets, skin removed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For The Pecan Crust:

1½ cups Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 cup chopped pecans (can substitute walnuts)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1 Tablespoon creamy horseradish
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (can substitute dried parsley)
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill (can substitute dried dill weed)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon olive oil

For The Lemon Wine Sauce:

1 teaspoon olive oil
2 Tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1 cup dry white wine
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill (can substitute dried dill weed)
Salt and black pepper , to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil; give it a good coating of non-stick spray. Pat the pieces of halibut dry with a paper towel, lightly season with salt and pepper, then place onto prepared baking sheet. Keep pieces about 1/2-1 inch apart.
In a separate bowl place Panko breadcrumbs, pecans, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Add melted butter, horseradish, Dijon mustard, chopped parsley, dill, and lemon zest. Mix with a fork until mixture is crumbly.
Using a spoon and/or your hands, divide crumb mixture evenly on top of each fillet. Cover the top completely, pressing crumbs onto fish to get them to "stick". Scoop crumbs up that fall off fish; gently press them back onto fish. When all halibut pieces are coated, drizzle olive oil on top. Bake (uncovered) at 425° F for 12-15 minutes, until cooked through and crust is golden brown.
While halibut bakes, make lemon wine sauce. Heat olive oil in saucepan on medium. When hot, add shallots. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes, until shallots are slightly soft. Turn heat to High. Pour in wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil; stir and continue to cook for 6-8 minutes (or 5-6 minutes if making half recipe), until the liquid has reduced slightly. Turn heat back to Low. Add butter. Stir until butter has melted and is incorporated into sauce. Remove pan from heat. Stir in fresh (or dried) dill. Taste sauce; season with salt and pepper.
When halibut is done, crust will be a gorgeous golden brown color, and fish should be cooked through. Use a spatula to place halibut onto individual serving plates. Drizzle with lemon wine sauce. Serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Caloric calculation based on using 6 ounce halibut fillet per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Pecan Crusted Halibut With Lemon Wine Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 508 Calories from Fat 261

% Daily Value*

Fat 29g45%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 110mg37%

Sodium 655mg28%

Potassium 899mg26%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 495IU10%

Vitamin C 4.4mg5%

Calcium 148mg15%

Iron 1.8mg10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

19
Dec
2016

Merry Christmas 2016

categories: Holidays!

1 Shares

Pin1

Yum

We wish you a merry Christmas 2016, from our little part of the great Pacific northwest!

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I’m taking a two week break from blogging to enjoy my family, and celebrate the birth of Jesus. My life has been forever changed because of God’s mercy, grace and unconditional love. I am so very GRATEFUL. My hope and prayer is that this Christmas season holds special meaning for you, as well.

Thank you to all who have visited this blog this year. I am very thankful for you, and sincerely wish each of you a Merry Christmas 2016, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year from the bottom of my heart!

May your celebrations be blessed with the love of friends and family. That the most special “gift” we could ever hope to have.

I look forward to discovering, cooking, and then sharing many delicious new recipes with you in the coming year.

From our family and our home in Oregon to yours… Merry Christmas 2016, and Happy New Year!

Interested In More Recipes?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Save

15
Dec
2016

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

categories: Appetizers, Desserts, Holidays!

155 Shares

Pin155

Yum

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies are powdered sugar dusted chocolate peanut butter crispy treats you will love! They’re yummy snacks or holiday gifts!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies are a fun little snack during the holidays… or anytime, for that matter. Perfect for snacking OR giving to friends as a food gift… they are sure to make someone smile!

I love these decadent little snacks… with a crunch and the taste of chocolate and peanut butter, they are perfect for serving at a party, or sitting in front of the TV watching a football game! Best part… they are so easy to make!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

Measure out the Chex cereal into a LARGE bowl. I used corn and rice for this recipe.

Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in a microwavable bowl on High for 1 minute. Remove and stir until creamy smooth. If necessary, microwave an additional 15 seconds, then stir until smooth. Do NOT overcook or chocolate will burn.

Mine was smooth after first minute of cooking and stirring well. Once totally smooth, add the vanilla extract. Stir. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal. Stir well, to fully coat all the cereal.

Time To Coat The Muddy Buddies

Once all cereal has been coated with chocolate, place HALF the mixture into a separate clean LARGE bowl. Add HALF the powdered sugar, and stir to fully coat. When done, remove the chocolate peanut butter muddy buddies to wax paper. Repeat this process with the other half of the cereal and powdered sugar.

Let The Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies Cool

Spread the chocolate peanut butter muddy buddies out on wax paper and let them cool completely, before serving.

Store the Muddy Buddies in an airtight covered container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Try to stay out of them, cause they are ADDICTING! It’s also fun to divide the mix up into fancy covered containers or jars and give this simple gift to friends over the holidays.

If you’re looking for another recipe using Chex cereal I hope you will check out my Chex Mix Munchies! They are another great snack, made in the microwave!

Have a wonderful day! I sincerely hope you can find time during this busy time of year to quietly reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. You are deeply loved by the One who created you, and sent His only Son to earth that first Christmas to draw us all back to Him.

Looking For More Snack Recipes?

You can find all of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some wonderful snack recipes you might enjoy, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

0 from 0 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

10 mins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies are powdered sugar dusted chocolate peanut butter crispy treats you will love! They're yummy snacks or holiday gifts!

Category: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: muddy buddies

Servings: 36 (approx. 9 cups total)

Calories Per Serving: 134 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

9 cups Chex cereal (any variety- I used half corn and half rice)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place the cereal into a large bowl. Set the bowl aside.
Place the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter into a microwaveable bowl. Cook this uncovered on the HIGH setting for 1 minute. Remove from microwave, and stir well. It is ready when all ingredients become smooth. If necessary, place back in microwave for15 additional seconds, then stir again until mixture is smooth.
Stir vanilla extract into melted chocolate peanut butter mixture. Pour this mixture over the cereal. Stir well, until all is coated with chocolate. Once coated, pour HALF the cereal into a separate large clean bowl. Add HALF the powdered sugar. Stir well, until completely coated.
Remove powdered sugar coated cereal to wax paper. Repeat process with other half of cereal and powdered sugar. Spread finished cereal on wax paper, until cool. This is the method I used.
(Note: If desired, you can place all the cereal and powdered sugar in a 2 gallon plastic storage bag, and shake until covered).
Store muddy buddies in a sealed, airtight container in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/4 cup serving))

Calories 134 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 3mg1%

Sodium 116mg5%

Potassium 108mg3%

Carbohydrates 21g7%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 205IU4%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 38mg4%

Iron 5.1mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

12
Dec
2016

Alice Springs Chicken (Outback Steakhouse Copycat)

categories: Chicken, Copycat Recipes, Main Dishes

4.1K Shares

Pin4.1K

Yum

Alice Springs Chicken is pan-seared chicken with bacon, mushrooms, and melted cheeses, in a honey-mustard sauce. This copycat recipe is delicious!

Do chicken breasts, covered with bacon, mushrooms, Jack and Cheddar cheese in a honey mustard sauce sound good? If so, you will enjoy this Alice Springs Chicken (Outback Steakhouse Copycat) recipe, a popular menu item at this nationally known restaurant.

I found the recipe for Alice Springs Chicken in a cookbook I have had for years, which features kitchen clones from famous restaurants, and decided to make this one. It really tastes wonderful! The recipe itself is very easy to prepare, and the end result is fantastic! Here’s how to make this dish at home:

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of Page

Make Sauce To Marinate Chicken

Combine Dijon mustard, honey, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Blend well with a fork until combined. Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic food storage bag.

Pour about 2/3 of the sauce over the chicken. Make sure chicken gets coated with sauce, then place in refrigerator and let marinate for 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate the remaining 1/3 of the sauce until time to serve the meal.

In a small skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until cooked through (approx. 4-5 minutes). Set aside.

Time To Cook The Chicken

Heat oil in a large OVENPROOF skillet (If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, sear the chicken breasts as directed in regular skillet, then transfer them to a baking dish). When oil is hot, add the chicken breasts.

Cook them for 3-4 minutes per side. until golden brown. Once done, move the skillet off the heat, but leave chicken in skillet (unless transferring to baking dish).

***Here’s my TIP... make SURE the chicken breasts are thin. I took 2 really thick chicken breasts and sliced them horizontally when I made this dish. The very first time I made this recipe, I was cooking this for 6 people and used a couple large/thick chicken breasts in the mix.

Even with the pan-searing AND the baking time in the recipe, the really thick ones did not fully cook all the way through (about 85 percent), so I had to take their plates back and microwave the chicken for our good friends who were over for dinner. Ugh. That sure was embarrassing. We laughed about it, but I was mortified! Have not ever repeated THAT mistake since, thankfully!

Assembling The Alice Springs Chicken

Brush each chicken breast with a bit of the reserved honey mustard sauce. Do NOT use the sauce the chicken was marinated in!). Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place two pieces of bacon on top of each chicken breast (can cut to fit).

Evenly place cooked mushrooms on top of the bacon, then cover with Jack cheese, followed by cheddar cheese (about 1/4 cup of each type of cheese onto each piece of chicken).

Cook the chicken breasts, uncovered, in a preheated 375 degree oven for 9-10 minutes. When done, the cheese should be fully melted and should have begun to bubble.

Garnish And SERVE!

Remove the hot skillet from the oven. Top each chicken breast with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.

Serve the reserved honey mustard sauce in a bowl on the side, OR place a spoonful onto the dinner plate and place the chicken on top of the sauce (that’s how I serve it!).

Serve while hot, and enjoy this delicious restaurant-cloned Alice Springs Chicken dish!

At times it’s fun and economical to be able to re-create popular restaurant menu items in the comfort of your own kitchen. Sure hope you will consider trying this one for Alice Springs Chicken… and sincerely hope you and your loved ones enjoy it! Have a wonderful day.

Looking For More CHICKEN Recipes?

You can find all of my chicken recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have a LOT of them you’re gonna love, including:

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe Source: The book “Top Secret Restaurant Recipes”, by Todd Wilbur. Pages 200-202. Published by The Penguin Group. Published 1997

0 from 0 votes

Alice Springs Chicken (Outback Steakhouse Copycat)

Prep Time

2 hrs

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

2 hrs 10 mins

Alice Springs Chicken is pan-seared chicken with bacon, mushrooms, and melted cheeses, in a honey-mustard sauce. This copycat restaurant recipe is delicious!

Category: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Alice springs chicken

Servings: 4 servings

Calories Per Serving: 785 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For the Honey Mustard Marinade:

1/2 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

For Chicken:

4 chicken breasts , boneless, skinless (or slice 2 thick breasts in half horizontally lengthwise)
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups sliced button mushrooms (approx. 10-12 mushrooms)
2 Tablespoons butter
Salt , Pepper, Paprika (to lightly season chicken with)
8 slices bacon , cooked
1 cup grated Jack cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons fresh parsley , finely chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Combine Dijon mustard, honey, oil, and lemon juice in small bowl. Blend well with fork until combined. Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic food storage bag, Pour 2/3 of the sauce over chicken. Make sure chicken gets coated with sauce, then place bag in refrigerator; marinate for 2 hours. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce until later.
In a small skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until cooked (approx. 4-5 minutes). Set aside.
Heat oil in large OVENPROOF skillet (If you don't have an ovenproof skillet, sear chicken breasts in regular skillet, then transfer to baking dish). When oil is hot, add chicken breasts. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side. until golden brown. Once done, remove skillet off the heat, but leave chicken in skillet (unless transferring to baking dish).
Brush each chicken breast with a bit of reserved honey mustard sauce. Do NOT use the sauce the chicken was marinated in!). Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place two pieces of bacon on top of each chicken breast. Evenly spoon cooked mushrooms on top of the bacon, then cover with Jack cheese, followed by cheddar cheese (about 1/4 cup of each type of cheese onto each piece of chicken).
Cook chicken, uncovered, in a preheated 375 degree oven for 9-10 minutes. When done, cheese should be fully melted and should have begun to bubble. Remove skillet from oven. Top each chicken breast with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
Serve with reserved sauce on the side, or place a spoonful of sauce onto dinner plate, top with chicken. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

PREP TIME reflects 2 hours for marinating chicken breasts.
Recipe Source: The book "Top Secret Restaurant Recipes", by Todd Wilbur. Pages 200-202. Published by The Penguin Group. Published 1997

Nutrition Facts

Alice Springs Chicken (Outback Steakhouse Copycat)

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 785 Calories from Fat 450

% Daily Value*

Fat 50g77%

Saturated Fat 25g156%

Cholesterol 171mg57%

Sodium 1156mg50%

Potassium 773mg22%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 36g40%

Protein 46g92%

Vitamin A 745IU15%

Vitamin C 3.3mg4%

Calcium 441mg44%

Iron 1.9mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

Save

We LOVE Fresh Strawberries!

How To Can Strawberry Jam

Cook The Strawberry Jam

Filling The Jars

Processing Strawberry Jam

Test The Seal Before Storing The Jars

Looking For More JAM Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media: Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

How To Make The Sausage Veggie Rice Skillet:

Add The Colorful Veggies

Stir In the Rice

Season And Serve!

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

Make The Dough For Homemade White Bread

Kneading The Dough-Two Options

Let The Bread Dough Rise

Form The Loaves Of Homemade White Bread

Bake The Loaves Of Homemade White Bread

Time To Enjoy A Slice (or two!)

Looking For More BREAD Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

How To Make Brussel Sprouts With Bacon and Mushrooms

To Finish Cooking The Brussel Sprouts

Serving The Brussel Sprouts

Looking For More VEGETABLE Dishes?

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

Find Me On Social Media:

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

How To Make Beef And Barley Soup

Time To Cook The Soup!

Beef And Barley Soup Is Ready To Enjoy!

Looking For More SOUP Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media: Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Prepare Pressure Canner, Jars And Lids

Cook The Pinto Beans

Prepare The Sauce For The Ranch Style Beans

Add Prepared Beans To The Sauce

Filling The Canning Jars

Time To Can Ranch Style Beans!

Looking For More CANNING Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media: Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

How To Make Pecan Crusted Halibut

Prepare The Pecan/Crumb Topping For The Halibut

Bake The Pecan Crusted Halibut

While The Halibut Bakes, Make The Lemon Wine Sauce

Serve The Pecan Crusted Halibut

Looking For More SEAFOOD Recipes?

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

Find Me On Social Media:

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media: Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies

Time To Coat The Muddy Buddies

Let The Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies Cool

Looking For More Snack Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media: Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks! Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Make Sauce To Marinate Chicken

Time To Cook The Chicken

Assembling The Alice Springs Chicken

Garnish And SERVE!

Looking For More CHICKEN Recipes?

Interested In More Recipes?

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks