Between the shutdowns making me feel less than motivated and having the kids home nearly full time since March, I’ve had less time and energy which results in not posting a recipe in WAY too long. On the upside, being home more often has had …
Homemade taco seasoning is one of the hand blended spice mixes that I always have stocked for simple easy meals. With no crazy additives like MSG or anti-caking agents that are commonly found in packaged mixes, you can be sure you’re keeping your diet clean. …
Delicata satay as a title is a bit misleading since satay technically refers to “meat on a skewer” if you go with the Indonesian roots to this dish. So, now I’m a rebel and breaking all the satay rules by a) using delicata squash and b) not putting it on a stick. Delicata satay still remains true to the essence of traditional satay in that it is finger food friendly AND marinated AND grilled (or in this case, air-fried since it’s officially no longer grilling season in Minnesota… sigh). The results of this delicata satay are incredibly delish. Serve these up with a side of nut-free “peanut” sauce for a perfect little appetizer or side dish.
Delicata squash is sliced thin, coated in traditional satay seasonings and then air fried. I like to cook these in an air fryer which is faster than oven roasting, though you can do it that way, too. Grilling is also ideal as it cooks quickly and imparts a bit of a smoky flavor to the squash. With its unique cream and green striped skin, the delicata squash has a time saving characteristic that busy families like ours can appreciate. Once delicata squash is cooked, its skin becomes very soft and is edible so there is no need to peel it before preparing or serving. The nut-free dipping sauce mimics a traditional peanut sauce in flavor but uses sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) to remain safe for those with peanut or tree nut allergies.
Snow falling on my pine trees equates to cravings of all things warm, cozy and filled with goodness. The most recent cozy goodness came in the form of quinoa chili which is packed with a mix of black and pinto beans and veggies which was …
Spicy, zesty, sweet, whole grain mustard goodness is simply a gift of the gods. I even named one of my new chickens Dijon since mustard has become my new favorite condiment. This spring, I learned to make mustard completely from scratch! There are so many …
Whoa. I just need life to slow down right now. My hubby has been home nursing a back injury for a few weeks and all my kids have been home being actively involved in summer activities like swimming lessons, building forts in the woods, and prepping for the county fair. I’ve also decided to participate in our local farmer’s market selling fresh made artisanal mustards, sauces, and jams this year so it’s been a madhouse around here making all sorts of goodies. This week will be the first market here and runs through September so I should be plenty busy the rest of the summer as well. This strawberry balsamic jam is one of the many awesome jams I’ll be selling at the market next week!
Strawberry balsamic jam is a perfect blend of sweet meets tart and tangy in the form of an aged balsamic vinegar. It’s like an upscale dessert in a jar that you can smear on toast, bagels, crackers, you name it! It’s super awesome warmed up and drizzled on this homemade dairy free ice cream. Traditional jam recipes usually contain a LOT of sugar but I’ve recently discovered a citrus based pectin that sets with calcium rather than sugar. This allows you to use much less sugar or to substitute honey, xlitol or even use no sweetener at all! With most other pectins using the low sugar recipe, I’d often end up with a softer set jam or it wouldn’t set up at all which is always disappointing so I’ve switched completely to the Pomona’s Universal Pectin because of this and I’ve had NO set failures yet. I use this pectin now exclusively in my jams because I do believe that having less sugar in our lives is a VERY good thing.
As strawberry season comes to a close here in the northern states, I’m hoping to harvest a few more pints to make more of this jam and some other unique combinations like strawberry passionfruit and strawberry margarita! I’ll be jammin’ out over here and if you’re interested in seeing the selections I’m taking to the farmers market, take a gander at my Etsy shop, Firewater Rustics!
Eggplant is one of the few vegetables that I remember my dad eating as a kid. That, and parsnips. I’ve never really been fascinated by the taste of eggplant but then again, I never tried it roasted or in a dip. Roasted eggplant is …
I’ve been creating (and eating) a lot of keto diet appropriate meals lately and spiced okra is one of the fun side dishes I’ve come up with to use as a fiber rich, low carb side kick to any protein meal mail dish you wish …
We usually do a large firework display in our culdesac with friends and neighbors for Independence Day. This year might be a little less fancy as we weren’t able to get any really good fireworks from the next state over. Instead, I’m going to let this pineapple salsa be the foodie fireworks while we watch a smaller display this year. Either way, good company plus good food, means a really good time.
Pineapple salsa might just be my new favorite summer snack food. Loaded with fruity salty sweet goodness, the flavors simply dance on your tongue and are perfect paired with chips or smothered over chicken or chops. I’m not usually a fan of salty sweet parings but the slight zip of spiciness balances out to a tropical tastiness only pineapple and jalapenos can provide. Bite by bite, I’m reminded of many moments lounging poolside in the Mexican Riviera. Minus the handsome helpful poolboy, of course. I’ll have to have hubby fill in for the role of poolboy and keep bringing me pineapple salsa and fresh made pina coladas 😉 Alas, I may have to settle to scarfing down this healthy snack by the campfire instead as we’re heading out camping soon for a 3 night getaway in one of Minnesota’s abundant forest landscapes. I’m excited for this pineapple salsa but even more excited to just be escaping the demands of daily life and getting in touch with nature. I hope all of you enjoy a Happy 4th of July too!
My adorable nephew came over recently to hang out with auntie and his cousins. I sure miss the days when my kids where that young, snuggly and innocent. Now my not-so-innocent angels are traveling to different states with the grandparents and going off to overnight …
