Homemade Brown Sugar

You will never buy grocery store Brown Sugar again with this super easy way to make your own!

All you need is 2 ingredients. Sugar and molasses.

For the Dark variety:
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp molasses

Mix these two ingredients together.

Store as you would normally.

For the Light variety:

1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp molasses

Mix these two ingredients together.

Store as you would normally.


That's it! Super easy. Super fast. Plus it tastes 10x better than the store version.

-MS

Mama's Crock pot Chili

Crock pot Chili is one of my favorite dishes to make! So easy and it's so delicious!

Here is my super easy recipe:

1 lb chop meat

2 garlic cloves

1 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp cayenne pepper

2 dashes white pepper

2 dashes red pepper flakes

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes

a few dashes of hot sauce

a few swirls red wine vinegar

1. Brown chop meat in skillet.

2. Add everything into your crock pot and turn on. 

That's it!! In a few hours, you will have some delicious chili for dinner. Garnish with some chives, cheddar cheese and sour cream or plain Greek yogurt works well too. And you can't forget your side of crusty Italian bread dipping. 

For easy cleanup, I recommend using a liner in your crock pot. You will still have to wash your cooled crock pot but it's less work then scrubbing out stuck/burnt on chili!!

Buona Mangia!!

-MS

How Fresh is your Bread?

Bread. A staple in everyone's home. Loaves and loaves a week, depending on your family size. But how fresh is your bread?

When choosing a loaf of bread, what’s your technique to make sure you get a fresh one? Do you squeeze it? Grab from the front of the shelf? Maybe the back? Examine every square inch for signs of mold? The smell test? A small nibble perhaps?

There’s an easier way! Bread is delivered to grocery stores on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. How can you know when the loaf of bread in your hands was baked? The plastic twist or tab’s color will tell you!

Most loaves color-code the plastic piece that keeps the bread closed. While some brands may be different, most, including Wonder Bread, use this color scheme:


Monday: Blue

Tuesday: Green

Thursday: Red

Friday: White

Saturday: Yellow

Knowing this, you may be able to better choose a fresh loaf! If you forget, the colors go in alphabetical order. 

http://www.wisebread.com/breaking-the-bread-code-how-to-get-the-freshest-loaf

Summer Tip #2: Cooler Corn

Summer Tip #2:

I found this while scrolling through my Facebook page. I thought this was very interesting to look at from the picture posted and I had to find out some more info. 

So here's how to do it.

Get a Coleman Cooler (or really any cooler will do just not a disposable one) and wipe it clean.

Shuck your ears of corn and put them in the cooler.

Fill the cooler with boiling water just enough to cover the corn.

And that's it. There is nothing more to do.

When you sit down is 30 minutes to eat, your corn will be perfectly cooked. And will stay like this for a few hours.

This is an amazing Summer Tip and I know I am definitely going to get a designated Corn Cooler!!

http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2011/09/cooler-corn.html

Summer Tip #1: Keep the flies out!!

Summer Tip #1: 
Use cupcake liners to keep flies out of 
beverages!

(Thanks Fresh Direct!)

http://pinterest.com/pin/89509111314115404/

Fried Green Beans

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1 bag of Green Line Green Beans, prewashed and cut
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs (I used Italian Style)

Combine flour, paprika, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.

Line a baking sheet with paper towels; set aside.

Pour oil in a deep pot to a depth of 1 inch.

Heat over medium-high heat to 350°F.

Moisten long beans; dredge in flour mixture.

Dip in beaten eggs, then roll in panko.

Working in batches, gently place in hot oil until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes, using tongs or a slotted spoon to gently turn beans every 45 seconds.

Transfer fried beans to prepared baking sheet.Transfer fried beans to prepared baking sheet.

 

I'm back and it's 2012!!

I have so many new and amazing recipes I want to share with you!! I am so happy to be back!!

MS