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I2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

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… Watermelon is a cousin to the cucumber & squash? … 40° is the ideal temperature to store eggs (even hard-boiled eggs)? … Many bakery’s use the same dough for different breads: They just shape it differently & give it a different name? … Most home cooks tend to underbake their food? If a recipe […]

… Watermelon is a cousin to the cucumber & squash?

… 40° is the ideal temperature to store eggs (even hard-boiled eggs)?

… Many bakery’s use the same dough for different breads: They just shape it differently & give it a different name?

… Most home cooks tend to underbake their food? If a recipe says brown, the writer means BROWN!

… One “personal” watermelon contains 2 gallons of water?

Categories: Tidbits, Tips

A2: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

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… Hot chocolate can help to boost your memory? … Spraying white vinegar on carpeting in a doorway will keep your cat from entering that room? … Children are 73% more likely to eat an apple if it’s sliced? … Eating peanuts (or any form of it such as peanut butter) for breakfast helps […]

… Hot chocolate can help to boost your memory?

… Spraying white vinegar on carpeting in a doorway will keep your cat from entering that room?

… Children are 73% more likely to eat an apple if it’s sliced?

… Eating peanuts (or any form of it such as peanut butter) for breakfast helps control blood sugar for the entire day?

… You can reduce the risk of lung cancer by 44% just by eating raw garlic twice a week?

Categories: Tidbits, Tips

Beet Crisps

Published by: Sarah

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I love, Love, LOVE beet crisps. But every time I tried to make them they never turned out right.When I found this recipe I was happy, Happy, HAPPY 🙂 1 medium beet – VERY IMPORTANT that it is ROOM TEMPERATURE & NOT COLD!! 2-3 T canola oil salt Original Recipe: Preheat oven to 300 degrees […]

I love, Love, LOVE beet crisps. But every time I tried to make them they never turned out right.When I found this recipe I was happy, Happy, HAPPY 🙂

1 medium beet – VERY IMPORTANT that it is ROOM TEMPERATURE & NOT COLD!!
2-3 T canola oil
salt

Original Recipe:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
Scrub the beet clean & trim the ends (don’t peel).
Slice 1/16 to 1/8 ich thick (use a mandolin if you have one).
Toss lightly with canola oil.
Season with salt.
Spread in a single layer on cookie sheets.
Bake 30-40 minutes.

No Salt or Oil:
Follow directions above omitting the oil & salt.

Original recipe also works for:
Fingerling potato crisps(2 potatoes slices the same 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes)
Apple crisps (1 granny smith apple. Do not peel or core, but remove seeds. Toss with oil & light brown sugar. Bake @ 250 for 45-60 minutes).

NOTE: If the beets are cold from the fridge they will be soggy & not crisp up!!

Categories: Recipes

I1: Did You Know…….

Published by: Sarah

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… Older eggs, when hard boi led, are easier to peel? The American Egg Board recommends refrigerating fresh eggs for 7-10 days before hard-cooking them! … Shitaki mushrooms contain a compound called AHCC? This boosts your immune system wich in turn fights the flu & slows the aging process. … Garlic, papaya, sesame seeds, squash & […]

… Older eggs, when hard boi led, are easier to peel? The American Egg Board recommends refrigerating fresh eggs for 7-10 days before hard-cooking them!

… Shitaki mushrooms contain a compound called AHCC? This boosts your immune system wich in turn fights the flu & slows the aging process.

… Garlic, papaya, sesame seeds, squash & pumpkins are also good infection fighters?

… When buying fresh mushrooms, the darker they are the more nutrients they have? However, dried Shitaki’s also have nutrients.

… Shitaki mushrooms contain polysaccharides which can help with nausea, pain & hair loss associated with chemotherapy & radiation?

Categories: Tidbits, Tips

Strawberries & Romaine with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

Published by: Sarah

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The original recipe came from Taste of Home magazine. I tweaked a few ingredients & came up with this. For the Dressing 1/2 c. good Mayonnaise 1/4 c. Honey 2 T Milk 2 T Cabernet Wine 2 T Seasoned Rice Vinegar 2 T Poppy Seeds Whisk together all ingredients & refrigerate until ready to use. For […]

The original recipe came from Taste of Home magazine. I tweaked a few ingredients & came up with this.

For the Dressing

1/2 c. good Mayonnaise
1/4 c. Honey
2 T Milk
2 T Cabernet Wine
2 T Seasoned Rice Vinegar
2 T Poppy Seeds

Whisk together all ingredients & refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Salad

2 heads Romain Hearts, torn
1 pint Strawberries, hulled & sliced
1/4 Red Onion, sliced thin

Put all ingredients in a salad bowl.
Serve with dressing on the side.

Categories: Recipes

Italian Vinnaigrette

Published by: Sarah

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Here’s a little tip: Store your dressing in a jar with a screw top lit. Shake vigorously before serving. ¼ c. Water ¼ c. Lemon Juice ¼ c. Red Wine Vinegar 2 cloves Garlic 1 tsp. Sugar ¾ tsp. Salt ¾ tsp. Paprika ¾ tsp. dried Oregano ½ tsp. Onion Powder ½ tsp. Ground Mustard 1½ […]

Here’s a little tip: Store your dressing in a jar with a screw top lit. Shake vigorously before serving.

¼ c. Water
¼ c. Lemon Juice
¼ c. Red Wine Vinegar
2 cloves Garlic
1 tsp. Sugar
¾ tsp. Salt
¾ tsp. Paprika
¾ tsp. dried Oregano
½ tsp. Onion Powder
½ tsp. Ground Mustard
1½ tsp. Fresh Thyme Leaves
¾ c. Olive Oil

Place all ingredients in a blender except oil.
Process until pureed.
With the blender running, gradually stream in the oil.
Serve over salad greens.
Refrigerate any leftovers.

Categories: Recipes

Lessons in Lemons

Published by: Sarah

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If you didn’t know, lemons naturally detoxify your liver. Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water every day for your health. Squeeze the juice of a lemon on a laminated countertop stain & let it sit. Then rub the stain with the outside of the lemon to remove the stain. Wipe clean with a damp […]

If you didn’t know, lemons naturally detoxify your liver. Squeeze a lemon into a glass of water every day for your health.

Squeeze the juice of a lemon on a laminated countertop stain & let it sit. Then rub the stain with the outside of the lemon to remove the stain. Wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.

Salt the cut side of a lemon & use to polish copper pots & pans.

Clean & freshen your garbage disposal with ground up lemon peel.

Categories: Tips

Baking Soda Secrets

Published by: Sarah

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Most of us know baking soda can be used to freshen laundry, your fridge & freezer. Here’s a few more tips: Absorb food odors by sprinkling some in the bottom of your dishwasher. Spruce up silverware by mixing 1 part water to 3 parts baking soda to make a paste. Rub your silverware & rinse with water. […]

Most of us know baking soda can be used to freshen laundry, your fridge & freezer. Here’s a few more tips:

Absorb food odors by sprinkling some in the bottom of your dishwasher.

Spruce up silverware by mixing 1 part water to 3 parts baking soda to make a paste. Rub your silverware & rinse with water.

Remove grease build-up by adding a few drops of dish soap to a little baking soda.

WHO NEW?

Categories: Tips

The Magic of Vinegar

Published by: Sarah

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I’ve already posted that white vinegar can be used in place of fabric softener & as a disinfectant. But you can also use it as a rinse agent in your dishwasher & to clean your microwave (combine 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water & boil in microwave. Then wipe clean with a rag)!

Categories: Tips

5 Spice Pecans

Published by: Sarah

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I’m not a fan of Chinese Five Spice. When I bought it for a a specific recipe it sat in my pantry until I discovered this receipe. Now I use it often during the holiday season. 2 c. Pecan Halves 2 T Brown Sugar 2 T Maple Syrup 1 tsp. Chinese Five Spice Toast pecans […]

I’m not a fan of Chinese Five Spice. When I bought it for a a specific recipe it sat in my pantry until I discovered this receipe. Now I use it often during the holiday season.

2 c. Pecan Halves
2 T Brown Sugar
2 T Maple Syrup
1 tsp. Chinese Five Spice

Toast pecans in a non-stick skillet about 4 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients.
Cook & stir until sugar is melts & all nuts are coated.
Spread on foil or parchment & allow to cool.

Categories: Recipes

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"A passion for cooking is what I have...Sharing that passion is what I love to do." -Sarah Vasques, The Home Chef

Blog

I2: Did You Know…….

A2: Did You Know…….

Beet Crisps

I1: Did You Know…….

Strawberries & Romaine with Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

Italian Vinnaigrette

Lessons in Lemons

Baking Soda Secrets

The Magic of Vinegar

5 Spice Pecans

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