Master Bread Dough

Master Bread Dough Yield 1 Quart

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp salt
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs whole milk powder

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a quart jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.

A single quart jar of mix contains enough dry ingredients for one 2-pound loaf of bread. Prepare additional jars based on how many loaves you want to make in advance.

Tip: Where’s the yeast?  Salt can inhibit yeast, and sugar is known to feed it, so it’s best to keep them separate until you’re ready to bake. If you like, you can add 2 tsp instant yeast to a baggie and store the baggie inside the jar.

Sandwich Loaf   Yield: 2 loves

1 ¼ cups warm water
1 ½ Tbs oil of choice
1 jar master bread dough mix
2 tsp instant yeast

Directions:

1.Add ingredients to a bread machine in the order given (or in a mixing bowl if kneading by hand).

2.Following your bread machine’s user manual, select the appropriate cycle to bake bread. If baking manually, bake for 30 minutes at 375°F(or until a toothpick comes out clean).

 

Easy Mayo Reicpe

Easy Mayo Reicpe | Creamy Homemade Mayonnaise in 2 Minutes

Melissa Norris
Skip the store-bought jar and make this easy mayo recipe at home in just 5 minutes. Rich, creamy, fresh, and perfect for sandwiches, dips, dressings, and salads with simple pantry ingredients.
16 servings Calories 93 kcal

Equipment: immersion blender
Ingredients

1 whole egg
1 teaspoon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon organic white vinegar
3/4 cup oil

Instructions

Crack an egg into a pint-sized wide-mouth Mason jar.
Add mustard, salt, lemon juice and white vinegar.
Add oil on top and allow it to sit for a few seconds so the ingredients separate and the oil floats on top.
Gently place your immersion blender into the jar until it’s to the bottom.
Turn the immersion blender on and leave it at the bottom until the mayonnaise begins to emulsify.

Slowly bring the immersion blender up and back down, incorporating the remaining oil until all the contents are thick, creamy and completely emulsified.
Add a lid to the jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks (see my tips on storing below).

Recipe Tips:
Use room temperature ingredients to prevent the mayo from breaking
Start blending from the bottom to help the emulsion form quickly
If your mayo is too thick, add a teaspoon of water to loosen it
If it doesn’t emulsify, try blending in another egg yolk to bring it back together
Choose a mild oil for the best flavor

Serving Suggestions:
Spread on homemade sandwiches or wraps
Mix into chicken, egg, or this red potato salad recipe
Use as a base for homemade buttermilk ranch dressing or garlic aioli
Add to burgers for extra richness
Stir into deviled eggs for a creamy filling
Use as the secret ingredient in this velvety, delicious chocolate mayo cake recipe.

Storage Instructions:
Store your homemade mayonnaise in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Because this recipe uses raw egg, it’s best enjoyed fresh and kept properly chilled. Do not freeze, as it will separate and lose its creamy texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Tablespoon
Calories: 93kcal

Easy Homemade Graham Crackers

Easy Homemade Graham Crackers
There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own pantry staples, and these homemade graham crackers are no exception. With just a handful of real-food ingredients, about 10 minutes of hands-on time, and a simple, foolproof method, you can have crisp, lightly sweet crackers that taste far better than anything from the store.

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon I recommend Ceylon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon sea salt
7 Tablespoons butter melted
⅔ cup honey
⅔ cup light brown sugar packed
3-5 Tablespoons water as needed
Optional Toppings
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flours, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
Add the butter, honey, and brown sugar until combined.
Stir in the water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is soft and slightly sticky.
Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
Roll out each disk between two sheets of parchment paper (or on a silicone baking mat with one sheet of parchment paper on top) to ⅛-inch thickness. Trim off any excess dough to make square edges. Form the excess dough into a separate cracker. Place dough onto a baking sheet.
Using a knife or pizza cutter, score the dough into rectangles approximately 2 ¼ x 4 ¾ inches. Poke the rectangles with a fork multiple times to keep the dough from inflating during baking.
Sprinkle on toppings, if using. Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are set and golden brown.
Remove from oven. Rescore, if needed and let cool completely on the baking sheet to crisp up, then break apart.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips:
If crackers inflate too much during baking, poke again and re-cut lines immediately upon removal from the oven, then allow to cool and break apart.
If the crackers get soggy, crisp them back up by placing them in a 325°F (160°C) oven for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 2crackers | Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 295mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Published
Categorized as Desserts

Homemade Pancake Mix

Homemade Pancake Mix
Skip the boxed mix and make this homemade pancake mix recipe instead. Fluffy, budget-friendly, and made with simple pantry staples, this from-scratch mix comes together in minutes and makes the best light and tender pancakes every time. Perfect for busy mornings, gifting, or stocking your pantry with wholesome convenience.
Pint-sized Mason jars
Ingredients
Ingredients for each 16 oz. pint-sized Mason jar
1½ cups flour
3½ teaspoons baking powder
1 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Ingredients
1 jar pancake mix
1¼ cup buttermilk or non-dairy milk of choice
1 egg
3 Tablespoon butter melted (or substitute coconut oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
For the Pancake Mix

Layer ingredients into jars, seal with a lid and store in a cool, dark location until ready to bake.
To Make Pancakes
Dump pancake mix into a large bowl.
Add milk, egg, melted butter and vanilla extract. Stir until just incorporated (don’t overmix).
Heat a lightly greased skillet over medium high heat and pour batter in, approximately ¼ cup at a time to make your pancakes.
Brown on both sides and serve warm.

Recipe Tips:
Do not overmix. Stir just until the flour disappears. Overmixing leads to tough pancakes.
Watch for bubbles. Flip only when small bubbles form across the surface.
Use medium heat. Too hot and the outside browns before the inside cooks through.
Grease lightly. Too much oil will cause uneven browning.

Serving Suggestions:

Pancakes are wonderfully versatile and can be dressed up or kept simple.
Fresh blueberries or mashed bananas folded into the batter.
Topped with maple vanilla baked pears.
Spread with homemade blueberry jam or strawberry jam without pectin.
Sprinkled with chopped walnuts or pecans or spread with this homemade peanut butter recipe.
Studded with chocolate chips.
Served the classic way with butter and pure maple syrup.
Storage Instructions:
Store sealed jars of dry mix in a cool, dark pantry for up to 6 months. For longer storage, vacuum-seal the jars or store them in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Once mixed with wet ingredients, cook immediately for the best texture.
Allow leftover pancakes to cool completely, then stack with parchment paper between each one to prevent sticking. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
To freeze, lay the cooled pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Warm refrigerated or frozen pancakes in a toaster, skillet over low heat, or a 300°F oven until heated through. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them rubbery.
Nutrition
Calories: 324kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1067mg | Potassium: 185mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 316mg | Iron: 3mg

Apple Pie Dump Cake

Apple pie dump cake is the perfect shortcut dessert. Made with apple pie filling, cake mix, and butter, it bakes into a warm, bubbly apple dessert with a golden crumb topping that tastes like a cross between apple cobbler and apple crisp.

Servings 12  Calories220 kcal
1 pan 10-12″ cast iron pan, or standard 9×13″ pan.

Ingredients

4 cups apple pie filling I used my home-canned apple pie filling recipe
1 recipe cake mix grab my cake mix recipe here, or use a box
10 Tablespoons butter

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Dump the fruit into your pan and spread evenly with a spatula.
Dump the cake mix over the top of the fruit, covering all the fruit evenly. DO NOT STIR!
Add optional spices.
Add pats of butter over the entire surface of the cake mix, trying to get all surface area covered with a pat of butter.

Bake for 45-60 minutes until the top is crispy and the fruit is hot and bubbly. (Pro Tip: Remove after 30 minutes and check for any dry spots, add more butter to those areas and continue baking until golden brown and bubbly.)
Remove from the oven and let sit for about 10-15 minutes.
Serve with optional whipped cream or ice cream.

Recipe Tips:
Don’t Mix the Layers – The biggest mistake when making a dump cake is stirring the ingredients together. Dump cakes rely on layered ingredients, so the fruit moisture hydrates the cake mix while baking, creating a soft center and crisp topping.
Spread the Butter Evenly – As much as I try to spread the butter evenly, inevitably, there are still areas of dry cake mix. This is why step 6 is so important (see the recipe instructions above). Slice or drizzle the butter evenly across the cake mix so there are no dry patches.
Use the Right Baking Dish – A 9×13-inch baking dish or a 10-inch cast iron skillet works best to ensure even baking.

Add Extra Flavor – Try adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or caramel sauce for a more apple-pie-like flavor.
Serve Warm – Apple dump cake tastes best served warm with ice cream or whipped cream (or a dollop of homemade yogurt if serving for breakfast).

Storing & Reheating Instructions
Room Temperature – You can leave the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days.
Freezing – Apple dump cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Best if stored in a freezer-safe container, but you can freeze the entire 9×13 pan. Allow the dump cake to cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, then a double layer of tinfoil. Label and date. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
Reheating – Warm individual portions in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds, or reheat in the oven at 300°F until warmed through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice
Calories: 220kcal

Best Fudgy Brownies

Homemade Brownie Mix | Best Fudgy Brownies From Scratch
MelissaKNorris

This homemade brownie mix is the perfect pantry staple for rich, fudgy brownies anytime! Easy to prep, gift in jars, and bake fresh whenever chocolate cravings hit.
Servings 9
8×8 baking pan, and parchment paper. 1 quart wide-mouth Mason jar.

Brownie Mix:
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1.25 cups sugar can increase sugar to 1 1/2 cups is preferred
1 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon sea salt I love Redmond Real Salt.
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or more if you’re a die hard chocolate fan

Additional Ingredient for Brownie Batter:
1 cup butter Melted. For dairy-free folks, 2/3 cup melted coconut oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

To make the brownie mix in a Mason jar:
To make the mix in the jar for gift giving, layer sugar, cocoa powder, flour, salt, and chocolate chips in a 1 quart wide-mouth Mason jar.
Once all ingredients are in the jar, add a two-piece lid, some twine and my printable tags with baking instructions.

To bake the brownies:
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Add melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to dry ingredients and mix it all up until just combined. Don’t overmix or you’ll end up with tough brownies.
Pour into an ungreased 8×8 pan (parchment paper is your friend and is what I line my pans with) OR a 10 inch cast iron skillet. You can also double the recipe and use a 9×13 pan.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Take it out of oven while it still seems kind of gooey in the center, but not raw. The magic happens in this recipe by not over baking them.

Let cool COMPLETELY before cutting. This step is important. If you want amazing gooey brownies, you cannot cut them when they’re still warm or they’ll crumble!

Homemade Cake Mix Recipe

Make this homemade cake mix and never use a box recipe again! Easy to whip up, no preservatives, and the taste is top-shelf. Make a vanilla (yellow or white), chocolate or spice cake mix!
Servings: 12 servings Calories: 207kcal Author: Melissa Norris

1 quart-sized Mason jar

Dry Ingredients
1.5 cups cake flour
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients (For Time of Baking)
½ cup butter softened
½ cup milk
2 large eggs or 4 egg whites for a white cake
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Cake Mix in a Jar

Add all dry ingredients into a quart-sized Mason jar.
Add a two-piece lid and label and date the jar.

Baking Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine eggs and vanilla.
Add dry cake mix ingredients and stir to combine.
Add softened butter and milk and stir until smooth.
Pour batter into greased and floured pans. (Recipe makes one 9-inch square cake or 12 cupcakes.)
Bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Bake cupcakes for approximately 16 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
This recipe makes one 9-inch square cake or 12 cupcakes. Nutrition facts are calculated for 1/12th of the recipe.
Cake Mix Variations

Vanilla Cake: When baking, if you’d like to keep your vanilla cake mix white, omit the two eggs and use four egg whites instead.
Spice Cake: For a spice cake, add to the dry mix 2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon allspice, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves.
Double Chocolate: To add depth of chocolate flavor, you can add ½ cup of cocoa powder and ¼ cup of chocolate chips to the jar. At time of baking, omit the water, butter and eggs and replace them with ½ cup brewed and cooled coffee and ¾ cup mayonnaise.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 35mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Homemade Crackers (Ready in Minutes)

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups flour Whole wheat, fresh ground, all-purpose, or use your favorite gluten-free blend.
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika regular paprika works as well
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water
1 Tablespoon honey
sea salt I love Redmond Real Salt. Use code “Pioneering” for 15% off.
Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Measure flour and seasonings into a large mixing bowl.
Add cubed butter and cut in with a pastry cutter or two butter knives until it looks like pea-sized clumps.
Add water and honey, stir until just combined. Pro Tip: A few crumbly or dry pieces are fine, they’ll incorporate as you knead the dough together a few times.
Place the ball of dough on a baking sheet or stone. Roll dough out until it’s 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch thick. Pro Tip: Press harder from the center of the dough and lighter as you reach the edges to try and maintain the same thickness throughout.
Use a pizza cutter and cut into desired shapes.
Pierce each cracker with the tines of a fork to keep them from puffing up.
Sprinkle with sea salt or additional seasonings and bake at 400°F for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove the outer crackers to keep them from burning and return the rest to continue baking, if needed, for 2-3 minutes.
Allow the crackers to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once completely cool, transfer to an airtight container and store for up to a week.

Published
Categorized as Breads

Bread Mix in a Jar Recipe

Ingredients for the Jar
• 3 ½ cups Bread Flour You can substitute all-purpose flour, but if using whole wheat, cut back to 3 cups.
• 2 teaspoons Instant Yeast
• 2 teaspoons Salt
Ingredients for Baking
• 1 ¼ cups Water
• 1 Tablespoon Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Instructions for the Jar
1. Whisk together flour, yeast, and salt.
2. Place a canning funnel on top of the jar and transfer the mixture into the jar.
3. Place a lid on the jar and decorate as you wish.
4. If you are giving the jar as a gift, write the remaining ingredients and instructions for baking on a card and attach it to the jar.

Instructions for Baking the Bread
1. Pour the jar’s contents, water, and vinegar into a mixing bowl.
2. Stir until no dry patches remain, and a ball of dough can be formed. No need to knead!
3. Cover the dough ball with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, room-temperature area of your kitchen for 1½-2 hours. It should double in size.
4. Preheat the oven to 450°F. If using a baking stone or cast iron, preheat that as well.
5. Punch the dough, remove it from the bowl, and turn it onto a lightly floured surface.
6. Using your hands, pull down the sides until the dough forms a round loaf. It will be more rustic and less elastic than a typical loaf because we’re skipping the kneading portion.
7. Place on a piece of parchment. Let rest for 40 minutes.
8. Before baking, dust the top with a small amount of flour and gently rub it over the surface. Slash it with a bread lame into any pattern you’d like.
9. Remove the stone or cast iron from the oven and carefully transfer the dough with the parchment onto the baking stone.
10. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered, or until golden brown on top.
11. Let cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and eating.

Flavor Variations
This bread easily adapts to your main dish. Simply add different flavor variations to change it up! You might even find you’re baking homemade bread for dinner every night of the week!
Variation Description
Herbs Stir in your favorite herbs when you mix the bread. Rosemary, sage, or basil are great! If you are new to growing herbs, learn how easy it is to grow and dry herbs at home.
Garlic Who doesn’t love garlic? Mince two garlic cloves and add them to the dough during the mixing step. By the way, fall is the time to plant garlic if you want to grow it in your garden.
Parmesan Mix ¼ cup of parmesan cheese into the dough and make some cheesy bread.
Salt Sprinkle coarse and flaky sea salt on the loaf before baking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 586mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

No-Knead Artisan Bread | Easy Dutch Oven Bread


From: Melissa Norris

Make bakery-style no knead artisan bread at home with just 4 ingredients and no mixer needed! This easy Dutch oven bread has a crispy crust, chewy crumb, and incredible flavor. Perfect for beginners, soups, sandwiches, and everyday homemade bread baking.
Servings32 servings-Calories93 kcal

Ingredients
3 cups water lukewarm (about 120 degrees)
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
1 1/2 Tablespoons salt kosher or coarse sea salt is best
1 1/2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
6 1/2 cups flour unsifted, all-purpose or bread flour (see notes for whole wheat)
Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and warm water. Allow to sit for 6 to 8 minutes until water is foamy.
2. Add salt and vinegar. Mix in flour a cupful at a time until it’s all incorporated. Dough will be slightly wet.
3. Cover your dough with a tea towel and set it on top of the fridge (or a draft free warm place) to rise for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the dough has at least doubled in size.
4. Cover dough (make sure it can still breathe, don’t seal completely) and place in fridge for 8 hours.
5. Take 1/2 of the dough (or 1/3 for a smaller loaf) out of the bowl, it’s very wet, so lightly flour your hands, and pull it into the shape of your loaf. Dust the top with flour and slash it with a sharp knife (flour keeps your blade from sticking) and let it rise for about 40 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 450°F with cast iron Dutch oven inside.
7. Remove dutch oven from stove and carefully place one loaf into Dutch oven. Cover with the lid and bake for 25 minutes, remove lid and bake for another 10 minutes until golden on top. (No cast iron Dutch oven, see notes for alternate baking instructions)

Recipe Tips:
If dough feels too sticky to handle, dust lightly with flour. A wetter dough creates the best artisan texture, so resist the urge to add too much flour.
Long fermentation builds flavor naturally. For extra flavor, refrigerate the dough after the first rise for up to 3 days.
Preheating the Dutch oven creates steam for that crisp crust.
If you don’t have a Dutch oven, you can use a cookie sheet for your bread (parchment paper is still helpful), and place a metal broiling pan on the lowest rack in the oven. Preheat both pans to 450°F. Put your loaf in the oven, then quickly pour a cup of HOT water into the broiler pan and shut the oven. Bake for 45 minutes.
Use parchment paper for easy transfer.
Try to wait at least 20 minutes before slicing into your loaf. If you slice into a hot loaf, you’ll end up with a gummy center that will seem underbaked.
If you’re not a fan of the crispy, crunchy crust, you can immediately brush your loaf with butter as soon as it comes out of the oven. This will soften the crust just a bit, making it less crunchy.
Storage Instructions:
This no-knead artisan bread is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores well if you have leftovers. Keep the loaf at room temperature in a linen bread bag, wrapped in a clean kitchen towel, or loosely covered on the counter for up to 2 days. This helps preserve the crust while keeping the inside soft.
I don’t recommend storing bread in the refrigerator, as it tends to dry out much faster and lose its fresh texture.
For longer storage, slice the loaf first, then place it in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw slices at room temperature or pop them straight into the toaster.
Check out how to store homemade bread for a complete guide to keeping it fresher longer.
Nutrition
Calories: 93kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 329mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg

Published
Categorized as Breads

My Apricot Chicken

Apricot sauce:
Chicken:
2 lbs chicken thighs, chicken tenderloins strips
or chicken breasts bone in, skin on.
½ cup plain flour to dredge chicken
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Heat 1-2 Tb oil in a skillet.
Dredge chicken in flour, sprinkle on salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is lightly browned. 15-20 min.
Drain and make sauce.

Sauce:
½ to 2/3 cup fresh apricots, sliced in half. If using dried apricots either reconstitute or slice small and let them swell in the sauce.
Orange juice for liquid: 3-4 cups
¼ cup soy sauce* low sodium
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (optional)
1 – 2 cup apricot preserves
½ sliced onion
1 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
just a small pinch of teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions:
Sauté onion slice in pan used to cook chicken. If needed add a little orange juice to deglaze pan and sauté the onions.
After about 4 min. turn onions, and add the apricots and sauté them. Again if needed add a tablespoon or so of orange juice to the pan. When onions are sautéed add other ingredients, including the chicken.
Cook until sauce and chicken is simmering for 15-20 min.
Add a cup or2 of orange juice as the thermal pot needs to be 3/5 full.
Pour into thermal pot, and clamp down lid.

Chicken & Sweet corn Soup

Serves 4

1 Tbsp. oil
1 litre Chicken Stock
2 420gm can creamed corn
1 onion, diced
500gm chicken, diced
1-2 carrots, diced
4 sticks celery, chopped
1 cup water
Optional: add 1 stock cube for extra flavour

Method:
Place the inner pot of the thermal cooker on your stovetop. Heal oil & brown chicken & onion. Add stock, creamed corn, corn kernels, carrot, celery & water over medium-high heat. Cover bring to the boil & simmer for 15 mins.
Place lid on the large inner pot, turn off the burner, and put inner pot into the outer pot of the thermal cooker. Close the lid on the outer pot and let sit before serving.

Peanut granola bars

Peanut granola bars

Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup  unsalted peanuts, chopped
3/4 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
1/3 cup  pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon  mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, optional, see notes

Directions to Make Bars
1 Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, or use parchment paper.
2 Spread the oats and chopped peanuts onto a baking sheet, bake for 5 minutes, stir, and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Allow to cool.
3 While the oats and peanuts bake, make flax eggs by stirring three tablespoons of flaxseed meal with six tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. During this time, the flaxseed meal will absorb most, if not all, of the water.
4 In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and flax eggs. If using salt, add it now.
5 When the oats and peanuts have cooled, stir them into the peanut butter mixture. The mixture will be sticky. Thoroughly mix everything so that all the oats are well coated. Add up to 1/4 cup more peanut butter if the mixture seems dry.
6 Stir in 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips. Save the remaining tablespoon for topping the bars.
7 Transfer the granola bar mixture to the prepared pan, and then use a rubber spatula or damp fingertips to press it into the pan firmly so the bars stay together once cooled and cut. One trick is to add a sheet of parchment paper on top and then use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to press the oat mixture down into the pan.
8 Scatter the remaining tablespoon of chocolate chips over the pressed granola mixture, using a rubber spatula to push them into the top. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. If you are in a rush, you can freeze them for about 30 minutes. The bars will be too soft if cut before they are thoroughly chilled.
9Remove the chilled block of granola mixture from the pan, then peel away the foil or parchment. Cut into 12 bars.
• Storing
1Store granola bars in an airtight container for up to one week. For the softest bars, keep them at room temperature (note that room-temperature bars may fall apart more easily than cold bars). For slightly harder bars, store them in the fridge (this is what I do). When wrapped well, bars will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
• While we have had the best results with peanut butter, you can try substituting it for another nut butter, like almond or cashew butter. You should also be able to make them nut-free and use sunflower seed butter (you will also need to remove the peanuts for nut-free bars).
• Honey works well in these bars. Use the same amount of honey as maple syrup called for in the recipe above.
• If the nut butter is unsalted, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the granola bar mixture.
• The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 bar (12 total) / Calories 262 / Total Fat 12.7g / Saturated Fat 3.2g / Cholesterol 0mg / Sodium 4.5mg / Carbohydrate 27.4g / Dietary Fiber 4.3g / Total Sugars 10.1g / Protein 8.4g

Homemade Baked Granola Bars

Homemade Baked Granola Bars
My family loves these baked granola bars (especially me). They turn out lightly toasted, hearty, and full of flavor. Feel free to swap in your favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
One note with these: As with many homemade granola bars, these can crumble a little bit as you cut them. Cooling the bars completely (or even chilling them) helps you get clean edges when cutting them. Also, when chopping your nuts and dried fruit, chop them finely. The larger the piece, the more likely that will be where the bar will crumble a little. So, getting everything finely chopped before adding to the granola mixture is helpful! I use my blender for the nuts and pulse a few times before adding them. And finally, if they do crumble around the edges, you can usually just push them back together!
Makes 12 to 16 bars
You Will Need
1 ½ cups (160g) old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup (35g) old-fashioned rolled oats, finely ground, or 1/3 cup oat flour
1/3 cup (65g) coconut sugar or granulated sugar, increase to 1/2 cup (100g) for sweeter bars
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup (85g) finely chopped nuts, like walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup (30g) pumpkin seeds, unsweetened dried coconut flakes, or a combination
1/2 cup (70g) chopped dried fruit
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or flaxseeds
1/4 cup (65g) almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower butter
1/4 cup (85g) honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup olive oil or melted butter
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon water
1 large egg or flax egg

Directions
1Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) grease and line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to make removing the granola bars easier.
2In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, finely ground oats, sugar, chopped nuts, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, and flaxseed meal.
3In a separate bowl, whisk the almond butter, honey, olive oil (or melted butter), vanilla extract, water, and eggs until well blended. Pour into the bowl with oats. Mix until thoroughly coated.
4Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking pan, then press it down. Use a sheet of parchment paper placed on top of the granola mixture to help firmly pack it down into the pan. The better you pack it in there, the better the bars will hold together later.
5Bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown and there is a little color on the top. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan to room temperature.
6Remove from the pan, and then cut into bars or squares. A serrated knife or heavy chef’s knife is helpful. If the bars are crumbling a little on you, chill them for about an hour and try again. I find these crumble slightly, but only where larger bits of nuts or dried fruit are, which you can usually push back into the bar.
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
• Storing: Keep these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week, or freeze them! They stay fresher in the freezer, especially when individually wrapped and placed into a freezer bag. You can remove them as needed, and they last in the freezer for up to a month.
• Sugar: As written (with 1/3 cup) these bars are not too sweet, but not as sweet as many generic store-bought bars. For sweeter bars, increase the sugar to 1/2 cup or more. Or, add chocolate chips to the granola mixture.
• Chocolate chips: If you add chocolate, I prefer the mini chocolate chips for the same reason I prefer finely chopped nuts (the bars hold together better).
• The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We assumed olive oil.
NUTRITION PER SERVING: Serving Size 1 bar (12 total) / Calories 251 / Total Fat 13.2g / Saturated Fat 1.6g / Cholesterol 15.5mg / Sodium 109mg / Carbohydrate 27.5g / Dietary Fiber 3.5g / Total Sugars 13.9g / Protein 4.7g
AUTHOR: Joanne Gallagher

Instant Beef and Vegetable Soup in a Jar

Instant Beef and Vegetable Soup in a Jar
Ingredients:
1/3 cup Dehydrated rice Use any dehydrated grain
1/3 Cup Freeze-dried beef Use any protein that you prefer or leave it out
1/2 Cup Dehydrated vegetables Use whichever you prefer
1 tbsp Dehydrated onions
1.5 teaspoon bouillon use beef, chicken or vegetable
1.5 teaspoon Italian seasonings Use any blend that you like
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt Don’t add if using bouillon
2 cups Water Or use broth if you don’t want to use bouillon
Instructions:
Layer ingredients into a canning jar
Use a canning lid for an airtight seal
To Cook
Place ingredients plus 2 cups of water and bring to a simmer in a medium sauce pan. Allow to simmer for fifteen minutes or until vegetables are rehydrated and soft.
Alternative #2: Place ingredients and water in a microwave-safe bowl or cup; run on high for 2-3 minutes (until water boils)
Remove carefully, cover, and allow to sit until vegetables have absorbed water and are soft.
Alternative #3: boil water in a kettle, pour over ingredients that are in a heat-proof bowl or container, allow to cook for fifteen minutes or so.

Banana Bread Mix In A Jar

Banana Bread Mix In A Jar

Ingredients:
• 1¾ cups Flour
• 2 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2/3 cup Sugar
• 1/4 cup Walnut Pieces
• 1/4 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions:
In a quart mason jar, layer the ingredients in the order given above.
Put a lid on the jar and add a label with the instructions given in the next step.
You will also need:

2 large ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil.

In a large mixing bowl mash the bananas and then stir in the eggs and oil. Add in the contents of the jar and mix everything together. Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until a knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Notes:
To make the recipe without eggs or oil, change the instructions to read “Add a flax egg replacement made with 2 Tbl Ground Flax Seed + 1/3 cup Water, and 1/3 cup Applesauce”. Omit the chocolate chips for this mix option, or use the Enjoy Life non-dairy brand of chocolate chips.
White whole wheat flour, and organic cane sugar can also be used when layering this jar.

Naan Mix in a Jar and Storing

Storing Dry Naan Mix in a Jar
If you want to create an easy pantry “Naan Mix” that you can scoop out whenever you’re ready to bake, you can store your dry ingredients in a jar.
Dry Ingredients (Mix and store in a 1-quart jar)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Optional: ½ -1 tsp of garlic
How to Bake from the Jar
When you are ready to make naan, take 1 cup of your dry mix and add:
• 1 ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp warm milk
• 1 tbsp melted butter or ghee
Mix until it forms dough, let it rest for 10 minutes, then roll and cook in a hot skillet.

Nann Bread in a Jar very good

Naan dough can be prepped, portioned, and stored in a Mason jar for easy on-the-go meals or quick dinners. Simply layer your wet and dry ingredients (or drop pre-rolled dough balls brushed with oil) directly into the jar, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Before you cook the bread, see Problem Chart below.
How to Make It
If you want to have fresh, homemade naan ready at a moment’s notice, you can easily use an airtight container or Mason jar.
1. The Mix-and-Go Method (Dry/Wet Layering)
The Dry: In a 1-quart Mason jar, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt.
• The Wet:In a separate container, combine 1cup plain yogurt, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Pack this separately in a smaller jar or tightly sealed container.

To Cook: When you are ready to eat, simply combine the wet and dry ingredients, knead for 5 minutes, roll into thin circles, and pan-fry over medium-high heat for about 1.5 to 2 minutes per side until puffy and slightly charred.
2. The Pre-Portioned Dough Method
If you already have a prepared dough recipe, you can portion it out and store it to cook later.
• Prepare your naan dough and divide it into individual portions (roughly 50g-60g balls).
• Coat each ball lightly with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
• Place them into a wide-mouth Mason jar and seal it tightly.
• Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Cooking & Reheating Tips
• Room Temp is Key: If you are using pre-portioned dough balls from the fridge, let them rest on the counter at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours before rolling and cooking. This allows the dough to puff up nicely and prevents it from tearing.
Cooking: Cook each rolled-out flatbread in a hot, dry cast-iron skillet. Brush with a little melted ghee or butter right after flipping.
• Reheating Pre-cooked Naan: If you made extra and stored it, simply wrap the naan in a damp paper towel and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or reheat on a preheated skillet for 1-2 minutes per side
. Problem Cause Solution
Naan is too hard Overcooked or too much flour Reduce cooking time, use less flour
Not enough rise Old yeast or cold dough Use fresh yeast, warm the dough before cooking
Lacks flavor Not enough salt or garlic Adjust seasoning, use fresh garlic

Freeze-Dried Chicken Noodle Soup Mix

Freeze-Dried Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Add ingredients in order listed
Ingredients
• 1 T chicken bullion
• 1/2 cup bechamel sauce powder (a white sauce made with butter, flour, milk base)
• 1/4 cup dehydrated carrots,
• 1-1/2 cups freeze-dried vegetables
• 1/3 cup freeze-dried onion
• 1 cup freeze-dried chicken
Directions
Place oxygen absorber in jar, seal lid.
Add note: Add 8 cups water, simmer 5 minutes. Add noodles, 1 cup water and simmer until noodles are tender.

2 Ingredient Naan Flatbread (And Garlic Naan too!)

Easy 2-Ingredient Naan right at home! These soft and fluffy naan are so simple to make, you can turn them into garlic naan too and still use less than 5 ingredients! Perfect to serve with stews, butter chicken curry or chana masala! Recipe Tip
If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can use regular flour and make your own self-rising flour.
Start with 3 ¼ cups all purpose flour, add 5 teaspoons baking powder and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. You’ve got homemade self-rising flour.
Servings: 10 naan
Calories: 241
Ingredients
• 3 ⅓ cups self-rising flour
• 1 ½ cups plain greek yogurt
• 2-4 tablespoons water
• oil for brushing (optional)
• 1 teaspoon flaked salt for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. DOUGH: Combine the self-rising flour and greek yogurt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the hook attachment. This can also be done by hand using a silicone spatula. Mix the ingredients until the dough starts to form. If the dough is dry, add 1 tablespoon of water. Continue to knead and bring the dough together. If the dough is still barely holding together, add another tablespoon of water. Repeat with more water if needed, until the dough comes together.
2. ROLL: Dump the dough out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Work the dough out into a large disc. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Roll each piece out until it is about 1/3 inch in thickness and has a 6-inch diameter.
3. FLATBREAD: Place a griddle pan over medium-high heat and let it get very hot. Cook the naan on each side for about 2 minutes. The flatbread should puff up and have a light char. If desired, brush each side with olive oil and a small pinch of sea salt. See notes for flavor variations!
Notes
To make garlic naan:

Combine the 2 tablespoons oil (or melted ghee/butter)

2-3 cloves grated garlic,

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt in a bowl; stir. Once the first side of the naan is cooked, flip the naan over and brush the cooked side with the prepared garlic oil.
 to make sesame naan: brush with a little olive oil when the naan is done cooking and sprinkle 1 side with sesame seeds. Place the sesame seed side of the naan onto the cooking surface for just a few seconds to seal the sesame seeds into the surface of the naan.
Nutrition
Calories: 241kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 9g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

Published
Categorized as Breads

Hot Corn Dip

Original Recipe by Emeril Lagasse

Freeze Dried Ingredients:
3 1/2 c. Freeze-dried corn kernels
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 c. finely chopped yellow onions
1/2 c. finely chopped red bell peppers – I
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced or 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp. minced garlic

To Make the Dip

2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
4 ounces monterey jack or cheddar, shredded- I used pepperjack
4 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
Tortilla chips, for dipping

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Reconstitute the corn, and other vegitables with hot water, drain and pat dry.
Melt 1 Tbsp. of the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the corn, salt, and black pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the kernels turn deep golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the skillet.
Add the onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring often, until the onions are wilted, about 2 minutes.
Add the beans (if using them) green onions, jalapeno, and garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
Transfer to the bowl with the corn.

Add the mayo, cayenne pepper, half of the monterey jack and half of the cheddar and mix well.
Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish (or something equivalent) and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Bake until bubbly and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
Serve hot with tortilla chips.

 

Chicken Salad

Freeze-Dried Chicken Salad Recipe
Add ingredients in order, does not require heat
Ingredients
• 1/4 cup freeze-dried celery
• 2 cups freeze-dried chicken
• 2 T freeze-dried onion
• 1/4 cup freeze-dried grapes and/or freeze-dried cranberries(optional)
• 1/2 cup freeze-dried apples(optional)
Directions
1. Place oxygen absorber in jar.
To Make:
Add 3/4 cup plus
1 T cold water, let stand 10 min
Add 1/2 cup mayo and mix well

Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

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Ingredients:
1 cup small pasta (like macaroni or rotini),
¾ cup freeze-dried diced tomatoes, and ¼ cup freeze-dried onions.
• Seasoning Pack:
1tbsp tomato powder,
1tsp basil,
½ tsp garlic powder,
2 tbsp. powdered milk (or powdered heavy cream).
To Cook: Add the dry mix and jar contents to 2 cups of boiling water. Stir well, cover, and let it sit off the heat for 10-15 minutes until the pasta is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Chili Mix

Dry Chili Mix
Recipe from Rainy Day Food Storage

1 1/4 c. instant red beans
1/2 c. tomato powder
1 c. freeze dried beef (I used 1/2 hamburger, 1/2 roast beef)
1/2 c. dehydrated mixed bell peppers
1/2 c. freeze dried tomato dices (i omitted these)
1/4 c. freeze dried chopped onions
1/4 c. freeze dried celery
1 Tbsp. beef bouillon
2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
salt and pepper, to taste

To make the chili:
Add 8 cups of water to a pot over high heat.
Add entire contents of jar and bring to a boil.
Simmer over medium heat until beans are cooked through, 20-30 minutes.
This chili will thicken up quiet a bit during the final minutes of cooking time, so don’t panic if it looks too watered down, just keep boiling.

Serve with shredded cheese, optional.

Chicken Salad Mix

Servings 2

In a pint mason jar, layer in the following order:
1 c. freeze dried chicken
1/3 c. dehydrated apples (or freeze dried), broken into pieces
1 Tbsp. freeze dried green onions
2 Tbsp. freeze dried celery
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 c. freeze dried grapes (or chopped freeze dried pineapple)
Mayo packets, if adding, can be placed on the top.

To make:
Remove mayonnaise packets.
Add water to jar, until just barely beneath the top of the food.
Add the lid back to the jar and shake.
Let stand for 3 minutes, then turn the jar upside down.
Let stand for 1 minute.
Remove lid and add mayonnaise.
Stir to combine.
Serve with crackers, on bread, or plain.

 

Mac & Cheese in a Jar

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 2/3 cups elbow macaroni
• 2/3 cup cheese powder
• 2 tablespoons instant non-fat dry milk
• 4 teaspoons butter powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard (powdered mustard, not prepared  OPTIONAL)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
• Place pasta in clean, wide-mouth quart-size mason jar.
• Place remaining ingredients in small sandwich bag.
• Twist or seal sandwich bag and place on top of dry pasta in jar.
• Place new canning lid on top of jar. Using wide-mouth attachment for a FoodSaver, vacuum seal lid onto jar following instructions from your FoodSaver manual. (You can also insert an oxygen absorber before putting on lid if you’d like.)
• Remove vacuum attachment and put ring on. Tighten by hand, but don’t over tighten.
• Label and date. Be sure to include the instructions from the package for cooking the pasta. Store in cool, dry location.

Meals in a Jar Tips

A jar of dried ingredients for making soup

Meals in a Jar Substitution Tips:
• Many of these recipes may contain products from a specific freeze-dried company. You do not have to use ingredients from that company. You can use your own dehydrated foods, or a freeze-dried company of your choice.
• Use approximately 1/2 of the quantity of dehydrated foods when they call for freeze-dried, as freeze-dried foods don’t shrink. Quantities aren’t written in stone. You can change the mixes up easily to your preference.
• Give yourself a little extra time in rehydrating/cooking when using dehydrated vs freeze dried. It may take a little longer.
• Use a thermos to rehydrate/cook in if you are on the go
• If you need a truly instant-meal, precook all of your ingredients before dehydrating.
Freeze-dried meals in a jar provide shelf-stable, “just-add-water” convenience, combining freeze-dried proteins, vegetables, and starches with seasonings for quick, homemade meals. Popular recipes include hearty stews, chicken broccoli alfredo, and various soups that can last for years when sealed with oxygen absorbers.
Popular Freeze-Dried Meal-in-a-Jar Recipes
• Chicken Broccoli Alfredo: Freeze-dried chicken, broccoli florets, pasta, and parmesan sauce powder.
• Beefy Vegetable Stew: Freeze-dried ground beef, potatoes, peas, carrots, and beef bouillon powder.
• Bean & Rice Fajita Casserole: Instant rice, freeze-dried black beans, corn, bell peppers, and taco seasoning.
• Chicken Noodle Skillet Meal: Egg noodles, freeze-dried chicken, celery, onions, and chicken bouillon.
• Creamy Tomato Soup: Tomato powder, freeze-dried onions, and powdered milk.
• Buttermilk Pancake Mix: A simple jar mix of flour, sugar, and buttermilk powder for fast breakfasts.
Key Tips for Success
• Layering: Place dense items at the bottom and lighter items on top.
• Storage: Use Mason jars with oxygen absorbers for long-term storage to keep food fresh for up to 5-10 years depending on the ingredients.
• Preparation: Most recipes are prepared by adding the jar contents to boiling water and simmering for 15–20 minutes, or until ingredients are tender.
• Seasonings: Use powdered versions of sauces and seasonings to prevent clumping and ensure fast rehydration.

Chicken noodle skillet meal in a jar

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups egg noodles
1 tablespoon dehydrated minced onions
1/3 cup instant non-fat dry milk
1 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter powder
1/2 cup freeze-dried vegetable mix
1/3 cup cheese powder
1 cup freeze-dried diced chicken*

Layer ingredients into clean, wide-mouth mason jar in the order listed above. Shake to settle contents.
Place new canning lid on top of jar. Using wide-mouth attachment for a FoodSaver, vacuum seal lid onto jar following instructions from your FoodSaver manual. (You can also insert an oxygen absorber before putting on lid if you’d like.)
Remove vacuum attachment and put ring on. Tighten by hand, but don’t over tighten.
Label and date. Store in cool, dry location.
To cook:
Empty contents of jar (minus oxygen packet if present) into large skillet. Add 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let sit 3-5 minutes to allow sauce to thicken.
NOTES
You can substitute chicken TVP for the freeze-dried diced chicken.
If you are having a hard time finding freeze-dried vegetable mix (do not use dehydrated), you can substitute freeze-dried corn or peas or a combination of both!
NUTRITION
Serving: 6people | Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 550mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar:

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Meal in a Jar

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups dry penne pasta
1/2 cup freeze-dried broccoli florets & stems
3/4 cup freeze-dried chicken chunks
2 packets Knorr alfredo sauce mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

To Make the Meal in a Jar:
Wash and thoroughly dry a quart-size wide-mouth mason jar.
Place items for meal into mason jar in the following order: dry pasta, broccoli, chicken.
Pour contents of alfredo sauce mix packets and the garlic powder into a small snack- or sandwich-sized plastic baggie.
Place baggie on top of ingredients in the jar.
Lay oxygen absorber on top of ingredients (if using).
Wipe off rim of mason jar to allow for a good vacuum seal with the lid.
Place new canning lid on top of jar. Using wide-mouth jar sealer attachment, vacuum seal the lid onto your jar following the instructions for your vacuum sealer model.
Once seal is done, remove jar sealer attachment and place ring on jar. Tighten by hand, but do not over tighten.
Label and date. Be sure to include baking instructions.
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
To Cook:
Remove lid and oxygen absorber and discard.
Pour contents of baggie into medium bowl. Add 4 cups of boiling water and whisk gently to combine.
Pour remaining contents of jar into a medium baking dish (8×8 or slightly larger works well).
Pour sauce mixture over contents and stir to wet all ingredients.
Cover dish with aluminum foil and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
Remove foil and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, being sure to stir every 10 minutes to avoid burning or scorching.
Once sauce has thickened and pasta can cooked through, remove from oven and serve. Garnish with fresh Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and fresh parsley if desired.
NOTES
Shelf life is 10 years, potentially up to 25, as long as the jar remains fully sealed and it has been stored appropriately.
Be sure to check on your stored jar regularly to verify that seal is still intact. If seal has broken, discard contents.
NUTRITION
Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 996mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Cranberry Orange Muffins with Dried Cranberries

Dry Ingredients
2 cups All-purpose flour
1/2 cup Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil Any neutral flavored oil will do or applesauce
2 cups Freeze-dried cranberries Can use dehydrated as well

Instructions
1. In large bowl, blend dry ingredients with a whisk.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, then add wet ingredients.
3. Put cranberries into the wet ingredient bowl, mix well, and let them sit for about five minutes to rehdyrate.
4. Fold wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until well incorporated, then stop.
5. All batter to sit for about five minutes while you prepare your muffin tins.
6. Place papers or silicone cups into muffin tins or spray muffin tins with baking spray.
7. Fill muffin tins (cup or paper) with batter to the top.
8. Bake at 350°F/76C for 20-25 minutes until a knife or toothpick comes out clean.

Freeze-Dried Spaghetti

freeze dried vegetables sliced in glass jars in a shop window

Freeze-Dried Spaghetti Recipe in a Jar
Add all ingredients in order listed
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup tomato powder
• 1-1/2 tsp. parsley
• 1-1/2 tsp. basil
• 1-1/2 tsp. oregano
• 1-1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 T. freeze-dried onion
• 1-1/2 – 2 tsp. salt
• 1-1/2 T. garlic powder
• 1 cup freeze-dried sausage crumbles or ground beef crumbles
• 1 cup freeze-dried mushrooms
• 1 cup freeze-dried tomatoes, diced
Directions
Place oxygen absorber in jar and seal tightly.
Add note to jar: Add 4 cups water, simmer until meat is hydrated. Serve over spaghetti. Store box of spaghetti with sauce jar.

Ramen Noodle & Mix

Ramen Noodle Mix
To make a “beef” version, substitute beef broth powder, for the chicken broth powder.
Yield 1 Pint
1 cup ramen noodles or one “nest”
½ cup freeze-dried mixed vegetables (or ¼cup dehydrated)
1 Tbs arrowroot powder (or cornstarch)
1 Tbs chicken broth powder
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make the Soup
1 ramen noodle soup jar
2 cups water
1.Dump the jar into a saucepot along with 2 cups of water.
2.Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables and noodles are tender.
3.If using dehydrated vegetables, you may need toad up to ½ cup water more—just monitor and add if needed.

Chicken Noodle Soup & Mix

Chicken Noodle Soup Mix
Try it with any kind of noodle. If using a small noodle like elbow macaroni or broken fettuccine, reduce the noodle amount to 3/4 cup.
1 Pint
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup egg noodles
2 Tbs dried minced onions
2 Tbs dehydrated carrots
2 Tbs dehydrated celery
1 Tbs dehydrated peas
1 Tbs chicken broth powder
1 tsp dried parsley
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp pepper
1 bay leaf
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make Soup
For Classic:
1 chicken noodle soup jar
3 ½ cups water
1 (12.5 oz) can chicken
To make classic chicken noodle soup, dump the jar into a saucepot along with 3 1/2 cups ofwater.
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables and noodles are tender. Add cooked chicken and heat through.
For Creamy:
1 chicken noodle soup jar
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs flour
3 cups water
½ cup half and half (or heavy cream)
1 (12.5 oz) can chicken
To make a creamy version, melt 2 Tbs butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 Tbs flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbly. Whisk in 3 cups water until smooth.
Add the entire jar of soup mix and bring to boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender and noodles cooked. Stir in cooked chicken and heat through. Remove from heat, and slowly stir in 1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream.

Split Pea Soup & Mix

Split Pea Soup Mix
The dehydrated carrots and celery can be diced, sliced, or shredded. Also, you can use freeze-dried vegetables. Freeze-dried vegetables don’t shrink as much as dehydrated, so consider using less—but it’s your soup, so make it how you like it.
Yield 1 pint
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups dried, split green peas
¼ cup dehydrated carrots
3 Tbs dehydrated celery
1 Tbs dried minced onion
1 Tbs dried minced garlic
1 Tbs ham broth powder (or chicken)
1 bay leaf
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make Soup
6 servings
1 jar split pea soup mix
5 cups water Optional: Cooked, chopped ham
1.Dump the jar mix into a large saucepot or Dutch oven along with 5 cups of water. (Optional: If you want to leave out the ham broth powder, you can use ham broth—or any kind of broth—instead of water here.)
2.Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer about 30 minutes.
3.If desired, add cooked, chopped ham to the last15 minutes of simmering.4.Remove the bay leaf before serving. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Taco Soup & Mix

Taco Soup Mix 
To dehydrate beans, cook them as if you were making them fresh, then dehydrate at 125 F until done. you have freeze-dried ground beef, you can add ½ cup to your jar mix

Yield: 1 Quart
Ingredients:
1½ cup dehydrated pinto beans1
cup instant rice
½ cup dried, minced onion
¾ cup dehydrated corn
½ cup tomato powder
⅓ cup dried, minced bell peppers
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 Tbs taco seasoning
Place all ingredients into a quart jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make Soup
Yield: 8 cups
1 taco soup jar
8 cups beef broth or (8cups water and
⅓ cup beef broth powder)
1.Empty contents of the jar into a large Dutch oven or pot.
2.Add broth (or water and broth powder).
3.Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.Garnish with fresh avocado, cheese, and cilantro, if desired.

Chipotle Black Bean Soup & Mix

Chipotle Black Bean Soup Mix
Yield: 1 Pint
To make this an “instant” soup, use dehydrated beans. To dehydrate beans, cook them as if you were making them fresh, then dehydrate at 125 F until done.
Ingredients:
1 ½ cup dried black beans
3 Tbs dehydrated corn
1 Tbs chipotle powder
1 Tbs taco seasoning
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne(optional for extra kick)
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make Soup
1 black bean soup jar
6 cups water (or broth of choice)
Directions:
1.Dump the jar into a large saucepot or Dutch oven.
2.Add water or broth. Bring to a boil, and boil for 5minutes.
3.Reduce heat to low, and simmer about 2 hours or until beans are tender. Note: If you used dehydrated beans, reduce the water to
4 cups and simmer for only 25-30 minutes.

Caesar Dressing & Mix

Caesar Dressing Mix
Besides salad dressing, use this mix to season vegetables for roasting.
Ingredients:
1 Pint
½ cup lemon pepper
⅔ cup dried oregano
⅓ cup dry mustard
¼ cup garlic powder
3 Tbs onion powder
2 Tbs lemon powder
1 Tbs salt
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
To Make Dressing
Yield: 1 Pint
2 Tbs dry Caesar dressing mix
½ cup Greek yogurt
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 Tbs parmesan cheese, grated
Whisk all ingredients together. Store in the refrigerator, and enjoy within one week.
Note: If you find yourself missing that anchovy taste, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce!

Green Goddess Dressing & Mix

Green Goddess Mix
Besides salad dressing, use this mix to make a pasta salad! Just mix ¼ cup with 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 cups cooked pasta, and any mix-ins you like—try mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes.
Yield 1 Pint
1 cup dehydrated green onions
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup Italian seasoning
4 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
Grind the dehydrated green onions into a powder, then mix with all remaining ingredients.
Store in a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal. Note: You’ll need to shake and tap the jar to make
the contents settle enough to fit.
To Make Dressing
Yield ½ pint
3 Tbs dry Green goddess dressing mix
2 Tbs red wine vinegar
1 cup mayonnaise
Make1.Whisk all ingredients together.2.Store in the refrigerator, and enjoy within two weeks.

Beef Stew & Mix

Beef Stew Seasoning
Use 2-3 Tbs per pound of meat. This mix is good for more than just stew—try it on pot roast, shepherd’s pie, and even as a savory gravy.
Yield: 1 Pint
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
2 ½ Tbs garlic powder
2 ½ Tbs paprika1
Tbs Italian seasoning
1 Tbs celery seed1
tsp basil
2 ½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp pepper
Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.

Making the Beef Stew
Yield: 3 Quarts – 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1 quart canned cubed venison, cubed beef, or ground beef
1 quart canned potatoes, drained and rinsed
3 cups broth (any kind)
¼ cup BBQ sauce
1 pint canned carrots
½ medium onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 Tbs beef stew seasoning
3 Tbs butter
3 Tbs flour
Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter, then add flour, cook about 1 minute until bubbly.
2.Add onion, celery, beef stew seasoning, and small splash of broth to keep from burning as you cook until onions have softened (about 5minutes).
3.Add all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 15-20minutes.
4.Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

BBQ Sauce & Mix

BBQ Sauce Mix
Makes 1 Quart
2 cups brown sugar
1½ cups tomato powder
½ cup dried, minced onions
2 Tbs mustard powder
2 Tbs smoked paprika
1½ Tbs salt
1 Tbs Worcestershire powder
1 Tbs lemon powder
1 tsp pepper
1½ tsp garlic powder
Dire1.Place all ingredients into a quart jar. (Do not vacuum seal because it will cause the brown sugar to harden. You can seal brown sugar in a separate pouch and grind it up if it gets hard.
BBQ Sauce
1 Cup BBQ sauce dry mix
1 ⅓ cups water
¼ cup molasses
5 Tbs apple cidervinegar
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce (if you didn’t add powder to the mix)
Optional: 1 Tb arrowroot powder or cornstarch (if you prefer thick sauce)
Directions:
In a small pot, mix everything except the arrowroot powder (if using).
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cookfor 10-15 minutes.
At 10 minutes, taste to see if it’s as sweet as you like it. If not, add honey, maple syrup, or more brown sugar to taste. Cook for 5 more minutes.
If you like your barbecue sauce a little thicker, you can add 1 Tbs of arrowroot powder (or cornstarch) once the mixture is boiling. Mix thoroughly, then lower to a simmer and continue with your 10-15 minute cook time. Note: If using arrowroot powder, the sauce will thicken further upon cooling.

Vegetable Dip & Mix

Vegetable Dip Mix

¼ cup beef broth powder
1 Tbs arrowroot powder
2 tsp dried minced onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp tomato powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp turmeric powder
3 Tbs dried tomatoes, crushed
3 Tbs dried carrots, crushed
2 Tbs dried cabbage, crushed
2 Tbs dried peas, crushed
2 Tbs dried peppers, crushed
½ cup freeze-dried mixed vegetables, powdered (or ¼cup dehydrated mixed vegetables, powdered)
1.Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
If you need to keep this vegetarian, you can substitute the beef broth powder with a vegetable-based powder. Also, anything “dried” can be either dehydrated or freeze-dried.

Making the Vegetable Dip
Yield: 2 cups
½ cup vegetable dip mix
8 oz sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
Serve with fresh raw vegetables, chips, or pita bread.

Turkey Sausage & Sausage Mix

Sausage Mix
Yield: 1 pint
Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
A scant 1/2 cup pepper
1/2 cup dried sage (rubbed)
1/2 cup dried basil
1/4 cup onion powder
2 Tbs marjoram
Directions
Use about 1 Tablespoon per pound of meat anytime you want more of a sausage-y flavor.
1. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined and transfer to a pint jar.
Optional: Vacuum seal.

To Make the Sausage
Yield: 7-8 Patties
Turkey Sausage
1 lb ground turkey
1 Tbs sausage seasoning
1.Mix the two ingredients together until well combined.
2.Form patties, and fry them in a skillet until no longer pink in the center.

Herbed Chicken & Rice

Herbed Chicken & Rice Mix

Ingredients:
4½ cups rice
2¼ cups vermicelli, broken into half-inch pieces
⅔ cup chicken broth powder
¼ cup dried parsley
2 Tbs onion powder
4 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp ground thyme
Directions:
1.In a large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients until evenly combined.
2.Pour into a half-gallon jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.
This large batch makes approximately 8 cups, which is why we store it in a half-gallon Mason jar. If you don’t have half-gallon jars, a 1.9 liter or 64-ounce pantry container works well too.

To Make the Rice

Servings-4
Ingredients:
1 ¾ cups herbed chicken rice blend dry mix
2 Tbs butter
3 cups water
Directions:
1.In a pot or skillet, melt the butter.
2.Add the dry mix and sauté until the mix look slightly brown and toasted.
3.Add water, and bring to a boil then lower to a simmer.
4.Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until water is fully absorbed and rice is tender.

Italian Dressing mix

While we use this to make salad dressing, it can be used as a seasoning format too. It’s great on a Crock-Pot roast! It’s also wonderful for quick meatballs—just mix 2 Tbs with 1-lb ground beef, roll into balls, and bake.
Yield: 1 pint
Ingredients:
½ cup onion powder
¼ cup dried parsley
¼ cup dried oregano
¼ cup dried, minced onion
¼ cup dried basil
¼ cup salt
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs garlic powder
2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp ground celery seed
½ tsp ground thyme

Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.

To Make Italian Dressing (makes 1 half pint)
2 Tbs dry Italian dressing mix
¼ cup white vinegar
½ cup avocado oil (or oil of choice)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Whisk all ingredients together. Store in the refrigerator, and enjoy within two weeks.

Greek Dressing

Yield: 1 ½ cups

Besides salad dressing, use this mix to make a quick tzatziki sauce! Just mix with 1 Tbs of Greek seasoning with 2 cups Greek yogurt and ½ cup finely minced cucumber. Chill for at least an hour, then enjoy with some pita bread

Ingredients:

1/4 cup dried oregano
1/4 cup dried basil
1/4 cup dried chives
1/4 cup sugar
4 tsp dried thyme
4 tsp dried marjoram
4 tsp onion powder
4 tsp garlic powder
4 tsp salt
4 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients into a pint jar. Optional: Vacuum seal.

To Make Dressing

1 Tbs Greek dressing mix
⅓ cup olive oil
⅓ cup white wine vinegar
.Whisk all ingredients together.

Store in the refrigerator, and enjoy within two weeks.

 

Shrimp Scampi

This easy shrimp scampi recipe is a simple but elegant shellfish dish.

Servings:4

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
½ cup butter, or to taste
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup dry white wine
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
4 lemon wedges

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain; transfer pasta to a serving bowl and keep warm.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in shrimp and garlic; cook and stir until shrimp turns pink, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in white wine and pepper; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 30 seconds.

Pour shrimp with sauce over pasta in the serving bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

704        Calories

32g        Fat

65g        Carbs

38g        Protein

Published
Categorized as Main Dish

Hollandaise Sauce (The Playboy Gourmet)

Hollandaise is a classic French mother sauce perfected in The Playboy Gourmet (edited by Thomas Mario). It is an emulsion of egg yolks, melted butter, and a hint of citrus or vinegar. To master this velvety, rich sauce at home, you will need the specific proportions and steps outlined below.

Playboy Gourmet Hollandaise Ingredients

  • Egg Yolks: 3 large yolks (at room temperature)
  • Butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed
  • Water: 1 tablespoon (warm)
  • Seasoning: 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus a tiny dash of cayenne pepper

How to Prepare It (Double Boiler Method)

  1. Melt the Butter

Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat until it is completely liquid and foamy. Remove from heat and keep it warm. [1]

  1. Whisk the Egg Mixture

In a heatproof bowl (like a stainless steel or glass mixing bowl), vigorously whisk together the 3 egg yolks, warm water, salt, and cayenne pepper until the mixture is smooth and frothy.

  1. Emulsify over Heat

Place the bowl directly over a saucepan filled with 1–2 inches of gently simmering water. Ensure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. Whisk continuously and rapidly for 2 to 3 minutes until the eggs thicken and double in volume. [

  1. Add the Butter

Remove the bowl from the heat. While whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle the warm (but not scalding hot) melted butter into the egg mixture. Take your time here; pouring too fast will break the sauce. [1, 2, 3]

  1. Finish and Serve

Once all the butter is incorporated and the sauce is thick and glossy, whisk in the fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust with more salt or cayenne if necessary. Serve immediately over asparagus, fish, or Eggs Benedict.

The Secret to a Perfect Hollandaise

Hollandaise is notoriously finicky, so following these tips will ensure you get it right every time:

  • Temperature control: If your eggs get too hot over the double boiler, they will scramble. If your butter is too hot when you add it, it will split the emulsion.
  • Fixing a broken sauce: If your sauce separates or looks greasy, don’t throw it out. Put a fresh egg yolk and a teaspoon of warm water into a clean bowl, and slowly whisk the broken sauce into that new yolk.
Published
Categorized as Breakfast

Instant Pot Beans from Jess

By Jess Sowards – The Farmer’s Table

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including pressure and natural release)
Serves: 6

Ingredients
1 lb dried pinto beans, rinsed and sorted
2 tablespoons oil or fat
1 large onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
6–8 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
6 cups broth (or water)
Salt, to taste

Directions:

  1. Rinse and sort the beans, removing any debris or shriveled beans.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to sauté. Add the oil, onion, and celery. Cook until softened and lightly golden, about 5–6 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, thyme, and cayenne. Toast briefly, stirring constantly, about 30 seconds.
  5. Add the beans and broth. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
  6. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow a natural release for at least 10–15 minutes before opening.
  7. Taste and season with salt. If desired, mash some of the beans and turn the sauté function back on to thicken the broth slightly.

Notes:

Soaking
If you prefer, soak the beans overnight in water with 1 tablespoon salt. Soaked beans will need 3–4 cups liquid and cook faster.

Liquid
For a soupier pot, use up to 8 cups broth.

Vegetable additions
Bell peppers, carrots, kale, or collards can be added for extra nutrition and to stretch the meal.

Meat options
Add a smoked ham hock, turkey leg, neck bones, or diced sausage after the liquid is added. These are for flavor more than bulk.

Vegetarian option
Leave out the meat entirely and add a few drops of liquid smoke for depth.

Serving ideas
Serve over rice, with skillet cornbread, or mash and simmer for refried-style beans.

Storage
Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or can be frozen in portions for later meals.

 

You can use slow cooker recipes in your thermal cooker

Food Prep guide:
You can use slow cooker recipes in your thermal cooker, just bring all the ingredients to a boil at the start. Like a slow cooker, the amount of liquid that goes into the pot at the beginning will be retained, so adjust traditional recipes accordingly. Read more on using a thermal cooker.
Yes, you can absolutely use slow cooker recipes in your Stanley vacuum cooker (often called a thermal cooker or Camp Crock), but you cannot use them exactly like a standard electric slow cooker.
Because a Stanley uses vacuum insulation rather than a plug-in heating element to continuously cook, you have to adapt your method:
1. The Prep
You still prepare your ingredients (stews, soups, curries, or braised meats) in your standard slow cooker recipe. However, instead of immediately dumping everything into the Stanley, you must heat the food to a rolling boil on a stove first.
• If cooking raw meats: Boil the food on the stove for at least 15 to 30 minutes so it has enough thermal energy to finish cooking.
• If using pre-cooked or no-meat recipes: Boiling for 3 to 5 minutes is generally sufficient.
2. The Cook
Immediately transfer the boiling pot of food directly into the Stanley vacuum cooker and clamp the lid shut. The vacuum insulation will retain the heat, allowing the food to slowly continue “cooking” without any power or electricity.
• Because it slowly loses residual heat, your food needs to sit in the vacuum cooker for at least 6 to 8 hours to tenderize meats properly
3. Key Rules for Success
• Fill it up: Thermal cookers rely on mass to retain heat. Your inner pot should be at least 2/3 full.
• No peeking: Do not open the lid during the process. Every time you open it, you let out the heat needed to safely cook the food.
• Liquid levels: Use a little more liquid or stock to ensure the food stays submerged, as there will be no evaporation.
For tips on how to prepare your thermal cooker meals to be hot, ready, and safe to eat out in the field:

Orange Chicken In a Thermal Cooker

The main principle for success with the thermal cooker is that everything goes into the cooker at once, and all of it needs to be boiling hot. We made Asian Orange Chicken, and since rice, small pieces of chicken, and sauce only take a few minutes to get that way, this is a super quick recipe. In the video, we doubled the recipe, so be aware of that when you look at these quantities and then watch the video. We have the original recipe below, but you can use your favorite. (Be aware that breading isn’t ideal in the cooker; that’s why I left the flour out.)

Here’s the recipe for 4-5 servings: (the cooker needs at least this much mass inside to keep it cooking)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups water
3 Tablespoons orange juice
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 Tablespoon grated orange zest
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 Tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 Tablespoons water

Arroz Con Pollo

Chicken

  • 2-3 tbl Olive oil
  • 2-3 chicken breasts cut up
  • ¼ c flour for dredging
  • Salt, pepper, paprika

Rice

          • 2 tbl olive oil
          • 1 med. onion, chopped
          • 1 clove garlic, minced
          • 1 c rice
          • 2 c chicken stock
          • 1 heaping tbl.tomato paste or 1 c diced tomatoes (strained)
          • Lg Pinch of Oregano
          • lg Pinch of Cumin
          • 1 tsp salt

      Directions:

      1. Heat olive oil in large pot. Combine flour, salt,

      pepper & paprika in wide bowl. Dredge chicken

      pieces lightly in flour mix and brown in pan. Cook

      pieces on each side and remove when done.

      1. Add rice to the pan to brown, adding more oil if

      needed. Stir first to coat rice with oil, then don’t

      stir much. Let brown then add onion & garlic and

      cook mix stirring frequently until onions have

      softened, about 4 minutes.

      1. Place chicken on top of rice. In separate bowl mix

      together stock, tomato, salt & oregano, and pour

      over chicken & rice. Bring to a boil for 2-4 mins and

      place in cooker.

Mexican Chicken Delight

(from Saratoga Jacks website)

2-3 lbs boneless chicken breast, chopped in chunks and put into large pot. Turn on high.

Then add:

Large (32oz) jar of chunky, medium salsa

1 can chunky pineapple, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans, drained & rinsed

Bring to a boil for at least 2 mins while stirring. Make

rice (3 min. boil) in smaller pot. Put into cooker for at

least 2 hours. Serve with sliced avocado and cilantro sprinkles

Cook for at least 2 hours

Stanley Thermal pots recipes

Stanley thermal pots and food jars are excellent for off-grid cooking and keeping meals hot for hours. To cook, simply preheat the insulated jar with boiling water for 5 minutes, then add your raw or parboiled ingredients, top with fresh boiling water, and let it steep using trapped residual heat

Try these simple, travel-friendly recipes in your Stanley:

  1. Overnight Steel-Cut Oats
  • Ingredients: ½  cup steel-cut oats, 1 ½  cups liquid (water, almond milk, or dairy milk), 1 tbsp coconut oil or butter, sweetener (maple syrup/honey), and a pinch of salt.
  • Directions: Boil the liquid, oil, and salt in a saucepan. Add the oats and boil for 2-3 minutes. Transfer the entire mixture into your preheated thermal pot. Seal it overnight (up to 10 hours) and enjoy a warm breakfast in the morning.
  1. Quick Backpacking Rice & Beans
  • Ingredients: ½ cup instant rice, ¼  cup quick-cook dehydrated beans, 1 tbsp taco seasoning, and 1.5 cups water.
  • Directions: Boil the water in a camp pot and stir in the ingredients. Boil for 1-2 minutes, then pour the hot mixture into your preheated Stanley. Seal tightly and let it cook for 30–40 minutes before eating.
  1. Thermal Pot Quinoa
  • Ingredients: ½  cup rinsed quinoa, 1 cup water, and ¼  tsp salt.
  • Directions: Bring the water and quinoa to a rolling boil in a pot. Boil for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to your preheated Stanley and seal it for 20 minutes to yield perfectly fluffy quinoa without watching a stove.
  1. Ramen & Vegetable Soup
  • Ingredients: 1 block of instant ramen noodles (discard the heavy seasoning packet), ¼  cup dehydrated mixed vegetables, 1 tbsp bouillon powder, and 1.5 cups water.
  • Directions: Boil the water and pour it over the noodles, veggies, and bouillon directly into the thermal pot. Seal it tightly. The noodles and vegetables will rehydrate and cook perfectly in 10-15 minutes.

Split Pea Soup (thermal pot)

Ingredients

  • 9 Cups broth (vegetable or chicken or stock from ham hock)
  • 3 Cups dried green split peas (rinse well first)
  • 1 large chopped onion
  • 2 C chopped carrots
  • 4 chopped celery stalks
  • 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 3 C small chopped new red potatoes with skins on

Instructions

Bring all ingredients to a 3 minute rolling boil . seal unit and cook for 3-8 hours. fodd needs to be at least 140 degrees for safety reasons especially i meat is included. When ready to serve, whisk soup to mix in split peas, or run a wand blender for a couple of bursts for a more uniform texture.

 

Chicken Scampi

Make restaurant-style Chicken Scampi in just 30 minutes! This easy dish is made with simple ingredients and is full of rich creamy flavor.

Servings6 servings
Calories660
Author John Kanell

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces angel hair pasta (280g)
  • 1½ pounds chicken tenders (675g)
  • 2 teaspoons salt divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion halved and thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup dry white wine (180mL)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • ¾ cup heavy cream (180mL)
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan plus more for serving (60g)
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken tenders with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place the flour in a large bowl and add the seasoned chicken. Toss to coat and dredge the chicken in flour.
  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess flour from the chicken and add the pieces to the skillet. Cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate. Cover to keep warm. (Cook the chicken in batches if it doesn’t all fit in the pan at one time.)
  4. Add the bell peppers and onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  5. Pour the wine into the skillet and deglaze, scraping off any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, and let simmer for 2 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the garlic and stir a few times until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the cream, ¾ cup parmesan, the reserved ½ cup pasta water, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and simmer, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts. Add pasta and bell pepper mixture, tossing until the pasta is well coated in sauce. Served immediately topped with the chicken, and more parmesan and parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Heavily salt the pasta water. I recommend adding 1-2 tablespoons of salt for every gallon of water. Salted pasta water adds significant flavor to the pasta.
  • Reserve some of the pasta water. Don’t skip this step! The starch in the pasta water helps thicken the sauce for a creamy and luxurious texture.
  • Cook the noodles al dente. Follow the cooking instructions on your pasta package to cook the noodles al dente, or until they are just firm. They will soften a bit further after being tossed in the creamy sauce.
  • Dry the chicken. Patting the chicken dry with paper towels before tossing them in the flour mixture removes excess moisture, and helps the flour stick better.
  • Optional: cook the chicken in batches. If all of your chicken doesn fit in the pan at once, cook it in batches to ensure even browning and cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1142mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1491IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg

Published
Categorized as Main Dish

Shrimp Fried Rice

Skillet Shrimp Fried Rice recipe is ready in just 20 minutes! Easily make your favorite takeout recipe in a few simple steps and with easy to find ingredients.AuthorJohn Kanell

Total Time20minutes minutes
Servings4 servings
Calories525kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 pound large uncooked shrimp peeled and deveined (450g)
  • 1½ cups frozen peas and carrots (195g)
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 4 cups chilled cooked white rice (700g)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (60mL)
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the canola and sesame oils in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, remove the shrimp from the skillet, leaving the oil in the skillet, and place in a large bowl.
  2. Add the frozen peas and carrots and the garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften and the peas turn bright green, about 4 minutes. Remove the vegetables and to the bowl of shrimp.
  3. If needed, add another tablespoon of canola oil to the skillet. Pour in the beaten eggs and scramble until firm and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside with shrimp and vegetables.
  4. Add the cooked rice to skillet and fry for 2 minutes, stirring often, until heated through. (Add more canola oil if the rice is sticking to the skillet.) Return the shrimp, vegetables, and scrambled eggs to skillet. Stir in the soy sauce, green onions, salt, ginger, and pepper. Cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Serve hot.

Notes

  • Chilled rice makes the best fried rice. Make sure the rice is cooked and either cold or room temperature before adding it to the pan. Cold rice grains will easily separate from each other, whereas hot, freshly cooked rice tends to stick together and can make the fried rice clumpy or mushy. This is a fantastic recipe for leftover or day-old rice!
  • Add more veggies. This recipe is incredibly versatile. Mix and match additional vegetables for added flavor and texture like chopped bell pepper, corn, edamame, mushrooms, or bean sprouts.
  • Save prep time. Cut back on cooking time by preparing rice ahead of time, using rice leftover from takeout, or using pouches of store-bought ready-to-serve rice.
  • Optional variations. Swap the black pepper for white pepper for a more traditional Asian style flavor. Replace the ground ginger with 1 teaspoon of grated ginger or ginger paste for a more pungent flavor. Try mixing in additional spices like chili pepper, sriracha sauce, or chili paste for an extra kick. If you want a richer umami flavor, reduce the soy sauce to 3 tablespoons and add 1 tablespoon of white miso. Alternatively, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of oyster sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 525kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 282mg | Sodium: 1947mg | Potassium: 444mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 914IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 3mg

Thank You! https://preppykitchen.com/shrimp-fried-rice/

 

 

Published
Categorized as Asian, Sides

Calabacitas with zucchini & Hominy

Ingredients:

1-2 tablespoons butter
2 medium zucchini squash, cubed
2 medium yellow squash, cubed
1 medium onion, diced
1 fresh poblano or Anaheim pepper, seeded, diced or 1 can diced green chilli’s
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 can (10 ounces) corn, drained or (1 1/4 cup freeze dried corn)
1 Cp Hominy(cooked or freeze dried)
⅓ cup half and half
1 Tb flour
½ cup Colby jack cheese, shredded

Instructions:

Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté squash and onion in butter for 3-4 minutes.

Add the green pepper and garlic, then sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Do not allow the garlic to burn. Add salt, pepper, corn , cooked hominy and half and half. Sprinkle on flour, stir to combine.

Sauté on medium heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the squash can be easily pierced with a fork.If using freeze dried corn and hominy you may need more cream.

Remove skillet from burner. Sprinkle cheese over the top. Cover skillet for 2-4 minutes and allow to rest until cheese melts.

Serve warm. Optionally, sprinkle with more cheese (queso fresco is great) or cilantro!

Corn Nuts Recipe

Servings: 4

Crunchy, easy Corn Nuts are simple to make and can be spiced up with your favorite flavorings!

Ingredients:

16 oz bag hominy, large white corn kernels

4 cups water

4 cups peanut oil – for frying, digital thermometer recommended

3 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil – for baking or air frying

2 Tablespoons salt

3 Tablespoons seasoning – optional like BBQ, Ranch or Old Bay

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl put the corn kernels then pour in the 4 cups of water and let them soak overnight.
  • Drain the water and spread out on a cooking sheet and pat dry.
  • Let the kernels air dry for at least an hour.
  • In a deep pot, add the peanut oil and heat on medium/medium high to 350 degrees.
  • Once 350 degrees is reached, add about 1=-½ cups at a time and add the dried kernels to the oil and fry.
  • The oil will boil slightly violently when the corn is first added in, but will cook as directed to a nice golden brown.
  • Fry for 9 minutes per batch, adjusting the temperature up or down if needed to maintain close to 350 degrees frying temp.
  • Be very careful when frying as the kernels will pop.
  • Remove cooked corn nuts from the oil to a paper towel lined sheet, and toss with salt and optional seasoning while still hot.
  • Serve and enjoy immediately or at room temperature.Tips for the Best Corn Nuts
    • When you first add the hominy to the hot peanut oil, it’ll boil like crazy! Don’t worry, though. As long as the temperature of the oil is 350°F, the hominy will cook to golden brown perfection and shouldn’t burn.
    • Be very careful not to burn yourself. The hominy kernels may pop as they cook in the oil.
    • When frying the Corn Nuts, be sure to keep your eye on the thermometer. It should always read 350°F. If it goes too high, you’ll burn the hominy. If it’s too low they won’t cook properly.
    • Work in batches! There should only be about a cup and a half of hominy in the oil at a time. If you overcrowd the pot, the temperature of the oil will decrease.
    • Enjoy your seasonings! One of my favorite ways to add some flavor to these Corn Nuts is with Easy Homemade Ranch Seasoning.

Cooking Dried Hominy

Check for debris like you would beans.
Soak kernels 6-8 hrs
Rinse till Clear – Drain

in a pot cover kernels with 3 inch waters and boil.
Turn down to simmer for 2 hrs.

 

Natchez Nation Fried Hominy Cakes Recipe

Ingredients:

10 ounces frozen/defrosted chopped spinach (may substitute 12 ounces fresh baby spinach)
4 ounces best-quality sliced bacon
2 cups whole milk
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dried, quick-cooking grits
20 ounces canned hominy, broken up into separate kernels (3 cups)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano cheese
1/4 cup flour, for coating
3 tablespoons rendered bacon fat
3 tablespoons canola oil

Directions:

Grease a 9-by-13 baking dish with cooking oil spray.

Cook the spinach according to the package directions. Drain, rinse with cool water and squeeze the water out of it. The yield is about 3/4 cup. (If using fresh spinach, cook in boiling water for 3 minutes. Drain, rinse with cool water, squeeze the water out of it and chop.)

Fry the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until nearly but not quite crisp. Blot on paper towels and chop. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat.

Combine the milk, garlic, onion powder, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.

Slowly stir in the grits and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until they are quite thick and bubbling.

Add the spinach, hominy, Parmigiano and chopped bacon and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared dish. Refrigerate to cool completely.

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees; put a serving dish in it to warm.

Spread the flour on one plate; line another plate with paper towels. Have a third empty plate at the ready.

Use the biscuit cutter to cut the hominy into 12 rounds. Push together the remaining hominy so you can cut out 8 more cakes.

Coat them in flour on both sides, shaking off any excess and transferring them to the empty plate as you work. Discard any unused flour.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon fat and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat.

Once the mixture shimmers, arrange 7 of the coated hominy rounds in the pan; cook for 3 minutes, until quite brown. (Be careful; the hominy might pop.)

Turn the cakes over and cook for 3 minutes on the second side, until browned and crisped.

Transfer to the paper-towel-lined plate to blot briefly, then transfer the cakes to the serving dish in the oven. Blot the cakes on the paper towel-lined plate and keep them warm in the oven.

Wipe the pan out; repeat the process twice with the remaining bacon fat, oil and coated hominy cakes (the last batch will have 6 cakes).

Serve warm.

Southwestern Hominy

Taste of home  Yield:6

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
3 tablespoons butter
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) golden hominy, rinsed and drained
2 to 3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

In a saucepan, sauté onion and green pepper in butter until tender. Add the remaining ingredients. Cook, uncovered, over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

 

Southern-style sautéed hominy

Recipe 1:

Southern-style sautéed hominy is a quick, savory side dish often featuring bacon grease, onion, and garlic, typically cooked until the hominy is hot and slightly browned. Common variations include Cajun seasoning, diced tomatoes with green chilis, or butter and black pepper. [

Classic Southern Fried Hominy (Appalachian Style)

  • Ingredients: 6 slices bacon (chopped), 2 cans (16 oz) hominy (drained), 2 scallions (diced), salt, and pepper.
  • Instructions: Fry bacon in a heavy skillet until crisp. Stir in drained hominy and salt; cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add pepper and scallions, stirring for another 5 minutes until browned.

Cajun Hominy Skillet

  • Ingredients: 2 slices bacon (cooked, crumbled), 2 tbsp bacon drippings, 1/2 cup onion (chopped), 1/2 cup celery (chopped), 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilis, 2 cans hominy (drained), 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning.
  • Instructions: Sauté onion and celery in bacon drippings until tender. Add drained hominy, tomatoes with chilis, garlic powder, and Cajun seasoning. Simmer for 15 minutes, then top with crumbled bacon.

Other Popular Southern Sauté Variations

  • Simple Buttered: Sauté drained hominy in 1 tbsp bacon grease and 1 tbsp butter, seasoned with plenty of black pepper.
  • Cheesy Hominy Casserole: Melt butter, garlic, and add flour to form a roux, then add evaporated milk and cheese. Mix with hominy, jalapeños, and bacon, then bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
  • With Pork Chops: Sauté hominy in leftover pork chop grease until hot.

Tips for Success

  • Drain Well: Ensure the hominy is well-drained to allow it to fry properly rather than steam.
  • Yellow vs. White: Both work, but yellow is often preferred for a richer flavor.
  • Iron Skillet: A cast-iron skillet is ideal for developing the best flavor

Recipe 2

Yield: 4-6

1 1/2 Pound Bacon, Cut into Lardons
1 lb Bag of Frozen 3 Color Pepper & Onion Strips Blend Vegetables
Hot Pepper, to Taste (Optional)
2 Cans Yellow Hominy, Drained and Rinsed
2 Cans White Hominy, Drained and Rinsed
Sea Salt, pepper to Taste
Water

On high heat, fry out your bacon in a large skillet. As the bacon begins to brown, reduce the heat and cook slowly until the bacon is perfectly brown and crisp. Remove bacon from the skillet onto a paper towel-lined plate. Toss in the pepper and onion medley blend (sometimes marketed as fajita blend). Toss in your (optional) cut-up hot pepper (Ken used a red Hungarian Wax Fruit pepper since it has the ideal level of heat for this dish and phenomenal flavor). Raise heat back to high and cook until the onions are translucent and begin to brown. Toss in the drained and rinsed hominy. Cook the hominy until the kernels start to turn translucent. Toss in the bacon. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add water until the hominy is no longer translucent, the oil is no longer visible, and the ingredients of the dish start to come together from the release of the starches out of the corn. Serve hot.

Hominy Casserole

Easy, creamy and cheesy Hominy Casserole is a side dish.
Servings: 8

Ingredients 
1-15 ounce cans hominy; rinsed and drained I used one white hominy can and one golden hominy
1 cup sour cream or can use heavy cream
1 6 ounce can diced green chilies or fresh anaheim diced
2 cups Monterey jack cheese shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
6 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground garlic

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine hominy, sour cream, green chilies, and Monterey Jack cheese in a medium-sized bowl. Spread evenly into a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Make the topping. Blend eggs, crema, and butter until light and airy, then whisk in the dry ingredients just until combined.
  • Spread over top of casserole
  • Top with Parmesan Cheese.
  • Bake until top is puffy, golden and bubbly about 45 min. to 1 hr.

 

Making Hominy

Making Hominy & Processing  

Nixtamalization  process for corn.  Can dry the hominy and grind up for grits, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8nBFr-AwNM

Keep corn frozen till using or use dehydrator. Test: Properly dried corn should shatter when broken, not bend.

Use stainless steel pot and any metal utensil used are stainless or wood.

4 cps corn
Gal water
2Tb pickling lime (cal or calcium Hydroxide)

Mix lime in water and pour in corn.
Bring all to a boil. Simmer with lid ajar for hour or so till water starts to turn yellow and hearts (dark tips start coming off). The Kernels need to swell up and kernels are soft.

Remove from heat and let set from 12-24 hrs. or overnight.

Drain lime water off and get rid of it outside, not the drain.

Wash off kernels till corn and skin is separated and rinsed off.

Dump in a bowl or pot, and cover with water. Use hands to rub skins off.

Rinse thoroughly, several times. Water should be clear. Yellow corn takes more rinsing than White corn. Don’t skimp on the rinsing.

Pressure Can or Cook up a

Dry Corn to Tortillas

This recipe only required four ingredients; corn, fresh water, pickling lime (cal), and salt. The salt is in fact not necessary, or particularly traditional, but we find it enhances the flavor of the tortillas without compromising them in any way. The basic process is to mix the corn with the water and lime, boil the corn till the seed coat (pericarp) slips easily from the kernels, then leave the corn to soak for a minimum of 8 hours. After soaking, the corn is rubbed to remove the softened pericarps, and rinsed several times to remove them and lower the pH and remove the unreacted alkali/lime. Then the corn is drained, the salt is added, and it is ground in the masa grinder. If you don’t possess a masa grinder, a food processor or meat grinder can be used. Traditionally the corn would be ground by hand on a mano and metate stone grinding mill, but these are almost completely unavailable outside Mexico, and are rather labor intensive to use. Once ground to sufficient fineness, the resulting dough is called masa. The masa dough is shaped into balls the size of the desired tortillas and baked/roasted on a hot griddle till cooked thoroughly. All of the steps of the process can vary a bit depending on a number of factors, so they should be considered as general guidelines vs a hard and fast recipe. Different corns nixtamalize at different rates, and are perhaps best suited to specific cooking styles. This can only arrived at by a bit of trial and repetition.

Thermal Cooker Step By Step Cooking Process

The Step-by-Step Cooking Process
1. Preheat the Thermos: Fill your Stanley thermos completely with boiling water, put the lid on, and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. This heats up the inner stainless steel walls so your food’s heat goes into cooking rather than warming the bottle.
2. Prepare Your Ingredients: While the bottle is preheating, gather your dry/fresh ingredients and make sure you have enough boiling water on hand.
3. Empty and Fill: Pour out the preheat water. Add your food (e.g., rice, noodles, and lentils) into the jar.
4. Add Boiling Liquid: Pour fresh boiling water over the ingredients. Ensure the ratio has enough liquid to cook and soften your specific food type. Fill your 3-quart Stanley thermal container (typically the Adventure Stay Hot Camp Crock) up to the bottom of the inner fill line, leaving about 2 to 3 inches of space from the top. Overfilling it beyond this point can cause the lid’s pressure release valve to fail, leading to leaks, spills, and scalding.

Maximizing Performance and Safety
To get the most out of your 3-quart Stanley container, follow these simple steps to prep the container and pack it safely:

  1. Preheat or Pre-chill

For maximum heat or cold retention, prime your container before filling.

        • Hot foods: Pour boiling water into the crock and let it sit with the lid on for 5 to 10 minutes, then pour the water out before adding your piping hot food.
        • Cold foods: Fill it with ice-cold water or crushed ice for a few minutes before adding your chilled items.
        • Filling Guidelines: Leave adequate “headspace” at the top, at least 3 inches.  Filling the container to the brim doesn’t leave enough room for a proper vacuum seal and restricts the venting capability of the lid. This space is especially crucial for hot soups, stews, or chilis.

      Seal and Cook:

      • Safety Precautions
      • Pressure: The container’s vented lid acts as a safety release valve in case of over-pressure. Never tamper with or remove this valve.
      • Carrying: Always ensure all latches are fully locked and secured before carrying.
      • Opening: When opening the crock, point the lid away from your face to avoid escaping steam, and lift the lid’s tabs to break the initial suction.
      • Restrictions: Do not use with dry ice, carbonated beverages, fermenting foods, or dairy products, as these can cause dangerous pressure buildup inside the vacuum seal.
      • Heat Sources: Never place the Stanley container directly onto a stove or other external heat source. 

Popular Recipes & Ratios
Instant Meals (Ramen, Couscous, Oatmeal): Combine 1part grains/noodles with 5 parts boiling water. Cook time: 5-10 minutes.
Steel-Cut Oats: Combine 1/2 cup steel-cut oats, 1 cup boiling water, and a pinch of salt. Cook time: 1 hour (or let sit overnight for a hot breakfast).
Rice: Combine 1/2 cup rinsed white rice (parboiled or quick-cook works best) with 1 cup boiling water. Cook time: 45-60 minutes.
Dried Beans/Lentils: Pre-boil the beans on a stove for 10 minutes first to soften the outer shell. Drain, place in the thermos, and add freshly boiling water. Cook time: 6-10 hours.
Key Tips for Success
Fill it Up: Thermal cooking works best when the thermos is at least 2/3 to 3/4 full to maintain heat.
Food Safety: Always ensure your food reaches an internal temperature above 140 degrees, to prevent bacterial growth, especially when cooking raw ingredients like pre-boiled beans or meats.
• Avoid Peeking: Try not to open the lid until you are ready to eat, as letting the steam escape stops the cooking process.

Master Baking Mix & Recipes

Master Baking Mix

Ingredients:

6 cups flour
1½ cups buttermilk powder (or whole milk powder)
⅓ cup sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
3 teaspoons fine ground salt

Directions: 1.Mix all ingredients together and store in a half-gallon Mason jar or other airtight container.  Optional: Vacuum seal.

Tip: Did you know that you can make your own baking powder? To make approximately 1 cup, mix ½ cup cream of tartar, 4 Tbs. baking soda, and 4Tbs arrowroot powder or cornstarch.

Recipes:

Pancakes

Yield: 8-10 small to med.

2 ⅔ cups master baking mix
2 cups water
2 eggs
4 Tbs lard or oil
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1.In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients untilsmooth.2.Heat butter or oil in skillet over medium heat.3.Add about ¼ cup of batter to skillet.4.When the pancake’s surface forms bubbles all over it, it’s ready to flip. 5. Repeat with remaining batter.

Waffles

Yield 4

2 cups master baking mix
1 cup water
2 eggs
6 Tbs oil of choice
1 tsp vanilla extract

1.In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients until smooth.2.Grease a hot waffle iron well with oil or butter, and cook according to your waffle maker’s instructions.

Biscuits

Yield: 5-8

1 heaping cup master baking mix
⅓ cup milk

1.Preheat oven to 350°F.

2.Mix ingredients together (dough will be sticky).

3.Turn out onto a floured surface, and flatten to yourdesired thickness.

4.Cut with a biscuit cutter or cup, then arrange on abaking sheet.

5.Bake for 12 minutes.

Italian Seasoning

8 tablespoons dried basil
4 tablespoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons dried rosemary
4 tablespoons dried marjoram
4 tablespoons dried thyme
4 tablespoons Parsley
3 Tablespoons Sage or Savory, Optional
3 teaspoon garlic powder, optional
3 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

Blend all in a food processor

Store in Amber, Mason jar.

Great Chicken Scampi

https://preppykitchen.com/chicken-scampi/?

Make restaurant-style Chicken Scampi in just 30 minutes! This easy dish is made with simple ingredients and is full of rich creamy flavor.

Servings6 servings
Calories660kcal
AuthorJohn Kanell

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces angel hair pasta (280g)
  • 1½ pounds chicken tenders (675g)
  • 2 teaspoons salt divided
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 small red onion halved and thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup dry white wine (180mL)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • ¾ cup heavy cream (180mL)
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan plus more for serving (60g)
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted boiling water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken tenders with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place the flour in a large bowl and add the seasoned chicken. Toss to coat and dredge the chicken in flour.
  3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess flour from the chicken and add the pieces to the skillet. Cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate. Cover to keep warm. (Cook the chicken in batches if it doesn’t all fit in the pan at one time.)
  4. Add the bell peppers and onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  5. Pour the wine into the skillet and deglaze, scraping off any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, and let simmer for 2 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted. Add the garlic and stir a few times until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the cream, ¾ cup parmesan, the reserved ½ cup pasta water, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and simmer, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts. Add pasta and bell pepper mixture, tossing until the pasta is well coated in sauce. Served immediately topped with the chicken, and more parmesan and parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Heavily salt the pasta water. I recommend adding 1-2 tablespoons of salt for every gallon of water. Salted pasta water adds significant flavor to the pasta.
  • Reserve some of the pasta water. Don’t skip this step! The starch in the pasta water helps thicken the sauce for a creamy and luxurious texture.
  • Cook the noodles al dente. Follow the cooking instructions on your pasta package to cook the noodles al dente, or until they are just firm. They will soften a bit further after being tossed in the creamy sauce.
  • Dry the chicken. Patting the chicken dry with paper towels before tossing them in the flour mixture removes excess moisture, and helps the flour stick better.
  • Optional: cook the chicken in batches. If all of your chicken doesn fit in the pan at once, cook it in batches to ensure even browning and cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1142mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1491IU | Vitamin C: 82mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg

 

Published
Categorized as Main Dish

Skillet Cornbread

Skillet Cornbread
By Jess Sowards – The Farmer’s Table

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients

2 cups plain cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs
2 tablespoons oil or melted butter (bacon grease works beautifully here too)
2 tablespoons honey
1 3/4 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup oil or butter (or reserved bacon grease) for the skillet

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the 1/4 cup fat. Heat until hot and shimmering.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, 2 tablespoons fat, honey, and buttermilk.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until combined.
  5. Carefully pour the batter into the hot skillet. It should sizzle immediately.
  6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden on top and set in the center.

 

Published
Categorized as Breads

Basic TVP (Textured Veg Protein) Sausage

Basic TVP (Textured Veg Protein) Sausage Crumbles 1cup textured vegetable protein

Ingredients

  • 1 cup TVP granules
  • 1 cup hot water or broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (umami)
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (breakfast sweetness)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional, for smoke flavor)

Seasoning:

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tsp ground sage

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

 Optional:

1/4 tsp cayenne

1⁄2teaspoon cumin

1teaspoon poultry or 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1⁄2teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more to taste)

1teaspoon paprika

1⁄2teaspoons salt

Instructions

  1. Rehydrate:In a large bowl, mix TVP with all seasonings and nutritional yeast. Pour in the hot water, soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke. Stir well.
  2. Rest:Cover and let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the water is absorbed.
  3. Cook:Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat (add a little olive oil if desired). Sauté the hydrated mixture for 3–5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy.

Bob’s Red Mill +3

Tips for Success

  • For Patties: Add 1/2 cup quick oats and 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed or flour to the mixture to help it stick together. Shape into patties and pan-fry or bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes.
  • Flavor Boosters: For extra flavor, use veggie bouillon instead of water, and ensure fennel seeds are used for the classic sausage taste.
  • Storage: Store crumbles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

 

Potato Flour

Potato flour is a highly moisture-retentive, gluten-free, and nutrient-dense ingredient used to improve the texture of baked goods, thicken liquids, and create crispy coatings. It is ideal for enhancing yeast breads, brioche, soft rolls, pancakes, and muffins by keeping them soft and fluffy. It also acts as a binder in meatballs and as a thickening agent for sauces and stews.

Key Tips for Freezing Potato Flour:

  • Airtight Packaging: Store in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent the flour from absorbing odors or moisture from the freezer.
  • Prevent Pests: Freezing for at least 48 hours to a week can kill any potential bug eggs.
  • Thawing: Before using, allow the flour to return to room temperature to prevent condensation.

For optimal, long-term storage (potentially years), you can also use Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers after the initial freezing period.

 

Top Cooking and Baking Uses for Potato Flour:

  • Baking and Bread Making: Replace 10–20% of your regular flour with potato flour in recipes to increase moisture retention and prolong freshness. It is excellent for yeast breads, sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes for a tender, delicate crumb.
  • Gluten-Free Baking: Adds essential moisture and improves the structure of gluten-free muffins, cakes, and quick breads.
  • Thickener for Soups and Sauces: Mix into soups, stews, sauces, or gravies for a smooth, creamy texture. It is highly effective as a gluten-free thickener.
  • Binding Agent: Use in meat, veggie patties, or meatloaf to help hold ingredients together while keeping them moist.
  • Crispy Breading: Use as a coating for fried or baked food like chicken, fish, or vegetables to produce a golden-brown, crispy crust.
  • Dessert Ingredient: Used to add body to cookies and help create a glossy finish in some pie fillings.

Tips for Using Potato Flour:

  • Because it lacks gluten, it is generally not a direct 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour in most baking recipes.
  • Moisture Retention: Potato flour holds water, making it ideal for improving the texture of bread and extending its shelf life.
  • Thickener: It can be used as a gluten-free substitute for thickening gravies, soups, and sauces.
  • Substitution: In many yeast recipes, 1 cup of potato flakes can substitute for 1 cup of flour.
  • Homemade Version: You can make your own by boiling and mashing potatoes, then dehydrating them for 4-10 hours before grinding into a fine powder.
  • Nutritional Breakdown and Benefits
  • Micronutrients: Potato flour is packed with potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, which are often lacking in refined white flours.
  • Fiber: It contains a higher fiber content compared to all-purpose flour.
  • Gut Health: While sometimes confused with pure potato starch (a type of resistant starch), potato flour retains some resistant starch benefits that can feed good gut bacteria.
  • Glycemic Impact: Potato flour has a high glycemic index (around 95), which can cause faster blood sugar spikes compared to all-purpose flour (around 85).
  • Usage: It is not a 1:1 substitute for wheat flour in baking because it absorbs more water and lacks gluten, making it ideal for adding moisture to breads or as a thickener.

 

Vegan yeast flakes (nutritional yeast)

Vegan yeast flakes (nutritional yeast) cheese sauce made perfect for pasta, nachos, or vegetables.

freeze nutritional yeast flakes (vegan yeast) for long-term storage to keep them fresh, dry, and potent for up to 1–2 years. Freezing prevents degradation of flavor and nutrients, especially in warm climates.

 

½ cup nutritional yeast,

½  cup flour (or cornstarch),

1 tsp salt,

Add dry ingredients to 2 cups cold water/plant milk in a saucepan, whisking and heating until it thickens.

Stir in ¼  cup oil or butter

Optional: 1tsp mustard.

Tips for the Best Sauce

For Extra Cheesy Flavor: Add a squeeze of lemon juice.

For Color: Add 1/8 tsp of Turmeric for a bright yellow color.

If Too Thick: Whisk in more liquid, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Variations: Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or onion powder for extra depth.

 

Textured Veg., Protein (TVP)

Dry, unopened textured vegetable protein (TVP) can last 1–2 years in a cool, dry pantry, though some sources suggest it can last even longer (up to 10+ years in sealed containers). Once opened, dry TVP should be used within 6–12 months. Cooked or rehydrated TVP lasts in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.

TVP Storage Guidelines:

  • Dry (Pantry): Keep in an airtight container or original packaging to prevent moisture absorption.
  • Rehydrated (Fridge): Store in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
  • Cooked (Freezer): Cooked TVP can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Signs of Spoilage: While rare, dry TVP will smell rancid if it has gone bad.

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) is a versatile, shelf-stable soy product ideal for replacing ground meat in tacos, chili, spaghetti bolognese, and sloppy joes. Simply rehydrate it with hot veggie broth or water for 5–10 minutes, then sauté with spices. TVP provides a chewy, protein-rich base for vegan meatballs, meatloaf, and casserole dishes.

Easy TVP Recipes and Ideas

  • TVP Tacos: Rehydrate 1 cup TVP with 1 cup hot vegetable broth, then stir in 3 tbsp taco seasoning and cook in a skillet.
  • Vegan Bolognese: Use rehydrated TVP granules as a direct swap for ground beef in tomato-based pasta sauces.
  • TVP Chili: Add rehydrated granules to your favorite chili recipe for a “meaty” texture.
  • Sloppy Joes: Mix rehydrated TVP with ketchup, soy sauce, and spices for a quick sandwich filling.
  • Sausage & Gravy: Use sage and fennel to season rehydrated TVP, creating a vegan sausage for gravy and biscuits.
  • Vegan Meatballs/Meatloaf: Combine rehydrated TVP with breadcrumbs, binders (like flax eggs), and seasonings before baking.

Tips for Success

  • Rehydration Ratio: Generally, use a 1:1 ratio of TVP to hot liquid (water, broth, or soy sauce).
  • Boost Flavor: TVP is mild, so season well with umami-boosting ingredients like soy sauce, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, or Worcestershire sauce.
  • Sauté Texture: To get a firmer texture, sauté the rehydrated TVP in oil until browned, similar to cooking ground meat.

 

Jess;s Red Beans & Rice


The Farmers Table Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 45–60 minutes Serves: 5–6 Ingredients 1 package smoked sausage (beef smoked sausage or andouille), about a pound, sliced thin or into half-moons 2 tablespoons oil or rendered sausage fat 1 large yellow onion, diced 2–3 ribs celery, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced (optional but traditional) 5 cloves garlic, minced 4 (15 oz) cans red beans, drained and rinsed 4 cups chicken broth 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon dried oregano 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste Salt and black pepper, to taste Rice, for serving 3–4 cups uncooked long-grain white rice, cooked according to your method Instructions 1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook until well browned on both sides. Remove the sausage to a plate and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot. 2. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper (if using) to the pot. Cook in the sausage fat over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, until softened. 3. Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Do not let it burn. 4. Add the drained beans to the pot along with the chicken broth. Stir to combine. 5. Season with paprika, thyme, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and several cracks of black pepper. Start with about 1 teaspoon salt, keeping in mind the saltiness of your broth and sausage. Adjust later. 6. Using a potato masher or spoon, mash some of the beans directly in the pot. You are not trying to mash all of them, just enough to help create a creamy texture as it cooks. 7. Return the sausage and any accumulated juices to the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mash a few more beans as it cooks to encourage thickening. 8. As the beans simmer, the liquid will reduce and thicken into a gravy-like consistency. If the beans thicken too quickly, lower the heat and stir more frequently rather than adding additional liquid. 9. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed. 10. Serve hot over cooked rice.

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Categorized as Main Dish