Amish Cinnamon Bread Recipe

This one bowl recipe for Amish Cinnamon Bread is easy to make, filled with cinnamon flavor, and perfect for serving with a hot cup of coffee.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1hour 10 minutes

Total Time: 1hour 20minutes 

Servings: 12 Slices 

Ingredients:

▢½ cup softened butter salted

▢¾ cup granulated sugar

▢¼ cup packed brown sugar

▢1 large egg

▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract

▢1 cup buttermilk

▢2 cups all purpose flour

▢1 teaspoon baking soda

Cinnamon Sugar Filling and Topping

▢⅓ cup sugar

▢1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

▢2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and grease a 9X5 loaf pan with butter or oil.

Add the softened butter to a large bowl with a hand mixer, OR a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

Add in granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter and mix on medium-high speed until the butter and sugars have creamed and are light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the egg, vanilla and buttermilk and mix until fully incorporated.

Sift the flour and baking soda into the bowl and mix just until it starts to come together. Use a silicone spatula to fold everything together until the flour is absorbed and no large lumps remain.

Stir together ⅓ cup of sugar and 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon and set aside.

Add half of the batter to the prepared loaf pan, and add half of the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top of the batter. Use a butter knife to swirl it into the batter.

Add the remaining half of the batter on top, smoothing it out evenly.

Add the remaining cinnamon sugar mixture and swirl it into the top layer of batter using a butter knife.

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter on top of the loaf.

Bake in the preheated oven for 50-70 minutes, or until a cake tester (or toothpick) comes out clean when inserted into the center.

Allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, and then gently coax it out of the loaf pan and transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool to room temperature before wrapping and storing.

Notes:

Storing: Wrap your loaf in a triple layer of plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for 5 days. For longer storage, add the wrapped loaf to a freezer bag and label. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Softened Butter: It’s important that you use softened butter, otherwise it will be very difficult to cream the butter and sugars together. In a pinch melted butter can work, but it will make for a less moist loaf.

Nutritional Info:

Serving: 1g | Calories: 261kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 227mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g

Baked Ham Recipe

Baked Ham is my kids’ all time favorite meal! They’d pass up a turkey dinner any day of the week (or any holiday) for ham.

This easy baked ham is moist, tender and delicious inside while the outside is brushed with a brown sugar glaze and caramelized for a hint of sweetness. We serve this baked ham for special occasions (like Easter and Christmas) but it’s simple enough to make any time of year!

How much ham per person

If you’re using a bone in ham, you’ll want about 3/4 pound of ham per person and a bit more if you want leftovers (for Ham and Corn Chowder or Cheesy Ham and Potato Casserole). An 8lb ham should feed about 9 people.

What to Serve With Glazed Ham

This beautiful brown sugar ham is most often served at Christmas dinner or Easter dinner at our house! We serve it with our favorite sides for the perfect meal!

 

PREP TIME: 5minutes

COOK TIME: 2 hours 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 2hours 35minutes 

SERVINGS: 12 Servings

Baked ham is moist, tender and delicious inside while the outside is brushed with a brown sugar glaze and caramelized for a hint of sweetness.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 spiral cut ham with bone-in approx 7-9 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup pineapple juice or orange juice
Brown Sugar Glaze
  • ½ cup pineapple juice or orange juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
  2. Combine dijon mustard and pineapple juice. Brush over ham.
  3. If your ham has a plastic disk on the bone, this should be removed and discarded. Place the ham, flat side down in a roasting pan, and cover tightly with foil. Roast 12-15 minutes per pound (or according to package directions).
  4. Meanwhile, combine glaze ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer 2-3 minutes. Cool.
  5. 15 minutes before ham is done, remove from the oven and turn the oven up to 425°F.
  6. Brush with glaze and return to the oven until the glaze is caramelized and the ham has reached the safe cook temperature.

Notes:

If you purchase a smoked ham, it has been cooked, be sure to check the package to ensure it says it is “fully cooked”. If your ham is fully cooked on the package (as most spiral hams are), it will need to cook to 140°F (basically just to heat it).

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Calories: 690, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 57g, Fat: 44g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 164mg, Sodium: 3200mg, Potassium: 795mg, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin C: 1.5mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2.5mg

Turmeric Honey: The Most Powerful Antibiotic That Not Even Doctors Can Explain

Turmeric and honey – The most potent antibiotic

Since ages Indian spices have been used as a medicine to cure several ailments. Indian spices have for long been used as medicines. Right from burns to minor cuts, turmeric was used as an instant remedy to treat such issues. This was simply because of the miraculous properties of turmeric.
From common cold to soar throat both honey and turmeric are very potent and important alternatives to conventional medicines because of their benefits and antibiotic properties! In fact, these two wonder ingredients are easily and most affordable items to be used as medicines, honey and turmeric would be it! Honey and turmeric both are used for a variety of problems like cold, digestive issues, cuts, wounds, muscles and sprains along with many other health and skin issues.
We are not even joking when we say, the majority of your health problems has turmeric and honey as their solution!
They have been used intensely in Ayurvedic, Indian and Chinese medicines for thousands of years.

What makes turmeric so powerful?

Turmeric has a very important compound in it, called the curcuminoids. Just like polyphenol, curcuminoid has several healing properties which makes turmeric so strong that it can fight almost all health issues in one go! It is also a very strong anti-oxidant which is why it is very good for the skin and it contains antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties which help it to treat wounds and allergies very easily!

What makes honey so powerful?

Honey has the power to fight infections without creating resistant bacterias like modern antibiotics. It is so potent that it should be the first method to be used when fighting infections. Many scientists have claimed that honey is more powerful than most of the conventional antibiotics. Honey can also be used to treat infections, cuts and wounds by applying on them directly. Honey can also be taken orally to treat health problems.

Benefits of turmeric

– Reduces inflammation
– Improves digestion
– Reduces pain
– Prevents cancer
– Improves anxiety and depression

How to use natural antibiotic using honey and turmeric?

Many of you must be very confused about using these wonderful items instead of your regualr medicines. You should give it a try. Here is a simple recipe that you can use when you fall sick.

Ingredients:

1/4th cup raw honey,
2 drops of lemon essential oil
1 tsp of ground turmeric

Instructions:

Mix all the ingredients together and stir well. Pour the mixture in a container with a lid and store in room temperature. Consume half teaspoon thrice a day to get rid of allergies, cold or flu.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons pure honey (preferably raw honey)
A pinch of freshly ground black pepper

PREPARATION:

Make sure you use good quality turmeric powder and pure honey. Raw honey is preferred as it offers additional health benefits.
Mix: In a small bowl, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 2 tablespoons of honey. Add a pinch of freshly ground black pepper. The black pepper increases the bioavailability of the curcumin in turmeric, allowing your body to absorb it better.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir the ingredients thoroughly until they come together into a smooth paste.
Storage: Pour the mixture into an airtight jar or container. Store in a cool, dry place, preferably the refrigerator, to preserve freshness.
Application:
Turmeric honey can be used in different ways:
As a natural antibiotic: If you have signs of cold or infection, you can take 1 teaspoon of turmeric honey to boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.
As an anti-inflammatory: This mixture can be applied to inflamed areas of skin to relieve itching, redness and swelling.
As a calming tea: Add a teaspoon of turmeric honey to a cup of warm water to make a calming tea.
Note:
Before using turmeric honey as a remedy, consult your doctor, especially if you have any allergies or medical concerns.
Turmeric honey is a fascinating natural remedy that combines the healing powers of two amazing ingredients. It is an example of how nature provides us with simple but effective solutions to our health problems. Try it and experience the amazing benefits of this natural antibiotic for yourself.

Fruit And Yogurt Smoothie Recipe

This easy fruit smoothie recipe calls for just three ingredients: yogurt, fruit juice and frozen fruit. Mix up your fruit combinations from day to day for a healthy breakfast or snack that never gets boring.

Active Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup 100% pure fruit juice
  • 1 1/2 cups (6 1/2 ounces) frozen fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries, pineapple or peaches

Directions:

  1. Puree yogurt with juice in a blender until smooth.
  2. With the motor running, add fruit through the hole in the lid and continue to puree until smooth.

Nutritional Info:

Serving Size 2 cups 

Calories279 total carbohydrate 56g dietary fiber 7g total sugars 46g protein 12g total fat 2g saturated fat 0g cholesterol 4mg vitamin a 121iu vitamin c 9mg folate 38mcg sodium 149mg calcium 394mg iron 1mg magnesium 53mg potassium 719mg

Chocolate banana protein smoothie

Red lentils give this smoothie a plant-based protein boost. To make this smoothie vegan, try using unsweetened coconut beverage or almond milk in place of the dairy milk.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

INGREDIENTS:

1 banana, frozen

½ cup cooked red lentils

½ cup nonfat milk

2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

Directions:

  1. Combine banana, lentils, milk, cocoa and syrup in a blender.
  2. Puree until smooth.

Nutritional Info:

Serving Size 1 smoothie 

Calories 310 total carbohydrate 64g dietary fiber 9g total sugars 25g added sugars 4g protein 15g total fat 2g saturated fat 1g cholesterol 3mg vitamin a 348iu vitamin c 11mg folate 109mcg sodium 57mg calcium 185mg iron 4mg magnesium 87mg potassium 939mg

Carrot Smoothie Recipe

This type of drink tends to be pricey in the big city juice bars. Now you can make the recipe at home.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Additional Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup sliced carrots
  • ½ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 ½ cups ice cubes
  • 3 (1 inch) pieces Orange peel curls

Directions:

  1. In a covered small saucepan, cook carrots in a small amount of boiling water about 15 minutes or until very tender.
  2. Drain well. Cool.
  3. Place drained carrots in a blender.
  4. Add finely shredded orange peel and orange juice.
  5. Cover and blend until smooth. Add ice cubes; cover and blend until smooth.
  6. Pour into glasses. If desired, garnish with orange peel curls.

Nutritional Info:

Serving Size 5 ounces

Calories 55 total carbohydrate 13g dietary fiber 1g protein 1g sodium 16mg

Strawberry Blueberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

A smoothie with strawberries, blueberries and banana is delicately sweet and entirely kid-friendly, even with a boost of protein from hemp seeds. Freeze the fruits ahead of time for an extra frosty texture once blended.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup frozen strawberries

½ cup frozen blueberries

1 small ripe banana (frozen, if desired)

¾ cup chilled unsweetened cashew milk, plus more if needed

1 tablespoon cashew butter

1 tablespoon hulled hemp seeds

Directions:

  1. Combine strawberries, blueberries, banana, cashew milk, cashew butter and hemp seeds in a blender.
  2. Process until smooth, adding more cashew milk, if needed, for desired consistency.
  3. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Info:

Serving Size 2 cups

Calories335 total carbohydrate 46g dietary fiber 7g total sugars 24g protein 7g total fat 17g saturated fat 2g vitamin a 510iu vitamin c 42mg folate 58mcg sodium 115mg calcium 115mg iron 3mg magnesium 166mg potassium 705mg

Syn Free HomeMade Chicken Nuggets

A Healthy Slimming World Fakeaway Recipe

If you love a good Fakeaway, then you’ll love these Homemade Syn Free Chicken Nuggets! They’re the same texture as the unhealthy kind you’d buy at a fast food restaurant, but are oven baked and 100% syn free using your Healthy Extra B on Slimming World.

Not only are these the perfect Slimming World family dinner recipe, they’re also freezer friendly, packed with flavour and super simple to make. You can freeze them before cooking, once you’ve covered the chicken with the breadcrumbs (best done flat to avoid the nuggets losing their shape), or you can freeze once cooked.

This recipe for Homemade Syn Free Chicken Nuggets is a healthy, family friendly recipe that knocks any unhealthy takeaway out of the park!

This recipe uses breadcrumbs to coat the chicken, mixed with some delicious spices to give them tonnes of flavour! The recipe below shows you how to make your breadcrumbs from scratch using wholemeal bread, which keeps these totally syn free too. The full recipe includes two Healthy Extra B servings on Slimming World, which simply needs to be divided between the number of servings.

These Syn Free Chicken Nuggets are a delicious Slimming World fakeaway recipe that the whole family will love!

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Total Time: 35 min

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:

Breadcrumbs

120g Wholemeal Bread (2-3 slices aprox.)

1/2tsp Garlic Powder

1/2tsp Salt

1/2tsp Paprika

1/4tsp Mustard Powder

1/2 Chicken Oxo Cube (crushed)

1/4tsp Cumin

Chicken Nuggets

2x Chicken Breasts

1/2tsp Garlic Powder

1/2tsp Salt

Handful Fresh Parsley

Low Calorie Cooking Spray

2x Eggs (plus a pinch of salt)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Break 120g wholemeal bread into chunks and toast until browned and crispy.
  2. Blitz the toasted bread in a food processor with the remaining breadcrumb ingredients until you have an evenly textured mixture.
  3. Whisk two eggs with a pinch of salt. The salt helps to break down the egg yolk and makes it easier to bread your syn free chicken nuggets.
  4. Chop two chicken breasts and combine with garlic powder, salt and fresh parsley and blitz in the food processor until you have a chunky paste.
  5. Wet your hands and shape the chicken mince into nuggets by rolling out balls of the mixture and then pressing them flat between your fingers.
  6. Once formed, dip your syn free chicken nuggets into the whisked egg yolks and then into the breadcrumbs, making sure to completely coat each one.Place on to a baking tray sprayed liberally with low calorie cooking spray.
  7. Bake your syn free chicken nuggets at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy and cooked all the way through. Serve with your choice of sides and sauces!

NOTES:

Serves 2-4 people depending on the size of the nuggets. Recipe is SYN FREE on Slimming World using 2x Healthy Extra B portions. Divide the number of Healthy Extra B portions by the number of servings made. This recipe is the property of Basement Bakehouse (owned by Atuin Digital Ltd) and is therefore subject to Copyright laws. Do not copy, or use the images or text in this recipe or blog post without permission.

If cooking raw from frozen, cook for aprox. 30 minutes or until cooked through and crispy. To reheat frozen cooked nuggets, you can use the microwave or oven. Please ensure that they are piping hot all the way through before serving.

Easy Cheesecake Recipe

Today I’m so excited to show you how to make the best Cheesecake Recipe of your life. Simple, classic, and no water bath required!! The texture is smooth, rich, and creamy, served over a crisp homemade graham cracker crust. 

I’ve included tons of detailed tips and important info in today’s post so you can make the perfect creamy cheesecake every time. For a visual how-to, be sure to check out my step-by-step video beneath the recipe!

How to make the creamiest, BEST Cheesecake Recipe! Oh, and there’s no water bath required!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20minutes

Cook Time: 1hour 15minutes 

Cooling Time: 6hours

Total Time: 7hours 35minute

Servings: 12 slices

 

INGREDIENTS:

  • Graham Cracker Crust¹
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (170g)
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar (can substitute white)
  • 7 Tablespoons butter melted
Cheesecake
  • 32 oz cream cheese² softened to room temperature (910g)
  • 1 cup sugar (200g)
  • ⅔ cups sour cream (160g)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs room temperature, lightly beaten

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 325F (160C).
  2. Prepare Graham Cracker crust first by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and brown sugar, and stirring well. Add melted butter and use a fork to combine ingredients well.
  3. Pour crumbs into a 9” Springform pan and press firmly into the bottom and up the sides of your pan. Set aside.
Cheesecake
  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl (using a hand mixer) add cream cheese and stir until smooth and creamy (don’t over-beat or you’ll incorporate too much air).
  2. Add sugar and stir again until creamy.
  3. Add sour cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir until well-combined. If using a stand mixer, make sure you pause periodically to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula so that all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  4. With mixer on low speed, gradually add lightly beaten eggs, one at a time, stirring just until each egg is just incorporated. Once all eggs have been added, use a spatula to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl again and make sure all ingredients are well combined.
  5. Pour cheesecake batter into prepared springform pan. To insure against leaks, place pan on a cookie sheet that’s been lined with foil.
  6. Transfer to the center rack of your oven and bake on 325F (160C) for about 75 minutes. Edges will likely have slightly puffed and may have just begun to turn a light golden brown and the center should spring back to the touch but will still be Jello-jiggly. Don’t over-bake or the texture will suffer, which means we all suffer.
  7. Remove from oven and allow to cool on top of the oven³ for 10 minutes. Once 10 minutes has passed, use a knife to gently loosen the crust from the inside of the springform pan (this will help prevent cracks as your cheesecake cools and shrinks). Do not remove the ring of the springform pan.
  8. Allow cheesecake to cool another 1-2 hours or until near room temperature before transferring to refrigerator and allowing to cool overnight or at least 6 hours. I remove the ring of the springform pan just before serving then return it to the pan to store. Enjoy!

NOTES:

I have not tested this recipe in a convection oven.

1) For more details on making this crust or to use whole graham crackers, please see my Graham Cracker Crust Recipe.

2) Make sure that you use the brick-style cream cheese, not the spreadable version that is available in tubs.

3) I recommend the top of the oven because it is usually the warmest place in my house (after it’s been on for over an hour). This will help to cool the cheesecake more gradually and will also help avoid cracks).

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 1200IU | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 0.9mg

 

California Pasta Salad Recipe

This delicious and colorful California Pasta Salad is always a hit as part of a party menu. Make this easy pasta salad recipe up to a day ahead if you like; the flavors only get better as it marinates.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15minutes

Cook Time: 2hours 25minutes 

Total Time: 2 hours 40minutes

Servings: 16 (1-cup) servings

INGREDIENTS:

For the Salad Dressing:
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic or two cloves fresh, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or more to taste
For the Pasta Salad:
  • 1 pound thin spaghetti broken into thirds (see note 1)
  • 2 medium zucchini diced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved (see note 2)
  • 1 large hot house cucumber diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 1 red onion diced (optional)
  • 1 (6.5 ounce) can sliced black olives drained (see note 3)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a small bowl with a whisk, or in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, oregano, poppy seeds, garlic, paprika, celery seed, and salt.
  2. Mix well and allow flavors to blend while preparing the salad.
  3. Bring 4 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil.
  4. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions, about 9 minutes. Drain well and rinse in cold water.
  5. In a large bowl add zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, onion, and black olives.
  6. Add rinsed pasta and drizzle with salad dressing to taste (you don’t have to use it all).
  7. Toss to combine, cover, and chill at least 2 hours or overnight.

Notes:

Thin spaghetti: Yes, I know Italian chefs will scoff at me recommending that you break the noodles into thirds. I strongly suggest that you follow suit, however; this allows the pasta to not only cook faster and fit easier into your pot, but also makes it easier to eat.

Grape tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or chopped Roma, classic, or heirloom tomatoes can also pinch hit.

Canned black olives: I know these are polarizing, so feel free to omit. But I adore the briny element they add to the pasta salad.

Yield: This California Pasta Salad recipe makes a whopping 16 1-cup servings. Talk about perfect for parties, potlucks, or picnics! Feel free to halve the recipe if you’re sharing it with a smaller crew.

Storage: Transfer extra pasta salad to an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days

Make ahead: California Pasta Salad can be assembled up to 3 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Toss gently before serving.

Cheese, please! If you enjoy your pasta salad with a bit of creamy dairy in the mix, toss in mozzarella bocconcini or crumble in some feta or goat cheese.

Nutritional Info:

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 278mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 647IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

Cheesy Broccoli Souffle Recipe

Every holiday meal needs a solid side dish to round it out, Grandma’s Cheesy Broccoli Souffle Casserole is just that dish. It’s quick & easy, full of good for you veggies served in tasty cheesy form. It’s perfect for the holidays, but also easy enough for every day dinner.

If you grew up in the South, you know there’s one thing treasured above all else. A precious item handed down, or passed down, from generation to generation.

Some might argue it’s more precious than fine jewels, money, even gold. Every generation one matriarch is entrusted with it’s keeping. And with bringing it’s sacred, secret contents to every family gathering.

A cheesy vegetable casserole that pairs perfectly with any main meat for a comforting meal, fit for a crowd.

Prep Time: 10mins

Cook Time: 45mins

Total Time: 55mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8 

Ingredients:

  • 2 10 oz pkgs frozen broccoli, thawed, drained, & chopped OR 20 oz fresh broccoli, steamed, and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 10 3/4 oz can cream of broccoli or cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • smoked paprika

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Cook the broccoli, drain thoroughly, and spoon into a lightly greased, medium-large sized baking dish. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the onion, soup, 1/2 cup of cheese, milk, mayo, eggs, and red pepper flakes until evenly combined.
  3. Spoon the mixture evenly out over the broccoli. Using the back of the spoon, spread out as necessary.
  4. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar evenly out over top the casserole. Sprinkle with smoked paprika.
  5. Bake the casserole at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let rest 5-8 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Info:

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 245mg | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 482IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 148mg | Iron: 1mg

KFC Original Secrat Chicken Recipe

There’s something nostalgic about a bucket of KFC Original Recipe Chicken. Growing up, most of us didn’t have parents that were willing to fry chicken at home, so KFC became something of a special occasion food. It made an appearance at block parties, Fourth of July celebrations, and end-of-season soccer tournaments, wowing us with its salty, greasy, spicy, and flavorful crust. If you didn’t grab a piece early enough, you’d end up with the one at the bottom of the bucket, stripped of its extra crispy skin by someone with a voracious appetite (also known as the saddest thing ever).

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1hr

Cook Time: 10mins

Total Time: 1 hr 10mins

Servings: 3

INGREDIENTS:

Brine

  • Chicken drumsticks – 500 grams
  • Buttermilk – 1 ½ cup
  • Salt – ¼ tsp
  • Crispy coating
  • Cornstarch – 2 tbsp
  • Egg white – 1
  • Bread crumbs – 1 cup
  • Oil for deep frying – 2 to 3 cups
  • Seasoning
  • Slat – ½ tsp
  • Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
  • Ground black pepper – ½ tsp
  • Allspice – ¼ tsp
  • Garlic powder – ¾ tbsp
  • Onion powder – 1 tsp
  • Mixed Herbs – 1 tsp

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preparing Brine Chicken

  1. Take a bowl and add in the buttermilk. In case you don’t have buttermilk, add in 1/2 tsp yoghurt along with 1 cup of water. Mix it well and add 1/4 tsp of salt.
  2. Clean the chicken to be used and then add it to the buttermilk. Cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator overnight. If you are short on time, at least refrigerate for four hours. Refrigeration will make the chicken soft.
  3. Steps to prepare crispy fried chicken
  4. When you want to cook fried chicken, then take the chicken out of the fridge and keep it aside.
  5. In a separate bowl, add egg white.
  6. In a flat try or wider bowl, add some bread crumbs. Keep them aside.
  7. Drain all the buttermilk from the chicken. In this chicken, add seasonings and rub. Mix well for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle corn starch on the chicken and mix again.
  8. Add 1 egg white and 3 to 4 tbsp buttermilk in a bowl. Mix them in the chicken so it becomes moist enough to stick bread crumbs.
  9. Take each chicken piece and coat in bread crumbs. Repeat the same step to all chicken pieces.
  10. Keep coated chicken pieces aside for 10 min before frying.
  11. Add some oil to the pan and heat it. Keep the flame on the medium level.
  12. When oil is heated enough, test the oil by adding a small amount of wet portion. If the wet piece rises without browning then the oil is hot enough.
  13. You may shake your chicken pieces to shed off the extra crumbs. Now add chicken pieces to oil and fry. In one try, add only two or three pieces.
  14. Keep flame at medium level and fry until they turn golden. Cook pieces from all sides.
  15. After they are cooled and turned crispy. Take them out and put them on serving plates.
  16. Serve them hot with sauces or ketchup.

Blue Smoothie Recipe

Move over green smoothie, make way for the new kid on the block. ♥️

There’s a new color in the world of smoothies and it is my favorite one!

What are your thoughts on a Blue Smoothie? Yay or nay? I am personally a huge fan of blue so it is definitely a yay for me.The color comes from blue spirulina, a nutrient dense aqua botanical that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Besides the high nutritional content, it is known to boost the immune system and increases energy too. Powerful algae I have to say!

There’s a whole lot of goodness in just 1 serving of this people!

This blue smoothie recipe starts with frozen fruits. I love making smoothies using frozen fruits as the smoothies get really thick and yummy, just like an ice cream! Furthermore, frozen fruits can easily be stored in the freezer for a long time, so you can blend up some smoothies whenever you need one.

Actually, I think I need one right NOW

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp blue spirulina
  • 1 large frozen banana or 2 small frozen bananas
  • ¼ cup frozen blueberries
  • ¼ cup frozen strawberries
  • ⅓-1/2 cup plain yogurt (depending on how sour you like it)
  • ⅔ – 1 cup milk (depending on the thickness you prefer)
  • 1.5 tbsp sweetener of your choice (I used honey)

Instructions:

  1. In a blender, add all of the above ingredients and blend till smooth.
  2. Pour into 2 glasses and serve immediately.

Sweet Potatoes Recipe

It’s that time of year when the air gets crisp and we start craving all the tastes of fall: cinnamon, maple, nuts and, of course, sweet potatoes. So let’s put them together! We have the perfect dish to do it, too: Hasselback Maple Pecan Sweet Potatoes.

The hasselback method is one of our favorites – remember our Smoky Hasselback Potatoes, Hasselback Chicken and Easy Hasselback Baked Apples?! – and it’s the perfect way of getting all that flavor mixed in with the delicious orange spud. Plus, the slicing and baking method gives the sweet potatoes a fantastic combination of creamy and crispy that’s the epitome of fall food. We can’t praise this one enough, so let’s stop talking and start cooking! Watch us make it, then read on for the recipe

Serves 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius).
  2. Place a sweet potato between two chopsticks for stability and knife guidance. Every ¼-inch along the length of the sweet potato, slice ⅞ of the way through, or until the knife hits the chopsticks. (The chopsticks will help prevent the knife from cutting all the way through the sweet potato.) Repeat with the second potato.
  3. Brush the sweet potatoes with the vegetable oil. Place in a small baking dish and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Bake the sweet potatoes for 30 to 40 minutes, or until soft.
  5. Remove the sweet potatoes from the oven, and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius).
  6. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, ground cinnamon, chopped pecans, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Stir to mix.
  7. Spoon the maple syrup mixture over and in between the baked sweet potato slices, pushing the pecan pieces in between each slice.
  8. Drizzling hasselback-cut sweet potatoes with maple pecan mixture.
  9. Return the filled sweet potatoes to the oven and bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes.
  10. Remove the baked sweet potatoes from the oven and spoon any cooking liquid over the potatoes. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Low-Carb French Garlic Chicken Recipe

This is a great low carb chicken recipe that takes less than 30 minutes start to finish but is elegant enough to serve.

It’s a very simple French Garlic Chicken recipe that combines juicy chicken thighs with dijon mustard, garlic, and a mixture of spices to make a French-inspired dish that is as delicious as it looks.

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES

SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE MARINADE

2 teaspoons Herbes de Provence

2 tablespoon Olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

1 tablespoon Minced Garlic

1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs boneless skinless

FOR COOKING

2 tablespoons Butter

8 cloves Chopped Garlic

1/4 cup Water

1/4 cup Heavy Whipping Cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix all the ingredients for the marinade, using a wire whisk to emulsify the oil and vinegar together.

Add in chicken thighs and allow it to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes. If you need to marinate for longer, put in the refrigerator.

FOR STOVETOP

When you are ready to cook, heat a heavy-bottomed pan. When it is hot, add the butter and allow it to melt.

Add chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

Add in the chicken leaving behind as much of the marinade as you can. Do not discard the marinade.

Cook the chicken thighs so that they can lightly brown on one side, 3-5 minutes.

Add the marinade and 1/4 cup water.

Cover the pot and allow it to cook for 10 minutes, turning the thighs halfway through.

Using a meat thermometer, ensure an internal temperature of 165f.

Remove the chicken on to a plate and add 1/4 cup cream into the pot, mixing well with the liquid in the pot.

As soon as the sauce thickens, pour it onto the chicken thighs and serve.

FOR INSTANT POT

When you are ready to cook, turn your Instant Pot to Sauté and when it is hot, add the butter and allow it to melt.

Add chopped garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

Add in the chicken leaving behind as much of the marinade as you can. Do not discard the marinade.

Cook the chicken thighs so that they can lightly brown on one side, 3-5 minutes.

Add the marinade and 1/4 cup water.

Close the instant pot and set it to cook at High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, and then release all remaining pressure.

Remove the chicken on to a plate and add 1/4 cup cream into the pot, mixing well with the liquid in the pot.

As soon as the sauce thickens, pour it onto the chicken thighs and serve.

Prep Ahead

If you have time to marinate the chicken, it will be that much more tender, but you don’t have to. You can let the chicken marinate for anything from 30 minutes to up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

You can marinate the chicken, and freeze the marinade and chicken together. That way, when you’re ready to cook, simply brown the garlic in butter, throw in the frozen chicken and marinade (skipping the step where you sear the chicken), and just cook it in the Instant pot.

Double Up

You can double up on the sauce ingredients, and save some of the extra sauce to serve over asparagus or other steamed vegetables.

You could add in a cup or so of mushrooms to this dish and have a more complete meat and vegetable dish in one go.

Adapt for different diets

This is a keto Instant Pot chicken recipe–but really that has nothing to do with anything. What it is, is a SUPER TASTY low carb chicken recipe.

If you are dairy-free or kosher, use coconut milk or coconut cream for the cream, and coconut or olive oil for the butter.

If you are vegetarian, use a hearty vegetable like butternut squash or even turnips instead of the chicken.

If you are allergic to Lavender, you can either find a lavender-free Herbes de Provence or use a mixture of dried thyme, oregano, rosemary, and marjoram.

If you don’t have Herbes de Provence, sub Italian blend herbs or even Greek blend herbs for a slightly different taste

Go easy on the salt in this recipe. I have reduced it to 1/2 teaspoon based on reader feedback

Nutritional Info:

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 37g

Use Salt in the Toilet: Grandma’s Foolproof Tip!

Thanks to its abrasive action, salt helps descale surfaces and remove yellow stains embedded in the bottom of the toilet bowl and shower walls.

In addition to being a natural stain remover, salt also helps eliminate bad odors and unclog toilet pipes

Besides, the toilet can easily become clogged if you throw tampons or wipes into the bowl. This is why only natural waste and toilet paper should end up in the toilet bowl. The rest should be thrown in the trash.

using everyday household items, and one of them is salt.

You can use Epsom salt alone or combine it with other ingredients like baking soda to unclog the toilet. If you’re not dealing with a severe toilet blockage, salt is the simplest way to get over it.

In this post, we will explain how to do it.

Types of Salt You Can Use for Cleaning a Blocked Toilet

Salt comes in different forms, so we need to explain which are suitable for cleaning and unclogging your toilet bowl. Three types stand out:

 

Table Salt

Table salt – or sodium chloride – is the most common form of salt that you can find in most kitchens worldwide. It’s a multifunctional household item that serves the cleaning purpose as well.

The sole downside is that you have to pair it with other ingredients to get an efficient cleaner for a clogged toilet siphon jet. It’s the only way to get rid of the clogs and grime buildups that make your toilet look dirty.

Rock Salt

As the name suggests, this type of salt comes in mineral rocks that you might also have at home. It contains more minerals than iodized or table salt, which makes it a more powerful clog-breaking tool.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a type of salt that contains magnesium, sulfate, and trace minerals. It’s not your average table salt but rather a stronger component that can successfully unclog a toilet and dissolve sturdy debris.

How to Unclog Your Toilet With Salt?

If you are in a hurry to clean a clogged toilet (and who isn’t?), remember that Epsom salt is the only type that works quickly. The other two types are suitable for overnight projects that don’t require your urgent reaction.

Unclogging With Epsom Salt

Not everyone has this product at home, so make sure to order a bag of Natural Epsom Salt on Amazon. You don’t need more than a cup or two of Epsom salt to unclog a toilet, which makes this 16 oz bag perfect for your DIY project.

The procedure is simple – pour one cup of salt into the toilet bowl and let it float for 15 minutes. You can notice the reaction immediately because water and magnesium sulfate together produce a funny bubbling sound.

After a while, you can press the flush handle and watch the toilet unclogging.

Unclogging a Toilet With Rock Salt

Rock salt also works alone, but it takes a lot longer to react. You will probably choose to pour it into the toilet in the evening, so it gets enough time to unclog your toilet. This is what you need to do:

Grab a cup of rock salt

Mix it with two gallons of hot water (avoid boiling water)

Pour the liquid into the toilet bowl

Leave it there for eight hours minimum

Flush the toilet in the morning

The toilet should work as usual after this treatment. However, beware not to use boiling water as it may cause the porcelain to crack – the usual hot water from the tap will do the job much better.

Breaking Toilet Clogs With Table Salt

The third solution is to break a toilet clog using kitchen salt. In this case, you have to combine salt with other cleaning products such as baking soda.

The mix should contain one cup of salt and one cup of baking soda. Pour it into the toilet bowl and add 12 cups of hot water. Once again, remember to avoid boiling water for cleaning the toilet.

Now you can let the solution work overnight. You can flush the toilet to break the clog early in the morning, but we recommend taking the extra step. Namely, you can plunge the toilet before flushing to make sure that the clog is gone.

After all this, some baking soda might remain on the bottom of your toilet – pour a bucket of hot water to push it down the toilet drain.

Use Salt to Prevent Clogging

Salt is a great item for unclogging a toilet, but it’s much better to use it for prevention. All you need is to clean the toilet once a week – or even a month – using one of the three solutions we explained above.

Our advice is to go with kitchen salt and vinegar because you probably have them at home 365 days a year. The good thing about it is that you don’t have to wait for eight hours – the combination works in 10 minutes because it doesn’t have to break a clog.

It’s the same mix of salt and baking soda – add one cup of each and pour hot water over it. If you do it periodically, rest assured you will make a no-clog toilet.

Why Use Salt for Unclogging a Toilet?

We get this question a lot: Why should I use salt for unclogging a toilet with so many commercial products available? Well, we can give you at least three practical reasons to go with salt:

Salt Is Cheap

Salt is a widespread household product for two reasons – it makes an excellent spice, and it’s very affordable, especially when you buy it in bulk. Commercial products are not too costly, but they are much more expensive compared to salt.

It’s Available Around the Clock

Almost every home has a bag of salt, which means you can react instantly and unclog your toilet quickly. And when it comes to bathroom emergencies, you don’t want to wait until you purchase a commercial product.

Salt Pairs Well With Other Products

It’s also important to mention that salt pairs well with other household products, creating a natural cleaning solution. That includes items such as vinegar and baking soda, AKA products that you probably have in your home as well.

Salt Is Multifunctional

You can only use commercial toilet cleaners for one purpose, but that’s not the case with salt. Keep in mind that salt plays a primary role in the kitchen, where it helps you create delicious meals.

It’s Safe for the Environment

Salt is 100 percent natural and safe for the environment, so there’s no reason to worry about chemicals or unwanted side effects. You also don’t have to use gloves during the treatment, making it the best choice health-wise.

You probably use salt as a spice every day, but you can also use it as a reliable unclogging tool. So, how to break the toilet clog with salt?

There are different types of salt, and they all work differently:

Epsom salt breaks the clogs alone and delivers in minutes

Rock salt alone can unclog your toilet bowl, but it needs hours to work

Table salt requires a mix with other ingredients, but it’s available 24/7

Salt will help you dissolve almost all sorts of toilet clogs, so make sure to test it before spending money on commercial products.

Does salt help to unclog the toilet?

Yes, salt can help you to unclog your toilet bowl. Epsom salt will do it in 15 minutes, while rock salt and table salt require at least eight hours to work. In each case, you can break the clogs using salt

What can you pour down a toilet to unclog it?

Besides salt, you can pour many products to unclog the toilet. That includes items such as baking soda and vinegar, commercial cleaners, and penetrating oils.

 

The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes Ever Recipe

These are the most flavorful crispy roast potatoes you’ll ever make. And they just happen to be gluten-free and vegan (if you use oil) to boot.

The Brits get a bad rap for their cuisine, and in some cases rightfully so—the beef cooked until gray and the gravy-made-from-granules that I ate every Sunday while staying in England were not the height of culinary greatness— but dang if there aren’t a lot of things they do better than almost anyone else. I’m talking savory pies, fried fish, Yorkshire puddings, and roasted potatoes. The British method of roasting potatoes is one that I’ve taken a strong liking to. It’s simple, and it produces amazing results. Boil chunks of potato until they’re just tender, toss them none-too-gently with fat (ideally beef drippings) to rough up their surface, then roast them until they’re crisp and crackling.

Cook: 10 mins

Active: 30 mins

Total: 50 mins

Serves: 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon (4g) baking soda

4 pounds (about 2 kg) russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters, sixths, or eighths, depending on size (see note)

5 tablespoons (75ml) extra-virgin olive oil, duck fat, goose fat, or beef fat

Small handful picked fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped

3 medium cloves garlic, minced

Freshly ground black pepper

Small handful fresh parsley leaves, minced

INSTRUCTIONS:

Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) (or 400°F (200°C) if using convection). Heat 2 quarts (2L) water in a large pot over high heat until boiling. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (about 1 ounce; 25g), baking soda, and potatoes and stir. Return to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until a knife meets little resistance when inserted into a potato chunk, about 10 minutes after returning to a boil.

Meanwhile, combine olive oil, duck fat, or beef fat with rosemary, garlic, and a few grinds of black pepper in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring and shaking pan constantly, until garlic just begins to turn golden, about 3 minutes. Immediately strain oil through a fine-mesh strainer set in a large bowl. Set garlic/rosemary mixture aside and reserve separately.

When potatoes are cooked, drain carefully and let them rest in the pot for about 30 seconds to allow excess moisture to evaporate. Transfer to bowl with infused oil, season to taste with a little more salt and pepper, and toss to coat, shaking bowl roughly, until a thick layer of mashed potato–like paste has built up on the potato chunks.

Transfer potatoes to a large rimmed baking sheet and separate them, spreading them out evenly. Transfer to oven and roast, without moving, for 20 minutes. Using a thin, flexible metal spatula to release any stuck potatoes, shake pan and turn potatoes. Continue roasting until potatoes are deep brown and crisp all over, turning and shaking them a few times during cooking, 30 to 40 minutes longer

Transfer potatoes to a large bowl and add garlic/rosemary mixture and minced parsley. Toss to coat and season with more salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Russet potatoes will produce crisper crusts and fluffier centers. Yukon Golds will be slightly less crisp and have creamier centers, with a darker color and deeper flavor. You can also use a mix of the two.

The potatoes should be cut into very large chunks, at least 2 to 3 inches or so. For medium-sized Yukon Golds, this means cutting them in half crosswise, then splitting each half again to make quarters. For larger Yukon Golds or russets, you can cut the potatoes into chunky sixths or eighths.

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Yield: 10

Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving

Calories323TotalFat13gSaturatedFat3gTransFat0gUnsaturatedFat9gCholesterol20mgSodium97750mgCarbohydrates43gFiber5gSugar2gProtein10g

Wonton Soup Recipe

Tasty, juicy filling wrapped with slippery wrappers and served in an umami broth, this easy wonton soup makes a wonderful all-in-one meal.

Prep Time: 30min

Cook Time: 6mins

Total Time: 36mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Servings: 4 servings 

INGREDIENTS:

For the wontons

300 g ground pork or chicken, shrimp, beef

2 stalks scallions finely chopped

1 tsp ginger minced

1 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tsp Shaoxing wine

¼ tsp salt

1 pinch ground white pepper or ground Sichuan pepper, five-spice powder

3 tbsp chicken broth homemade or shop-bought (see note 1)

40 pieces ready-mead wonton wrappers see note 2

For the soup

1 liter chicken broth homemade or shop-bought (see note 1)

2 heads baby bok choy or other leafy greens

Salt to taste

Ground white pepper to taste

Sesame oil to taste

Scallions finely chopped

Chili oil optional

Instructions:

Mix the filling

Add ground pork, scallions, ginger, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, salt, white pepper and 3 tablespoons of chicken stock to a mixing bowl. Swirl constantly to combine until the meat fully absorbs the liquid and becomes a sticky paste.

Wrap the wontons

With your fingertip, wet the edge of a wonton wrapper with a little water. Place some pork filling in the middle. Fold the wrapper into a rectangle. Press to seal the edge. From the folded side, wet one corner then place the other corner on top. Press to seal (see video below).

Heat the broth

In a saucepan, heat the chicken broth to a boiling point. Set aside for later use.

Cook the wontons

While the broth is heated, bring plenty of water in a separate pot/wok to a full boil. Gently put in the wontons. Move them around with a spoon to avoid sticking. You may need to cook them in batches (see note 3).

When the wontons rise from the bottom and float on the surface, continue boiling for a further 1½ minutes or so. Put in bok choy and cook for another 20 seconds.

Assemble the dish

Add salt, ground white pepper and sesame oil to 4 serving bowls, then top up each one with the heated broth.

Fish out the wontons and bok choy and put them to the bowls. Garnish with scallions and chili oil (if using).

Make in advance

You may freeze uncooked wontons right after they’re assembled (Do not leave them on the counter for too long). Lay them in a single layer on a tray lined with parchment paper. Once completely frozen, transfer them to airtight bags or containers.

Cook frozen wontons: Do not defrost. Follow the same method above.

Notes:

1. Make chicken stock from scratch:

Put a whole chicken in a large pot filled with cold water. Bring it to a boil then skim off any impurity floating on the surface.

Add 2 stalks of scallions and a few slices of ginger. Leave to simmer over low heat for 40-50 minutes. Then take out the chicken, scallions and ginger.

2. This recipe makes about 40 wontons if the wrappers are small (about 9cm/3.5in). If using large ones (about 10.5cm/4.2in), you may make about 30 wontons.

3. Cook in batches: If you lay the wontons one beside another in a single layer, the area they cover shouldn’t be bigger than the cookware.

Nutritional Info:

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 453kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 1861mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Classic Lasagna Recipe

This is a wonderful, classic lasagna recipe – nothing too fancy, just layers of pasta, meat sauce, a ricotta cheese mixture, and mozzarella – and it’s one that everyone should have in their own recipe collection!

Rather than using the mix ground beef and sausage listed in this recipe, you can use whatever kind of meat your family enjoys – just plan for about two pounds total.

Yield: 12 servings

Prep: 30 mins

Cook: 1 hour 30 mins

Total: 2 hours

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese

1 pound box of dry lasagna noodles (you will need 16 noodles. A one pound box contains 20 noodles so you will have four extra. Usually a few get broken so this usually works out)

FOR THE MEAT SAUCE

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup chopped onions

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)

1 pound ground Italian sausage meat (hot or sweet your choice)

1 28–ounce canned crushed tomatoes (we use Cento)

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 teaspoon dry oregano

2 tablespoons dry basil or 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Pinch red pepper flakes

2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint

FOR THE CHEESE MIXTURE

Ricotta cheese that was strained in the first step

1 cup shredded mozzarella

2 eggs beaten

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley

OTHER INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (see recipe here)

8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced into 12 slices

3 cups shredded mozzarella

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

COPY INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Line a strainer with cheese cloth and place over a bowl. Place the ricotta in cheesecloth lined strainer and cover the top with more cheesecloth.
  2. Then place a heavy object over the top to press the ricotta. This process will remove some of the liquid from the ricotta cheese.
  3. Cook lasagna noodles according to box directions but keep them slightly undercooked (cook approximately 7-8 minutes).
  4. They should still have a good bite to them. Rinse and cool. Keep moist while you prepare the rest of the dish.
  5. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and cook the onions for about two minutes over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook one more minute. Add the meat, stir and cook until there is no pink.
  6. Depending on the fat content of the meat you are using, you may need to drain off some liquid. There should only be a few tablespoons of liquid after cooking the meat.
  7. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes and mint. Reduce to medium and simmer ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
  8. In a medium bowl, mix drained ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, beaten eggs, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and the chopped parsley. Mix to combine and set aside.
  9. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and put oven rack in center of oven.
  10. In a 9X13X3 glass baking dish, ladle in one cup of tomato sauce into the bottom and lay four lasagna noodles overlapping slightly.
  11. Add one third of these cheese mixture, one third of the meat mixture and half of the sliced fresh mozzarella. (The sliced mozzarella will not cover the whole pan, just spread as evenly as possible).
  12. Repeat with four more noodles, one third of cheese mixture, one third of meat mixture and the other half of sliced fresh mozzarella.
  13. Cover with four more noodles and top with remaining cheese mixture, remaining meat mixture and 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
  14. Finish with four more noodles, 1 ½ cups tomato sauce, 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
  15. Lay a piece of parchment paper over top and then cover tightly with foil. Cover a sheet pan with foil and place a rack in foiled pan.
  16. Now place the covered lasagna on the rack and place in the oven. The rack is to circulate heat and the lower pan will catch any drips.
  17. Bake for one hour covered. Remove foil and parchment and cook uncovered for 30 more minutes. Let rest 15-30 minutes before cutting.

Chopped Power Salad With Chicken

Enjoy this filling and colorful salad for lunch or dinner. The dressing gets made in the same bowl that the salad is tossed in, so the greens absorb every bit of flavor.

Active Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

INGREDIENTS:

  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 4 cups torn green-leaf lettuce
  • 4 cups baby spinach
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 cup halved and sliced cucumber
  • ½ cup slivered red onion
  • ⅓ cup sliced pepperoncini
  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons toasted unsalted sunflower seeds

Directions: 

Whisk oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper together in a large bowl.

Add lettuce, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and pepperoncini; toss to coat.

Serve sprinkled with feta and sunflower seeds.

Nutritional Info:

Serving Size about 2½ cups

calories 66 total carbohydrate 14g dietary fiber 4g total sugars 7g protein 49g total fat 24g saturated fat 5g cholesterol 130mg vitamin a 6881iu sodium 591mg potassium 1068mg

Syn Free Chicken Supreme Recipe

This Slimming World chicken supreme is Syn free, quick and easy to make, and perfect for the whole family.

This comforting chicken supreme is packed with tender chunks of chicken and bacon – an easy chicken recipe that’s supremely satisfying

Lean meat with all the visible fat removed is a Free Food! Remove the skin from the chicken breast and trim the visible fat from the bacon… a total saving of 6 Sy

Prep Time: 5mins

Cook Time: 25mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Servings: 2 

Ingredients:

  • 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, thickly sliced
  • 4 back bacon rashers, visible fat removed, roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 200 g button mushrooms sliced
  • 125 g plain quark
  • 1 chicken stock cube made up with 100ml boiling water
  • 1.5 tsp mustard powder
  • Low calorie cooking spray
  • Bunch of asparagus, woody ends snapped off
  • 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Heat a heavy based pan over a low-medium heat and spritz with low calorie cooking spray.
  2. Add the onion and garlic and stir fry for 5 minutes, or until softened.
  3. Put the asparagus and peppers in a non-stick roasting tin. Spray with low-calorie cooking spray and roast for 15-20 minutes or until tender.
  4. Meanwhile, add the chicken stock, quark, and mustard powder to a large jug, and mix thoroughly until a sauce is formed.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Pour the sauce into the pan and stir well. Continue to simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce is reduced as desired.
  7. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve with a third of a plate of the roasted veg and enjoy!

Notes:

The nutritional and Syn values provided are carefully calculated and correct at time of publication but may not always be completely accurate.

If you’re serious about sticking rigidly to your plan, it’s always worth doing your own calculations for extra peace of mind – and remember, we may be using different brands or variations of ingredients which can significantly impact the nutritional and Syn values!

Nutrition:

Calories: 358kcal

Ritz Cracker Party Sandwiches Recipe

I went through a pretty serious “ham and cheese party slider” phase. You know those little baked sandwiches using Hawaiian rolls and melted butter poured over the top? Well, for a while, I couldn’t get enough of them and served them for every party. No one was complaining though, because they’re delicious and buttery and easy to love. But now it’s time to change things up a little. Here’s the same concept, but on crackers so they’re just as buttery, just as delicious, but a little more bite sized. I think I might be about to enter another serious party sandwich phase.

Serves 12

Prep Time: 10min

Cook Time: 10min 

Total Time: 20min 

INGREDIENTS:

  • 48 Ritz crackers
  • 8 slices deli ham
  • 8 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Place half of the crackers in a 9×13-inch baking dish, flat side down.
  3. Tear ham into small strips and fold and place on each cracker.
  4. Cut cheese into 1-inch pieces and place one on each piece of ham/cracker. Top with another cracker to form a mini sandwich.
  5. Stir Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder into the melted butter, then pour evenly over the cracker sandwiches.
  6. Sprinkle poppy seeds and minced onion evenly over the top.
  7. Bake until cheese has melted and tops are golden brown, 10-12 minutes.
  8. Serve warm and enjoy!

NOTES:

Make it ahead: these sandwiches are best served while warm. You can gather/prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time, and then assemble and bake the sandwiches when you’re ready to serve them.

Change it up: any combination of deli meat and cheese works well here. Roast beef and cheddar, or turkey and colby jack are a few ideas!

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Calories: 65kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 131mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 63IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

Easy Sausage Balls Recipe

Sausage Balls are savory, cheesy, and dippable, perfect as an appetizer or as part of a game-day spread! Make them with store-bought or homemade Bisquick mix.

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 47 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound (16 ounces) ground pork sausage

2 cups baking mix or Homemade Bisquick Mix

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeños, optional

1 pound (16 ounces) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or pecan chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

Allow the ground sausage to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire baking rack onto the lined pan. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray. This step will allow the grease to drip off onto the pan below.

Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Use clean hands to evenly combine the mixture. Do not worry about there being too much baking mix; it will incorporate as you mix everything together. You can speed up this process by using your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 tablespoons) to portion the mixture. Roll each portion into a ball and place onto the prepared baking rack.

Bake the sausage balls for 18-22 minutes.

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as homemade ranch dip.

Notes:

For a mild version, use mild pork sausage. For a spicier version, use medium or hot pork sausage.

HOW TO SERVE SAUSAGE BALLS

I like to serve bisquick sausage balls with a bowl of homemade ranch dip. Whether it’s a dinner appetizer or part of a party spread along with spinach artichoke bites, beer cheese dip, and cheese straws, everyone loves them.

They’re best when they’re fresh out of the oven, but they are still delicious at room temperature.

Overhead view of several sausage balls arranged on a white plate next to a bowl of ranch dip

In fact, they’re good straight out of the fridge!

If you have leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy whenever the craving hits.

Give these sausage balls a try and see for yourself how delicious they are!

NUTRITIONAL INFO:

Yield: 38

Serving Size: 1 sausage ball

Calories:43TotalFat2gSaturatedFat1gTransFat0gUnsaturatedFat2gCholesterol1mgSodium95mgCarbohydrates5gFiber0gSugar1gProtein1g

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Salted Caramel Cheesecake Recipe

My salted caramel cheesecake is perfect for caramel lovers! It has caramel swirled inside and on top, plus plenty of flaky sea salt. Add pecans in the crust for even more flavor!

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 25minutes

Cook Time: 50minutes

Cooling Time: 6hours 

Total Time: 7hours 15minutes

Servings: 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:
  • 1 ½ cups (170 g) graham cracker crumbs
  • ⅓ cup (40 g) finely chopped pecans (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 7 tablespoons melted salted butter
Cheesecake:
  • 24 oz (680 g) softened brick-style full-fat cream cheese
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (120 g) sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup (236 ml) thick caramel sauce room temperature, divided (click link for homemade caramel sauce, see note)
  • Flaky sea salt for sprinkling optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the crust
  1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, finely chopped pecans, and sugars.
  2. 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs,⅓ cup finely chopped pecans (see note),2 tablespoons granulated sugar,1 tablespoon firmly packed light brown sugar
  3. Add melted butter to the crumb mixture and mix until crumbs are moistened.
  4. 7 tablespoons melted salted butter
  5. Press the mixture evenly onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
For the cheesecake
  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat on medium speed until smooth, creamy, and lump-free.
  3. 24 oz softened brick-style full-fat cream cheese,1 cup granulated sugar
  4. Add sour cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until combined.
  5. ½ cup sour cream,1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  6. In a separate bowl, lightly beat each egg with a fork, then add one at a time to the cheesecake batter, mixing on low speed until just combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.
  7. 3 large eggs
  8. Pour half of the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. Drizzle ¼ cup (59ml) of caramel sauce evenly over the batter, then top with the remaining cheesecake batter.
  9. 1 cup thick caramel sauce
  10. Place the pan on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the cheesecake is almost set (center will be jiggly like Jell-O, edges may puff slightly).
  11. Turn off the oven, crack the door several inches, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour.
  12. Remove from the oven to cool at room temperature until cooled completely then top the cheesecake with the remaining caramel sauce and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely (6 hours or overnight).
  13. Once the cheesecake is fully chilled, remove the springform ring, sprinkle the surface of the cheesecake with flaky sea salt if desired, then slice and serve.
  14. To store, reattach the springform ring and cover with foil.
  15. Flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Notes:

Pecans:

You can measure pecans before or after chopping. You can actually chop them, or I’ve also had success placing them in a plastic baggie and smacking them with a rolling pin or the back of a spoon until they’re fine. For nut-free cheesecake, simply omit the pecans, no other changes needed.

Caramel sauce:

I highly recommend making your own caramel sauce using my caramel topping recipe.

Storing:

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutritional Info:

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 603mg | Potassium: 231mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 372IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 1mg

Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

You will love this recipe for Sweet Potato Pie! The filling is sweet, creamy, and will melt in your mouth. It’s perfect for the holidays!

 Course: Dessert

 Cuisine: American

 Prep Time: 35minutes

Cook Time: 1hour 55minutes

Total Time: 2hours 30minutes

 Servings: 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 (1 pound) sweet potato
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions:

  1. -Boil sweet potato whole in skin for 40 to 50 minutes, or until done.
  2. Run cold water over the sweet potato, and remove the skin.
  3. -Break apart sweet potato in a bowl. Add butter, and mix well with mixer. Stir in sugar, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla.
  4. Beat on medium speed until mixture is smooth. Pour filling into an unbaked pie crust.
  5. -Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 to 60 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
  6. Pie will puff up like a souffle, and then will sink down as it cools.
  7. Enjoy ❤

Nutritional Info:

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 16257IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 1mg