People spend a lot of money on synthetic sprays, candles and potpourris trying to make their homes smell warm and inviting. This is a natural, inexpensive alternative.
Here is what you need:
2 cups Apple Juice or Cider
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vanilla Extract or a Vanilla Bean
1 Cinnamin Stick
4 or 5 whole Cloves
Put all ingredients in a small sauce pan and let it simmer on the stove. In just a couple minutes your entire house will smell warm and inviting.
If you don't have the whole spices you can substitute dried, powdered spices. Be creative. Try Orange Juice instead of the Apple Juice, or just use a Vanilla Bean and some Ginger in water.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Pumpkin Seeds
Are you carving pumpkins for Halloween? Don't forget to toast the seeds for a yummy snack!
Rinse the seeds and remove all the pulp. Soak seeds overnight in a solution of 2 cups water and 1/4 cup salt. The next day, spread the seeds on a cookie sheet to dry. This should take 8-12 hours.
Preheat oven to 250 F.
Toss pumpkin seeds in olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat. You can also try garlic powder, cayenne, cinnamon...be creative.
Spread the seeds on a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake seeds for about 1 hour, until they are golden brown. Stir them every 15-20 minutes.
Let the seeds cool before eating.
Rinse the seeds and remove all the pulp. Soak seeds overnight in a solution of 2 cups water and 1/4 cup salt. The next day, spread the seeds on a cookie sheet to dry. This should take 8-12 hours.
Preheat oven to 250 F.
Toss pumpkin seeds in olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat. You can also try garlic powder, cayenne, cinnamon...be creative.
Spread the seeds on a foil lined baking sheet.
Bake seeds for about 1 hour, until they are golden brown. Stir them every 15-20 minutes.
Let the seeds cool before eating.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Chocolate Syrup
Just like Hershey's, but without the high fructose corn syrup.
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add all ingredients except vanilla to a medium sauce pan.
Bring to a low boil and boil for 4-5 minutes, whisking the whole time, until the sauce begins to thicken.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Be sure to store your chocolate syrup in the fridge.
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add all ingredients except vanilla to a medium sauce pan.
Bring to a low boil and boil for 4-5 minutes, whisking the whole time, until the sauce begins to thicken.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Be sure to store your chocolate syrup in the fridge.
Monday, October 4, 2010
French Dressing
Growing up, this was the salad dressing we always had. My mom always kept a Tupperware container of it in the fridge. It's easy and really yummy.
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup catsup
Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake well. Store in the fridge.
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup catsup
Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake well. Store in the fridge.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)