It is fun to play with bubbles all year. I enjoy them even more in the winter!
So, I never lose this recipe, I will share it here 🙂
Bubble Solution
Marinara Sauce (to Can)
This summer we wanted to make Marinara Sauce to can some garden tomatoes our neighbor, Mrs. Beer, shared with us. We knew she often cans her extra tomatoes, so we asked for her favorite recipe. She gave us this one and we adjusted it very slightly.
We usually eat a whole quart of sauce with spaghetti, but decided to can pints instead this year. Our thought was to use it for extra special grilled pizza since we often have that with company. This sauce is also extra good on homemade noodles.
Using roma tomatoes are best for a thick sauce, but we usually combine them with assorted tomatoes from the garden. We think it creates a better blend of flavors.
White Chili (with Chicken)
This is an easy, make ahead soup for cold days. We usually keep it on low all day in the crock pot and serve with corn chips or corn bread. Also, to reduce the cheese a little, instead of putting it all in the soup, set some aside to use as garnish.
You will need at least 2 cups of broth, but we usually use more. Use your favorite method to poach the chicken breast, or use this recipe. Leftover broth can be saved for another recipe.
Enchilada Sauce
Instead of buying enchilada sauce, this is an easy recipe to make your own. Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
Mississippi Pot Roast
I am not sure why this is called “Mississippi” pot roast, but it is very good. A friend from work told Allan about it and we decided to try it. We are glad that we did, it is an easy dinner idea for after church or company
Our roast was not completely defrosted, so we turned the crock pot on high for a few hours and then reduced the heat to low for the rest of the time. It still came out wonderfully.
While this would be good with rice or potatoes, we served it with farro and cauliflower rice and sugar snap peas. For those who like mushrooms, they are a great addition also.
Beer Batter Fish and Chips
Fish and Chips are a special treat that we enjoy making on cold winter nights. While fresh fish is best, we rarely have it, but I bet this would taste wonderful after a successful day fishing!
This is best served with a malt vinegar for the chips and a lemon wedge for the fish. A simple salad on the side would be a great addition.
If using frozen fish, be sure to defrost it completely before using.
Muffins
Carol Ragsdale gave me this favorite muffin recipe in South Africa around 23 years ago. It is a great, basic recipe that can be changed in so many ways. Leave plain, add chocolate chips or blueberries, or reduce the milk slightly and make banana muffins. Experiment and see how many combinations you can come up with, but to get you started, check out the options at the end of the recipe.
Saffron Bread
Saffron bread is one of my favorite holiday breads. I think it is best warm with Thimbleberry jam, but raspberry is a good second choice.
This recipe calls for mixing the dough then letting it rise before kneading. We were not sure why, so we did an experiment. We made both dough “exactly” the same (used weights and did at same time) and we kneaded before rising on the one, and after kneading on the other. There is a difference in taste, but it was minimal. However, most everyone voted that kneading after the dough rose tasted better.
This bread drys out quickly. Be sure to cool it and wrap in an airtight bag or tin foil. It freezes well and tastes great toasted.
Aunt Debbie’s Buckeyes
Dad called Aunt Debbie on Christmas while at our house. It was so nice to “talk” to her for a few minutes. While talking, she mentioned that she was making some candy with a granddaughter. Aunt Debbie gave us her recipe to make the candy also.
Use gluten free Crispy Rice and be sure all your ingredients are gluten free if you want to make them just like Aunt Debbie does.
We have made buckeyes before, but we really like this version with the Crispy Rice. I think it may be our new favorite way to make these treats.
Thimbleberry Jam
Thimbleberries are a raspberry like berry that Dad introduced us to many years ago in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I will happily eat as many as I can find.
But, since we are rarely in the UP when they are ripe, Daddy often buys jars of jam for us to enjoy at home. We have only made jam once, but it was the best jam ever (memories make things a lot better don’t they?)
We went on vacation with my parents and they were showing us around where Daddy spent summers and fun places we used to visit when my siblings and I were younger. One day Mom and Dad took the kids up Brockway Mountain and while they were gone, Allan and I surprised my parents with fresh jam with berries we had picked.
