Many, many years ago, my mom taught me the easiest way to peel peaches and I have been using it ever since. Knowing how to peel peaches comes in handy when one lives in the peach state! Here in Georgia, I have an abundant selection of fresh peaches every summer and I like to stock up when they are cheap. Of course, peaches go bad very quickly. When you get them, freeze them back for use in your favorite peach recipes during the fall and winter months. I am going to share my peach peeling method with you, as well as a few easy peach recipes … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Italian Seasoning
May 14, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
Over the last few weeks, I have been dehydrating a ton of fresh herbs from my backyard garden. Growing fresh herbs is fairly easy but they don't last long once you pick them. That means I spend a lot of time drying them during the summer. I decided to make homemade Italian seasoning this week with a few of the fresh herbs that I have grown. I have so much oregano, basil, and rosemary that I don't know what I am going to do with it all. Many classic Italian recipes often call for 'Italian Seasoning Blend'. Which, of course, I would then … [Read more...]
Chocolate Fondue Recipe and Tutorial for Dessert Lovers!
February 10, 2018 by · 4 Comments
With Valentine's Day fast approaching, I find myself craving all things chocolate! This Chocolate Fondue recipe seems like such an elegant dessert but it is incredibly simple to make. Depending on the type of supplies and kitchen equipment you have at home you can make this chocolate fondue over the stove or directly in a fondue pot. Regardless of how you make it, the key to really good chocolate fondue is high quality ingredients. Good chocolate fondue needs heavy cream and high quality chocolate. Everything else is pretty flexible! If … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Caramel
October 23, 2017 by · 7 Comments
If you learn how to make homemade caramel, you will never again wonder what to give people as a gift. Homemade caramel is incredibly easy to make and takes only 4 ingredients that you can easily find at your local grocery store. You will be amazed at how awesome your homemade caramel tastes compared to the 'blech' flavor of the stuff you buy at the grocery store. Once you get a taste of this sweet, chewy and buttery goodness you will never again buy it in the candy aisle! Making homemade caramel is not hard. However, … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Extracts
May 4, 2017 by · 2 Comments
Learn how to make homemade extracts and you will be able to add an amazing amount of flavor into your kitchen creations! If you enjoy baking from scratch, you have probably encountered recipes that call for flavor extracts. Vanilla extract is obviously the most commonly used extract, however, you can add a boost of flavor to just about any recipe with extracts of fruit, herbs, nuts, and other ingredients. Learning how to make homemade extracts is incredibly easy. Why should you consider making your own rather than buying them from the store? By … [Read more...]
How to Roast Fresh Beets for Maximum Flavor
May 12, 2016 by · 5 Comments
When I was growing up, my mom loved to serve us beets. Only, she didn't serve us FRESH beets...oh, no. Our beets came in a can, sliced up and rather unappealing to the teenage eye. You can only imagine the eye-rolling and groaning that ensued every time she told us we were having beets for dinner. When I moved out on my own, I avoided beets for quite a few years due to the trauma of my early beet exposure. But, one day I came across fresh beets in the grocery store and decided to figure out how to cook them from scratch. Once I learned how … [Read more...]
How to Make Homemade Breadcrumbs
June 9, 2014 by · 11 Comments
I use breadcrumbs in a lot of recipes. They are great for coating chicken breast before baking, topping a homemade macaroni and cheese or adding a bit of bulk to homemade meatballs. I admit, I have been known to buy the good old store bought breadcrumbs in the paper canister when I am in a hurry. Homemade breadcrumbs are really easy to make and I am trying to save all those bits and pieces of leftover bread in the freezer so I can make them more often. When you are making homemade breadcrumbs, you can control the ingredients. You get to … [Read more...]
How to Make All Natural and Easy Flavored Oatmeal
May 13, 2014 by · 6 Comments
I love oatmeal but rarely do I eat it plain. Usually I throw in raisins, cinnamon and brown sugar but that gets a little old after a while. I go to the grocery store and I see tons of boxes of flavored oatmeal with questionable ingredients. Peaches and Cream flavored oatmeal probably has no actual peaches and some sort of weird dehydrated cream in it. So NOT what I am looking for in a healthy breakfast! So, I decided to get creative and see if I could find a way to make flavored oatmeal without all the artificial stuff you find in the … [Read more...]
How to Make Flavored Vodka
April 28, 2014 by · 8 Comments
Flavored vodka can make the difference between a good summer cocktail recipe and a GREAT summer cocktail recipe. It is also incredibly easy to make flavored vodka at home with just a few simple ingredients. I am always amazed to see how much more expensive flavored vodka is than plain vodka when I make a run to the liquor store. For very little effort on your part you can easily make flavored vodka at home and save yourself some money! Here are a few tips to get you started and once my vodka is done 'incubating' I will share a recipe with … [Read more...]
Chocolate Espresso Cake Recipe and Basic Cake Decorating Tips
September 26, 2013 by · 64 Comments
This cake recipe was inspired by a product I received at no charge but all opinions expressed here are my own. I love to bake but cakes are one of those things that I am a little hesitant about making. Sure, if it is just a basic cake recipe that you bake and eat...I can do that! I can beat batter, pour and use my oven. What REALLY scares me are the cakes I have to dump out of the pan that they baked in and then DECORATE. I have a serious problem with decorating things with frosting. Even cupcakes. Yes, I dislike making something as … [Read more...]
