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Joi Sigers

Fellow Purple Fanatics, You’re Going to LOVE These Dishes

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There are some things in life that kind of define me (cats, coffee, old movies, chocolate, more cats, baseball…). One of the most beautiful definitions I have associated with me is the color purple. I’ve been obsessed with it probably even before I could spell it.

A while back, I did a post about purple in the kitchen and heard from quite a few people through e-mail echoing my love of purple. That’s why, after seeing (and falling head over purple sock-covered heels in love with them) these dishes on Amazon, I knew I had to share them here.

This gorgeous stoneware square 16 piece dish set is absolutely stunning. While I love the color, I love the shape just as much. They’re simply gorgeous… but I said that already, didn’t I?!

My dilemma is the fact that they’re also available in my second-favorite color, red!

While I’m adding these to the Christmas Gift Ideas Roundup, if you’re anything like me, you’re thinking more about your own table setting right now than anything.

These beauties are microwave and dishwasher safe, making their appeal EVEN greater. Click here (Amazon link) for a closer look.


Quick and Easy Meal Ideas: “Nights Off” at Home with Less Stress and Less Mess

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Freezer Meals for Nights Off

I love cooking. I mean… LOVE LOVE cooking. Everything about it. In fact, most of the time I don’t even mind the time and effort it takes to clean everything up. I figure it’s a great opportunity to use up a few of the calories I just consumed.

Yesterday, my husband and I were out of town most of the day and went to a local restaurant for supper (more about restaurants in a minute!) when we got back in town. Last night, it hit me… I missed my kitchen time!

Having said all of that, however, I find that some nights (usually once… sometimes twice a week), I just want everything to be as simple and easy as possible. I don’t want to be in the kitchen for 30 minutes to an hour making the meal, followed by another 30 cleaning it up. I want food on the table fast and dishes that can either be tossed or washed in record time. Basically, my comfortable chair in the den is calling me and I want as few obstacles as possible before I answer the call!

I call these my “nights off” because instead of the normal, full-fledge, photo-worthy meals I make, I either pull something out of the freezer I had made and frozen previously or I pull out something ready to roll, pretty much as is.

Everyone needs nights or days off, right? Can anyone who works 5 days a week imagine not having a day off?! No way. Having days or nights off keeps you sane, keeps you rested, and most definitely keeps you from burning out.

Reasons for Eating Home More and Eating Out Less

I have nothing against eating out on occasion. I mean, let’s face it, it can be fun. Letting someone else do all the work while you sit and let them bring it to you… sweet luxury!

However, eating at home is almost always healthier – especially if you have food allergies, are on a special diet, or have any of the many diseases that can be greatly effected by the wrong food. Even trace amounts of the enemy foods build up and can be very bad for you.

Add to this the fact that we are in a pandemic AND coming up on cold and flu season (not to mention all the bugs that show up as soon as the weather cools) – even the biggest fan of dining out has to admit – you are safer at home.

I honestly hate to say  it, but my experience lately is that many restaurants are “going down.” I don’t know if they’re having trouble getting or keeping good help or if cooking is a dying art but, just in the last year, four of my five favorite restaurants (two locally-owned and two chain restaurants) have gotten so bad I don’t care if I ever go back. The one of the five that’s still as good as ever is a local authentic Mexican restaurant.

Stay strong, guys, stay strong!

Another reason to keep your pantry, refrigerator, and even freezer stocked is that (as this global pandemic has taught us) you just never know what lies ahead. It’s always better to be able to take care of yourself and your family without having to count on others. You never know when their doors will close.

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Tips for Nights Off Meals (As Many Times a Week as You Want Them!)Frozen Meals

You may be like me and actually love to cook, but simply are human and want a night off every now and then. Or, you may be like one of my daughters who had (literally, y’all) rather go to the dentist than cook! Whichever group you fall into, the following tips and ideas will, hopefully, help you as much as they do me.

  • When you make soup, chili, or casseroles, make a little extra to freeze for a future meal. I have perfected this routine to where I always have at least two soups and one chili in the freezer and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Amazon has countless sizes and shapes of freezing containers (link to Amazon) – you’ll want to find a set with different sizes. This has been such a wonderful system for me. Soups and chili, in particular, taste like they were made that day.
  • Don’t think the freezer has to have just food you’ve made! As you can see from the sample pictures here, I’m a huge fan of Amy’s frozen meals, as well as her burritos. While I keep them on hand, primarily, for my lunches while my husband is at work, I have often fixed them for both of us on one of my luxurious “nights off.” The burritos are excellent with rice, a salad, eggs, or (simpler, still) tortilla chips and salsa. The frozen meals are even easier because the only dishes you mess up are your forks and glasses! Frozen pizzas, corndogs, fries (top with a can of heated canned chili and cheese and call it a meal)… the choices are limitless. Just be sure to always have your “night off” section of your freezer locked and loaded.
  • My favorite night off meal is actually one of my husband’s favorite meals – bacon, eggs, and a few vegetables cooked in the same pan (broccoli, zucchini, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers… whatever combo you like). The one pan strategy helps with clean up considerably and, let’s face it, it doesn’t get any simpler than bacon and eggs.
  •  Oatmeal or grits is another filling, warm, comforting, and delicious meal. I could eat either of these all by themselves, but my husband loves a couple of fried eggs with his.
  • Never, ever underestimate soup and sandwiches – they’re filling, healthy, and most definitely perfect for your night off.
  • When possible, keep salad makings on hand and your favorite salad dressing ready to pour. Simply adding chicken, beef, boiled eggs, or bacon to a great salad makes a healthy meal.
  • Have you seen those little packets of instant potatoes? They cook in less time than it takes to brush your teeth and, frankly, taste darn good. They come in lots of flavors and varieties and are outstanding. Keep plenty of these on hands for accompanying deli chicken or soup or chili from the freezer. Soup and chili, both are great served over these guys.

Some people think certain foods are only “acceptable” for breakfast or lunch and wouldn’t consider them for supper. They’re nuts! Breakfast suppers are downright addictive and traditional “lunch” suppers are right there with them.

I have seen some people schedule these types of nights and call them things like “cheat nights” or “lazy nights” – and scheduling them is certainly an option. For me, personally, however – I never know quite when the “My chair is calling me and I don’t want to be on my feet another minute!” mood is going to hit until it does… so, I simply have my options on stand by.

One final word about restaurants…

I actually put this post together because of something that I experienced last night at what was once a favorite chain restaurant. I ordered the grilled catfish as I normally do (along with greens and pinto beans). I took a bite of the catfish from the end… all seemed normal… ate some of the greens and beans… then picked up my fork and knife and tried to cut into the catfish. It would not cut… it was completely undercooked. I literally could not cut through it.

Undercooked meats can host a whole world of trouble for a person – salmonella, food poisoning… and if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of either of these, you know how horribly sick they make you. I am very, very lucky that I only took a small bite of this fish that was all but flopping around on my plate.

Now I know for certain that, in the future, whenever I order meat, I will never again assume that restaurant cooks use food thermometers as I do in my own kitchen. I’ll also cut into the middle of the meat before even thinking about taking a bite.

As I said before, I don’t know why it is but a lot of restaurants are, collectively, getting worse. You just can’t be too careful – certainly not when it comes to your health!

Stay safe and stay well!

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Amy's Burritos

2020 Gift Ideas for Cooks and Foodies: A Beautiful Handmade Ceramic Bowl

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I’m a little behind with getting my 2020 Christmas Gift Ideas for Cooks category going here on the food blog but, hey, it’s 2020… all rules and norms have been thrown out the back door!

I actually only thought about the idea when I came across this gorgeous handmade ceramic bowl (Amazon link) on Amazon earlier. I was looking through their handmade items and threw some of the most adorable handmade soaps you’ve ever seen into my cart (they’re shaped like Christmas candy and they’re too cute to be believed). After I threw them into my cart without thinking twice, I saw a thumbnail of these gorgeous bowls and had to take a closer look.

From Amazon:

This beautiful handmade bowl is perfect for cereal, soup, ice cream and much, much more! During firing, the Floating Blue and Sapphire glazes react to the temperature and atmosphere in the kiln so that each bowl is unique. This bowl is just right for microwaving a single serving of hot cereal or soup and are equally good for cold foods as well.

This bowl is wheel-thrown stoneware clay. The bottom is ground smooth with a slight ring at the edge, sometimes known as a foot. It is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.

  • Glazes are lead free and totally safe
  • Bowls are approximately 2 1/2″ tall, 5 1/2″ in diameter.
  • Capacity is approximately 15 oz.

Take a closer look at this beautiful handmade ceramic bowl (Amazon link). I absolutely love it!

Chili Tips of the Trade and a Kitchen Tool You Absolutely MUST Have

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Chili with Fixings

Chili with the Fixin’s!

It’s that time of year again… Chili season!… and personally I couldn’t be happier. I love cool weather, crock-pot meals, homemade soup, and chili.

The more chili, the better.

The only problem one can run into, though, when you frequently make, serve, and eat chili is (if you aren’t careful) it’s easy to fall into a rut. I guess that’s true with any meal you make frequently, but in my experience, chili is the trickiest rut trap.

Below are some ideas I’ve accumulated over the years of being a raging chili fanatic. They’ll keep thing lively, tasty, and colorful while keeping you (and your chili bowl) out of a dreaded rut.

Meat Chopper Tool

Meat Chopper Tool Getting the Meat Chili-Ready

Chili Tips and Ideas

  1.  If you have chili as often as I do (especially during chili season), consider mixing up your recipe and/or ingredients fairly regularly – even if it’s ingredients you’ve ALWAYS used, try replacing it with something new OR simply add a new ingredient. Celery, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos, red pepper flakes, finely shredded carrot… mix and match. Basically, have fun and get creative.
  2. Change up your seasoning mix or spices. My personal favorite chili seasoning mix (and the one I use probably 75 percent of the time) is Carroll Shelby’s (link to the mix on Amazon, but they’re in most all stores) but ever so often, I’ll simply use a combination of my own spices or I’ll use a gluten-free packet of seasoning I find in the store. Each gives its own unique flavor to your chili.
  3. When browning your ground beef (I prefer using ground angus or chuck but will basically use whatever I have on hand!), use an inexpensive meat chopper (link to the one I use on Amazon). The one pictured above the Chili Tips is the one I use for soups and chilis and wouldn’t take anything for it! What makes this tool so perfect for chili (and soup for that matter)? My cooking philosophy has always been, “The more flavor combinations that fit on a spoon or fork, the better.” The smaller the meat…. and the smaller the vegetables… the more flavors will fit on your spoon. Simple as that.
  4. Don’t use water… use beef broth! Another one of my cooking philosophies is, “Water dilutes flavor… broths add flavor.” I use chicken broth (chicken chili, rice, boiling vegetables..) and beef broth almost daily, so we pretty much keep them stockpiled in the pantry. When making your chili, beef broth (or veggie broth when making vegetarian chili) is much better to use than plain old, flavor-diluting water.
  5. Have you ever set up a “taco bar” – complete with little dishes of tomatoes, cheese, onions, etc? Setting up a “Chili Bar” is every bit as fun and helpful. This way, everyone gets to add whatever floats their particular chili boat. Some ideas I love are: Fritos, freshly shredded cheddar (freshly shredded looks better than store bought, which looks like toy food), onions, green onion, scallions, sautéed onion, jalapenos, pickled jalapenos, rice, pasta noodles, diced chiles, red pepper flakes, sour cream, cornbread croutons (more about them in a minute)…. the options are almost endless. Corn dogs are also a fun, often unexpected item to include on a chili bar.
  6. Speaking of sour cream – I love it on chili all the time, but especially if it’s a little too spicy for my overly sensitive taste buds. Sour cream cools it down. A lot of people swear by adding a little peanut butter to their chili but, frankly…. well, I’d rather swear at it than by it!
  7. Using leftover chili for chili dogs is one of our favorite things to do. While warming the leftover chili, I use the meat chopper (link to the one I use on Amazon) mentioned above to give it more of a chili dog topping look. Sounds nuts, but, trust me, it’s darn good. Just be sure not to overdo it – you don’t want it looking like cat food pate.
  8. Using leftover chili is also perfect for chili burgers – simply top your burger with the chili (using the same technique for the chili dogs).
  9. Chili freezes very well – just warm it up with a little beef broth and it tastes freshly made.
  10. Cornbread croutons: Making cornbread, then cutting it into small squares is excellent on chili (especially if you add jalapenos to the cornbread). I also like to make fried cornbread (in the shapes of pancakes) and simply put them into the bottom of the bowl before adding the chili. Of course, you could always simply use regular cornbread to dip into your chili. The combination of chili and cornbread is outstanding – which is another reason corndogs are a perfect dinner guest for chili night.


Clorox Scrubmates with Handheld Scrubber

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Clorox Scrubmates with Handheld Scrubber

Clorox ScrubMate Handheld Kitchen Scrubber and Refill Pads

What with the Coronavirus and upcoming cold and flu season, I find myself cleaning (scrubbing, if we’re being honest) more than ever. Doorknobs, sinks, countertops, refrigerator, dishwasher… everything any of us come into contact with!

The way I see it, you stand a chance of running into germs outside the home… so it only makes sense to make sure to reduce the odds inside the home as much as possible. After all, “Safe at Home” is a phrase none of us are likely to forget anytime soon.

I was sent a Clorox Handheld ScrubMate and Refill Scrubbers (Amazon link) to test out and tell you about. I’ve used the Clorox Scrubtastic Power Scrubber (Amazon link) in the bathrooms but had never seen the handheld scrubber. I’m hooked! The scrubbers are “preloaded” with cleaner, so all you have to do is add a little water and scrub the food and germs away.

I use my Handheld Scrubber exclusively in the kitchen (doesn’t seem quite sanitary, to me, to use it in different rooms). Ideally, you’d have several in your home and leave them locked and loaded and ready to go at a minute’s notice.

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Clorox Scrubmate Handheld Cleaner

Features:

  • Make cleaning tough stains easy with the versatile ScrubMate. Use this as a hand scrubber or with power scrubbers. Transforms in just a few clicks.
  • The adapter enables use of ScrubMate Refill Pads; replace messy scrub heads with clean, easy-to-use, disposable refill pads.
  • Safe and effective for most surfaces including granite and marble counters, glass, tile, grout, linoleum, porcelain, and more. Not recommended for use on stainless steel.
  • Simple to use; attach ScrubMate Kitchen Refill Pads to the Adapter and top it with the enclosed cap to scrub surfaces clean.
  • Product is a handheld scrubber. It includes the adapter that also fits on power scrubber tools, a cap that enables hand scrubbing, and 3 kitchen scrubbing pads.

The Hand Scrubber is pretty addictive. It’s simpler to use the disposable refills and just toss them when you’re through than it is to worry if you’re getting your used sponge or cleaning rags clean enough.

Seriously, I think this year is making us rethink germs more than ever before.. not to mention the fact that we’re creeping up on the season where all kinds of illnesses love to show their ugly faces.

I especially love the Clorox Hand Scrubber when…

  • Cleaning the handles of the refrigerator and doorknobs. It’s easy to maneuver around tight spots – especially if you take the refill pad and use it without the the hand scrubber (you can reach everything then!).
  • On the fronts and insides of the dishwasher and refrigerator. True story: I took pictures to post of how sparkling clean and beautiful my black refrigerator and dishwasher were after using the hand scrubber but can’t use them because they showed my pajama-wearing reflection too clearly! The last thing I need is people seeing just how exotic my pink floral pjs are! (After I saw the pics on my iPhone, I thought, “Why couldn’t you have at least been wearing something besides pajamas… pandemic or not!?”)
  • While it would take quite some doing if your kitchen is large like ours is, these scrubbers are AMAZING on tile floors. I spilled some coffee earlier and had my handheld locked and loaded to clean the countertops, so (after wiping the spill up with a paper towel) I used it to clean the area. It made it shine so much, I used it in the whole vicinity.

These are a really ingenious invention and I’m certain you’ll love them as much as I do. See Clorox Handheld ScrubMate and Refill Scrubbers (Amazon link) for more information.

Clorox Handheld ScrubMate and Refill Scrubbers (Amazon link)

 

 

The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook: A Cookbook Deserving of the Name!

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The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook

The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook

My undying, unwavering passion for the following foods and drinks is legendary:

  • strawberry sundaes
  • fried catfish
  • chocolate
  • coffee
  • tea
  • cauliflower
  • shrimp tacos
  • coconut… on anything, in anything
  • big, take-up-the-entire-plate salads

But there’s only one condiment I’m associated with – Duke’s Mayonnaise (Amazon). Why? Easy – I’m as loyal as loyal gets when it comes to my mayonnaise. If I had little packets of it, I’d keep them in my purse to use at restaurants!

Yes, it IS that much better than any other mayonnaise or (yikes!) salad dressing in the world.

When I was contacted about reviewing the new cookbook, The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook (amazon link), I thought, “Little do they realize they just contacted an absolute fanatic.”  I kept my composure… played it cool. Instead of all-cap yelling, “YES! I’LL REVIEW IT! HOW SOON WILL IT GET HERE?? DO YOU NEED ME TO COME GET IT?!” – I simply said I would be delighted to review the cookbook.

Screaming banshee inside, calm adult on the outside. I’ve mastered the performance.

Amazon’s Description:

Celebrate the South’s favorite mayonnaise and learn how to cook with it in new delicious ways with this cookbook from food writer and Duke’s lover Ashley Freeman.
Mayonnaise is one of those polarizing culinary debates akin to putting pineapple on pizza. Those who do love mayonnaise know that no mayonnaise is more beloved than Duke’s, a Southern staple with a cult following that is expanding its reach north.
The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook will show you how to make the most delicious chicken salad or deviled eggs — and introduce new approaches to everyday recipes. Think of what mayonnaise actually is: a beautiful emulsification of eggs, oil, and a touch of lemon for acidity, which are all elements vital to cooking and baking. Adding mayonnaise can help you make the flakiest pie crust, the fluffiest scrambled eggs, and the most delicious chocolate cake.
The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook is a compilation of recipes inspired by author Ashley Freeman’s travels across the country. From classic favorites like Tomato Pie to unexpected dishes like Miso-Glazed Salmon or Sticky Toffee Puddings, you’ll discover how versatile the South’s favorite mayonnaise really is. And with stories and testimonials from beloved well-known chefs and food writers, The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook is a must-have book for loyal fans and newcomers alike.
While Duke’s Mayonnaise is absolutely the only mayonnaise I use on wraps and sandwiches, it’s been my experience that it’s just as important when using it in recipes. Early in the global pandemic, my grocery store did an abysmal job of keeping it in stock. While it made me ecstatic that so many people in my community had such excellent taste in condiments, when I had to use another brand in my chicken salad, tuna fish salad, potato salad, pimento cheese, and deviled eggs, I realized what I knew all along – Duke’s isn’t just better… it’s unimaginably better. I have zero idea how and I have zero idea why….. it tasted better and it makes everything you use it in better as well.
When I finally found a store that had a healthy stock of Duke’s Mayonnaise, I stocked up. In fact, each time I’ve made my “pick up” order since, I throw in another jar just to make sure I don’t run out again. The workers are going to think I bathe in the stuff.
Hmmm….

While the thing I love most about this cookbook is the fact it is packed with easy, creative, recipes I will use over and over again, I also love all of the big, beautiful photos. I get a lot of cookbooks to review (I love my not-a-real-job job!) and many don’t have full-page gorgeous photos lately. I want pictures! Maybe it’s because I’m a visual person… or maybe it’s because I want to see the presentations… or maybe I simply love pretty things.. but whatever the reasons…

I. Want. Pictures!!!

This beauty is filled with gorgeous photos accompanying the recipes and I am here for it.

The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook Review

A Few of the Wonderful Recipes in The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook:
  • Secret Ingredient Scrambled Eggs
  • Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup
  • Overnight Churro Waffles
  • Coconut-Crusted Chicken Tenders
  • Lemon Shallot Tartar Sauce (excellent!)
  • Corn and Basil Hush Puppies with Creamy Lemon Dipping Sauce
  • Maple Cupcakes with Candied Bacon (!!!)
  • Shrimp Tacos with  Firecracker Sauce and Cilantro-Lime Slaw
  • Twice-Baked Potatoes
  • And many, many more just as creative and delicious recipes…

While The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook (Amazon link) is not a gluten-free cookbook, all of the recipes can certainly be used simply by replacing ingredients with gluten with ingredients without gluten – easy peasy. You really only run into this with a couple of the recipes – and those of us who have to eat gluten-free are pretty well experts at substituting. This is absolutely a cookbook you will love and use whether you have to eat gluten-free or not.

The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook Review
Another thing I love about The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook is something I always look for in a cookbook but can be pretty rare, if we’re being honest…. it has personality. I love the illustrations, the creative chapter openings, and the “Tasty Tips” throughout the book. These always feel kind of like the author, Ashley Strickland Freeman,  pops into your kitchen and shares her personal experiences. Love these little visits.

I love this cookbook and hope you’ll grab a copy for yourself.

Find The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook on Amazon. I highly, highly recommend this one. You will use these recipes again and again.


The Way to this Rachael Ray Collector’s Heart….

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Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

My husband went and did it again… he proved to me, for the billionth time, that I didn’t just marry a great guy, I married my hero. I wrote a post on my food blog a while back about a gorgeous set of Rachael Ray measuring cups. I wondered how in the word I didn’t already have them… given how I collect all things Rachael Ray and am in love with the colors.

Well, not only does he apparently read my food blog (awwwww), he takes hints even when they weren’t intended to be hints!

You guessed it.. I now own the gorgeous measuring cups and a ridiculously beautiful Purple Rachael Ray Moppine Towel as well.

In the pictures, here, the purple measuring cup looks more gray, but it is unmistakably a beautiful purple. One of our cats, sweet Dokkie, seems to be inspecting the colors above, doesn’t she??! When you’re a cat mom who is also a food blogger, you do not…. absolutely do NOT…. take photos of anything without help from at least one little Nosy Parker.

Some might would shoo the cat away and take professional-level pictures but not me. I simply take what I consider to be the cutest picture!

Rachael Ray Mopine and Measuring Cups

Rachael Ray Moppine Towel and Measuring Cups

As you can tell, the purple moppine towel is absolutely gorgeous – such a deep, bold shade of purple. I love the way Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link) are made – you can put both of your hands into the hand pockets, allowing the rest of the moppine towel to cover your forearms, protecting you entirely from the hot deliciousness you’re removing from the oven. When you click through the link Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link), you’ll see the WIDE array of colors available. I’ve had the red before as well and it’s also a beauty.

You can find the gorgeous Rachael Ray Measuring Cups on Amazon, too.

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

The Best Honey Mustard Salad Dressing… Easy and So Much Better Than Store-Bought

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Honey Mustard Dressing and Salad

Honey Mustard Dressing

I am an absolute salad fanatic and feel there is no hope for me to be anything else. When we go to restaurants (when there isn’t a global pandemic, of course), I give one extra points for a great salad. If they bring out a salad that obviously came from a bag, it doesn’t much matter what else they do to try to impress me, they’ve already lost me.

And salad bars…..  holy cats do I ever love those?!

Tossing modesty aside, though, none of them can beat the salads I make at home. There are several reasons, I suppose, but one is I get crazy creative and experiment, not only with different vegetables, but also different greens (and combinations of greens), cheeses, seeds, herbs, and other fun additions like real bacon bits, baby corn, dried cranberries, etc.

Another special touch that turns an average salad into a delicious experience is a great salad dressing.

I prefer to make the salad dressings we use for several reasons:

  1. Since the pandemic, I find that the more things I can make at home, the fewer things we run out of and have to go get. I always have the staples on hand for my favorite dressings (French, Honey Mustard, Ranch, and Vinaigrette), so having my favorites in a rotation simplifies my life and keeps me out of stores!
  2. You can control the amount of sugar and/or salt in your dressings. Some of us like things a little less sweet than others or a little less salty. When you make the dressings, yourself, you have full control over what’s added.
  3. I love the idea of avoiding additives!
  4. I have to eat gluten-free (health reasons) and anything I can make, myself, gives me more peace of mind.
  5. Most importantly…. they simply taste A LOT better. Even if there weren’t a 1, 2, 3, and 4 above – I’d still make my own salad dressings for reason 5 alone. I mean, come on… taste trumps everything else!

The easy recipe, below, is in my opinion the absolute best honey mustard dressing recipe you’ll find. This is my go-to dressing for grilled chicken salads and I also love it on a great chef salad.

Obviously, adjust the amount of honey to suit your own tastes – Dijon mustard too, as far as that goes. However, I would suggest starting with this combination first – this way you can tell if you, personally, want less (or more… I won’t judge!) honey.

Gorgeous Rachael Ray Measuring Cups (How do I Not Already Have These?!?)

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I may have mentioned once or a thousand times how obsessed I am with Rachael Ray products, shows, and recipes. Heck when she had the Food Network series where she ate out on $40 a day, I never missed an episode even though I would never try such a thing. Truth be told, I very seldom eat out, but if I did, I wouldn’t do so more than once and there’s NO way I’d be able to keep it at $40.

So why watch such a show? Two words: Rachael Ray. Love her – always have.

I collect her cookbooks, kitchen gadgets, pans, bowls, utensils, etc. Even though I am such a big fan of her cooking shows, the reason I collect everything with her name on it isn’t due to that… it’s simply because her line of products is the best, period. Apparently she has a very high standard for anything with her name and lovely face attached – smart.

I also love vibrant colors and her products are always so fun, happy, cheerful, and colorful.

I was on Amazon earlier, ordering a new set of deep purple moppines and I saw the gorgeous Rachael Ray Cucina Kitchen Measuring Cups, pictured here. I, literally, asked my cat Guennie, “How do I not already have these?!”

She had no answer.

From Amazon:

  • MEASURING CUP SET INCLUDES: 1/4-Cup Brown Measuring Cup, 1/3-Cup Orange Measuring Cup, 1/2-Cup Lavender Measuring Cup, 1-Cup Red Measuring Cup, 2-Cup Blue Measuring Cup
  • HIGH QUALITY, SAFE CONSTRUCTION: Measuring cup set is made from sturdy BPA-free melamine; cup capacities are marked on inside rim
  • STACKABLE MEASURING CUPS: Cups stack inside each other from small to large for compact, convenient storage
  • EASY CLEANING COLOR: Each measuring cup sports a unique color for easy identification; top-rack dishwasher safe
  • MAKES A GREAT GIFT: The perfect complement to other clever, colorful Cucina kitchenware from Rachael Ray
  • Quality Assurance Guarantee

Take a closer look at these beauties Rachael Ray Cucina Kitchen Measuring Cups. You may bump into me and Guennie on Amazon… looking for what else we may have missed!


Bee K’onscious Raw Montana Clover Honey… Spectacular!

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Sunflowers and Bees

Sunflowers and Bee

Whenever I tell people I grow flowers primarily for the visitors they attract, “… hummingbirds, songbirds, butterflies, bees..,” they inevitably say, “Bees?! You WANT to attract bees?”

Absolutely! I love them with a passion. Not only do they serve a great purpose in life as we know it, they’re responsible for one of my favorite culinary loves in the world – honey!

I have been a honey fanatic since a very early age. Most kids would put syrup or jelly on their peanut butter sandwiches, but my favorite thing was honey. Honey and Peter Pan made a most excellent couple.

As an adult, I’ve found that cooking with honey makes just about everything tastes better. But here’s the thing… there’s almost always a thing, isn’t there??… not all honey is created equal. Some honey is so fantastic and out of this world that it makes other honey seem like sticky, slightly sweet thick water.

I have always, always known that, most of the time, you get what you pay for. The delightfully cheap honey in bear shaped plastic bottles will serve its purpose UNTIL you taste what honey is actually supposed to taste like. There’s truly no comparison and I was recently reminded of this.

Bee K'onscious Honey

Bee K’onscious Honey

I am often sent food, drinks, tea, coffee, and similar products to review on my food blog as well as my tea review blog, Crazy Tea Chick. Very often, the products I’m sent are so good, I regularly buy them as a result. I was recently sent a jar of Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey and will darn sure make certain I never run out of it!

Now, keep in mind, I am a lifelong devoted and fiercely dedicated honey lover. I’ve bought them all it seems – so when I tell you that this is the best honey I’ve ever had, you can rest assured it is extraordinary honey.

Here’s what Bee K’onscious Honey’s website says about the Montana Raw Clover Honey:

Montana Clover.  Many consider clover honey to be the standard by which all other honeys are measured. The mild, sweet flavor like a sugary treat with hints of cinnamon and vanilla makes this a top favorite for honey lovers and not. The color ranges from white to light amber. The texture is thick and creamy with a very pleasant aroma.  For any delicious treat add this to some yogurt or fresh bread with ricotta cheese. How about pancakes topped with berries and then lathered on top with a spoon full of honey? There are many folks that simply spread this on toast and say it tastes like a cinnamon roll.

Nailed it!

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Honey

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Bee K’onscious Montana Raw Honey

I’ve used the Montana Raw Clover Honey the following ways and have been completely blown away each time…

  • Drizzled on freshly fried chicken tenders. Tossing a little red pepper flakes onto the honey makes a delicacy.
  • In smoothies to add a little guilt-free sweetness.
  • On gluten-free toast – either with cream cheese, ghee, or butter, it is a knock-out.
  • In tea… this honey is now an addiction for excellent evening tea!
  • On sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes (all potatoes, if we’re being honest) are a great passion of mine. I’ve always baked them, then added butter and a combination of brown sugar and cinnamon. The most recent time I made them, I also added B’konscious Honey – phenomenal! By adding the honey, I was able to add less brown sugar than I normally do. The honey provides the sweetness naturally.
  • One of my favorite ways: Each night, after supper, my husband and I have a small “dessert” that I schemed up a while back. It’s a good way to get good fat (healthy) and daily dark chocolate (healthy, healthy) – We take a small square of dark chocolate and spread some ghee on top, then top that with a little pink Himalayan salt. Lately, we’ve been adding a touch of Montana Raw Clover Honey and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to the other way! It adds so much extraordinary flavor that I look forward to the after-dinner treat pretty much all day.

Health Benefits of Honey

Honey has an impressive list of health benefits, but my favorite has to do with allergies. I suppose this is simply because I have the worst seasonal allergies in the world! I have noticed that, while I’ve been fiercely enjoying B’konscious honey, I have had to use my Benadryl (or as I call it, Liquid Zombie because it makes me feel like the walking dead!) far less often. Given that I use honey so often, something tells me that the benefits of honey are superior when the honey, itself, is superior.

Honey is also beneficial for great sleep as it promotes the release of serotonin.  The body converts serotonin to melatonin, which regulates quality and duration of sleep. Maybe that’s why I’ve been sleeping so soundly lately. I’ve been entering a deeper sleep because my dreams have been pretty darn entertaining. Seriously, nothing out of Hollywood could even hope to compare.

Other Health Benefits of Honey From B’konscious Honey’s Website:

  • Anti Microbial:  Honey is a natural antibiotic.  Honey has been used for centuries to remove bacteria from cuts and burns.
  • Superfood:  Honey contains many life sustaining substances – enzymes, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and water.
  • Boosts energy:  With 17 grams of carbohydrates per serving, its unprocessed sugars enter the bloodstream quickly giving extra energy.

You can buy this exceptional honey directly from the B’konscious Honey website. You’ll find all of their gorgeous products, recipes, health benefits, and more.