Pioneer Woman at Heart

  We've been making spiced nuts for the last 18 years.  Crazy, how much time has passed while writing this blog.   Christmas time brought us recipes that used mixed nuts, and other ingredients, that never got used up (or used at all).  There was a lot going on this past holiday, so I'm slowly using up the unused ingredients.  I had about a cup of cashews (should have been cashew brittle at Christmas), a bit of walnuts, and I had some mixed nuts (I buy these non-gmo, with zero bad oils, but it contains way too many almonds), we also had some pumpkin seeds, and..... ....we had some of these non-gmo chocolate type candies (healthier option to M & M's in Christmas cookies).  By the way, we bought both to test out for holiday baking.  We did not really like either one, and both are very expensive options. I tossed all of the nuts and pumpkin seeds into a bowl, and roasted our favorite spiced nuts.  Let it cool completely, and then tossed in th...

I'm not too behind in trying this recipe.  I printed it off (gulp) back on December 3rd of 2024. Bacon Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels Appetizer (Don't Sweat the Recipe, online) Did you know they make organic tortillas now?  In case you are lazy like me, and do not want to make them homemade.   One bowl mix. Spread on the tortillas, roll up, cover, chill, and slice later. How they looked sliced for snack size appetizer. We love these, but be warned, they are not low-fat ha ha! These would be great for summer potlucks, taking along for weekend getaways, when guests come to visit, picnics and the like.  Not just for Christmas.  I would love to try them with home grown jalapenos from the garden this summer. Honestly, if you don't want the tortilla in your meals, I would just as much enjoy deviled eggs with bits of freshly chopped jalapenos in the filling too. ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~ It's a brisk 3 degrees here today, with a windchill of -9°F. ...

  I made myself a binder (nothing special, just to organize) for Christmas preparations years ago.  I keep recipes (which I should also copy and keep in my regular recipe box), Christmas gift ideas, games and so forth. There is not too much in the binder, as years went by, and we continued to remove very old (and dog ruined) carpet, and do home repairs and updates.  We just didn't host any holiday here, and we continue to do that (much needed repairs, updates, purging, painting etc.), but in the mean time. . . The binder reminds me to try a new recipe, or write down a homemade edible food gift idea etc. Back in the day, January and February were my months to made handmade Christmas tree ornaments for the next Christmas.  I LOVED making Christmas ornaments, and my family was given a plenitude of them.  Trust me when I say in abundance, ha ha!   I then resorted to steering those same energies to making them and selling them.  I have now left the cra...

Here is how I make our Hot "taco" bean dip now (we've changed it just a bit).  It is great for an appetizer for any get together as well, and especially for a Mexican food themed meal.  So good!  We topped ours with some snipped herb garden green onions too. To make the dip (this is baked): Mix together first: 2 blocks of organic cream cheese (16 oz. total) 1 can of refried black beans (organic, 16 oz.) 1 can of refried pinto beans (organic, 16 oz)  Once that is combined well, add: 8 oz. sour cream (organic) 2 Tbsp. of homemade dry taco mix (add more if needed) Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with about 1 1/4 cups of shredded cheese of your choice. The thicker it is in a baking dish, the longer it will take to heat up. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes (30 if it is thicker).  Serve with tortilla dipping chips or any dipping food of your choice. I have not cut the recipe in half, as it goes quickly around here, but I think it would be just as good with o...

  The aftermath of the Christmas gathering has all been cleaned up.  Dishes are washed and put away, the Christmas tablecloth removed and washed, living room debris picked up, floors swept and mopped.....the worst part of hosting is the clean up.  One thing I have learned, when someone says they are coming early to help, don't count on the help.  Two, don't count on people bringing what food they say they will bring.  Hence the dip I made at the last minute.   I also learned that the day after a gathering is the best morning to have a make-ahead breakfast ready to simply pop in the oven.  We did not, and I did regret not having one ready.  I will definitely remember next time. Finished!  Off the list now.  My husband's scarf is done. I mentioned we tried a new dip recipe - Sausage Artichoke Dip (The Southern Lady Cooks, link goes to the recipe online).  It is very good, although we think we may use "hot" breakfast sausage (or ...

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.   The weather . . . We went from 60-70's to 50's and rain, and this week we'll barely see 50°F with lows in the 30's.  I was successful at crossing off "wash rugs" and they dried outside before the weather turned. Right now I am . . . Posting this blog post and sipping coffee. Thinking and pondering . . . Well for starters, I'm searching to see if they sell metal ridge caps that are wider than 10 x 10 inches, and possibly covering the coop with a tarp until we figure things out. We have another set back with the chicken coop roofing.  He hand built the rafters, and the roofing he cut is too short for the ridge cap by about 2 inches.   Not what we needed with the holidays and such.  Otherwise the ridge cap would have been up last night.   How I am feeling . . . Tired.  However, I taught my granddaughter how to crochet.  In the amount of time she was here, she learned to chain stitch and ...

  Just when we think we will have more free time, we don't.  It's been super busy around here.  Most of my recent days have been busy in the kitchen. I tried a new roasted recipe (see below), but didn't feel it was worth the flavor.  We prefer this recipe for Spiced Nuts (more variety of flavors): 1 egg white 1 tsp. water 1 Tbsp. maple syrup 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper, ground 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground coriander 3 Cups almonds, peanuts, pecans, etc. (we like almonds, cashews, walnuts and some raw pumpkin seeds) Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.  I use my rimmed pampered chef stoneware, but you can line a rimmed pan with parchment paper (possibly foil) too.  Coat with non-stick cooking spray. In a med. bowl beat egg white and sugar until it is frothy.  Add sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin, and coriander.  Beat the mixture until combined.  Add nuts and stir to coat.. Spread the m...

  We really liked the flavor in this first recipe we tried, for Whipped Feta Dip.  The recipe stated to heat the hot honey with the red pepper flakes.  First, this recipe used sour cream, so it whipped up to a very light dip.  We prefer a thicker dip, so we will be "whipping" up (ha ha) a trial #2 soon with another recipe.  If you want this recipe, it is online with Greens and Chocolate - Whipped Feta with Honey Honey. Results:  Very good flavor!  Just not thick enough for our liking.  We did top it with chives from our herb garden. Tip:  Make the dip at the same time you heat the honey, so it is room temperature.  Otherwise the honey will harden on the dip.  Also, we felt this was way too much for 2 people, so consider cutting the recipe in half, unless you are entertaining.   We are still getting asparagus from the garden.  We are thankful for that, but I still need to dig up the raspberry sprouts in that part of t...