Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I brewed up a "Christmas" spice extract last year, and gifted a few bottles for Christmas.  I finally tried it, and made a homemade coffee creamer. I thought the cinnamon/clove flavors would make a nice coffee creamer.  Before I go into a "recipe" for the creamer, I just used online recipes as guides, using maple syrup for the sweetener, and my homemade vanilla and Christmas spice extract.  I ended up adding a 3rd tsp. of the Christmas spice extract for more flavor.  Honestly, I didn't think the extract had enough "spice" flavor in it. I will be trying it in baked goods, and maybe cookies.   I most likely will be adjusting the ingredients to more cinnamon sticks, and maybe more clove for the next batch of this too. Here is how I made the first batch of this extract. In a canning jar (or other glass container) combine the following: - 2 1/2 cups vodka (do not use the bottom line brand) -6 vanilla beans -12 whole cloves -3 cinnamon sticks -6 whole card...

I have tried a few new recipes, but not sweet treats.  I do have one of those sweet treat recipes to try, but I have just not had the mojo, nor the time to make it.  🎄🎅🤶 Here is what I did make to try. . . Crockpot  Scalloped Potatoes {Slow Cooker recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook } I am always looking for ways to make sides without the oven, due to space constraints on some holidays (or I used to).  I gave this recipe a whirl, and yes, you can use homemade condensed mushroom soup for a richer flavor (because it's made with shallots and fresh mushrooms with butter). It is a much easier way to take potatoes to a get together, but I also consider if there will be enough outlets to keep the crock pot warm too.   One year I took a sweet potato dish (in a baking dish), and it was left in the oven during the entire meal, so I went home with the entire dish. Anyway, back to the potatoes.... Slice those bad boys up with a mandolin, as well as the onions, and...

  The process to make homemade vanilla requires vodka.   Here is how I make ours. 1 cup vodka (I use a good quality brand, organic) 5 organic vanilla beans, cut in half and sliced open Place the ingredients into a glass jar, and shake.  Keep in a dark, cool location, and shake often, letting the jars infuse for several weeks.  Strain and store in amber bottles to use for baking. I buy my vanilla beans online, but they have gone up in price like everything else.  Some stores offer organic vodka, while others do not. I use good quality vodka for the making of our vanilla extract. Homemade vanilla extract makes a nice homemade gift. You can buy amber bottles online, or at some health stores, and add a homemade label. Homemade Vanilla Extract  ©  March 2025 by  Kristina  at  Pioneer  Woman at Heart

Four Beans and Sausage to the rescue yesterday.  You still need to dice an onion (and I use bell pepper frozen from the summer garden, and home canned ketchup), but it's a one crock pot dish meal.  It was perfect for my Monday Madness in getting back into the groove of homesteading/adulting life again.   While the crock pot did it's work for dinner, I took some time to make a sausage and potato breakfast casserole (real potatoes), bell pepper from the freezer, and added onion, garlic, jalapenos and dandelion greens (jalapenos from the freezer as well as the dandelion greens).  I only used 6 eggs and 1/3 cup milk for this 9 x 13 breakfast.  It is a bit spicy with the jalapenos, but we like it. Thankful for leftovers today, so I can continue to catch up with bill paying, laundry, and my weekly to-do list. I'm hearing that black kitchen utensils can leach poison into our foods when heated (or hot?).  Any truth to this?  If so, what are you replacing all ...