Homemade Maple Syrup

It's happened to me more than a few times, you'd think I'd figure it out but let's just say I'm easily distracted and sometimes I forget to update my grocery list! This is what happens, I prepare my homemade pancakes (previously posted) for Sunday brunch, they are fluffy and beautiful and I reach for the syrup and realize there are 5 drops of syrup in the bottle! But now, rather than panic, I make my own pancake syrup. I remember my mom making this, so I thought I would try it and guess what? It works and it tastes great! I usually buy organic maple syrup for about $7.00 a bottle. This is cheaper to make even if you use organic ingredients. It's about the same consistency as real maple syrup. So give it a try and enjoy!
1 3/4 c white sugar (I use organic cane sugar)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 c water
2 Tbls honey
1 tsp maple extract or flavoring
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Heat the sugars, honey and water in a small pan on the stove. Let the mixture come to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the stove and cool slightly for 10 minutes. Add the extracts and even a little butter if you want, then stir. Make sure you serve it warm so it soaks into your pancakes, so yummy! I store mine in a glass jar in the refrigerator and heat it slightly before serving. This makes 2 cups of syrup.
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Simply Homemade Maple Syrup

Grandma's Bread Pudding and Caramel Sauce

I was trying to think of something for dessert last night and homemade bread pudding was my choice. Our Dad was not a dessert lover but bread pudding was one of his favorites. Our grandma made the best bread pudding, hope you like it! Ingredients : 5 cups slightly dried out bread, any kind. I used Italian bread. 1/4 cup raisins (optional) 2 cups milk 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 2 eggs 1 T vanilla 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp cinnamon Caramel Sauce Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla Directions : Cut the bread in cubes. I cut some of the crust off (on about half of the bread). Place bread into a greased casserole dish or an 11x9 inch pan. Add raisins. Microwave milk and butter about 4 minutes on 60% power or heat in a saucepan over medium heat on the stove. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Slowly add the mixture to the egg and milk and butter

Grilled Orange Roughy

My favorite food choices are often related to family memories, so I wanted to share one of our favorite grilled fish recipes. Our Dad used to take us fishing and we grew up eating the fish we caught ourselves. Then came the time when we had to start buying fish, I searched for types of fish that didn't taste too "fishy". It's hard to accomplish that in the Midwest, we don't always have many choices. We were introduced to orange roughy during a trip to San Diego where my great-uncle treated us to some of the most wonderful seafood we had ever eaten at an establishment called Anthony's. It was the first time we had eaten orange roughy and it was white, flaky and not too fishy tasting. After a few experiments, this is my favorite method to prepare it at home. Serves 4 or 2 with leftovers! Ingredients: 4 orange roughy fillets 1/4 c fresh cilantro, I use a small handful * if you are not a cilantro fan use fresh dill, about 1/4 c chopped 2 tsp garlic powder o

Homemade Goulash

Last weekend I made meals for the freezer. It takes a few hours but this will save you time during the week (in case you have nights like I do when you don't feel like cooking) and your family will love it! I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen (it's called Bobby's Goulash). I used organic ingredients but use the products of your choice. I would have liked to use fresh tomatoes from the garden but my tomatoes weren't quite ready. You can also make it gluten-free by using gluten-free elbow macaroni. It's so tasty - my family loved it! Ingredients : 1 pound ground turkey 1 pound lean ground beef 1 -2 small onions, diced ( I used red onions) 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 3 cups water 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T Italian seasoning 3 bay leaves 3 T soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce 1 T seasoning salt course ground pepper to taste 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked) Putting it together: Brown meat and onions in a lar

Natural Homemade Living

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