Category: Nut Free

Slow Cooker Spiced Blueberry Plum Butter

This may sound silly, but I woke up a few days ago and realized that summer is nearly over, and I had not canned anything! Blueberries have been particularly lovely this year, so I wanted to make a fruit butter using them as the main ingredient. I added in some plums I had and then spiced them with some autumnal flavors to mark the impending change of seasons.

Slow Cooker Spiced Blueberry Plum Butter

The result is this Slow Cooker Spiced Blueberry Plum Butter!

Fruit butter is a jam-like product that doesn’t use any pectin, so it spreads easier than a normal jam or jelly. Fruit butters are best made by cooking the fruit low and slow, so a slow cooker is the perfect tool to make them! Although you are using a slow cooker, this recipe does require you to stir it every now and then, so you still have to stay close by.

I adapted this recipe from Food in Jar’s recipe for Slow Cooker Blueberry Butter. There are a few tools I find super helpful when canning, so I will link to those throughout this recipe, in case you wanted to know what I use.

Ingredients (makes about 5 pints, or 10 half pint jars):

  • 6 pints blueberries
  • 8 plums, quartered, pits removed
  • 3 cups sugar
  • the juice and zest of 2 lemons
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

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Mushroom and Spinach Frittata

My husband is a big fan of breakfast, so every now and then, we like to have breakfast for dinner.

Frittata’s are particularly good for dinner – savory, filling, and can be served with day old bread, so I recently decided to make this Mushroom and Spinach Frittata for dinner!

This frittata is an easy Mushroom and Spinach version, but you can substitute in whatever vegetables you’d like.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 10 oz container pre-sliced mushrooms
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 8oz baby spinach
  • 8 eggs
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons milk

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Earl Grey Madeleines

Note: This post is sponsored by Adagio Teas. Opinions are mine alone.

I’m excited to share this recipe for Earl Grey Madeleines, plus an easy suggestion for a personalized gift option for tea lovers!

My sister is getting married later this year so I have been immersed in all things bachelorette, shower, and wedding over the last few months. Her bridal shower is coming up soon, so naturally, I have been thinking of different gift options to help celebrate my sister. I love a good themed gift that adds a bit of personalization, so I was thrilled when Adagio Teas contacted me recently about doing a post highlighting some of their awesome products.

Adagio’s website has an impressive number of loose teas, plus teaware, pantry items, and gift selections that can be easily curated into the perfect gift. I was immediately drawn to a 20oz Particle Teapot that is just the right size to brew tea for two. The enameled glazed iron pot is both a kettle and teapot, and includes a stainless steel infuser basket so you can steep the tea leaves right in the pot.

I scrolled through their extensive tea selection and chose a random assortment of sample sized teas so that I could include a bunch of different types in my gift for my sister. Naturally, I picked up a few for myself as well, including Earl Grey Bravo, a blend of artisan black tea from Sri Lanka, flavored with bergamot.

source: adagio.com

It probably goes without saying that I wanted to make something that would go well with the teapot and teas, so I decided to make these yummy Earl Grey Madeleines, using Earl Grey Bravo and raw honey from Adagio.

My family loves quite a range of tea, but Earl Grey is definitely a favorite of ours, so I wanted to incorporate that into the gift.

My sister is having a display shower, where gifts will not be wrapped, so I packaged them up in a large cookie jar, along with the teapot and a few sample sized teas, including Peach Oolong, Buddha’s Dream, 40 Winks, and, of course, Earl Grey Bravo.

Ingredients (makes 2 dozen madeleines):

  • 2 cups cake flour (or all purpose flour and cornstarch, directions here)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
  • 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • the zest of 2 lemons
  • 1 tablespoon loose Earl Grey tea, finely chopped
  • 3 eggs plus 1 egg white, at room temperature
  • 5 tablespoons milk, at room temperature
  • cooking spray
  • confectioners sugar, for dusting, if desired

note: you’ll need a madeleine pan to make these.

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Smoky Bacon Topped Mac and Cheese

Note: I was sent samples of Bear Mountain BBQ Wood Pellets in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I’m going to keep the yummy smoked recipes going because, well, I can! This recipe for Smoky Bacon Topped Mac and Cheese would be a perfect make ahead dish to bring to your next barbecue.

The Bacon highlights the smoky flavor, but if you want to keep it vegetarian, just omit it!

This recipe is basically my Homemade Mac and Cheese recipe with a few adjustments to make it ready for some smoker action!

Ingredients:

  • 1 to 2 cups pellets, like Bear Mountain BBQ’s Gourmet BBQ Pellets
  • 1/2 an onion, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 3/4 cups 2% milk
  • 1 box uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
  • 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 ounces shredded gouda cheese
  • 1/2 lb bacon, cooked
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Grated fresh Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

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Smoker Grilled S’mores Skillet

Note: I was sent samples of Bear Mountain BBQ Wood Pellets in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

With Memorial Day right around the corner, it’s time for more recipes using Bear Mountain BBQ Wood Pellets! This one is a bit different than my previous two posts fort Smoked Potato Salad and Smoked Wings… this time I’m bringing you dessert: a Smoker Grilled S’mores Skillet to be exact!

As a city girl, I don’t exactly get a lot of opportunities to roast some marshmallows over an open fire, but I do love s’mores!

This recipe takes a s’mores skillet one step further and lets it smoke on the grill with some of Bear Mountain’s Bourbon BBQ Wood Pellets.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Bear Mountain Bourbon BBQ Wood Pellets
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 milk chocolate candy bars
  • 3 dark chocolate candy bars
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 (12 oz) bag marshmallows
  • graham crackers, for serving

Continue reading Smoker Grilled S’mores Skillet

Smoked Chicken Wings

Note: I was sent samples of Bear Mountain BBQ Wood Pellets in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I’ve mentioned many times in the past how much I love to grill, but last summer I began dabbling in smoked foods. I don’t own a smoker, so I just use my grill, and Bear Mountain BBQ Pellets make it super simple to do so! Last year I made an awesome recipe for Smoked Potato Salad using Bear Mountain’s Gourmet Blend. This time around, I’m sharing a more traditional smoked food recipe: Smoked Chicken Wings!

My husband is kind of chicken wings obsessed. His current favorite wings dry rubbed smoked wings from our local pizza place, Pizza Plus, so I decided to try to make some of my own at home. I used Bear Mountain Bold BBQ Pellets for this recipe, but their Gourmet Blend would also work.

Ingredients (makes 3 lbs wings, or 2-4 servings. Multiply as needed):

  • 1/2 tablespoon each:
    • smoked paprika
    • Hungarian paprika
    • chili powder
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon each:
    • salt
    • ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon each:
    • cumin
    • ground mustard
  • 3 lbs wings
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 cups Bear Mountain Bold BBQ Pellets
  • blue cheese dip, for serving

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Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Puree

I absolutely love the flavor of cauliflower, which means I’ve been in heaven these past few years with all of the attention cauliflower has been receiving as an alternative for everything from rice to pizza crust. So I was quite surprised when I realized I hadn’t shared my recipe for Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Puree yet!

This recipe is easy to make and comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 large cauliflower head, cut into florets
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

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Homemade Baked Beans

Barbecue season is upon us, and many of us are hoping to enjoy some socially distant outdoor time with friends and family. So I wanted to share the perfect recipe to bring along to a barbecue: homemade baked beans!

This recipe takes about an hour and a half to make but can be made ahead of time. The beans can be served warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients (makes 10 servings):

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped (I used a yellow pepper)
  • 2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 (15 oz) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 3/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce (I used Tobasco Chipotle)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons stone ground mustard (or any mustard you prefer)
  • 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper

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Salmon Bean Salad

Note: I was sent affiliate boxes from Sitka Salmon Share in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I’m excited to share this recipe for a yummy Salmon Bean Salad, but I’m even more excited to tell you about Sitka Salmon Share! This responsible caught seafood company is one you can feel good about purchasing their high quality products. (You can check out my other Sitka Seafood posts here as I post them, because there will be plenty more!)

What are Sitka Salmon Shares?

Sitka Salmon Share is a community supported fishery (CSF) seafood delivery that allows you to get great quality seafood delivered right to your door. You can choose from four different options (Premium Sitka Seafood Share, Sitka Seafood Share, Sitka Salmon Share, and Sitka White Fish Share), which range from 3 to 9-month intervals. Each share includes a specific selection of the species that Sitka harvests, such as wild Alaskan king salmon, sockeye salmon, Coho salmon, keta salmon, lingcod, black bass, sablefish (black cod), Pacific cod, yelloweye, rockfish, spot shrimp, Dungeness crab, albacore tuna, and halibut.

You can either pay for your share in full at the beginning of the season or spread out your payments through monthly installments. Prices range from $18 to $28 per pound, depending on the species you choose and the quantity you buy (with free shipping).

How Sitka Salmon Shares Works:

One of Sitka’s 20 fishermen-owners or partner fishermen then catch your fish. The fishermen meticulously catch and handle each fish with care virtually unheard of in the world of large factory boats and corporate-owned fish farms. The seafood is filleted and cut into portions of about half a pound to a little over a pound. Each fillet is then blast-frozen to -60 degrees Fahrenheit before being shipped to the Midwest where it is individually vacuum-sealed.
source: https://sitkasalmonshares.com/
Every month during fishing season, you will get a box of wild Alaskan seafood hand-delivered right to your door! In keeping with the company’s guiding principles, Sitka Salmon Shares returns 1 percent of all CSF-related revenue back to fisheries conservation and habitat protection efforts, and they pay to offset all carbon that is released in our Alaska-to-Midwest distribution system. The fishermen-owners receive a fairer wage for a day’s work, and the company works to make the entire system more transparent and accountable, from the moment your fish is caught to the moment you sit down with your friends and family to enjoy the best fish you’ve ever tasted. Also, the packaging is almost entirely recyclable, including the insulation!
https://sitkasalmonshares.com/

Discount code to receive $25 off your first Sitka Salmon Share Box:

To get the word out, I received two affiliate boxes to check out their products. Even better, Sitka has given  me a discount code to share with everyone so you can try out their delicious seafood as well! Use ICCTFish when registering for a Premium share and receive $25 off!
This recipe for Salmon Bean Salad is made with Sitka’s Coho salmon, which has such a wonderful flavor that it needs very little other components to make a delicious meal! It is a simple meal that delivers on flavor, and it is perfect for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients (serves 2):

Salad:
  • 1 lb coho salmon, like Sitka Coho Salmon, defrosted overnight in your fridge
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups lettuce (I used Boston Bibb), washed and torn
  • 1 (14 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 dozen cherry or grape tomatoes
  • optional additional items: artichoke hearts, feta cheese, cucumbers, red onion, avocado

Vinaigrette:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Greek seasoning blend
  • 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

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Grilled Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets

I absolutely love grilling. When given the chance, I’d choose it over cooking on the stovetop or in my oven. So I am thrilled that the weather is turning and I can get back to using my favorite appliance as much as possible. To start the season off, here’s a recipe for Grilled Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packets that tastes awesome and is super easy to clean up!

This recipe is also really adaptable, so I’ve given a couple of suggestions below, but definitely make this your own!

Ingredients (serves 2, multiply as needed):

  • 2 (8 oz) salmon fillets
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb asparagus, woody ends removed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • one lemon, divided
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce or your favorite mustard
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
  • fresh parsley, for garnish

Kitchen Tools Used:

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Sausage and Peppers Quinoa Skillet

One of my favorite quick dinner options is Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Sandwiches. I thought it might be nice to lighten it up a bit and make it into a one skillet (ok, one skillet plus a small pot) recipe. The result is this yummy recipe for Sausage and Peppers Quinoa Skillet.

This recipe for Sausage and Peppers Quinoa Skillet is made with sliced bratwurst, a bunch of colorful bell peppers, sautéed onions and quinoa and makes for a hearty and healthy dinner that can be made in less than 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup rinsed quinoa
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 12 oz. bratwurst, sliced into coins
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Kitchen items used:

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Pressure Cooker Chicken Adobo

I can’t tell you how many times my InstantPot has saved me for dinner. All too often, I’ll look up from my computer at 7pm and realize I haven’t even thought about what we are going to eat! This recipe for Pressure Cooker Chicken Adobo is one of those time-saver meals – it takes about 45 minutes to make. (For comparison, my Pork Belly Adobo recipe takes about 2 hours to make, not including time to let the meat marinate!)

This recipe comes together quickly but tastes like it’s been cooking all day. Ah, the magic of the InstantPot!

Ingredients:

  • 4 drumsticks
  • 4 chicken thighs
  • ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos to make gluten free)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • cooked rice, for serving

Kitchen Tools Used:

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Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Nearly a decade ago, I shared a recipe for a Bunny Carrot Cake. Although it’s super cute, I figured it was about time I shared a decidedly less creative dessert that is still perfect for Easter and spring in general: Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

These Carrot Cake Cupcakes are based off the original recipe I shared 9 years ago, but I substituted in walnuts for the raisins. They are topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and then sprinkled with carrot-shaped sprinkles to make them extra adorable.

Ingredients (makes approximately 30 cupcakes):

Carrot Cake Cupcakes:
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup melted browned butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups loosely packed grated carrots
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (omit for nut-free)
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
  • 2 (8 oz) packages of Cream Cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 (16 oz) packages powdered sugar
  • Easter-themed sprinkles, if desired

Kitchen Tools Used:

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Classic Shrimp Scampi

A few years ago, I realized that the concept of what I know as Classic Shrimp Scampi is kind of an American one. To Americans, Shrimp Scampi is shrimp cooked in butter and typically served over pasta. But scampi is actually its own type of crustacean. So it appears that when Italian immigrants came to the US, they adapted the recipe to substitute in shrimp and then kept both names.

Now that you’ve had a history lesson on Shrimp Scampi, let me get to the actual making of the dish. This version is relatively classic, where you cook the shrimp in a butter white wine sauce with a little bit of crushed red pepper and then finish it off with fresh parsley and some lemon juice. To soak up the yummy sauce, serve with pasta or crusty bread.

Ingredients:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 lbs large or extra large shrimp, cleaned
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • cooked pasta or bread, to serve

Kitchen Tools Used:

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Whipped Irish Coffee

I know I’m a little late to the “whipped coffee” or Dalgona coffee trend, but I wanted to hold out for St. Patrick’s Day to make this awesome Whipped Irish Coffee!

Whipped coffee became quite the trend early in the pandemic. It’s made by whisking equal parts instant coffee granules, sugar, and hot water until it holds stiff peaks. You serve it on top of hot or warm milk, and then stir to combine, so adding whiskey to this lovely mix seemed like a no brainer to me.

Irish coffee is actually traditionally enjoyed the opposite way… kind of. Whiskey, sugar, and coffee are stirred together and then topped with heavy cream, while this whipped Irish coffee has the milk on the bottom rather than on top (although with whipped coffee, you do stir the milk and coffee together before enjoying). This recipe is to make the whipped Irish coffee iced, but you can easily adapt it to use warmed milk instead. If you’re looking for another spin on an Irish coffee, I also have a recipe for a Frozen Clover Cocktail you might want to try.

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):

  • 1/4 cup instant coffee granules (normal ground coffee won’t work!)
  • 1/4 cup sugar (or brown sugar to make it a touch more of a traditional Irish coffee)
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup whole milk, cold or warmed
  • 2 to 3 oz Irish whiskey, or to taste
  • if making chilled, a few ice cubes

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