Tritip Rub

Tritip Rub

Makes 1 cup

2 T garlic granules
2 T kosher salt
2 T fresh ground black pepper
2 T chili powder
1 T brown sugar (optional)
1 T cumin
1 T dried parsley
1/2 tsp onion powder

Mix well. Store in a glass jar. Use to rub over tritip and other meats before grilling.

Apple Pie Jam ~ Pomona Style

This is from Harmonious Homesteading.  A wonderful taste of fall anytime!

Apple Pie Jam

For about ten pints or 20 half pints:

24 cups finely diced or shredded peeled apples
3 cups water
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 tablespoons calcium water (comes with Pomona’s Pectin)
4 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 1/4 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons Pomona’s Pectin

Combine apples, water, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and calcium water in a large pot.  Heat until apples are tender, about 15 minutes. Bring to a boil. Whisk sugars with pectin well and stir into boiling apples. Boil for one minute only, whisking all the while. Spoon into hot jars and process 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Simple Coconut Oil Fudge

The Nourishing Gourmet gave me another wonderful coconut oil recipe to try!  Again, once I make it, I will scale the recipe. It seems like this is quite a small amount.

Simple Coconut Oil Fudge

1/2 cup of virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup of cocoa powder
1/2 cup of coconut/palm sugar (the paste-like kind) or 1/4 cup raw honey
dash of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

If solid, melt the coconut oil over very low heat, or even in a double boiler to protect the raw properties.  In a food processor or mixer, blend oil and other ingredients well.  

Line a pan with parchment paper and pour in fudge. Press down to 1/2" thick.  Refrigerate until set or place in freezer for about 30 minutes.  Cut into small squares and enjoy! 

Almond Flour Banana Muffins

I found this at Just a Pinch.  I'm always looking for new grain-free recipes.  I found a great deal on ripe bananas and needed to make banana bread.  My other Primal banana bread recipe uses coconut flour, which requires many eggs. Since I am low-ish on eggs and full on almond flour, this is the one I chose.

Almond Flour Banana Muffins

6 cups almond flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp EACH sea salt and baking powder
6 eggs
4-6 overripe bananas
1 cup honey 
1/2 cup melted coconut oil or butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup nuts, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease muffin tins. Blend dry ingredients together. Mix wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. Add wets to drys and stir to combine.  Pour into prepared muffin pans. Sprinkle with nuts, if desired.  Bake about 20 minutes. 

Homemade Fresh Hot Chocolate

Homemade Fresh Hot Chocolate

1/2 cup dutch cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
8 cups milk
a bit of vanilla, if desired

Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.

You can put this in a thermos or crockpot to take with you on picnics or potlucks.

This post is shared at The Common Room's Potluck Saturday.

Chocolate Cake Dry Mix

This is a dry mix you make ahead of time, and stir in the wet ingredients when you make it. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good! I found it at the excellent site "Tammy's Recipes".

Chocolate Cake Dry Mix

Combine:
2 cups flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbsp vegetable shortening, cut into above ingredients well

Store in a glass jar tightly covered.

To prepare cake:
Combine dry mix with 1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil or butter
3 large eggs

Mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" pans (or a 9x13 or cupcake pans) and bake at 350 for 30-33 minutes (or 35-38 mins for 9x13, 19-22 minutes for cupcakes)

Peppermint Patties

Peppermint Patties
1 pound powdered sugar
3 Tbsp softened butter

Combine well then add:
2 tsp peppermint extract
1/4 cup evaporated milk

Roll into 1" balls. Lay onto a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Chill for 20 minutes. Press flat with bottom of glass. Chill again for 30 minutes.

Melt together:
12 oz. chocolate chips
2 Tbsp. coconut oil or shortening

Dip patties in chocolate. Place back on the waxed paper. Freeze a short time. Keep refrigerated until serving.

I've shared these with The Four Moms and Cooking For the Holidays.

Christmas Scent

Christmas Scent
2-4 tablespoons cloves (whole) (optional)
2-4 cinnamon sticks
4 bay leaves
1/2 orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced Add orange and lemon slices to dry mixture of spices. Put in a small sauce pan with 4 cups of water. Simmer on low to release the fragrance.

TO GIVE AS A GIFT: Put ingredients in a decorative jar. Add enough water to fill jar. Add a few drops of red food coloring. Close securely and give with a small gift tag explaining how to use it. Store in refrigerator when not in use, to prevent molding. Can be simmered over and over again! Note, I prefer to use the lesser amount of cloves so that they don't overwhelm the other fragrances.

Yield: 1 jar