Homemade Pepper Jelly

When people first hear "pepper jelly" their first reaction may be, "Ew!" or "Weird!", but this stuff is seriously amazing. I've been eating jalapeño jelly since I can remember. It's perfectly sweet and spicy at the same time. My favorite way to eat it is on Wheat Thins with cream cheese. However, it's also amazing as a dipping sauce for chicken nuggets, as a stir fry sauce, or as a glaze when roasting meat. The possibilities are endless! Bonus: it also makes a great gift!

Homemade Pepper Jelly

Ingredients:

1 large red pepper, seeded and cut in to strips

1 large green pepper, seeded and cut in to strips

10 jalapeños, seeded for less spicy jelly (I left the seeds in half of my peppers and I thought the spice was perfect)

1 1/2 cups white vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

6 cups sugar

3 tbs. Ball RealFruit Low or No-Sugar Needed Pectin

Directions:

1. In food processor or blender, finely chop peppers. Put in large saucepan with vinegar, salt, and sugar. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring often. Add pectin and boil 1 more minute. 

2. If canning (recommended) pour in to sterilized jars and water bath for 10 minutes. Wait a day to serve so jelly has time to firm. This recipe makes 12+ small jelly jars. 

3. If refrigerating, potion into containers, allow to cool and refrigerate for up to 1 month. Enjoy!

Lemon Ginger Pear Spritzer

A few months ago, I was visiting my college town and I hung out at the bar where my friend bartends. She made me a delicious ginger pear punch with house-infused vodka and I found myself craving the drink ever since.

When my friendsgiving party rolled around, I thought it would be the perfect time to try my own spin on her recipe. I know most people bring something to drink for themselves, but I always like to have a large batch of something, just in case. 

First, I made my own ginger citrus syrup. And it is amazing! I put it in my tea and fell in love! I'm also thinking it would be awesome in apple cider or with ginger ale as a non-alcoholic drink for the kids. 

When making my drink for the party, I decided to save myself the trouble and just buy pear flavored vodka, although making your own infused vodka would probably be even more spectacular! I quadrupled this recipe below for friendsgiving and just left it out for everyone to pour themselves. And it was a huge hit! This drink is spicy and sweet, and very smooth. I will definitely be making it again. 

Lemon Ginger Pear Spritzer

Ingredients:

2 oz. pear vodka

1 oz. Ginger citrus syrup (recipe below)

2 oz. Ginger ale

2 oz. soda water

Squeeze of lemon

Sliced pears and lemons for garnish

Directions:

In rocks glass, combine all ingredients over ice. Stir, garnish, and enjoy! 

Ginger Citrus Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh ginger, peeled and chopped

2 cups water

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup honey

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 

Zest of 1 lemon

Zest of 1 orange

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine Ginger and 1 cup water. Blend until as smooth as possible. 

2. In large saucepan, combine blended ginger with all other ingredients. Bring to boil until all sugar is dissolved. 

3. Remove from heat and let cool at least 30 minutes.

4. Strain through fine mesh strainer into container. Seal well and keep refrigerated for up to 4 months.

 

Czech-Style Potato Soup

Czech-Style Potato Soup

Ingredients:

6 potatoes, peeled, rinsed, and chopped into large pieces 

1 large container chicken broth

6 eggs

1 qt. half and half

1 tbsp. dried dill weed

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In large pan, add the potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook just until potatoes are tender. Mash the potatoes in the broth to form bite sized-pieces. 

2. Lower the temperature to a simmer and drop each egg into the mixture. (It helps to drop them in different places in the pan so they don't stick together.) Do not stir. Allow eggs to cook about 10 minutes.  

3. Add the half and half to the pan. Stir gently to combine. Add the dill and salt and pepper to taste. Allow to hear through, but do not boil. 

4. To serve, place one egg at the bottom of each bowl, then fill with potatoes and broth. Enjoy!

 

Low-Cal Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Low-Cal Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 frozen bananas

2 tbsp. PB2 

1 tbsp. Cocoa powder

1 cup light almond milk, unsweetened

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Add additional almond milk if too thick. Enjoy!