Cherry Vanilla Syrup

I searched the internet trying to find a recipe for cherry syrup for our pancakes and waffles and such. I had a really hard time finding one that I liked. But I found a couple that looked easy, and decided to combine them to make my own. Too bad I forgot to save the sites where I found them, and write down my version!! This will be a vague recipe, I'll try and remember all my steps! It's tasty, but still a work in progress for sure! Good think I have unlimited access to more cherries eh?

Cherry Syrup

Fill your steamer/juicer basket nearly full of cherries - stems removed.
Steam them a long time - about an hour or so. You should have some juice to extract now - start dripping into a large stock pot - bigger than 6 qts. Continue steaming for another hour - squeezing the pulp occasionally and mixing it around to let more juice come out.

After you've extracted all the juice you can, put your potful of juice onto the stove and add 11 cups of sugar. Yes, you read that right - 11 cups! Holy tooth ache, I know. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 10-15 minutes, still stirring constantly. Turn temp. down to a simmer and simmer for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla. Ladle into prepared jars and wipe clean before placing your lid and rings onto your jars. Let sit over night - as they cool, they will seal, making it great for storage.

Use your syrup for pancakes, waffles, french toast, milkshakes, snow cones, slushies, etc.!

Wheat Bread - Bosch Mixer

This seriously is the best wheat bread recipe I have ever had! Thank you Cindy for sharing it, and teaching me how to do it. I hope with time and lots of practice, I can be good at this!

This recipe makes makes 5 loaves!

Put 6 cups warm water in Bosch Mixer. Sprinkle 2 rounded tablespoons active dry yeast over warm water. Sprinkle 3/4 cup sugar over yeast. Add 2 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, and 3/4 cup oil. Add 6 cups of wheat flour and mix on level 1 until it's blended (about 2 minutes).

Then add 2000 mg. crushed vitamin c, 2 cups quick oats, and 1/4 cup ground (milled) flax seed. Turn back on level 1 and begin adding white flour one cup at a time. Add enough to clean the sides of the bowl (about 6 to 8 cups). Continue to knead on level 1 for 10 minutes.

Put into 5 greased loaf pans and let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 and bake approximately 30 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

2 - 3 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
1 egg
1/4 cup milk

My Bread Crumb Mixture:
2 cups bran flakes, crushed to desired consistency
2 TBSP flax seed, ground with coffee grinder
1 TBSP wheat germ
Seasoning Suggestions: onion powder, garlic powder, celery salt, paprika, and italian seasoning (I use all of these in this recipe).

Wash chicken and cut into desired size pieces. Combine egg and milk, and whisk until you're heart's content. Dip chicken in egg/milk mixture, and then into bread crumb mixture. Lay on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

3 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

This is a recipe every girl should have handy! It's quick, it's easy, and it's so yummy!! It can serve 2 people if you are feeling generous :)

3 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! ENJOY!

Root Beer Cookies

This is one of our favorite recipe's for large gatherings! I have found in my experience, that the dehydrated buttermilk does not work well for this recipe, you need the real stuff! Also, using real butter instead of margarine in the frosting really does make it better. I've used margarine in the cookie batter, and I can't tell a big difference.

Root beer Cookies
2 sticks (1 cup) butter (soft - not melted)
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 tbsp. root beer extract
2 eggs
1 ts. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 cups flour

Cream butter, sugar, and buttermilk. Add root beer extract and eggs, cream again. Add salt and soda, and mix again. Add flour 1 cup at a time mixing well each time, scraping the sides of the bowl often.

Spoon onto cookie sheet (do not grease or spray!) and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Cool completely before frosting (about 30 minutes).


Frosting
1 stick of butter
3 cups powder sugar
3 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. root beer extract

Cabbage Salsa

This was a recipe that was shared with us a few years ago. It is super yummy, and different than your normal tomato based fresh salsa's. It's not a very wet salsa, but it is full of flavor! If you like more moisture in it, add more orange juice, 1 tablespoon at a time.

1 small head of green cabbage, finely chopped
1/2 of a small red onion, finely chopped
1 serrano pepper, remove seeds and veins
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
5 TBSP fresh squeezed orange juice
5 TBSP fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar

Mix all ingredients, refrigerate for 2-3 hours to let flavors blend. Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips!