Tomato powder is created from dried tomato skins that are ground into a fine powder, and used to enhance the flavor and color of various dishes .  Dehydrating tomato skins to make tomato powder has quickly become one of my favorite preservation techniques. After wanting to try it for some time, I f…

Light anf fluffy dinner rolls are simply irresistible. These rolls are easy to make, quick to prepare, and pillowy soft. They're perfect for holidays, weeknight dinners, or sunday supper.   These buttermilk dinner rolls are truly one of the best dinner rolls I have ever had. While I've prai…

As we move closer to fall here in northeast Texas, the sweltering triple-digit temperatures are still hanging around. This summer has been particularly tough  on us, and our garden. The heat has been so extreme that this is the first time we haven't been able to start a fall garden. It's a …

Canning dried beans at home can greatly reduce your grocery expenses and provide a convenient way to have ready-to-eat beans whenever you need them.  With grocery prices on the rise and the quality of food declining, I figured it was time to make some adjustments in our grocery budget. Last year I …

A sweet and savory, chunky salsa perfect paired with tortilla chips, grilled chicken, pork and fish. This shelf stable salsa is a must make for your pantry.  In Northeast Texas, July and August marks the peak of summer, which means our tomatoes have finally stopped trickling in. This year we harves…

Melon Agua Fresca is a delicious Mexican drink perfect for summer. It's light, refreshing and  made by blending cantaloupe with water, your preferred sweetener, and a splash of lime juice.   If life gives you lemons, make lemonade, right?  The same idea applies when you have a ton of cantaloupe…

Happy August, everyone! As we enjoy our final month of summer soon it will be time to prepare for the back to school rush. This means back to alarms, trying to stay on schedule, packing school lunches, juggling school runs and  after-school activities, all while trying to get dinner on the table at…

Juicy and tender Air Fryer chicken legs with a crispy, seasoned coating. They cook up in just 30 minutes making them the perfect weeknight meal.  When we're on a tight budget, ground beef and chicken, particualy chicken drumsticks, become staples in our meals. They are affordable and can be pur…

These simple sweet and spicy refrigerator pickles are bursting with flavor and incredibly crunchy.  Preserve your garden cucumbers with this simple recipe for refrigerator pickles.  If you've ever tried your hand at growing cucumbers, you know how they can take over by the end of summer. That&#…

Happy July everyone! I hope your summer is going wonderful so far? We're definitely in the heat of summer here in Northeast Texas, so staying cool is practically a full-time job right now. Our vegetable garden is in full-swing, so I have been busy canning and preserving our harvest. We have als…

Freezing green beans is a great method to keep them fresh for months, allowing you to enjoy their flavor, color, and texture well beyond the growing season. This is the time of year when summer gardens are bursting with fresh green beans. Our garden is definitely thriving, so we have more  green be…

Quick picked squash is a great method for preserving yellow squash in a light brine, and then water-bath canning which ensures that the quash remains firm for frying. Simply drain, rinse, coat in breading, and fry Summer Squash Season is officially in full swing, which means farmers markets and hom…

Blistered green beans are a simple and flavorful side dish that can be whipped up in just 20 minutes using pantry-friendly, green beans.  When it comes to vegetables in our house we prefer fresh, especially when they come from our garden. If fresh isn't available than frozen is the next best th…

Welcome June!  The s un ☀ is shining, o ur garden is flourishing, and the Texas heat is gradually making its presence.  With our spring garden beginning to yield produce, this month's menu has a few meals that use fresh ingredients that we're harvesting. We make an effort to eat seasonally…

This honey glazed chicken skillet features seasoned, tender bone-in chicken thighs, baby potatoes, sweet potatoes, and is coated in a honey-butter garlic sauce. Today, I'm bringing you a delicious, quick and easy one-pan chicken dinner that you can whip up in no time. Tender, juicy, seared chic…

A step by step guide on how to grow sweet potatoes & how to start your own slips from organic store-bought potatoes.   🌱 Have you ever considered growing your own sweet potatoes? I do it every year, and it's much easier than you think. Sweet potatoes are a low-maintenance crop that thrives…

Happy May, everyone! A new month brings a new menu plan, and today I'm excited to share my May dinner ideas that are both easy and family-friendly. As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to shift from hearty winter meals to fresh, garden-inspired dishes and grilled favorites. Spring…

These fall-off-the-bone, baked barbecue chicken legs are tender, juicy, and generously coated in rich barbecue sauce, and baked a top a bed of onions.       Chicken drumsticks are a staple in our home, primarily because they're more  budget-friendly compared to other chicken cuts. Their versati…

PASTALAYA is a delightful one-pot dish that combines the flavors of jambalaya with pasta. This recipe features seasoned chicken, smoked sausage, shrimp, linguini pasta, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered together in a rich Cajun cream sauce. Jambalaya pasta (Pastalaya) is a delicious twist on…

Are you looking for new dinner ideas? My April menu plan helps you take the guesswork out of meal planning, by listing a whole month's worth of dinner meals. Not only does meal planning help you $ave money, but it also allows you to introduce some new dishes to your family's dinner line up…