Green Beans w Bacon

This recipe is good hot or cold. I prefer them leftover the next day or two as the flavors really blend into the beans. 

  • 1 Lb Package of Fresh French Green Beans 
  • 1/4 Lb of Bacon or Ends 
  • 2-3 Tablespoon Leftover Bacon Grease from Frying the Bacon 
  • 1 Teaspoon of Garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Onion Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon of Fresh Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon of Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/2 to a Teaspoon of Salt to Taste

Cook the bacon until crisp. Create bite-sized pieces and set aside on a paper towel to drain.

Put the green beans in the microwave for 2-3 minutes (depending on the size of your beans) 

Plunge them into a bowl of ice water and dry them off (this is important since if your beans are wet when the hit the oil you can splatter grease and get burned. 

In the same pan that you cooked the bacon use the remaining grease, saute the green beans. Bring the oil back up to temperature before dropping the beans. 

Test by dropping one bean, when it sizzles drop the rest.

Add in the spices except for the salt

Move around in the pan and saute until you can hold a bean upright and it bends slightly. 

Move to a bowl and mix in the vinegar

Taste and add salt and additional spices as needed.

 

Jasmine Rice in the Microwave

  • 1 Cup of Jasmine Rice
  • 1 ½ Cups of Water
  1. Add the rice to the perforated-bowl.
  2. Rinse under cold water 3-4 times, then let it drain.
  3. Add the perforated-bowl with rice in it, back into the rice cooker.
  4. Add the water over the top and cover with a lid.
  5. Cook in the microwave 5 minutes on high.
  6. Stir the rice and cover, reduce the power to 50% and cook for 10 minutes.
  7. Allow the rice to sit for 3-4 minutes after the microwave stops, this will help absorb any excess moisture.
  8. Taste the rice if you want/need it to cook for 1-2 minutes longer, you can.
  9. Rice should be light and fluffy

Broccoli and Cheese Bake Potato

  • 1 Baking Potato (Russet)
  • 3 Oz. of Velveeta Cheese
  • 2 Teaspoons of milk
  • 1 Tablespoon of Shredded Cheddar
  • ½ Cup of Frozen Broccoli
  • 1 Pinch of Black Pepper
  1. Wash and scrub the potato with water and a rough cloth or scrub brush.
  2. Prick the potato with a fork multiple times.
  3. Place a piece of aluminum foil on the bottom rack of the oven.
  4. Bake the potato in a preheated oven directly on the top rack at 350-375 degrees F (375 will give you a crispier skin).
  5. Keep the potato warm until the cheese is ready.
  6. Microwave the broccoli until it is fork-tender.
  7. In a bowl, add cheese and milk and microwave for 1 minute.
  8. Add broccoli to the cheese mixture and cook for another 1 minute.
  9. Cut the potato and pour the broccoli cheese mixture on top.
Brownies on a tray with decorative towel

Buckeye Brownies

Buckeye Brownies

Ingredients
  

For The Brownie Layer

  • 3/4 Cups Butter cut into little squares for melting in the microwave
  • 3/4 Cup Cocoa Powder I used dark but light or dark can be used
  • 1 2/3 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoons Water
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 3 Large Eggs beaten
  • 1 ⅓ Cups Flour
  • ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon Salt

For The Peanut Butter Layer

  • 2 Cups Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 2 1/4 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons Milk
  • 1/2 Cup Butter cut into little squares for melting in the microwave
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

For The Chocolate Layer

  • 1 1/2 Cups of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
  • 6 Tablespoons Butter cut into little squares for melting in the microwave

Instructions
 

For The Brownie Layer

  • Line a 13X9 baking pan with parchment paper.
  • Preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • Mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside.
  • Melt your butter in the microwave.
  • Add into the butter, the cocoa, sugar, and eggs (mix well with a spatula, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
  • In the same bowl as the butter mixture, add in the flour mixture, a little at a time, making sure you are mixing it together well.
  • Spread into the pan.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Let it cool.

For The Peanut Butter Layer

  • Melt the butter and peanut butter together in the microwave. (there is lots of oil so only melt for 15 seconds at a time until the butter is melted).
  • Add in the milk and vanilla, then start adding the confectioner’s sugar until the mixture is spreadable.  (You do not want it too paste-like).
  • Spread the layer on the cooled brownies.

For The Chocolate Layer

  • Melt the morsels and the butter in the microwave in 15-second increments stirring until it is melted.  Do not burn the chocolate, if you do you have to throw it out and start again.
  • Add the chocolate layer and let the brownies sit for about 30 minutes before cutting.

Video

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Assorted strawberries dipped in chocolate with gold, nuts, and coconut

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Assorted strawberries dipped in chocolate with gold, nuts, and coconut

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

There are so many great things about making these little lovelies. First of all, they are quick, if you watch the video you can see that we ran through the entire process in seven minutes or so. It was less than 60 seconds to heat the chocolate in the microwave
The second thing is there are only 2 ingredients The melting chocolate and the strawberries
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • microwave
  • Cocktail Fork
  • Paper Bowls
  • Wax Paper

Ingredients
  

  • Melting Chocolate
  • Fresh Strawberries

Instructions
 

  • Pour a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of chocolate discs (found in any craft store) into a paper bowl.
  • Lay a large piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the counter.
  • Heat in the microwave at 20-second intervals until you are left with only a few discs not melted. Stir in between each 20-second interval.
  • Using a cocktail fork or skewer dip your strawberries one by one and place onto the paper. Let them cool and harden. This does not take long at all!

Video

Notes

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries in colored sugar
 
Dip'd Strawberries in just chocolate
The third thing is, the fact that you can dip almost anything. I dipped pretzels in addition to the strawberries.  But bananas are fabulous dipped and frozen, yum! They are a great alternative to ice cream because you can just have a bite and be satisfied.
The fourth reason I like this recipe is its versatility. You can see in the picture strawberries in various colors of chocolate and drizzled color. T plating is also fun with the rainbow sugar. You can roll them in nuts edible gold sugar or leave them plain. 
Here is a serving tip: Once dry we serve them in a dish typically used for deviled eggs.
Keyword dessert, easy, fruit, Sweet
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

There are so many great things about making these little lovelies. First of all, they are quick, if you watch the video you can see that we ran through the entire process in seven minutes or so. It was less than 60 seconds to heat the chocolate in the microwave.

The second thing is there are only 2 ingredients

  • The Chocolate 
  • The Strawberries

The third thing is, the fact that you can dip almost anything. I dipped pretzels in addition to the strawberries.  But bananas are fabulous dipped and frozen, yum! They are a great alternative to ice cream because you can just have a bite and be satisfied. 

The fourth reason I like this recipe is its versatility. You can see in the last picture that Nicole made her strawberries in various colors of chocolate and she drizzled color on top to make her’s look pretty. Her plating is also fun with the rainbow sugar.  Mine sit in a dish typically used for deviled eggs. 

That last reason I like this recipe is the cleanup.  All you need to do is throw away the paper bowl and the parchment paper. Can it get any easier? 

  1. Pour a 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of chocolate discs (found in any craft store) into a paper bowl.
  2. Lay a large piece of parchment paper or wax paper on the counter. 
  3. Heat in the microwave at 20-second intervals until you are left with only a few discs not melted. Stir in between each 20-second interval.  
  4. Dip your strawberries and let them cool and harden. This does not take long at all! 

Enjoy!