SANDRA'S HOMEMADE LEMON EXTRACT

The hardest part is waiting 8 weeks,
although with minimal effort
you'll reap rewards many
times over, as the flavors of these
three extracts can't be beat...

Yields: 4 oz. (1/2 cup) lemon extract 

Prep: 5 Mins.
Cure: 8 weeks

--1 (4 oz.) Mason jar with plastic lid (or lid and ring)

INGREDIENTS

1 large, fresh lemon, washed and dried, then zest (do not include with bitter pith when zesting) 

1/2 cup quality vodka

METHOD

Place your jar in a small saucepan, and cover with water.  Bring to boil for 10 minutes to sterilize.  Remove jar on a clean kitchen towel to cool and air dry. (If not using plastic lids as I am, be sure to sterilize your rings and lids as well.)

Meanwhile, zest lemon (not white pith as it is bitter) and place into bottom of the 4 oz. Mason jar.  Fill jar with vodka to within 1/4" of top of rim. Place lid on jar and close tightly, shake a few times, label, date and place it in a cool, dark cabinet. 

Let rest for 8 weeks, while occasionally shaking a couple times per week, which will become a darker yellow color over time.

After 8 weeks you can start using your homemade extract in recipes for custards, pies, tarts, breads, desserts, crepes, sauces, breakfast dishes, smoothies, and so on. If you would like some of the zest in your recipe, just shake the jar beforehand. – Enjoy!

-- Click here for: Vanilla Extract recipe

-- Click here for: Vanilla-Bourbon Extract recipe

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Tips:  Use as much as you need, and when you have only 20% of the extract remaining you should replenish with more vodka and/or zest, and shake again. In addition, when you're using a fresh lemon zest in a recipe, add any leftover to the jar of homemade extract. If you continue to feed your extract in this manner, the extract will keep forever; simply remove some of the older zest if the jar becomes too crowded.

SANDRA’S MEXICAN HAM, SWEET POTATO 'N BLACK BEAN CHILI and CORNBREAD

An incredibly hearty and healthy chili you're able to prepare in one pot 

that's ready to serve in an hour...

Servings (8 to 10)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Cook: 45 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Grateful to use fresh
lime juice from my newly
picked Bearrs Limes
harvested off of
my indoor dwarf citrus tree...

2 (14.5 oz. cans) Mexican diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15 oz. can) black beans, undrained

2 cups low-sodium beef broth 

2 tablespoons chili powder 

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

4 small sweet potatoes (or 2 large), peeled and roughly chopped into 1” pieces

1 medium red onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cured, smoked ham, roughly chopped into 1” pieces

--Prepared recipe: Sandra’s Mexican-Style Premium Cornbread

METHOD

Combine all ingredients in dutch oven, or heavy-bottom pot, and stir to combine. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and 'gently' simmer for 45 minutes, while occasionally stirring. 

(Meanwhile, prepare cornbread recipe listed below so it is ready when chili has finished cooking.)

Ready to serve... 

Toss bay leaf, and serve with Sandra’s Mexican-Style Premium Cornbread alongside (shown below). ~ Enjoy!

Sandra’s Mexican-Style Premium Cornbread
(Click here for recipe)...

SANDRA'S WHOLESOME PINTO BEAN AND HAM SOUP

The perfect hot bean and vegetable soup
on a snowy Alaska winter night...

Servings: (8 to 10)

Prep: 10 mins. |

Cook: Appx. 2 hrs.

INGREDIENTS

-1 (16 oz. pkg.) dried pinto beans

-6 cups water

-6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

-1 tablespoon cider vinegar

-2 heaping teaspoons brown sugar

-2 cups cooked ham, cubed

--(or 2 *smoked ham hocks, or *ham bone with meat on it, or a ring of smoked sausage)

-1 lg. carrot, scrubbed, and chopped

-2 ribs celery, chopped

-½ onion, diced

-1 russet potato (or sweet potato), peeled and chopped

-1 garlic clove, minced

-1 bay leaf

-1/8 teaspoon each: dried oregano, basil, and thyme

-1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

--(I do not add any salt due to the saltiness of the ham)

-Dash of hot sauce

METHOD

Spread the dried pinto beans out on a baking sheet and pick through them; toss any unwanted matter, then rinse beans in a colander. In a large dutch oven (or heavy-bottom soup pot), bring pinto beans and water to a boil. Cover, and reduce heat to simmer and par cook for 1 hour. 

Drain beans in colander, and return to dutch oven. Add broth, cider vinegar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes; stirring occasionally. 

Add remaining ingredients, cover, and simmer for 30 additional minutes, until vegetables and beans are tender. 

Remove bay leaf, and toss. Taste for seasoning, and add more broth or water if a thinner consistency is desired.

Serve with hot wheat rolls or crusty slices of French bread. ~ Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Tip: If using smoked ham hocks or ham bone with meat on it, add at the beginning of the bean cooking process, and remove after 1 hour to pull meat from hocks or bone, cube (when draining beans), and return to pot when adding vegetables.

SANDRA'S AWESOME ASIAN BEAN THREAD SALAD

This is a spicy Thai peanut 
flavored type of salad, 
which is superbly delicious...

Servings: (4 to 6)

Prep: 20 Mins. | Let Stand: 15 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Bean Threads

5 oz. pkg. bean threads

***Sauce

2 tablespoons low-sodium chicken stock

1-1/2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce (I prefer tamari)

1 garlic clove, grated

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon light olive oil

1-1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

½ teaspoon hot garlic chili sauce (I like mine spicy; use less if you prefer)

***Salad

1 carrot, shredded

¼ red bell pepper, finely julienned

1 cup fresh arugula, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 teaspoon organic dried mint

1 teaspoons organic dried basil leaves

***Garnish

2 tablespoons organic sesame seeds, toasted

METHOD

Place uncooked bean threads in a medium heatproof glass bowl, pour boiling water over them and let soak for 20 minutes, just until noodles are translucent and softened. Drain noodles in a colander, and pour them back into the dry mixing bowl.

Meanwhile, in a small glass bowl add the sauce ingredients, and microwave on high for 1 minute.  Whisk sauce to emulsify, and set aside.

Using kitchen shears, cut the noodles so they are manageable, and add the sauce to them.  Add the salad ingredients; tossing to combine.  Let salad stand for 15 minutes at room temperature for flavors to meld.

Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a dry non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, just until light golden brown and fragrant.

Plate salad, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. – Enjoy!

SANDRA'S CARDAMOM FRENCH TOAST with SAUTÉED APPLES and WHIPPED CREAM

A featured recipe I created inspired 
by incorporating organic spices from a
locally owned Red Onion Organic 
Spice & Tea Company...

Servings: (2)
Prep: 10 Mins. |
Cook 8 to 10 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Apple topping
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 apple
--(I used Rancho Royale,
peeled, cored and sliced ¼” thick)
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

***French Toast
3 large eggs
1-1/2 tablespoons whole milk

4 green organic cardamom pods, seeds removed, and ground fine
1/8 teaspoon seeds scraped from a split organic vanilla bean (generally ½ a bean)
1/4 teaspoon organic lemon peel powder
4 slices organic whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon unsalted butter

--¼ cup prepared whipping cream

METHOD

Use a paring knife to slit the cardamom pods lengthwise, remove the seeds and discard the outer pods. Pour the seeds into a spice grinder and pulse until the seeds are finely ground, about 2 minutes, and set aside.

To make the topping, heat a small non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat; add apple slices. Saute while folding constantly with a spatula until apples are almost tender, about 6 to 7 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in water; add to skillet. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon, and reduce to low to simmer.

Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vanilla bean seeds, lemon peel powder, and ground cardamom. Add each of the bread slices to the egg mixture, and turn gently to coat evenly.

Heat a griddle (or large skillet) over medium heat, and melt the butter to evenly coat the bottom. Remove the bread from the egg mixture, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Arrange 4 bread slices onto griddle and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Turn the bread over and cook until golden brown on the other side, about 2 minutes more.

Divide the French toast between two serving plates, mound the apple topping over the French toast, and top with whipped cream. – Enjoy with a light drizzle of your favorite maple syrup!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



*Tip: Green Cardamom Pods are a member of the ginger family, and provide a spicy, aromatic sweetness to this French toast, as does the vanilla bean seeds, including adding a hint of Lemon flavor from the Powdered Peel.


Also, you can store the scraped vanilla bean in an airtight jar with sugar, and in a few weeks you'll have vanilla bean infused sugar for using in baking recipes, tea, etc.

SANDRA’S SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

A tried and true fiesta comfort soup...


[Featured on 3-19-12 at:
http://cook.sevnav.com/we-cook-soup/
sandras-fresh-tomato-basil-soup]

Serves: (4)
Prep/Cook: 25 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons light olive oil
2 ribs celery, chopped
½ red bell pepper
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons chili powder
¼ teaspoon sriracha sauce (or your preferred hot sauce)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1-1/2 cups water
2 fresh corn on the cob, kernels removed, (or 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups skinless, cooked chicken, roughly shredded
1 (14.5 oz. can) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (creamy white beans)
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, seeded, and chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Garnish:
--4 lemon wedges
--tortilla chips

METHOD

In medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and cook, covered, 8 to 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender while frequently stirring. Add cumin, chili powder, and sriracha sauce, and cook 30 seconds, while stirring. Add broth, water, corn kernels, and lemon juice to vegetable mixture; cover saucepot and heat to boiling over high heat.

Add chicken pieces, chopped cilantro, and cannellini beans into broth mixture in saucepan; heat to boiling, covered, over high heat for 3 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in chopped tomatoes. Taste for seasonings, adding sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, if desired.

Place a handful of crushed tortillas in bottom of each bowl, and ladle soup over top, and then sprinkle each bowl with avocado pieces. Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over soup just prior to eating. Place additional whole tortilla chips along side for scooping. ~ Enjoy!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip:  This soup is fabulous using lime instead of lemon as well (I just happened to have fresh lemons on-hand today.

MAX’S ALASKA ‘WILD-GAME-DAY’ HOT CHILI BEAN and CHEESE DIP

Max generally makes this recipe using lean venison 
or moose burger, although last night he used 
lean buffalo burger and it was simply scrumptious. 
This was like a meal in itself and a perfect 
appetizer to munch on 
while watching the baseball playoffs...

Servings: (6 to 8)

Prep/Cook: 20 Mins.

Posted by Max via Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. lean venison burger
--(Also just as tasty to use moose, buffalo, or beef)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 (15 oz. can) Nalleys Original Chili with Beans
1 (16 oz. jar) medium picante sauce
1 (1-lb. pkg.) velveeta cheese, cut into four blocks
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
--(Max says, “go light on the salt”)
2 (9.25 oz. pkgs.) Fritos Scoop Corn Chips

METHOD

Heat a large nonstick skillet to medium-high heat and brown the burger with the garlic powder. Add the chili with beans, picante sauce, and velveeta cheese, and gently stir until cheese has melted and dip is combined and creamy. Taste for seasonings, adding kosher salt and ground pepper, to taste. Spoon hot dip into a heatproof bowl, then place the Frito chips in another bowl close by, and serve immediately with many napkins! Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~


Tip: This hot dip would also be wonderful served in a slow cooker to it keep warm during game day for your guests.

SANDRA'S WHITE BEAN VENISON CHILI

A superbly delicious chili you'll be making over-n-over again...
--Wow, I have never seen one of my recipes 
reworked such as this @ 
http://www.fast-and-easy-recipes.com/
venison-and-beans-recipe/

Servings: (6)
Prep: 15 Mins. |
Cook: 45 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. lean venison burger (or lean ground beef, if you prefer)
2 tablespoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-1/2 tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup bottled chili sauce (for homemade recipe click here: Homemade Chili Sauce)
1 (15 oz. can) white beans with juice
1 (14.5 oz. can) diced tomatoes
1 (14 oz. can) tomato sauce

***Garnish:
--shredded cheddar cheese
-- jarred pickled jalapeno slices

METHOD:

Heat the dutch oven to medium-high heat, add the olive oil and venison burger and brown. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover and let simmer while occasionally stirring for a minimum of 45 minutes if you like your vegetables with a bit of a crunch, or as long as 2 hrs.

To serve, ladle chili into a soup mug, and generously sprinkle with cheddar cheese, and then top with a couple of pickled jalapeno slices – enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Premium cornbread Muffins

Tip: I also like to serve the White Bean Venison Chili with a side of hot cornbread spread with butter - Click here for recipe: (Premium Cornbread Muffins)

SANDRA'S EASY CHEESY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

A healthier version of the traditional
green bean casserole
that your family and friends are sure to enjoy...

Serves: (6)
Prep: 15 mins. |
Bake: 25 mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
6 medium-size crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 cups fresh green beans, sliced
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (10.5 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon pepper
1 (2.8 oz.) can french fried onions
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9”x9” baking dish with oil, and set aside.

Boil the green beans in the chicken broth for 10 minutes, and drain, and then set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet, and saute the onions and mushrooms, until onions are translucent. Add the green beans, mushroom soup, worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, garlic powder, and pepper to the onion mixture, stirring well to combine.

Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish, and bake for 20 minutes, then top the casserole with the french fried onions, and then the grated parmesan cheese, and bake for 5 minutes longer, just until the cheese melts. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA'S TRANSLUCENT ASIAN NOODLES and PORK over RICE

Traditionally this spectacular recipe is served
to a ratio of 3 parts Asian noodle mixture on top
over 1 part steamed rice underneath, as I do as well...

Servings: (2)
Prep: 10 mins. |
Cook: 6 to 8 mins.
(+ 15 mins. to soak bean threads)

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS:

***Noodles:
¼ lb. dried bean thread noodles (found in the asian section)

***Meat
2 tablespoons peanut oil
½ pound pork, thinly sliced

***Sauce:
3 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
3 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon asian chili sauce
1 teaspoon honey (link to Homemade Alaska Fireweed-Clover Honey)
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped diagonally
1 jarred roasted bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cups low-sodium chicken stock

Garnish:
1 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

--1 cup prepared steamed basmati rice

METHOD:

Prepare steamed basmati rice.

Cut the dried bean threads with kitchen scissors, and soak a ¼ lb. in a large bowl of hot water for 10 to 12 minutes, just until soft. Drain in colander, discarding the water.

Meanwhile, prepare all the sauce ingredients, stirring to combine in a medium-size bowl, and set aside.

Drizzle peanut oil in a large nonstick skillet and heat to medium-high. Add the sliced pork, and stir-fry until brown and slightly crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Pour the sauce ingredients into skillet to deglaze, and scrape the bottom to loosen any meat drippings. Add the noodles to the sauce in the skillet and heat just until the sauce simmers and the noodles are warmed through.

Place steamed basmati rice in two pasta bowls, and ladle the pork and noodles and sauce equally over the top, then garnish with cilantro. – Enjoy!