Zesty Italian Good Seasoning Mix

 Find the original post and usage suggestions HERE.

Chimichurri Sauce

Chimichurri Sauce (Argentinean dish)   

2 bundles of parsley, chopped fine 

2 tsp salt 

½ tsp ground pepper 

Juice of 1 lime 

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 

6 cloves garlic, chopped fine 

Vegetable oil to cover parsley 

 Great dipping sauce for meats, vegetables, chips...most anything!

"Better Than Botox" Face Mask

{*I have not tried this recipe yet so I have no idea if it has any effect at all.}

1/4 c. yogurt (plain or Greek plain)
1/2 banana
1 tsp honey

Mash up the banana with a fork.  Add the other 2 ingredients.  Spread the mask all over your face and neck.  Relax for 15 minutes.

NOTE: For even better results, cover your face with a warm, damp washcloth while you wait the 15 minutes.

Chimmichuri Sauce

Chimmichuri Sauce 2 cups packed fresh Italian parsley 4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and smashed 1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves (or you could also use dried, about 3 or 4 teaspoons) 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes or 1 small red chili pepper seeded and chopped ½ tsp Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 shallot, diced 1 cup extra virgin olive oil Put parsley, garlic, oregano, vinegar, pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and shallot in food processor and process till finely chopped. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Don't over processes, only about a minute is usually enough. Then with the motor running pour in the oil in a steady stream. Puerto Rican chef said he makes it a day or two ahead, and it will keep in the fridge for up to a week. Grill the skirt steak or any other kind of steak, chicken, or pork. Slice the meat, and serve the sauce in little individual bowls for each person to dip each bite of meat in. They also use this sauce to dip their wonderful tostones in. And I discovered that the last couple of pieces of my potato was also good smashed into the last little bit of it. I think this would also be delish spread on slices of lightly toasted French baguette. Originally from Argentina, recipe adapted in Puerto Rico.

100 Healthy Snacks

Click HERE for the complete list (including a link to a printable version).

Homemade Chicken Stock

Click HERE for the recipe.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Ingredients:
•1/3 cup white or rice vinegar (Note: rice vinegar gives better results)
•4 tablespoons brown sugar
•1 tablespoon ketchup
•1 teaspoon soy sauce
•2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 4 teaspoons water

Preparation:
Mix the vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce together and bring to a boil in a small pot. Mix together the cornstarch and water, add to the other ingredients and stir to thicken.

(If desired, you can add 1 green pepper, cut into chunks, and pineapple chunks as desired after adding the cornstarch. For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch to 4 teaspoons while keeping the water constant.)

Asian Dipping Sauce

Ingredients
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
3 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sesame oil

Directions
1. Whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, sesame oil in a bowl.

Homemade Hand Sanitizer

1- cup Aloe Vera Gel (or you can make your own)
1- teaspoon rubbing alcohol
2- teaspoons vegetable glycerin
8-10- drops tea tree or lavender essential oil

Mix together and then store in small bottles or hand pumps.

Hard Boiled Eggs

OK, so you think you know how to hard boil eggs, but you can find some great instructions with a great secret step to make them so easy to peel. Check it out HERE.

Chocolate Toffee Butter Crunch

Chocolate Toffee Butter Crunch

•1 cup butter

•1 cup sugar

•3 Tbsp water

•1 Tbs light corn syrup

•1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)

•3/4 cups semisweet or milk chocolate pieces

•1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans or almonds)


1. Butter the sides of a large saucepan.

2. Melt the butter. Add sugar, water, and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until temperature reaches 290 degrees F. on your candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and quickly stir in the coarsely chopped nuts.
3. Spread on buttered cookie sheet, or 9x13 baking pan. Allow to cool for only 2-3 minutes until toffee surface is firm. Sprinkle chocolate pieces on top.

4. After a couple of minutes, spread melted chocolate evenly over surface. Sprinkle finely chopped nuts on top.

5. Chill until firm. Break into pieces. Store chocolate peanut brittle in airtight container.

~~Place Saran Wrap in bottom of Christmas tin that will lap and cover the top of the candy, and give as a Christmas gift.

Paula Deen's House Seasoning

1 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

I have already used up my first batch of this delicious seasoning! I use it anytime a recipe calls for these basic ingredients, no matter what amount the recipe calls for.

I do happen to think her version is a bit too salty, so for my next batch I plan to use less salt- and maybe a bit more garlic. ;)

Make Your Own Buttermilk (Easy!)

Need buttermilk for a recipe but don't have any on hand? You can easily make your own "sour milk" to use in place of buttermilk in recipes.

Add 1 Tbsp either lemon juice or vinegar to a one-cup measuring cup. Add enough "sweet" milk to make one cup. Let sit for five minutes. Instant buttermilk!