How do you get healthier road trip food? The gas station burrito settled it, I do not care how inexpensive road stop fare may be, it is just no longer an option. I must deliberately menu plan for all future road trips.
Continue reading Road Trip Food Tips
Whoo-boy. We get excited about this every year.
Continue reading Announcing the Pantry Paratus Christmas Sales!
This was an email newsletter I sent before “Black Friday” last year. It’s a bit controversial, but it’s important to us. Be sure to leave a comment with your thoughts!
A False Dichotomy (or “false dilemma”) is when someone pits 2 opposing thoughts, requiring you to choose one of the 2 extremes (ignoring the possibility of alternatives).
This is a major ploy of retailers. How do I know? I am one.
Lamb is a delicious and versatile type of meat, and some of my most favorite recipes are made with it. You know I love to share some of my favorite meals with you all, although it is hard not to keep them all to myself! Here are five yummy lamb recipes you’ll love to cook (and eat) this season:
Summers are just around the corner and ‘dads’ are readying their backyards for another season of extensive ‘grill parties’. The grass has been cut, the plants have been watered, the grill has been dusted off, and the guests have been invited. What remains to do is set the table in the backyard and begin grilling!
There are a few things you just don’t touch in Mama’s kitchen: her scissors, her wooden spoon, and her kitchen twine. Sure, kitchen twine can serve useful purposes beyond the kitchen but—get your own.
Meet our guest blogger at the end of this article! Thanks Calvin, for sharing this delicious, traditional Texas food with us–for all of our special occasions!
Texas is a fantastic state with a great culture all of its own. Whether you yourself are from Texas and want to return there for a traditional Texan style wedding (complete with Texas food), or you live in the lone star state and are having your wedding locally, then you’ll find it is an amazing place to get married. Of course, you can have any style of wedding you like in Texas, especially in major cities like Dallas and Houston, and there are some wonderful places to check out like the award winning wedding venue in Houston, Chateau Polonez (plan your Houston wedding here). However, it can really make your day memorable if you incorporate at least some traditionally Texan elements into your day – allowing you to bring some of that famous Texas hospitality to your guests and make a real celebration.
Continue reading Delicious Wedding Ideas for Traditional Texas Food
Remember when I introduced Ernie & Erica’s Truffle Recipes? Best truffles EVER, and you can get the step-by-step to make them that way.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, too!
Mouth-watering decadence. Treat yourself. Treat someone you love.
Nothing says party like singing vegetables.
We hope that you have a wonderful Christmas with family, friends, and….food!
From our family to yours,
Wilson, Chaya, & the kiddos
Valentine’s Day is a great time to make DIY home decorations. While buying ready-made Valentine trimmings is convenient and time-saving, crafting homemade décor adds a bit of whimsy and warmth that your family will cherish. Try some of these creative and budget-friendly decorating ideas and create a welcoming setting in your home.
Apple Butternut Squash anything makes me excited it is autumn. Oooh, am I ever excited about leftovers for lunch!
I served this apple butternut squash soup with my bread—with one main exception! When I was ready to bake bread this week, I realized all-too-late that I did not have enough honey. Without time to run to the store, I substituted ½ cup molasses instead. My bread was rich, dark, and moist. It has a complex flavor that any true bread-lover would savor. It was a perfect pairing (with real butter) to this warming and filling soup.
Notes:
* This butternut squash apple soup can easily be vegan—substitute vegetarian broth and a nut milk for the cream.
* I love the rich flavors of the spices and so I am personally heavy-handed. I add more than what I listed for you. You will need to use your discretion on the amount of the spices.
* This apple butternut squash soup recipe is creamy, rich, and more filling than most. Hubby and myself only ate one bowl and were full. If you are forever looking for a meatless meal that actually fills you, this is it!
1 yellow onion, chopped
5 small apples, chopped (no need to peel)
2 butternut squash, steamed or boiled
1 quart liquid broth (I used home-canned turkey broth)
½ cup water
1 quart half-and-half or thick cream (ideally cream from raw milk where it is legal)
½ stick butter
1 tsp lemon juice
3 bay leaves
1-2 tsp dried nutmeg, to taste
3 tsp dried sage
1-2 pinches salt, to taste
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Sauté onion and apples in butter. Add chunks of squash to a cast iron skillet, along with the lemon juice, bay leaves, nutmeg, sage, salt, and pepper. Sauté the butternut squash and apple mixture only a few minutes with all of the spices, and then add ½ cup water to simmer for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a pot, add broth and cream. Simmer for approximately 15 minutes. Add additional seasoning to taste.
Put portions in a blender to create a creamy finished product.
Serve with fresh bread and butter!
I hope that you enjoy this Apple Butternut Squash treat as much as we do. It is even better on the second day! Give this a shot and leave a comment below to let us know what you thought of it.
Chaya
