Brussels Sprouts

These may be just a bit over the top... but oh.... I thought I was making enough for two.

Brussels sprouts. I started with frozen.
 Bacon- two strips- or one per person
chopped onion.

As usual, I cooked in a cast iron skillet!

Brown the bacon.
 Slice the Brussels sprouts in half.
 Add the onion and Brussels sprouts to the bacon and bacon grease in the skillet.
Brown.
 enjoy!

Oven "Fried" Jalepeno Chicken Tenders

Here is the link! Oven "Fried" Jalapeno Chicken Tenders

Jalapeño Jelly

Jalapeño Jelly

 

This is one of the easiest jellies you can make!

 

 

10-15 jalapeño peppers (red or green, or both)

 

6 1/2 cups of white sugar

1 1/2 cups Apple cider vinegar

 

6 fluid oz. liquid fruit pectin 

(The box contains two three oz. packets- use both!)

 

You will also need a few simple tools:

 

7 half pint jelly jars, with rings and new lids. (Wash, rinse, and allow to sit in hot water until ready to fill.)

A wide mouth funnel.

A Ladle.

A jar lifter.

A non-metallic, heat proof spoon/spatula for stirring.

GLOVES!!!!!

 

 
 

 Wearing gloves, remove the stem and seeds from the jalapeño peppers. Then, chop them fine, OR... Use a food processor!

 In a stainless steel (or other non-aluminum pot) bring to a boil the vinegar, sugar, and jalapeño peppers. 

 Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the six oz. of fruit pectin.  Return to boil and cook for FIVE MINUTES.

Turn off the heat.

I use a towel to protect my counter top from spills, and set the hot, clean jars on it. Using the wide mouth funnel to help keep the jar rims clean, I ladle the jelly into the jars.

Use a clean, damp cloth or paper towel to wipe the rims clean.

Place a lid on each jar, and screw a jar ring down finger tight.

Lift the jars into a pot of boiling water. Jars should have ONE inch of boiling water covering their tops.

Boil for 10 minutes.

Remove from boiling water bath. (Use the jar lifter!)

Set in a draft free place to cool.

When cooled, check to be sure the jar is sealed by gently pressing down on center. If it "pops", then place this jar into the fridge and use soon.

Sealed jars need not be refrigerated.

So.... What can you DO with Jalapeño Jelly?
Some people like it over toast. Some people warm it a bit and pour it over a block of cream cheese and serve it with fancy crackers. But THIS is our favorite way to use it:  Panko Jalapeño  Chicken Bake


 

 

 

how to make onion rings

Onions, sliced
flour
corn meal
cajun seasoning or seasoning salt
eggs

in a mixing bowl mix 1 part corn meal to to 2 parts flour and add seasoning to taste,
in a separate bowl beat 1 or 2 eggs
heat oil in a cast iron skillet

one at a time put onion slices in eggs, turn onion slice over, remove and place in flour mix and cover onion slice in mix

place egg laden, flour mix covered onion slice in now hot pan of oil. let brown (or blacken) flip browned onion slice and brown other side. Remove from pan and repeat process with remaining onion slices until you run out of onions in your house, and if you want you could try eating these

Crispy Tater Bacon Casserole

Crispy Tater Bacon Casserole

 

 

One medium potato per person, thinly sliced.

 

+ One potato "for the pot" for every 4 people. (Example: four people = five potatoes. Two people I would still use three potatoes!)

 

Chopped onion

 

minced garlic

 

minced jalapeño pepper

 

shredded cheese (your favorite variety)

 

thin sliced bacon (uncooked) cut into 1" pieces

 

I started with lightly oiling a cast iron skillet. With the amount of bacon I used, this may of been unnecessary!

 

Place a layer of bacon in the bottom of the skillet (or casserole dish.) I did NOT solidly cover the bottom, but left room between the pieces.

Over this I placed a layer of sliced potatoes.

Next, onion, garlic, and jalapeño peppers. (As much of these as you like- I used one jalapeño in the entire dish, one onion, and three small cloves of garlic)

Another layer of potatoes.

Top with shredded cheese, and more bacon on top of that.

 

Shove the skillet into a hot oven (450*) for about 20-25 minutes- until it begins to be a beautiful brown.

 

Remove from oven, tilt to drain grease off!

 

Serve hot!