Sweeteners 101

Everyone knows that sugar is not good for our bodies. But we have a sweet taste that must be satisfied so what can we use instead?
Here are some natural sweeteners that God provided for us that can be used in sweet recipes....

SUCANAT - Sucanat is a natural cane sugar that is made by extracting the juice from sugar cane and then beating it with paddles to form granules. Sucanat is far more flavorful than regular white sugar, which means that a small amount goes a long way in providing sweetness and flavor to a wide variety of recipes. And since they retain much of their natural molasses, Sucanat granules are a tan-brown color, with a deep, molasses-y flavor. (When heated, it turns caramel-like between 250 and 270 degrees.)

HONEY – Honey is sweeter than sugar. Depending on the plant source, honey can have a range of flavors, from dark and strongly flavored, to light and mildly flavored. Raw honey contains amoun...

Nap-Time Meals

Anyone who has every had a baby knows that 5:00 p.m. is “the witching hour.” Kids start getting hangry, get clingy, start crying, start fighting with their siblings. I used to cook dinner with one cranky and the other on my hip.

There are recipes that you can make earlier in the day – at nap-time or even earlier – and have them ready when your family is hungry at 6:00.

Here are some recipes that work like that......they are all recipes I have used over and over and are fabulous!

BEEF STEW
from Joy of Cooking
serves 6-8

Pat dry:
2 pounds boneless stew meat, cut into 2-inch cubes
Season the meat with:
½ to 1 teaspoon total dried herbs (thyme, marjoram, oregano, and/or basil)
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Dredge the meat with:
½ cup all-purpose flour
Shake off any excess flour.
Heat in a Dutch oven over medium-h...

Strawberry Freezer Jam and Refrigerator Pickles

NO-COOK STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

Helpful tips for great freezer jam: 
Always thoroughly wash jars in hot, soapy water before use. Then dry them.
Use firm, perfectly ripe fruit for best flavor and set. Inferior fruit will produce inferior jam.
Measure ingredients exactly. Altering recipes or ingredients could cause the jam to fail to set properly.
Do not alter the amount of sugar. If you want to use less sugar, look for SURE-JELL For Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes in the pink box.
The finished product will not be as firm as a traditionally processed jam, so don’t be alarmed. Embrace the spreadable consistency of this easy-to-make jam.

Because this jam is not cooked, it must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It will be good for up to three weeks in the refrigerator, so store your jam in smaller containers that will be used up faster; I prefer to use 1-pint or 1/2-pint sized...

Easy Weeknight Meals

Everybody needs a few meals they can keep in their back pocket and pull out at the last minute to feed their family. Here are several that you can stick in your pocket....

CAESAR ROASTED FISH
from Barefoot Contessa
Serves 6

2 large garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup good mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds striped bass steaks, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, cut into 6 portions
1/2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (4 scallions)
2 tablespoons good olive oil
3 tablespoons drained capers

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. (Be sure your oven is very clean.) Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.

For the Caesar sauce, place the garlic, parsley, anchovy paste, and mustard in the bowl of a fo...