Saltine Toffee (~ish)

SALTINE TOFFEE(~ish)

Hi Y’all! I have a really easy home-made toffee-ish recipe that is yummy. It’s not really toffee moreso toffee(~ish) in flavors. After we went to the fair, sampling some of the best toffee varieties EVER ~ I came home to research the divine heavenly concoction & on a whim after dinner with a sweet tooth kicking my ass, Pinterest to the rescue, Viola! Saltine Toffee(~ish)!

Get in my Belly! 

Healthy? Nope.

Tasty? O.M.G. YES!!!!

Crunchy, Sweet, Nutty, and Salty

A Single knock-out bite to kick your cravings to the curb baby!

Grab up the following 3 ingredients & prepare to break yourself off a piece to taste for yourself!

1. 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar
2. 1/2 cup Butter
3. 1 sleeve of saltine crackers

*TOTALLY OPTIONAL ADDITIONS* Nuts, Chocolate Chips or Peanut Butter Chips or be crazy & go with BOTH, some Coconut. Go on, Get freaky with it adding sprinkles or, GASP, bacon! (Bacon is the next stop on my taste bud tour using saltine crackers!) Moving on though…

Directions are easy peasy too folks:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Melt your butter.
3. Whisk in brown sugar until melted, continuing to cook at least 3 minutes.
4. Line a cookie sheet with either a silpat or aluminum foil then layer with the entire sleeve of saltine crackers. Single layer please.
5. Carefully pour then spread the hot mixture evenly over crackers.
6. Bake for 7 minutes.
7. Remove.
8. Top with any additional toppings desired like almonds and coconut (I did 🙂 ) then broil on high for 1 minute to toast or melt the toppings of choice. 🙂

Remove from oven to cooling rack & allow to cool COMPLETELY. (Speed up the cooling process by putting in the freezer for a couple of minutes.) When ready, break into pieces & just try to not eat the entire batch in one sitting! While not the luxurious toffee enjoyed & sold in candy stores & boutiques across the country, it is a budget saver in the pinch of the moment with toffee-ish flavor.

♥♥ Perfect for the hubs ~n~ I! ♥♥

I’ve never tried to make ‘real’ toffee; have you? My next cracker adventure will be the bacon crack I see around this time of year all over Pinterest. I’ve never tried it but I’ve heard wonderful stories and it looks heavenly! Drop me a line and share your toffee(~ish) fave! I love milk chocloate toffee the bestest!

BTW, there isn’t a ‘single’ stand alone recipe inspiration for this goody as I read several; however, I will say it was only after visiting iheartnaptime.net that the wheels were finally set into motion. Head over and visit Jamielyn for some delicious wonders!

Til Next Time ~

Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

Cranberry Lemon Scones

Cranberry Lemon Scones will delight your tongue with a bright lemony flavor that is highlighted by small intense bursts of cranberry morsels tucked into each bite!

Y’all, these are seriously so-so good!

Scones, much like a biscuit in texture are versatile; I’m learning they go with practically anything you decide to put with them.

Savory meat gravies, tomato & herb sauces or sweetened up with choices like strawberries, peaches or as the name implies Cranberry and Lemon!

(BTW, I wouldn’t pass one up with just butter & jam either. Just saying…)

As for the lemon aspect to these; my lifetime lemon meter got tanked off as a kid when I use to suck down lemon juice packets. Rest assured these are not like biting into a lemon wedge or drinking concentrated lemon juice. Not even close! While these lovelies do have the zest of 3 lemons they’re not tart.

Your jaw will not seize up nor will your saliva glands over react. *Yay*

The zest lightens the dough just enough to give it a hint of sunshine.  🙂

The freshness of the lemon followed by varied levels of cranberry ending with a sweetened lemon glaze drizzled over the top —

*Holy YUM Moley*

Are you hungry yet?

Well, let’s get baking!

Grab up the following ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups A/P Flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 3 Tsp lemon zest (I used zest f/ 3 lemons packing the 3 Tsp)
• 1/2 cup butter (cold!)
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup milk
• GLAZE:  Mix together 1 Tbs milk, 1 Tbs lemon juice & 1/4 c powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix egg into your milk; set aside.
3. Whisk your dry ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Cut cold butter into your dry ingredients until you get a crumbly mix.
5. Mix in cranberries & zest.
6. Pour milk/egg into bowl with your dry ingredients & mix gently until dough is just wet. 
7. Tumble dough onto a pizza stone sprinkled slightly with flour.
8. Form into 8 inch round by 1 inch deep.
9. Score into eight equal pieces.
10. Bake 30 minutes. Remove when golden brown & crusty all around, on top and in between each slice.
11. Allow to cool before drizzling with glaze 
12. Lastly ~ Enjoy! 🙂

Mmm Mmm Good!

Sink your teeth into a version of your own & come back to share!

By the way, this was my first time to make scones.

I thought my batter was too wet.

Trust me, it was not.

The wet batter cooked to perfection leaving a toasty light brown outside and crumbly inside!

Lately, I’ve become infatuated with all the different varieties I can make.

I followed this recipe exactly but will soon experiment with my own twists to bring you my usual #twofer 🙂 

Credit for the original gorgeous beauty goes to Steve over at The Black Peppercorn! I’m seriously going to be stalking the recipe isle. Head over and say Hello!

Til Next Time ~

Domesticated Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal

Strawberry Banana Oatmeal drizzled with Honey

Mmm Mmm Good!

I ♥ when fresh berries are in season! I try to incorporate them into meal time as often as possible. Most folks do this at breakfast but we’re not breakfast people around here. Correction, I’M not a breakfast person. Correction again, I’m not a breakfast ‘morning‘ person. Haha, at least I own it, right?  🙂

Since I’m not a morning breakfast person (coffee, YES please!) I enjoy making sweet but healthy breakfast dishes that ‘fill us up’ without ‘filling us up’ for dinner.

(Catch what I did there? 😉 )

I think oatmeal works exceptionally well, all n all, as it is a perfectly delicious base helping to display your summertime sweet rewards front and center; it’s hearty, healthy and it is a snap to prepare in 10 minuets (or less)!

I used four ingredients:

• Oatmeal (I used Quaker Quick Oats)
• 1 thin sliced banana
• 4-5 strawberries, sliced
• Honey

Add sliced berries to the center of the oatmeal mound, layering banana slices around outer edge. Next, drizzle honey over all for a light sweet addition to the oats. Definitely a meal deal on evenings when its still topping at a whopping 108 outside!

Whew, help me I’m melting! 🙂

Breakfast can be made as decadent or as savory as you desire. Simply depends on how much time you want to spend in the kitchen. Me, on nights like tonight – Um, no, not so much… Even with air conditioning, once the heat zaps you – you’re just simply zapped. So this chic is gonna re-hydrate, replenish and relax with hubs! ♥

 

 

Dinner has been served! 

 

 

 

We also included a couple slices of buttered toast along side our bowl of goodness. Add pecans, cranberries, blueberries, bacon 🙂 ~ whatever your hunger craves.

What is your favorite breakfast meal to make for dinner?

Til Next Time ~

Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

Strawberry Cucumber Salad

Strawberry Cucumber Salad tossed in Honey & White Wine Vinegar

Have you heard? I can grow a badass cucumber! It all started in the compost…

…I’m one of those people who will see something in a picture and more often than not, convince myself  “Hey, I can do that!”, and off I set to do ‘whatever‘ without really researching the ‘how to’ behind the project… Sound familiar? Know anyone else like this? Well in this instance, it was composting. I mean seriously, how hard can it be to allow stuff to decompose, Right?  So I built a box out of pallet leftovers setting a drum from an old washing machine in the center to hold my ‘stuff’. Making sure the cover would lock to keep critters out, ensuring airflow ~ I felt good about my recycling endeavor and started filling the drum with kitchen scraps & garden trimmings, turning it daily as I had interpreted from the pic. Payday happened at the beginning of Spring 2018 when my efforts were rewarded with beautiful black rich soil! WHOOT! I was so excited at my success! 🙂 As soon as it was warm enough that black gold was spread over every single raised bed, used in all my pots and even layered in some ground areas. Anticipation grew as I soon started seeing little sprouts everywhere. Yay! I was all happy with myself; maybe I do have a green thumb… HaHaHa, If Only! Ya see, all the sprouts were IDENTICAL. Every pot. Every bed. Every spot I used my black gold had the exact same sprout. 

Each sprout I have since learned was a cucumber plant! (a few were cantaloupes)

Apparently, I need to research more about composting because when I discarded my cucumber vines with some cucumbers last year, the seeds did not decomp as I expected and were dispersed throughout my entire garden this year! SMH! Imagine my surprise when cucumbers started coming up where I had planted corn! And cantaloupe! And tomatoes in my potatoes! WTH? It’s funny now but I’ve had to do some serious searching for cucumber inspired recipes…

Thus, bringing this ingenious lovely into my life! Simple, easy, 4 ingredients! Think of it as ‘Summer in a Side’!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Honey
• 1/8 – 1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar
• 1 large Cucumber
• 1 pint Strawberries

Mix vinegar & honey in a small bowl. I suggest this motto: “Less is Best, Taste as you Go” to ensure the vinegar isn’t overpowering the sweetness I started with 1/8 cup and continued until it fancied my flavor! 😉

Peel and slice your cucumber into rounds

Slice the strawberries after washing and removing stems, adding to bowl of cucumbers. Pour the honey mixture over the fruits, tossing gently to dress each slice. Cover and chill before serving.

 

 

 

Oh, food for thought: to cut small fruits like strawberries, olives, or mushrooms I ♥ this ~ Works Perfectly so hands of grands can assist without concern of cutting themselves!

Surfing through Pinterest as I usually do for inspiration I stumbled across a pin that led me to Karen over at   https://thefoodcharlatan.com with her re-make from the cookbook Our Sweet Basil Kitchen by Oh Sweet Basil. Both recipe curators use balsamic for this dish. I chose white wine vinegar as it has less bite IMO compared to balsamic versions. But don’t take just my word, you should try all three for yourself!

Til Next Time ~

Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

TACO Seasoning

TACO Seasoning – You make yourself!

I don’t know about all y’all but I never use a complete package of store-bought Taco Seasoning. In my opinion, the flavor just isn’t completely right so typically I’ll use 1/2 package. While I try to save the other portion, it never happens. The rolled up package gets tossed into the trash and wouldn’t you know it, I’ll forget that tidbit just when I need to remember it! Calling all that have been there…

Well no more… No more will I only get 1/2 when I want it all.. LOL

I found (and have since tested) the perfect seasoning mixture for taco meat. It isn’t over powering. It isn’t too spicy and it doesn’t have all of the added extras you find in the pre-packaged version.

 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp Oregano, dried
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Chili Powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Red Pepper flakes
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground Cumin

Mix everything together then add a tablespoon at a time to your Taco meat, taste testing as you go.

I used 2 tablespoons on Taco Salad for the hubs & I which was perfect!

Do you have a spice blend preference for your kitchen? If you are new to the spice world as I was, you may appreciate this beautiful House of Spice – 33pc Ultimate Organic Spice started gift set in a beautiful gift box. A perfect gift for your home cook! Check it out here.

Til Next Time ~

Domesticate Rebellion

THRIVING ~ Have you witnessed the testimonies? It’s not about weight loss; it IS about feeling better from the inside out! If interested I would love to help you! Knowledge is Power! Sign-up for a FREE account & information at https://domesticated.le-vel.com

 

• DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links meaning if you click & buy, I may be compensated. So, Thank you!

 

Brownies from Scratch

Brownies from Scratch

Dudes — the #twofer for Brownies from Scratch recipe is 1st a wonderful fudge type brownie (right out of the oven) OR 2nd let it stand for a moist cake like consistency when left to completely cool. Two results – One recipe! #Score

Anyway you like it ~ Anyway you want it ~ there simply are not any wrong answers here!  😉

This makes one 8×8 pan. Just big enough to satisfy a hungry grand & her Papa; (plus, leaving a few for a grand breakfast the next morning!)

Ingredients:

• 1c sugar
• 1/2c flour
• 1/3c cocoa
• 1/4 tsp salt (See Note)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1/2c vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Vanilla

Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring there are no lumps or bumps. Spray an 8×8 pan with PAM or grease with butter. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

Note : I happen to think these were great just as they were BUT our grand is honing in her palate to which she informed me “there was too much salt”. So, may I suggest a tasting before baking to ensure the salt factor isn’t over powering for your palate!

And seriously, I encourage you to play around with texture & flavor by tossing in some roasted pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Another lovely combo is to swirl in 1/4 c peanut butter or chocolate chips. The options are endless!  

Brownies from Scratch can be stored (or gifted!) by mixing-up all of the dry ingredients in a Ziploc bag. Be sure to label the outside with wet ingredients, oven temperature and timing. Perfect for a quick late night craving or as an addition to a gift basket for a new mom or college student.

I’m always searching out new recipes and while these are sure to tame the cravings of chocoholics everywhere, I came across them totally by mishap. Y’all know I go to Pinterest for inspiration from other cooks. It was there, I came across a pin for brownies leading me to www.afewshortcuts.com and Amanda who shared a different scratch brownie recipe. However, I quickly realized the pinned shortcut recipe wasn’t the same as the recipe image that caught my eye. And full disclosure; Brownies from Scratch was copied from the image.

I sure wish I knew who to thank for sharing. If you know who curated this lovely gem, won’t you send them my way? Click to be taken to the original pin.

Do you have a young aspiring cook in the family?

Encourage their passion with this Stonewall Kitchen Farmhouse Batter Bowl Gift (Click Here) Inspiring breakfast everywhere!

 

Till Next Time ~

Domesticated Rebellion

 

Disclaimer: This writing contains affiliate marketing links. Meaning, if you visit, click & buy – I could be compensated. So, Thank You!

 

 

 

Bacon Wrapped Smoked Sausage Dogs w/ Cheese

BACON WRAPPED SMOKED SAUSAGE DOGS with CHEESE

You read that right… BACON… and not just one slice but two thick-cut strips! 

Now I’m talking some YUM! Seriously, WHO Doesn’t ♥ BACON? Is there anything BACON doesn’t go with?

Bacon wrapped around a smoked sausage and cooked to perfection. YES!

                                       

These were the perfect dish for a rainy wet day this weekend. Old school with a twist. 

What you get is exactly what you see; a scrumptious bacon sausage, engulfed in creamy melted cheese that crisps up if left long enough… all wrapped in a toasted bun slathered with garlic aoli (or whatever your flavor) & ready when you are! Kids ♥ these – the hubs ♥ these plus they provide a simple twist to the ordinary blah ‘hot dog’.

So for two dogs I used: 

• Two smoke sausages
• Four thick-cut bacon slices
• Two hot-dog buns
• garlic infused mayo 
• Asaeero Cheese (Found in the Mexican food aisle)

First, Wrap your sausages with 2 slices of bacon each then cook in a non-stick skillet on  Medium-Low until done. When the dogs are cooked thru, allow to cool before slicing down the center to open (NOT CUT IN HALF). Allowing the dog to cool before cutting should keep the bacon intact so it does not pull away from the dog when cut into.

Toast your buns followed by a healthy layer of your choice of spread, then set aside. I used a garlic infused mayo spread on both sides, & generously too!

While allowing the dogs to cool go ahead and wipe out the pan from the  bacon grease and put two piles of shredded cheese. Allow it to melt and bubble.

Next, lay the opened side of the bacon wrapped dog, face down in the cheese. mix it around so it gets up into and over the dog.

This cheese is like a mozzarella with a buttery flavor but better melt (IMO). Its mild and works perfectly with the smoked sausages.

 

When you flip this from the pan to the bun don’t flip out. It is not burned! Remember, the cheese will crisp/crust. The color doesn’t implicate the flavor..

I found the inspiration for this while watching Pati’s Mexican Table on OETA. Her recipe included an avocado & jalapeno relish that I omitted; plus I switched up from her hot link to a smoked sausage.

So – in my customary form feast your eyes on yet another #twofer for your taste buds! Mexican inspired Domesticatedly delivered in my own rebellious ‘use what I have’ style.

There isn’t anything not to love in each and every bite!

MmmMmmm Good! Mix it up too! Add some grilled onions or bar-b-Que sauce. Truthfully, if my avocado had been good it would have topped this baby perfectly! TaTah; Time to Enjoy!

Maybe you already have a creation similar?

If you do, drop me a line and let me know!

Til next time,

Domesticated Rebellion

 

Disclaimer: This post does not contain affiliate links but my site does. Meaning if you click and buy, I could be compensated. So, Thank You!

Italian Meatballs in 30 minutes

ITALIAN MEATBALLS IN 30 MINUTES

How would you like to find a recipe that is super delicious, inexpensive, ready to eat in 30 minutes PLUS freezes well? I just so happened to stumble across such a recipe, so I did what I do best tweaking it slightly with the items I had on hand & dinner was served! I’m learning it’s okay to mix it up. Switching out different meats with different fat content to obtain different texture and flavor. I’m finding my own ‘palette’ while also discovering tried and true classics. For example, I added bacon to this recipe as the ground beef I had was ‘extra’ lean. This helped in the juicy department. BONUS: the bacon also provided a nice rich smokey depth. I love finding & sharing simple easy satisfying dishes and this my friends, scored a 10! I hope you enjoy.

#WinnerWinnerMeatballDinner folks! 🙂

You will need the following:

• 1.5 lbs extra lean ground beef
• 3/4 c bread crumbs (I used plain home-made)
• 1/4 small sweet onion, finely chopped/minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 strips bacon, chop
• 1 lg egg
• 2 T tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 T Italian Seasoning
• Salt /Pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 t red pepper flakes (totally optional, but very good)

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Mix everything in a single bowl until well combined. I used a 2 oz  scoop (bite size) for equal size meatballs placing them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake between 20 – 30 minutes depending on your oven. A single batch makes twenty meatballs.

With it being just the two of us I get two meals out of each batch. Angel hair pasta w/ homemade sauce was tossed together in a hurry tonight but I’m really looking forward to meatball subs tomorrow. #leftovers #twofer

On Pinterest I found a pin leading me to The Slow Roasted Italian where I read their recipe for Italian Herb Baked Meatballs thus inspiring me to make my own. Visit Donna & Chad for some lighthearted love inspired recipes including other meatball variations. 

Do you have a favorite meatball recipe? A secret ingredient? Perhaps a memory of helping mom or grandma in the kitchen? That is one of my goals. Creating memories in the kitchen with my grands ♥ Savoring moments one bite at a time ♥

Til Next Time ~ Be Blessed

Domesticated Rebellion

 

Feel Good Veggie Soup

Hey World ~ do you know what…? I missed Valentines! I mean the ‘day’ came alright but we didn’t celebrate…  😦  Seems our lil home front is being attacked by the yuk bug & its been that way All Year Long! First it was me, next the hubs, then both of us. Following in our footsteps was our black lab (that was an adventure!), then Yay its me ~ and now both of us! AGAIN!

Geez, I am so over this already!

Luckily, I have a hubs who takes awesome care of me when I’m down & out. He’s pretty incredible on that front – but – when we’re both down…

LOL, let’s just say it can be challenging! Hahaha; #realtalk.

Considering we’re both ‘under the weather’ + I might be kinda on the cranky side with zero drive to do anything ~ I’d say it’s a ‘good ol vegetable soup to the rescue kind of day’!

A beautiful blast of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in a single pot to revive the soul & internal body!

And ya know what else? 4 steps folks! Easy Peasy! Just the way I like it!

Peel, Clean, Chop, Simmer & Viola! 

Fix & Forget so you can rest kinda dinner!

Fingers crossed ~ hoping to overload our immune systems & kick whateverthehell we got to the curb!

On the flip side, I truly could not have planned for a better day considering it is 22 degrees outside. Perfect for staying bundled up inside with a hot steamy bowl of love that is sure to kick some butt on the germ front!

I know you’ve been there; I can feel your heads nodding in understanding.  🙂

This veggie soup is also known as a ‘fat flushing’ soup. It’s packed with a powerhouse of vegetables that provide a multitude of benefits. My #twofers are simple, not scientific but they work for me, haha. 1) It’s not heavy; meaning I can eat all I want with zero guilt 2) Not only does it smell wonderful, it really tastes amazing. What a concept! Taste good and good for you! #score! Check out the original recipe over at SkinnyMs.com or by clicking HERE. (such a fabulous site!)

Truthfact: Before today, I had NEVER had zucchini in a soup. I always thought it would be slimey. I am happily surprised that it is not!

Mix & match what you have on hand to make this your own.  If you prefer something heartier simply add some sausage or shredded rotisserie chicken for a complete stick to your ribs ~yuk~ fighting soup! I’m certain if you’re a veggie eater you’ll enjoy this medley!

Gather up:

• 4 cups chicken broth (read up on the benefits of bone broth here)
• 1 medium sweet potato peeled and cut into 1″ cubes
• 1 diced sweet onion
• 1-2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 zucchini sliced
• 1 celery stalk chopped
• 3 carrots peeled and sliced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
• 1/8 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 can navy beans, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon EVOO (reserve for serving; 1/2 tsp pp)

Add everything to your pot except EVOO. Cover & simmer on your cook top for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until the vegetables are fork tender. I served this with home-made bread. 

A truly satisfying and gratifying feel good dinner that was a snap to put together, helped me get in the grub mood while it cooked ~ all while getting some much needed rest!

Plus, we all know there is nothing better than being warmed from the inside out when we feel ~yuk~!

I feel better already!

Til next time ~

Domesticated Rebellion

Chicken & Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings

Baby it’s cold outside!

When the temps start dropping outside, that’s my cue for stick to your ribs grub for my guys! They work out in the elements and need the comfort of home warming them from the inside out!

While searching Pinterest (I love Pinterest) for dinner ideas I usually have the Food Network on in the back ground. On this particular day #KatieLee and #TheKitchen caught my eye (and my belly)!

NOTE: You may have seen these pics already if you follow me anywhere but here. Sorry for the duplication but this really is worth it! LOL.

Chicken and Dumplings  Something I had tried and tried (and failed and failed). No lie.

I had tried for FOREVER to make dumplings. Only once have I ever made fluffy dumplings & for the life of me – could never repeat. (Until now) They always ended up as a tasteless gobble of goo. Can you say Yuk!

Anyone else been there?

And then there it was! Katie Lee and all her glory showing me what I needed to do!

Oh Happy Dance!

Excitement building at seeing her fluffy, light and beautiful Dumplings! Immediately I knew what was for dinner!

Of course, I switched things up (as I always do) and I couldn’t be happier with the end result!

First, I made my own stock with onion, carrot, celery, thyme, garlic and a whole chicken. (Memories of my first effort to cut up a chicken make me chuckle… I butchered that baby beyond recognition, haha!)

Creating your own stock is easy. It tastes so much better than canned, although canned stock is totally acceptable! The delicious aroma will waif through your home having  your family anxiously awaiting to be called for dinner time!

Now, mine has an orange appearance because I used the vegetable medley from my stock as a substitute for the flour thickener.

Remember the carrots?

Ya, don’t let the color fool you!

Whatcha think?

Glorious Happy Ending! (of the food kind, of course..LOL)

Also, I skipped the mixed vegetables and went with my ‘now’ family tradition of using the medley for flavor, but you can still see some chunky carrots.

Tweak this to your own taste buds!

These are Beyond scrumptious! (and totally rib sticking & undo your top button worthy!)

Try it! I can promise you will love it!

Til Next Time~

Domesticated Rebellion