There are pickles and then there are pickles. Oh my, these are just the best!  My buddy, V, introduced me to these a few weeks ago, they’re in the condiment section of your grocery store, they’re not refrigerated and I’m hooked.  

The Garlic Dill Slices are extremely thick, that’s what makes them so good.  If you’re a pickle lover and haven’t tried these, pick up a jar and you will see what I mean.  Four stars on this one, V!

I made Lemon Chicken last night, it was quick, easy to prepare and absolutely delicious.  Hope you enjoy this as much as we did.  ~ Jan

1 lb. chicken tenderloins
2 lemons
2 egg whites
1/2 Cup flour
salt and lemon Pepper Seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Put a mixture of butter and olive oil in oven proof skillet, slice a lemon, add to butter mixture and heat.  

Meanwhile, pat chicken tenderloins dry with paper towel, season with salt and lemon pepper.  Dip in beaten egg whites, then put in large plastic zip lock bag, shake well and place in skillet with the bubbling butter oil  mixture.  Brown well on one side, turn and immediately put in preheated oven to finish.  Don’t cover skillet.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked, take out of oven and squeeze juice of lemon over chicken and serve.  

Enjoy, this is wonderful!  ~ Jan

This is seriously the best yogurt you will ever put in your mouth!

I’ve been making my own Greek Yogurt for a couple of years now.  I first heard about how to do it from Paula at Salad In a Jar, tried it, and was instantly hooked.  I’ve made it many times now, both with whole milk, 2% and skim, and of course making it with whole milk is by far the best!   It’s high in protein, satisfying, so creamy and smooth, there is no comparison to homemade and the yogurt you buy in the store.  And it’s strawberry season, homemade greek yogurt topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries is completely decadently delicious!

I’ve blogged about it before, and updated it several times after I invested in a Boullion Strainer and a YoGourmet Electric Yogurt Maker.  And somethings are just too good not to share again.

So let’s go back into my archives on this Memorial Day eve, and read again about how to make the most amazing yogurt you will ever put in your mouth.

Try it, you will love it, I pinky swear you will.  ~ Jan

Jan Makes Greek Yogurt

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Makes 36

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1¼ cups whole milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1½ cups creamy peanut butter
4 oz. butter (at room temperature)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
6 large eggs
Jelly, for filling

1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line the cupcake pan with paper liners.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.

3. In a liquid measuring cup combine milk and vanilla; set aside.

4. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, place peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.

5. Add eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition and making sure to scrape sides and bottom of bowl.

6. Add flour mixture and milk with vanilla in three parts beginning and ending with the flour mixture, blending just until combined after each addition.

7. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixer bowl.

8. Bake 22-25 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean and cupcakes start to pull away from the sides of the pan.

9. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Remove from the pans and cool completely.

10. Using the blunt end of a wooden spoon, punch a hole into the center of each cupcake. Place jelly in a piping bag or small plastic bag with the end snipped off. Squeeze about 1 tbsp. of jelly into the center of each cupcake. Ice generously with buttercream frosting (recipe below).

Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting

1½ cups creamy peanut butter
8 oz. butter (at room temperature)
½ cup whole milk
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
5 cups confectioner’s sugar, sifted before you measure
2 cups jam (any flavor)

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat peanut butter and butter until light and fluffy and butter is completely incorporated (no lumps). Do not overmix.

2. In a liquid measuring cup, combine milk and vanilla; set aside.

3. Add half of the confectioner’s sugar and half of the milk-vanilla mixture and beat on low speed until just incorporated.

4. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

5. Add the remaining confectioner’s sugar and milk-vanilla mixture and beat on low speed until just incorporated.

6. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Icing should be smooth and creamy—do not over mix.

Adapted from a recipe from People Magazine
Photo Courtesy of People Magazine

Back in the 70’s there was Guy Welliver’s Smorgasboard in Hagerstown, Indiana.  It’s gone now, but back in the day they had the most wonderful food, we went on special occasions and it was unlike any smorgasbord you’ve ever eaten at.  Everything homemade, delicious midwestern dishes, homemade breads, the most decadent desserts and their specialty,  Scalloped Cabbage.

It was hubby’s very favorite dish, the man just adored it.  It was a simple dish, cooked cabbage, a Bechamel sauce, lots of cheese and toasted buttered crumbs on top.

I recreated it in my kitchen and it has been a favorite ever since.  It can be made ahead and baked at the last minute, it travels well, it’s just a great comfort food cabbage recipe.

4 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup milk
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese, cubed

Boil cabbage in a dutch oven with salted water until tender, this takes approximately 15 minutes.  I have on occasion used chicken stock instead of water for a richer flavor.

Meanwhile, prepare the white sauce.  Melt butter over low heat, stir in flour, salt and pepper, cook over medium heat stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly, remove from heat.

Gradually stir in milk, heat to boiling, stirring constantly (a whisk works well); drop in the chunks of Velveeta and boil and stir 1 minute.

Pour drained cabbage in a 9” casserole, pour cheese sauce over the top and top with buttered bread crumbs.

Buttered Crumbs:

1 cup breadcrumbs (pulse torn pieces of bread in a food processor until fine
2-3 Tablespoons melted butter

Mix together and sprinkle over the top of the cabbage

Bake in a 375 oven approximately 30 minutes until casserole is bubbly and crumbs are brown

Note:  I’m a huge fan of Velveeta for cheese sauces.  I find that cheddar separates and is oily, but Velveeta melts into a Bechamel sauce beautifully.

Also, if you like a lot of sauce you might want to double the Bechamel.  This is one of those recipes that you just  play with and make it your own ~ Jan