The Camp Cook Blog

Working Really Hard

2009-06-22T19:12:00.003-04:00

Hi, Everyone.

I'm sorry I have not updated my blog or posted any new recipes lately.

I've been working on SouthEast Camper. It is my first cooking website about Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking, Backpacking, Hiking and Camping. I have given it a full makeover.

Check it out. When I get it completely revamped it will be time to give Camp eBook a full facelift too.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Dan

Salad Dressings

2009-05-02T11:25:00.001-04:00

It's salad time! We've got the lettuce, the vegetables, the cheese, the egg, the bacon bits and croutons. Oh no! - Can't decide which dressing to have? There are so many choices, how do you know which one to choose? Let's delve into the world of dressings to help with the decision.

We all know that no salad is complete without the salad dressing. Many of us go to extremes when it comes to dressing and think the more the merrier. That’s perfectly fine if health or weight is not something you’re worried with. However, bear in mind that many dressings contain tons of calories so you might want to pay close attention if you are. Let’s talk about the different salad dressings to help you decide which is best for you.

You can walk into any salad section of a grocery store and see shelves lined with salad dressings. The brands are numerous and the flavors out number the brands. Kraft, Wishbone, Hidden Valley and even a few named after some celebrities top the list. It's a little overwhelming sometimes trying to find just the perfect flavor. The sky is the limit, unless of course you are talking about a specific type of salad. Sometimes only one flavor will do.

A Caesar salad for instance, works best with a Caesar style dressing. Cobb salad is enhanced with the ever tasteful Green Goddess dressing. Often times it's easy to find the right dressing to recreate that perfect restaurant taste just by determining which type of salad you’ll be eating.

If you're trying to create your own unique taste the dressing decision might be a little trickier. Often times when it comes to store bought dressings your own preferences will do the trick. Find the dressing that makes your taste buds tingle or one that you crave. You can’t go wrong when you choose a salad dressing you already know you like.

Salads are meant to be a healthy way of eating. When it comes to the dressings though, we forget that some are just not as healthy as others. We pour that dressing over the top of our salad until the fixings are hardly visible. All the while we’re thinking of the taste instead of the health factor.

It is important to read the labels on salad dressing bottles. When it comes to measuring dressing one serving usually means 2 tablespoons. Most regular dressings contain up to 11 grams of fat in 2 tablespoons. That's not a real healthy choice for many of us.

How can we find healthier dressings? Look no further than the same grocery store shelf. Many companies are now adding low fat, low calorie dressings to their product lines. For many the taste is not that much different and the price is about the same, making them worth the difference for your health.
You can also try making your own version of your favorite dressings at home. Olive oil or canola oil along with flavored vinegar can be the base of a really great tasting dressing. Add some lemon or lime juice, pepper, poppy seeds or other spices to find just the right one for your salad.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Your First Charcoal Grill

2009-04-29T19:37:00.002-04:00

Perhaps you have just moved into your first place, or you decided that you wanted to broaden your horizons and try new things. Maybe you went to a Fourth of July barbeque party and tasted the beautiful smoked flavor, and decided you wanted to try to replicate it. After doing your research, you decided that a charcoal grill is right for you. Now what?

Now that you have decided you want a charcoal grill, you have to decide what type of charcoal grill will suit your needs. Are you planning on traveling and using your charcoal grill? If so, you will need a charcoal grill that is small enough to travel with you. Smaller charcoal grills are ideal for cookouts, camping, and tail gate parties, but would not be useful if you were cooking for a larger amount of people. If you plan on feeding a larger amount of people, a larger charcoal grill will better suit your needs. If you are having issues deciding on which type you should get, you may consider getting both. Smaller charcoals grills can cost as little as $10 to $15 dollars, and will give you the ability to travel.

Charcoal grills contain hot embers and fire when it is in use. Safety should also be a major concern when you are picking out your first Charcoal grill. Look for a charcoal grill with a sturdy structure and sturdy legs. If you grill does now have sturdy legs, it’s chances of falling over is much greater. When a charcoal grill falls over, it will send the hot coals flying. Many charcoal grills also have built in safety features such as a water reservoir and smothering valves. Undoubtedly, when you are cooking with fire, accidents can happen. In the case that your grill gets out of control or become to hot, these safety features will prevent potentially dangerous fires. The fire department has much better things to do then help you cook.

One of the most noticeable features when using charcoal is the flavor of the food you cook. To cook with a charcoal grill, you must buy charcoal briquettes and lighter fluid. Charcoal is a one use item, and will need to be discarded after each use. Charcoal can be picked up at your local superstore, gas station, or grocery store, and is typically pretty inexpensive. Charcoal must be light and allowed to burn until the charcoal is no longer on fire, but is red embers. The best way to get the pile to burn is by stacking it in a pyramid.

While no one likes to clean their grill, it is necessary to maintain your grill if you want it to last it’s intended lifetime. One problem you will face is the fact that Charcoal grills stay hot for a long period of time. You can remedy this situation 2 ways. First you can leave your grill open, allowing it to burn out. This method typically burns a lot of the grease off, but can potentially cause problems if you are not near your barbeque grill. You do not want to start a fire. Another way is to completely close off your grill and deny the fire oxygen. As soon as the grill is cold, or cold enough not to burn you, you will want to clean the grill. Leaving the grill dirty for any amount of time will cause the buildup to become hard, and may make it harder to remove. Use a wire brush to clean off the surface areas of your grill, and then spray cooking oil on the surface. Take the racks off and clean them with dishwashing soap. Dawn or other brands that have degreasers work best. Rinse the racks off, and replace them in the grill.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Grill Recipes - 300 Recipes that will impess your friends and family.

Six Mother’s Day Gifts of Gourmet Food

2009-04-18T17:30:00.001-04:00

If your mother is an absolute foodie then giving her a gift of food will both warm her heart and fill her stomach with yummy goodness this Mother’s Day. Here is a short list of ideas to get your imagination flowing.

• For The Chocolate Lover – If your mother has a sweet tooth and completely adores chocolate or other types of candy then a basket (or other useful container) full of her favorite chocolates or candy from when she was a little girl – you know the one she gushes about every time she sees it? – should hit the spot. You could do a chocolate around the world themed basket with bars of chocolate, hot chocolate or cocoa from different regions or places famous for their chocolate. Places that come to mind include Mexico, Switzerland, England, Belgium, France as well as the United States.

• For The Wine Lover – Is mom a wine aficionado? A thoughtful gift for the mom who loves her wine might be to give her a gift of wine tasting at a local winery. You could also take a trip to a local wine shop and purchase a selection of wines so she could have a private tasting at home. Perhaps you could choose some artisanal cheeses and an assortment of crackers to go along with the wines you have picked for her. Package it all up in a basket with appropriate accoutrements and you have a lovely gift.

• For The Regional Cuisine Lover – If your mom is a lover of a specific cuisine such as Italian, French, Mexican, etc. Then head off to the store and put together the ingredients for a delicious meal from appetizers to desert and then include the recipes. Using Italian as an example your menu could include a bread salad, her favorite pasta & sauce, complementary wine, and tiramisu for desert. Include some Italian themed items like napkins and you are set.

• For The Tea/Coffee Lover – A thoughtful yet easy gift for your mother might include a pretty tea cup and saucer or a coffee mug with meaningful images or inspirational words. Add an assortment of tea bags or one pot coffee bags of different verities, flavored creamers or special sugars along with a new tea or coffee pot and maybe even a tea strainer for loose leaves or a special coffee scoop. A favorite book included in the package will make your gift extra special.

• For The Fresh Fruit Lover – Does your mom love Georgia peaches but you live in where Washington apples grow? Does she crave Florida or California citrus but you live in Michigan where cherries are plentiful but citrus is sparse? If your bank account isn’t rich enough to send her where her favorite fruit grows then think about “ordering in.” You could have her favorite fruit shipped to her (within agricultural guidelines) or even make a gift of fruit trees or plants for her ongoing pleasure.

• For The Food Lover – Another great idea is gifting a membership to a food of the month club. There are as many clubs as there are foods. Deserts, soups, steaks, cheese, hot sauce, salsas, barbeque sauce, pasta and pizza. Why, there’s even a bacon of the month club. Would you rather send a full meal instead of just one type of food? Then a dinner of the month club might be your answer.

So, give your mother the gift of food this Mother’s Day and she will think of you fondly all year long.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Crispy Peach Breakfast Cup for Mother's Day

2009-04-17T17:16:00.004-04:00

We love this for breakfast. This is so simple my grandchildren make it.

What You Need:

1/2 C canned peaches in light syrup, drained
1/8 t ground cinnamon
1/2 C vanilla yogurt, frozen
1/4 C honey oats and almond cereal

How to Make It:

Place the peaches into a microwave safe bowl.
Sprinkle the cinnamon over the peaches covering them well.
Place the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds on high or until the peaches are warmed through.
Place the yogurt into a serving dish.
Add the warmed peaches to the dish.
Sprinkle the top with the cereal.

Makes 1 serving

This makes a great breakfast for Mom on her special day. Serve it to her in bed with a nice hot cup of tea, flowers and her special card.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Seven Great Mother’s Day Cooking Gifts

2009-04-15T17:12:00.001-04:00

Mother’s Day is a day to show your mother your love and appreciation. One way you can show your mother how much you care about her is by presenting her with a thoughtful gift. Think of the things your mom has talked about over the past year and take steps to make her cooking thoughts become culinary reality.

• If your mom is a gourmet cook then perhaps you could select an item that she has been dying to get her hands on. Chances are you have heard about this item over and over but if you do not have any idea where to begin looking rest assured there are many, many choices to be found for the cooking connoisseur. Some ideas might be: a gourmet knife set; those new pots and pans she has had her eye on; a new set of spices or unusual spices she has in mind for a special recipe; a gift certificate for companies like Pampered Chef, Taste of Home or other direct sales food company fan so she can get her favorite new product

• You say your mom doesn’t cook or she has been wanting to learn something new? Well, then the perfect gift might just cooking lessons and that is something you could even take together. There are all sorts of cooking lessons from learning the most basic to more advanced or specific culinary techniques. Choose something she would love and you are sure to make your mom happy this Mother’s Day.

• Is your mom a fanatic for a Italian, German, or French food? Perhaps a cook book with mom’s favorite cuisine or by her favorite chef would be an ideal gift.

• How about an evening of mother-daughter cooking? Put together the ingredients for your mother’s favorite meal and spend time together making memories.

• A basket filled with kitchen gadgets is a useful idea for any mom. Think of things that your mom does over and over in the kitchen. Is there a doodad that would help her save some time in meal preparation? What about a tool that she might only use a few times a year but she would love to have for those special recipes.

• Mom’s favorite desert is always the right way to go. You can make it for her and deliver it in a nicely decorated box or have her favorite local bakery make her favorite confection and surprise her.

• If your mom’s sweet tooth bends more toward chocolate or candy then get a bunch of her favorites and give it to her in a multi-purpose container. Every time she takes a bite she will think of you and your kindheartedness.

The trick to finding the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the cooking enthusiast is to pay attention. Watch her when you are shopping together, listen to her when she is talking with you and then take that information and create the perfect gift for your mother this year.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Grilled Meatloaves

2009-04-13T12:34:00.002-04:00

What You Need:

2 lbs lean ground beef
2 onions, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 TBSP parsley, chopped
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 flat metal skewers

How to Make It:

Place the ground beef in a food processor.
Add the onion, garlic and parsley.
Process until mixture becomes smooth.
Remove and place in a large mixing bowl.
Add the coriander, cumin, salt and pepper to the mixture.
With your hands mix all the ingredients together well.
Form the mixture into two meatloaves.
Run the skewers through the center of each loaf.
Heat the grill to medium high.
Place the loaves on the grill and cover.
Cook 20 minutes turning over half way through the cooking time.

If you like your ground beef a little rarer you can cook these for about 15 minutes. For more well done meat cook just a little longer.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Grill Recipes - 300 Recipes that will impess your friends and family.

Entertaining at Easter

2009-04-11T16:00:00.001-04:00

You think about doing it each year but you keep putting it off thinking it would be too much trouble. But now, you’ve made the decision to have guests over for Easter and now you need to decide whether to host a brunch, lunch or dinner? No matter which time of day you choose to host your gathering bring out your best dishes and show them off. Make sure to take it easy and have fun. The party won’t be fun for anyone if the hostess is stressed out.

Let’s take a look at some ideas for having a gathering for each time of day.

Brunch

If you’d like to have your crew over between 10 a.m. and noon then a brunch is what you should aim for. You’ll have to get up a little earlier in the day to host a brunch but you can prepare the dishes beforehand and warm them up just prior to your guests’ arrival. Think of serving the food buffet style. This works out easier for both the host and guests.

You can serve items like:
• Quiche
• Omelets
• Fruit
• Waffles or pancakes
• Ham or egg salad sandwiches
• Breakfast breads and cakes
• Assorted appetizers or finger foods

Add a beverage like juice, coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate or soda and you have a simple, yet satisfying brunch.

Lunch

If you are planning to have friends and family over after church or so you can sleep in a bit then a lunch between noon and 3 p.m. is the thing for you to do. A lunch can be served either buffet style or as a sit down affair but whichever you choose your lunch menu will offer a little more than a brunch menu with additional hot dishes. You can still serve finger foods but adding more meat and vegetable dishes will make your lunch-time meal a hit.

Think of items like:
• Ham
• Potato salad
• Spinach salad
• Deviled eggs
• Green beans
• Corn
• Carrots
• Macaroni and cheese
• Biscuits

Add an Easter themed punch, tea, or soft drinks and your meal will be complete.

Dinner

If you’re hosting an even anytime after 5 p.m. then a more extensive menu is in order. A larger menu can still be simple yet elegant. If you can make a dish in advance, do it. Anything you can do prior to the day of the even will help keep you sane and stress-free.

For the main course think:
• Leg of Lamb
• Rib Roast
• Ham
• Salmon

Ideas for side dishes could include:
• New potatoes
• Roasted root vegetables
• Green Beans
• Rice Pilaf
• Pasta
• Sugar Peas
• Artichokes
• Asparagus

Don’t forget to include other items such as salads, various appetizers, fruits, cakes, and breads. Complement your meal with a nice beverage and your elegant dinner is complete.

Once you’ve decided what time of day to hold your event, you’ll want to plan the decorations and come up with any games you might play. Don’t forget desserts too.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

The Art of the Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-10T17:21:00.001-04:00

Do you know there are many different ways to conduct an Easter Egg hunt? As a young child growing up, my parents used to add fun new twists to our Easter Egg hunt each year and some of them have become fond memories. Today, we often do the same with our children as well. If you’re looking for a fun twist for your Easter Egg hunt this year, here are a four great versions we have tried in the past.

The Easter Bible Verse Hunt:

This version works best with older children and teens who can read and decipher clues well. The year that we did this, the older teens were paired up with one of the smaller children. Then, each “team” was given an envelope with a Bible verse in it. The verse was a clue to the location of the first treat and the next clue. After 4-5 clues, the last clue took us to the biggest treat: a large Easter basket for each of us.

Putting together the clues may seem like a lot of work at first, but it’s actually fairly simple. A verse about rocks told us to look in the rock garden. A verse about sleeping would mean to look in your bedroom. If your children are a little younger, you could help by highlighting the portions of the verse that are most important to finding the location.

An Easter Treasure Trail:

This version is perfect for very small children/toddlers. When our eldest was 18 months old, we greeted her on Easter morning at her crib with a basket. Leading from her crib was a trail of mini Easter eggs. She took the basket and followed the trail, putting the eggs in her basket as she went. The trail led through the house and ended behind the couch where a bigger treat was waiting.

When laying out your treasure trail, keep your child’s attention span in mind. Some children will follow the trail for quite a while before getting bored, others may need something shorter or more broken up. Perhaps a series of smaller prizes along the path where they can stop and enjoy if they wish?

An Easter Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is another fun variation and it can be modified to suit any age. For older children, a written list of items to collect will work. For younger children, a sheet with pictures of the different treats they need to find may be a better choice. A very simple version would have children look for specific colors: 1 red egg, 3 blue eggs, etc.

For those who, like us, add other items besides chocolate eggs, your list might include a chocolate Easter bunny, a skipping rope, a chocolate bar, a crème egg, a small toy, etc. Items are hidden at random throughout the specified area and make sure children understand not to remove items that are not on their own list.

The Easter Challenge:

The Easter challenge is a fun party game version of an Easter egg hunt that older children and adults will love. Instead of hiding candy eggs, you would hide small plastic eggs. Inside each egg would be a task that has to be completed. Sing a song, recite a verse from memory, jump on one foot for 10 seconds, draw a picture, etc. After each task is completed, the child receives another treat for their basket. Make sure to keep a camera on hand to capture all of the fun.

So, as you’re dyeing your Easter eggs and planning your egg hunt, take one of these suggestions – use as is or improve upon it – and make it a wonderful Easter egg hunt.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Easter Eggs – A History

2009-04-09T15:56:00.001-04:00

It never fails. Year after year the stores pack their shelves with various items mean to “decorate” an egg. All dressed up for Easter, the plain, white egg you normally have for breakfast or use in your baking becomes a multi-colored, glittery, or tie-dyed work of art.

If you celebrate Easter then you, too, probably purchase dozens of eggs to decorate but do you know why you do it? Is it simply because that’s what your mother did each year because that’s what her mother did? And why does a bunny deliver them?

Though-out history, eggs have been a part of many spring celebrations. Eggs are generally thought of as a symbol of life and Easter is in Spring when new life abounds in the world. The Romans, who believe that “All life comes from an egg” used eggs in their spring festivals and feasts and salted hardboiled eggs were part of Jewish traditions as well.

Pagan beliefs viewed the egg as a sacred symbol and an old fable told of an egg that fell from heaven and hatched the goddess of Fertility, Astarte (Easter) Since then eggs have been found as symbols of new life and fertility in Rome, Northern Europe, China and Japan.

Christians later adopted the use of eggs into their Easter celebrations as the “seed of life” symbolizing Christ’s resurrection. Many different beliefs have been held about the actual use of eggs. It was once believed that eggs laid on Good Friday and cooked on Easter would promote fertility of the trees and crops will protecting against sudden deaths.

Today Easter Eggs have become a central part of Christian Easter celebrations in North America with chocolate Easter eggs, Easter egg hunts and decorating Easter eggs. It is unclear as to the specific reason for decorating eggs, but painted eggs have been part of spring celebrations in many cultures for centuries, each with their own styles and color traditions. Red and version of red have been the most common color in many cultures, symbolizing the blood of Christ.

The most famous Easter egg to date is the first Faberge egg. This small gold egg encased in platinum and enamel was created by Peter Carl Faberge in 1883 as an Easter gift for the Empress Marie of Russia from her husband Tsar Alexander. The egg was gorgeous, and a tradition began with a new egg being designed each Easter. Nicholas II, Alexander’s son, continued this tradition with a total of 57 eggs designed in total.

Today, Easter eggs are generally connected with the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts. The Easter bunny came to be part of Easter tradition because rabbits and hares are known for their ability to produce multiple births and that made them a natural choice for the celebration of spring and new life. For many decades, young children have taken part in Easter egg hunts, searching for colorful eggs laid by the Easter bunny in the grass. Easter egg hunts have become a traditional part of American Easter celebrations, with the Whitehouse and many community churches hosting annual Easter egg hunts each year.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

What’s In Your Easter Basket? 10 All Time Favorite Candies

2009-04-08T18:31:00.001-04:00

Every candy lover has a favorite. It could be a yummy chocolate anything or maybe even a fruit flavored something but one thing is for sure: If you are giving an Easter basket this year then you probably have an idea of what favorite candies you will be searching for up and down the aisles at your local store.

However, if you haven’t yet thought about what to put in your Easter baskets (and even if you have) then we’ve compiled a list of 10 all time favorites for your consideration.

Jelly Beans – Whether or not you actually eat them, with approximately 14 billion sold each year, you probably expect them in your Easter basket. An Easter candy staple since the 1930’s, these fruit flavored sugary beans now come in almost any flavor imaginable thanks to the Jelly Belly Company.

Chocolate Bunnies – If you love chocolate, then you love your chocolate bunnies. Solid, hollow, milk or dark – ears or feet first – all that matters to you is there is one located somewhere in your Easter basket. A chocolate bunny is chocolate –‘nough said.

Peeps – A marshmallow confection in a rainbow of pastel colors for spring, Peeps is an Easter basket mainstay. Take your pick – yellow, pink, lavender, blue & green ; bunnies, chicks, tulips, eggs in orange cream or you can decorate your own and a personal favorite –a yellow chick inside a chocolate egg (yep, I said chocolate).

Chocolate Candy Bars – Your favorite every day candy bar just became your favorite Easter candy bar all dressed up for the holiday. Virtually anything the Nestle, Mars or Cadbury companies make is put on offer for Easter. Kit Kat does bunny ears while Snickers, Almond Joy & Milky Way all offer egg shaped confections.

Cadbury Crème Eggs – Hershey’s manufactures & sells Cadbury in the US but reserves sales of the Crème & Caramel Eggs only for the Easter season. If you’re not familiar with the crème eggs, they are a yummy concoction of a thick milk chocolate shell with white & yellow fondant cream inside mimicking the egg white & yolk. They are a sticky sweet treat for the season.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg – What more do you have to say. There’s peanut butter in the chocolate and chocolate in the peanut butter – like the old advertisement says. Made by the Hershey company and slightly larger than a regular peanut butter cup the Reese’s peanut butter egg never fails to impress. Make sure to put in more than one.

Robin Eggs –Tasty, egg shaped, malted milk candy in a pastel colored candy coating Robin Eggs are a nifty treat for your taste buds. Several companies make similar candies and some even have great flavors like strawberry milkshake. They are sometimes packed in tiny egg cartons to add to the Easter theme.

Pez – Each year Pez comes out with a new Easter themed dispenser for their timeless candy. This would be a perfect addition the your favorite collector’s Easter basket.

M & Ms – Along with themed dispensers, M & M candies put on their Easter best for the season. They even offer personalized candy if you order from their website so put on your favorite bunny suit and upload that photo to create your Easter candy surprise.

SweeTart Eggs – Shaped like chicks, ducks, bunnies & eggs, SweeTarts are just like you remember from your childhood. Slightly sweet – a little tart and if you eat too many you just might get sick. They haven’t forgotten chocolate lovers either. If you look really hard you just might be able to find a hollow chocolate egg with SweeTart candy inside.

Now that you have a few ideas of what to put inside your Easter basket you just have to decide what shape your basket will take and if you’ll use plastic or edible Easter grass. Yep, there is such a thing.

Visit Camp eBook to get your favorite recipes and cookbooks.
All Digital, Buy Now, Read Now!

Tips for Grilling Chicken

2009-04-05T13:10:00.002-04:00

Chicken is possibly the most popular food in the world. It is economical and easy to get. It goes with almost any side dish and it can be cooked on the grill. This is great when summer gets here and you want to spend time outdoors grilling instead of being in the kitchen.

Grilling chicken can seem overwhelming to some people. Will it be done all the way through? What about the bone? Will the chicken breast be dried out? Now sit back and take a deep breath before we continue.

Chicken can be cooked boneless or bone in on the grill. Just like steaks, the meat that is closest to the bone will take longer to cook than the rest of it. For chickens also, the dark meat needs to cook longer than white meat portions.

Boneless chicken pieces are healthier for you and take less time to cook. Marinate your chicken breasts for at least an hour, overnight would be best. Don’t pierce the chicken to get the marinade to seep in. use a cutting board and a meat tenderizer before adding the chicken to the marinade.
A meat tenderizer also creates a cut of chicken with the same thickness throughout. This helps the cooking time. Most chicken breasts are thicker through the middle and thinner on the ends. That’s why some chicken breasts have burnt or dry ends because it cooked faster than the middle.

Marinating chicken pieces add a lot of flavor. Shake off excess to avoid flare ups. Chicken, like other meats need be turned only once. Too much turning slows the cooking process. Once the meat is done on one side (about seven minutes), turn it over for even grill marks and even cooking.

If you want to add barbeque sauce, the key is to wait until the meat is almost done before brushing it on. You don’t want to gum up your grill with the sweet sauce or have it burn. Brushing it one stops the sauce from running off the meat and into the fire.

Chicken with bones left in will take a little longer to cook. These pieces will need to turn a couple of extra times to ensure that the meat near the bone is done. To test for doneness, remove one piece of chicken and cut into it for a look. Since all the chicken was added at the same time to the grill, one piece is a good indicator. Other than the test piece, don’t poke any other pieces. Do not use grill forks as this causes the juices to run out and dries the chicken. The use of long handled tongs will be easier on the chicken.

Do you love chicken? Then don’t be afraid to throw it on the grill! Grilled chicken makes a healthy meal for everyone.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Grill Recipes - 300 Recipes that will impess your friends and family.

The Art of the Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-04T17:12:00.001-04:00

Do you know there are many different ways to conduct an Easter Egg hunt? As a young child growing up, my parents used to add fun new twists to our Easter Egg hunt each year and some of them have become fond memories. Today, we often do the same with our children as well. If you’re looking for a fun twist for your Easter Egg hunt this year, here are a four great versions we have tried in the past.

The Easter Bible Verse Hunt:

This version works best with older children and teens who can read and decipher clues well. The year that we did this, the older teens were paired up with one of the smaller children. Then, each “team” was given an envelope with a Bible verse in it. The verse was a clue to the location of the first treat and the next clue. After 4-5 clues, the last clue took us to the biggest treat: a large Easter basket for each of us.

Putting together the clues may seem like a lot of work at first, but it’s actually fairly simple. A verse about rocks told us to look in the rock garden. A verse about sleeping would mean to look in your bedroom. If your children are a little younger, you could help by highlighting the portions of the verse that are most important to finding the location.

An Easter Treasure Trail:

This version is perfect for very small children/toddlers. When our eldest was 18 months old, we greeted her on Easter morning at her crib with a basket. Leading from her crib was a trail of mini Easter eggs. She took the basket and followed the trail, putting the eggs in her basket as she went. The trail led through the house and ended behind the couch where a bigger treat was waiting.

When laying out your treasure trail, keep your child’s attention span in mind. Some children will follow the trail for quite a while before getting bored, others may need something shorter or more broken up. Perhaps a series of smaller prizes along the path where they can stop and enjoy if they wish?

An Easter Scavenger Hunt:

A scavenger hunt is another fun variation and it can be modified to suit any age. For older children, a written list of items to collect will work. For younger children, a sheet with pictures of the different treats they need to find may be a better choice. A very simple version would have children look for specific colors: 1 red egg, 3 blue eggs, etc.

For those who, like us, add other items besides chocolate eggs, your list might include a chocolate Easter bunny, a skipping rope, a chocolate bar, a crème egg, a small toy, etc. Items are hidden at random throughout the specified area and make sure children understand not to remove items that are not on their own list.

The Easter Challenge:

The Easter challenge is a fun party game version of an Easter egg hunt that older children and adults will love. Instead of hiding candy eggs, you would hide small plastic eggs. Inside each egg would be a task that has to be completed. Sing a song, recite a verse from memory, jump on one foot for 10 seconds, draw a picture, etc. After each task is completed, the child receives another treat for their basket. Make sure to keep a camera on hand to capture all of the fun.

So, as you’re dyeing your Easter eggs and planning your egg hunt, take one of these suggestions – use as is or improve upon it – and make it a wonderful Easter egg hunt.

Kids Fun Recipes, Creating Fun Foods that Kids will Love.

Traditional Easter Foods and Their Origins

2009-04-03T18:19:00.002-04:00

Nothing says Easter like a fabulous Easter dinner with friends and family. What do you serve for Easter dinner with your family? Every year there are a few traditional Easter dishes that make their way onto dinner tables across America and many of them have interesting symbolism behind them that you may not even be aware of.

Hot Cross Buns
These currant or raisin filled yeast bun is a traditional favorite in England. Usually eaten on Good Friday they also have a “cross” on top of the bun. Mostly thought of as a Christian symbol it the hot cross bun finds its roots in pagan tradition. There is some disagreement with the symbolism of the cross from the pagan custom. Some thoughts are that the cross represents the sun wheel while others believe the cross might symbolized the four quarters of the moon.

When the Christian Church attempted to ban the buns the people balked so the church did the next best thing and "Christianized" the bread. Queen Elizabeth I passed a law that only allowed the bun to be eaten during Christmas, Easter or funerals.

Pretzels
Originally created by monks with leftover scraps of dough and given to students as rewards, pretzels became a popular part of Lent celebration during the Middle Ages. Pretzels do not contain eggs, milk, butter or lard, ingredients which are avoided during lent. Pretzels are said to represent praying arms and the three holes represent the trinity. In some countries, pretzels used to hidden together with eggs at Easter as well.

Greek Easter Bread
Greek Easter bread, or tsoureki, is a sweet dessert bread traditionally served as part of the Greek Orthodox Easter feast. Tsoureki was also traditionally given as an Easter gift from children to their godparents. Different versions many include a citrus flavor, topped with nuts. A red egg is traditionally cooked with the bread as well.

This Easter treat is traditional shaped into a braid with a red egg tucked into the braids of dough. The bread is said to represent the light given to us by Christ’s resurrection and the red egg represents Christ’s blood. Another version of Greek Easter bread is cooked as a circle with red eggs forming a cross across the top of the bread.

Ham
Ham is a traditional part of the Easter feast in many American homes, and it’s origin is more practical rather then symbolic. In early years, before refrigeration, fresh pork slaughtered in the fall that hadn’t been consumed before Lent had to be cured for preservation. Curing was a slow process and the first hams were generally ready around Easter time, making it a common choice for Easter feasting. Today, many American families still serve ham as part of their Easter celebrations.

Lamb
Another meat commonly served at Easter time is Lamb. This tradition is actually a combination of two symbolisms. The original use of lamb dates back before Easter as part of the Jewish Passover where a sacrificial lamb is roasted and eaten as a reminder of the angel of God passing over their homes in Egypt.

Later, Jesus was often referred to by Christians as The Lamb of God. As Christianity grew, Hebrews converting to Christianity brought their traditions with and the combination resulted in the use of lamb as part of many Easter dinners.

As you plan your Easter meal think about incorporating some of these traditional foods. When you gather around your table this Easter season you’ll be able to share good food and interesting information. Your guests will be impressed by your cooking skills and your smarts.

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The Ultimate Easter Craft Kit

2009-04-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

In many households, crafts are part of holiday celebrations. They are a great way to teach children about the holiday and keep them occupied as well. Putting together an Easter themed craft kit will keep you prepared for those moments where something is needed to keep small hands busy.

Here are some items your craft kit should include:

Crayons or Markers
Easter stickers
Glue sticks
Cardstock and construction paper
Regular white paper
Craft scissors
Easter stencils
Easter stamps and ink
Foam shapes, small pompoms, googly eyes, etc.
Ribbon or yarn scraps

The craft kit is generally fairly easy to put together and can be done very affordably using times from your local dollar store and discount outlets. It helps to have a good idea of the age group that will be using the kit. Younger children will prefer crayons and stickers while older children may prefer glitter glue, markers and fancy edge scissors. Older children will be able to come up with dozens of craft ideas from this selection of craft times, but here are a few ideas to get you started.

Easter Bookmarks - Cut cardstock into 6x2” strips and use a hole punch to put a hole at the top of each bookmark. Your child can decorate their bookmarks using items from the kit and a ribbon or yarn scrap can be added through the hole at the top to finish it off. Help your child pick an appropriate verse to include on their bookmark in keeping with the Easter theme. These bookmarks can be for their own use, or given as gifts to friends or grandparents.

Easter Cards - Cards are another simple craft idea that can also be used to create gifts for grandparents or other family members. Younger children may need help cutting and folding the cardstock which can then be decorated using the items in the kit. For an extra touch, try other shapes: egg shaped cards, cross shaped cards, etc.

If your child is going to be giving their cards to friends and family, envelopes offer additional craft options. You may want to provide basic envelopes for younger children to decorate, or print out templates for older children to make their own envelopes. You can find envelope templates from many online scrapbook and craft sites.

Easter Journals - An Easter journal is really a craft within a craft. Children will enjoy creating their journals, and can later use them for entertainment as well. To start off, create a cover using folded cardstock and inside pages using regular white paper. Help your child staples the pages together. Your child can then decorate the cover of their journal using the items in the kit.

These journals can be used as coloring pages to keep your child busy during family gatherings or on long drives between gatherings. They can also serve as a place for your child to write about their Easter celebrations, making a great keepsake to look back at in years to come. Older teens may want to use their journals as a special place to journal during their devotional time over the Easter holiday.

Kids Fun Recipes, Creating Fun Foods that Kids will Love.

What Keeps a Salad from Being Healthy?

2009-03-30T18:36:00.000-04:00

Almost everyone loves a salad. All that lettuce and those favored toppings, makes your mouth water just thinking about it doesn't it? Yet many of us ask ourselves if the salads we’re eating really are as healthy as we think.

First you have the lettuce. Lettuce is healthy but doesn't have much of a taste. Therefore we add all those wonderful extras to give our salad the taste we savor. Things such as vegetables, seeds and even fruit give us taste and still benefit the healthy factor of our salad.

So what makes a salad not so healthy? Ever take a close look at a salad bar? What a mouthwatering experience. Yet many of the items on the bar are not so healthy. No one would blame you for adding these delectable little treats. If you want to keep that salad a healthy part of your diet you need to look at some of those tasty items a little closer though.

Fruits and vegetables are a healthy part of a salad. Things such as bacon bits and croutons can be the downfall. Real bacon bits add fat to a salad. Eat them sparingly and you will be fine but add too many and those unhealthy calories will start to add up.

Dressings can also be unhealthy when it comes to a salad. When measuring salad dressing we look at a 2 tablespoon serving. Many of the full salad dressings when measured this way have as much as 11 grams of fat. This is a lot when you really think about it.

Unfortunately we love our salad dressing and the more there is the happier we are. So how do you cut back on those unwanted fat calories? Try using a fat free or low calorie salad dressing. Many of our favorite flavors now come in these healthier versions.

Yes many of the low calorie dressing just don't taste the same as our high fat favorites. If you find yourself shying away from the dressings that are better for you because of the taste try this. Instead of covering that salad with the dressing, put it in a small cup. When you take a bite of your salad dip it into the dressing cup before eating it. This will help to control the amount of dressing you consume.

Remember, if you want a healthy salad you must pay attention to the ingredients you place in it. With a watchful eye and a little self control you can have a healthy salad that tastes great too.

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Marvelous Meat Munchers

2009-03-29T11:15:00.000-04:00

What You Need:

1 lb chicken breasts, boneless, skinless and cubed
1 lb beef sirloin, boneless and cubed
1/2 C canola oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 C pineapple juice
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes
4 jalapeno peppers
8 strips of bacon - cut in half
16 toothpicks

How to Make It:

Whisk together the canola oil and minced garlic in a large mixing bowl.
Add the pineapple juice and soy sauce and continue whisking until well blended.
Stir in the red pepper flakes.
Place the mixture into a large zip lock bag.
Trim any fat away from the pieces of meat.
Place the meat into the zip lock bag, close tightly and shake to insure the meat is completely covered by the marinade.
Allow the meat to sit in the marinade at least one hour.
Meat can marinate over night if you prefer.
Remove the meat from the bag and discard the marinade.
Cut the peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds, membrane and stems.
Cut the peppers into strips.
Place one strip of pepper on each piece of bacon.
Place one cube of meat on top of each pepper strip.
Add another pepper strip on top.
Wrap the bacon completely around each piece and secure with a toothpick.
Heat grill to medium hot or if using coals place coals in the center of the grill and when the coals burn down to a slight gray spread in a single layer.
Cook 20 minutes, turning every 5 minutes to insure they are cooked on all sides.
When done the bacon should be crisp and the juices from the chicken should run clear.

When working with jalapeno peppers if possible wear gloves. Never touch your face or eyes until you have washed your hands thoroughly.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Enjoy!
Dan

Easter Eggs – A History

2009-03-26T05:42:00.001-04:00

Crisp & Fresh Lettuce Storage Tips

2009-03-25T18:38:00.001-04:00

You’re hungry and you know there's something you're craving. Ah a salad is what you want. You run to the fridge, open the vegetable crisper only to find the lettuce you bought 2 days ago is brown and mushy. Ever happen to you? It happens more often than not.

Here are a few storage tips to make sure you have crisp, fresh lettuce when that craving strikes.

Lettuce is not cheap. When it's not stored correctly we find ourselves tossing it in the trash more often then we care to admit. Lettuce can be purchased in a bag or by the head. Either way, if not stored properly lettuce can, and will, go bad in a very little amount of time.

One way to preserve your lettuce until salad time is to buy a fresh head of lettuce. Lettuce that is in a sealed bag can turn brown faster. It has already been handled, chopped or cut by a metal object and then sealed in the bag. Often times when a bag of lettuce is purchased you can already see the edges beginning to brown before it’s even made it off the shelf.

Grocery stores mist their vegetables to keep them hydrated. Of course we can't do this at home and when it comes to lettuce you are better off if it's stored dry. Always rinse lettuce before storing, but use a paper towel to dry the lettuce leaves before placing them in the proper container.

Store your lettuce in a dry, sealable, plastic bag. Condensation with gather on the inside of the bag even though the lettuce has been dried so line the bag with paper towel before adding the dry lettuce. This will keep a head of lettuce fresh for about a week.

If your refrigerator has a crisper tray, keep your lettuce stored there. Keep the temperature of the refrigerator in the middle of your temperature scale and if you have a humidity setting you can adjust, keep it set on low. The more humidity inside your refrigerator, the better chance of the lettuce leaves acquiring moisture. If the temperature is too high you take a risk of freezing the moisture on the leaves causing them to become translucent and mushy.

Always store your salad fixings in separate containers. The moisture or juices from vegetables and dressings will cause lettuce leaves to wilt. There's nothing worse than craving a salad only to find your lettuce has turned brown and nasty when you open the container. Not only does it make the lettuce less appealing, but the veggies probably aren’t in that great of shape either thanks to the turning of the lettuce.

By storing your lettuce properly you can have a fresh made salad anytime you wish. There's nothing like a good, healthy salad. Go ahead and buy that head of lettuce today and feed your craving whenever the urge strikes, not whenever you’re lettuce feels up to it.

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Liven Up Your Salad with Fixings

2009-03-24T11:35:00.001-04:00

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you want to fix a salad? You're probably thinking lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese and dressing right? Boring! Salads don't have to be boring. Liven up your salad by adding all different kinds of scrumptious fixings. Wondering what those fixings might be? Let's explore and get creative to find your favorites.

Close your eyes and picture your favorite salad bar. What do you see? Chances are the first thing is lettuce. Many salad bars have more than one type of lettuce. Is there one you really like? Mix up your lettuce or stick with your favorite. The choice is all up to you.

Now what's next? All those bright colorful vegetables are probably making their presence in your mind by now? Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, peppers and mushrooms are all great additions to any salad.

Zucchini, squash, radishes and even those baby ears of corn can be added to a salad. Many people don't think about the corn, because they are used to seeing them in stir fry meals only, yet they make the perfect addition to a salad.

Just about any vegetable will work on a salad. You can get more vegetables into your daily diet with a salad than most people could ever imagine. Think of the nutritional value your salad will have with these vegetables included.

How about some fruit? Most salad bars contain fruits like strawberries, pineapple, bananas and other types of berries. Raisins and dried fruits are also a great addition to your salad. Fruits give your salad a sweet taste and they mix well with many vegetables. Fruits add more vitamins and minerals to your salad and up the nutritional value just like vegetables.

Ok what about all those toppers you see at the end of the salad bar? There are bacon bits, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and various kinds of nuts. All these toppings sound pretty good don't they? You can also add bean sprouts, water chestnuts or red pepper flakes to enhance the flavor.

When it comes to the fixings you place on your salad the sky is the limit. Try new things that you might have never imagined eating on a salad. Add different fruits or vegetables with each salad. Give all those fixings a chance.

Still picturing that salad bar? Open those eyes and get in the kitchen. Create your own salad and make those fixings count.

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Beef on the Grill

2009-03-23T19:25:00.001-04:00

This is the number one question that grillers have—how to make the perfect grilled steak. Well, practice makes perfect. You will probably have your share of duds before you reach the pinnacle of perfection. But, that doesn’t mean you have to start with inferior products.

Like I said, practice makes perfect. To grill the best steak you’ve ever tasted, you need to use that grill more than a couple of times each year. So, stock that freezer with the best cuts of beef for the job and let’s get down to brass tacks.

The first thing is to choose your meat. I won’t lie to you—beef is expensive. Those thick steaks you see on the commercials will cost a pretty penny, but, not to worry. You can find what you need at a butcher shop or the meat section of your favorite grocery store.

The best meat for grilling is labeled USDA Prime. This beef is marbled which means that there are veins of fat running through the meat. Prime is aged for a several days so that it is perfect for cooking. If you can’t afford the prime cut of beef, move on over to USDA Choice. It is a little cheaper but just as marbled and delicious on the grill.

Now that we know the grade of meat we are looking for, we need to know which types of beef cuts are best on the grill. I personally love a good New York strip steak or a T-bone steak. They grill up nice and tender so they melt in your mouth. Porterhouse and sirloin steaks are also good. Any steak with a bone in it will need longer cooking for the meat next to the bone.

If you choose marinate your steak. A good hour in the fridge should do it. With the proper cuts of meat, this is enough time for the meat to soak up the flavor. Let the meat come to room temperature before grilling.

When you are just starting out, don’t get too ambitious. By this I mean, start with a thinner cut of meat. Don’t throw a two inch thick steak on the grill like the king of the world and have it taste tougher than shoe leather when it’s done. Stay around an inch or less in thickness and practice before moving up to the major leagues.

Steaks that are cherry in color are ready for grilling. Avoid that marked down meat that is turning a shade of gray or brown. Turn to the butcher for advice on the best buys. With meat in hand, light the grill and let the good times roll.

For more about Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking,
Visit SouthEast Camper.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Enjoy!
Dan

Grilled Mustard Chops

2009-03-21T20:33:00.001-04:00

Here in the Carolina's Spring has Sprung, Get out the Grill. What a great meal to have after cleaning up the yard.

What You Need:

1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne
4 bone in pork chops, 1 inch thick

How to Make It:

Mix the dry mustard, celery seed, thyme, salt, pepper and cayenne together in a small mixing bowl.
Rub each of the chops on both sides with the spice mixture.
Allow the chops to set at room temperature about 25 minutes.
Place the grill on high temperature.
Sear the chops 4 minutes turning once during cooking.
Lower the heat to medium temperature on the grill.
Continue cooking the chops 8 minutes or until the juices run clear.

When placing a rub on meat make be sure to press the rub into the meat with your fingertips. This will insure the flavor of the rub can be tasted in each and every bite.

For more about Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking,
Visit SouthEast Camper.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Enjoy!
Dan

Healthy Grilling Ideas

2009-03-20T17:27:00.001-04:00

Grilling food is actually better for you than one would think. This is not dependent on the type of grill you have it is the grilling process. Here are some ways to make your next grilling adventure a healthy one for the family.

Start with your cuts of meat. Cut off the excess fat when working with chicken. If you aren’t the type who likes to mess with chicken parts, buy them already skinned and boneless. Usually all traces of fat have been removed in the store before packaging.

Steaks are a bit different. Outer fat on the steaks should be cut away but it is okay to have the marbled effect within the meat. Do the same for pork. A butcher can guide you to the right cuts of meat for grilling if you ask them. They deal with meat everyday and have a good deal of expert knowledge on the subject.

Another reason to remove the fat is that it eliminates the cancer causing char and smoke. We have heard that char is not good for us and it is not. Fat falling in the fire can initiate flare-ups that will burn the meat and char it in places. If this does occur, remove the charred part.

Steam your vegetables on the grill. You are cooking the meat on there, why not the rest of the meal? Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and then wrap your sliced vegetables in it. The heat from the grill will create convection current inside the foil. Make sure that you tent the foil so that the air can move among the vegetables.

Fish is a healthy alternative to other meats. Fattier fish like salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish is tasty and tender when cooked on the grill. Fillets of fish crumble up easy so put them in foil just like the vegetables to keep them together during grilling. Fish steaks are better for direct grill cooking than fillets. They are thick but will cook quicker than other meats so don't turn your back on them.

Instead of using salt on grilled foods, experiment with other seasonings. The process sears the outside and the seasonings that you have applied. Combined with the succulent juices that will once the meat is cut, these seasonings will add flavor to your meal.

To grill healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or your favorite meats. The fat that is in the meat will all drip away as it cooks leaving you with a tender and heart-friendly main course.

For more about Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking,
Visit SouthEast Camper.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Enjoy!
Dan

Backyard Barbeque Party

2009-03-18T19:10:00.002-04:00

What’s more fun in the warm months than grilling out? It’s grilling out with friends. Host your own backyard barbeque and invite all your buddies over for a tasty meal and some backyard fun. Here are some tips to get that party started right.

The number one complaint I have about throwing a barbeque party is that the cooks do more cooking than enjoying their company. Last minute preparations mean that the food is not ready when the guests arrive. It is hard to entertain and fix the appetizers at the same time. People seem to eat in shifts as the food gets ready.

Let’s avoid that bit of nonsense this year. If you are going to have a barbeque get-together, plan ahead so that it is easy on the guests and the hosts. Know your menu. Decide the week before what you will serve for the meal. Appetizers or finger foods of some sort allow guests to munch while they wait for the main course to finish on the grill.

Appetizers should be small especially if you plan on serving a variety of grilled meats and vegetables. Try a veggie or fruit tray with some low calorie dip. This is easy to make—you go to the store and pick one up! The name of the game here is to have fun and to do as much as you can ahead of time. These appetizer trays have no preservatives so it’s okay to buy them pre-packaged from the store.

Punch is a good idea for a party where there will be children as well as grown ups. If the punch is meant to be sparkling (adding soda), chill the punch first without the soda and add it just before the guests arrive. That way, the punch won’t lose it’s kick while in the fridge.

If the guests were told to bring their appetites, you may want to eliminate grilled chicken from the menu. Chicken takes a long time to cook depending on the parts of the bird you are grilling. This alone will cause some people to get their food ahead of others. So no guest is left with an empty plate, choose other meats or pre-bake your chicken before grilling to reduce cooking time.

Remember to always preheat the grill. When people come in and see smoke rising from the grill they expect that you have already put food on it. Don’t surprise them with the smell of smoldering charcoal. Forty-five minutes before the party, start the gas or charcoal grill so that the coals get hot and are ready for grilling once the guests arrive.

As for the side dishes and cold salads, prepare those at least an hour (for the side dishes) or two (for the salads) before the party. This cuts down on the work of the host and hostess. You can sit with your friends and await the goodies from the grill. Better still, everyone can watch the grill master at work and nibble on appetizers.

The backyard barbeque should flow smoothly when you take the time to prepare. When the work is done early, the fun can begin as soon as the guests arrive.

For more about Dutch Oven and Outdoor Cooking,
Visit SouthEast Camper.

The weather is beautiful today in the Carolinas.
Let's get the fire burning now and be ready for spring.

Be A Grill Master Cookbook. Tips for the Beginner Grill Chef.

Enjoy!
Dan

Irish Gold Soda Bread - Happy St Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T19:55:00.003-04:00

What You Need:

3 3/4 C of flour
1/4 C brown sugar
1 T baking powder
1 t baking soda
3/4 C golden raisins
2 C of buttermilk
1 egg

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to heat up to 375 degrees.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Place the flour into a large mixing bowl.
Dump in the brown sugar, baking powder and baking soda and toss to combine well.
Fold in the raisins until incorporated into the dry mixture well.
Pour the buttermilk into a separate small bowl.
Break the egg into the buttermilk and whisk until completely combined.
Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until all the ingredients are incorporated together and soft dough has formed.
Flour a flat surface lightly and transfer the dough to the surface.
Knead the dough 10 times or until the dough is pliable and smooth.
Form the dough into a large mounded round.
Place the dough on the prepared cookie sheet and use a sharp knife to cut a shallow X in the middle of the mound.
Bake the bread for 45 minutes or until browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Serves: 10

Cutting the shallow X in the top of the dough before baking allows the bread to expand instead of cracking during the baking process. If you are not fond of raisins try dried currants or dried cranberries instead.

Yum!

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