Posts

Preparation Even though September technically marks the end of summer, it’s certainly not the end of the bounty of fresh produce. After Labor Day there’s usually a few more weeks of fresh corn and other summer favorites we’ve been enjoying, but we also get welcome apples, plums, okra, bell peppers, and shell beans. Here, essential information about each fruit and vegetable to add to your shopping list this month, plus our favorite ways to prepare them....

Dear readers, welcome to the December restaurant review on Just One Cookbook. As I mentioned last month we took a family trip to Monterey peninsula and decided to explore the restaurants in the area. As we were reviewing the best central coast restaurant winners list on Open Table and deciding which one to try, we saw Shadowbrook Restaurant and remembered our friend mentioned that he had a great experience there a few months prior....

Preparation Making a speech in front of a crowd is way too difficult for some people to handle, even if the audience is comprised of their loved ones. If you’re a bride or groom worried that you’re expected to give wedding speeches that spill your heart out at the reception, relax. There are only a few expected speakers during the night, and these include the host (usually the father of the bride or whoever is financing the wedding), the best man, and the maid of honor....

Ingredients 1 lb cooked ham, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (3 cups) 1 cup dried navy beans, sorted, rinsed 2 medium stalks celery, sliced (1 cup) 1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup) 2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup) 2 cups water 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Preparation In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients except parsley. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 10 to 12 hours or until beans are tender....

Preparation Whether you want to sit around the fire to keep warm in the fall or roast marshmallows for s’mores in the summer, an outdoor fire pit can instantly transform your backyard into a cozy oasis. And since we’re all still spending so much time at home, it’s important to make your space as comfortable as possible—that’s one reason why you should invest in a fire pit. If you’re wondering where to put an outdoor fire pit, the most important thing is to pick somewhere safe....

Ingredients 3/4 cup butter or margarine 4 oz unsweetened baking chocolate 2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 cup baking cocoa 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 6 dozen Betty Crocker™ Candied Fruit whole candied cherries, pecan halves, chocolate chunks or Hershey®’s Kisses® Brand milk chocolates Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Place mini paper baking cups in mini muffin pan cups OR use mini foil muffin cups if you don’t have mini muffin pans....

Preparation Drinking water is an important aspect of maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle, and it can even be looked at as a source of self-care. But like many things in life, this important task can fall to the wayside as busy lives take over; before you know it, achieving your daily water intake can feel like an insurmountable task. While many doctors agree that a surefire way to stay hydrated is to drink when you’re thirsty, there’s no denying that a gentle reminder from your water bottle is helpful, too....

Preparation Crispy, crunchy, and airy, panko seems to be the ingredient we find ourselves reaching for whenever a recipe calls for breadcrumbs, making it a staple in our pantries and favorite ingredient at dinnertime. It’s finally time for old-school Italian breadcrumbs to share the spotlight. Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that’s widely available in grocery stores. Perfectly engineered, panko breadcrumbs are made using a special technique that creates a crustless bread and light jagged flakes filled with tiny air pockets....

To get you in the spirit of the holidays, this year we have the JOC team members chipping in to bring you more holiday gift ideas and inspirations. We promise there are some very special finds. Here are our holiday gift picks for your nearest and dearest: Holiday Gift Guide – 15 Gift Ideas for Someone Special MR. JOC’s Picks 1. PANASONIC LUMIX GX85 4K Mirrorless Camera This is a great walk-around camera for both videos and photos....

Preparation We have long been on the hunt for that ideal gold pen or paint marker that really delivers the glitz. Although some come close, nothing has managed to match the sheer shine and brilliance of gold leaf. We’re pairing it with a simply genius product every DIY’er should have at home: the Martha Stewart Crafts Glue Pen. This little powerhouse has so many uses, and here we use it to adhere gold leaf right onto the place cards....

Ingredients 2 2/3 cups uncooked penne pasta (8 oz) 1 lb bulk Italian pork sausage 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves 1 cup ricotta cheese 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (4 oz) Thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray....

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups cake flour 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup milk 3 tablespoons shortening 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 3 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled 2/3 cup finely chopped nuts 3 oz cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Dash of salt 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate, melted, cooled 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar...

Ingredients 2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix 1 3/4 cups buttermilk 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 egg Preparation Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or electric griddle to 375°F; grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening. (Surface is ready when a few drops of water sprinkled on it dance and disappear.) Stir all ingredients until blended. Pour by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry....

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups warm water (105°F to 115°F) 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) regular active dry yeast 1 box (15.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix 2 1/2 to 3 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tub (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting Preparation Grease 13x9-inch pan or 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening or cooking spray....

Ingredients 2 cups uncooked egg noodles (4 ounces) 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 3 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 cup milk 1 cup chicken broth 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (1 1/4 pounds) Additional ground nutmeg Preparation Heat oven to 375°. Spray rectangular pan, 11x7x1 1/2 inches, with cooking spray....

Preparation After you get engaged and have a few of the big wedding-planning details decided (such as when and where the event will take place), it’s time for you and the groom to think about how many bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other attendants you would like to have and whom you want to ask. Don’t wait too long to decide – you’ll appreciate having their help early on. The maid or matron of honor and the best man are also known as the honor attendants....

Ingredients 3 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground chili powder 1 teaspoon curry powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup assorted unsalted nuts, such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans 3 cups Rice Chex™ cereal 3 cups Corn Chex™ cereal 3 cups Wheat Chex™ cereal 1 cup miniature cheese crackers 1 cup miniature pretzels...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! It’s that time of the year again. If you live in the US, it’s a joyous time: the four-day holiday weekend plus start of shopping season, and of course enjoying the many delicious feasts with family and friends. There are a lot of beverage choices to go with holiday meals, but the signature drink of the season has to be eggnog. I had never had eggnog before I moved to the US....

This is the perfect salad for a family picnic or to make ahead for a potluck or parties as it can be made in advance! A good salad is a must for any party. We have some favorites that we usually bring. We like this pasta salad, or the Pasta Chicken Caesar Salad, the delicious Broccoli Salad and our personal favorite, our unique Caprese Salad. Watch the FULL video on YouTube and don’t forget to Subscribe....

Ingredients Butter for greasing 1/3 cup powdered sugar 2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin 1/2 cup cold water 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1 cup corn syrup 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup water 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract 8 to10 drops red food color Preparation Generously grease bottom and sides of 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish with butter; dust with 1 tablespoon of the powdered sugar. In bowl of stand mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water to soften; set aside....