How to make homemade butter

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I was making dinner and realized I was all out of butter. Remembering I had some cream in the fridge I reached for my Food Processor.

Many people seem to think there is a lot of work that goes into making homemade butter. And honestly, I have never tried to churn butter the old fashion way, but I have used my Food Processor in place of many times over.

By using a Food Processor the butter breaks in about 4-5 minutes. And wallah, you have butter — most likely better than the store bought butter.

Homemade butter

Ingredients
  • 4 cups of heavy cream (1 quart)
  • 1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt

Place a quart of heavy whipping cream into the food processor.

Whipped Cream Food Processor | Small Town Living in Nevada

Turn on your food processor and let it run. If your cream is on the cool side, it may go through a thick, whipped stage like this (see above). If it does, it just means it will take a bit longer for it to churn.

Homemade Butter | Small Town Living in Nevada

As you process the cream, it will become more liquid. The sound of the cream in the processor will also change so it sounds like sloshing. It means the butter is separating from the buttermilk. Pour the butter through a fine mesh sieve and lightly fold the butter on itself to press out any liquid trapped in the butter. Pour off the excess liquid.

Return the butter to the food processor and add salt to taste. Turn the processor on and give it a whirl to incorporate the butter. Place in a container and store in fridge for up to two weeks if it lasts that long.

Homemade Butter Spreadable | Small Town Living in Nevada Bread and Butter | Small Town Living in Nevada

DIY PVC 5′ x 5′ Banner Stand

/ stlmaryland / 4 Comments

DIY PVC Banner Stand | Small Town Living in Nevada

Instead of buying a pre-made frame or stand, you can make your own banner stand using PVC pipes. It doesn’t really take that long to make and the materials you need are readily available in your local hardware store if not around your house.

Not only did I design my daughter’s Troop Banner, I also made the PVC Banner Stand from PVC lying around in my garage so I really saved my pennies and only had to by the joints to tie all the poles together.

A PVC banner frame is just a basic stand that allows any banner to stand alone. And you can reuse the frame over and over again and if you don’t glue it you can break it down for easier transport.

Since I made a banner that was 4 feet x 2.5 feet I decided I needed to make a 5 foot x 5 foot banner stand to hold it.

DIY PVC 5′ x 5′ Banner Stand

Things you will need:

  • Measuring Tape
  • Sharpie Marker
  • 21-feet 1-inch PVC Pipe
  • Hacksaw
  • 6-1″ slip-in T connectors (without threads)
  • 2-1″ slip-in 90º elbow joints (without threads)

Directions:

Cut 3 5-feet long PVC pipes. Next cut 12 6-inch pipes.

Assemble feet first, followed by attaching the side poles.

To make the foot you will need three T connectors and six 6″PVC pipes. Next plug all 6″ PVC pipes into each T connector like you see in the photograph. Repeat.

Next place a 5-foot PVC Pole into the open middle T connector. Repeat for opposite side.

Top the pole with a slip-in 90º elbow joint on both poles. Connect with a 5-foot PVC Pole.

Reminders: If the PVC banner frame is to be displayed outdoors or in a windy location, make sure to place bricks or other heavy objects at the base of the stand to keep the frame in place.

How to Make Water Kefir Soda

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment
Water Kefir | Small Town Living in Nevada

Sparkling Apple Water Kefir

I love carbonation. It is a weakness of mine. I would rather drink Club Soda or Sparkling Water over regular water any day. I think I actually crave the carbonation if that even makes sense.

And because of that I LOVE Water Kefir! It is a wonderful fermented probiotic drink that not only do I really enjoy but my entire family really enjoys drinking as well. And it is naturally carbonated so I don’t feel guilty drinking it!

We flavor our Water Kefir with a variety of different juices from Grape Juice to Pineapple to even Apple juice. We basically drink it as a healthy alternative to soda, especially since I don’t allowed my kids to drink soda.

My husband is the person behind the Water Kefir. If it weren’t for his dedication we probably wouldn’t have the abundance of it in my home like we do. For that we are truly grateful for all his hard work he puts into it.

Water Kefir is….

  • Dairy free
  • Can be made from sugar water, fruit juice or even coconut milk
  • Easy to flavor in unlimited ways

In order to get started you need to use water that is free of chlorine and fluoride because both can kill your Kefir grains.

We prefer to use bottled water, but you can also use filtered water, well water, or even coconut water.

Next you need sugar. There are many choices of sugar to nourish the kefir grains. My husband though uses Brown Sugar and Molasses.

Making water kefir is not an exact science but everyone has a different method and timing that they prefer. It is definitely okay to experiment. When coming in contact with the grains, it is best to use glass, plastic or wooden tools and utensils because some metals can hinder your grains.

Continue reading →

Crockpot Turkey Bone Broth

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I made a Roasted Turkey the other night and as usual I made a Turkey Bone Broth. Since my family has a food sensitivity to chicken I never use chicken broth let alone make chicken for that matter. And of course Turkey broth is a little hard to find at the store in my area.

So I make Turkey Bone Broth every time I Roast a Turkey which is about 3-4 times a year. I then place the broth into jars and stick them in the basket of my deep freezer for later usage for recipes or soups.

Making bone broth is extremely easy if you have a crockpot. I usually take poultry shears to the Turkey bones, but this bird was a large one and I ended up needing a hammer to expose the marrow. So I placed the bones in a  gallon ziploc and whacked the bones a few times. I then threw the bones, whatever meat was attached and some turkey skin into the crockpot. Next I filled the crockpot with water to almost the top and then placed the lid on and cranked it up! The longer you slow cook the broth, the more your turkey flavor will shine through. I wanted 20 hours on the crockpot, but mine only goes to 10 — so after 10 hours I reset the crockpot for another 10 hours for a total of 20 hours or cooking.

Turkey Bone Broth | Small Town Living in Nevada

Turkey Bone Broth

Ingredients

  • Turkey carcass of a 23 lb bird (with some attached meat and skin)
  • 20 cups of water (or until crockpot is almost full)

Break carcass bones open to expose marrow. Then add carcass to crockpot. Fill crockpot with water cover and cook on low for 20 hours. If the level has evaporated too much add more water over the course of the cooking.

Once done. Strain out bones. Can, and freeze for later use.

Turkey Bone Broth | Small Town Living in Nevada

Gluten Free Turkey Chow Mein for Chinese New Year

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

2015 Chinese New Year

Today is Chinese New Year.

It is the farewell of the Horse and on to a bit of confusion… they aren’t sure if it is the Year of the Sheep, Goat or Ram.  In Mandarin “horned animal” actually covers all three and that is why no-one is quite certain of really which one. And why you will hear all three.

Regardless, the Sheep is the least favorite animal of the Chinese Zodiac. It is considered a weak follower and very docile rather than a strong leader. But it doesn’t matter there will always still be a celebration, nevertheless.

And tonight my family rang in the New Year with me making a Chinese style meal, Turkey Chow Mein.

Turkey Chow Mein

Continue reading →

Slow-Cooker Gumbo Rice Bowl with Turkey and Andouille Sausage

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I love New Orleans. It is spectacular in my opinion — the food, the atmosphere… I fell in love instantly. I was lucky enough to had traveled to NOLA twice for Mardi Gras. And even went when Mardi Gras landed on my Birthday in 1997!! Ok, did I just date myself?

Even though I haven’t been to NOLA in years, I pay homage to Fat Tuesday at my home regardless. Now of course I use to go all out and decorate, make a kings cake for dessert and even hide a plastic baby. But life is much more busier than it use to be and now all I have time for is basically cooking up dinner, LOL.

I wanted to make Gumbo — but I made a twist from the norm and made it a rice bowl instead. It might not look like much but the flavor pops once you take a spoonful!

Slow-Cooker Gumbo Bowl with Turkey and Andouille Sausage | Small Town Living in Nevada

Slow-Cooker Gumbo Rice Bowl with Turkey and Andouille Sausage

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 lb (1 stick) butter
  • 4 oz gluten free flour
  • 1 Small onions, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 cups turkey broth
  • 1-1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • pinch of dried hot red pepper flakes
  • pinch of chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 12 ounce bag of okra
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 12 ounce andouille sausage, sliced
  • 1 lb. turkey tenderloin, diced
  • 3 cups uncooked rice

Directions:

  1. Heat a crockpot up and add all ingredients except flour, butter and rice. Stirring every few hours.
  2. In a small pot melt butter over moderately low heat. Gradually add a third of the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.. Add another third more flour still stir constantly. Then add remaining third of flour still stirring constantly to cook roux until it is dark in color.
  3. Cook gumbo for 8 hours on low.
  4. Cook rice according to directions. When rice is ready add rice to Gumbo and mix to incorporate. Serve immediately.

Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with a Garlic Cream Sauce

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I wanted to do something different for Valentine’s Day instead of the usual Steak Dinner. So on Saturday I made a Seafood Pasta that consisted of shrimp and swai white fish.

I decorated the table for the family… because Valentine’s Day is a family affair at my house. And I love place mats and love to break out holiday mats for the occasion! And since my birthday is right before Valentine’s Day I already had the stunning flower arrangement that my parents had delivered to me.

Valentine Place setting

Then i started making dinner. My family loves pasta — and white sauces are my favorite! This recipe is mild so you don’t have a huge fishy flavor which makes it perfect for kids and adults alike. Add a salad with dinner makes it foolproof!

Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Garlic Cream Sauce | Small Town Living in Nevada

Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with a Garlic Cream Sauce

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
1/4 cup white onion, chopped
2 cups extra dry vermouth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup butter
1 pound shrimp
2 fillets white fish, cut into 3 strips.
1 pound cooked gluten free pasta
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

In a large saute pan, heat 1/4 cup oil and cook garlic and onions until translucent, about 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the vermouth and add parsley, basil and thyme and let the liquid reduce by half. Using a fine strainer, strain the reduction into a clean saucepan and add the cream, milk and butter. Over low heat, let the sauce reduce to medium thickness. To the now empty saute pan saute the white fish, cook until opaque and remove to a platter in a warm place. Then use the same pan to saute shrimp just until pink, and remove to the platter. Add cream sauce to saute pan to toss the drained pasta with the cream sauce and seafood. Transfer to a serving dish, and sprinkle with extra cheese and parsley, as garnish. Arrange shrimp and white fish on top.

Adapted from Food Network

I love you sugar cookie

And then later for dessert we enjoyed some Heart Shaped Gluten Free Sugar Cookies topped with Hersey’s Chocolate Syrup. All in all our meal was perfect! Hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day just as we did!

Fat Tuesday

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I have a nice crockpot of Gluten Free Gumbo brewing. Might even make some hurricane’s for when my husband gets home. I so can’t wait for dinner tonight. Nevertheless, I will be posting the recipe tomorrow if not sometime tonight.

Then tomorrow the ritual of fasting begins for Lent.

But for now “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” (Let the good times roll) until then….

Happy Mardi Gras | Small Town Living in Nevada

Waffles with Dippy Eggs (as my kids call them)

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

The kids love waffles (Obviously) but I always want them to have some protein with their waffles as well. So I put the two together. I used frozen gluten free waffles for this recipe of course. Add some bacon as a side and you have a really tasty breakfast.

Waffle Dippy Eggs | Small Town Living in Nevada

Waffles with Dippy Eggs

Ingredients:

  • 6 gluten free Frozen Waffles (I used Krusteaz brand)
  • 6 eggs
  • Butter
  • Syrup

Directions:

Toast waffles in a toaster. Then cut a hole in the middle with a biscuit cutter.

Heat a large frying pan; melt butter. Once the pan is nice and hot place the waffles on the pan and crack eggs into the waffle’s middles.

Cook eggs to your desired liking.

Homemade Valentine’s Day Cards

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I love making the kids Valentine’s Cards. Thinking about it, I don’t recall ever actually buying pre-made valentine cards over the years for my kids.

Even though my daughter is in 2nd grade, all my kids were in day care at one time or another before they were ever in school. And well they would exchange cards at their day care center just like kids do at schools. So we have been making our cards for years!

Nevertheless, for the last three valentine’s I have been taking pictures of the kids so I can make 3-D Valentine’s Day Cards. My youngest had to wait until this year to finally get his… and I have to say all three really came out cute!

AdenValentine2015 ArikValentine2015

Continue reading →