Mix It, Bake It, Blend It, Drink It - Use It!

 Hello to all this midweek.  I sure hope this finds you doing well and safe.

It is a lovely morning here - enjoying the coolness and the sunshine.  Yesterday about 8PM a storm came through with some pouring rain, thunder and even a tiny bit of hail.  All the while, the sun was shining, and I went out on the porch and saw the rainbow!  It was so pretty.  I haven't seen one in a long while.

It is supposed to get pretty nasty later on this afternoon and then again in the evening.  It is all coming out of northern IL.  I sure pray it weakens and it is not what they keep predicting.  It will be moving on through OH, eastern KY and further south as well.  Not often do they call for a heightened risk of bad stuff here, but they are today.  Please pray all are safe.

I have yet to see or experience the first mosquito this year!  We do have lightening bugs - 1,000's of them.  It is sure something to see after dark.

It is now time to look at using things up in new ways.  It is warmer out, and not everyone wants to cook a lot.  On those cooler days, we all take advantage of baking.  I love finding new ways to use the food and it can be canned goods (store) or it can be equivalents of home cooked.

EASY TEXAS CAVIAR

This is so good.  It is refreshing, can be eaten as a meal, or an appetizer, or a side.  Great on chips.

You can add onions, avocados, chives, chopped tomatoes, etc.  There is NO set recipe on these kind of things - make it to your taste.  I do really like this - it is very refreshing - and I love it with tortilla chips.

I saw this posted on one of my FB groups I belong to.  Never throw away the juices!!!!  They can be used in so many different ways.

My favorites are to make ice cubes to throw into water or tea.  I also like mixing fruit juice in my ice tea - makes it taste like that expensive flavored bottled tea!  Even all the 'water'/juice from watermelon is refreshing when used in a glass of tea or frozen.  Mom used to make popsicles all the time with fruit juice - that was a fun cool treat.

(Click on the recipes to enlarge for easier reading)

EASY BEER BREAD

3 C self/rising flour

1 can/bottle beer

1/2 C sugar

Super simple.  Mix all this up, pour into a greased loaf pan, bake at 350* for 45 minutes.  Pull out and top with pats of butter (about a half stick) and place back in oven for another 15 minutes.

This makes a hearty and crusty bread that is great with meals and helps fill the belly.

You could also add chopped chives or some garlic powder or even a little grated cheese to the batter if you choose.  

Any type of beer can be used - and no there isn't any beer taste to the bread.  Remember the alcohol content is gone after cooking with it (when it reaches a certain temp).  It is basically used for a rising agent instead of yeast. (I have used old beer stored in frig as well)

So there you go - a few things for today.  Use it up folks!  

I love blending and mixing all sorts of veggies and using all kinds of dressings. You may be amazed and find a new family favorite with a little experimenting.

STAY SAFE ALL!!!

Have a wonderful day.