Refrigerator Pickles

One of our favorite summertime uses for an abundance of cucumbers from the garden or the local farmer's market, is the crisp, tart Refrigerator Pickle!  These pickles don't require any canning heat, so they stay cold, crunchy, and bright tasting!  I make a couple jars each week because it's so simple, and my kids fly through them, adding them to burgers, sandwiches, or just eating a few as a snack! So, grab a few cukes, roll up your sleeves, and let's pickle!!

*By ingredients, this pickle recipe is peanut-free, tree nut-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, fish-free, and shellfish-free. Top 8 Allergen Free! As always, check this ingredient list and your local products to make sure that this recipe is allergy safe for your family and/or friends! 

Pork "Ropa Vieja"

Picture this: It was a chilly morning, I had defrosted 2 pork loins and had no meal plan for them. I was casually scrolling down my Instagram feed, (Whaaat?!  You don't follow me on Instagram yet? Click here and follow!) and lo and behold, there appeared Clinton Kelly's Ropa Vieja slow cooker recipe. Jackpot. My little guy is allergic to beef, which the recipe calls for, but I was pretty sure I could achieve familial culinary satisfaction by using pork. I was right! As it bubbled away in the slow cooker, children would wander in, drooling, and ask hopefully "Is that dinner?" 

Taco Seasoning

I am always in favor of making homemade spice mixes.  You can control the ingredients, and adjust the flavoring to suit your family's preferences.  I am especially in favor of blending homemade mixes when there happens to be a wide reaching recall underway of a certain ground spice!  So I'm sharing my recipe for Taco Seasoning.