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Pork Schnitzel With Dot’s Pretzel Crumble

Pork Schnitzel is a family favorite! The leftover pork Schnitzel can be re-heated to make delicious Schnitzel sandwiches aka: Schnitzelwiches. Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels used to make a delicious crumble. They stopped making it, but read on to find out how to make it. The pretzel coating adds so much flavor and it does not burn like other coatings, making it a great choice for Pork Schnitzel.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission on purchases at no additional cost to you.

What is Schnitzel?

Schnitzel is a German term for thin meat pounded until tender then breaded and fried. It is similar to Chicken-fried steak.

What kind of meat is used to make Schnitzel?

Traditionally veal is used, but other meats can be just as tasty. For this recipe I used pork chops, but you can also use beef or chicken.

Dot’s Pretzel Pork Schnitzel Recipe Ingredients:

How to prepare meat for Schnitzel?

First you must trim off all of the fat. This is important because after you bread the pork, you will not be able to see where the fat is.

Trimming pork chops
Trimming pork chops

Next you need to pound out the pork chops until they are approximately 1/4 inch thick. The best way to do this is to cover the meat with plastic wrap (to avoid splashing) and pound it with the flat side of a meat tenderizer mallet. It is best to do this on a plastic cutting board to protect your kitchen counter.

Tenderizing Pork.
Tenderizing Pork.

How to make Dot’s Pretzel Crumble

I was sad when Dot’s stopped selling their crumble. I contacted the company to find out where to buy it. They responded telling me they no longer make it. Fortunately, they told me I could make my own by crushing or food processing Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels . Here’s how:

Measure out 2 cups of Dot’s Homestyle Pretzel’s for every 4 pork chops you desire to coat. Place them in a food processor and process until evenly crumbled.

Original Dot's Homestyle pretzels in a food processor.
Original Dot’s Homestyle pretzels in a food processor.
Homemade Original Dot's Homestyle pretzel crumble in a food processor.
Homemade Original Dot’s Homestyle pretzel crumble in a food processor.

How to Bread Schnitzel

First coat the pork chops with flour.

coating pork in flour
Coating pork in flour

Then dip the breaded pork chops into the egg mixture (see recipe).

Dipping pork into egg mixture before adding pretzels
Dipping pork into egg mixture before adding pretzels

Then coat the pork chops in the homemade Dot’s Pretzel Crumble. Hint: Only put a little crumble at a time on the plate. That way you can save the leftover crumble. If it touches raw meat you will have to dispose of it.

Breading pork in Homemade Dot's Pretzel Crumble
Breading pork in Homemade Dot’s Pretzel Crumble
Pork coated in Homemade Dot's Pretzel Crumble
Pork coated in Homemade Dot’s Pretzel Crumble

How to Cook Pork Schnitzel

First add 1/4 inch of canola or vegetable oil to a frying pan and heat. Add your breaded pork 3-4 at a time to the pan. Cook 3 minutes then flip and cook another 3 minutes.

Schnitzel in frying pan
Browning the first side of schnitzel
schnitzel in frying pan
Browning Pork Schnitzel

The pork will not be fully cooked at this time. Place the fried pork chops on a jelly roll pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 min. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 160 degrees F.

Pork Schnitzel with Dot's Pretzel Crumble
Pork Schnitzel with Dot’s Pretzel Crumble, ready to bake.
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How to serve Pork Schnitzel

Serve with any side dish you wish. Some great suggestions include: roasted vegetables, rice, risotto, and/or potatoes. Alternatively, you can serve it on a bun as a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, mayo/mustard, onions, pickles or slaw. Get creative!

Pork Schnitzel served with roasted vegetables
Pork Schnitzel served with roasted vegetables
Pork Schnitzel Sandwich
Pork Schnitzel Sandwich served with kohlrabi slaw.

What can you do with Leftover Pork Schnitzel?

Air fry your leftover Schnitzel for best results. I air fry on high in my Ninja Foodi for 6 minutes. You can serve with your leftover sides or make a sandwich and serve with fries, chips or slaw!

Is Pork Schnitzel Healthy?

Absolutely not. This is why I suggest serving it with some roasted vegetables or a side of coleslaw! Try sauteed beet tops for another healthy side.

Recipe for Pork Schnitzel with Dot’s Pretzel Crumble

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Entertaining at home Recipes

14 Awesome Appetizers for your Next Party at Home

Parties are a great way to enjoy your home. Food is always expected at a party. Awesome appetizers can help to bring people together for great conversations, or can help accent any planned activity. It is not always easy to find great recipes for tried and true appetizers that will be loved by everyone. These 14 Awesome Appetizers will be a great addition to your next home party.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn commission on sale at no extra cost to you.

Buffalo Chicken Dip Appetizer

buffalo chicken dip

This Buffalo Chicken dip is really easy to make, and it has relatively few easy to find ingredients. In other words, it is a simple appetizer. It is gluten free and keto friendly if served with celery instead of chips. The recipe includes 3 different cooking methods, slow cooker, baked and smoked. It is best for Big Game Day parties, New Year’s Celebrations, and Potlucks.

Jalapeno Poppers

These Jalapeno Poppers are quick and easy to make, find the recipe here. All of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store. These jalapeno poppers can be prepared ahead of time, then baked right before serving. They are gluten free and keto friendly. They are best for small gatherings, Big Game Day parties, backyard parties, and family get togethers.

Chicken Strips aka Boneless Wings

This chicken strip recipe is more difficult than your average appetizer, but it is worth the effort. Your guests will be pleased. These chicken strips would best be kept warm in a chafing dish. Pick up some great dipping options: Ranch, BBQ sauce, and honey mustard and serve them in a cute tray. Chicken strips or boneless wings are perfect for small parties, game night, and football parties.

Easy Bean Dip

Rich results on Google's SERP when searching for 'Party Appetizer Recipe'
Easy Bean Dip

This bean dip recipe is so easy! The dip can take on the shape of any container, making it simple to match any party theme. Most of the ingredients are easy to find, and the recipe includes suggestions for alternative ingredients. It is gluten free. This recipe can be prepared ahead of time. There are suggestions for how to make it work for different holidays, such as serving in a football shaped bowl for a super bowl party. Overall this is the most versatile appetizer on the list, it is really great for any occasion.

Chips and Salsa or Pico de Gallo

chips and salsa
Photo by Tai’s Captures on Unsplash

If you are looking for an easy appetizer, this one is for you. Just open a bag of chips, dump it in a bowl, open a can of salsa and dump it in a smaller bowl. If you want to get fancy about it, get a cute chip and dip set.

If you want to be even more fancy, make your own Pico de Gallo. Both Pico de Gallo and some canned salsas are gluten free, and keto friendly. This appetizer is also vegan and vegetarian.

Homemade Pico de Gallo recipe

  • 5-6 Roma tomatoes chopped
  • 1 onion minced
  • 2 jalapenos minced
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/4 cup mince fresh cilantro
  • salt to taste

Mix all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips!

Pulled Pork Street Tacos

pulled pork street tacos

These street tacos are made with 4-inch street taco shells. Certainly small enough to be an appetizer. This recipe is easy to make, especially if you have leftover pulled pork. If you do not have leftover pulled pork you can buy pulled pork at the grocery store, or make your own. To use this recipe as an appetizer, the pulled pork could be kept warm in a crockpot. The other toppings are all cold, and could be set up like a taco bar. Your guests will enjoy putting together their own taco. They are so tasty, you better plan on your guests eating more than one! Best for small gatherings, perfect for summer.

Polish Roses

polish roses

Polish roses, aka onion wraps are really easy to make. Just wrap a green onion and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese in your choice of lunchmeat. If you don’t like onions, use pickles instead. This is a very easy appetizer, gluten free and keto friendly. It can be made ahead of time and is perfect for any occasion.

Charcuterie Board

charcuterie board
Photo by Ana Maltez on Unsplash

This is a very easy appetizer. You will need to start with a charcuterie board and it would help if you had some ramekins for jams and dips. Once you have the basics, all you need are a variety of meats, soft and hard cheeses, fruits, veggies, olives, jams and dips. Get creative, don’t worry your guests will be pleased. This appetizer is best for wine tastings, book clubs, and bible studies.

Meatballs

These Thai Inspired meatballs are an amazing appetizer. Find the video recipe here. You can prepare the meatballs ahead of time, then refrigerate until you are ready to bake for your party. They would be best kept warm with a chafing dish rather than a crockpot. These meatballs would be best for a small get together. They are great for any season. Don’t expect any leftovers.

Guacamole

guacamole
Photo by Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash

Guacamole is very easy to make, find the recipe here. All of the ingredients are easy to find. It is the healthiest appetizer on this list. It is gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and keto friendly. Guacamole is versatile. It is traditionally served with tortilla chips, but it can also be used as a vegetable dip or spread on crackers. You can make it ahead of time, but it can brown a bit. To prevent browning, place a piece of plastic wrap right on top to protect the top from the air. Due to the versatility of this appetizer it would be a great addition to any gathering.

Cheese and Crackers

crackers
Photo by Raychan on Unsplash

This appetizer can be a simple as arranging a variety of crackers and cheese slices on a platter or you can make your own cheese spread.

Easy Homemade Cheese Spread recipe

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • dash of hot sauce, more if desired (optional)

Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving with crackers.

Pierogi

Pierogi served with sauteed onions and sour cream
Pierogi served with sauteed onions and sour cream

This is a difficult recipe, but it is worth the effort. It is also an awesome vegetarian option. Your guests will be amazed! Pierogi can be prepared ahead, they can even be frozen. To serve as an appetizer you will need to fry them up, then keep them warm in a chafing dish. Be sure to fry up plenty of onions to serve with the pierogi. If you are willing to put in the effort pierogi are a great appetizer for any event especially Christmas Eve parties, where they are a polish tradition.

Chips and Dip

Another easy appetizer. The key to great chip dip is to make it yourself. The best chip dip is A Spice Above – Oven Roasted Garlic. Just mix the packet with 1 cup full fat sour cream and 1 cup of mayonnaise. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours prior to serving. It is gluten free and keto friendly. This appetizer will be gone no matter where you bring it. It is a simple appetizer perfect for any event.

Easy Deviled Eggs for all Occasions

Deviled eggs are an easy and inexpensive appetizer for all occasions. They are gluten free and keto friendly. Make them cute or sophisticated. Find many recipes here:

Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy Caviar

Another easy amazing vegetarian and vegan option. In addition, it is also another great gluten free option. Perfect for any event!

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 15 ounce can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can Black Eyed Peas, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounce can Corn, drained and rinsed
  • 4 ounce Jar of Pimentos, with juice
  • 4 Celery sticks chopped fine
  • 1 Orange bell pepper chopped
  • 1 sweet onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Mix Olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar and salt in a bowl to make the dressing. In another bowl mix all the other ingredients. Pour the dressing over the other ingredients. Chill for at least 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

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Entertaining at home Recipes

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Are you in need of a quick and easy appetizer for your next party? Look no further, this easy crock pot buffalo chicken dip is so simple and it always goes. You will receive plenty of compliments if you make this Buffalo dip for your next get together.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. I will earn commission on product sales at no additional cost to you.

Slow cooker Buffalo Dip Ingredients:

  • 3-4 Chicken breasts cooked and cubed
  • 16 ounces cream cheese
  • 5-6 celery stalks chopped
  • 12 ounce jar of blue cheese OR Ranch dressing
  • 12 ounce jar Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Turn your crockpot on high. Add the cream cheese first so it can start to melt while you add the other ingredients.

Wash and chop the celery, then add it to the crockpot.

Cube the cooked chicken and add it to the crockpot. Alternatively, you can substitute canned chicken if you prefer.

Add the dressing. Choose either blue cheese or ranch. I recommend a fresh dressing from the refrigerated section of the produce department. Marzetti, Lighthouse, or Marie’s.

Add the Franks Red Hot Buffalo sauce. Choose Frank’s mild, regular or hot depending on how spicy you want your buffalo chicken dip to be.

Lastly, add the shredded cheddar cheese to the slow cooker.

Mix all of the ingredients together inside the crockpot and cover. Continue to mix every 10-15 minutes until the cheese is starting to melt and the cream cheese is mixed into the sauce. ~60 min.

Once the cheese is starting to melt, turn the slow cooker heat to low and continue to warm, stirring every 20 minutes, until you are ready to serve. 1-2 hours.

Serve this easy buffalo chicken dip with tortilla chips.

Can you make Buffalo Chicken Dip Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can mix all of the ingredients in the crockpot insert the night before and put the insert in the fridge overnight. Pull it out 2-3 hours before your party and follow heating directions. Alternatively, you can mix all of the ingredients in a 9×13 Pyrex baking dish, and refrigerate over night, then follow the baking or smoking directions.

Can you bake Buffalo Chicken Dip?

Yes, you can bake Frank’s red hot sauce buffalo chicken dip instead of using a slow cooker. To bake this dip, just mix all of the ingredients on a 9×13 Pyrex baking dish and bake a 375 degrees F until cheese is melted and dip is hot. ~ 20 min.

Can you smoke Buffalo Chicken Dip?

You sure can! If you choose to smoke the dip I would recommend using smoked chicken. Mix all of the ingredients in a 9×13 Pyrex baking dish or a foil pan. Smoke at 180 degrees F for 30 min, then increase the temperature to 375 degrees F and continue to smoke until the cheese is melted and dip is hot. ~10 min.

Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Healthy?

No, this is not a healthy recipe. It is meant to be a party food to be shared by many people on a special occasion. Not an every day snack. If you would like to make it healthier, you can use Neufchatel cheese instead of the cream cheese for 1/3 less fat. You can also serve it with celery sticks instead of tortilla chips. These substitutions will not make it much healthier, so portion control is probably your best option.

Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Gluten free?

Chicken, cream cheese, celery, Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo sauce, and cheddar cheese are gluten free. Make sure you read the label on the salad dressing you choose because some may contain gluten. Also, it would be best to shred your own cheese, because some pre-shredded cheeses may contain gluten. If you season your chicken before you cook it, make sure all of the seasonings are gluten free. Make sure the chips you serve it with are gluten free.

Is Buffalo Chicken Dip Keto?

Chicken, cream cheese, celery, Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo sauce, and cheddar cheese are keto friendly. Marzetti Blue cheese dressing is Dirty Keto. You will have to serve it with something keto friendly, like celery sticks, instead of tortilla chips.

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 Chicken breasts cooked and cubed
  • 16 ounces cream cheese
  • 5-6 celery stalks chopped
  • 12 ounce jar of blue cheese OR Ranch dressing
  • 12 ounce jar Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Turn your crock pot on high. Add the cream cheese first so it can start to melt while you add the other ingredients.

Wash and chop the celery, then add it to the crockpot. Cube the cooked chicken and add it to the crock pot.

Add the dressing, hot sauce and shredded cheese.

Mix all of the ingredients together inside the crock pot and cover. Continue to mix every 10-15 minutes until the cheese is starting to melt and the cream cheese is mixed into the sauce. ~60 min.

Once the cheese is starting to melt, turn the slow cooker heat to low and continue to warm, stirring every 20 minutes, until you are ready to serve. 1-2 hours. Serve with tortilla chips.

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More Great Appetizer Recipes:

Jalapeno Poppers

Fritos Bean Dip

Guacamole

Pork Street Tacos

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Healthy Home Recipes

Nutrient Packed Smoothie vs. Smoothie Bowls

Save a ton of money by making your own smoothies and smoothie bowls at home. Learn how to create your own recipes and which ingredients provide the best nutrients for your health.

A smoothie is a simply a beverage made by pureeing fruits and vegetables with other ingredients in a blender. A smoothie bowl is a thicker more nutrient packed smoothie, thick enough to eat with a spoon, and often topped with fruit, granola, nuts, and seeds. Lets review some common smoothie vs. smoothie bowl questions and how to pack them with nutrients.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these recipes have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these recipes have not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These recipes are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl

A smoothie is thin enough to drink through a smoothie straw. For a smoothie bowl you can use the same ingredients to make a smoothie, but it will be thick enough to eat with a spoon.

Basic smoothie vs. smoothie bowl ingredients:

Smoothie: 1 cup (8 ounces of fruits and veggies) to 1/2 cup to 1 cup of liquid. Less liquid will make a thicker smoothie, more liquid makes a thinner smoothie.

Smoothie bowl: 2 cups (16 ounces of fruits and veggies) to 1/4 cup liquid.

Optional additives can be mixed in in small quantities. For example, a tablespoon of honey or a scoop of protein powder.

Basic Smoothie recipe example:

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing) ~1/2 cup

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup milk

Optional: 1 tablespoon elderberry syrup.

Puree in a blender

Serve in a cup with a straw.

Basic Smoothie bowl recipe example:

1.5 cups frozen mixed berries

1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing) ~1/2 cup

2 tablespoons yogurt

2 tablespoons milk

Optional: 1 teaspoon honey

Puree in a blender

Top with fresh blueberries, almond slices, and hemp hearts. Serve in a bowl with a spoon.

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl infographic

Which blender is best for making smoothies?

I personally prefer the Ninja Professional Blender. It has a large capacity, it blends everything smoothly. It is also dishwasher safe for quick and easy clean up.

Another awesome option for delicious smoothies is the Vitamix Blender. The only drawback is the price. Although it is expensive, it has a few features that the Ninja does not have. It will heat soups, but that is not necessary for smoothies.

If you need a smaller blender for a college dorm or a small kitchen, a handheld immersion blender or a personal size blender are also great options.

Lastly, there is the Ninja Creami which is perfect for making smoothies and best for making smoothie bowls with the added benefit of making ice cream.

Ninja blender making a smoothie

Can you make a smoothie the night before?

The best way to make a smoothie the night before is to prepare all of the ingredients. Chop and freeze the fruit you wish to use. Measure out the liquid ingredients and place them in the refrigerator. Then you can quickly blend them together in the morning.

Can you store a smoothie in the refrigerator or freezer?

If you prepare a smoothie with ice or frozen ingredients then it will thin with refrigeration because the ice will melt and the frozen ingredients will thaw. The smoothie will be thinner, but still tasty. It will probably need to be stirred before consuming.

You can freeze a smoothie, but it will thicken like ice cream or sorbet. Frozen smoothie would require a spoon to consume. You can defrost it but depending on the ingredients, it may not remain smooth. It is possible to blend it again, but the consistency may not be the same.

Are smoothies and smoothie bowls healthy?

Smoothies and smoothie bowls can both be very healthy depending on the ingredients you choose. Read on to learn about healthy and unhealthy ingredients found in smoothies and smoothie bowls.

Which smoothie is anti-inflammatory?

Most smoothie ingredients are naturally anti-inflammatory, which makes smoothies and smoothie bowls a great option for an anti-inflammatory diet. Here are some ingredients to avoid and some to include in anti-inflammatory smoothies and smoothie bowls:

Smoothie ingredients to avoid because they can increase inflammation:

  • Processed foods
  • sugar
  • sweetened teas
  • sugary drinks
  • sweet cereal
  • canned fruit packed in heavy syrup
  • non-dairy creamers (unhealthy fat)

Best Anti-inflammatory smoothie ingredients:

  • Berries
  • Grapes
  • Citrus fruits: oranges/grapefruit
  • Pumpkin
  • Spinach/kale
  • Cauliflower
  • Quinoa
  • Soy
  • Nuts/seeds
  • hemp hearts/chia
  • Spices: ginger/turmeric/cinnamon

Which Smoothie is best for weight loss?

There are plenty of fad diets out there that will each have their own smoothie recipes. The key to consuming smoothies for weight loss is choosing the right ingredients. Fruits and vegetables are typically the main ingredients in most smoothie and smoothie bowl recipes. The reason why fruits and vegetables are good for weight loss is because they have low energy density. Meaning they have few calories in a large volume of food. This way you can fill up, and feel full while consuming fewer calories. There is some research to prove that consuming low-energy-dense foods will lead to weight loss without feeling hungry.

If you choose low-energy-dense ingredients for your smoothie, you can stay full longer on fewer calories and lose weight.

Best ingredients for a weight loss smoothie or smoothie bowl (low-energy-dense foods)

  • Fresh or frozen vegetables
  • Fresh or frozen fruits
  • Low-fat or fat-free dairy products with no sugar added
  • Whole grains
  • Water or ice

Worst ingredients for a weight loss smoothie or smoothie bowl (high-energy-dense foods)

  • Fruits canned in heavy syrup
  • Juice
  • Sweetened yogurt
  • Sugar
  • Full fat dairy products
  • Dried fruits
  • Refined grains: white rice or cereal made with white flour

Smoothie vs. smoothie bowl, which is good for diarrhea?

If you have diarrhea hydration is important. If you are recovering from a stomach bug and have been vomiting also, you should probably start with clear liquids. Once you are feeling better, then a smoothie would still be better than a smoothie bowl because smoothies have more liquid. In the past a BRAT (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) diet was often recommended as a bland diet to eat for the first day of solid food after a stomach bug. These four foods are still a great option, but many experts recommend adding in a few more foods for better nutrition. There are still some foods that should be avoided when you have diarrhea.

Ingredients to avoid adding to a smoothie when you have diarrhea:

  • Dairy (with the exception of yogurt or kefir-especially with antibiotic associated diarrhea)
  • Citrus fruits
  • pineapple
  • leafy green vegetables
  • raw vegetables
  • Spices
  • berries or seedy fruits
  • oils
  • caffeine

Best smoothie ingredients to add when you have diarrhea:

  • Banana
  • Cooked white rice (gritty)/baby rice cereal
  • Kefir or yogurt
  • Apple sauce or juice
  • Pedialyte
  • Coconut water
  • Peaches
  • Melons
  • Squash-e.g. pumpkin puree
  • Cream of wheat
  • Oatmeal

Smoothie vs. Smoothie bowl for constipation?

Hydration and fiber are both important for prevention and treatment of constipation. Smoothies will help more with hydration, but you can pack more fiber in a smoothie bowl. Both are good options for constipation. I unusually try to help my patients choose good foods to treat occasional constipation before resorting to medications.

Best Smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients for constipation

  • Prunes or prune juice
  • All Bran
  • Plums with peel
  • Berries
  • Squash
  • Leafy Greens
  • Water/Ice
  • Flax seeds
  • Nuts
  • Kombucha
  • Apples with peel/apple juice
  • Kiwi

Which smoothie is best when you are sick with a cold or flu?

If you are sick with a cold or flu you need hydration, especially if you have a fever. Smoothies are a great way in increase hydration. Fruits, vegetables and other immune boosting foods are also beneficial when nursing a viral infection. A cold smoothie made with frozen fruits and/or ice can help to sooth a sore throat. Top your smoothie bowl with my immune boosting granola.

Best Immune boosting smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients:

  • Citrus fruits
  • Berries
  • Elderberry Syrup
  • Matcha
  • Ginger/turmeric
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Leafy greens
  • Peppers
  • Sweet Potato
  • Pomegranate
  • Yogurt
  • Papaya
  • Kiwi
  • Acai
Immune boosting smoothie and smoothie bowl ingredients infographic.

How to make a hydrating smoothie.

Although both smoothies and smoothie bowls contain hydration, smoothies are more hydrating because they contain more liquid. There are some fruits and vegetables that have a higher water content and are better for improving hydration. Electrolytes are important for improving hydration lost due to sweating from exercise or illness. For more hydration tips, check out my post on hydration.

Most hydrating Smoothie ingredients:

  • Celery
  • Watermelon
  • Peaches
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Leafy Greens
  • Tomatoes
  • Cantalope
  • Strawberries
  • Yogurt
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Ice
  • Coconut Water
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Recipes

Easy Leftover Turkey Enchilada Soup

If you are searching for a great way to use up your leftover turkey, search no more. This quick and easy leftover turkey enchilada soup is sure to please. It’s simply a twist on the more traditional chicken enchilada soup. Certainly better than Campbells or chili’s chicken enchilada soup. As long as you have the stock prepared, you could be enjoying this soup in about 20 minutes.

How do you prepare turkey stock?

Start by boiling the leftover turkey carcass in a pot of water for 4-5 hours. You can add a few cilantro stems to the pot to enhance the flavor. Strain the stock while it is still warm. Then allow the meat to cool a bit before stripping the remaining meat from the bones.

What is the secret to the best enchilada soup?

The first secret ingredient that makes the best enchilada soup is masa harina. It is the flour used for making corn tortillas. Turns out it is also the best flour to use when thickening your enchilada soup.

The second secret ingredient is Monterey Jack cheese shredded from the block. If you by the block of cheese and shred it yourself it will melt into the soup creating a creamy broth. Do not try to melt pre-shredded cheese into your soup. It does not melt well and will always have little strings of not quite melted cheese in the broth.

Leftover turkey enchilada soup ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 4-5 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2/3 cup masa harina
  • 5 cups turkey stock
  • 3 cups leftover turkey, cubed or shredded
  • 3 (10-ounce) cans red enchilada sauce (mild, medium or hot)
  • 1 (7-ounce) can of green chilis or hatch chilis
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 (15-ounce) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-ounce) can corn
  • 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 8 ounces of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • tortilla strips
  • 3 avocados, diced
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

How to make leftover turkey enchilada soup

  • In a large pot, heat up the avocado oil, add the onion and sauté until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté for another minute.
  • Then make a roux by adding the masa harina until the onions are garlic are evenly coated.
  • Add the stock 1 cup at a time while stirring.
  • Once the stock is warm and slightly thickened, add the enchilada sauce, cumin, turkey, chilis, tomatoes, beans, and corn.
  • Optional: Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. If you choose to do this, I would recommend using cheese shredded from a block rather than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Top with Shredded Monterey Jack cheese, tortilla strips, chopped cilantro and cubed avocado.

If you like this soup, try my better than olive garden Zuppa Toscana recipe.

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Recipes

Easy Apple Pie Recipe

I have been scrambling to use up the abundant supply of apples from my 2 apple trees. Good things do come to those who wait. The first few years didn’t provide many, but now it’s almost a chore to use up all the apples 2 trees provide. So, it seems like a great time to share my easy apple pie recipe. Sure to please! Especially if made with my best pie crust recipe, which also happens to be very easy!

Which apple variety is best for apple pie?

Honestly any variety of apple will make a delicious apple pie, except maybe red delicious which I personally think tastes like Styrofoam. My mom always likes to use McIntosh for pies because they are softer and quite tart. I actually prefer the apples stay a little more firm in my pie, so I prefer to use Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.

Easy Apple Pie Filling:

  • 6 cups of peeled and sliced apples
  • 2 tablespoons tapioca
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons of butter

Best Pie Crust Ingredients:

  • 2 Cups + 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • pinch or salt

Easy Apple Pie assembly:

Mix all of the ingredients in the apple pie filling above, except the butter. I’ll admit that I often use more than 6 cups of apples.

Prepare the bottom crust and place it in your Pyrex pie dish. Add the filling mixture. Top with the butter.

Top with the crust, add some slits, and crimp the edges as desired. See my best pie crust recipe for more instructions. Cover the edges with foil. Bake at 425 degrees F for 30 min, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 min. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before serving.

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Recipes

Best Leftover Pulled Pork Street Tacos, better than Hello Fresh

Leftover Pulled Pork street tacos
Leftover pulled pork street tacos.

A pulled pork leftover street taco recipe so good it must be shared. I’m a big fan of using my leftovers. It is a great way to save money on groceries. For more info on how to save money on groceries check out my other post.

I made my pulled pork on my Traeger Silverton 620. This is the recipe I used to smoke the pulled pork on my Traeger, with the following changes: instead of apple cider, I added 1 cup of apple juice, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/4 cup dark brown sugar. I did not add anything to the pulled pork after shredding it. I prefer to allow each person to choose their own BBQ sauce.

What is the best way to use leftover pulled pork?

My favorite way to use my left over pulled pork is by making pulled pork street tacos. I got the idea for this recipe from a Hello Fresh recipe. I gave Hello Fresh a try and really enjoyed it. My family ended up with a couple of new favorite recipes from our trial subscription. This recipe is a creative spin on one of our favorites. It will not work if you have already added BBQ sauce to your pulled pork.

How to prepare leftover pulled pork for pulled pork street tacos.

Put your leftover pulled pork in a frying pan. Toss it around in the pan until warmed evenly. Add sweet soy sauce to coat. I used ABC Sweet Soy Sauce. Add about 1 tablespoon of sweet soy sauce per 1 cup of leftover pulled pork, and mix. If not fully coated add 1 tablespoon of sweet soy sauce and mix, continue adding 1 tablespoon at a time until fully coated but not soupy.

Leftover pulled pork for street tacos
Pulled pork for street tacos.

How to prepare coleslaw for your leftover pulled pork tacos.

I always make coleslaw as a side dish with my pulled pork. personally, I do not like soggy leftover coleslaw so I only dress (add dressing to) what I think my guests will eat. This way any leftover coleslaw mix will last weeks in the refrigerator and I can dress more whenever I feel like eating some. Also, I’m able to switch up the dressing for different recipes such as leftover pulled pork tacos.

Here is my basic coleslaw mix: 1 head of cabbage chopped (I like to use half red and half green), 3-4 carrots peeled and shredded, 1 sweet onion chopped. This mixture will last for 2-3 weeks in your refrigerator. For this leftover pulled pork street taco recipe I use 2-3 cups of my coleslaw mix, 3-4 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro, and 3-4 tablespoons of Seasoned rice vinegar. Mix right before serving. If you prefer less crunch, mix 20-30 min before serving and add a little salt.

coleslaw with cilantro for leftover pulled pork street tacos
Coleslaw for pulled pork street tacos.

What other toppings are needed?

For my leftover pulled pork street tacos I also make a quick crema. Just add a tablespoon or two of Sriracha hot sauce to 3 tablespoons of sour cream and mix!

crema for leftover pulled pork street tacos
Crema for pulled pork street tacos.

You can also add some shredded Monterey Jack cheese.

Recipe By Kristin
Course: Dinner Cusine:Aisian Mexican Difficulty:easy

Servings

16 minutes

Preparing Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

10 minutes

Calories

kcal

INGREDIENTS

  1. 1 head of cabbage chopped (or ½ a head of each green and red cabbage)

  2. 3-4 Carrots peeled and shredded

  3. 1 onion chopped

  4. ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  5. Pinch of salt (optional)

  6. ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar

  7. 4 cups leftover pulled pork

  8. ½ cup sweet soy sauce (more if needed)

  9. ½ cup sour cream

  10. 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce ( more if desired)

  11. 4 ounces grated Monterey jack cheese (optional)

  12. 16 4-inch street taco shells

DIRECTION

  1. Prepare the crema: 

    Mix the sour cream and sriracha.  Add more sriracha if desired. 

  2. Prepare the coleslaw mix. 

    Mix the chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, and onion.  Measure out 4 cups of the mix.  Save the remainder for another use.  Add the cilantro and vinegar.  Mix to coat.  Add salt if you prefer a softer coleslaw, and mix.

  3. Prepare the pulled pork.

    Put the pulled pork in a frying pan and warm it while mixing.  Add the sweet soy sauce.  Mix until coated but not soupy, add extra sauce if needed to coat the pork.  Remove from heat.

  4. Assemble the Tacos.

    Warm the taco shells if desired.  Top with pork, slaw, crema and cheese.

NOTES

    You can store the extra coleslaw mix in your refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

Categories
Recipes

Better than Rachel Ray’s Italian Mac ‘n Cheese

It has been 15 years since I first tried Rachel Ray’s Italian Mac ‘n Cheese. A friend from my mom’s group brought me the dish after I had my third child. It was part of a meal train we put together to help out moms for the first couple of weeks after giving birth. Of the meals I received, this one was by far my favorite. I asked my friend for the recipe and for the past 15 years I have been modifying this recipe. I believe I have perfected the recipe now, because it is always a hit at my home. I am now ready to share with you my Better than Rachel Ray’s Italian Mac ‘n Cheese recipe.

Please feel free to compare my recipe with Rachel Ray’s Italian Mac & Cheese. My recipe is better because it has onions and because it has more sauce. The sauce in my recipe is also more flavorful due to the addition of more tomatoes and seasoning.

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Italian Mac ‘n Cheese Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Pound of Penne pasta

1 Pound bulk Sweet Italian sausage

12 Cremini Mushrooms (1 package), sliced

1 onion, chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 Tablespoons butter

1/2 Cup flour

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can of each: chicken broth, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

8 ounces of whipping cream

8 ounces of Italian Blend shredded cheese

1/2 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Directions:

Prepare the pasta according to package directions. Drain and pour into a pyrex baking dish.

Brown the sausage, drain and set aside. Add the olive oil to the pan and sauté the onion until slightly softened. Add the mushrooms, garlic and butter. Toss to evenly coat, add salt, and continue to sauté until the mushrooms begin to soften. Stir in the flour until evenly coated. Slowly add the chicken broth, add a little and stir until the sauce thickens, then add more and stir. Repeat this process until the whole can is incorporated. Add the undrained can of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and pepper. Mix until well combined and return to a simmer. Return the drained sausage to the pan and add half of the shredded Italian blend cheese, mix until melted. Add the whipping cream and mix constantly until the sauce returns to a simmer, then remove from heat.

Pre heat the broiler to high. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix. Top with remaining Italian blend cheese. Place the dish under the broiler for 3-5 min until the cheese in lightly browned. Serve with parmesan cheese.

If you like the recipe, you may also like my Better than Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana.

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Healthy Home Recipes

Pharmacist Shares Immune Boosting Granola Recipe

Customers are flooding into local pharmacies in search of immune boosting supplements. Many of these immune boosting ingredients can easily be included in your diet. It’s much less expensive to eat your vitamins than to purchase supplements. I’m a pharmacist and I would love to share my recipe for Immune Boosting Granola. Granola is a quick and easy breakfast or snack that can easily be added to any daily meal plan. Add some to you favorite yogurt or just pack it for a quick and easy snack.

Disclaimer: The statements made regarding this recipe have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of this recipe has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. This recipe is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Immune Boosting Nutrients

In order to make an immune boosting recipe, one first needs to know which nutrients are known to boost immunity. I have compiled a list of immune boosting vitamins and minerals, because adding more to your diet can help boost your immunity.

Vitamin C- There is research to support Vitamin C supplementation in reducing the length and severity of respiratory infections.1 Vitamin C plays an important role in immune response.

Zinc – Plenty of research is certainly available supporting zinc supplementation in reducing the length and severity of infections.1 Zinc is an important player in immune response.

Vitamin D – There is some evidence that vitamin D could reduce the risk of Influenza and COVID-19 infections and death.2

Vitamin B6- A deficiency in Vitamin B6 reduces your ability to make antibodies to fight off infection. Vitamin B6 could help strengthen immunity.3

Vitamin E- Immune response is enhanced by Vitamin E. It can provide protection against infections.4

Selenium- The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium.5

Immune Boosting Ingredients

I selected my granola ingredients to include as many immune boosting vitamins and minerals as possible so they can help boost immunity. Here is a list of my ingredients because it is important to understand why they were included in my recipe.

  1. Elderberry syrup (find it here): Elderberry syrup is also used to enhance immunity. Elderberries are high in flavonoids, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. It may also help reduce symptoms of viral infections by stimulating immune response.6
  2. Matcha (find it here): Another natural superfood, matcha is green tea powder. It is made by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder. Regular consumption of green tea could decrease influenza infection rates and cold symptoms.7
  3. Hemp hearts(find them here), pumpkin seeds and Flax Seeds: I included all of these mostly for the zinc and omega 3 and 6. These polyunsaturated fats also have been extensively studied for their role in immune health.8
  4. Nuts: These serve as a good source of selenium and zinc. I also chose Brazil nuts because they have the highest amount of selenium. Cashews are also high in zinc.
  5. Sunflower seeds: These seeds also have some healthy fats, but I chose them mostly because they are an excellent source of vitamin E. They are also a good source of selenium and vitamin B6.
  6. Ginger: Can also help reduce the severity of respiratory infections.9
  7. Blueberries: Another natural superfood. Blueberries are a good source of Vitamin C. I included them because they are one of the best sources of antioxidants, mostly flavonoids.

Immune Boosting Granola Recipe

Ingredients:

4 Cups Oats

1 Cup mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, and Brazil nuts)

1/4 Cup sunflower seeds

1 Cup shelled pumpkin seeds

1/4 Cup hemp hearts

1 Tablespoon matcha powder

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt

2 Tablespoons flax seed

1/3 Cup dried cranberries

1/2 Cup shredded dry coconut

1/3 Cup dried blueberries

1/2 Cup honey

1/3 Cup Peanut butter

2 Tablespoons Elderberry Syrup

1/3 Cup coconut oil

Directions:

First preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix together the oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, matcha, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and flax seed. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl mix the peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, elderberry syrup. Once mixed, pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix until evenly coated.

Cover a Jelly Roll Pan with parchment paper. Spread the granola over the paper. Bake for 15 min. Remove from the oven and mix in the dried coconut. Bake for 10 more minutes. Remove and mix again. If the coconut is not completely toasted, bake for 2 more minutes or until most of the coconut is toasted but not burnt. Lastly, remove from the oven and stir in the dried fruit while the granola is still warm. Finally, allow the granola to cool to room temperature. Although it is difficult not to finish it all in one sitting, you may have some leftover. If so, you can store in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Immune Boosting Granola Served with Yogurt

Granola makes a great gift!

References:

  1. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/90495
  2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/4/988
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28367454/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266234/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30200430/
  6. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1271/bbb.120112
  7. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/7/1795
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6834330/
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019938/

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Recipes

How to Make Fabulous Smoked ribs

Finally, after multiple attempts, I have been able to perfect my fall off the bone smoked baby back ribs. These ribs are fabulous! I’ve tried 3-2-1 recipes in the past; but in my opinion this recipe is better than 321 ribs. They are certainly award winning according to my family. I want to share this wonderful recipe for how to make fabulous smoked ribs with you.

Smoked ribs Ingredients

2 racks of Baby Back Ribs

4 Teaspoons garlic powder

4 Teaspoons Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup apple juice

4 Tablespoons Dark Brown Sugar

BBQ sauce to taste

How to prepare fabulous smoked ribs

The first step is to remove the silver skin from the baby back ribs. This may have been done by your butcher, but if not it’s a really simple process. Just turn over the rack and use a paper towel to find the skin and pull to remove. Once the silver skin is removed season both sides with garlic powder and a generous portion of Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub.

How to prepare the Traeger Silverton 620 for ribs

Clean the Traeger from any previous cook. Ribs can be really messy so you should use a Traeger tray liner to protect your grill. This Trager grill liner is slightly wider that the liner that came with my Silverton 620 grill, but it is bendable and actually provides more coverage. You could just use foil for this step, but the tray liners do work better. Initially I tried to clean the tray between cooks, but I ended up finding the best cost saving option to be lining the tray with foil. This way I just remove to foil and reapply clean foil to the tray. I get several uses out of each tray, and keep my grill clean. Fill the hopper with Traeger Signature Blend Pellets. Preheat the Traeger to 200 degrees F.

How to make fall off the bone ribs on the Traeger Silverton 620

Place the prepared ribs directly on the rack of the preheated Silverton 620 Treager grill. Smoke at 200 degrees F for 2 hours.

Baby Back ribs prepared to smoke

Line a 21 x 13 Inch foil pan with aluminum foil, make sure there is excess foil to wrap the ribs.

Remove the ribs from the grill, use a hand held Probe Thermometer to check the meat as close as possible to the center between two ribs. The internal temperature at this step should be approximately 150 degrees F. Turn the Traeger Silverton 620 temperature up to 235 degrees F.

Smoked baby back ribs

Place the ribs in the foil lined pan. Drizzle the ribs with honey, approximately 1/3 cup.

baby back ribs drizzled with honey
Baby back ribs drizzled with honey

Pour one cup of warm apple juice over the ribs. Then sprinkle each rack with dark brown sugar, approximately 2 tablespoons each.

baby back ribs with dark brown sugar
Baby back ribs with dark brown sugar

Tightly wrap the foil around the ribs and return to the Traeger.

Baby back ribs wrapped in foil

Smoke the foil wrapped ribs for 2.5 hours.

How to make your own BBQ sauce

While your ribs are smoking prepare your own BBQ sauce.

BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons mustard

3/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 tablespoons apple juice

Mix all ingredients together in a sauce pan over low heat. I highly recommend the Ballarini Parma sauce pan for this. If you choose to buy one you will thank me when it comes to clean up time. Stir occasionally while maintaining a simmer. Taste your sauce. If it is:

Too sour? Add more apple juice or brown sugar

Too sweet? Add more apple cider vinegar

Not enough mustard, garlic, onion? Add more of those ingredients.

Continue to simmer until sauce is slightly thinner that you would desire your BBQ sauce to be. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

homemade BBQ sauce
Homemade BBQ sauce

Final step for perfect fall off the bone baby back ribs

After your wrapped ribs have smoked 2.5 hours, remove them from the Traeger Silverton 620 with, heat resistant silicone gloves , and once again check a temperature with a hand held probe thermometer. The temperature at this step should be approximately 200 degrees F.

Use a silicone basting brush to coat the top side of each rack of ribs with your homemade BBQ sauce.

Smoked baby back ribs coated with BBQ sauce

Return the ribs to the Traeger. This time they go right on the rack, unwrapped. Continue to smoke at 230 degrees F for 30-40 minutes or until the sauce is tightened.

baby back ribs with sauce on the Traeger
Baby back ribs with sauce on the Traeger

Remove from the Traeger with large tongs, slice or break apart and enjoy!

smoked baby back ribs
Smoked baby back ribs

Hope you enjoyed learning how to make fabulous smoked ribs.

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