Tag Archive for staples

Dress Up Your Summer Veggies with Bacon

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Just about everything is better with BACON!  It is definitely a staple in our house.  We can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Here is an example of eating bacon for dinner; one of many ways!  On days when I make my sheets of bacon, I try to make use of my bacon drippings by doing a dish that requires bacon AND oil.

I mean, really, what isn’t satisfyingly delicious when you cook it in bacon grease?

My Bacon Green Beans are a hit with the whole family!

Start with your sheets of bacon.  I usually try to do two to three cookie sheets of bacon at the beginning of the week.  Search for my bacon blog if you missed it!

Bake a foil lined cookie sheet of bacon on 350 to 375 for 15 minutes.  DO NOT discard your bacon drippings!  Please!

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You can keep going with your bacon on the same sheet to get more drippings (and more bacon).

Meanwhile, prepare your ingredients:

Wash and trim about 2 pounds of green beans.  Set aside.

Chop finely, 1 cup of white onion.

Using a garlic press, mince 5-6 cloves of garlic.  I love, love, love my garlic chopper!  You can find one here, and chop all of your cloves at one time!  My favorite kitchen tool!

Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a small bowl, discarding seeds.

Chop your bacon, and get your seasonings: crushed red pepper, black pepper, and Celtic or Himalayan salt.  Parmesan cheese if desired.
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Saute your onion and garlic in your bacon drippings until translucent.

 

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Add your green beans:


IMG_0781Once your green beans are slightly tender, but still crisp, add your bacon, lemon and seasonings.

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End with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese across the top!  I usually do this step on individual plates.

It’s that easy for a gorgeous, colorful, and delicious side that the whole family will enjoy.


To find items that we use in our posts, such as the All Clad sauté pan, the silicone spatulas and spoons, and cookie sheets, check out our new Amazon store here.

Do the Saturated Fat Happy Dance

The reality is,  no one wants to admit it when they are wrong. But, when it comes to something that is impacting every single one us, either directly or through our neighbors’ healthcare costs, the updated information should be shouted from the rooftops. While that is not going to happen, thankfully, the studies are being analyzed and people are getting wiser.

So many people have cut delicious foods from their diets in the name of being healthy, (eggs, bacon, full fat dairy, butter, etc.) but science is now learning that these things are actually GREAT for you!

We are so excited that these foods’ bad names are starting to be cleared!  We can finally go back to eating the way we were designed to eat, and have eaten for thousands and thousands of years.  It’s call REAL food folks, so cook it up and enjoy!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/21/opinion/when-the-government-tells-you-what-to-eat.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=c-column-top-span-region®ion=c-column-top-span-region&WT.nav=c-column-top-span-region&_r=2

 

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My HEB Grocery Run on Monday

Monday is usually my HEB run for standard groceries.  I thought I would share what I bought for the next few days, and explain how I am going to use everything!

1.  Apple Cider Vinegar –IMG_0638 I ran out yesterday experimenting with my Keto Bar-B-Que sauce I hope to share soon.  It is always in the pantry!

2.  Coconut Oil Spray – I noticed today there are two different versions on the shelf.  The new one I purchased today is for high-heat cooking which is mainly what it is used for, so I am going to give it a try!

3.  Broccolini and Kerry Gold- This is one of our favorite veggies to have on the side!  Pile on some of the Kerry Gold to make it even better!

4.  Grass Fed Ground Meat – I plan to make cheese stuffed “Spaghetti” and Meatballs!  Yum!

5.  Heavy Whipping Cream – Always in the house for coffee, tea, eggs, sauces, and whipped cream mixed with Swerve!  Double yum!

6.  Organic tomato sauce – Also used up yesterday for my Bar-B-Que sauce.  I keep it stocked in the pantry.

7.  Coconut Milk – Used for a yummy curry Indian dish this week – make sure you buy the full fat!  Another pantry staple!

8.  Cauliflower – I am ricing the cauliflower to serve with my Indian Curry dish.

9.  Spaghetti Sauce – I bet you can figure this one out…It’s for the meatballs!  I couldn’t decide which one to use though..The one in the back is a new Vodka Cream sauce that was super low in sugar and carbs.  I will have to report back on the consensus.

10. Romaine lettuce – A staple for the fridge.  We love Blue Cheese and Caesar dressing topped with bacon, and salad pretty much goes with everything, right?

11.  Pickles (Dill) – There are a few brands we like, but these are the kid’s favorite, and they don’t have the artificial yellow food coloring that so many others have that can contribute to hyperactivity in children.

12. Pasture-Raised Eggs – These are in the basket on every trip!  We eat a lot of eggs!

13. La Croix – My sister-in-law introduced me to this flavor of sparkling water, and I’m hooked.  Sometimes you just need a little zing to your water, and this fits the bill!

14.  Zucchini – ON SALE at HEB right now!  Run and get some!  We use so much of this stuff because it is so versatile!  I bought two full bags of this yummy and healthy squash.  This will be used for the “Spaghetti”.  I’m so excited to share it with you later this week!

As I use some of these ingredients I will post “after” pictures to show you the end result!

Happy Monday!!!