Mason Jar Berry Trifles

Mason Jar Berry Trifles

Cheese Cake Berry Trifle in Mason Jars!

Happy Memorial Day!  I love making fun sweet treats to have at special times of the year!  Well Strawberries and blueberries are in soooo I thought I would make a trifle today for Memorial Day!  I didn't want to use my regular trifle bowl, I wanted something a little more rugged...and here it is..in a Mason Jar! 

Fresh berries

As you can see they are a little messy to make but they sure taste yummy!  You can do this recipe and make it fit for whatever fruit is in..can't wait to make just strawberry shortcake, or fresh peaches and cream, or even chocolate dream cookie...you see...making these are addicting...but lets see if we can make it a little bit more figure friendly!

Cheese Cake Berry Trifle

Angel food cake

1 quart of strawberries

1 pint of blueberries

2 packages of instant Cheese cake pudding (fat free/sugar free)

4 cups cold milk

1 angel food cake

1 small tub cool whip 

8 pint mason jars/ 16 half pints jars

First rinse all your berries.  Cut the tops off your strawberries then slice them. Leave your blueberries whole. Set aside...In a mixing bowl, pour in your pudding mix and milk and mix until really creamy! Slice your cake in small pieces...make sure all of your jars are rinsed and dry.  I started my layering with a little cake in the bottom, then some fruit, add your pudding mixture with a spoon,(try not to get on the sides, if you do wipe off with dry paper towel) mine got a little messy...then add more cake, berries and pudding. Top with cool whip and fresh berries. If you are making these up a head of time ...don't fill them too much or the top won't fit. Put the top on your jars and keep in the refrigerator until serving time!

Cheese cake pudding

 

Pint jar filled!

There is nothing better than homemade with a little help from the store! You can always use your trifle bowl or punch bowl for these wonderful treats! But getting your own serving in a special jar, cup, dish is totally amazing! It might take a little longer to do but your guests with LOVE it! Be creative!!! I will post more of these kind of treats..so keep watching! Don't forget you can make this same one for the 4th of July too!!! Add a little ribbon and wholla....I wish that I had a little American flag to stick in the top..that would be so cute!

Mason Jar Trifle fun....

Blessings, 

Tamara

Easy Strawberry Jam

Easy Strawberry Jam

Beautiful Strawberry Jam

Welcome to the Season of Jam making!!! I want to share this old recipe that seems to work every time for me and has been a winner!!! Of course there are so many different techniques out there to making Jam, Jellies, Marmalades or Butters...I can only share one thing with you...FOLLOW the instructions!

There are many types of pectin out there you can use...Sure-Jell is my favorite and I always check the box for the original...you can get "low sugar" as well but don't skimp on the sugar or amounts...your sweet fruit WON'T set up!

Fresh Strawberries

 

I always try to find jars when they are on SALE because they can get expensive! AND SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, your old ones to use the next year...unless you gift them...Then you only have to buy new lids! Because once you find the right recipe that you LOVE...you will be one Jam making fool!!! I mean I will try them all! Don't forget these do make EXCELLENT Gifts!!!!! Here Goes!!!

Wash all your jars!

Strawberry Jam

 2 quarts strawberries

1 package of powered pectin

1/4 cup lemon juice

7 cups of sugar

1 pat of butter

Yield: about 8 half pints

You can double and triple your batches..just remember you will have more in the pot so you will have to cook a little longer!

Submerge all your lids and rings in HOT simmering water!

Before I start anything with my fruit...I have super cleaned my whole area that I am using for this process...You don't want to loose a batch Fruit from HARD labor due to not sanitary! I make sure that I have all my utensils! A large pot for the water bath, rubber ended tongs to get HOT jars out of the water, a funnel (less mess is the BEST!) and a ladle.  All of your jars run through the dishwasher! A small sauce pot to put your lids and rings in to keep hot, and of course your large pot to make your Jam in! (A little wise word from a wonderful woman that taught me A LOT about canning...Ladies...if your womanly monthly visitor has arrived...NOTHING you put up will set up! SOOO wait another week!)

Add pat of butter to limit foaming!

Simmering strawberries

Wash and crush your strawberries.  Add them to your large sauce pot. combine your strawberries, pectin and lemon juice and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add your sugar, stirring constantly.  Add your pat of butter ( this will keep the foam down) Return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute.  Total cooking time for me seems to be around 30 minutes at a good rolling boil! Just remember to watch and stir...this boils over and you have a horrible mess!!!!Remove from heat, you should skim off any foam off at this time if necessary. (foam won't look pretty in jars) Ladle HOT jam into jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of head space. Adjust your hot two piece caps and put on snug... Process your jars of jam for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner. You will want at least an inch of water over top of your jars. After 10 minutes remove carefully to a counter, (I put down a towel and turn them upside down to ensure the lids are sealed) Don't move them for 24 hours. Keep your box that your jars came in because you can store them there.  Store in a cool, dry dark place.

Add your lids..ready for water bath

Ladle your HOT jars!

This recipe I used 3 gallons of berries..I made 32 half pints and 4 pints! (4 quarts to a gallon) so make sure you allow for the increase of your ingredients!

Oh and Don't forget to label your box if your making different kind so it will be easy for you to Label at time of Gifting!                                        

Lay upside down for 24 hours!

Cover your jars!

YUMMY Jam......have fun!

Fruit of your labor!

Blessings,

Tamara

 

Frozen Berry Yogurt Sandwiches

Frozen Berry Yogurt Sandwiches

I just made this and it is AMAZING!!!! You know when your 4 year old always wants that sweet frozen treat called the "ice cream sandwich"...well I was trying to make it more healthy, with ingredients that I had and then... Wolla!!!!

If you have fresh berries, Greek yogurt, honey and graham crackers....You got it!!! 

Yummy Fresh Berries

Recipe

 1 cup fresh strawberries (5 large)

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1 1/2 cups Greek Yogurt (vanilla)

1 Tbs. honey

1 box Graham crackers

How simple!

Rinse off your berries, cap your strawberries and chop...I put mine in my Bullet...you can use a hand blender that would work great too! Just pulse it...you want to still leave some chunks not total puree...In a bowl mix your berry mixture, Greek yogurt and honey together.  Grab a cookie sheet and line it with wax paper or parchment paper...At this time you will be putting your berry yogurt on the graham crackers with a spoon, top them with another cracker on top! I broke mine in half ..but you can leave them whole!  Line them on your cookie sheet...stick the whole pan in the freezer...They will be ready to eat in 1 hour! I found that the longer they sit in there the harder the yogurt gets! Recipe makes 8 whole sandwiches! 16 halves!!! 

Mix together berries and yogurt!

Spoon mixture inside graham crackers!

Have Fun with these and make these for the next time you have all the kiddos coming to your house!!! Oh and the ADULTS will LOVE more!!!! Please put your own twist on these...try it with other fruit!

Summer time frozen treats...Blessings,

Tamara

 

Easy Fruit Pizza

Easy Fruit Pizza

You know there are a ton of ways to make this fabulous sweet treat! I use actual pizza crust for this recipe NOT sugar cookie!  I have found a fun way to make this, not as fattening!!! There comes a time in the Spring and Summer when you are invited to go to a cookout and you are requested to bring a dessert....Awwwww....here it is my friend..its quick, easy and everyone will love it!

Just decorate it better than mine...this is what you call ..can't wait to EAT!!!!

Fruit Pizza Recipe

 1 refrigerated can of pizza crust

1- 8 oz  block of fat free cream cheese/softened

1 tub of sugar free cool whip

1 box sugar free, instant vanilla pudding

Fresh fruit of your choice!

Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple etc.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees...Roll out your pizza crust, you can put on a pizza pan and make it round or do it like I did and make it a rectangle! (Most recipes call for a sugar cookie...this is like a PIZZA!!! and not as sweet!) Put your crust in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until done ..you don't want it to crunchy!  Then let cool !!! In a bowl cream together your cream cheese and dry pudding mix until creamy, add in your tub of cool whip and mix... while you are waiting for your crust to cool, wash and dry off your fresh fruit, cut to desired appearance... When your crust is completely cooled...transfer it to the platter that you will be taking it on! Then the fun begins....Spread your cream cheese mixture on top of your baked pizza crust, then start arranging your fruit...Just the way you like it! Be creative....Just decorate it better than I did...I had a 3 year old helping me at the time...You will be the hit of the party! ENJOY!!!! The things that look so difficult to make are actually easy once you try it!

Sweet Fruit Blessings,

Tamara

Ultimate Biscuits

The Ultimate Biscuit

 Oh my Lord...Who loves BISCUITS???? There are so many times that I used to think Awwww Biscuits are too hard to make! Naaaa ... Biscuits are a must in this house either for Breakfast, lunch or dinner...I have made biscuits for special occasion parties! There are so many recipes out there for an amazing biscuit..find one you like and make it! I have tried sooooo many different biscuit recipes and I always go back to this one that I have done for years..The only thing is this one is for a BIG crowd!  

Tamara's Biscuit 

5 cups self rising flour

3/4 cup Crisco shortening

2 Tsp. sugar

2 cups buttermilk

1/2 stick of Butter melted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together, Cut in shortening until its like course crumbly texture.  Add buttermilk and mix well.  Turn dough out on a floured surface and make sure you have a little flour all over the dough..I push the dough out with my hands first and then I fold it in half and then fold it over again almost like your folding a small hand towel...then I roll it out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness...I like bigger biscuits!  I don't use a biscuit cutter...I use a coffee cup to cut them out..Put them on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  While they are baking I melt 1/2 stick of Butter to brush on the biscuits when they come out of the oven...Yummy! (yield 2 dozen)

These are the kind of biscuits I like to make a sandwich out of ! My favorite has mayonnaise egg, cheese, bacon, and a great BIG slice of fresh tomato! Once you have made these biscuits you can get creative and fill them any way your little heart desires! You can also use a smaller cutter and make a lot of biscuits for a special occasion...bridal showers, baby showers, or just even appetizers for a dinner party! Just fill them with something yummy!!! These biscuits are the same ones I make for biscuits and gravy too!!!

Happy Biscuit making!!!

Blessings....Tamara

Citrus Pound Cake

Citrus Pound Cake

One of my most favorite cakes in the world is a Lemon Pound Cake...but this time I was making this one for a special 21st Birthday for my son, Grayson.  At his request when I ask him..."Grayson..what kind of cake do you want this year"??? He always pauses and says "whatever mom..just surprise me"! Then a few minutes later he says, "but you know my favorite is your pound cake"!!! Well that is a hint! hint! ha ha So this year I did surprise him with his Pound Cake but it was a little different this year..instead of just lemon..there was orange too! 

This one was a little bit different...and Loved making this one!  The most important thing I have found in making cakes and baking in general...YOU HAVE TO MEASURE!!! Everything else is a pinch of this and a pinch of that..that makes everything Southern so wonderful..so here goes, I hope you like my version of a Citrus pound Cake!

Add eggs one at a time

Cake Recipe

3 cups Plain flour /sifted

3 cups sugar

2 sticks Butter/ softened 

6 large eggs

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 - 8 oz cream cheese/ softened

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice

2 Tsp. orange juice

1 tsp. lemon zest 

1 tsp. orange zest

Batter in my bunt pan

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream butter and cream cheese together, slowly add sugar, a little at a time. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one.  Sift together all dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add vanilla and lemon and orange juice, add your zest and stir. Spray your tube or bunt pan VERY good..you don't want it to stick...Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.  When your pound cake comes out let set out and cool before you try to flip out on your cake plate. Completely cool before you glaze...I waited like 2 hours.

Citrus Glaze

                                           1/2 cup of sour cream

                                            2 -1/2 cups powdered sugar

                                          2 Tsp. fresh lemon juice

                                          2 Tsp. orange juice

                                           Zest of a lemon and orange

In a bowl combine your sour cream, and juices and mix, slowly add in your powdered sugar until well combined.  You want it to still be a good consistency sour it will pour on and run down but still thick enough to stay! Taste it....if you need more citrus add it!!! I like my where you can definitely taste the citrus! When your cake is ready to glaze...go ahead and just do it!!! Don't be scared just let it mound!  Then when all is done Zest lemon ad orange on top...make it beautiful and add strawberries if you want!!!

Yummy Citrus Pound cake with Strawberries

Keep on baking!

Blessings...Tamara

Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken Salad

Lemon Pepper Grilled Chicken Salad

You know there is nothing like an amazing Spring time salad!!! I love to make all kinds of salads and this one is my family's favorites! 

I want to start off by saying that this is a whole meal in itself!  Once you figure out the marinade you want to use on your chicken..or gosh steak too!!! Just do it.. It only take like 30 minutes to marinate the meat while you put together an amazing salad..This is my go to meal when we have had a very busy day out in the yard...So come on let me show you how to make my favorite Lemon Pepper marinated chicken!

Marinate Chicken

Lemon Pepper Marinade

1 pkg Boneless Chicken Breasts (6) family pack for me

3 Tbsp. Tones Lemon Garlic seasoning

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp fresh minced garlic

                                                                           Zest of 1 lemon and squeezed 

                                                  

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.  Place your chicken breasts in a dish, pour the marinated mixture all over your chicken.  Make sure it is on both sides...Let marinate at least for 30 minutes. 

Use a beautiful platter 

Okay so now it is time to construct your salad!  Your salad should be everything that you like!  Use what you have...if you don't keep salad ingredients around then you will have to go shopping! Check out the Local Farmers markets for fresh veggies...when I made this meal I just used what I had...so here goes!

Salad Time

 1 bunch or head of fresh lettuce/ my favorite is mixed greens

1 large tomato sliced

1 English cucumber sliced (I hate seeds)

1/2 fresh onion chopped ( I love purple)

1/2 cup sliced carrots

4 boiled eggs sliced

1 cup shredded mixed cheese

This is all I had to do this salad with...please add all of your favorites ...garbanzo beans and dried cranberries  would have been on here too...ohhhh and bacon pieces!  Don't just construct any old salad..be creative, this one I was just showing you with all that I had to use! I was able to still make an amazing dinner without having to make extra trips to town...Oh and I live like 15 minutes to the closest grocery store soooo...a momma has to do with sometimes what I have on hand! Construct your salad on a beautiful platter...I always look for old beautiful and unusual platters when I'm thrift shopping...This one I used today was given to me from my Grandmother...I believe this one was brought back from Japan. Love it!!!

Almost ready for the table!

You should be ready now to Grill that wonderful chicken!  Today I used my cast iron grill pan..love this thing..I use it all the time..actually when I made this..it was doing one of those spring snows outside.. Yep I was dreaming of Spring!  You will cook your chicken about 10 minutes on both sides..remember you can cut into to a piece to check for doneness.  When juices run clear they are done...Let your chicken rest to distribute juices... When your ready lay your chicken on top of your salad!

My family all loves different salad dressings, Ranch, Honey mustard, and vinaigrette!! So if you can make them home made do it! Also I like to take Pita bread and toast in the oven with a little garlic, olive oil and seasonings brushed on...Cut them into triangles and you have a healthier bread to serve with your meal!

Pita Bread!

Use your pizza cutter...looks yummy! 

Have fun making your own Spring time 

Salad and top it with amazing Lemon Pepper Chicken!

Blessings....  Tamara 

Maybin Fried Green Tomatoes!

Maybin's Fried Green Tomatoes

Oh WOW so I'm at the local market searching for the BEST green tomatoes to share with ya'll our famous Fried Green Tomatoes! My family just absolutely loves when I decide to make these... BEWARE they are addicting!!!

(Yummy Green Tomatoes hummm what shall I do?)

You know... you don't have to eat Fried Green Tomatoes only as an appetizer at your local favorite restaurants...YOU CAN MAKE THEM YOURSELVES!

It is that time of the year that you can purchase fresh green tomatoes at your local market...these gems are a special treat right now especially since our home grown tomatoes are not planted yet here in North Carolina or at the Maybin's home anyway!

After many recipe trials and errors...I have put together the BEST recipe ever...

Maybin's Fried Green Tomatoes

3 to 4 Green Tomatoes 

1 1/2 cup self rising flour

1/2 cup self rising corn meal

2 Tbs. cornstarch

1 to 2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

dash of cayenne ( if you like a little spice)

vegetable oil for frying

( This is only ONE tomato sliced )