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Make-Ahead Pancake Boards

Pancake Board Photo with the text that reads make ahead and perfect for the holidays

The holidays are a great chance to spend time with your loved ones and create beautiful memories. Unfortunately, sometimes they are so busy that we are spending all of our time doing tasks and forget to have fun.

Part of the problem is that we want to create fabulous meals but don’t want to spend a ton of time on them.

Breakfast can be an especially tricky one. You want to have a great family meal but don’t want to invest too much time in it, especially when dinners seem to be the star during the holidays. You just can’t do it all.

I have long been on the hunt for a great make-ahead breakfast for the holidays. Unfortunately, searches always yield breakfast casseroles, and there are only so many of those we can eat. Here is an entirely different take. I have the ultimate hack for your Christmas breakfast –a make-ahead pancake board.

You may have seen these fancy charcuterie boards filled with meat and cheese on Pinterest or Facebook. They are certainly all the rage. Now that trend has spilled over to breakfast. And why not? A breakfast charcuterie is the perfect leisurely meal that we all crave.

Don’t let the pretty pictures fool you. A pancake board is entirely attainable for a holiday breakfast, and I’m here to show you how.

Want to learn how to make a pancake board ahead of time and wow your friends and family?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Hot Cocoa Bombs

by Kristen 1 Comment

Hot cocoa bombs, I am admittedly obsessed! You may have seen a video featuring a ball of chocolate with warm milk poured over it, which then exposes what is inside floating around on Facebook. I saw it once and just knew I had to make them.

Since then, I have seen hot cocoa bombs sold by a variety of bakeries and chocolatiers. Some places wanted upwards of $10 each for them! That is crazy! I’m here to tell you that they are not expensive to make, and the only special equipment required is a six dollar mold. If you are looking for a DIY food gift, this is it! They are quite impressive and aren’t that labor-intensive, and they are sure to impress your loved ones.

Want to learn how to make hot cocoa bombs? Let’s go to The Chalkboard!

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Thanksgiving Leftovers – A Complete Storage Guide

by Kristen 2 Comments

Thanksgiving may be a bit different this year. Perhaps it will be a smaller celebration with just immediate family, but that doesn’t mean that you have to feast less. You can still enjoy the holiday and if you have food to spare, no need to worry!

You spent a lot of time and money on Thanksgiving dinner; there’s no need to throw out any leftovers. It’s time to learn how to store them properly. Whether in the refrigerator or the freezer, there are some tips to ensure that your food will still taste great when you are ready to eat them.

Want to learn what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Types Of Onions And Their Uses

by Kristen Leave a Comment

I was determined to learn about the types of onions.

A recent recipe I was reading called for a “sweet onion,” I realized that I had no idea what that meant. Then I looked in the pantry and saw several types of onions. Staring at me were red, white, yellow, shallots, and scallions. It was then that I realized that I didn’t know what the differences between them were.

Several questions ran through my mind. What are the differences between the different types of onions? How many types of onions are there? What are the best uses for the various varieties? What are the best substitutes?

Want to learn all about the types of onions?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Mediterranean Diet Breakfast Ideas

by Kristen 1 Comment

You may have heard about it on the news. The Mediterranean Diet has numerous health benefits. The best part of all is that it isn’t a restrictive plan, just simple guidelines to live a healthier lifestyle.

Most people think of feta cheese and tomatoes when they think of Mediterranean food. And it’s true, a lot of the recipes include these ingredients. I’ve found breakfast to be the hardest meal to prepare throughout my time on the Mediterranean diet. Most of the ideas are omelets, and that’s just not feasible for most mornings. But I have found some alternative recipes, including ones that work for busy mornings or when you are on the go.

Want some Mediterranean diet breakfast ideas?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Are Organic Spices Worth It?

by Kristen 1 Comment

The American appetite for spices has tripled since 1960, according to a 2015 USDA report entitled, “The Spice Market in the United States: Recent Developments and Prospects.

The study didn’t directly address consumption, only availability. However, the USDA analyst that created the document insisted that availability represents consumption in this case. We are enjoying more spices than ever!

Another interesting takeaway from the report was that spices fall in and out of favor. While caraway seeds used to be widespread, interest has declined. On the other hand, chile peppers have seen a boom. If we are increasing our consumption of spices, should we be buying the organic versions?

Want to learn what the benefits of organic spices are and if they are worth the additional cost?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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How Do I Organize My Recipes Electronically?

by Kristen Leave a Comment

Nothing is more frustrating than when you are about to make dinner, and you can’t find the recipe. You try searching for it but can’t remember the name. Getting food on the table is a priority, and now it’s delayed. It has happened to me more times than I can count. Then I started thinking about how do I organize my recipes electronically.

My first foray into creating a digital cookbook was making a folder on my computer and bookmark the recipe. This method is excellent in its simplicity. It falls down a bit when you are looking for a recipe, and you have no idea its name. You have to be online to access the website and rely on it still being in the same location it was when you found it. Over time, I found sites shut down, or recipes were placed behind a paywall making it challenging to access.

Then I moved to a digital cookbook and haven’t had an issue since. All of my recipes are stored offline in one place and easy to access. It is the ultimate time-saver.

There are so many options out there. A quick search in the app store produces countless results. If you want to learn how do I store my recipes electronically, I’m here to help!

I tried several different methods and apps, including Cook’N, Paprika Recipe Manager, Pepperplate, Pocket, Recipe Sage, and Pinterest. There are pros and cons to each one, but a few stand out from the crowd.

Want to make your digital cookbook?

Let’s go to the Chalkboard.

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Oktoberfest Menu

by Kristen Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a simple Oktoberfest menu? You’ve come to the right place!

There is no better way to celebrate the fall than to host an Oktoberfest party. Jubilant in nature and focused around Munich’s flavorful food and drink, this is the perfect theme. Not familiar with German cuisine? An Oktoberfest celebration is a great way to introduce yourself and your guests.

Many would argue that German food doesn’t get enough attention in the U.S. However, one food authority believes it should. According to Mimi Sheraton, the author of The German Cookbook, “German cooking has more appeal to the average American palate then the cuisine of any other foreign country.” She states that meat and potatoes are staples of the German diet, just like America’s. The fats are similar, too, as both often use butter, lard, and bacon. The cuisine also includes a significant sweet and sour component that rivals the Americans. You can usually find ham and pineapple or turkey and cranberries together on a dinner table.

The Germans even have the motto gut essen, gut tinken, which means good eating and good drinking. You can’t go wrong with that!

Now is the time to celebrate the fall and host a party. So here is your Oktoberfest menu.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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Which Cooking Oil To Use When?

by Kristen 1 Comment

Let’s chat about cooking oil.

I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I love to fry things. I don’t know why. Perhaps it is the delicious food that it creates or the fact that it reminds me of my childhood. My mom made chicken cutlets all the time, and it is still the ultimate comfort food for me. No worries, I like to counter my fried food obsession with lots of salads. Recently, I have been making dressings from scratch.

Also, our CSA has been giving us some beautiful eggplants this year, and since my little guy loves eggplant parmesan, I have been making it quite often. As I stood over the stove, I looked at all of the oils I had. Vegetable, olive, canola, sunflower, and avocado oils were all in my cupboard. As I stared at them, I realized that I had no idea which one to use when. Recipes must have included them, which was why I bought them at some point.

If I knew which oils worked in similar ways and had identical flavors, I could use up what I own and have more confidence in any swaps.

Want to learn the best substitutes for oil and what the differences are between the varieties?

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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5 Common Avocado Problems And Solutions

by Kristen Leave a Comment

I am in love with the simple avocado. You can place it on toast, salads, and everything in between. If it is in a dish, I am likely to love it and have it on a meal plan. And I am not alone. Since March, demand for the green fruit (yup, it is a fruit) has been surging, and the cost has gone along with it. Prices are up almost 63 percent. This is making an already pricy piece of produce even more expensive.

So, if we are paying a premium for the avocado, we want one that tastes great. The problem is, we are unable to tell from the outside just what we are getting. It is impossible just to see if it is problem-free. I’ve had more and more encounters with brown avocados, stringy avocados, and avocados that won’t ripen, no matter what method I employed.

So what is a consumer to do? Here are common problems with avocados and what to do about them.

Let’s go to The Chalkboard.

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