Primal stuffed Peppers

I used to make stuffed peppers all the time when I was vegan.  I haven't had them in over two years now mostly because I cut out grains and didn't know what to stuff them with.

I came up with a good solution. Use zucchini instead!

Ingredients:
bell peppers, washed and seeded
ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
spaghetti sauce
zucchini, shredded
cheese

Cut and see the peppers and set aside.

Cook the ground beef and drain off the extra fat.  Add the onion and saute for a minute then add the spaghetti sauce.   You want this to be thick so go easy on the sauce.  Optionally, add some cheese to the mix and maybe some chilli powder.  After it is cooked down a bit add the shredded zucchini and cook for a minute or two. 

Stuff the peppers with your meat mixture and place in an oven pan.  I like how it looks to put the top back on.  Bake at 350 till the pepper is as done as you like it.  Mine took 45 minutes.  Take out of the oven and sprinkle with cheese when there is about 5 minutes lift. cook the remaining time.
Enjoy!

Dilly Beans

This is a recipe that Aunt Billie gave me.  I wasn't sure how it would go over but My family really loves it.

Ingredients:
about 4 quarts Green beans
1-2 hot red peppers, per jar
1/2 t. whole mustard seed, per jar
1/2 t. dill seed, per jar
1-2 cloves Garlic, per jar
5 C. vinegar
5 C. water
1/4 C salt, non iodized

Wash and drain beans.  Cut into lengths that will fit into the jar.  Add peppers,mustard, dill and garlic.

Combine vinegar, water and salt.  Bring it to a boil and pour liquid over beans and spices.  Fill to 1/2 inch of the top of the jar.  Seal jars and process in boiling water for 5 minutes if you are at sea level up to 1,000 feet. Add one more minute for every extra 1,000 feet above sea level.

This makes about 7 pints depending on how you pack the bottles.

Citrus Mint Body Scrub

Summer is in full swing and its time to pamper that skin!  This citrus mint scrub is my absolute favorite for smoothing the rough bits off of my feet to get them sandal ready.  If you already have a tan it is sure to make you glow.

Ingredients:
1/2 C. Sea salt
1/2 C. olive oil
1 or 2 lemon slices
1 or 2 orange slices
small bundle fresh mint

All you do is put everything in a blender and give it a spin!  The citrus peel is great in the scrub so don't cut it off.  (I use the end pieces of the orange and lemon so more peel is used.) 

There is just something about the combination of mint and citrus that leaves me feeling refreshed and pampered.... and it is pretty too.

I like to keep this in a squeeze bottle for quick use in the shower or for an easy access hand scrub.  Apply to skin and use hands or a washcloth to scrub in circular motions.  Rinse off and pat dry.  Do not wash it off because you want the oil to stay on your skin. 

Enjoy this one!  You deserve a summer glow.

Red Currant Jelly

I'm so lucky!  My amazing Aunt Sherry gifted me a big bucket of red currants and her recipe for jelly!  I had to tweak it a tiny bit to get the sugar out but I think it turned out great. 

Just look at these things.... they are so beautiful.

Currants are kind of a pain to stem and clean.  At least they don't stain your hands.

Ingredients:

3 pounds of red currants, cleaned and stemmed
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
a piece of ginger root, bruised
3 cups water  (I substituted apple juice)
1 cup white wine vinegar (I used 1/2 cup rose vinegar and 1/2 half cup orange juice)
6 cups sugar  (I took this out completely and added some sure jell pectin instead)
 (butter If using pectin)

 Put the currants and spices into a saucepan with the apple juice and simmer until the currants are soft.  give them a spin in your blender to separate the seeds.  Strain the mixture through a jelly bag.  It will take an hour or two.   

Add the vinegar to the juice and bring to a boil.  (If you are using sugar add it now and stir until it is dissolved)  Add the pectin and about 1 T unsalted butter.  Bring to a rapid boil until the setting point is reached- about 20 minutes. 

Bottle in jars immediately, and seal.   This is a little work but it is SO worth it!  Not only is the color just spectacular, it made my house smell great for days.

Thanks Aunt Sherry!