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How To Easily Make Dark Corn Syrup

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 19:27:39 +0000

Make Dark Corn Syrup At Home In Just A Few Seconds

Instead of Running To The Store

So, you just pulled out grandma’s favorite pie recipe only to discover every ingredient is in your pantry except dark corn syrup.

Your first thought is probably can I substitute light corn syrup for dark corn syrup? (Answer) Yes and No!

For the most part, it will work but the flavor and color will both be off.

No need to run to the store, you probably have the two ingredients you need to make dark corn syrup in the pantry.

That’s right, just 2 ingredients.

This is truly one of those recipes that are so simple you’ll wonder why you’ve bothered to buy it premade all these years.

Why Pay More

The best part is once you realize the ingredients needed to make dark corn syrup have a shelf life of (literally years after opening) you can stop paying through the nose for the ingredients by purchasing in bulk rather than those tiny bottles that cost a fortune. per oz compared to per oz in bulk

Indefinite Shelf Life

If you don’t have these two simple ingredients in your pantry, perhaps it’s time to rethink your pantry. Did you know that things like light corn syrup, molasses, salt, and white rice, among many other common ingredients found in the average pantry, when stored properly, will keep for years, (Even After Opening)

More Handy Pantry Ideas

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Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 13:00:20 +0000

Hard Boiled Eggs

A Personal Favorite

There are many ways to make eggs, but one of the most versatile has got to be hard-boiled because once you have a supply of hard boiled eggs in your refrigerator you can create so many other wonderful dishes using them.

Here are just a few simple ideas for using hard-boiled eggs

Deviled Eggs
Egg Salad
Sliced For Salad
Use in potato salad
Use in macaroni salad

So what’s the secret to making perfect hard-boiled eggs on the stove every time? Well, it’s the same for all boiled eggs whether you want them soft or hard boiled.

If you want to make perfect boiled eggs you need only to follow one simple rule, which is to never put the eggs in the water until the water is boiling. Then it is just a matter of tracking your time.

For hard boiled eggs with good firm yolks, you boil for 11 minutes, Anything under 7 minutes and you’ll still be in the soft-boiled stage.

Did you know you can also make hard boiled eggs in the microwave? With the right pots and pans that are truly designed for your microwave you sure can. Check out our quick 2-minute video to discover how.

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Make Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 04:00:14 +0000

Soft Boiled Eggs

A Personal Favorite

There are many ways to make eggs, but a personal favorite for me has always been soft-boiled in a cup with a bit of butter and seasoning. Simply Delicious!

So what’s the secret to making perfect soft-boiled eggs every time? Well, it’s the same for all boiled eggs whether hard or soft boiled.

If you want to make perfect boiled eggs you need only to follow one simple rule, and that is to never and the eggs to the water until the water is boiling. Then it is just a matter of tracking your time.

For soft boiled eggs with runny yolks, you boil for 4 minutes, soft but firming for 6 minutes. Anything over 7 minutes and you are heading for the hard-boiled stage.

More Breakfast Ideas

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Easy Homemade Mashed Potato Recipe

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 04:15:40 +0000

Follow this easy homemade mashed potatoes recipe and you’ll never need to buy those frozen, or instant mashed potatoes again!

My Favorite Mashed Potato Recipe

For me, potatoes are just one of those all-time favorite comfort foods. There are endless ways to prepare them alone, and no end to the number of ways to use them in other recipes.

One of my favorite recipes though has got to be mashed potatoes. Quick, simple, and so easy to make.

Side Dish Recipes

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Easy Cornbread Recipe

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 19:51:05 +0000

There is nothing quite like fresh homemade cornbread! We’ve been making this easy cornbread recipe for years in our house and it makes the best homemade cornbread time and time again! The crust is perfectly golden, the center fluffy and moist. That’s a combination that is really tough to beat.

Try Our Easy Cornbread Recipe

This cornbread has been a must-have in my home for years, and the whole family looks forward to it when they know we are having it with dinner.

Once you have mastered this easy cornbread recipe, I am sure it will become a favorite around your home as well.

I think we love this homemade cornbread recipe so much because it is so simple to make. Plus, when you compare the price of cornmeal to those little boxes of mix, this recipe will save you money also.

Bonus: When you keep a good supply of cornmeal around, not only will you be able to make this easy cornbread recipe, you’ll never need to buy one of those premade mixes again and you will also discover many other great recipe ideas that use cornmeal.

Pro Tip:

Can’t use sugar, or prefer reduced sugar?

This easy cornbread recipe is very versatile. Simply substitute the sugar for Splenda and it comes out perfect. Or you can also reduce the amount of sugar you use to as little as 1/4 cup.

Ingredients for your Easy Cornbread Recipe

Yellow Cornmeal: Medium or fine-grind works well and will give your cornbread a beautiful golden-brown color. The medium grind gives the cornbread that slightly grainy consistency that I personally love.

All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour will help the cornbread to rise and give it the consistency of bread.

Granulated sugar: This gives the cornbread a touch of sweetness to balance out the flavor of the cornmeal and the bread flour. If you prefer low-calorie sugar, using Splenda in place of the sugar will make your homemade cornbread low-calorie. If you like your sweet cornbread recipe a little less sweet, you can always adjust the sweetness by adjusting the amount of sugar or even the Splenda.

Baking powder: When you’re learning how to make cornbread, you will find that the baking powder helps the dough expand as it bakes.

Salt: It doesn’t take much but you’ll want a little to bring out all the flavors in your scratch cornbread recipes.

Butter: Gives this easy cornbread recipe a moist, rich flavor that just can’t be beaten.

Milk: Makes this easy cornbread recipe moist and rich

Egg: Helps to bind everything together, plus it helps the cornbread to rise.

How to Make Homemade Cornbread

This is where you discover this easy cornbread recipe is so versatile it makes this is the best cornbread recipe out there.

Preheat oven to 400°

Cut 1/3 cup of butter from a stick of butter and set aside in a microwave-safe container. Add the remainder of the butter to an 8-inch cast-iron skillet well and set that aside for the moment.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl whisk together all the dry ingredients, cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Place your cast iron skillet with butter into the preheated oven to heat the skillet.

Using a microwave-safe container, melt the 1/3 cup of butter and then mix with milk to cool. Add the egg and whisk all liquid ingredients together until well blended.

Make a well in the center of your dry cornbread ingredients and add your liquid ingredients. Mix just until the cornbread mixture comes together with only a few lumps remaining in the batter.e

Pour all the batter into your prepared, hot cast-iron skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Serve hot.

The Possibilities Are Endless

Topping Ideas for Homemade Cornbread

Toppings make your cornbread even better. Here are some of my favorite toppings we use for our homemade cornbread.:

Butter (Well, that’s kind of a given) but there are different types of butter you might try.

A dribble of honey is always good on cornbread

Any kind of jam or jelly.

You can even use your homemade cornbread to make sandwiches. Ham & Cheese anyone?

You can also use your homemade cornbread as a topping too. My favorite is crumbling it into a good old-fashioned bowl of ham and beans, or chili with a little shredded cheddar cheese on top. You can even use your homemade cornbread in soups, rather than crackers.

I think I’m making myself hungry just typing this!

FAQ’s

How long will cornmeal keep?

Best if used by date: When stored properly, ground cornmeal is fine long after the best if used by date. This date is the manufacturer’s suggestion for peak quality, not food safety.

How can you tell if ground cornmeal is bad or spoiled?

The best way to tell is to look at and smell the ground cornmeal. if insects appear in the cornmeal or the cornmeal develops a flavor, appearance, or odor that is off it should be discarded.

For more information on the length of storage, check with our friends at StillTasty

If you are looking for some of the best airtight containers on the market to store your cornmeal in, I would highly recommend you check here.

Do I have to use a cast-iron skillet?

Nope, you can make this easy cornbread recipe in pretty much any 9-inch pan. A cast-iron skillet helps to give the cornbread that crunchy edge though and I would highly recommend having one. Personally, I have one cast-iron skillet that is literally dedicated to making cornbread.

You can also make a double batch in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9×13-inch baking pan if you wish. You’ll just need to adjust the baking time to 35-40 minutes if you are doubling the batch.

Muffins are easy also, just adjust the cooking time to around 15 minutes

Can I use white cornmeal for this recipe?

Of course, personally, I prefer the yellow cornmeal in this easy cornbread recipe because it gives the cornbread that beautiful golden color but white cornmeal works just fine.

Can I Substitute the butter for Vegetable Oil?

Not a problem, you don’t need to use butter. You can use any mild oil that you prefer, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or even avocado oil if you wish!

Can I Make This Cornbread Gluten-Free?

Absolutely! You can make this easy cornbread recipe gluten-free by simply swapping out the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 ratio of gluten-free baking flour and it will work out great.

Why is My Cornbread Crumbly?

Cornbread is unlike shortbread in that a little bit of crumble is normal but it shouldn’t be completely dry. Trick number 1, use equal portions of all-purpose flour and cornmeal. Trick number 2, Don’t overbake it.

Once you’ve become a pro at this recipe, Why not try your luck at homemade buttermilk biscuits or even biscuits and gravy?

Easy And Delicious Slow Cooker Roast Pork

Karen and Denny's Kitchen — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:01:10 +0000

Easy And Delicious Slow Cooker Roast Pork

Looking for a great meat market nearby? Click Here!

Don’t you just love slow cookers? Truly a set-it and-forget-it way to cook

Looking for something to go with that wonderful pork roast? Why not check out some side recipes on Plum Cookin’