Cooking Exceptionally With Gin Lee

Cutting chicken breasts to make several servings Did you know that, compared to any other meat, chicken breast and turkey breast have the most protein than any other meat? Whelp, they do! Per (the actual) serving size of 100 grams (3.5 ounces), chicken breast has 30.9 grams of protein. Turkey breast slides in as being the second highest meat in protein. In fact, a serving of turkey breast contains 28 grams of protein per 100 grams (3.5 ounces). That averages over half of an adult's recommended daily allowance on a 2,000 calorie diet. For those of you who need help trying to budget meal plans for a week, allow me to show you how to slice large chicken breasts that can be prepared with two other main courses to make complete meals and stretch your hard-earned dollars.  Because an adult serving size of chicken is actually only 3.5 ounces and younger children's serving size is one, two, and three ounces (depending on their age group); one large chicken breast can actually make seve...

Mastering the Perfect Tuna Melt Sandwich: A Delicious Guide There's something undeniably comforting about a hearty tuna melt sandwich—crispy bread, creamy tuna filling, and melted cheese all coming together in perfect harmony. Whether you're preparing a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, this classic recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Read on to discover how to craft the ultimate tuna melt that will impress family and friends alike. Table of Contents Ingredients Needed Preparation Steps Pro Tips for the Perfect Tuna Melt Conclusion Ingredients Needed 1 can of tuna (preferably in water or olive oil) 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional but recommended) 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 celery stalk, finely diced Lettuce, pickles, diced tomatoes (optional) Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 slices of bread (sourdough, rye, or whole wheat) 4 slices of cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or American) Butter or marga...

Homemade Kool-Aid Jello without gelatin by Gin Lee

Homemade Pork Gravy Get ready to make your meals even more delicious with this amazing homemade pork gravy. Whether you pour it over roasted pork, mashed potatoes, or biscuits, this gravy is really delicious. Forget about buying gravy from the store—homemade is the way to go! You can use any type of flour that you have on hand, such as oat, rice, coconut, and almond flour for my recipe. (I used white self-rising flour). Other ingredients can also be used to thicken your gravy, such as cornstarch, arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or potato starch. Ingredients: 2 to 3 tablespoons of pork drippings 3 to 4 tablespoons of flour 1 cup of pork, chicken, beef broth, or vegetable broth Seasoning salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon of onion powder 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder Just a pinch of smoked paprika. Instructions: Collect the drippings from your cooked pork in a pan. I prepared pork chops today, so I will be using the meat drippings from them. However, you can use m...

Discover the Art of Perfect Chicken Salad: A Delicious and Versatile Recipe Whether you're preparing a quick lunch or planning an impressive picnic dish, chicken salad is a timeless favorite that combines flavor, texture, and versatility. In this blog post, we'll guide you through a professional yet approachable recipe that will elevate your culinary game and delight your taste buds. Why Choose Chicken Salad? Chicken salad is a nutritious, filling, and adaptable dish that can be tailored to suit any palate. Its combination of lean protein and fresh ingredients makes it a healthy choice, while its endless variations keep it exciting and suitable for any occasion—from casual lunches to elegant brunches. Essential Ingredients To craft a delicious chicken salad, you'll need the following: Cooked chicken: Preferably poached or roasted for tender, flavorful pieces Mayonnaise or Greek yogurt: For creaminess Fresh vegetables: Such as celery, red onion, and bell pepp...

Cake Mix Cookies This cookie recipe is a beloved classic that stands the test of time. It is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only three basic ingredients: one box of cake mix, one stick of butter, and two large eggs. Feel free to customize your cookies by adding optional ingredients such as chocolate chips, quick oats, chopped nuts, and candy morsels. The possibilities are endless, so go ahead and make this recipe your own! Ingredients: 1 (15.25-ounce) box of your preferred flavor of cake mix 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) of melted butter 2 large eggs Optional add-in ingredients: 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, macadamia nuts, or almonds 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, or morsels 1/2 cup of quick oats 1/2 cup of candy morsels Candy sprinkles Instructions: In a mixing bowl, add your preferred flavor of cake mix. Then add 1/2 cup of melted butter and 2 large eggs. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are incorporated. At this point, add any of the optional ingredients that ...

Mastering the Art of the Grilled Bologna and Cheese Sandwich: A Simple Classic Reimagined There's something undeniably comforting about a well-made grilled cheese, and when you add the savory punch of bologna, it transforms into a nostalgic yet elevated snack. Whether you're seeking a quick lunch or a cozy dinner, mastering the grilled bologna and cheese sandwich can become your go-to recipe. Let’s explore how to craft this timeless favorite with a professional touch that appeals to both comfort food enthusiasts and culinary adventurers alike. Table of Contents Ingredients You Need Step-by-Step Preparation Tips for the Perfect Grilled Bologna and Cheese Creative Variations to Try Conclusion Ingredients You Need 2 slices of hearty bread (sourdough or whole wheat) 2-3 slices of quality bologna Cheese of your choice (cheddar, American, or Swiss) Butter or margarine for grilling Optional: pickles, mustard, or tomato slices for extra flavor Step-by-Step Preparation Creat...

Homemade Easy Beanie Weenies This is a classic recipe that most people can remember their moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers making while they were kids. I know my mom used to make beanie weenies often. My dad loved those little cans of the original Beanie Weenies that can be purchased in grocery stores. I always preferred mom's homemade foods. Most people use baked beans as the main ingredient. However, I do not. I use pork & beans, then add my own ingredients. Then I boil the weenies to get the grease, etc. cooked out of them beforehand. My recipe also makes a large casserole dish. So, there are always plenty of leftovers.  What can you serve alongside a dish of beanie weenies? I usually make my beanie weenies as the main course. I sometimes pair them with side dishes, such as homemade mac and cheese, homemade biscuits, crescent rolls, or cornbread. Ingredients: 2-16-ounce packages of weenies 2-28-ounce cans of pork & beans ¼-½ cup of brown sugar (I use Splenda brow...

Discover the Classic Comfort of Baked Beanie Weenies: A Delicious and Simple Recipe There's something undeniably comforting about a hearty, nostalgic dish that brings back memories of family gatherings, quick weeknight dinners, or cozy weekend lunches. The Beanie Weenie recipe stands out as a timeless favorite, combining savory beans with smoky hot dogs in a flavorful sauce that’s both easy to prepare and universally loved. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just looking for a quick, satisfying meal, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the perfect Beanie Weenie. Table of Contents History of Beanie Weenie Ingredients Needed Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions Tips and Creative Variations Serving Ideas and Pairings Conclusion Understanding the Roots of Beanie Weenie The Beanie Weenie dish has long been a staple in American comfort food cuisine. Beanie Weenie, also known as beans and franks, has origins that date back to the Civil War, m...

Pourable icing Pourable icing doesn't have to be complicated. Today, I will be sharing my recipe for making perfect pourable and spoonable icing. It doesn't require corn syrup, sweetened milk, candy melts, or heavy cream. The icing can be used to pour over petit fours, cookies, granola bars, etc. It's smooth in texture and will harden as it dries. Ingredients: Small batch: 1/2 cup of butter 2 cups of sugar-free confectioners powdered sugar or regular confectioners powdered sugar, sifted 1/4 cup of cocoa powder (You can leave the cocoa powder out if you're wanting to make white frosting.) 2 tablespoons of water or milk 1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract Double batch: 1 cup of butter 4 cups of sugar-free confectioners powdered sugar or regular confectioners powdered sugar, sifted 1/2 cup of cocoa powder (You can leave the cocoa powder out if you're wanting to make white frosting.) 4 tablespoons of water or milk 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract Instructions: First,...

Grilled Weenies and Cheese Sandwich: A Comfort Classic with a Gourmet Twist Few dishes evoke the cozy charm of a grilled weenie and cheese sandwich. This timeless comfort food combines simple ingredients into a flavorful, satisfying meal. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a casual lunch, mastering this classic is easier than you think—and with a few tips, you can elevate it to a new level of deliciousness. Why the Grilled Weenie and Cheese Sandwich Remains a Favorite This sandwich is beloved for its perfect balance of savory sausage, gooey cheese, and crispy bread. It’s a nostalgic favorite for many, bringing back memories of childhood, while also offering room for creative variations. Plus, it’s quick to prepare and adaptable to various tastes. Ingredients You’ll Need Quality hot dogs or sausages Cheddar, American, or your favorite melting cheese Fresh bread or buns (baguette, hoagie, or sandwich bread) Butter or margarine Optional: mustard, relish, or other ...

Homemade Turtle Food Recipe: Simple Ingredients for a Healthy Pet I have shared my recipes for creating homemade dog and cat food, and chicken feed, but just realized that I haven't ever shared any turtle food recipes. So, that's what I will be making today. My turtles really love it! Most store-bought turtle pellets sit on shelves for months and lose their nutritional value before they ever reach your pet's bowl. Making your own meals ensures your turtle gets fresh vitamins, clean protein, and fiber every single day. This easy homemade turtle food recipe uses common pantry staples to create a nutritious, balanced meal for your aquatic pet. By taking control of the ingredients, you avoid the mystery fillers and preservatives often found in mass-produced food. This approach gives you the freedom to customize the diet based on your specific turtle's preferences and age. Aquatic turtles like Red-eared Sliders or Painted Turtles are natural omnivores, meaning they require a...

Yummy Chocolate Peanut Butter Spread Introducing the delectable chocolate peanut butter spread, a delightful variation of the classic peanut butter that infuses a hint of sweetness and indulgence into your preferred spread. If you find yourself yearning for a fresh alternative to regular peanut butter, search no more! This chocolate peanut butter spread will tantalize your taste buds when spread on toast, but it also serves as a remarkable ingredient to create the most exquisite chocolate peanut butter cookies you've ever tasted. What you'll need: 1 (16-ounce) jar of smooth peanut butter 2 1/2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (add more if desired) 2 to 4 tablespoons of honey (or however sweet you like it) How to make it: In a bowl, add 1 (16-ounce) jar of smooth peanut butter and 2 1/2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix the two ingredients until they're incorporated. Add additional cocoa powder to suit your preferred tastes. Now, it's time to sw...

Mastering the Perfect Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich: A Step-by-Step Guide There's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a tender, flavorful shredded BBQ chicken sandwich. Whether you're planning a casual weeknight dinner or impressing guests at your next barbecue, this recipe offers a perfect balance of smoky richness and satisfying textures. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through every step to create a mouthwatering shredded BBQ chicken sandwich that will become a staple in your culinary repertoire. Table of Contents Why Choose Shredded BBQ Chicken? Ingredients Needed Preparation Tips Cooking Process Assembling the Sandwich Customize Your Sandwich Conclusion Why Choose Shredded BBQ Chicken? Shredded BBQ chicken is a versatile and flavorful option that lends itself well to sandwiches. The slow cooking process tenderizes the chicken, allowing it to absorb smoky and tangy flavors that elevate the overall dish. Plus, shredded chicken provides a he...

Growing Chick Grass Seed Mix Although I call this chick grass mix, it can also be fed to wild birds, goats, and sheep. The chick grass is simply a mixture of tetraploid ryegrass, flax, alfalfa, and red and white clover seeds. The chick grass mix can be grown in planters, chicken runs, or wherever else that you might want to grow it in your yard. The seeds will generally sprout within 7 to 14 days. When it's fed to chickens, it will help increase the level of omega-3 in their eggs. So, that's a win-win for both you and your hens. The mix that I prepare will make one 12-pound bag of chick grass mix. I plant this mix in planters and grow it indoors. You can plant as much or as little of the seed mix as you need. The chick grass can be planted inside your chicken run, chicken coop, outdoor plot area, greenhouse, and greenroom. The chick grass seed mix will germinate fairly quickly. Keeping the seed mix on hand makes it simple to continue growing a supply of healthy food for your ch...

Why Homemade Chicken Feed Might Be the Secret to Healthier Hens (And Better Eggs!) If you've ever wondered about the true quality of the store-bought chicken feed, why your hens suddenly stop laying eggs, or why they seem less vibrant, then you're not alone. As an avid homesteader I’ve faced these questions myself. Sometimes, that pricey bag of feed isn't all it's cracked up to be. But don't fret! Making your own chicken feed can be a game-changer, cost-effective, healthier, and tailored to your flock's needs. Let us walk you through our favorite homemade chicken feed recipe, and share tips on how to keep your chickens happy and productive. Table of Contents Why Consider Making Your Own Chicken Feed? What Goes Into Homemade Chicken Feed? Our Custom Homemade Chicken Feed Recipe Tips for Successful Homemade Feeding Final Thoughts: Nourish Your Flock Naturally Why Consider Making Your Own Chicken Feed? While store-bought feeds are convenient, they often contain hig...

Wholesome Homemade Chicken and Sweet Pea Dog/Cat Chow: A Nourishing Treat for Your Furry Friend As pet owners, we all want to provide our beloved animals with the best nutrition possible. While store-bought pet foods are convenient, making homemade meals can ensure your pet gets fresh, wholesome ingredients without unwanted additives. Today, we'll walk you through a simple yet nutritious recipe for homemade chicken and sweet pea chow, perfect for dogs and cats alike, crafted with love and care to keep tails wagging and purrs roaring. Table of Contents Benefits of Homemade Pet Food Ingredients Needed Step-by-Step Preparation Helpful Tips & Variations Conclusion Benefits of Homemade Pet Food Opting to prepare your pet’s chow at home offers several advantages: Fresh ingredients: Control over what goes into your pet’s diet. Customization: Adjust ingredients based on dietary needs or preferences. Transparency: No hidden preservatives or fillers. Bonding: Cooking becomes a caring act...

Whisker-Approved! Homemade Cat Baked Dry Chow Recipes They'll Purr For There’s nothing quite like the joy of spoiling our feline friends with homemade treats that are both tasty and nutritious. If you're looking to give your kitty a special upgrade from store-bought dry chow, you're in the right place! Today, we're diving into some exciting recipes for homemade dry cat chow, featuring delectable whitefish, beef, and liver options. These recipes are simple, wholesome, and guaranteed to make your cat's tail wag with delight. Ready to roll up your sleeves and cook some meow-licious goodness? Let’s get started! Table of Contents Why Make Homemade Cat Chow? Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Dry Cat Chow Step-by-Step Recipes Tips & Tricks for Perfect Results Final Thoughts Why Make Homemade Cat Chow? Homemade cat chow isn’t just about being fun in the kitchen—there are real benefits! Crafting your own dry cat food allows you to control the ingredients, avoid unnecessa...

Chickpeas for Pooches I'm not that crazy about the flavor or texture of chickpeas, but my pooch sure loves them mixed in with her dog food. I also make her homemade chickpea dog chow and treats that she truly enjoys and begs for. Today, I will be going over why chickpeas are healthy to cook for your pooch and how to cook them simply for your loyal companion. When dried chickpeas are cooked plain, with no additives, such as salt, chickpeas are highly nutritious for dogs to eat.  Chickpeas are quite often used in several natural brands of commercial pet food, such as Taste of the Wild, Boss Dog, Paw Tree, Nulo Freestyle, Nutro Limited Ingredient, Nutro Max, Halo Holistic, Rachel Ray, Dogswell, Zignature, Grandma Lucy's, Canidae Grain Free Pure, Tiki, and so many more. One cup of chickpeas has 14.5 grams of protein, 12.5 grams of fiber, and 45 grams of carbohydrates. They also contain calcium, magnesium, folate, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Feeding your dog chic...

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits If pet food prices have you skipping away from the dog treat aisle, then read on. Today, I will walk you through how I prepare simple puppy (dog) peanut butter biscuits. The recipe doesn't require very many ingredients and the treats take about twenty minutes to bake. Your pooches will be so excited that you're making delicious peanut butter treats for them that they'll even try to help you prepare them. Well, maybe not, but I betcha they'll try to give you a bunch of doggy smooches! Ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 egg ½ cups of creamy peanut butter ¼ cup of warm water Instructions: In a bowl, add the all-purpose flour, creamy peanut butter, eggs, and water. Using a mixer or fork, combine until the ingredients are incorporated together. Lightly dust your countertop with flour and transfer the peanut butter dough to it; roll the dough out. The dough should be kind of stiff and not sticky. Use cookie cutters to cut out cute shapes, o...

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats Today, I am super excited to share my techniques for making another truly wholesome dog treat with you. After-all, your furry companions deserve healthy food, so that they can be their best selves. These pup treats are the perfect snack to make ahead of time for your cuddly pooch as a reward for their love and companionship, obedience, potty-training, or for any other training in general.  My fur baby seems to think that the treats taste better when they're made in different cute shapes. So, I use three different cookie cutters when I make these dog treats. Plus, using different cookie cutter sizes also allows me to make good use of the leftover dough pieces. The three shapes that I am using for this recipe are a gingerbread man, a star, and a flower-shaped cookie cutter. (I use regular cookie cutters to make mine.) If you don't have any cookie cutters, that's okay too. After rolling out the dough, cut it into squared-shaped pieces, or use a...

Nutritional Chickpea Dog Treats This is a healthy dog treat that's packed with nutritional benefits. The dough in this dog treat recipe can be prepared in two ways, baked or dehydrated. I am baking mine today, but I will also include the instructions (towards the end of my article) on how you can dehydrate the dog treats.  The chickpeas are super easy to smash once they're cooked. Ingredients: 1 cup of chickpeas, cooked ½ cup of sweet potato, cooked and peeled ½ cup of carrots, cooked 2 tablespoons of oil 1 cup flour ¼ cup water Instructions: If you need the cooking instructions for chickpeas, go back to read my article "Chickpeas for pooches". In that article I went through all the steps to show how I cook them specifically for pet food. To cook the sweet potato, place it into a pan of boiling water and cook it until it's tender. Boiling a sweet potato usually takes about thirty-five minutes. Drain the water off, allow the sweet potato to cool; peel it and mash i...

Pimiento (pimento) cheese sandwich spread Today, I thought I would bring back a vintage southern pimiento cheese recipe that my mom and grandma used to make when I was growing up. Pimiento cheese can be served on crackers, sandwiches, and on celery sticks, etc.. It's still one of my favorite go-to-sandwich spreads. What is a pimiento or pimento? A pimiento or pimento is the same word for sweet red pepper. They're just spelled differently. The peppers are often pickled and packaged in small jars. The pickled pimiento peppers are also stuffed inside store-bought green olives and used to create the well-loved spice "paprika." Some pimiento cheese recipes are made with shredded cheddar cheese and cream cheese. However, my family has always used Velveeta cheese in our family recipe. Since Velveeta cheese is already creamy, there's no need to add cream cheese. You can also use Velveeta shreds if you prefer that over the block cheese. If pimiento peppers are hard for you...