Good Living Guide

FOOD

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

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They’re tasty boiled, baked, mashed, fried and roasted. If you’re a fan of spuds, you can now grow your own easily in a bag or a bucket. If you have a tiny garden or no garden at all, you can grow tasty, nutritious potatoes.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

Anyone Can Grow Your Own Potatoes at Home

Most of us think potatoes need a lot of land. In reality, you can grow them anywhere that’s sunny. It’s not complicated, and it’s an affordable way to grow your own organic potatoes.

You will need:

  • Bags or buckets for growing.
  • Garden soil.
  • Organic fertilizer.
  • Compost.
  • Seed potatoes.

Lots of People Are Ready to Help

Are you nervous about getting started? Don’t be. The online world is full of people who want to help you do this.

Van Meuwen Gardening makes grow bags that come with their own seed potatoes. The company has created a wonderfully helpful instructional video that walks you through the whole process.

Potatoes Even Grow In a Bucket

Hollis and Nancy of Urban Homestead show you how to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket.

As Hollis says, “If you have room for a bucket or two in an area that gets good sunlight, you can grow potatoes.”

Goodness That Tastes Good

Potatoes aren’t just good to eat. They’re also good for you. They contain high levels of vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, copper, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

Buy some grow bags now. You’ll be ready to harvest your own potatoes this summer.

How to Grow Your Own Potatoes in a Bag or Container

Homemade Buttermilk Pie Recipe

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You won’t believe how easy it is to make a dessert that tastes like rich custard but doesn’t require any fancy ingredients or techniques. Buttermilk Pie is incredibly easy to make, and it melts in your mouth with sweet, creamy goodness.

Buttermilk Pie

Enjoy the Tasty Tradition of Buttermilk Pie

Rich, creamy Buttermilk Pie is a staple of Southern cuisine, and this recipe pays respect to tradition. You might see variations of this pie, but if you want the authentic item, it’s right here.

Like Pecan Pie and Chess Pie, this a treat Southerners make and serve all year. You don’t have to wait for a specific holiday or a special occasion to indulge in this classic favorite.

Tips for Making Buttermilk Pie

  • You can make your own pie crust for this recipe. It’s also fine to use a frozen or refrigerated crust.
  • You can find buttermilk in the dairy section of most stores. Buttermilk adds rich flavor and tender flakiness to all kinds of recipes. If you can only find large containers, use it to make biscuits, pancakes, ranch dressing or fried chicken.
  • Real buttermilk gives the best flavor and texture. In a pinch, if you can’t find buttermilk or can’t get to a store, you can make a good substitute at home.
  • You won’t be messing with tradition if you make this a Bourbon Buttermilk Pie. Just add two or three tablespoons of bourbon to the batter.

What to Serve With Buttermilk Pie

This pie tastes amazing warm from the oven or cold from the fridge. Have it for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Keep it Southern with a refreshing Passion Fruit Iced Tea or a Cider-Bourbon Cocktail.

Buttermilk Pie
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Homemade Buttermilk Pie

Rich, creamy Buttermilk Pie is a staple of Southern cuisine, and this recipe pays respect to tradition.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix the flour and sugar together.

  2. Add all other ingredients and blend together.

  3. Poke unbaked pie shell with a fork to prevent the crust from rising.

  4. Pour blended ingredients into the unbaked pie shell.

  5. Bake at 350°F for about 40 minutes.

  6. Top with cinnamon sugar. (optional)

Buttermilk Pie

 

Disney Shared Its Famous Churro Bites Recipe So Fans Can Make Them At Home

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The coronavirus crisis means there’s no chance of visiting any Disney theme parks this year, but you can create some of that Disney magic right in your very own kitchen. The folks at Disney have released the secret recipe for their much-loved Churro Bites.

Previously available only at Disneyland, the crunchy, golden bites are now making a star appearance in homes everywhere.

Disney Shared Its Famous Churro Bites Recipe

What Are Churros?

Churros are a traditional Spanish dessert. To make them, you deep-fry ribbons of dough in oil and then coat them in sugar and cinnamon. Some people believe they were invented by Spanish shepherds who needed a snack they could cook easily over an open fire.

They are traditionally served with hot chocolate, and many people like to dip the churros into the chocolate. We strongly urge you to try this. It’s ridiculously delicious.

Disney Shared Its Famous Churro Bites Recipe

Churros Are Hot, Hot, Hot

Churros are one of the most popular of all dessert items. In Spain and Mexico, you can find entire restaurants dedicated to these golden, crispy, sweet ribbons.

Disney estimates that almost 6 million people chow down on their Churro Bites every year when visiting the Magic Kingdom.

Make Churro Bites Today

Are you ready to cook up some churros? You can do it with the recipe that made Disney’s churros famous.

The best part about this recipe is that you probably have all the ingredients you need right at home. It only takes eggs, flour, cinnamon, sugar, vegetable oil and butter.

Bring Home the Magic

Give your family a taste of authentic Spain blended with Disney magic. Let us know if you tried making these.

Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

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I love a fast, easy recipe as much as the next busy baker. But every once in a while, it’s good to take your time working on a special concoction. For me, that means making a batch of these divine, decadent Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies.

Oreo Crunch Cookies

Enjoy Every Bite of These Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

This recipe isn’t complicated, but it does require some time. You have to chill the dough before you form the cookies, and you’ll need plenty of counter space covered in parchment paper.

Trust me, it’s worth it.

These cookies combine the dark, divine goodness of dark chocolate with the familiar flavor of Oreo cookies, smooth, delectable cream cheese and a touch of peppermint to liven things up.

Here’s Why You’ll Love These Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

These are the perfect cookies for those days when you have a craving for something truly rich and self-indulgent. They’re rich enough to serve as dessert and taste great any time of day.

They’ll stay nice and soft if you keep them in the lidded container.

When you want to make something special for yourself or a gathering of friends, these cookies are a great choice.

Tips for Making Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

  • Parchment paper is the key to baking success. If you’ve never used it, start using it now and you’ll see the difference.

What to Serve With Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

You can’t go wrong with a delicious, holiday-themed fancy coffee drink that you can make at home for a fraction of what you’d pay at a coffee bar.

These cookies also go well with a tequila-laced Mexican Coffee.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

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Oreo Crunch Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

  2. Prep cookie sheet with parchment paper.

  3. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on the counter.
  4. Add the cake mix, butter, egg, vanilla, peppermint extract, and cream cheese in a mixing bowl.

  5. Using an electric mixer, beat the batter until it turns into a soft dough.

  6. Add the cookie chunks, peppermint crunch pieces, and chocolate chips. Gently stir these ingredients into the cake mixture.
  7. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill the dough for 30-60 minutes.
  8. With the cookie scoop make cookie balls. Roll the dough into round balls. (Will make about 24 balls)

  9. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. (Do not over bake)

  10. The cookies will look undone and soft.
  11. Allow the cookies to remain on the cookie sheet and cool for 2-3 minutes.

  12. Using a spatula, gently remove the cookies and put them on the parchment paper lined counter.

  13. With the cookies on the parchment paper lined counter, top gently tap the tops of the cookies with the bottom of the flat spatula to flatten out.

  14. Allow the cookies to completely cool.
  15. Serve.
  16. Store the remaining cookies in the lidded container.

Oreo Peppermint Crunch Cookies

 

 

Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies)

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Are you looking for a fun, festive appetizer that’s just right for the holidays? Whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies). Everyone will be digging into this big, generous bowl of chocolate and salty goodness.

Reindeer Chow

Make It a Party With Reindeer Chow

Do you spend all your time carefully planning every detail of your holiday meal, only to realize at the last minute that you haven’t give five minutes’ thought to the appetizers?

Did you get a last-minute invitation to a holiday potluck and need to come up with something in a flash?

If you’ve been there, and I certainly have, you want a recipe like this that’s fast, easy to make and impressive-looking. It uses ordinary items you can find in any grocery store or even the late-night convenience store.

Reindeer Chow Helps You Make a Great Impression

This appetizer gets most of its flavor from the coated cereal pieces. The cereal stays wonderfully crunchy under the chocolate and peanut butter coating. The contrast with salty pretzels and chocolate M&Ms makes makes for a flavorful combination.

Tips for Making Reindeer Chow

  • Work slowly when you’re heating the chocolate and peanut butter. Overheating it in the microwave will turn it hard and chewy. Heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until it’s just melted.
  • You can find holiday M&M flavors at most stores.

What to Serve With Reindeer Chow

Stay festive and fun with a batch of this Easy Holiday Punch that’s perfect for kids and adults. If you want something with a little kick, try a White Christmas Mojito.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

Reindeer Chow
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Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies)

If you're looking for a fun, festive appetizer that's just right for the holidays, whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow (Muddy Buddies).

Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 11 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 15 people
Calories 215 kcal
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Place the cereal in a large bowl.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate chips and peanut butter.

  3. Microwave the chocolate mixture for 30 second intervals, stirring each time.

  4. Continue until melted.
  5. Stir until smooth.
  6. Pour the chocolate mixture over the cereal and use a spatula to gently toss the cereal in the chocolate until completely coated.

  7. Place the powdered sugar and cocoa powder inside a resealable gallon-sized plastic bag.

  8. Add the chocolate-coated cereal.

  9. Seal, then shake until cereal is coated in the powdered sugar mix.

  10. Pour the cereal out evenly on a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray.
  11. Allow them to cool completely and until dry.
  12. In a large bowl combine the cereal, M&M's, and pretzel twists.
  13. Serve!

Reindeer Chow

Holiday Persimmon Cookies

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Celebrate old-fashioned goodness when you make these tender, buttery and delicately flavored Holiday Persimmon Cookies.

Persimmon Cookies

Celebrate the Season with Holiday Persimmon Cookies

Persimmons have been around since colonial days, when they were turned into pies, puddings and desserts of all kinds.

Persimmons are ready for harvest late in the year, making them perfect for fall and winter recipes.

What Are Persimmons?

If you’re not familiar with these beautifully colored, fragrant fruits, it’s time to add them to your rotation.

Persimmons are the national fruit of Japan, where they are revered for their delicate, sweet taste and health benefits. In the U.S., they primarily grow in California and the southern states.

Persimmon

Like most deeply colored fruits, persimmons are a nutrition powerhouse. They have high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients, antioxidants, beta-carotene and lutein.

Tips for Making Holiday Persimmon Cookies

  • If you don’t see persimmons at your regular grocery store, try an Asian market. Here’s an easy recipe for making the pulp.
  • If you don’t have a blender or food processor, try this handy technique that uses a mesh laundry bag to turn persimmons into pulp.

What to Serve With Holiday Persimmon Cookies

These holiday cookies are sure to become a favorite holiday tradition. They’re perfect for all your holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges and cookie gifts.

Nothing says cozy holiday goodness like curling up with a plate of these Holiday Persimmon Cookies and a mug of Hot Cinnamon Apple Brandy Cider.

If you want to avoid the hard stuff, try a White Hot Chocolate with Pink Frosting for an irresistible holiday spin on a classic.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

Persimmon Cookies
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Holiday Persimmon Cookies

Celebrate old-fashioned goodness when you make these tender, buttery and delicately flavored Holiday Persimmon Cookies.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 dozen
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Cream butter and sugar until well blended.

  3. Beat in the egg and then the persimmon pulp.

  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Once sifted, blend well into the butter mixture.

  5. Stir in the nuts and dried cranberries (or raisins).

  6. Drop a heaping teaspoon on a greased cookie sheet.

  7. Bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes.

  8. Yields 4 dozen.

Persimmon Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

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For a holiday-perfect twist on Toll House cookies, bake these decadently delicious White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. White chocolate makes them velvety smooth while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Indulge Your Cranberry Cravings With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

If you’re like me, the holiday season is the perfect excuse to use cranberries whenever possible. If you’ve already made cranberry butter, cranberry bread and cranberry punch, you might be wondering what else you can do. That’s when it’s time to bake these delicious cookies.

If you prefer milk or dark chocolate chips, you can use them, but the classic combination of berries and cream is classic for a reason. In my opinion, white chocolate is closer to a sweet cream or milk than it is to chocolate. That makes it the perfect backdrop for bright, sharp berries. Try these White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies and I think you’ll agree.

Tips for Making White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

  • You can use fresh cranberries instead of frozen if you have them on hand. If you’re using frozen, the baking experts at King Arthur’s Flour recommend thawing them and patting them dry before baking with them.
  • Are you hesitant to use brown sugar because it always turns into brick on you? Use these tips to get brown sugar soft again and on storing it so it stays that way.

What to Serve With White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Since you’re buying cranberries anyway, use them to mix up a batch of this delicious, festive Cranberry Thyme Spritz that gets its kick from vodka.

These cookies would also be scrumptious with a nonalcoholic drink like this Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
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White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies are made velvety smooth by the white chocolate while the tangy flavor of cranberries keeps them from being overly sweet.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 5 dozen
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

  2. Cream the butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  3. Stir in the milk, orange juice and egg.

  4. Mix in the remaining ingredients.

  5. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.

  6. Bake 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Makes about 11 dozen cookies.

White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Are you trying to choose between chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cookies? Why not make both? Enjoy the best of both worlds with these Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. They give you the wholesome goodness of oatmeal and the rich, smooth delight of chocolate.

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies Are a Classic

This is a fail-safe, classic cookie recipe that’s easy to make and perfect for every occasion. Every once in a while, it’s a great idea to revisit and rediscover an old favorite.

These cookies are particularly welcome in the fall and winter, when you’ll appreciate the extra dense, rich texture you get from the oatmeal. They’re also a great way to sneak healthy oats into your diet.

Tips for Making Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Be sure to use quick-cooking oats rather than instant or traditional, steel-cut oats. The special processing that makes them cook quickly also makes them ideal for baking and cooking.
  • Get creative with the ingredients. You can add any type of chocolate chips, M&Ms, raisins, nuts or shredded coconut. This great, versatile recipe works with everything.

What to Serve With Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since these are oatmeal cookies, what could be better than a creamy, thick oatmeal stout? Try the Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout from Anderson Valley Brewing Company. It has coffee and chocolate undertones that are perfect with all your fall desserts.

If you want to stick with the chocolate theme, you can’t go wrong with this easy, two-ingredient Gourmet Hot Chocolate.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies give you the wholesome goodness of oatmeal and the rich, smooth delight of chocolate.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy.

  2. Add the eggs and vanilla. Beat together. Set aside.

  3. In a separate bowl, mix the salt and flour together.

  4. Dissolve the baking soda in hot water.

  5. Now to the butter mixture, add the baking soda mixture alternately with the flour and salt mixture.

  6. Mix in the oatmeal, nuts and chocolate chips.

  7. Place rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets.

  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°F.

Toll House Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maple Pecan Blondies

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If you thought blondies couldn’t get any more indulgent, get ready for the ultimate in rich, gooey decadence with these Maple Pecan Blondies. These dreamy bars are just the ticket if you want a dessert that doesn’t hold back when it comes to pure pastry pleasure.

Maple Pecan Blondies

Give In to the Pleasure

Do you love brownies, blondies and other rich delights? Are you fond of French toast with maple sugar? Did you ever wish you could combine all those flavors into one luscious dessert?

That’s just what these blondies do for you. They mix the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla into an ultimate blondie that there’s just no point resisting.

Tips for Making Maple Pecan Blondies

  • Real vanilla extract is expensive, and you might have been led to believe you have to use it to get the best flavor. Good news! As it turns out, even expert tasters can’t tell the difference between real extract and inexpensive vanilla flavoring. Use what works for your budget.
  • If you’re out of brown sugar but want to make these anyway, try making your own brown sugar. You’ll always have it on hand when you need it.

What to Serve with Maple Pecan Blondies

These blondies are perfect for brunch or as dessert.

The smooth, nutty taste and the hint of breakfast flavors in these bars make them a natural with a Hot Nutty Irishman.

For kids or those who are avoiding alcohol, pair them with a deliciously simple White Hot Chocolate.

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Maple Pecan Blondies
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Maple Pecan Blondies

Maple Pecan Blondies combine the flavors of maple, pecans and vanilla to create the ultimate blondie that can't be resisted.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F.
  2. Spray a 13x9-inch pan with non-stick baking spray.
  3. In small bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
  4. Set to the side.
  5. Add the softened butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar.

  6. Mix using a electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.

  7. Beat in eggs, one at a time, just until smooth.
  8. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
  9. Begin to add one-third of the flour mixture, best to combine.
  10. Now add half of the milk, beat until combined,
  11. Repeat with flour mixture and milk.
  12. Add in the baking chips and pecans.
  13. Stir in to combine.
  14. Spread pecan batter evenly in your pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.
  15. Verify the bar is fully cooked by inserting a toothpick in center until it comes out clean.
  16. Allow to cool completely.
  17. Enjoy!

Maple Pecan Blondies

Christmas Wreath Cookies

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Make your holiday fun with easy-to-make Christmas Wreath Cookies. These sweet, crunchy cookies look like Christmas on a plate. They take only a few minutes to make and don’t even need baking.

Christmas Wreath Cookies

Master Your Holiday Baking

If you’ve ever tried to make fancy holiday treats but couldn’t seem to figure out the complicated instructions, this recipe is for you. These cookies are easy enough for kids to make, and you and your kids will have fun making these together. You could even let your kids have a cookie-making party to ring in the season.

Make the Holidays Bright With Christmas Wreath Cookies

You’ll enjoy serving these at any holiday party. Use them as edible decorations on your Christmas tree or holiday buffet. They’re also great for your holiday cookie exchange or to give as edible gifts.

Tips for Making Christmas Wreath Cookies

  • Use edible bows, miniature snowmen, tiny gingerbread men, gumdrops and other edible decorations to dress these up.
  • Once you pour the melted marshmallow over the cornflakes, work quickly to make the wreaths. The mixture will be hard to shape if it gets too hard.
  • Make a pretty display by putting these cookies on a platter with other Christmas cookies shaped like trees, gingerbread men or snowflakes.

What to Serve With Christmas Wreath Cookies

These cookies say it’s time for a Christmas party. Stay in that spirit with a festive, colorful Christmas Punch decorated with cranberries. You can make a spiked version and a nonalcoholic version of this bright, tasty punch.

More Holiday Recipes You’ll Love

 

Christmas Wreath Cookies
4.67 from 3 votes
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Christmas Wreath Cookies

Make your holiday fun with easy-to-make Christmas Wreath Cookies. These sweet, crunchy cookies only a few minutes to make and don't even need baking.

Course Dessert
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Melt marshmallows and butter.

  2. Take off heat. Add the vanilla and green food coloring.

  3. Pour mixture over Corn Flakes.

  4. Put 5 or 6 spoonfuls on waxed paper and shape into wreaths. Keep the rest of the mixture warm while shaping.

  5. Add a few Red Hots.

  6. Use edible bows, miniature snowmen, tiny gingerbread men, gumdrops or other edible decorations to dress the wreaths up. (optional)