Apple Pie Sugar Scrub

I told you I had made a lot of different sugar scrubs for the holidays.  Here is another one.  When you use this one you will think you have a pie baking in the oven.

It looks like apple pie filling inside the jar. 

You probably have everything you need in your pantry already. 

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon apple pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix well.

Start with 1/2 cup melted coconut oil

Mix it well again.  The coconut oil will bring things together well.

Then seal it up in your jars.

Apple Cinnamon Sugar Scrub Recipe
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut oil

Orange Mint Sugar Scrub

Here is another of the sugar scrubs I made for Christmas this year.  These scrubs are so easy to make and take no time to put together. With the cold weather of late these are great because our skin gets so dry during the winter with the lack of humidity, I can't believe I said that, and using heat all the time.  These make your skin feel so good.

Here is another pretty little jar of scrub.  If you are worried because you have small children in your house.  These are all made with natural ingredients that might not taste good but won't hurt you. 

You can use any oil but I like coconut oil best.  I think it leaves my skin feeling best..

Start with 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oil.  The coconut oil will be solid so you will need to melt in the microwave.

Mix well.

Add 20 drops orange essential oil.  This smells so good.

Then add 10 drops peppermint essential oil.  You can find these sometimes in the craft stores, some grocery stores or on line.

Add to your container.  This made two or three of these little jars.

Orange Mint Sugar Scrub Recipe

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil--coconut or almond or even olive
20 drops orange essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
You can also add 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin e if you would like.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Here is another recipe from our Thanksgiving but it is a recipe that can be made any time of the year. I have made my loaded mashed potatoes for years and wanted to try something different.  I found this recipe and bought some red potatoes and as they say the rest was history.  This casserole can be made ahead of time and them baked when you are ready to serve it so for those big pot luck or family get togethers this is a perfect recipe.  I think you will like it

Just look at the gooey cheese.  What could be wrong with that. 

This recipe looks like you are making mashed potatoes.  And basically you are.

I like baking my bacon in the oven.  Put in a cold oven and heat to 375.  I set my timer for 15 minutes and then just watch it.  Different bacons cook different ways.

Cut up 4 lbs of red potatoes.  I like this recipe because you do not peel your potatoes.  You will want your pieces about the same size.

Cook the potatoes for about 15-20 minutes.  You want the potatoes tender.

Drain your bacon.  Make sure you cook an extra piece for the cook.

Chop the bacon and set aside.

Grate 4 cups of cheese.  You will be dividing the cheese.

Drain the potatoes

I put them back in the original pot.

! stick of butter that has been softened.  Cut it into pieces and add to the pot.

Add 8 oz softened cream cheese.

Now mix this all together.

Don't worry if some of the potatoes are still a little chunky.

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

Salt

Pepper

Add the bacon.  Save a little to sprinkle on top if you like.

Add 3 cups cheese

Pour into a sprayed 9x13 pan. 

Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on top.  Now if you want to bake it later, cover and set in the fridge.  If you do this then before cooking set it out of the fridge and let come to room temp before baking.

Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for about 30 minutes.  It might take a little longer if it has been in the fridge.

Then enjoy.

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Recipe
4 lbs red skinned potatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 stick softened butter
8 oz softened cream cheese
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 lb bacon
1/4 cup heavy cream

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Apple Cider Turkey Brine

I know it is way past Thanksgiving when I tried this recipe but you remember all the cookie recipes. :) But who says you have to have turkey only at Thanksgiving.  This recipe was easy, you just have to do a little planning for time.  The last couple of years I like to cook two turkey breast at Thanksgiving.  That gives me one to play around with the recipe and one to cook regular.  I don't think I will be trying other recipes any more.  This recipe was the best one so far by a long shot.  The brine smelled so good when I mixed it up. There were a couple of other interesting things I will share with you later.

The brined turkey meat is on the left.  Tender and juicy. 

This is all you need to make a wonderful brine.

Earlier in the fall probably around Halloween I saw some apple cider in the store and I grabbed a jug of it and said I'll make something with it at Thanksgiving.  I didn't have a recipe in mind or anything. Start with 3 cups apple juice or apple cider.

2 gallons cold water

2 cups brown sugar

About 4 Tablespoons fresh rosemary.  I wouldn't use dried.  You can buy fresh herbs in the grocery store if you don't have a plant.

5 whole bay leaves

3 Tablespoons whole peppercorns

1 1/2 cup kosher salt.  I would not use as much next time.  I thought it was a little salty.  Not bad but I think it could use less.

Then the peel of three large oranges.

Put all this in a large pot.  This is the pot I am going to brine the turkey in. Stir it well.

Bring to a boil and turn the heat off.  Let the brine cool well before adding the turkey.  This is part of the timing issue.

Put the turkey in and make sure the water covers it.  If it doesn't add some additional water.  Cover and refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours. 

The next morning or about 30 minutes before you are ready to cook the turkey set it out of the fridge.

Set the turkey aside. Clean out the pot.

You will drain the brine.  Add fresh water to the pot and let sit for 15 minutes or even longer.  This helps get rid of the salt. 

The turkey on the left is the brined turkey.  You can see it has a tint to it.  You will dry the skin.

I added butter, salt and pepper to the outside of both turkeys. I will admit here that I use a turkey bag to cook my turkeys in the oven.  It is easy.  The turkeys come out moist.  So I cook per the instructions based on size of turkey. 

I'm glad I got this much of a picture.  You know how you are in a hurry to get everything finished and on the table.  Here is my other observation of the turkeys.  The turkey that was brined the meat came off the bone very easy.  None of the rubbery bits on the ends.  When I finished taking it off the bone the bones just fell apart.  There was nothing left.  The other turkey did not come apart as easily and the bones stayed together. So that made me realize that the brining made it more tender.  So if you have ever wanted to brine but wasn't sure about trying.  Go for it.  This recipe was easy and taste great!

I wish I still had some of that turkey now for a good sandwich.

Pioneer Women Apple Cider Turkey Brine Recipe
3 cups apple juice or apple cider
2 gallons cold water
4 Tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
5 cloves are garlic minced, I didn't use but go for it.
1 1/2 cup kosher salt
2 cups brown sugar
3 Tablespoons peppercorns
5 whole bay leaves
peel from three large oranges