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Oven Baked Ham Steaks

12/29/2023

 
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We love delicious grilled ham steaks that are perfect for the cold weather. While most recipes suggest using sweet ingredients like honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar, we prefer a more savory taste. Don't let the cold weather stop you from making perfect ham steaks - simply pop them in the oven and enjoy! 

Ingredients
2 1-pound Ham Steaks
2 Tablespoons Butter 
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
¼ cup Pure Maple Syrup
½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Take the ham steaks out of the package and drain.   
  3. Cover a large baking sheet with tin foil.
  4. Place the ham steaks on the baking sheet.
  5. In a small bowl, melt the butter. 
  6. Once the butter melts, add brown sugar, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until combined.
  7. Do not brush the bottom of the steaks, they will burn. Brush the glaze on the ham steaks. Remember the sides. 
  8. Place in oven for 45 minutes or until heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  9. Remove the ham steaks from the oven.  Serve immediately.

Instant Pot Ginger Garlic Rice

12/28/2023

 
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​This fragrant, flavorful rice goes with so many main dishes - beef, poultry, pork, or fish. Serve alongside roasted vegetables and homemade sourdough bread to make an inviting, pleasant dinner.

2 cups organic basmati rice 
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
3 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic finely minced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
2 cups organic chicken broth
1 tsp dried parsley

Instructions
1. Rinse rice.
2. Get the Instant Pot ready by selecting “sauté” and set it to “low”. 
3. Add sesame oil, then add ginger and garlic, stir often, about 1 minute.
4. Add the rice to the pot and stir. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about a minute. Stir in salt.
5. Cancel the “sauté” function.
6. Add chicken broth, don’t stir.
7. Place the lid on the IP and set it to sealing. Select “pressure cook” or manual high pressure, and set the timer to 3 minutes.  
8. Once it is finished let the IP do a nature pressure release for 10 minutes, and then release remaining pressure. 
9. Open the lid once the pin drops. 
10. Add parsley, serve and enjoy.

Monthly Menu Planning:  January

12/17/2023

 
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My meal planning starts with a basic inventory of my pantry, freezer, and refrigerated items. Next, I create a list of possible dinners for an entire month to feed my family of six. Thinking about coming up with a month of planned meals may seem like it will overwhelm me, but it is easy to come up with 30 meals (some are meals that we eat two or more times a month) that my family will enjoy. I love the array of ideas at my fingertips, and deciding ahead of time what to make for dinner is a gift!

What do we already have in our pantry and freezer?
What is the weather outlook for the week and month?
What vegetables are in season?
What events will our family attend (seasonal, family dinners, etc.)?

One of the most important reasons we meal plan is to make sure we are making healthy food choices by cooking from scratch. A dinner plan using nutritious ingredients at home allows us to spend less money, which is excellent for our tummies, thighs, and wallets.
  • Aim to include a high protein source in every main meal with just a little healthy fat for satiation. 
  • Include healthy fats, but try to avoid frying everything in oil.
  • Use different cooking methods like steam, bake, boil, grill, or slow cook. You could also try things raw!
  • Buy ingredients you can use for a wide variety of recipes.
Sticking to the calendar is always the goal, but things come up, and having a plan makes life much easier. If we get home late, I might swap nights for something that doesn't require much prep. Of course, I always rely on my Southern Living cookbooks and Pinterest to try new recipes. How many of you meal plan? Would you like to learn how to meal plan? I would love to start a monthly meal-planning club!
Download January Monthly Menu

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  • Home
  • Schedule
  • Our Beliefs
  • Featured Classes
  • Nature Studies
    • Amphibians
    • Fresh Water Fish
    • Macroinvertebrates
    • Night Time Sky
    • Propagating Strawberries with Runners
    • Storybook Forest & Tea
  • Unit Studies
    • Unit Study: Salem Witch Trials
    • Unit Study: Sacagawea
    • Unit Study: Amelia Earhart
    • Unit Study: 4th Grade Georgia Geography
  • Blog