food – The Wild Gems

Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade For A Pot Roast In The Slow Cooker – So Juicy!

February 3, 2023April 17, 2023 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

3-4 lbs of boneless chuck roast

1 sweet onion cut in 4 chunks

1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon of unsalted butter

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of turmeric

1/2 teaspoon of thyme

1 tablespoon of rosemary

1 teaspoon of parsley

1 tablespoon of soy sauce or light brown sugar (there was a time I didn’t have soy sauce so I substituted with brown sugar because it just seemed like it would be good and I was pleasantly surprised!)

Steps:

1. Place your meat in the slow cooker, along with the chunks of onion. In a small mixing bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients, except for the butter. Pour marinade mixture over the meat. Top the meat with the butter. Place lid.

2. Cook on low for 8 hours. Once the 8 hours are up shred the meat well and serve immediately.

Serve over white rice or with some corn tortillas. Enjoy!

Note: when putting away the leftovers I did drain a lot of the oil from the meat. We ate it for 3 days and every day was better!

25 Cute Breakfast Art Ideas That Will Make Your Children Or A Loved One Smile

January 28, 2023January 28, 2023 The Wild Gems1 Comment

Cute breakfast food art doesn’t have to just be for children! As I was searching for ideas for my girls I thought, you know what, my husband would loved these too.

Which is why the title is for ‘A Loved One’ .

I’m so excited to try some of these out.

Which numbers will you make?

Note: Most of these photos don’t have watermarks so I don’t know who should receive credit! If any readers know please let me know!

This would be perfect for Valentine’s Day or maybe an anniversary.

Imagine making this as a hint and surprising your kids with a trip to Disneyland!

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Perfect for our malt o meal breakfast days.

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Imagine being served this as a surprise breakfast :).

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Bagel and cream cheese and berries. yum.

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Which on is your favorite?

Chicken And Dumplings

December 7, 2022December 10, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

For The Chicken Soup

2 to 3 lbs of chicken drum sticks and chicken thighs ( I get one pack of drumsticks and one pack of just chicken thighs. As long as the weight combined is 2 to 3 pounds)

1/2 cup of chopped carrots

1/2 cup of chopped celery

1/2 cup of apple cider or apple juice

6 cups of chicken broth

1 medium onion finely chopped

4 to 5 garlic cloves finely chopped

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of thyme

1/4 teaspoon of turmeric

1 teaspoon of oregano

1/2 cup of half and half

Salt and pepper for additional seasoning

For The Dumplings

1 1/2 cups of flour

1/2 cup of corn meal

1 tablespoon of baking powder

1 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1 1/2 cups of half and half

A handful of chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

1. Chop up all your veggies (onion, celery, carrots) and place in a bowl. Combine your spices and place in a separate small bowl.

2. Heat up a large skillet on medium high heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Brown both sides of the drumsticks. Remove from skillet and place on a sheet pan lined with foil. Add 2 more tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sear both sides of the chicken thighs. Then place on the sheet pan with drumsticks.

3. In the same skillet sauté the veggies until softened. Add the spices to the veggies and mix well.

4. Heat up a large pot on medium high heat and add the chicken broth and apple cider. Add the veggies along with the remaining oils from the skillet to the pot. Next add all the browned chicken. Reduce heat to low once it begins to boil. Cover lid loosely and cook chicken for 25 mins. (ensure it’s on a simmer, not a full blown boil)

5. At the 15 minute mark add the oregano and begin to season with salt and pepper. Tasting the broth until desired flavor.

6. While the chicken is simmering combine all the ingredients for the dumplings in medium bowl and mix well. Set aside.

7. The chicken should be done by now. You will know the chicken is complete when the meat pulls easily off the bones (again, simmer close to 20 to 25 mins) Remove chicken from the pot and begin to shred the chicken, discarding the bones.

8. Add the 1/2 cup of half and half to the pot and then add the chicken. Keeping the pot on a very low simmer. Begin to add tablespoon size dollops of dumpling mixture. Until the surface is covered in floating dumplings.

9. Lightly place cover on pot and simmer for 15 mins. Checking periodically and probing to check if the dumplings are fully cooked.

10. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!

Sweet Knots With Brown Sugar OR You Can Use Nutella

August 13, 2022August 13, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Servings: 14-16 knots

What You Need For The Rolls:

3 1/2 cups of all purpose flour plus more for dusting

4 tablespoons of salted or unsalted butter at room temperature

1 cup of warm milk

3 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 tablespoons of light or dark brown sugar

1 packet of active dry yeast

What You Need For The Cinnamon Filling:

1 cup of brown sugar

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

6 tablespoons of butter softened

Or Substitute cinnamon filling for Nutella

Warning: using Nutella does get messy but trust me, it’s worth it.

Steps:

1. In a medium/large mixing bowl mix the 1 packet (2 1/4
teaspoons) active dry yeast with the warm milk and the brown sugar. Let sit 5-10 minutes, until bubbly and foamy.

2. Add 3 ½ cups flour, salt, eggs,
and butter. Mix until the flour is completely
incorporated, adding a little extra flour if necessary. (I knead by hand for a good 10 mins and it works fine.)

3. Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature
for 1 hour.

4. In the meantime prepare your filling. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.

5. Once dough is ready on a floured surface roll the dough out into a large rectangle, adding flour as needed. Spread the dough with 5 tablespoons softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture.

6. Fold the dough in half. Cut into 12-14 strips. Twisting each strip into a loose imperfect knot. Placing each knot onto a cookie sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

7. Bake at 375 until a little golden on the top. Eat as is or with your favorite homemade icing.

Enjoy!

Chicken And Mushroom Pasta In A Heavy Cream Sauce

August 5, 2022August 5, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Servings: 6-8

What You Need:

1 12oz bag of wide egg noodles

4 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1-2 teaspoons of garlic (fresh or jar)

1 small package of mushrooms

3/4 cup of chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper for taste

2 cups of sharp white cheddar cheese shredded

2 cups chopped chicken or 1 rotisserie chicken shredded

Chopped fresh Italian parsley for garnish (optional)

Steps:

1. Boil a medium to large pot of water. When water is boiling add a few dashes of salt and then cook pasta according to directions. Reserving 3/4 cup of pasta water.Set aside when done.

2. In a large skillet melt butter and sauté onion and garlic until tender.

3. Add mushrooms and continue to sauté until cooked and tender.

4. Add chicken stock, heavy cream, cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and cheese is completely melted.

5. Stir in the chicken and pasta in the sauce and add the pasta water. Turn off heat and mix well, allowing to sit for little for sauce to thicken.

6. Serve with a salad and garlic bread.

Enjoy!

**** This taste amazing the next day too! ****

Your Guide to Making Fried Rice

July 3, 2022July 3, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Making fried rice is actually super easy! I don’t know why I was ever intimidated. Follow this guide and feel free to get creative!

We served this rice with some grilled teriyaki chicken but having made this rice I really think some shrimp would be delish with it.

What you Need:

1 recipe of basic rice click here

4 eggs cooked and scrambled

1 – 2 cups of mixed veggies (I used snack carrots chopped up, frozen peas, fresh cabbage, and frozen corn) proportion it however you like

1/4 of a white onion finely chopped

1 tablespoon of minced garlic (I just used garlic from the jar)

Vegetable oil or canola oil on hand for sautéing and frying

Salt and pepper

Steps:

1. Cook the rice following my basic rice recipe. Once rice is cooked set aside.

2. Heat up your skillet, add about 2 tablespoons of oil and scramble your eggs. Seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. Add another 2-3 tablespoons of oil to the same skillet and sauté the onion and garlic. Once the onions are soft and the aroma is sweet add the rest of the veggies. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until soft. Set aside

4. Add 1/4 cup of oil to the hot skillet, add the rice, and begin fry (add one tablespoon at a time if you feel it needs more oil) Ensure the rice is evenly coated in the oil mixing constantly at a low medium heat. Add additional salt and pepper if needed. Careful not to over fry your rice. Taste until your liking.

5. Add the veggies and egg to the rice and mix well.

Add some soy sauce and enjoy!

Peppered Sweet Corn

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

2 bags of 12oz frozen corn

1 cup of milk or heavy cream

(I have tried both ways. If I don’t have heavy cream I just use milk. Heavy cream will make it thicker and provide a subtle change in taste)

1 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/4 cup of sugar

8oz package of cream cheese

1 stick of unsalted butter

Steps:

1. In a medium sauce pan on low medium heat begin to melt the butter with the corn. Then add your heavy cream and cream cheese.

2. Once the cream cheese and butter are completely melted add the sugar, pepper, and salt.

3, Allow to simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Adding more salt and pepper if necessary. Serve warm.

A yummy side for holidays, potlucks, or some delicious ribs.

Enjoy!

Basic Rice Recipe

June 6, 2022March 21, 2023 The Wild Gems3 Comments

Servings: 6 to 8 people

What You Need:

1 1/2 cup of long grain rice (un-rinsed)

2 1/2 cups of water

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon seasoning or salt

1 tablespoon of unsalted butter

1/4 cup of frozen corn (optional)

2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil

Steps:

1. In a medium pot or skillet oil your pan and sauté rice on a medium heat until all the rice is brown and toasted. (Doing this adds flavor to the rice)

2. Add the water, bring the pot to a low, and the butter and seasoning and cover rice with a lid. Set the timer for 15 mins. Checking the rice at least 2 times to give it a mix or fluff. Once the water is fully absorbed remove from the stove, keep lid slightly on, and allow to steam cook for 10 mins.

Note: If you’re going to add corn add it 5 minutes before the timer goes off.

3. Fluff with fork and enjoy. Add additional butter or seasoning if necessary.

Note: if you want to make more rice, you always just double the water to the rice.

This is the seasoning I use for the rice.

Homemade MILD Red Sauce For Enchiladas, Chilaquiles, Or Pozole

May 11, 2022June 23, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Makes 2 1/2 cups of sauce

Note: Use this recipe as a guide as well. Feel free to use different peppers or try different seasonings. This is a mild sauce but it’s delicious! If you want to increase the spice add more of the Chile de arbol peppers.

What You Need:

6 Chili Colorado Entero

4 Chile de arbol

1/4 of a yellow onion

4 garlic cloves peeled

2 teaspoons of chicken seasoning

2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil

Steps:

1. In a medium pot, add your peppers, onion, and garlic. Cover with water and bring to a low boil. Cover partially with lid and allow to simmer until peppers are completely soft. (About 15 mins)

2. Once veggies are soft, add to a blender with about 1-2 cups of water from which the chiles were boiling.

3. Once completely blended, strain the sauce through a strainer. Discarding the paste.

4. Rinse the pot you used for boiling the peppers and place on stove at a medium low heat. Add the oil, then the sauce, then the seasoning. Allow to simmer for about ten minutes.

That’s it! Seems intimidating, but it’s really not.

Enjoy!

Add more of these for more spice. Be mindful though!

You can boil the garlic with the skin on, just don’t forget to remove it when it’s all down boiling.

A beautiful red. There are other peppers out there though that you can use that will provide a darker red.

Doesn’t have to be a fancy strainer. This is what I used.

Yummy red sauce after simmering on the stove. (The sauce is not done once blended. It needs to be cooked on the stove.)

Tio’s Shrimp Cocktail

May 1, 2022April 17, 2023 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Servings 10 to 12

What You Need:

4 lbs of shrimp peeled and deveined

2 cucumbers chopped

1 Serrano pepper finely chopped

3 large tomatoes chopped

2 celery sticks (1 chopped)

6-7 limes juiced

1 qt of calamato juice or half of a 2qt bottle

1/2 white onion finely chopped

1/4 of white onion un-chopped

1 teaspoon of pepper

3-4 teaspoons of salt

1 tablespoon of cilantro chopped

Steps:

1. First prep your veggies. Add your chopped pepper, onion, tomato, cucumber, cilantro, and celery in an extra sized large bowl. Cover and set aside in the fridge.

2. Prep your shrimp, removing the skin and devein (optional). Once the shrimp are done (can be like forever. Have someone help you!) place in a kitchen pot. Cover with water, add the 1 celery stick, 1/4 of an onion and bring to a boil, removing the foam. Boil for 1 minute. Reserve a cup of the shrimp water.

3. Remove the veggies from the fridge and add the shrimp once cooled. Then add the lime juice, Clamato, shrimp juice, salt, and mix well. Add additional salt, pepper, extra cilantro and lime juice if needed or until desired taste.

Enjoy!

Serve with tostadas or Tortillas chips. Add in hot sauce and freshly diced avocados!