Pantry Staples
Homemade pantry staples: vanilla extract, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, chai and ranch mixes, pancake and coffee syrups, a flour blend and sauces.
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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
Homemade pumpkin pie spice from cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Small batch makes 5 tablespoons, with a guide to swapping it into recipes.
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How to Season Cast Iron Cookware
How to season cast iron cookware: wash, dry fully, wipe on a very thin coat of oil, bake upside down at 450°F for 1 hour, cool in the oven. Plus care tips.
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How to Prevent Moldy Berries with a Vinegar Wash
Slow mold on fresh berries with a vinegar wash: soak in 10 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar for a minute, rinse, dry well and refrigerate airtight.
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Blender Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
Blender spaghetti sauce made from fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, red wine, tomato paste, molasses and dried herbs, simmered for 1 hour. Makes about 5 cups.
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Classic Pesto Recipe (Blender or Food Processor)
Classic pesto with 2 cups fresh basil, parmesan or romano, pine nuts, olive oil and garlic, made in a blender or food processor. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.
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Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe
Homemade ranch dressing mix of dried chives, parsley, dill, garlic and onion powder. Makes 1/3 cup; 2 1/2 teaspoons flavors 3/4 cup of yogurt dressing.
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Homemade Chai Tea Latte Mix Recipe
Powdered chai tea latte mix of instant tea, oven-dried vanilla sugar and seven ground spices. Makes 25 servings; use 2 heaping tablespoons per 8 ounces.
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How to Make Homemade Brown Sugar
Homemade brown sugar from 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons molasses for dark, or 1 tablespoon for light. Makes about 1 cup in 5 minutes.
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How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
Homemade vanilla extract from 6 vanilla beans (about 1 ounce) and 1 cup of 80-proof vodka, steeped in glass in a cool, dark place for at least 3 months.
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Homemade Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Recipe
Homemade gluten-free all-purpose flour from rice flour, sweet rice flour, potato starch and tapioca flour, by cups or by weight. Makes about 9 cups.
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Homemade Pumpkin Spice Coffee Syrup Recipe
Pumpkin spice syrup for coffee made with real pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Simmers in 10 minutes; makes about 1 1/4 cups.
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Homemade Pumpkin Puree Recipe
Homemade pumpkin puree from a 3 to 4 pound sugar pie pumpkin, halved and baked cut side down in water at 350°F for 60 to 75 minutes. Makes 2 to 3 cups.