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Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 

This recipe is the BEST prime rib I’ve ever tasted! Also known as standing rib roast, this beef cut is tender and worth the price per pound. We treated ourselves to Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib for the Christmas holiday. One bite and I was already planning when we would serve it again.

While a bit of preparation is required, it is worth the effort. The process of dry aging a bone-in prime rib is actually quite easy. After patting the meat dry with paper towels, wrap it in 2-3 layers of cheese cloth and secure with kitchen twine. Store the prime rib on a tray or cookie sheet in the refrigerator for seven days.

When you’re ready to cook it, remove the cheese cloth and apply a heavy coat of kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to the outside of the prime rib. Lightly coat the meat with vegetable oil and use your hands to really press the seasoning into the flesh of the beef. The seasoning will form a thick bark or outside crust during the cooking process. (You don’t have to allow the meat to come to room temperature before cooking it.)

Smoked Prime Rib

To get the hickory flavor, prepare the prime rib on a Traeger grill or similar smoker using wood pellets. For this recipe, a 4 lb. bone-in prime rib required two hours of cooking time followed by 30 minutes of resting time before serving. The end result was a tender cut of beef with light smoke flavor. You’ll love the crusted bark!

Use a extremely sharp knife to cut about 3/4″ pieces and serve it alongside creamy horseradish and beef au jus. I suggest serving it to your guests with sautéed asparagus and smashed garlic potatoes.

Why wait until a special occasion to enjoy Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib? Treat yourself!

4 servings

Serves 3/4" slice

Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib

Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib is the best way to serve this tender cut of meat to guarantee incredible flavor.

2 hrCook Time

2 hrTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 4 lb. bone-in prime rib
  • vegetable oil
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring your Traeger smoker or grill to 250 degrees.
  2. Smoke the prime rib roast for two hours or until the internal temperature reads 125 degrees.
  3. Remove the prime rib from the smoke or grill and allow it to rest at room temperature for 20 minute before slicing to serve.

Notes

You may want to trim the excess fat from each slice prior to plating.

7.8.1.2
97
https://onedelightfullife.com/dry-aged-smoked-prime-rib/

Dry Aged Smoked Prime Rib

How to Make a Christmas Dessert Board

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One of the best parts of the Christmas holiday season is all of the delightful desserts! But what do you do with all of the cookies, candies, and baked goods that people give you? Before you know it, you have bags and boxes of them on your kitchen counter. A Christmas Dessert Board is the solution! A beautiful assortment of sweet treats, the board is the perfect way to bring winter cheer to any holiday happy hour or family gathering.

The brilliant part of assembling a Christmas dessert board is that it only requires opening packages and artfully arranging ingredients on a surface. Just as you would design a meat and cheese charcuterie board, you want to vary color, height, and textures as much as possible. I combined soft cocoa truffles alongside crunchy shortbread cookies and I let cinnamon gummy bears nestle up to a river of holiday popcorn.

Not sure what to include on your board? Use my list as a helpful shopping guide or gather your favorite sweet confections and just have a blast making your own desert board:

CHOCOLATE:

COOKIES:

  • Decked Out Tree Cookies (Trader Joe’s)
  • Peppermint Pretzel Slims (Trader Joe’s)

NUTS:

POPCORN:

COCOA BOMBS:

  • They were a fabulous gift from a friend, but you can find them at many bakeries and gift stores.

Other items you could include chocolate spreads, mini cupcakes, assorted berries, marshmallows, or gingerbread men cookies.  However, I should warn you about something. If you leave the dessert board on your kitchen counter, you will eat from it at EVERY passing. I highly recommend you gift this Christmas Dessert Board to someone or serve it at a party unless you don’t mind the holiday weight gain. ::laughing:: I didn’t!

Christmas is about showing kindness to others and I can’t think of a better way to bring the joy of the season to someone else than by serving them a gorgeous assortment of sweet treats! I hope you enjoy your Christmas Dessert Board as much as I had making mine.

Happy Holidays, friends!

How to Build a Savory Charcuterie Board

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Why is it that charcuterie boards are all the rage these days? They are trending in a big way on Pinterest and if you’ve glanced at any foodie’s Instagram feed, you’re likely to see a colorful board built of various finger foods.

The answer is simple — charcuterie boards are a fabulous way to serve others a beautifully assembled meal without cooking a single thing! Better yet, designing a charcuterie board is a blast because you’re literally playing with food to arrange it in an eye appealing way.

So, how do you know what items to source for your board? The key to building any savory charcuterie board is to think in categories when selecting the items to include: 1.) briny or acidic foods 2.) creamy and hard cheeses 3.) sliced deli meats. You want the items selected to complement each other in taste and texture. For example, pickles or artisan olives are a great follow to a rich cheese and cracker combination.

For my ultimate savory charcuterie board, I added another layer of interest. Some of my items are sourced from Kansas farmers or small food businesses while the others came mostly from Trader Joe’s. I’m passionate about supporting small business and several of the below mentioned companies were nice enough to gift me with their items.

What locally sourced gourmet foods could you add to your board?

I went BIG on this spread! The quantity of ingredients in this board could easily feed 2-4 people. We like to substitute a beautiful charcuterie platter for our usual dinner meal a couple Friday evenings a month because I don’t want to cook at the end of the week!

Here’s a rundown of the assorted items and where to buy them:

CRACKERS:

  • Brioche Toasts (Trader Joe’s) covered in roasted garlic from Orie’s Farm Fresh
  • Pita Bite Crackers (Trader Joe’s)
  • Golden Rounds (Trader Joe’s)
  • Great Value Rosemary Crackers (Walmart)

CHEESES:

  • Sliced Medium Cheddar (Walmart)
  • Cream Cheese Spread mixed with Cajun Marinade from Kansas Flavor
  • Honey Goat Cheese (Trader Joe’s) covered in Beesponsible Wildflower Honey
  • The Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb Cheese (Walmart) topped with fresh baby dill
  • Sliced White Cheddar (Private Selection from Kroger)

PROTEINS:

  • Smoked Salmon Slices (Walmart)
  • Salami (Trader Joe’s)
  • Prosciutto (Trader Joe’s)
  • Pepperoni (Trader Joe’s)

NUTS & CRUNCH:

FRUITS & VEGGIES:

  • Pickles Brussel Sprouts (Urban Prairie)
  • Sliced Tomatoes sprinkled with Smoked Garlic Salt (Orie’s Farm Fresh)
  • Jalapeño Mustard (Urban Prairie)
  • Fig Jam (Trader Joe’s)
  • Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives (Trader Joe’s)
  • Artichoke Hearts Segments (Trader Joe’s)
  • Clementine Orange Segments
  • Pink Lady Apple Slices
  • Dried Cranberries

I recommend a dry red wine to enjoy with it such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. We sipped on 2018 Happy Camper while nibbling on the delightful spread.

In the market for a serving board? I used a bamboo cutting board and a pizza board with a handle, which worked perfectly!

While the specific items chosen for our charcuterie board appeal to us, you should customize your selection to your taste. It’s really just an excuse to try new gourmet foods paired with your tried and true favorites.

Have a delightful time shopping for ingredients and designing an epic board of your own!

 

 

 

4 Small Kitchen Appliances Every Cook Needs

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Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 

Getting a meal on the table is hard enough with all of life’s daily demands, so there is no shame in maximizing the convenience of small kitchen appliances to get the job done quickly. The four timesavers that I can’t live without are listed below and I really think you’ll find that they make preparing meals easier.

Alright, I’m breaking down this short list based on each piece of equipment’s affordability and efficiency. Let’s dive in.

BLACK AND DECKER TOASTER OVEN

Most people consider this counter appliance to be one used by college students or individuals who don’t cook much. A toaster oven is incredibly versatile and a HUGE timesaver when you want to cook or reheat a meal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used it to prepare nachos, small pizzas, open-faced sandwiches, and even roasted garlic.

Life happens. You don’t always have the time or energy to prepare full meal and the Black and Decker Toaster Oven is the solution.

Cost $43

FOODSAVER VACUUM SEALER

If you’re like me and you want to buy extra steaks when they’re on sale for later use, using a Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer is the best option to freeze them and keep frostbite flavor at bay. I also use it to store airtight packages of  fresh items from garden tomatoes (great for sauces!) to soup leftovers.

You’ll find that even though you are initially spending money on it and the roll of sealer bags, you save money overall by purchasing groceries on sale and storing them for later use. Later, you can just shop your freezer instead of heading back to the store!

Cost $60

MAGIC BULLET BLENDER

When you want to blend a fruit smoothie, mix a batch of dressing, or finely chop vegetables, the Magic Bullet Blender is your go-to appliance. The beauty of it is that you tote your mixed beverage with you using the handle cup and drinkable lid or simply store it in the refrigerator for later use. I once thought tiny drink blenders were only for people who mixed their morning protein or muscle powder smoothies. Wrong. You’ll love it’s practicality for everyday use and its small size requires minimal storage.

Cost $39

CUISINART FOOD PROCESSOR 

The big daddy of all the small appliances, the Cuisinart Food Processor should be in every home cook’s kitchen. No matter the task, it delivers. I’ve used it to prep vegetables for a week’s recipes, mixed up fresh dough, and made large batches of sauces and dressings. If you’re committed to your kitchen and love donning an apron to prepare recipes, you deserve the functionality of a food processor.

Cost $150

These four small kitchen appliances are a food lover’s dream because they make preparing a meal a joy. Eliminate long hours standing over a hot oven or prepping ingredients and invest in kitchen gadget that simplifies the job. You’ll be happy you did.

While these are my favorite appliances, I’m eager to hear what appliance you think I should have included on the list. Comment below with your suggestion!

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach

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Do you shop at the farmers’ market in your town? Lately, I’ve traveled downtown to the market looking for locally grown vegetables and Kansas sourced meat to use in new recipes. Since becoming a gardener, I’m more interested in knowing where my food comes from and how it is treated before I eat it.

The benefit of shopping local is ten-fold, but some of the primary reasons I enjoy it is because 1.) The produce is organic, larger in size and better in flavor 2.) I’m supporting the livelihood of Kansas farmers and 3.) I enjoy making friends with fellow foodies and talking about recipes.

I prepared Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach after purchasing two yellow squash and a box of fresh pasta from market vendors. Inspired by the ingredients and similar recipe by Gordon Ramsey, I prepared an easy, weeknight meal that was full of flavor and layered in texture. The pasta dish turned out to be scrumptious! I loved the pillowy soft gnocchi (made from potatoes!) with the chunky veggies and sausage crumbles. Consider making it for your family this week!

4-5 servings

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach

A hearty and healthy meal perfect for using up fresh vegetables.

15 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 14 oz. gnocchi
  • 1 lb. ground, mild Italian sausage
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 2 diced yellow squash
  • 3 diced garlic cloves
  • 1/2 bag of baby spinach
  • 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Shredded Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Brown the ground sausage on medium high until broken down and caramelized.
  2. Remove sausage from the pan and drain on a plate of paper towels.
  3. In a separate pan, add the olive oil over medium heat.
  4. Add the diced yellow squash and stir occasionally until the squash is softened.
  5. Add the diced garlic and stir until incorporated.
  6. Add the spinach, tomatoes, and stir.
  7. Add the drained sausage to the squash, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes. Stir until well mixed and turn the stove on low.
  8. In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a rolling boil.
  9. Add the gnocchi and stir it occasionally for 2-3 minutes until the pasta floats. Using a slotted spoon, drain the gnocchi by the spoonful and add it to the pot of sausage and vegetables. Gently fold it all to incorporate the ingredients.
  10. Add salt and pepper and sprinkled Parmesan on each serving while hot.

Tags

Allergy
egg free
soy free
wheat free
seafood free
treenut free
sesame free
mustard free
7.8.1.2
96
https://onedelightfullife.com/gnocchi-with-sausage-squash-spinach/

Nutrition

Calories

1945 cal

Fat

83 g

Carbs

195 g

Protein

106 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

You could also sprinkle a few ribbons of fresh basil on top of your warm bowl of pasta. I didn’t choose to do that since the gnocchi I purchased was already flavored with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. If you love tomatoes, add more! Wish this recipe included mushrooms? Don’t have yellow squash but zucchini instead? Trust yourself to swap or add ingredients!

If you make this recipe for two people, you’ll have at least two servings leftover for the next day’s lunch! Of course, let me know what you think of this yummy weeknight meal in the comments below.

Oh, and if you LOVE squash, try my recipe for Buttery Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta. It’s a delightful side dish for any fall season meal.

Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito

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When I polled my Instagram audience if they wanted this recipe after previewing it, the answered was 100% YES. I completely understand why because and it is indeed 100% REFRESHING! Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito is the summer drink you’ve been craving. You just didn’t know it!

Like a lot of gardeners, my mint plant is growing faster than I can use it up. A mojito recipe is the perfect way to make use of the summer herb, and its herbaceous flavor adds a cooling effect to this cocktail. Not a gardener? The mint sold in your local grocery store’s produce department will suffice — just remember to keep it refrigerated until use.

This recipe is for one cocktail but you could easily maximize it to make a pitcher to serve guests at your brunch or outdoor summer party. It’s so good thanks to its fresh ingredients and the bubble’s effervescence.

Have you ever heard of “muddling” herbs? You may have seen a bartender do it when crafting a cocktail. By using a cocktail muddler, or in my case the end of a wooden spoon, you simply press and twist the mint in the bottom of a sturdy wine glass. Just in case you would like a visual for how to do it, here’s a helpful instructional link.

I used strawberry flavored Waterloo Sparkling Water for extra fruit flavor in combination with sliced fresh strawberries. You will also need sugar, lime wedges, and aged silver rum over ice.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 

I know you’re going to adore this recipe for Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito! Appreciate fruit cocktails? You’ll also like my recipe for Blackberry Mint Fizzy Mojito! Want a similar drink but without the booze? Check out this recipe for Cucumber Mint Raspberry Detox Water.

Salude!

Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito

A refreshingly sweet yet tart cocktail, the mint complements the fresh strawberry very well. You can prepare it to enjoy on a hot summer day or for friends at your next brunch!

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz. aged silver rum (Cruzan)
  • 4-5 mint leaves
  • 1 T. white sugar
  • 3 lime wedges (small quarter pieces)
  • 1 sliced strawberry
  • 1 can Waterloo Strawberry Sparkling Water
  • crushed ice

Instructions

  1. Add the mint leaves, sugar, and lime wedges to the glass.
  2. Muddle the mint leaves, mint, and sugar together until fragrant and well mashed.
  3. Add half a glass of crushed ice.
  4. Add sliced strawberries.
  5. Add rum.
  6. Fill glass until it's full with the sparkling water.
  7. Garnish with a strawberry and sprig of mint.

Notes

Use silver rum for this recipe. Substituting dark rum is not an option to achieve the desired recipe flavor.

7.8.1.2
95
https://onedelightfullife.com/strawberry-mint-mojito/