Why You Should Use Goat Cheese When Cooking

 Goat cheese is a delicious and versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It has a tangy, slightly salty flavor that pairs well with a variety of flavors. Goat cheese can be used in appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Here are some reasons why you should use goat cheese when cooking:

• It's delicious. Goat cheese has a unique flavor that is both tangy and creamy. It pairs well with a variety of flavors, making it a versatile ingredient for cooking.
• It's versatile. Goat cheese can be used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to main courses to desserts. It can be crumbled over salads, added to pasta dishes, or used as a filling for pastries.
• It's healthy. Goat cheese is a good source of protein and calcium, and it is lower in fat than other types of cheese.
• It's affordable. Goat cheese is a relatively affordable cheese, making it a great option for budget-minded cooks.

If you're looking for a delicious, versatile, and healthy cheese to use in your cooking, goat cheese is a great option. So next time you're in the kitchen, be sure to give goat cheese a try.

Here are ten super tasty recipes that use goat cheese:

1. Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese by The Family Food Kitchen

2. Goat Cheese Pasta by The Clean Eating Couple

3. Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Mini Quiches by The Healthy Family Project

4. Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Crackers by Living Sweet Moments

5. Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates by Little Home in the Making

6. Goat Cheese Stuffed Bison Burgers by Went Here 8 This

7. Fire Roasted Tomato and Goat Cheese Dip by Living Lou

8. Mushroom Leek and Goat Cheese Tart by Barth Bakery

9. Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls by Keto Focus

10. Spiced Goat Cheese Log by Masala Herb

Here are some additional tips for using goat cheese in cooking:

• Pair it with complementary flavors. Goat cheese pairs well with a variety of flavors, such as fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices.
• Don't overcook it. Goat cheese is best when it is slightly melted and creamy. Overcooking goat cheese will make it tough and dry.
• Be creative. Goat cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Don't be afraid to experiment and find new ways to use it.

With these tips, you're sure to find new and delicious ways to use goat cheese in your cooking. So next time you're in the kitchen, be sure to give goat cheese a try.

More yummy recipes

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

Cherry Orange Soda Syrup

Best Brunch Recipes

Mother's day is near, so why not skip the crowded brunch spot in your town and host an event that your mom, and all of the special moms in your circle will love? I have collected 15 of the best brunch recipes to share with you. This list has something for everyone on it. Pick a few favorites and start planning a feast that will make any mom feel super special!

Don't worry, this list has options the men in your life will enjoy too, like beermosas so invite everyone for a super fun time! I think the blueberry pie oatmeal seems like a dream for brunch. 

Egg Tarts by Our Love Language is Food

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes with Raspberry Coulis by Britney Breaks Bread

Ham and Egg Pot Pies by Blackberry Babe

Beermosa by The Six Figure Dish

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Roll Donuts by The Oregon Dietician

Blueberry Pie Baked Oatmeal by Two Pink Peonies

Strawberry Lemon Scones by Cinnamon and Sage Co

Bacon Bubble Bake by Stefs Eats and Sweets

Eggs Benedict Braid by Easy Budget Recipes

Bananas Foster Pancakes by The Littlest Crumb

Quiche Loraine by The Forked Spoon

Smoked Salmon Toast by Braised Deglazed

Strawberry Crescent Rolls by Remake My Plate

Apple Dutch Baby by Spend with Pennies 

John Wayne Brunch Casserole by Centsless Meals 

Which of these recipes do you think would be the best option at a weekend brunch at your house? I know I picked these recipes for a mother's day brunch, but you should save the post to your recipes board on pinterest so you can make these anytime of year.

You can find more recipes here:
My favorites include
Homemade Mulberry Lime Soda
Fool Proof Biscuits
Berry Vanilla Parfaits

Crumbl Copycat Golden Graham Cookies

Looking for a really good cookie recipe? These golden graham cookies are just what you need. They have such a lovely flavor and are perfect for anyone who loves cereal and milk. These are even better than Crumbl cookies! I think it is safe to call these a copycat crumbl recipe.

I love to bake cookies, muffins, biscuits and even popovers. It is my dream to someday have a bakery of my own where I can spread cheer and cookies all around. 

Well, until that happens, I keep myself happy coming up with recipes like this one. It is perfect for creating huge, delicious cookies with a wonderful texture. These are so big you can only make 6 to a cookie sheet and you will need your ice cream scooper to form them!

Bake these for a friend, to share with family or for a bake sale, and prepare for compliments! Go on and pin this recipe for later because you are going to want to make these all the time!

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1 c salted butter, softened to room temperature

1 ½ c sugar

2 large eggs

2 ½ c flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ c crushed golden graham cereal

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.

Add butter and sugar to a medium mixing bowl. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla, mix for 1 more minute.

Add baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix for 1 minute.

Add flour and mix until you can’t see any flour in the dough.

Crush the golden graham cereal with a food processor.

Add the crushed cereal to the dough and mix for a minute

Use an ice cream scoop to make large dough balls.

Place them 6 to a cookie sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

When the cookies are completely cool you can add glaze or frosting to them.

Garnish with golden graham cereal.

Glaze

1 ½ c powdered sugar

¼ c softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tbsp of half and half of milk.

Add the powdered sugar and butter to a mixing bowl. 

Add vanilla and 1 tbsp of milk or half and half.

Begin mixing.

If your glaze feels too thick add an additional tbsp of milk and continue to blend until you achieve the desired consistency.

These cookies are SO GOOD. I think they are even better than CRUMBL cookies!

These would be incredible for a cookie exchange, or to add into your cookie tray at the holidays. But, these are awesome anytime of the year. So don't wait for the holidays to roll around to bake this recipe.

Look at those scrumptious cookies! They are great with both milk and coffee. They have a wonderful flavor!

You can find all of my dessert recipes here

Homemade Rice Pudding

Instant Pot Banana Rice Pudding

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

More copycat recipes:

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

3 Fun Ways To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

 St Patrick's Day is a worldwide celebration of the color green, the drink Guinness, parades, and the symbol of the Shamrock. It is easy to get caught up in the festivities, but why is it celebrated all around the world?

Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated annually on March 17th in honor of the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, Saint Patrick. His father was kidnapped by Irish marauders and sold as a slave to care for sheep when he was a small boy in the 5th century in the British Isles. He was able to return to England, where he was given a vision from God, instructing him to return to Ireland and assist the people of the island nation.

In 432 AD, he returned to Ireland, where he took vows as a priest and changed his name to Patrick in order to aid in the spread of Christianity among the Irish. The Shamrock was used by him to explain the Holy Trinity to his disciples as he went about spreading Christian beliefs to the populace.

Saint Patrick died on the 17th of March in the year 461 AD, and his death is still commemorated to this day to memorialize him.

Here, we look at some fun ways to celebrate this Irish tradition.

Image via Unsplash

Wear a green outfit with a shamrock

In recognition of the Shamrock's close association with Saint Patrick and his teachings, it is now frequently used to symbolize Ireland. Wearing Shamrocks used to be a symbol of Irish Christian pride, but over time it evolved into wearing green to commemorate the holiday.

Despite the fact that shamrocks do not exist, they are closely associated with clovers because of their resemblance to the leaves; as a result, many people use clovers in decorations and face paint on St. Patrick's Day. You could also find a cute womens st patricks day shirt to wear. 

Cook and eat a traditional Irish meal

Traditionally, the traditional Irish supper on St Patrick's Day consisted of boiled bacon, potatoes, and soda bread, but nowadays there are many different foods that are consumed to commemorate the day! Because beef was far less expensive than bacon, Irish ex-pats in America noticed that beef was being substituted for bacon. They would marinate it with brine (corned beef) and slow boil it with cabbage for a couple of hours before serving. Remember a pint or two of Guinness to wash it all down. This Irish dry stout is brewed in Dublin and is often regarded as the national alcoholic beverage of the country. 

Go to a St Patrick's Day parade

The first St. Patrick's Day celebration in colonial America took place in Boston in 1737, according to historical records. Now, it is celebrated throughout the United States, with the 5th Avenue parade in New York City being the largest and most rowdy of them all! It has been going on for more than 250 years and is extremely popular, with between 150,000 and 250,000 marchers taking part!

Keeping Home Smelling Fresh

 If you have a garbage disposal at home, you know that while they are convenient to have, they can also be STINKY! There is nothing quite like walking past and smelling that odor. It can stop you in your tracks and send you scrambling to find a solution. If you are anything like me, you have tried it all. A sprinkle of baking soda, a lemon peel, and more. But, that smell seems to come back like a bad penny. What can you do about it? Take out the disposal and deal with food scraps? 

Thankfully we are not there yet! Arm & Hammer has solutions for smelly garbage disposals! This post has been sponosored, but all opinions are my own. My go to is the Arm & Hammer Garbage Disposal Cleaner.  These little pods are so easy to use and they make such a difference in the way my home smells! I no longer stress over if y guests are going to get a whiff of the sink and know things will smell as fresh as they would without the disposal.

Garbage disposal cleaning sounds treacherous doesn't it? Well, trust me, these little pods do all the work! All you need to do is open the package and pop one in. Like magic your disposal will be as fresh as can be with the cleaning power of citrus and baking soda. 

These are perfect for busy people who want a fresh and inviting home, free of lingering odors. Get a pack from retailers  like Amazon or Lowe's for about $9 a pack.

Teaching Children Sustainability Through DIY Projects

 Sustainability is important as it promotes a different way of living that doesn’t revolve around consumption, spending, and pollution. However, implementing sustainable principles is not always easy, especially if you have small kids. Simply, teaching them how to be more sustainable individuals can be tricky, because first, they’d need to grasp the concept of sustainability and accept it. 

In case you’re a minimalist parent, or you just wish to go more in that direction, here are some DIY projects and other tricks that are a perfect opportunity to teach your children about a sustainable way of living. 

Start your own garden 

Growing plants is the best chance to teach your kids about nature, plants, and how they grow in reality. If you have a backyard, then you’re already set, so you can use that space to grow some useful vegetables that you’ll use later in cooking. Besides, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also an excellent way to reduce your spending and eat true, organic foods. So asking kids to give you a hand while planting seeds or watering the plants will teach them how nature works, plus they’ll feel proud of themselves. 

Try making DIY laundry detergent 

Laundry detergent can be expensive, plus it’s often full of chemicals that may cause certain health issues, while also harming the environment. But, there is a solution: making your own laundry detergent! There are many recipes online, and usually, you’d need borax, baking soda, and a bar of soap. These ingredients are less processed than the commercial ones, so if you feel crafty, try making your own laundry detergent and teach your kids to do the same. 

Show them how to recycle 

Recycling is a staple in one’s eco-friendly journey. This activity will also show you the importance of using less, while your kids will learn a valuable and noble skill. Also, if you’ve ever wondered how can we reduce plastic waste, then recycling is definitely one of the ways to do it. Basically, almost all commercial products that we use are made of plastic, and recycling and reusing them will definitely reduce plastic waste consumption, and therefore, pollution. 

Clean the garbage

Collecting the garbage to compost is another fun DIY activity that can teach children about sustainability and saving the planet. Unfortunately, in some places, people still throw trash and empty their pockets carelessly, and many parents don’t teach their kids about proper behavior. The trash that we often see outside is also polluting the planet, so if you want to teach your kids about eco-friendliness, then collecting some of the garbage is a definite act of kindness that will also show them how to care for the planet. 

Make homemade art supplies

Most kids love art and anything that goes with it: drawing and painting are some of the most popular ones, that’s for sure. So, you’re probably super tempted to buy them all the amazing art supplies, but did you know that you can make them at home? That’s right, you can make your own paintbrushes, paints, stamps, and even crayons? There are many recipes that will teach you how to do it, plus your kids will definitely enjoy the whole process of creating something fun and new that they’ll be able to use later. 

Final thoughts 

These DIY projects and activities are a perfect way to start teaching your children about sustainability and living a greener lifestyle. They will learn to appreciate the environment while also learning new skills that will boost the environment, lower pollution, and make the world, one truly happy place. 

Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Homemade strawberry syrup is a must make this summer. It captures the essence of summer in a simple syrup that compliments everything from cocktails to homemade popsicles. I even drizzled it over cake, and it was perfect!

When I was a kid, early in the summer, my grandpa would come calling, looking for some helping hands who were willing to go to the U-Pick-Em strawberry patch and fill bushel after bushel of berries. As his only grandchild, many times, I was the willing partner. We would head over, taking all of the back country roads, and spend the morning in the sun, bent over, picking the best berries. My grandpa, Popaw, would always poke through and make sure you had some berries with some green showing yet, as this added the right tartness to all of the wonderful things he would make with his haul. We would spend days cleaning, coring and slicing the berries. Some would become jam and jelly. Some were frozen for pies and shortcakes when the season had passed. Some were enjoyed on the spot naturally.

My Popaw passed away in 1999. I was 19 years old. I have missed him everyday since then. I can't pass a U-Pick-Em berry patch without stopping for at least a quart of fresh berries, with a little green showing on a few for balance. From one batch of fresh berries I made this wonderful simple syrup. It is so sweet, and it has the essence of summer just waiting to add something special to whatever you desire. 

Add a splash to lemonade for a refreshing treat, or maybe add some to your sprite like my daughter likes to do for a pretty pink strawberry soda. I like to add it to vodka in the summer while I sip the stress of the day away.

All you need is berries, sugar and water to pull this off.

Ingredients:

Water- 1 cup

Sugar- 1/2 cups

Strawberries, cored 2 cups

Directions:

Place the cored berries into a sauce pan.

Add water.

Add sugar.

Simmer on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Remove from heat, allow to cool for about 30 minutes.

Place a mesh sieve over a mason jar.

Pour the mixture into the sieve, pressing the berries with a spoon to release the juices.

Discard the berry mash left in the sieve. (I like to feed it to the birds, but do so away from your house, as it will draw bees too.)

Store with a lid, in the fridge for a month.

Add a splash into cocktails or soda.

Drizzle it on white cake for a colorful and sweet berry flavor.

Make homemade strawberry soda by adding it to club soda.

If you enjoyed this recipe, check out all of my homemade soda recipes.

Favorites include:

Cherry Orange Soda Syrup

Mulberry Lime Soda

Strawberry Peach Soda

Blueberry Lime Soda

Homemade Peach Soda

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Use Chemical Drain Cleaners

 Drains clog pretty easily and it’s always a hassle to clean them. Drain cleaners come in handy when you have to remove dirt, mud or dust that collects in the drains. These are readily available in the market and cost rather less.

In spite of all the positives, there are some cons in using drain cleaners. Drain cleaners are harmful if used excessively. Why? There are a lot of reasons but we have listed the 5 main reasons why you might need to look out in case you are looking to use them.

1. Toxic Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners contain strong toxic chemicals. These chemicals provide the cleaning property to them. It contains alkali chemicals like sodium hydroxide and acidic chemicals such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. These chemicals are very strong and can cause burns or rashes if they fall on your skin. Also, if one swallows these chemicals, it can lead to blindness or other serious problems.

Another drawback is the chemical fumes from these cleaners. If one inhales it for too long, it can prove to be hazardous for his health. It can also cause irritation in the eye or swelling. So, it’s wise to read the labels on the bottles before using them in huge amounts.

2. Environmentally Hazardous

Now all of us know the chemicals in drain cleaners and it’s obvious that they can harm humans as well as other animals and nature. It’s toxic and poisonous for everything and everybody.

These chemicals can move and mix with lakes, rivers or even groundwater. It contaminates the water with dangerous chemicals. It has a lot of negative environmental impacts. If it ends up in a river then, small insects, birds or animals that consume the river water can get harmed. It can kill the small plants and trees near the lakes and rivers. All in all, it is really bad for the environment.

3. Corrosive to Pipes

Pipes and drains are channels to send water away. Cleaning drains is essential but every single time we use a drain cleaner, we expose the pipe to harmful toxins.

Given the strong nature of acids and alkalis; these can weaken the pipe and regular use of drain cleaners can corrode pipes over time. It can give rise to cracks and damage fixtures.

Dealing with a broken pipe can be a big problem and can lead to a lot of plumbing emergencies. You don't want that to happen.

4. Not a Permanent Solution

Drain cleaners are quite effective for small amounts of dirt, hair, grease or oil wastes but they can’t do it all. Sure, it is a quick fix but not for long.

If we use it continuously for a longtime, then it becomes less effective. Why? It’s because it doesn’t work on large amounts of food wastes.

Your drain fills up continuously with new wastes, but your drain cleaner can only clean off mild waste. The rest remains clogged in the drains and pipes. Ultimately, you will need to call for professional help.

So, it's better to let a professional check the drains once in a while than jamming tons of drain cleaner in.

5. It Smells Real Bad

Yes, it smells bad. When you work in your kitchen, you wouldn’t want that pungent, metallic smell of the drain cleaner.

No one wants the smell of delicious roast chicken to mix with the gut-wrenching smell of drain cleaners. Also, the fumes are dangerous for your health.

Drain cleaners are a necessity. We can replace the chemical drain cleaners with less toxic and environment friendly substances such as hot water, soap, baking soda etc.

If not, keep drain cleaners away from your children and pets and call for professional help at times to reduce overuse of drain cleaners.

Lastly, use drain cleaners judiciously.