 When it comes to enjoying watermelon, most people relish the juicy red flesh and discard the rind without a second thought. However, with a bit of creativity and some simple ingredients, you can turn this often-overlooked part of the fruit into a delicious and unique treat: watermelon rind candy. Not only is this recipe a delightful way to reduce waste, but it also offers a sweet, tangy, and slightly chewy snack that can be enjoyed year-round. A Brief History of Watermelon Rind Candy Watermelon rind candy is believed to have originated in the southern United States, where resourcefulness in the kitchen often leads to innovative and sustainable culinary creations. This candy captures the essence of summer while making use of the whole fruit, showcasing the ingenuity of home cooks in transforming scraps into something special. Benefits of Watermelon Rind Candy 1. Sustainability: Using watermelon rinds helps reduce food waste. 2. Nutritional Value: Watermelon rinds contain vitamins B and C, and they are a good source of fiber. 3. Versatility: This candy can be flavored in various ways, making it easy to customize. Recipe: Watermelon Rind Candy Ingredients: – 4 cups watermelon rind, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes – 4 cups water – 4 cups sugar – 1/2 cup lemon juice – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – 1 cinnamon stick (optional) – 4-5 whole cloves (optional) Instructions: 1. Prepare the Rind: – Begin by cutting the watermelon and saving the red flesh for another use. – Peel the green outer skin from the rind, leaving only the white part. – Cut the rind into 1-inch cubes. 2. Soak the Rind: – Place the rind cubes in a large bowl and cover them with water. – Let them soak for 4-6 hours or overnight. This helps to soften the rind. 3. Cook the Rind: – Drain the soaked rind and place it in a large pot. – Add 4 cups of water and bring it to a boil. – Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the rind is tender but still firm. – Drain and set aside. 4. Make the Syrup: – In the same pot, combine the sugar, lemon juice, and 4 cups of water. – Add the cinnamon stick and cloves if using. – Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. 5. Candy the Rind: – Add the drained watermelon rind to the syrup. – Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. – Cook until the rind is translucent and the syrup thickens. 6. Finish the Candy: – Remove the pot from heat and let it cool slightly. – Using a slotted spoon, transfer the rind pieces to a wire rack to drain and cool completely. – If desired, roll the cooled pieces in additional sugar for extra sweetness. 7. Store the Candy: – Store the watermelon rind candy in an airtight container. It will keep for several weeks. Tips for Success – Flavor Variations: Experiment with different flavorings like ginger, vanilla, or mint to customize your candy. – Presentation: For a festive touch, roll the finished candy in colored sugar or drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate. – Usage: Watermelon rind candy makes a great gift, or it can be used as a topping for desserts like ice cream or yogurt. Conclusion Watermelon rind candy is a wonderful example of turning waste into a tasty treasure. This sustainable treat is not only delightful to eat but also a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness that can be found in kitchens around the world. Next time you enjoy a watermelon, don’t throw away the rind—transform it into a sweet and tangy candy that will surprise and delight everyone who tries it. 
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Charlesa Bell Gary is with James Graves Chef Jimmy.
· 'Kid's Cooking Club hosts annual Easter egg hunt' The Kid's Cooking Cub teaches parents and children how to share their kitchen, cooking simple meals together. Kids were invited to dye eggs then treated to an Easter egg hunt of about 900 candy filled eggs on Saturday (3-23-24). The nonprofit organization is headed by James Graves Chef Jimmy and his wife, Taby. "We’re going on our twelfth year. We have been so blessed to bless the community,” said Graves. The cooking club meets the fourth Saturday of each month. Children ages two and up are welcome to participate. The next class will be April 27, at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 510 13th Avenue North, Texas City. For more information or sponsorship, contact Chef Jimmy 409-916-2970 
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FIGS: NOT FRUIT, Did You Know? A fig is not just an ordinary fruit, in fact, it's not even a fruit. Strictly speaking, figs are inverted flowers. Figs don’t bloom in the same way as other fruit trees like almonds or cherries. Figs have a very curious history. First of all, they're technically not a fruit, but an infruity (a set of fruits). And secondly, they need a slaughtered wasp to breed, an insect that dies inside the fig. In a nutshell, figs are a kind of inverted flowers that bloom inside this large, dark, red-hued bud we know as figs. Each flower produces a single nut and a single seed called an "aquarium". The fig is made up of several branches, which give it this characteristic crunchy texture. Therefore, when we eat one fig, we are eating hundreds of fruits. But the most amazing thing, it’s the special pollination process that fig flowers need to reproduce. They can’t depend on whether, the wind or the bees bring pollen as other fruits, so they need a species known as the fig wasps. These insects transport their genetic material and allow it to reproduce. For their part, wasps couldn’t live without figs, as they deposit their larvae inside the fruit. This relationship is known as symbiosis or mutualism. Currently, the vast majority of producers of this fruit no longer need the work of wasps. Most fig varieties for human consumption are part non-genetic. This means they always bear fruit in the absence of a pollinator. Read More - https://stepcreeper.com/beyond-the-plate-the-alluring.../  Homemade Teriyaki sauce
Ingredients 1 cup water 5 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce 1–2 tablespoons honey 1 large clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 cup water Steps: Combine the 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger in a medium saucepan and set over medium heat. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup water and whisk until dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan. Heat the sauce until it thickens to your desired thickness. If the sauce becomes too thick, add more water to thin it out  Lunchroom Ladies Brownies-50 year old recipe! Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1/2 cup cocoa 2 cup flour 2 cup sugar 4 eggs 4 tsp vanilla 1 cup chopped nuts Directions : Mix ingredients then pour in 9 x 13 pan Bake 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees Check at 20 mins Icing: 1/4 cup softened butter ¼ cup can milk (regular milk is fine) 1/4 cup cocoa 3 cups powdered sugar dash salt Mix together & frost Brownies.  From The Heart Florist
From The Heart Florist has been serving Texas City and its surrounding areas since 1992. We provide fresh flowers, gift baskets, plants, balloons and other gift items! 2338 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590 www.fromthehearttx.com [email protected] 409-945-2262 #galvestoncounty #smallbusiness #memes.#socialmedia.#like.#photooftheday. #facebookmarketing.#trending #tacos #shoplocal #eatlocal #community #friends #mycuprunnethover #blessed #getoutandvote #flowers #showherthelove #KindnessInDeed  So I put out a request for someone to sponsor cookies for the Kid's Cooking Cub. Artistic Image tattoo studio made sure that the kids not only got the cookies to decorate but also hot chocolate with all the toppings. So Taby Graves, Kenneth, and Ethan decorated some extras and we dropped them off along with some awesome color sheets that the dads and the kids colored off at The Phoenix Post-Acute... DECEMBERS 23 2023 Kid's Cooking Cub~~ WE ARE READY TO GROW AND CONTINUE BLESSING OUR COMMUNITY A LITTLE MORE THIS YEAR~~ WE WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUTOUT TO Pinoy Fiesta Food Market AND Artistic Image tattoo studio FOR SPONSORING THIS MONTHS CLASS!!! HELP US OUT HERE ARE SOME COLOR SHEETS PRINT THEM UP AND COLOR SOME THAT YOU CAN SHARE~~~
  Homemade Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Soup in the Crockpot In your crockpot add 8 potatoes peeled and chopped small Now add 4 cups chicken broth 1 onion diced Season well with salt, pepper and paprika Cook on high 3-4 hours, low 6-7 or until potatoes are tender Then add: 1 cup heavy whipping cream 3/4 cup sour cream 2 Tbsp cornstarch Stir together well and add to crockpot Season well again Add 2-3 cups freshly shredded cheese once the other mixture in we’ll combined Close lid and cook 1 pound of ground beef separately. Season your meat how you’d like. I used a BBQ seasoning and 1-2 TBSP of Worcestershire sauce Add meat to crockpot let sit another 20-30 minutes or longer. Enjoy topped with crumbled bacon   Mom's Flavorful Bites • 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced • 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained • 1 cup pineapple chunks, drained • 1 cup kiwi, peeled and sliced • 1 cup bananas, sliced • 1 cup grapes, halved (seedless) • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened • 1 (3.4-ounce) package instant cheesecake pudding mix, unprepared • 1 cup International Delight French Vanilla Creamer (or you can substitute with 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract) Instructions: 1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. 2. Sprinkle the cheesecake pudding mix over the cream cheese and beat until well combined. 3. While continuing to beat, slowly add the creamer (or heavy cream and vanilla extract) to the cream cheese mix. Beat until smooth. 4. In a separate large bowl, combine strawberries, oranges, pineapple, kiwi, bananas, and grapes. 5. Gently fold the cheesecake mixture into the fruit. 6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve. 7. Garnish with additional fruit or a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs if desired. Notes: • Add the bananas just before serving to prevent them from browning. • You can swap out any of the fruits for others you prefer or that are in season. • If you can't find the instant cheesecake pudding mix, you can use vanilla pudding mix as an alternative. • The creamer gives it a rich and creamy flavor, but for a lighter version, you could use milk or a milk alternative.  Political ad paid for by Paul Davidson for Constable Pct 1 Campaign  The Cooks Recipes Easy Cinnamon Bugles Ingredients: 4 cups Bugles 1/2 cup sugar 5 tablespoons melted butter 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon Instructions: Mixing: In a mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of Bugles, 1/2 cup of sugar, 5 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon. Toss and stir until the Bugles are well coated with the sweet and cinnamon-infused mixture. Baking: Place the coated Bugles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or coated with non-stick spray. Ensure they are spread out evenly for even coating. Broiling: Preheat your oven’s broiler on high. Put the baking sheet with the Bugles under the broiler for 1 minute. Keep a close eye to prevent burning. You want the Bugles to turn golden and slightly crispy. Stirring: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and give the Bugles a gentle stir to make sure the coating is evenly distributed. Second Broil: Place the Bugles back under the broiler for an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute, ensuring they don’t burn but become perfectly crunchy and sweet. Cooling: Allow the Cinnamon Bugles to cool to room temperature. As they cool, the coating will harden, giving them that irresistible crunch. Enjoy: Now, savor each bite of your homemade Cinnamon Bugles. The sweet, buttery, and cinnamon-infused flavor will make this snack a new favorite! Midwesternlivingrecipes    Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe Ingredients:
1. Prepare the Pan:
Enjoy the creamy, peanut buttery goodness with a delightful crunch from the Reese’s Pieces! Popular questions and their answers related to Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge Recipe 1. Can I use creamy peanut butter instead of crunchy in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge recipe?
– Ensure that the wax paper overhangs the edges of the casserole dish. This makes it easier to lift the fudge out once it’s set. 11. Can I use a different type of candy besides Reese’s Pieces? – Absolutely, feel free to experiment with other candies that complement the peanut butter flavor. Chopped peanut butter cups or other colorful candies work well. 12. Can I add extra peanut butter for a stronger flavor? – You can adjust the amount of peanut butter to suit your taste preferences. Adding a bit more won’t affect the overall consistency of the fudge. Enjoy making and indulging in your delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge!  |
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