food | Saved By Grace

All About Salt

April 4, 2024 By Christine 2 Comments

If you have been a reader of my blog for a while now, you know I love cooking. One thing that is extremely important in improving the taste of your food is adding the right amount of salt and when you add it. I had it told to me on a daily basis in school, “Did you salt this?” Salt is amazing for bringing out the taste of foods and knowing when to salt and how much to salt imperative in making sure your dish comes out right.

One thing to keep in mind is there are several types of salt on the market. The two most used are Table and Kosher.

Table is the common salt you will find in most all kitchens. It is small granulated and white in color.

Kosher is a much more coarse granulated salt. It does not add as much salt flavoring as Table and therefore should be used more in a dish if you are using this type. The general conversion is 1 tsp Table is about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 tsp kosher.

As I mentioned, there are several types, but I am only going to touch on the very basics of salting foods, so I will save that discussion for another day.

When should you salt food?

I have compiled a list of when food should be salted below. Please note, this is just a general guide and more or less salt can be added for your personal preference. Keep in mind, though, it is always better to add less salt than you think because it is much easier to add more than take away.

Vegetables: Roasted or grilled; add before cooking. Raw; add just before serving Steamed; Salt the water before blanching or boiling
Pasta, Rice and Grains; Salt the water before cooking
Dressings for salad greens; add before adding oil to a vinaigrette. This way the salt can dissolve in the vinegar first
Meat: Whole birds; all over-inside and out, Other meat; season just before cooking
Onions and Garlic; add while sauteing or “sweating”
Eggs: Add during cooking
Stocks, Soups and Sauces; add before thickening and again to taste after just before finishing

Keep in mind as well, that Kosher is often better in cooking, because it has many facets in taste, while table is better for baking.

Happy Cooking!

Photo © Nicknacks | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

Filed Under: Frugal Living Tagged With: food

Zevia {Review}

March 31, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

I love being a blogger for many reasons, but one reason is I often hear about new products from my fellow bloggers. A while back, when I first started blogging, I saw a couple reviews for Zevia. Zevia is a no-calorie stevia sweetened soda.

First off, I should tell you a bit about what stevia is. Stevia is a plant derived sweetener that is very concentrated. Unlike sugar, it does not cause blood sugar to spike (good news for diabetics like myself) and has no calories.

I use stevia in many things at home. It can come in the pure extract version or in packets mixed with other sweeteners. The pure extract powder I buy is so sweet, you can actually TASTE the sweetness just by opening the baggie I keep it in!

Zevia is NOT carb free, though. It has low carbs, especially when compared to other sodas, but it is not completely carbohydrate free. It is GMO free, though so that is a major plus!

There are 15 different flavors of Zevia. Although I was sent a coupon for a free 6 pack (Zevia sells for around $5.50 a six pack here), I went ahead and purchased a couple more flavors to try as well. I tried the Mountain Zevia, Dr. Zevia, Ginger Root Beer and Cola.

Pros:

I love that this is a diabetic friendly soda option. I also love that even though it has carbs, it is low carb when compared to other sodas. Zevia has so many flavors to choose from as well and I think I will try many more before I find a favorite. The Ginger Root beer was my favorite that I tried. Cola come in a close second.

Cons:

With some of the flavors, I noticed an aftertaste that I wasn’t too fond of. Stevia can have a funny aftertaste and I think some of the flavors don’t mix well with it. One in particular that it went bad with was the Mountain Zevia flavor. it is kind of a bitter flavor. I also noticed that it is very important to drink Zevia ice cold. It tends to lose it’s fizziness fast as well.

Verdict:

I would recommend trying several flavors to find your favorite before you decide you don’t like it. Other than that, I would recommend this as a soda for anyone to drink, especially those that are watching their ingredients and artificial sweeteners.

To Purchase:

Head over to the store locator on the Zevia site and find where you can purchase your own. It can be somewhat hard to get all the flavors, but you can also request certain flavors at your favorite retailers.

Filed Under: Health, Product Reviews Tagged With: Family, food

Gorton’s Seafood Challenge {Giveaway!}

March 27, 2024 By Christine 10 Comments

I was so excited to be included in the Gorton’s Seafood Challenge and be sent some awesome coupons to test them out in my own kitchen! What is the Gorton’s Seafood Challenge? It is a challenge set out by the Gorton’s Seafood crew to see what YOU can make with one of their 20 products under 200 calories! What do you win? One person will be lucky enough to win a year’s supply of Gortons!

What did I do for the Challenge? I made delicious and tangy fish tacos!

I wanted to share my recipe here so you can see for yourself how tasty and easy low calorie meals can truly be!

To make Tangy Fish Tacos, you will need:

2 Packages Gorton’s Cajun Grilled Alaska Pollock Fillets
A 1/2 a head of Cabbage
1 jar of low fat coleslaw dressing
1 tablespoon dried Chipotle powder
2 Limes
1 Pinch white pepper
Flour tortillas, fajita size
Tomatoes

1) To start, place your Gorton’s Cajun Grilled Alaska Pollock Filets in the pre-heated oven.

2) While your filets cook, wash cabbage and chop against the grain as you would for coleslaw. Set aside.

3) Slice one of the limes into wedges. These will be great as a side seasoning when the tacos are done. Slice the other in half.

4) Pour coleslaw dressing into a small bowl or container. Add the juice from one lime.

5) Add your chipotle powder. With a whisk, mix well.

6) Add your pinch of white pepper. Whisk together.

7) Dice your tomatoes.

8) Warm your tortillas on a non-stick skillet. Place them on a plate.

9) Pull your Gorton’s Cajun Grilled Alaska Pollock fillets out of the oven. With a spatula, break them up into chunks.

10) Add your Gorton’s Cajun Grilled Alaska Pollock fillet chunks to the Tortilla. Top with cabbage and tomatoes and add your tangy sauce on top! Enjoy! You could also add onions, cilantro and cheese if you like.

Are you excited to try this challenge for yourself? Head on over to the Gorton’s Facebook page and check out the weekly challenges! You can enter to win a year’s supply of Gorton’s by clicking in the “Enter to win!” tab. Have you seen the new Gorton’s Website? I love pinterest and I am happy Gorton’s has a great Pinterest page to check out awesome news and recipes. If you prefer to tweet your seafood favorite, make sure you follow them on twitter. By the way, the Gorton’s Cajun Grilled Alaska Pollocks only have 90 calories each fillet! So delicious and flavorful for so few calories!

Want to “catch” more fun from Gorton’s? Enter to win some awesome prizes, right here on Saved By Grace! One lucky reader will win 5 full value coupons for Gorton’s products, 2 Gorton’s oven mitts, a Gorton’s Spatula and a Gorton’s Apron!

Just enter to win below! Runs from 3/27- 4/2! It is open to US RESIDENTS only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaways, Health, Product Reviews, Recipes Tagged With: food, giveaways, health, Recipes

Twiztt Cook Wear By Joan Lunden {Review}

February 26, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

It is no secret that I love to cook. Now, if you ask me to bake for you, that’s another story. For whatever reason, it is not one of my fortes.

One thing I loved about going to culinary arts school was all the awesome cooking equipment they had in class and I used to dream of having amazing cook wear like that at home.

Quality pans can cost a little more than the cheaper variety, and trust me, they are worth it. With the new Twiztt line from Joan Lunden, you can have quality pans with awesome new technology (like the Thermolon™ coating!) for a very reasonable price!

Twiztt was developed because Joan wanted a line of cook-wear that could help her eat healthier. As many people know, Joan is a shining example of a hard working woman. Not only has she been in national news programs, but she also has a line of home decor and even skin care products!

The Twiztt pan I was sent is an 8 inch pan with a Thermolon™ coating. The coating helps food not only non-stick, but also helps distribute heat evenly. Unlike other non-stick surfaces, it does not have a toxic release of fumes when heated to high temperatures. The Twiztt pan I reviewed also comes in 10 and 12 inch sizes. The pan is also oven safe.

Check out how well it did sauteing chicken!

Pros:

Does an excellent job at keeping foods non-stick. I loved that I did not have to use and fats, oils or butters to saute in my pan as I normally would. You can use them if you want, but with most foods, even meats it is not necessary. The non-stick Thermolon™ coating was incredibly easy to clean. The pan heated very evenly.

Cons:

This pan cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher as hand washing is recommended. For me, this is not an issue because I hand wash everything, but for some this may be an inconvenience.

Verdict:

I absolutely recommend this pan in the Twiztt line of products. Make sure you also check out the other products in the Twiztt line such as cutting boards, oven wear and bowls.

To purchase:

For sale at most Bed, Bath and Beyond locations or check here to find a retailer near you. The 8 inch pan I reviewed was marked at $29.95.

Filed Under: Health, Homekeeping, Product Reviews Tagged With: food, health

Baked Spaghetti {Recipe}

January 24, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

My family loves all types of Italian foods. Admittedly, we are all carb-o-holics. This is why my diet has been so hard to stick to. (Although, I did lose 5.2 lbs the first week!)

I make this meal on occasion when I need to whip something up quick and hearty. You can even use store bought sauce (not something I usually buy, but it was on sale and I had coupons, so I couldn’t pass it up!)

This recipe is also nice because it is so versatile and can be made vegetarian simply by omitting a meat.

To make Baked Spaghetti, you will need:

1 1/2 jars of pasta sauce, your flavor choice

3 eggs

2 sleeves of spaghetti noodles, cooked

1 small tub of ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese

Meat of your choice, cooked (I used shredded chicken)

To make Baked Spaghetti:

Start by mixing spaghetti noodles with pasta sauce and eggs. I used my hands or tongs to mix these two well. You would also add your meat if you desire at this point.

Next, add your ricotta cheese and incorporate well.

Then, Add shredded Parmesan to the mix.

Cover with Mozzarella and aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until piping hot at 350 degrees.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes. This helps set it so it is more solid. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, Money Saving Meals, Recipes Tagged With: food, Recipes

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce {Review + Giveaway}

January 15, 2024 By Christine 4 Comments

I did a review on Country Bob’s before, but I wanted to do another post on ways you can use country bobs and share some recipes I found on the internet.

This sauce really is amazing and when you try it, you will know why. It is so versatile! I also love that it is Gluten Free. I do not have a gluten allergy, but someone dear to me does and she tells me all the time how hard it is to find gluten free foods that taste good. Let me tell you, Country Bob’s is amazing! It definitely tastes good!

Most of these recipes come from the Country Bob’s Website. When I have used it, I have found that it makes awesome hamburgers, BBQ sauce for chicken and I love dipping steak fries in it.

Here are some amazing ways to use Country Bob’s!

Meatloaf
Bob-B-Que Baked Potatoes
Sloppy Joes
Carrie’s Country Bob’s Marinade
Barb’s Easy Meatballs
Kit Kat + Celiac’s Shredded Beef
Honolulu Bob Burger by Beautifully Bella Faith
Shrimp and Scallop Kabobs
Tammilee Tip’s FUDGE with Country Bob’s (yes, I said FUDGE!)

What I really adore about Country Bob’s is their faith in God. I love that they proudly display that Christ is their CEO on the website and every bottle of Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce. Just look what is on the website. It is so amazing to see a company that professes faith.

It would be nice if we could claim responsibility for the success of the company, however, credit must be given where credit is due. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” We have placed true ownership of Country Bob, Inc. in the hands of God. “Christ is our CEO” and He is an Awesome Boss!

Country Bob’s has also agreed to allow 2 winners on my blog win a bottle of their very own Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce to get you started on your own recipes! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway ends 01/25.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaways, Product Reviews, Recipes Tagged With: food, Recipes

Warm Clam Chowder {Recipe}

January 15, 2024 By Christine Leave a Comment

I don’t “do” canned soup. I am kind of a soup snob, admittedly. I learned how to make my own soup when I attended Culinary Arts school and haven’t looked back. In fact, the only canned soup you will see me buying is for cooking in other recipes such as cream of mushroom.

I don’t understand why more people do not make their own soups. It really is so simple to do and you won’t believe how amazing it tastes! Plus, its so much cheaper to make. This recipe made enough for about 10 large bowls of soup and it cost me less than $12. So that is a couple meals for us. Maybe you, too, will never go back to canned soups?

One of my favorite soups has always been clam chowder. Of course, a lot of people can’t get past the texture of clams, but I don’t mind them at all as long as they are in soup. Too bad I am on a diet. ( )

Let’s get started, shall we?

For this Clam Chowder Recipe, you will need:

2 cans of clams

About 4-5 lbs of potatoes

2 large cartons of Chicken soup stock

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

1 lb of bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 cup milk or cream

Seasonings: Thyme, chives, salt, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and I like to put curry in mine as well

To make Clam Chowder:

Start by peeling your potatoes and cubing them into bite sized chunks.

Add HALF of them to a pot filled with your chicken stock and simmer for approx 15 minutes or until soft but not mushy.

Add clams to the mix. Do not drain the clams as you want the clam juice in the soup for flavor. Also add the bacon at this time and stir in.

Add the other half of your potatoes to the pot and bring to a low boil. Add seasonings to taste. Try playing around with some new ones. I like thyme, basil, curry, onion powder and garlic powder and always use salt and pepper!

Make a roux out and add it to your soup. ( For a refresher, a roux is equal parts butter and equal parts flour. You add the butter to a pan, allow it to melt and then slowly add the flour and stir until it resembles wet sand. To add it to your soup, add it slowly while whisking it in. This is how you thicken your soup from a broth to a thick soup)

Slowly whisk in your cream/milk. Allow to simmer another 10 or so minutes.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: Dinner Recipes, Frugal Living, Lunch Recipes, Money Saving Meals, Recipes Tagged With: food, Recipes

Make your bacon crispy!

January 13, 2024 By Christine 3 Comments

Most people fry their bacon in a skillet or pan. Others use a flat iron skillet or griddle. One trick I learned in culinary school was to bake it. I don’t know why I never thought to do it this way before, but it makes things so much easier!

If you bake it, you can not only have it come out even and consistently crispy, but also get rid of a lot of the fat and grease on it. To get rid of even more, try baking it on a raised rack on a cookie sheet. I have cookie sheets I bought at the dollar store just for baking things like bacon so my “good” pans do not get messed up with baked on grease.

To bake bacon, simply line your cookie sheet (be sure to use one with a lip on it so grease does not drip off creating a mess and a fire hazard!) with parchment paper. Lay the strips on it and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 10-15 minutes or until desired crispiness is achieved. This works well with both pork bacon and turkey bacon. I have not tried it with soy bacon, but I imagine it would work as well.

What I like most about this cooking method is it require less attention that pan fried bacon so you can go about the rest of your cooking. Just be sure to check about half way through the time and using tongs, flip each piece over. I recommend wearing an oven mitt as the grease can sometimes snap and burn you.

Bonus! Say goodbye to grease splatter on the stove top and cook more at once! This is especially helpful if you are making a recipe that calls for a lot of bacon or cooking for a crowd.

What is your favorite bacon recipe? If you have time, check out my Healthier BLT sandwich recipe! It is one of my favorites for lunch around here!

Filed Under: Homekeeping, Recipes Tagged With: food, Recipes