We just love a quick little dessert that we can enjoy with a cup of afternoon tea or a casual dinner.  I love this recipe because it can be changed up with different kinds of jam to blend with the season.  I made this one today with my Strawberry Jalapeno Jam to give a little sweet and spicy flavor, this is a great combination. Jam Bars Jam Bars Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients Crust 3/4 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt Filling 3/4 cup Jam  Jalapeno Jam Recipe Link Topping 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cups quick cooking oats Directions For The Crust In a small bowl mix the 3/4 cups butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, and salt until the mix looks like little peas Spray a 9 inch baking dish with cooking oil and press the crust mixture into the baking dish until it is completely covered Bak...

We are having a great onion and Zucchini harvest from our garden this year so when I found this Zucchini and Caramelized Onion Galette, it was just perfect for our Garden to Table collection.  This Galette is very delicate and yet the flavors are very bold.  This Zucchini and Caramelized Onion Galette would make a great addition to any meal. Zucchini & Caramelized Onion Galette Zucchini & Caramelized Onion Galette Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 1 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 1 to 2 tablespoon butter pinch of sugar 2 garlic scapes, finely diced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon olive oil 9 inch pie crust, ready to bake 1/4 cup feta cheese 1 cup Fontina cheese Egg Yolk Wash ( 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water) Directions Spread the zucchini out over several layers of paper towels. Sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and let drain for 30 minutes.  Gently pat the ...

We are really busy here at the Cottage with our harvest and preserving that harvest.  We are trying to beat the heat and get it all done before the extreme heat sets in.  We haven't had any rain in a long time, our lake is down 4.5 ft., so we are on water restrictions but we are hoping and praying to get rain soon.  Come on out to the garden and we will just take a look at the menu for next week. Sunday Roasted Chicken Corn Casserole Fresh Green Beans and New Potatoes Melon Lemon Tart Monday Miz Helen's Chicken Salad Fresh Fruit Summer Harvest Bread Tuesday Spaghetti and Homemade Sauce Green Tossed Salad Garlic Bread Left Over Lemon Tart Wednesday  Grilled Flank Steak Salad Sliced Melon Chocolate Delight Thursday Happy 3rd Anniversary to Miz Helen's Country Cottage Green Chili Chicken Enchilada's Mexican Salad Homemade Tortilla Chips Mexican Bread Pudding Frid...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather  I am sure glad to see you today and hope that you are enjoying your summer with vacations, holidays and just enjoying the summer months.  We are super busy here at the cottage right now trying to get as much of our harvest preserved before the extreme heat sets in.  We are on water restrictions now because we haven't had rain in so long, our lake is down 4.5 feet and that is a considerable amount.  I am looking forward to spending the day with you today and can't wait to see what you are sharing today.  You can come sit on the porch with me and help me shell peas for a while and we will get all caught up on our news while we are waiting to eat.  This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Sausage Pinwheels with Gravy   at On The Home Front Morning Snack Cronut Copycat   at Slap Dash Mom Lunch Ginger Lime Chicken Kabobs   at Sara Howe Wate...

We have Salsa on our table most of the time, it is really a staple in most Texas homes.  Of course Salsa is one of those personal taste foods of spicy flavors.  We have family members who want to feel the burn for a week and those who want to keep it mild, I try to get the recipe somewhere in the middle of all of that. Canned Salsa

I have just sat down out on the porch to shell peas, I just love shelling peas on the porch it brings back so many memories from my childhood when my Grandmother and my Aunts would all be on the porch shelling peas.  Come on back to the porch with me and you can help shell the peas, really we'll have fun.  We have got these peas on the menu next week, lets take a look. Sunday Grilled Herb Pork Chops Fresh Black Eyed Peas Summer Squash Casserole Fresh Sliced Tomatoes Corn Bread Creamy Blueberry Bars Monday Tuna Salad Sandwiches Mixed Melon Bowls Sweet Potato Chips Left Over Blueberry Bars Tuesday Stuffed Peppers Crock Pot Au Gratin Potatoes Fresh Green Peas Spring Green Salad Hot Rolls Apricot Pie Wednesday Souvlaki Chicken Fresh Vegetable Salad Pita Chips Left Over Apricot Pie Thursday Ham and Asparagus Quiche   Tossed Green Salad Fruit Cups Friday Grille...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather Happy 4th of July We Are Celebrating Freedom! This Flag Is Flying Proud In Our Front Yard At The Cottage We are going to be having so much fun today and I am so glad that you could come by and share with us.  Driving to the country early in the morning is so peaceful it will be a great day for a picnic. If you are celebrating Independence Day,  I want to wish each of you a great 4th of July weekend and don't forget to enjoy your freedom!  Lets get the food on the table I can't wait to see what everyone brought to share today.  This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Buttermilk Pancakes with Coconut Syrup   at Memories By The Mile Morning Snack Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie   at Diane's Vintage Zest Lunch Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich   at Growing Up Gabel Baked Bean Casserole   at The Vegetarian Casserole Queen Mini Key Lime Pies ...

We love Pinto Beans and in some households in Texas Pinto's are a staple, and our cottage is sure one of those.  Usually we make our baked beans with Navy Beans, but I thought the other day why not make some baked beans from Pinto's, they were awesome.  The flavors in these Pinto's are wonderful and this will be a great side dish for any Covered Dish Dinner, a Picnic, Bar B Que or just to enjoy a good bowl of beans. Slow Cooker Baked Pinto's Ready For The Picnic A Nice Bowl of Beans Slow Cooker Baked Pinto's Miz Helen's Kitchen Serves 12 Ingredients 2 cups dry pinto beans 1 medium yellow onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound bacon, cut in small pieces  3/4 cup brown sugar  1/2 cup ketchup  2 tablespoons mustard 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Directions Sort the dry beans taking out the bad beans and dirt, rinse th...

I remember visiting my Grandparents farm in the summertime, my Grandmother, Mother and Aunts all  in the kitchen preparing the summer meal.  Often times that meal had Fried Chicken with lots of fresh farm vegetables on the side.  When we would bring our family to visit my Mother, my kids would always request Grandmothers Fried Chicken, it was so good.  Fried Chicken is still one of our family favorites and this is the recipe that we always use. Old Fashioned Fried Chicken Old Fashioned Fried Chicken Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 1 Fryer Chicken, cut up 3 cups Buttermilk 4 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons pepper 1 teaspoon papakria 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 1/2 to 3 cups all purpose flour Vegetable Oil Directions Wash and dry the Chicken Mix the Buttermilk with  2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper Place the chicken in a long container and pour the Buttermilk Mix over the Chicken, making sure that the chicken is covered...