Recipe Round-ups Archives | The Good Hearted Woman

30+ Handpicked Meyer Lemon Recipes You Need to Try

Sweeter and more fragrant than regular lemons, Meyer lemons are perfect for everything from preserves to desserts. Meyer lemon season is fleeting, so get them while you can and brighten the dark days of winter with these delicious Meyer Lemon Recipes today!

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

What is a Meyer lemon, and what makes it so special?

Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. This uniquely balanced citrus infuses a bright, naturally sweet, slightly tart punch to everything they touch.

In addition to being sweeter than a regular lemon, Meyer lemons are generally smaller, with a scent that noses more civilized than mine describe as “a spicy bergamot* fragrance that tastes and smells more like an herb or a spice.”

(Like the Meyer lemon, a bergamot is “sweet lemon,” somewhat orangey in color, with a flavor much sweeter than regular lemons. Bergamot essential oil is what makes that unique flavor in your cup of Earl Grey tea.)

Make your own sunshine! 🍋 30+ Amazing MEYER LEMON Recipes to Brighten Your Day! Click To Tweet

Is there any interesting history behind the “Meyer” name?

Funny you should ask…

Once upon a time, there was a young man named Frank Meyer who grew up in Holland and later emigrated to the United States seeking a life of peace and harmony.

(So far, Frank sounds like my kind of guy.)

Frank loved plants and walking, and in 1905, he was hired by the US Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Explorer. Basically, Frank’s official assignment was to walk across China, and study, learn, and document the lessons and farming practices of this 4000-year old agricultural society as he observed them.

Being an Agricultural Explorer wasn’t always easy, and the job was often fraught with danger. Frank was mauled, robbed, attacked by everything from bedbugs to bears, and even accused of being “the devil.” Nevertheless, Frank brought home a hundreds of hardy and novel plant discoveries from Asia, including soybeans, persimmons, wild pears, and asparagus. None of his discoveries, though, is so well known as the unique, seasonal citrus that now bears his name.

It all happened in 1907, in a small village near Beijing, when Frank Meyer spotted a small tree with bright yellow fruit in a doorway. Upon tasting the bright little citrus fruit, he found it to be sweeter than a lemon and more tart than an orange, and immediately knew it was something very special. Frank sent cuttings back to the US, where it soon became known as the Meyer Lemon.

[Read more about Frank’s adventures in The Mysterious Life and Death of Frank Meyer, the Man Behind Meyer Lemons.]

When can I get Meyer lemons?

Meyer lemons are a seasonal crop. In the United States, they start arriving in grocery stores around the end of November and disappear by late March.

Meyer Lemon Recipes

Small Batch Preserved Lemons with Bay Leaves & Cardamom

Photo Credit: feastinthyme.com

Take advantage of winter citrus season and add a bit of sunny brightness to your meals with a small batch of these quick & easy Preserved Lemons scented with Bay Leaves & Cardamom.

Gluten-Free Lemon Curd Tart

Photo Credit: www.flavourandsavour.com

This luscious Meyer lemon curd tart is gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free! This lemon pie is made with a tender almond flour crust and garnished with fresh mixed berries.

Meyer lemon roasted carrot strings with lemon garlic sauce

Photo Credit: www.runningtothekitchen.com

These roasted carrot strings are bright, fresh and lemony with a little bit of crunch; a really fun way to eat your carrots!

Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken

Photo Credit: theviewfromgreatisland.com

Meyer Lemon Roast Chicken is a delicious way to perk up your weekly meal plan ~ the flavors are bright and sunny, and the whole dish looks as beautiful as it tastes!

Meyer Lemon Glazed Blueberry Pound Cake

Photo Credit: swirlsofflavor.com

Start with a pound cake mix studded with fresh blueberries for a pop of summer berry flavor, enhanced with sour cream for extra moistness, drenched in a Meyer lemon syrup and finished off with a Meyer lemon glaze and candied Meyer lemon slices that complements the berry flavor, and every bite will be a taste of heaven!

Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake

Photo Credit: pudgefactor.com

Brighten your holiday season with this rich and moist Meyer Lemon Cream Cheese Bundt Cake. It feels like springtime and tastes amazing under a layer of lemon glaze.

Meyer Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake (with video)

Photo Credit: theunlikelybaker.com

You don’t need frosting or glaze on this delightful Meyer lemon ricotta pound cake. Sweet and salty, soft and moist, it’s perfect with your coffee in the morning or your favorite tea in the afternoon.

One Pan Meyer Lemon Chicken Bake

Photo Credit: www.crumbblog.com

This easy one-pan meal combines roast chicken, asparagus and baby potatoes with tangy Meyer lemons. It delivers loads of delicious, lemony flavour with minimal prep (and even better, minimal dirty dishes to clean up!)

Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd

Photo Credit: thisoldgal.com

Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker Easy Lemon Curd is sweet and tart and is delicious on cakes and cupcakes. It is ready in less than 15 minutes in your Pressure Cooker.

Meyer Lemon Sablés

Photo Credit: pudgefactor.com

Meyer Lemon Sablés, with their characteristic “sandy” texture, are buttery rich with a delicate hint of lemon from lemon zest.

Meyer Lemon Pie

Photo Credit: champagne-tastes.com

This easy lemon pie is a tart dessert made with whole Meyer lemons! Simply blend the filling ingredients together in a blender, bake, and serve!

Meyer Lemon Cake with Homemade Candied Peel Topping

Photo Credit: hearthandvine.com

This Meyer lemon cake recipe has Meyer lemon flavor in the cake, and frosting, and is topped with candied Meyer lemon peel.

Meyer Lemon Lavender Jelly

Photo Credit: homespunseasonalliving.com

Combine tart and slightly sweet Meyer lemons with floral lavender for this delightful winter jelly perfect on toast and scones.

Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie for "Pi" Day

Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie is an oldie but goodie. Lemon Shaker pie is simple, straightforward and beautiful, just like Shaker design.

Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Photo Credit: www.baking-sense.com

This Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake is luscious, not too sweet, tangy and has just a little crunch of cornmeal.

Meyer Lemon Margarita - A Twist On A Simple Margarita Recipe

Photo Credit: thedeliciousspoon.com

Meyer Lemons add a twist to a simple margarita recipe giving it a little bit of sweetness but with the same burst of citrus flavor every margarita is known for.

Dried Citrus Zest (What to do With Citrus Rind/Citrus Peel)

Photo Credit: www.christinascucina.com

Dried citrus zest is a perfect way to save citrus rind/peel. When you grow organic citrus fruit, it’s a shame (or a sin) to throw away the beautiful peel!

Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade

Photo Credit: feastinthyme.com

Winter citrus is my favorite way to brighten the gloom of the season. Make this sweet, colorful, and highly adaptable Three Citrus Vanilla Marmalade any time you need a little pick-me-up on a cold day!

Meyer Lemon and Ginger Marmalade

Photo Credit: dishnthekitchen.com

A bright and sunny 'beginner' marmalade for those who haven't quite been able to go full on Seville.

Instant Pot Meyer Lemon Chutney

Photo Credit: twosleevers.com

Meyer lemons are just perfect for this chutney, made in a slow cooker. Their sweetness combined with the spices in this recipe makes this a one-of-a-kind dish to savor.

Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars

Photo Credit: www.gritsandpinecones.com

Luscious Southern Meyer Lemon Bars are fresh as sunshine and full of Vitamin C. These scrumptious lemon bars made with Meyer lemons are also guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day.

Meyer Lemon Bars

Photo Credit: whatagirleats.com

These Meyer Lemon Bars are deliciously lemony on a crumbly shortbread crust.

Meyer Lemon & Cranberry Shortbread Hearts

Surprise your Sweetheart with some homemade sunshine! These Meyer Lemon & Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are perfect for Valentine’s Day – or any day!

Meyer Lemon Mascapone Baked Cheesecake with Saskatoon Sauce

Photo Credit: dishnthekitchen.com

The ultimate creamy cheesecake, made with Mascarpone and brightened up with sunny Meyer Lemons. Don’t forget the Saskatoon Sauce!

Pressure Cooker Meyer Lemon Cheesecake

Photo Credit: thisoldgal.com

A rich, dense and tartly sweet, New York Style Meyer Lemon Cheesecake is made with wholesome ingredients and makes a wonderful dessert.

Meyer Lemon Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Photo Credit: www.gritsandpinecones.com

When life gives you Meyer lemons, you need an easy lemon tart recipe! One bite of this luscious, tangy Meyer Lemon Tart with its crisp, crunchy gingersnap crust will have your taste buds singing the Hallelujah chorus and wanting more.

Meyer Lemon Zucchini Muffins

Photo Credit: www.carolinescooking.com

These Meyer lemon zucchini muffins are a bright citrusy taste of spring. Easy to make, relatively healthy and addictively good.

Lazy Girl's Meyer Lemon Meringue Tart

Photo Credit: www.mykitchenlove.com

Making classic lemon meringue easier with puff pastry and tastier with Meyer Lemons!

Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail

Photo Credit: wearenotmartha.com

This twist on the classic Tom Collins drink uses Meyer lemons for a slightly tart, slightly sweet Meyer lemon cocktail you can enjoy all winter long into spring.

Sous Vide Homemade Limoncello

Photo Credit: www.savoringthegood.com

Homemade limoncello can take weeks to fully develop the flavors of the Meyer lemons. This easy recipe for sous vide limoncello will give you a delicious liquor in less time.

Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins

Photo Credit: www.mykitchenlove.com

Meyer Lemon and Rosemary Tom Collins is a refreshing seasonal recipe that has a hint of rosemary and the bright taste of Meyer Lemon.

Meyer Lemon Old Fashioned

Photo Credit: www.rhubarbarians.com

Simple, meyer lemon old fashioned recipe! A bright and refreshing spin on the classic old fashioned cocktail with rye, bourbon, or whiskey.

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

Happy National Homemade Soup Day!

January 29 By Renée 17 Comments

February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day – let’s all lift a spoon in celebration!

Many years ago, a dear friend told me this story and since then, whenever I make soup (particularly from leftovers) I think of her. Let’s call her Kate. (Note: It is possible that I have embellished this inside my head over the years, but I tried to stay as close to Kate’s original telling as possible.)

It seems that when Kate was newly married, her sweet husband came home one night from a long day at work. Sitting down at the table, he asked her what was for dinner. She replied, “We’re having soup.” As Kate tells it, the look that fell across his face when she uttered the word “soup” was somewhere between disgust and the acceptance of impending doom, but he said nothing, and just waited for his dinner like a man anticipating the flip of an electric chair switch.

When she set his bowl of soup down in front of him he barely looked at it, instead spooning in the first bite like an automaton. Kate looked on expectantly, unable to decode the strained expression that barely masked his revulsion.

And then something marvelous happened. As the soup hit his tongue, his taut expression softened immediately, widening into one of genuine surprise and pure satisfaction. After finishing his bowl and asking her for seconds, he explained why.

“When I was a kid, we were very poor, and we kept a little bucket in the refrigerator. After every meal, anything that didn’t get eaten got thrown into that bucket. Then, about once a week, Mom would dump the whole thing into a pot and add water, and that was soup. And that was what I was expecting.“

(Did anyone else just reflexively make a face? Because when I first heard this story, I sure did! Ewww! Refrigerator Bucket Soup is certainly not ever going to be on my menu!)

For the record, Kate and her sweetheart are still married, and I’m certain that she still makes him soup on a regular basis.

Here are a few of my favorite Soup recipes from posts past – none of which involve a bucket. Why not choose one and make some homemade soup tonight?

Stove to Table in 10 minutes:

Wonton Egg Drop Soup

Serve it up in 30 minutes:

Loaded Baked {Sweet} Potato Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Colonial Cream of Peanut Soup

Chili’s Chicken Enchilada Soup {Vegetarian-friendly}

Love takes time:

French Onion Soup

Pop’s Vegetable Soup

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this post!

Share with us in the comments below! What’s your favorite homemade soup?

Eight Weird But Useful Kitchen Gadgets You May Not Know You Need

October 24 By Renée 16 Comments

We’ve all got a few weird kitchen utensils in that one drawer, right? Thingamajigs that leave other people scratching their heads and asking, “What is this thing for, anyway?!?

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Everything from our cultural heritage to our mother’s affinity for hot cereal can affect how we cook and what we cook with. We rarely have the exact same tools in our utensil drawers because we all come to the kitchen with a different background and set of experiences.

For a tool to claim permanent residency in my kitchen utensil drawer, it must be one that I need and use at least once a year, and usually much more often than that. For example, I often use a lot of fresh garlic when I cook, and consider a garlic press to be a mandatory kitchen item.

On the other hand, I have a dear friend who, every time I am over at her house cooking and ask if she has garlic press (and yes, it happens more often than you might imagine) – every. time. – she looks at me like I’ve just asked her if I can borrow her spare flux-capacitor. (Note to self: Get Cheryl a garlic press {or a flux-capacitor} for her birthday next year.)

The most ringing endorsement I can give for the items on this list is that I would buy another one exactly like the one I have if mine broke. That’s what it really boils down to, right? Would you miss it if it was gone?

Listed below in order of relative awesomeness, here’s my list of useful kitchen gadgets you may not know you need:

Scottish Spurtle

What the heck is a spurtle!?! Good Question! A spurtle is a Scottish cooking implement used to stir oats as they cook. Its design allows you to keep the oats off the base and out of the corner curve of the sauce pan as they are cooking. I use it whenever I cook any kind of small-grained product on the stove (i.e., grits, polenta, etc.)

I use my spurtle several times a week because I absolutely love my porridge! Porridge is nothing more than cooked oatmeal, but it’s taken very seriously where I was born: Scotland. In fact, each October the World Porridge Making Championships are held in a tiny village, and it’s called The Golden Spurtle!
~ Christina, Christina’s Cucina

TRY: The 21st Annual World Porridge Making Championships: Award Winning Recipe for Sticky Toffee Porridge

GIFT IDEA: Package a Scottish Spurtle and a bag of Irish Oats in a pretty ceramic cereal bowl and BOOM – a perfect gift for just about anyone.

Danish Dough Whisk

Ever wished your whisk had a little more heft to it? Here’s your new best friend – straight from your grandma’s kitchen! Built to last, this heavy-duty dough whisk is perfect for hand-mixing mixing batters and doughs of all kinds. Dough doesn’t get caught up in the wires, and it cleans up in seconds.

TRY: Buttermilk Biscuits

German Spaetzle Maker

A spaetzle maker, common in German-speaking countries, simplifies the spaetzle making process and speeds up the prep time. It’s kind of a one-hit wonder, but if you love spaetzle, it is almost indispensable.

We were raised eating spaetzle noodles with goulash in Austria, and of all the tools this was the most important one in our culinary college. Yet, the Spaetzle maker or the spaetzle press is not that well known outside the German-speaking countries in Europe; except in the US, where German/Austrian/Swiss immigrants brought it along with them to the new world.
~ Helene, Masala Herb

TRY:

Microplane Zester

When Mr B and I got married, a dear friend gave me a Microplane zester as a shower gift, and it immediately became one of the single most indispensable tools in my kitchen. Not only does it zest citrus like a dream, but it shaves parmesan and other hard cheeses into the finest, lightest shredded cheese ever, and grates everything from chocolate to garlic to nutmeg with equal ease. If you don’t have one of these babies already, pick one up today in your favorite color!

Note that this is the only item on the list that I’ve narrowed to a specific brand. This is because I’ve tried many other zesters and fine graters, and in my experience, none do as good a job as the Microplane brand does.

Food Mill

If you’ve ever wondered how people make those uber-smooth sauces and soups, a food mill might just the thing you’ve been looking for. Food mills are a tool that has endured the test of time, and are often employed when canning or making preserves to produce a smooth puree without seeds, skins, or stems.

A favorite memory from my own childhood is standing on a chair over our food mill and turning it round and round while my mom peeled apples for applesauce.

Many food mills are mechanical, but if you aren’t up for grinding away at a pile of apples all day long, there is a nifty little food mill attachment for your Kitchen Aide that does the work for you.

I love my Kitchen Aide Food Mill. It lets me make applesauce from feral found apples workout needing to waste a day peeling around weird shapes or discoloration on the skin.
~ Alecia, Chicken Scratch NY

TRY: Easy No Peel Whole Apple Applesauce [Chicken Scratch]

Narrow Measuring Spoons

Do you have a set of measuring spoons that are narrow enough to measure spices directly out of spice jars? I’ve had a set of “skinny” measuring spoons for years, and I can attest that they can make life so much easier.

Watch how using these measuring spoons will make cooking easier:

25% OFF! Enter CUPS2YOU at checkout when you order this measuring cup and spoon set for a 25% discount! [Discount code generously provided by Danielle, Cooking Gods]

TRY:

Collapsible Travel Chopsticks

Technically, this one isn’t a “kitchen” utensil: it’s a “travel” utensil, but it’s one of my favorite things. Plus, it’s good for the Earth.

Recently, I started carrying my own chopsticks, for a number of reasons. I use them for everything from stirring drinks to tossing salads. (I also use them to eat, when appropriate.) They have their own little carrying case, and take up almost no room in the small festival bag I carry as a purse. (One of my friends calls it my “Jenga Purse” because everything is so precisely placed.) I use them instead of grabbing plastic utensils or disposable chopsticks whenever possible: I’m pretty sure I’ve already saved at least one very small tree in the process.

The first time I whipped out my chopsticks at a restaurant when my teenager was present, she was tempted to tease me a little, but she immediately had a change of heart. “I’m kinda glad you do little things like that,” she told me. “It’s cool.”

I like being able to pull my little chopsticks out at a moment’s notice, and I love that I will never again have to face that awful moment when you crack open a pair restaurant chopsticks and pray they break apart evenly and don’t give you a splinter in the process.

Did you know that over 20 million mature trees are cut each year for single-use chopsticks? If you need another reason to buy a set of travel chopsticks, how about this: it is one small way you can help to make the world a little better – with virtually no effort at all on your part.

What is this thing for, anyway?!? 👩🏻‍🍳 Eight Weird But Useful Kitchen Gadgets You May Not Know You Need Click To Tweet

Silicone Garlic Peeler

The first time I ever used a silicone garlic peeler, it seemed like magic! Just pop a clove in the silicone tube, roll it around under your palm a bit, and Voila! The garlic falls out peeled and the tissue paper skin can be simply brushed away.

I put one or two cloves inside, roll it sideways on the counter with my hand and the peel comes right off. Before this, I would crush the clove with my knife and it gets all sticky and I waste some of the tasty juice.
~ Merc, Easy Filipino Recipes

TRY: Filipino Chicken Adobo

We’d love to hear about your favorite kitchen utensils! Please take a moment to tell us what you can’t live without in the comments below!

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this post!

^{Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!}

50+ Southern Barbecue Recipes (for Grill, Oven, Slow Cooker, Smoker & Instant Pot)

August 27 By Renée 37 Comments

Fifty-plus amazing Southern-style Barbecue Recipes for your grill, oven, slow cooker, smoker, and Instant Pot.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.

~ Anthony Bourdain

A while back, Mr B and I had the chance to fly down to Tennessee to attend the retirement of one of his old Navy buddies, after 37 years of service. (Just when he and I became old enough to have “old buddies” is beyond me!) While we were there, we got to attend a fancy Naval “Change of Command & Retirement Ceremony,” experience a little more of the South, and spend some quality time with Mr B’s best friends from his Navy days.

Have you ever met an entire group of people who immediately felt like old friends? I have.

Beverly’s {Super Easy} Slow Cooker Spicy BBQ Recipe

As part of the retirement festivities, Mr B and I were treated to healthy portions of both Southern hospitality and delicious barbecue. The barbecue was so good, in fact, that once we got home to Oregon, I took a big step out of my comfort zone.

You see, many of my own family roots are in the South, and I am painfully aware and deeply respectful of how tightly some of those old family recipes are kept. But that barbecue…

So I sent a message to our hostess (who, as you may remember, I had only just met):

Hi Beverly – …I’m starting to write my travel posts from our Tennessee trip, and decided to include a round-up of BBQ recipes. I’d love to headline it with your delicious slow-cooker Spicy BBQ, and I’m wondering if you would be willing to share the recipe with me. If it’s a secret family recipe, or you just aren’t up to sharing it for any reason at all, I totally understand…

After I hit send, I set back and crossed my fingers that my new friend wouldn’t think I was being too presumptuous. Here is her graciously candid reply:

Hi Renée – …confession is good for the soul lol. My sister cooked a Boston Butt roast overnight in the crockpot. Took it out in the morning, covered it and let it cool, cut it up and eliminated any excess fat and froze it. We took it out of the freezer bags, put it in the crockpot and added Corkys BBQ sauce.

That was it in a nutshell. Sis likes to add a bunch of other stuff like brown Sugar, green peppers, onion, pancake syrup and bbq sauce. I’m not a fan of sweet BBQ so chose not to add the sugar or syrup, just Corkys Spicy BBQ and Regular BBQ in two separate crock pots.

No secret recipe, but since it’s Corkys you can certainly feel free to give a Shout out to a Memphis tradition.

Well then, all I can say to that is: first, thanks to Beverly for her kindness, her sense of humor, her candor, and her recipe. And second – I am totally on board with the Corky’s Spicy BBQ!!

Let’s hear it for Memphis tradition: I imagine Corky’s (or some other bottle) is behind a lot of those “secret,” closely guarded Southern barbecue recipes!

Here are 50+ more Southern Barbecue Recipes to scratch your BBQ itch.

50+ Southern BBQ Recipes, Sauces & Rubs

Fifty-plus amazing Southern-style barbecue recipes, sauces, and rubs for your Grill, Oven, Slow cooker, Smoker, and Instant Pot.

Baby Back Ribs [Oven]

Photo Credit: asimplepalate.com

Amazing, baby back ribs in the oven – made with a smoky paprika rub, then broiled with a sweet bbq sauce. So delicious, easy, and one of the best rib recipes I’ve had!

Kansas City-Style Smoked Pulled Pork [Smoker]

Photo Credit: sizzlingmess.com

This Kansas City-style smoked pulled pork has a deeply flavorful bark, a smoky flavor all the way through, and is so tender and juicy that it will shred with just your hands. The best part? It’s low maintenance and besides watching your smoker, you can set it and forget it until it’s done!

Tender Hickory-Smoked Ribs [Smoker]

Photo Credit: www.garlicandzest.com

Barbecue. There’s the easy way — and the right way. For those who want accolade, admiration and the moniker “Pit-Master”, this one is for you.

Baby Back Ribs [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: www.simplyhappyfoodie.com

This is the EASIEST recipe for delicious Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Who cares what the weather is doing out there, you can make ribs indoors, in about an hour!

Beer Brined Spatchcock BBQ Chicken [Grill]

Photo Credit: livelytable.com

Barbecue chicken has never been easier or more delicious! Beer Brined Spatchcock BBQ Chicken comes out juicy, flavorful and evenly cooked every time – perfect for summer cookouts! (nut-free, dairy-free)

BBQ Beef Brisket [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: mooreorlesscooking.com

Turn on your slow cooker for this delicious melt in your mouth, slow cooker BBQ Beef Brisket! Homemade Spice Rub and Homemade BBQ sauce makes this drool worthy brisket a family favorite.

Fall of the Bone Tender BBQ Ribs [Grill]

Photo Credit: www.westviamidwest.com

Grilled low and slow yields Fall off the Bone BBQ Ribs, brush with a tangy bbq sauce for lip-smacking deliciousness. Perfect for summertime entertaining! (Oven option too)

BBQ Beef Ribs [Oven]

Photo Credit: www.westviamidwest.com

These Oven Baked Beef Ribs are so easy! Dry rubbed with simple seasonings that are baked slowly to yield fall of the bone, tender, juicy, meaty ribs. They will be the hit of any BBQ, game day party or casual dinner all in less than 15 minutes of actual effort!

Tri-Tip with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce [Grill]

Photo Credit: www.theorganickitchen.org

Tri tips smothered in BBQ sauce and topped with caramelized onions! You can make the sauce a couple of days in advance.

Chicken Kabobs with Mango Jalapeno BBQ Sauce [Grill]

Photo Credit: momsdinner.net

These Chicken Kabobs are the perfect summer night dinner. The homemade BBQ sauce is full of bright flavors like mango, jalapeño, and tomato, balanced with the deep smoky flavor of chili powder and smoked paprika.

Best Ever BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: www.melaniecooks.com

These amazing Instant Pot BBQ baby back ribs are truly fall off the bone! They are better then the ribs at the restaurant!

Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: www.onehappyhousewife.com

This Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork is an incredibly easy and crowd pleasing meal. With only 4 ingredients and a few simple steps you'll have a delicious and versatile shredded pork that can be used in so many delicious ways!

Easy Beef Ribs [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: laraclevenger.com

You’re gonna love these easy peazy, mouth-watering Instant Pot Ribs! They’re made in minutes not hours with your beloved pressure cooker!

Keto Country Style Ribs [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: beautyandthefoodie.com

It’s easy to make this recipe for Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Also includes a delicious low carb homemade BBQ sauce with a paleo version.

Barbecue Beef Roast [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: www.simplyhappyfoodie.com

For a great tasting, super easy recipe that is perfect for feeding a crowd, meal planning, or Game Day, try Instant Pot Barbecue Beef. Use the meat for barbecue beef sandwiches, or over rice or on potatoes.

Pulled Pork [Pressure Cooker]

Photo Credit: nourishnutritionblog.com

Pulled pork is one of the easiest and most versatile meats. Make this pressure cooker pulled pork into a pulled pork sandwich with rainbow coleslaw and pineapple to make a truly delicious summer entertaining meal.

Pork Ribs [Instant Pot]

Photo Credit: www.wenthere8this.com

The easiest ribs you will ever make, these Instant Pot Pork ribs are on the table in less than 1 hour. Finished on the grill with the most amazing sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce, you’re going to want to eat a whole rack all by yourself!

Barbecued Ribs [Oven]

Photo Credit: oldermommystillyummy.com

The Barbecued Ribs are so simple to prepare and the juicy meat literally falls off the bone.

BBQ Baked Ribs Recipe [Oven]

Photo Credit: butteryourbiscuit.com

These Easy Oven Baked Ribs are one of the easiest recipes ever. Cooked low and slow, which makes them so flavorful and fall off the bone tender.

Pork Loin Pulled Pork [Oven]

Photo Credit: www.delicioustable.com

This oven roasted pork loin takes a l-o-w and s-l-o-w approach. The low temperature and slow, long cooking process make the pork easy to shred as it becomes tender over the hours. The result: perfectly moist yet slightly crispy crust and super savory pulled pork.

Sweet Bar-B-Barn Ribs [Oven]

Photo Credit: www.shelovesbiscotti.com

As an appetizer or main event, or whether baking, barbecuing or slow cooking, these Sweet Bar-B-Barn Ribs are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!

Easy Pulled Pork [Pressure Cooker]

Photo Credit: thewineloverskitchen.com

Pulled pork in under 2 hours with only 15 minutes effort and 4 ingredients! This is a perfect recipe for serving a crowd. It makes a lot and doesn’t require much attention.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: beautifullybrokenjourney.com

Need an easy recipe for pulled pork? This Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is so simple, and is sure to satisfy your craving for tender pulled pork!

Pork Ribs With Killer Barbecue Sauce [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: beautyandthefoodie.com

Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs It’s easy to make this recipe for Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Also includes a delicious low carb homemade BBQ sauce with a paleo version.

Easy Crock-Pot BBQ Ribs [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.therisingspoon.com

Learn how to make the easiest fall-off-the-bone slow cooker ribs that will have everyone licking their fingers & plates! This is the best method for fixing bbq ribs if you don't own a smoker or it's cold outside.

BBQ Pulled Pork [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.theanthonykitchen.com

The best ever BBQ Pulled Pork in the slow cooker for perfectly tender shredded pork coated with an easy, flavorful sauce.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: butteryourbiscuit.com

This easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwich is the perfect meal for those busy weeknights.

Pulled Chicken [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: dancingthroughtherain.com

This super easy Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is something you can throw into your crockpot, set it and forget it! Use your favorite barbecue sauce, pick up some buns and the store, set some rice in a rice cooker, make some quick coleslaw, and you’ve got dinner when you get home from work!

Pineapple Pulled Pork [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.gogogogourmet.com

This easy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork has tons of tropical flavor that is perfect for any summer BBQ! Piled high with barbecue sauce an a slice of pineapple, it makes great tacos or even sliders!

BBQ Ribs [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.homemadeinterest.com

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs are tender, fall-of-the-bone ribs, coated in a sweet BBQ sauce. It’s an easy Crock Pot recipe that makes a great weeknight dinner or a potluck recipe for parties.

Baby Back Ribs [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.iheartnaptime.net

Easy baby back ribs smothered with a homemade rub and sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Cooked to perfection in the crockpot and fall off the bone delicious. These are the best slow cooker ribs!

Root Beer Pulled Pork [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: www.pinchmeimeating.com

Slow cooker root beer pulled pork is juicy, flavorful, and provides the perfect base for mixing in your favorite barbecue sauce or using in other recipes! Takes only 5 minutes to prep.

Smoked Pulled Pork [Oven/Slow Cooker Finished]

Photo Credit: www.binkysculinarycarnival.com

Everyone will love this smoked pulled pork! It is so much more flavorful than just throwing the pork in the crockpot! Best part? You don't need a smoker to do it. You can even do it with same process in the oven, if it's raining!

Super Simple Shredded BBQ Chicken [Slow Cooker]

Photo Credit: lemonsandzest.com

This Simple Shredded BBQ Chicken made in the slow cooker is a perfect weeknight dinner especially when eating needs to be in “shifts’ thanks to practice, dance lessons and more. Bonus: leftovers are the best!

Pork Belly Burnt Ends Recipe [Smoker]

Photo Credit: bbqsmarts.com

Smokey, sweet, and amazingly tender, these bites of pork belly goodness are an awesome alternative to traditional brisket burnt ends. Imagine the amazing taste of bacon, but even juicier and covered in a combination of honey and your favorite BBQ sauce – these are truly meat candy!

How to Smoke Ribs on Charcoal [Grill]

Photo Credit: www.awayfromthebox.com

There’s something about crackling wood or charcoal that just takes an otherwise plain piece of meat to amazingly delicious levels. Everyone deserves to know how to smoke ribs on a charcoal grill.

Best Barbecued Smoked Ribs [Grill]

Photo Credit: www.gonnawantseconds.com

Our Barbecued Smoked Ribs are dry rubbed, smoked over hickory chips, then sauced with our homemade Bourbon Barbecue Sauce! Now, these are good eating!

Carolina Barbecue Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.aforkstale.com

In the Carolinas, vinegar based barbecue sauce and pulled pork go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

Whiskey BBQ Sauce From Scratch [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.servedfromscratch.com

This Whiskey BBQ Sauce From Scratch is smokey, sweet, and tangy. It’s the perfect BBQ sauce for any meat you want to throw on the grill!

Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.delicioustable.com

Learn how to make Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub, use this preservative-free, easy, and inexpensive BBQ rub on chicken, beef, pork, or corn on the cob!

Mustard-Based South Carolina BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.pinchmeimeating.com

Sweet and tangy mustard-based South Carolina BBQ sauce is my favorite sauce for pulled pork! Try it – you won’t look back!

Homemade Texas Style Barbecue Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: livelytable.com

This homemade Texas-style barbecue sauce is thick, a little spicy, a little sweet and a little smoky. Made with no ketchup and no refined sugar, it’s the perfect BBQ sauce for all of your summer grilling needs!

Alabama White BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: houseofnasheats.com

Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a tangy, creamy twist on traditional barbecue sauce recipe. It’s delicious on grilled chicken, pulled pork, fish, burgers, and lots more!

Keto BBQ Sauce 1 [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.savorytooth.com

Smoky, tangy, and sweet -- this bold BBQ sauce is better than store-bought and pairs well with pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. The key to making this a low carb and keto sauce is using a sugar-free sweetener in place of regular sugar.

Keto BBQ Sauce 2 [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: lowcarbyum.com

A delicious keto BBQ sauce is an essential during grilling season and for dipping all year long. This low carb dipping sauce recipe is healthier and tastier than store bought!

Peach BBQ Sauce Recipe [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: agirlworthsaving.net

Sweet, tangy, peach-based BBQ sauce is delicious on pork ribs or chicken.

Homemade Mustard Dry Rub [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: thriftyjinxy.com

This homemade mustard dry rub recipe is fantastic on ham, chicken, pork tenderloin, ribs or brisket.

Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.aforkstale.com

Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is a little sweet from honey, a little tangy from apple cider vinegar, and a little spicy from red pepper flakes.

Healthy BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.hungryhealthyhappy.com

This Healthy BBQ Sauce Recipe is lower in sugar and salt, and has no unnecessary ingredients.

Best Ever Homemade BBQ Barbecue Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.melaniecooks.com

Once you try this epic homemade BBQ sauce, you’ll never want to have the bottled BBQ sauce ever again! This barbecue sauce has so much soul, such deep flavor, so finger-lickin’ good!

Homemade BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.iheartnaptime.net

Who knew homemade BBQ sauce was so easy to make?! Plus it tastes amazing with the perfect sweet and spicy flavor. Ditch the store-bought stuff and make this simple recipe at home!

BBQ Sauce [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.beyondthechickencoop.com

This sauce is perfect for chicken, ribs or one of my favorite non-grilled meals, pulled pork and used as a dipping sauce with these chicken tenders or chicken nuggets.

Blackened Seasoning | Cajun Seasoning [Sauces & Rubs]

Photo Credit: www.earthfoodandfire.com

Blackened Seasoning (also called blackening spice or Cajun seasoning), is a spice mixture used to traditionally season fish, shellfish, meat, and poultry.

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

How to Pick a Watermelon {+ 101 Watermelon Recipes}

July 31 By Renée 13 Comments

Knowing how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe isn’t a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.

“When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.”

~ Mark Twain

The picture above is one of my all time favorites. It was taken on a sweltering July night in the summer of 1995, in my Uncle Russel’s backyard in Maryville, Missouri. The little girl on the left looking straight into the camera grew up to be a dedicated, compassionate teacher, and her sister is now a talented photographer with a gift for capturing light. This image recalls one of my fondest memories from their childhood, and the second best watermelon I’ve ever eaten in my life.

The best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was on the shores of Spirit Lake in the shadow of Mount St. Helens, a few years before she blew her top. It was the first of my “coming-of-age” summers, and I still remember the boy I was sitting with. (His name was Shawn, and he was beautiful.)

Coincidentally, the third best watermelon I’ve ever eaten was, like the second, grown and eaten in Missouri… and even as I type that, it occurs to me that my summer memories are as entwined with the feels and flavors of ripe watermelon as a field of vines.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Perfectly Ripe: How to Pick a Watermelon

It seems like everyone has a trick or idea about how to pick a watermelon. Some are based in science, while others are wisdom passed down from our grandmas.

The tips that follow have proven themselves over time to be reliable. However, no matter how many tricks you learn for how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe, there will always be a little mystery and magic involved – that’s one of the things that makes a perfect watermelon so special!

Follow these tips for how to pick a watermelon, and – with a little luck – you’ll soon be making your next watermelon memory!

How to Pick a Watermelon: Seven Proven Tips

1. Check the “Field Spot.”

The yellow spot, known as the field spot, is the place where the watermelon rested on the ground as it was growing. The yellower the spot, the riper the melon. A ripe watermelon will have a creamy yellow or orange-yellow spot. If the field spot is white or very pale yellow, choose another melon.

2. Look for “Webbing.”

When you see weblike brown spots on the watermelon, it means that bees touched the pollinating parts of the flower many times. The more pollination, the sweeter the fruit.

3. Avoid bumps & blemishes.

Other than webbing, note any lumps, dents, soft spots, or other irregularities. If the watermelon you’re considering is covered with blemishes or bumps, choose another.

4. Girls are sweeter.

Did you know that there are male and female watermelons? Male watermelons are more elongated, usually bigger, and can have a flat, watery flavor. Female watermelons are usually rounder and sweeter.

5. Size matters.

Don’t go for the biggest or smallest melon in a group: try to choose an average sized melon that feels heavy for its size. A ripe watermelon will feel heavier than one that is less ripe. (I use this trick for choosing oranges, too.)

6. Check the tail.

If your melon still has its tail, check to be sure it has dried up. If it’s still green, it means the watermelon was picked too early. Similarly, the surface of the melon will turn from shiny to dull and the rind will noticeably harden when the melon is ripe.

7. Thump it!

Your Mama knew what she was doing! Go ahead and give it a good knuckle-thump, and then take note of how it sounds. You want to hear a deep, hollow sound. If the sound is dull, the fruit likely isn’t quite ripe.

Now that you’ve picked out your perfect watermelon, here are 101 things you can do with it!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Rogue Creamery {+ 24 Delicious Blue Cheese Recipes}

November 10 By Renée 5 Comments

Rogue Creamery began producing blue cheese in 1954, and today, they continue to draw both inspiration and resources from Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley, offering award-winning varieties of outstanding handcrafted blue cheese, cheddar cheese, and TouVelle.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

For many years, I erroneously thought that blue cheese, Roquetfort, Gorgonzola and the like were distinctly different cheeses. And they are… but they aren’t. Like Swiss- and cheddar-style cheeses, there are a wide variety of blue cheeses, each with its own unique flavor and textures, but they can ofttimes be used interchangeably in recipes. So before we go any farther, let’s take a moment to discuss what blue cheese is.

Blue Cheese Basics

Blue cheese is most often made from cow, sheep, or goat milk.
Blue cheese is made by culturing milk with Penicillium, a type of mold.
Different blue cheeses are cultured in various ways, using unique strains of Penicullium, giving them their distinct flavor, texture, and aroma.
In the European Union, many blue cheeses (e.g., Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Stilton) are protected, and can bear their name only if they have been made in a particular region.

Some Popular Varieties of Blue Cheese

Cabrales – Traditionally made from mixing goat and sheep’s milk together, Cabrales has a strong, spicy flavor.
Danish Blue – This strong blue cheese is creamy, with a semi-soft texture.
Dorset Blue Vinney – This English blue cheese is made with unpasteurized, skimmed cow’s milk, and has a hard texture, a crusty outer layer, and a strong aroma and taste.
Gorgonzola – Made with either cow or goat’s milk (sometimes both), Gorgonzola is a firm, creamy cheese with a salty and often slightly sweet taste.
Roquefort – Famously green-veined, Roquefort has a tangy, salty flavor with sweet undertones.
Stilton – This semi-soft cheese is made from unpasteurized cow’s milk, and has a strong aroma and outstanding flavor.

A Trip Back in Time: Rogue Creamery {Est. 1933}

There’s something comforting and wonderful about the rustic feel of a real, honest-to-goodness (emphasis on the goodness!) cheese shop, and the Rogue Creamery is about as honest a cheese shop as they come. Founded in 1933 at the height of the depression, Rogue Creamery began producing blue cheese in 1954. Today, they continue to draw both inspiration and resources from Southern Oregon’s Rogue River Valley, and offer award-winning varieties of outstanding handcrafted blue cheese, cheddar cheese, and TouVelle.

Step inside to sample cheeses to your heart’s content. Hungry travelers can order one of their crazy-good panini-style grilled cheese sandwiches, prepared with more than a generous amount of cheese. A great place to pack a perfect picnic, Rogue Creamery also offers a carefully curated selection of deli items, crackers, fruit, beer, and wine, as well as local artisan jams, jellies and sauces. The staff at the shop is helpful and knowledgeable, and will be more than happy to help you with your selections.

PRO TIP: There are always samples available, but if something you want to try isn’t out, all you need to do it ask.

The poets have been mysteriously silent on the subject of cheese. {Gilbert K. Chesterton} Click To Tweet

Rogue Creamery Notes:

Smokey Blue: Referred to in-house as “Beginner Blue,” this smooth, smokey blue packs in all of the flavor (and then some) without the harsh, bitey quality of some blue cheeses. This classic Roquefort-style blue cheese is cold smoked sixteen hours with Oregon Hazelnut shells, resulting in a sweet, creamy, smoky flavor. It crumbles well, and is “easy to eat” as blue cheese goes, and pairs well with well-rounded “food” wines that are on the fruity side and lighter on tannins and acidity.
LaDiDa Lavender Cheddar: I know – it sounds weird, but Mr B and I both love this uniquely floral cheese. LaDiDa would be perfect on a dessert tray with chocolate or scones, and paired with a light dessert wine.
Caveman Blue: Full-bodied, buttery, and AMAZING! Rogue Creamery uses a unique aging environment to create this golden-hued blue that tastes of sweet, fresh buttermilk with hints of tropical fruit. Caveman’s earthy undertones pair well with a wide range of beverages, from bold reds to sweeter desert wines to full-flavored Stouts.
Blue Heaven (Powdered Cheese): Blue Heaven is a proprietary blend of Oregon Blue, Oregonzola, Crater Lake Blue and special reserve blue cheeses. Perfect for sprinkling on salads, breads, popcorn, nuts, and anything else you can think of.

PRO TIP: Not a fan of dry, tannin-rich red wines? Me either. But next time you have the chance, try some with a bite of blue cheese. You may be pleasantly surprised (as I was) to discover that the pairing opens up whole new venues to you. Tannins literally bind to the cheese’s protein and fat, measurably softening the astringent qualities of the tannins, and making the entire tasting experience smoother in the process.

BLUE CHEESE RECIPE ROUND-UP

Blue Cheese is an amazingly versatile cheese; equally perfect on a fruit and cheese plate or as a stand-out ingredient in your next meal. Here’s a little Blue Inspiration 😉 from some of my favorite bloggers.

** Recipes are pictured in order, clockwise from the top left corner of each image.

Main Dishes

Buffalo Shrimp & Blue Cheese Grits {Taste & See}
Chicken, Roasted Broccoli, and Blue Cheese Penne {Beyond Mere Sustenance}
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs {Taste & See}
Bourbon Blue Cheese Steak Sliders {Three Olives Branch}

Salads

Fig Spinach Salad {Dinner at the Zoo}
Pear Gorgonzola Salad with Candies Pecans {What a Girl Eats}
Italian Blue Salad with Apricot Dressing {Trail and Eater}
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing {Prepare & Nourish}

Sides

Spiralized Golden Beets with Toasted Walnuts, Blue Cheese, and Sage {Beyond Mere Sustenance}
Gorgonzola Mashed Potatoes {Lively Table}
Celeriac, Spinach & Blue Cheese Soup {Little Sugar Snaps}
Bacon & Blue Cheese Roasted Cauliflower Wedges {Joy Filled Eats}

Baked Goods

15-Minute Blue Cheese Garlic Bread {Sugar & Soul}
Bacon & Roquefort Cheese Muffins {Karen’s Kitchen Stories}
Blue Cheese, Watercress & Artichoke Tartlets {Little Sugar Snaps}
Blue Cheese Biscuits {The Live-in Kitchen}

Appetizers & Small Bites

Blue Cheese Fig Tart {Olivia’s Cuisine}
Baked Chicken Tenders with Buffalo Blue Cheese Sauce {Culinary Ginger}
Creamy Blue Cheese Puff Pastry Squares {Plating Pixels}
Grilled Steak Bites with Creamy Blue Cheese {The Spicy Apron}

Dressings, Sauces, Spreads & Dips

Gorgonzola Butter {Cooking with Curls}
Blue Cheese Pecan Cheese Ball {Suburban Simplicity}
Small Batch Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing {One Dish Kitchen}
Gorgonzola Cream Cheese Spread {Plated Cravings}

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

^{Disclosure: My first trip to the Southern Oregon Artisan Corridor was as part of the #TrailsToFeast Travel Oregon press trip.This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they do help keep this site up and running. As always, all opinions and images are my own. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!}

Southern Oregon Travel & Food on GHW

One Day in Ashland, Oregon

Ashland, Oregon: where culture runs deep, local cuisine is celebrated, creative inspiration is bountiful, and thespians are the coolest kids in town.

Four Scenic Stops on the Applegate Valley Wine Trail

Take a drive on the Applegate Valley Wine Trail and experience the best of Southern Oregon wine country: stunning scenic beauty, small-town warmth, uncrowded tasting rooms, and artisan winemakers committed to their craft.

One Fine Day in Jacksonville {Oregon}

Blending small town ambience with sophisticated taste, this 1850’s gold-rush town is booming with music, wine, and history.

McCully House Inn - Jacksonville, Oregon {Plus a Ghost Story!}

Relax, unwind, and take a trip back through Oregon history – at the McCully House in beautiful Jacksonville, Oregon. {Plus a Ghost Story!}

Pennington Farms Blackberry Buckle

Pennington Farms Blackberry Buckle – the recipe for which they have generously shared with us -is just one of the many delicious treats you can find at Pennington Gardens in Oregon’s Applegate Valley.

Rogue Creamery {+ 24 Delicious Blue Cheese Recipes}

This stop at the Southern Oregon Artisan Corridor is all about cheese... creamy, salty, savory, delicious, handcrafted, award-winning, internationally-acclaimed Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese.

At the Corner of Music & Chocolate {Lillie Belle Farms}

Lillie Belle Farms chocolates can be found at the unique crossroads of Music and Chocolate – and that is where the magic happens.

Top 10 Best Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes {+ Halloween Memories}

October 27 By Renée 23 Comments

When the pumpkin is carved, there is yet another memory to make – roasting the pumpkin seeds! We’ve got 10 great Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes to get you started! (Be sure to check our tips for easy pumpkin seed clean-up, too!)

Pumpkin carving was always a BIG night for me. Dad would give me a piece of paper to work out the details on – mouth, eyes, nose – and then we would trace my drawing onto the front of the pumpkin.

With a few sheets of the Oregon Journal covering our kitchen table, Daddy would cut the top and pull it off, and then he and I would degut the pumpkin together while my mom watched. (She didn’t like the feel of pumpkin guts and left that part entirely to us.)

Then Dad would help me carve the face, letting me hold the knife and showing me how to carefully cut each angle and line, all the while entertaining me with a steady string of Halloween dad/teacher jokes. To illustrate:

What do ghosts put on their cereal?

Booberries!

What kind of pants do ghosts wear?

Boo-jeans.

What happens when a vampire goes out in the snow?

Frost-bite.

OK, that’s probably enough of that. Anyway, I remember being so excited when our Jack-o-lantern was done!

Mom would put some aluminum foil in the bottom of the pumpkin and set a white candle inside, and Dad used a long-handled match from our fireplace to reach down in and light the candle. Then he put the lid on and dimmed turned off the front room lights and we would all stand back and watch the candle dance inside. That was the best, best, best part of Halloween.

The trick-or-treating was fine, and the candy was great too, but that moment when we lit our pumpkin – that was Magic! Nowadays, a lot folks are painting their pumpkins or covering them with glitter and such, but not me. As long as I can manage it, there will be a Jack-o-Lantern on my porch – that little light shining out and the scent of warm pumpkin filling the air.

I was four or five in this picture, and I have no idea what motivated me to draw a beard on my Jack-o-lantern, but there it is.

The scariest thing about Halloween “back in the day”? Trying to breathe under those masks!

When the pumpkin is carved and lit, there is another memory to make – Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!!

Before you can roast your pumpkin seeds, you need to separate them from the pumpkin pulp and clean them. I used to cringe just thinking of having to clean off all those sticky seeds, until I learned this simple trick! Now, cleaning off the pumpkin seeds is a snap!

Quick, Easy Pumpkin Seed Clean-up!

Separate as much of the pulp as you can by hand. (“As much as you can” really means as long as you can stand it. For me, that’s about a minute. Pumpkin guts make my hands itch.)
Get a big bowl and fill it halfway with water.
Put the seeds into the water, pulp and all, and start squishing them around with your hands. The pulp will sink to the bottom, and the seeds will rise to the top. Easy peasy.

Top 10 Best Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes + Quick Tips for Easy Pumpkin Seed Clean-up! 🎃 Click To Tweet

Top 10 Best Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipes

Once the pumpkin seeds are cleaned up, there are endless possibilities. Here are some great ideas to get you started!

Photo Credit: www.flavourandsavour.com

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)

Spiced Pumpkin Seeds make a healthy snack for a tailgate party, an addition to a cheese platter, or a garnish for soup or salad. Love spicy pepitas? These are mildly salty with a kick from chipotle peppers!

Photo Credit: livingsweetmoments.com

Crunchy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds – don’t know what to do with the seeds after you carve that pumpkin? Create a healthy crunchy snack with the seeds. Easy and delish!

Photo Credit: www.sidewalkshoes.com

Sweet and Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

You are going to love the sweet and salty addictiveness of these Sweet and Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds!

Photo Credit: www.nutmegnanny.com

Sweet Salty Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

These sweet salty roasted pumpkin seeds are the perfect snack to make after carving pumpkins. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty and cinnamon flavor.

Photo Credit: www.perspectiveportions.com

Chocolate Lovers Roasted Seeds

Transform the seeds inside winter squashes into a crunchy snack with these cocoa roasted seeds.

Photo Credit: petersfoodadventures.com

Sweet Chili Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

This sweet and spicy roasted pumpkin seed recipe is a delicious snack with amazing health benefits - Sweet Chili Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Photo Credit: 4sonrus.com

Cajun Spiced Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds toasted to perfection with the perfect blend of bold Cajun spice and a solid savory with hints of paprika and Worcestershire.

Photo Credit: sugarspunrun.com

Sweet Pumpkin Seeds Recipe

Sweetened pumpkin seeds roasted on the stovetop and coated in pumpkin spice (or cinnamon) and sugar!

Photo Credit: gardeninthekitchen.com

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Seeds

These Salted Caramel Pumpkin Seeds are the most addicting snack of all times! The perfect balance between sweet, salty and crunchy madness!

Photo Credit: thisissogoodhome.com

Pumpkin Spiced Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)

You can store these Pumpkin Spiced Pepitas in an air-tight container for up to a week, but they probably won’t last that long!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Do you have a favorite Halloween memory? Please share it in the comments below!

Finger-lickin’ Down-home Southern Cooking {15 Recipes}

June 30 By Renée 29 Comments

Satisfy your belly and your soul with these delicious Southern classics.

When I think of Southern cooking, I think smoky, sweet, and smokin’ hot Comfort-with-a-capital-C. As Mr B says, “That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout.”

Speaking of Smokin’ Hot…

If you like your fried chicken with a side of scandalous backstory, all served up on a slice of white bread with a pickle, Nashville Hot Chicken is right up your alley. This Easy Nashville Hot Chicken from Bacon is Magic uses another well-known southern ingredient to kick the heat up: Tabasco.

Easy Nashville Hot Chicken from Bacon is Magic

If you want to check out another Hot Chicken recipe, Mr B and I had some amazing Hot Chicken when we were in Nashville at a little chicken joint called Hattie B’s, a place famous for their hot chicken. The best part is, they freely share their recipe with the public! YES! You read that correctly!! You can find it here.

You can also read more about Nashville Hot Chicken’s rough and tumble past, and get some great recipes in the deal, check out Hot Chicken Cookbook: The Fiery History & Red-Hot Recipes of Nashville’s Beloved Bird [affiliate link].

Shrimp & Grits

I am totally in love with shrimp and cheesy grits; in fact, it may even be my new favorite thing! I can’t wait to make these Buffalo Shrimp and Blue Cheese Grits from Taste & See!

Shrimp and Grits may be the epitome of southern cuisine. So much so that some people refer to the south as the “Grits Belt.” It is a staple throughout much of the southern US and especially many “low country” coastal towns (think Charleston, New Orleans, or Jekyll Island, GA).

~Holly, Taste & See

Buffalo Shrimp and Blue Cheese Grits from Taste & See

* * *

Here’s another spin – Cajun Shrimp and Kale Cheesy Polenta from Body Compass Discovery.

Cajun Shrimp and Kale Cheesy Polenta from Body Compass Discovery

* * *

Vegetables (sort of) and More Grits

This Old Fashioned Southern Corn Pudding from Basil & Bubbly is even purported to have magical powers!

It’s the best kind of “secret weapon” dish. Delicious and requiring practically zero effort if you use canned corn, but absolutely sublime when you have the time to go through the trouble of using fresh cobs, this corn pudding will make you friends, clean your house, and increase your worldwide influence.

~ Marianne, Basil & Bubbly

Old Fashioned Southern Corn Pudding from Basil & Bubbly

* * *

Cheesy Grits Breakfast Bowls with Sausage, Scrambled Eggs & Spinach from Family Food on the Table are loaded with crumbled sausage, soft scrambled eggs and sautéed spinach for a hearty, delicious start to the day!

Cheesy Grits Breakfast Bowls from Family Food on the Table

* * *

Southern Tomato Pie with Fried Onions from The View for Great Island is based on the classic Southern dish where thickly sliced ripe tomatoes are set into a single pie crust, covered in a slurry of mayo and grated cheese, and then baked into a bubbling cauldron of pure comfort.

Southern Tomato Pie with Fried Onions from The View for Great Island

* * *

Teri, from Buy This Cook That is one of my favorite food bloggers. Here’s what she has to say about her Daddy Dale’s Tennessee Tomato Gravy recipe.

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from, Tomato Gravy is good Southern food… First and foremost, do NOT mistake this for tomato or pasta sauce. This is not an Italian-style tomato sauce. Although I would totally scarf this tomato gravy down on top of spaghetti. Just sayin’.

HINT: Try this over my Perfect Buttermilk Biscuits for a real stick-to-your-ribs meal.

Daddy Dale’s Tennessee Tomato Gravy from Buy this Cook That

* * *

Pulled Pork & BBQ

I have to admit, I got an education when I was putting this round-up together. I knew that BBQ styles were regional, but I had no idea how tightly drawn those regional lines were. I have a feeling that if I actually lived in the South, I would discover places where the style differed from one town to another.

This North Carolina Pulled Pork recipe and tutorial comes to us from Simon, who walks us through a recipe from American pitmaster Steven Raichlen, well known for his BBQ television show “BBQ University.”

Pulled Pork is one of those recipes that can make you a BBQ legend among your friends. What most people don’t know is that it’s not as hard as it looks! Once your meat is smoking you barely need to do a thing to end up with a delicious piece of meat.

Simon, The BBQ Bastard

North Carolina Pulled Pork from The BBQ Bastard

* * *

Goodie Godmother offers a different take with the Godfather’s Eastern North Carolina Style Pork Shoulder with spicy vinegar sauce.

Eastern North Carolina Pulled Pork from Goodie Godmother

* * *

While this next recipe may horrify BBQ traditionalists all over the South, there is definitely something to be said for the ease of using a slow cooker to do the job. With just 15 minutes of prep, Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork from Cooking with Mamma C can be waiting for you after a long day. The tender meat has a nice vinegar kick and sweet heat.

Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork from Cooking with Mamma C

* * *

Simon the BBQ Bastard 😉 shares another entry from pitmaster Steven Raichlen, with Red Eye Ribs.

Red Eye Ribs from The BBQ Bastard

* * *

In the Carolinas, vinegar based barbecue sauce and pulled pork go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. This Carolina Barbecue Sauce comes to us from Katie at A Fork’s Tale, who puts it succinctly: “Us Southerners are crazy over Sauce.”

Carolina BBQ Sauce from A Fork’s Tale

* * *

Dessert

Lemon Chess Pie from Meg is Well is tart, fresh, and sweet – perfect for picnics or summer gatherings.

Lemon Chess Pie from Meg is Well

* * *

This patriotic Miss American Flag Pie from Jenn’s Farm Table is the perfect way for Americans to celebrate Independence Day, or any patriotic holiday. I thought it was important to share the impetus behind it as well.

Miss American Flag Pie represents women’s perseverance to defend their rights. We shouldn’t have to fight for our rights again. It’s a reminder to get involved on any level and be proud to be a powerful woman in the land of the free.

~ Jenn, Jenn’s Farm Table

Miss American Flag Pie from Jenn’s Farm Table

* * *

Adult Beverages

These ice cold Blackberry-Lemon Mint Juleps from Striped Spatula are a fragrant and refreshing twist on a classic. Perfect for sipping on a warm day!

Blackberry-Lemon Mint Juleps from Striped Spatula

* * *

I’ll end this post in the same way that Mr B likes to end a hot summer day: with an ice cold mule. (OK, more often than not, he has a beer, but I do need to wrap this up and he does love a good mule on a hot day, so just go with it…) This Blackberry Sage Kentucky Mule from The Gastronom holds flavors of summer in a cold copper cup.

Blackberry Sage Kentucky Mule from The Gastronom

* * *

21 Favorite Pecan Recipes for Your Holiday Table

November 19 By Renée 16 Comments

Whether you say pee-can, peh-kahn, or peh-can, these delicious pecan recipes will make your holiday table simply irresistible.

^{This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.}

Pee-canz? Peh-kahnz? Peh-canz? Pronunciation of this word is apparently a huge point of contention for some people. (Much like the ever popular Mi-zer-uh / Mi-zer-ee [Missouri] debate in my own family.) Whatever you call them though, the only things that makes pecans better are butter and sugar. Which leads me to pralines.

Oh, pralines… mmmm…. (give me a minute…)

I distinctly remember the first (and only) time I’ve tasted a fresh, warm, still soft praline. It was in Savannah in the spring of 2005, and I was leading a week-long tour to the birthplace of Girl Scouting with my Senior Troop.

As we walked down River Street along the Savannah River, a heady fog of sweet, caramelly perfection surrounded us and drew us into the iconic River Street Sweets shop. There, we sampled rich, buttery, nutty bites of heaven that seduced our senses and caressed our palates. We could not have escaped if we had wanted to. And we did not want to.

“Chopped Pecan” by Rebecca Sims [CC BY 2.0]

Unfortunately, pecans do not grow well in my corner of the world, so all of my other praline memories involve a box full of hard, overly sugared pecan pucks that tasted like last year’s stale leftovers. Nope. Having tasted the real thing, there is nothing left for me to do now except make them myself.

21 Tempting Pecan Recipes for Your Holiday Table 🥧 Whether you say pee-can, peh-kahn, or peh-can, these pecan recipes will make your holiday table simply irresistible. Click To Tweet

Pralines, however, are only one of the many delicious ways to enjoy pecans during the holiday season. Here’s some amazing pecan recipes gathered from some of my favorite food blogs. Enjoy!

21 Tempting Pecan Recipes for Your Holiday Table

Orange Pecan Baked French Toast

Photo Credit: www.theworktop.com

The best part about this orange pecan baked french toast? It can be prepared the night before and baked off in the morning.

Perfect Creamy Pralines (Prejean’s)

Photo Credit: theperfectkindofchaos.wordpress.com

Pralines are a Southern specialty and they are not always east to make. But the best one’s the one’s that make grown men beg and make you want to slap ya momma (not really. It’s a Southern saying meaning delicious.).

Sweet Potato Pecan Pancakes with Praline Butter

Photo Credit: saygraceblog.com

Light and fluffy sweet potato pancakes packed with toasted pecans and smeared with a delicious pecan praline compound butter.

Roasted Sweet Vanilla Pecan Butter

Photo Credit: strengthandsunshine.com

Not only does your house smell lovely when the pecans are roasting, but once you put them in the blender with the vanilla…o my! This is a fabulous spread for anything - from bread, to apples, to carrots…to just, you know…a spoon!

Pecan Pralines

Photo Credit: basilandbubbly.com

The much sought Classic Southern treat, the Pecan Praline Recipe that EVERYONE is dying to have.

Honey Roasted Pecans - 2 ingredient gluten-free snack

Photo Credit: www.trialandeater.com

Honey Roasted Pecans – easy recipe with just those two ingredients! Gluten-free snack ready in under 30 minutes including cooling time.

Gingerbread Pecans (Sugar-Free)

Photo Credit: phruitfuldish.com

Pecans roasting on an open fire… and toasted to perfection! These roasted nuts have a festive twist and provide plenty of nourishment.

Easy Candied Pecans (Just 5 Minutes and 4 Ingredients!)

Photo Credit: twohealthykitchens.com

These deliciously easy candied pecans are so lightning-fast! You’ll be making them all the time - for snacks, on salads - even as last-minute gifts!

Dream Home Cooking Girl

Photo Credit: simpledelicioussouthernfood.blogspot.com

New Orlean's Style Pralines...one of my favorites!

Kentucky Derby Chocolate-Pecan Cookie Bars

Photo Credit: twohealthykitchens.com

This incredibly easy, no-butter, bar cookie version of the always-popular Derby Pie is the perfect dessert for a weekday dinner or a party! Filled with whole grains, it’s fabulously decadent yet so nutritious!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pecan Cookies with Orange Zest Glaze

Photo Credit: www.theorganickitchen.org

The dark chocolate, slight hint of cinnamon and orange zest glaze bring a tantalizing twist to this tasty dessert! Warm, chewy, chocolate goodness that is perfect for fall!

Paleo Pecan Pie Bars (Low Carb, Gluten-free)

Photo Credit: www.wholesomeyum.com

These healthy, paleo pecan pie bars are gooey and crunchy at the same time. Low carb, sugar-free, gluten-free, and super easy to make.

Butter Pecan Brandy Fudge

Photo Credit: nomageddon.com

How could you make fudge any better? With brandy of course!

Classic Pecan Pie Recipe

Photo Credit: www.seriouseats.com

Honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and freshly roasted nuts give this pecan pie deeper, richer flavor and lots of crunch.

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Photo Credit: vanillaandbean.com

Bourbon Pecan Pie, made with just a touch of bourbon, molasses, and butter with the flakiest homemade pie dough is a favorite anytime of year! I made this Bourbon Pecan Pie without corn syrup – but it tastes as fabulous, if not better than the traditional!

Perfect Pecan Tart

Photo Credit: saygraceblog.com

The perfect balance between crust and pecan filling makes for a really tasty tart!

Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Photo Credit: www.bakingbeauty.net

Pecan Pie Cheesecake: Creamy brown sugar cheesecake topped with a decadent pecan pie filling. Your favorite holiday pie, in cheesecake form!

Grain-Free Pecan Pie Made with Honey

Photo Credit: healthhomeandhappiness.com

This pie is a great gluten and grain free option to bring to holiday tables, and it makes the house smell heavenly as it bakes.

Pecan Pie Cake

Photo Credit: www.bakingbeauty.net

Pecan Pie Cake: Delicate yellow cake filled with a decadent pecan filling. Your favorite Thanksgiving pie in cake form! Must try!

Quick and Easy Low-Carb Pecan-Crusted Dijon Salmon

Photo Credit: kalynskitchen.com

Quick and Easy Low-Carb Pecan-Crusted Dijon Salmon would be lovely for a special dinner, and it really is quick and easy to make!

Baked Brie Bites with Pecans & Brown Sugar - Housewives of Frederick County

Photo Credit: www.housewivesoffrederickcounty.com

Brie, butter, pecans, cinnamon, pastry shells, & brown sugar.

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this Recipe Roundup!

Unicorn Glitter & Mother’s Day Brunch Ideas

May 2 By Renée 8 Comments

Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be all unicorn glittery Hallmark magical perfection to make a perfect memory.

One of the best the best parts of Mother’s Day is the memories that it leaves with us. When our kiddos are small, it is all painted hand-prints and construction paper cards and crayon-scrawled “I love you” notes. You know, the stuff us Mamas fill our treasure boxes with.

And then there are those amazing, often entertaining Mother’s Day breakfasts…

I have such fond recollections of my girls filing into my bedroom every Mother’s Day morning, the oldest proudly balancing our biggest tray heaped high with their carefully prepared breakfast creations. After handing off the tray, they would all clamber up onto my bed and wiggle around like fresh puppies as they watched me eat every last bite. Some years (thanks in part to their father) it was all about the food; lovely little pancakes covered with warm syrup, plump berries, orange juice, cinnamon toast, and even a little vase of spring flowers on the side. Other years, let’s just say it was all about the love. And that’s what’s really important anyway.

However, lest you get the idea that Mother’s Day at our house was all unicorn glittery Hallmark magical perfection, let me reassure you that time has most definitely and conveniently smoothed over the rough edges of my memories. After a decade or two, I now only vaguely recall the major spills, and the passionate, heated arguments over who made what and who helped most, and the little sticky fingers stealing all the berries off my plate.

But, once again, it’s really all about the love. >If you are wondering how to read that last sentence, please refer to the little girl front left below.<

Mother’s Day 1997 – and yes, I made the girls’ dresses. (Except the oldest – she sewed that one herself. I was so proud of her. Still am.)

Many years have past since the days when my girls bounced their way across my bed and through my Mother’s Day Brunch. Most of them have grown up, moved out, and started lives of their own. One even has her own little ones now, who I imagine bring her an equally memorable Mother’s Day breakfast, complete with unicorn glitter (or in their case, sparkly Frozen snow). Luckily though, I still have a couple of my girls around, and they usually take the time to make me something truly wonderful.

Surprisingly, as my girls grow older, the effort means even more to me then it did when they were little. Last year, one of my daughters surprised me with these lovely strawberries-and-chocolate crepes. Not only were they beautiful but they were delicious too, and YES! You bet I bragged!

What food blogger kids make for Mother’s Day breakfast. #mothersday #mykidcooksbetterthanyours #mothersdaybreakfast #yum #yummy #amazing #sweet #chocolate #whippedcream #delish #foods #delicious #tasty #eat #eating #hungry #foodpics #sweettooth

A photo posted by The Good Hearted Woman (@thegoodheartedwoman) on May 10, 2015 at 10:55am PDT

If you’re wondering what to make mom this year for her special day, here are a few of my favorite Mother’s Day brunch ideas to inspire you:

{Are poached eggs still a mystery to you? Check my post on How to Make Perfectly Poached Eggs.}

Sweeter and more fragrant than regular lemons, Meyer lemons are perfect for everything from preserves to desserts. Meyer lemon season is fleeting, so get them while you can and brighten the dark days of winter with these delicious Meyer Lemon Recipes today!

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

What is a Meyer lemon, and what makes it so special?

Is there any interesting history behind the “Meyer” name?

When can I get Meyer lemons?

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

February 4th is National Homemade Soup Day – let’s all lift a spoon in celebration!

Stove to Table in 10 minutes:

Serve it up in 30 minutes:

Love takes time:

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this post!

Share with us in the comments below! What’s your favorite homemade soup?

We’ve all got a few weird kitchen utensils in that one drawer, right? Thingamajigs that leave other people scratching their heads and asking, “What is this thing for, anyway?!?

Listed below in order of relative awesomeness, here’s my list of useful kitchen gadgets you may not know you need:

GIFT IDEA: Package a Scottish Spurtle and a bag of Irish Oats in a pretty ceramic cereal bowl and BOOM – a perfect gift for just about anyone.

We’d love to hear about your favorite kitchen utensils! Please take a moment to tell us what you can’t live without in the comments below!

Thank you so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. ❤ Be sure to Pin this post!

Fifty-plus amazing Southern-style Barbecue Recipes for your grill, oven, slow cooker, smoker, and Instant Pot.

This post may contain affiliate links, but don’t worry – they won’t bite.

Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start.

Beverly’s {Super Easy} Slow Cooker Spicy BBQ Recipe

Here are 50+ more Southern Barbecue Recipes to scratch your BBQ itch.

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

Knowing how to pick a watermelon that is perfectly ripe isn’t a magic trick. Just remember: girls are sweeter, size matters, and your Mama was probably right.

Perfectly Ripe: How to Pick a Watermelon

How to Pick a Watermelon: Seven Proven Tips

1. Check the “Field Spot.”

2. Look for “Webbing.”

3. Avoid bumps & blemishes.

4. Girls are sweeter.

5. Size matters.

6. Check the tail.

7. Thump it!

Now that you’ve picked out your perfect watermelon, here are 101 things you can do with it!

Beverages [Kid-Friendly]

Beverages [Adults only]

Frozen Treats

Salads

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!

THANK YOU so much for being a faithful reader and supporter
of The Good Hearted Woman. 🌻 Be sure to PIN this post!