Keeping it Simple {Recipes: Simple Syrup and Strawberry Simple Syrup}

Simple syrups are great to have on hand for lemonade, iced tea, mixed drinks, and more! They are so easy to make and fun to experiment with. Below are the recipes for basic Simple Syrup and Strawberry Simple Syrup, but other flavors can be made with with the basic syrup. 

Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1. Combine water and sugar into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. 

2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all of the sugar is dissolved. 

3. Remove syrup from heat and cool completely. 

4. Store syrup in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Syrup can be frozen if need to store longer. 

Strawberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1-1/2 cups strawberries with stems removed and cut into quarters

1. Combine water, sugar, and strawberries into a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil. 

2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until strawberries are faded, the syrup is a nice ruby red color, and sugar is completely dissolved.

3. Remove syrup from heat and strain through a fine mesh strainer. Resist the urge to press the strawberries into the strainer, doing so will result in a cloudy syrup. Discard strawberries or save to stir into plain yogurt or cottage cheese. 

4. Store syrup in a airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month. Syrup can be frozen if need to store longer. 

Suggestions for other simple syrup flavors:

1. Blackberry, raspberries, or blueberries can be substituted for strawberries.

2. Vanilla bean, split lengthwise, can be added to Simple Syrup after pulling from heat. Let the vanilla bean steep for a few hours, then strain. 

3. Herbs, such as rosemary or tarragon, can be steeped in Simple Syrup, then strained, to add an interesting flavor to drinks. 

Enjoy!

Great Start to the Day! (Recipe: Homemade Turkey Sausage Breakfast Sandwiches}

My son is discovering that gets expensive to eat out all of the time, so he is looking for some easy to prepare, healthy meals that he can meal prep for the work week. This recipe post is inspired by a recipe he found on TikTok. He called and asked a few questions about ingredients, so I thought I'd come up with a recipe with the ingredients my son said he preferred and has available. I also added a few more spices to the sausage I thought would be a good addition.

Homemade Turkey Sausage Sandwiches

These are a healthy meal prep breakfast to make ahead and freeze for the week. 

Homemade Turkey Sausage:

1 lb. lean ground turkey

3/4 teaspoon sage

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1 teaspoon garlic salt*

1/2 teaspoon onion powder*

1/4 teaspoon white pepper (black pepper will do)

Pinch of crushed red pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

In a medium size mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients above, except the olive oil. Divide the sausage mixture into 6 equal parts, roll in a ball, and place on a plate; set aside. In a large nonstick frypan, heat a tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Place a sausage ball in the frypan and, using a spatula, flatten the ball into a patty; repeat until all sausage patties are in the pan (if they don't all fit into the pan, cook in 2 batches). Cook patties until browned on one side, flip and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.  Remove sausages to a plate and set aside. 

*Note: 1 teaspoon onion salt and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt can be used in place of the 1 teaspoon garlic salt and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. 

Baked Scrambled Eggs

6 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup Greek yogurt

1-2 green onions, sliced, or 1-2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9"x13" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or about a bit of olive oil; set aside. In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, and Greek yogurt until well combined. Pour into prepared baking dish, sprinkle with green onion or chives,  and bake for about 10 minutes, or until eggs are set. Let eggs cool a bit, then cut into 6 equal squares. 

For Breakfast Sandwiches:

6 English muffins, toasted if desired

6 slices of cheddar cheese

Prepared sausage patties and eggs from above

To assemble breakfast sandwiches, split English muffins, place a square of eggs (you may have to cut the square of eggs in half and overlap for it to fit on the English muffin) on the bottom half of the English muffin, place a sausage patty onto of egg, then a slice of cheese, and add top half of English muffin; repeat until all sandwiches are complete. Individually wrap sandwiches in foil and freeze. 

To Heat Breakfast Sandwiches:

Place sandwich on a microwave safe plate and loosely cover with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes, turn, and microwave for another minute. 

Serve sandwiches as is or add a favorite aioli. Trader Joe's Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce is very good on these. 

Enjoy!