Rome Cast Iron Pie Irons - Reviewed

We enjoy our backyard fire pit every year and make lasting memories with all of the fun. Our Rome cast iron pie irons have been part of that fun for as long as I can remember.

What is a pie iron? A pie iron is a handy cooking tool that turns an ordinary campfire into an opportunity to make delicious hot sandwiches, called mountain pies, or, as some people know them, hobo pies or pudgie pies.

The classic Rome Square pie iron is designed to accommodate a generous portion of bread and fillings, allowing you to make any kind of delicious hot sandwich. One of our favorites is the pizza mountain pie. Find out how we make the pizza mountain pie here in one of my posts, Mountain Pies.

Rome also offers round and double models, giving you several options depending on what you want to cook. Our pie irons are the classic square designs.

You can make hot sandwiches, savory meals, and sweet desserts with your pie irons. Another favorite of mine is apple pie filling with cheddar cheese.

If you enjoy camping or spending time around a backyard campfire pit, Rome pie irons are worth considering. Once you start experimenting with different fillings and recipes, you will be looking forward to your next campfire.

After every campfire, I wash my pie irons with soap and water and thoroughly dry them. Then, I coat and rub them with vegetable oil on the inside and out to make them ready for the next campfire.

ROME Industries 1760 Double Xl Square Pie Iron, 5ROME Industries Pudgie Revolution Pie Iron Cookbook, Recipes For Pudgy Pie Cooking

 

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A Review of Flavored Coffee Recipes

I was visiting a friend today, and she made the most delicious coffee I have had in a long time.  It was cinnamon-orange with a hint of vanilla.  It was delightful, so I asked her how she made it.  Imagine my surprise when she told me one of the ingredients was Jello!  She actually uses her coffee maker and simply dumps all the ingredients into the filter with the coffee and out pours tangy orange coffee!

Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup of ground coffee
• 1/2 teaspoon of orange Jello
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Dump all dry ingredients into a coffee filter, gather it up and shake to mix.
2. Add the extract in the center of the filter.
3. Turn on your coffee maker and brew normally.

You can make this with tea as well, just make your tea as usual, then add the vanilla, cinnamon and Jello to the tea pot and stir to mix.  In tea it is extremely flavorful, and is delicious with butter cookies or scones.

Two Recipes for Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate flavored coffee is really delicious, one of the easiest ways to make it is by using chocolate syrup:

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons chocolate syrup

Combine the brewed coffee and chocolate syrup in a large mug. Stir well to combine, then top with whipped cream if you like.

Another way to make chocolate coffee is by using cocoa powder. This method involves adding cocoa powder to a cup of brewed coffee, stirring well to combine.

• 1 cup brewed coffee
• 1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder

Pumpkin Spice Coffee

If you want a taste of pure fall, this is the drink for you.  You can use store bought pumpkin spice, but I prefer to make my own so I can tweak the recipe to how I like it.  I usually put more cinnamon and nutmeg and a bit less clove.  I use pumpkin spice in other things, like cookies, pie or pumpkin bread, so I make a lot at a time and store it in a mason jar.  You can buy the spices already ground up, or you can buy them whole and use a spice grinder to grind them yourself. Here's the recipe for homemade pumpkin spice:

• 6 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons of ginger
• 4 teaspoons of nutmeg
• 3 teaspoons of allspice
• 3 teaspoons of cloves

To make Pumpkin Spice Coffee:

1. Fill your coffee maker with water and insert a filter
2. Put one heaping teaspoon of pumpkin spice on top of 1/3 cup of your favorite coffee in the filter 
3. Stir the two ingredients together thoroughly
4. Turn on your coffee maker and brew as normal 

I love drinking this coffee on my rear deck on crisp fall mornings with my homemade raised doughnuts.  Fall bliss!

Mexican Coffee

Mexican Coffee is a spicy blend that is truly different from regular coffee.  The ingredients may sound like a strange combination, but believe me, it is a really unforgettable taste that is great for after dinner or a mid-afternoon break.

Ingredients

• 6 oz. hot coffee
• 1 tablespoon cocoa
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup milk (can use skim or 2%)
• whipped cream (I use the squirt from a can kind)

Directions: 

1. In a mason jar, pour the hot coffee and brown sugar and screw the lid on and shake till all the sugar is melted and there are no lumps.
2. Add the cocoa, cinnamon, and ground cayenne into the jar, screw the lid on and shake till all ingredients are incorporated.
3. In a large coffee mug, pour in the milk and a pinch of cinnamon, stir and place in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. Remove from the microwave and pour the coffee mixture in the cup and top with whip cream.

This is a great drink to serve in the evening after a barbeque or while sitting on the couch with your sweetie watching a movie.  Spicy!

Peppermint Coffee

This coffee is always a hit around the holidays!  Try it at your next gathering, I bet it will be a big hit!

Ingredients

• 6 oz. extra strong coffee
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions:

• ▢ 

1. Place the milk, sugar, cocoa powder and peppermint extract in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
2. Stir gently until heated, DO NOT boil!
3. Pour the coffee in and stir to mix, tasting to see if you feel it needs more sugar, peppermint or cocoa.
4. Pour in a cup and top with whipped cream and a candy cane

Every time I make this, everyone just loves it!  They say the peppermint, cocoa and coffee flavors mix beautifully!

I know this last recipe isn't actually coffee, but it is a recipe you will want, trust me!  This is the hands down most delicious coffee smoothie you will ever have in your mouth, guaranteed!

Coffee Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black coffee (lukewarm is better)
• 1/2 frozen banana
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 tablespoon cocoa

Directions:

1. Cut up the frozen banana (you can use a 3/4 cup of ice if you don't like bananas) and place it in the blender.  
2. Pulse a few times to break the banana up and then add the peanut butter, milk, vanilla and cocoa.  Blend on medium until smooth then switch to puree for 30 seconds.  
3. Pour into a smoothie cup and enjoy!

I think all of these drinks are exceptionally delicious.  I love to making things that are unusual and surprise my guests. All these drinks are good at doing that!  Try a few out and see what you think, especially during the upcoming holidays.

_______________________________

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I http://tinyurl.com/jmrqlyn

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Crumpets for High Tea ~ A Recipe For You

Nothing says summer more than a nice afternoon tea with friends in the shadow of a lovely tree!  Okay, maybe I'm behind the times but it's nice to have a nostalgic visit  to bygone days. If you are lucky enough  to live in a city or village that still has a nice tea house, why not make that date for a Summer Tea with some good friends.

Hubby and I have gone back to making a lot of baked goods.  Breads, rolls, and of course crumpets and English Muffins.  

We are not into the cakes so much, even though they can be part of an afternoon tea.  Somehow with our age, the sweets just aren't as appetizing as they once were.  I guess we are concerned for our aging figures,  NOT!  But the truth is that we prefer the savory things over the sweets.  I know, we are weird, but that is how it is for us.  If you enjoy the sweets go right ahead and enjoy.

I'm sharing with you our recipe for some lovely crumpets that are light airy and can be used in many ways.  So Here you go:

CRUMPETS FOR HIGH TEA AND MORE (yield  for recipe 6 crumpets)

INGREDIENTS:

150 g (1 cup) white flour, plain all purpose flour works

200 ml (3/4 cup + 1 TBSP) warm water (warm and not cold)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp white sugar

1 tsp baking powder

YEAST MIXTURE

1 tsp yeast (instant or rapid rise works)

1 TBSP warm water 

DURING COOKING 

2 TBSP unsalted or sweet butter

Now the the how to!

• Place flour, water and salt in a bowl and whisk for 2minutes
• Dissolve the yeast into 1 TBSP warm water in a small bowl
• add yeast mixture sugar and baking powder into a bowl and whisk it all for 30 seconds 
• cover with cling wrap or a plate and place in a very warm place for 15 to 30 minutes until the surface becomes nice and foamy.  This will not double like bread does, but it will increase in volume a little bit.

Now if you've been reading these reviews, you know that a while ago I posted a review on baking rings.  These are perfect for making crumpets!  Baking rings review right here.

Now let's continue making crumpets!

Grease 2 or 3 rings, or better yet, spray them with non-stick  spray.  

In a non-stick skillet coat with some melted butter and then add the rings to the skillet as well.

On medium high heat warm the skillet and rings.

Pour 1/4 cup batter into the rings.  Do not over fill, they will rise in the rings.

Cook on medium heat for 1 and 1/2 minutes and then on low heat for another 2 to 4 minutes.  Bubbles should stop showing up on the surface of your crumpets.  

When this is happening, it's time to flip the crumpet over and cook for just 30 seconds on the other side,without the rings.

Transfer to a cooling rack for a few minutes and enjoy!  Some people say they are better on day 2.  But I can't help myself, they are usually gone very quickly.

Now this might seem like a lot of work, but if you have nice cool day, you can make these up and any number and freeze them for a later date.

Don't forget to invite you friends to join you for some fresh baked crumpets and honey, jam or fresh fruit compote.  Yum!

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Sunflower Hill Farm

Beautiful Sunflower Silos


In this post I will be reviewing my visit to Sunflower Hill Farm and the beautiful silos painted in sunflowers that are nearby.                   

Sunflower Hill Farm

My cousin and I were looking for a good place to meet for lunch on a sunny afternoon in May.  I mentioned I wanted to photograph the painted sunflower silos in the wine country near us and she suggested a nearby cafe at Sunflower Hill Farms.  It was an excellent choice.  Our food was great and the whole place was a great relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

We ate on the patio and and I enjoyed a delicious veggie grilled cheese, it consisted of provolone and cheddar cheese along with mushrooms, peppers, spinach and onions, all grilled on sourdough bread.  Yummy.

Sunflower Hill Farm is a wonderful event space too. The farm is located on 130 acres.  Along with the cafe there is a shop  with homemade items on sale.  There is also a nursery on the property and a large event space.  The farm has become a delightful wedding and event space.  As you can see in the photo below, the event area sits up on the hill overlooking the Missouri river valley.  

Sunflower Hill Farms is located at 245 Terry Road in Augusta, Missouri.  On their website www.sunflowerhillfarm.com they have listed lots of information about their events, calendar, and a menu from the cafe.  If you are in the area, I would highly recommend this venue.  Here are a few of my photos.

Painted Silos

These beautiful silos were commissioned by the owners of the Sunflower Hill Farm.  They are located near the Katy  Trail just south of the entrance to the farm. It is at mile marker 661.6 on the Katy Trail. They were  painted by artist Anne Molasky and her painting partner Kim Alsop and were finished in the fall of 2023.

These vibrant sunflower paintings are a nice stop for people along the Katy Trail.  There is also acess to them off of Hwy 94 halfway between Defiance and Augusta deep in the heart of Missouri Wine Country.  

I stopped to visit and take photographs of these beautiful works of art just before I visited Sunflower Hill Farms.  They are quite amazing to look at from all different angles. I would have loved to see them as they were being painted.  Very talented artists!

 Zazzle Products

Here is a link to a greeting card made from my sunflower silos photograph.

Sunflower Silo Greeting Card

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National Toast Day Review

Toast Day is held each year on the 4th Thursday of February. It was begun in 2014 by The Tiptree World Bread Awards to celebrate toast and all the breads we make it with. (Tiptree is a brand of fruit preserves, conserves, and marmalade made in England by Wilkin & Sons Limited, so it makes sense they have an interest in toast.)

The organization is in the UK, but the popularity of this day has found a following in the United States.  

The Shades of Toast

Some people like their toast barely toasted (my mother, for one. I used to tell her that her version of toast was more like ‘warm bread’, LOL). 

Others like their toast almost burnt, which is a way I learned to eat it as a small child from my great-grandmother, Banny. At the time, the only toaster she had was a non-popup toaster used in the 1920s to 1930s. You lowered each side, inserted the bread, closed the doors and ‘watched’ it closely. Only one side was toasted at a time. One had to lower the doors, and flip the bread to toast the other side. And, yes, I do remember that toaster - it looked like the one pictured here. Banny, my GG, would wait until the smoke was coming out of the toaster (burnt), then toast the other side. Then she would lightly scrape the burnt part off.

It may sound weird to you today, but as a tiny child who adored her ‘Banny’, I thought it was great, and I loved the burnt flavor. The rest of the way we ate that toast was dipped in coffee (Banny) and cocoa (me). To this day, cocoa and toast is a favorite of mine. Although, I no longer eat my toast burnt! Most people prefer their toast toasted somewhere in between barely and burnt. 

Toast Toppings

Now, the toppings for toast are endless, and depend on your preference. Butter is a standard topping, but favorites run anywhere from jam/jellies to peanut butter to avocados. Then there are standards like poached eggs on toast and toasted sandwiches. 

Summary

So, if you like toast (and most of us do), mark the 4th Thursday of February on your calendar in order to celebrate this ‘toasty’ day! 

Related Holidays:

• National Cheese Toast Day - September 15
• National Bread Day - November 17

For more Holiday Reviews, Click 
on ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*A review of National Toast Day was written by Wednesday Elf

*Images: 

• Vintage Toaster image from Rare Historical Photos/Vintage Toasters toasters/
• Toast/toaster images from Pixabay

 

Hamilton Beach 2 Slice ToasterCheck PriceNature's Own Butterbread - Pack of 2 LoavesCheck PriceStonewall Kitchen, Jam Collection, 4-Piece Gift SetCheck PriceThomas' Plain Bagels, 6 ct, 20 ozCheck Price

 

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Beurre D'Isigny Butter Review

I should begin this review with a disclaimer that it would be rare for me to meet a piece, stick, tub or block of  butter I did not like!  I am a fan of butter and only use butter for baking. I always favorite a brand of butter my family has used for decades which also leads to reliability when baking. 

However, I do like to try different products and this butter caught my eye as it landed at the top of the list for Butters of 2025! A quick look around my neighborhood grocery and I found Beurre D'Isigny.

The butter came in a block form and was definitely priced higher than other brand name butters, but in the same price range as what I would consider premium brands. I used the salted version, but an unsalted version is also available

Creamy

Yes! Yes! and Yes! The perfect consistency for melt in your mouth butter. The butter complements and does not distract when spread on breads and rolls. 

 Spread --- ability

This butter was a delight to spread! Directly from the refrigerator and the butter can be easily spread with a knife. I was suspect as the butter was in a block; no need to be suspect, the butter truly is easy to spread from the block cold.

The consistency was perfect to spread with the portion in mind. My usual butter is not easily spread from stick form; the butter cannot be spread cold without breaking apart the bread.

Taste

Smooth, sweet, velvet, silky, rich are a few adjectives which come to mind.

What Makes This Butter Different?

• Pastures: The Isigny area is known for its' mineral rich grasses which the cows enjoy.
• AOP is the status to ensure the butter is made in the specific region with specific traditional process.
• Additive Free
• Beurre D'Isigny is a type of cows' milk in Normandy, France
• Smooth As Silk
• Salt crystals on outside
• Dates back to 16th Century

Recommendation

I did not bake with this butter, so no opinion! This is definitely a butter I like to have in the refrigerator, especially to use on bread, bagels or rolls or baked goods.  Due to the price it is not practical to use for everyday cooking, but... 

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From Morning Brew to Dinner for Two

Begin your day with your favorite morning brew and end it with a delicious dinner. The contributing writers here on ReviewThis! have written a selection of reviews to help you decide which drink and dinner will nicely fill out your day. 

Your Morning Brew

No matter whether you prefer coffee, tea or cocoa, a warming drink first thing in the morning is a nice way to start off your day. 

Coffee Reviews

• A Review of Hawaiian Kona Coffee written by Wednesday Elf
• Don Francisco Coffee Review written by Heather426

Tea Reviews

• Hot Tea Recipes for Fall and Winter Reviewed, written by Sylvestermouse Cynthia
• Aveda Tea Reviewed written by Sylvestermouse Cynthia
• A Review of Twinnings Chai Tea written by Wednesday Elf
• Why Drink Peppermint Tea written by Lou16
• Reviewing Arbonne CleanTox Herbal Tea written by Lou16
• A Review of My Favorite Teas from Bigelow and Celestial Seasoning written by BarbRad
• An Unusual, Delicious Strawberry Chocolate Tea with 0 Calories written by Margaret Schindel
• Reviewing the Republic of Tea Ginger Peach written by Dawn Rae
• Review of Lifestyle Awareness Teas written by BarbRad
• Reviewing Twinings Chamomile Honey and Vanilla Tea written by Lou16
• Lipton Cold Brew Iced Black Tea Bags Reviewed written by Sylvestermouse
• Cafe Escapes Chai Latte Keurig Single Serve K-Cup Pods Reviewed written by Sylvestermouse
• Spiced Tea and Honey Nut Bread - The Perfect Snack written by Tracey Boyer

Hot Chocolate/Cocoa Reviews

• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa K-Cups Reviewed written by Sylvestermouse
• Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs Recipe and Review written by Sylvestermouse
• The Best Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa Bombs written by Margaret Schindel
• The Ultimate Keto Hot Chocolate Recipe written by Margaret Schindel 

Dinner for Two…. or More

Recipe reviews for dinnertime, for two or for the whole family.

Main dish meals from comfort foods such as meatloaf, to casseroles, slow cooked meals, and oven baked dishes. From the kitchens of the Review This! writers. 

• Buttery Pasta and Shrimp Recipe Review written by Wednesday Elf
• Easy Sausage and Penne Pasta Bake Recipe written by Sylvestermouse
• Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Dinner Recipe written by Sylvestermouse
• Mollie’s Meatloaf Recipe written by Wednesday Elf
• 4 Ingredient Beefy Mushroom Roast - Easy Slow Cooker Meal written by Dawn Rae
• Easy Homemade Calzone Recipe written by Sam Monaco
• Extra Crispy Chicken Tenders written by Sam Monaco
• Spaghetti with Diced Tomatoes and Artichoke Hearts written by Sam Monaco
• Crock Pot Ribs Recipe Review written by Sylvestermouse

Summary

So, from morning time to dinner time, there’s a favorite drink or a delicious recipe for your eating and drinking pleasure. Try one out and enjoy. 

*Compiled from the archives of ReviewThisReviews.com

 

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Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread

 There is something comforting about the aroma of freshly-baked bread in the kitchen. Now imagine the same scent, but with melted cheddar cheese and fresh herbs.

We love freshly-baked bread in the fall, and I like to try different ingredients. I found a recipe for this cheddar cheese bread and decided to make some additions to it with the herbs. 

Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread Reviewed

This Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread is baked to a golden brown, flavorful loaf that's perfect for soups, sandwiches, or just enjoyed with a pat of butter. I love it best lightly toasted with butter.

Cheddar Cheese and Herb Bread Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 cups of all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups shredded cheddar 

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or fresh herbs 

1 cup milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons butter

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, garlic powder, sugar, and Italian seasoning or fresh herbs. 
2. Stir in the shredded cheddar and set aside. 
3. In another bowl, mix together milk, egg, and butter.
4. Combine the liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix. I used my KitchenAid Stand Mixer for this on low speed for about 2 minutes.
5. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch x 5-inch greased bread pan.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
7. Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack.

When I make fresh bread, I can't wait to get that first warm slice with butter. So, I only waited about 5 minutes before I sliced into it. 

This cheddar cheese and herb bread is one of those recipes that feels fancy, but this is so easy to make. This makes a perfect homemade gift for friends and family. I will certainly be making this one again.

Find more recipes on ReviewThis Here:

ReviewThisRecipes.com

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Bread Slicing Made Easy ~ A Product Review

Alright everyone, just in case you didn't notice, it is now October and the seasons are a changing!  It means that the daylight hours are getting shorter and our habits are changing as well.  

When it's cooler in the morning, there is something magical about nice warm bread with your morning cup of tea or coffee.

When the seasons change we just change right along with them.  Baking seems to be the one thing that my other half just enjoys so much more in the cooler months.  I guess I can't blame him. Who would want to be in a hot kitchen when it's 80 or more outside?

So now that the temperature is dropping, the oven doesn't seem like the enemy any more.

So quite often I am awakened to the smell of fresh baking bread and like a zombie, I find my way into the kitchen to see what is going on.  The oven door is open and a fresh loaf of bread is cooling on the rack.  I think I have died and gone to heaven.

Now here is the problem, both of us have issues with slicing bread nicely.  When you want a sandwich, you want some bread and some filling.  We tend to get lots of bread and a little filling.  There is no consistency to how thick or thin the slices are.  

Well leave it up to him to find a solution.  Did you know that there are bread slicing guides that can make slicing bread easier?  Well there are and they are a great solution to our problem.  With this bread slicing guide, you can have uniform thin slices or you can still have thick ones too ( if that's your choice ).

Your fingers are never too close to the blade and the crumbs just drop within the slicer so that the mess on the table or counter is minimized.  And you get bread crumbs too!  It is a win-win situation.

It has lots of slots in it so that whatever type of bread you are trying to slice, your slicing guide is adjustable to fit the loaf or baguette or bagel that you choose to cut! It is adjustable to suit whatever size loaf you put in it.  

Some of the features of this slicer is:

• dishwasher safe
• durable, made of high quality plastic
• non slip base
• easy to assemble 

So far this little helper has been a life saver for us. Now we can have our bread in nice uniform slices without any stress or guessing.  Every time we have used it, it has proven itself a winner.

You can get yours here on Amazon or you can choose another style that will suit your needs. Just know that once you have one of these, you won't go back to eyeballing how thick or thin your bread slices will be!

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One Click Butter Cutter Review

 On a recent trip to our son's house, Fran brought home a new kitchen gadget. She pulled it out of a bag and said Your son got this for you. Sometimes our son finds the craziest gadgets. 

My first thoughts were, is this a new handy kitchen gadget or a gimmick? Well, I couldn't wait to try it out. The instructions are easy: just pull the top off, shake out the pusher, slide in a stick of butter, replace the pusher and the top, and squeeze the trigger for a perfect pat of butter. 

I popped some bread in the toaster, pulled the trigger, and to my amazement, it really worked. The pats of butter are the perfect size for spreading on toast, melting over veggies, or topping a baked potato.

The cutter is lightweight and compact, making it easy to store in the fridge. Cleanup is fairly simple, just rinse it under warm water or place it in the dishwasher.

The One-Click Butter Cutter isn't a must-have gadget, but it is certainly a fun and handy addition to the kitchen.

For less than $20, it makes a clever little gift or conversation starter at the breakfast table. Is it essential? Probably not. But it does make buttering toast a bit more fun.

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Air Fryer French Bread Pizza Review

 Sometimes you just need a late-night snack, or you're looking for a quick meal. Whatever the case, try some French bread pizza in your air fryer.

We always keep Red Baron French Bread Pizza in our freezer. From frozen to your plate in 10 minutes or less.

The instructions on the box will say to preheat your oven to 375 degrees and bake for 20 to 23 minutes. 

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees and set the timer for 6 minutes.

What I love most is the crunch. The air fryer gives the bread a golden, toasty base without turning it rock hard. Not only does this turn out to be a delicious snack or meal, but you're also using less energy by using your air fryer.

You can also make these from scratch using fresh French Bread, pizza sauce, and your choice of various toppings. 

We use a Ninja Air Fryer, and the 6-minute timer is perfect. You may need to experiment with different times for various air fryers.

Cleaning up is another benefit of using your air fryer. Just wipe out your air fryer basket, and you're ready to make some more.

Overall, Air Fryer French Bread Pizza is one of those effortless comfort foods that delivers big flavor with very little effort.

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Spiced Tea and Honey Nut Bread - The Perfect Snack

If you read the post I made on March 25, 2025, for Old Fashioned Rice Pudding, I explained about a very old recipe book that I had found in my mother's things after she passed.  To call it a book, is being kind, as it was just a collection of hand typed (on a manual typewriter!) recipes folded in the middle and stapled together.  No front or back cover, no information of where it came from.  The pages are so ancient they are dark tan in color.  

Anyway, the recipes in this old gem are from a time before I was cooking.  Some of them are recipes for foods I have never heard of like Strawberry Fool or Fruitinays.  I love reading through the pages and some times I find a recipe that I want to try.  This is how I came across the recipes for the perfect afternoon snack:  Spiced Tea and Honey Nut Bread.

This first time I made the bread, I found it delicious, but it seemed to be lacking something to go with it.  I tried coffee, but it didn't fit, I tried iced tea and it was completely not a match.  I was stumped.  So I went back to the recipe book and looked under "Drinks."  When I saw the spiced tea recipe, I knew I had hit the jackpot.  Cinnamon and fruit juices sounded like a great combination!  I got up and made some right then and there.  It was exquisite!  The flavors blended together perfectly and they were just right with the honey nut bread.  It really is the perfect snack!

Spiced Tea

Ingredients

Juice of one lemon

Juice of two oranges

2 Plain teabags (more if you like it stronger)

1 teaspoon all spice

1/4 teaspoon cloves (optional, if you like clove flavor)

1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 and 1/2 cups sugar

6 cups water

Instructions

1. Put spices in a small bag
2. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil and add the bag of spices.
3. Boil for 10 minutes and remove the spice bag and turn off the stove.
4. Add teabags to the spiced water and steep for 10 minutes.  Remove teabags.
5. Boil the remaining 2 cups of water and add sugar. Stir until sugar melts.
6. Pour the sweetened water into the tea and stir until mixed.
7. Add the fruit juices and mix well.

If you want it drink your tea cold, chill the mixture in the refrigerator and serve over ice.  If you are like me and prefer it hot, place it back on the stove and boil.  I put mine in a carafe so it stays hot to enjoy with our next recipe:  Honey Nut Bread.

Honey Nut Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (whichever type you like)

1 cup flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1/2 cup of honey

1/2 cup of milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sift dry ingredients and stir in nuts.
3. In a bowl beat the egg and add honey, milk and melted butter and mix.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix until the ingredients are  moistened and mixed.
5. Grease a bread pan and pour in the mixture.
6. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

Honey nut bread is also great with toppings like:

Apple Butter

Fruit Jam

Honey Butter 

Flavored Cream Cheese (like strawberry)

Lemon Sauce

I have even made French Toast with honey nut bread.  I trade in the syrup for some hot honey and it is really delicious.

I really love this old cookbook, it has so many unusual recipes in it and it also has a 'Hints and Tips' section that is pretty funny.  Maybe I will share some tips in my next post, I think you all would find it pretty entertaining!

Enjoy your snack!

  

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