Homemade Runzas

Homemade Runzas
If you have never heard of a Runza before, let me just tell you...they are sooo good!  I grew up in Nebraska (well, at least 6th-12 grades, then back for college) and there is a food chain called Runza.  Talk about tasty!  Since I haven't been to Nebraska in probably 18 years, I now make my own runzas at home.  So good!!  Even my picky eaters like them. I call that a win!!  Of course, they are best served with fries.  I choose to make them fresh and bake them in the oven.  Yummy!

Now, let's get to the recipe!

Homemade Runza

Ingredients
     Dough
  • 4 1/ 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 pkgs (1/4 oz) yeast (or 4 1/2 tsp)
  • 1 tsp salt (I like Himalayan)
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 eggs

    Filling
  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 small onion
  • 4 cups cabbage, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tsp dried rosemary
  • salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Dough
  1. Place 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt into large mixing bowl, fitted with a dough hook.
  2. In small saucepan, heat milk, water, and butter to 120-130 degrees F, over medium heat.
  3. Pour heated wet ingredients into flour mixture and mix slightly before adding beaten eggs.
  4. Continue mixing while adding remaining flour, 1 cup at a time.  Mix/kneed until dough comes together and is smooth and elastic.
  5. Place dough in greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour.
Filling
  1. While dough is rising, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink.  Drain if needed.
  2. Stir in seasonings and chopped cabbage.  Stir gently and cook until cabbage is cooked (about 2-3 min).
  3. Remove from heat and let cool a little while the dough finishes rising.
Making Runzas
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal portions.
  3. Roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle.
  4. Place 1/2 cup of filling in center of each piece (you can add a little more for fuller runzas, I like to have some left over for another meal so I only do 1/2 cup).
  5. Add cheese if desired (see note below).
  6. Fold over dough to encase filling and seal the edges.
  7. Place on greased baking sheet (edges can touch but they cook a little better with a finger's width of space between them).
  8. Back at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Note:
I like to use the leftover filling to make another half batch of runzas or to serve over rice for another meal.
These freeze well and are easy to thaw in the fridge and reheat.
Can add a slice of mozzarella cheese if you want to add a little cheesyness.  Yum!




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Canning Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Canning Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
Homemade applesauce is a favorite in my family.  So when we can get our hands on a lot of apples, it's one of my favorite things to make and preserve.  I like to can the applesauce in 1/2 pint jars, perfect for one serving size to pack in lunches.  Of course, we always have to have a little bowl of it freshly made too.  It makes the house smell so good, we just can't resist!

First, the recipe for cinnamon applesauce.  This recipe is for a small batch.  I like to do 3x this recipe if I am just making it to eat (without canning).  This gives us a few containers to stock up in the refrigerator.  When I am canning, I like to do 6x the recipe.  
Tip: Prepare jars, lids, and canner while applesauce is cooking to speed up the process.

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce

Ingredients
  • 2 pounds apples*, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2/3 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt*
  • 2-3 teaspoons raw honey

Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients, except honey, in a 2-quart saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Cover, lower heat to medium.  Cook for 20 minutes, or until apples are soft and are easy to mash.
  2. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool for about 15 min before removing lid.
  3. Stir in honey and mash apples to desired consistency.

Notes:
*I like to use a combination of apples, depending on how tart I want it.  Our favorites are green, gala, and fuji
*I like to use himalayan or celtic salt


Now that you have your delicious applesauce made, if you have any leftover, it's time to can it for longterm storage.  Keep the applesauce warm while you prepare for canning.

Steps for Water Bath Canning:
1. Prepare Your Jars and Lids
  • Start by inspecting your jars for any cracks or chips. Only use those in perfect condition.
  • Wash your jars in hot soapy water, or run them through a dishwasher cycle to sanitize them.
  • Submerge the jars in your large pot filled with water, make sure you have the canning rack in the bottom of the pot. Bring the water to a simmer (not a full boil) and keep the jars hot until you’re ready to use them. This helps prevent cracking when adding hot food. 
  • Place the lids in a small saucepan of simmering water (do not boil) to soften the sealing compound.
2. Prepare the Recipe
If you haven't already made the applesauce, now is the time to get it started.

3. Fill the Jars
  • Remove one jar at a time from the simmering water, using your jar lifter. Pour out any water inside.
  • Use a funnel to fill the jar with applesauce, leaving ½-inch headspace.
  • Use a non-metallic spatula to remove any trapped air bubbles by gently sliding it down the sides of the jar.
  • Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp cloth dipped in vinegar to ensure a proper seal.
  • Place a lid on the jar and screw on the band until fingertip-tight (don’t overtighten).
4. Process the Jars
  • Once the jars are filled and sealed, place them on a canning rack inside your pot of boiling water. Make sure there’s at least 1-2 inches of water covering the jars.  If you need to add more water, make sure it is hot water. 
  • Place the lid on the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil.  If using a canner, do not use the pressure cap.
  • Start timing once the water reaches a full boil. 
    Times: Half-Pint: 15 min
    Pint: 20 min
    Quart: 20 min               
  • Also be sure you adjust times for your altitude.
5. Cool the Jars
  • Once the processing time is complete, turn off the burner and remove the lid.  DO NOT move the canner off of the burner.
  • Let sit for 5 minutes, then carefully remove the jars using the jar lifter. Place them on a towel or wooden board, leaving space between jars.
  • Allow to cool for 12–24 hours without touching the lids or bands. As the jars cool, you’ll hear the satisfying "ping" sound that indicates they’ve sealed.
6. Check the Seal
  • After 24 hours, check the seals by pressing down on the center of each lid. If the lid does not pop back, it’s sealed. If it pops, you’ll need to refrigerate the jar and consume the contents within a week.
  • Once sealed, remove the screw-on ring.  You do not want to store the jars with the ring on because it can give you a false seal.  If the jar is properly sealed, the lid will stay on until you open it. 
7. Store and Enjoy
  • Label your jars with the contents and the date. Store them in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed jars will last up to a year or more.
  • When you open the sealed jar, use a ring to keep it closed.
  • Refrigerate after opening.
A Note of Caution:
When it comes to canning, safety is key. It’s essential to only use approved canning recipes from trusted sources like the USDA, Ball, or other reputable food preservation organizations. These recipes have been tested to ensure they provide the right acidity levels and processing times to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, particularly botulism, which thrives in low-acid, improperly canned foods. By following tested recipes, you’ll ensure that your canned goods are safe for your family to enjoy.

Happy Canning!



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Fruit Infused Water

Fruit Infused Water
This is the perfect time of year for one of my favorite drinks, fruit infused water.  I wrote this post a few years ago, so the date on it isn't accurate, but I wanted to keep the original post so I left the wording.  I also had to leave this original because...just look at those pups!  Our little Cookie (black pup on the right) was so tiny!!

Original post date: September 2019 (from my previous blog site)

My family loves being out in nature. Unfortunately, we don’t take the time to do it near as often as we should. 


For Labor Day, my mom came for a visit and we decided to take a hike with our 2 little dogs.

 

  

We like to take a healthy picnic lunch for our outings. Chicken salad with homemade tortillas (you can find the recipe here) to the rescue!  

We added a little fruit infused water for a refreshing drink and we were ready to go.

 

 

 

We each had a jar with our name on the lid. We simply added water and fruit to the jar, left it out in the sun while we enjoyed our picnic and then we were ready to sip away at our refreshing fruit infused water!

Pictured here is a frozen fruit blend of strawberries, mango, pineapple, and peach. Yum!

 

More fruit blends to try:

  • berries like blueberry, raspberry, or blackberry
  • apples
  • mint leaves
  • rosemary leaves
  • oranges
  • limes 
  • lemons
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
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Homemade Tortillas

Homemade Tortillas

My family absolutely loves homemade tortillas. Not only do they taste so much better than store bought, but we also know exactly what ingredients are in them. With all the dietary needs our family has, this is a pretty big deal.

  

Rolling out tortillas may not be hard, but I knew I wanted to make things as quick and easy as possible if I was going to be making tortillas on a regular basis. So, we bought this tortilla press and have used it for so much more than just tortillas.  It also makes the perfect personal-size pizza! 

 

Now for the super easy instructions and recipe! 

 


 

 

 


Add ingredients to the mixer and divide dough into 16 balls.  Once the dough is divided, I do one of 2 things: I either let them rest for 15 min so I can cook and enjoy them right away, or I freeze them on a cookie sheet, put them in a bag, and use them later.

 

Now, on to the fun tortilla press! I have found that cutting open a gallon sized ziploc bag works best for this. Open up the bag, place the dough in the center and press 4 times, turning 1/4 of a turn each time. This helps give the tortillas a more even rounded look.

 

 

 

 

Press dough between bag.

 

 

 

Tortillas are about 7″ wide  

Cook on iron griddle

I then carefully move the pressed tortilla onto a hot griddle. I love my stovetop iron griddle for this. If you do not have a griddle, you can use a regular pan and cook them one at a time. Cook for about 1 min on each side and voila!

  

Homemade Tortillas

Ingredients
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt (I use Himalayan)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup warm water
Instructions
Combine dry ingredients in mixer with paddle attachment.  Add warm water and mix about 1 minute.  Divide into 16 balls and let rest for 15 minutes.
Press or roll tortillas out and cook on iron griddle for 1-2 minutes on each side.


 Everyone is sure to love these quick and easy tortillas!


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Why Is Homemade Chicken Soup So Good For You?

Why Is Homemade Chicken Soup So Good For You?
If you are anything like my family, fall weather and the sniffles often brings on some good homemade chicken noodle soup "just like Grandma's".  But, have you ever stopped to wonder why that is?  Is it because she had the BEST recipe and it just hits the spot?  Or is there more to it than that?

One thing's for sure, you can't beat a nice warm, homemade soup on a chilly day.  But I've learned over the years that there's actually a LOT more to it than that.  So, let's take a look at some of the main ingredients you'll find in "Grandma's Chicken Soup".

Onionhigh in flavonoids (including quercetin and kaempferol), polyphenols, and allicin. They are antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, immune-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory.  Onions can also enhance the action of vitamin C.

Garlichas allicin and alliin, 2 compounds that are responsible for its antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antifungal properties. 

Celery - (seed) is an antioxidant and anti inflammatory. It also contains magnesium (benefitial use for the nervous system and muscular system), vitamin K, folate, potassium, fiber, and small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, and some B vitamins.

Carrots - has vitamins A, K, and C.  They are high in fiber, beta-carotene (an antioxidant),  alpha-carotene (anti-inflammatory), lutein (helps maintain healthy eyes), and zeaxanthin (protects eyes from harmful UV rays & blue light exposure)

Bone Broth - this one can very depending on where your broth comes from.  But a good bone broth will contain all of these: 
Magnesium, Phosphorus, Gelatin, Collagen, Glycine, Glutamine, Protein, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, Glucosamine, Chondroitin sulfate, Calcium.  
It can help improve digestion, protect your joins, clear your skin, improve your sleep, and help support a healthy immune system.

Add-Ins:
LemonThe juice and flesh have many health benefits.  But did you know that the peel also has many health benefits? The white pith of the peel is considered a bitter and can help with digestion and liver function. Lemons are also high in vitamin C, vitamin A, beta carotene, calcium, folate, magnesium, and potassium.

Ginger - (fresh) helps stimulate the immune system, allowing it to fight bacterial and viral infections.  It stimulates circulation of the blood (which helps to remove pathogens from the bloodstream).  It also thins mucous and supports expectoration, and warms the body.  
There's nothing like that extra cozy feeling when you are feeling a bit under the weather.

Herbs - You can find a list of herbs for the cold season here.

So, as you can see, there very well may have been a LOT more behind Grandma's chicken soup.  
Here's one of my favorite ways to make a good chicken noodle soup. 

Resources (with recipes!): 
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)

 
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