Southern Made Simple

Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm

Appetizers

How to Make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

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This shop has been compensated by Inmar Intelligence and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LANDOFROSTLUNCHES 

As we’re marching onward into the new year, I’ve been reflecting on many of the changes and transitions my family made during the previous year. One of my goals for 2021 is to find ways to make those transitions we made feel a little more seamless in our daily lives, particularly the large transition of moving from traditional school to homeschool for my oldest daughter. Keeping a semi-flexible schedule and daily routine is important for all of us in the house, but keeping things fresh, fun and interesting is a top priority when it comes to not only school work, but preparing our meals as well.

How to make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

One way I’m changing things up this year is letting my oldest daughter be much more hands-on in the kitchen during lunch time. While we aren’t ready to dive right into cooking with precise measurements, cook times and ingredients just yet, I still want her to become familiar with putting balanced meals together and show her that she can use her creativity in the kitchen just like she does in the classroom. One of our favorite ways to do that is to create kid friendly charcuterie boards filled with a balance of interesting colors, textures and wholesome goodies to fuel us through lunch and snack time!

How to make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

Traditionally, charcuterie boards feature cured meats, dried fruits, cheeses and nuts. However, the beauty of creating charcuterie boards or “snack” boards is that there truthfully isn’t a wrong way to do it. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can add to your own board! Because we love to make these boards to serve for lunch and then to munch on later in the afternoon for snack, I love to add fresh meats, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, a variety of cheeses and crackers.

One piece of advice that I feel is important when creating a charcuterie board with your children – listen to their cues when it comes to filling up the serving platter. If your child is easily over stimulated, scaling back on the variety of foods you include may be a good idea. On the flip side, you may have a little one who wants ALL the snacks, and that’s okay, too! Creating a charcuterie board is a great way to learn about the food pyramid and all of the different food groups. Let them pull things from the pantry and refrigerator that they truly love, all while showing them how to incorporate healthy and balanced options onto the board! 

How to make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

At the beginning of the week, I always make out my Publix shopping list and try to make sure I have plenty of fresh produce and other ingredients to build a charcuterie board on hand. In addition to fruits and veggies, I love to keep a variety of Land O’ Frost® premium meats on hand – particularly Land O’ Frost® Premium Meat Oven Roasted Turkey Breast and Land O’ Frost® Premium Meat Old World Style Black Forest Ham. These meats are a go-to staple for my family as they’re a healthy and affordable protein, contain no added hormones, no artificial flavors, and no by-products. Plus, Land O’ Frost is a family owned company, and I love having a large variety of products and flavors to choose from while shopping at my local Publix.

How to make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

To add a little “pizzazz” to our charcuterie boards, I taught my daughter how to fold the meat accordion style and keep it in place using toothpicks. Not only was this a fun way to make our board look extra pretty, but it was also a great tool for improving her hand-eye coordination! We used cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of cheese slices, and this can also easily be done with the slices of meat on the board.

Here are a few of the things we added to our board to give you some ideas for how to create your own kid friendly charcuterie board:

Fresh Fruit (grapes, strawberries, blueberries)
Dried Fruit (raisins, yogurt covered cranberries)
Nuts or granola
A variety of cheeses
Fresh Veggies (carrot sticks, broccoli, etc.)
Fruit Dip or Veggie Dip
Crackers or pretzels
Cured Meats (if your children are into it. We chose pepperoni!)

How to make a Kid Friendly Charcuterie Board

We’re looking forward to getting really creative in the kitchen in 2021 and perfecting our charcuterie board skills while learning about the importance of making mealtime balanced and fun. Next time you’re making your grocery list, make sure you swing by your local Publix to pick up all of your charcuterie boards needs, including Land O’ Frost premium meats to make your charcuterie board complete!

What things are you looking forward to in 2021? What are some of your favorite things to add to a charcuterie board? Leave a comment below and share your ideas! Happy New Year, friends!

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

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Peanuts! Get your peanuts! Sugar roasted peanuts are a scrumptious snack that are very easy to make, and if you package them up and tie a ribbon around them, they make a wonderful treat to share with a friend! Growing up right next door to the peanut capital of the world, peanuts have always played a significant role in my life and the community that I was raised in. As the granddaughter of a peanut farmer, I’ve learned quite a bit over the years about the economical importance this tiny nut has had not only on my own family, but on the state of Alabama as a whole. They’re arguably one of the most important crops grown on American soil, and they’re loaded with important nutrients that just might surprise you! 

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

During peanut harvest season in the early fall, I shared my recipe for Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts – which are a true southern delicacy that most folks around here just can’t get enough of. I’ve even been known to eat them for breakfast, truth be told. While boiled peanuts are undoubtedly my favorite way to snack on these lovely little legumes, these sugar roasted peanuts come in at a close second. 

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

Most people know that peanuts are a great source of protein, but did you know that incorporating a handful of peanuts into your daily diet can reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and promote healthier cholesterol levels? (You can read more about the health benefits of peanuts here.)  Peanuts are actually classified as a superfood, which further proves that not all heroes wear capes! 😉 

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

These sugar roasted peanuts, or “candied peanuts” are vey easy to make. In fact, I use the same recipe when making my Sugar Roasted Pecans! I frequently make these around the holidays or for special occasions, but they’re great to make and eat any time of year. I love to add them to charcuterie boards, too! Here’s a free printable copy of the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!

Print Recipe

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz container unsalted dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 egg white
  • 4 tsp water
  • 1 Tbs vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 250 F
  • Line baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Using a mixer, beat egg white until frothy. Add in water and vanilla and continue mixing
  • Stir in cinnamon, sugar and salt
  • Add in peanuts and coat with egg mixture completely using a large spoon
  • Spread the peanuts evenly on to the baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, being sure to stir every 15 minutes
  • Enjoy!

Tried this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram: @SouthernMadeSimple or use the hashtag #SouthernMadeSimple and share your love of southern cuisine!

The photo below is of my 2 year old daughter sneaking a peanuts while I was trying to photograph them. She crawled up in my lap while the camera was still in my hand, so I kept snapping photos to capture the sweet moment!

Sugar Roasted Peanuts

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out these other peanut favorites found right here on Southern Made Simple!

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts | No Bake Peanut Butter Pie | Peanut Butter Fudge | Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats | Peanut Butter Corn Flake Candy

Venison Sausage Balls

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We’re currently in the heart of deer season here in south Alabama, and my husband has been in the woods quite a bit lately trying to make sure our freezer is stocked with venison to last us a full year until next year’s deer season begins. These venison sausage balls are a quick, simple, no-fuss and no-fail appetizer that I love to whip up any ol’ time, but especially on game days when college football is on the big screen.

Venison Sausage Balls

These sausage balls only call for a handful of ingredients, and they take about 15 minutes to cook all the way through in the oven. My husband loves to eat them by themselves, but I personally love to dip them in a little bit of pepper jelly or drizzle a smidge of syrup over them to give them a bite of sweetness. If I’m lucky and there’s any leftovers the next morning, I love to pop them in the microwave and have them for breakfast!

Venison Sausage Balls

While this recipe calls for ground venison sausage, you can easily adapt this recipe to use pork sausage. If you want to spice things up a tad, spring for a spicy sausage blend instead of using mild! I use a combination of shredded cheddar and shredded mozzarella in the mixture because I believe the mozzarella adds in a little extra moisture to keep them from feeling dry. You can experiment with different cheeses if you so choose, and even add in a little creole or cayenne pepper to give them so extra flavor!

Venison Sausage Balls

To make sure my sausage balls are even in size so they will all cook evenly, I love to use a click-release cookie scoop and plop them right on top of the baking sheet without getting my hands dirty. If you happen to have any leftovers, just store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for 4-5 days, but they’ve certainly never lasted that long in my household!

Here’s a free printable copy of the recipe if you’d like to give it a try!

Venison Sausage Balls
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups Bisquik baking mix
  • 1 lb ground venison or ground pork sausage
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2/3 cup whole milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F
  • Using a stand mixer, combine all ingredients and blend until well combined
  • Use a cookie scoop or your hands to roll out dough into ping-pong sized balls and place on a greased baking sheet
  • Bake for 15-17 minutes
  • Enjoy!

Tried this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram: @SouthernMadeSimple or use the hashtag #SouthernMadeSimple and share your love of southern cuisine!

Venison Sausage Balls

Looking for more great venison recipes? Check out these recipes found right here on Southern Made Simple!

Venison Meatloaf | Grilled BBQ Bacon Venison Burgers | Venison Country Fried Steak | Bacon Wrapped Venison Tenderloin | Venison Pot Roast | Venison Taco Bites

And while you’re at it, check out this roundup of other amazing venison recipes!

Do you have a favorite venison recipe you’d love to share? Or maybe a favorite game day (or any day) appetizer that’s your go-to this time of year? What would you pair with these venison sausage balls? Leave a comment below and share the love!


Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

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These Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts are a certified southern delicacy, and the cook time is cut in half thanks to pressurized cooking! Go ahead and crack a few open – I bet you can’t eat just one!

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

I believe in the root of my soul that there is no southern delicacy finer than fresh boiled peanuts. There may be some that would challenge me on that notion, but they are entitled to their wrong opinion. There’s just something about seeing a hand painted sign on the side of the road that says “Fresh Boiled P-Nuts” that sparks a knee-jerk reaction to pull over right away and get a sack full. It’s like it’s just embedded in our DNA or something.

My grandfather was a peanut farmer in the Wiregrass area of Alabama, also known by many as The Peanut Capital of the World. Growing up in the southeastern corner of Alabama, peanuts were part of our culture. I remember many long days and nights as a child picking peanuts off of their vine while gathered around a truck bed packed to the brim, and I remember my parents getting out a huge stock pot and boiling the peanuts for hours, just so we could enjoy a batch of boiled peanuts. Those were some good memories.

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

This past weekend we made a visit to Enterprise, AL where I grew up to visit my mother. Her brother has been farming peanuts for what seems like forever, and we were all thrilled when he pulled into her driveway with a truck bed full for us to pick and bring back home with us. Once I got home, I poured my sack of green peanuts into my sink and washed all of the Alabama clay off of them to prep them to boil. Instead of reaching for my large stock pot, though, I reached for my Instant Pot to get the job done a little quicker.

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
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Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

Equipment

  • Instant pot or pressure cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs fresh green peanuts
  • 1/2 cup iodized salt
  • 10 cups water

Instructions

  • Thoroughly wash and rinse any dirt and debris off of peanuts
  • Add 2 lbs of peanuts to instant pot and cover with water
  • Add salt and stir using a large wooden or slotted spoon
  • Close lid and seal properly
  • Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes
  • Allow pressure to release naturally
  • Remove lid and allow peanuts to sit in their salty water for an additional hour
  • Serve and enjoy

Notes

Please note that this recipe uses green peanuts and not dried or raw peanuts. If using raw peanuts, soak the peanuts for 30 minutes prior to cooking and increase cook time by 25-30 minutes.

Tried this recipe?

Tag me on Instagram: @SouthernMadeSimple or use the hashtag #SouthernMadeSimple and share your love of southern cuisine!

After washing and rinsing the peanuts, I measured out 2 lbs worth and placed them inside my instant pot. I added 10 cups of water to cover my peanuts – but make sure you check your pot to make sure you’re not going past the recommended fill line. I then added in the salt and gave it a good stir. I set the the timer for 60 minutes on high pressure, then let the pressure naturally release after the timer went off. Overall, this equates to about 2 hours worth of cook time when you count the time it takes for the pot to come to pressure and to release pressure.

But we’re not quite done just yet. If you’re ready to dig into the boiled peanuts at this point, by all means go ahead. They’ll be delicious. However, my personal preference is to let them sit in the salty water for at least another hour. This really makes a big difference in the saltiness in my opinion, so taste test first before deciding to let them soak any longer. The key to that perfectly salty peanut flavor is in the soaking!

What’s the difference in green peanuts and raw peanuts?

I remember being so confused by the idea of “green” peanuts as a child. Really, they’re not green at all. This term simply means that they’ve been harvested straight from the ground and still retain a lot of their moisture, making a superior boiled peanut in my opinion. The term “raw peanuts” means that they’ve been sitting out for several days after harvest and have had more time to dry out a bit. Raw peanuts are 100% fine to boil, you’ll just have to soak them for a bit and increase their cook time a smidge.

Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts

My recipe for Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts is pretty simple – just water and salt is all you need. If you feel up to it, you can experiment with peanut flavors by adding in a little creole or hot sauce into the pot to create “Cajun” boiled peanuts. I typically add about 1/8 cup creole seasoning to mine to get that scrumptious spicy Cajun flavor!

If you’re looking for some more peanut goodness, I’ve got you covered! You’ll LOVE these peanut recipes found right here on Southern Made Simple!

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie | Peanut Butter Fudge | Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats | Peanut Butter Corn Flake Candy

Pineapple Salsa

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This simple recipe for pineapple salsa brings a perfect element of freshness to your taste buds as we inch closer to the sweet summertime!

The beaches in Alabama opened up to the public for the first time since quarantine began on Thursday of this past week. Seeing all of the live footage of the shore has really been tempting me to get my family out of the house and take them all on a much needed retreat, but brain has been telling me that now is really not the time. This season of “rest” isn’t one that I ever wanted, but I do believe that it’s needed in order to keep my family as safe and healthy as possible. We’ll miss the beach this month for sure, but can hopefully embrace it with open arms (and 6 feet away from others) sometime this summer!

Pineapple Salsa…

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