With the holidays fast approaching, we need to plan for some sugar-free baking. We all know that the high-intensity sweeteners just do not provide the function of sugar, so its time to order Nature Sweet Crystals, Brown Crystals and Powder. They substitute perfectly for sugars in all recipes and since they are PURE maltitol, they have minimal side effects.

I experimented with stevia all summer to develop a baking sweetener, but to date I have found that Nature Sweet behaves like sugar, tastes like sugar and that stevia just isn't there yet- for baking.

I got some excellent Saigon cinnamon at Costco's and have discovered I can make up a sugar free cinnamon/sugar using 1/2 cup of Nature Sweet to 2 tablespoons of cinnamon. I tried it on whole grain toast and it was so good that I added it to mini shredded wheats and came up with a high fiber/ sugar free breakfast cereal- similar to the sugared Kashi version.

Tonight, I am sauteeing apples and adding the cinnamon/Nature Sweet to them. I will use a combo of butter and olive oil for flavor and health. If you have Butter Buds, you can add them to olive oil for flavor.

We are also having fun with agave nectar. It is so good over fruit as it seems to bring out the best in the fruit flavors. I use it over cereal, in margaritas, mojitos and other sweet drinks and in marinades that have lime, but have a little too much "pucker". I cooked up a delicious blueberry topping last week using frozen, unsweetened blueberries , agave nectar and a bit of vanilla. Frozen fruit is a good way to get one of those recommended servings of fruits and veggies, with all those anti-oxidants and with agave- they taste so good. Just remember that agave is one and a half to two times sweeter than sugar so less is good.

We are using Steel's sugar free Maple Syrup for several appllications. It goes into sweet potatos, squash, (microwaved) and over ham slices or pork chops.. jIt is also excellent for a salmon marinade.

Its time for sugar free Pecan Pie. Our recipe uses Nature Sweet syrup, but the Maple works just as well. The pecans are considered a health food, and if your are on a low-carb program, you can make the crust out of almond flour,

Speaking of nuts, I have a great recipe for marinated cocktail pecans, which I will send along next time.

All the best,

Betty Jo

We've been highlighting some serious issues on the blog, but I felt it was time to share something a little closer to home. I enjoy cooking, but I don't usually have a lot of time to do it in and I always have more work than I can handle, so I found a way to kill two birds with one stone. I bring my sauces home to cook with. It makes a simple dinner flavorful, and I get a captive audience to try out our products on and see what works!

I arrive home from the plant about seven with a very hungry husband waiting for dinner. Out comes the grill pan, the meat, chicken or fish, and one of the Steel's sauces.

While the main course cooks, I make a salad, microwave the vegetables and voila! Dinner is served in thirty minutes or less. Favorites are Chicken with Mango Curry Sauce, Pork Chops with Hoisin Sauce, and Flank Steak with Teriyaki Sauce. Here are some other recipes that have gone over well at the house.

1. Tuna Steaks with Wasabi Teriyaki and pickled ginger has always been a winner.
2. Ribs with Chipote Barbecue can be hurried along with a hot oven for browning, add the sauce and finish in the microwave.
3. Honey Mustard Dressing is great with Lamb Chops and the Sesame Ginger Dressing is perfect for sauteing sea scallops or delicate fish, like flounder.
4. Raspberry Jalapeno is a great favorite of ours for a finishing sauce for those little pork tenderloins and the left-overs make a great wrap for the next day.
5. We like stir-fry with sea food, pea pods, peppers, onions, and Steel's Sweet and Sour Sauce. How easy is that!
6. We also like baked sweet potatoes with Steel's sugar free Maple Syrup, or acorn squash with Honey flavor Nature Sweet- both microwave-ready in nine minutes.
   

And for dessert: Strawberries dipped in Steel's Fudge Sauce, or Bananas Foster ( bananas sauteed in Steel's Agave Caramel Sauce ) or just some sugar free ice cream topped with Steel's Apple Pie Filling.

We have taken foods that would normally have sugar and re-invented them to be sugar free or low glycemic. Our sweeteners make it possible for the home cook to make any dessert or confection sugar free.

Please share your favorite recipes in the comments here, we may choose to share them on our web page or next catalog.