My Italian Christmas Dinner

- Holiday Ham Bundle
- Pork Loin
- Ground Pork
- Hot Italian Sausage
- Hickory Smoked Boneless Ham
- Pork Tenderloin
- Hickory Smoked Bacon
- Gluten-free Bloody Mary Mix
- Fresh Fruit Chutneys
- Decorate like crazy. Not only will this give you a Christmas cheer boost, but it can make your family and neighbors excited for the holidays as well! Break out the tree from the basement, unscramble all the tangled lights from last year, and hang up those stockings.
- Send Christmas cards. This is definitely not the year to skimp on Christmas cards when many people are staying home for the holidays! Take some fun photos in front of your Christmas tree or even simply sitting on the couch with a goofy pose to send to your favorite people.
- Find some games to play (in-person, and virtually). Since we’ve all been stuck at home, there are a lot of games that have popped up online for people to play wherever they are! A quick Google search will help you find Christmas-themed BINGO, Never Have I Ever, Trivia, and Icebreaker games.
- Create the perfect Christmas playlist. Whether you use Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, or even YouTube for your music selection, pick out a holiday-themed soundtrack to play all day (or week) long!
- Host a virtual baking competition. Send out a basic recipe for sugar cookies (or any other easily-decorative dessert) to everyone that wants to participate so that they can get all the necessary ingredients. On Christmas day, have a competition on who can create the prettiest (or funniest) cookies in an hour!
- Donate to a charity. Donating and volunteering (even if it’s virtually) is incredibly rewarding and really brings holiday cheer to those in need. Pick your favorite charity or non-profit this Christmas to help out!
Delicious Circle B Ranch Gifts for Christmas
Delicious Circle B Ranch Gifts for Christmas
John and I would cannot thank our customers enough for the support you have given us during this very trying year. Each and every order we get brings a smile to our face, and we really do appreciate them all! Let us finish your holiday shopping list off and help you bring your family back around the dinner table (whether it’s virtually, or in-person)!
It seems like just yesterday we were taking down the Christmas lights, and now it’s already time to put them back up! This has definitely been the longest, shortest, year (if you know what I mean). That being said, many of us have already begun the hunt for Christmas gifts for our friends and family. With many parts of the country reverting back to more restrictive rules on travel and group gatherings, we’re starting to understand that this holiday season will be a unique one, to say the least.
Because there are more restrictions on where we can go, more and more of us will be turning to online shopping to get the things we need off our Christmas shopping list. While stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Target won’t be too impacted by this, small businesses will – which is why we strongly encourage you to shop small whenever you can.
What it Means to Support a Small Business
This year has been tough, to say the least. Unfortunately, many small businesses have had to pack and close up shop due to COVID-19. When you support a small business and shop local, you not only benefit from the unique products and services they offer, but you are supporting your community.
There are a lot of benefits you can find from shopping small as well: personalized customer service, more ethical sourcing and packaging, and it’s more rewarding knowing you are helping someone just like you, rather than someone that already has deep pockets. Because of the pandemic, many small businesses have pivoted the way they have their customers shop in order to increase safety. Now, you’ll find that they offer online shopping, private video call ordering, and even hands-free porch delivery. Just think - you definitely won’t find a big company offering to Facetime you to show a product off!
Gifts from Circle B
My family has always been a fan of giving Christmas gifts that you know someone can (and will) actually use… which is why they are usually food-based! Cooking and baking are things that brought my family together – and not only during the holidays. I’m a strong believer that cooking is a great stress reliever and this year has needed a lot of it! Circle B products are all handmade and wholesome, and would make wonderful gifts to bring your family together in a time where we all feel separated (even if you have to cook with them virtually!).
Gift Ideas for the Mom That Likes to Cook
Many moms cook all year round, so what better gift to give than something that will make it a little bit faster and easier? Cooking during the holidays, especially, can get quite overwhelming when it’s hard to find ham and pork in the stores. Luckily, Circle B Ranch has you covered! Try our Holiday Ham Bundle to keep Mom taking multiple trips to different stores to find what she needs!
You can also gift Marina’s Kitchen Breakfast Bundle, Gluten-free Meatballs (perfect for the new year if she decides to drop gluten from her diet!), and Sweet Italian Sausage to make Mom’s life just a bit easier. Along the same lines, Mom might also enjoy trying out Marina’s Natural Fresh Fruit Chutneys and Gluten-Free Bloody Mary Mix!
Gift Ideas for the Dad That Likes to Barbecue
If barbecuing is dad’s favorite past-time, even in the winter, you do not want to pass up a Circle B gift for him! We offer Baby Back Ribs, NF Hotdogs, Pork Steaks, Boston Butt Roasts, Pork Tenderloin, Pork Shoulders, and more. If you’d like to get dad a bundle of Circle B products ready to go on the grill, we recommend trying our Porkdown Package or Big John’s Grill Pack (which comes in a regular and large version!).
Maybe dad is a sauce fanatic and is always looking to try new things. Don’t fret – Circle B has those too! Within Big John’s Summer Grilling Gift Set, you’ll find three 16-ounce jars of barbecue sauce, chop and steak sauce, and our Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix. In the Circle B Ranch Foodie Gift Pack, you’ll see three 12-ounce jars of homemade ketchup, chop and steak sauce, and barbecue sauce.
Gift Ideas for the Kids
As you know, kids can be really picky when it comes to what they’ll eat. Rather than worry about feeding your children extra sugar and artificial food, think about Circle B Ranch’s nitrite-free bacon snack sticks! These natural snacks are the perfect alternative to unhealthy junk food; and the best part is that they taste delicious!
Our bacon snack sticks come in three flavors: Jalapeno, Original, and Hawaiian. While we don’t typically recommend the Jalapeno Snack Sticks for kids, the Original and Hawaiian snack sticks are great for quick snacks in the car or in packed school lunches.
Gift Ideas for Someone You Don’t Know What to Get
The holidays are all about giving… even when you aren’t sure what to get someone. Rather than getting them a present you’re not quite sure they’ll actually use, think about giving them a Circle B Ranch gift certificate! Not only will you know that they will use it, but you’ll know that anything they buy will be going to feed their family.
On the other hand, maybe you’re not sure what to order from our site for yourself now but know that you want to support a small business during the holidays. Gift certificates are a great way to do so! Our gift cards come in $50 and $100 increments, making it easy for you to stick to your holiday budget.
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Tips for Throwing an Alcohol-free Holiday Barbecue

Stock the Coolers With Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Just because there’s no alcohol being served doesn’t mean you and your guests can’t have a selection of flavorful drinks. Create a beverage bar where your guests can assemble their drinks and encourage them to build their non-alcoholic creations. A great addition to a beverage bar would be Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix. There are nonalcoholic beers and wine that can also be used to make specialty alcohol-free drinks. When served in a cocktail glass and topped with garnishes, they may even taste better than traditional alcoholic cocktails.Make the Food Stand Out

- Burgers and hot dogs. These barbecue staples don’t inherently need to be accompanied by alcohol. Circle B Ranch Nitrite Free Hot Dogs are perfect for the grill!
- Kabobs. Provide the ingredients and let your guests create their own before you put them on the grill.
- Something sweet. Put together a dessert bar that showcases all of your favorite sweets.
Themed Barbecue Party Ideas
If you associate barbecues with checkered tablecloths and coolers full of beer, this is the perfect opportunity to step outside of the traditional and give your barbecue a theme. Some fun themes include:- Western barbecue. Skip the lawn chairs and picnic table, instead use hale bales for seating, serve Tex-Mex style side dishes, and give your guests a cowboy hat when they arrive. Use bandanas to wrap the silverware and be used as napkins.
- Bring the heat. Use party decorations that have grill flames pictured on them. Give guests a paper fan. Create hot sauce pyramids for the table centerpieces. Encourage guests to bring their spiciest side dish for the hottest food contest.
Planned Activities
Although the food and good company are the highlights of your party, party games and activities can help to ensure your barbecue is a hit. Some fun activities and party games to consider may include:- Two-legged races
- Volleyball or badminton
- Bean bag or water balloon toss
- Egg-spoon races
- Sack races
- Horseshoes
Choose Guests Carefully
Whether your barbecue will include family, friends, or a combination of both, it’s important to invite people who you are comfortable with. Not only should your guests understand the reason you are hosting a non-alcohol barbecue, but they should also understand the importance of not bringing or encouraging others to bring alcohol. Make it clear that anyone who does bring alcohol will not be permitted to enter or will be asked to leave. It’s not a whim; you’re protecting your sobriety.Be Prepared
Taking alcohol out of the picture may make you slightly uncomfortable with this “new” type of party. When you were drinking, you probably planned your parties around it. Keep in mind that these feelings are perfectly normal. Be prepared for a few minutes of uncomfortableness. You will realize that this party is being hosted by the “new” you, the person who no longer relies on alcohol to have a good time. Once you begin to relax, you’ll realize that not only are you having fun but so are others around you.Take This Opportunity to See How Far You’ve Come
Parties are a time for you to take a break from the daily grind of daily life, to relax and recover physically and mentally from daily pressures. Before beginning your journey of recovery, parties probably included heavy drinking and hangovers. Focus now on the benefits of being sober, not what you think you’re missing. This is the time to pamper yourself, take the time to look around, take a mental note of how far you’ve come since your time at the alcohol treatment center, and what you have to look forward to. When you are inviting guests, be sure to let them know that the barbecue will be alcohol-free. Letting guests know ahead of time will help to prevent the risk of them bringing a cooler full of alcohol. Keep in mind that some of your guests may be a little confused by the idea of a party without alcohol, but it’s okay to explain your reasons for the change and your true friends will support your decision and respect your wishes. If you make sure to offer a variety of activities and games for your guests, they will be too busy having fun and connecting that they won’t even realize there’s no alcohol involved. The most important thing to remember, both when planning the barbecue and during the event, is to have fun. Author Bio: Patrick Bailey is a professional writer mainly in the fields of mental health, addiction, and living in recovery. He attempts to stay on top of the latest news in the addiction and the mental health world and enjoy writing about these topics to break the stigma associated with them. [ ... ]Health Benefits of a Top Tomato Virgin Bloody Mary
Health Benefits of a Virgin Bloody Mary
Many people avoid cocktails because of the negative affects alcohol can have on the body like liver disease, high blood pressure, and more.
Bloody Mary's (both alcoholic and non) are a favorite brunch drink and actually stem from a health focus before they became the iconic drink we know of today. For those of us wanting to find a healthier version of our favorite drinks (or maybe those that are allergic or pregnant), turning to a mix like Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix is a great idea.
What can go in a Bloody Mary?
The range of ingredients for a Bloody Mary can differ substantially based on where you are in the world, as well as your taste preferences.
There are also a lot of pre-made Bloody Mary mixes with their own added flavors and kicks – and even some competitions to find out which ones are the best. In fact, Top Tomato Bloody Mary mix has won multiple awards for its outstandingly delicious flavor (something you won’t often find from a run-of-the-mill mix you find at the grocery store!) The key to finding a quality Bloody Mary mix is by looking at the ingredients; just like with other food and drinks you consume, you want to be able to understand exactly what you are putting into your body. If you cannot pronounce or say the word don't buy it.
What does a non-alcoholic version of a Bloody Mary look like?
A Virgin Bloody Mary can still have all the tang and spice of a regular Bloody Mary – but without the negative health drawbacks! Most of the time, you can simply refrain from adding any alcohol into your mocktail in order to make it healthier. Since no other ingredients are typically bad for you, it’s as easy as that! You can choose whether to add more spices to give it a bit more of a kick, or debate on throwing in different things as delicious garnishes like olives, celery, and asparagus.
Benefits of Tomato Juice
Tomato juice really is a healthy ingredient to any recipe! This often-overlooked juice carries antioxidant properties, aids in digestion, boosts heart health, helps in detoxes, and can even lower your cholesterol. Because of the antioxidants and muscular benefits of drinking tomato juice, many people use it as their post-workout drink of choice (and has been proven to work better at muscle recovery than energy drinks).
This fiery red juice also contains a lot of vitamins everyone should have in their daily intake. Tomato juice is high in vitamin C, potassium, and iron, among many others. With all of these health benefits, you don’t need any type of excuse to be drinking a Virgin Bloody Mary!
Where does the Bloody Mary come from?
When you think about it, the main ingredients – tomato juice and vodka - in Bloody Mary's aren’t typically used in our regular breakfast or brunch routines… so where did it come from?
Back in the 1890s, people were starting to experiment with different types of ways to lose weight and be “healthier.” While some of these trends weren’t particularly safe or useful, they did kick off the use of tomato juice with other elements for various health assumptions. Around the same time, orange juice was hard to come by and was starting to be replaced with a pressed tomato juice drink with spices and seasonings (a spicy, acidic drink will definitely wake you up!).
Even during the Prohibition, the wealthy were still secretly mixing and drinking Bloody Mary's (while also creating a culture around brunch). Once the Prohibition had ended, restaurants continued with typical breakfast juices into brunch offerings including the new Bloody Mary drink. However, it didn’t really get popular until around the mid to late 1900s.
It’s no secret that our Bloody Mary Mix is a cut above the rest – but how can you make it your own? With a little bit of a kick and a great partner for brunch, there are plenty of ways to customize your Virgin Bloody Mary with the Top Tomato Bloody Mary mix. If you’re looking to spice it up, consider adding some more spices, hot sauce, or even fresh chilies! On the other hand, maybe you have a milder palette: in that case, try adding a bit more tomato juice to level it out!
Dress up your Virgin Bloody Mary with Circle B Ranch Bacon Snack Sticks, celery, pickles, or even some pepper bacon. Or, if you’d rather not worry about figuring out what to put in your Bloody Mary, try out our Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix Kit, complete with 1 bottle of Bloody Mary Mix, 1 pound of Hickory Smoked Bacon, 2 Original Bacon Snack Sticks, and 2 Spicy Jalapeno Bacon Sticks. Because all of the ingredients we use in our products are natural (and you’re able to pronounce), you can feel comfortable knowing exactly what you’re putting into your favorite drink!
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Using Top Tomato Bloody Mary Mix

An Italian Thanksgiving in the Ozarks



- 56th Annual Ozark Christmas Parade (November 21st)
- Lake West Lighted Christmas Parade (November 28th)
- Osage Beach Holiday Lights in the Park (November 28th – December 31st)
- Springfield’s Virtual Turkey Trot (November 26th – November 29th)
- Virtual Ceremony for Lights of the Ozark Parade in Fayetteville
- Thanksgiving Virtual Trivia (November 24th)
- Virtual Paint and Sip: Thanksgiving (November 29th)
- Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating Class (November 17th)
Creative Ways to Use Pork Leftovers

Amazing Maple Bacon Cake Recipe
There’s something about sweet and savory flavors that pair so well together. This amazing maple bacon cake recipe is a wonderful combination that any dessert lover will enjoy.
Though bacon on a cake might seem odd to some, when paired with maple it is a delicious combination. The sweet and salty flavors balance each other out to make a scrumptious dessert. You will be amazed by how delicious these breakfast flavors will taste in a cake.
Not only does this cake taste amazing, but it also is easy to make. It is great for sharing with your friends or family, as it is something everyone will enjoy. This will become one of your go-to recipes when you are in the mood for something sweet and savory.
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Amazing Maple Bacon Cake Recipe

What You Will Need To Make This Recipe:
- 1 package white cake mix (prepared according to box instructions)
- 12 slices of Circle B Ranch Hickory Smoked bacon, chopped into pieces
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon maple flavor extract
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 9 inch round pan
- Cooking spray
- Large bowl
- Skillet
For the Frosting:
- 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons maple extract
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl
Step by Step Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Oven and the Pan
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a nine-inch round cake pan.Step Two: Cook the Bacon
In a large pan cook the bacon for approximately seven minutes, turning frequently. Once cooked, place the bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease. Chop bacon into pieces once cooled and place them in the cake pan then top with brown sugar.Step Three: Prepare the Cake
In accordance with the instructions on the box, prepare the cake mix. Combine the prepared cake mix, maple extract, and maple syrup until mixed well. Pour the cake batter over the brown sugar and bacon in the pan.Step Four: Bake the Cake
Bake the cake for around 15-20 minutes. Use a tooth to check if the cake is fully cooked, if the cake is done, the toothpick will come out clean. Flip the cake onto a wire rack to allow it to cool.Step Five: Prepare the Frosting
Beat the butter until fluffy with an electric mixer. Add the confectioners’ sugar in one cup at a time until fully combined. Add in the maple extract and maple syrup until frosting is fluffy.Step Six: Frost Cake
Once the cake has fully cooled, frost with the maple buttercream. Store cake in a covered container in the fridge for up to five days. If desired, allow the cake to reach room temperature before serving.
A Delicious and Simple Cake
Whether you want to indulge in a cake for breakfast or are looking for a unique dessert for your dinner party, this cake is perfect. It is easy to make and incorporates the classic breakfast flavors of bacon and maple. You will love all the wonderful flavors in this fun cake.Cakedecorist
Karen Rutherford is founder and editor in chief at Cakedecorist. You will often find her in the kitchen creating edible works of art or trying out some new recipes. As a pâtissière and baking enthusiast, Karen has decided to share her abundant knowledge with the internet audience and provide only the best tips and recipes for baking and decorating your favorite sweets.
Oven-roasted Pulled Pork Recipe
Oven-roasted pulled pork recipe

- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/3 cup brown sugar (dark is best)
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika (if you are using liquid smoke, see below)
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- Hefty pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 5 to 7 pounds of Circle B Ranch whole pork butt, boneless, or boneless pork loin roast
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- One large onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, vegetable stock, beer, or water (beer tastes great!)
- 1-16 oz jar of Big John's BBQ Sauce
- Buns (whole wheat buns, potato buns, or any other kind you enjoy)
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Fresh parsley (because it looks so pretty)
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
- While the oven preheats, make a spice rub mixture by combining the salt, pepper, sugar, fennel, paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and coriander powder. Rub the pork generously with the spices, reserving any extra to one side.
- Now in your Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the meat and cook it for about 5 minutes while turning it regularly to brown it on all sides.
- Add the onion to the pan and stir for about 2 minutes. You want to get all the delicious remaining bits of spices off the bottom of the pan.
- Turn the heat off, and move the Dutch oven, making sure there is nothing flammable above the pan. Add the bourbon and light it with a match (the flames will be tall!) Let the fire die out and caramelize the outside of your meat (this should take about 2 minutes).
- Now add half of the sauce, along with the chicken or vegetable stock, beer, or water. Cover the Dutch oven. Put it in the oven, leaving it to cook for about 4 hours or till the meat is just beginning to get tender. Uncover the Dutch oven, and continue cooking for about another hour. You'll see a dark crust forming over the meat, and if you put a fork into the meat, there will be little to no resistance.
- Once the meat is done, take it out of the Dutch oven (leave the liquid inside) and put it in a large bowl. While the meat is cooling, add the rest of the barbecue sauce to the Dutch oven. Pour in the remaining 3 tablespoons of cider vinegar. Stir well to combine.
- When the meat has cooled enough, use a fork to shred it. If you are serving all of the meat at once, transfer all of the pulled pork to the Dutch oven. Combine it with the sauce. Otherwise, put as much meat as you want to consume right away into the sauce, and store the rest of the meat separately (it will keep better that way).
- Check the sauce's seasoning and add more salt, pepper, cider vinegar, or molasses, as required.
- Serve in wholegrain buns with baked beans on the side, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Easy Recipes for Student Lunches
Easy Recipes for Student Lunches

Standards that a Good Student Lunch Should Meet
- Portable
- Nutritious
- Delicious
- Easy to Prepare
- Affordable
Great Recipes for Student Lunch
- Chicken Burger with a Large Salad
- Stir Fry Rice with Veggies

- Sweet Potatoes with Beans
Enjoy Your Food!
The lunch suggestions above will give you more ideas to experiment in the kitchen. Remember to add different ingredients, so you’ll maintain balance between protein, fiber, carbs, and other nutrients. Your body needs a bit of everything, so don’t eliminate entire groups of food if you don’t have to. Don’t forget to experiment! You’ll love your creations even more than the recipes you prepare by the book. BIO: Judy Nelson loves food and writing. She combined these two passions into one: she writes about food. Her blogs inspire people to try new tastes and get creative in their cooking methods. [ ... ]Back to School Snacks during a Pandemic
Back to School Snacks during a Pandemic
School is back in session! But this year school looks different... Maybe your student is back in the classroom full time, or even part time and may be doing virtual learning as well or exclusively. Either way, your student needs a healthy, nutritious lunch and snacks to help their brain grow and learn!
Our Big John’s Snack Sticks, made of premium pork, are Free of nitrites, refined sugar, gluten and even high fructose corn syrup! They make the ultimate KETO friendly snack for your student and you! With three delicious flavors to choose from Bacon, Jalapeno, or Hawaiian flavored, there is a something for everyone in your house. Add a stick of cheese, yogurt, snap peas, and pretzels or crackers for a great light lunch or snack!
If your student is learning virtually this year and you want to make a yummy lunch to share, Awesome Ricotta Cheese Meatballs pair so well with
Marina’s Tomato Sauce! See the full recipe here: https://www.circlebranchpork.c om/awesome-ricotta-cheese-meat balls.html
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