Kitchen Crafts 'n' More

Friday, February 27, 2009 Old Fashioned Pie Recipe - Lemon Icebox Pie

Ages ago, Jeannie sent in a bunch of delicious pie recipes...and this one especially caught my eye when I was looking through them today! Lemon Icebox Pie is an old-time favorite, and one I'm sure many of you have enjoyed. Hope you give this version a try...

Lemon Icebox Pie
Makes 1 pie

4 eggs, separated
Juice of 3 lemons
14 oz can condensed milk
2 T sugar

--------------------GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST------------------
2 T honey
1 2/3 c graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Stir together egg yolks, lemon juice and condensed milk. Put into
graham cracker crust. Beat egg whites and sugar into meringue.
Making sure meringue goes to the edges of the pie, put it over the
pie filling. Bake 8-10 minutes, until meringue browns. Refrigerate several hours.

Graham Cracker Crust:
Melt honey and butter together. Mix in graham cracker crumbs.
Press mix in an even layer over sides and bottom of oiled 9-inch
pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes. Let cool before filling.
Makes 1 pie shell.

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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:13 AM :: 1 comments

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Frugality Tips and Hints - How to Save Money on Groceries

How do YOU save money on groceries? Here are a few of my favorite ways, but please post a few comments and share your money saving secrets, too.

  1. Cut back on meat - rely more on lentils, beans and soy products, since meat is often the priciest part of a grocery bill. And eating less meat is healthier, too!
  2. Shop the sales - Stock up when items are on for a great price. And remember that you CAN use coupons when items are already on sale, meaning you'll save a ton of money!
  3. Use coupons - intelligently. Don't use a coupon just to say you used it. Wait until items go on sale and then use coupons to save, and stock up!
  4. Cut back on processed foods - Pricey mixes and pre-packaged foods are almost always more expensive. Stock your pantry with more foods like oats, brown rice and baking essentials such as flour and sugar. Making it yourself will almost always be cheaper overall. And healthier, with fewer chemical additives.

Okay, share your secrets...how have you and your family been cutting back on the food bill?

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Posted by HappySlob :: 10:07 AM :: 1 comments

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5 Frugal Household Hints and Tips

Everyone is watching their pennies these days, so here are five of my favorite FRUGAL household hints to share:

  1. Create a Change Savings Jar
  2. The All-Time CHEAPEST Way to Get Drains Running Smoothly Again
  3. Cheap Brass Cleaner
  4. Easy Homemade Cleaners - Only Pennies a Bottle!
  5. Make Your Own Flavored Oatmeal - Great Healthy and Frugal Breakfast Idea

    Yes, I realize oatmeal isn't exactly a HOUSEHOLD HINT, but still I love that idea!
    Enjoy, everyone.




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    Posted by HappySlob :: 10:01 AM :: 0 comments

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    Monday, February 16, 2009 5 Amazing Hints and Tips Using White Vinegar

    I think vinegar is just plain old fantastic! You can use it to clean naturally or for all sorts of household and health purposes. (Apple cider vinegar is a real favorite for healthier living.)

    Here are five of my favorite ways to use vinegar. But, visit the KCnM Vinegar Uses Page for over 70 ways you can use vinegar around the house, for better health and to look great! (Yep...it's even useful for facials and other beauty treatments.)

    I know that you KCnM readers will have some good ideas to share, so if you have a vinegar use to add to that page, please post it here or else email me with it and I'll add it to the page on the website. Thanks!

    For now, here are five of my favorite tips using vinegar:

    1. Fabric softener - 1/2 to 1 full cup of white vinegar in the wash will naturally combat static cling and make for softer, cozier clothes.
    2. Healthy Hair - Rinsing your hair (after you shampoo regularly) with apple cider vinegar will create natural highlights and softer, smoother hair. No more frizzies!
    3. Clean out the dishwasher - Run an empty dishwasher load with a cup of vinegar and it will clean it out from the inside out, removing gunk and build up. Which means cleaner dishes again later on!
    4. Odor Neutralizer and remover - Whether it's smokey smells or pet odors, vinegar is a natural odor sponge. Leave a dish of white vinegar out anywhere you need to neutralize and remove odors. (This is a great tip when you've burnt popcorn in the microwave! Isn't that an awful smell? Leave a dish of vinegar in the microwave overnight and you'll be amazed how much of that stink it removes!)
    5. Unsticky Rice - Here's a vinegar cooking tip! Add a teaspoon of vinegar to the cooking water when you cook white rice and it'll be less sticky!

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 10:13 AM :: 0 comments

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    Everyday Food Magazine - Is it one of your faves too?

    I love cookbooks and cooking magazines filled with all sorts of appealing new recipes to experiment with. But, Everyday Food magazine is my absolute favorite! When a new issue arrives in my mailbox, I just can't wait to dig in and see what new treats are in store for us...

    What is your favorite cooking magazine? Do you all love Everyday Food as much as I do? Please post a comment. And, for a more in-depth review of Everyday Food, check out Everyday Food Review

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 10:04 AM :: 2 comments

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    No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares (Tastes like a peanut butter cup!)

    I don't know what else calls out: "DELICIOUS!!" to me like an ooey peanut butter square. Make your own version of this popular candy at home with these easy, no-bake squares. There are only a total of five ingredients, and they're no bake squares...meaning they're incredibly easy to make!

    Reese No Bake Peanut Butter Squares - Tastes like Peanut Butter Cups

    And as always, if you try this recipe, please post a comment to let us know how they turned out.

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 9:59 AM :: 1 comments

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    Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Rich Double Chocolate Chip Muffins - Bake Sale Favorite

    Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
    With an easy start-up of a chocolate fudge cake mix, this recipe is easy to whip together, but makes some seriously delicious treats. Great for bake sales!

    18-1/4 oz. pkg. chocolate fudge cake mix
    3.9-oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
    3/4 c. water
    4 eggs, beaten
    1/2 c. oil
    1/2 t. almond extract
    6-oz. pkg. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, frozen
    Garnish: powdered sugar

    Blend cake mix, pudding mix, water, eggs, oil and extract until smooth; fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full; bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes. Cool; sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Makes 2 dozen.
    Source: Gooseberry Patch's Our Favorite Chocolate Recipes Cookbook.
    Thanks for the recipe submission, Dorina!

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 6:50 PM :: 0 comments

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    Rich Chocolate-Coffee Buttercream Frosting

    Yumm...this is a perfect way to top any deep, decadent chocolate cake. That added touches of coffee and dark rum adds an extra dimension of...perfection! A really unique buttercream recipe...

    Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
    INGREDIENTS
    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
    1/4 cup strong, hot, brewed coffee
    2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
    4 egg yolks
    1/2 cup butter
    2 tablespoons dark rum
    DIRECTIONS
    Put chocolate chips into a dry blender, and process into powder. Stop blender and scrape chocolate away from the sides and bottom. Pour in the hot coffee and blend until smooth. Add the sugar, yolks, butter and rum, blend until smooth, about 15 seconds.

    Thanks for the recipe as always, Jeannie!

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 6:45 PM :: 0 comments

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    What is your favorite chocolate treat?

    Here's a delicious question for this week:

    What is your absolute favorite CHOCOLATE treat to indulge in? Ice cream? Ooey gooey boxed chocolates? Truffles? Mousse?

    Post a comment and let us know! For me...lately my favorite chocolatey treat is rich Caramel Truffles. Yum! So decadent and so good, it's drool-worthy. Now, tell us what your fave is! (I know, it's so hard to pick just one...)

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    Posted by HappySlob :: 6:43 PM :: 1 comments

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