Friday, January 07, 2011
A deliciously 'Chilly' Jam - Freezer Berry Jam
Use fresh berries (available year round now) to whip up a summertime treat in the dead of winter - an easy and frugal recipe for freezer strawberry jam can be found here. Slather freshly made jam on a toasted English muffin for a yummy treat.Labels: freezer jam recipe, freezer recipes, frugal recipes, strawberries
Posted by HappySlob ::
9:03 PM ::
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Thursday, December 23, 2010
Frugal and Filling Lentil Soup
Do you ever just crave a bowl of hot soup, fresh and steaming? Are you looking for frugal meals to put on the table that are both nourishing and filling? Here is a simple, delicious lentil soup that I've created myself, and have been making often. It's nothing fancy, but boy does it taste good on a cold day! As with many homemade soups and stews, it tastes even more delicious the second or third day.
Frugal and Filling Lentil Soup
4 quarts water (approximately - more or less to fill your soup pot)
olive oil
1 large or 2 small onions, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
4-5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or garlic powder to taste)
1 or 2 chicken or beef stock cubes
1 or 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small package red lentils
salt and pepper to taste
hot sauce to taste
fresh parsley, optional
Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a pot (the one I use is a 5 1/2 quart lime green Le Creuset
- a definite investment, but oh so worth it when making homemade soups).
Saute onions, celery, carrots and garlic until softened. Add water, stock cubes and let soup simmer together to blend flavors. Flavor with salt and pepper and hot sauce, all to taste. Add in chopped potatoes and cook about 5 minutes. Add in the entire package of lentils. Simmer together until soup is the consistency you like - I like the potatoes cooked down and quite soft, as they also help to thicken the soup.
In the last few minutes of cooking, throw in some fresh chopped parsley, if you have it around. Makes a TON of soup - great for leftovers for lunch the next day, or to stock the freezer. :) Enjoy, soup lovers!
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-----------------------Labels: cold weather food, comfort food, family favorites, frugal recipes, homemade soups, lentil soup, vegetarian recipes
Posted by HappySlob ::
7:29 PM ::
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Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Homemade Hot Cocoa/Hot Chocolate In a Jar Mixes
Here are some replies from readers for the reader looking for homemade hot cocoa mixes!
Hot Chocolate Mix #1
From Billie
3 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup good cocoa
3/4 cup sugar or splenda
Mix well put in decorative jar. To make use 4 Tbl mix to 8oz boiling water. Serve with marshmellows or whipped cream on top!
Big Batch Hot Cocoa Mix
From Sandra
8 Quart Box Powdered Milk
2 Pound Container Nestles Quik
6 oz. Coffee Creamer
1 Box (3 1/2 cups) Powdered Sugar, sifted
Mix all ingredients together.
Store in an air tight container.
Put 1/3 cup of mixture in a mug.
Fill mug with boiling water.
EnjoyLabels: frugal recipes, homemade cocoa, homemade mixes, hot cocoa mix
Posted by HappySlob ::
9:42 AM ::
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Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Another Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe - Copycat Recipes
Here's another fabulous, make-it-yourself taco seasoning mix recipe! I'm planning to try this one out and never rely on taco mixes again! Thanks to Collette for providing the delicious (and money saving) recipe.
Hi Christina,
Heres a taco seasoning recipe. Hopefully this helps Betty out!!!
TACO SEASONING
1/4 c. dried, minced onion
1/4 c. chili powder
3 T. salt
4 T. corn starch
1 T. dried, minced garlic
1 T. ground cumin powder1 T. crushed red pepper flakes2 t. beef bouillon granules1 1/2 t. dried oreganoCombine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container, in a cool dry place, for up to 1 year. To use: brown 1 lb. ground beef in a skillet and drain. Add 2 T. taco seasoning, 1/3-1/2 c. water, bring to a boil and cook and stir 2 minutes.(makes 6-7 batches each serves 4 people)
ColletteLabels: frugal recipes, make it yourself mixes, taco mix
Posted by HappySlob ::
8:36 AM ::
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Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Another Best Banana Bread Recipe - Shared from a Reader
This one sounds like a keeper, all! I extend warm thanks to Jeanette for taking the time to share this recipe. :) Sounds great. Now, here is Jeanette's email she submitted...
Here is a recipe I've used for years. I make it a lot at my job at the
local hospital/nursing home kitchen when we have overripe bananas. I
like the idea that it uses salad oil. At home I use a little ground
flax seed & sometimes substitute a little whole wheat flour. It's a
soft batter. Our nursing home residents really like this one & is
always a popular breakfast choice. Jeanette from Montana
Easy Banana Bread
1/2 cup salad oil
1 cup sugar, white or brown
2-3 overripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs, add 1 at a time
3 tablespoons milk, orange or apple juice
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 cups flour
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Options: coconut, raisins, craisins
Mix in order taking care not to overbeat with mixer. Dry ingredients can
be sifted
together before adding if you want to.
Spray 1 loaf pan, line bottom with a strip of parchement paper
or waxed paper, or foil to ensure easy removal. Bake 350 degrees
55-65 minutes testing with toothpick for doneness.Labels: banana bread recipe, easy banana bread, family favorites, favorite recipes, frugal recipes
Posted by HappySlob ::
11:20 AM ::
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Saturday, August 25, 2007
Gluten Free Recipe from Cindi - a Family Dinner Recipe that is Delicious AND Frugal
Hi everyone,
I wanted to post this great email I received from Cindi, after posting a request here on the Kitchen Crafts 'n' More blog for gluten free recipes. Thanks for such a sweet email, Cindi, AND for a delicious family favorite recipe that I'm sure many of our readers will enjoy.
Hi Christina,
I am so glad you are going to include some gluten-free recipes. I have Celiac's Disease and have been gluten-free for about a year now.
I am putting together a recipe book (when I have time) and included this recipe. It is great for children. They absolutely love it and so do the adults.
I will send more recipes as I put them into the system.
Aunt Cindi’s Poor Folks Stir Fry
A favorite for everyone – really good!
The Story
Somewhere around the year 2002 when I used to keep an open house to all the children in the neighborhood, there was a little girl who was visiting as I was getting ready to cook dinner. There were a total of seven children visiting and including three of my own. I was trying my best to figure out what to fix that would accommodate all and would not be so expensive. This little girl jumped right in and gave me the following recipe and told me that it was a simple meal that would not cost much and she guaranteed everyone would love it. She was right and it was an absolute success without a piece of rice spared. Here goes:
1. Brown on low-med heat ½ lb of hamburger and set aside.
2. Begin cooking rice in rice cooker after hamburger is browned.
3. Chop about 4 or 5 stalks of Celery (or more)
Chop about 5 or 6 Carrots (or more)
Chop about 1 or 2 Onions depending upon size
(yellow onions always go best with beef)
Chop 3 cloves of garlic or use the minced garlic from a jar.
4. Saute onions and garlic from step 3 in olive oil on low-med heat in a large pan until onions are pretty much transparent but not browned.
5. Add other vegetables and sauté a bit. You want them saute’d, but still firm. In other words, don’t cook every single nutrient out of them.
6. Last, add the hamburger and let the flavors mix. Add garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve over rice.
You will make this again and again. YUM!
Also, for gluten-free products and other gluten free recipes visit:
http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten_free_info.php
Christina, I hope this is helpful for now. I will send you more later.
You email and website are such a joy! Thank you for all you do!
Wishing you the very best always,
Cindi :)
Labels: dinner recipes, family favorites, frugal recipes, gluten free recipes, supper recipes
Posted by HappySlob ::
2:32 PM ::
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