Avocado PearHere is a receipt with only (for 2 persons) an avocado, a pear, a little bit of peppercorns and vinegar. Pepper and vinegar have to be a bit sophisticated, like pink or green or black pepper, raspberry vinegar or balsamic vinegar for example.
DIY Fruit and Veggie WashMaking sure your produce is clear of pesticides, fungus or germs is important, more so if you're planning on enjoying it raw. You don't need to buy commercial produce sprays. Some even have chemicals in them you probably don't want to consume. Here is a recipe to make your own at home:
Homemade Old Bay SeasoningThis is an expensive seasoning and comes in a large tin. Make your own in small batches. It will be cheaper and fresher.
Hedgehog CupcakesI made these adorable cupcakes for my mom's birthday!
Get Up and Go Oatmeal BreakfastI am not my sharpest in the morning and I can use all the help I can get to start off with a healthy breakfast. I put together oatmeal and delicious ingredients into a mason jar in the refrigerator at night. In the morning, I have it cold or drop it in the microwave for 1 minute.
Easy Leftover SoupLiving frugal? Try making two meals for the price of one. I make the commonly known American Chop Suey. We have that for two nights, it's always best the second night. Then we still have leftovers.
Christmas Grinch Fruit SnacksA cute, fun, tasty and super easy to assemble snack for the Holidays. All you need are grapes, bananas, strawberries, marshmallows and toothpicks.
Homemade Cake FlourNever pay for it!
Microwave PopcornPopcorn is a lot cheaper when it is not in little bags to pop in the microwave, so here is a way to do it yourself.
Homemade Powdered SugarAfter baking for Easter, I discovered I ran out of powdered sugar for the icing. After having a nervous breakdown, I remembered my mom, Wanda Colerick would make her own. I thought I would share with all of you!
Soy Sauce SubstituteWe avoid soy at our house as much as possible for health and allergy issues. This replacement soy sauce can be used as a marinade, or a dipping sauce, or cooked into the recipe.
Make Ramen in a BowlThis is a quick tip on how to make ramen in a bowl. Ramen is already a quick and easy meal but by making it in a bowl, you don't even have to dirty a pot.
Easy Mini Raspberry CheesecakesI had extra cheesecake batter so I decided to make these mini cheesecakes. They turned out better than the regular cheesecake!
Pumpkin Shaped Pancakes and Other...My grandson in particular, and sometimes his younger sister, likes to help cook. Sometimes adults have a sense of trepidation about allowing kids in the kitchen. They will invariably make a mess when they measure, flip, or stir.
Another Use for Baking SodaWhen making ice tea I add a good pinch of baking soda to the water along with the tea bags. By adding the baking soda, the tea won't become cloudy and have a bitter taste. It enhances the flavor of the tea.
"What's in the Fridge" SauceI get a thick ham steak every month, cook it up, and divvy it up for 3-4 meals. I usually have brown sugar and pineapple (my favorite), in the cupboards. Well, this time, all I had was the sugar.
Easiest Homemade Greek YogurtGreek yogurt has been one of the most popular decadent foods lately. It's delicious on its own, but also a great way to cut calories and at the same time, boost flavor and protein. Here is a simple way to turn regular yogurt into Greek yogurt.
Fizzy FrostingWe were at a friend's birthday and her mom used this frosting. It looked nice and tasted good.
Cookie Dough Ingredients Left in CupboardCan flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla that has been left in the cupboard for 3 days be used to make shortbread cookies. Is it safe to eat the cookies even though the ingredients were left in the cupboard in a bowl for 3 days?
Homemade Cooking SprayThis is a great cooking spray with no additives. Store it in a cool dark place.
Syrup for Flavoring CoffeeMake your own coffee flavoring syrups at home in any flavor you want (within reason - bacon flavor might not be a good choice in your coffee).
Roasted Chicken and GravyWhen I roast a small chicken in a same sized roaster, I add about 4 cups of either chicken broth or boullion to the roaster with the chicken already in it. I rub softened butter or margarine on the chicken first and add a few shakes of poultry seasoning on top of it.
Restaurant-Style Hash BrownsI love making these hash browns. They are crispy, delicious, and so easy to make! Perfect for breakfast or even a side dish for dinner!
Marshmallow FondantPlace butter in a bowl and set aside. Place marshmallows in a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on High for 30 seconds to 1 minute to start melting the marshmallows.
Make Your Own Trail MixSummer is here, and there all sorts of activities that are made more enjoyable if you have a nice little bag of your very own special trail mix in your pocket.
Homemade ButtermilkEarlier in the week, I wanted to make some biscuits but noticed I was out of buttermilk, and didn't want to go to the store. I had an old buttermilk container in the fridge and decided I'd make my own.
Transporting Mini-MuffinsUse a cardboard egg carton for transporting mini muffins or mini cupcakes.
Double Check Measurements When Submitting RecipesBe sure there are no typos when sharing ingredient measurements for a recipe such as 3 cups of flour instead of 3 Tbsp. of flour, or visa versa. One of the mistakes I see the most, is when 1 stalk of celery instead of 1 rib of celery, or visa versa, is listed.
Potato PancakesCombine eggs, pancake mix, potatoes, and oil. Add enough 7-Up to make a very thin batter; let stand 10 minutes. Fry on hot griddle until done.
Homemade Powdered SugarI make my own powdered (confectioner's) sugar. I whirl it in small amounts (1/2 cup or less) for a few seconds, maybe a minute, in the blender or food processor. I think it's cheaper than buying it.
Fixing Over Spiced Spaghetti SauceI have added too much Italian seasoning to my spaghetti sauce, how can I fix it so it tastes better?
Homemade Microwave PopcornWhy pay the outrageous extra cost for prepackaged microwave popcorn when all you need for this simple and inexpensive popcorn recipe is a paper lunch bag!
Substitute for Corn SyrupThis is a substitute for corn syrup. A cheaper alternative.
Homemade Baking PowderThis is so handy and easy to make if you are needing baking powder and find that you don't have any.
Substitute Whipped CreamThis is a recipe on how to make whipped cream by substituting ingredients. It is quick and easy. It is from scratch and fresh. I love it.
Low Fat MeatloafPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine sirloin, sausage, carrots, potato, onion, egg beaters, oatmeal, seasonings and garlic in large bowl; mix well. Shape into loaf. Place in large bowl; mix well.
Fairytale CakeVery tasty cake and icing. Combine butter, shortening, and cream cheese. Mix on high until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Mix well.
Marbled Easter CakeA moist delicious cake bursting with Spring.
Frugal OatmealMix together a large batch of instant oatmeal and scoop up a serving that costs only about a quarter a day.
Thrifty Sheet CakeHuge sheet cake for $10 home-made!
Chex Party MixThis is the original chex mix recipe off the box of General Mills Chex Cereal. This is a great snack mix to put out during the holidays or to even give as gifts!
Freezing And Using PumpkinPumpkin can be peeled cut in cubes and blanched in water, cooled and packed in ziplock bags to freeze.
Easy Deviled EggsTo make easy deviled eggs, put the cooked egg yolk in a zip lock bag. Then mash until they are all broken up. Add the remainder of the ingredients, reseal, and keep mashing until it is thoroughly mixed. Cut the tip off of the baggy and squeeze the mixture into the eggs.
How to Make Confectioners (Powdered) SugarTo save some money during the holidays; Bubba's Quick Confectioners Sugar mixture! Pour sugar and cornstarch in to food processor, food chopper or blender. Turn on high until mixture is a fine powder.
Anything Tomato SauceMake "anything spaghetti sauce" with a blender. Throw in whatever leftovers you may have from other meals, with some tomato paste and seasonings. You get a very cheap marinara sauce, by pureeing the ingredients in a blender they can be added together to make a sauce.
Tuna MashiesGood for kids lunches. Combine and stir all ingredients together. If using regular tuna add 1/2 tsp. lemon juice. Pack tuna mixture in lunch box container.
Scrambled EggsBeat egg, sour cream, salt and pepper in 1 qt. casserole, using fork. Stir in cheese, bacon and green onions.
Broccoli and Cheese SoupIn a stockpot, over medium heat, saute' the butter and onion until soft. Stir in the broccoli and cover with the chicken broth.
Smoking Summer MeatsThis is my favorite way of cooking ribs, chicken, and brisket, in the summer when it's too hot to fire up the oven. I can also cook ahead and freeze meats for the winter. It sure tastes good on a blustery winter day in Oklahoma!
Handbag Cake Recipe in Just 1-2-3!Totally tasty! A yummy gift for your loved ones. Make up cake using directions on packet and pour into a greased and lined 205x205mm square cake pan.
Flower CupcakesThese are so cute! Perfect for birthdays or any celebration
Keeping Soaked Beans HandyBulk beans are so much cheaper than buying canned beans, it always takes a little planning though, and in the past I'd always forget. Not anymore, I have a big yogurt container boldly marked "BEANS" that I keep filled with soaking beans in the refrigerator all the time.
Make Oats OvernightI want to feed my family whole grains and have found by experimenting that I can (wash first) one cup of oat groats and add 4 cups of water and cook the groats overnight (6 to 8 hrs) on low in my crock pot. They are ready in the morning.
Homemade Instant OatmealWith my husband having experienced a recent lay-off and my kids liking instant oatmeal, I have discovered how to make it on my own.
Use Nails To Bake Potatoes FasterI like the taste of potatoes better when they are baked in the oven, as opposed to the microwave; however, it takes ever so much more time to do it this way. If you are in a time-crunch, and want to hasten baking time, then place a well-scrubbed nail into the middle of each potato before you put them into the oven.
Cook Cheaper Cuts of Meat in Soda PopMy tip is to cook cheaper cuts of meat in a mixture of 1 can of any kind diet cola, 1 small can of mushroom soup and 1 packet of onion soup mix.
Mother's Day Hat CakeBake a round cake and the other half of mix in a round oven safe bowl. Frost the round layer place the bowl shaped layer on top and frost. Flatten each gummie with rolling pin.
Add Acid When Making StockWhen boiling meat bones for stock, add 2 tablespoons of either vinegar or lemon juice to the cooking water. The acidity helps dissolve the gristly tendons into collagen and gelatin, which makes the broth more nutritious.
Easy Fondue RecipeDoes anyone have a good (for teens) fondue recipe? My 14 year old is getting a fondue pot for Christmas; I'd like to have on hand ingredients to use it that day, but all I could find in cookbooks used white wine and ingredients I had never heard of.
Flower Pot BreadThese homemade flowerpots of bread are fun and functional, and after dinner, guests can take them home. Be sure to use unpainted and unglazed lead-free flowerpots. This is a great recipe for gifts!
Coffee SpoonsCoffee Spoons are a great way to use up leftover bits of this and that. Put several in a plastic bag and tie with a pretty ribbon. Makes a nice little gift by itself or with a coffee mug.
Hamburger CakeHere are instructions for making a cake that looks like a giant hamburger! Place one yellow cake inverted upside down on plate...
Homemade Ready To Bake CookiesI've found a way to re-use the plastic tube canisters that Wyler's lemonade and other brands of sugarless fruit drink mixes come in. They are the perfect size for cookie dough.
Meatloaf in Muffin TinsInstead of putting your meatloaf in a loaf pan put it in a muffin tin. It only takes 20 minutes to cook that way and is much less greasy.
Polka-Dot BrowniesUsing a regular brownie mix that you purchase at the store, you can make your brownies POLKA-DOTTED. Make the mix up like you would for cake-like brownies and pour the batter into an insulated pan. Then, sprinkle on top of the batter any kind of "kiss-like" piece of candy...
Weight Watchers Popcorn BallsMicrowave popcorn (set aside). Melt butter add marshmallows and microwave until they look puffy (about 1 minute or so.) Stir to completly melt marshmallows then pour the melted mixture over the popcorn and carefully mix until it's coated. . .
Elmo Cake and TipsThis is an Elmo Cake with the Buttercream icing tip. I recently made a cake for a birthay party of 40 people or a friend. The theme was Elmo. Rather than make 2 Elmo cakes, I decided to make a big sheet cake and make Elmo as 3-D on top of the cake. It was a yellow cake with buttercream icing.
Make Your Own Casserole Sauce MixCasseroles and cream soups go together. They are great on homegrown vegetables fresh from the garden, jar or freezer. But the more we read the labels, and if you're into watching sodium in your diet and economics, there has to be an alternative.
Homemade Apple Juice - Tips and IdeasTips and ideas for making your own apple juice. Post your ideas.
Meatloaf TipsTips for making great meatloaf. Post your ideas.
Treasure Chest Birthday CakeThis was a huge hit at my son's Luau party. And it was super easy to make. You will need:
Butterfly Birthday CakeThis cake is simple and delicious! A crowd (especially little ones) favorite. You will need:
Dilled CarrotsCook carrots according to package directions, adding sugar to the water. Drain well. Add butter and dill weed, tossing gently until carrots are evenly coated.
Baked Yams Like PotatoesFor a little twist on an old favorite we bake our yams like potatoes. Be sure to either wrap them in foil or put them on a baking pan because the juices will drip and caramelize on your oven (not a fun mess to clean.)
Making Decorators Icing For Cake DecoratingOn my first child's birthday, I learned how to make decorator icing. This has seen me through lots of birthdays, made me money on cakes for weddings, anniversaries and I'd LOVE to share it.
Freezing Leftover WineI never throw anything away: If you have leftover wine, freeze it into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.
By Brenda Cole
Bev's Easy Yoghurt (Yogurt)Recipes in both Metric and U.S. measurements . . .
Tough Meat MarinadeInstead of buying that expensive cut of meat, try this marinade with a less expensive cut.
Oatmeal BarsThis is my husband's favorite recipe for a snack for his lunch! Very portable!
Make Your Own Flour TortillasThere are a lot of items you can make yourself. I usually stock up on tortillas when they are on sale at the store. I have had success freezing them.
South of the Border CasseroleThis is another tasty recipe for leftover chicken or turkey and
rice.
Mexican Rice CasseroleA good recipe for using up some leftover rice and turkey (or
chicken).
