O'BRION'S IRISH DISH

THIS DISH IS TAKEN FROM RHONDA BARFIELD'S BOOK, VERY TASTY. 

Preheat oven to 350. Cook in fry pan over medium heat:

3 cups chicken cut into bite-sized pieces in

1/2 cup defatted ham broth*
1/4 t dried rosemary -opt

Cook until chicken is tender, stirring occasionally. Set aside. Dice into bite-sized pieces:

6 large potatoes, peeled

1 large onion
3 medium carrots sliced

1 large green pepper -opt

 Coat a 9x13 pan with nonstick. Mix chicken and vegetables and place in pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until vegetables are fork tender.

(*Her recipe calls for ham broth as it adds a unique flavor, however you may use chicken broth with a bay leaf as well. Save the 'broth' from those Christmas hams, freezing in half cup portions just for this recipe!)

Ground Turkey Patties

1 lb ground turkey

1 small onion chopped

3/4 cup of bread crumbs

1T Worcestershire sauce

1 egg, beaten

about 1/4 cup ketchup

Spray fry pan with non-stick and pan fry patties on medium-low heat. Turning when underside has browned.

*** Always check to be sure patties are done, they are different than ground beef!;-)

********These are excellent with a slice of Swiss cheese melted on them on a bun with a little spicy mustard.

***Served here with broccoli salad and baked, seasoned potato slices.

Salmon Patties

2 cans of salmon, drained (you can leave bones in, they are soft, I crush them so the kids won't have a spell)

1 small onion chopped

1/3 cup bell peppers, chopped

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 to 1/2 cup of self-rising flour

enough buttermilk to we them enough to make them into a patty

salt and pepper to taste

Mix and pat out into patties. Pan fry in a small amount of oil, turning once the lower side is browned.

*Served here with pasta salad and cauliflower salad. Very nice meal for summer time.

Oven-Fried Chicken

Frying chicken in the oven is super easy and requires less fats too.

Preheat your oven to 400 and place 9x13 pan or one of choice into the oven with 1/2 cup fat and 1/4 cup of butter, sliced; in the pan so it will get hot.--You simply wash the chicken pieces that you will be using. Mix seasonings of your choice with about 2 cups of self-rising flour. *(I love lots of garlic powder and either Season-all or Emeril's, along with paprika and pepper.) Shake or dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture. When oven is hot and fats are melted and hot, place chicken in pan and replace in oven. Cook for approx 40 to 50 minutes---depending on the pieces that you use and if they are on the bone. (You will need to cook longer if on the bone.) Cover with foil and flip about halfway through cooking time. Remove foil during the last 10 minutes. This is a favorite of my family.

*note*
If using dark meat, you will only need to lightly coat your pan with fat or spray as it will make its own grease.

GOD'S PHARMACY

I NORMALLY WOULD NOT DO THIS BUT I GOT THIS IN AN EMAIL TODAY AND THOUGHT MANY OF YOU OTHER MOMMIES OUT THERE MIGHT GET A TREAT FROM THIS! BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL AND TO YOUR HOMES!

God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy !!! Amazing !

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye...and YES science now shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart is red and has four chambers. All of the research shows tomatoes are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows that grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Eggplant, Avocados and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? .... It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Grapefruits, Oranges, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like body cells. Today's research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

BE SURE TO GO TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITE FOR LOTS OF GREAT TIPS AND RECIPES: http://tammysrecipes.com/

Turkey Sausage Link Stir +

1 package of turkey sausage links cut into pieces
1/2 cup of (red and green) chopped peppers
1 medium chopped onion
1/2 t sage
1/2 t basil

Stir fry altogether in large fry pan for 12 to 14 minutes until cooked through and veggies are soft.

OPTIONS FOR THE STIR:
1. Just eat it like this!
2. Pour over noodles or rice.
3. Add to a sauce, such as tomato sauce; serve up Italian style!
4. Stir in some well beaten eggs and serve it for breakfast or in a burrito.
5. Use in a frittata.
6. Serve as a side with pancakes or grains, or eggs on breakfast platter.
7. Add cream of mushroom soup, cooked rice, cheese, etc and bake in a casserole dish.
8. Stir in cooked cubed potatoes or cooked rice and make a hash.
9. Use in an omelet.
10. Use as main course and serve with sides such as potatoes and bread.

Or dream up one of your own! But the links don't have to always be for breakfast!

*I cooked it as "Sausage Meatball Spaghetti Sauce".

HAYSTACKS

This is another recipe from Ronda Barfield's book with our family's favorite way of preparing it.

The amounts should be determined by your family size, remember we have 8 in our crew and a couple of healthy eaters! So, I will tell you the layers and let you decide the amounts!

Tortilla chips

Salad greens

cooked brown rice

chili beans

chopped tomatoes

salsa

cheese

black olives

chopped green onions

ranch dressing

peppers on the side

This is one of my kids favorites!

It's towards the top of my list too, as it has no meat, but rather has veggies and beans and rice!

Cheeseburger Pie Wedges

2 pie shells (I used a boxed kind since it was .25)
1/2 pound of hamburger
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup ketchup
3 T mustard
1/2 cup cheese of choice

2 T poppy seeds (optional)

egg white for wash

Brown hamburger and onions, drain. Add mustard and ketchup, blend well. Set aside.

Prepare pie shells as directed, chill for several minutes. Roll both out into circles and slice both into 8 wedges each.

Place bottom wedges on baking sheet and dip small amount of hamburger mixture onto the wedge, top with a small amount of cheese. Top with another pie crust wedge and seal edges with a fork. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds if desired.

Bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
*Here they were served with cooked cabbage and sauteed squash, onions, and peppers.

*I am also sure that some of you could make them look even prettier!

CREAM OF CAULIFLOWER SOUP

1 HEAD OF CAULIFLOWER (washed and chopped)

2 CARROTS (sliced thinly)

1/2 CUP SLICED MUSHROOMS

1 MEDIUM ONION (chopped)

1/3 CUP CHOPPED BELL PEPPER

1/2 t FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 TO 2 t BASIL

1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

1 CAN EVAPORATED MILK

1/2 CUP MILK

1 CUP PARMESAN CHEESE

2 T CORNSTARCH

Place vegetables in pot and cover with water and simmer until veggies just lose their crunch.

Add pepper, basil, cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, and Parmesan cheese. Cook on medium low for 5 to 10 minutes, Blend cornstarch into milk and mix well. Add to soup and cook 5 minutes. Salt to taste.

*I served this soup with my Chicken Biscuit Pizza Bread.

CHICKEN BISCUIT PIZZA

2 CANS BISCUITS

2 OZ approx. CREAM CHEESE

1 TO 2 GARLIC POWDER

1 TO 2 TEASPOONS OF BASIL

3/4 CUP MOZZARELLA CHEESE

1 1/2 CUPS (leftover) CHICKEN

Line 9x13 or baking pan with biscuits. Spread each with a little cream cheese.

Sprinkle on garlic powder and basil. Then add mozzarella cheese reserving 1/4.

Add cut up chicken and remaining cheese.

Cover with foil and bake at 400 25 to 35 minutes, checking to make sure middle biscuits are done.

*I served this instead of plain ole bread with my Cream of Cauliflower Soup.

Homemade Yogurt- what fun!

HOW DO YOU MAKE YOGURT????...It's really a cinch! You heat 2 quarts of milk until it reaches 180 degrees. (To have thicker yogurt, add about 1/3 cup of powdered milk to liquid milk when heating.) Remove the milk from the stove. (The heating process kills the bad bacteria that you don't want to grow!) Let the milk cool, this may take an hour or more, until it reaches between 110 and 120. Once it has reached that temperature, preheat oven to 200; and stir in about 6 tablespoons of PLAIN yogurt and mix well. Pour into (2 quart size)mason jars, TURN OVEN OFF, place jars inside and leave overnight with the LIGHT ON. In the morning it should be ready. Easy!


Yogurt is used quite often around here. We use it in smoothies and in our frozen popsicles. Also, several bread and muffin recipes call for it. I like to use it as the base of many 'dips' for fruits and veggies too!

You can make buttermilk in a similar fashion, just pour about 2 T in a jar, cover with milk, shake, and then leave it in a warm place for approx 8 to 10 hours. (I usually leave if overnight..if I do it during the day it cultures faster around the warm stove!)

For more info on the benefits of live cultures in buttermilk and yogurt, here is a good link to read more: http://burganfamily.blogspot.com/2008/02/health-benefits-of-buttermilk.html

Boiled Eggs- what a blessing!

"Oh, is that what that is......" I can almost hear you saying.


No, I'm not going to tell you how to boil eggs, hee hee.


But I do want to tell you about the blessing of these eggs and how God works sometimes.


You see, we have some wonderful neighbors, who from time to time bring us eggs that they pick up from someone they know. It's nothing set and I never know when they are going to be able to get them and I don't expect them to go to any trouble and consider it a great blessing when they can.

The eggs are super big and super good and only $1.25 per dozen.

....last night, during one of our 'cooking classes' I told the kids that we didn't need to make such and such because we were about out of eggs and we needed to find something else to make. (No, not a big deal except I had no immediate plans of getting to town and I did not want to HAVE to go, you know?)

Well, something was said about the timing of when our neighbors are able to bring eggs. And I said something like, "Well, we need to pray that God would always work that out at just the right time." And being the good Mommie that I am ;-) reminded the children that we should always be thankful when people do things for us and reminded them of the great blessing that those eggs are and to always consider the trouble people go through whenever they do something for them, and to try to return the gesture some how if it was at all possible.

Well, this evening, our precious neighbors called and had 3 dozen eggs for us! I don't know who was more excited, me or the kids! They talked me into boiling a whole dozen for them- 2 each!


(*Boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for great protein snacks!)


Well anyway, the blessings along the way of life are so special. And I can't tell you how I have enjoyed keeping an envelope on the fridge for "egg money"! DH even plays along with me and brings me a dollar here and 2 or 3 there, to keep in my envelope!


May sound silly to some of you, but its a great treat to me!

-joy in the little things!

How do you get a bunch of boys to help in the kitchen?

How do you get a bunch of boys to help you in the kitchen?!?
Simple, give them the knives! LOL


Seriously, and safely, I did just that. I let the bigger ones peel potatoes, what a time they had!


And the little guy up front, he's chopping pickles for the potato salad!


No, they don't help everyday, but from time to time I hold what we call "cooking school" and they love it.


Where's Sissy? Well, she was sitting down waiting for her turn to chop pickles.

Poppy Seed Muffins-

1 cup wheat flour**
1 cup white flour
3 t poppy seeds
1/4 t salt
1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla


Combine the last 4 wet ingredients in small bowl and dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add both together.

Spoon into muffin tins, sprayed with non-stick, and bake at 400 for 15 to 20 minutes.
Makes 12 regular or 6 jumbo muffins.

*Optional; 3 T ground flax
*opt. 2 t lemon zest
**Can use all white flour.

Sausage-Meatball Spaghetti Sauce

This recipe is a quick no-brain-er!

I took a package of 12 sausage links (preferably turkey), put them in a saucepan with a little water, covered them, and cooked them for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a little more water so they wouldn't burn, then I cut them into bite-sized pieces.

I added one can of Hunt's Spaghetti sauce and 1 can of cream of mushroom soup.* Stirred until heated through.


*I have another post about this combination. The condensed soup and basically any canned spaghetti sauce, makes a really good and quick tasting sauce. Your family will wonder where you got the recipe for that sauce! ;-)

I served this over whole wheat Rotini.
Total approx. cost of the meal (with coupons,etc): $3.25, including cheese-bread made with leftover buns.

Sweet Potatoes- the way I serve them

This is my favorite way of serving sweet potatoes, in fact, I didn't know that you didn't have to serve them 'sweet' until I ran into an elderly gentleman in the grocery store once who told me that he salted and buttered his.

I cut up about 3 medium sized potatoes here.
I place a small amount of water in the bottom, 1/2 cup or so, cover and turn the heat up and basically 'steam' them for several minutes.

When they start to soften, I add 2 T light butter.
About 1/4 cup molasses.
About 1/2 to 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
This makes a syrup and if I can keep the amount of water to a minimum, its a nice, thick syrup.

Cook until they are soft and some are starting to fall apart.

Peanut Butter Bran Marshallow Treats

I've told you guys about my marshmallow treats and how I experiment with whole grain cereals. I always try to whip them up in such a way that the kids will gobble them up (before I do--remember I'm a sugar-aholic, hee hee).

For these yummy treats:
5 cups of bran flakes
1/2 a stick of light butter
1 package of marshmallows (1o oz?)
2 heaping spoons of crunchy peanut butter
1 t vanilla (opt)
1 handful of peanut butter chips

Spray 9x13 with non-stick spray.
Dump the flakes in the 9x13.
In pot melt butter and marshmallows, then add crunchy peanut butter. Remove from heat and add vanilla(optional).

Pour over bran flakes and toss until all flakes are coated.
Top with peanut butter chips and press lightly into the treats!
Cool and cut into squares! Yummy! (And good fiber source!)

Another Frugal Lunch- from "cooking school"

This lunch had lots of helpers!
6 to be exact!

Some peeled potatoes for potato salad, the little ones chopped pickles for it, some sliced carrots into 'sticks', while I made Hummus for the bagel sandwiches.
Then they all worked together to make the smoothie!
This total meal cost was about:$4.75. To feed 7!


Their smoothie recipe:
1 very big apple
1 mango
3 very ripe bananas
8 oz of strawberries
3/4 cup my homemade yogurt
1/2 can pineapple and juice
2 cups of ice
3/4 cup sugar

Potato Salad:
8 potatoes (or amount just right for your family), peeled, chopped, boiled

3 boiled eggs (boil them with the pototoes for one less dirty pot)
3/4 cup chopped dill pickles (or enough to your liking, we like a lot)
3/4 cup Mayo like Hellman's
1/2 to 3/4 cup Mayo or salad dressing like Miracle Whip**
1/8 to 1/4 cup of mustard
salt and pepper to taste

Hummus:
I used Tammy's recipe at: http://tammysrecipes.com/hummus Her recipe was better than my old one! Except I did not have tahini but it was very good!

ROMANS ROAD TO SALVATION

Who is good?

~Romans 3:10~
As it is written, There is none righteous, no,not one.



Who has sinned?

~Romans 3:23~
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.



Where sin came from.

~Romans 5:12~
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.



God's price of sin.

~Romans 6:23~
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.



Who paid The price?

~Romans 5:8~
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.



The only way out.

~Romans 10:9-10~
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus,and shalt believe in thine heart God hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.



Take God at his word and claim His promise for your salvation.

~Romans 10:13~
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL- BROWN SUGAR AND SPICE FLAVOR

Basic Instant Oatmeal
 -2 cups of regular quick oats.
- 2 more cups of regular quick oats ground to powder in blender
-3/4 t salt
-Mix.

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1/3 CUP OF BASIC INSTANT OATMEAL MIX

1 T PACKED BROWN SUGAR

1 t POWDERED MILK (opt)

1 DASH OF EACH: CINNAMON, NUTMEG, GROUND CLOVES

When ready to eat, we simply dump the contents of the baggie into a bowl, and add 2/3 cup of hot water and allow to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes and BREAKFAST IS READY!

FOR MORE GREAT TIPS AND RECIPES

VISIT: http://tammysrecipes.com/

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL- COCONUT CREAM FLAVOR

Basic Instant Oatmeal:

2 cups quick oats

2 cups quick oats ground to a powder in blender

3/4 t salt

Mix well.

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1/3 CUP OF BASIC INSTANT OATMEAL MIX

2 T WHITE SUGAR

2 T POWDERED MILK

1 T COCONUT LOOSELY PACKED

When ready to eat, we simply dump the contents of the baggie into a bowl, and add 2/3 cup of hot water and allow to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes and BREAKFAST IS SERVED!

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL- CINNAMON BUN FLAVOR

Basic Instant Oatmeal:

2 cups quick oats

2 cups quick oats ground to a powder in blender

3/4 t salt

Mix well.

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1/3 CUP OF BASIC INSTANT OATMEAL

1 T WHITE SUGAR

2 T POWDERED MILK

2 DASHES OF CINNAMON

Roll up the bags and zip and we store in this plastic container. (Or empty oatmeal barrel.)
When ready to eat, we simply dump the contents of the baggie into a bowl, and add 2/3 cup of hot water and allow to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes and IT'S READY!

Kitchen Tip- a great place for measuring spoons!

This is something my DH did for me that has been a blessing to me in the kitchen.

Ever lose your measuring spoons?

Or need one quick and your hands are a mess?

Well, these little hooks on the underside of the cabinet have been quite handy!!

Now, my measuring spoons are always hanging around!

They are always right there when I need them!

Right above the mixing bowl!!!

******************

I must say that particular measuring cup doesn't always stay put but the other kind, stack-ables on a ring, do stay put a little better!

Blessings ladies!

Donna

PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS GREAT WEBSITE FOR MORE TIPS AND RECIPES:

http://www.tammysrecipes.com/

Bean and Vegetable Soup, Salad, Baked Potatoes- frugal lunch

What's odd about this picture? Well, nothing to the average onlooker but I know a secret..... The kids made this meal! Yes, for real.

Some days, we have "kitchen class". On those days, the kitchen jobs and menu items are divided accordingly by age and skill level.

I would have taken a picture, but these guys get a a little bashful about that sort of thing.

The soup was made from a small bag of mixed beans that we discovered in the back of the 'beans and noodles cabinet'. They then added onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and seasonings.

They baked potatoes and set out grated cheddar cheese and bacon bits for toppings and served with a small lettuce salad.

They also made the tea that you see here and one of them made frozen juice and fruit pops for their sweet-treat. (ummm, banana-strawberry nectar and pineapple, I think!

***The total cost of the meal was about $1.50 to feed all 6! Good deal!

WHOLE WHEAT BLUEBERRY CAKE

WHOLE WHEAT BLUEBERRY CAKE:

MIX TOGETHER:

2cups whole wheat flour,

1 cup self-rising flour

1Tbsp. baking powder,

1/2tsp. cinnamon,

1/2cup brown sugar,

1/2tsp. salt MIX TOGETHER AND ADD:

1/2cup canola oil,

2eggs,

1/2tsp. butter flavor,

1/4cup buttermilk,

1/4 cup milk,

1tsp. vanilla,

1cup (or more) blueberries .

BAKE AT 400 FOR 35MINUTES.

****

ICING: 1/2 package of light cream cheese;

creamed with 2 t vanilla,

and add approx. 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

****

LIGHT&DELICIOUS!

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL- SMORES FLAVOR

This is a 'recipe' that one of my kids came up with that is outstanding!

And where this kid gets his sweet tooth is a mystery to me;-)!

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Basic Instant Oatmeal:

2 cups quick oats

2 cups quick oats ground to a powder in blender

3/4 t salt

Mix well.

******************************************************************

******************************************************************

NOW, FOR THIS PARTICULAR FLAVOR:

*We scoop 1/3 cup of Basic Instant Oatmeal Mix into a small sandwich bag along with;

*1 1/2 teaspoons of ground graham cracker crumbs

*about 1 Tablespoon of chocolate chips

*about 1 1/2 Tablespoon of small marshmallows

*1 T of white sugar

***********

Roll up the bags and zip and we store in this plastic container.

When ready to eat, we simply dump the contents of the baggie into a bowl, and add 2/3 cup of hot water and allow to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes and WOW--Yummy!

Breakfast for Lunch?--why not?

Yes, this could be Breakfast or Lunch...at least around here!

Some folks call this Eggs in a Holster (or something like that), we just say eggs IN toast!

We cut out the center with a cup, place the bread on a griddle with a dab or margarine in the middle, cracked an egg in the center and salted and peppered. We then lightly buttered the center cut-outs and place them on the griddle too. Once the egg was set, we flipped them. (Some kids won't eat a runny yolk, some will, cook to your young'ens liking!)

We served it up with organic brown rice (leftover) with butter and sugar.

We also had juice and grapes!

*****

The cost of this meal was about $2.60 to serve all 6 kids!

Apple Orchards

I have taken my children on 'field trips' to apple orchards several times and they have loved it! But I have to admit, I probably have the most fun!

Not only do I like to talk to the workers and ask questions, but I love to find a good bargain!

You see, if you go at the right time, they will often sell 'drops' to you for several bucks less than normal price. The difference? well, the only one I noticed in the last box that I bought was they had not been through the cleaning belt like the others, and hey! - I can wash a box of apples for (way) less than the difference in price!

May I encourage some of you to be on the lookout come harvest time for bargains at local orchards and even some produce stands as well. If you buy bulk, you can get a far better deal than at the store. If you can find a cool, dark place to store them they will keep for weeks and sometimes months,wrapped in newspaper. (Consider spliting a bushel with another family if you don't have storage.)

I read of a lady who had apples in February from harvest time! I know a lady, who had an old refrigerator that she kept in her basement, that didn't get as cold as a normal fridge but nonetheless was cold, and she wrapped apples in old newspaper and kept apples for months. Amazing!

I have made lots of treats with apples from the orchard. Cooked apples, ready for pies or alongside breakfast, stored in the freezer.

I have made applesauce and with some of that, fruit leather.

I dried some of the apples and my kids loved them and begged for me to dry more.

And once I even made apple butter and apple jelly, what fun!

And homeschoolers, remember, there is much to teach and learn about an orchard!

Leftover Spaghetti--sandwiches?!?!

What can you do with leftover spaghetti? Around here we put it on a sandwich!

These are so delicious, I could hardly wait to post about them!


We have an old Snackmaster Grill tucked away that I never use much, except when we have leftover spaghetti!


They're super easy and better than the spaghetti when it was fresh!




You simply heat the spaghetti for a couple of minutes in the micro, scoop onto a piece of bread, top with cheese(American, cheddar, whatever you like but you would be surprised how good a plain ole slice of American is!--I just used 1/2 a slice on these.), place on the other piece of bread, brush the outside of both pieces of bread lightly with butter, place in the grill, and within a minute or two---you have a gourmet sandwich!



(If you don't have a Snackmaster, you could grill these in a similar fashion as a grilled cheese. And of course, there are all types of 'leftover' possibilities with these sandwiches! ---Rotini, mac and cheese, beans and cheese, chicken casserole, etc.)

FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES AND KITCHEN TIPS, VISIT: http://tammysrecipes.com/

Cocoa Peanut Butter Mounds aka No-Bake Cookies

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup peanut butter(JIF crunchy is the best!)
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups oats

*Mix sugar and cocoa in saucepan. Add butter and milk and heat to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes!
Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and oats. Mix well. Drop by spoonsful onto waxed paper. Let cool.

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TIPS ABOUT THESE COOKIES: First of all, I have seen several recipes for them and this is my favorite. Secondly, they are very favored around here so I have discovered some tricks to them.

If they are nice and shiney as you are dropping them onto waxed paper, without running everywhere, that is when they are pretty close to perfect! THE TRICK IS TO KEEP THEM SHINEY! Ok, so here's my discoveries, if you start the 2 minute count on your boil, RIGHT WHEN it starts to boil---not when it starts rolling, you will keep your shine on! AND, drop your peanut butter in about 5 seconds before the time is up and turn the heat off right at 2 minutes, and stir the peanut butter in- and get it off the heat!!! Add the vanilla, then oats and mix rapidly. The sooner you get them onto the waxed paper and out of the hot pot, the more shine they will keep and the longer they will stay moist!****If you cook them too long or keep them on the heat after the 2 minutes is up and/or poke about getting them on the waxed paper, the more likely they will get dry and crumble.

Oh, one more thing, as you are mixing in the oats, pay attention to your chocolate. You want to leave a little extra runny looking chocolate. You don't want to add so many oats that they are barely covered.

If you guys have learned some more tips about these, please post them.

Homemade Pajama Pants

These were made in about an hour or so. The fabric was about $3!

My 15 year old has been asking for me to make these for quite some time and with everyone sick, I found the time to sit down long enough to do it! ;-)

It's a great treat to have a teenager ask for homemade clothes! (Especially a boy!)

These are so easy and pretty cheap and are fitted to the person.... he even picked the fabric out! If I can do it, sew can anyone! ;-)

Chicken Salad Sandwiches- pita style

2 cans chicken, drained (You can use fresh-cooked, I just happened to find it on sale!)

1 cup chopped apples, with peeling

2 stalks of celery, chopped

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

3 T finely chopped bell peppers(optional, adds nice colors)

3/4 cup (or more) of mayo or salad dressing

Mix all, chill and serve.

This is very good on whole grain, thickly sliced bread or toasted bread.

*Seen here on Pita bread with pasta salad and a salad mixed with dressing, recipe found at following site: http://tammysrecipes.com/olive_garden_salad_dressing

Happy Valentine's Day- table

It doesn't require a lot of money or time, to add a special touch to your children's holidays.

At the beginning of the school year, we were able to buy a big package of colored construction paper and it has been a blessing to have around!

We simply took the pink for the main placemat and the youngest 2 children and me cut out red hearts to decorate them with.

My gifts here to the children (for being such sweethearts!) were 2 boxes of heart candies and a Valentine's pencil. ($4 for the candy and pencils.)

The flowers were for me from DH and the big bear was for Sissy from DH and the rest off the decor was stuffed animals and 'pillow hearts' that I had made them 2 years ago and one that Sissy sewed on her new machine.

I baked some jelly-filled Thumbprint cookies and placed them on the table. For lunch we had Simple Spaghetti with pink colored noodles and 'heart toasties'. (Just toast with heart-shaped cookie cutters used in the center.) And for dessert we had Hot Fudge Pudding Cake with ice cream!

Make memories for your children! It's worth every effort mommies!
(If I can do it with 6 kids, 5 of whom are getting over the flu, you can too! ;-))

HOT FUDGE PUDDING CAKE!

This recipe was taken from Rhonda Barfield's book and it is my most favored for a special occasion!

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, sift together:

2 cups of flour (I have used wheat, but I have to admit that it is better with all white.)

1/3 cup cocoa

4 tsp baking powder

1 t salt

Stir in:

2 cups sugar

1 1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

2 t vanilla

Mix well. Spread into 9x13, sprayed pan. (Consider using a slightly bigger pan. I have had this run over once or twice.) Set aside.

*

Combine 2 cups brown sugar and 1/2 cup cocoa. Sprinkle topping over the cake, evenly. * Pour 3 cups of hot water over all. (Yes, yes!) Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

*

(In her book, she says that you can cut some of the sugar and cocoa.

You may serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. I usually don't use either but it was Valentine's Day! --and I got the ice cream for about a $1!)

THUMBPRINT COOKIES- jelly-filled for Valentine's

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 T baking powder
1/4 cup shortening
1/3 cup milk
1/4 t salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 400.
In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs. Mix in milk and vanilla. Gradually blend in dry ingredients. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/2 inch thick. (Don't worry if the look a little flat, remember all that baking powder?-they will puff.) Cut out cookies, place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Press fingertip in center of cookies. Fill with jelly, jam, or marshmallows. (Here you see Red Plum Jelly.) Bake at 12 to 15 minutes.

* The bakery where I grew up used to fill these with colored white chocolate.
*They could be filled with Kisses or dabs of icing.
*These are so cheap to make and can be dressed-up to fit into any occasion, plain or fancy!
*Fancy example: use cherry pie filling and spoon one cherry (with some of the filling) into the center and bake. When cooked and cool, drizzle melted chocolate over!

Chocolate Chip Cookies (half wheat)

A little peek; seems they are coming along nicely!

1/2 WHEAT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

1 t baking soda

1/2 t baking powder

3/4 t salt

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 brown sugar

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

3/4 cup chocolate chips

(may also add walnuts or pecans, 3/4 cup)

Preheat oven to 375.

Mix dry ingredients: flour, soda, powder, and salt.

Combine butter, both sugars, and vanilla; beat until creamy.

Beat in eggs, 1 at a time. Gradually add flour mixture. Mix well before stirring in chocolate chips (and optional nuts).

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Roast and Vegetables

Roast for my family is not the most 'frugal' meal, but it is good!

Here you see;

10 red potatoes (left whole except for 1 large one)

1 16 oz bag of baby carrots

1 large sliced onion

8 oz sliced mushrooms

2 stalks sliced celery

1 package of onion soup mix

several seasonings:

savory, marjoram, parsley, rosemary, etc

And underneath it all is 2 average-size roasts, marinated in a little Worcestershire sauce.

Cover with water and cover tightly with foil.

Bake at 325 until roast is very tender. Approx. 6-7 hours.

(Tips: Mix 2 T cornstarch into 1 cup cold water and blend in small saucepan with 2 cups of the liquid from cooked roast for an excellent gravy. Serve with cornbread muffins.)

Chicken Stew

2 to 3 cups boiled chicken, shredded
4 carrots, sliced
2 medium onions, chopped
3 stalks celery, sliced thinly
1 16 oz bag frozen peas
1 large can of tomato juice
1 cup water
2 t salt
3/4 t pepper
parsley, garlic, and other seasonings (if desired) to taste
Simmer for 1 hour or, bake at 250 for 4 hours, or place in crockpot on low for 6 to 8 hours.

(In this pic, I had tossed in a couple of leaves of chopped kale.)


This stew is great with my Sweet-style cornbread: http://momsfrugal.blogspot.com/2008/02/sweet-style-cornbread.html

Sweet-style Cornbread

Preheat oven to 425.
Mix:

1 cup regular buttermilk cornmeal

1 cup stone ground plain yellow cornmeal

1 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup milk powder

4 T brown sugar

6 t baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

Beat 3 eggs and add:

2 cups milk

1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup oil

Mix both wet and dry ingredients. Stirring just until blended.

Bake in 9x13 for 25 minutes until golden.

This is great with butter and honey!

Bubblegum Jello

Mix 2 packages of plain gelatin in a small saucepan with 1 can Big Red soda.

Bring to a boil. Add 1/2 cup sugar. Mix well. Remove from heat and add 1 more can of Big Red soda.

Stir and chill.

Chocolate Meringue Pie

EASY AND FRUGAL CHOCOLATE MERINGUE PIE
Country style
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, separated
1 1/2 T cocoa
1/4 c. flour
2 T butter (may use light)
2 c. milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Beat egg yolks well. Add sugar, flour, and cocoa in order. Blend well. Add milk, vanilla, and butter. Mix well and cook until thick. Pour into BAKED PIE SHELL. Use egg whites to make a meringue. (Beat with mixer until stiff peaks form that will stand, blend in sugar to taste. I use about 1-2T.) Top with meringue and bake until lightly brown at 350 degrees.

Homemade Granola

Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium to low heat, add;

4 cups uncooked rolled oats (You can use more or less depending on the size of your skillet.)

Stir constantly for about 15 minutes and add seeds and grains of your choice.

I add;

1/3 cup ground flax

1/2 cup millet (add lastly as they darken quickly)

1/8 cup sesame seeds

3/4 cup coconut

3/4 nuts (here you see almonds)

(The list is limitless. You can also add dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, etc. But I usually don't so as to keep the cost down.)

Stir granola until everything looks lightly toasted but not burned!

Then add;

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/2 teaspoon salt
(opt. 2T oil, I like coconut)

Stir until everything is coated and no longer 'sticky' but of a drier texture.

Cool and store in airtight container!

(This method is a lot easier than cooking in the oven. The cost can be kept very low by simply using rolled oats. It can be eaten as a snack, sprinkled over yogurt, and my favorite way is to eat it like cereal, covered in milk!)

Menu of the Month

Menu for the Month


Breakfast Foods:
Waffles
Pancakes
Oatmeal
Eggs and Applesauce
Millet
Whole grain cereal
Pastries

Lunches:
Soup and salad
Tuna salad on pita with salad
Pancakes and turkey sausage
Simple spaghetti and salad
Split Pea Soup and cornbread
Grilled cheese and salad
Chicken and fries, carrot sticks, fruit
Pita sandwiches, potato salad, green salad
Homemade Beefaroni
Frittata and turkey sausage links, cooked apples, barley
Hamburger soup and salad
Chili and crackers
Fish sticks and fries corn on cob
Chili-cheese fries, fruit
Chicken salad sandwiches and salad
Goolash, cornbread muffins
Red Beans and Rice
Split Pea Soup and cornbread muffins
Turkey sausage and egg wraps, oats, cooked potatoes
Haystacks and nacho chips
Homemade helper, Crowder peas, corn
Chicken soup, rolls
Enchilada casserole, chips and salsa
Beans, corn, spinach, mac and cheese
Simple spaghetti and bread
Chicken and fries, carrot and celery sticks with dip
Turkey sausage patties, barley, salad, fruit crisp
Polish Turkey sausage stir with potatoes, onions and peppers, seasoned rice
5-ways, crackers
Baked beans, corn, spinach, slaw



Suppers:
Chicken stir-fry and rice
Chicken and dumplings cornbread potatoes
Beef and Mushrooms over noodles, veggie, 8 grain muffin
Taco and Taco-bean salad, nacho chips with salsa
Salmon patties, mashed potatoes, green peas
Crock-pot Lasagna, bread
Chicken spaghetti, green beans, sweet potatoes, cornbread muffins
Salmon loaf, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots
Beef and Bean burritos, Spanish rice, nacho chips
Beef and Turkey Meatloaf, green beans and corn
Pinto beans, potatoes, cream corn, greens, cornbread
Chili and cornbread
Baked chicken, squash, cabbage
Oven-fried chicken legs, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, cornbread muffins
Chicken and Dumplings, potatoes, cornbread, beans
Chicken spaghetti, green beans, sweet potatoes
Chicken casserole, broccoli, bread
Steak casserole, green beans, cabbage
Fish, coleslaw, hushpuppies, fries
Turkey patties, mashed potatoes, peas
Turkey Sausage and Rice casserole, corn on cob, brussel sprouts
Oven-fried chicken, potatoes, butter peas, greens
Roast potatoes and carrots, mac and cheese, green beans
Tater Tot Casserole, cabbage, bread
White beans, potatoes, turnip greens, cream corn
BBQ chicken, baked beans, potatoes, peas
Tarragon Turkey loaf with mushroom gravy, peas and carrots, mashed potatoes
Spaghetti and meatballs, bread
Steak casserole, green beans, lima beans

SNACKS:

apples, nectarines, grapes, bananas, dried apricots, dried cranberries, roasted peanuts, granola bars, homemade cookies, homemade muffins, cupcakes, veggies and dip, popcorn, pretzels, chips and cheese, yogurt, cheese sticks, potato candy, fudge, homemade juice popsicles, candy canes, nectar and blueberry pops, strawberry smoothies, mango smoothies, yogurt pops, homemade ice cream, graham crackers and peanut butter, marshmallow treats from whole grain cereal, jello

NOTES: My menus are never set in stone. Sometimes I will try new recipes. Sometimes Iwill have leftovers and whip up one of my "re-makes".

Fish (Tilapia) and Hush Puppies

If you have never tried Tilapia, may I strongly encourage you to real soon!

I had it once at Ryan's and from the first bite, I was hooked.

I never thought that I would like home-fried fish (or baked) but this fish is way above average. It can be bought at Wal-Mart in the freezer section for $10.98 for a 4lb box. (A half box will more than feed a family of 5 with seconds.) It can be found fresh nearly everywhere and frozen in small packages in most stores, including the Save-a-lot.

HUSHPUPPIES:

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 cup plain flour

1 egg

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 t seasoning ( I love Emeril's)

1/4 t salt (unless you use a real salty seasoning, be careful)

1/4 t black pepper

1/3 t baking soda

2 T (or more) finely chopped onion

Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until thoroughly blended.

I have a fry cooker and I heat several inches of oil at about 350. (My test for oil is when a cube of bread can be cooked in about 1 minute.)

Drop by tablespoons into oil. Turn once the underside is browned. They should float when done. Don't overcook.

Drain on paper towels.

FISH MIXTURE:

I use the same as above minus the onions and soda.

Wash fish and coat in mixture.

Drop in hot oil (350 is the perfect temp on mine).

Cook for approx. 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

(*Mommies - always be extra careful around hot oil. My rule is 'no one steps onto the kitchen floor when hot oil is around'.)

Serve with tartar sauce and fries if you like. My family loves this with homemade coleslaw.

Chicken and Dumplings

1 chicken

5 cans (10 each) canned biscuits

2 cans cream of chicken soup

2 cans of chicken broth or broth from cooking chicken

salt and pepper

Boil chicken in large pot, covered in water. (May season cooking water with onion, celery, or bay leaves.) Cook approx. 1 1/2 hours until chicken is falling off the bone.

Remove chicken (carefully) from water. Remove meat, being careful to scan for bones. Place chicken meat in bowl.

Open canned biscuits and tear in half, set aside.

Strain broth and remove any seasonings and bones. (May skim off the fat if you like but I find there is very little. Can skin visible fat from the chicken before boiling.)

Return broth to pot and bring to a strong, rolling boil. (You will need about 4 quarts of broth, so add canned broth or water, accordingly.)

Drop biscuit (halves) into boiling broth as quickly as possible, stirring gently to make sure they get submerged. (It helps to have a helper at this point, if possible. One to drop and the other to dunk and stir.)

When all of the dumplings have been added, bring back to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil for 10 minutes. (*Tip*: Use a deep pot to keep from having a boil-over.)

When dumplings are done, add the shredded chicken and stir gently. Remove from heat. Then add the 2 cans of cream of chicken soup and stir gently until well blended.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Beefy Mushroom Michelangelo

DH walked in and said; "It may be Michelangelo but it looks good."

Do you suppose he meant Picasso? :-)

1 1/2 lbs of ground beed

1 medium onion chopped

1/4 cup chopped red peppers

Brown in deep pan, drain.

Add:

1 cup of water

2 cups sliced mushrooms

1 beef boullion cube

Cover and simmer until mushrooms are soft. Then add:

1 can cream of mushroom

Blend.

Mix 1 cup of cold water and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and add to mixture and simmer until thickened. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve over noodles of choice.

Quick, easy, cheap!

Cocoa Zucchini Muffins

1 3/4 cups flour ( I use wheat)

1/4 cup cocoa

1 t baking powder

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

2 eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar

3T melted butter

3/4 cup grated zucchini

1/3 cup plain non-fat yogurt (or buttermilk or kefir)

1/4 cup of chopped almonds, or slivered

1/2 cup chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 400.

Place paper liners in muffin pan. (12)

In large bowl, blend flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Stir in eggs, sugar, butter, and zucchini. Do not over mix. Blend in yogurt, then add chocolate chips and almonds.

Bake 20 to 22 minutes. Muffins are done when toothpick comes out dry.

*Tip: Can be baked in loaf pan for approx. 50 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if you like.

Tacos and Taco-Bean Salad

The salad is a tortilla wrap, baked in a 350 oven over a heat resistant bowl, until it re-shaped as a bowl. :-)

Inside is a bed of lettuce, over that is 1 can of re-fried beans mixed with 1 can of chili beans, topped with homemade salsa, tomatoes, green onions, black olives, cheese, and jalapeno peppers, and a few dashes of hot sauce.

The tacos are simply packed with meat seasoned with taco mix, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

The chips are topped with homemade salsa. (see condiments for recipe)

Total meal cost was approx. $6 to feed 8.

Easy Chicken Stir-fry

1 1/2 pounds of cubed chicken
3 t olive oil
5 cups of choice veggies (here you see bean sprouts, onions, red and green bell peppers, zucchini, and green onions)
2 T soy sauce (Plus enough to serve with the completed dish, if you like)
2 T crunchy peanut butter
1 t garlic powder
1 cup of cold water with 1 1/2 T corn starch blended in

In a large pan cook chicken in olive oil until no longer pink.

Add veggies and cover (with lid or foil) stirring occasionally until veggies are tender.

Mix soy sauce, crunchy peanut butter, and garlic powder and blend into the 'stir-fry'.

When blended well, add the cold water and cornstarch mix and stir. Remove from heat.

Serve over brown rice with soy sauce.
(This meal cost between $5 and $6 to serve 8. All veggies were bought on clearance, super cheap! Tip: Use any variety of veggies.)

Tuna Salad on Pita

This is my kind of lunch!

Tuna Salad:

2 cans of tuna

1/3 cup chopped pickles (I like dill, some folks like sweet.)

1/4 to 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions ( to taste)

2 boiled eggs finely chopped

3/4 cup of mayo

salt and pepper to taste