Menu:

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

Frugal Tip for the Week: Make and do your own frugal Halloween. We will be doing some of those same games and if you'll notice on the menu we had a big dinner Sunday night so we could have leftovers on Monday. I also fixed up some homemade pizzas last week and froze them to toss in the oven tonight. I had a big box of 10 puzzles put up for a special occasion that we pulled out to work through these couple of days of fun. I didn't buy a whole lot of candy but we have lots of homemade treats!

SATURDAY:

-soaked oatmeal
-leftover cup of Butternut Soup, romaine salad, Easy Beef and Rosemary Mock-Bisquick Bake
-Roast beef and gravy, mashed potatoes, swiss chard
snacks:kefir smoothies, chips and salsa

SUNDAY:

-peanut butter granola and milk
-leftover roast beef and gravy sandwiches with horsey sauce, Halloween candy and homemade Butterfingers
-turkey, dressing, green peas, mac and cheese, Cranberry Sauce, Halloween cupcakes
snacks: pumpkin pie

MONDAY:

-peanut butter granola and milk
-leftover turkey, dressing, gravy, peas, mac-n-cheese, cranberry sauce, cookie house
-homemade pizzas from the freezer, Halloween cupcakes and leftover treats
snacks: cranberry sauce and rolls

TUESDAY:

-Frittata, applesauce
-Beef, Barley, and Mushroom Soup, leftover Halloween treats
-Quesidilla Beef Bake, guacamole and chips, black beans
snacks:buttered popcorn, raisins

WEDNESDAY:

-Kamut English Muffins, butter, homemade grape jelly
-butter beans, fried masa cakes, strawberry-kefir smoothies
-Cheesy Meat and Potatoes Casserole, romaine salad
snacks:boiled eggs, canned pineapple

THURSDAY:

-polenta grits
-Enchilada Bake, salad w/ Ranch-style Kefir Dressing
-pork chops with Parsley Butter Sauce, romaine salad, steamed broccoli
snacks: Orange-Pumpkin Cake w/Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting, celery sticks and leftover kefir dip

FRIDAY:

-scrambled eggs and applesauce
-Salmon Loaf, romaine salad, sweet potatoes
-homemade pizza, Eggnog Pudding
snacks:graham crackers and milk, Apple Pie Smoothies

A Unique and Free Civics Class for Your Whole Family

WTN, our local conservative talk-radio station, is hosting a unique but very informative program. I learned the other day about some very interesting things that were in the Constitution of my state. 1) A minister was held in high esteem and could only run for local office and not for the State as nothing could be allowed to come between him and his profession. 2) Anyone who professed atheism or disbelief in The Word of God was not allowed to hold office. Without Biblical morals, how could they rule justly?

Here's a link to the page where you can listen to the audio from Professor (and former State Representative) David Fowler, view notes, and there's even a test. They encourage you to do this as a family, which I think is very neat for homeschoolers! You can even receive your own WTN University diploma

Lots of history, Founding Fathers info, and Truth!

Easy Beef and Rosemary Mock Bisquick Bake

Preheat oven to 400.

2 cups mock Bisquick (see below or use the Real)
2/3 cup water (warm if your mock Bisquick has been in the refrigerator)
1 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary (crush slightly with your fingers)
Mix together, knead slightly if necessary, and spread in sprayed 9X13.

1 lb ground beef browned, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 T dried onions

Mix together and spread over dough.
Top with;
2/3 cup shredded cheddar

Bake at 400 for 25 minutes.

My family loves this. It tastes slightly like biscuits and sausage.

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

Mock Bisquick:

5 cups plain flour

1/4 cup baking powder

2 T sugar

1 t salt

1 cup your choice of fats (beef tallow here)

Mix dry ingredients and cut in fat. Use as you would Bisquick; 2 cups mix with approx. 2/3 cup water. Store in refrigerator. 

New Page at the Top

Be sure to check out my new page tab at the top called Frugal Home!
Blessings and hope you all in the South with me are having a nice rainy and foggy day! I love Fall!

Fried Masa Cakes

These are so easy and tasty. Masa flour has such a great flavor. It is perfect to use with any Mexican dish but it's also good alongside your favorite beans!

2 cups masa flour

2 cups very warm water

1 t salt

Stir all 3 ingredients together with a fork for several minutes. Allow to stand for several minutes (or more).

Pat out walnut sized pieces with wet hands until they are about 3 to 4 inches around. Fry them on a hot buttered griddle until golden brown.

Carob Bark Candy

1 cup carob
1/4 cup (dark here) cocoa powder
2/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Stir all ingredients together until well blended. Pour into lightly butter pie plate and place in the freezer for about 20 minutes. Cut and break up with a knife. Store in the refrigerator as it will melt in a warm room.

Black Bean Brownies

 2 cups black beans, mostly drained
1 1/2 cups cane sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder (dark here)
1 t vanilla
1/2 cup plain flour
3 eggs
1/4 t salt
4 T coconut oil, melted butter, or other fat

Mix well in food processor, blender, or with hand mixer.
Pour into sprayed deep dish pie plate or 9X9.
Bake at 350 for approx. 30 minutes.

Let cool before slicing. The beans are less noticeable when it has cooled.

This slices like a pumpkin pie. You may add a frosting if you like. It is noticeable that these are 'different' but they won't know quite what it is. ;-)

Kitchen Tips- store-bought wheat flour

Welcome to Kitchen Tip Tuesdays!

 I love fresh wheat flour and have had a mill to grind my own for around 15 years. But sometimes I run out and its a while before I can order grains again. When I do, I often will get King Arthur or Kroger brand wheat flour in the 5lb bags. But- let's face it- there are a many differences in using FRESH flour and old flour.

It's not as light, the texture isn't as good, and the smell isn't so sweet.

But the main problem? It's bitter. Why? Well, the oils break down and go rancid quite quickly after grinding. (Some say within minutes, others within 24 hours, and still others say within 7 days.) Most people who don't like wheat and wheat flour may not realize that the 'bite' that's bad about wheat is that bitterness that comes from rancidity. Gulp.

But, you can do a few things that will help with this problem when you must purchase store-bought wheat flour.

1- put it in the freezer right away to stop this breaking down of the oils
2- use some plain or bread flour in your recipes to add some 'fluff' 
3- use a pinch extra yeast and a dab extra honey
4- use 1/4 cup of orange juice as part of your liquids to squelch that bitter taste (can't taste the orange)

That 4th tip I find to be the most important because, if it's bitter, the rest just doesn't matter ;-)

Happy Baking!

(Mock) Bisquick Taco Pizza

2 cups mock Bisquick (below, or use the real stuff!)
2/3 cup water
1 t dried cilantro
1 pound cooked, drained ground beef with 1/2 t chili powder and 1/2 t cumin
1 1/2 cup salsa
3/4 cup frozen corn
1/4 cup fresh or frozen chopped bell peppers (multi-colored used above)
1 cup your choice shredded cheese (I mixed 1/2 Monterey Jack, 1/4 Colby, 1/4 Habanero Cheddar)

Preheat oven to 425. Spray or grease 9X13. 

Combine baking mix, water, and cilantro to form soft dough. Spread in the bottom of pan with lightly greased hands.

Mix cooked beef, salsa, corn, and peppers. Spread over dough.

Bake approx. 25 minutes until edges are golden.Sprinkle on cheese. Serve with sour cream if desired.

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

Mock Bisquick:

5 cups plain flour

1/4 cup baking powder

2 T sugar

1 t salt

1 cup your choice of fats (beef tallow here)

Mix dry ingredients and cut in fat. Use as you would Bisquick; 2 cups mix with approx. 2/3 cup water. Store in refrigerator. 

Menu-

 Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

SATURDAY:
-soaked oatmeal
-leftover pizza (Brandy's dough), chick peas, Orange-Almond Mixed Fruit Crumble
-Maple-Dijon chicken legs, spaghetti squash, salad w/ Ranch-style Kefir Dressing
snacks: cooked cinnamon applesauce, Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls
SUNDAY:
-kids' choice
-Mock Bisquick Taco Bake, leftover spaghetti squash, salad w/ Ranch-style Kefir Dressing
-Marinated Pork Loin, green beans, slaw, Dark Chocolate Homemade Ice Cream
snacks: popsicles, roasted squash seeds
MONDAY:
-soaked steel cut oats aka "Bug Oats"
-Butternut Squash Soup, Brandy's French Bread, Kefir-berry smoothies
-Roast, potatoes, carrots, crowder peas
snacks:leftover bread and violet jelly, Eggnog Pudding
TUESDAY:
-Bulgar with sorghum and brown sugar
-Salmon Loaf, sweet potatoes, romaine salad
-beans, cornbread, swiss chard
snacks: Prune Cake, juiced apples w/ cinnamon
WEDNESDAY:
-fried eggs, toast
-chili from leftover beans, mixed fruit Cobbler
-Turkey Patties, potato wedges, green beans
snacks:Grandpa's Oatmeal Muffins, Impossible Pumpkin Pie
THURSDAY:
-Smores Instant Oatmeal, boiled egg
-Homemade Beefaroni, juiced apples and carrots
-Taco Casserole romaine salad, chili beans
snacks:Homemade Tootsie Rolls, carrots and dip
FRIDAY:
-Masa Flour Pancakes
-Bacon Quiche, fried apples, green salad
-Easy Chicken Casserole, lima beans,acorn squash
snacks:sour gummy worms, buttered popcorn

Ranch-Style Kefir Dressing....

1 1/2 cups kefir
2 T heaping, mayo
1/3 cup sour cream
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1/2 T dried chives
1/2 T dried parsley
3/4 t salt
dash black pepper
1/2 T balsamic
1 t honey

Mix well and store in refrigerator. Makes 1 pint.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

This is a new twist on the old favorite.

1 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

1 cup powdered milk

1/2 t vanilla

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1 cup chopped peanuts

Cream the peanut butter, honey, powdered milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Knead slightly and roll into balls. Roll in the chopped peanuts.

Could You Make It, on $11,000 a Year?

This guy is doing it and getting along pretty well. Thought you'd enjoy the story- and the question! ;-)

Need Frugal or Free Birthday Ideas?

Brandy has put together a very lovely page full of ideas and tips for free and frugal birthdays.

As with everything she does, it is beautifully elegant!

Hot Harvest Buns...

These remind me of Hot Cross Buns but a little denser with all of the grains and seeds. The orange and cranberry set these off but they would be good with a little less cranberries as a Thanksgiving dinner roll as well ...(minus the frosting).

But if you're looking for a little whole grain goodness with a little sweetness, these are perfect!

1 T yeast
3/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup honey
zest and juice of one orange
1/2 t salt
1 egg
1/2 cup powdered milk
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup ground flax
1/2 cup dried chopped cranberries
1/2 to 3/4 cup plain flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add in remaining ingredients and mix until dough is workable.
Cover for 30 minutes in a warm area. Knead gently on lightly greased/sprayed counter.Pinch
dough off and roll in balls and place in approx. 9X9 baking dish. Place in warm oven to rise.
This dough is a little heavy so your rising time may be longer, about an hour. Once rolls are nearly
doubled, remove from oven and preheat to 350. Bake approx. 20 to 22 minutes until tops are
golden.

Frosting- Cream cheese is perfect for these or a simple powdered sugar glaze. Here I used about 4oz of cream cheese and beat with sweetened condensed milk.That combination gives the frosting an almost chewy texture.


Be sure to visit:
Be Different Act Normal
Young and Crafty 
lollyjaneboutique 

Rainbow Stew

32 oz beef broth
32 oz water
1 can diced tomatoes
1 bundle of Swiss chard (multi-colored if you can)
2 large carrots, sliced
1 leek, sliced
3/4 cup multi-colored peppers, if you can
1/3 head shredded cabbage
1 1/2 cups chopped cauliflower
1 medium zucchini, halved and sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Dump everything in your soup pot to simmer. You can use whatever colored veggies you have on hand.
Cook just until veggies are soft.

(Now is a good time for this soup, as frost is coming and it's time to pull up all the remaining veggies in the garden!)

*Seasoning this soup:

I used a packaged beef broth so the flavor was perfect for me. If using your own bone broth or all water for your liquid, sub 1 to 3 bouillon cubes for flavor, or several tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. All of the veggies will give you quite a pack of flavor too! -happy eating-

P.S.

No recipe yet for the "free bubble-lub" ;-)

Linked to:
Somewhat Simple
Thrifty 101 
The Shabby Creek Cottage
The Diaper Diaries 

Cream of Asparagus Soup

1 can cut asparagus with the liquid
1 small chopped onion
1 small stick of celery, chopped
2 T butter
1 cup cooked brown rice
3/4 t salt
dash of black pepper
2 cups of milk

Saute onion and celery in butter until soft. Pour asparagus with liquid, onion-celery saute, brown rice, salt, and pepper into blender. Blend until pureed. Pour into sauce pot. Add milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for approx. 5 minutes.

Kitchen Tip:

Welcome to Kitchen Tip Tuesdays!

These are some of my tea-making gadgets. But- tea balls don't have to be just for tea!

You can use them to house herbs and spices in soups and drinks (like heated cider) for quick removal. ...Some members of my family think "you're the winner" if you get the bay leaf....others find it a bother. A tea ball solves the bother. It can also help you obtain a clearer broth as you can put your herbs, garlic, and peppercorns in it and remove them when done.

Happy cooking!

Menu Plan-

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

 Frugal Tip for the week: Before a frost, pick everything that could be harmed in your garden. We are still eating ripening tomatoes from 2 weeks ago!

SATURDAY:

-peanut butter pancakes
-Wintry Tomato Soup, Cottage Cheese Dinner Rolls
-Poor Man's Steak, romaine, sweet potatoes
snacks: grapes, sliced apples

SUNDAY:

-kids' choice
-Cream of Asparagus Soup, cheese sandwiches
-Homemade Pizza (w/ Brandy's dough recipe)
snacks:bananas, orange juice, Chili-spiced Almonds

MONDAY:

-French Toast Sticks
-Beef Stew, cornbread muffins, Prune Cake
-Tapatio Chicken Legs, potato wedges, swiss chard
snacks:Orange-Almond Apple Crumble, grapes

TUESDAY:

-soaked oatmeal, berries
-Onion Soup, grilled cheese, bananas
-Marinated Pork Loin, green beans, sweet potatoes, apple-prune relish
snacks:Strawberry-banana Muffins, Orange-Pumpkin Cake w/ Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting

WEDNESDAY:

-toast and eggs
-Beef Barley and Mushroom Stew, orange bread
-white beans, cornbread, creamed corn, swiss chard
snacks:kefir-berry smoothie, Apples from the Orchard Cake

THURSDAY:

-Gingerbread Pancakes
-Frittata, romaine, cauliflower w/ mock cheese sauce
-roast beef w/ gravy, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts
snacks:Lemon-Oatmeal Bread, sliced apples with kefir-peanut butter dip

FRIDAY:

-fried polenta with syrup
-Beef Barley and Lentil Stew, 4 loaves white bread, sliced apples
-Easy Maple Dijon Chicken Legs, potato wedges, Confetti, Cream Cheese Strawberry Bread
snacks:toast and jelly, cinnamon toast

Wintry Tomato Soup

1 quart of home canned tomatoes, pureed (2 cans store-bought)

1 quart water

1 medium onion, chopped

pinch of cloves

pinch of cinnamon

1/2 t black pepper

1/4 t garlic powder

2 bay leaves

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Simmer all ingredients for approx 40 minutes, covered tightly, until onions are very tender. 

Mix:

1 cup milk

1 1/2 T cornstarch or arrowroot 

Pour, while stirring into soup. Heat until thickened. Serve hot.

*Served here with Cottage Cheese Dinner Rolls.

Cream of Sunshine Soup

8 cups chicken broth
3 T butter
2 large onions, chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
1 1/2 t minced garlic
1 t rosemary
1/2 t black pepper
3 cups cooked, mashed, pureed squash (pumpkin and butternut here)
2 t salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup plain flour

Saute onions and celery in butter until soft. Add broth. Stir in garlic, rosemary, pepper, and salt.
Blend in squash puree. (Any pureed, orange food will do here!) Simmer on low for 1 hour. Shake or
whisk flour into milk. Gradually stir milk and flour mixture into soup, heat approx. 5 more minutes
and remove from heat.

Cottage Cheese Dinner Rolls...

1/2 cup warm water
2 T yeast
1 cup cottage cheese, rinsed in lukewarm water and drained
1 1/2 T honey
1/4 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 egg
2 cups spelt or wheat flour
1 1/2 to 2 cups plain flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add cottage cheese, honey, soda, salt, and egg. Mix well.
Add spelt/wheat flour. Gradually add plain flour just until you have a workable dough.
Allow to rise, covered, for one hour. Punch down. Roll into 12 balls and place in buttered
9X9 baking dish (or similar size). Allow to rise in warm place for 30 minutes. Bake at 350
for 20 to 22 minutes until golden. Butter and sprinkle with parsley if you like. Serve hot!

These are perfect for vegetable soups!

*Tips: Toss some herbs in your dough to go with different meals.
*Food Storage Tip: My cottage cheese expired in March and had been unopened and was still very good. 

Orange-Almond Apple Crumble

approx. 10 cups sliced, peeled apples
juice and zest of 1 large orange
1 stick of butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup oats
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup chunky-ground almonds
*you may want extra sugar

Spread apples in buttered 9X13. Sprinkle orange zest and juice across the apples.
You may sprinkle extra sugar across your apples for a sweeter dish or if your apples are tart.

Melt butter, blend in brown sugar, then oats, then flour. Sprinkle over apples. Sprinkle ground almonds across the flour-sugar mixture. Bake for approx. 1 hour at 375.

We enjoyed this so much, I think I'll make another one tonight! ;-)

This post is linked to:
Delightful Order
Thrifty 101 
Diaper Diaries 
Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Grocery Cart Challenge 
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 
Life As Mom

Herbed Pepperoni Stew-

1 small onion
3/4 cup chopped bell peppers (I used multi-colored)
2 T butter
1 1/2 t minced garlic
1 46 oz can of tomato juice (or3 qts home-canned)
1- 4ozcan drained mushrooms
4 cups broth (or water)
1 T parsley
1 t oregano
1/2 t basil
1/4 sage
1/4 t rosemary
1/4 thyme
1/2 garlic powder
2 cups elbow macaroni
approx. 5 oz pepperoni*
-opt. 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese

Saute peppers and onions in butter until soft. Add tomato juice and water bring to simmer. Add pasta and all seasonings, along with quartered pepperoni slices. Heat,  stirring frequently, until noodles are soft.

This soup is best if made the day before. For best results, when cooking the day before, turn off heat after adding noodles and cover, allowing them to cook slowly.
Can be reheated in the oven topped with mozzarella.

*Pepperoni can be bought in bulk at Sam's for the best price.

**To make this "Pizza Soup": subtract one cup of the pasta, add 1/2 to 1 pound of cooked sausage balls or crumbled, cooked sausage.

Cultures....

Cultures For Health is offering a free Kombucha recipe ebook with 14 different recipes using Kombucha.
(You all remember how much I love Kombucha, don't you? ;-)

Also, you can use the following coupon code, CF2011, from now through the 24th for 20% off Creme Fraiche Starters.

Lastly-
Be sure to check out their contest for a chance to win a $100 Gift Certificate!


Full Disclosure: I am an affiliate for Cultures for Health. Your purchases through my links are a blessing!

Cream of Green Pea Soup

2T butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 T dried parsley
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water(or all water and 2 to 3 bouillon cubes)
4 cups frozen peas
1/4 t black pepper
2 t salt (or more)
1/4 t thyme
1 t rosemary
1 cup milk
3 T plain flour

Saute celery and onions in butter until soft, about 5 minutes.
Bring broth to a boil, add peas and sauteed mixture. Cook
at a low boil for 20 to 25 minutes until peas go pale. Add
spices and seasonings during the last 5 to 10 minutes of
cooking. Allow the soup to cool slightly and in small batches
pulse in blender. (Careful!) Once all is pureed (you may still
have some lumps, that's okay), heat again. In lidded container
shake milk w/flour until well-blended. Add to soup and heat to
boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Allow soup to cool
ten minutes or so before serving.

This is great for lunch or served as a side at supper.
We had a cup of it with meatloaf and mashed potatoes!