Here are some simple recipies to cut back on the spending.

Muffins

The save time tip -- combine the dry ingredients together in a ziplock bag and repeat.  and repeat.  and repeat!  This way you have many bags of mix that you just have to pull out and add the wet ingredients. 

Mix together:

     1/4 -1/2 cup sugar

     1/2 t salt

     1 T baking powder

     2 cups flour

Add

     1/4 cup oil

     1 med egg

     1 cup milk

(or you can add 1/3 cup powdered milk to the dry ingredients and 1 cup water to the wet ingredients)

Spray muffin cups -- bake at 400 for 20 minutes.

Waffles--You need a waffle maker.  $10 at Target and well worth it.  You will make your money worth in no time.

Save time tip -- same as muffins.  Just put dry ingredients in ziplock bags.  OR combine them all into a large ziplock bag and measure out the following: 1 1/4 and 1 Tbls. mix and then follow with wet ingredients.

1 cup flour

1/4 cup powdered milk

2 teas sugar

1 1/2 teas baking powder

dash salt

1 egg beaten

3/4 cup water

1 teas vanilla

1 Tbls oil

Pour 1/3 cup on heated waffle maker.  Cook till it stops steaming.  Make lots ahead of time and store in ziplock bags in the freezer.  Add blueberries for a yummy mix.

Cream Soup Substitute

Save time tip -- store this recipe in an empty can or tupperware.  I've kept mine in empty cans of powdered buttermilk and Jennies Macaroons.

2 cups powdered milk

3/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup bullion (whatever kind you want)

2 Tbs onion flakes

1 teas thyme

1/2 teas each of

     basil

     oregano

     marjoram

     pepper

**1/2 cup dry to 1 1/4 cup water and 2 Tbs butter.  Cook until thickened.  Makes about 6 or 7 "cans" of soup.  Each 1/2 cup mixture is equal to 1 can undiluted.

Tomato Soup

This I don't make ahead of time.  You could, though, by freezing it or canning.

6oz can tomato paste

1 can water

2 Tbl marg or butter (marg is cheaper!)

     Mix till smooth and bubbly and remove from heat.

3 cans milk

1 teas sugar (more to taste)

1/4 teas salt (I always end up adding more)

1 teas onion powder

dash pepper

     Stir in until smooth.  Return to heat and heat through.  Do not boil.  It will curdle and look funny (but still taste good!)

Flour and Corn Tortillas

Head over to Hillbilly Housewife for this one.  The two recipies are up in the right hand corner.  Also, I use 1 1/2 cups water for the flour tortillas.  Makes it easier to roll and I can get 16 8 inch tortillas out of it this way.

The possibilities are endless for these.  Enchiladas, burritoes, any kind of wrap, peanut butter and jelly or honey, eggs and cheese.......just to name a few ideas.