Sep. 22, 2009 - Chili Sauce

 

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Aug. 11, 2009 - Iced Chai Tea

DD and I went to Panera Bread when I got off work on Saturday.  We treated ourselves to their expensive drinks -- a hot mocha for dd (and it was nearly 90 degrees!)  I got an iced chai tea.  To say it was delicious is a huge understatement!  I knew I couldn't keep going back and spending $3.49 plus tax to get these drinks, so my tightwad self got on the internet to research recipes. 

Here is one I used concocted myself Sunday when I got home from work:

Iced Chai Tea

• 3/4 c. milk 
• 1/4 c. water
• 2 Chai tea bags
• 2 packets Stevia (or you could use 2 T. sugar or 2 packets of other sweetener
• a liberal sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg

Put the milk, water, tea bags, and spices in a saucepan.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Let it set for about 3-4 minutes after it boils.  Pour over a glass filled with ice and enjoy!

Here are some others I found online:

Iced Chai Tea

• 2-1/2 c. 2% milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar or artificial sweetener
• 2 Chai tea bags
• Cinnamon (to garnish)

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients, except the cinnamon in a saucepan, bring to a boil stirring frequently.

     2.  Remove from heat, let stand 3-4 minutes, Remove the tea bags.

     3.  Chill in the fridge.

     4.  Serve over ice cubes with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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Aug. 4, 2009 - Alternative to Hot Mochas, etc.

DD and I tried some of the hot mochas that McDonald's was offering for free on Mondays.  We really liked the hot ones, but the iced mochas were NASTY!    I told dd that my cappuccino machine (which has been stored away for quite some time), could make cappuccinos that were every bit as good as the $2.29 ones at McDonald's. 

We headed off to Kroger to buy some cappuccino coffee (in both decaf and regular so we could drink it no matter the time of day).    I dug out the machine.  The trick to making it taste good is to make 1/3 of it coffee, 1/3 steamed milk, and the other 1/3 frothed milk.  When it is done, we squirt chocolate syrup in the mug, add sweetener, and stir.  We top it with whipped topping, then we add a bit of cinnamon, followed by a tiny bit more chocolate syrup over the whipped topping.  Yum!  And we paid about $12 for TWO large containers of coffee.  Whereas, if we would buy them at McDonald's, we would get less than 6 of them for $12.00 

For those who don't have the money to buy a cappuccino machine, here is an alternative.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And now, for a neat praise! 

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Jul. 28, 2009 - Seasoned crackers

 

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Jun. 30, 2009 - White Sauce

• 2 c. instant dry milk
• 1 c. flour
• 2 t. salt
• 1 c. margarine

• 1/2 c. white sauce mix
• 1  c. cool water
• pepper, herbs, spices

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Jun. 23, 2009 - Gravy Mixes

I hate to spend money on things I can make myself.  Anytime you buy something someone else has put together, you pay more for it.  Well, thank you very much, but I'd rather keep that extra money in my pocket!  

A few weeks ago, I was looking to find a recipe for brown gravy that could be made ahead of time.  I found a great site while searching:

http://mixes.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/419/

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May. 12, 2009 - Onion Soup Mix

Before I share my tip today, I wanted to update you on the interview I had on Friday.  I was called early Monday morning and asked to come for a second interview on Tuesday at 9:00.  Please pray for favor.  We really need me to work right now, and I feel strongly that this is the job for me.  It would be a perfect fit!  Now for my tip.........

Onion Soup Mix

Makes 10 batches

• 1 c. dried minced onions
• 2 t. onion powder
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 1/4 c. instant beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese
• 1 t. celery salt
• 1/2 t. white pepper
• 1 t. sugar
• 1/8 t. black pepper
• 1/8 t. salt

Makes 30 batches:

• 3 c. dried minced onions
• 2 T. onion powder
• 1 T. garlic powder
• 3/4 c. instant beef bouillon granules
• 3/4 c. parmesan cheese
• 1 T. celery salt
• 1-1/2 T. white pepper
• 1 T. sugar
• 1/4 t. black pepper
• 1/4 t. salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Store in an airtight container in a cool place.  I store mine in the freezer, where it can be kept for up to six months.

When you have a recipe that calls for dry onion soup, use 2 T. of this mix.

To use as a soup:  Combine 2 T. with 1-1/2 c. boiling water per serving.

To use as an appetizer:  Combine 1/4 c. of the mix with 2 c. sour cream.  Mix well and refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.

For a couple of more tips regarding school, please see my Monday post. 

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Mar. 24, 2009 - Make Your Own Groceries (misc. recipes)

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Feb. 17, 2009 - Grape Nuts Cereal (homemade) & Spumoni Cake recipe

Grape Nuts Cereal

• 3-1/2 c. sifted whole wheat flour
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 2 c. milk
• 2 T. vinegar
• 1/2 t. salt

Mix flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt.  Stir vinegar into the milk and add to flour mixture.  Stir well.  Spread dough onto greased cookie sheet.  You want it about 1/4 inch thick.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  Let it cool for about 30 minutes.  Next, grind it in a food chopper.  (You don't want the cereal completely dry when you chop it or you will get flour.)  Once you are done grinding it, divide it between two cookie sheets, and return to a 300 degree oven for 30-45 minutes, stirring it every 15 minutes.  The longer you bake it, the crunchier the texture will be.

This recipe was very easy to make, and SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying it at the store.  As with most things you make yourself, the homemade version tastes MUCH better too! 

All Purpose Cake Mix:

• 10 c. flour
• 6-1/4 c. sugar
• 1 c. cornstarch
• 5 T. baking powder
• 1 T. salt
• 1-1/2 c. shortening

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.  Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles cornmeal in texture.  Spoon into a 20-cup container with a tight-fitting lid.  Store in a cool, dry place for up to 12 weeks.  Makes about 17 c. of cake mix.

Spumoni Cake (You can view a picture of the cake here.)

• Rainbow frosting, below  (Start with this first!)
• 3-1/3 c. cake mix (from above) -- You can use a white box mix if you prefer. 
• 1/4 t. baking soda
• 1-1/2 c. buttermilk
• 1/4 c. margarine, melted
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 T. brown sugar
• 1-1/2 T. cocoa powder
• 1 t. vanilla
• food coloring
• strawberry, lemon, and peppermint extract

Prepare rainbow frosting; set aside.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour 4 round pans.  Combine cake mix, baking soda, buttermilk, margarine, and eggs.  Beat on high for 3-4 minutes.  Divide evenly among 4 smaller bowls. 

• Bowl 1:  Add brown sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla from above.  Stir well.
• Bowl 2:  Add 2 drops green food coloring and a drop of peppermint extract.  Stir well.
• Bowl 3:  Add 2 drops red food coloring and a couple of drops of strawberry extract.  Stir well.
• Bowl 4:  Add 2 drops of yellow food coloring and a couple of drops of lemon extract.  Stir well.

Pour each bowl into one of the four round pans.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before removing cake from pans.  Let cool before you add the icing.

Rainbow Frosting:

• 1 c. milk
• 2 T. flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 c. margarine, softened
• 1/2 c. shortening
• 1 c. sugar
• 2-3 drops each of red, yellow, and green food coloring
• strawberry, peppermint, and lemon extract
• 3 T. cocoa powder
• 1/4 t. vanilla

In a saucepan, combine milk, flour, and salt.  Stirring constantly, cook until it thickens.  Cool.  (Now make your cake.) 

Once your cakes are cool, combine margarine, shortening, and sugar in a large bowl.  Beat well.  Add to cooled milk mixture, beating constantly until it is smooth.  Divide among 4 smaller bowls.

• Bowl 1:  Add cocoa powder and vanilla.  Stir well.
• Bowl 2:  Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring and a couple of drops of strawberry extract.  Stir well.
• Bowl 3:  Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring and a drop of peppermint extract.  Stir well.
• Bowl 4: Add 2-3 drops of yello food coloring and a couple of drops of lemon extract.  Stir well.

Alternate layers of cake and icing until you have four layers of cake and four layers of icing.  Put in the refrigerator.

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Feb. 10, 2009 - Stacy's Cheesy Black Bean Soup

We have been eating a lot of soup lately.  It is a very inexpensive and delicious choice.  I decided to experiment and came up with this recipe.  Dh said it is the best soup he has ever had. 

Stacy's Cheesy Black Bean Soup

• 1 can chicken broth
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup **
• 1 can cream corn
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 lb. deboned chicken pieces 
• 12 oz. cheddar cheese (diced) OR 1 # Velveeta cheese, cubed

Pour chicken broth and cream of chicken soup in large pan.  Add cream corn, black beans, and chicken.  When it is warm, add the cheese and stir frequently until it melts.

** To make this meal even cheaper, you can make your own cream soup:

Instant Cream Soup Mix

• 2 c. instant, dry milk
• 3/4 c. cornstarch
• 1/4 c. instant chicken bouillon granules
• 1 t. onion powder
• 1/2 t. thyme
• 1/2 t. basil
• 1/4 t. pepper

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container.

To use for soup, take 1/4 c. soup mix and mix with 1-1/4 c. water. Heat until it thickens.  You can also add broccoli or mushrooms, depending on what kind of soup you like.

Please note:  When I used this soup recipe for my cheesy black bean soup recipe, I used 1/2 c. instant cream soup and 2 c. water so that it would be creamier.

Here is a FREE ebook on celebrating Valentine's Day in a frugal fashion:

http://www.livingonadime.com/ebooks/valentinespr.html

Since our income has been drastically reduced, we are living on necessities rather than "wants."  I have learned something through this.  I rarely make any dessert these days because I consider them "wants."  However, last week I decided to make something sweet for dessert.  The next day, I noticed that I was dragging.  By 1:00 that afternoon, I was barely functioning.  I attributed it to the sugar in the dessert the night before.  There is a commercial which often mentions something being priceless.  To me, having energy is priceless.  Thus, I have learned that it is not worth it to eat the sweets.  They zap my energy for a day or two. 

There is also another thing to consider regarding sweets.  Sugar inhibits your bodies ability to fight off any germs, and it does so for several hours.  Many of us are financially strapped these days.  Some may not have insurance to cover doctor bills.  Others may have large families that simply don't need to be passing a "bug" from one person to another, etc.  So the next time you think about making a dessert, remember the trade-off.  After all, having a healthy family is also "priceless." 

DD and I came home Saturday with $279 in brand new tops and jackets, but we got it for FREE!  My mom treated us to the clearance racks at Elder-Beerman.  She bought us 11 different items, and got it all for less than $100.  While dd and I were extremely grateful for her generosity, I think Mom had just as much buying the items as we did!  She kept saying how much fun it was. 

In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's devotion is:  Trashy Love.

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Jan. 27, 2009 - Replacing Electrolytes

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Dec. 9, 2008 - Cheese Sticks recipe & Chicken Fingers

Cheese Sticks 

 

• 8 oz. block mozzarella cheese, cut into thick slices 
• 1 1/2 c. breadcrumbs
• 1 t. salt
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 1 t. Italian seasoning
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 2 eggs
• 2 T. cold water

1. Mix the breadcrumbs and seasonings in a shallow bowl.
2. Whisk together the eggs and water.
3. Dip each cheese wedge in eggs, then breadcrumbs. Repeat.  You can repeat this until you have three layers, but we found that dipping them twice worked well.
4. Fry in 1" hot oil in a skillet for 45 seconds. Flip and fry another 30-45 seconds.

Chicken Fingers

• 1 lb. chicken breasts, pounded flat and cut into fingers
• 2 eggs
• 1 T. water
• 2 1/2 c. finely crushed cracker crumbs (or bread crumbs)
• 1 t. paprika
• 1 t. dried thyme
• 1 t. pepper
• 1 t. basil
• 1/2 t. garlic powder
• 1/2 t. cilantro (optional)  -- I happen to love that spice! 
• Canola oil for frying

1. In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and water.

2. In a second shallow bowl, mix pretzel crumbs and spices.

3. Dip chicken fingers in cracker crumbs, then in eggs, then in crackers again.  If you let it set in the fridge all day, it will help the breading stay on when you fry it.

4. Fry chicken in 1 1/2″ of hot oil in a medium-sized skillet. Cook 5 minutes on the first side, 3-4 minutes on the second side.

5. Serve the chicken with any dipping sauces that you like. I actually prefer mine with my homemade bbq sauce.  DD prefers ranch with hers.

Here is another tip, unrelated to the above:

With it being cold, wintry, and dry, I have noticed that my face seems so itchy and dry (especially my forehead).  I have found a cheap remedy for this.  I use a very light layer of Vaseline (or the generic) on my face.  I won't use it when I plan to wear foundation, but I usually only wear foundation on Sundays.  It really curbs that dry, itchy skin, and it's CHEAP! 

Here is the recipe for the cookies I am taking for the cookie exchange at our Mom's Night Out this evening:

Molasses Creams

1-1/2 c. margarine, softened                     4 c. flour

2 c. sugar                                                2 t. baking soda

2 eggs, lightly beaten                               1 t. graound cinnamon

1/2 c. light molasses                                 3/4 t. ground ginger

                                                              1/2 t. ground cloves

Frosting:

1-1/2 c. powdered sugar                  1 T. vanilla

3 T. margarine, softened                 1-2 T. milk

In a large bowl, cream margarine and sugar.  Add eggs and molasses; mix thoroughly.  Blend in dry ingredients.  Roll into walnut-sized balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheets (do not flatten).  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  (Centers will be slightly soft.)  In a small bowl, beat frosting ingredients until creamy.  Frost the cookies while they are warm.  Yield: 8 dozen. 

~~ Stacy ~~ 

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Nov. 4, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday & Coffee Mixes and Gifts in a Jar

I wanted to share some wonderful coffee recipes with you, along with some "gifts in a jar" recipes.  With the continuing cost of rising prices, giving homemade gifts is a wonderful way to go.  It's cheaper on your budget, yet provides a lovely, thoughtful gift.

Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix

1-1/2 c. dry milk

3-4 T. creamer

5 T. cocoa

4 packets sweet-n-low (or other sweetener) 

Mix and store in airtight container.  Use 3 T. to 1 c. boiling water. 

Hot Chocolate Mix

½ c. cocoa

¾ c. sugar

3 c. dry milk

dash of salt 

Store in an airtight container.  Add 4 T. to 8 oz. boiling water.  Top with marshmallows.

 Coffee Continental Mix

1 c. cocoa mix

¾ c. instant coffee

Combine and store in an airtight container.

To give as a gift, add this:

1-1/2 T. coffee continental mix

6 oz. boiling water

whipped cream, optional 

Place coffee continental mix in mug and add boiling water.  Top with whipped cream.

 Cappuccino Mix

1 c. non-dairy creamer

1 c. chocolate-flavored drink mix (can use either recipe at the top)

¾ c. instant coffee

½ c. sugar (I add 3-4 packets of sweet-n-low to keep it sugar-free.)

½ t. ground cinnamon

¼ t. ground nutmeg 

Combine in an airtight container.  (When using as a gift, I layer the items without mixing because it makes a really pretty gift when still layered.)

 Add this to your gift:

Cappuccino

2 T. Cappuccino mix

6 oz. boiling water

whipped cream and shaved chocolate (optional) 

Place cappuccino mix in mug.  Add boiling water.  Stir.  Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.  (Can also add a bit of cinnamon to whipped cream.)

Toffee Coffee Mix

2/3 c. instant coffee

1 c. dry creamer

½ c. dry milk

¼ c. cocoa powder

1 c. brown sugar, packed

Mix and blend in blender to a fine powder.  Use 2 rounded t. per cup of boiling water. 

Swiss Mocha Coffee

½ c. instant coffee

1 c. sugar

1 c. dry milk

¼ c. dry creamer

¼ c. unsweetened cocoa

¼ c. vanilla instant pudding

Combine and store in an airtight container.  Use 3-4 T. per cup of boiling water. 

White Hot Chocolate

3 c. half and half, divided

2/3 c. white chocolate chips

1 cinnamon stick

1/8 t. nutmeg

1 t. vanilla

¼ t. almond extract

In saucepan, combine ¼ c. of the half and half, white chocolate, cinnamon stick, and nutmeg.  Stir over low heat until chips are melted.  Discard cinnamon stick.  Add remaining half and half.  Stir until heated through.  Remove from heat.  Add vanilla and almond extract.  Sprinkle with cinnamon.

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Oct. 28, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Chicken Alfredo

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Oct. 7, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Maple Syrup and Waffles

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Sep. 30, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Soup Night and recipes

I usually make the month of October a bit of a Sabbatical regarding my computer usage time.  My favorite board to visit has several forums.  For the month of October, I will only visit the homeschool section (in order to encourage and help others who may need it), and I will also visit the prayer forum.  The rest of the forums are off limits for me during my Sabbatical. 

Here is my "no procrastination" part:  In order to make my Sabbatical even more practical, I have typed up my blog entries for Mondays and Tuesdays through the first week of November.  I will likely only post one Friday during November, only because I have that particular entry typed up already.    This will allow me extra time to devote to prayer, reading the Word, reorganizing my priorities, focusing on my attitude, my home, and my family.  If anyone else feels compelled to join me on this journey, I would love to hear the end results once the month is over. 

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Sep. 9, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - B&K Hot Dog Sauce Recipe

DD and I went shopping last week at Walmart.  We rarely check the pj section of the store because they are always so expensive.  It's usually cheaper to turn old, worn clothes into pjs.  However, this time, we were pleasantly surprised!  DD got 4 pair of pj pants, 6 pj tops, and one shirt.  Original price: $103.88.  Our price:  $34.00. 

Monday we went to Goodwill.  DD found 4 pair of jeans and 8 shirts for less than $50.00!  We are doing the happy dance again! 

At Vania's request, I am posting my recipe for B&K Hot Dog Sauce. 

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Jul. 22, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Salad Dressing recipes

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Jul. 15, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Gatorade

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Apr. 1, 2008 - Tightwad Tuesday - Bread Machine Pizza Dough

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