Cooking Weekend

Today is my Monday....  Happy Monday to all of you.....
I spent my weekend driving 5 hours to my parents house.  On Sunday I cooked all day, and loaded my Mom and Dads' freezer with pre-cooked easy to prepare recipes.  They have marinated chicken, pork roast, Hawaiian Pork, Chicken and Navy bean soup, 3 batches of meatballs, and Salmon patties.  My mom has had some health issues lately and is not able to stand for long periods of time (in the kitchen).  My dad hates to cook, so this was a win win situation for them. 
It is frugal and cost effective to prepare food for the freezer, and eat it as you go.  It is much cheaper than eating out or buying pre-packaged food, unless of course the pre-packaged food is on sale and you have coupons.  Another advantage of making your own food, is that you can control the salt, and fat content of your recipes. 
It is hard work, and it took me pretty much all day cooking, but if you are organized, you can really put some delicious recipes in the freezer. 
One of the things I do at home, if I have made extra soup or dinner items, I will put the leftovers into freezer bags (always date and say what the contents of the bag are) and throw them in the freezer instead of having them sit in the refrigerator for a week and throwing them out. 
This is an excellent way to stretch your food budget, and avoid throwing food away.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This is a fabulous gourmet pasta salad, that is absolutely better than anything you can get at the deli, and not to mention much cheaper

2 chicken breasts ~ grilled (I grill mine on my George Foreman)
1 pkg Bow Tie Pasta~ cooked according to package directions
1 small bunch of Romaine Lettuce... (you can use pre-washed and bagged lettuce but I personally think it is a waste of money).  Wash the lettuce and tear it up into bite size pieces.
1 bottle of your favorite Caesar Salad dressing.
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Grill and season your chicken breasts to your liking, and let them cool. Cut them up into bite size pieces  Cook your pasta and drain, rinse in cool water, and add these ingredients in a fairly large bowl along with your bite size pieces of Romaine lettuce, mix in at least 1/2 the bottle of salad dressing, and toss all ingredients until just moist...  You can definitely use more dressing if it seems to dry.  Then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top.... and enjoy.  If the salad seems dry the next day add more dressing or a bit of mayonnaise.  You can also use french dressing if you would like another variation. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day

Thanksgiving Left Overs

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Now that the big meal is done and over, here come's my favorite part...the Left Overs.
I just love turkey sandwiches, and mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy.  I will eat this for the next several days and not grow tired of it.

I made a pan of turkey enchiladas, I boiled the turkey carcass, and picked the meat off all of the bones, I took a can of green chili enchilada sauce and used 1/2 the can to line the bottom of a cake pan. 
I took a tub of sour cream and mixed it with a can of cream of chicken soup and a can of diced green chilies.
I used 10 tortilla shells.  put this sour cream mixture in the middle of the tortilla and a handful of turkey meat.
rolled them up like burritos and put them in the cake pan.  When the pan was full of enchiladas, I mixed the rest of the enchilada sauce with the sour cream mixture and poured it over the top of the rolled up tortillas.
I topped it with grated cheddar cheese and olives and baked it at 350 for 30 minutes until the cheese was all bubbly. 
Very easy and very tasty...... 

Now.... the broth from the boiled turkey....  I skimmed off the fat, loaded it up in a ziplock freezer bag, and stuck it in the freezer.  I will use this broth for a batch of home made soup in a week or two. 
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!!

Slow Cooked Asian Chicken

This sweet Asian soy chicken is a simple meal that comes together in your slow cooker. This is great for the chicken lovers in your family - they will chow down on these delectable chicken legs.  Here is a Fabulous recipe to use up those bags of Chicken Hindquarters that you have in your freezer that you loaded up on while they were on sale.....  Enjoy




Serves: 6


http://www.favediets.com/Crock-Pot-Recipes/Slow-Cooked-Asian-Chicken
Cooking Time: 5 hr



Ingredients

6 whole chicken legs

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 clove garlic, crushed

8 ounces can tomato sauce

Instructions

1.Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Place chicken in a slow cooker.



2.In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and tomato sauce. Pour sauce over chicken.



3.Cover and cook on LOW about 5 hours or until chicken is tender.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Fabulous Home Made Cranberry Sauce

This recipe is so easy and so fabulous, that you will never buy canned cranberry sauce ever again.  Your friends and family will truly be impressed and your house will smell amazing.  It is a win win recipe

12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
3/4 cup orange juice
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup white sugar (can use more if you like it sweeter)
2 oz gold rum

place all ingredients in a sauce pan and cook on med high for 15-20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has reduced, stirring occasionally.  You will hear the cranberries "pop"....  no worries, that is what you want them to do.  Remove from heat and serve.  Cranberry sauce can be made days ahead and brought to room temperature or slightly heated before serving. 

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Impossibly Easy Chicken & Broccoli Pie

I totally love Bisquick, I actually use the generic, I think it is called Krusteaz, and it works like a dream. If you have not tried the Impossibly Easy pie recipes from the "Bisquick" website. I highly recommend the recipes, it makes for some tasty frugal cooking and the left-overs are fabulous for my lunches.

1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen broccoli cuts, thawed, drained
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken or 2 cans (5 oz each) chunk chicken, well drained
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs


1.Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Sprinkle broccoli, 1 cup of the cheese, the chicken and onion in pie plate.
2.In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients with wire whisk or fork until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3.Bake 35 to 38 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 servings

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Shepherd's Pie

Dinner tonight is Shepherd's Pie. I hope there are left-overs for my lunch tomorrow.

Ground beef (or Elk is what I used)
pepper and garlic powder
1 can of tomato soup
2 cans of tomato sauce or 1 big can
1 can of corn drained
1 can of french sliced green beans drained
left over mashed potatoes~ I had left-overs from last night
grated cheddar cheese

brown the burger season to your taste~ drain fat (if there is any) add the tomato soup and 1/2 soup can of water. Stir in the 2 cans of tomato sauce. Mix well and put in a casserole dish or cake pan. Drain the corn and sprinkle over the meat mixture. Drain the green beans and sprinkle over the meat mixture. Drop rounded spoons of the mashed potatoes right on top of the meat and veggies. Top with grated cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. Broil on hi for about 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Best Taco Soup

1 lb Burger (any burger) brown in skillet throw in soup pot and add the following
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can of corn, juice and all
1 can rotel mild or med tomatoes & chiles, w juice or use canned diced tomatoes
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg ranch dressing mix

enough water to cover ingredients. Heat until warm (or piping hot)

Serve: Grated cheese and crunched up tortilla chips on top.
Enjoy!!

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Apple Pie in the Crockpot

Wondering what to do with all of those Fabulous fall apples?
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!!

Crock Pot Apple Pie
Crock Pot Apple Pie ~ What could be better than making apple pie in your crock pot while you are at work?



8 tart apples, peeled and sliced

1-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup biscuit baking mix

1 cup biscuit baking mix

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons cold butter



Toss apples in a large bowl with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Place in lightly greased crockpot. Combine milk, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and the 1/2 cup biscuit baking mix. Spoon over apples. Combine the 1 cup biscuit baking mix and brown sugar. Cut the cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over top of apple mixture.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

ahhhh// Chicken Noodle

I am at the tale end of my week, and boy has it been a long one. I am completely ready for a weekend.
Today I made "Chicken Noodle"
I boiled the meat off of 3 1/2 hindquarters that were made on Tuesday
I seasoned the water w/ garlic salt, and pepper
I picked all the meat and skin off of the bones (nice treat for kitty, the skin and bones)
put all the "meat" back into my pot of seasoned water
added 4 stalks of celery/ chopped
added 5 carrots / chopped
cooked these until tender
added 1/2 bag of egg noodles~ cooked to package directions

This was super delish~ Once again my plan was to bring the left-overs to work.....and there was nothing left. I brought a sandwich to work.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!!

Crock Pot Goulash

Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray
5-6 medium potatoes, peeled & chopped in the bottom of the crock pot
1 medium onion, chopped
5-6 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can green beans (drained)
2 lb. hamburger
salt and pepper
1 can tomato soup + 1/2 can of water (mix this together, and pour over the top of all ingredients)

Starting with the potatoes, layer vegetables in the crock pot. You can use frozen vegetables but will need to add 1/2 cup water. Place raw hamburger on top of vegetables and top with the tomato soup. Cook on high 4-5 hours, or cook on low 6-8 hours.

Serve with Biscuits.


This recipe is simply fabulous. My kids and hubby love it. I was going to take left-overs to work, but there weren't any. This was perfect to throw in the crock pot and cook while I was sleeping.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Paula Deen's Zucchini Bread

Here is the recipe that I have been using.... It is super delicious. I have had to add a little more water. And forget the nuts, they are too expensive and this bread taste great without them. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Ingredients
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup water
2 cups grated zucchini
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine oil, eggs, water, zucchini and lemon juice. Mix wet ingredients into dry, add nuts and fold in. Bake in 2 standard loaf pans, sprayed with nonstick spray, for 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Alternately, bake in 5 mini loaf pans for about 45 minutes.

Roast in the Crockpot

Yesterday morning when I got home I threw 2 Angus beef roasts --(that I bought in the reduced meat bin at the store, if you don't use the meat from the reduced bins right away, then throw them in the freezer)-- into the crockpot, seasoned them well, and turned the crockpot on low, and then I went to bed. I slept for 6 hours, and when I got up my house smelled delicious. I sliced up the roasts in sandwich thin slices, then sliced up pickles, tomatoes and cheese. We had home made roast beef sandwiches for dinner tonight and boy were they delicious. It is so nice to cook in the crockpot during the summer, no sense in heating up your kitchen. It is also so nice to cook a gourmet meal while you are sleeping. I love summer!!!
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Frugal Smoothie

Awesome low-fat Frugal Smoothie

1/2 cup almond milk (soy milk or skim milk)
1/3 cup lowfat yogurt (any flavor)(you can substitute 2 teaspoons of peanut butter)
1 banana or any fruit
2 tsp of fiber powder (can't taste it kind)
4 icecubes if you wish (totally optional)

Blend all ingredients in blender on Med/High until smooth.

Low Fat and very tasty...can use as meal replacements
Have a Fabulous & Frugal Day!!!

Finding Frugal Info on the Web

Check out recession era cooking.... I have been having a blast with the old time recipes. I have come across frugal cooking tips and recipes, made with what you have on hand. Happy Cooking. Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!!

Creamed Eggs on Toast

This is one of my favorite breakfasts: So easy and quick to make, it is absolutely delish!!

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 tablespoonse all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 1/4 cups milk
6 hard cooked eggs, sliced

Heat margarine in 2 Qt, saucepan over low heat until melted. Stir in flour,salt and pepper. Cook over low heat stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly: remove from heat. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling stirring constantly for 1 minute. Gently stir in eggs, and heat through. Spoon over toast or english muffins. Serve with fresh fruit.

Have a Fabulous & Frugal day!!!

Hamburger Soup

I cleaned out the fridge!!! I am using an onion, broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots left over from my lunch this week to add to the soup~

2lb any burger hamburger, elk burger, turkey burger (doesn't matter) brown this in a stock pot with onion and your favorite seasonings
2 tsp garlic powder
4 broccoli florets -chopped
4 cauliflower florets - chopped
10 baby carrots- chopped
4 baby red potatoes -chopped
simmer these ingredients with the burger for a few minutes
empty these ingredients into the stock pot juice and all
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can green beans
1 can corn
1 can of peas

simmer on low for one hour~ enjoy
this is a great way to get your 5 servings of veggies
I freeze left-overs and take them to work
serve with toasted english muffins

Parmesan Halibut

Yummy Parmesan Halibut, this is a restaurant quality meal~ Have a Fabulous & Frugal day.

Parmesan Halibut

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 15min.
2 tsp. virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/8 tsp. oregano, or 1 tsp. fresh,
chopped salt and pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb. halibut steaks, about 1 inch thick
1 Tbs. parsley, chopped
Ingredients
Cooking Directions
Turn on broiler. Heat oil in a small heavy saucepan
over medium heat. Sauté garlic 3-4 minutes. Stir in
tomatoes, oregano and salt and pepper to taste.
Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in
Parmesan cheese. Arrange halibut steaks on a
lightly oiled broiler pan. Brush top of steaks with
tomato mixture. Place halibut about 4 inches from
heat source, and broil 5-6 minutes. Turn halibut,
brush again with tomato sauce, and broil another
4-5 minutes, or until sh is opaque throughout.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Per Serving: calories 173, fat 6.4g, calories

Banana Bread

Today I will be making banana bread for an upcoming event....it will last in the freezer for about 3 months however, when I make banana bread it never lasts around here.

Banana Bread with Pecan Crunch Topping

Makes two loaves.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
4 very ripe bananas, well mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups milk (can use buttermilk)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups pecans, whole or chopped (optional)

Pecan Crunch Topping:
7 1/2 tablespoons butter
12 tablespoons brown sugar
6 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup pecan pieces, chopped small (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans.

Cream the butter and sugar together.

Beat eggs in a separate bowl, then add to sugar mixture. Add mashed bananas, vanilla extract and buttermilk. Mix well.

Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to banana mixture. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Fold in pecans if using. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool an hour or two before adding topping.

To prepare topping, melt butter in saucepan. Add sugar and milk, stirring constantly. Cook until syrupy. Remove syrup from heat and add chopped pecans. Pour syrup over bread and place the pans under the broiler for 3 to 4 minutes until very bubbly, being careful not to burn the topping. Let cool completely before slicing.

NOTE: Walnuts may be substituted for pecans.

Crock Pot Apple Pie

Crock Pot Apple Pie ~ What could be better than making apple pie in your crock pot while you are at work?



8 tart apples, peeled and sliced

1-1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup biscuit baking mix

1 cup biscuit baking mix

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons cold butter



Toss apples in a large bowl with cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. Place in lightly greased crockpot. Combine milk, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and the 1/2 cup biscuit baking mix. Spoon over apples. Combine the 1 cup biscuit baking mix and brown sugar. Cut the cold butter into mixture until crumbly. Sprinkle this mixture over top of apple mixture.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.