ThriftyFun Recipes - April 3, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 66, April 3, 2008 (Read It Online) Thank you Cajun62234, Britney, Connie, Robin, Michael and Sheilamay for todays tips and recipes! Submit Your Favorite Recipe! Need a recipe? Submit a request Thanks for reading, Susan Send to a Friend! Edit Your Subscriptions: To edit your ThriftyFun subscriptions, click the Update Profile/Email Address link at the bottom of this newsletter. Today's newsletter contains: Today's Food Tips: Use a Corn Cob Holder for Pricking Poultry Skin Freeze Butter Wrappers For Greasing Pans Today's Contest Recipes: Macaroni Beef Casserole Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Country Style Louisiana (Cajun) Green Beans Monica's Red Potato Salad Baked Pineapple Crisp Robins's Recipe Corner: Sweet and Sour Beef Brisket Baked Onions Carrot Oatmeal Cookies Cole Slaw for Freezing Sausage Casserole Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml Contests: Tip Contest Submit a Tip or Recipe! Photo Contest Submit a tip with photo! The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25! My Frugal Life Submit a My Frugal Life Essay! Today's Food Tips: Use a Corn Cob Holder for Pricking Poultry Skin If you are like me, you like a crispy skin on chicken or duck. I had read a tip online that said to prick the skin with a wood skewer. Well, I tried that several times and it was either awkward, the skewer broke, or I had HUGE holes in my bird. I am cooking a duck today and tried a toothpick, worse than the skewer. My lightbulb of the day? Corn cob holder! It was easy to grip, nice metal prongs and only places small holes in the bird. Works great! Source: moi By Michael the Moe from Forestville, MD Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf49555447.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Freeze Butter Wrappers For Greasing Pans Save the wrappers from your bar butter or margarine after you have used up the bar and store them in a baggie in the freezer. Then, when you're baking just grab a couple of them and use them to grease your baking pan and toss them after. If you use tub butter or margarine, wipe the tub out with a paper towel before discarding and freeze the paper towel to use later. This gets the pan greased exactly where you want it, doesn't cost anything, and saves you the mess to clean up when the spray gets all over the place. By Sheilamay from Bronx, NY Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37242236.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Contest Recipes: Macaroni Beef Casserole This money-saving casserole is one that is also called a comfort food. For a complete meal, serve with a tossed green salad with your favorite dressing. Ingredients 1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) macaroni & cheese dinner 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 (14-1/2 oz.) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves or dried basil leaves 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (your choice of mild, med, or sharp) Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare the boxed dinner in a large saucepan as directed on package, omitting the butter. Meanwhile, brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain. Add tomatoes and oregano; mix well. Bring to a boil. Add meat mixture to the macaroni and cheese; spoon into a 9-inch square baking dish or pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through. Servings: 4 By Connie from Cotter, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90562479.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Oreo Cookie Cheesecake Ingredients 1 1/4 cups chocolate cookie crumbs 3-4 melted butter 2 cups whipping cream, divide 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar 34 Oreo cookies, divided 4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 1/2 tsp. vanilla whipped cream for garnish Directions Crust: combine cookie crumbs, and melted butter; press into 9-inch spring form pan. place crust in freezer. whip 1 1/2 cups whipping cream until still peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use. With electric beater, whip cream cheese until smooth. Add sugar and blend. Coarsely chop 24 cookies and fold into cream cheese and mixture. Fold in whipping cream. Turn filling into crust. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours. Loosen cheesecake from pan. Melt chocolate in saucepan over low heat; cool slightly. Whisk remaining whipped cream and vanilla. Glaze top sides of cheesecake with chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until chocolate hardens. Cut into 10 pieces; garnish with whipping cream and cookie on top of whipped cream. Source: http://www.cooks.com By Britney from Edmond, OK Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80105897.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Country Style Louisiana (Cajun) Green Beans I'm 6-generations Cajun, and all my family (including 3 Aunts and 5 Uncles) were farmers in LA, and therefore we had 'country' cooking all the time. Here is a recipe for the most fantastic green beans ever. Ingredients 1 large cast-iron chicken fryer skillet (approx. 14x3 1/2 inches) 2 cans of Green Beans (32 oz.) 3 Tbsp. bacon grease or vegetable oil 1 5 inch link Andouille sausage Directions Slice sausage into thin (1/6 - 1/8 inch thick) slices and slowly saute in skillet until brown on both sides. NOW add bacon grease or oil. Open cans of green beans and pour all contents, including liquid. Spread green beans evenly throughout skillet and cover. Turn heat to SIMMER and let simmer for 2 HOURS. Beans will wilt and appear to be 'fresh', no other seasoning is necessary. Andouille taste will be prominent. Check every 15-20 minutes, the final cooking should reveal very little liquid and wilted, 'fresh' green beans. Yes, this is time consuming, but every good cook will tell you that every dish is NOT microwavable :) and NO!, ONLY CAST-IRON will deliver the taste. You'll waste time and ingredients with Aluminum, Stainless Steel or Porcelain. CAUTION: You may have to double the recipe the next time it's requested :) Tip for Cast-Iron Care Season your ware the first time by washing well, then heating in an oven at 300 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. Apply either a heavy coating of Crisco shortening or spray with Pam. Let cool, wipe lightly with towel, but leave a light coating of your application. NEVER, EVER EVER use soap to clean. After using, rinse well with hot water to remove all food matter. If burnt food exists, let soak in warn water until loose, then remove gently with wooden spatula. DON'T remove/chip the 'seasoned' finish. After cleaning, always wipe down with shortening or Pam. Rinse with warm water before using. By Cajun62234 from Collinsville, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48174392.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Monica's Red Potato Salad Ingredients 2 lb. new potatoes, cooked, drained and cooled and chopped 6 eggs, cooked, peeled and chopped 1 lb. bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled 1 onion, finely chopped 5 green onions, sliced 2 cups mayonnaise 1/4 tsp. celery salt dash of garlic salt salt and pepper to taste Directions In large bowl, mix potatoes, eggs, bacon, onion, mayo, celery salt, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Sprinkle green onions of top. Refrigerate. Source: My own recipe. By Monica from Navarre, Florida Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf76493555.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baked Pineapple Crisp Ingredients 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cubed 1/4 cup coconut rum 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup flour 1/3 cup butter 4 large white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies, crumbled 1/3 cup flaked coconut Directions Combine pineapple cubes and rum in a baking dish and toss. Combine sugar and flour and butter until mixture is crumbly. Add crumbled cookies and coconut. Sprinkle over pineapple and bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees F. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Note: If you do not want to use rum, you may substitute 1/2 tsp. coconut extract and 1/2 tsp. rum extract. If you cannot find fresh pineapple, you may use 2 (20 oz.) cans of pineapple chunks, drained, but use fresh pineapple if possible. By Connie from Cotter, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31602953.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Robin's Recipe Corner: Sweet and Sour Beef Brisket Ingredients 1 Tbsp. salt 1 1/2 tsp. pepper 1 garlic clove 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 beef brisket (6-7 lb.) 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 Tbsp. white vinegar 1/2 cup ketchup 1 onion, thinly sliced Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika. Rub brisket all over with mixture and place in roasting pan. Mix brown sugar, vinegar, and ketchup in a small bowl; pour over brisket. Lay the onion slices on top of meat. Cover with foil and bake 3-3 1/2 hours or until tender. Slice brisket diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Pour pan juice over and serve. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59406695.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Baked Onions Ingredients 4-6 medium flat onions 3 Tbsp. butter 1 cup tomato juice 8 Tbsp. honey 3 tsp. seasoned salt 2 tsp. paprika Directions Cut onions in halves crosswise. Put in greased casserole dish. Combine other ingredients and pour over onions. Bake at 350 degrees F, covered, for 1 hour. Nice compliment for pork roast, ham, and turkey. Baste during cooking. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83936413.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Carrot Oatmeal Cookies Ingredients 3/4 cup margarine 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1 cup shredded carrots (finely) 1/2 cup raisins 1 3/4 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 2 cups rolled oats Directions In large bowl, beat margarine until softened. Add sugars and egg; beat. Mix dry ingredients with flour; mix well. Stir in oats, carrots, and raisins. Drop by teaspoon in ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. Cool on rack. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84937519.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cole Slaw for Freezing Ingredients 1 medium cabbage, shredded 1 carrots, grated 1 green pepper, chopped 1 tsp. salt Dressing: 1 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 tsp. celery seeds 2 cups sugar 1 tsp. whole mustard seeds Directions Mix salt with cabbage; let stand 1 hour. Squeeze out excess moisture. Add carrot and pepper. While cabbage is standing, make the preceding dressing. Combine the preceding ingredients and boil 1 minute. Cool to lukewarm and pour over slaw mixture. Put in containers and freeze. This thaws in a short time for serving. Leftover slaw can be refrozen. One batch dressing is enough for 2 pounds of shredded cabbage. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45896069.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sausage Casserole Ingredients 2 1/2 cups herb croutons 2 cups shredded American cheese 1 lb. hot Jimmy Dean sausage 1 lb. medium Jimmy Dean sausage 4 eggs 3/4 tsp. dry mustard 2 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup milk 1 can chopped green chilies (opt.) 1 can mushroom soup Directions Spread 2 1/2 cups herb croutons in bottom of 9x13 inch pan. Use enough to cover bottom of pan. Top with 2 cups shredded American cheese. Brown and drain 2 pounds sausage; spread on top of cheese. Beat 4 eggs. Add 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard and 2 1/2 cups milk (and 1 small can chopped green chilies, opt.). Pour egg mixture over casserole and refrigerate overnight. Before baking, dilute 1 can mushroom soup with 1/2 cup milk and pour over all. Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours; do not overbake. Serve immediately. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf28501209.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Sponsor: Crafting for Fun and Money! If you are an avid crafter, capable writer and own a digital camera, you are eligible to participate. Submit your craft projects to ThriftyFun and we will pay $15 for any crafts that we publish. More Information: Click Here: http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_craft.ldml More Stuff: Coupon Swap! Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users.