ThriftyFun Recipes - October 4, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 216, November 4, 2009 (Read It Online) Thank you to Mary, Marie, mkymip, freya1970, Deeli, Dorty and Michelle for today's tips and recipes. Please send in your own favorite recipes for a future newsletter. Submit Your Favorite Recipe! Submit a Food tip! Looking for a recipe? Submit a request Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team 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: Recipe Requests: Shelf Life of Flavored Oils and Vinegars Making Hot Granola Can You Use Frozen Grapes to Make Jam? Sam's Club Artichoke, Spinach, and Jalapeno Dip Today's Food Tips: Grate And Use Parmesan Rind Chopping Hard Boiled Eggs Keep an Inventory List of Your Freezer Contents Today's Contest Recipes: Crockpot Pumpkin Butter Parmesan Tilapia with Tomato Basil Sauce Soya Mince And Potato Casserole Traditional Greek Salad Cake Balls Robins's Recipe Corner: Blueberry-Rhubarb Jam Pumpkin Bread Cheese Soup Company Tuna Cream Cheese Pound Cake 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 Recipe Requests: Shelf Life of Flavored Oils and Vinegars How long do bottled, flavored oils and vinegars last? By Hope Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44706067.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Making Hot Granola I have bought some homemade granola and wondered if anyone has ever made hot cereal with it? Do I do it just like oatmeal? By Ann Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92555870.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Can You Use Frozen Grapes to Make Jam? Can you use concord grapes that have frozen on the vines to make grape jam? By Tracy from New York Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf12751914.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Sam's Club Artichoke, Spinach, and Jalapeno Dip Recently, I got addicted to the artichoke, spinach and jalapeno dip at Sam's Club (it was in a hexagonal plastic jar, and white in color). Now I can't find it anymore, and I've been searching for a recipe that's pretty close to the commercial product (which I think was their house brand). The recipes I found all contain mayo, and way more types of cheese than I think are necessary. And, to top it off, the results just don't taste "fresh". Do you have a recipe that you think tastes like the Sam's Club one (if you've ever had it), or a similar dip you swear by? Thanks in advance, lovely people. By Dee from Hollywood, CA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf80401115.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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, 2 photo winners (1 photo and 1 pet photo) and 1 recipe 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: Grate And Use Parmesan Rind When buying Parmesan cheese, do not throw away the rind. Just grate it and use in cheese sauce it tastes great. You won't know the difference as long as its cooked. Mary from Dundee, UK Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf45861054.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Chopping Hard Boiled Eggs Use an egg slicer to chop eggs for egg salad, dip or salad topping. First, place the egg in the slicer and slice it one way. Next, turn the egg so the slicer can cut the egg across the slices you already made to create little squares or rectangles of egg. Empty the egg pieces into a container and mix with seasonings for egg salad or dip, or use the pieces as they are for topping a green salad. By Marie from West Dundee, IL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83632894.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Keep an Inventory List of Your Freezer Contents To keep an inventory of food in your freezer, keep a list. Make a list of the food in your freezer and type into a word processing program on your computer. Remember to use a print that is easy to read; Times News Roman is an easy to read print. Don't forget to save the file in case you need to print another one out. Or you can hand write the list. You may want to make a list of the foods in categories or in alphabetical order. Print this out and attach it to a corkboard. You can hang the corkboard near or on your freezer. Or place it on a hard surface and lean it on the wall. For every package of frozen foods, stick one straight pin for each package next to the printed item. Remove or add as needed. Use craft straight pins, the ones with the different color heads. Initially this may take a bit of time to create, but it will be easier to keep track of the food in your freezer. I also do this to keep track of my packages of aluminum foil, various sized plastic bags, wax paper, plastic wrap, etc. I stock up on these items when they are on sale. By mkymlp from NE PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf31471022.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Today's Contest Recipes: Crockpot Pumpkin Butter This is my own recipe. I didn't want to make one using refined sugar and this came out so yummy and creamy. If you are making this for diabetics, replace the maple syrup with more agave nectar. Ingredients: 8 cups pumpkin puree (I used fresh) 1 cup maple syrup 1 cup amber agave nectar 1 cup orange juice 1 Tbsp. cinnamon 2 tsp. ginger 1/2 tsp. cloves 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 2 tsp. vanilla extract Directions: Place all ingredients except for vanilla in a crock-pot. Stir well. Cook on high for about 4-5 hours then on low for another 1-2 hours. You will end up with about 5 1/2 cups of butter after much of the liquid is absorbed. Make sure you mix every few hours and leave the lid off just a bit for the last few hours of cooking so more of the liquid can evaporate. Refrigerate overnight then add vanilla (just make sure butter is cool before adding the vanilla). Blend with a hand blender to make it smoother. Place in canning jars and freeze. This is good for one year in the freezer, and about 3 weeks in the fridge. Source: recipe from my blog: thefrugalvegan.wordpress.com http://thefrugalvegan.wordpress.com/ By freya1970 from Halifax, NS Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79228259.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Parmesan Tilapia with Tomato Basil Sauce I use Tilapia because it's less expensive than Sole or Snapper but cooking any of these with this recipe is yummy. Serve with a butter lettuce, coated with a light vinaigrette, salad and rice on the side :-) Ingredients: 2 Tilapia fillets 3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 10 cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup cream 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 1/4 cup flour 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely shredded 1/2 cup tempura batter mix 1/2 tsp. garlic powder Directions: Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium low and add cream. Let simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix Parmesan, tempura batter mix and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Beat the egg in another bowl and place flour in a third bowl. Dredge the tilapia fillets in the flour. Shake off excess. Dip in egg. Press into Parmesan, tempura, garlic powder mixture. When the skillet sauce is almost done, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet and cook fillets 3 to 4 minutes per side. Fish will be golden brown and will flake easily when done. Stir the basil into the skillet sauce, place fish on serving plates, spoon sauce over the top and serve. By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf10472794.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Soya Mince And Potato Casserole A dish that yummy and good for vegetarians. Ingredients: 1 pkt ready made soya mince or substitute with mushroom or boiled and drained lentils. 4 large potatoes in rounds and parboil 150 g frozen peas 1 large onion sliced in rings and fry 1 tomato sliced 250 ml canned cream or fresh cream 5 ml ginger and garlic 125 ml cheddar cheese 5ml green chilli paste 5ml mixed dry herbs or fresh herbs 5 ml masala 15 ml olive or sunflower oil salt to taste spring onion to garnish Directions: Heat oil and fry onion and ginger and garlic. Add your spices and herbs. Add tomato, salt and soya mince, peas and cook for 10 minutes. Layer potatoes and cream and mince and cream and potato on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes Remove and sprinkle cheese over and bake till cheese melt. Sprinkle spring onions and herbs. Serve with salad. Servings: 4-5 Time: 15-20 Minutes Preparation Time +-40 Minutes Cooking Time Source: Home made recipe By Dorty from SA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_weights_and_measures Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf11901895.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Traditional Greek Salad This is the way my Papa (Grampa) from Greece would make a salad and would occasionally toss in a few pitted Kalamata olives, too ;-) Ingredients: 2 medium tomatoes cut into bite size wedges 1 large cucumber, sliced and quartered 1/2 cup green peppers, diced 1/2 cup red onions, diced 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled 1/2 tsp. grated lemon or orange zest extra virgin olive oil red wine vinegar Directions: Toss first six ingredients in a large bowl. Lightly coat with olive oil and toss again. Splash with vinegar to your personal taste and toss again. Can serve immediately or, to allow flavors to blend, cover and refrigerate for two hours or even a day. By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25640993.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cake Balls This is a delicious recipe you can use with leftover cake scraps if you're a baker. Or just whip it up as a dessert anytime. Very simple! Ingredients: 1 box cake mix 1 container of icing nuts, powdered sugar, cinnamon or whatever will complement the flavor cake mix you choose. Directions: Bake cake as directed on box. Crumble cake into a mixing bowl when it comes out of the oven. Add the container of icing and mix well. Make into balls about the size of a walnut or however big you want them. Roll in nuts or powdered sugar. You can also add various goodies into the mix before you form the balls, such as, raisins, crasins, nuts, coconut, dried or candied fruits, chocolate chips, candies. There are many, many possibilities with this recipe! It is very versatile. The combination of cake mixes and icings are endless and so are the garnishes that you can choose to roll the balls in. Chill when rolled in garnish of choice. You can also use cake scraps to make this recipe if you are a baker, like myself and use any icing you may already have on hand. You can make these as elegant or as simple as you want. Makes a great dessert to take to any gathering and they don't last long at all! Source: I believe I found this recipe at www.cakecentral.com By Michelle L. from Lanett, AL Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25025151.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Robin's Recipe Corner: Blueberry-Rhubarb Jam Ingredients: 5 cups rhubarb, cut fine 1 cup water 1 can blueberry pie filling 2 pkg. raspberry gelatin (3oz. size) Directions: Cook rhubarb in water until tender. Add sugar and cook a few minutes longer, stirring constantly. Add pie filling and cook 6-8 minutes more. Remove from heat and add gelatin. Stir until completely dissolved. Pour into jars and seal. Store in refrigerator or freezer. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99170833.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Pumpkin Bread Ingredients 1 1/2 cups melted butter 3 cups sugar 5 eggs 2 cups mashed pumpkin 3 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. each soda, cinnamon and nutmeg 1 tsp. vanilla chopped nuts (opt.) 4 cups confectioners' sugar 2 tsp. orange juice 1 tsp. grated orange rind Directions Cream 1 cup butter and sugar together in bowl. Beat in 4 eggs and pumpkin. Sift next 5 dry ingredients into batter, mixing well. Add 3/4 cup water, vanilla and nuts, mixing well. Pour into2 large loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Combine confectioners' sugar with remaining 1/2 cup butter, egg and orange juice and rind in bowl, mixing well. Spread over warm loaf. (This should probably be eaten quickly due to the raw egg in the frosting. I keep refrigerated as well). By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf442042.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cheese Soup Ingredients: 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 3 Tbsp. margarine 1/4 cup flour 1 cup milk 10-12 oz. chicken broth 1 1/2 cup Velveeta cheese, shredded 3/4 cup water Directions: Cook water, carrots and celery. In small skillet, saute' onions in margarine until tender. To the onions, add slowly the flour and milk as for gravy; stirring briskly to keep smooth. In large saucepan, heat broth. Add veggies (do not drain) and onion sauce mixture. Add cheese and stir over low heat until melted. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf95790512.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Company Tuna Ingredients: 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup chopped celery 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 can tuna 1 can cream of celery soup 1/2 soup can water 1/4 cup chopped almonds 1 can Chow Mein noodles Directions: Saute' onion and celery in butter until soft but not brown. Add remaining ingredients reserving 1/4 can noodles. Mix lightly and put in greased casserole. Top with remaining noodles. Bake in 350 F. oven for 15-20 minutes. Serves 4. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42615231.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cream Cheese Pound Cake Ingredients 3 sticks margarine 1 pkg. cream cheese (8oz.) 3 cups sugar 3 cups flour 6 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. lemon juice Directions Cream margarine and cream cheese together. Add sugar and mix. Add eggs, 1 at a time. Add flour, vanilla and lemon juice. Put in cold oven. Bake at 300 degrees F for 1 1/2 hours in a greased floured tube or Bundt pan. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf94369771.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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.