ThriftyFun Recipes - September 25, 2008

Thank you Sandra, Trudy, Cheryl, southeastgeorgiapeach, Robin, OhioGal, Gina and Harlean for today's 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.

Recipe Requests:

• Diabetic Lemon Cordial Recipe
• Uses For Green Grapes With Seeds
• Making Homemade Baby Food

Today's Food Tips:

• Use Junk Mail To Mark Dates On Cans
• Using Your Coffee Maker Without Electricity
• Organize Coupons In Card Sheet Protectors

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Mini Cheesecakes
• Tortilla Casserole
• Coca Cola Chicken
• Chili Cheese Fries
• Jiffy Spiffy Brownies

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Barbecued Meatballs
• Lemon Poppyseed Bread
• Spiced Red Cabbage
• Egg Rolls
• Grape Ice Cream

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

Diabetic Lemon Cordial Recipe

Does anyone have a recipe for diabetic lemon cordials?

Lesley from Australia

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37924640.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Uses For Green Grapes With Seeds

I have tons of green grapes with seeds. I don't make wine, jam or jelly. Any suggestions to use them up? Thank you.

Sharon from Nova Scotia, Canada

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92685296.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Making Homemade Baby Food

What is the best baby food? How can I make it myself?

Michelle from Boise, ID

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44508617.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

• 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!

Use Junk Mail To Mark Dates On Cans

I always date mark my cans when I bring them home so I know to use them on time. More and more, labels are too slippery to write on and I hate the smell of markers. So now I use the flap of evelopes from junk mail that are going to paper recycling. I write the date on the opposite side of where the glue is and simply stick it to the can. No wasted scotch tape, no marker smell or marker headache, and a good use of envelopes that had no use otherwise.

By OhioGal from NE Ohio

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35879401.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Using Your Coffee Maker Without Electricity

Due to extended electrical outages caused by the last two hurricanes, we have discovered a few tips for coping with no electricity. The first couple days we made do with instant coffee. We have a gas range, so could heat water in a kettle. Then I discovered a simple way to use my coffee maker even though there was no electricity.

Just prepare the coffee and filter in the usual way. Bring your kettle of water to a boil. Pour enough in your coffee filter basket to fill your filter, being careful not to overfill it or the coffee grounds will spill over the top. Set the filter and the pot in place. As the water runs through, just repeat this step until you have enough water to fill the pot. Pour the coffee into a thermos to keep it warm or reheat on the stove in a pan as needed.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35227637.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Organize Coupons In Card Sheet Protectors

I use quite a few coupons for groceries. I have a binder and some of the sheets for baseball card collectors (9 to a page). I have all of the coupons separated into categories and 9 to a page. This way I can see all of my coupons instead of going through a envelope all I have to do is flip to that category. I also have a plastic sheet protector in the front so that when I use a coupon I just slide it in there until time to check out, that way they are all in one spot. I found that this makes it easier to keep track of my coupons during my shopping trip.

By Gina from Chesterfield, VA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf56266142.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients

• 48 mini cupcake liners
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 can each blueberry and cherry pie filling or fresh fruit if you prefer

Directions

For crust: Mix together well and place 1 tsp into each cupcake liner and gently press.

Or: Place one vanilla wafer into each liner.

Beat cream cheese on high until light and fluffy. Gradually add sugar, mix well. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Spoon into liners (do not overfill) bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. When completely cooled (this can be done right before serving), spoon about 1/3 tsp of the fruit filling over each cheese cake. Chill.

Makes 48

You may also make two cheesecakes by pouring the filling into a graham cracker crust. It takes a little longer to bake (25 to 30 min) top with fruit or fruit filling.

By PJ from Sylvester, GA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf286274.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Tortilla Casserole

Ingredients

• 20 medium flour tortillas (cut into squares)
• 1 lb. ground beef (browned with taco seasoning)
• 1 can tomato soup
• 1 16 oz. jar salsa (hot or mild, up to you)
• 1 can corn (drained)
• 1 can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups shredded cheese (use your favorite, I like Monterey Jack)

Directions

Mix all ingredients but 1 cup of cheese and pour into a casserole dish. Bake 40 minutes. Top with remaining cheese and bake until bubbly.

Serve topped with sour cream and enjoy.

Serves 6

By Cheryl from Everett, WA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf37715649.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Coca Cola Chicken

Ingredients

• Chicken - the pieces you prefer or a whole cut up chicken
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 3 heaping tablespoons ketchup
• 8 oz. Coca Cola (or any other carbonated drink)
• Salt and pepper

Directions

Salt and pepper your chicken pieces to taste. Place in a large skillet/frying pan. In a bowl, mix together the mustard and ketchup. Slowly add the cola and stir slowly until you use all the cola. Pour this mixture over the chicken and turn stove top to high. When it begins to boil, lower heat and cook for one hour. During the last 15 minutes of cooking, uncover the chicken and the "gravy" will thicken.

This recipe makes wonderful barbeque chicken!! I have also used it to cook pork chops and ribs. I do cook it longer to make sure that the pork is completely done though.

We use the "gravy" over mashed potatoes and a Georgia favorite, GRITS!!! Makes the most tender BBQ chicken you have ever had.

I have used Coca Cola, Mountain Dew, Gingerale, and Orange soda. It makes no difference to us. It is the carbonation that makes the chicken so tender.

Source: Received many many years ago on a card that was inside my bank statement. Never imagined it would be sooooo good!!

By southeastgeorgiapeach from Jesup, GA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52798185.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Chili Cheese Fries

Ingredients

• chili (homemade is best) or one can of chili
• crispy french fries (as many as you think you need)
• 1 can cheese soup

Directions

Mix together and enjoy!

Source: Bingo hall!

By Trudy from Springfield, IL

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78350806.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Jiffy Spiffy Brownies

I kind of do what Sandra Lee does, but this is my idea.

When I need chocolate, I need it bad...then I don't need it for a while. So, I go all out. I get one package of Jiffy Brownie Mix, add 1/2 cups Pecan or Walnut German Chocolate Frosting, and 1/2 cup peanut butter. If you really love nuts, add more of them, too, or use chunky peanut butter.

The result is that you have a brownie that is rich enough to not eat the whole pan, but so rich that you don't need any sweets for a while.

If you put them in cupcake pans, they are great sellers for fund raisers, too!
(If you sell them, however, make sure people know there are nuts in them.)

Enjoy!!

By Sandra from Salem, OR

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96679918.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Barbecued Meatballs

Ingredients

• 3 lb. ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 2 cups milk
• 3 tsp. salt
• pepper
• 6 Tbsp. chopped onion.

• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 3 Tbsp. vinegar
• 3 Tbsp. ketchup
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 6 Tbsp. chopped onion

• 3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup water
• 3 Tbsp. vinegar
• 3 Tbsp. sugar

Directions

Mix all together. Roll in balls and place in baking dish. Mix up sauce of your choice. Combine and pour over meatballs. Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 1 1/2 hours. Makes 24 small meatballs.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf53422642.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Lemon Poppyseed Bread

Ingredients

• 1 package lemon cake mix
• 1 package lemon instant pudding (3 oz.)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup poppy seeds

Directions

Beat eggs slightly; add other ingredients and beat 4 minutes at medium speed. Grease and flour two 5x9 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. When cold, wrap in foil and store in refrigerator or freeze.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf81599410.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Spiced Red Cabbage

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium head red cabbage, diced
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 medium tart apple, quartered
• 3 Tbsp. tarragon vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. salt, opt.
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. ground cloves

Directions

Place cabbage in large kettle of boiling, salted water; boil for 1 minute, drain. Return to kettle. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 1 hour ot until cabbage is tender. Remove bay leaf.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82349037.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Egg Rolls

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb. ground meat (beef, pork, venison)
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 bag coleslaw mix
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots, chopped
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 3 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 package egg roll skins

Directions

Marinate meat in 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, salt & cornstarch. After 15 minutes, brown meat and drain. Boil coleslaw mix for 2 minutes. Drain and cover with cool water for 15 minutes. Stir-fry coleslaw and bamboo shoots for about 5 minutes. Add salt, sugar, pepper, soy sauce, cornstarch and ground meat. Remove from heat. Add sesame oil. Mix 2 Tbsp. flour with enough water to make a paste. Set aside. Place one egg roll skin on a flat surface with one edge pointing toward you. Place one heaping tablespoon of coleslaw and meat mixture about 1/3 of the way away from you. Fold corner toward you over mix. Fold right and left corners over and roll towards far corner. Place a small amount of paste on far corner and roll over to seal. Deep fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Place on paper towel to drain.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf38836812.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

Grape Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 4 cups sugar
• 6 cups water
• 1 qt. whipping cream or coffee cream
• 1 qt. grape juice
• juice from 2 lemons, strained

Directions

Boil sugar and water together for 3-5 minutes and cool. Add the cooled mixture and cream to a hand-cranked or electric ice cream maker, freeze until mushy. Open freezer and stir in remaining ingredients. Continue freezing until done.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf908493.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print

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

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users.