ThriftyFun Recipes - November 18, 2009

I hope that you all are having a nice week. Currently, I am trying to eat through the foods in my fridge and freezer in order to make room for the Thanksgiving shopping trip. And the inevitable leftovers next Thursday night. How are you preparing for Thanksgiving? There is still time to share your advice with the rest of the community. Post a tip today.

Thanks today go to cajun62234, Deeli, Debbie, Virginia, freya1970, Jason W. and Angelia for today's tips and recipes. Be sure to vote for your favorites, they could win $25 in our weekly contest.

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Recipe Requests:

• Can I Freeze Potatoes?
• Homemade Flavored Powdered Coffee Creamer
• Using Basil
• Cranberry Jelly
• English Toffee
• Recipes Using Pumpkin Puree and Cream Cheese
• Making Dip from Cheese Spread
• Making Vegetarian Gravy
• What is Corn Flour?

Today's Food Tips:

• Keep Your Freezer Full To Save On Electricity
• Recycle Envelopes As Shopping Lists
• Halloween: Decorated Cake

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Banana Peanut Butter Boats
• Wine Jelly
• Ambrose Family Stew
• Extra Cheesy Spiced-up Lasagna
• Pecan Pie Bars

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Orange Roughy
• Hot Broccoli Dip
• Tortilla Soup
• Macaroni Salad
• Mississippi Mud Cake

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Can I Freeze Potatoes?

I would like to know how to freeze potatoes and whether or not it can be done?

By Marilyn from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

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Homemade Flavored Powdered Coffee Creamer

I'm in need of some homemade flavored dry coffee creamer recipes.

By Deb from Kellogg, IA

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Using Basil

Please advise me of ideas on using fresh basil. Thank you.

By Barbara

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Cranberry Jelly

Does anyone have a recipe for easy cranberry jelly?

By Judy from San Angelo, TX

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English Toffee

I am looking for a recipe for English toffee.

By Denver Bob from CO

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Recipes Using Pumpkin Puree and Cream Cheese

I normally make pumpkin roll for Thanksgiving, but I would like to make something different this year. Yes, I've searched the internet, but now I would like your tried and true recipes to made with pumpkin puree and cream cheese. Thanks.

By Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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Making Dip from Cheese Spread

I have a tub of Alouette garlic cheese spread and would like to take some of it and make it into a dip and/or salad dressing. Should I add sour cream and/or milk to make it creamy?

By Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH

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Making Vegetarian Gravy

I am a vegetarian and now that Thanksgiving is coming along, I suddenly thought, "Wait a second, what should I do about gravy this year?" I haven't had gravy ever since I've become a vegetarian. I guess I just want some gravy that doesn't contain any animal products. So if you have a really yummy vegetarian or vegan recipe for Thanksgiving, please share. Thank you.

By Cara from Farefield

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What is Corn Flour?

What is corn flour? Is it corn starch?

By Terri from Douglasville, GA

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Keep Your Freezer Full To Save On Electricity

Don't let your freezer get partially empty, that costs you money. If the empty spaces are large enough to accommodate large plastic bottles (2-liter or milk), fill the bottles 3/4 with water and place in the freezer. This will provide additional cold and prevent frequent cycling of the compressor.

By cajun62234 from Collinsville

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Recycle Envelopes As Shopping Lists

I don't get junk postal mail anymore but I do receive bills that always have return payment envelopes. I pay my bills by phone or online now and just hate the idea of throwing those envelopes away. I have started using them as shopping lists and place the appropriate coupons inside. Not only is the envelope being used for something but I also don't forget to hand over the coupons at the point of sale anymore.

In case you're wondering why I don't just get my statements online, well, I believe in having a paper trail to be on the safe side. Being on a fixed disability income, I have to be careful about using up printing paper and ink. Oh, and there's always the possibility of losing saved data on computers and backup disks too ;-)

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Halloween: Decorated Cake

My 13 year old daughter is learning to cake decorate, this was the cake she made for our Halloween party. I think she did an awesome job, don't you?

By Debbie from Maine

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Banana Peanut Butter Boats

A quick lunch for kids.

I use flour tortillas or the hot dog "boats" that are a roll with an open top, not 2 halves. Just smear with peanut butter and add a banana, drizzle a little honey or jam on top. Roll if it's the tortilla, the hot dog boats are ready to go.

Easy lunch for little kids. If your kids are adventurous, you can add some alfalfa sprouts to them both and pretend they are banana leaves.

By Virginia from Brownsville, OR

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Wine Jelly

Every year I look for new crafts or recipes to make for holiday gifts. I came across a recipe for wine jelly but I wanted to make it more exciting than a regular wine jelly so I picked a local blueberry wine to use. I hear that sweeter wines produce a nicer jelly. You can use other red fruit wines such as blackberry as well. Some jellies are made with herbs but I wanted a simple easy recipe and found one on allrecipes.com. I hear this is good on top of crackers and cheese and also toast!

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups wine (any red wine but I used blueberry)
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (I used bottled)
• 1 (2 oz.) package dry pectin
• 4 1/2 cups white sugar

Directions

Ladle hot jelly into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Tighten 2 piece lids. Process for 5 minutes in boiling water bath.

Source: allrecipes.com

By freya1970

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Ambrose Family Stew

This is a hearty stew with great taste. Not only does it taste good but it's a family tradition.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 lbs meat (beef, pork, chicken, etc.) chopped into 1 inch cubes
• 2 cups flour
• Seasonings
• 4 large potatoes
• 1 lb carrots
• 1 package celery
• 1 large onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 can tomato sauce
• salt and pepper to taste
• corn starch

Directions:

Batter meat in flour/pepper/Lawry's seasoning salt. Fry in small amount of oil till browned. Place in large (20 Qt) stock pot and cover with water and 1 can tomato sauce. Add other seasoning as desired (I add Cajun seasoning)

Place on lowest heat possible for 3 hours. Add chopped onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, celery/salt and pepper to taste. Let cook for 1 to 2 hours more depending on how soft you want your vegetables. Remove 2 cups of broth and add 1/4 cup corn starch.

Mix thoroughly and return to pot. Redo corn starch if necessary to attain desired consistency (basically instead of having roast potatoes and carrots with gravy, we had gravy with roast potatoes and carrots, etc.)

Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Feel free to add any additional vegetables and/or seasonings you want.

Source: My wife's grandfather

By Jason W. from Edmond, OK

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Extra Cheesy Spiced-up Lasagna

If you like meatless lasagna with lots of cheese, then you'll love this ;-)

Ingredients:

• 9 to 12 uncooked lasagna noodles, depending on how much pasta you like in your lasagna
• 1 29 oz. can of tomato sauce
• 16 oz. mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 16 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (fresh or bottled)
• 1 Tbsp. red pepper flakes, or more to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cook lasagna noodles al dente according to directions and drain.

Meanwhile, mix red pepper flakes with tomato sauce. Spoon a portion of the sauce in to the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Place three of the cooked noodles over the sauce and sprinkle a portion of the mozzarella, cheddar and parmesan over the noodles.

Repeat layering of sauce, noodles and cheese according to the amount of noodles chosen. Be sure to finish with a cheese layer.

Bake in oven for 30 to 45 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Pecan Pie Bars

A very delicious blondie packed full of roasted pecans.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 1 lb brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 lb, or 2 sticks butter
• 1 1/2 cups grated super fine roasted pecans
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• pecan halves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Take chopped pecans, or pecan halves, and pulse in food processor until they are very fine. Spread them out on a cookie sheet and roast for 8-10 minutes, just until they are fragrant.

In a large mixing bowl, add sugar, butter, and salt. Whisk to combine. Whisk in eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add flour, and whisk until just combined. Add vanilla and pecans, mix until incorporated.

Place mixture in a greased 9x13 inch pan. Place pecan halves on top of each 2x2 inch square. Bake at 350 degrees F until bars pass the toothpick test.

Source: http://www.southerngracegourmet.com

By Angelia McGowan, author of Southern Grace Gourmet from Orlando, FL

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Orange Roughy

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup margarine, melted
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. basil
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 lb. orange roughy fillets
• 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
• 2 Tbsp. oil

Directions:

Combine margarine, lemon juice and herbs. Dredge fish in flour mixture; roll in bread crumbs. Pour oil into shallow baking pan; arrange fish in a pan in one layer. Pour margarine mixture over fish. Bake at 475 degrees F for 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Hot Broccoli Dip

Ingredients:

• 2 rolls garlic cheese (6oz size)
• 2 packages frozen chopped broccoli, lightly cooked, well drained (10 oz. size)
• 1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed in butter
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 10-12 shakes of red pepper

Directions:

Melt cheese over low heat. Add other ingredients. Serve hot in a casserole with corn chips.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 med. onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded
• 1 lg. can chopped tomatoes, not drained
• 4 cup chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp. oregano
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 3 tsp. cumin
• salt, pepper to taste
• white flour tortillas, cut into 1/4 x2 in. strips
• mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Fry onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is tender. Place in Dutch oven. Puree jalapenos and tomatoes in blender. Add to Dutch oven. Add broth and spices. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer for 1/2 hour. In the meantime, deep-fat fry or fry tortilla strips in vegetable oil until strips are crunchy. Put a handful of tortilla strips in soup bowl. Ladle soup over. Top with mozzarella and run under broiler until cheese is melted.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Macaroni Salad

A personal favorite!

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked macaroni
• 4-6 hard-boiled eggs
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 cup chopped celery

• 3 Tbsp. mustard
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup salad dressing
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup vinegar

Directions:

Mix in order given. Refrigerate.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Mississippi Mud Cake

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 jar marshmallow cream

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 lb. package powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions

For Icing: Beat well and spread on top of marshmallow cream.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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