ThriftyFun Recipes - October 16, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 202, October 16, 2008 (Read It Online)

Thank you Jessica, Lauren, Love To Cook, Ginger, Christine, Sandra, Raymonde and Robin for today's tips and recipes!

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Recipe Requests:

Canning Green Tomato Relish
Cooking Oil Without Soy
What Is Nutella?
Preserving Pimentos
Pie Crust Using Wheat Flour

Today's Food Tips:

The Perfect Cookie
Link: Restaurant.com
Donate Sale Items to Charities

Today's Contest Recipes:

Super Brownies
Work Night Pressure Cooker Pot Roast
Crunchy Potato Balls
Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Butterscotch Peanut Bars

Robins's Recipe Corner:

Country Style Round Steak
Frozen Waldorf Salad
Deep Dish Pizza Filling
Meat Loaf
Peach Pecan Dessert
Cherry Upside-Down Cake

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

Canning Green Tomato Relish

Does anyone have a recipe for green tomato relish? I have the recipe but can't remember if I have to put the jars in a hot water bath as there is vinegar in the relish and it is boiled already.

jho from Chassell

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Cooking Oil Without Soy

I would like to know if all Vegetable oils have soy in them, as I can't have soy. I need a light oil that can accommodate high temperatures, like for frying or sauteing. Is Canola oil a good oil? Thanks!

Debby from San Diego, CA

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What Is Nutella?

I have a jar of Nutella. What is it and what do I do with it? It is sort of chocolaty.

Sandy from Baltimore

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Preserving Pimentos

I would like to preserve pimentos. How do I do that?

Dirk from Bredasdorp, South Africa

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Pie Crust Using Wheat Flour

Does anyone have a recipe for making pie crusts using wheat flour instead of white flour?

Heather from Clinton, WA

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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!

The Perfect Cookie

I've had many friends and relatives ask me how I make my cookies so soft, when theirs all turn out rock hard. Laughing to myself, I explain to them how easy it is! All you need to do is cut (decrease) the recommended time for baking by 2-3 minutes AND set the cookie sheet(s) on cooling racks. Leave the cookies on the racks for 10 minutes and then put on plates to get more air for another 15-20 minutes. Never refrigerate cookies, it dries them out! Now the reason for this is: When you take out the cookies "early", they continue to cook fully while cooling, without being over-done and hardening once out of the oven.

By Jessica from Michigan

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Link: Restaurant.com

I LOVE using the website http://restaurant.com/, where you can get discounted $10, $25,$50, and sometimes even $100 gift certificates for half off. This year when I went to Myrtle Beach, SC, for vacation, I made sure to see what they had to offer in that area and printed three certificates to bring with me.

I do suggest waiting until the end of the month for the best savings. All you do is google "restaurant.com coupons" and you can find codes to get up to 80% off at checkout. Also, the coupons are good for up to a year, so there is no rush to use them. Just be sure to check each restaurant's stipulations for using the coupons. There is always a minimum purchase required and sometimes you can't use them on certain days, but I have found them to be a great value and I have been able to try many new restaurants I might have never thought to go to.

By Lauren W. from Hazlet, NJ

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Donate Sale Items to Charities

When grocery stores offer buy one, get one free deals, take the "free" items to your local Hope ministries, food bank, homeless shelter, etc. You are making a great contribution and you really won't miss the money this way.

By Luv To Cook from NC

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Super Brownies

Super Brownies - My family loves my brownies because they are so simple to make and the recipe can be customized depending on your individual taste.

1 box of brownie mix (the least expensive ones work best)

Follow the directions on the box BUT use 3 eggs instead of 2. Once the batter is well mixed; add the following:

1 cup of chips (chocolate, chocolate mint, peanut butter, etc - your favorites; you can even use M and M candies or M and M minis if you like)

1 cup of nuts (pecans, walnuts, peanuts, cashews, etc. - unsalted, the salty ones overpower the rest of the flavors)

Mix them in and then pour the batter into your baking dish.

Bake according to the directions on the back of the box. Do not change the time or the temperature.

The extra egg makes these brownies moist and cake-like and the variations you can achieve by varying the types of chips and nuts give you dozens of varieties. My personal favorite uses dark chocolate chips and pecans; but, my husband prefers semisweet chips and macadamia nuts.

By Ginger from Lake Havasu City, AZ

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Work Night Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

How about Pot Roast in under 90 minutes starting with a FROZEN pot roast? With only about 15 minutes of prep time? So tender it falls apart.

Defrost roast in microwave following microwave manufacturer's instructions 30-40 minutes. Take a moment to relax and put your feet up until the microwave beeps.

Get out that pressure cooker or canner, brown roast in a little oil and garlic powder to taste.

Throw in 2 packets of gravy mix -- it doesn't matter what kind. We have used country, brown, chicken, mushroom -- it all turns out great. Mix and match. Add water per the package instructions plus one extra cup.

Put on the lid and bring cooker up to 15lbs pressure and cook about 35-45 minutes (depending on size of roast.) You can also throw in whatever vegetables you would like. I usually just cook them separately in the microwave at the end.

When it's done, grab your lunch leftovers quick because there won't be any. You will have enough gravy for potatoes.

My whole family loves this! The best part is that you don't need to use the expensive roasts. I have used anything and everything from "special trimmings" (flank pieces) to chuck roast. It all turns out moist and tender.

Learn how to use a pressure cooker, they are easy and safe when you follow the instructions. Everyone have heard the horror stories but for the last several decades the cookers have built-in safety valves to keep them from "exploding". I purchased both of mine (one new and unused!) at yard sales. We make chili, stew and the family favorite--- Pot Roast.

Source: This was cobbled together from several sources, mostly from after work "what can I cook for dinner" desperation.

By Christine from Spokane, WA

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Crunchy Potato Balls

Ingredients

2 cups stiffly mashed potatoes
2 cups finely chopped fully cooked ham (or sausage)
1 cup shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese
1/3 cup mayo
1 beaten egg
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 to 4 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 3/4 cup crushed cornflakes

Directions

In a bowl, combine first 7 ingredients well. Add enough flour to make a stiff mixture. Chill for 30 minutes. Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in flakes. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Serve hot. Makes about 6 dozen.

Source: The Country Cooking Collection from Country Magazine,
Nancy Eash, Gambier, OHIO

By Sandra from Salem, OR

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Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

I make a recipe using frozen chicken that my family loves. I use frozen, skinless chicken breasts. I place the frozen breasts in a baking dish, then I mix up a package of stovetop stuffing, (I use the store brand, much cheaper). After the stuffing is mixed, I dump it on top of the chicken breasts and pop it in the over at 350 degrees F and bake it for about 1 hour. The chicken comes out tender and flavored with the spices from the stuffing. Add a salad and a vegetable and you have a very filling dinner.

By Debbi from Blairsville, PA

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Butterscotch Peanut Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup of softened butter
3/4 cup of packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. of salt
3 cups of salted peanuts

Topping:

1 package (10 to 11 ounces) butterscotch chips
1/2 cup of light corn syrup
2 Tbsp. of butter
1 Tbsp. of water

Directions

In a small bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add flour and salt; mix well. Press into an ungreased 15x10x1 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 -14 minutes or until lightly browned. Sprinkle with peanuts.

In a large saucepan, combine the topping ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Spread over hot crust.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yum Yum Good

Source: Margery

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Country Style Round Steak

Ingredients

1 lb. round steak
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, cut in strips
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Directions

Marinate meat in your favorite combination for several hours. Coat meat with mixture of flour, salt and pepper. Brown in oil with onion and green pepper. Stir in honey, mustard, tomato sauce, water, vinegar and soy sauce. Cover and simmer 10 minutes or until meat is tender. Serves 4.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Frozen Waldorf Salad

Ingredients

1/2 cup diced Red Delicious apples
1 cup diced peaches
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup green grapes
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 packages cream cheese, softened (3 oz. size)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
2 tsp. honey
chopped nuts
apple slices

Directions

Combine apples and peaches and sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Add next 3 ingredients. Beat cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Add honey and then fold in whipped cream. Add to apple mixture. Turn into a 9x5 inch loaf pan and freeze until firm, several hours, or overnight. Let stand at room temperature for a few minutes, then turn out onto lettuce-lined serving plate. Garnish with chopped nuts and apple slices.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Deep Dish Pizza Filling

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
3 Tbsp. olive oil
salt, pepper and garlic, to taste
1 can tomato paste (12 oz.)
1 large onion, 4 Tbsp. chopped, remainder sliced into rings
1 medium size zucchini, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced
3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
2 medium tomatoes, cut in thin wedges
olives
1 cup shredded Parmesan
2 cups mozzarella
2 tsp. basil
2 tsp. parsley
2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. Italian spices
1 tsp. tarragon
1 tsp. thyme
3 tsp. fennel

Directions

Brown meat with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and 4 Tbsp. chopped onion. Sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan over dough. Spread tomato paste evenly. Sprinkle spices over this. Drain grease from meat. Crumble meat over spices. Arrange onion rings, green pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes over meat. Sprinkle Parmesan, then top with mozzarella. Bake at 425 for 30 minutes.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Meat Loaf

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground round
1 1/2 c. bread crumbs
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 can tomato sauce
2 eggs
1/2 c. warm water
2 strips bacon

Directions

Mix thoroughly. Put into loaf pan. Cover with two strips of bacon if you like that flavor. Pour over all the can of tomato sauce. Bake one hour at 350 degrees F. Serves 6.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Peach Pecan Dessert

Ingredients

6 egg whites
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
24 soda crackers, crushed
1 cup chopped pecans
1 large can sliced peaches
1 1/2 cups cream

Directions

Beat egg whites stiff and fold in cream of tartar, baking powder, sugar and vanilla. Fold in soda crackers and pecans. Put in buttered 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool. Drain peaches and cut slices in half. Whip cream, sweeten and flavor to taste with vanilla. Fold in peaches. Spread on the meringue and chill.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Cherry Upside-Down Cake

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Put 2 cans of cherry pie filling in dish. Sprinkle a little sugar on top. Mix a white cake mix according to directions on the box. Spread over cherry pie filling. Bake until done at 350 degrees F.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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More Information:
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