ThriftyFun Recipes - March 14, 2008

Vol. 7, Num. 52, March 14, 2008 (Read It Online) Thank you Cajun62234, Connie, Robin, Jess and Diana 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. Today's newsletter contains: Recipe Requests: Non-Soy Substitute for Soy Milk Today's Food Tips: Using Avocados Link: March 14th Is Pi Day Link: Nutritional Data Use Your Fan When Chopping Onions Today's Contest Recipes: Shrimp Scampi Memphis Bar-B-Q in a Crock Pot? Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Robins's Recipe Corner: Tomato Soup For Canning Southern Spoon Bread Cran-Apple Mold Sweet 'N Sour Pork (Microwave) Macaroni Salad 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: Non-Soy Substitute for Soy Milk Is there such a thing as a non-soy substitute for soy milk? Duane Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66391236.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print 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: Using Avocados Description: The avocado fruit first originated in South-Central Mexico. Archeologist's have found avocado seeds in the tombs of ancient Incan mummies. Avocados has the highest fiber content among all the fruits. Consisting of almost 20 different nutrients including, vitamin B, Vitamin K and Vitamin E also having a higher potassium content than bananas. Avocados are high in fat but most of it is monosaturated fat. It is a great substitute to other fatty food due to it's high nutrient content. Uses: Great for guacamole, in sandwiches, in tortilla soup. In Vietnam, avocado is eaten sweet, blended with sweetened condensed milk to make a thick shake, delicious yet rich. Avocados can also be used for beauty recipes! Recipes: Vietnamese Avocado Shake Mom's Shrimp and Avocado Salad Avocado-Cilantro Bagel Spread Avocado Salad Dressing Avocado Fudge Beauty Recipes: Avocado Peel Face Scrub Avocado Hair and Face Beauty Treatment Preparation: Avocados contain a large smooth seed in the middle. In order to open the avocado you need to cut down to the seed length ways and around the seed. Gently separate the two halves, one side will contain the seed, carefully remove it. Use a spoon to separate the flesh of the avocado from the skin. Now you can cut the avocado into slices, chunks or mash for guacamole or smoothies. How to Select, Ripen, and Peel an Avocado Storage: Fresh uncut fruit can last a few days in the refrigerator. Store cut avocado sprinkled with lime juice, to stop it from browning, in an airtight container in the fridge. Frozen avocado can last a few months in the freezer. Interesting Facts: Avocados were once only eaten by royalty. In the past avocados had a stigma for being an aphrodisiac which caused people wanting to appear pure, to refrain from buying the fruit. Leaves, bark, skin and pit are toxic to animals. Starting Avocado from Seed Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79423936.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Link: March 14th Is Pi Day I got this cute email yesterday and thought it was a great idea for math and science buffs. 3.14=Pi(e) Happy Pi Day! Jess in Oregon Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52294692.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Link: Nutritional Data Nutritional Data for all foods: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ By Cajun62234 from Collinsville, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf96015646.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Use Your Fan When Chopping Onions Fed up with the tears when cutting up onions? Put your cutting board on the stove (while the burners were off, of course) and turn on the range's vent fan. Chop my onions tear-free! Source: A tip from another thrifty newsletter submitted by Sarah S By Diana from Prospect Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73217299.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Today's Contest Recipes: Shrimp Scampi I love shrimp, and this is my version of an Italian recipe for shrimp scampi. It's the closest thing to the real Italian recipe that I can make and enjoy when I wish. Ingredients 2 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 cup dry white wine 3/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper 1-3/4 lbs. large shrimp, shelled 1/2 cup chopped parsley Juice from half of lemon Cooked pasta Hot crusty bread Directions In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic, and saute for 1 minute. Add wine, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Let wine reduce, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp and saute 2 to 4 minutes - Just until pink. Stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Serve over hot cooked pasta with hot crusty bread. Serves: 4 Note: I sometimes heat a GOOD Alfredo sauce and toss the pasta with it, then toss in the shrimp and lightly mix until all is covered. By Connie from Cotter, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf65004100.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Memphis Bar-B-Q in a Crock Pot? You bet'cha! Ingredients 4-5 pound pork shoulder 1/4 cup of water 2 large yellow onions (softball size) 1/2 teaspoon garlic, chopped Crock pot (with Low and High settings) 24 oz. of your choice of BBQ sauce Directions Place Pork shoulder in crock pot. Add garlic and 1/4 cup water. Quarter-cut 1 onion and place quarters of onion at 4 locations around shoulder. Place cover on crock pot and cook for 6 hours on LOW setting. Remove shoulder from crock pot, discard all water, garlic and onions. Place shoulder on plate, remove all fats, bone, etc. Pour enough B-B-Q sauce in crock pot to lightly cover bottom. Layer pieces of shoulder in crock pot, then sauce, more shoulder, (sauce, shoulder pieces, sauce, shoulder pieces, sauce, shoulder pieces and sauce last). Quarter-cut remaining onion and place quarters of onion at 4 locations around shoulder. Cook for 4 hours on HIGH. Remove shoulder from crock pot and serve on buns (Memphis style: add cole slaw and splashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce). Another serving tip: When having Spaghetti with meat sauce, allow for large serving of B-B-Q to accompany the meal. In Memphis, it's called "Half 'n Half." (1/2 plate spaghetti; 1/2 plate bar-b-q). Cooking tip: if desired for lunch tomorrow, plug crock pot into Appliance Timer and have it set to turn "on" at Midnight and "off" at 6 AM. By Cajun62234 from Collinsville, IL Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf24349545.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake Ingredients: 1 pkg. Devil's Food Cake Mix 1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix 1 (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups) 1-3/4 cups of water 2 large eggs, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup powdered sugar 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 2 Tbsp. butter, melter 2 to 3 Tbsp. hot water Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 1. Grease and flour a 12-inch bundt pan; set aside. 2. In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix and chocolate chips. In another bowl, combine water, eggs and vanilla; mix well. 3. Add egg mixture to dry mixture and mix by hand just until blended. Pour into prepared pan. 4. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until cake tests done when wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. 5. Cool 15 to 20 minutes before removing cake from pan. When completely cool, drizzle cake with chocolate glaze. Chocolate Glaze: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 Tbsp. butter, melted and 2 to 3 Tbsp. hot water and beat by hand until smooth. Source: This recipe comes from one of the ladies in our community women's club. By Connie from Cotter, AR Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18514885.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Robin's Recipe Corner: Tomato Soup For Canning Ingredients 1/2 bushel tomatoes (bushel=50lb.) 7 large onions 12 sprigs parsley 12 bay leaves 12 tsp. salt 1 Tbsp. pepper 1/2 lb. butter or margarine 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup flour Directions Wash and clean tomatoes; cut out stems and any bad parts. Cut in halves or quarters and add onions, parsley, and bay leaves; cook 2 hours and strain. Heat together and blend well the salt, pepper, butter, sugar, and flour; add tomato mixture and simmer 1/2 hour. Pour into sterilized jars and process 45 minutes in water bath or 5 minutes in pressure cooker at 15 pounds pressure. Makes 7 quarts or more if tomatoes are juicy. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf60601418.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Southern Spoon Bread Ingredients 1 can cream style corn 1 cup yellow corn meal 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 can chopped green chilies 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Directions Stir together all ingredients except the last 2. Pour 1/2 of the batter into greased 2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with chilies and cheese. Pour remaining batter over all. Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 40 minutes or until set. Serve warm with a spoon. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf42078420.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Cran-Apple Mold Ingredients 2 packages cherry gelatin (3 oz. each) 1 cup boiling water 1 can whole cranberry 1 can applesauce (16 oz.) Directions Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour into a 5 cup mold and chill. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88075026.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Sweet 'N Sour Pork (Microwave) Ingredients 1 can chunk pineapple in syrup, drained (reserve 1/2 cup syrup) 1/4 cup cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. oil 1 lb. boneless pork, cut into 3/4 inch cubes 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced 1 green pepper, cut into small chunks Directions Set power select at medium high. In small glass bowl, combine reserved syrup, vinegar, and cornstarch; heat 3/4 to 1 minute or until thickened, stirring once. Set aside. In square baking dish, heat oil 2 minutes; stir in pork, soy sauce, and onion. Heat 7 to 8 minutes, stirring twice. Add green pepper and pineapple; heat covered, at medium high for 2 to 3 minutes or until pork is tender. Stir in sauce and let stand, covered, 5 minutes before serving. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf52037788.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Rate It: | Print Macaroni Salad Ingredients 2 cups macaroni 1 cup sour cream 1 cup salad dressing 3/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. garlic salt 2 tsp. celery seed 1/2 cup diced celery 1 tsp. mustard Directions Cook macaroni with 2 tsp. salt until soft, then rinse in cold water. Drain well. When cooled, add rest of ingredients. Does not get watery. By Robin from Washington, IA Macaroni Salad II Ingredients 7 or 8 oz. macaroni, cooked, rinsed, and drained 1/2 cup chopped celery 3 eggs, cooked and diced 2 Tbsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. celery seed 1 cup mayonnaise 1 small can drained crushed pineapple 2 Tbsp. vinegar 1/2 cup Pet milk Directions Combine macaroni, celery, and eggs in a bowl. Mix together sugar, vinegar, celery seed, Pet milk, and mayonnaise in a small bowl. Pour dressing mixture over the macaroni and ad the crushed pineapple, mixing well. Refrigerate. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78267949.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.