ThriftyFun Recipes - November 25, 2008

Thank you Harlean, Leslie, Sandy, Carol, Lelia Jo, Raymonde, KLJohn and Cheryl fro today's tips and recipes!

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Recipe Requests:

• "Dressing Up" Canned Cranberry Sauce
• Mikata's Japanese Restaurant Style Salad Dressing
• Bread from Bread Machine is Small
• Cake Made with Sour Cream and Peaches
• Making Cakes to Sell During the Holidays

Today's Food Tips:

• Buy Sweet Potatoes on Sale and Store
• Keep Frozen Bread Dough on Hand
• Day After Thanksgiving Dinner
• Use Your Turkey Bones for Soup

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Butter Tart Pan Squares
• Pumpkin Torte
• Orange-Blueberry Bread
• Chicken and Gravy Dressing
• Curried Turkey Vegetable Soup

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Mom's Pumpkin Pie
• Babe's Chicken Casserole
• Microwave Fruit Salad
• Stromboli
• Oatmeal Muffins
• "Sugar-Free" White Chocolate Pie

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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"Dressing Up" Canned Cranberry Sauce

I'm looking for ways to "dress up" plain canned cranberry sauce since I won't be making homemade sauce this year. Any ideas?

Laurie from Indiana

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Mikata's Japanese Restaurant Style Salad Dressing

I am desperately looking for a recipe for the salad dressing they serve in Mikata's Japanese Restaurants. I've found several copycat Japanese salad dressing recipes, but they are pinkish/orange in color (similar to the shrimp sauce). Does anyone know how to make the white salad dressing?

Monica from Dothan, AL

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Bread from Bread Machine is Small

I have just got a bread machine and put in a mix and baked the bread. It was fine except for two problems. My loaf was only about 4 1/2 inches long. Is this normal?

The second question is, is there anyway to make the bread in the machine without having a big hole in the bread from the mixer part? Thanks so much. I will be anxiously waiting your most valuable answers!

Nolasandy from Kenner, LA

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Cake Made with Sour Cream and Peaches

I am looking for cake made with white cake mix, sour cream, creme cheese, and peaches.

Amelia from Oak Grove, Louisiana

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Making Cakes to Sell During the Holidays

I am thinking of making homemade cakes for sale during the holidays. Does anyone who does this have ideas for pricing? I plan to make pound cakes, carrot cakes, red velvet, chocolate and caramel. Maybe others. Does anyone have any suggestions or other good tips? Thanks!

Nana from Georgia

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Buy Sweet Potatoes on Sale and Store

I have been waiting and it is now time. Sweet potatoes are on sale for Thanksgiving. I don't know the price for other areas, but the price in the Hot Springs WalMart stores is 25 cents a pound. If you have a place that is cold but doesn't get down to freezing, such as a garage, to store them, buy as many as you think you can use by New Years. I bought about 1/2 a bushel last year and used the last of them a few days after the New Year, and they were good to the last potato.

By Harlean from Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Keep Frozen Bread Dough on Hand

Keep frozen bread dough on hand to save time. You can substitute the thawed dough for just about any yeast bread recipe. I use it for pizza dough (just thaw and roll), sweet rolls, roll out thawed dough,spread with butter sprinkle with brown or white sugar, cinnamon, nuts and raisins. Roll like jelly roll, slice and place in buttered pan that has been sprinkled with brown sugar. Let rise and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. Super easy and great for the holidays. You can also spread with cherry pie filling, roll and cut, place in greased pan. But when they are done drizzle with a confectioner sugar glaze. Yum!

You can use the dough for homemade herb bread, just roll thawed dough into a rectangle, spread with butter or margarine, sprinkle with your favorite herbs, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese. Roll up as for bread, and bake in a greased pan let rise about 30 minutes or so and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.

You can make stromboli, calzones (spread ricotta cheese, then sliced ham, then pepperoni, fold in half and seal edges. I spray Pam on top sprinkle with garlic powder and bake. We dip it in spaghetti sauce, ohhhh, yum, its so good and SO much cheaper then eating out.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

By Carol from Landisville, PA

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Day After Thanksgiving Dinner

Looking for a good use for all those Thanksgiving leftovers? My family gets together with 2-3 other families for dinner the day after Thanksgiving. We all bring our leftovers and share what we have. Then we all take home "go plates". It is a fun way to share another meal.

By Leslie from Brandon, MS

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Use Your Turkey Bones for Soup

Think you've got your turkey pretty well stripped? Think again. After all that turkey tetrazini, turkey hash, turkey salad, etc, try turkey soup.

Toss all the turkey bones into a large pot. Cover the bones with water, add seasonings to taste, and simmer two hours. While the bones are simmering, peel carrots, celery and whatever other veggies you like. Add these to the pot. Cook an additional hour to hour and a half.

If desired, add a half pound of egg noodles near the end of the cooking time. Once the noodles are cooked according to the time specified on the package, remove the bones (carefully, so you don't burn yourself.) your turkey soup is ready to enjoy.

By Lelia Jo from Springfield, OH

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Butter Tart Pan Squares

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sifted all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
• 2 Tbsp. white sugar

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 eggs
• 3 Tbsp. flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

Cream butter well and cream into flour and white sugar. Press this into ungreased 9x9 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.

Then mix filling ingredients together. Spread this evenly over baked base and return to oven and bake to 20 minutes longer or until golden brown.

Very delicious.

Source: United Church Cookbook

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Pumpkin Torte

Good enough to serve as dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix (not the pudding type)
• 4 large eggs (preferably brown eggs)
• 2 sticks butter (margarine)
• 1 large can of real pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar, divided
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk (small can)
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I use pecans.)

Directions

Make in 3 Layers.

Bottom Layer

Reserve one cup of cake mix for later use. Mix balance of cake mix with one beaten egg and one stick melted butter. Mix well and press into 9 x 13 greased and floured pan.

Take pumpkin, 3 eggs, brown sugar, 1/2 white sugar, evaporated milk and cinnamon. Mix all well and pour over bottom layer.

Top Layer

Take reserved cup of cake mix; add 1/2 cup white sugar, butter, and nuts. Mix well, cutting in softened butter or margarine) to make crumblike topping. Sprinkle over middle layer. Top with pecan halves.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes. Cool to room temperature before serving. Optional: Top with whipped cream when served. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

Makes 12-15 servings.

Source: I got this recipe from my niece. It has become a family favorite at holiday dinners. It's probably the most complimented pumpkin recipe I've ever made.

By Sandy from Elon, NC

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Orange-Blueberry Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups baking mix (Bisquick)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 Tbsp. grated orange peel
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup fresh or frozen (rinsed and drained) blueberries

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3-4 tsp. orange juice
• more orange peel if desired

Directions

Makes 1 loaf. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, (high-altitude, 375 degrees F).

Grease bottom only of loaf pan (9x5x3) with cooking spray, or line bottom with waxed paper. Stir all ingredients except blueberries and Glaze in a large bowl until blended. Lumps are OK. Pour into pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; loosen loaf from sides of pan. Remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely, about 45 minutes. Drizzle with Orange Glaze.

Betty Crocker says: "This bread is Bisquick at its best--moist and flavorful. Try other fruit combinations, such as lemon-raspberry or orange-cranberry. Substitute lemon peel and juice for the orange, and fresh or frozen raspberries or cranberries for the blueberries."

Source: Found this recipe in the Betty Crocker Bisquick II cookbook, made it the night before for a men's Bibly study.

By KLJohn from Crawford, CO

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Chicken and Gravy Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 bag (6-8 pices) Great Value* boneless chicken breasts
• 1 box Great Value* cornbread flavor stuffing mix
• 1 can Great Value* chicken gravy
• 4 oz. Great Value* Colby/Monterey Jack shredded cheese
• Hefty dashes of paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 9x13 inch baking dish. Prepare stuffing according to directions on box, spoon into dish making mounds of stuffing evenly distributed. Layer thawed chicken breasts on top of stuffing. Pour gravy over top of chicken. Sprinkle with cheese, dash paprika over top. Do not stir or mix ingredients in pan! Bake at 375 for 1 hour

I always use Walmart ingredients, I've tried the name brands and the Walmart store brands have a much better flavor, as well as less costly. Always a crowd pleaser, and always comes out perfect!

Source: I dreamed this recipe up myself, I think the colby/jack cheese is what makes the flavor perfect! And it is so easy to make.

By Cheryl from Trinity, NC

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Curried Turkey Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. canola oil
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. curry powder
• 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup diced red potatoes
• 1 celery rib, sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 2 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh sage
• 2 cups of cubed cooked turkey
• 1 1/2 fat free half and half cream
• 1 package (9 ounces) fresh baby spinach, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions

In a Dutch oven, saute onions in oil until tender. Stir in flour and curry until blended. Gradually stir in broth. Add the potatoes, celery, carrots, parsley and sage. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir in the turkey, half and half cream, spinach, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until spinach is wilted and soup is heated through.

Source: A friend, Virginia

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Mom's Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

• 1 can pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2-3/4 cup sugar
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. allspice
• 1/2-1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. ginger
• 1/8-1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 pie shell, unbaked

Directions

Mix the pumpkin and egg together and stir in the milk. Mix the salt, sugar, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg together. Pour the pumpkin mixture into an unbaked pie shell. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F and bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Babe's Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 box linguini, cooked and drained (8oz.)
• 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 12 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small jar black olives
• 1 small jar pimento
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 6 oz. chicken broth

Directions

Mix the chicken, linguini, artichoke hearts, cheese, onion, black olives and pimento together. Place in 9x13 inch pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Mix the soup, sour cream and chicken broth together and pour over the chicken. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour. Let it set a bit before serving. Freezes and reheats very well.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Microwave Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• 1 box tapioca pudding (reg. size)
• 1 box vanilla pudding, not instant (reg. size)
• 1 can sliced peaches (16oz.)
• 1 can chunk pineapple (20oz.)
• 1 can mandarin oranges (16oz.)
• 2 large bananas

Directions

Drain fruit. Put juice into bowl; add enough water to make 3 cups liquid. Mix in both puddings. Cook in microwave 5-7 minutes on high or until thick. Stir in fruit adding bananas last. Chill until ready to eat or eat warm. Keeps well, bananas won't darken.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Stromboli

Ingredients

• 3 loaves Rhodes frozen bread dough
• 1-2 eggs, beaten
• 1-2 tsp. basil
• 1 lb. honey ham (deli shaved)
• 1/2 lb. hard salami (deli shaved)
• 1 package pepperoni
• 1 lb. provolone cheese (deli sliced)
• onions, sliced (as much as you like)
• green peppers, sliced (as much as you like)
• you can add other veggies as you like them

Directions

Thaw the bread over night in the refrigerator or thaw in microwave. Roll the dough out to a rectangular shape, thick enough so you will be able to layer the other ingredients. Brush the dough with the egg and sprinkle with basil. Layer the ham, salami, pepperoni, cheese, onions and peppers on the dough. Fold the long sides of the dough together to seal - make certain to seal the ends also. Bake at 400 for 25-30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes for easier slicing.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick + 2 2/3 Tbsp. margarine
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions

Pour milk over the oatmeal and let stand 1 hour. Cream the brown sugar and margarine. Add eggs. Sift dry ingredients together. Add alternately with oatmeal mixture. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes in greased tins. Makes 2 dozen. You can use half one day and refrigerate the rest to be used later.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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"Sugar-Free" White Chocolate Pie

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 cup pecans, crushed as finely as you can
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1-2 Tbsp. Splenda

• 1 package sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 package cream cheese, softened

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Mix the pecans, butter and Splenda together and press into a 9 inch pie pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes. Cool completely before adding filling.

Mix the pudding mix, heavy cream and water together until blended. Add the cream cheese and mix until smooth. Spread into the cooled crust and refrigerate until set. Cut into 6 servings.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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