ThriftyFun Recipes - March 8, 2010

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Recipe Requests:

• Freezing Lasagna
• Measurements Used with the Ron Popeil Pasta Machine

Today's Food Tips:

• Freezing Celery
• A Twist for Your Morning Coffee
• Use Same Water for Cooking Vegetables

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Lemon Fettuccine with Tuna
• Chili Con Queso
• Zucchini Muffins
• Calypso Slaw
• Rice Krispie Treats

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Robin's Thrifty Tips: Weekly Grocery Deals
• Hawaiian Wedding Cake
• Santa Fe Enchiladas
• Penuche Nut Roll
• Frosted Salad

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Freezing Lasagna

How long can lasagna be frozen for?

By Betty from Silver Spring, MD

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Measurements Used with the Ron Popeil Pasta Machine

I am still looking for the measurements of the Ron Popeil measuring cup, which did not come with the machine. Would some sweet person put water in their cup and tell me how much each line measures? I would be eternally grateful. Thanks so much.

By Linda from Manitoulin Island, Canada

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Freezing Celery

Unlike what I have heard and read, I cut up my celery and place on a flat pan, like a cookie pan, and spread it out to freeze it. After about an hour, it can be placed in a ziplock bag for use in future cooking.

By ghc630 from New Orleans, LA

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A Twist for Your Morning Coffee

For another twist to your morning coffee, try adding small pieces of fresh orange rind and even add a bit of cocoa. It's a traditional flavor mix and a freebie if you have oranges every morning the way I do!

By pamphyila from L.A., CA

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Use Same Water for Cooking Vegetables

This past summer, mandatory water rationing was imposed on our community. I started cooking garden vegetables using the same water, one type of vegetable right after another. I'd scoop out the first ones, then cook a second batch using the same water. Saved electricity too since I was using water that was already near the boiling level. I've continued to do it all fall and winter.

Diane from Ukiah, CA

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Lemon Fettuccine with Tuna

Good for using canned tuna without mayonnaise.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 small lemons (squeeze zest and juice)
• 3 tsp. minced fresh garlic
• 1/3 cup drained and julienne cut (rehydrate in hot water), sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup cold butter cut into pieces
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
• 1 can Tuna
• 1/2 pound cooked according to package directions, fettuccine
• 3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil

Directions:

In large skillet, in hot oil, saute garlic. Add tomatoes and lemon juice; saute 1 minute longer. Add cold butter, lemon zest, parsley and oregano.

Stir until butter has melted and mixture has thickened slightly; remove from heat. Gently fold in Chicken of the Sea Tuna.

Pour tuna lemon mixture over fettuccine; gently toss until cooked. Sprinkle with pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Makes 2 to 4 servings.

Source: Chicken of the Sea Tuna

By LRP from LWL MA

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Chili Con Queso

I love deep frying or baking my own tortilla chips made from corn tortilla's rather than store bought pre-made chips ;-)

Ingredients:

• 16 oz package Mexican Velveeta Cheese (your choice of heat), cubed
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup Ortega Chunky Salsa (your choice of heat)
• Tortilla chips

Directions:

Place cheese and salsa in a saucepan over medium low heat. Stir constantly until cheese is melted, transfer to a bowl and serve. Or you can place in a microwave safe bowl on high in one minute increments, stirring after each minute, until cheese is melted and serve.

By Deeli from Richland, WA

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Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cup sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 2 cup grated zucchini
• 2 cup flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. soda
• 2 Tbsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup walnuts

Directions:

Beat eggs over boiling water until frothy. Remove water fom burner, but continue beating over hot water. Add sugar beating well. Add vanilla and oil. Beat until thick and lemony. Take off of hot water and stir in rest of ingredients. Pour into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes. Makes 2 dozen muffins.

By Sandy from Graettinger, IA

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Calypso Slaw

Ingredients:

• 4 cups shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Mexican corn drained
• 3 Tbsp. sliced black olives

• 1 cup Hellmann's mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. mustard
• 1/2 tsp. celery seed
• 2 Tbsp. vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. sugar

Directions:

Mix ingredients in order as given. Keeps well when refrigerated.

By Sandy from Graettinger, IA

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Rice Krispie Treats

The Best Rice Krispie Treats you will ever eat! This recipe makes the cooiest gooiest bars. They get raves whenever I make them and are nice and thick.

Ingredients:

• 11 1/2 cups Rice Krispies (or generic)
• 1 stick butter
• 16 oz. mini marshmallows

Directions:

Grease a 13 by 9 pan. Meanwhile, melt butter on med-low heat on stove. Slowly stir in marshmallows and stir until smooth. Immediately pour over krispies in a large bowl, stirring with a sturdy wooden spoon and pat firmly in pan. I grease my hands first. I then lick my hands after which leads me to eat a treat right away. You can press in cute sprinkles for Easter, and wrap in plastic wrap for giving, as well.

By joynchocolate

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Robin's Thrifty Tips: Weekly Grocery Deals

Thought it might be interesting to do a quick article about some weekly 'deals' in the area in which I live. I live in southeast Iowa, only about an hour from the Illinois state line. I know that grocery prices vary a lot from place to place, but I thought I would list a few items that are real deals in my area this week that I plan to take advantage of. We receive a free "Shopper" newspaper once a week, which consists of advertisements for some of the stores in our area. I like to check out the ads before I go shopping so I know where I can get the best deals each time.

We have 3 places in town in which to buy groceries. They are Hy-Vee, Fareway and our Wal-Mart Supercenter. Now, while I like Wal-Mart for a lot of things, I'm not totally sold on most of their grocery prices. Hy-Vee is a very nice store, in fact it's downright beautiful in there! They carry several items that you can't get in the other two stores. However, I still prefer to stick with our Fareway store. The prices are usually quite a bit cheaper and while the store may not be anything fancy, it's easier to get around and find the things I want in it than it is in the other two stores. I'm curious as to what grocery stores are best in other areas of the country.

This week, the items that I will be taking advantage of at Fareway are fresh, boneless chicken breast (right out of the meat counter) for $1.49/lb. Also, the Fareway brand of canned vegetables are .40/can. I will also be getting some red or green seedless grapes for .98./lb. There is a store coupon for 93% lean hamburger for $2.49/lb., for a 10lb. roll which is a very good deal for our area. I will also be buying some Betty Crocker brownie mixes for 5 for $5 and Glacier Clear brand purified water is $2.88 for a 24 pack. I also have a store coupon for Gold Medal flour for .99 for a 5lb. bag.

Our Hy-Vee store is having a 3-day sale and they will be having 85% lean hamburger on sale for $1.88/lb., Sunkist navel oranges for $1.99 for a 4lb. bag, Little Debbie snacks for $1.00 a box and Hy-Vee brand potato chips for .99 a bag. They also advertised 4 roll packs of generic toilet paper and 160 ct. tissues for .77 a package as well as 6 packs of Ramen Noodles for .99 and chicken drumsticks or thighs for .88/lb. These prices are only good the 3 days. Not sure if I will take advantage of any of these deals or not, but they are pretty good anyway.

As far Wal-Mart, they don't regularly have an ad, so I have to go to the store and look, which is another reason I prefer to go to Fareway because I can see their ad before I go shopping.

So, what kind of deals do you have going on at grocery/department stores in your area this week?

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Hawaiian Wedding Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 can crushed pineapple and juice (20oz.)
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 cup flaked coconut

• 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions

For Topping: Blend cheese, margarine, vanilla and sugar thoroughly.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Santa Fe Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1 can tomato paste (12oz.)
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp. salt
• 12 flour tortillas
• 1 jar Cheez Whip (8oz)
• 1 can chopped green chilies, drained

Directions:

Crumble meat in large bowl; microwave on high for 6-8 minutes or until meat loses pink color when stirred; drain. Add tomato paste, water, onion and salt. Microwave on high 3 minutes or until hot.

Wrap tortillas in paper towel. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes or until soft. Spoon 2 tablespoons meat mixture on each tortilla. Roll up tightly. Place tortillas in an 11x7 inch baking dish. Cover with Cheez Whiz, then green chilies and then remaining meat mixture.

Microwave for 6 minutes on high. Turn, cover and microwave 5 more minutes. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Serves approximately 6.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Penuche Nut Roll

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

Cook sugar, brown sugar, syrup and milk to soft ball stage. Cool at room temperature until lukewarm. Beat until mixture holds it's shape. Knead until firm. Keep hands well greased. Shape into 1 1/2 inch rolls. Roll in pecans. Wrap in waxed paper; chill and slice into 1/2 inch pieces.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Frosted Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 pkg. cherry gelatin (3oz. size)
• 3 cups boiling water
• 2 boxes frozen red raspberries
• 1 small pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 pt. whipping cream or 1 pkg. Dream Whip
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:

Combine first 3 ingredients and let set. Mix cream cheese and sugar. Whip the cream and add cheese mixture. Fold in marshmallows. Spread on salad.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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