ThriftyFun Recipes - October 30, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 213, October 30, 2009 (Read It Online) Happy Halloween to all our readers! You still have time to submit a costume for our Homemade Halloween Costume Contest, the deadline is November 5th. Thank you to twilightgift, imladris, Deeli, Raymonde C. G., euroserf and Laniegirl for today's tips and recipes. If you have some unique recipes or tips for Thanksgiving, please send them in. Submit Your Favorite Recipe! Submit a Food tip! Looking for a recipe? Submit a request Thanks for reading, The ThriftyFun Team 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: Sugar Cookie Mix Recipe (Dry Mix) Using Stevia in Tea Storing Smoked Banana Leaves Festive Dip or Snack Ideas for Halloween Juicing Pomegranates Today's Food Tips: Freeze Leftover Liquids In Empty Water Bottles Use Refried Beans for Thick Chili Buy Cheap Pumpkins After Halloween Today's Contest Recipes: Orange Crock Pot Chicken Cream of Chicken Soup with Grapes and Hazelnuts Dublin Coddle Caramel/Apple Bars Parmesan and Mustard Toastettes Robins's Recipe Corner: Bacon And Egg Casserole Best Ever Caramel Corn Cranberry Salad Cashew Chicken Applesauce Cookies 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: Sugar Cookie Mix Recipe (Dry Mix) I am looking for a recipe for a sugar cookie mix. This would be the type like a Betty Crocker dry mix which you can purchase. I happened to see a recipe by Sandra Lee which uses the sugar cookie mix, and a few more things to make biscotti. It sounded pretty good. Thank you very much. By Sandi from Scotland, CT Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55244874.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Using Stevia in Tea This is my first season growing stevia and I had a bumper crop. The only thing is I am not fond of the leafy substance floating in my tea. Are there ways to process it to a liquid or powder? The picture is after I harvested. By Yo from Midwest Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55963867.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Storing Smoked Banana Leaves How can I preserve fresh banana leaves, after smoking them. I live in the Caribbean and would like to package some for future use. By Eureka C. from Barbados Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf88394404.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Festive Dip or Snack Ideas for Halloween I need a quick festive dip or some sort of snack. It's a Halloween party at work and I have made all of my favorites for them. Anyone have a suggestion? By Ann from Tipp City, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90042493.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Juicing Pomegranates I have a power juicer and want to know if you can put pomegranates in the juicer? By Barb from Columbia, MO Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83200500.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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, 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! Today's Food Tips: Freeze Leftover Liquids In Empty Water Bottles To save leftover broth or juice that is about to expire, or any sauces or juices that you want to save; use your empty water bottles. This will work great for Thanksgiving, when you are making broth from the very last remnants of the turkey. Use some now, and save the rest for later. Empty water bottles, empty coolwhip containers, milk or juice jugs, virtually anything will work. Cut off the top of a bottle of soda, milk, water or whatever to use as a funnel to make it super-easy. Leave enough room since liquids expand a bit when they are frozen. It's also a great way to keep containers out of the landfills. By twilightgift from Forks, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73443924.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Use Refried Beans for Thick Chili Some of my family do not like kidney beans, so I use refried beans instead. It makes my chili thick and very good. Source: I ran out of Kidney beans and happened to have a can of refried beans so I used it instead, so my source was myself. By Roberta G. from Chesterfield, MI Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35911034.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Buy Cheap Pumpkins After Halloween Be sure to check your local Walmart right after Halloween for leftover pumpkins. Many people will not buy them after Halloween and you can get them for nearly free. Last year I talked to the guy over the produce section who told me he had marked them down to a penny and they still would not sell! I picked up as many as I could carry (3) and headed for the checkout counter. I found a great idea for beef stew in a pumpkin, where you just stick the whole thing in the oven. The uneaten leftover parts of the pumpkin were pureed to make pie filling. You can also throw the seeds out in your yard to grow your own next year! By imladris from Anderson, SC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf84142444.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Today's Contest Recipes: Orange Crock Pot Chicken Just too easy for words ;-) Ingredients: 6 skinless boneless chicken thighs 1 can orange soda 1/4 cup of water 1 cup diced celery Directions: Place chicken in crock pot and pour soda and water over the chicken and then top with celery. Cook on low and test for doneness at 6 hours but, depending on your crock pot, it could take up to 8 hours. By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf36031246.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cream of Chicken Soup with Grapes and Hazelnuts Awesome, I love vegetables. Ingredients: 2 slices bread 1 tsp. margarine 3/4 cup onions, coarsely chopped 3/4 cup leeks, thinly sliced 3/4 cup celery, thinly sliced 1/2 cup carrots, sliced 6 cups chicken broth 1 cup potatoes, sliced 1 seasoning bouquet (1 bay leaf, 1 stalk of thyme, and 1 sprig of parsley) salt and pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. cornstarch diluted with a bit of water 20 green grapes, seedless 2 Tbsp. hazelnuts, chopped or (pine nuts) 1/2 cup 15% cream Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread slices into 3/4 inch cubes. Place them on a cookie sheet and toast them in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes; set aside. Melt the margarine in a large saucepan and saute the onions, leeks, celery and carrots. Add the chicken broth, potatoes and the seasoning bouquet. Cover the saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat; season with salt and pepper. Puree the mixture in the food processor or with an electric hand mixer, then return it to the saucepan. Thicken , using the cornstarch, then add the grapes and hazelnuts. Add the cream just before serving and garnish with the croutons (toasted bread). Servings: 4 to 6 Time: 15 Minutes Preparation Time 25 Minutes Cooking Time Source: Classic Cooking By Raymonde C. G. from North Bay, Ontario Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44778563.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Dublin Coddle Easily made one-pot meal and very tasty too! Ingredients: 1 large potato per person 1 small onion per person 1 small carrot per person 2 link sausages per person 2 rashers of bacon per person parsley to taste thyme to taste black pepper to taste Chicken or lamb stock to cover the above Directions: Peel the potatoes, onions and carrots and cut into bite size pieces. Put the carrots, sausages, and bacon slices into your crock or this can be all cooked on the stove top in a pot/skillet. Cover with stock, bring it all to a boil. cook for 30 minutes, then add the herbs, pepper, onions and potatoes, return to the boil and cook gently for 20 minutes. Serve with Irish Brown soda bread, and a glass of Guinness or Smithwicks ale. This was a traditional Dublin Saturday night supper when people came home from the " Pub". Slainte Mhaith! (Good Health) Servings: ? Time: 10 minutes Minutes Preparation Time Aprox. 1 Hour Minutes Cooking Time Source: My Late Mothers recipe! By euroserf from Dublin, Republic of Ireland Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf13729744.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Caramel/Apple Bars Every time I take this somewhere, people want the recipe, it is simply so good! Ingredients: Crust and Topping: 3/4 cup butter-flavor vegetable shortening(such as Crisco) 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1 egg 1-1/2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1.2 tsp. baking soda 1-3/4 cup quick oats, uncooked Filling: 3 to 4 large Granny Smith, Golden delicious or Jonathan apples (I used Jonathan), peeled and cut into 1/2 pieces (about 4 cups) 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour 1 tsp. lemon juice 1- 14 oz. bag caramel candy, unwrapped or 1 tub of soft caramel (kind that is used for dipping. Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. For crust, combine shortening and brown sugar in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer. Add egg to creamed mixture and beat until well blended. Combine 1-1/2 cups flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture gradually. Add in oats. Mix until blended. Bake at 350 degrees. for 10 minutes. For Filling: Toss apples with 2 Tablespoons flour and lemon juice. Distribute apple mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Press in lightly. Place caramels in microwave on high for one minute and if using the tub caramel, only try 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat till soft. Drizzle melted caramels over the apples. Crumble reserved topping evenly over caramel. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until apples are tender and top is golden brown. Loosen caramel from sides of pan with knife. Cool completely. Do not over bake. Cut into 1-1/2 bars. Cover tightly with plastic wrap to store. Servings: 24 Time: 30 Minutes Preparation Time 30 Minutes Cooking Time Source: Somewhere off internet By Laniegirl from Iowa Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf79096620.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Parmesan and Mustard Toastettes Not long ago a tip was posted about using mayonnaise instead of butter to cook a grilled cheese sandwich. I personally don't think I could do that but it got me thinking and decided to try using mayo instead of room temp butter for this broil recipe and it was good :-) Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise 3 tsp. Dijon mustard 6 slices bread, crusts removed 1/2 Parmesan cheese, shredded Directions: Mix mayonnaise and mustard and spread on to one side of each bread slice. Cut each slice into four pieces. Place slices uncoated side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and broil about four inches from the heat until lightly browned (about 1 to 2 minutes). By Deeli from Richland, WA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73115832.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Robin's Recipe Corner: Bacon And Egg Casserole Ingredients: 8 slices bacon, fried and crumbled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 cup milk 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper dash garlic salt 3 hard-boiled eggs 4 oz. egg noodles, cooked 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese Directions: Slice the eggs into a casserole dish and add the cooked noodles. Sprinkle the cheese on top of the eggs and noodles. Make a white sauce by melting the butter in a saucepan and blending in the flour until smooth. Add 1/2 the milk, cold, then the other 1/2, warm, with the Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic. Pour over the eggs, noodles and cheese. Top with crumbled bacon and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 6. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf33916327.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Best Ever Caramel Corn Ingredients 16 cups popped corn 1 large brown bag-grocery sack 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 stick margarine 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. baking soda Place 16 cups popped corn in large paper bag after it is popped. Do not pop corn in a paper bag as it could start a fire! Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, margarine, and salt in an 8 cup batter bowl; microwave on full power for 2 minutes. Stir well. Microwave 3 minutes, stirring after each minute. Add vanilla and baking soda. Stir well and pour over the popcorn in the bag. Shake well and microwave on full power (fold bag ends together) 1 minute; shake bag well and close. Microwave 1 minutes; shake bag well and close. Microwave 30 seconds; shake bag well and close. Microwave another 30 seconds; shake bag and close again. Pour out on foil and let cool after separating. Store in an airtight container. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61998027.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cranberry Salad Ingredients: 1 lb. ground raw cranberries 2 cup ground, unpared apples 2 cup sugar 1 pkg. lemon gelatin (3oz.) 1 pkg. orange gelatin (3oz.) 2 cup boiling water 1 can crushed pineapple (reg. size) 1/2 cup nut meats Directions: Sprinkle the 2 cups sugar over the ground cranberries and apples and let stand one hour. Dissolve lemon gelatin and the orange gelatin in 2 cups boiling water and add the cranberry mixture. To this add crushed pineapple and nut meats. Chill until set in a large bowl. This serves 20. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf408725.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cashew Chicken Ingredients: 2-2 1/2 lbs. chicken 2 Tbsp. salad oil 2 Tbsp. margarine 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 Tbsp. chopped onion 1/3 cup sour cream 1/2 tsp. paprika dash pepper 1/2 cup cashews Directions: Lightly dust chicken with a little flour to coat. In skillet, brown chicken in oil and margarine. Remove chicken from skillet and drain off fat. Stir to loosen browned bits. Blend in remaining ingredients except cashews; add chicken. Cover and cook over low heat 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cashews; cook 15 minutes more. If thicken sauce is desired, leave uncovered the last 15 minutes. This is good served with rice. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf25301487.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Applesauce Cookies Ingredients 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. almond extract 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup applesauce 2 cups flour 1 1/2 cup oatmeal 1 tsp. baking soda 1 cup pecan pieces and/or 1 cup raisins (optional) Directions Cream together butter and sugars. Add almond extract, eggs, vanilla, and applesauce. Mix well. Blend in flour, oatmeal, and baking soda. If desired, add pecan pieces and raisins. drop by teaspoons onto non-stick cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Yield: 3 dozen. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22981690.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | 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.