ThriftyFun Recipes - December 12, 2008

Thank you Tim, Sandy, Bobbie, Lisa, Savannah, Carole, Raymonde and Robin for today's tips and recipes!

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Thanks for reading,

Susan

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Recipe Requests:

• Using a Cake Mix That's Expired
• Potato Chip Dip Recipes
• Recipe for Ice Cream Fudge
• Freezing Holuptsi

Today's Food Tips:

• Make Your Own To-Go "Latte" Cups!
• Shop Alone to Save Money
• Butter Rim To Prevent Casserole Spillovers

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Chinese Egg Flower/Egg Drop Soup
• Skillet Pork and Sweet Potatoes
• Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
• White Turtle Cake
• Okra Curry

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Cherry Party Punch
• Hot Potato Salad With Bacon
• Christmas Fudge
• French Onion Bread
• Kielbasa and Cabbage
• Grilled Turkey Tenderloins

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Using a Cake Mix That's Expired

Can baking powder be added to freshen a cake mix past it's expiration date? During my late husband's bout with cancer, a lot of food items didn't get used since he didn't have an appetite.

Renee from Shreveport, LA

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Potato Chip Dip Recipes

I am looking for a recipe for potato chip dip.

Patty from Canandaigua, NY

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Recipe for Ice Cream Fudge

I used to have a wonderful fudge recipe using ice cream. I cannot find it and wonder if someone has one they like? Thanks.

Refilwe from Eugene, OR

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Freezing Holuptsi

Can Holuptsi made with cooked rice and raw shredded potatoes be frozen after cooked?

Sandra

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Make Your Own To-Go "Latte" Cups!

I was at the dollar store the other day and noticed that they were selling a package with two disposable coffee cups along with lids and a package of "Cafe Latte" Mix. Inside each cup. This is of course intended for those who love their Lattes to go but don't want to pay the Starbuck's price tag! I considered buying one for a friend, then realized I could easily reproduce this myself.

There are two ways you can do this:

"Green" Way: If you are conscious of the environment, you know that using disposable cups isn't the best idea, so what you can do is purchase a reusable coffee mug and place a few packages of your homemade drink mix inside. (measured accordingly of course)

Other Way: You can also do the same thing like the dollar store did, just purchase disposable coffee cups with lids and store the pre-measured homemade coffee mix inside each cup. Here are a few homemade mixes you can use: ( always use instant espresso powder for my coffee mixes, it's more expensive but makes the mixes taste so much better!)

Soy Hot Chocolate Mix

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup non dairy creamer (vanilla is nice)
• 1/2 cup soy milk powder (instant)
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1/2cup vegan marshmallows*

Directions

Blend all ingredients in a food processor except for marshmallows. Mix in marshmallows by hand and place in a jar or plastic bag. Instructions: Add 2 tbsp soy hot chocolate mix to 1 cup hot water or to taste.

Cafe Latte

• http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/cafelatte.htm

Rich Hot Chocolate Mix:

• http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/creamyhotcocoamix.htm

Cafe Mocha

• http://busycooks.about.com/od/beveragerecipe1/r/cafemochamix.htm

Source: I wrote this article.

By Lisa from Halifax, NS

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Shop Alone to Save Money

For the month of November I did my grocery shopping without my husband, wow I did save money! I did not take into consideration the number of extra items he added to the cart! I am sure it would be helpful to leave home any extra people when grocery shopping, kids, husbands, grandchildren, etc.

Another thing I experimented with was using the smallest cart. At our Tom Thumb store they have several size carts to select from and I went to the smallest cart, which I know helped me to not add extra items that were not on my list. One time, I only used the handled basket as I only went in for a couple items. I know these two tips will save you some money!

By Bobbie from Rockwall

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Butter Rim To Prevent Casserole Spillovers

To prevent a casserole from boiling over in your oven as it bakes place butter around the rim of the casserole dish.

By Sandy from Graettinger, IA

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Chinese Egg Flower/Egg Drop Soup

If you or your friends like Chinese Food, you may like this soup. My friends say they like it better than what they get at Chinese buffets. They probably like all the different flavors. There is more stuff in this recipe than what they are usually getting.

Ingredients

• 1 can of cream style corn
• 3 cups of chicken broth
• 2-3 large eggs (beaten)
• 2 Tbsp. of cornstarch mixed with equal parts water
• 1 tsp. of sesame oil

Directions

Heat the corn and broth together. Stir it every once and a while to make sure that the corn doesn't stick and burn.

When the mixture begins to boil, KEEP STIRRING THE BROTH WHILE POURING IN THE CORNSTARCH. If you don't, you may get lumps. This is the thickener.

Drizzle the eggs into the soup while it is still boiling, and you will get pretty yellow strands. If you put the eggs into the soup while the broth is still cold, you will need to constantly stir the soup until it gets hot. This will make fine granules. This is what the Japanese call EGG CLOUD SOUP.

Add the bullion or salt to flavor

Drizzle the sesame oil to bring out the Chinese aroma. If you don't like the smell, skip this step.

Optional Ingredients: I like cooking finely grated ginger into my soup, but my mother doesn't like the bite. Adding finely sliced bamboo, green peas, minced carrots, and mushrooms makes this soup more appetizing, also.

The picture is what it looks like with everything added.

By Tim from Science Hill, KY

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Skillet Pork and Sweet Potatoes

Take some pork, cut it up into a skillet and brown. Add celery, onion, let pork brown. Then cut fresh sweet potatoes into this, I quarter mine. Add stewed tomatoes, or diced, and salt. Let this all cook till meat is tender. It's very good, easy to make. Enjoy!

Source: This is my mom's recipe from along time ago.

By Savannah from Savannah

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Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 - 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter

Directions

Melt butter, add evaporated milk, sugar, and cocoa. Stir to mix well. Let come to a boil, cook for exactly 90 seconds. Remove from heat, add vanilla ( will hiss and sputter a bit at first); then add peanut butter. Stir to let peanut butter melt; add oats. Remove from heat, drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let harden for 15 - 20 minutes, and hide a few for later, because if everyone starts eating, there won't be any left for later. :)

Source: Have had and made this recipe for so many years, that I couldn't tell you where it came from if my life depended on it. Has been a family favorite since the first time it was made. YUMMM!

By Carole from Locust Fork, Alabama

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White Turtle Cake

Ingredients

• 1 2-layer package yellow cake mix
• 1 cup water
• 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 14-ounce package caramels
• 1 cup chopped pecans

• 1/2 cup melted margarine
• 1 - 1 pound package confectioners' sugar
• 6 Tbsp. milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine cake mix, water, 1/2 of the condensed milk, oil and eggs in mixer bowl; beat well. Spread half the batter into greased 9x13-inch cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Melt caramels with remaining condensed milk in saucepan, stirring frequently. Stir in pecans. Pour over hot cake. Spread remaining batter over caramel layer. Bake for 20 minutes longer. Spread White Turtle Frosting over warm cake.

For frosting: Combine margarine, confectioners' sugar and milk in mixer bowl; beat well. Add vanilla; mix well.

Source: Gene Harbert

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Okra Curry

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 Tbsp. oil
• 1 peeled and chopped onion
• 2 medium sized potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
• 4 cups okra, topped and tailed, and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
• Salt to taste
• 3/4 tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 1/4 tsp. chili powder
• 1 3/4 tsp. ground coriander
• 2-3 sprigs fresh green coriander leaves, chopped

Directions

Heat the oil in a wok or solid based frying pan and fry the onion for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cubed potatoes; cover and cook to 3-4 minutes. Add the okra, and stir fry for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with salt to taste, turmeric, chili, and ground coriander. Mix gently; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally and continue cooking until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with the chopped coriander leaves. Mix well and serve.

By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario

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Cherry Party Punch

Ingredients

• 2 boxes black cherry gelatin (3 oz. size)
• 4 cups boiling water
• 2 cups cold water
• 1 can pink lemonade, frozen (12 oz.)
• 1 can pineapple juice (48 oz.)
• 1 bottle ginger ale (1-liter size)

Directions

Dissolve the gelatin in 4 cups of boiling water. Mix in the 2 cups of cold water, lemonade, pineapple juice and the ginger ale.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Hot Potato Salad With Bacon

Ingredients

• 8 golden potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1/2 lb. bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup water
• salt and pepper, to taste
• fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Boil the potatoes until they are just tender and drain. Cook the bacon and drain; reserve the drippings. Add the onions to the bacon drippings and cook until tender. Stir in the vinegar, water, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and add the onion and vinegar mixture. Stir in the bacon and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve warm.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Christmas Fudge

Ingredients

• 1 Hershey bar (26 oz.)
• 1 large package chocolate chips
• 1 lb. nuts
• 1 jar marshmallow cream (8oz.)
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. salt

Directions

In a bowl, chop the Hershey bar into pieces and add the chocolate chips, nuts and marshmallow cream. In a 5 qt. pan, bring the sugar, milk, vanilla and salt to a boil. Let cook for 3 minutes and no longer. Mix in the Hershey bar mixture. (You have to work fast or it will set up. And you may need someone to help pour.) Pour on cookie sheets.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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French Onion Bread

Ingredients

• 2 packages yeast
• 1/2 cup lukewarm water
• 2 Tbsp. shortening
• 1 1/2 cup hot water
• 3 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 package dry onion soup mix
• 5 cups flour

Directions

Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and set aside. Melt the shortening, in hot water, and add the sugar, salt and dry soup mix. Mix together with the yeast and gradually add in the flour, kneading until smooth. Let the dough rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch it down and let it rise again. Divide the dough into 2 equal parts and put it into loaf pans. Let the dough rise again, until it doubles, and bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Kielbasa and Cabbage

Ingredients

• 6 potatoes, cubed
• 1 head cabbage, cut in pieces and separated
• 1 pkg. baby carrots
• 1 pkg. kielbasa, cut into 1 inch pieces
• salt and pepper, to taste
• butter, to taste

Directions

In a large pot, place the cubed potatoes, cabbage, carrots and add enough water until everything in the pot is covered. Cook over medium heat for about 45 minutes. Add the kielbasa and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Salt and pepper and butter to taste.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Grilled Turkey Tenderloins

Ingredients

• 1 lb. turkey tenderloins (3/4-1" thick)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp. onion, dehydrated
• 1/4 tsp. ginger
• dash black pepper
• dash garlic salt

Directions

In a shallow pan, mix all of the ingredients together. Add the turkey tenderloins and turn to coat both sides of the meat. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, turning occasionally. Grill the tenderloins over hot coals for 6-8 minutes. The tenderloins are done when they are no longer pink in the center.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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