ThriftyFun Recipes - November 11, 2009

Happy Veterans Day to all of our U.S. readers. I hope everyone had a nice midweek holiday. Thanks today for our tips and recipes goes to Deeli, h.arnott, Pam E., Debbie R. and Barbara. Please keep sending in your submissions, especially tips for planning for Thanksgiving and the start of the Holiday season.

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.

Recipe Requests:

• Cooking With Fresh Pumpkins

Today's Food Tips:

• Be Accurate In Recipe Amounts
• Use Cereal Liners in the Kitchen

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Chicken Soup with Garlic
• Vegetable Meatloaf
• Company is Coming Mac and Cheese
• Indian Fry Bread
• Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Monkey Bread
• Clam And Cauliflower Chowder
• Taco Salad
• Potato Salad
• Granny's Custard Pie

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

Cooking With Fresh Pumpkins

I have a lot of smallish pumpkins. I noticed that all the cans of pumpkin say, "pure pumpkin", so I need some help. What is the easiest way to process those pumpkins for baking? I need the pumpkin mash for pie filing, as well as, muffins, scones, and quick breads? Thanks in advance for your help with this.

By Sally from Chewelah, WA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66375258.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

• 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!

Be Accurate In Recipe Amounts

A few dairy companies are now manufacturing butter wrapped in 2 ounce sticks (4 Tbsp. or 1/4 cup) instead of 4 ounce sticks (8 Tbsp. or 1/2 cup) so it would be a good idea to make sure any recipe you give out clearly states either the ounces, tablespoon or cup amounts instead of simply saying "a stick of butter".

Giving a correct conversion can mean the difference between a ruined recipe and food wasted because of too much or not enough butter.

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/tf88820476.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Use Cereal Liners in the Kitchen

To save money buying freezer bags, I use the cereal bags inside the box. They are really good and can be washed and reused again.

By h.arnott from U.K

Contest Contender!

This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it:

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf15714532.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Chicken Soup with Garlic

Now that the weather is turning colder I am on a soup kick. I love to cook up extra and freeze in individual serving containers to save time for future meals ;-)

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 3 cans chicken broth
• 4 whole garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 3 celery ribs, sliced
• 1/4 tsp. salt, plus small pinch for sauce
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 4 oz egg noodles
• 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp mayonnaise
• 1 pinch red pepper, crushed or flaked

Directions:

Combine chicken, broth, garlic, onion, thyme and bay leaf in large pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered, 45 minutes or until garlic is soft and chicken is tender. Remove chicken, garlic and bay leaf from pot. Add carrot and celery to pot and simmer over medium low heat for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions, mash garlic and shred chicken. Combine mashed garlic, mayonnaise, red pepper and small pinch of salt in small bowl.

Return chicken to pot, reduce heat, stir in garlic, mayonnaise, red pepper and salt sauce. Add noodles, stir and serve.

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/tf31237283.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Vegetable Meatloaf

Different and very tasty from the traditional tomato or ketchup meatloaf.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. hamburger
• 1 small onion, grated or chopped very small
• 1 large potato, peeled and crated
• 1 or 2 carrots, grated
• 1 box of cornbread stuffing mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• salt to taste

Directions:

Mix hamburger, grated vegetables and salt, add stuffing with seasoning mix, eggs, milk and 1/2 can of mushroom soup, saving the other half. Mix well then form into loaf in pan. top with the remaining mushroom soup. Bake for approx. 1 hour at 350 degrees F .

Source: Family favorite

By Pam E. from Urbana, MO

Contest Contender!

This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it:

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26647048.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Company is Coming Mac and Cheese

Excellent taste, pretty, very nutritious, on hand ingredients, and cheap.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
• 1 28 oz tin tomatoes, of your choice
• 6 cheese slices, whatever kind you have on hand
• 1 cup milk
• 1 half stick of butter flour
• salt and pepper
• handful of crackers

Directions:

Cook macaroni, drain and set aside. Melt butter, add flour. When it thickens, add milk and salt and pepper. This a a basic white sauce at this point. Add enough milk or water to keep it just right, not too thick not too runny. Melt cheese slices in it and remove from heat.

Mix mac together with cheese sauce, pour half in a big casserole. Open tomatoes and dump in, do not mix. Add remaining on top of tomatoes. Add salt and pepper, crunch up crackers and put on top. Bake for a half hour or until bubbly, feeds eight, so good! This is quick and cheap and you can even substitute cheese spread for slices if pantry is really low.

Source: My own imagination.

By Debbie R. from Nova Scotia

Contest Contender!

This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it:

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf20293596.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Indian Fry Bread

This is a fried flat bread with many uses includes topping with anything from refried beans, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream to honey or your favorite jam with peanut butter. I've even topped it with chili, shredded cheese and diced onions.

It's easy and inexpensive to make and keeps well in the freezer when wrapped tightly with saran wrap or foil. I personally love the flavor of cooking this bread with Sesame or Peanut oil the best ;-)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour, plus extra for rolling dough
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup water
• Oil for frying (Canola, Corn, Peanut or Sesame oil works best to avoid cooking oil smoke point)

Directions:

Combine the ingredients, except oil, in a large bowl. Heat the oil in a skillet to 375 degrees F. Remove a ball of dough large enough to flatten in to the size of a large flour tortilla. The thickness you choose to roll is up to you but I've found you don't want it to be over a half an inch thick.

Flatten with a rolling pin on a well floured surface and it doesn't matter what shape the dough is once the dough is rolled whether it be round, square or haphazard.

Place rolled dough in the hot oil, cooking for a minute or two on each side until golden. Remove to a plate covered with a cloth towel or paper towels.

Continue cooking rolled dough in batches if you rolled the dough on the thin side.

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/tf28779146.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Pumpkin Angel Food Cake

What a great holiday cake and so easy. A comfort food with a hot cup of coffee or tea. This also makes a great gift.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. Angel Food cake mix
• 1-1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Directions:

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Use an electric mixer, beat cake mix, water, pumpkin and spices. Pour batter into a tube pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cake before removing from pan.

Source: my Tangier Island Favorites Cookbook

By Barbara from Evington, VA

Contest Contender!

This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it:

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf949772.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print |

Monkey Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 cans refrigerator biscuits
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup water

Directions:

Quarter biscuits. Put in a paper bag to shake up in sugar, powdered sugar and cinnamon. Put quartered biscuits in this and shake up to coat. Now put biscuits in a bundt pan. Boil together brown sugar, margarine or butter and water. Pour over biscuits. Sprinkle nuts on top, (opt.). Bake at 350 degrees F. for 1 hour.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf577185.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

Clam And Cauliflower Chowder

Ingredients:

• 2 cans minced clams
• 1 pkg. frozen cauliflower, pieces cut up
• 6 slices bacon, fried crisp and broken up
• 1 pkg. thinly sliced ham cut in small pieces
• 1 large carrot, coarsely grated
• 3/4 cup margarine
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
• dash pepper
• 1 tsp. sugar
• few drops Tabasco sauce
• parsley flakes

Directions:

Drain juice from clams and pour over frozen cauliflower and carrots in small pan. Add enough water to cover and cook until tender. Save liquid. Melt butter, add flour and salt, add milk; cook until smooth and thick, stirring constantly. Add sugar, pepper, clams and veggies and cooking liquid. Add bacon and ham; simmer 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley flakes.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf44210779.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

Taco Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 3/4 envelope taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 medium head lettuce, torn
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 large tomato, cut in wedges
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced, separated into rings
• 1 avocado, cut in slices
• coarsely crushed taco shells or chips
• taco sauce

Directions

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf788839.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

Potato Salad

Ingredients:

• 24 oz. pkg. O'Brien style potatoes
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup Miracle Whip
• 1/3 cup celery slices
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp. chopped pimento
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

Directions:

Add potatoes and salt to 1 qt. boiling water; return to boil. Cover; cook 2 minutes or until tender. Drain thoroughly. Combine remaining ingredients; mix well. Stir in potatoes. Chill. Add additional salad dressing before serving, if desired.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf646387.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

Granny's Custard Pie

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, beaten well
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 2 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 9 inch pie shell (unbaked)

Directions:

Heat milk, then add beaten eggs, sugar, and salt and vanilla. Pour into a 9 inch pie shell (unbaked); sprinkle top with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 325 degrees F and continue to bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, approximately 30 minutes or more.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf18876815.tip.html

Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: |

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

Coupon Swap!
Swap coupons with other ThriftyFun.com users.