ThriftyFun Recipes - February 1, 2007

Hello ,

Submit Your Favorite Recipe!

Need a recipe? Submit a request

Thanks for reading,

Susan

Recipe Requests:

• Keeping Cut Fruit Fresh
• Homemade Yogurt Recipe
• Freezing Beef Curry

Today's Recipes:

• Homemade Instant Cocoa Mix
• Tuna Burgers
• Pudding Cheese Cake
• Corn Bread Vegetable Cobbler
• Vegetarian "Chicken" Salad
• Garlic Lime Chicken
• Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies
• Broccoli Casserole
• Tomato Spinach Spread
• Almond Chicken Casserole

Keeping Cut Fruit Fresh

How to keep cut up fruit fresh?

Traci from Lodi, CA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16674686.tip.html

Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Does anyone know how to make homemade yogurt. I was told it was easy and cheap. With a family of 8 we go through a lot of yogurt.

Debbi from Brownstown MI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf589865.tip.html

Freezing Beef Curry

If I make a beef curry from frozen beef. Can I re-freeze this after it is cooked?

R Lewis from Norwich UK

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf82941201.tip.html

• Tip Contest
  Submit a Tip or Recipe!

• Photo Contest
  Submit a tip with photo!

The above contests are weekly. We pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week. Each winner will win $25!

• My Frugal Life
  Submit a My Frugal Life Essay!

Homemade Instant Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

• 8 quart box of instant dry milk
• 8 ounce dry coffee creamer
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 pound can instant cocoa mix

Combine all ingredients; mix well. Store in covered containers. To use, mix 3 heaping tsp. to a cup of hot water. Stir.

By Janet E from Suring, WI

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf27683509.tip.html

Tuna Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 can tuna
• 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 1/2 cup cubed Cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp. finely chopped onion
• 2 sweet pickles, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Mix all ingredients together, heap on split buns and put under the broiler until heated and a little brown. These have to be watched very carefully because once they start to brown it goes very fast!

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32941141.tip.html

Pudding Cheese Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 package instant pudding mix (your choice of flavor)
• 1 prepared graham cracker pie crust (or homemade in 8 inch pie pan)
• 1 8 ounce package low fat cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1-1/2 cups 2% or skim milk

Mix milk with cream cheese and pudding mix until smooth and thick. Pour into pie crust. Chill 2 hours minimum. Enjoy.

You can top this with fruit pie filling, chocolate curls, sliced fresh fruit. Also, you can fill the bottom of the pie tin with sliced fruit, and top with the mixture. Mix in chocolate, butterscotch or peanut butter chips in the cheese mixture.

Some combinations my family enjoys are:

• Chocolate crumb crust, pudding and chips
• Butterscotch pudding and chips
• Vanilla pudding and fruit
• Banana pudding with bananas layered at the bottom of the dish
• Home made gingersnap crumb crust with apple pie filling on top
• Vanilla pudding with 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter blended in (I use an immersion/stick blender, but a regular mixer or a blender also work well)

By Jean from Grand Island, NY

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43283662.tip.html

Corn Bread Vegetable Cobbler

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash (2 lb.), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 lb. red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
• 3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2 inch wedges
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. dried tarragon
• 1 can vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
• 4 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
• 1 3/4 cups biscuit/baking mix (like Bisquick)
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• Dash cayenne pepper

Place the squash, potatoes, parsnips, and onion in a shallow 3 qt. baking dish. Combine the oil, salt and tarragon; drizzle over veggies and toss to coat. Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees F for 1 hour or until tender, stirring once. Meanwhile, in a large pan, bring broth to a boil. Add broccoli and lemon peel. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1/2 cup milk until smooth. Add to broccoli. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add to roast vegetables and stir to combine. In a bowl, combine the baking mix, cornmeal, cayenne and remaining milk until smooth. Drop batter in 12 mounds over hot veggies. Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until topping is browned. Yield: 12 servings.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48392990.tip.html

Vegetarian "Chicken" Salad

Hello all! I'm having a great time at this site! It's awesome to be able to share some of my vegetarian ideas. My youngest daughter and I don't eat meat, but still like the taste and idea of chicken bits in a salad. What I came up with is to purchase our favorite vegy "chicken" patties, make our salad, heat up the patties, cut them in cubes, and toss in the salad. This has worked great, and is a favorite now!

By Sue from Oneonta, NY

Editor's Note: We really need good vegetarian recipes so please send them in.

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf55148104.tip.html

Garlic Lime Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (beef or pork are also good)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (I use the bottled)
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (I use the minced in a jar, not dry)
• 3/4 tsp. dry Mustard
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. Chili powder

Preheat grill. Mix all ingredients except the meat in a plastic or glass bowl. Wash and pat dry chicken. Add to the marinade. Cover and place in refrigerator for 1 hour. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade). Grill on high about 8 minutes per side until juices run clear. This can be served as is or cut up and used for fajitas.

I usually mix the marinade in a freezer size bag and add the meat. This way I don't have an extra bowl to wash. If you want some marinade for brushing while grilling, save some before you add the meat.

Ardelle from Richfield, MN

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf61430801.tip.html

Hazelnut Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 6 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup cake flour
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 3/4 cup ground hazelnuts
• 24 whole hazelnuts, toasted and peeled
• Confectioner's sugar

In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and cocoa; gradually add to creamed mixture. Beat in ground hazelnuts. Roll into 1 inch balls. Press one whole hazelnut into each. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-19 minutes or until firm to the touch. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Yield: 2 dozen.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64513687.tip.html

Broccoli Casserole

Recipes for making Broccoli Casserole.

Ingredients:

• 2 package frozen broccoli
• 1 cup Miracle Whip
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• cheese Ritz cracker (crushed)
• butter

Cook broccoli in water for about 5 minutes. Drain well. Mix well. Mix together Miracle Whip, cheese, eggs and soup. Fold in broccoli. Place in a greased casserole dish. Top with crushed Ritz crackers and dot with butter. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees F. serves about 8.

By Janet E from Suring, WI

View more Broccoli Casserole Recipes.

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf652200.tip.html

Tomato Spinach Spread

Ingredients:

• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Pita Triangles:
• 1 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 6 whole pita breads
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. lemon-pepper seasoning

Directions:

In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk, salt and cayenne until smooth. Stir in the tomatoes, spinach and onion. Spoon into an ungreased, microwave-safe 9 inch pie plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring once. Meanwhile, combine butter and oil; brush over both sides of pitas. Cut each pita into 8 wedges; place on ungreased baking sheets. Combine cumin and lemon pepper; sprinkle over both sides of wedges. Broil 4 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Serve with spread.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75653594.tip.html

Almond Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
• 1 cup sour cream
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
• 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

In a large bowl, combine the first 12 ingredients. Transfer to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Toss cornflakes with butter; sprinkle over cheese. Top with almonds. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6-8 servings.

By Robin from Washington, IA

Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf91118570.tip.html

Looking for a frugal solution to an everyday problem? Submit your request here:

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