ThriftyFun Recipes - March 4, 2008

Thank you Connie, Kelly, Mom of 1, Dar, Cajunc, Jess, Donna and Katie for today's tips and recipes!

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Recipe Requests:

• Using Whipping Cream Instead of Frozen Whipped Topping

Today's Food Tips:

• Using Almonds
• Use Spinach Instead of Lettuce In Sandwiches
• Get More Juice Out Of Your Lemon
• Homemade Doggie Popsicles

Today's Contest Recipes:

• Radio Goulash
• Cream Cheese Mints
• Crab Fettuccine Alfredo
• Banana Oatmeal Cookies
• Pork Chops with Onion Gravy

Robins's Recipe Corner:

• Melba's Cheese Crisps
• Date Nut Bread
• Chicken Asparagus Rolls (Microwave)
• Cheese-Egg Souffle
• Slim and Trim Creamy Potato Salad

Crafting for Fun and Money!

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Using Whipping Cream Instead of Frozen Whipped Topping

We do not have 'frozen whipped topping'. Would I just use whipped cream? Thank you for any replies.

Carolyn from South Africa

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Using Almonds

Description:

The almond is a nut, native to Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Lebanon, and Turkey. Nutritionally almonds offer a good source for vitamin E, fiber and magnesium along with calcium, iron and protein.

Uses:

Almonds can be used in dessert dishes, chopped and sprinkled on top of candy, used in stir fry, ground up into almond butter, roasted, seasoned and eaten as a snack. Almond is one of the key ingredients in marzipan, a moldable, edible confection often used for cakes.

Storage:

You can keep raw almonds longer in the freezer. Roasted almonds should be kept in an airtight container.

Recipes:

• Festive Strawberry Nut Salad
• Cinnamon Toasted Almonds
• Sweet-and-Sour Pork with Vegetables
• Marzipan (eggless)

Substitutions:

Almonds can be ground and made into a almond butter which is a great alternative to peanut butter. Can be made into a flower for a low carb alternative to wheat flour. A milk substitute can made, which is a dairy-free and soy-free alternative for those with dietary restrictions.

Interesting Fact:

Almonds have been praised for many health benefits, such as, cancer prevention. If eaten daily can help lower cholesterol, and boost the immune system.

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Use Spinach Instead of Lettuce In Sandwiches

My 7 year old son is cautious about new vegetables, especially raw veggies. He likes the idea of having lettuce and tomato on sandwiches, thanks to Subway and Burger King.

This week when packing his school lunch, I replaced the lettuce with baby spinach leaves. This boosts the nutritional content and he didn't even notice. I put the spinach directly on top of the mayonnaise so it wouldn't slip out. I might try cucumber slices next!

Jess in Oregon

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Get More Juice Out Of Your Lemon

Place lemon(s) in microwave for about 10-20 seconds (based on your microwave) until the lemon is very warm to the touch (almost hot). Wait until you feel comfortable handling the lemon, then cut and squeeze. You should be able to get at least 30-40% more juice than normal.

By Cajunc from Collinsville, IL

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Homemade Doggie Popsicles

Many of us have pets. Here is a way to make and preserve yummy treats for them and have them handy when you need them for that extra special trick they do. Buy a cheap roasting chicken and cook it in the crock pot. It cooks off the bone and falls apart. Let it cool and take the good meat off and save for your favorite casserole dish, soup, chicken dumplings, etc. Hand remove all the bones. Take the extra meat left over (not real good for human consumption) and hand pick through it again to be sure the bones are gone. Divide it and put into ice cube trays. Add some of the chicken broth from the cooker. There will be quite a lot of broth. Pour into the trays compartments to add flavor. Freeze. The next day, pop them out and store in a zip lock freezer bag in the freezer until Rover does a fantastic trick that he deserves a reward for.

By Donna from Millbury

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Radio Goulash

Mom called this goulash she got it off radio in the 1940's

1 lb. ground beef and 1 medium onion cooked 'till beef is browned and chopped onion is clear. Add 1 can of peas drained, 1 can creamed or niblet corn and 1 can of vegetable soup. Bring to a boil and serve with mashed potatoes, rice or egg noodles. Our kids love it (do not dilute the vegetable soup)

Source: From the radio in the 1940's. Grandma called it Radio Goulash so Mom did too.

By Katie from Sault Ste Marie Ont. Canada

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Cream Cheese Mints

Well, it's getting to be that time of the year; Weddings, showers, graduations, etc. I was looking through my recipe box the other day and found a recipe that I have made for all the reasons above. These are fun when you and the bridesmaids or family members are getting ready for whatever you are celebrating.

First off, you need to go to a cake decorating store or craft store. What you will need will be some molds that are made out of rubber (They are on the small side). I bought a dove, book, heart,and a couple other molds. Then instead of using regular food coloring, buy the food coloring in a jar, it is a paste. It will give you your reds, any color you want and it will be the true color and you will have plenty left for icings on cakes or the molds for the next celebration. Also you will need flavorings (They also have those). I chose spearmint and wintergreen. I have had more compliments over these. They look beautiful and taste just as good. Do not eat while you are making them or you will not stop eating them (I know this!).

Directions

Combine in bowl:

• 2 oz. cream cheese (room temp)
• 1 2/3 cups confectioner sugar

One more thing, depending on how big the event is. If it is large, mix different batches of colors and flavors in different bowls. If small, just divide up so you can color and flavor them each differently if you chose that way. Or they can all be one color, whatever you want to do. You're the boss!

Source: The lady who gave me this recipe closed her store and has been gone for years.

By Dar from Fairview, PA

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Crab Fettuccine Alfredo

This is a quick and easy meal to prepare when you have little time to spend in the kitchen. Add a salad and garlic bread and you have a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. imitation crab meat
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce (or you can make your own)
• 1 box fettuccine noodles

Directions

Prepare noodles as directed on package. While noodles are cooking, prepare Alfredo sauce from scratch or heat up store bought sauce. Once sauce is hot and bubbly, add crab meat and stir until thoroughly combined. Serve over fettuccine.

Source: My own creation

By Mom of 1 from Wilkesboro, NC

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Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 3)
• 2 cups quick cooking oats, uncooked
• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or raisins

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat margarine and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and mashed bananas.

Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add and blend dry ingredients into the mixing bowl with the wet ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips, butterscotch chips or raisins.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets and bake for approximately 8 minutes.

By Kelly from Carlisle, Ontario, Canada

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Pork Chops with Onion Gravy

My daughter occasionally gets the urge to cook something and this is what she came up with last evening. I had to praise her! It was excellent.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork loin chops, about 1/2-inch thick
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 small onion, sliced and separated into rings
• 1 Tbsp. canola oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 envelope pork gravy mix
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, or to taste
• 3/4 cup water

Directions

Sprinkle pork chops with pepper and salt. In a large skillet, cook chops and onion in oil over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until chops are lightly browned; drain. Add broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 14 to 16 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning once. In a small bowl, whisk the gravy mix, garlic powder and water. Pour over the pork chops. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 4 minutes or until thickened; stirring occasionally.

Serves: 4

By Connie from Cotter, AR

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Melba's Cheese Crisps

Cheese Crisps

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter or margarine
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1/16 tsp. cayenne
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup Rice Krispies

Directions

Variation: Melba's Cheese Puffs

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 cups shredded American or Cheddar cheese

Directions

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Date Nut Bread

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, chopped
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 Tbsp. (heaping) butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup nuts, chopped

Directions

Sprinkle soda over dates. Pour hot water over both; let cool. Cream butter and brown sugar; add egg and beat. Sift dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Blend in vanilla and nuts. Stir in dates mixture. Pour into greased cans or loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Chicken Asparagus Rolls (Microwave)

Ingredients

• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. rosemary (opt.)
• 1/2 tsp. salt (opt.)
• 2 whole boneless chicken breasts, halved (skin removed) and pound to flatten
• 2 slices Mozzarella cheese, halved
• 1 pkg. frozen asparagus (10oz.), defrosted and drained
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 2 tsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In small bowl, combine garlic powder, rosemary, and salt. Sprinkle over chicken. Lay 1/2 slice cheese on each piece. Top with 4 asparagus spears. Fold long edges of chicken breast over asparagus; secure with wooden toothpick. Sprinkle chicken rolls on all sides with paprika. place, seam side down, in 12x8 inch baking dish. Cover with wax paper. Microwave on high 3 minutes. Turn and rearrange chicken pieces. Sprinkle with Parmesan; cover. Cook 2-4 more minutes until chicken is opaque and tender.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Cheese-Egg Souffle

Ingredients

• 8 slices bread
• 1 pkg. grated Cheddar cheese
• 5-7 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• dash of salt

Directions

Make the day ahead in 8x10 inch Pyrex dish, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Butter slices of bread with crust trimmed off. Place bread, crowding in bottom of dish. Cover with grated cheese. Beat eggs; add milk and dash of salt. Pour over all. Refrigerate overnight. Bake 45 minutes in 350 degrees F oven.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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Slim and Trim Creamy Potato Salad

Ingredients

• 4-6 medium potatoes
• 2/3 cup lowfat mayonnaise
• 1 stalk celery
• 1/2 cup medium green pepper, chopped
• 2 green onions
• 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 hard cooked egg, chopped
• 2-3 Tbsp. skim milk (opt.)
• paprika (opt.)

Directions

Wash potatoes and cut in cubes. In covered saucepan, cook potatoes in boiling water to cover, 20-25 minutes. Drain well. In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, celery, green pepper, onions, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add potatoes and egg; toss lightly to mix. Cover and chill for 6-24 hours. If you like a creamier salad, stir in milk before serving.

By Robin from Washington, IA

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