ThriftyFun Recipes - October 3, 2009

Vol. 8, Num. 215, November 3, 2009 (Read It Online) I'm sorry about the delay in Tuesday's newsletter, I simply forgot to send it out after it was ready. It is a good issue too, with great posts and an article about Savory Muffins from Debra. Thank you to mkymip, twilightgift, Dorty, irisbird, Shawna, Deeli and Raymonde for today's tips and recipes. It is time to start planning Thanksgiving here in the US, and holiday preparations for Christmas everywhere else. If you have any tips for shopping and preparing for large family meals like Thanksgiving, please send them in. We also would love any favorite autumn recipes or easy weeknight meals. 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: Making Your Own Electrolyte Drink Buttermilk Pie Crust Recipe Butternut Squash Muffins Substitute for Chocolate Chips in Recipes Amish Friendship Sweet Bread in a Day Today's Food Tips: Line Brownie Pan With Aluminum Foil Anything Tomato Sauce Savory Muffins Today's Contest Recipes: Chicken Breyani with Pineapple Fruit Cobbler Grits and Greens Casserole Roasted Garbanzo Beans Cream of Broccoli and Avocado Soup Robins's Recipe Corner: Apple Chip Nut Bread Football Stew Hamburger Casserole Mom's Favorite Quick Cake Cranberry Fluff 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: Making Your Own Electrolyte Drink I believe on the Dr. Oz show today he said to make this drink use: Agave Nectar - 1 tbsp., sea salt - 1/2 tsp., a bit of baking soda - 1/4 tsp., and good water - 4 cups. Is this correct? What portions ? By Charlotte from Calgary, AB CANADA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf48326364.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Buttermilk Pie Crust Recipe I lost my prized buttermilk pie crust recipe. Just the crust recipe, not the pie. It had about 4 ingredients, buttermilk (1 cup?), flour (?), shortening (?), and salt. I need the amounts to use. Thank you for any help. By Jan from Yakima,WA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf29084294.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Butternut Squash Muffins I want to make muffins, but using Butternut squash instead of pumpkin. Has anyone done this and how did it turn out? By Joan from Girard, PA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf22700795.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Substitute for Chocolate Chips in Recipes Could anyone give me some suggestions please? I see so many recipes using chocolate chips and I get so frustrated, because I would love to try them out. However, I can't because where I live chocolate chips or drops are, for some obscure reason, horribly expensive. Would anyone know if there is a substitute that I can use instead? I've tried smashing up a chocolate bar and the bits are too big, running it through a food processor just makes one big gunky mess. Help, please? By Cettina from Malta, Europe Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23157170.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Amish Friendship Sweet Bread in a Day Does anyone have a recipe for the Amish friendship sweet bread where you don't have to wait the ten days, you can just make the bread in 1 day? By Heather from Port Clinton, OH Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf99091462.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: Line Brownie Pan With Aluminum Foil Whenever you bake brownies or other baked items, line the pan you are using with heavy duty aluminum foil. When completely cool, carefully lift out; then pull foil away from sides. This makes it easy to cut and to lift out the pieces. By mkymlp from NE PA Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf43352269.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Anything Tomato Sauce Make "anything spaghetti sauce" with a blender. Throw in whatever leftovers you may have from other meals, with some tomato paste and seasonings. You get a very cheap marinara sauce, by pureeing the ingredients in a blender they can be added together to make a sauce. I usually use about a ratio of 1/2 bottled marinara sauce and add the other ingredients, adding water as necessary to get the right consistency. Add whatever seasonings you like. It works with virtually everything, thus using up leftovers while saving money on jarred sauce. I've used everything from chicken soup to mashed potatoes, to homemade gravy, and veggies. You name it. 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/tf82760216.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Savory Muffins By Debra Frick Now we all love warm sweet muffins, but there are a group of muffins that never get any recognition. They are called savory muffins because they are not sweet. They can be a herb muffin or one with vegetables instead of fruit. These muffins are great to go with soup or a main course meal. They are just as easy to make as sweet muffins. This can be a great introduction for kids to baking. General Information The great thing about muffins is they are easy to make and require very little in the way of kitchen utensils. 2 bowls, one for the dry ingredients and one for the wet ingredients. A big spoon to stir them up. You will need a cupcake pan or a mini cupcake pan for your muffins. There are also special fluted pans you can buy to make your muffins fancy. Muffins are intended to be a fast bread and so they don't bake a long time. The most important thing to remember about muffins is you don't want to mix them to much or they will become tough. 10-15 strokes is all that is needed. Your batter will be lumpy with traces of flour but that is exactly how you want it. An easy trick you can use to fill your cupcake pan is to use a ice cream scoop so that you only fill the cupcake pan 1/2 to 2/3 full. If using a dark colored cupcake pan, you will want to reduce your temperature on the oven by 25 degrees. Dark colored pans conduct more heat and your muffins will bake faster so by reducing the heat they will bake all the way through. Bake in the center of a preheated oven. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Sausage and Cheese Muffins These go great with a chef salad) 1 lb. bulk hot pork sausage 1 (10.75 oz.) can condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted 1/2 cup milk 2 tsp. rubbed sage 3 cups biscuit/baking mix In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink; drain. In a bowl, combine soup, milk, sage and sausage. Stir in the biscuit mix just until moistened. Fill greased miniature or regular muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until muffins test done. Bacon and Cheddar Muffins These are great for a quick breakfast or with stew 6 thick slices bacon 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 Tbsp. white sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 4 tsp. dried chives 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup vegetable oil Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F Lightly grease muffin pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, chives, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Combine the egg, milk, cream of mushroom soup and vegetable oil. Mix into the dry ingredients and stir together just to moisten. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean. Cheese and Spinach Muffins These we eat with Crab Salad or Potato Soup 2/3 cup milk 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 large egg 1/2 cup fresh chopped spinach 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp. green onions, chopped 2 cups biscuit baking mix In a large bowl beat milk, oil, and egg until blended. Stir in chopped spinach, shredded Swiss cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped green onions and biscuit baking mix; mix until just moistened. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes 1 dozen muffins Zucchini Ricotta Muffins These my Aunt made to go with meatloaf 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. dill weed 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 large eggs 2/3 cup ricotta cheese 1/2 cup grated zucchini Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Fill muffin tins with cupcake wrappers, or grease and flour tin. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and dill weed; mix well. In a medium bowl, combine milk, melted butter and eggs. Stir in ricotta cheese and zucchini; beat well. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. The batter will be stiff. Fill prepared muffin tins two-thirds full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes 1 dozen muffins Onion-Beer Muffins Goes great with Barbecue 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. crushed dried basil 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1 (12-oz.) can beer, allowed to go flat and at room temperature 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 large egg 1 small onion, very finely chopped 1 large egg white 1 Tbsp. water Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees F). Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, basil, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl, make a well in center and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the beer, oil and onion. Pour the liquid mixture into the well of the flour mixture, stirring just until combined, do not over mix. (The dough will be sticky.) Fill a greased muffin tin about two-thirds full with dough. Beat egg white with water; brush top of muffins. Let stand for 10 minutes then bake for 25 minutes, or until center springs back when lightly pressed. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin. Serve immediately. Makes 1 to 1 1/2 dozen muffins. Chili Corn Muffins 1 (8 1/2 oz.) package corn muffin mix 1 egg 1/3 cup milk 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1 cup sweet corn 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place a paper baking cup liner in 12 muffin pan cups or spray muffin cups with no-stick cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, prepare corn muffins mix, egg and milk according to package directions, adding 1/2 tsp. chili powder to mix. Stir in corn and cheese being careful to not over mix. Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full using a large spoon or ladle. Put muffins pan(s) into oven. Bake 18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven with pot holders. Let cool 5 minutes before removing from pan. Cool on a wire rack. Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50013394.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Today's Contest Recipes: Chicken Breyani with Pineapple Spicy breyani and the pineapple gives a lovely taste. Ingredients: 500 ml rice 125 ml lentil 125 ml gram dhall few strand of saffron 2 kg. chicken cut into pieces and dry 30 ml ginger and garlic paste 1 Tbsp. chili powder or masala 3 Tbsp. yogurt 1 small can pineapple 1 large tomato chopped 125 ml sunflower oil and ghee 50 gram butter 3 medium onion cut in rings 8 small potatoes 3 carrots sliced extra spices 3 cinnamon sticks 4 peppercorn 4 cardamom pods 1 tsp. cumin seeds 2 green chili 2 whole garlic peeled and sliced coriander leaves and curry leaves to garnish Directions: Boil rice with saffron, dhall and lentils separately and drain and set aside. Marinate chicken with ginger and garlic paste, chill powder, tomato and yogurt for 1/2 an hour. Heat oil and fry the potatoes and remove. Fry carrots and remove. Fry onions and remove. Heat oil and ghee and stir in the chicken and cook till the oil separates. Use a large pot and layer the rice, lentils, gram dhall, carrot, potatoes and chicken and pineapple. Fry the extra spices till lightly brown and sprinkle on the rice mixture. Dot with butter. Cover and cook on low heat or in the oven at 355 degrees F. (180 degrees C) in the oven. Add a little water if you need the rice to cook to your satisfaction. Garnish with fried onion, coriander and curry leaves when done. Servings: 6 or 7 Time: 30-35 Minutes Preparation Time 60 Minutes Cooking Time Source: Homemade By Dorty from SA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooking_weights_and_measures Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68341194.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Fruit Cobbler This quick and easy recipe was given to me by my daughter and I use it often. Ingredients: 1 cup self rising flour 1 cup sugar 1 cup milk 1 can fruit pie filling Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix flour, sugar and milk together with a mixer or a whisk. Pour into a round 1-1/2 quart casserole dish. Pour the entire can of pie filling in the center. Do not stir. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes. Servings: 5 or 6 Time: 5 Minutes Preparation Time 50 Minutes Cooking Time Source: My sweet daughter made this for me after I had surgery. By irisbird from Lillington, NC Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf75138257.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Grits and Greens Casserole This recipe is cheap and different! It is tasty for breakfast, or as side dish for any other meal. It freezes nicely and carries well to get togethers. I changed it up from much richer, more expensive versions that called for heavy whipping cream. Ingredients: 3 cups milk 1 cup water 1 chicken bouillon cube 1 cup "quick" grits 1 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 lb. greens (mustard, turnip, collard, spinach, chard, or any combo of these) or equivalent amount of frozen or canned greens 1 Tbsp. bacon drippings (or oil or butter) several slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled salt and pepper to taste Directions: In large heavy saucepan or pot heat the milk, water and bouillon cube to just below a boil. Slowly whisk in grits and cook for 5-10 minutes or until thickened, stirring often to prevent scorching. When grits are thickened, stir in 1 and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and allow to melt (reserve 1/4 cup for top). Remove from heat. Meanwhile, wash greens and heat bacon drippings in large skillet over high heat. Put greens in skillet while still a little wet from washing. Cook until thoroughly wilted, then drain. If using frozen greens, just heat and drain well; if canned, just drain well. Chop greens up very fine. Stir into grits mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into casserole dish (I use 2 pie pans and freeze one of these for later). Top with crumbled bacon and remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F until bubbly, about 20-25 minutes. You want it to still be a little bit loose. It will thicken as it stands. Use broiler to brown top. This freezes well. Just thaw beforehand and cook as above, adding another 10-15 minutes. Servings: 8 Time: 20 Minutes Preparation Time 22-27 Minutes Cooking Time Source: Bought one at a bake sale, then searched for it on the web. Found several, but adjusted the recipe to make it cheaper! By Shawna from Paris Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78238728.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Roasted Garbanzo Beans A simple, easy snack. Choices for your favorite powdered spice can range anywhere from cumin, cayenne, onion, garlic to cinnamon. Be creative! Ingredients: 1 - 14.5 oz. can of garbanzo beans, drained and patted dry 1/3 cup flour 1/2 tsp. salt plus extra for bean seasoning 1/4 tsp. pepper plus extra for bean seasoning 1/2 tsp. of your favorite powdered spice, if desired Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Very lightly season garbanzo beans with salt and pepper. Shake together flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and powdered spice in a large plastic storage bag. Add garbanzo beans and toss to coat. Remove garbanzo beans from flour mixture, gently dust off excess flour and single layer on a baking sheet. Lightly drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Bake for about 25 to 35 minutes until golden brown, shaking the baking sheet once or twice to roll the beans around. Do not over bake! 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/tf31520798.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Cream of Broccoli and Avocado Soup Never tasted avocado in a soup before but it is delicious. Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. butter 1/2 cup onions, chopped 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced 1 cup potatoes, cubed 1 cup broccoli florets 2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into pieces 6 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup fresh coriander, chopped (cilantro) or 1/2 tsp. ground coriander salt and pepper to taste 1/3 cup 15% cream Directions: Melt the butter in a large saucepan and saute the onions and celery. Add the potatoes, broccoli florets, avocados, chicken broth and coriander. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes over low heat. Using either a food processor or an electric mixer, puree the mixture, then return it to the saucepan. Heat lightly and stir in the cream. To give it an added touch, add smoked salmon and pine nuts. You can serve it cold also like vichyssoise. Servings: 4 to 6 Time: 15 Minutes Preparation Time 30 Minutes Cooking Time Source: The Classic cooking book By Raymonde from North Bay, Ontario Contest Contender! This post is a contest contender! Read it and then Rate it: Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf64661561.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Robin's Recipe Corner: Apple Chip Nut Bread Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil 2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. butter flavoring 1/2 tsp. black walnut flavoring 3-4 cup coarsely chopped raw apples 1/2 tsp. salt 2 tsp. soda 3 cup flour 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. nutmeg 1 cup chopped nuts Directions: Blend oil, sugar, eggs and flavorings in large mixer bowl. Add apples and nuts. Sift dry ingredients together and add. Pour into 2 well greased large bread pans or 4 small ones, and bake at 350 degrees F. for 45 minutes to 1 hour. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf92748380.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Football Stew Ingredients: 2 lbs. stew beef, cubed 1 lg. onion, sliced 1/2 cup carrots, diced 1/2 cup celery, diced 4-5 quartered potatoes 2 tsp. sugar 4 tsp. salt 2 tsp. Minute Tapioca 1 cup tomato juice Directions: Put stew beef in bottom of Dutch oven. Add onion, carrots, and celery. On top spread potatoes. Mix sugar, salt and tapioca. Sprinkle on top, then pour tomato juice over all. Cover and bake in 250 F. oven for 5 hours. Do not lift lid! By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf23172276.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Hamburger Casserole Ingredients 1/2 lb. hamburger 1 can peas, drained 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 can tomatoes (16oz.) 1 can sliced mushrooms 2 cups cooked, salted macaroni cheddar cheese salt and pepper, to taste Directions Saute hamburger and onion. Grease 7x7 inch casserole dish. Add hamburger, peas, tomatoes and mushrooms. Layer with macaroni, then cheese. Bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees F. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf140078.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Mom's Favorite Quick Cake Ingredients 2 layers yellow or white cake apple jelly red food coloring coconut Directions Tint the apple jelly with the red food coloring or to suit your color choice. Spread jelly between layers, then top cake with remainder of jelly and top with coconut. My mom always liked to make this as a fast dessert, which is reminiscent of a jelly roll. By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf50807438.tip.html Email to a Friend | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Rate It: | Cranberry Fluff Ingredients 1 lb. cranberries 1 cup sugar 1 large carton Cool Whip 1 pkg. mini marshmallows 1 large can crushed pineapple 1/2 cup chopped nuts (opt.) Directions Grind cranberries; add sugar and let stand 2 hours. Fold in Cool Whip, marshmallows, pineapple, cranberries (use juice of pineapple and cranberries), and nuts. Refrigerate overnight and serve. This makes a nice Thanksgiving dish as well as any other day! By Robin from Washington, IA Post Feedback: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf59104236.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.