Recipes On A Budget

Yummy treats...

2011-04-02T10:40:00.001-07:00

So in our home (and growing up) english scones were and are yucky dry things to choke down with cocoa.
However we had yummy scones and.we loved and got as great treats.

As an adult I have learned that our scones come by many names, including indian fry bread or elephant ears. To me and my family these are scones and with jam or preserves they are a tasty treat.

Make your favorite bread yeast bread doug. Let it rise as it directs. I do a two loaf batch and make one loaf bread the other half into scones.

In a pan, heat up oil. Take small balls of your dough and stretch them out into little pancakes. Dont make them too thick or too thin. Fry these up until light brown on both sides. Soak up all the extra oil with paper towels.

Serve with your favorite toppings. We love freezer jam or the traditional cinnamon and sugar. Besure to serve warm.

You will never go back to normal elephant ears again!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

2011-03-31T15:05:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 or 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 4-6 tenders)
1 small onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small can black olives chopped
1 pack cream cheese softened
1 small container sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pack flour tortillas

In a pan cook cut up chicken, add celery and onion. Just let the onion sweat.
In a bowl combine 1/2 of your sour cream, 3/4 of your cream cheese, olives, and your chicken mix.
In baking dish place a thin layer of cream of mushroom soup.
Fill your tortillas with your mixture and fold. Place in pan close together.
In your empty mixture bowl combine the remaining sour cream and cream cheese with your cream of mushroom. Spread over top of enchilladas.
Bake at 350 for about 30 mins or until edges start to brown.

Add spanish rice on the side:
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 1/4 cup rice
Spanish seasoning
Onion

In pan sautee onion add butter and brown rice. Place in baking dish with tomatoes. Stir im seasoning to taste. Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350.

Yakisoba ...quick and easy

2011-03-06T12:35:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is a quick and easy way to have an oriental favorite at home...

Ingredients:
1 or 2 packs of Top Ramen (any flavor)
Meat of your choice (I do 2 chicken Breasts)
Stir Fry Veggie mix.
Teriyaki sauce

Start by Boiling your Ramen Noodles with no flavoring. Drain and set aside..
Cook your meat in a small amount of sauce (I usually do this in chunks)
Add your veggie mix. Cook until veggies are done.
Toss your noodles in to your hot pan with Teriyaki sauce to flavor ( i do about 1/2 cup) Quickly toss all ingredients together (this works best in a wok but you can use a regular frying pan) Once fully hot and covered in sauce. Serve and enjoy...Add anything you like to mix it up. This is a great Veggie dish too you can add just veggies or Tofu if you are feeding wanting to go more vegetarian.

This is a favorite even of my 16 month old, and My mom can get my sister to eat her veggies with this dish too... :-)

Camp Cake

2010-12-11T20:50:00.000-08:00

So this is a favorite of our family while camping. But I love making it at home in the winter when the weather is just plan yucky....

We call this either Dump Cake or Camp Cake but Oh it is so yummy.

2 large cans of your favorite fruit (I do peaches in winter)
OR
4 cups of your favorite fresh berries (ie marion, black, rasp etc...)

1 yellow or white cake mix
1/2 cube butter

In a pan put in your fruit. cover the bottom completely.
Put the DRY Cake mix over the top of your fruit so that you see no fruit or juice peaking through
cute the butter in to slices and place on the top of the dry cake mix.

Bake at 350 for about 20-30 minutes. Be sure to check your cake at about 15 minutes. If you still have lots of powder then you will need to stir the mixture with a spoon. If you can cook in a Cast Iron pan with lid as it will cook right with no need to stir. Shallower pans do not push the juices up or steam the mixture that is why you will need to stir. The cake will be slightly doughy but once the top is golden brown you are ready to enjoy.

We love this with a small amount of vanilla Ice Cream. Enjoy and don't forget to try it camping.

for Camping you will cook in a footed Dutch oven with hot coals for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours checking at about 45 minutes.

Holiday favorites with no time

2010-11-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Okay so Both of these recipes I took this last weekend for Thanksgiving and they were a hit...So time to share the Secret Recipes....

Shrimp Spread...

Ingredients:
1/2 lb shrimp meat or the little tiny shrimp you would use for salads.
1 16oz Jar of Cocktail sauce.
2 Bricks of Cream Cheese.

on a platter or plate set out your softened Cream Cheese. I place them next to each other. In a bowl mix your Sauce and Shrimp together. This mix should chill for about 1 hour minimum. Pour over the Cream Cheese. Serve with Crackers and provide a knife. This spread is a huge hit and everyone will love it including you...

Jello Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 small containers of Cottage Cheese
1 container of Cool Whip
1 Standard size flavored Jello
1 jar Fruit Cocktail. I buy to match the flavor of Jello.

In a bowl Poor in the Cottage Cheese then the dry Jello. Add the Fruit Cocktail...Be sure to drain it. Then fold in your Whipped Cream. For the best salad let it set up in the Fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour before serving. however you can just make it and eat...Be sure you let the Whipped Cream soften. You don't want Frozen Chunks in it.

I use the following combos

Strawberry, Chery or Raspberry Jello + traditional Fruit cocktail
Lime Jello + Pineapple or Tropical Fruit Salad
Orange Jello + Mandarin Oranges or Tropical Fruit salad

Use some imagination. You can use Fresh Fruit too.

a Twist on Chili for a cold night

2010-11-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

Okay so this is a Crock Pot recipe...and Oh so yummy on a cold night. It was a huge hit here over Halloween after hiking the Zoo in the rain.

In your Crock pot put in 32 oz of dried Beans. I used small white and red beans.
Add 2 lrg cans of whole tomatoes (juices too)
Add Taco Seasoning
and fill the pot with Water.

Cook on high for 4 hours

on the stove cook up your meat. I used Hamburger this time but Ground Turkey or Chicken works great. For some extra spice use a Sausage either Pork or Turkey.

Cut up one onion and add to the pot
Add your cooked meat
Add a tiny bit of liquid if needed

Cook on high for 1 hour

On your Stove Place a shallow pan. Put a small amount of oil in the pan, enough to cover the pan about 1/2 inch and heat up.
Cut up corn tortillas into small strips. Once your oil is hot cook the strips until crispy. Then allow to drip dry. I used a cookie rack in a baking dish to cool the Tortilla strips down.

Serve topped with Cheese and your fresh Tortilla strips. You can also serve with cut up Avocado and any thing you would put on top of a Taco.

Enjoy. We sure did

Custom Chocolate Cake Part 2

2010-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Time for the Frosting.....

Okay So I did a few of these cupcakes decorated with Fondant Animals and then the rest were compiled into a Jack-O-Lantern cake.

My baby sister helped cut the Fondant in this one and it is held to the Cupcakes with Homemade Butter Cream frosting.

Everyone tells me Fondant is so hard to work with and that it is a pain to make...Well I have an easy to work with and easy to make Recipe...and the Butter Frosting is super easy.

So for the Fondant you need the following:

Vanilla

Marshmallows

Powdered sugar

1 cube softened butter

Grease up a Microwave safe Bowl.

Pour in about half a pack of Marshmallows

Microwave for 45 seconds

Grease up a wood spoon

Mix in your Vanilla to taste I use 1 tsp

Start mixing in Powdered sugar you will use about 2 cups in total.

As the mixture starts to stiffen grease your hands.

Knead the mixture into a ball and continue adding Powdered Sugar.

If needed microwave for 15 seconds to make it workable.

To add color. Place the mixture in a greased Bowl. put in the food coloring. Microwave for 15 seconds. Then knead the mixture with Greased Hands.

Once you have a good workable consistency wrap your balls up in Plastic Wrap and let set for about 4 hours. The color will set and even out over this time.

Place between two sheets of Wax paper (waxy sides in) to Roll out for use either with cookie cutters or to drape on your Cake.

I use a simple butter Frosting between the Fondant and the cake. I mix 2 cubes of butter lightly softened. 1 tsp vanilla and 1to 2 cups of powdered sugar to taste. mix and Chill. It works great as a glue layer and then just spread out your Fondant.

Super Simple...More hints to come

Custom Chocolate Cake Part 1

2010-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

So I have been up and at it very early this morning. and Well I designed a yummy chocolate cake recipe I am having a hard time not eating the batter....

Chocolate Cake Recipe #1

Items Needed:
2 cups Semi sweet or Dark Chocolate Chips Or one baking bar
3/4 cup water (boiling)
4 Egg yokes
4 Egg Whites
1 tsp Vanilla
1 tsp Vanilla (yes you need it twice for two different parts of the recipe)
1 cup Milk (buttermilk or Soy unflavored work best but you can use whole milk too..just needs to be fatty)
2 1/4 cup sifted flour
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 cube softened)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Baking Soda

Preheat oven at 350

In a medium mixing bowl place your Chocolate and pour in your boiling water. Mix until smooth and all chocolate is melted. Set this aside. I personally have a KitchenAid and LOVE IT...SO I use it for the rest of the recipe. In your mixing bowl place Butter, Sugar, Vanilla and Egg Yokes. Mix until light and fluffy. It will fall apart easy in your fingers. Add Chocolate. Mix for 1 minutes. Sift your flour and add in the Salt and Soda. Now slowly add this mixture to your Chocolate mix. Once it is all mixed it will be thick and yummy. Scoop your mix into a Bowl and Wash you mixer. Be sure to rinse with cold water last. Place your cold bowl back on the mixer and Add Vanilla and Egg Whites. Whip until you have tips. While this is whipping mix in by hand your 1 cup of milk. Mix slowly with a wooden spoon until smooth. Your eggs should be done. Fold the eggs into the batter. Do not mix. Place in your cake pans.

I used Cupcakes pans with liners. But this recipe will make enough for 2 large rounds, 3 small rounds, or a large sheet cake. Or two small sheets for a two layer cake.

The cupcakes will cook about 15 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Because you have used Egg white these cakes can collapse if not careful. On the Cupcakes you are more likely to have a few collapse but it is not a big deal. I got 2 1/2 dozen from the above recipe.

MY SECRET.... shh don't tell....Never bake your cake within 6 hours of frosting. If you do. Place in the Freezer so it is nice and cold....I should have baked this last night but Knowing I needed the time I got up at 5:30am to make it and now at 7am The Cupcakes are out and cooling.

Part 2 post later today will be Fondant and Frosting.....YUM!!!!

What I used: (My Mixer is Red)

Been asked to share

2010-10-18T08:07:00.000-07:00

So I have been asked to share a few of my cooking hints. My husband says I am constantly opening the cupboard and coming up with new recipes. And I guess this one was such a hit that He wanted me to share it with you all

I have no clue what to call it except Yummy. This has become a new family favorite.

You will need:
Ground Meat (Hamburger, Turkey or Sausage work great) you can also use Polish Sausage cut up
about 6 large potatoes (this will feed about 5 people)
1 or 2 Onions (depending on Size and how much you like onions)
2 Cups Cheese
Sour Cream
Chives

And Frankly anything from your cupboard that sounds good. I honestly came up with this cause i was hungry and my brain would not work

lightly Grease a Large Cookie Sheet
Cut up your potatoes in to bite sized Pieces. I do medium Size pieces (Leave skin on if your family will eat it)
Lay the Potatoes out on the Pan.

On the stove top Cook your meat and onions.
Lay atop the Potatoes
Mix the potatoes and meat into a good mix while leveling out on the pan
Add any other Veggies or Additions at this point
Sprinkle Chives and any other seasoning you like on it. We add Garlic too.

Preheat oven to 425.
Once preheated switch to the Broiler

Place the pan under the broiler for about 15 minutes. Flip at the half way mark. Check the potatoes. They should be crispy on the edges but cooked all the way through. Sprinkle with cheese and place back under broiler so the cheese will melt

Dig in and enjoy.

Serve with Sour cream.

Fall Treats

2010-10-03T10:11:00.000-07:00

So in the fall I love doing great things with Fall veggies...
two favorites are Squash and Sweet Potatoes...

Okay so th First is super easy...
All you need is Sweet Potatoes.

Clean the potatoes slice into long thin strips.
Place on a cookie Sheet.
Turn oven onto Broil
Cook just like French fries.
I usually sprinkle Extra Virgin Olive oil and Johnny's Garlic on them as I flip them.

I prefer to serve these with Ranch...Yummy

Second is a super easy one as well.
Pick your favorite Squash. Cut and clean. Be sure to cut into small pieces.
Place in a Microwave safe dish...Add butter and Microwave for about 12 minutes check at 8 and rotate. If needed add 2 or 3 minutes to the end. Let cool for about 5 minutes. Peel and Puree. We serve with a dollop of brown sugar.

Enjoy

No longer MIA..and a great fall recipe to boot

2010-09-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

Okay my dear readers, or un readers. I am finally back from the Dead....and I am ready to share some great recipes for the coming fall season.

In preparation for Halloween I have a couple of easy great treats that can make any Halloween party.

Graveyard Mud Pudding:
Okay so this is actually super easy.
you will need:
1 cake mix, I use German chocolate but you can use anything you like.
1 box chocolate pudding
approx 20 sandwich cookies: I prefer Oreo

bake your cake in a large baking pan. i use an 11 x 14
Prepare and chill the pudding
Crush about 4 cookies
separate several cookies and save the filling in a dish

With a spoon scoop out several rectangle areas of the cake make these shallow. Put the scooped out area in a bowl. (PSST make them look like little graves)

Take 1/2 of the pudding mix in a small amount of displaced cake. Fill in the Graves so they look like little hills.
Place the plain cookies at the head of each grave like a tombstone. Use the cookie filling and mold some bones and any other ghostly creation you would like.
Take the rest of the pudding mix in the crushed cookies. Spread around the graves to fill in the rest of the cake. Place the bones around the setting. For added flair you can take rigid pieces of black licorice and make haunted trees.

Be sure to keep chilled until you are ready to serve.

Jack o lantern treats

You will need several medium sized navel oranges
Chocolate Ice Cream
Stick style cookies (I use Pocky)

cut the top off the oranges and leave intact.
scoop out the center of the oranges. ( you can discard or save for smoothie)
Cut Jack o lantern face into the orange.
Fill with Ice cream.
replace the top.
Stick the Cookie through the lid to make a stem.
Freeze.

Getting ready for the Stormy Weather ahead

2010-08-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well we are officially headed towards fall so it is time to share some yummy fall snacks and easy dinners.

Coming Soon:

Corned Beef Roast
Chili
Split pea soup

Yummy Stuff coming soon

2010-08-20T11:16:00.001-07:00

I have had a small delay in posting. Please see my main page. I will post some more yummy options with in the next few days. Sorry for the delay

Italian Casserole

2010-07-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

So this is a easy take on a family favorite...Lasagna

Ingredients:
Noodles (I like Shells but Bow ties and Penne work great)
Marinara Sauce
Cottage Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Boiled Egg
Spinach
Black Olives
Grated Cheese (I like to mix Medium and Sharp cheddars)
Cooked Ground Meat ( I like to use Turkey Italian Sausage)

Cook the noodles for 4 to 5 minutes
In pan layer as follows
Sauce
noodles
Meat
Sauce
Cottage Cheese
Spinach
Ricotta Cheese
sliced boiled eggs
Black olives
Noodles
Meat Sauce
Grated Cheese

Bake in over for 30 minutes at 350
Serve

This is way yummy and super easy and while it does not seem like it, this takes way less time to make than lasagna.

Summer Treats

2010-07-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

So we are having heat in our area now...well we did and will again. Anyway it got me thinking. So I am going to share a few yummy treats today. Some for Mommy and Daddy and some for the kiddos.

Yummy Sorbet
This one is super easy.
Buy your favorite Fruit. I use what is seasonal at my local Farmer's Market

Wash and clean the fruit. If needed cut it up in to manageable pieces.
In a food processor or blender Puree the fruit.

Pour in to Freezer safe containers
Freeze for 3 hours or more and enjoy

Make it cheap Coffee blend
okay so lots of people love those blended drinks from coffee shops. If you are one of those people you know how much money those can run. Well here is a easy alternative

In your blender 1 cup Combine Brewed Coffee. (You can take the leftovers from your morning pot and put them in the fridge for upto 3 days)
Add 1 cup milk
Add Ice for two servings or one large cup
Add your favorite flavors. Chocolate sauce or milk mix work great and are always on hand. you can also mix in your favorite creamer You do this with 1/3 cup Creamer and 2/3 cup milk instead on 1 cup milk

Blend to desired thickness and enjoy

Yogurt Pops
Okay so you have seen on TV the commercials to have frozen kids yogurt.
I like this option better and so does the family

Buy Vanilla Yogurt in a Big container.
Get some fresh Berries or fruit
Puree the Fruit
Mix with Vanilla

Pour into Cups and Freeze
This yummy treat is almost like frozen yogurt.

you can also mix in a blender or food processor for a smooth consistency.

Summer BBQ Chicken Salad

2010-07-14T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is a favorite of mine that my mom came up with it a few years back.

Ingredients:
Fresh Veggies (Avacado, Carrot, Bell Pepper, Celery)
Salad Mix (I like Spring Mix or Baby Greens, I always add spinach)
Chicken Breast (boneless and Skinless works best..so do chicken tenders)
Beans (I like Black Beans, my Husband loves Chick Peas)
BBQ sauce
Grated Cheese
Salad Dressing

Grill up your chicken. Put your sauce on very last and let it cook for just a few minutes each side.
Place your salad mix on plate
In a round design layer your Veggies. I usually do a color palate cause it looks pretty.
Slice the cooked Chicken and Lay on top of salad.
Sprinkle with Cheese while chicken is still hot
Serve with Dressing or choice.

Variation: add salsa and corn and make this a spicy salad or add pineapple and use teriyaki sauce for a festive oriental salad.

Enjoy, this is perfect for those hot days when nothing sounds good. And even kids who don't like veggies with love this summer treat.

Crock Pot Roast

2010-07-02T22:23:00.001-07:00

Originally posted June 20, 2010

Yummy Crock Pot Roast...

Pick your Roast
Pick Veggies your family likes I usually do potatoes, carrots or cabbage
You will also need Garlic Cloves and Onion Soup Mix and 1 large onion

this is super easy but it will make an amazing pot roast.

In your crock Pot Place your Roast.
Drop in Garlic Cloves (peeled)
Add Veggies
Put in dry onion soup mix
Top with slices onion
Pour in Water to fill crock
Cook on Low for 6-8 hours
you can also do High for 3 hours and then switch to low for 2 more hours

When you serve you can use the juice for gravy or save it for a base for a yummy veggie soup...Recipe to come..

Mac & Cheese

2010-07-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

Originally posted June 16, 2010

Yummy Macaroni & Cheese

So this Mac & Cheese has always been a close guarded secret in my family but I am now going to share it with you and You will never view Mac & Cheese the same.

Boil your noodles (any kind you like I love using Penne or Bow ties)
Grate Cheese (for 2 servings use 1/2 lbs medium cheddar, increase by 1/2 lbs for every 2 or 3 servings)

It is very important to Grate the Cheese in advance you wont be able to do it once you start the sauce.

Melt Butter in a large pan melt 1 cube butter
Add Flour you will add just enough flour to make a past with the butter
Add Milk pour in milk be careful you can over make the sauce with this step. I eye ball it but until you are use to it use a measuring cup. Add 4 cups of milk for 4 servings rule of thumb is 1 cup per serving.
Stir Constantly while bringing to a boil (at Medium)
Reduce Heat to Low
Continue Stirring while adding cheese in small handfuls this is very important you can curdle the cheese at this point
If sauce is not thickening once all cheese is melted then add a small amount of flour and water rue.

Add to noodles and enjoy

We call this Laid our Mac & cheese cause that is exactly what it does it lays out on your plate.
To make a more complete meal add Broccoli or Chicken