Salad Time - Crouton Recipe

Nothing better than buying fresh lettuce and veggies from your local farmers market and making a great big salad. Then to make that even better try making some croutons from fresh bread you purchased or made.

Garlic Croutons

4 cups bread cut into 1 inch cubes or whatever size you like
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tsp oil (I use olive oil)

Preheat oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I use a silicone mat). Toss together the bread cubes and spices. Toss in the oil until well distributed. Make sure bread is evenly moistened. Spread the bread cubes out evenly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 12-18 minutes making sure to toss them around a few times.

Where are my iced coffee drinkers?

Who loves Iced Coffee? Me!!!!! Years ago I found a recipe and fell in love with it and have made some small changes to it to please my taste buds.  Now it is time to share it with you.

Iced Vanilla Coffee
Serves 1
( recipe can be doubled, tripled etc)

2 teaspoons instant coffee (not prepared, just the granules)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract (change to other flavors for a different taste)
1 teaspoon leftover coffee (I have never added)
2 teaspoons cold water
1 1/4 cups milk (whatever type you use)
chocolate shavings for garnishment (I have never used)

Put first 5 ingredients into a blender. Pulse blend until the ingredients are smooth and frothy.  Add teh cold milk and pulse until all is blended well.  Pour over a few ice cubes and add garnishments. Enjoy!

***I like the make this up in the evening and put in the refrigerator. Wake up in the morning, give a shake and pour over some ice. YUMMY!!! ENJOY!!!

Goulash

Ok, so no official recipe for this and it tasted great but the texture wasn't what I was trying to accomplish. My boyfriend wanted me to make this and told me what went in it like ground beef, tomatoes, macaroni noodles, and that he wanted lots of garlic. Apparently, there wasn't enough garlic because he added more even though I showered it in minced garlic, garlic salt and garlic powder. He also said it reminded him more of spaghetti with elbow noodles. Can someone help me out here? I will share the recipe I used without exact measurements because I didn't measure anything and then I would love if you would share your favorite Goulash recipe.

1 lb ground beef
28 oz can stewed tomatoes
can tomato paste
water
garlic salt
garlic powder
minced garlic
chili powder
elbow macaroni

Pal's Peanut Butter Bones

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 cup skim milk
1 cup natural peanut butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack then store in an airtight container.

There are no preservatives in these so I freeze them and only keep out a handful at a time to keep them from going bad.

Cheese Filled Manicotti

14 pieces (8oz) manicotti
3 1/2 cup ricotta Cheese ( 2-15oz)
2 cups (8oz) shredded mozzerella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 eggs
2 Tablespoon parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cups (14oz) spaghetti sauce

Hat oven to 350. Cook pasta, drain and lay flat on foil on waxed paper. Stir ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan, eggs, parsley, and seasonings. Spoon into pasta. Place into pan, pour sauce over top and sprinkle with remaining cheeses.Cover with foil and bake 35 mins.

Garlic Knots

By the time I remembered to take pictures, there was only 1 left. LOL

1 tube refrigerator biscuits - cut into fourths and roll into fingers and make a knot.

Bake approx 7 minutes.

Combine:
1/2 cup oil ( I used Tastefully Simple Roasted Garlic infused oil)
1 tsp basil, oregano, and parsley
2 cloves garlic minced (omitted this)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp accent (optional) (didn't use)
pinch of salt and pepper

While knots are hot from the oven, put into mixture and turn frequently until covered and serve.

*NOTE - This was originally how I made them. Now I buy the smaller tubes and cut them in 1/2. I  make my knots roll them in mixture and then bake.

Strawberries in Custard Sauce

Another recipe courtesy of Joanna Lund's Family and Friends Cookbook

3 cups sliced fresh strawberries

1 (4-serving) pkg Jell-O sugar free instant vanilla pudding

2/3 cup non dry milk powder

1 3/4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Spoon 3/4 cup strawberries into 4 dessert dishes. In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients and water. Mix well using a wire whisk. Blend in vanilla extract. Spoon a ful 1/2 cup custard sauce over each dish of strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.

*NOTE - I found that you could probably get by with making this for 6 people with the same amounts as it was quite a bit for each serving.

Hamburger Seasoning

1 tablespoon paprika 1 1/4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Combine the paprika, salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in an airtight container; seal. Shake to combine. Store in a cool, dry place between uses. Add desired amount to hamburger meat, and I add some A-1. Mix well and shape into patties.

Basil Tomato Soup

2 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
18 fresh basil leaves, minced ( I used dried)
1 teaspoon sugar (I used 1 tbsp Splenda)
1 cup whipping cream ( I used nonfat milk but would be creamier with the cream)
1/2 cup butter or margarine ( I used 2 tbsp.)

In a large saucepan, bring the tomatoes and broth to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add basil and sugar. Reduce heat to low; stir in cream and butter. Cook until butter is melted.

Recipe from allrecipes


*NOTE - I also added pepper, garlic and garlic salt all to taste.

Snowflake Christmas Cards

I purchased a snowflake punch from Michael's last weekend with a 40% off coupon and then got 25% off my entire order. Not a bad deal if you ask me! Anyway, I decided to play around with it the other night and came up with these two Christmas cards. I can't wait to see what other ones I can come up with. We do a Christmas card exchange on my forum and I wanted to do some different homemade cards this year to send.

Chicken Curry

I purchased this Paste for Chicken Curry from our Food Lion for $1.99. I added it to 1 cup water, sliced squash (from farmers market), sliced vidalia onion , and chicken leg qtrs ( purchased for $.89lb and then I cut them apart). I let this cook for about 45 minutes and served it over steamed rice. A very tasty and some what spicy meal.  Next time I will be adding more vegs and serving it with Naan.  This picture is what was left as I forgot to take the picture beforehand.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

This is the start of Homemade Vanilla Extract. This will last for years as you just keep topping it off with vodka and giving it a good shake.

INGREDIENTS
3 vanilla beans
1 cup vodka
glass jar with tight fitting lid

Put vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). Cover completely with the vodka.
Use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected. ( I messed up and cut the wrong way but it still turned out good)
Give the bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer. Then it is ready to use.

Homemade French Fries

Wash,dry and peel (if desired) the amount of potatoes you want. Then cut into strips of desired thickness. Fry in deep fryer til crisp. For fries that taste more like fast food fries....after removing and draining from oil, add them back to the fryer for a few more minutes. Drain and season to taste.

You can also bake these to make them a bit healthier.

Homemade Fire Starters

Homemade Fire Starters

These work great and you only need 1 or 2. I love to use these in my wood stove.

Dryer Lint (yes dryer lint!)

old candles or leftover wax from candles

pot

container, pot or boil to melt wax

cardboard egg carton

Fill each egg cup with dryer lint. I put wax in an old coffee can and set in a pot of water until it melts.When melted pour wax over egg cups. Let dry. Cut apart into individual starters and store in a container or ziploc bag. Take out 1 or 2 as needed as use as you would a store bought fire starter.

Zucchini Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3 eggs
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups grated zucchini
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips ( I used ¾ mini)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. ( I used 1 loaf pan and 2 mini loaf pans)
2.
Beat together eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil. Blend in the grated zucchini, and then the sour cream. Mix in the flour, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon. Stir in chocolate. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3.
Bake for 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Originial Recipe - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/zucchini-bread/detail.aspx

*NOTES - Next time I will only add 1 cup Splenda and 1 cup Sugar, substitute applesauce for oil, and use only all purpose flour

Homemade Fabric Softener

2 Cups White Vinegar
2 Cups Baking Soda
4 Cups Water

Combine slowly and carefully over sink. The baking soda and vinegar will fizz.
Pour into plastic bottle, cover, and shake.

*Hint - Reuse your "Downy" bottle.

Use 1/4 cup in the final rinse or in a "Downy Ball".

Homemade Rolls and Cinnamon rolls

This is a very versatile recipe making hot dog rolls, hamburger rolls, sandwich rolls, sub rolls, dinner rolls and even cinnamon rolls.

1 1/4 cups skim milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil or 1/3 cup canola oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/4 teaspoons bread machine yeast



1 Place all ingredients in order recommended by your bread machine manufacturer.
2 Select dough cycle and start machine.
3 I preheat my oven to 100°F and turn off.
4 When dough cycle is complete remove from machine and proceed.
5 I roll into a long log and cut into 12 pieces for hot dog buns or 9 pieces for large hamburger buns.
6 How big you want them is up to you.
7 For Hot Dog Buns, I roll out till they look like long skinny wieners,.
8 Hamburger Buns, I flatten with my palm till about the thickness of a pancake. They rise beautifully and look as nicely shaped as store bought ones.
9 Put on parchment-lined baking sheet so sides are almost touching.
10 You can brush with melted butter if you wish but I never bother.
11 Cover with cloth and put in the warm oven for 45-60 minutes to rise.
12 When doubled remove from oven.
13 I bake mine on the top shelf in my oven.
14 Turn oven to 400°F and when you put the buns in the oven, reduce temperature immediately to 375° and bake hot dog buns 15 minutes and hamburger buns 17 minutes.

15 CINNAMON BUNS. Use 1/3 cup sugar in recipe. Made 10 large buns.
16 Roll out to about 12 x 15" and spread with filling (recipe follows)
17 Set oven to 400° and turn down to 375° when you put buns in. Bake 20 minutes.
18. cool and spread on icing ( Recipe follows)

Filling
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon.
Mix all together and spread on roll.

Icing (or just use powdered sugar and milk - mix to desired consistency)
1/2 cup soft butter
1 1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 oz cream cheese
2 Tablespoon Whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
pinch salt

Homemade Sugar Free Vanilla Creamer

3/4 cup non-dairy coffee creamer
3/4 cup sugar substitute like Sugar Twin, Splenda, etc. (I use Splenda)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in blender and process until well combined. Place in jar, seal and label.

To use: Add 1-2 Tbsp. to fresh cup of coffee, stir well.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 bar soap (grated- I used Fels Naptha)
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup washing soda
3 gallons total water
use 1/2 cup per full load- 1/4 for small half loads.

grate and melt 1 bar soap into pan filled with 1 gallon water- do not boil. Once dissolved add borax and washing soda-stir to dissolve....add 2 gallons water, pour into containers....can use right away....will "gel" in a few hours. ( I stored mine in the 5 gal bucket and stirred it before each use)

Meatballs

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp worchestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
1 egg

Mix all together, shape into balls and bake uncovered on 400 for 20-25 minutes