Make Your Own Mixes | Dirt Cheap Homemade Mixes from Budget101.com Pumpkin Pie Spice mix is a blend of cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger and nutmeg brought together to bring out the wonderful flavor of pumpkin in all it's autumn glory. Unfortunately, it's not available everywhere, but don't fret, you can make it at home, here are a couple recipes for making your own. ... Mix recipes Having everyday and convenience food mixes on hand are a great way to save time (no running to the store for something to serve last minute guests) and money (brownies for $.50 instead of $1.50 or more) in the kitchen. Not to mention, making your own mixes allows you to control the quality and the ingredients making them adaptable to special diets or allergies. So where do you start if you want to stock your pantry with quick and easy mixes? Next, decide how you want to package your mixes. Now the fun part, making all the mixes! Buy your frequently used ingredients in bulk (flour, sugar, baking powder, etc.....) Using a large, shallow bowl will make mixing your ingredients much easier. A whisk makes quick work of dry ingredients. When cutting in shortening, especially into a large batch, I have found the best tool is--my hands. Making your own mixes allows you to control the ingredients. Mixes are great for sharing with other families. Mixes are great for camping! Brownie Mix To Make:
How to Make Mason Jar Meals: Part 1 Last week I placed the following photo on Big Red Kitchen’s FaceBook Page and received an overwhelming amount of requests on how I made these Mason Jar Meals. I aim to please… How many of you have poured over the web looking at this photo or that wishing it was your house, or pantry, or wardrobe, or garden? I do it all the time. It is so easy to click through Pinterest and say, “I wish I had that.” Then I realize, I can have all that by working within my means using what I already have, add a dash of contentment, a splash of money, and a pinch of time. I have always wanted my refrigerator to look like that photo up there because I was tired of… 1. With a little work I made it happen. I have done those once a month cooking marathons in the past and hated it. What was different this time? Ready to start? Purchase and lay out all the food you are going to prepare, and wash and dry your jars and lids. Next, start cooking. Tips on Cooking 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Hints on Filling the Jars 1. 2. 3. 4.
Tis the Seasonings. . . In the back of my mind, I have wanted to do this for a while. And, I finally did! I made my own taco seasoning, dry onion soup mix, and dry ranch mix. Taco Seasoning: 1/2 cup chili powder1/4 cup onion powder1/8 cup ground cumin1 tablespoon garlic powder1 tablespoon paprika1 tablespoon sea salt Put ingredients into a jar and shake. Dry Onion Soup Mix: 2/3 cup dried, minced onion 3 teaspoons parsley flakes 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons turmeric 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper Mix all ingredients in a jar, then give the jar a good shake. Use 4 tablespoons in a recipe in place of 1 packet of onion soup mix. Ranch: 5 tablespoons dried minced onions 7 teaspoons parsley flakes 4 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder Mix together and store in an air tight container. For dressing: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 1 cup mayonnaise and 1 cup buttermilk or sour cream. For dip: Mix 2 tablespoons dry mix with 2 cups sour cream.
One-Pot Mac and Cheese Well, I have to say, I LOVE this version of Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese! Why? You put the noodles in dry, uncooked!!! Photo Credit: 1bg.blogspot.com Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese Ingredients: Cooking oil spray 2 cups skim milk 1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk 1 egg 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 1 1/2 cups pre-shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni Directions: Spray the pot of the slow cooker or if using a liner bag, spray the bag well. Turn slow cooker on low and cook 3-4 hours, or until the custard is set and the macaroni is tender. Jans tips: between the 3-4 hour mark on low, the edges start to get that crispy, cheesy edge. The original recipe called for 1/4 tsp. salt , but I increased it for my own taste preferences. Update: May 16, 2012: I've had a few people try this and report back some mixed reviews on the recipe.
Recipes & Resources Below are some helpful resources and meal ideas that don’t break the rules. Also, it is important to know when serving yourself “real food” you don’t need to eat as much as you would of the processed stuff! Get ready to fill up fast. Click on the category you would like to view: Our Free “Real Food” Meal Plans Meal planning is KEY to cutting out processed food. Low Cost Meal Plan Subscriptions: While the plans we developed above are great resources, we don’t crank them out on a regular basis! [back to top] Breakfast: Breakfast casserole bites with fresh fruit on the sideWhole-wheat toaster pastries (aka Pop Tarts) with scrambled eggs and side of yogurt with fresh berries and peachesWhole spelt lemon cottage cheese pancakes with a side of blueberries and farmers market baconTomato pie, with a side of scrambled or fried eggs Lunch: For portable school, picnic or work lunch ideas check out the posts in the “school lunches” category. Snacks and Appetizers: Salads and Soups: Dinner:
My Top Secret Diet Weapon Continuing the theme of my post-vacation shape up, I went home and drank my veggies for lunch in the form of a… Green Monster Spinach Smoothies are one of my top secret diet weapons, because although they’re packed with baby spinach, which make my skin, hair, nails, and overall self feel totally great, they do not taste healthy at all. I repeat, they do not taste healthy at all. Spinach is fat free, cholesterol free, low in calories, and very low in sodiumSpinach is an excellent source of vitamin A, C, K, iron, fiber, folate, and luteinLeutin is an antioxidant that promotes good eye health, and may help prevent cancer of the liver, ovaries, colon and prostate, and even dementia.Dole lab tests found spinach juice has twice the chlorophyl, eight times the calcium, six times the magnesium, 10 times the potassium, 15 times the vitamin C and 43 times the vitamin A of wheatgrass juice! Are you convinced yet? First add 1 sliced frozen banana, and 1 Tablespoon peanut butter in a blender. Serves 1
50 Different Foods You Can Put in a Jar {Saturday Inspiration & Ideas} A couple weeks ago I posted 50 different things to do with mason jars…though all the ideas were creative and fun, none of them had anything to do with food. I thought the whole concept of food in a jar deserved a post all of it’s own. So this weeks Saturday Inspiration post is dedicated to all the glorious foods … You can put in a jar: desserts in a jar, bread in a jar, appetizers in a jar, meals in a jar, drinks in a jar… I think you can pretty much put anything in jar and it instantly becomes a million times cuter! Now I want to save even more jars! The Sunday Showcase starts tonight … I can’t wait to see what you have been working on this week!
Canning Mama... a name that says so many things... Friend, Companion, Confidante, Fan, Champion, Hero, Fun, Laughter, Hugs and Kisses, Nurse, Cook, Psychologist, Repairman, Chauffeur, Maid, Alarm Clock, Fashion Consultant, Hairdresser, need I go on? Mama... covers it all! My Mama has been gone almost three years now and this Mother's Day I miss her more than ever. But, let's talk a little about canning... I learned how to can from my sweet Mama, who learned from her Mama, who learned from hers... we come from a long line of homemakers, I suppose. I don't remember a time when we weren't "putting up food" in the summers... canning, freezing, stirring up goodness for the winter. My Mama, and her sisters and sisters-in-law sort of had a contest each summer... their goal? of canned beans... and there were 7 quarts to a canner "run." One memory stands out... this was after I was grown and had one little newborn baby girl, my firstborn, Jill. , and warmed bottles Happy Mother's Day!
Hungry Girl - Friday Newsletter Cake Mix + Fat-Free Liquid Egg Substitute PER SERVING (1 piece, 1/12th of cake): 181 calories, 3.25g fat, 337mg sodium, 34.5g carbs, <0.5g fiber, 19.5g sugars, 3.5g protein -- PointsPlus® value 5* Ingredients:1 box moist-style cake mix (15.25 - 18.25 oz.)1 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original) Combine cake mix with egg substitute in a large bowl and add 1 cup water. Whisk thoroughly and transfer to a baking pan sprayed with nonstick spray; bake in the oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Best Flavor: Egg sub is like the little black dress of cake companions; it goes well with everything. The Texture: The first time we made this, we used only 1/4 cup of water; it was a little dry and dense, but it reminded us of pound cake, which isn't a bad thing. The Taste: Good!
Joyful Homemaking: Quick Blender Light Rolls My family loves bread. When I was little, my mom would make our sandwiches for lunch with homemade bread, and I remember being embarrassed at lunchtime at school because everyone else had store bought white bread. Of course as an adult, I realize how much yummier homemade is compared to store bought, and how silly I was to be self conscious of my thick crusty homemade bread. Blender Light Rolls 1 c warm milk (not too hot or it will ruin your yeast) 1 pkg. yeast or 1 Tablespoon 1/4 c sugar 2 eggs 1/4 c oil Put these 5 ingredients in a blender and blend for 30 seconds on low. Then pour the ingredients from the blender into the flour mixture and stir till everything is combined. You don’t have to knead it, just cover with a towel at this point, put it in a warm, non drafty spot and let raise for 30 minutes. Divide dough among 12 greased muffin cups, just dropping it in with a spoon. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes till golden. Blessings,
Test Kitchen Tuesday Boulder Distillery in Boulder, Colorado and their Vootbeer — Recipes & Photos - Creative Culinary - A Denver, Colorado Food & Cocktail Blog I was recently invited by Rob Masters, Distiller at Boulder Distillery and owner of Rob’s Mountain Gin to attend a monthly event that is held for folks in the hospitality and liquor industry in the Denver to Boulder corridor. It’s a very relaxed time to learn more about Boulder Distillery; try some of their products and get a close look at their operation. They take this unique step to introduce people to their small and thriving company that operates alongside a frontage road in Boulder, Colorado. Rob is also President of the Colorado Distiller’s Guild and a great resource for someone like myself who has become more and more aware of the growth of both distilled spirits and wines in our state and loves exploring the diversity we offer. Their facility could not be less pretentious. I was immediately struck by how warm and inviting this distillery is. The owners of the 303 brand, which includes both vodka and whiskey are Steve and Terri Viezbicke. DJ Blough, Sales Manager Friday Cocktails
Florida Keys Wedding Signature Cocktail: Blue Ocean | Floridian Weddings While lounging at Morada Bay Café this past weekend, I came across a gorgeously tropical blue drink - the Blue Ocean. Made with blue curacao, vodka and grapefruit juice, it's an easy-drinking, slightly sweet/tart, bright Caribbean blue cocktail. Don't you think it would make the perfect signature drink for a wedding in the Florida Keys (or anywhere, really)? Here's the recipe: 1 oz. vodka 1/2 oz. blue curacao 1/3 oz. grapefruit juice 1-2 splashes simple syrup Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice; shake, then strain and serve either straight up in a martini glass or over ice. We thought our drink needed a pretty little sign to go with it. Want it for your own event? Hope you enjoy! *This printable/DIY download is provided for your personal, non-commercial use.