Apple of My Eye

This last weekend Randy and I were taking a drive and we passed an Apple orchard and  the special ….a bag of apples get one bag free. We got 6 bags and I made apple pie filling. Which will be for pies, apple crisp and even yogurt topping…

I have to say it feels so wonderful when you accomplish something…..enough for 23 pies in the freezer.

Apple Pie Filling

6 pounds apples- Washed, peel, core and slice apples.Treat to prevent darkening.

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Combine sugar, flour and spices. Rinse and drain apples; stir into sugar mixture. Let stand until juices begin to flow, about 30 minutes. stir in lemon juice. cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Ladle pie filling into freezer bags. Try to get as much air out of the bag as you can.  Lay bag  flat and let cool and place in the freezer.

Have a blessed day, Candy

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Happy New year! Yesterday we were invited to a friend’s home. I usually like to stay home and watch the Twilight Zone on Hulu, but my friend was persistent and  we went. We were asked to make a dish to pass I made my taco dip and had all my ingredients but the taco seasoning. So we made our own. It tasted great and I am wondering why I haven’t kept up making my own like years passed. Here is the recipe .

Taco Seasoning

1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder ( I had dried onions so I crushed them in a small dish and which the back of a spoon)
1/4 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper (we had some dried ones from our garden and I crushed them with the back of a spoon)
1/8 tsp. ground ginger

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in small mixing bowl

and mix well.

Store in an airtight container if not using right away. Makes enough seasoning for about 2 lbs. meat

I doubled the recipe and now I have more for when I need it again! Have a blessed day and New Year! Candy

Leftovers….Right Under your Nose

Hello Frugal friends! This morning I wanted to think about all the Holiday dinners we have been having. It is our goal in our home not to waste the Leftovers. I like to think Leftovers are a gift and a big money saver!

Ham or turkey dinner–

• We like to boil the bones for broth and add the leftover meat to make soup. You would be surprised to see how much meat is left on the bone.Yesterday we made bean soup with the ham bone and ham my mom gave us from Christmas eve and turkey soup with the turkey carcass and leftover turkey from the turkey my husband made Christmas day. We are taking soup to a few sick friends today and freezing the rest for another day.
• Last night we cooked cut up turkey added some gravy and served over some toast. My husband said “now this is a meal!”

Leftover vegetables– I think I have said before I have a freezer container where I put leftover vegetables. This is when there are a small amount of Vegetables left from dinner instead of wasting…. I keep adding to it. I drain the juice and then add the veggies every time we have them. Well yesterday I added those frozen veggies to our turkey soup.

Leftover breads and rolls– I place them on a cookie sheet and let them dry out. Sometimes if I had to bake something when I am done I place the cookie sheet in the oven while it is cooling down for that extra drying power. Then when dry out I put them in a plastic bag and beat them with the rolling pin…..Great stress reliever 🙂

Leftover Mashed Potato– You can reheat them or we like to make potato pancakes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together potatoes, beaten egg, salt, and cheese. Melt butter on a large griddle at medium heat. Drop potato mixture onto griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Flatten with a spatula to 1/2 inch thick. Fry approximately 5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot.

If you have any leftover tips I would love to hear them! Have a blessed day, Candy

Kraft Bunny Cake

I received an email from Kraft here is their cute bunny cake with a video how to make it.

Also checkout all the Budgetwi$e recipes.   Have a great day, Candy

Easter Chocolate Nest

Tracy had asked for this recipe and thought we all might like it.

Chocolate Nest

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips
1/2 c. peanut butter (chunky is better)
4 c. chow mein noodles (6 oz. bag)
Jellybeans or little bird egg candies

Put chocolate chips into a large glass bowl. Melt in microwave or stove top. Remove the mixture and stir. Place it back in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes more or until chocolate is melted. Add the chow mein noodles. Mix the noodles by  to get them evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.Lay a piece of waxed paper over two cookie sheets. Drop golf ball clusters on the cookie sheets to cool and set. Add a few colored candies as eggs to the nests.