Cheesy Potatoes

This is my sister-in-law's recipe that we enjoy at many family get togethers. Oh so healthy ;) but very yummy. Worth the calories.

1 1/2 bags Hasbrown potatoes (cubed not shredded)

2 cans Cream of Chicken soup

1 T Butter

16 oz Shredded cheddar cheese, reserve 1/2 to top hashbrowns

8 oz Sour cream

Distribute hash browns evenly in a 9x13 greased pan. Mix everything but the hash browns in a saucepan over med-high heat until all the ingredients melt together creating a sauce. Pour the sauce over the potatoes in the 9x13 pan and mix until potatoes are well coated with the cheese sauce.Pour the reserved cheese over the top of the potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for an hour.

TOTAL COSTS: $6.50

(1/2 batch for 1/2 the cost - enough for a family of 4)

Hasbrowns $3 (Meijer)

Soup $1 (Aldi's)

Cheese $2 (Costco)

Sour Cream $.50 (Aldi's)

VARIATIONS:

Add chunks of ham or chicken to make it a meal

Use 1 can Cream of Celery & 1 can Cream of Chicken soup

Amazing (& Healthy) Zucchini Bread

I keep meaning to post this recipe, but we eat or I freeze the bread as fast as I can make it. I will hopefully have a picture up soon. This is one of my favorite recipes. I make a massive double or triple batch while I'm at it. I freeze a ton of the bread to eat through the year. Enjoy.


1 cup All-purpose flour
2 cups Wheat flour
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
3 tsp Ground cinnamon
3 Eggs
½ cup Canola oil
½ cup Applesauce
1 ¼ cup White sugar
1 cup Brown sugar
3 tsp Vanilla extract
2 cups Zucchini, grated
2 tbs Milled flax seed (optional)

1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda, and cinnamon together in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture, and beat well. Stir in zucchini.
4. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake for 40 to 60 minutes, or until tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Remove bread from pan, and completely cool.

Makes 2 loaves

VARIATION:
Can do all white flour
Oil and applesauce are interchangeable - can use all oil or all applesauce

Dressed Up Eggo

Leggo of the syrup for your eggo and try something new. This diddy was inspired by my youngest son and his new found love of cherries. Can't blame him, they were really good this year.


Toast up those completely unsatisfying/boring/convenient waffles (or make your own). Top with cream cheese topping, fruit, and a dusting of powdered sugar.

TOPPING
1 pkg Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 c Powdered Sugar
1/2 c Chopped Cherries, divided

Whip together cream cheese and sugar, add cherries and whip until incorporated. I like it with a little bit of chunks of cherries left in it. Layer waffle, mixture, cherries, waffle, mixture, cherries, and sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar on top. Enjoy.

TOTAL COSTS: $2.55
Cream Cheese $1 (Aldi's)
Sugar $.15 (Aldi's)
Cherries $.40 (Meijer)
8 Waffles $1 (Meijer/Costco)

VARIATIONS:
Blueberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Strawberry

A waffle sandwich makes a great grab-n-go breakfast or snack on the run

FRUGAL TIPS: Use Your Bread

If you want to save money, use what you have. We all know that, but let's face it. We've all thrown away the heel/crust of the bread, bread gone stale or moldy...

Here are a few thrifty ways to make the most of what you have, leftover that is.

• Heel/Crust/Bread Butt (yes I have friends that use that term)
  
  Not a fan of of the little piece on the end. Kids won't touch it? Use it for grilled cheese. The crust part goes on the inside. With melted gooey cheese all over it, your kids will never know. Mine didn't at lunch today.
• Stale Bread = Croutons
  
  Cut it into cubes, throw them in ziplock bag with a little olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder, parsley (or whatever herb you like) and shake-it-up. Spread on a sheet pan and bake at 250 degrees for 15-20 minutes. You want them to be completely dried out, but not shriveled and burned.


• Leftover Buns = Garlic Toast Heaven
  
  Always seem to have a couple of hamburger or hot dog buns left over that sit there until I pitch them. What was I thinking? Use them for snacks, for grilled cheese, but my favorite is to use little guys are a side dish saver. Two words - garlic toast. This is a healthier option compared to store brands that the butter substitute used is layered 2 inches thick. Spread a little bit of butter, garlic powder, sea salt, and parsley and broil until lightly toasted. You can omit the garlic for a lighter flavor to serve with roast, ham, chicken, or just because.


• Bread crumbs
  
  This is a usual recommendation and I almost didn't post it. Dried bread into the food processor/blender and wa-la... bread crumbs. I don't use them in great amounts, but if you do - crumb away. I just make them as I need them.

Any other ideas on how to make the most of your bread?

Sally's Salad

This is my MIL's favorite salad. It's usually a battle between Kate, Tom, and I at family get togethers on the last helping of this salad. Easy to adapt to what you like and what is in season.

SALAD:

11 oz Mandarin orange segments, drained

2 Romaine hearts, washed and torn

2 Stalks celery, chopped

2 Green onions, thinly sliced

TOPPING:

1/3 c Slivered Almonds

2 T Sugar

DRESSING:

1/4 c Olive Oil

2 T Sugar

2 T Wine Vinegar

1 T Parsley

1/2 t Salt

Dash Pepper

Dash Tabasco

Put almonds and sugar in heavy saucepan. Stir until sugar melts and almonds are brown. Remove and put on a plate to cool. Break apart and scatter on salad. Toss all ingredients together. Add dressing just before serving.

TOTAL COSTS: $3.24

Lettuce $1.35 (Meijer - less from my garden)

Oranges $.79 (Aldi's - Price est, can't remember)

Celery & Green Onions $.60 (Aldi's / Meijer)

Almonds $.50 (Meijer)

Others - From stock

VARIATIONS:

Replace oranges with strawberries

Increase almonds for more crunch

Add chicken for a meal

Needed: Blueberry Muffin Recipe

I'm looking for a blueberry muffin recipe. I've tried a lot and they are good, just not stellar. Do you have a recipe that you love and want to share? I'll gladly do a bake off with the ideas provided.

Applesauce Cake

I've been in love with this cake from the first time my sister-in-law made it for a family party. One bite screams out comfort, fall, family. I love this anytime of the year not just because of the flavor, but it is easy to make because it's all items that I have on hand. I use my homemade applesauce with has cinnamon in it. May want to add a bit more if you are using plain. You'll love the way your house smells after baking this one. Think I'm gonna make cupcakes out of this so I can call them muffins and eat it for breakfast.

2 c Sugar

½ c Shortening (or coconut oil)

2 Eggs

2 ½ c Flour

1 ½ t Baking soda

1 ½ t Salt

¼ t Cloves

¾ t Cinnamon

½ t Allspice

1 ½ c Applesauce

½ c Water

1 c Raisins (optional - I omit)

½ c Chopped nuts (optional - I omit)

Cream sugar and shortening and add eggs. Add all other ingredients. Blend 30 seconds on low, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes on high. Pour into greased and floured 9 X 13 or layer pans. Bake at 350 for 60 – 65 min (9X13) or 50-55 min (layers). Spread with cream cheese frosting or sprinkle with granulated sugar on batter before baking for quick topping.

Pairs amazingly well with cream cheese frosting.

Total Costs: $2.80

Sugar $.75 (Aldi's)

Eggs $.20 (Meijer/Aldi's)

Shortening $.10 (Meijer)

Flour $.75

Applesauce $1.00 (I make my own)

Other - from stock

Made into muffins, these are great for grab-n-go breakfast or snack