Banana Snack Cake

Got a pile of ripe brown smooshy bananas on the counter? Those are the best kind! As they ripen the flavor develops and they get sweeter. I have several recipes I pull out but here is todays recipe for an lickity split snack cake for those after school munchies.

Banana Snack Cake

1 stick butter or margarine (room temperature)
1 cup white sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup mashed bananas( about 3 medium)
2.25 cups white flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
.25 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
pinch cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease an 11x7 brownie pan. You could use a 9x13, just adjust your baking time down accordingly.

Using a hand mixer or a whisk and some elbow grease cream together butter and sugar. Add in eggs and mix until creamy. Next stir in the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon.
Lastly whisk in the bananas, sour cream and vanilla. 

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes  before cutting.

I serve it plain but we have done frosting and sprinkles, ice cream and maple syrup, as well as peanut butter for toppings. Let the kids pick for a yummy afternnon treat.

To dress this up a bit you could add in a 1/2 cup of pecans, mini chocolate chips, or rum soaked raisins as well.

Homemade Croutons

These are seriously the easiest thing ever to make and much cheaper than buying at the store. I use them in salads, snack mixes, and the boys like them just as is for snacking. Use leftover bread, bagels, buns, whatever you have.

Homemade Croutons

1  1lb loaf of stale bread
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp garlic salt
2 tbs parmesan cheese (optional)


Cut bread into cubes and put in a zip top bag. Pour oil over the bread. Add spices and shake all until coated evenly.

Pour out onto cookies sheet in close to a single layer. Use 2 pans if you have small sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Ovens vary so watch them closely after 10 minutes. They should be golden brown.

Let cool and dig in!

Substitutions here are a breeze. We are dairy free but butter instead of the oil would be yummy. Just melt butter and shake in bag instead of oil. Any dried seasoning works as well. Onion powder, chili powder, italian seasoning, whatever you love.

Homemade Condensed Cream of Whatever soup Mix

I found a recipe recently for chicken that uses condensed cream of chicken soup. Recipe sounds good, uses crockpot, really it should be a no brainer. However that little can of soup is almost $2. What? Really?

So I scoured the internet for a recipe and tried a couple. This one came out good, substituted well, and you can make it up as you need it. Best of all, about 50 cents to make or even less.

I have added canned chopped clams or corn and some chopped potatoes for a fast chowder.

Condensed Cream Soup Mix

2  cups nonfat dry milk powder
3/4  cup cornstarch
2  tablespoons dried onion flakes
1/2  teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4  cup chicken bouillon powder
1  teaspoon dried basil (optional)
1/4  teaspoon dried thyme, more to taste


Using an air tight container combine dry milk, cornstarch, onion
flakes, pepper and chicken bouillon.If desired also add basil and thyme.
I use a widemouth quart mason jar. Mix well.

When using the mix, combine 1/3 cup of the mix with 1 1/4 cups of
water in saucepan. You could use chicken stock, vegetable stock, etc.

Cook and stir until thickened. Makes 1 and a half cups of soup.

Cole Slaw

The weather has turned warm and I am tweaking my menus to some inexpensive old favorites again. Cole slaw is ridiculously cheap but still ranks as a food that reminds you of seafood baskets at the oceanside and picnics. Some crockpot BBQ chicken, cole slaw, and garlic toast from the toaster oven and supper is on the table in 5 minutes after a long day outside enjoying the beautiful summer days.

Cabbage is easy to shred and much cheaper to do yourself but even I grab those 8 cup bags of preshredded for $1.99 when they are on sale or its a crazy week. However the dressings that you can buy for cole slaw are very expensive, most around $3.99 for only a few salads worth. The cheap bottles of dressing taste awful and I always just throw some together from scratch.

Cole Slaw

8 cups shredded cabbage
3 carrots, shredded
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup vinegar
pinch salt
pinch pepper.

Whisk everything but the cabbage and the carrots in a bowl.  Toss the dressing with the carrots and cabbage and let marinate/ chill a few hours in the fridge.  

Yummy!

Spice of Life (taco seasoning mix)

I am all about the spices. When you are cooking basic inexpensive food spices can fool your mouth into thinking you are dining at a fine restaurant on a mac and cheese budget. My children get spices from the time they can eat table food.

 A sprinkle of cinnamon, a dusting of chili powder, or a pinch of pepper can remake the bland into the gourmet.

Here's a basic taco seasoning that you can use on chicken, beef, or even sprinkled over potatoes before you roast them for a smoky flavor.

What spice mix can you not live without?

Chili Taco Mix

1/3 cup cumin
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup pepper
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
 1 tsp dried oregano


Mix all together and store in an airtight container. I use canning jars for my spices.

2 Tablespoons is enough to flavor 1 pound of ground beef.

Enjoy!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Every now and again I come across a recipe that includes sweetened condensed milk. which I very rarely have on hand. My friend Caroline gave me this recipe and it works great and saves me a trip to the store.

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 c. cold water
1 1/4 c. nonfat dry milk
3/4 c. sugar

Measure water into 2 cup glass container. Gradually stir in milk
powder
until smooth. Microwave on high 3/4-1 minute until milk is steaming
hot. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Allow to cool before using.
Substitutes for 1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk.

Fruit Leather (AKA fruit rollups)

Fruit snacks, must be healthy right? Especially with the labels proclaiming fat free! gluten free! made with real juice! Wrong. Those little packets are basically fruit flavored sugar and preservatives. Don't get me wrong, there is a few brands that are a bit better. But why spend that much money on something you can make yourself that is less expensive, healthier, and only actually has fruit in it?

I have made these since I was a wee sprite and they taste great and hold up well to backpacks and gymbags alike.

Fruit Leather

4  c strawberries or whatever fruit is in season

Preheat your oven to 150°F (or as low as your oven will go). Line an 11-by-17 cookie sheet with a Silpat baking mat. If you don't have one, use parchment paper, although a Silpat will offer better results.

Wash, dry, and cut up four cups of strawberries (or other in-season fruit of your choice, such as peaches, bananas, or raspberries; frozen fruit works, too). Place in a food processor or blender.
Puree the fruit until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.

Pour the pureed fruit onto the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to spread it out evenly. Carefully slide the pan into the oven, and bake for eight hours (or six to seven hours if your oven is at a slightly higher temperature).

Remove the pan once the fruit is set and still slightly tacky. Be careful not to overcook, as you'll end up with fruit chips instead of fruit leather.

Once the fruit has cooled to room temperature, slowly peel it off the mat or parchment paper. Lay it on a cutting board, and use a knife to cut out 12 portions; store in an airtight container

I have used a dehydrator for these too, especially if you have the solid tray for wet foods. Times vary depending on season and humidity where you are but you will get the hang of it quickly.

I think they taste much much better and are packed with energy and vitamins. 

Old- fashioned Sugar Cookies

When I am stuck in the house with the kids every now and again we like to make a project out of baking something. These cookies are easy and delicious and pretty much foolproof. The boys help make the little balls and flatten them. They are smooshing experts, believe me. At holidays we get fancy with different colored sugars to sprinkle on top but usually just a sprinkle of regular white sugar will dress them up.

 

Sugar cookies

makes 3 dozen

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking powder
3 cups flour
pinch salt


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
Add baking powder,salt, and flour 1 cup at a time.
Do not chill dough.
Portion into small balls.
Flatten on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 8 minutes or until light golden brown.
Let cool a couple minutes before moving to a cooling rack so they don't fall apart.



Not the healthiest snack but the occasional treat is a nice indulgence. Enjoy!

Slow cooked Baked Beans

I find that one of the corner stones of my diet is beans. Seriously. I know you dont believe me because no one eats beans anymore in this fast paced eat out of a can or bag world right?

They are nutritionally a powerhouse. Beans are incredibly filling and inexpensive. While they are not a 5 minute meal they are also incredibly easy to make.  Dust off that crock-pot and come make some with me.

Slow Cooked Boston Baked Beans

1 pound ( about 2 cups) small dry white beans like navy beans
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mustard
1 medium onion, chopped
a pinch of cloves
3 cups hot water


First you have to soak the beans. The night before I put them in a pan and cover with hot water from the faucet before I go to bed. There are other ways you can do it but really to me that's the easiest way to do it. Pick out any floaters and run a spoon through to look for little pebbles too.

The next morning drain the beans. Put half of them in the crock-pot. Place the chopped onion on top of beans. Cover with remaining beans.

In a separate bowl mix together the hot water, molasses, brown sugar, mustard and cloves. Pour over the beans in your crock-pot.

Cook for about 8 hours on low.  Check occasionally and make sure beans are covered with liquid. If not, add a bit to cover.  When they are tender enough to eat they are done. They may seem a bit soupy at first but will thicken a bit on standing.

The next day they are even better. This recipe will serve 6 as a main dish. I make these once a week and put in canning jars in my refrigerator so I can pull some out for a fast dinner. My teenager loves these on toast, I have them over rice frequently. They are a natural combo with Irish soda bread too.


Now a word about cooking times. There can be huge variances in cooking times depending on how old your beans are. If they have been in your cabinet for a year they may take a couple hours longer. I buy beans every week so they are relatively fresh. 

Easy Grilled Flatbread

It is 95 degrees out and I have no intention of starting my stove today. Not even the toaster if I can avoid it. A big pile of salad greens and veggies will be the star on my dinner table tonight.  Need a side dish to make it a heartier meal? I will be grilling a couple chicken breasts as well as a flatbread for the carnivores.

Super easy and fast. Once you have made these they will be a summer favorite.

Grilled Flatbread

1 cup warm water
2 teaspoons instant dry yeast
2 teaspoons sugar
3 cups AP flour
2 teaspoons butter or margarine


First I'll tell you how I make it, then give you an alternative.

Put warm water in bowl of food processor. Mix in sugar and yeast. Add flour and butter. Process until dough comes together into a nice springy ball, about 2 minutes.  Place dough in greased bowl to rise. Let it sit while the grill heats up. I cheat and use an electric grill.

Divide dough into 4 pieces. I use a rolling pin to roll each piece out into a rectangle. If you are feeling brave pull and stretch into shape.

Carefully place dough rectangle onto hot grill and cook for 5 minutes each side. Slather with butter and parmesan cheese for bread sticks or munch  plain.

Note:    Don't have a food  processor or even a grill? No problem. Mix the ingredients for the bread in the same order in a large bowl. Knead about 5 minutes until you have a smooth elastic dough. Sometimes I can talk my kids into doing this while I prepare the rest of supper. After a 20 minute rest, roll out the dough as described above. You can bake in the preheated oven or toaster oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes.

I make all 4 flatbreads and use the extra for pizza shells. Yum!

My Favorite Sweet Pickles

The bins full of pickling cucumbers are starting to show up at the farmer's market. I made my first  batch  of the season this morning of my favorite sweet pickles, also known as bread and butter pickles. You can't buy  the homemade taste of pickles and the recipe is simple. Enjoy!

Bread  and Butter Pickles

makes about 3 pints

8 cups of sliced pickling cucumbers
1/2 cup of salt

4 cups vinegar
2 cups brown sugar( I have used white sugar)
1 tablespoon pickling spice
2 inch stick cinnamon
6 whole cloves
1 teaspoon mustard seed
pinch turmeric

Note:  If you can't find pickling spice you can make your own. Recipe follows the pickles

Place cucumbers in a large bowl or plastic container. Sprinkle with the salt and cover with cold water. Let stand overnight in the refrigerator.

Drain cucumbers and rinse with cold water.

Combine everything else in a heavy pan. Bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add drained cucumbers. Bring back to boil and cook another 5 minutes.
Pack into clean jars carefully and let cool.
Store in the refrigerator.

Pickling Spice

makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cup mustard seeds
1/4 cup ground coriander
1/4 cup fennel seed
1/4 cup whole cloves
1/4 cup celery seeds
1/4 cup cinnamon sticks, crushed
1/4 cup black pepper corns
2 tbsp. dried ginger, coarsely chopped
6 dry bay leaves, crushed

Combine all. Store in a cool dry place for up to a year.
I make a fresh batch every year when I start pickling again.

Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing

90 degree weather has me staying out of the kitchen and wanting the convenience of fast food but on my ramen noodle budget.

Salads are a no brainer. An abundance of cheap fresh produce with a couple homemade sides makes this  budget friendly, cool, and healthy.

Parmesan Peppercorn Salad Dressing.

Whisk together

1 cup mayonaisse
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

Pour into clean glass jar, cover and refridgerate for up to 2 weeks.

Baking Your Own Bread, Part 2

While looking for those fabulous build your own bed plans I came across this post from the same author.

I read it through twice and was shaking my head in disbelief. No kneading? Little rising? what kind of blasphemy is this? I tried it, fully expecting a horrible loaf that at best would be passable for croutons.

Crispy brown crust and light flaky bread reminiscent of those delicious artisan French bread loaves after a couple of hours! That big bucket of dough made a ridiculously easy pizza dough, a ciabatta for some toasted sandwiches, and a few crusty loaves to serve with salads.

My son even expressed an interest in making it and was so proud of his first loaf. We left a bit of dough in the bucket for the next batch and got a beautiful sourdough flavor. I am thinking about getting that book the next time I have found money burning a hole in my pocket.

Aeray, seriously, why did you have to be already married.............

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

There's a reason grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic. Crispy and buttery outside, rich and melted inside......how can this budget pleaser go wrong? Vegetarians everywhere who eat dairy are cheering!
I use homemade bread for these but a store bought loaf will do.


Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

8 slices bread
8 slices cheese, either American or Cheddar
1 TB butter.


Start heating up a fry pan or griddle over medium high heat. 
Melt butter on pan.
Place 4 slices bread on pan.
Layer 2 slices of cheese on each slice of bread.
Top with second slice of bread.
Fry on one side until crisp and golden, then flip.
Fry second side until crisp and golden.
Serve with carrots sticks and sliced apples.

Variations
Add a slice of ham or turkey.
Spread Mustard on bread before cheese goes on.
Thin slices of apple sandwiched in with the cheese(my fave).
Thin slices of tomato added with the cheese on mayo.

Basic Bread and French Toast Sticks

My local bakery thrift store closed on Wednesday. It saddens me for a few reasons and even makes me angry to see the employees I have known for many years lose their jobs a few weeks before Christmas and the day before Thanksgiving.

I'm digging out some bread recipes to try to keep my budget from being totally destroyed. Here's a couple basics that are tried and true in my house.


White Sandwich Bread

3 cups AP flour
2 Tsp active dry yeast
2 Tb sugar
pinch salt
2 Tb butter
1 1/4 hot water


Dissolve the yeast and sugar in the hot water and let sit while you get the rest together.
Put flour and salt into large mixing bowl. Add butter, which you have cut into little pieces. Dump in the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms.

Sprinkle some flour on a counter or table top. Knead the bread dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. On humid days I find the dough a little sticky, just knead in a bit more flour until its workable.

Shape into your preferred loaf shape and place in a pan( I make a traditional egg shape and put on a flat 1/4 sheet pan).You can use a standard loaf pan if you prefer.

Let rise until doubled.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes for a nice crusty outside.

Let cool on a cooling rack before slicing or you will have a mess. I use an electric knife for easy even slices.
Makes 1 standard sandwich loaf, about 1 1/2 lb

Note: for electric breadmakers put your ingredients in your maker in the order specified by the manufacturer. For my maker its the water mixture followed by the flour and salt topped with the butter.


French Toast

3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
pinch cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
6 slices slightly stale bread
optional: maple syrup, jelly, whipped cream and berries

Whisk together all ingredients but the bread and optional ingredients.  I cut my bread pieces into thirds to make french toast sticks for the kids. Soak bread in the milk mixture for a few minutes while your griddle or frying pan heats up. I put the bread in a ziptop bag and pour the egg  mixture over it. Close the bag and let it sit on the counter. Turn it over after a minute or two.

I use a pat of butter or a dollop of canola oil to grease my pan which I have heated to medium high. Fry your bread slices until nice and golden on both sides.

I heat up a bit of strawberry jam on the stove until its melted then use that for syrup usually. Maple syrup is awesome also, though very pricey here. Be creative!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

OK OK I finally got a second to post this. Detergent prices are on the rise and more people are willing to explore alternatives. Here is  a fast easy powder detergent I've used for years.

Powder Laundry Detergent

1 cup grated soap
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax


I whirl it in the food processor to take out lumps and mix well but I have tossed around a ziploc bag when I am in a hurry. For the soap I use either Ivory or Dial plain soap and grate it on an old cheese grater.(the kids love to help) Don't use a moisturizer or heavily perfumed soap but I've used whatever was at the local dollar store.

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. I use the scoop that came with an old Oxiclean tub to portion it but it's around 2 Tablespoons or 1/8 a cup for a smallish regular load.

I splurge on Mrs. Meyers Clean Day laundry soap to use as a pretreater. Its expensive but it lasts forever a dab at a time and works great. I get mine at Drugstore.com.

When I'm feeling decadent I put about 10 drops of lavender oil in the detergent to give it a very light scent but you can certainly leave that out.

Farm Stand Favorites: Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches

Farm Stand Favorites: Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches

We go to the farm stand twice a week. I let the boys pick out their favorites that day and plan the next few meals around whatever is on sale.


One of my favorite ( and cheapest) veggie meals is grilled veggie sandwiches. I cheat and roast the veggies more often than not.  I put whatever veggies I have on hand, peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, asparagus etc., cut them into chunks and put in a bowl. A generous drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper goes on top. Stir to coat veggies with the oil. Dump onto a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes. Which veggies you roast can change the time a bit but I start checking at 30 minutes and they are usually perfect at 40 minutes.

Unless it bread baking day and I have made rolls, I put the roasted veggies into a whole wheat tortilla.( which I buy on sale and keep in my freezer) Depending on the eater the protein is a sprinkle of cheese or some canned white beans rinsed.

Variations could included a drizzle of balsamic vinegar if you have some, roasted garlic spread, or some chevre bits.

Hearty, inexpensive and good for you. It's amazing what vegetables kids will eat if they get to pick them out too!

Granola

Easy Granola

There is nothing better than homemade granola. It makes a great topping for yogurt, a healthy snack for the kids, or a base for other goodies like cookies. If you find it takes you awhile to get through a batch you can freeze half the granola to use later.

Homemade Granola

4 cups regular rolled oats
1 1/2 cups sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup cooking oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon real vanilla
1 1/2 cup dried fruit of your choice.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together oats, almonds, sugar, and cinnamon.
In a small pan heat oil and honey until warm. Stir in vanilla. Pour honey mix over oats and stir gently until mixed well.
Spread mixture evenly over a jelly roll pan or large rimmed cookie sheet.Bake for 45 minutes stirring a couple times.
After baking, stir in the dried fruit and cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container for storage. If its going to be around for more than a week store in the refrigerator or freezer.


You can customize this recipe by changing the nuts, adding a few tablespoons of flax seeds or even some coconut if that's what you like. Play with it and make it your own.

Homemade Cake Mix

Yeah, Yeah, I forgot to post it.Don't forget the granola bar recipe posted earlier.......

       Basic Cake Mix

8 cups all-purpose flour
5 cups sugar
1/4 cup baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups shortening

In a large bowl stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder,
and salt. With pastry blender cut in shortening till mixture resembles very fine crumbs. Divide mix into five equal portions (about 3 1/3 cups each). (I use Quart canning jars, you could use Ziploc Freezer bags.)
 

Place in airtight containers. Store in a cool, dry place up
to six weeks. Or place in freezer containers and freeze for up to 6
months. Don't forget to label them! You'll have no idea next summer what that bag is!

Yellow Cake

1 pouch of cake mix
3/4 cup of milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon real vanilla
 

Grease and flour a 13 x 9 pan. Set aside. In mixing
bowl combine the mix and the milk. Beat at low speed of electric mixer till moistened. Beat 1 minute at medium speed. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Spread batter evenly in  pans. Bake in 350 degree oven about 20 minutes or till wooden pick comes out clean. Cool pans for 10 minutes and remove cake to cool completely.

Homemade ketchup? Who knew?

So we have always tried to eat whole foods as much as possible but who really thinks about condiments? I think if I stopped to think about it I assumed ketchup was something you needed a science degree to make at home to get the same consistency and taste as Heinz!  This high fructose corn syrup controversy has me reading labels though and Ive been looking for inexpensive ways to get it out of our diets. I don't know if Heinz( don't sue me huge corporation!) has it or not but most of those cheaper house brands do. Not to mention preservatives and other things I'd rather control myself.

Imagine my surprise to have a friend give me this little gem. My kids love it and I like not having high fructose corn syrup in their ketchup. I mean really, chemically altered molecules? Yuck. Artificial sweeteners were all safe too until they yanked some of those off the market.

So anyhoo enough griping. This recipe is great and easy and inexpensive to make.


12 oz can tomato paste
1 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
pinch ground cloves
pinch cayenne

Blend and let chill in the refrigerator overnight. Store in the refrigerator as well since there are no preservatives. My kids dont notice the cayenne but I like it, you could certainly leave it out. Tweak it anyway you like but try the base recipe first.

Enjoy!