Food - Fun and Subs

 Food is getting more expensive all the time.  Things are hard to find.  We all need to learn a few tips and tricks to substitute things, make things up differently, and well maybe, just play with our food a little!!!!  Why not have a little fun along the way?!!!!!

Surely, you have all noticed I PLAY with my food.  I like experimenting and changing things up a little.  It makes life interesting.  Recipes - eh, not always so much for me.  I just wing it on many, many things.  Probably can't make the same thing twice!  Now I do pretty much follow a recipe when baking, but cooking - nah!

So here are a few ideas that may use up some of those pantry items you may have on hand, some ideas to make things differently, and ways to sub - so you don't have to be worried about not having something.

Here ya go.  I have done this - and my results were like a moist dense brownie.  The cake was rich and yummy.  Super good with a dollop of ice cream!  No need to use eggs or oil at all.  You bake as directed on the cake mix box (I like to bake a tad longer).  Fun uses.  

Now basically you can also add carbonated water as well, if you choose to add no extra flavor.

Biscuits made over the back of a muffin pan.  These would be great little cups to contain gravy - or add a dollop of thick stew to each for a mini type of potpie.  Make sure you grease your pan for easy removal.

Cookie bowls are fun.  Same as above, bake on the back side of a greased muffin pan.  Great little bowls for ice cream or pudding.  Makes dessert a little fun.  Sugar cookies would be good with thickened fruit mix added.  So many fun uses.

EGGS, EGGS

I keep this on hand all the time.  I find it in the baking aisle of the grocery, and it can also be found in the ethnic aisles.  Works great as a substitute for eggs in baking.  I have used it many times.  Many vegetarians use this as well.

There are many items that can be used in place of egg when baking.  Most are things that we all have on hand.

Aquafaba is the water (fluid) from a can of chickpeas.  Carbonated water can be used (why the cake mix recipe above works).  Chia seeds and flax seed can be found many places.  

I know many people are saying that eggs are not to be found in their areas.  I see daily, people talking about the price of eggs.  

Well, if you got them - keep them for breakfast.  Use other things in baking.  I don't bake that much, so it really doesn't matter a lot to me (and I do have the replacer).  

I eat eggs for meals now and then.

Yep, I can make an egg sandwich for a few cents - add a piece of cheese or a slice of sausage or bacon and yum.

  

When you see the higher prices - please stop and do the MATH!

Truthfully, I don't mind paying higher prices, considering what all that egg goes through to get to my table.  If I pay .30 or .35 an egg - it still feels like a deal to me for a single serving of protein.

Now .35 an egg is 4.20 a dozen.  That sounds horrible considering the prices we have paid in the past - but what other protein can you get so cheaply???  Even a serving of canned tuna costs more than that! (using the example of tuna, as it is still pretty cheap).

I truly have no idea how egg farms have ever made a decent living or profit.  I feel the same with milk producers.  There is a lot that goes into getting those items to our tables.  

So, think outside the box a little.  Replace and use different things in your baking.  Save the eggs for breakfast or dinner.  Use products in a different and new way.  Experiment a little.

Have fun and save a little here and there.

Choose to release joy, happiness and love into the universe today.  It is needed.