Just an Idea or 2 - Using What You Have

 Hello all.  Good morning to each of you, wherever you may be! It is a sunny and lovely morning here.  Birds are singing!  Windows open for now.  Pretty heavy dew this morning, so everything has little water drops on it, and it in the sun it looks like little diamonds.

                                                         And using what you have!!!!!

Today just a couple of options, for using what you have to cook and to make yummy food.  It may be different than what we are used to - but it is good and healthy.  

Also, many have asked about using the air fryer, and I have no real set recipes that I use - but here is a chart that gives some basic times for cooking.  I use the book that came with the fryer and I just kind of experiment.  So far so good.

I know fryers can be expensive - so keep a good eye open to get a 2nd hand one.  Mine was used once and was $10 at a yard sale (and a good brand name).  Pretty good investment, especially since it has replaced the oven during the summer!

Click on image to enlarge for easier reading.

Homemade with no unnecessary ingredients!

CHICKEN NUGGETS

You can use equivalent of fresh chicken as well - you don't have to use canned.  But if you have it on your shelf, here is a different use.  I have made these and they are good.  Fast and easy and tasty.

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

Click on images to enlarge (2 sections)

I have really enjoyed, and they are tasty.  Just a good way to use up things you may not use much and that are sitting on the shelf. (you can also use 2 C of home cooked beans

BEAN BURGERS

Click on recipe to enlarge

I have done this before and they are very good.  It is a great option for vegetarians, or if you are short on the meat front and are looking to feed the family something healthy and filling.

Always remember you can add seasonings you like and have.

Don't forget you can make fritters from many of your garden veggies.  I really like zucchini fritters - search the files (using white box at top of blog) for recipes.  I have listed a couple over the years.  I like corn fritters as well.  Potato cakes is a great use for using leftover mashed potatoes.  I have added leftover corn (drained) to potato cakes - yum.  You can use shredded cabbage as well.  So many fun ways to stretch the budget and the leftovers - making something new.

Don't have bread?  No biscuits or tortillas?  Too hot to bake?  Try fried corn bread - love, love, love this.

I know it calls for buttermilk - but I have used regular milk before.  You can mix up powdered buttermilk mix as well (I always have that on hand).  It does give the bread a tang!  These sure are good and easy to make.  Don't have to heat the house up, and you don't need to make a special run to the store.  Win-win.

Hope these ideas give someone a chance to try something new.  Using what you have in your pantry, can be fun and can save money.  You can eat good, and you can eat healthy and still not spend a fortune.

Have fun my friends!

Have a fantastic day.  Happy Wednesday!