Howdy all. I sure hope all are well and safe this morning.
It is a lovely morning here. In the upper 60's going to around 80*. The sun is out at the moment. It was a very dewy start to the day. Dew was just hanging on everything and still is. It was a little foggy around here, I bet it is heavier outside the city.
No rain in sight for the next few days.
Today just a tip or two and an easy-peasy recipe or two for summer.
MEXICO CITY DIP
1 - 16 oz. container of sour cream
1 1/2 C thick and chunky salsa
4 green onions chopped
chips
Combine salsa, green onions and sour cream together and chill.
Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos.
**Remember cottage cheese can be used in place of sour cream in most dishes. Blend until completely smooth in the blender and use as you would sour cream.
JALAPENO BITES (different)
1 - 12 oz. can jalapeno peppers, drained (or equivalent)
8 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 C milk
Preheat oven to 375* (190C)
Seed and chop peppers and place in the bottom of a 9" pie pan. Sprinkle cheese over peppers.
Combine eggs and milk and pour over cheese. Bake about 25 minutes until firm. Cut into small slices and serve. Great for breakfast, a side or an appetizer!
** Remember - 99% of the dates you see on food products are NOT expiration dates. Almost all food does NOT have the word expiration on the packaging!!!!! It is 'best by' or 'sell by'. Food does not magically go bad by those dates - they are suggestions.
**Grocery shopping tips:
1. Take your time and hunt for deals - compare prices and know your prices
2. Bigger is not always better nor is smaller. You have to do the math. This week I noticed 1/2 gallons of milk advertised for 1.49 - gallons never sell for more than 2.49 gallon at the same store! Unless you can't lift the weight of the gallon - it is the best price. That happens a lot here. Figure the pricing out - don't just buy w/o checking
3. Be willing to try store brands and generic at least once. Many times, they are the same product manufactured by the same place as brand name - just a different label.
4. Make a list. Know what you are after - get it first then check for clearance.
ORANGE BUTTER
1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 Tbsp. grated orange rind
1/4 C orange juice
Beat butter and grated rind together until fluffy. Gradually add in juice and beat until well blended. Store in frig and serve with hot biscuits (scones) or toast.
What a treat!!
** If you see a great deal on onions or bell peppers - buy them. Chop, slice or julienne. Place in baggies and freeze. They freeze well and are good in so many dishes when cooking.
BLACK OLIVE SPREAD
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 - 2 oz. can chopped black olives, drained
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
Party rye or pumpernickel bread (or even Triscuits)
Beat cream cheese until smooth and then stir in olives and cheddar cheese.
Spread of party bread.
Serve cold or broil and serve hot (hot is so yummy)
* I have subbed chopped green olives in this as well - whatever you like. Seriously you could use chopped jalapenos as well!
Super for a lunch bite or appetizers
DON'T WASTE - GET CREATIVE
You can soften cream cheese and mix with about anything leftover for a great spread to use with chips, bread or crackers. Leftover nuts (chopped), tuna, chicken, roast beef, ham, hard boiled eggs. etc. Chop them and add to cream cheese. Use relish, chopped onions or chopped pickles or celery to add extra flavor. You can also add a bit of mayo or salad dressing to thin a little.
Add anything you have and make a fun, inexpensive and new item for the table and to fill the bellies.
No need to throw food away - get creative.
ALSO - you can any of those things to pasta as well - to create a pasta salad for lunches or a side
**Remember to ALWAYS check your receipt before leaving the store. Not only may you have been over charged or charged twice, BUT a dishonest clerk could have added a cash back option to your ticket and kept the cash!! It can happen. I usually go to the same cashier every time I go if possible.
**Never throw out old stale bread (unless moldy). Use to make breadcrumbs or croutons or make bread pudding. Makes excellent French toast. Use to make individual bread pizzas (fun for lunches). Toast - and top with eggs fixed the way you like and maybe a patty of sausage or bacon and some cheese - yummy breakfast. Use instead of biscuits (scones) toasted and topped with gravy. Just USE IT!
**Don't have conventional buns for your burgers? Well, shape the burgers for what you DO have. You can use sliced bread, oval French or Italian bread, oblong for hot dog buns or long rolls. No need for a grocery run - use what you have!
Just an idea or two to jazz things up a little and to stretch those food dollars. Food is expensive and when you throw it away you might as well throw dollar bills into the trash can! Use it up. Have fun with the food in your kitchen - you may just find a new FAVORITE for your table.
Hope this gives someone a new idea or two. Get creative!!!!!
Have a super day - make it a fun one.
SMILE!
Indeed, no reason to toss many things. Stale bread makes great toast. Also grilled cheese sandwiches. My suppers tend to be very small and light, and it's wonderful how a handful of this and a bit of that can become a fine light meal. Don't want to cook? Nuts and cheese are good proteins. Fruit doesn't need cooking. I like to add sunflower seeds to any salad stuff, to add protein.
ReplyDeleteYes, do check the receipt at the store. I've found errors, but way too late, I'm already home and not going back over a 50cent mistake. Sigh.
MaryB
That is what I make my toast with most times. I also toast bread for most sandwiches, as it doesn't get all mooshy from condiments or tomato.
DeleteYou are 100% right, so many ways to get a full belly and not have to cook or heat up a kitchen. Lots of good food can be eaten and can be filling, no cooking needed. I love sunflower seeds. I like them in cauliflower salad.
It always pays to check and keep watch.
It is a beautiful day! Still can feel the moisture from the ground, but with a few sunny and dry days, all that will be gone.
ReplyDeleteThe Mexico City dip sounds good! Back in the day, I used to make dill dip and different kinds of cheese balls. I will agree with Miss MaryB; we eat light at supper time. Usually some cheese with nuts, maybe some dried fruit.
Yep, always check your receipts. I got charged for baby formula to the tune of about $30, which was refunded when I went to the customer service desk.
Love that old kitchen. My mom had a sink similar to that one, only the drainboard was on one side only. I remember being little enough to fit under the sink in the cabinet. That was my playhouse.
Going out to reattach the drains to the downspouts, which have come loose. Water going straight into the crawl space! There is always maintenance, big and small, to home ownership.
Enjoy this beautiful day! See you on Sunday!
It is just gorgeous today.
DeleteI love dips and cheeseballs. So much variety to be had.
$30 is a big mistake! Glad you found that.
We had a sink with a drain on one side too. Ours had a curtain around the bottom. I just love those sinks, and it you can find an old one in good shape now, they cost a fortune!
Yep, always something to do around the house.