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Money Saving Idea: Getting Comfortable in the Kitchen
Throughout the next month the focus is going to be on saving money. No pressure on my part as that leads to nothing but guilt, and therefore failure. However, when I do find myself doing ‘the right thing’ I want to focus on it and think about how I can make it that much better. (My motto, “Little Drops of Awesome“) There will be a lot of trust. Trust that this focus is important, necessary, part of managing the household. It helps with some of the stress on my marriage. It helps me feel like a better manager of God’s provisions. Money doesn’t bring happiness but I’d sure like to try peace…
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Tasty Tuesday: Steak Marinade
There is something extra delicious about a steak fresh off of the grill. If that steak has been marinated for a couple of hours in a favorite dressing, mouths begin to water with the sounds of the steak sizzling on the grill. Mustard Beef Marinade 1/3 c of Olive Oil1/2 c of soy sauce2 T of lemon juice1 T of Worcestershire Sauce (a small tangent – I love that word! Every time I say it I have to let it roll off my tongue thinking about a succulent piece of steak melting in my mouth.)1/2 T of mustard powder from your spice rack or 1 T of mustard from your frig1 garlic clove, pressed Mix all ingredients in a…
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Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Goulash – Make Ahead
I love Pinterest. Especially when I find something that looks doable and then I do it! I’ve been able to mark a few things completed. I cleaned out my sink-drains with baking soda and vinegar. We have turned an old dresser into storage shelves in our basement. Most recently I made Freezer-Ready Crock Pot Goulash, a great recipe for my family and also to give as a gift to a family with a new baby. This is a super easy recipe for goulash and I made three two-gallon freezer bags of it, each with 5 cups of prepared, but not cooked, goulash in it. I put it together this afternoon and then can cook it in…
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Counter Top Cooking: Beef Stew
Winter comfort food fueled Jacob and Esther’s cooking skills with savory aroma and fantastic chunky beef stew.They pounded a thick round steak then I cut off the excess fat.They mixed the dredging flour and bread crumbs while I heated a heavy saute pan with butter.I cut the meat into small chunks and they rolled it in the flour mixture.They mounded the chunks on a platter so I could brown the beef.They washed the baby carrots, drained the canned mushrooms,decided how much of the chopped onion should go in, and took pinches of dried herbs then added them to the cooker. The joy of sticking a fork into a large jar…
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Blind Pigeons
Names for food are fascinating. The Poles call them Halubky, Betty Crocker titled them Stuffed Cabbage, as a child growing up in an ethnically rich area: NYC suburbs we heard other names, but Blind Pigeons stuck. By any name, as cabbage is coming out of the gardens, and cole slaws have sided many dinner plates, give the cabbage a front row ticket. The tomato sauce tops off the colors with red highlights… oh so fashionable! Halubky or Blind Pigeons1 head cabbage, large1 c cooked and cooled long grain rice2 lb ground beef1 small onion chopped fine2 eggs1/2 t saltpepper to taste1 large can pureed tomatoes 1 can condensed tomato soup1…
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Tasty Tuesday: Dried Fruit, a great on-the-go, money-saving, snack
On the go! That describes our family of six! From high-school wrestling meets, to work meetings through lunch; from putting together quick school lunches to grabbing a snack on the way out the door to play with friends, healthy options at our finger tips are a necessity. A few years ago we caught the ‘dehydrating’ bug. Hubs learned to make homemade beef jerky. Then we expanded and learned to dry fruit. Fruit at our fingertips. Since it is Military Saves week it seems appropriate too to mention that we buy fruit in bulk when it is in season. This makes it not only a tasty treat but a treat full…
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Menu Monday: Italian Meatballs
Ah Family! We had a wonderful time visiting my brothers, parents, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews this weekend. We are quite a crew. From the humble beginnings of ‘The Lt and Mrs’ to Grandma, Grandpa, three adult children & spouses, and nine-grandkids. When we get together we rock the house! This weekend’s visit was to meet my brand new nephew and niece. Twins!; born on January 3rd to my youngest brother, his wife and their two older sons. I was excited to meet them but couldn’t dream of putting work on the new family so I planned a big meal of Spaggetti and Meatballs. My brother, James, invited my folks over…
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Menu Monday: Italian Tortellini Soup
I am a /huge/ fan of the slow-cooker. It helps with the crazy routine of the day and allows me prepare a meal when there are a few moments of calm. If you are looking for a tasty, winter, soup filled with the aroma and comfort of Italian food give this meal a try! Put it all together when the baby is taking a morning nap, the preschooler is creating a masterpiece on paper, or the kids are off to school. If you work outside of the home put the dish together the night before and then plop it in your slow-cooker on the way out the door in the…
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Tasty Tuesday Holiday Dinner Table: Prime Rib
Preparations are under way… The tree has either been hauled out of the closet/basement/attic; or a new one has been purchase and is sitting in a bucket of water ready to handle the 15 tons of ornaments that your family has progressively added to each year. Even the kitchen towels have been traded out. No more jack-o-lanterns or fall leaves. Now snowmen and Santas are living in the drawer by the oven. Toasty… that just sounds wrong! The china cabinet displays Spode Christmas Tree pattern plates, bowls and green depression side dishes are in view. We live in a green and red mecca. A few nights ago, 5 year old…
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Tasty Tuesday: Corned Beef &Cabbage Must be St Patty’s Day Soon!
Let’s hear it for the goofiness of St Patrick’s Day. It is a day when if you have an I or an R, S,or an H in your name.. hey! You’re Irish. SO go ahead and celebrate. No need to paint your hair green, tip green beer, or start dancing a jig… Just wear some green and try some Irish cuisine. The simplest and childhood memory for me (Norwegian, Dutch and German mix here) was dressing in as many shades of green as I could rummage in my closet. Panic would hit if I didn’t find an obviously Irish outfit. One foolish year I decided to wear orange in protest.…
