Alright...for those of you were wondering about cooking your own pumpkins...here you go. Couple things you should know before you embark into the land of homemade pumpkin puree: You have to use a certain kind of pumpkin. The kind that you get for carving...yeah, those won't work. *bitter Look in your store for the "pie pumpkins"...they will be on sale and super cheap … [Read more...]
Savory Slow Cooker Chicken and Butternut Squash
This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150! We've been enjoying lots of butternut squash lately, after buying some at Kroger, then more at Aldi the next week for just $.59 each! We've had this...a beef stew with butternut ...and I made the same beef stew mix for the guys to enjoy while I'm out of town this … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Orange-Cranberry Pork Roast
So I'm gone almost 6 full days this week. A new record for me! In an attempt to keep my guys from having to go out to eat every night while I'm gone, I've put together some meal options for them. I'm leaving spaghetti for them to have tonight. And here's what I've left for the rest of the week. (I even organized it neatly into the freezer door to make things even easier … [Read more...]
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
As promised, my homemade pumpkin pie spice mix recipe. You'll notice that it's very similar to the apple pie spice...just adds ginger and a bit more cinnamon. And just like I said the other day, "why buy a jar of spice that you only need 1-2 teaspoons of when you can mix up your own with what you've got already?!" Over time, you accumulate all the spices you need to … [Read more...]
Pumpkin – Canned or Homemade???
Katie asks... I have read many of your posts this year and last about pumpkin. As someone who makes many items from scratch (chicken stock, etc.), why do you use canned pumpkin? I cook up a few sugar pumpkins each fall, and freeze the puree for future pies, pancakes... whenever we are craving the taste of fall. It seems easy to do, so I wondered why use canned? I'd love your … [Read more...]
Homemade Jerk Seasoning and Grilled Jerk Chicken Recipe
Afternoon my friend! If you want some extra "jerk" to your seasoning, just add a little more red pepper. I try to keep things on the mild end because of the little ones in the house. Hope you enjoy it! Over the past few years, I've taken a number of steps toward healthier eating on a budget. In addition to making my own salad dressings, I've also … [Read more...]
Southwest Pasta Skillet
This quick and easy recipe was inspired by mushy salad greens. I had plans to make taco salad and had already started browning the hamburger when I pulled the lettuce out of the refrigerator and discovered it had turned. I didn't have a lot of time to come up with a new dinner plan. I surveyed the cupboards and fridge and decided to use the beans and tomatoes that I was going … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Maple Chicken with Sweet Potatoes
This recipe is part of our 6th Costco Meal Plan: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Packs from Costco for $150! Dear Chairman of the Kid Food Hall of Fame Committee, I'd like to nominate this recipe to be inducted in the class of 2011 for Best Kid Friendly recipe for the following reasons. 1. All 3 children finished their entire plates in record time. 2. All 3 children asked for … [Read more...]
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
As we head into pie season, you might take a peek in your spice rack and see if you have the spices needed to make homemade apple pie spice recipe. (Here's my homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe!) There is no need to spend $5-$6 on a apple pie spice jar from the spice aisle, when you already have the ingredients you need to mix up your own. And you can mix up … [Read more...]
Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
I learned something new about chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago. And I decided to put the theory to the test. I made these double peanut butter chocolate chip cookies...then took them to a church picnic...and they got RAVE reviews. I recently stumbled upon a New York Times article about the science and history of how chocolate chip cookies became so popular and … [Read more...]