photo by arnold inuyaki In the back of the pantry, you might find a couple of cans of evaporated milk that are close to expiring. It typically lasts about a year unopened in the pantry and once opened and refrigerated, you have about a week to use it. It’s wonderful when used in mashed or [...]
photo by threelayercake Making rice on the stovetop can be tricky. You have to watch it, or it can boil over, get mushy or burn. You can use the index-finger method of measuring for both rice cookers and traditional rice cooked on the stovetop. You simply add the amount of rice you want to cook, [...]
photo by Andie712b Once the colder weather hits, the comfort-food cravings start. Soup and pasta dishes fit the bill. The following recipes are easy to make and will be a nice change of pace from your standard meal rotation. They’re familiar home-style meals with a twist. Two are quick recipes you can whip together when [...]
photo by wordridden Give flexitarianism (semi-vegetarianism) a try. Once a week, incorporate a meatless dish into your meal rotation. You’ll be surprised that you don’t miss the meat in the following recipes even when these dishes typically include it as a key ingredient. It’s good for your budget, too. Mushroom-Barley Soup 2 onions 2 stalks [...]
It’s pumpkin season, and many people have the tradition of visiting the pumpkin patch. Whether selecting the perfect pumpkin for carving jack-o’-lanterns or decorating them uncarved, selecting one is simple. Look for a pumpkin that has good weight, a stem that isn’t cut too short to ensure that it’s not decaying, stands well for display, [...]
Celebrate fall with the irresistible earthy flavor of pumpkin combined with a touch of sugar and spice. With some pumpkin harvests down this year, you can opt for canned to get your pumpkin fix. These recipes are all easy to make and will be a special treat for your family and friends. Extra pumpkin puree [...]
photo by Chris Zabriskie Sour cream is one of those products that tends to expire before you use it up, so I’m sharing a few easy recipes that call for up to 2 cups of sour cream. Keep them handy, and choose one depending on how much sour cream you have left. Sprite Biscuits 1 [...]
Invite friends over, and have a football party. It’s a frugal, fun night you can spend at home. Food and football go hand in hand. Finger foods work well, but a hot mug of chili will satisfy energetic sports fans. You can set it up in a slow cooker and plug it in nearby, so [...]
photo by verybadlady Autumn brings many requests for syrup recipes. It’s the season for heartier breakfasts — pancakes, waffles and French toast — that can curb hunger until lunchtime. These syrups are quick and easy to make ahead over the weekend to use for the upcoming busy week. They’re more economical than real maple syrup, [...]
photo by erix! Don’t toss out overripe bananas. You can mash and freeze them or freeze with the peels still on. Once thawed, simply cut off an end and squeeze the banana out of the peel. Many people prefer using them right away. They’re delicious in muffins, bread, smoothies, pancakes, cookies, pudding, frozen yogurt and [...]
photo by swanksalot If you have an abundance of juicy tomatoes this season, consider yourself lucky to have escaped late blight. For folks not so lucky, I’m sharing recipes that don’t use a ton as the main ingredient but will let you savor every delicious bite. Tomatoes and Beans 1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, cut [...]
Pears make a beautiful natural display when placed in a fruit bowl as they ripen. They’re a great source of fiber and are delicious eaten out of hand or blended into smoothies. Fresh pears don’t freeze well until cooked or processed. So if you have more than a few, they can be incorporated into spreads, [...]
photo by Arlette Cooking existed long before boxed and canned convenience goods. While some prepackaged products provide tasty shortcuts, it’s good to know how to make things yourself. You want your family to enjoy more than just add-water, heat-and-eat meals. Many from-scratch recipes are simple and don’t take a long time to make. In a [...]
Add peanut butter to your list of things to make yourself. It’s natural, quick and easy. If you make your own fruit preserves and bread, the homemade peanut butter will complete a sandwich taste sensation. You can also bundle the trio to give as a homemade gift during the holiday season. Don’t make jam or [...]
photo by 427 The holidays are approaching quickly, and the tension is building. Readers are sharing their seasonal planning tips. Some people have it broken down to weekly tasks. They’re cleaning and organizing and buying ingredients, and holiday cards are ready to be mailed. But even with the best plans in place, the holidays can [...]
D ear Sara: How do you organize and store your favorite recipes? I was thinking of creating a database on my computer, but I thought I would see if maybe there is a better way. — Kim Z., Florida Dear Kim: I’ve used a few different methods to organize recipes. I used to clip and [...]
photo by roguesunmedia Tracking your spending is a good way to see weaknesses in your budget. Tracking is useful for weight loss, too. The first tip shares one way to do your tracking. How do you track your spending? TRACKING: I picked up a journal-type calendar for 75 percent off on clearance. It cost me [...]
