Sign up for samples:

Get all the free samples you can find online, then actually use them! I am always using shampoo and conditioner samples, toothpaste samples, etc. They add up over time, so maybe you’re buying one or two fewer tubes of toothpaste a year, one less bottle of shampoo a year, etc. Every little bit counts! Also, I play the online instant-win games. I’ve gotten quite a few things this way, including a full-size jar of anti-wrinkle cream that arrived via FedEx just this morning! — F.F., Illinois

Re-purpose clothing:

This week, I cut up some clothing for rag strips, cut up some old handkerchiefs and placemats with ragged lace edgings to make cloth dust masks, and found some excellent leather and fur clothing materials at the thrift shop, which I’m going to make into mitts, gloves, slippers and moccasins. I have other clothes in my closet that I’m going to make into aprons and baking hats; last year I made some into dishcloths, dishtowels and pot holders. There’s no need to look further than my dressers, shelves and closets when I want something; it’s usually there in another form. — T.P., Canada

Pineapple ripeness:

Someone who grew pineapple told us to try to pull out an inner “leaf” — if it came out easily, the pineapple is fully ripe. We’ve used that method for many years, and it has proven to be true every time. — Judy S., North Carolina

Remove jar labels:

I use Goo Gone. A few drops on a paper towel, with some rubbing, removes all glue residue. Stickier residue requires more liquid and more rubbing. It leaves an oily leftover that must be washed off with soap and water. I have been using Goo Gone for years. Since you use so little at a time, a single bottle will last a long time. — Kathy G., Oklahoma

Homemade Worcestershire sauce:

This homemade version keeps well in the fridge. I think it tastes much better than the store-bought brands!
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, roughly chopped
1/2 cup tamarind paste
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced ginger
2 jalapenos, seeds removed and minced
3 tablespoons chopped anchovies
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 whole cloves
2 tablespoons freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup molasses
3 cups white vinegar
1 cup dark beer
1/2 cup orange juice
2 cups water
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1 lime, thinly sliced

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tamarind paste, garlic, ginger and jalapenos and cook for 5 more minutes. Add the anchovies, tomato paste, cloves, pepper, corn syrup, molasses, white vinegar, dark beer, orange juice, water, lemon and lime. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 hours, or until it naps the back of a spoon. Strain the mixture and refrigerate. Yields 6 cups. — Susie, Minnesota

photo by torbakhopper

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Use a toaster oven:

I use a toaster oven for 90 percent of my cooking. I have a Black and Decker model with convection. Tonight I’m cooking homemade lasagna in it. Another hidden benefit of cooking with the toaster oven: If you are cooking anything smelly (like fish), you can take it outside! — Wendy, Canada

Cast iron for frying:

I know people love stainless steel, but I’ve never had good luck with it when using it for frying. Maybe it’s because I’m used to cast iron, which in my opinion is the best bang for the cooking buck. It can be used for baking as well as frying, and its low-stick coating is completely renewable and gets better with age. I love stainless steel for other cookware, but not for frying. — S.D., Minnesota

Cutting down on holiday waste: I’ve been using reusable gift boxes for going on 20 years now. I discovered that men would rather give a gift unwrapped than deal with paper and tape. Gift boxes and bags were my solution. Christmas morning cleanup is so easy — just put the boxes back in the tub of giftwrapping stuff. — C.D., Wisconsin

Chocolate-dipped fortune cookies:

My kids have lists as long as their arms of people they would like to give gifts to, so I needed to come up with something cheap and cute for them to give out. I contacted one of our local Chinese restaurants to purchase a box of fortune cookies and discovered I could get 175 cookies for $11! With various sprinkles purchased at the Dollar Tree and dipping chocolate and wrapping bags (100 for $1.99) from a local discount party store, I’m looking at 100 great gifts for around $0.40 each. I am currently printing out tags that say “I am Fortune-ate to have you in my life.” And for anybody who did the math, I actually have 75 individually wrapped cookies to set out for my mom’s 60th birthday party, too. Thought I would share this in case anyone is still looking for cheap ideas. — S.S., West Virginia

Buy with a friend or family member:

When I was single, I did not need five pounds of ground chuck or 10 of any one item, and buy-one-get-one-free items would go to waste. So my friend and I decided we would split sales. Besides taking advantage of special offers, we would also split 10-pound bags of potatoes, oranges, onions, etc. — Sue, Texas
Note from Sara: This works well when shopping at wholesale clubs such as Sam’s or B.J.’s, too.

Pressure-cooking:

I like cooking in mass amounts. I save time by using a pressure cooker, which saves on energy because it cooks so quickly. I then can my meats, instead of using a freezer. I don’t have to pay for additional electricity, the food is cooked and ready to serve, it stores for years rather than months, and I only have to stay by the stove once for a limited number of meals.

If you like this idea, I began by checking out YouTube videos by michigansnowpony. I can cook pinto beans in six minutes of cooking time (plus a bit more time to let the pressure release and whatnot). A four-pound bag from Save-A-Lot was $4.19 and made eight quarts. The equivalent in canned pinto beans from Wal-Mart would have cost $1.48 per can, for a total of $23.44! I use the beans for chili, soups, refried beans, tostadas, etc. — M.H., Michigan

photo by docentjoyce

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The first reader tip shares how she uses them:

Use for croutons:

When a recipe requires breadcrumbs, I use croutons that I have put through my mini food chopper. I can buy a bag of croutons for $1 or so, compared to $3-4 for breadcrumbs. We don’t eat a lot of bread in our home, so I don’t have leftover bread to use. The croutons are a quick, easy and inexpensive substitute. — Jill H., email

Reusing grocery bags:

I take my own bags to the store, but I continue to use the fruit and vegetable bags as needed. I have several uses for them:
I use a bag to collect the stems, leaves, skins and whatever else is removed from fresh vegetables. The bag goes in the freezer, and whenever it gets full, I make my own vegetable broth. I also use these bags when we travel, to store things like lotion, hair spray and anything else that could leak in the suitcase. The bags also come in handy when we take our dog for walks. — Nancy T., email

Multi-grain cereal:

I’ve started eating cold cereal. Unfortunately, the multi-grain cereal with fruit in it that I like is REALLY expensive, whether it’s on sale or not. So, I’ve started putting a “base layer” in the bowl, made up of corn flakes, unsweetened puffed wheat, Cheerios or whatever sort of plain cereal I can get cheaply. Then I put a layer of the expensive stuff on top. Works fine! — Judi, New Hampshire

Use for vinegar:

When I have a cold, I drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in some water. I find it stops post-nasal drip and keeps the sinuses clearer, especially at night. If I catch it early enough, I am able to shorten the cold cycle by preventing the drip from going down my airways. — Nancy T., email

Detangle doll hair:

Use shampoo, conditioner and detangler, just like you would on your own hair. If it’s extra matted, try soaking the doll’s head in fabric softener and very hot water. Soak, rinse and then use a brush or comb. It just takes patience. — Pauline, Ohio

Save money for Christmas 2013:

Join the 52-week money challenge. Save money in small increments that gradually increase. Read more at frugalvillage.com/forums/money-challenges/151476-52-week-money-challenge.html.

Pressure canner tips:

I’ve taken an interest in canning over the past few years for nutritional reasons. Everything store-bought has way too much salt in it, not to mention other additives.
If you can grow your own produce, have access to excellent farmer’s markets or have nutritional concerns, I think canning is a good investment. It also helps if you can get the equipment inexpensively. I paid $2 for one of my canners at a garage sale, then spent another $8 online to get the manual for it, for a total cost of $10. I’ve picked up jars here and there, and I also inherited a bunch. If I had to go out and buy everything at full retail price in order to get started, I don’t think I would.
Here’s an excellent step-by-step illustrated guide that not only tells you how to can, it tells you why things need to be done a certain way: extension.usu.edu/utah/htm/fcs/food-preservation-canning/usda_home_canning. — S.D., Minnesota

photo by cooking gluten free

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Use leftover hamburger and hot dog buns:

I use them to make French toast. I fry them in a pan or on a griddle and sometimes bake them (at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes). –Lisa, Michigan

Homemade fabric softener:

I have been making my own fabric softener since I began making laundry detergent. I love this recipe:
2-3 gallons warm or room-temperature water
3 24-ounce or larger bottles of any scented hair conditioner
8-10 cups white vinegar
Immersion blender/whisk

Empty 3 bottles of conditioner into 5-gallon bucket. (Rinse the bottles with water to get all of the conditioner!) Add vinegar at these ratios, depending on the size of your conditioner bottles: 24-28 oz, add 8 cups; 32 ounces, add 9 cups; larger, add 10 cups. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar, I promise! Add 2 gallons water. Mix well with immersion blender or whisk. If mixture is too thick, add more water until it’s at a better consistency.
You can use this right away. Use 1/2 cup per load in the rinse cycle, or use it in your Downy Ball. A lot of people think that the conditioner is what softens your clothes, but it’s actually the vinegar. The conditioner is used just for its scent. — M.D., Ohio

Homemade fabric softener II:

4 cups Epsom salt
20 drops essential oil
Put in jar and mix well. Use 1/4 cup with laundry detergent. This works in hot or cold water. I use 10 drops lavender and 10 drops lemon essential oil. — Hope, North Carolina

Cleaning baked-on foods from pots and pans:

Add dishwasher detergent to hot water and soak the pan overnight. It works like a charm, but should never be used on aluminum, because it pits the metal. This method works well on CorningWare, stainless and Pyrex-type glass. — Dorothy “Doje” M., North Carolina

Homemade whipped cream:

Place a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. Open the can and pour off the liquid. (You can save the liquid for smoothies.) Scoop the remaining hardened coconut milk from the can and whip it until light and fluffy, then add flavoring, such as vanilla. Store any leftovers in the fridge. — Laura, New York

Uses for a coffee canister:

I use one as a scoop for planting soil out of the bag and for scooping pellets for my pellet stove. — Jaci, email

Tile grout cleaner:

Use in a well-ventilated area. Combine 7 cups water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia and 1/4 cup vinegar. Spray on grout, let set for an hour, then scrub with a scrub brush. — Amy J., Florida

photo by El Gran Dee

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Uses for pillowcases:

I made super-cute curtains from old pillowcases that were starting to get a bit thin. I just cut them open along the seam, folded over the edges, and pinned them down, then let the sewing machine do all the work! I inserted the rod through the cuff at the edge of the pillowcase. I keep all of my old linens and have made jewelry bags and cases for cellphones, sunglasses and even a GPS. — Carolyn, email

Cheeseburger sandwiches:

We love this recipe!
1 pound lean ground beef
1 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend
1 8-ounce package pasteurized processed cheese spread, diced
2 tablespoons milk
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 sandwich buns

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and garlic-pepper blend until thoroughly cooked. Drain. In a 3- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cooked ground beef and all remaining ingredients except buns; mix well. Cover; cook on low setting for 6 to 7 hours. To serve: Spoon mixture onto sandwich buns. — Denise, Illinois

Dust high shelves:

A window washing service will do it. My window washer routinely dusts my high ceiling fans and other hard-to-reach places. He will also change light bulbs and smoke detector batteries that are beyond the reach of a normal ladder! He helps with these small jobs when he is here for his “real job” of window washing. He has the appropriate ladders and equipment to do the jobs that most of us can’t reach. — Wendi, Arizona

Replacing paper towels:

Several years ago, I paid about $7 for a pack of about a dozen white terrycloth auto-detailing rags from Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart website lists a 25-pack of mechanics shop towels and a 12-pack of blue terrycloth detailer towels. I keep a bunch of these durable towels on hand in the kitchen to save on paper towels. — Lloyd, Washington

Reuse glass jars:

I keep all glass jars and large containers that come into my house. I’ve used some for gifts and storing everything from dog food to sewing/crafting supplies and homemade laundry detergent. The recycling value on glass in my area is basically nothing, and I find a new use for glass containers almost every day! — Leigh, California

Toothbrush tip:

Pour boiling water over your toothbrushes or soak them in hydrogen peroxide. This cleans them and also straightens the bristles so they look like new. This will increase the life of your brushes and save you some cash! — Brilly, Australia

Wax your own eyebrows:

I wax my own eyebrows, which saves me about $15 a month! The wax/strips/sticks are inexpensive compared to the cost of having it done by a pro, and they last a long time. I have had the same tub of wax for close to two years! — Holly, Tennessee

photo by Beckyf

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Repurpose:

I bought a multi-pocket bag at the thrift store. I’m going to use it to create a large first-aid kit for my truck. — S.D., Minnesota

Salvage notions:

When I’ve got used clothes that are so torn, worn or stained that they aren’t worthy of even a donation to Goodwill, I glean buttons, elastic, hooks, snaps and zippers from them that I use later in my sewing projects. I cut up the rest of the fabric to use as rags or tear it into strips to make rag rugs. — C.L., Mississippi

Turn off power:

If you have central air conditioning and you have a big unit outside, go switch off the breaker on the outside unit to avoid using up “phantom power.” Phantom power is electricity that is wasted on electrical appliances that are plugged in but not powered up. Many of these devices are designed to come on quickly with the use of a remote, which means that even while they are off, they are drawing energy and running up your electric bill. — S.S., Indiana

Handy measurement:

Whenever I find myself without a tape measure, I can still get a reasonably accurate measurement using currency. Bills are about six inches long, and I’ve used them more than once in a pinch to get a rough measurement. — S.D., Minnesota

Get a hobby job:

My hubby and I are motorcycle enthusiasts, with two Harleys of our own. I got a part-time job at my favorite independent motorcycle shop about a year ago to earn a little extra money. I love it! Not only am I learning a lot about the care and maintenance of motorcycles, I also get an employee discount on parts and labor. We have a consignment shelf at the shop for people to sell used parts, and I’ve saved a lot of money buying from there. And I even have my own display in the shop where I sell key chains and headbands, adding even more to my income. This part-time job is paying off in many frugal ways! — Mary, Texas

Donate:

As a community service project through ORT America – Desert Chapter in Arizona, we have been collecting hotel amenities for homeless veterans and hospitalized vets at the V.A. for many years. We get toothpaste and toothbrushes from dentists, as well as travel-size soaps and shampoos from friends and acquaintances who travel, and we pack them in individual bags for homeless and sick veterans. They have given up so much for our safety and defense, it is the least we can do for them. — Sharon S., Arizona

photo by nomadic lass

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Squeeze citrus:

To squeeze key limes, I use a garlic press. Cut the limes crosswise, then pinch them a little so that the lime halves fit into the press. This method yields much more juice than juicing by hand. — Karen B., email

Stain removal:

This is in reference to M.K from Canada, whose husband’s shirt had a large, indelible-ink stain that wasn’t responding to the usual removal methods. I had that exact situation, and the fact that my shirt had been washed prior to discovering the stain increased the ink’s resistance to treatment (most labels state this). After exhausting all the usual remedies, what worked for me was Carbona Stain Devils No. 3. It took a couple of days to soak out, but there was no trace of ink, not even in the seams or topstitching. There was no faded or “worked on” area either. Carbona is a German line of about a dozen stain-specific solutions in small, yellow, wedge-shaped bottles, each costing around $4. If the shirt is worth it, check your local grocery and hardware stores for Carbona.
I recommended Carbona to a friend who needed to remove a red lipstick stain from her white suit and the dove-gray seat of her new car. She went through several bottles, but that was a small price to pay to restore the upholstered seat. The suit was easy by comparison; the bright red-pigmented grease completely disappeared. — Meg, email
Note from Sara: Carbona can be purchased online at carbona.com.

Clean tough burnt-on stains off stainless cookware:

Here’s a technique for when soaking and scraping doesn’t work! Put a mixture of water and lots of Ajax or Comet cleanser (I use a cleanser with bleach) in the pan and boil for a while, making sure the pan doesn’t run dry (turn on the vent fan, because you don’t want to be breathing this). Let it cool, then wash as usual. You’ll have a sparkling clean pan. — C.L., Mississippi
If your stained pan has no plastic parts, you can run it through the self-clean cycle on your oven. — S.D., Minnesota

Old turtlenecks:

You can cut off the collar and use it as a headband. No need to sew — just fold under the side you cut from the shirt. You can attach a silk or fabric flower to it for an added decoration. — Linda, New York

Nail decals or stickers:

Nail decals and stickers can be used to accessorize most anything. I’ve seen them on glasses and sunglasses, adding personalization and some flair. — Gina, New York

photo by allaboutgeorge

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Make cat toys:

Insert catnip and sew the opening closed. You can add yarn or ribbon to drag or dangle the toy, or put a jingle bell inside, too. Catnip is a perennial herb; you can grow it indoors or outdoors for added savings.

Craft cute ornaments for next year:

Stuff a baby sock with poly-fil and make mini snowmen. For instructions, visit spoonful.com/crafts/baby-sock-snowmen or crafts.kaboose.com/sock-snowman-ornament.html.

Other uses:

Baby socks can be used a body scrubber with soap slivers inside. Polish leather shoes or purses, or use them to dust and clean around your home.
The first reader shares how she reuses baby socks:

Reuse baby socks:

I use baby socks to cover the hot things in my car, like the gearshift and the glowplug pull. My mechanic laughed his head off when he first saw them and then asked me where to buy them when I came back to pick the car up. — Edna, Texas

Re-purpose clothing:

Our family’s worn-out clothes get a second life as rags. I cut the tips off the socks so they don’t accidentally wind up back in the sock drawer, and I cut the T-shirts into smaller, more manageable pieces. All these rags of varying sizes are kept in a small plastic trash bin under the kitchen sink. The kids know exactly where to go and what to do when there’s a spill.
We also reuse our plastic grocery bags as garbage bags. They fit perfectly over the kitchen trash bin when the handles of the grocery bag are gently stretched and secured over the sides of the trash bin. There’s really no need to buy plastic trash bags. — Connie, Rhode Island

Fels-Naptha rave:

I found two bars packed together in a bag at a thrift store for $1. I bought it because I remember my grandmother and mother using it. I recently moistened the bar and rubbed it on a grease spot on a gray sweater. It took the stain out! I am so happy, this was a dollar well-spent. — Elena, email

New laundry soap recipe:

I decided to try dry soap, so here is what I did:
1 large plastic cat litter tub
2 boxes Borax
2 boxes washing soda
8 pounds baking soda or OxiClean
6 bars Fels-Naptha soap (fine ground in food processor)
1 bottle Purex scent crystals (I used lavender), 32-load size
1 small box Gain powder, optional (I just added this for the scent.)
Stir in some of each and continue adding in layers as it fills the tub and gets hard to mix. I ended up using my hands. I put some in the Purex bottle and use the little cap to measure out about two tablespoons. It should last the year. I used it last night and was very happy with it. Total cost was about $30-35, or $2.91 a month, which equates to roughly 10 cents per load. — Cricket, Texas

Lye soap for stains:

I made some lye soap recently and just used some on one of my ruined new tops. The soap took out the grease stains, and my top is good as new again! It even rescued one of my husband’s T-shirts. Be careful what you use it on, but it worked great for me! Both of the shirts I used it on were cotton or cotton blend. — C.H., South Carolina

photo by Ken Wilcox

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Holiday clearance sales are a great way to buy gift items or add to your home inventory. Many of the items in these sales are not in traditional holiday colors, and clearance products cover much more than just candy and decorations now, too.
Look for kitchen tools, paper goods, home scents, health and beauty items, clothing and accessories, dishes and cookware, craft supplies and appliances, to name a few.
The first reader tip shares another great clearance product to stock up on:

Shop holiday clearance:

Look for baking items. I went to my local Aldi store and found pumpkin pancake mix for 25 cents per box. I bought all of it, which was around 30 boxes; I’ll keep 10 boxes and donate the rest. I also bought 40 boxes of Halloween brownie mix (the kind you frost and decorate) at 25 cents per box; I’ll keep 20 and donate the rest. Frosting and cake mixes were also available for 25 cents per box. People may be inclined to think that because there’s a holiday on the box it must taste different, but it’s actually the same as the regular product. — Nana, Illinois

Lunch organization:

I have a list posted inside one of my cabinet doors noting what each person likes for lunch. I just go down the list to make sure everything is packed. I also have everything organized in bins. All the sandwich-making supplies, for instance, are in a single bin in the fridge. — Cookie, Mississippi

Silicone baking cups:

I use those silicon cupcake liners to freeze food in. Once it’s frozen, I pop the food out and put it in a Ziploc bag in the freezer. I make big batches of steel-cut oatmeal, which takes forever to cook, then I freeze it in single-portion sizes. It works perfectly. I live alone, so I freeze a lot of what I can’t eat right away. I don’t throw out food! This method would be good for soups, casseroles and stews, too. — Peggy, email

Christmas giftwrap:

Instead of using gift tags, I use different colored wrapping paper for each person. So everything blue is for one person, everything red is for another person, etc. The paper doesn’t have to be identical, just the same color. I group them all by color under the tree, too. — Olivia, Ohio

Reuse jars:

I save my peanut butter containers. It’s a messy job, but it feels good to keep them out of the landfill. They’re large, transparent containers that aren’t too pretty to write on or label, and they don’t break if they’re dropped. — M.H.H., email

Stretch the food budget:

Find foods whose prices have remained stable and use them more. We’re eating a lot more carrots — they’re healthy and inexpensive, and their price hasn’t fluctuated much. They’ve become a much more frequent ingredient or veggie side in our household than they once were. Try out new foods that you haven’t tried before, to replace some of your more expensive usuals. I’ve started experimenting with different greens when they’re on sale. For example, we had eaten lots of spinach and rapini (broccoli rabe), but not kale. Now kale shows up on the table as I experiment with new foods in an effort to get the most bang for my buck while still eating healthy.
You can also find seasonal items at decent prices. Since it’s in season, pumpkin has been a good budget stretcher for us. An extra-large pumpkin goes a long way. — G.G., forums

photo by i see modern britain

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After baking a pie, you might have some dough scraps. Use them up! Make a tasty treat by rolling out the extra dough and cutting it into strips. Top with a little butter, cinnamon and sugar, and bake.
The first reader tip shares another idea:

Leftover pie dough:

As a kid, my aunt made thumbprint cookies from leftover pie dough. Basically she rolled leftover pieces of dough into a small cookie-sized ball, then pressed down with her thumb to make an indentation. She’d fill it with jam or preserves and bake. You could also use pie filling to make them tastier. — Olive, Florida

Invest in a bread maker:

I have a bread maker and a book with lots of bread recipes, and I use them a lot! I make my own pizza crusts, bagels, hot dog and hamburger buns. Last week I made a dinner loaf with hamburger meat, cheese, and mushroom soup and rolled it up in Italian-style dough.
I also make pretzel-bread rolls, which are a huge hit. Start with the pretzel dough recipe, then add baking soda to water and bring it to a simmer. Put the rolls in the water for about a minute, then bake them at 425 degrees F for about 10 to 15 minutes. It makes a really tasty sandwich. — Bev, email

Treat the underside of countertops:

I read your recent column in which a reader had a problem with the laminate countertop over the dishwasher being ruined because of opening the door to dry the dishes. When I remodeled my kitchen and had new countertops installed, the installer told me that it’s very important to seal the underside of the countertop, because most dishwashers have a steam vent at the top of the door, and the steam ruins the underside of the countertop. I varnished that area when the dishwasher was being installed, and 10 years later the countertop remains in perfect condition. — Elaine, Iowa

Dipped candy canes:

At Christmas, I like to make chocolate-dipped candy canes. They’re delicious when added to hot chocolate or coffee. I dip the canes in melted chocolate and roll them into candy pieces and sprinkles. The hook makes a perfect little handle. Sometimes I poke the dipped end of the candy cane into a marshmallow, too. My daughter looks forward to them every year. — Laura S., New York

Heart-shaped cinnamon rolls:

Roll your dough out in a rectangular shape, then roll both ends in toward the center until they meet, forming the top of the heart. Slice like you would when making jelly rolls. Pinch the bottom of each sliced section of dough to form the point of the heart shape, then bake as usual. — Carla, Ohio

Cured bacon:

I decided to try curing bacon at home instead of buying it at the store, using this recipe on a pork loin: ruhlman.com/2010/10/home-cured-bacon-2. I used dried thyme and powdered garlic, and I added a teaspoon of cinnamon. The bacon cured for three weeks in a covered ice-cream bucket in our fridge. I turned it once a week. After it cured, I smoked it on the grill using some apple wood our neighbor gave us when he cut down his tree. My husband and the kids loved it — even my younger daughter who does not like bacon. It was much leaner than regular bacon, because I didn’t use pork belly. None of us care for fatty bacon anyway. — Katrinka G., forums

photo by Tracy Hunter

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