Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce by Chef Mommy.
It turned out REALLY well for me, and was delicious! I used the leftovers in a bean soup and it was amazing.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Pork Tenderloin with Pan Sauce
I'm always up for a new recipe, and the other day I ran across this one for
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Thrifty Homemaking on a Middle Class Budget: Dinners #1
I have browsed the internet for YEARS looking for meal ideas to fit our rather low-end budget, and have come up with mostly naught. I've came across GREAT websites with AWESOME ideas, don't get me wrong, but these websites showcased "budgets" of over $150-$200 per week for these great menu plans. That is, unfortunately, unfeasible for us.
SO, in light of this, I have developed and discovered a few good tips over the years and want to share them with you. :-)
We are a single income family of eight with a grocery budget of approximately $80 weekly.
Yes, I said $80.00 per week to feed all seven of us (one is a baby) breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
One way that I have found to do this is by cutting the meat budget.
(Disclaimer: These meals are not specifically gluten free and not specifically SUPER healthy. We do what we have to do within our budget in order to not go hungry, and that does not include organic foods and grass-fed meats at the present time.)
I spend about $25.00 per week on meat for 7 or 8 dinners. To do this, I buy 4 of the 10# bags of chicken quarters from my local grocery store at .59 per pound, and divvy it between meals.
SO, in light of this, I have developed and discovered a few good tips over the years and want to share them with you. :-)
We are a single income family of eight with a grocery budget of approximately $80 weekly.
Yes, I said $80.00 per week to feed all seven of us (one is a baby) breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
One way that I have found to do this is by cutting the meat budget.
(Disclaimer: These meals are not specifically gluten free and not specifically SUPER healthy. We do what we have to do within our budget in order to not go hungry, and that does not include organic foods and grass-fed meats at the present time.)
I spend about $25.00 per week on meat for 7 or 8 dinners. To do this, I buy 4 of the 10# bags of chicken quarters from my local grocery store at .59 per pound, and divvy it between meals.
This one is frozen but they are sold thawed.
We have just recently begun to do all of our chicken cooking at the same time, on Fridays, along with all the work of deboning and chopping to save time and energy.
When we can grill them, we do, but when we can't, I bake them skin on and skin-side up at 375* for 45 minutes to an hour depending on the thickness of the quarters. When juices run clear they are done.
After they are cooked, we let them cool for a bit and then strip the skin off and start taking the meat off of the bones, being careful of the little sharp bugger in the leg.
Once the chicken is off of the bone, we chop it to casserole-sized pieces and bag it for the fridge/freezer in meal appropriate portions:
I label the bags with the date cooked.
They are usually good in the fridge for 4-5 days, and in the freezer indefinitely! All that needs to be done is a little sauteing in a pan with some oil or nuke it if you have a microwave. :-)
Recipes for this method coming in my next post!
And this photo is just because she's a cutie!
See you next time on
Homemaking on a Middle Class Budget: Dinners #2
Homemaking on a Middle Class Budget: Dinners #2
Monday, July 2, 2012
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CAKE W/LAYERS
STRAWBERRY LEMONADE CAKE W/LAYERS ~
(Just in time for the Fourth)
INGREDIENTS:
•One box of strawberry cake mix (plus oil, water and eggs as directed on box)
•8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese (softened to room temp.)
•1 packet (0.23oz.) of Kool-Aid Lemonade
•Yellow food coloring gel (as desired for color)
•2cups Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme
•8 oz. Cool Whip Topping
•Fresh strawberries to garnish.
DIRECTIONS:
•Make cake according to box and bake in 2- 9 inch round cake pans as directed. Turn finished cakes over on cake racks and allow to cool completely.
•Cream together cream cheese, lemonade and yellow food coloring until smooth.
•Mix marshmallow creme in and then mix in Cool Whip until completely smooth. Refrigerate until cake is cooled and cut.
•Cut each cake layer in half.
•Alternating layers of cake with layers of filling, assemble cake. End with layer of filling.
•Top with sliced strawberries.
•Refrigerate and serve chilled.
ENJOY
~Debbie~
SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=357907667616231&set=a.315453138528351.72812.119825421424458&type=1&ref=nf
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
*RECIPE* Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Pancakes
Ingredients:
4 pounds potatoes, peeled
2 large onions
1 egg
1 & 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp lemon juice
Ground nutmeg
Oil or vegetable shortening
1 Tbsp salt
Directions:
- Put raw potatoes and onions through food grinder, using fine blade. Drain thoroughly.
- Mix in egg, flour, baking powder, lemon juice, a pinch of nutmeg, and salt.
- Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls into two inches of hot oil (375*F).
- Fry for about ten minutes or until golden brown. Drain.
~Serves 6~
Friday, April 27, 2012
Best Brownies EVER! *Recipe*
Best Brownies EVER! (From scratch too!)
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.
2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
4. To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.
**I double the recipe for a family size pan (13x9) and increase baking time by 4 minutes. Frosting is optional of course. :-)
Monday, January 30, 2012
Peanut Butter Balls:
Ingredients:
*4 cups powdered sugar,
*18 oz creamy peanut butter,
*1/2 cup butter, softened,
*aprox. 12oz milk chocolate chips
*1/2 bar parafin wax.
Directions:
* Mix together peanut butter, sugar, and butter in a large bowl until all of the sugar has been mixed in then cover and refrigerate while melting the chocolate.
* Melt chocolate chips and wax on stovetop in a double boiler.
* Take peanut butter mixture out of the refrigerator and roll into small balls.
* Using a fork or toothpick, dip balls into chocolate and coat well.
* Let excess drip and then place on wax paper or greased foil.
* Let sit until chocolate is firm and then refrigerate.
*4 cups powdered sugar,
*18 oz creamy peanut butter,
*1/2 cup butter, softened,
*aprox. 12oz milk chocolate chips
*1/2 bar parafin wax.
Directions:
* Mix together peanut butter, sugar, and butter in a large bowl until all of the sugar has been mixed in then cover and refrigerate while melting the chocolate.
* Melt chocolate chips and wax on stovetop in a double boiler.
* Take peanut butter mixture out of the refrigerator and roll into small balls.
* Using a fork or toothpick, dip balls into chocolate and coat well.
* Let excess drip and then place on wax paper or greased foil.
* Let sit until chocolate is firm and then refrigerate.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Borax Free Laundry Detergent *Revised*
You can view my old recipe/post HERE, but after playing around with the recipe this year, I have made a few revisions, and this time I have photos!
To start with, you will need 2 bars of regular body soap. Any scent you would like, any brand you would prefer. Dr Bronners has good natural body soap in a variety of scents if you would like a natural soap. I used Softsoap or Dial most of the time just because it is more cost-efficient. :-)
You will also need one cup of washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) and one cup of baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).
Hardware includes a large stock pot, a metal or wooden stirring utensil, a five gallon bucket with a lid (for safety), and hot tap water. I got my five gallon bucket from my dad who has a pool, I just washed it really well, but Hardware Stores like Lowes usually carry them for about $3-$5 each.
To begin:
#1 - Cut, chop, shred, or grate the bars of soap. The smaller the pieces, the better and quicker they will melt.
#2 - In your stockpot, combine your soap shreds and 2 cups of hot water, and stir over medium heat until soap pieces have melted. *Do not leave unattended for too long, because soap will burn.*
#3 - When soap has melted, add your additional 2 cups of hot water and stir together. Then reduce heat to medium-low and add your baking soda and washing soda. Stir well until the powders are dissolved.
#4 - At this point you can add a fragrance oil or essential oil of your choosing if you would like. For this batch, I am using coconut scented soap, and I am adding about a tablespoon of lemongrass essential oil for additional fragrance.
#5 - Now, pour your soap mixture *carefully, it's hot!* into your five gallon bucket, and fill the bucket to about 2 inches from the top with hot tap water.
#6 - Once the bucket is full, stir well to combine soap mixture and water, cover, and let sit overnight.
#7 - The next morning, you should notice a gel like consistency at the top of the bucket. This is good! This is how it is suppose to look. :-) Stir the contents of your bucket well, and you should now have a slightly lumpy looking thick liquid. This is your "concentrate". You can do what I do and just leave it in the bucket and use 1/2 cup per load. It make things easier. Be sure to stir the bucket contents about once per week. However, you can also use an old detergent container and fill it halfway with your concentrate and half with warm water. Shake gently before each use, and use 1 cup per load.
The total cost to make this detergent is about $3.00 per batch, and each batch can do about 100 loads at 1/2 cup per load, making the cost about $0.03 per load. :-)
A recipe for a powdered detergent can be found HERE.
Enjoy! Comment! Let us know how it works for you!
To start with, you will need 2 bars of regular body soap. Any scent you would like, any brand you would prefer. Dr Bronners has good natural body soap in a variety of scents if you would like a natural soap. I used Softsoap or Dial most of the time just because it is more cost-efficient. :-)
 |
| Photo Credit http://igknowidea.blogspot.com |
You will also need one cup of washing soda (Sodium Carbonate) and one cup of baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate).
 |
| Photo Credit http://greenergreener.com |
Hardware includes a large stock pot, a metal or wooden stirring utensil, a five gallon bucket with a lid (for safety), and hot tap water. I got my five gallon bucket from my dad who has a pool, I just washed it really well, but Hardware Stores like Lowes usually carry them for about $3-$5 each.
To begin:
#1 - Cut, chop, shred, or grate the bars of soap. The smaller the pieces, the better and quicker they will melt.
 |
| Photo Credit http://1.bp.blogspot.com |
#2 - In your stockpot, combine your soap shreds and 2 cups of hot water, and stir over medium heat until soap pieces have melted. *Do not leave unattended for too long, because soap will burn.*
#3 - When soap has melted, add your additional 2 cups of hot water and stir together. Then reduce heat to medium-low and add your baking soda and washing soda. Stir well until the powders are dissolved.
#4 - At this point you can add a fragrance oil or essential oil of your choosing if you would like. For this batch, I am using coconut scented soap, and I am adding about a tablespoon of lemongrass essential oil for additional fragrance.
#5 - Now, pour your soap mixture *carefully, it's hot!* into your five gallon bucket, and fill the bucket to about 2 inches from the top with hot tap water.
#6 - Once the bucket is full, stir well to combine soap mixture and water, cover, and let sit overnight.
#7 - The next morning, you should notice a gel like consistency at the top of the bucket. This is good! This is how it is suppose to look. :-) Stir the contents of your bucket well, and you should now have a slightly lumpy looking thick liquid. This is your "concentrate". You can do what I do and just leave it in the bucket and use 1/2 cup per load. It make things easier. Be sure to stir the bucket contents about once per week. However, you can also use an old detergent container and fill it halfway with your concentrate and half with warm water. Shake gently before each use, and use 1 cup per load.
The total cost to make this detergent is about $3.00 per batch, and each batch can do about 100 loads at 1/2 cup per load, making the cost about $0.03 per load. :-)
A recipe for a powdered detergent can be found HERE.
Enjoy! Comment! Let us know how it works for you!
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