Vegetarian "Burger" Mix

This recipe firms up well and has a cooked meat color when done.

I cup cooked lentils
1 cup cooked barley
1 grated onion, potato and carrot
I cup fresh bread crumbs
 2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp ground flax
flour as needed to form mix
other seasonings as desired, fennel works well as does celery

Mix well and let set until moisture is absorbed.
Form into patties and fry in oil.
Can also be used for a "meat" loaf.

A Salvage Shop

Yesterday I did a salvage shop as we were just about out of coffee.

 It had been a couple of months and I noticed prices there are rising, too.

 But I did manage to discover enough deals to make the trip worthwhile.

 Actually the coffee alone makes it worthwhile for us.

 My cupboards are now full again.

 Here is what I bought and what it cost me.

Flour tortillas (2)  $0.25 each
Crackers (2)   $0.50 each
Cereal   $0.99
Cereal   $1.00
Cereal.  $0.50
Ginger snaps (2)   $0.99 each
Cracker Barrel mac and cheese (3)   $0.75 each
Croutons (2)  $0.50 each
Golden raisins (2)  $1.99 each
Sauerkraut   $0.49
Spinach   $0.49
Coffee (2)  $2.99 each
Tomato paste (3).  $0.79 each
Coffee (14)   $1.99 each
Seafood broth   $0.75
Breakfast flats   $0.89
Natural peanut butter (2).   $1.99 each
Carb bars   $0.99
Croutons (2)   $0.50 each
Pickles (2)   $0.99 each
Dry roasted peanuts  $1.50
Evaporated milk (8)   $0.25 each
Pam (3)  $1.50 each
Canned beans (2)   $0.10 each
Enchilada sauce  $0.10
Mole sauce  $0.49
Tortellini  $0.75
Salad dressing  $0.50
Bay leaves  $0.99
Salsa (2)   $0.50 each
Mixed fruit ( 2)   $0.75 each

Homemade Polenta In The Slow Cooker

I tried something new and wanted to share.  It turned out really well and was so easy.  It takes time but no effort.

1 cup cornmeal
3 cups boiling water
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs butter

Place all ingredients in a sprayed slow cooker and cook four hours on high.
 Sure beats cooking on the stove with all the stirring.
You can serve as is but I put mine into a greased loaf pan and let it chill overnight.
 I then slice it, coat the slices with flour and fry until golden brown.
Lovely with maple syrup for breakfast or with spaghetti sauce for dinner.

More Breakfast Ideas

Judi Strauss from the Charmed Kitchen has had some good breakfast recipes lately.

Mini Dutch Babies

Preheat to 425
In blender mix
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup flour

Divide the mixture evenly in a greased muffin tin
Add jam or jelly, about 1 tsp, to center of each
Bake 18-20 minutes
Serve sprinkled with powdered sugar


Irish Soda Bread Scones

Preheat to 425
Mix together
2 cups flour
3 tbs sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter
1/2 c raisins
2/3 c buttermilk
1 egg
1 tsp caraway seed, optional

Once thoroughly mixed place dough in center of parchment lined pan and form into one large round.
Bake until tester comes out clean.  Cut into wedges.



Banana Fritters

2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Oil for trying
1 cup powdered sugar with 1 tsp cinnamon in bag for shaking and coating once fried

Drop by small spoonfuls into oil and fry until both sides are brown.
Make sure the oil is hot or the dough will absorb the oil and be heavy.
Makes a lot.  Can be frozen.

April Personal Care and Household Expenses

1. Household:   10 spatulas and 6 storage containers  $15  Kitchen Supply Store
My spatulas had definitely seem better days and we needed more storage containers for the freezer.

2.  Personal Care:  spring pedicure  $25
      Winter is never kind to my feet.

3.  Household:  dishwasher detergent  $1.06  Dollar Tree

4.  Personal Care:  toothpaste  $1  Dollar Tree

Household Total:  $16.06
Personal Care Total:  $26

Quarterly Entertainment Expenses: January -March

January:

Amazon Prime to access tv with ROKU  $10


February:

Free ticket to EVITA at the Playhouse with Angela

Amazon Prime TV  $10

March:

Amazon Prime TV $10

Quarterly :$30 or $10/month

We have tried to go see a movie several times but have yet to make it.

We have however, been enjoying movies and audio books from the library, on an almost nightly basis.  And, the popcorn is cheaper.  :)
We watched The Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, and Bohemian Rhapsody among others.  I highly recommend them.

Quarterly Household and Personal Care Expenses: January -March

Here are the quarterly numbers.

Personal Care:$180.85 or an average of $60.28/month.

This is significantly over our $25/ month goal but future months should help lower the average since it was the skin care products that took it over.  Those will be good for the year.

Household:  $35.58 or an average of $11.86/ month.

This is just over our $10/ month goal.

On to less expensive quarters.

Frugal Things In April

1.  Bruce the cat shared his home for part of our vacation.  We stayed for free and he was loved and taken care of while his human was away.

2.  Self-catering while on vacation saves us a fortune:  about 75% off what eating out would cost!

3.  I found some yarn on Freecycle. 20 skeins in total!  Free!

4.  Mike and I went out to lunch and used a "bring a friend coupon".  We saved $9.