Monday, November 25, 2024

2024. More From The Tightwad Gazette. Number 5

Here are some recipes courtesy of The Tightwad Gazette.

1.    Salad dressing can be expensive, especially when you compare them to the cost of the ingredients.  Here is an easy one to try if you want to save $$$ by making your own.

                                                                              Italian Vinaigrette

1/2 cup cider or red wine vinegar             1 1/2 cups Olive or vegetable oil.             2 garlic cloves, crushed 

3/4 tsp salt.                        1/4 to 1/2 tsp pepper.                     1 Tbs  minced chives or parsley.         

1 tsp dry mustard or 1 Tbs prepared mustard.                  1/2 tsp dried basil, oregano or mixed Italian herbs

Combine everything in a large jar with a tight fitting lid.  Shake well before using.  Makes a quart.  Also good as a marinade.  

Google for other recipes you might want to try.


2.  Sometimes it is easy to modify a recipe to save money or to use what you have in the cupboard.

                                                           Have It Your Way Seafood Casserole 

4-6 ounces of sale pasta, any shape you like or have.       More pasta means more or larger servings 

1/2 cup mayonnaise , store brand works

1/2 cup milk or dry white wine.         The wine gives a very nice flavor and I like to use it but adds to $$$

1 can condensed cream soup.     I don’t use soup, I make a white sauce version of a celery soup. Less $$$

1 cup shredded cheese (4 oz).       I use mozzarella and Parmesan mixed but use what you have

1/2 tsp dry mustard or 1Tbs prepared mustard

6-8 ounces drained canned shrimp, crab or tuna     If we aren’t having company I use tuna, much cheaper 

Crunchy topping       Buttered bread crumbs, crushed chips or slivered almonds   I use bread crumbs

Cook pasta and drain.  Combine ingredients through the must and mix well.  Add seafood and stir.  Transfer to baking dish.  Cover and bake at 350 for thirty minutes.  Uncover and top with crunchy topping.  Bake 5-10 minutes more.  Makes 6-8 servings 

The last time I priced this out, using the less expensive choices cut the cost over half.


3.  This bread was called Cuban bread in the Tightwad Gazette.  I have no idea why.   But, I do know that it makes a good and quick loaf of bread.  You can double the recipe if you have a bigger family.

3 cups all purpose flour       1 Tbs yeast        1 Tbs sugar      1 Tbs salt         2 cups water (120-130 degrees)

I use my stand mixer for this but you can definitely make it by hand.  Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt.  Add the water and mix until the dough is well mixed and no longer sticky.   Kneed for about 5 minutes.Let the dough rest for 15-20 minutes.  Shape into a loaf.  I make a round one but you can make the more traditional loaf.   Cut an x into the top of a round loaf or two slashes into the loaf.  Place onto the middle rack of a COLD oven.  Place a pan of hot water on the bottom rack.  Turn the oven to 400 and bake 40-50 minutes until deep golden brown.   75 minutes from start to finish.  That is fast!


4.  This recipe is good to have in the refrigerator for quick bread products that can be done at the last minute.  If you get a little past it’s suggested life in your fridge just expect a sourdough taste.  Definitely not a problem.  This dough works great for dinner rolls, doughnuts, hot cross buns, and bread once it reaches the sourdough stage.

                                                               Potato Flakes Refrigerator Dough

1 Tbs yeast          3/4 cup warm water          1/3 cup sugar          3/4 tsp salt     1/3 cup oil

1 egg1 cup mashed potatoes from potato flakes      3-3.5 cups flour

Mic ingred in bowl of mixer and beat about 5 minutes.  Cover bowl tightly and refrigerate atleat 8 hours or until ready to use.   Let rise 1.5 hours before baking  in 400 degree ovenqq

The dough stays sweet for 5 days and sourdough for a further two days.


5.  I am not a fan of processed pudding mixes.  I prefer to make it from scratch.  I do it in the microwave.

                                                              Vanilla Pudding 

1/2 cup sugar        3 Tbs corn starch       2 c whole milk          2 egg yolks        1 Tbs butter         1 T vanilla 

Mix all the ingredients but the butter and vanilla well.  Cook in the microwave in two minute intervals, stirring between intervals, until thick.  Add butter and vanilla and mix well.   Let cool.

                                                             Chocolate Pudding 

Add 6 Tbs cocoa.

                                                             Butterscotch Pudding 

Use brown sugar instead of white sugar.


6.  I buy reduced bananas at 19cents/pound.  Logic says I need recipes for ripe bananas.  Here is one I use.

                                                                     Banana Toast

1 or 2 ripe bananas, smashed very well          2 eggs             1 tsp cinnamon            Bread

Mix the first three ingredients well.  Dip bread into mixture and cook in buttered pan.  Serve with maple syrup.


7.   Casseroles are frugal and a good way to use leftovers and bits and pieces.    Here is a guideline for creating a casserole from what you have.

1 cup main ingredient such as chicken, tuna, ham, hamburger, cooked legumes, ham

1 cup second ingredient such as mushrooms, peas, sweet peppers, diced tomatoes 

2 cups starchy ingredient such as pasta, rice, potatoes

1 1/2 cups binder such as cream sauce, sour cream, canned soup, thickened broth

Seasoning such as herbs and spices

Topping ingredient such as crushed chips, cheese, bread crumbs

Thoroughly combine all but topping ingredients.  If too dry, add milk or stock to moisten.  Bake in a casserole dish at 350 for 30 minutes.  Add topping and cook for 15 minutes more.


8.  As I age I am trying to eat more whole grains.  That is made easier by using the following Universal Pilaf Recipe.

1 cup of uncooked grain such as rice, barley, bulgur, couscous

2 Tbs olive oil, vegetable oil, butter

Base vegetable such as garlic, onion, green onions 

2 cups liquid such as broth or water

1/2 to 2/3 cups of protein such as chicken, tuna, beans, fish, shellfish, hamburger 

Additional vegetables such as peas, carrots, corn,green peppers, celery, mushrooms 

Seasoning of your choice 

Heat fat in a large skillet and add the base vegetable.  Add the meat, grain and then liquid and bring to a boil.  Add the additional vegetables and seasoning and return to a boil.Simmer until all the liquid is absorbed.










Sunday, November 17, 2024

2024 October Frugal Things

1.   I cooked up the bones from several turkey breasts and made broth.  I got two quarts of good broth.  Then I did a final look through the bones and got enough bits and pieces for a nice pot of soup.  Basically all free.

2.  We inventoried the cupboards and freezer so that we know what we have.  We will now base meals on leftovers we have.

3.    I made a large batch of cinnamon rolls (13) using refrigerator potato dough.   Cost was less than $2.

4.   We went to Canada for the Shaw Festival and paid for our hotel room with points.

5.   Now that we are out of the rv I have been baking more:  whole wheat bread, rye bread, English muffins, pizza crust, cinnamon raisin bread.  Each cost me less than a dollar to make.  Quite a savings.



2024. Buying and Eating: November 1-15

 Allocation:   $390  

Cushion:   $898.80


What We Ate:  creamy pasta and sausage, winter squash, yogurt and fruit;     PBJ (2);     Scalloped potatoes and ham, bananas and milk, winter squash, garlic bread;     Ribs, cheesy rice, mu’s tossed salad#3;     Fried bologna sandwich, popcorn;     Asian wings, fried rice, tossed salad #3;     Italian meatloaf, baked potatoes, green beans almandine, salad;     Stuffed pepper soup and salad;     Spaghetti and meatballs, Italian green beans, Italian cheese bread (3);     Beefy French onion casserole, ramen salad, cheesy creamed corn;     Frittata with toast


What We Bought:  

Aldi:  half and half, sour cream, broccoli, California medley, Asian blend, peas (2), gala apples, cabbage, Roma tomatoes.      $15.55

Aldi:  cottage cheese, mushrooms.  $3.98

Aldi:  bagels (2), butter (6), juice blend, carrots (2#), cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup (4)$42.05

Total     $61.58


Eating Out:

$22.28. Breakfast with Mike 


YTD   316 days

Total    $2808.06     $8.90/day     $4.45/person/day

Grocery   $2029.61       $6.42/day     $3.21/person/ day 

Eating Out     $777.45       $2.46/day      $1.23/person/day

 Remaining Allocation      $305.14


Monday, November 4, 2024

2024 More From the Tightwad Gazette. Number 4

Some  more ideas from the Tightwad Gazette:


 1.  Fresh veggies in the winter for sandwiches, stir fry or salads can be grown easily and cheaply at home with water, seeds, and a jar.  Sprouts are easy to grow from most dried beans and some seeds, and they are quick and inexpensive to grow.  They are also very nutrition packed.  It’s easy to grow a wide variety if you have jars and a windowsill.  Google it.

2.  When running errands around lunch or dinner time, my husband and/or I might start to get hungry before we can get home.  To avoid a spur-of-the-moment meal out, we keep a small stash of snacks in the car ( crackers, nuts, fruit leather, breakfast bars) to tide us over.  This has saved us many a meal out and the resulting cost.

3.  A nearby grocery store publishes a get your flue vaccine shot from them and they  will give you a free groceries coupon.  Guess where we get our vaccinations.  Every dollar of free food helps the budget.

4.  Hair conditioner is essential for my longer hair but I keep the cost down by only using a pea sized amount that I work through my hair after I am done rinsing.  I then comb my hair, leaving the conditioner on my hair.  A bottle lasts a long time.  (16 months so far!)

5.  I cook a lot with dry beans because they are a very economical source of protein.  To speed the process I soak them overnight, drain and freeze in one cup quantities.  The soaking softens them and the freezing breaks the fibers.  So, when I am ready to use them they cook up super fast.


Friday, November 1, 2024

2024. Household and Personal Care: October

 Household

Fall door decoration (40%off).    $9.00. Holly Lobby 

Under by   $21


Personal Care

Under by $30


YTD 

Household.  $1.52  over

Personal Care.   $156.57. Under

2024 Buying and Eating: October 16-31

 Remaining Allocation:  $348.66

Cushion:  $640.77


What We Ate:  quiche, mu’s tossed salad #3, applesauce, mixed vegetables;   Creamy pasta and kielbasa, lemony garbanzo beans, everything bagel half;     Tuna patties, peas, cheesy potato rounds, salad;     Leftovers from restaurant meal;    Huevos rancheros, rice with salsa, salad, apples and caramel;     Creamy eggplant pasta, mixed vegetables, salad, garlic bread;   Ham and cheese sandwiches with chips;     Asian pot stickers;     Bean soup and homemade bread;     Quiche, German green beans, three cheese rice;     Corned beef sandwiches and four bean salad;     Southwestern bean and rice pizza, popcorn;     French onion beef casserole,  three bean salad, barley salad;     Hue is rancheros and cheese nachos;     

What We Bought:

Sanders:   Romaine lettuce, bananas, Italian bread, sweet peppers (4); yogurt (2 qts ), kimelwick rolls, potatoes (10#)     $14.47

Giant Eagle:  flour(20#), white sugar (16#), brown sugar (3#)     $11.88    Holiday prices.

Total bi monthly grocery   $26.35


Eating Out:

Lunch going to Canada.   $20.41.    Aunt Millie 

Dinner in Canada.    $21.59.       Lebanese restaurant 

Joyce birthday.   $16.75.       Red Hawk Grill 

Mike lunch.    $1.69.      Sam’s  

Mike lunch.     $3.84.     Taco Bell 

Total bi monthly eating out.   $64.28

Bi weekly total.    $90.63

New cushion amount.    $898.80


YTD    301 days

Total   $2723.20     $9.05/day     $4.53/person/day

Grocery    $1968.03     $6.54/day    $3.27/person/day

Eating Out    $755.17      $2.49/day      $1.29/person/day