Gladys's Apple Streusel Muffins

2 C flour
1 Tb bk powder
1/2 C sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 C butter, softened
2 C peeled or unpeeled, chopped apples
1/2 tsp lemon peel (dried)
2/3 C milk
1 egg
2 Tb sugar

-Mix flour, sugar, bk powder, salt and cinnamon.
-Cut in butter until crumbly.
-Reserve 1/2 Cup for topping.
-Mix egg and milk together.
-Add to dry ingreds along with apples and lemon peel until just mixed.
-Spoon into greased muffin tin.
-Sprinke with reserved topping mixed with 2 Tb sugar.
-Bake at 425 until golden brown, approx 20 min

Thought I'd repost this one now that I have a pic - and it's apple season! I tried this with a bit of whole wheat this time, and it was nice. This is from our church cookbook with a few minor changes...yummo 9/10!

Homemade Velveeta Cheese

I really like this recipe. Why?
1. Unique
2. Given to us by Amish friends
3. Never in my life imagined my husband and I would be talking cheese with a local Amish family.
4. GREAT for toasted cheese sandwiches.
5. Cheap for dairyfarmin' fams like us
6. Fast and fun
7. Love using recipes from friends - a lil' bit of fellowship mixing into the food.

1 Gallon Milk (we use raw)
2 tsp Citric Acid*
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4C Butter
~ 1/4C Cheddar Cheese Powder (to taste)**
Salt (to taste)

-Heat 1 Gallon of milk to 140 degrees.
-Add 2 tsp citric acid (*found near canning supplies, **bulk food stores...)
-Stir gently 'til separated.
-Drain off whey (I use a fine metal strainer - don't use one with large holes).
-To curds add 1 tsp soda, 1/4 C butter, salt, cheddar cheese powder and 1/4-1/2C milk
-Heat together, stirring briskly 'til lumps are dissolved.
-Keep in a cool place (we prefer the fridge!:))

The cheddar cheese powder and salt I just added slowly. I found a 1/4 C works and then a little salt for our taste. I've also been using the ccpowder to make mac and cheese. Tastes very similar to Kraft and is cheaper! I have only found it at a bulk food store in our area.

Crisp Carrots

Tried something new with carrots the other day...flash freezing, of course! I think I'm really becoming a flash freezin' nut!:) After peeling a bit haphazardly (just enough to get the strings off mainly), chunking/dicing, and blanching our garden's carrots for 3-4 minutes, I threw them on a couple trays and popped them in the freezer. Tomorrow I'll let them sit out for 10 minutes or so, then toss them into labeled ziploc bags in the freezer.

I've tried freezing carrots twice before and also canning them. Our family is a bit picky...we've learned we don't really care for the extra big carrots at the end of the season. Their flavor just isn't that good! Canned ones are fine, but I didn't feel like washing jars. And freezing them in pint bags does work, but they will freeze as a clump. So, my hope with flash freezing them is that I'll be able to scoop out a cup if that's all we need!

Grab some out of the freezer, cook a few minutes, drain, and toss with a little honey...should be a yummy winter!

Fun in the Mailbox

The last couple weeks we've been having fun going to the mailbox. I've become a bit more intentional about signing up for certain free samples on the money-saving blogs I check. First of all, it's fun to get free granola bars in the mail:). Secondly, they often come with high value coupons.

For instance, the little Kashi cereal sample came in a box with a "$2 off 1 box" coupon. Last week when Kmart was doubling coupons I used it on a $3 box to get it for free! One envelope came a couple weeks ago from Star Foods, and I am really excited to try its coupons...5 "Up to $4 off 1 product" coupons! I had completed a very short survey on their site. That's like $20 of free high quality olive oil. Wow. This was especially neat to me as I passed on buying olive oil during my last bulk buying trip because it was so expensive. Thanks, Lord:).

So, I want to encourage anyone trying to save on your food budget to check out some of these sites. Only sign up for totally free samples on things you will actually use or give away...otherwise it becomes clutter - yuck!

Money Saving Mom - my favorite coupon/free sample/ home stewardship ideas site
And Freebies for All - I just ignore the ones not pertaining to our family.
Common Sense With Money - Some overlap, but also a nice site.
Right at Home - Supposed to be getting free ziploc bags:). Also, great coupons for Glade/ziploc.

The fastest way to check these (first three) for me is by subscribing to them on Google Reader. I just recently set up Google Reader upon Jonathan's encouragement. Great idea!!! It is so handy to just scan post titles instead of scrolling through page after page.

Peppers!

Who wouldn't pay $3.50 for this beautiful bouquet?

The peppers, that is!:)

My mom found me a great deal at her farmer's market Saturday...20 peppers for $3.50! What a blessing!

So beautiful, even chopped up. I love the colors God uses all around us in Creation!

After chopping them all up, I threw them in some freezer ziploc bags and popped the peppers in the freezer. I did flash freeze one bunch on a cookie sheet overnight before bagging to see if they are easier to get out of the bag that way. It seems they will be, but the bagfuls with a little squeezing also seem to be just fine. The peppers broke apart decently (no chisel needed:)). I'm really excited to use these on pizza, in omelettes and stir-fries, etc., this winter. Should save on the produce budget! Before going to Guinea I thought peppers gave me heartburn. I discovered there that they don't, and I like the zip they bring to food!
20 peppers ~ 5.5 qt bags full

Freezing Sour Cherries

Just a little bit of summer fun...

Freezing Cherries:
-Wash, then pit cherries ( we use a mechanical pitter) and drain excess juice.
- Lay out on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
-Place in freezer overnight.
-Remove from freezer and let sit a few minutes until able to break apart.
-Scoop up cherries (we used a metal spatula), throw into a labeled freezer bag, and freeze!

Substitute these for fresh cherries in recipes, plop some into a smoothie, or chop up some for Auntie J's Breakfast Cake!

Blueberry Muffins

6 Tb butter, softened
3/4 C sugar
2 large eggs
2 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp bk powder
1/2 C milk
1 1/2 C blueberries
2 tsp sugar

-Cream butter and sugar well.
-Add eggs and beat well.
-Mix dry ingreds. Add to creamed mixture, alternating with milk.
-Chop1/2 C berries.
-Mix into batter.
-Fold in remaining berries.
-Pour into greased muffin cups and sprinkle with sugar.
-Bake at 375 for ~25 min (until golden).

Y: 12 regular & 12 mini-muffins

Recipe adapted from Beverly Farms Bed & Breakfast Inn

Note: I just adapted this recipe by dropping the sugar way down and chopping instead of crushing the berries. Really good! No need for the original 1 1/2 C sugar!

A Coupon Addiction

Okay, this Kmart $2 Double Coupon special is getting to me...I think I'm addicted. I went with my sister-in-law today and here's what I got (I'll post hers when I find her pictures)...

Purchase #3:
Total pre-coupons: $8.98...
Total out of pocket: $1.23!!!!!
-Used Free Milkbone coupon and $5 off next purchase coupon, both of which printed after Purchase #2 (Catalina coupons).

Purchase #2 (Ignore the Lotrimin and Milkbone biscuits - see above)
Total pre-coupons: $35.46
Total out of pocket: $0.16!!!!!!!!!
-Used $3 off next $20 purchase from Purchase #1 (done on Monday), $2 off 2 Axe shower gel from Purchase #1 (Catalina coupon), along with Internet coupons found through Money Saving Mom, coupons from In-store Kmart coupon booklet (deodorants), coupons from Kmart website (rubbing alcohol, q-tips), and by the way - the mouse traps I traded with my sister-in-law for 2 free packs of Trident gum I got on this purchase:). Too fun!

Purchases #1, 2, & 3
Total pre-coupon:$69.62
Total out of pocket: $6.85
+a $5 gift card (cereal rebate - I'll be checking my mailbox:)) and (2) $3 off next purchase coupons!

I am just very excited about this! In my other post here on Purchase #1 I explained that I really only wanted to purchase what would be free. I feel I came very close to doing this, especially since I needed to buy Itchy Feet cream:) for my Hubby Farmer. That alone was $5.99 (on sale).

God has blessed us with much to stock our pantry! This is by far the most serious couponing I've ever done. With sites like Money Saving Mom and experienced friends (thanks Elizabeth and Arin!) to learn from, it really wasn't hard! Just took some time and fun!

Please, please share how you did too, if you went to Kmart this week! And if you're new to couponing, check out the Money Saving Mom link above!

Sweet, Simple Cherry Pie

Filling:
4 C. Sour Cherries, pitted (if fresh - drain excess juice)
1 1/8 C. Sugar
1/4 C. Cornstarch
-Mix in a bowl and allow to sit 10 min, stirring occasionally.
Crust:
2 C. Flour
3/4 C. Shortening
1-2 pinch Salt (1/2 tsp?)
1/3-1/2 C. Cold Water (can add a little ice to make really cold)

-Mix flour, salt and shortening with a fork. Add in cold water until dough sticks together well to form a ball but is not too wet.
-Roll 2/3 dough into pie shape and form into pie crust to fit your pan.
-Roll remaining dough into pie shape.

Pie:
-Pour cherry mixture into pie shell.
-Cut remaining dough into 1/2 inch diameter thin strips.
-Top pie filling with 1/2 of strips. Fold alternating strips back onto themselves.
-Weave remaining strips in...see here for better instructions!:)
-Pinch edges of lattice to bottom crust.
-Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
-Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (see here for a great way to make this)!

Homemade Tortillas & Pia-Mato Sauce

I learned to make these tortillas in Guinea, West Africa. They are sooo good, and remarkably easy - even I could do it! Ha! (I am not so great with bread:)). They do take a bit of time though, but once made you can freeze the extras if desired.

Flour Tortillas ( from Wycliffe Int. Cookbook)
Combine:
-4 C flour
-2 tsp salt
Cut in:
-6 Tb oil ( or shortening)
Add
-1 C water
-Form a ball. Add more water if necessary, until bowl is clear of all dough. Knead well on floured board 20-25 times, then make balls the size of eggs. Let stand 15 min. Roll very thin with rolling pin on lightly floured surface to size of salad plate. Place on hot, ungreased skillet and cook for about 1-2 minutes on one side (until starts to bubble). Turn and cook approx 1 min longer. Watch closely, as second side will cook fast!
-Keep warm on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees in the oven, stacked, covered with a light towel if desired.
-Serve with fried ground beef, seasoned with salt and pepper, and Pia-Mato Sauce, and Cheese!
Y: 2 doz.
Variations:
Cornmeal: Replace 1 C flour with cornmeal
Whole Wheat: Use 2 C whole wheat, 2 C white flour

Pia-Mato Sauce:
2-4 Tomatoes, diced
1 Avacado, diced
Onions, diced (optional)
Green Pepper, diced (optional)
1 pkg Italian dressing dry mix, mixed per instructions or Italian Salad Dressing to cover

-Combine shortly before serving!

This is an impromptu recipe:) nostalgic of the wonderful food we had in Guinea. Our missionary friends there called it their own special Guacamole, and it was made with fresh local veggies and imported Italian dressing!:) For those with sensitive tummies, just leave out the peppers and onions. I made up the name for fun and for memories...the Pular (a Guinean dialect) word for Avacado is Pia!

Crock-Pot Bean Soup

2 C. dry navy beans, washed (can soak overnight if desired - not necessary though)
4 med. potatoes, peeled and diced
1 sweet potato or a few carrots, peeled and diced
1 tsp Dried onions
1-2 Tb Parsley, dried
Salt (to taste - can use plain, Lawry's, or Zender's chicken seasoning (my fave))
Pepper to taste (I'm generous with this:))
Water

-Mix all together in crock-pot ( I use a 3 Qt crock-pot). Cover with water to one inch below lid.
-Cook on high until softened (~4 hours), then low until soft enough to mash a bit. Continue on low until mushy soft!
-Mash with potato masher. Add more water if needed. Also may cook on low for ~8 hours.

Yumm-o on a rainy day with some fresh warm bread! This is a variation of my Mom's Bean Soup, which is great! Her recipe calls for celery and carrots rather than sweet potato. I've also tried half navy/half red beans and liked that.

Tremendous Tomato Soup

I love learning from others how to make great food...and this one was a majorly exciting find for me. If you're at all interested in canning tomato soup - check it out. So easy, so good. I use it in chili, goulash, spaghetti sauce....yum!

Heavenly Homemakers Tomato Soup