Great Grilling Recipes: Lemon Herb Chicken

Do you need a quick and easy recipe for tonight that's cheap and easy but looks gourmet and will impress guests? Then I've got your back! Go here if you can't view the above link to check out Lemon Herb Chicken for under $4!

Ingredients
Whole chicken (these are always available around $.99#. I bought mine for $.58#!)
Lemon
Garlic cloves
Stick of butter
Dried herb

The Mummy Deals Summer Extravaganza with family friendly fun ideas, roundup of the kid's summer freebies, hot giveaways and great grilling recipes is here! Join in the fun!

Read more...

Patriotic Cookie Pizza

A while ago a dear friend of me introduced me to fruit pizza and I was in heaven! Last Memorial Day I decided to get a little creative for some friends of ours and with the 4th of July coming up I thought I'd give you a creative idea to bring to any party.

Patriotic Cookie Pizza

Ingredients
Tube of cookie dough (or make it yourself if ya like!)
1 cup cream cheese
1 cup (or less) pwdered sugar
Strawberries (or another red fruit)
Blueberries
Directions
Make the cookie dough on a pizza pan. I rolled it out a little and then once cooked moved carefully to a pretty plate.
Mix the cream cheese (softened) with some powdered sugar until it's creamy and spreadable and spread on the "pizza"

Top with rows of cut strawberries and then finish with a bunch of blueberries.

Although it's not hard it is time consuming and it should be eaten right away. Wow your guests with this one for sure!

Read more...

Great Grilling Recipes: Big Ol' Mess

"The sloppier it gets, the better it tastes"

1 lb smoked sausage, cut into chunks- Ekridge Sausage
3 jalapeno peppers, sliced
1 green pepper, cut into bite sized chunks
1 sweet onion, cut into bte-sized chunks
1 foil cooking bag
1/4 cup Tabasco sauce (or just a couple squirts to your liking)
1 10oz jar sweet-and-sour sauce

Place sausage, peppers, and onion in foil bag. Mix Tabasco sauce with sweet-and-sour sauce in a small bowl and pour over the mixture in foil bag. Seal bag edge tightly. Place foil bag on grill; cook for about 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes. This is great as an appetizer or main dish. To serve, use skewers or load onto chunks of crusty bread.

I do this in the oven at about 425. I use a casserole dish with a lid and stir every fifteen minutes or so. I end up making double the recipe in two separate dishes. For Hubby's, I use the jalapenos with the seeds and use a white onion. For wussie me, I use the green peppers only, yellow onion, and 1 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce.

Thanks Jen Sikma!

Stick around for the Mummy Deals Summer Extravaganza with family friendly fun ideas, roundup of the kid's summer freebies, hot giveaways and great grilling recipes.

Read more...

Great Grilling Recipes: Zesty Shrimp

Credit: snowpea&bokchoi

1tsp lime zest
1/4 tbsp lime juice
i jalapeno seeded
1tsp garlic
2tsp soy sauce
3 tbsp olive oil
chili powder and cayenne to taste
cilantro and honey to taste
2 lb shrimp

combine and marinade no more than 20 min in a resealable bag
grill till done

Thanks Shawna!

The Mummy Deals Summer Extravaganza with family friendly fun ideas, roundup of the kid's summer freebies, hot giveaways and great grilling recipes is here!

Read more...

Summertime Recipes

Are you looking for some great new recipes for summer? If so last year we put together a few posts from readers. Here are 8 fabulous ones for you. Let me know if you've got one to add :)

Read more...

Great Grilling Recipes: Beer Can Chicken

Beer can chicken is awesome! Cheap, easy and oh so good plus you don't need beer, you can make it with any kind of pop. The liquid just makes it tender and when whole chickens are around $.99# it's worth stocking up and avoiding the oven like Salli did when she took the above picture for us.

She said: It was so hot I didn’t want to turn the oven on so I tossed a few foil wrapped potatoes on the grill with the chicken, they came out perfectly! Normally she uses the Weber recipe but this time she cheated and bought the seasoning. Yum!

What's your fave Summer grilling recipe? Please email me as I'm compiling a list.

Read more...

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Thanks to Elizabeth for this yummy recipe!

Ingredients
1 cut up whole chicken
3 cups buttermilk
2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Pepper
2 cups all purpose flour
Vegetable oil

Directions

1. Combine chicken and buttermilk in a large glass bowl; cover and chill 8 to 12 hours.
2. Drain chicken, discarding buttermilk
3. Preheat oven to 350*. Combine salt and pepper; sprinkle half of it over chicken.
4. Combine remaining salt mixture and flour in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag.
5. Place 2 pieces of chicken in bag; seal bag and shake to coat.
6. Remove chicken.
7. Repeat procedure with remaining chicken.
8. Fry chicken pieces, in 2 batches, in hot oil over medium high 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until browned.
9. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes or until done.

Read more...

10 Tips To Use Up Leftover Buns

Don't you hate that hot dog buns come in packages of 8 but hot dogs come in 10 packs? It's always been one of those mysteries that's hard to explain and a little frustrating. In fact so much so that one day we had lots of buns left and nothing to go in them so I decided to go in search of some frugal recipes. Here are my favorites:

Hot Dog Bun Casserole.
Adapted from Real Simple Serves 4-6

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
* 3 hamburger or hot dog buns, split
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
* 3/4 pound sweet Italian sausage, or other meat
* 6 large eggs - remove yolk to cut down calories
* 1 cup milk
* salt and pepper
* 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated cheese (also in abundance around here!)
* Dice peppers and mushrooms flash frozen from freezer (No need to defrost!)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Tear the buns into large pieces and place in the dish; set aside.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, peppers and mushrooms and cook for 1 minute. Add the meat to the skillet. Cook for about 10 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir in the cooked sausage and veg along with 1 cup of the cheese.
5. Pour the mixture over the buns, pressing with a spatula or spoon to submerge them. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake until the eggs are set, about 35 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Bruschetta

I once had some friends were coming over and I decided to use up some pasta we had from Trader Joe's (wholewheat, organic that I'd got on sale for $.48!) and already had some the organic pasta sauce that was FREE from Jewel. Add into it the recent FREE Kraft cheese and we were good to go! Well, I felt a little inspired in the kitchen (rare for me!) so I decided to whip up some bruschetta. Instead of buying new bread I grabbed any from the freezer that I'd put there when we'd run out of hot dogs or just had a couple left. Although I wouldn't really want to defrost them and eat fresh as they had been in the freezr for a little while they were perfect to toast and perfect to add fresh tomatoes to.

So I simply mixed some butter and garlic powder together and spread it on the bread. Half of them I topped with home-grown tomatoes and half of them I topped with grated cheese. I then baked them for 15 minutes at 250 degrees and yum-o! They were delish, super cheap and got rid of those hot dog buns!!!

Garlic Bread

Use leftover hamburger and hot dog buns for garlic bread. It's actually better than using regular bread, frugal and super simple.
Split, smear with butter add some garlic salt or powder for the Hubs and broil. Yummy and cheaper that store bought.

Pizza Pups

Warm up a string cheese in the microwave, pop it in the bun with some sauce and voila! Kids LOVE it and will also take it for lunch.

Here's some other great ways to use them:

• Make croutons
• Breadcrumbs
• Pizza burgers
  
• Sloppy joes. When you're covering them with other yumminess even if they're a little old you can't taste it!
• French toast.
• Toasties. Simply add cheese, lunchmeat, tomatoes, mushrooms or tuna salad to the inside then toast it in the toaster oven or a George Foreman grill for a different kind of lunch.
  

Whatever it is, get creative and let us know how you love to cook your leftover buns!

Read more...

Reader Tip: Frugal Meal For Large Families

When I'm in a hurry for dinner and need something quick for my family of six I pull out the hamburger helper (sigh, I know!) and I add a little more water and half the amount of noodles from my own stash and then there's enough for everyone! :-) Thanks Katrina R!

Read more...

4 Great New Uses For Cheerios

Who doesn't love sweets? This Cheerio Peanut Bars recipe from Kim is a fun twist on an old fave.


Ingredients
2 Tablespoons of Butter
1 Bag of Marshmallows
1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter
6 Cups of Cheerios
1/2 Cup of Dry Roasted Peanuts

Directions

Melt butter and mix with marshmallows. Now melt marshmallows. I usually do this in the microwave in a large plastic bowl with 40 sec intervals... it works best and there is little clean up. Add peanut butter and microwave for about 30 seconds more. Stir in Cheerios and nuts. Spread in a greased 9X12 pan. Cool and cut into bars. For a special treat, I will add in some mini m&m's.

Read more...

4 Great New Uses For Cheerios

Yummy! An easy recipe that kids love and makes a fun on-the-go breakfast! Thanks Kim for the CHEERIOS BARS.

Ingredients

6 c. Honey Nut Cheerios
1 c. Karo
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. raisins, optional
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. peanuts

In a large dish. Mix Cheerios, peanuts and raisins. Spray 9 x 13 inch pan with Pam or grease with butter. In saucepan heat Karo and sugar to boiling. Turn off. Heat add peanut butter and mix until smooth. Pour over Cheerios mixture. Press into pan and cool. Cut into squares.

Read more...

4 Great New Uses For Cheerios

Cheerios as a homemade granola from Karyn. Here it is:

Mix the following dry ingredients together:
1 cup Cheerios
1 cup of wheat germ (optional)
3 cups uncooked oatmeal flakes,
1 cup flaked coconut(unsweetened)
1/2 half cup sesame seeds
Coarsely chopped natural almonds to taste

Mix the following wet ingredients together and then add to above dry ingredients:
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup canola or other vegetable oil
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Mix well, pour into a pan with high sides (not a cookie sheet!) and bake in a 300 - 325 degree oven for about 15 -20 minutes, turning mixture every 5 minutes or so and making sure it toasts evenly to a golden brown.

NOTE: You can modify proportions and can substitute, add or omit as you like. You can also double, triple, quadruple the recipe. No matter what, it always comes out good. Just stir often while it's in the oven and watch carefully when it begins to brown - it can quickly start to burn!!

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Manager's Casserole

Years ago Cracker Barrel made a Manager's Casserole. They don't make it any longer but Cindy made a copy cat recipe and helped us with pics too! Thanks girl!

1. Brown the breakfast sausage and drain grease.

2. Mix the ingredients; Shredded frozen hash browns, 1 can of cream of whatever type of soup you like, I prefer cream of chicken. About 1/2 cup of Lite Sour Cream, about 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, pepper to taste. Keep in mind you can add anything else to this you like. I often add mushrooms or cut up peppers. Today I added sliced red, yellow and orange bell peppers because they were cheap. Stir in the browned sausage. Mix all together well and put in a well greased pan to bake. I leave the peppers in large pieces so my picky eaters can remove them easily.

3. Bake at 375° for about 45 minutes or until hot, bubbley, and brown. I usually cover with foil for first 30 mins then finish baking uncovered.

Serve with a fried egg.

This is one of my families' favorites! I prefer recipes that are super simple. 6 ingredients max if possible!

Tips
Keep in mind you can put anything you want in it.

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Velveeta Cheesy Bacon Hash Brown Bake

Credit: RBerteig

This week we're sharing breakfast casserole recipes from Facebook friends. This is from Beth.

Ingredients

* 8 slices of bacon
* 2 Cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
* 1 red and 1 green bell pepper, chopped (can use frozen!)
* 1 small onion, chopped
* 12 eggs
* 1/3 C sour cream
* 3/4 pound Velveeta, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Cook bacon in skillet and set aside to drain on paper towel lined plate.
2. Add onions and bell peppers to skillet and saute in bacon drippings until tender, about ten minutes.
3. Spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray and spread pepper and onion mixture into the bottom. Spread hash browns over the top.
4. Crack the twelve eggs into a large mixing bowl and beat well.
5. Add sour cream and beat that into the eggs until smooth and creamy.
6. Pour eggs over the vegetables and hash browns in the pan.
7. Crumble bacon and sprinkle over the top of eggs.
8. Place slices of Velveeta over the top and bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until center is set.
9. Allow to cool for ten minutes before serving.

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Tortilla Crunch

Credit: cheeseslave

Thanks to Nancy for this.

Put cheesy flavored tortilla chips crumbled into a casserole dish
Pour lightly beaten eggs over
Dot with ripe olives
Top with shredded cheese (can also add chorizo)
Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Sally's Casserole

This week we're sharing breakfast casserole recipes from Facebook friends. This is from Sally.

Preheat oven to 350°.
Spray or grease a two-quart casserole dish with cooking oil.

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon Lawry's seasoned salt (or, to taste)
• 3/4 stick butter or margarine
• 2 cups shredded hash brown potatoes (thawed)
• 1/4 cup (or less) chopped onion
• 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Beat eggs, yogurt, and salt together.
2. Melt butter and lightly sauté onion. Add thawed potatoes. Stir to mix.
3. Pour in egg mixture and lightly stir to blend ingredients.
4. Pour into casserole dish. Sprinkle grated cheese over casserole.
5. Bake at 350° for approximately 25 minutes or until knife comes out clean when inserted.
6. Cut into 8 squares.

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Baked French Toast Casserole

Hands up if you're like me and love French toast but don't love taking time to make it?! How about a make-ahead frugal recipe that is quick, cheap and incredibly yummy. Thanks to my dear friends Sam and Sara for this.

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
12 slices of bread cut up into small squares
1 cup milk
6 eggs
Dash of salt

Directions

1. Mix 1st three ingredients in the pan
2. Spread out all the bread
3. Beat milk, eggs, & salt, pour over bread
4. Refrigerate overnight
5. Bake 30-35 min at 350 degrees.
6. Serves around 4.

Lisa H's tweeks and tips

• I added at least 1 tbsp and would love more.
• I think you could use less butter and just be sure to spray the pan with cooking spray.
• I used less brown sugar, maybe 3/4 cup.
• No salt just because we aren't big salters.
• I don't think you have to soak it for even an hour. Soaking it overnight is probably just so that it's ready to put in the oven in the morning while the coffee is brewing ;)
• I used a couple more slices of bread and it wasn't too dry, as a matter of fact the middle was still quite moist.
• Topped it with powdered sugar and served with syrup.

Read more...

6 Awesome Breakfast Casseroles: Baked Oatmeal With Date Honey

Credit: Maggie Hoffman

This week we're featuring breakfast casserole recipes from my Facebook friends. This one is from Lia.

Date Honey

* 2 cups pitted dates
* 2 cups water
* 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (or to taste, I like more)

Bring dates to boil, simmer for about 60 minutes until dates are broken down and very soft.
Allow to cool slightly about 15 minutes.
Pour into blender or food processor and puree till smooth.
Sprinkle with cinnamon, stir, store in fridge or freeze.

Baked Oatmeal

• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond/soy milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (I substitute apples too)
• 1/4 cup raisins (I use 1/2 cup)
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Put all ingredients in large bowl and stir.
3. Transfer into 8X8 dish lightly greased.
4. Pour oatmeal in dish and bake 45-50 minutes until slightly browned and crispy on top.
5. Spread with date honey.

Tips
I like to double to share for playdates or even to bake on cookie sheet to make thin bars and freeze for fast snack or even lunches.

Read more...

Comfort Food: Cabbage Patch Stew Soup

Credit: Secret Tenerife

It's that time of year to grab a blanket and a movie and snuggle on the couch. What better way than with some good ole comfort food: soup. I thought I'd share some reader's fave recipes over the next few days. If you've got a recipe you love, leave a comment!

This one is MOM’S CABBAGE PATCH STEW from Karen Bingham.

Ingredients

• 1lb hamburger
• 2 cans kidney beans
• 1 large chopped onion
• 2tsp chili powder
• 1 c chopped celery
• 3 cans water
• 2 c shredded cabbage
• 1Tbs sugar
• 1Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 2 beef bouillon cubes
• 2 cans stewed tomatoes

Directions

1. Brown meat add onion, celery and cabbage
2. cook until vegetables are tender and wilted.
3. Add water, salt and seasoning.
   
4. Add tomatoes and beans last.
   
5. Simmer at least 1 hour.

Read more...

Comfort Food: Taco Soup

Credit: RBerteig

It's that time of year to grab a blanket and a movie and snuggle on the couch. What better way than with some good ole comfort food: soup. I thought I'd share some reader's fave recipes over the next few days. If you've got a recipe you love, leave a comment!

Thanks to 2 readers, Nikki and Kellee for this.

Ingredients
2lbs Hamburger
1sm onion (chopped)
Brown hamburger and onion and add the following:

1 can kidney beans (do not drain)
1 can BLACK BEANS (do not drain)
1 can pinto beans (do not drain)
1 can corn (drained)
1 can Rotel
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning (dry)
1 pkg Taco Seasoning
2 8oz cans tomato sauce

* cook in big pot 1 hour

Nikki: Super easy. Yum, now I want some. I top my bowls off with shredded cheese and sour cream and sometimes I add chopped Jalapenos for heat. Enjoy! :)
Kellee: I also add cheese and sour cream to my bowl. I also like to use tortilla chips as my "cracker". Very yummy!!!

Read more...