I love to give gifts, but I also have to sensible when it comes to my money. I keep a gift closet, and in it there are gift bags, tissue paper, and all occasion cards. Also, I hunt for sale items, and I often go to the clearance area when I shop. From the items I find at good deals, I stock my gift closet. I may have to save items back for a time, but usually, I always have on hand something for baby showers, birthdays or Christmas. Many times, I give great gifts because I purchase things that have been marked down 50 to 75% off. The gift recipients are always thankful because I buy quality items and try to purchase items that are useful.
People love to eat, so I can almost always be assured of a welcome present with something homemade. This day and time, people don't have time to cook, so anything prepared for a family with kids is a sure-fire winner, especially sweets. However, if someone new moves into the neighborhood, or there is a new baby, or even a death in the family, I try to prepare a chicken casserole, which is, a recipe I am often asked for. Here is the recipe:
Chicken Casserole
Boil 3 large chicken breasts in large saucepan for 30 minutes. Cool.
Turn oven to 350 degrees. Put 1 stick of butter in 9 x 13 baking dish. Put into oven to melt, removing when butter has melted, after about 8 minutes.
Crush one to one and a half sleeves of ritz crackers.
Tear up chicken in bite size pieces in mixing bowl. Add 1 to 1 1/2 (8 oz.) cartons of sour cream. Add 1 to 1 1/2 cans chicken noodle soup. Add black pepper. Mix well.
Put crackers crumbs into butter, mix well. Scoop most out into a small bowl for layering on top of casserole.
Pour chicken mixture into casserole, sprinkle top with buttered cracker crumbs. Bake for about 30 minutes.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Saving Money
For my friends, they know I am all about saving money...here are a few tips and tricks I have learned over the years...
Instead of caustic chemicals to clean sterling silver, cut a potato and dip into baking soda. Gently rub silver. Rinse, dry with soft cloth.
To keep drains cleaned out, pour baking soda into drain, then white vinegar. Bubbling action will occur normally.
Vinegar kills germs. Use it for many cleaning purposes. Put white vinegar it in a spray bottle to spray furniture like sofa, cushions to eliminate pet odors. Pour into bowl to eliminate fishy odors like after you cook salmon.
You know how hard it is to restring a pair of tennis shoes that has lost its end-its hard when the ends become frayed. Use scotch tape to create a new end on the shoe string.
An eraser will help remove black scuff marks on shoes.
Grease marks on wallpaper can be removed using a piece of loaf bread.
To tidy up a white stove top that has been chipped revealing a black mark, use white out (the stuff one uses to correct a typing error).
Freezing candles before use makes them last longer. Same holds true of panty hose.
To thin out white glue use white vinegar, not water.
Instead of caustic chemicals to clean sterling silver, cut a potato and dip into baking soda. Gently rub silver. Rinse, dry with soft cloth.
To keep drains cleaned out, pour baking soda into drain, then white vinegar. Bubbling action will occur normally.
Vinegar kills germs. Use it for many cleaning purposes. Put white vinegar it in a spray bottle to spray furniture like sofa, cushions to eliminate pet odors. Pour into bowl to eliminate fishy odors like after you cook salmon.
You know how hard it is to restring a pair of tennis shoes that has lost its end-its hard when the ends become frayed. Use scotch tape to create a new end on the shoe string.
An eraser will help remove black scuff marks on shoes.
Grease marks on wallpaper can be removed using a piece of loaf bread.
To tidy up a white stove top that has been chipped revealing a black mark, use white out (the stuff one uses to correct a typing error).
Freezing candles before use makes them last longer. Same holds true of panty hose.
To thin out white glue use white vinegar, not water.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Chicken Stir Fry with Rice
Chicken Stir Fry with rice
2 chicken breasts (I use the boneless, frozen kind), thawed
2-3 tbl. butter (or margarine)
2 tsp. garlic powder
3-4 Tbl. soy sauce
2 TBL. Honey or sugar (If you prefer, you can use teriyaki sauce, just eliminate soy sauce and honey/sugar)
1 Bag frozen stir fry veggies
2 chicken breasts (I use the boneless, frozen kind), thawed
2-3 tbl. butter (or margarine)
2 tsp. garlic powder
3-4 Tbl. soy sauce
2 TBL. Honey or sugar (If you prefer, you can use teriyaki sauce, just eliminate soy sauce and honey/sugar)
1 Bag frozen stir fry veggies
1 can of water chestnuts (I love htese crunchy veggies)
For Rice:
1 cup of rice
2 cups water
1 tbl. butter (optional, for rice preparation)
In a med sauce pan (on high), add two cups water, and butter or margarine, if desired. Once water boils, add rice, stir, cover, turn heat to low. Cook 15 minutes. Turn off heat.Let it sit on eye for at least 5 more minutes, and then 5 minutes to 'rest'-it takes rice 20 minutes to cook- 5 minutes to 'rest'. Usually, by the time I am finished cooking stir fry, it is perfect. Fluff with a fork, serve.
While rice is cooking, cut thawed chicken into bite sized pieces, shaking garlic powder on--the more garlic, to me, is better in this recipe. Heat butter in skillet on med. heat, add chicken, continue cooking, stirring frequently. Once chicken is cooked thoroughly, add soy sauce, honey or sugar/ or teriyaki sauce, mixing well. Add bag of stir fry vegetables on top of chicken, cook a few more minutes, then mix vegetables into chicken, continue cooking about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender, stirring vegetables and chicken through, occasionaly.
For Rice:
1 cup of rice
2 cups water
1 tbl. butter (optional, for rice preparation)
In a med sauce pan (on high), add two cups water, and butter or margarine, if desired. Once water boils, add rice, stir, cover, turn heat to low. Cook 15 minutes. Turn off heat.Let it sit on eye for at least 5 more minutes, and then 5 minutes to 'rest'-it takes rice 20 minutes to cook- 5 minutes to 'rest'. Usually, by the time I am finished cooking stir fry, it is perfect. Fluff with a fork, serve.
While rice is cooking, cut thawed chicken into bite sized pieces, shaking garlic powder on--the more garlic, to me, is better in this recipe. Heat butter in skillet on med. heat, add chicken, continue cooking, stirring frequently. Once chicken is cooked thoroughly, add soy sauce, honey or sugar/ or teriyaki sauce, mixing well. Add bag of stir fry vegetables on top of chicken, cook a few more minutes, then mix vegetables into chicken, continue cooking about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender, stirring vegetables and chicken through, occasionaly.
Layer chicken and vegetables on a bed of rice. Add more soy sauce/teriyaki sauce, if desired.
Note: I never buy garlic salt, only the powdered garlic powder . I do not like to add salt a lot in cooking because of people's dietary limitations. Soy sauce and teriyaki sauce are usually high in salt to start with. Further, salt can actually toughen some vegetables during cooking. However, salt makes food taste better, of course, but I usually let people do their own seasonings...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Meat-atarian Subs
This recipe is from the "Simple & Delicious" (Aug./Sept. 2011 edition) Magazine out on stands now...Shanon Mayer of Mountain View, WY submitted it and won the contest with it. Judges were ALL men, and they loved it! Be the hit of the party with this recipe! I tweeked it for the ingredients I had on hand at the time...Thanks goes to Shanon and "Simple and Delicious"...now, for the good stuff, uh, prepare to be 'worshipped'! LOL
Meat-atarian Subs
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
(I used Domino's packs-I halved the recipe and used about 9 packs to get 1/4 cup-I was out of Parmesan Cheese, at the time-it worked!)
1/2 cup softened butter (I used margarine)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, minced (I used 1-2 tsp. garlic powder)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning (basil &/or oregano will work-basil causes less indigestion-just so ya know)
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (again, I used a Domino's packet, but I have a bottle of this stuff I bought at the $ store for 50 cents-I buy most of my spices at the $ store-black pepper, too-a big $ saver)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 loaf (1 lb.) french bread, halved lengthwise (I used hot dog buns-hey, I was at the $ store when I was buying my ingredients-it works and is perfect for kids, too)
1 lb. Deli Ham ( I used fresh ham, chopped-I keep small packages of ham (when I cook a big one) in the freezer, for omelets)
2 pkg. (2.1 oz. each) ready-to-serve fully cooked bacon, warm (I used packaged bacon I cooked in the microwave-one slice to each hot dog bun)
4 oz. pepperoni (yes, they have it at the $ store-lol-I precooked mine to remove a lot of the grease, in the oven, as I defrosted the ham in the oven , as well, in a covered bowl-blot the pepperonis on paper towels or coffee filters before assembling subs-Shanon did not do this, but I think its healthier to cook the pepperonis some)
1/2 cup pizza sauce (recipe will follow for homemade pizza sauce-Shanon did not include it, but it is easy and way cheaper to make your own)
Combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Spread mixture on inside halves of bread. Layer bottom halves of bread with ham, bacon and pepperoni and dollops of pizza sauce, spreading gently over meat. Replace tops of bread.
Wrap in foil, and place on large baking sheet. (I wrapped 4 hot dog buns together, for my son, and one separate, for me-I wanted another one-darn it! LOL)
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Cut into slices if using french bread.
Pizza Sauce
1 small can of tomato sauce (you can use large can of tomatoes, or tomato sauce if you are doubling this recipe. Just make sure, if you are using whole tomatoes to puree or chop tomatoes well-some people do not like whole tomatoes...)
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning (basil/oregano-or one of these will work, again, basil is milder and better for people with indigestion)
1/2 to 1 tsp. garlic powder (or 1/2 clove of garlic minced)
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper (optional)
1 tsp. olive oil, vegetable or canola oil (optional, although, true Italians use olive oil)
Mix well. You can warm this, but it is not necessary... Viola!
Now, prepare to receive a lot of compliments on this sandwich, and be prepared to fix this sandwich every game day. LOVE~
Meat-atarian Subs
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
(I used Domino's packs-I halved the recipe and used about 9 packs to get 1/4 cup-I was out of Parmesan Cheese, at the time-it worked!)
1/2 cup softened butter (I used margarine)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 garlic cloves, minced (I used 1-2 tsp. garlic powder)
1 tsp. Italian seasoning (basil &/or oregano will work-basil causes less indigestion-just so ya know)
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (again, I used a Domino's packet, but I have a bottle of this stuff I bought at the $ store for 50 cents-I buy most of my spices at the $ store-black pepper, too-a big $ saver)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 loaf (1 lb.) french bread, halved lengthwise (I used hot dog buns-hey, I was at the $ store when I was buying my ingredients-it works and is perfect for kids, too)
1 lb. Deli Ham ( I used fresh ham, chopped-I keep small packages of ham (when I cook a big one) in the freezer, for omelets)
2 pkg. (2.1 oz. each) ready-to-serve fully cooked bacon, warm (I used packaged bacon I cooked in the microwave-one slice to each hot dog bun)
4 oz. pepperoni (yes, they have it at the $ store-lol-I precooked mine to remove a lot of the grease, in the oven, as I defrosted the ham in the oven , as well, in a covered bowl-blot the pepperonis on paper towels or coffee filters before assembling subs-Shanon did not do this, but I think its healthier to cook the pepperonis some)
1/2 cup pizza sauce (recipe will follow for homemade pizza sauce-Shanon did not include it, but it is easy and way cheaper to make your own)
Combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Spread mixture on inside halves of bread. Layer bottom halves of bread with ham, bacon and pepperoni and dollops of pizza sauce, spreading gently over meat. Replace tops of bread.
Wrap in foil, and place on large baking sheet. (I wrapped 4 hot dog buns together, for my son, and one separate, for me-I wanted another one-darn it! LOL)
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Cut into slices if using french bread.
Pizza Sauce
1 small can of tomato sauce (you can use large can of tomatoes, or tomato sauce if you are doubling this recipe. Just make sure, if you are using whole tomatoes to puree or chop tomatoes well-some people do not like whole tomatoes...)
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning (basil/oregano-or one of these will work, again, basil is milder and better for people with indigestion)
1/2 to 1 tsp. garlic powder (or 1/2 clove of garlic minced)
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
1/4 tsp. pepper (optional)
1 tsp. olive oil, vegetable or canola oil (optional, although, true Italians use olive oil)
Mix well. You can warm this, but it is not necessary... Viola!
Now, prepare to receive a lot of compliments on this sandwich, and be prepared to fix this sandwich every game day. LOVE~
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thumbprint Cookies
This recipe was given to me by a good friend, Lori Marshall, many years ago when we worked together. It is just like the cookies that are sold at our local bakery. Scrumptious! Be careful, they are addictive!
Thumbprint Cookies
Makes about 70
(You can half this recipe.)
1 cup margarine (regular Blue Bonnet is good) I found that margarine tastes better for some reason, or you can use butter, (2 sticks) softened
5 Tbl. confectioners sugar
2 cups (all-purpose) flour
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 to 1 cup (or less) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (I do not use as much as the recipe calls for, and they are still great! How much do I use? about 1/4 cup nuts, and I shave them with a knife, or you could use a food processor.) Walnuts taste better to me!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend margarine and sugar together. Add flour, vanilla, and nuts and mix. Roll into small balls (about an inch-doesn't take much), place on cookie sheet, press with thumb to make thumbprint in center. If dough seems too sticky, add some more flour.
Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool on cookie sheet.
While your cookies cool, make the icing for centers with recipe below. Using a teaspoon of icing, touch center of cookie with teaspoon, let a little icing go into center of cookie. Viola!
Icing
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
food color-1 drop-your choice of colors
2-3 drops of milk, add more, if desired if icing is too thick
Note: icing should be thick so that it very slowly (and I mean slow) flows off teaspoon. If you get it too runny, add more con. sugar.
These cookies are so delicious!
Thumbprint Cookies
Makes about 70
(You can half this recipe.)
1 cup margarine (regular Blue Bonnet is good) I found that margarine tastes better for some reason, or you can use butter, (2 sticks) softened
5 Tbl. confectioners sugar
2 cups (all-purpose) flour
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 to 1 cup (or less) finely chopped pecans or walnuts (I do not use as much as the recipe calls for, and they are still great! How much do I use? about 1/4 cup nuts, and I shave them with a knife, or you could use a food processor.) Walnuts taste better to me!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend margarine and sugar together. Add flour, vanilla, and nuts and mix. Roll into small balls (about an inch-doesn't take much), place on cookie sheet, press with thumb to make thumbprint in center. If dough seems too sticky, add some more flour.
Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool on cookie sheet.
While your cookies cool, make the icing for centers with recipe below. Using a teaspoon of icing, touch center of cookie with teaspoon, let a little icing go into center of cookie. Viola!
Icing
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
food color-1 drop-your choice of colors
2-3 drops of milk, add more, if desired if icing is too thick
Note: icing should be thick so that it very slowly (and I mean slow) flows off teaspoon. If you get it too runny, add more con. sugar.
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