Jul
23
I apologize
July 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I took a week off my dear ones and didn’t prepare you. I’m truly sorry, but I had some important personal business to attend to. Let me bring you up to speed.
I harvested four plants of potatoes and had over a weeks worth to eat for our large family. The potatoes are purple and drought resistant. I never watered them much this year. I only added mulch/compost as they grew. Did they ever grow. Gardening has been a way for my family to ensure we have fresh vegetables even with out regular transportation to the store.
Speaking of transpertation, the scooter I ordered June 28th still has not arrived. I am having great difficulty reaching the company. I received an email last Friday saying it would be shipped on that day, but upon searching the tracking number found no such action has been taken. I have been trying hard to contact the store to see about the delay, how long the delay is, etc.. but they have been elusive. My husband is very afraid we have been taken in by a scam artist. I will let you know how it unfolds. I did pay with pay pal so I sincerely hope this is some protection.
In Couponing, I have found several rebates with the cash back equivalebt to about 20 dollars. This will add to the amount of mony I can use for future groceries. I still have over a months worth of groceries on a gift card. The great thing about the gift card is that I can also pay for my medicine with it at Kroger pharmacy, which has deeply discounted rates to boot!
As far as increasing my frugality, I have been looking at planting a fall garden. I’ll let you know what I decided on. However, in the mean time, we have been using a seed sprouter for fresh bean sprouts in our salads. I did pay a handsome sum for it, however it grows the sprouts with out much intervention. Now we have an endless supply of sprouts we can use as I have over 100lbs in beans saved away. Since I have been shopping in this way, using coupons and bulk buying my family has had more food, healthier food, and it costs so much less! Dinner for 7 people ranges around 6 dollars! Breakfast is 69 cents for everyone. (That is the miracle of bulk bought oatmeal) Plus we get to have snacks, like pop ice and candy. I had 6 buy one get one free life saver candies coupons. I bought 12 for the price of 6. I spent a little under 6 dollars for the total including tax, which is about 40 cents a piece. My kids rarely ever get candy, so this was a huge treat. We still have plenty left over.
Even though people say if you buy a lot you will eat a lot, I doubt it. My kids eat the same amount as they always did. We now have stacks of 5 gallon buckets with basic staples. Just to give you an idea, we have; 3 buckets of oatmeal, 3 buckets of rice, 4 buckets of regular eating beans, 3 buckets of soy beans, 1 bag of sunflowers, 1 bag of rye, and 1 bag of millet. This I consider to be about a 2-3 month supply of food. We have been eating out of it for almost a month. I made soy milk, sprouted beans, bean soup, oatmeal, biscuts, cookies, and more. But this is still how much we have left for our huge family. So bulk by and combine with couponing if you can.
Jul
19
Review of Online Rebate Programs
July 19, 2008 | 1 Comment
There is another thing I do that many other frugal writers may not. I shop a lot online, because in the end it can be cheaper for me than to drive, or pay to get a ride, 30 or so miles. As such I often shop online for many things most people just wouldn’t do. However, if your like me in living at least 25 miles form the closest shopping center that has 90% of your living needs, perhaps you too have embraced shopping online as a means of saving. The best saving I have found is clearance items with free shipping coupons, that is a buy now situation, because often times you can even resell on ebay. I don’t often do this, but on things I need I might buy one or two extra for reselling.
However, let me get to the heart of this post. I found a place you can not only find web coupons for items, but they also pay you rebates on how much you shop. Before I tell you where, let me tell you how wonderful this has been for my family. As you all may or may not know my husband lost his job in June due to a terrible accident at work. His employer at the time fired him for having a hernia. Now, my husband is released to light duty and is looking forward to getting back to work as soon as possible. He has two plans. To go up into town and apply everywhere and to start his own business Clark’s Computers. It will mostly be home personal computer repair where, once our scooter arrives, he goes to the customers home and fixes the problem on the site. Well, as a new business you need things to get your work out such as business cards, and letterhead. We went to a shopping site through a rebate site for business items. This business items site has sent us over 150 dollars in business startup items for about 20 dollars in shipping and 15 dollars in merchandise. Plus I got 10% of my 15 dollars back! Do you want to know where this awesome place is? It’s Ebates and it’s free to sign up. I got 5.00 immediately just for signing up. In the end I have probably saved hundreds just by using their stores and my husband will be able to start his business once our scooter arrives.
Just last week I ordered printer ink for cheaper than the only store that carries it (over 20 miles away) with free shipping, and I got 15% back on my purchase. Like I said, for someone like me that must shop on the net for certain items due to the cost practicality it truly pays off.
Jul
18
First Trip Useing Coupons.
July 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Let me start off by saying I did indeed save money. However, it was on stuff I usually don’t buy, but for the most part needed. What do I mean? Well, batteries which I use for my camera, deodorant which my husband needs about every three months, etc… I also bought my regular food items minus the oatmeal since we have that in bulk and minus eggs since the chickens are laying half a dozen a day. Plus I was able to get all the condiments I haven’t been able to buy for the past 6 months, like mayonnaise, and ketchup. Add to this I also bought some junk. (Okay we didn’t need the junk, but I always buy some junk food…this was just cheaper than I usually buy)
I bought absolutely EVERYTHING from toothpaste, to diapers, to cheese, to salad dressing, along with the carrots, potatoes, etc.. I usually buy for 150 dollars. According to the receipt I got about 60 dollars off the total. To compare, for food alone it costs about 220 dollars a month. Add everything else and it’s about 260 dollars. This doesn’t include any of the rebates I have to send away for yet.
However, and yes I am going to complain, #1 it’s a pain. #2You don’t save as much as you think #3Most of the coupons are for junk food #4You can not do this with kids #5 Many items even with the coupon are cheaper with the store brand #6 I just barely made the amount I spent on coupons back so in reality I only saved 40 dollars. #7 It is hard to organize these things
Did I save a lot on things we have completely run out on? You bet! Would I do it again? Sure. But I wouldn’t do it every month. I will continue to keep a stash of coupons, just in case. However, next time I am definitely going to try and get only fresh foods since I now have enough ketchup and mustard to last a lifetime. (It was free after the coupon)
Jul
13
For Small Charities and Huge huge families.
July 13, 2008 | 1 Comment
I am involved in a number of charity projects, and often find myself learning things that would be helpful for other consumers, if there was a way to make it applicable. I have learned numerous places to find very basic necessities for pennies, literally. The problem is the place requires buying cases or 1,000 or more sometimes. This ends up being a large chunk of change depending on the price and lot size required to order.
I have a very large family so I assumed, wrongly, they might have something in my range. Unfortunately no. However, they do sell in lots small enough they might be of use to a church or small charity. Now I am certain most of you don’t have a lot to do with charities, but for the few that do..listen up. Many of the charities I work with buy from a store like a typical consumer. Most are content to not have to pay tax. Charities need to rethink how they are going to help if they want to continue to help and to help the most people at once. This is aimed at small charities especially. They need to pull their money and buy larger lots for less money.
I know a lot of small charities I work with feel this is too cumbersome. May be they had problems trying this in the past. In particualr one charity, I worked with doesn’t feel it is appropriate and none of them members can agree since their scope is so limited. I want to introduce all of you who work or volunteer in these institutions to a website. If any of you ever go to the dollar store to pick up goods for your charity, you can buy it for less and have a stock left over so you don’t run out. This is Dollar Days , I believe they sell to the dollar stores, but they are not against selling to you either. Look under the 49 cent or less tabs. There they have toothbrushes for 2 cents. Soap is like 5 cents. Combs also 5 cents. The thing is you have to buy a thousand or more a lot of the time. Tooth paste can be had for very cheap like 25 cents. If I can find a way to buy for my large family, trust me I am. Because only coupons, coupled with sales, and rebates are any cheaper on some of these items.
Jul
12
More Recipes to feed a Large Family cheap.
July 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today I have recipes for you. I recently received a new blender and this thing is amazing. At any rate I have been cooking new recipes every day as a result. I also received 90% of all the bulk food I ordered back in June. Let me tell you the delight I have been having in the kitchen.
Sunflower Milk
I bought Sunflower seeds in bulk from Bob’s Red Mill at 25 lbs for about 30 dollars. So it’s cheaper than store bought stuff.
You will need: blender, 1cup raw unsalted Sunflower seeds, 3 cups of filtered water, 1 tsp. ginger, 1 Tblsp Cinamon, 1/4 cup brown sugar. You take all of these ingrediants and milk into you blender. Bledn this until it is a consistant texture and color. Chill over night in the fridge. It tastes like a smoothie.
Cucumber Salad
This is a great summer time snack that costs about 2 dollars for my whole family. It often ties us over for lunch on very busy days. Cucumbers are the most wonderful garden plant to grow, you could do it cheaper than 2 dollars if you grow your own.
You will need: knife, bowl, 2 large slicing cucumbers, apple cider vinegar, pepper, salt. Slice cucumbers so that they are great finger foods. Not too thin. Place the slices in the bowl. Splash a little apple cider vinegar over them with a dash of peper. It tastes so good.
Mitchell Saute’d Squash
Fresh from the garden baby squash are perfect for this recipe. It only takes 30 minutes to make and is a great side, to put on top of rice, or as a main course for a light lunch.
You will need: knife, frying pan with cover, 5 or 6 yellow baby squash (4-6″), balsmatic vinegar, soy sauce, 2 cups of water. The way I measure this recipe is weird, so bare with me.
Slice the squash thin. Place 1 and 1/2 cups of water in the pan. Place three to six dashes, the bottles with the special top that slows the flow, well three to six splashes of balsmatic vinegar. (Depends how vinegary you want it) Then with the soy sauces 6 to 8 dashes of soy sauce. Place the squash in the frying pan, cover, and place on low to medium heat for 20 minutes. Stir and leave uncovered and raise to med high. Stir, stir, stir, and stir some more.Cook ALL of the water off. The exra half cup of water is incase you have a deeper pan and need more to cover. I like to add a little parsley, but to each their own.
Jul
11
Updates: Coupons are in, and 529 Information came back.
July 11, 2008 | 2 Comments
Well I have good news to report folks. The coupons from the coupon clippers are in, and they really are as described and even better. I have 4 coupons for three to four dollars off monistat, but two of them came with a surprise I over looked “Or any ept product“. Do you know what this means? It also works for a hugs range of pregnancy tests, with if in a tight spot the next year would be nice to have available. I also got 5 Cheeerios coupons to send for a box of free Honey Bunches of Oats. Why is this exciting, because after acounting for fees and everything, I have already made the money back on the coupons I’m using and then some. Plus my family never has cold cereal in our budget. It’s a nice treat that will last about a day. So far I spent 11 dollars, rounded up as always, and kept from spending 2.00. However did I really not spent, since my family wouldn’t have eaten this stuff unless it was free or on clearance for 50 cents? No. But I’m sure my kids will be greatful for the cereal. However, if there are items on clearance in the near future, and I use coupons on them, I will have “not spent” on something we would have bought.
Second the 529 Information on matching grants came in. It has left me with a sour mouth. The program makes it virtually impossible with out handing over your tax returns. Not bad except, this means you can’t apply for more than one minor per year. They also don’t give them back! Which also means you can not adhere to an IRS directive requires everyone to have information on file for 5 years. (Not a requirement per se, but if you don’t would you want to be caught in that situation). So in reality, the program stinks, leaves you at risk for tax issues, and leaves out huge populations of families that have more than one child. I would have opened an account if trying to get matching grants wasn’t going to be so hard. The last thing is the limit is 500 dollars in matching grants per year, not bad except the extraordinary work it requires, limited to 5 years for any one beneficiary. Plus, the kicker after they have your tax papers, (aka by the balls) they may decide NOT to grant the matching funds, and will NOT return your tax papers. I say it’s a gimic. Any way here’s hoping you find better ways to invest for college. I still think bonds are safer, even in this awful climate.
Jul
9
Saving For College with 529 Plans and Savings Bonds
July 9, 2008 | 1 Comment
I don’t usually cover specific savings strategies for specific saving goals, but given the specific tax benefits of saving for college, I think it would be fool hardy not to address it. There are a couple very wonderful plans to save for college similar in design as a 401k that allow you to save and invest. These are called 529 plans. There are two types state 529 Plans and Independent 529 Plans. For state 529 Plans the money saved and invested can only go to state colleges, however some states have added bonuses of matching contributions dollar for dollar or even two dollars for every one depending on your income. Most cane be started with as little as 25 dollar provided you promise to put away 500 dollars with in two years or you set up and automatic payment from direct deposit. State 529 Plans are an avenue to college that most working class parents can’t afford to ignore due to the dollar for dollar matching some grant based on income. If you are interested in finding State 529 Plans go to Saving For College .
Independent 529 Plans areprimarily for private school tution. Again a major investment tool that avoids tax issues that would otherwise be cumbersome. Private 529 Plans allow greater flexibility with where a student can go to college. If you are interested in finding Independent 529 Plans for your state Go to Independent 529 Plan .
Another avenue that works similiar to an Independent 529 plan is US Savings Bonds . When a US savings bond is bought by a parent with their child as the beneficiary and are cashed the same year the child goes to college, their income can be written off. US Savings Bonds are a safer way to invest for a child’s future as opposed to investment accounts. There is a 5000 USD limit to purchasing bonds each year, but you can have bonds automatically set up from your pay check similiar to direct deposit in their Treasury Direct Pay roll savings . The catch here is that you don’t earn any interest on the money sent in via the program until you move the funds to a Savings Bond Online.
Jul
8
Coupon Sites
July 8, 2008 | 1 Comment
I am always intrigued by coupon sites. Being on a Linux system poses serious challenges as most places won’t allow my Windows compatible printer and software to print them off of the web. I thinks it’s a monopoly to push Linux users out of the market, but that’s my own personal conspiracy. As such I am always looking for good coupons, I can print, or have sent, or use online. I think I have found a Mecca of sent coupons, but they do cost money. I have also found an awesome online coupon site my readers, I think, will be pleasantly surprised with.
Please allow me to introduce you to The Coupon Clippers . This is a wonderful site that details each coupon, it’s expiration date, and even where you can match coupons with sales! The coupons are from 5 cents a piece to 20 cents a piece. The even have organizers for coupon clipper regulars. The over head fee is about 59 cents and about 50 cents in shipping. The greates thing is not only can you pick and choose coupons for things you normally use, and they have rebates for things as well, but they also have NO EXPIRATION DATE coupons. I have never in my life seen these. Of course I ordered a whole stack. I’m going to write it off as a business expense, since I actually have to test the service. They sent me confirmation emails and even sent out my coupons very fast. The next coupon shipping date is tomorrow if your interested. I will tell you how fast the package arrived, what kind of coupons I got, and more as soon as they get here.
Coupon Winner is another really awesome site, if I may say awesome about a coupon site. They have tons of online coupon codes for Amazon, Newegg, Target.com, Pet Smart, and tons more. I am an Amazon regular so I am always looking for a way to save there. I found coupons for 10 dollars off select merchandise in Amazon. There was buy one get one free from Vons and 10% off your entire order at the fruit company. Honestly, this site has so many online deals for FREE that I could take a whole post explaining. The major downside I noticed was their printable coupon section is NOT Linux friendly. Therefore this is a great online coupon site, but not in the store site for Linux users.
Retail Me Not is a very unique service in that you enter a stores url and they have links to deals. However, the links to the deals are rated by other users and have comments next to them. They even have a success rate meter to help gauge what is worth your time. Again this is for online coupons and online shopping. I especially like the comments because somtimes you will see, not an actual coupon but a great sale. Other comments I saw were that this site “was confusing.” If your in a rush, confusing usually equals frustration and sometimes money lost. This the most social coupon site I have seen. As a savings site though it is a little better than average. Some of the links end up in strange areas and/or with just a search result. The links are user submitted most of the time so this isn’t any fault of the site, only an observation.
At anyrate, I sincerely hopes this helps fellow Linux savers out there. I also hope you save a few bucks. I have listed these in order of usefulness for my family. For you it may be different. Chow!
Jul
6
Not Spending money thanks to the Internet…
July 6, 2008 | 1 Comment
It seems all rage to explain how much money the internet saves. In reality you pay for the internet, so my question to you is, does the internet pay for itself every month? For me yes. I make my living off the internet. I always make the 80 USD phone/DSL bill. You see not only do I blog, but I work at home via the internet selling books on Amazon.com. I used to sell on Ebay, but quit once their listing fees went sky high. I also run my other business over the net. Therefore the net makes me money. However, I haven’t really stopped to think how much money it stops me from spending.
Since I work over the net the savings are huge. I don’t pay for the following:
Gas : 500.00 dollars a month
comics: 10.00 a month
shopping for things I don’t need: (est) 200.00
Free items from freecycle: 50.00
News without cable/paper/or magazine: 35.00
Work Clothes assuming I get a job worth my degree: 120.00
Child Care, since I am at home with the kids: 400X 5= 2000.00
How much is that now? Well over 2,000.00 a month. If you add in the annual expenses like school pictures, school taxes, teacher specific supplies (because kids parents can’t think for themselves down here), etc…
So I have concluded any money I made off the internet would have to pay for working off the internet. Where as all the money I make by working on the internet can pay for life. I would rather work to live than work to work. How much money do you not spend thanks to the internet?
Jul
3
Easily Feeding a Family of 7 on 300 a month.
July 3, 2008 | 1 Comment
I usually do not divulge family recipes for a number of reasons. The first and most important is that recipes are the spice that peppers family get togethers. I was hoping to pass them to my children. Second I always find reading about food boring, or at the very least hunger inducing. Anyway, I will divulge some recipes that are quick, easy, and affordable.
First let me explain what you should have bought in bulk. This is how much I buy for my family on a tight budget.
rice (25lb $16), beans(25lb $25), frozen pepper strips(2-3 1lb bags $3), 1$ sauage(3 1lb rolls $3), tomatoe sauce (2-3 industrial size cans $8-12), parsley ($2), garlic($2), soy beans (25lbs $19) or powdered milk(2 boxes $30), soy sauce (1 industrial size $4), the “value” 5lb broccli bags(2 $10) or mixed veg bags (2 $10), Oatmeal (25lb $20), potatoes (20lb $10), carrots (5lb $5), celery (2 bunches $3), cabbage (5-10 lbs $4-7), whole chickens (3 $12), butter (4lb $8), Sugar (10 lb $6), Chili powder ($2), Salt ($1), Olive Oil (1 gallon $26), Onions ($4), Apples ($4), Flour (5lb $2), Baking powder ($2), Veg shortening (1 can $5), Oregano ($2), Oyster Sauce (2 bottles $6). Total $265.
This is for a family of 7 for one month. There are a couple basic recipes I vary a little here and there. Please also note this is with nothing on sale, this assumes all these items will have to be bought every month even though they won’t, This is with out coupons, this is at the higer price not the store brand or non-organic variety, and this is assuming no veggies are coming out of your garden. My actual costs are much lower because I use the above techniques to lower our bill.
Recipes.
1 Pot Chicken
Needed: Defrosted whole chicken, 3-5 potatoes washed and chopped up, 2-3 carrots washed and cut up, 2-3 celery stalks washed and cut up.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Place chicken breast side up in a Baking dish that has a fitted lid. Place cut veggies around the bird. *Note potatoes can be place whole for ultra laziness. Sprinkle with parsley and maybe salt. Place in oven. Check bird after two hours with a meat theomometer. When the needle reaches “poultry” (or 190 degrees F)it is time to pull it out and serve it.
American Fried Rice
*This isn’t fat free so leave your diets at the door
Needed: A wok, A rice cooker, 5-7 cups of cooked rice, 1 frozen pepper bag, 1 onion chopped, 1 pound of sausage, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of oil (I don’t measure I just know), chili powder to taste, parsley to taste, Oregano about 1/4 a small bottle or more, 1 and 1/2 pints to 1 quart of tomato sauce (depends how saucy you want it).
Take the wok and place thawed sausage in it and fry on med to high heat. Add the oil now. After the sausage is fried add the veggies (peppers, onions, anything from the garden that would go great in tomato sauce* summer squash, turnip greens, spinach, wax beans, pinto beans, etc..) Add the tomato sauce. Add the spices. Turn heat to low-med. It should look like really really chunky spagetti sauce. Allow this to simmer for about 20 minutes or until all veggies are tender and done. Remember to stir occasionally or it will burn on the bottom. Also about 1/2 to 2/3 of my wok is filled at this point. Once the veggies seem tender, turn off the heat. Add the pre cooked rice from your rice cooker and mix well. Immediately serve on plates hot. Serves 7 at least and usually many more. (Up to 24 “side” servings)
Generally good things to add to this dish; summer squash, eggplant, tomatoes, corn, beans, greens, onions, mushrooms, cheese, chicken, tofu, hot peppers,
The day after 1 Pot chicken I usually make Chicken Vegetable Soup
Chicken Vegetable Soup
Needed: Crock Pot, Chicken bones from 1 Pot Chicken, 2 carrots chopped, 2-3 potatoes chopped, 2-3 celery stalks chopped, 1-3 lb cabbage shredded, parsley, salt, 1tsp. olive oil, pepper (optional), 1 onion chopped.
Boil the chicken bones from the 1 pot chicken in enough water to cover. After the bones have been “boiled to death” to quote my husband, strain the broth into the crock pot. Take the bones and crack and reboil for more broth with less water. After straining the second batch ofbroth into the crock pot pick off any tiny amout of meat left on the bones to add chicken bits into the soup. After the bones have been boiled twice and closely picked clean, give Fido a treat.
Into the crock pot add all the veggies, spices, and oil. Place on high heat for at least 4 hours before placing on low. I usually place this on low right before I go to bed and let it cook while I sleep. When I was going to school, I would place it on low before I went to schooland come home to a nice home cooked meal. Either way, it should be done after 8 to 12 hours depending if you keep it on low the whole time or did 4 hours of high heat first.
Biscuits and Beans
Needed: A crock pot, Cookie Sheet, 1-2 lbs of beans, water, 2 cups flour, 1 Tbsp. baking powder, 1 Tbsp. Sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 1/3 cup of powdered milk, 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of shortening(*butter or sausage grease).
Place beans in crock pot and fill it with water and place on high. After 2 hours check beans and add water as needed. Stir. Place on low overnight. Check beans upon rising and stir. Will be done by 4pm the next day. Add salt or pepper to individual bowls.
*Before lunch or dinner, which ever, make the biscuits. I usually make about 4 to 5 times what this recipe calls for and freeze the left overs so they can have microwaved biscuits with butter for breakfast, with left overs, or with second helpings of beans. This recipe makes 12 biscuits give or take 1 or 2.
Pre-heat oven to 450 F. Place all the other DRY ingredients (powdered milk, flour, salt, sugar, & baking powder) into a large bowl. Place 1/2 cup of shortening into the same bowl. Take a knife, or a pastry cutter and “cut” the shortening into the dry ingredients. This takes a while. I usually give up halfway through and have a child take over. After the mix looks like large crumbles add 1 cup of water. Mix well with a spoon. Drop1 teaspoon of batter per biscuit onto the cookie sheet. Place cookie sheet into the oven for 8 to 11 minutes depending on altitude and oven variance.
Note* Left over beans are usually used for vegetarian tacos if I have enough fresh garden veggies. The kids love this. I usually add a little American rice to the tacos too, and this adds more flavor. I take the left over beans and mash them with a potatoe masher to make “refried” beans. I spread this on tortias ($1) with American rice left overs and fresh veggies.
Mock Chinese Fried Rice
Needed: Rice cooker, wok, 4-6 cups of pre-cooked rice, 1 cup of oil, 1 to 2 lb of frozen broccoli or frozen mixed veggies, 1/4 to 1/2 cup of soy sauce (I suggest the low sodium kind if possible), 1/4 cup of oyster sauce. Optional spices to add to taste: turmeric,parsley, oregano, cumin seed, Sesame seed, nuts of all kinds, etc…
Place oil, soy sauce, and oyster sauce in the wok on medium. Add veggies and seasoning. Stir religiously. Add up to 1/4 cup of water to keep things from burning. (Optional: add a splash of balsmatic vinegar) Once veggies are cooked through turn the heat off and move the pan fromt he burner. Stir in rice and mix well. Serves: an army of hungry children wanting seconds with some left overs.
Other good add ins to this dish; shrimp, tofu, summer squash, onion, fresh peas, cabbage, beans, thinly sliced carrots, turnip greens, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, baby corn, bean sprouts, sunflower sprouts, previously cooked chicken pieces, bacon, sausage, alfalfa sprouts, peppers,
Note: Breakfast is usually oatmeal with sugar and butter, lunch is left overs. Apples are for snacks, to add to the biscuits, or to add to oatmeal.
Other Rice dishes I usually make every now and then are;
Mushroom soup Rice.
I just make 2 cans of mushroom soup with powdered milk added and a tsp of butter. I stir well on low heat and when finsihed drizzle on top of warm rice fresh from the rice cooker onto plates.
Baked Salmon on a Bed of Rice
When I can afford it I get about 2lbs of Salmon. Pre-heat the oven to 375 F. Place the Salmon on an Aluminium Foil bed and spritz it with lemon juice, thyme, parsley, onion bits, 1 tsp butter, and paprika. Wrap this up tightly and place in the preheated oven for an hour or until the meat timer says done. Have pre-cooked rice laid out on plates. Arrange cooked fish pieces over the rice and drizzle with the juice from the aluminum pouch. If you want to get cute, yo can even garnish it with fresh herbs from the garden.
If you notice these recipes are “inter-connected” as in they all need the same ingrediants and many depend on left overs from other recipes inorder to taste their best.
Recipes that go together. 1 Pot Chicken & Chicken Vegetable Soup, American Fried Rice & Biscuits and Beans. Mock Chinese Fried Rice works with so many things as a side it doesn’t need a complimentary dish. I admit this may not be 5 star cooking, but it’s good, it is nutritous, it is inexpensive, and it doesn’t have as many preservatives as commercially available alternatives (which by the way cost more).
Tomorrow I will give you a couple more recipes to make snacks, treats, and other goodies.
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