other than maybe a trip to Kroger to
get some pop and things to make some
pizza dough in the bread machine.
I might also stop by the library
to pick up a reserve that came in.
My body still aches so it's slow moving.
Still have one more tray of seeds to plant.
Good thing I have the greenhouse as
they are calling for possible freeze warnings.
It stays pretty warm in there and it currently
looks like a steam house with condensation
all over the sides.
Well time to get the kids motivated and
ready for school. At least the sun
is trying to poke through the clouds.
That always makes for a better day
when you have a lil sunshine.
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MONEY SAVING TIP
Buy store brand and compare weight or serving sizes.
Today I needed some yeast to make bread or
pizza dough. I saw some in small packages
and also saw some in jars. I wanted to know
what was the best deal so started comparing.
Kroger 3 pack of yeast on sale for $1.50
3 packs combined equals 7.5 teaspoons
6 packs combined equals 15 teaspoons for $3.00
4 ounce jar of Kroger bread machine yeast $2.59
this is equal to 46.5 teaspoons and is the better deal!
Fleischman's yeast for a 4 ounce jar of
bread machine yeast was $7.99!!!
So if you can, buy store brand to save money.
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Getting some plants in the greenhouse.
While it is chilly outside in the 50's,
it sure felt good going in the greenhouse
where it was much warmer.
I got the second tray of 72 count seedlings started.
I got some flowers started also,
Flying Saucer Morning Glories, to put
up on the iron panels along the driveway.
I would like to get more flower seeds,
love the Zinnia's as they last such
a long time. And maybe try growing
some wave petunias for the flower baskets.
Flying Saucer Morning Glories.
They get up to 6" across.
Wave Petunias
ZINNIA
These are easy to grow and tolerate heat and drought!
My greenhouse
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TONIGHT'S SUPPER
Smoked Sausage Teriyaki Stir Fry
I added in these extras:
1 ramen noodles without seasoning packet
2 large fresh mushroom sliced
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5:40pm
Just pulled the pizza crust dough from
the bread machine and all looks well.
My first home made pizza dough
that didn't come from a can or pouch!
I tried to figure cost to make:
.10 cents for 2 teaspoons yeast
1.25 cups water
.02 cents 1 T oil
.01 cent 1 tsp salt
.08 cents a cup x's 4 is .32 cents for flour
(my flour was a manager special price)
So total price for 2 crusts about .45 cents
or .22 cents each!!
Now compare that to Pillsbury canned
crust at about $2-$3 for 1 crust!!
Now I want to put all the chicken breasts
in the crock. I like to cook bulk meat
all at once. Then use or freeze it.
Makes fixing supper go lots quicker
when the meat has already been cooked.
Might do chicken & bacon pizza tomorrow
night with fresh sliced mushroom.
.45 cents for 2 pizza crusts
.20 cents spaghetti sauce
.50 cents 4 large fresh mushrooms
.90 cents 1/2 pound bacon
$1.50 2 cups shredded cheese
.50 cents cut up chicken breasts about 1/2 pound
TOTAL COST FOR 2 HOMEMADE PIZZAS with 3 toppings $4.05
or $2.02 a pizza
Pizza Hut or Papa Johns wants $10 a pizza with their sales.
Frozen Kroger Rising Crust pizza is about $5 each
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A few more easy and money saving recipes.
GRAPE JUICE JELLY
* 3 cups grape juice (Prepared from frozen concentrate is fine)
* 1 package powdered pectin
* 4 cups sugar
In a large saucepan combine the prepared grape juice and the powdered pectin. Stir it up to eliminate all of the lumps. Bring the mixture to a full boil over medium heat, stirring some as necessary. Add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil. Boil for a full minute and remove from heat. Ladle the jelly into clean sterilized jars and seal with bands and lids. Process in a boiling water bath for about 10 minutes to seal. Remove the jars and allow to cool before storing on the pantry shelf. Makes about 5 cups.
Usually when I make this recipe I use juice I have prepared from frozen concentrate, diluting it with 3 cans of water, according to the package directions. When the jelly is done, I ladle it into a clean quart size jar, and a clean pint size jar. Then I put both into the fridge for storage. We go through it pretty quickly for PB&J sandwiches, and breakfast toast so it's a poor use of my time to process and seal the containers, when I can store them in the fridge just as easily. When I make this recipe for gift giving in the winter, I do process the jars, so they will keep on the recipient's shelf for as long as a year.
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SEASONED TOMATO SAUCE
for spaghetti, pizza sauce, etc
* 2 tablespoons oil
* 2 tablespoons dry onion
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 12 oz can tomato paste
* 2 cans filled with water
* 1 teaspoon basil
* 1/4 teaspoon oregano (optional)
* 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
* 1 teaspoon salt
This sauce is so easy, so cheap and so good, you won’t believe it. Heat the oil in a 2 quart size saucepan. Add the dried onion and garlic. Stir the onion and garlic around in the oil for about 30 seconds, or until they start to smell good. Add the tomato paste. Now fill the empty can with fresh water and add it to the pot. Do it again, so two cans of water have been added. Stir it all up until the sauce is smooth and thick. Add the seasonings. Cover and simmer for about 5 or 10 minutes depending on your time and fuel situation. After the flavors have mingled long enough to know each other better, you are done.
The uses for this sauce are endless. I use it anywhere I would usually use canned or jarred spaghetti sauce. For instance, on spaghetti, as the sauce for pizza, over leftover grains, in lasagna etc. This is a very versatile marianara sauce. If desired it can be prepared ahead of time, and refrigerated until needed. It keeps in the fridge for a week. For variety you can add a can of mushrooms, a spoonful of dry celery or green pepper, and even a can of chopped tomatoes or zucchini in tomato sauce, for chunky goodness. Use your imagination, this recipe is really just a starting point. Where you go with it, is up to you.
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RANCH DRESSING
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1 cup buttermilk or yogurt (dry buttermilk is fine)
* 2 teaspoons parsley
* 1 teaspoon onion powder
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Dash of dill weed
* 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Get out a medium sized bowl. Measure the mayonnaise into it. Gradually whisk in the buttermilk or yogurt. If you use powdered buttermilk, whisk in the powder first, and then slowly add a cup of water. Then add the seasonings. Whisk again. Or you can make it in the blender by putting everything into the blender and whirling until smooth. The mixture will be a little thin, but it will thicken on standing. Store in a pint size jar, makes 2-cups. Keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks. Tastes really good with yogurt by the way. This is my favorite way of making it. It tastes good with powdered buttermilk too, but the consistency is thinner than with yogurt.
Note: If desired, you may add a tablespoon of Parmesan Cheese and/or a tablespoon of lemon juice to the dressing in addition to the seasonings above.
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CHOCOLATE SYRUP
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1 cup tap water
* 2 cups sugar
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Find a 2 quart saucepan. In it, mix the cocoa and water with a wire whisk or fork. Heat the chocolate water over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and boil for a full 3 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat.
Add the salt and vanilla, stirring to blend. Pour the syrup into a clean pint sized canning jar, or a clean catsup container. Put a good lid on the jar and store it in the fridge.
Use this chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk, or serve it over ice-cream. This is remarkably similar to Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup in the can.
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TARTER SAUCE
* 1 cup mayonnaise
* 1/4 cup sweet pickles, chopped
* 2 tablespoons chopped onion
* 2 tablespoons pickle juice
Mix everything together and serve with fish. Makes about 1-1/3 cups.
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and here is the recipe I am making
in the bread machine now for pizza crust.
I don't have what's called a dough cycle.
Mine says pizza dough.
I don't buy pizza sauce.
I use a can of tomato soup
or I buy a $1.00 jar of spaghetti sauce.
Any leftover sauce goes into another meal.
* 1-1/4 cups water (plus 1 or 2 more tablespoons if necessary)
* 3 tablespoons olive or other vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 4 cups bread flour or all purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
Measure the ingredients into the bread pan in the order listed. Make a well in the flour and sprinkle the yeast into it. Set the machine to it’s Dough Cycle. After the dough has mixed a few minutes add a spoonful or two of water if the dough seems very dry. On my machine the Dough Cycle lasts 1-1/2 hours. The dough will be risen and puffy in the bread pan when it is done kneading and rising. Punch it down (with out hurting your fist on the paddle); and remove it from the pan. Knead it a few times to get it deflated properly. Divide the dough in half. Divide the dough in half. Let the dough halves rest for about 10 minutes to relax the gluten, making it easier to roll out. Press the dough into 2 - 14″ or 16″ pizza pans. I oil the pans a little first, but you don’t have to if you don’t want to.
Top the dough with your favorite sauce and pizza toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 to 20 minutes. Cut each pan into 12 slices of pizza. Serve hot.
