A Breakfast, Brunch, or Supper Dish

I just have to share another recipe from the More-with-Less cookbook. If you haven't figured it out by now, this cookbook is a great investment in any kitchen. I made this Cheese Strata this evening, and it was gobbled up without complaint. It is so simple to make, and I'll bet you already have everything on-hand to throw one together later this week.

Here's how it goes:

Ingredients:

12 slices bread (I used homemade, gluten-free bread, and it was fantastic!)
butter
2 cups cheese
2 2/3 cup milk
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. dry mustard

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Lightly butter one side of each slice of bread. Lay six slices in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the cheese. Layer the next six slices of bread next. Then, mix the remaining ingredients well and pour over the bread. Bake 40 minutes, or until puffy and golden.

Adjustments:

• My homemade, gluten-free bread is smaller than a "regular" loaf. I still used 12 slices, but found that a 8x8 pan was large enough.
• I sprinkled 2 cups of the cheese between the bread layers and reserved the remaining 2/3 cup for the top of the strata. I topped the strata with the cheese during the last 10 minutes of baking.
• I also added about 1/4 tsp of black pepper to the milk/egg mixture.
• I served my Cheese Strata with grilled chicken-apple sausage, and then realized we were having a version of breakfast or brunch for supper. This meal is really versatile. We're saving our small amount of leftovers to have for breakfast tomorrow morning!
• Make this dish gluten-free and dairy-free by using GF bread and rice milk instead of regular milk.
• The cookbook gives a variation of adding vegetables along with the cheese between bread layers.

Thank you, More-with-Less, for another wonderfully simple, wonderfully inexpensive meal!

Submitted by Lindsey @ Penny-wise

Linda's Favourite Vegetable Stock

This is a versatile stock for a wide variety of dishes, especially homemade soup. Homemade stock is far superior to store-bought, as you can adjust the sodium levels and use the freshest ingredients. Unless I am using chicken stock made from a roasted chicken, this is my main stock for soup. This stock recipe was given to me by an English friend years ago, and it is so easy to make.


Ingredients:


2 leeks, cut into pieces
2 sliced onions
3 celery sticks, chopped
2-3 sprigs fresh thyme, if you like that flavor
1 tsp. dried parsley
black pepper to taste
salt to taste, but no more than 1 tsp.
2 litres water
20 grams butter


Melt the butter in your stock pot and add all the vegetables. Cover and sweat the vegetables on low heat for 20 minutes . Add the herbs, pepper and salt and stir in the water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for about 40-45 minutes. Strain and use immediately, or store in a container or in ice cube trays and freeze as soon as cold. Ice cube-size portions are wonderful for when you just need a little stock for a recipe.


Written and submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

The Many Uses of Orange Peels

Our family recently purchased a juicer. We have truly enjoyed it and all the health benefits that go along with fresh, raw, untouched juice. It's like milk from the cow...there's really nothing like it.

Obviously, our produce bill has gone up a bit. I decided if juicing was something we were going to do long-term, I was going to utilize every bit of the fruit and veggies, not just the juice. 

For the most part, we're composting the pulp that our juicer spits out. Though I haven't tried it, I would like to add that pulp to our muffins and quick breads for some extra fiber and bulk. 

We made some freshly squeezed orange juice the other day, and it was phenomenal! Then I looked at my cutting board and saw the pile of orange peels. I immediately thought, "I can't throw all that away. Surely there's something I can do with the peels of five oranges that's better than composting."

Turns out, I was right. Orange peels have TONS of uses.

Did you know that you can use an orange peel and a bit of coarse sea salt to scrub coffee rings out of your coffee mugs? You can also run a few orange peels through your garbage disposal to freshen it up. And, you can make your own dried orange peel to use in recipes, which is what I did.

I just used my handy micro-plane grater and went to town. A zester or fine cheese grater would work too, if you don't have a micro-plane grater.

Once you've gotten all the orange peel off you want, leave it out to dry on your counter top for about 24 hours. Then transfer it to a spice jar or airtight bag. Use it in any recipe calling for orange peels.

But I wasn't finished yet. I have used lemon peels with vanilla extract in boiling water for years to give my home a yummy, refreshing smell. So I tried it with orange peels.

Just place several orange peels in a saucepan with about two cups of water. Add a teaspoon or so of pure vanilla. If you have a rosemary or lavender plant, snip off a bit and add it to the water. Bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer all day to release a wonderful fragrance throughout your home. Be sure to check the water level every half hour and add more water as needed.

Here are a few other uses for orange peel:

• Instead of rosemary and vanilla, use cinnamon and cloves during the fall and winter for the perfect autumn scent.
• Put a piece of orange peel into your brown sugar to keep it soft.
• Use it to scrub your sink and remove that gunk all sinks seem to accumulate over time.
• Scatter orange peels in your garden to keep cats from using it as a litter box.

Do you know any other uses for orange peel? If so, please share them with us!


Written and submitted by Lindsey @ Penny-wise

The Many Uses of Borax

Not only is Borax a great laundry booster, but it is excellent for many other uses in the household.  Here are a few ideas.

1. Toilet Cleaning
Pour some borax into the toilet bowl before going to bed and then clean with a brush in the morning. You will find it an easy task as the Borax loosens the grime overnight.

2.  Economical Scouring Powder 
Mix together
1 Tbsp. Borax
1 Tbsp. Baking soda
1 Tbsp. Salt
This makes an excellent and economical scouring powder for sinks, tubs, tile, and grout. Remember that Borax is non-abrasive, so it is a wonderful cleaning agent.

3. Diapers
Rinse diapers out immediately and begin soaking in a solution of 6 Tbsp. of borax for each bucket of warm water. When you are ready to wash them, use a warm cycle and add a little amount of white vinegar in place of your usual fabric softener – this will help make the diapers soft and absorbent again.

*Don't forget about our laundry soap recipes in LIQUID and POWDER.

*And our make-it-yourself all-purpose cleaner, which uses essential oils and Borax.

Cautions:  Borax is harmful if ingested and so one should avoid using it around food. It can also irritate the skin and lungs, so use with care. Wear gloves when using and do not inhale the dust.  As with all cleaning supplies, keep out of reach of children and pets. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Borax is best used for heavy duty cleaning and is toxic in high doses so please use caution.

All-Natural & Inexpensive Drain Cleaner

This is an all-natural and inexpensive drain cleaner that really works and is good for the environment.

Ingredients:

¾ cup baking soda

½ cup white vinegar

Several cups boiling water

 Use in the following order to clean your pipes without causing damage:

1. Pour the baking soda down the drain.

2. Immediately follow by pouring the vinegar down the drain. The drain will foam as the reaction occurs.

3. Wait 30 minutes to an hour.

4. Pour the hot or boiling water down the drain, and your drain should be clear, clean and fresh.

If the drain is still slow, repeat the procedure once more.

I do this monthly to keep the drains clean, clear, and sweet smelling.

Here is another recipe that works well and is easy to store in larger, pre-mixed quantities. Use the basic recipe and make as much as you like to store for future use.

1 part baking soda
1 part salt
1/4 part cream of tartar 

Pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of recipe into the drain and flush with a kettle full of boiling water. Run hot water from the tap for a couple minutes, then turn to cool water and run for another couple minutes. Do this monthly.

Warning: NEVER EVER mix this drain cleaner with commercial drain cleaners like Drain-o. A very nasty chemical reaction will take place which is dangerous. Make sure your drains are clear of commercial product prior to using the homemade cleaner. Once you start using the home made version, you can leave the chemicals on the shelf in the store. If you have a septic tank, you should check before using these cleaners.

Written & submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

DIY: Compost Bin & Rain Barrel

It's almost that time of year...time to start seriously thinking about readying our soil for gardening, time to start planning our beds, time to start preparing for a beautiful summer of growing our own produce! We are planting our first vegetable garden in our backyard this year. My husband has already planned out the raised beds, and all we are waiting on is a nice, less windy weekend to get them built. We have our seed source ready, although we are waiting just a bit longer to order seeds. And we have located an organic farmer in our area who is more than willing to share his secrets and his soil with us. 


One thing we've been stumped on is compost. I had in my mind this dreamy compost pile. I scoured the internet for the kind of compost barrel that has its own platform and handle to easily stir the compost. Well, those unfortunately, cost anywhere from $250-$800! Not in the budget this year!


That's why I was relieved when we received this e-mail from Amanda:


I am an avid gardner and have just "discovered" some inexpensive ways to have the garden I have always wanted.

 

I recently made my own rain barrel and compost bin out of inexpensive trash cans. I have always wanted one of those nice compost bins where you add your materials and out comes beautiful compost, but they are so expensive and I thought I would never have one. While looking at some other gardening products, it struck me that surely I could make a composting bin myself for much less. I found a few videos demonsrating how to make a bin out of a trash can that cost around $20-$30. 

Simply drill some holes for air to circulate on the sides, top, and bottom. That's it! Add your kitchen scraps, old plants, and other materials to compost. Once a week, lay the bin on its side and roll around to turn the pile. In a few weeks you will have compost for your garden at the fraction of the cost of purchasing it or buying a premade compost bin. 

 

The same applies to a rain barrel. Why pay $150 for a rain barrel when for $20-$30 you can make one out of  a trash can? I simply set a trash can on some bricks and inserted a spigot near the bottom to attach a hose to or fill up my watering can. 

 

I hope this can help some others who love gardening but don't have the finances to get the fun stuff to help make gardening easier. 

Amanda, thank you for these useful and penny-wise tips! 

Written by Lindsey @ Penny-wise, Submitted by Amanda

Mexican Seasoning Mix

Here is a recipe for homemade Mexican seasoning mix. It's much less expensive than buying envelopes of pre-made mixes, and you can make as much as you like to have extra for other meals.

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 tsp. onion powder.

Combine everything and store in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. For every pound of ground beef (like for tacos) use 1 Tbsp. mix. The recipe above makes about 1/3 cup.

This recipe is gluten-free, assuming your spices do not contain gluten- or wheat-based additives or preservatives.

Submitted by Heather @ Penny-wise

Morning Muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt, if desired
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup coconut
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups grated carrots
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 grated apple
1 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together.

Fill paper lined muffin tins 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 35 minutes. These freeze well.

I like to have these muffins for breakfast or a mid-morning snack. They are delicious and healthy!

Submitted by Linda @ Penny-wise

G-free Pantry Essentials

This whole gluten-free thing has, in a small way, created a bit of an inconvenience in my day-to-day cooking and grocery shopping. It's not that I mind our family going g-free. After all, it is for the health of my baby (who will turn seven in two weeks!), therefore totally worth any extra effort or expense. It's just that I was really comfortable in my cooking and shopping before. I rarely ever had to look at our favorite recipes; they were all neatly tucked away in my brain, ready for preparation on a moment's notice.

Not so much anymore.

Late last week, I went through our pantry, fridge, freezer, and deep freeze. I gave every, single food item containing gluten, including my favorite Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Flour, to a friend--half-joyfully at how I was helping her family and half-wincing over what I felt like I was losing. 

I then took a step back, looked at my mostly empty pantry and fridge, and wondered how in the world I was going to fill them again with things that wouldn't make my boy's tummy upset anymore. 

Then, like a bolt from heaven, we received an e-mail from our friend Carrie. She has apparently been doing this g-free thing a lot longer than I have. She sent us her own list of gluten-free pantry essentials!

Not only am I excited to share it with you, but I am also pumped to begin stocking and using these ingredients in our meals too.

Carrie says, "These are items which I find necessary to keep in my pantry. They help in my day to day gluten-free cooking--basic essentials, if you will, for gluten free cooking without all the pre-made mixes!"

Xanthan Gum

Baking Soda

Baking Powder

Brown Rice Flour

Potato Starch

Potato Flour

Sorghum Flour

Tapioca Starch (a.k.a. Tapioca Flour, it's the same thing)

Buckwheat Flour

Almond Meal

Pasta Joy brown rice noodles

Imagine soups 

Corn meal

Sea Salt

And if you just have to have a mix, Carrie highly recommends Pamela's Products.

Thanks, Carrie! I have a feeling this list is going to make my life a lot easier!

Submitted by Carrie; Written by Lindsey @ Penny-wise

Simple, Inexpensive Chili

Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 lb. ground meat (beef, chili meat, ground turkey, whatever you have)

1 med. yellow onion, finely diced

6-7 cups cooked beans (Remember the Basic Beans recipe?)

2-4 cups water

2 Tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. ground oregano

1/2 tsp. black pepper (add more to taste, if desired)
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I like more, but the kids don't like spicy food, so I just use 1/4 tsp.)

1 can diced tomatoes (optional)

Brown meat and onions together. Drain if there is a lot of grease, but not if there's just a little. Zap the beans through the food processor or blender. You don't want them watery, but about the consistency of thin refried beans. Add beans, spices, and tomatoes (if using) to the pot. Then add water to whatever consistency you like your chili. If you like it thicker, use just 2 cups; if you're wanting to stretch the meal, add 4 cups. Simmer on low heat 2-4 hours, or transfer to the Crock Pot and cook on low all day. If you see it getting dry  or too, thick add a little more water.

Serving Suggestions:

Top with grated cheddar, sour cream, and/or fresh cilantro

Fry up some tortilla strips and top

Sprinkle with some red onion

Have a Frito Pie

Serve alongside homemade corn bread

Written by Lindsey @ Penny-wise

When You're Out Of...

It's the perfect evening: the kids are happily entertaining themselves, Husband is sitting in his recliner, reading the newspaper, you're busily cooking a magnificent dinner. And then it happens. It almost always does. Your recipe calls for such-and-such, and low and behold, you're out of such-and-such. It would be ridiculous to make a quick trip to the store for that one ingredient, but you fear it might make or break your dish. So, you try to improvise. 

Hopefully, these substitutions from January's Real Simple will make your improv a lot more successful. 

When you're out of {blank} use {blank}...

Lemons------> use fresh lime juice or half the amount of white or red wine vinegar

Fresh Basil------> use slightly less fresh mint or fresh cilantro

Dry Bread Crumbs -----> use crushed cracker crumbs, cornflakes, or croutons

Chili Powder -----> use 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 1/4 tsp. dried cumin, and a dash of bottled hot sauce (ie. Tabasco)

Kosher Salt-----> use fine table salt, substituting 1/2 to 3/4 the amount called for

Fresh Cilantro-----> use fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cheddar-----> use Colby, Monterey Jack, or American

Fresh Herbs-----> use the dried version, substituting 1/3 the amount called for

Nutmeg-----> use cinnamon, ginger, or allspice (for sweet, not savory, recipes)

Buttermilk-----> use 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar, plus enough milk to equal 1 cup; let it stand 5 minutes

Parmesan-----> use pecorino or Asiago

Thanks Real Simple for these great substitutions!

Submitted by Lindsey @ Penny-wise