The Penny-Pincher's Pantry |
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Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 15 Minutes Servings: 5 |
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How to make budget-friendly (and often healthier) versions of your favorite convenience foods in minutes. I found this in Ladies' Home Journal magazine. I have not tried these recipe, but I'm posting them for safe keeping. Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups flour |
2 tablespoons sugar |
1 tablespoon baking powder |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
2 eggs |
3 tablespoons vegetable oil |
1 1/2 cups milk |
1 cup water |
1/3 cup light corn syrup |
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips |
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract |
cooked bacon |
garlic clove |
olive oil |
1 tablespoon white vinegar or 1 tablespoon lemon juice |
1 cup milk |
3/4 cup plain yogurt (optional) |
1/4 cup milk (optional) |
bread |
oil |
salt |
garlic salt |
1/2 chopped onion |
1 minced garlic clove |
1/4 cup olive oil |
28 ounces tomatoes (diced or chopped) |
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt |
1 tablespoon dry oregano |
ground black pepper |
4 teaspoons chili powder |
1 tablespoon onion powder |
2 teaspoons garlic powder |
1 tablespoon ground cumin |
2 teaspoons paprika |
2 teaspoons dry oregano |
1 teaspoon sugar |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
bread |
oregano (optional) |
thyme (optional) |
garlic powder (optional) |
Directions:
1. Pancake Mix: Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, and vegetable oil into milk. Add liquid to dry mixture and whisk. Don't overmix; batter should be lumpy. Makes 10-12 pancakes. 2. Chocolate Syrup: In a saucepan over medium heat, stir together water, light corn syrup, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Stir constantly until just boiling. Cool and store in the fridge for up to 2 months. 3. Bacon Bits: Finely chop leftover cooked bacon and place in a zip-top bag, pressing out all the air when you seal it. Form into a flat, thin layer and freeze; simply break off a few pieces and crumble them when you need bacon bits. Freeze for up to 3 months. 4. Pre-Chopped Garlic: Chop a handful of peeled garlic cloves in a food processor; place in a sealable container and cover with olive oil. Store chilled airtight up to 2 weeks. Once the garlic is gone, use oil to flavor pasta or salad dressing. 5. Fresh Buttermilk: For 1 cup buttermilk to use in baking, mix white vinegar or lemon juice with milk; let sit 5 minutes and use. Combining 3/4 c plain yogurt and 1/4 cup milk works, too. 6. Packaged Croutons: Cut any type of bread into cubes and coat them lightly in oil, then sprinkle with salt and garlic salt. (Add even more flavor by tossing in oil-and-vinegar salad dressing or dry herbs). Toast on a baking sheet, stirring occasionally, in a 350 oven until just golden. 7. Jarred Spaghetti Sauce: Saute 1/2 a chopped onion, minced garlic clove, and olive oil in a medium saucepan until onion is soft. Add tomatoes, diced or chopped, kosher salt, and dry oregano and simmer 20 minutes. Season with ground black pepper. 8. Taco Seasoning Packet: Stir together chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, paprika, dry oregano, sugar, and salt. Use 2 tablespoons to season 1 pound ground beef, chicken or turkey. 9. Packaged Bread Crumbs: In a 300 oven, dry slices or cubes of any type of bread about 15 minutes. Crush in a food processor or with the bottom of a pan. For seasoned bread crumbs, add dry herbs like oregano or thyme (a little garlic powder tastes great, too). To make flaky panko-like crumbs, mince fresh bread by pulsing it in a food processor, then dry the crumbs in a 250 oven. |
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