Cooking 101

We had our first homeschool cooking class last week. I have several friends who homeschool, so we are planning to get together twice a month and do some extra-curricular activities with our kids. This is in place of joining a co-op, which is too hard to do with daycare kids. :-(

One of my friends let me pick apples from the tree in her backyard, so my friend and I decided to have the kids make applesauce. They had fun, dumping in the ingredients and helping stir it all up. While the applesauce was cooking, they helped mix up pizza dough and then created their own pizza pockets.

It was a fun day (without too much stress), they were able to enter time spent in math AND science after the cooking class.....plus, we got to taste all of the "experiments".
That was the best part!

Do you think the kids would go for making sushi next time? (One can dream..... ;-)

{Putting all of the yummy ingredients in with the apples}

{Stirring it up....}

{Making the pizza dough.....Ellie did not like the smell of the yeast. LOL}

{Mommy and daughter bonding time}

{The finished pizza pockets!}

To see the finished applesauce, check out the recipe over on my other blog!

Bargain Meal of the Week is Moving!!!

Last week, I came to the realization that I talk about food way too much on this blog. I mean, come on....the blog is called "ToddlerWorld"! How much do toddlers really eat, if we are being honest? I think my love of "all-things-food" has overtaken my original plan to share parental tips and anecdotes (and the occasional picture of my angelic offspring) with the general public.

Thus, I have started an additional blog, dedicated solely to "all-things-food". :-)
If you enjoy food even a smidgen, I think you will like it. I will be sharing recipes, shopping tips, easy kitchen shortcuts, etc. Head over, check out Woman Shall Not Live by Coffee Alone, and let me know what you wanna see in regards to FOOD.

Oh, and enjoy this week's Bargain Meal of the Week....in its new little home. Make it feel welcome.

Bargain Meal of the Week: Nov.4-10, 2009

Fall is always full of festivals, celebrations, weather changes, and school events. It gets harder and harder to fit in family time, let alone family dinners. During this season, I like to find recipes that I can throw together in a hurry, and know that my kids will agree on them. :-) This recipe qualifies as just that......enjoy!

Frito Chili Casserole and Veggies with Dip
(I left out the onions in this recipe.....my family is not fond. :-)

Hormel Chili with Beans--$0.79 (need 1 1/2 cans)
Fritos--$1.49
Kraft Cheese--$2.49 (use 1 cup)

Mini Peeled Carrots--$0.99 (serve 1/3 of the bag)
Nature Sweet Cherub Tomatoes--2/$6
Wishbone Salad Dressing--$1.49

Est. Cost: $5.43

And don't forget to check out BeCentsable, for your local store's deals!

Bargain Meal of the Week: Oct. 21-27, 2009

My husband is a native of Wisconsin, and up until 2008, had lived his whole life in the Midwest. I am a West Coast girl, always living in the Pacific Northwest or one of its bordering states, until I met and married him in 2001.

This has made for some interesting cultural misunderstandings in our marriage. Not fights, mind you.....we never fight (of course). But we have discovered differences between our two upbringings.

One major area of difference is in regards to food. I grew up in a state where organic "tree huggers", if you will, resided. Thus, the food choices were generally very fresh, very healthy, with lots of Latino influences. My husband grew up in a state heavily influenced by German ways of living. Very traditional, heavy, substantial food is the norm. (This is not a hard and fast rule on either side, mind you. But there are definitely different ways of life and eating in both areas of the country!)

Because of this, we had to blend our two styles of eating and cooking. I think we have done very well in this regard.....but we still have a few points of disagreement.

*I would take baked fish over fried any day.
*I would eat frozen yogurt over frozen custard any day.
*I would make a chicken/spinach/artichoke heart pizza over sausage/pepperoni any day.
*I would take a nice light pasta salad over hot German potato salad ANY day.
*And I would take a nice piece of grilled salmon over a brat (pronounced "brawt") any day.

That last point brings me to my $5 meal for the week........

As I was scanning my King Soopers ad, I spotted the Italian sausages on sale for $1.99/lb. My husband would love me even more if he walked into the house and was greeted by the smell of sausages being cooked for supper. (gag.....) But because I am a loving and kind-hearted wife, I just may hop over to KS and buy him a couple. Maybe.

Baked Italian Sausage with Rosemary Potatoes
(Add a few baby carrots to make it a complete meal!)

Italian Link Sausages--$1.99/lb (need 6 sausages)
Bulk Russet Potatoes--10 lbs/$10 (the recipe calls for 28.25 oz. of potatoes....huh?...It comes out to 1 3/4 lbs. :-)
Ecce Panis Ciabatta Artisan Bread--$1.99 (need 2 slices)
Mini Peeled Carrots--10/$10 (use half the bag)

Est. Cost: $5.65

(I will let you know if I bless my hubby with this hearty dish this week. :-)

Bargain Meal of the Week: Sept. 23-29, 2009

Fall has arrived....time for some serious comfort food. I am planning on making my first pot of potato soup this weekend, along with some yummy butternut squash (check out this week's recipes!).

What is your favorite comfort food?

Meal #1: Easy Italian Chicken and Garlic-Baked Squash
Boneless Chicken Tenders--$1.99/lb. (use 1 1/2 lbs.)
Kraft Salad Dressing (buy Italian)--$1.19

Acorn, Butternut or Spaghetti Squash--2 lbs./$1

Est. Cost: $5.20


Meal #2: Sausage, Peppers, and Spaghetti Squash Dish

Johnsonville Italian Sweet Sausage--$3.99 (I would only use 3/4 pkg....seems like alot of meat to me!)
Red Tomatoes on the Vine--$1.48/lb. (need one cup, diced)
Spaghetti Squash--2 lbs./$1 (need 3 cups)

Est. Cost: $4.50 (before peppers....price will vary from store to store)

Bargain Meal of the Week: Sept.16-22, 2009

In case I have any new readers who are completely confused by these posts each week, I will explain.....
I am part of a blogging "network", brought together by Erin of $5 Dinners. This lady gives fabulous tips on how to make dinners for cheap, and she decided to start a feature called "Bargain Meal of the Week" so that bloggers all over the nation could share local deals with their readers. Thus, why I post "Bargain Meals" each week. It is a fun little way to merge my love for cooking with my love for deals. Make sure you check out Erin's blog--she is a wealth of knowledge!
Please keep in mind that with most of my bargain meal posts, I assume that you have some of the recipe ingredients on hand. (the basics--spices, garlic, sauces, etc.) If you do not, this may add some cost to my estimates.
I hope that if you are a Colorado reader, you are able to use some of my recipes. If so, leave a comment so I know I am being helpful! lol




I will post two meals this week, because I know the first one will not be liked by some of you. :-)
(I, on the other hand, think it sounds DELICIOUS!)

And then the 2nd recipe sounds absolutely disgusting to me, but I am posting it in honor of a few southern friends I have....enjoy?????

Have fun this week, preparing for the coming of fall.....I love this time of year!

Meal #1: Grilled Eggplant with Crumbled Bacon

Red Peppers--10/$10 (need 2)
Eggplant--10/$10 (need 1)
Feta Cheese--$2.99 (use 1/2 cup)
Kroger Sliced Bacon--2/$5 (cook 5 slices and crumble on top of cheese)

Est. Cost: $5.00


Meal #2: Fried Bologna Sandwiches with Coleslaw and Chips

Oscar Mayer Bologna--$1.49
Kraft Cheese--$1.49
King Soopers White Bread--$1.29

Deli Connection Coleslaw--$2.99 (use 1 lb.)
Sun Chips--$2.48

Est. Cost: $5.05

Is it comin' out your ears?

This time of year, everyone is reaping all of the delicious fresh produce from their gardens. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. I did not inherit my parents and grandparents aptitude for gardening. Thus, I rely on other people's gardens for fresh produce. :-)

One of my favorite vegetables to eat fresh is zucchini. I grew up eating zucchini straight out of the garden......my husband wasn't so sure about it when we first got married. I would just cook it for dinner and serve with a little butter. Took him awhile to get used to.....lol.

Since then, I have tried other ways of using zucchini. I will share a couple with you today.....if you have more, please leave a comment!

#1: My favorite way to prepare zucchini is to cut it into sticks, add carrots, celery, potatoes, peppers, basically any veggies you like. Package in foil packet, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with your favorite spices (I use McCormicks garlic and onion mix), and cook on the grill. So yummy!

#2: I love to make zucchini bread...here is the recipe I often use. Which one works for you?

#3: We cut up zucchini into sticks or half-rounds, and eat them raw with dip. They are so good, and softer than carrots and celery for small children.

#4: I often add zucchini to spaghetti sauce, soups, or stirfry. It is a mild veggie that adds color and flavor to lots of dishes!

There are many more ways to use this veggie---if you have it in your garden, make sure you use it! :-)

Bargain Meal of the Week: August 26-Sept.1, 2009

Two meal choices this week, depending on the weather...... :-)

Outdoor Meal: Grilled London Broil and Grilled Corn on the Cob

London Broil--$1.99/lb. (need 1 1/2 lbs.)
Organic Sweet Yellow Onions--$0.99/lb. (need 1 onion)

Olathe Sweet Corn--3/$1 (make 6)

Est. Cost: $5.50


Indoor Meal: Beef Stroganoff and Fresh Fruit Plate

80% Lean Ground Beef--$1.88/lb. (need 1 lb.)
Betty Crocker Skillet Helpers--$0.79

Golden Pineapples--10/$10 (use 1)
Jumbo Mangos--$0.99 (use 1)
Organic Red Seedless Grapes--2/$3 (use 1/2 lb.)

Est. Cost: $5.45

Remember to check out the Grocery Gathering for your weekly deals!

Bargain Meal of the Week: August 19-25, 2009

Summertime is when I try to keep my dinners simple. It is not fun to slave over a hot stove, and miss time you could be spending outside! So I always look for quick-fix ideas, that are still hearty and nutritious. This menu qualifies for both of those--I can hardly wait to try it out on my family!

Sausage and Cabbage Pitas with Steamed Veggies
(I am swapping tortillas for pitas....my family eats them better. :-)

Jennie-O Fresh Ground Turkey--50% off (need 1 1/2 lbs.)
Green Cabbage--2/$1 (need one medium head)
King Soopers Natural Sour Cream--$1.14 (use 1/3 cup)
Tortillas--$1.59/12 (use 8)

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers--$1.19

Est. Cost: $5.42

Make sure you sign up at King Soopers (or your local grocery store)

Bargain Meal of the Week: August 12-18, 2009

One for you, one for the kids this week. I made the kid one on Wednesday night, and my kids devoured it! :-)

Parent's Meal--#1: Baked Pork Chops with Wild Rice & Sauteed Zucchini

Mixed Pork Chops--$1.49/lb. (use 4)
Cream of Mushroom Soup--$0.49 (need 1 can)

Rice-A-Roni (wild rice mix)--$10/10 (make 1 box)
Zucchini--$0.99/lb (make 1 lb.)

Est. Cost: $5.50


Kid's Meal--#2: Easy Pasta Primavera and Melon Slices

American Beauty Pasta (Fettucine)--$1.27 (cook whole pkg.)
Ragu Cheesy Alfredo Sauce--$1.55 (heat entire jar on stove)
Zucchini Squash--$0.99/lb. (use 1 lb.)
Organic Tomatoes on the Vine--$1.99 (use 2 tomatoes)

Rocky Ford Cantaloupe--3/$1 (buy 1, cut into slices)

Saute diced zucchini in olive oil. Add diced tomatoes and heat just until soft. Mix sauteed vegetables into heated alfredo sauce. Pour over cooked noodles.

Est. Cost: $5.82

Check the Grocery Gathering for your local weekly deals!

Bargain Meal of the Week: August 5-11, 2009

I love making summer recipes.....using fresh garden ingredients and creating recipes on the grill.
Enjoy this one--the peaches are perfect this week!!!

Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Peach-Ginger Chutney and Tossed Salad

Half Boneless Pork Loin--$1.88/lb. (need 1 lb.)
Yellow Flesh or Palisade Peaches--$0.99/lb. (use 2 peaches)
Fresh Express Garden Salad--$0.99
Organic Grape Tomatoes--$2.99 (use half the pint)

Est. Cost: $5.37

~Remember to stop by BeCentsable, to find the deals at your local grocery store!~

Bargain Meal of the Week: July 29-August 4, 2009

Summer is halfway over--and as it winds down, I always get invited to (or host!) tons of picnics. I like to take dishes that don't have to stay hot, and that are easy to throw together at the last minute. These two recipes are easy to make, and easy to take along to an outside get-together. Enjoy!

Picnic Dish #1: Layered Taco Dip
(I divided this recipe in half....to use for a potluck picnic. If you are making it for an entire family, make the whole thing!)

93% Ground Beef--$1.99/lb. (need 1/2 lb.)
King Soopers or Kroger Sour Cream--10/$10 (need 1/2)
Kroger Cheese--$5.99 (need 1 cup)
Kroger Salsa--$1.69 (use 1/2 jar)
Green Leaf Lettuce--$0.99 each (use 1/2 head)
Kroger Cream Cheese--$1.29 (need 1 pkg.)
Kroger Olives--$0.69 (use one small can)
Kroger Tortilla Chips--$1.00 (need 1 bag)

Est. Cost: $5.80


Picnic Dish #2: BLT Potato Salad

Kroger Value Russet Potatoes--$2.99/10 lb. bag (need 3 lbs.)
Kroger Value Bacon--$1.39 (use 6 strips)
King Soopers or Kroger Sour Cream--10/$10 (need 1/2 cup)
Celery--$0.89 (need one cup)
Romaine Lettuce--$0.99 (use 1 head)
Flavorino Cherry Tomatoes--2/$5 (use 1 pint)

Est. Cost: $5.55

~Remember to check out the Grocery Gathering and King Sooper's home site.~

Easy does it!

So, I am feeling very lazy today......

I really don't want to type out a recipe today. Or even link to one. :-) Sorry!

But I will share two tips with you.

1. If you chop up fresh cilantro, and put it in your ordinary Pace Picante Sauce, it tastes pretty close to real Mexican-restaurant salsa.

My husband was won over (which is difficult to do, since he imagines himself a salsa connoisseur.) ;-) I ate almost half a jar today for lunch!

2. My friend told me this one--I have yet to try it out.......Blend strong coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice. Supposedly tastes like a frappucino. I have no measurements for this one--you will have to figure that out for yourself. Ha ha!

And there you go--Something's Cooking Sunday has been covered by some DIY kitchen recipes! Let me know if you try either of them.....

Your dinner looks good...wanna swap?

A few months ago, my friend, Heather, invited me to join a food co-op that she was doing at her church. I decided to try it for a month and see how it went.

I am sure many of you have heard of these before, or even participated in them. Here is how this one works....

1) Heather sets up a poll at Doodle each month. Everyone gets on there and picks a category (chicken, beef, other, fresh), and then leaves a comment, telling what they will bring.

2) You make enough food for 11 people. There are 10 in the group, and one meal goes in the ministry freezer at their church.

3) It has to be food that can be frozen, typically casseroles or soups. But people have gotten pretty creative--we have had breakfast burritos, beef stroganoff, twice-baked potatoes, etc. The only exception is the "fresh" category...one person can make something fresh to exchange. (I did stromboli this time.)

4) It is helpful if you type up the recipe (for others to keep if they want), and add instructions for cooking the thawed-out meal.

4) We meet once a month, on a specific night, and exchange meals. Then you have 10 meals, stocked in your freezer!!


First month, not so good for me. I really didn't "count the cost", so I spent much more than I planned to. I didn't figure in the amount of food needed, the disposable containers I would use, or the amount of time it took to make all of the meals.

Last month and this month, I did much better. Now, I usually start by choosing a meat that is on sale that week. Then I plan my meal selection around that meat type. I try to find recipes with as few ingredients as possible (because I am lazy....) and recipes that use low-cost ingredients. I buy my disposable containers at Dollar Tree, and cover them with foil, rather than buying the ones with plastic lids.

I don't want the meals to be cheap or skimpy, but I also don't blow the bank. I think I spent around $85-$90 the first time, which is not horrible for 10 entrees.....but I knew I could really research and shop, and spend much less if I tried. This month, I made one of my favorite meals, and I only spent $61! (Thanks, in part to my new Costco membership...)

I find many recipes here and here. My Quick Cooking cookbooks also come in handy for this kind of thing. Other times, I just google recipes for the meat I am using, and get millions of choices to choose from.

This food exchange has been great for our family--it is so nice to pull an entree out of the freezer the night before, and know that supper is ready to cook the next day. Have any of you ever done this? Have you enjoyed the experience, or was it too hard or expensive?

Meal Planning for Picky Toddlers

As some of you know, I babysit out of my home. It is a perfect job for me, and allows me to be home with my two younger children all day long.
And I am getting better at budgeting and shopping for the extra kids in my house, so I am actually making money now. Ha!

But I still have one problem.....

Picky eaters.
(And one of those is my own....the boy.)

It is hard to make meals and snacks that accommodate all of the palates in my house on a daily basis! Most of them do a good job of eating the balanced diet that I serve them. But there are still some meals where the food sits untouched on their plates.

Here are my "main-stays" for main dishes:
~hot dogs ~sandwiches ~mac and cheese ~quesadillas ~noodles w/spaghetti sauce ~Ramen noodles ~pizza

We usually have a side with the main dish:
~fruit ~cooked veggies ~chips or crackers ~raw veggies w/dip ~tater tots

I need some help though.....I am thinking if I were to start serving some new and original main dishes and sides, I may get a better response. :-)

Here is my criteria:
~somewhat healthy (I prefer homemade if possible....) ~quick to make ~cheap (lol)

What do you serve your own children for lunches? That is a good place to start. If you can think of recipes you have seen or used or know of any good websites to check, please let me know!

Thanks. I know I will get some good suggestions!

Bring it on, Cinnabon!!

Did you know there are 730 calories in a Cinnabon classic cinnamon roll?
And 24 grams of fat?

I am not a "dieter". To be honest, I don't really give a hoot about my fat grams, etc. I just eat a balanced diet--devoid of pop, chips, and fried stuff-- and hope that I can stay ahead of middle age. :-)

But that statistic about Cinnabon rolls was appalling even to me!!! That is half of my recommended daily caloric intake! Come on.....I want to be able to eat lunch and dinner.

There is hope though! If you are craving cinnamon rolls, but don't want to eat carrots and water the rest of the day--try out this recipe instead.

And if you are like me and have a fear of using yeast, HAVE NO FEAR. It was much easier than I thought. Although the yeast-y smell was somewhat bothersome to me.....

It was totally worth it!

Slap on a little homemade cream cheese frosting (~~~heavenly!~~~), and you are all set.

I meant to take a picture of these, so you could drool all over your keyboard and rush to the kitchen to make them......but they were devoured too quickly for a photo op. :-) Sorry. You will just have to make a batch and see for yourself.

My Mother-in-Law's "Better Than Cinnabon" Rolls :-)

1 pkg. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 cup sugar
3 T. butter
1 t. salt
3/4 cup scalded milk (just below boiling)
1 egg
2 1/2--3 cups flour

Soften yeast in warm water. In mixing bowl, combine sugar, butter, salt, and milk. Cool to lukewarm temp. Stir in egg and yeast mixture. Gradually add flour to form a stiff dough.

Knead until smooth and elastic. Put dough in greased bowl--turn so dough is greased. Cover, let rise 1-1 1/2 hrs. or until doubled in size. Roll out in rectangle shape--put melted butter over dough. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture (I also added brown sugar, to make it more caramel-y.)

Roll up, cut into rolls, bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.
Ice with frosting and enjoy!

Another frugal recipe

A few weeks ago, I posted about how our family is trying to eat more beans. :-)

I am going to share a few of the recipes I have found and used so far. And like I said before, if you have any good bean recipes that you have tried, let me know!

This week is RICE N' BLACK BEAN BAKE......

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 jar (8 oz.) picante sauce
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup (8 oz.) sour cream
2 cups (8 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Corn or tortilla chips

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Stir in the rice, sour cream and 1 cup of cheese. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with corn or tortilla chips.
Yield: 6 servings.

Estimated cost: $5
Add a salad or veggie and you have a meal (or two)!

Movin' on.....

"Something's Cookin' Saturday" is moving.

I just enjoy my Saturdays too much, to fill them with blogging. :-) Well, maybe reading other blogs is o.k. But not writing on my own.

So I am moving my recipes to Sunday. I figured I can research the wonderous, fabulous recipes on Saturday, even try them out for you. (Because I am nice like that.) And then I will post the recipe on SUNDAY instead.

What do ya think? I know you are all hanging on the edge of your seats, waiting for Saturdays. So I don't want to cause any havoc......I hope this won't throw your whole weekend off!

(Too bad. See you tomorrow.) :-)

All about crackpots.....I mean, crockpots

I have not been good about sharing new blogs with you. I explore new ones almost every day......but then forget to bookmark them so I can post about them. Yet another reason why my blog will never be as successful as this one or this one(on which you can win a Target giftcard!) or even this one. :-)

I happened upon this blog the other day though, and was completely THRILLED! I love to use my crockpot (what could be easier?!), but have not found many recipes yet that I like.

This blog is going to be visited frequently by us here at ToddlerWorld. The more time I have to chase the rugrats, the better! :-) Check her out, and let me know if you try any of her recipes.

Beans, beans--the musical fruit.......

Just kidding. I haven't reverted to junior high. I won't finish the ditty--I promise.
(Although it does make me giggle a little...... :-)

No, but seriously.
Today, my topic is beans.
And I need your help! I need to know what your favorite bean recipes are. I have been trying to substitute beans for meat in our diet--cheaper, just as high in protein, etc., etc. But I am kind of running out of good ideas for them. You can only have so much chili and beans and rice.......

So send me your recipes, links to recipes, and suggestions for.....BEANS!


(And I promise never to mention the "bean song" again. :-)