My Wednesday Pantry-Repeat Recipe for My Heath Goals

      I've shared my turkey meatloaf/turkey meatball recipe, or the way I make them before. My twist this week is I portioned to have easy numbers to do a calorie check with. I also used a combination pepper jelly and ketchup glaze for the sauce and I am hooked-especially served with steamed carrots as the sauce was delicious touching them as well. Bargain wise, you can't find a nice dinner much less than this. Had I jut made plain rice it would have been a bit lower in calorie and cost, but I had room to spare-plus the lingering rice mix in the pantry to use. Here's my dinner plate.

     I peeled and cut five medium sized carrots and steamed them without anything added. The rice dish was 240 calories a serving-2.5 servings per container,  so I had exactly 1 cup. The meatballs worked out to 87 calories a piece. I had three, and rounded up to 300 calories to cover the sauce. The whole meal was 600 calories-my second meal of the day, plus a mid afternoon snack. Earlier I had  leftover cottage pie (332 calorie portion, 1/2 c soup I was trying-ugh at 100 calories for so little, for snack, a small apple, and a hard boiled egg, totaling 592-under 1200 calories for the day and I felt I had eaten well. While I had room in my 1500 target, I wasn't hungry so any further eating would have been out of bad habit, not hunger. I did get 5 portions of fruit and veg in, but I'll try and boost that over the coming days, weeks, and months. 

Turkey meatballs

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup 1% milk
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder (about a tsp each)

     Combine all ingredients well, Form into 12 equal shaped balls (this is a loose mixture but because of so little fat, they hold their form and do not shrink much at all). I made earlier, so later I reheated with  the remains of a jar of pepper jelly, probably 1/4-1/3 cup, and a good squirt of ketchup, again about the same. DH had the same meal, but five meatballs and the rest of the rice dish, so 1 1/2 portions. 

• Carrots  $ .50
• Turkey $1.99
• Egg $ .10
• milk $ .13
• Oatmeal $ .40
• Rice side dish  $ .79

     Total for the meal $3.81 with four meatballs leftover. All ingredients were Aldi, but not in the same shop so prices may vary. Let me know if my tedious calorie and price calculations is  worth the time to share or if  quite frankly, duller than dishwater. I'll still do it for my own interest, so just want to know if you all want to know too. I may double or triple recipe next round and have a supply in the freezer as these would be easy to just pull out enough for dinners or lunches. Thank you for reading. 

Universal Salad Dressing-In Time for Labor Day Parties

I through together a hybrid salad to bring to the lake. I over shopped and needed to clear some room and had two smallish chicken breasts. I was also in the mood for the broccoli, bacon, raisin salad, but I end up eating way too much of it myself. I ended up combining a knock off D'Amico and Son's Turkey Cherry salad recipe, with the broccoli salad and ended up with a new to me, delicious pasta salad  made from broccoli, craisins, dried bacon bits, sunflower seeds, chicken, and rainbow rotini. The binder to this all is what I can only describe as a universal dressing. I've included variation of this dressing before, but it just dawned on me today that I use this over and over, and it is always a hit, and ingredients for it are always on hand, plus, it is so versatile, my fridge, freezer, and pantry is sure to have stuff to combine to make a last minute side dish or hearty salad. 

2 TBLS sugar
2TBLS apple cider vinegar
1/2-3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp pepper

Dissolve sugar in vinegar, add mayo and pepper, stir or shake until combined to a pourable consistency. Increase quantities proportionality to the food you are choosing to combine. 

In my salad today, I made batch one to coat the broccoli, bacon, sunflowers, and craisins. Then, when the past a was done and cooled, I stirred the pasta and chicken in with the other ingredients, and used a second recipe to combine all. I love pepper so probably used more than 1 tsp. Other combinations that I think are delicious are:

• Spinach and strawberries with crumbled goat cheese-use as a salad dressing
• Canned tuna, celery, and onion-sweeter sandwich spread, or as a cracker spread
• Cucumbers, tomato, and onion-almost makes a pickle like salad (I marinate for hours to really let the onion flavor soak in as well)
• Layered salad-use between layers of greens, assorted vegetables, and cheese-when serving, the dressing naturally coats
• Cabbage-use in place of coleslaw dressing

I like that as a summer salad binder, it is lighter than just pure mayonnaise. A little goes a long way as a salad dressing, probably because of the vinegar. If you give this a try or have a variation you use, please share in your comments your combinations. 

Recipe's of Treats Galore!

I had a wonderful night at White Christmas Friday night with my sister. We treated each other to a glass of wine before the show, and then again at intermission.  Even with free tickets, it was only a semi frugal evening. as a round of wine was $18, and then we stopped after for a little bite. That was frugal, going to Applebee's for 1/2 price appetizers. I knew I would want to take an ibuprofen before bed so just had some ice water to rehydrate myself. I treated my sister as she  drove and paid for parking. It was gorgeous in the park across from the Ordway. I wish I could have moved the cars, but I didn't want to run across the street, so they made their way in my picture.

I was going to label this Christmas treats but the in reviewing my selection of goodies, not a one is specifically Christmassy themed, with the exception that I bought red and green M&M's for the cookies. I just happen to make this lot this time of year. Some of these recipes are not mine so I'll link to the published original when I could find it. I make by memory now, so had to do some digging.  A couple notes though. If any reference chocolate candy coating I use semi-sweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, melted with a touch of shortening. I do not like the taste of the candy coating even though it would be much more economical to do so, but I feel it is a why bother situation to make an inferior treat when it's not a regular occurrence. I'm still in process so the picture below is just a glimpse. I'll continue into Sunday.

Recipe's and Links

Oreo Cookie Truffles  I often reserve a little of the Oreo dust for the top instead of drizzling white chocolate. I learned Oreo's are actually vegan, so if you find a cream cheese substitute and don't use milk chocolate, these could be vegan.

Nutter butter Cookie Truffles  Basically the same as above using Nutter Butter cookies instead.  Here's a trick though, if you live in the US, Target's Archer Farms or now Market Pantry PB sandwich cookies are at least a dollar cheaper, plus the right size (Nutter butter is a smaller package so you need to buy two to get the right amount), and the taste is every bit as good. I don't know if other generic or store brand cookies would be as good, but I switched to the Target brand.

 Mounds Bar Candy There are dozens of versions and clicking around gets a person a bit dizzy. I keep it simple.
1 can Sweetened condensed milk
14 oz bag sweetened flake coconut
1 pound powdered sugar
Stir and mix it all together into a think paste. chill for an hour. this next step can vary. Either form into balls, and set on wax paper in the refrigerator to get cold, or form a couple flattened logs, 3/4 inch thick by about 1/ 1/2 to 2 inches wide. these will then be cut to make little Mounds bars, like the packaged version. chill the logs. 
Once chilled, melt 1/2 bag at a time of semi sweet chocolate chips, with a tsp or so of shortening to help with silkiness. If balls, dip each ball in chocolate to coat, then put on a cookie sheet with wax paper to set. for logs, slice the size/shape you want, then dip in the chocolate, putting on the wax paper to set.  I put the tray back in the refrigerator (or I start using my cold porch) until really set before storing in air tight containers. Variation-use milk chocolate chips and press a whole almond into the candy before coating for Almond Joy candy.

Chex Mix There's so many variations of Chex Mix, I'll just link to the main site. the wheat ones are not even sold it seems, so the mixes can be gluten free if you care careful what you select.  I make the ranch version, which this will send you to.  For gluten free, use only Rice Chex. For dairy free, skip any that use cheese.  I found oyster crackers, pretzels, and cheese crackers on sale, so that is what went in mine. Use what you like and what is cheap! 

Muddy Buddies As you only need 1/2 a box of each cereal, why not maximize the use and make the chocolatey peanut version.  I originally made this with Crispix cereal and called it puppy chow, because that was what my original recipe said it was. either way, but it is a family favorite.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn  I first made this 30 years ago with my four year old preschool class as part of their take home gifts for their parents and grand parents. Funny, no Internet back then, but this is the exact recipe I used! It can also be used to form into caramel popcorn balls.

These are very easy recipe's to make with kids. As they involve the microwave, and hot sugar can create horrible burns, you'll of course want to make sure an adult is overseeing and helping. The real difficulty is not over eating and making sure they last as gifts and for my parties.

Welcome to My Kitchen

I'm not thinking too clearly so a fresh post would be quite incoherent. It dawned on my muddled brain that this week and weeks to come you'll all be hosting more people or bringing side dishes along to friends and family. This can add up to be budget busters. If you haven't wandered on my Sam's Kitchen page, I invite you to do so. I've linked my posts that hold some of my favorite frugal recipes. If you've tried any, please comment. I'm particularly finding the broccoli salad and roasted yams-carrot-squash side dishes are my favorites. I now though make without cinnamon at home as DD1 prefers plain. The risottos are terrific leftover holders for bits of veg and really make groceries go far.

I'd like to start adding more links to other recipes. If you have a post with a recipe that you're particularly fond of and want to link it up on my page, shoot me an email at samandcoffee65@gmail.com or send link in comments. Happy cooking.

It really Is So Much Better Than My Mom's

It is goulash.  I'm feeling nostalgic this week and wanted some hearty rib sticking comfort food. Thick and rich tomato sauce with ground beef, clinging to tender but firm pasta. Yeah, that wasn't exactly how mom made it. I've mentioned before the hot dish my mom called goulash was little more than hamburger, cooked tomato juice, and elbow macaroni.  DD#1 reminded me that sometimes she would use the macaroni from the boxed mac and cheese, and sometimes leftover Sloppy Joe meat-getting crazy on all of us! Her's was cheap, filling, but no spice, no flavor, and nothing I really wanted to add to my families dinner table.  I loved my mom, but spice was not her thing.  Mine is just as easy, if not quite as cost effective, but close if I buy bargain staples. Here's my sort of recipe.

Goulash-Sam Style

 12-16 ounces pasta-depending on how many your feeding and how saucy you want it
1 # ground beef
2 15 ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
course ground pepper
garlic (I use garlic powder because I always have on hand)
Italian seasoning
salt to taste and for pasta water

Cook pasta to directions,  
While water is getting ready, brown ground beef, breaking up in little pieces, salt and pepper to taste.
Drain fat, rinse if you really want the fat out-I don't
Stir in tomato's, tomato paste, and bring to a simmer.
Add spices-at least 1 1/2 tsp of each=more to taste.
Keep bubbling gently until pasta is done.

Once pasta is done, drain, then mix all together in the pasta pan. Put the cover on and let all the flavors meld about 10-15 minutes,  Serve.   My camera was not workung but I found this free picture that looks just like my version.

I'm now at five in my Blog Every Day November challenge.  Look for this on a Twitter feed near you. #BEDN

Picture from globe-view.com

A Non Pinterest Valentines

Happy Valentines Day all of you.  Romance is in the air.  Wine glasses are clinking, and chocolates and red roses are being gifted to the sweetest in our lives.  Not so much in my house.  I had decided earlier in the week to ramp up my frugality, but no skimping on the extra touches for this little holiday.  A little lie down once home after carting kids to the other side of the metro, turned into an all out snooze.  I needed it after a restless toss and turn kind of night. 

DH came home, knowing I had purchased the ingredients for a delicious home cooked, not our standard fare, dinner.  At 5:30, there wasn't so much as the oven turned on , let alone food ready to be popped in.  I managed to shake the cob webs, and put the potato's and green bean dish together.  Fortunately, I had done a dry marinade for the steaks, left to tenderize before we left at 7:30.  I didn't bother with the spinach salad, mainly because I should have made the dressing hours ago to ensure the sugar, vinegar, and mayonnaise blended and chilled together.  The chocolate lava cakes gave way for good old fashion vanilla ice cream with microwave heated hot fudge sauce. I tried to doll up the table, but in the end, we served ourselves from the kitchen, and settled with our plates to watch a movie on tv. 

The food was delicious, and DH did not miss the salad, as he had more room for the cheesy potato's and green beans.  He had picked me up a simple tulip bouquet, larger than any vases I have, so I ended up getting two arrangements out of the bunch, one to perk up each the dining room, and the living room.  After 30 Valentines together, he knows I am a tulip rather than roses kind of gal.  I won't be getting any repins on Pinterest should I dare to upload these photos, but he's a happy and satisfied man.  Now, after my well needed nap, I'll actually be able to watch the whole movie with him without falling sleep. I have a nice red table wine for sipping, and a candle lit. Ahh, l'amore.

Both are a family, and Minnesota favorite.  I don't make often
 because they are quite calorie rich.

     Though not a great picture, the broiler on my over did the job on the

petite steaks. I would have liked to thrown on the grill

   outside, but as we had a high temperature of 5 with negative

    windchills, this was just fine. In the end the fish stayed in the

freezer for another day.