Swag Bucks Widget

I found a new search engine that helps me earn some extra cash by just doing searches. I've added the widget to my page, so if anyone needs to do a search I'd love it if you used my widget...If you'd like to sign up for Swag Bucks click here. Thanks!

Happy Be-lated Halloween/Boo to the Packers Loss

Our kids had a blast trick or treating with their cousins this year. They brought home quite the large amount of loot! We stayed up at my BIL's house for the night and hung out to watch the game in the afternoon...Good times, good times!

We had quite the football game time menu though...thought I'd share it. We had Pepperoni Spirals (which were a HUGE hit for the second time in a row), homemade Soft Pretzels (didn't do that dipping sauce, we did a salsa cheese dip, also we put melted butter on top before baking them), we also made the Crock Pot Cheeseburgers. The pretzels were awesome! They weren't that hard to make either, especially compared to the Peperoni Spirals. They were something great for the Packer's Fans...since it goes with cheese!

Some Tylenol Recalled

Thought I'd mention this after my aunt just emailed me an article about it. Check it out on Tylenol's website.

Good Recipe for Kohlrabi

I came across this when I was looking to use up the last few kohlrabi from my fridge. I thought some other people with gardens might like this too...
Mel

Kohlrabi Khol-Slaw With Apples Recipe #387015 on 'Zaar

A friend of mine makes a coleslaw with shredded bagged coleslaw mix, which is similar to this. Using the kohlrabi makes a little crisper slaw, but it is just as enjoyable.

by SewandXit

1 hour | 1 hour prep

SERVES 8 -10

• 3 good-sized kohlrabi
• 1-2 carrots (enough to give the slaw some color)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar (about a Tablespoon or so)
• 1/4-1/2 cup mayonnaise (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
• 1 diced apple
• pepper (optional)

1. * Shred kohlrabi and carrots and put in a bowl.
2. * Sprinkle the sugar on top of the shredded mix, and let it sit at room temp for about an hour. (Sugar can be altered to suit your taste).
3. * Add apple, vinegar, and mayo and mix. (additional mayo can be added to make it creamier).
4. * Season with pepper if desired.
5. * Serve immediately or chill.

Mike Drools For This

This is one of Mike's favorites and I made it tonight for him to bring to a potluck at work tomorrow. Thought I'd share the recipe with all of you. I originally found the recipe in Taste of Home. I'd say it'd make more like 24 servings because they're fairly sweet, so you don't need a huge piece.

Texas Sheet Cake

This chocolaty delight was one of my favorites growing up. The cake is so moist and the icing so sweet that everyone who samples it wants a copy of the recipe. -Susan Ormond, Jamestown, North Carolina

SERVINGS: 15
CATEGORY: Dessert 
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, cubed
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup baking cocoa
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• ICING:
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large saucepan, bring butter, water and cocoa just to a boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; add to cocoa mixture. Stir in the sour cream until smooth.
    Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
    In a saucepan, melt butter; add milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil.
   Remove from the heat. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Pour over warm cake. Cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: 15 servings.

Free Samples at Panera Sept. 10

Thought I'd mention this to you guys. I just saw it. Panera is trying out some new products for the fall and are giving a free sampling on September 10th. Click here to find a location near you...

Reasonably Priced Food

I almost forgot to mention this. I heard about it at a WIC appointment. It's called Fare For All. It is a program mainly here in the cities that doesn't have a salary limitation. It is kind of like a warehouse sale without the membership. Check out the site for all the specifics! They have some express locations throughout the cities once a month and warehouse location for once a week availability.

Easy Ground Beef Gyros

These are great guys!! We made them over Labor Day weekend with my future sister-in-law, Ashley. She loved how easy they were to make and how nummy they tasted. Takes only as long as it takes to mix up and grill some burgers. You can make the taziki sauce the night or morning before you cook to let it blend flavors all day, or you could just make it before you do the patties and throw it in the fridge, not a big deal. We also added the extra cucs as a topping also, and they were wonderful! Granted, I usually make dishes that have a majority of the ingredients in my pantry, but it was only $5-10 to get them to double this recipe...The great thing about this recipe is that you can use ground beef, chicken or turkey and all would taste great!

Ground Beef Gyros

Recipe #30081 | 22 min | 10 min

Your review has been submitted for approval and will appear shortly.

By:Cyrene
Jun 3, 2002

This is a great summer meal and quick and easy to put together and tastes wonderful. Refreshing served with the cucumber sauce and is even low in fat. I think this came from Quick Cooking. It's a favorite in our house.

SERVES 4 

Change to: Servings US Metric

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

clear stars

Write a Review! (optional)

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) container plain yogurt
• 1/3 cup chopped seeded cucumber
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon sugar

Filling

• 1 lb lean ground beef (I use ground turkey)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 pita breads
• 3 cups shredded lettuce
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.
2. Cover and refrigerate.
3. In separate bowl, combine ground beef and seasonings.
4. Mix well.
5. Shape into 4 patties.
6. Grill, covered, (you can also use a toaster oven or broil these) over medium to high heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning once.
7. Cut patties into thin slices.
8. Stuff into pitas.
9. Add lettuce, tomato, and onion.
10. Serve with yogurt sauce.

Football's about to begin

I'm actually getting a little excited for this season. I'm very disappointed to see Favre with the Viks...Not so much because I think he should be with the Packers, but because he's a baby and got out of training camp like he wanted and still got a spot with the Viks. Plus he's only come back with the Viks to stick it to Ted Tompson...take a class and get over your anger, dude...I'm sticking with my prediction that the Viks will still not get to the Super Bowl...I'm a firm believer that the Viks can't get past the first round of play offs. Since they have Favre this year, I'm going to bump them up a notch and say the second round, because Favre's going to be hurt sometime throughout the season. The only good game he's going to play is those against the Pack, and I can't wait to see Rogers kick his ass! Do I sound angry? I am, I almost puked last week when I saw Favre doing an interview with a Vikings hat on...ok, I'm done now...

I am excited about football this year though. Mike and I are doing a Fantasy Football league with John and Denise for bragging rights...can't wait to see who's going to win! I just want to beat Mike...hehe

I'm sure I'll have plenty of good game day recipes posted for throughout the season, so check back often!

Black Bean Hummus and Pita Chips

Hi guys,
I had to pass this one on...I made it this morning and it tastes wonderful! If you're not exactly a chick pea fan, this recipe is for you! I keep a jar of tahini in my fridge just for hummus, it keeps for a long time! This recipe goes great with pita chips, which are also very easy to make yourself...You can have both of these ready in a half hour if you want...Perfect for homemade! It always tastes so much better!

By now you guys have to know I always add more garlic, but that's the only thing changed. Oh, and I added water instead of juice from the can, because I made mine from scratch and didn't have much liquid when I forgot about them at 10pm last night. If you don't have a processor, you can also use a blender...Let me know what you think!

Black Bean Hummus
Recipe #71609 | 10 min | 5 min prep | 

By: ms_bold 
Sep 15, 2003

Great dip to serve with toasted pita wedges, veggies, or chunks of grainy bread. I have friends who prefer this to "real" hummus.

SERVES 8

Change to: Servings US Metric

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

clear stars

Write a Review! (optional)

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drain and reserve liquid
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 10 black olives, chopped

Directions

1. Mince garlic in the bowl of a food processor.
2. Add black beans, 2 tablespoons reserved liquid, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, tahini, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
3. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Add additional seasoning and liquid to taste.
5. Garnish with paprika and chopped black olives.
6. Serve with toasted pita wedges, veggies (I like baby carrots, especially.), and/or chunks of grainy bread.

Pita Chips
package of pita bread, cut either in triangles or in strips
1/2 c. olive oil
1 tsp. pepper
pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp. dried basil

Cut up pita bread. Spray the pan you're going to cook the bread on. Mix the ingredients (except for the pitas). I use a pastry brush to brush a little bit of the mix on each side of the slices and put on pan. With the first how ever many, you usually get more oil than seasoning on them, so at the end when I'm down to the seasoning in my mixing bowl I go back over the first ones and pat a little bit of seasoning on those. The pita bread I get is pre-sliced, so I pull them apart and it makes a thinner chip that cooks faster. If you don't cut them, you'll have to cook them longer. Note: You can cook two pans at once, but make sure you switch trays from top to bottom when you flip them over. I cook them for about 4 minutes on one side, take them out, flip them and cook them for about 3-4 minutes more. It always seems like the really thin ones get a little crispy, but they're still good! I store mine in an air tight container.

Discount Bread Stores

I frequent a couponers website and it has tons of great ideas on saving money. I hope this one helps you guys from the TC area. If you go through as much bread as we do, it's bound to help somewhat...

TWIN CITIES BAKERY OUTLETS
LOFTHOUSE/ C2B CONCEPTS
7350 Commerce Lane, Fridley, 763-586-6241.

Store items: More than 50 artisan breads, including Tuscan white, cranberry walnut, honey oat, country Italian, ciabatta rolls, cookies. Generally, no more than six to eight varieties offered daily.

Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays.

PAN-O-GOLD
3200 Ranchview Lane, Plymouth, 763-559-1515.

Store items: Variety of Country Hearth breads, buns, cookies, packaged snacks, condiments.

Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat.

SARA LEE/TASTEE
Blaine (763-755-5542), Eagan (651-688-9275), New Brighton (651-639-1266), Richfield (612-861-5926), White Bear Lake (651-779-6552)

Store items: Bread from Sara Lee, Healthy Choice and Master; buns; Malt O' Meal cereals; cookies; milk; condiments; bagged snacks.

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.

WONDER BREAD AND HOSTESS CAKES
Burnsville (952-890-7335), Maplewood (651-770-7176), Minneapolis (612-729-1710), New Hope (763-533-2268)

Store items: Wonder Bread, English muffins, doughnuts, Hostess cookies, Twinkies, condiments, bagged snacks.

Hours: 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sat.

HOPKINS THRIFT BAKERY
1812 Mainstreet, Hopkins, 952-931-9679

Store items: Bread, cookies, rolls and doughnuts from Cub Foods bakery and Jerry's Foods.

Hours: 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. weekdays, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sat.

Come Back From The Dead

I'm back...I finally figured I've been sending tons of emails to people about random things I find. So, I figured I'm done with that and I'm just going to post it all here. I find different money saving deals, recipes to try and all sorts of random things on the net. I can now put them all in the same place, if even for my own future reference. Hope it helps someone...