THRIFTY THURSDAYS: CROCKPOT BEEF & BROCCOLI & HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES!!!

Celebrate The Chinese New Year with a little Fake Out, Take Out!

Here is my super easy Crockpot version of Beef & Broccoli.

Chinese food would not be complete without fortune cookies!  

I'm also sharing how to make your own, they are super easy & absolutely delish!!

Oh yeah, did I mention that this whole meal feeds a family of 6 for under $10!!!

CROCKPOT BEEF & BROCCOLI WITH RICE & 

HOMEMADE FORTUNE COOKIES $9.48 FOR A FAMILY OF 6 ($1.58 A PERSON)

Price Breakdown:

·         Steak $5.98 ($2.99 lb)

·         Beef Broth $.50

·         1lb Broccoli $1.00

·         Misc liquid ingredients $1.00

·         Misc Cookie ingredients $1.00

Beef & Broccoli with Rice

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 lbs Flat Iron, Strip or Skirt Steak, sliced into thin strips

1 can beef broth

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1 tbsp. sesame oil (regular oil will work fine)

2 Tbsp. Oyster Sauce (optional, but the flavor is amazing)

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp. cornstarch or flour

1lb Frozen or fresh broccoli florets

White rice, cooked

INSTRUCTIONS:

• ·         In a crockpot, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.
• ·         Place the slices of beef in the liquid and toss to coat.
• ·         Turn crockpot on low and cook for 6 hours.
• ·         When done, in a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 5 Tbsp. of the cooked liquid to create a thickening agent
• ·         Pour into crockpot, stir to mix well. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to thicken up the sauce.
• ·         At this time, toss in your broccoli florets to cook for the remaining 30 minutes.
• o   If you are using frozen broccoli DO NOT THAW
• o   If using fresh broccoli, there is no need to pre-steam.
• ·         Serve over white rice!

Homemade Fortune Cookies 

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg white

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoons canola oil

1/2 tablespoon water

Directions

• ·         Cooking spray, for pans
• ·         Write your fortunes on 12 pieces of paper that are about 1/2-inch wide and 2 1/2-inches long.
• ·         Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
• ·         In a small bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch and sugar.
• ·         In a medium bowl whisk together the egg white, vanilla, oil, and water until smooth. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth batter is formed.
• ·         Working in small batches, drop the batter by tablespoons onto a nonstick baking sheet that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Tilt the baking sheet in a circular motion to spread the batter into 4-inch diameter circles.
• ·         Bake until the edges of the cookies are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and working quickly, use a spatula to remove the cookies from the baking sheet. Put a fortune into the center of a cookie and fold it in half. Bring the points together with open seams on the outside. Arrange in muffin tins to help keep the shape while cooling.
• ·         Repeat with remaining fortunes and cookies. Transfer to a serving bowl or basket and serve.

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THRIFTY THURSDAY: LOW-CALORIE BAKED POTATO SOUP

This morning on Good Morning Idaho I shared how I sneak extra veggies into

my dinner.  This helps keep the calories down as well as make sure my family

is getting their fill of veggies!

Low Calorie Baked Potato Soup $9.23 ($1.53 a person for a family of 6)

Price Breakdown:

8 Potatoes  $.24

1 Carton of Chicken Broth $1.50

2 Heads of Cauliflower $4.00 (around $2 a head)

1 Green Onion bunch $.50

1 container of Sour Cream $1.00

1 Bacon, 12oz $1.99

Ingredients:

8 russet potatoes

2 large heads of cauliflower

4 cups fat free chicken broth

4 cups 1% or 2% reduced-fat milk

salt and freshly cracked black pepper

16oz container of light sour cream

Cheddar cheese, shredded

Green Onions, chopped

1 package of bacon 12oz, cooked and crumbled (you can use turkey bacon if you prefer)

Directions:

Part 1:

·         Peel & dice 5 of the 8 potatoes and chop up the cauliflower.

·         In a crockpot, place the diced potatoes, cauliflower, chicken broth, milk, salt & pepper

·         Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours .

Part 2:

·         30 minutes before you are ready to eat, pierce the remaining 3 potatoes with a fork; microwave on high for 5-10 minutes (or use the baked potato setting).  Or if you prefer to use your oven, bake at 400° for 1 hour or until tender.

·         Cool and dice; you can leave the skins on if you would like or peel them for even lower calories. Set aside

·         Use an immersion blender to puree the contents of the crockpot until smooth.

d
     * Add sour cream, half the green onions, additional salt & pepper if needed and the remaining 3 cooked potatoes

·        Allow to cook for another 15 minutes.  Cook the bacon and chop.

·         Ladle soup into a bowl. Top each serving with shredded cheese, more green onions & bacon!

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THRIFTY THURSDAYS: HOMEMADE CHICKEN & NOODLES WITH MASHED POTATOES. $8.72 FOR A FAMILY OF 6!!

Homemade Chicken & Noodles with Mashed Potatoes -  $8.72 ($1.45 a serving)

Today on Thrifty Thursdays I shared one of my families favorite

feel good meal!

If you missed this segment you can watch it here.

Price Breakdown:
· 2 Cartons of Chicken Broth $3.00 ($1.50 each)
· 1 Whole Fryer Chicken $5.00 ($.99 lb)
· 8 Potatoes ($.24)
· 6 Eggs for noodles ($.48)


Ingredients
2 Large Cartons Chicken Broth
1 Whole Fryer Chicken
3 Stalks of Celery
8 Potatoes, peeled & quartered
All-Purpose Seasoning (to taste)
2 Recipes of Homemade Noodles (recipe below)
Garlic powder (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)

Instructions
· Boil Whole chicken and celery stalks in the Chicken Broth until chicken is fully cooked
· Remove the chicken to allow to cool
· Place the potatoes into the broth, boil until tender
· Meanwhile prepare the noodles (2 batches)
· Once Potatoes are fully cooked, remove and mash. Set aside to keep warm
· Shred chicken and place into the broth
· Bring to a rapid boil.
· While constantly stirring, drop the noodles into the broth
· Allow to boil for another 15 minutes to make sure the noodles are fully cooked.
· Spoon over mashed potatoes and enjoy!

HOMEMADE NOODLES
Ingredients
1 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 beaten egg yolks
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup water
1 tsp. oil (any oil is fine)
FOR YOLKLESS NOODLES:
Substitute the egg yolks with 2 beaten egg whites
Increase the oil to 2 tsp.

DIRECTIONS:
· In a large bowl combine flour and salt.
· Make a well in the middle to hold wet ingredients.
· In another small bowl wisk all wet ingredients until combined
· Pour into the well you made in the flour.
· Mix together until all combined well. (dough will be ver sticky and wet)
· Sprinkle flour onto working surface
· Turn dough onto floured surface and knead flour into dough.
· Add more flour to surface as needed and work into dough until it is smooth and elastic.
· With a rolling pin, roll dough out to desired thickness.
· Cut dough into desired noodle width.
· I like to use a pizza cutter to make cutting fast and easy.
· If you plan to cook immediately make sure your liquid ro sauce is boiling before you drop the noodles into the pot.
· Let cook for at least 2 minutes before eating!
· TO STORE:
· Once cut, move noodles to a wire rack to dry
· Overnight is best, just to make sure they are fully dry.
· Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days
· Or store in a freezer bag or container in the freezer for up to 8 months.






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THRIFTY THURSDAYS: TATER TOT CASSEROLE FOR A FAMILY OF 6 ONLY $8.90!!

Tater Tot Casserole is always a good stand by for a quick weeknight meal.

Not to mention much nicer on the checkbook than takeout!  

I like to hide veggies in the mixture and & serve a salad to complete the meal for my family!

Now, I'm not saying mine is better than anyone else.

Though there is one special ingredient that I think totally makes this 

Tater Tot Casserole the best!

Tater Tot Casserole $8.90 for a family of 6 ($1.48 a serving)

Cost Breakdown:

• 1 1/2 lbs of Ground Beef $3.88 ($2.59 a pound)
• Tater Tots $2.50
• Cream of Mushroom Soup $.50
• 8oz Sour Cream $1
• 3 cups of cheese $1.02 ($.34 a cup compared to $1.50 a cup pre-shredded)
• Cheese on sale 12/6 only at Rosauers 2lb brick $3.69 (limit 2)
  Use $1 off any 2 pounds of cheese
  Final Price: $2.69 (2 lbs of cheese = 8 cups shredded)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 ground beef cooked and drained
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 small bag of frozen corn or canned corn (optional)
• 1 28 oz package tater tots
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 8oz container sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups grated cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees
• Brown hamburger with diced onion until the hamburger is fully cooked.
• Drain grease and add the frozen corn, stir to combine.
• Pour the hamburger mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan

• In a bowl, combine Cream of Mushroom soup, Sour cream & milk
• Pour over the top of the hamburger & spread to cover all the meat.

• Spread 2 cups of the cheese as the next layer

• Top evenly with Tater tots.

• Bake in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly & the tater tots are crisp
• Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese, continue to cook until the cheese is melted.
• Let cool for 10-15 minutes to set before serving.
• ENJOY!

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HOMEMADE THANKSGIVING SIDES $3.72 VS. STORE BOUGHT SIDES $10.88

Did you miss yesterday's Thrift Thursday?

We covered cheap Homemade sides VS. Processed Store-bought.

Watch the full segment here!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce: FREE vs. buying Canned Cranberry ($1.25).
Green Bean Casserole - $1.94 vs. buying canned cream soup, green beans & fried onions ($4.99).
Homemade Whipped Topping - $.50 vs. buying Frozen Tub of Whipped Topping ($1.08).
Honey Glaze Roasted Carrots - $1.28 vs. buying yams & marshmallows ($3.56)

Homemade Sides - $3.72 vs. store-bought sides - $10.88

Homemade Cranberry Sauce = FREE at albertsons with doublers

Ingredients:

·         (1) 12oz Bag of Fresh Cranberries

·         1 Cup of Sugar

·         2 Tablespoons of Water

·         Zest of an Orange Peel

Directions:

·         Place all ingredients into a saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes.

·         Once Sugar is dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and cook until the cranberries burst, about 12 minutes.

·         Reduce the heat to low and simmer to let thicken.

·         Now is the time to add more sugar or other seasonings if desired to taste

·         Place in the fridge to cool before serving.

Green Bean Casserole $1.94 ($.66 Onions, $.78 Frozen Green Beans, $.50 chicken broth)

Ingredients

For the topping:

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons corn starch

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Nonstick cooking spray

For beans and sauce:

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1 pound fresh green beans, rinsed, trimmed and halved

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup Milk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.

Combine the onions, flour, corn starch and salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Coat a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and evenly spread the onions on the pan. Place the pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 30 minutes. Toss the onions 2 to 3 times during cooking. Once done, remove from the oven and set aside until ready to use. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees F.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the beans. Bring a gallon of water and 2 tablespoons of salt to a boil in an 8-quart saucepan. Add the beans and blanch for 5 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately plunge the beans into a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a 12-inch cast iron skillet set over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and 1 teaspoon salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become clear.   Add the garlic and  continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Add the broth and simmer for 1 minute. Decrease the heat to medium-low and add the milk. Cook until the mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, approximately 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in all of the green beans. Top with the onions. Place into the oven and bake until bubbly, approximately 15 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Homemade Whipped Topping = $.50 at Paul's Market

1/2 cup of Whipping Cream = 1 cup of Whipped Topping

Ingredients:

·         Whipping Cream

·         1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

·         Sugar to taste

Directions

In a mixing bowl beat the whipping cream until thick and sticks to the beaters.  Add the vanilla and small amount of sugar until desired sweetness.  Mix a bit longer to combine.

Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots = $1.28

Ingredients:

·         Carrots

·         Honey to Glaze

·         Salt & Pepper

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray or olive oil.  Cut carrots into desired chunks or strips.  Place the carrots onto the baking sheet, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with Salt & pepper.  Bake until browned and tender.

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PUMPKIN SOUP COOKED IN A PUMPKIN ~ ONLY $9.70 FOR A FAMILY OF 6!!

Did you catch Thrift Thursdays yesterday?

I showed you how to make a delicious Pumpkin Soup cooked in a pumpkin on a budget of course!

YOU CAN WATCH HERE!

Pumpkin Soup cooked in a Pumpkin for a family of 6 $9.70  

($3.23 a pumpkin that serves 2)

Price Breakdown:

·        $2.97 Baking Pumpkins (need 3 @ $.99 each at Albertsons)

·        $.54 Vegetables (3 potatoes, 3 cloves of garlic & 1 large onion)

·        $1.50 Chicken Broth (on sale at Fred Meyer $2/1)

·        $1.50  Half & Half (on sale for $1.99 at Albertsons – use 1 ½ cup)

·        $3.19 Asiago Cheese (on sale at Albertsons)

*Each Pumpkin will serve 2 people.  For a family of 6 I have done 3 pumpkins; the following recipe is for 1 pumpkin. 

Ingredients

• ·        1 whole baking pumpkin, approximately 4 pounds, rinsed
• ·        2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• ·        1 tablespoon butter
• ·        1/2 small yellow onion, diced
• ·        1 teaspoon salt
• ·        1 clove garlic, minced
• ·        1 potato, peeled & chopped
• ·        1 cup chicken broth
• ·        1/2 half & half
• ·        2oz Asiago cheese

Directions

• ·        Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• ·        Cut out the top of the pumpkin to make a lid by cutting around the stem at an angle.

o   Make sure the opening is large enough to work within.

o   Remove the seeds and fibers.  Reserve the seeds for another use.

o   Brush the exterior of the pumpkin and the lid with vegetable oil.

o   Oil a round casserole dish large enough to hold the pumpkin and place the pumpkin inside.

• ·        Combine the butter, onion, salt, garlic, potato, chicken broth, and half & half in the hollowed pumpkin. Replace the lid of the pumpkin to cover.
• ·        Bake at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
• ·        Remove the lid; Add the cheese and bake an additional 30 minutes, uncovered.
• ·        Remove the pumpkin from the oven, and gently scrape some of the flesh into the soup mixture.
• ·        Puree with an immersion blender to desired consistency, being careful not to hit the sides or bottom of the pumpkin. (Don’t want a leak)!
• ·        Serve immediately.

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WE COOK: THRIFTY HALLOWEEN TREATS!

Last week on Good Morning Idaho I shared some very thrifty Halloween Ideas.

These are fun to make for a party, though are so quick and easy it is a perfect

craft to do with the kiddos as home to enjoy!

If you missed this episode you can watch it HERE!

Bloody Cups
· Red Food Coloring
· Corn Syrup

Ear Wax Q-Tips
· Toothpicks
· Mini Marshmallows
· Peanut Butter

Witch’s Brooms
· Pretzel Sticks
· Reese’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Jack o’ Lanterns
· Cutie Oranges h
· Sharpie Marker

Eyeballs
1 1/2 cups of creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup softened butter
3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar
14oz. white candy coating
1 tablespoon shortening
M&M's or Melted chocolate (eyes)
Red decorating gel

Directions for Eyeballs:
· With a mixer, beat the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth.
· Slowly add the powdered sugar, continue to mix until well blended.
· Shape peanut butter mixture into balls. Recipe will make 40 eyeballs.
· Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill and let set.
· Meanwhile, melt candy coating in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute, stir then do 30 second intervals until fully melted.
· Once melted, stir in shortening until smooth and shiny
· Dunk each peanut butter ball into the chocolate mixture to coat, set back on cookie sheet
· Let set.
· Make the eyeball design with either attaching an M&M or melting chocolate chips and making a dot.
· Use the red decorating gel to make lines down the sides.

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THRIFTY THURSDAYS: ROASTED PORK ROAST, HOMEMADE CROCKPOT APPLESAUCE & FRIED POTATOES = $8.00 FOR A FAMILY OF 6!!

If you missed today's segment of Thrifty Thursdays, you can watch it HERE!

Pork Roast, Homemade Crockpot Applesauce & Fried Potatoes

$8.00 ($1.33 a serving) for a family of 6!

INGREDIENTS:
1 5lb Pork Sirloin Roast $1.18 lb (on sale at Paul's Market)
8 Red Delicious Apples $1.42 (Paul's Market buy a bag and get 16 apples for $2.85)
6 Potatoes $.48
1 Onion $.20

DIRECTIONS:

PORK ROAST
Generously sprinkle salt and pepper all over the roast
Place roast in a roasting pan.
Add half the onion, chopped and 2 cups of water
Allow to cook for 2 1/2 - 3 hours at 375 degrees (you want the crust of the roast to start cracking

HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
Peel, core and chop the apple and place in a crockpot.
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar
Add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
Add 3 tablespoons of brown sugar
Cook on low for 6-7 hours. The apples will start to break down as they cook.
Once fully cooked, puree to desired consistency

FRIED POTATOES
Slice potatoes into rounds at desired thickness
Soak in an large bowl of ice salt water
(this step breaks down the starch on the potatoes. This will keep them from sticking together, add flavor & cook with a great crispy outside!)
Coat a skillet with oil and heat over medium high heat
Once hot, add the potatoes and other half of chopped onion.
Allow to cook flipping the potatoes occasionally until they are golden brown.

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