Dinner in a Dash? Look to the Microwave!

When I first heard of microwave cooking, I was a bit skeptical to say the very least. But, I got addicted to microwave cooking after I tried a mouth watering molten chocolate cake made in just 11 minutes! So, I invested in a Pampered Chef Stoneware Deep Covered Baker*. Since then, my cooking has forever been altered! I cook whole chickens in 30minutes, and I make gourmet desserts in about 10 minutes! My guests also rave when they hear that my dishes come from the microwave.

If you are pressed for time, why not get a microwavable dish and try your hand at microwave cooking! Its cuts lots of bothersome cooking time off the weeknight race for dinner.

*For more information, or to order your own pampered Chef Stone Cookware, call me: (276)957-1422, or email me kitkitwv@yahoo.com, and put "Pampered Chef" in the subject line. It can be shipped directly to your home!

Freezing-A Quick Alternative to Canning

Have you ever wanted to preserve your garden's harvest but not had the time to invest in canning? Well, an inexpensive and easy alternative is to freeze your food!
Just find some freezer safe bags, perpare your food as normal, and stick it in the freezer! Usually frozen foods from your garden, when packaged properly, will stay good for about a year. Its that easy!

Canning - A Money Saving Southern Tradition

Canning has been a favorite past time of southern women for years. Its also a great way to save money. And, as my favorite cook, Paula Deen says "Anybody who says you can’t bottle up sunshine and save it for a winter’s day hasn’t tasted my canned tomatoes."
An easy way to get started is to can some tomatoes straight from your garden! Is very easy, and you don't even need a pressure canner. Simply follow the instructions below!
5 pounds tomatoes, blanched, and peeled
dash of lemon juice
pinch of salt
2 (1 quart) Jars with lids
Boil tomatoes and salt, covered with water in a pan for 5 minutes
Add a little lemon juice to each sterilized jar
Fill jar with tomatoes, leaving 1/2 inch headspace
Add "simmered" lids to jars, and process in hot water bath for 10 minutes.
Remove from bath and cool on counter.
Its that easy!

Save Money, Grow a Garden!

When I was growing up, my mother was an avid gardener. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants. You name it, and she grew it. Maybe that's where I get my love of gardening from. Or, maybe its just because I'm thrifty and like to save money. Whichever the case, my husband and I save literally hundreds of dollars on our grocery bill every year by growing our own fruits and vegetables. Each day I get a basket full of veggies from our backyard.

I cook as many as possible in our dinner each night, and can the rest for the Winter time. (Waste no, want not, right??)

Gardening may or may not be for you, but why not try it out? Even if you just have a few of tomato plants in some flower pots on your porch. It will be well worth it!

Save Time and Money Making Lasanga

Are you tempted to buy those expensive "No-Boil" Lasanga Noodles everytime you visit the pasta aisle? Don't do it! Buy the cheaper regular Lasanga noodles instead. You still won't have to boil them! I'll tell you how:

Add some extra pasta sauce in the bottom of your lasanga pan before you add your uncooked noodles. Layer as usual. Cover while cooking, and remove the cover in the last 20 minutes of baking.

Your noodles will be tender, and you have just saved yourself time and the extra cash!

An Easy Crowd Pleaser

I have a great friend that I've known every since I was really little. She gave me this great recipe that is always a hit at gatherings and parties. Hope you enjoy!
Submitted by LeighAnn
Corn Casserole for a Crowd
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 14 3/4 oz can creamed corn1 8 oz package sour cream...
1stick of butter
1 8 oz package corn muffin mix -
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese - you can use cheddar or jack but I prefer the 4-cheese Mexican blendJalapenos are optionalPreheat oven to 350 degrees F. I like to use a 10 in cast iron skillet but you can use a casserole dish if you prefer. I melt the stick of butter in the skillet while the oven is preheating. In a separate bowl I mix the two cans of corn, sour cream, corn muffin mix and melted butter. This would be when you would put in the jalapenos if you so choose. I then put it in the skillet and bake for 45 minutes. I take it out and cover the top with cheese and bake for another ten minutes or until cheese is melted.I have taken this to lots of gatherings and I always come home with an empty skillet!!

A Healthy Dinner In Less Than 5 Minutes!

Ever been so rushed that you only have 5 minutes (or less) to get dinner on the table? Salmon and Cheese Enchiladas to the rescue! Your family will love them! Even the kids! All you need is 5 ingredients.
1 Can of Salmon (remove the skin and the bones before starting recipe)
1 cup cheddar or mozzerella cheese (whichever you like best)
3 cloves pressed garlic
a dash italian seasoning
4 fajita sized flour tortillas
Combine fort 4 ingredients in a lightly greased frying pan over med high heat. Heat til cheese melts.
Scoop into tortillas.
Bon Appetite!
Dinner is Served!