The kids are outside squealing and playing in the sprinkler.  I am making out a list of things to grab at the store.  One is for one of our family favorites…if it is not in the freezer at all times, I have a very disappointed bunch.  Make a batch and give it a try. ( We eat it all day, even for breakfast on a stifling morning).

FROZEN BANANA PINEAPPLE SLUSH (aka.  Fruity Goodness )

3 cups water

5-6 Mashed ripe bananas (red-taped, of course)

1 1/2 cups sugar (adjust to your liking)

1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple

1 tsp vanilla

1 can (6 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate *

Mix all the ingredients in a large freezer safe bowl (I use a gallon ice cream bucket).  Freeze for a minimum of 5 hours, or overnight.  If solid, thaw for 15 minutes (or microwave for 30 seconds) before serving.  Disclaimer…it is addictive!

*I have trouble finding the 6 ounce size, so I just purchase the 12 ounce and use it for two recipes.  It seems that I make it at least once per week, so it works good for me.

Grands Little Pies

Cinnamon Crunch Cobblestone Muffins

Do you have a recipe you would like to share with us?  Please send it in.

Mexican Chicken

3 Chicken Breasts – I use boneless and skinless

3 cans corn

2 cans Black Beans – rinsed well and drained

1 jar of Salsa – whatever you like

1 can of green chilies

1 can of diced tomatoes

Diced Onion – I used 3 Tbsp of Dried Onion (optional)

Salt and Pepper to taste – I don’t add this until I taste the finished product

(I added another chicken breast and the can of tomatoes after I had it in the crockpot.)

Pour all the ingredients, do not drain corn or tomatoes, into your crock pot and cook on low for 3-5 hours.  Take the chicken out and shred and then add back in.  We use this for several different meals.  We top our nachos with this.  You can make burritos or tacos with it also.   It made the whole house smell wonderful and the kids can help make it since it’s so easy!

I was able to feed my family of 6 last night and have enough left over for 4 more meals!

Pizza Crust (1 large  Pizza)

1 Tbsp Yeast

1 cup Warm Water

1 tsp Sugar

1 Tbsp Veg. Oil

2 1/2 – 3 cups of flour

Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water.  Let it proof for 5 mins.  Add 2 cups of flour to begin with and add more until the dough forms a nice ball.  Knead for 5 mins on a floured surface.  Roll or press into the shape or your pan.  (Grease your pan well, I also sprinkle corn meal on the bottom to make sure nothing sticks.)

I bake my crust for 5 mins in a 400 degree oven before I add the toppings.  Then I bake the pizza until the crust is crispy, around 15 mins.  For the last 5 mins of cooking I flip the pizza out onto the rack in the oven.

Idea – I sometimes add garlic powder or Italian Seasonings to the dough.

This makes a great pizza for Family Night!

Have fun and be creative.

Thanks Shara!

Ginger recently posted about a website that we both really like called 5dollardinners.com.  Briana at BargainBriana is giving away 3 cookbooks here.  Visit the site and sign-up to win!!

Print a coupon here for $0.55/1 Old El Paso Green Chiles.

Thanks, Money Saving Madness!

This is an exciting coupon for me, as one of our family’s favorite foods is a recipe from my Grandma, Bonnie Roberts – Green Chili Enchilada Casserole.  I’ll share it with you here.  I have tweeked it slightly, as I don’t take the time to roll enchiladas.  She cooked for a huge family, tripled this recipe,  and they ate out maybe two times per year!!  I am still in awe!

Green Chili Enchilada Casserole

1 lb. ground beef                                

1 small onion, chopped (left out in my home!)

garlic and salt to taste

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1 package tortillas (she used corn, I use flour)

1/2 lb. cheddar cheese

sauce:

1/2 stick margarine

4 Tbsp. flour

1/2 lb. cubed Velveeta cheese

2 cups milk

1 can diced green chilis, undrained

Directions:  brown ground beef with onions, salt, chili powder and garlic.  Set aside.  In a mediun pot, melt margarine.  Add flour to make a paste.  Slowly add the milk, stirring until smooth.  Stir in Velveeta and green chilis.  Cook over med.-low until melted, stirring frequently.  While sauce is melting, spray a 9×13 pan.  Tear 3-4 tortillas into small pieces and cover the bottom of pan.  Layer 1/2 of the beef, and 1/2 of shredded cheese.  Repeat layers.  Pour sauce over all, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Auugh, memories!

The past couple of weeks I have been making my menu plan on Sundays.  I have searched the web to find low cost, healthy and tasty meals.  There is a great site call $5.00 Dinners. I hope it will insipre you to save money and also have some very tasty dinners to set on your dinner table.

Would you like to share a recipe with us?  If so, please email us.

She her site here.

Are you having a hard time trying to find just that right gift for everyone on your Christmas list?  Here is a quick and frugal gift for just about everyone.

Go here to download an E-Book of Mason Jar Recipes: 34 Holiday Ideas for Gifts in a Jar

These would make great teacher gifts.

Thanks to Money Saving Mom!