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THE COOKING PENNY PINCHER
By: Cal Bolton
So, just what is a penny pincher;
Someone that can squeeze a penny until it screams?
Someone that shops at thrift shops and yard sales?
Maybe someone that makes their own from scratch instead of buying all of the prepared items?
Or someone that can put on a dinner party for four to six guests and spend less than $2.50 per serving on the main dish?
How about all of the above when it comes to being a penny pincher.
You can make your own and save money. I know it?s so easy to go to the grocery store and pick up all of those prepared items. But let?s look at what you are paying for.
If you buy it at a store; you get fancy packaging, 50 to 85% higher cost, convenience and oh yes, don?t forget those preservatives. With all of the preservatives the average person consumes nowadays it?s a wonder they still have to embalm someone prior to burial.
Maybe you prefer the convenience; over making your own, but I like to cook and these tips help me save money.
SHAKE AND BAKE
I used to buy that product, so easy just open the package and follow the directions, right? Well, yes, but so easy and cheap to make your own.
I use everything, crackers of all kinds, bread crumbs (crust included) potato chips, you name it, to make mine. I even had some stale Cheetos and made crumbs and added it to the mixture.
Add your spices, seasoning salt, dried onion flakes, parsley, etc. Just keep adding to the mix whenever you have the ingredients.
Keep it in a zip lock bag or other container in your refrigerator, it is there and ready to use when you need it.
You don?t have to check your pantry to find out you forgot to buy it the last time you went to the grocery.
REFRIED BEANS
Love Mexican food and would like to serve refried beans with your tacos, tamale or whatever?
It?s so cheap and easy to make your own. If you cook your own pinto beans as I do then simply drain the liquid off, place the beans in your blender or food processor with a small chopped onion, a little salt and blend.
Heat and serve with grated cheese.
If you don?t have any precooked beans, you can buy canned pinto beans, follow the directions above, but be careful with the salt. Taste first.
FRENCH FRIES
Like to serve French fries with that steak or sandwich, but buying frozen is far too expensive?
Make your own ahead of time. Cook, be a penny pincher.
Cut up the potatoes, the whole bag, into the size of fries you like. Rinse and dry the potatoes. Heat your deep fryer or oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the potatoes for about one minute, remove and drain well.
If you are using part of them for the evening meal, cool in the refrigerator until ready to use. Fry again until golden brown, salt to taste and serve. Chilling and frying the second time is the secret.
If you want to store them for later, spread onto a cookie sheet and put in the freezer.
After freezing, put into one big zip lock bag or smaller serving size zip lock bags. They are ready for you to remove and fry until golden brown, salt to taste and serve.
Make your own, I know I like it better.
If I could tell you how to make numerous main dishes for less than $2.50 per serving, would you be interested? How about if many of them cost less than $2.00 per serving, is that better yet? Below is a sample recipe for one of the dishes I?m talking about:
Salmon Cakes with Soy-ginger Mayonnaise
1 1/2 lb. potatoes (peeled, cut in 1 in. chunks)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 (14 3/4 oz.) can salmon (drained, cleaned)
1 tsp. lemon juice
4 tsp. vegetable oil
1 med. onion (chopped)
1 tbs. + 1 tsp. fresh ginger (grated)
1 lg. egg (lightly beaten)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1 tsp. soy sauce
6 lettuce or Romaine leaves (sliced or torn)
1 lemon (cut in wedges)
3 ? 4 c. rice (cooked)
Cook potatoes in water and 1 tsp. salt until fork tender, drain. Place potatoes in lg. bowl, coarsely mash. Set aside. In skillet, heat 2 tsp. oil and saut? onion until golden, add 1 tbs. ginger; cook 30 sec. Add onion mixture to mashed potatoes, stir to blend. To potatoes add salmon, egg, pepper and remaining salt. Stir to mix well.
Shape salmon mixture into 12 (3 x 3/4 in.) patties or cakes. Use about 1/3 c. for each. In same skillet, heat 1 tsp. oil and fry half of cakes 5 ? 6 min. or until cooked through and brown, turn only once.
Repeat with remaining oil and cakes. Transfer to plate and keep warm.
Prepare sauce: In sm. bowl mix lemon juice, mayonnaise, soy sauce and remaining ginger. Let stand for 15 min. to blend flavors.
To Serve: Place lettuce on lg. serving platter and place salmon cakes and lemon wedges around sauce boat set in the middle. Put lg. bowl of cooked rice and extra soy sauce on table. (complete meal ? serve with dessert)
With main dishes like that you could be a cooking penny pincher with flair. No one would even suspect that you were a penny pincher. But they would be impressed by your cooking. You don?t need to tell them you have saved any money.
Cook like a penny pincher and appear like a gourmet.
There is a new cook book out it?s called the ?Penny Pincher Cook Book?. In it you will find 150 delicious and taste tempting main dish recipes. The one above is a sample of the type you will find in the cook book.
If you want more information on the book or more great penny pinching tips, you are going to have to go to Grandma?s web site at: http://www.pennypinching-grandma.com
For information on the cook book click on the Penny Pincher button.
Return to Index
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Secret Recipes Frittlers Italian Pasties
Women And Coffee
Facts About Bottled Water
Banquet Coordination and Preparation Advice
Start A Cake Decorating Business
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Savoring The Scandinavian Flavor Of Gevalia Coffee
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An Overview of Wine The Drink of Gods
How to brew cheap wine
The New Years Honey Cake
Eating and Drinking Enjoyments in Steakhouse
The Food You Consume Can Influence Your Unborn Child
Banquet Coordination And Preparation Advice
Cooking The Definitive Art Form
Best Recipes Cherry Tomato Corn Salad
Pasta Perfect
What You Can Learn From Wine Labels
Cutting Techniques to Know Slicing Dicing Shredding
Open A Beer And Enjoy
Visit The Supermarket Well Prepared
Sugar Substitutes What You Need To Know
Can Organic Food Reduce Obesity
Cookies Sweet Temptations
Cookies And Diabetes
I Love Italian Wine and Food The Umbria Region
Green Tea Basics
Gourmet Coffee and Tea The Truth
Gormet Flavored Coffee Simply The Best
Cookie Basket Gifts
Baking Tips
Southern Cooking CDs Cookbook Alternatives
Making Your Own Delicious Latte Coffee
Thanksgiving Lite
Fantastically Wonderful Cookie Recipes
CookiesEdible Dreams
Home Baking
Wedding Cookies
Nightlife in Long Beach NY
Terra Preta Could This Be the Key to End World Hunger and Sa ...
Delicious Choices For The Coffee Connoisseur
Coffee Custom Flavored Beans All For One One For All
To Be or Not To Be The Best Gourmet Coffee
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Liven Up Your Kitchen With Fabulous Glassware
Different Types Of Wine Decanter
Guide To Choosing The Best Wine Rack Kit
Which Wine Rack Should You Choose
Lodi Wine Country
Food and Wine Pairing
How to Grow Rhubarb
Cooking With Eggs
Fun Baked Birthday Treats
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Halloween Cakes Centerpiece And Dessert
Summers Nutrition Seafood Fishes
Baking Finger Foods
12 Terrific Martini Glasses To Buy
Custom Flavored Coffee Your Choice The Right Choice
The True Concept of a Coffee Specialty Shop
THE COOKING PENNY PINCHER
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Guide to the Food Pyramid
Taste The Best Beer In Town
Which Pasta Is That
Comparison Of Energy Drink Helpful In Picking The Best
The Convenience of Bottled Water Service
Considerations In Selecting A Caterer
I Love Italian Wine and Food The Calabria Region
I Love Italian Wine and Food Launching a Series
Avoiding a Wine Hangover
Are You The Victim Of A Poor Barbeque Grill Purchase
Cookware You Can Depend On
Goji Juice Online
White Wines Influence on the Lungs
The Brewing of Beer
Beer A Brief History
The Proper Servicing of Wine
The Art of Tasting Wine
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