Pizza Rolls

I needed an appetizer to take to take to a get together, and since I had all the ingredients to make these pizza rolls, I decided they would be best.  I had never made them before, and only had seen pictures, so I was guessing on how to actually make these tasty rolls. 

Pizza Rolls
Ingredients
1 recipe pizza dough
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
pizza toppings of choice
garlic butter
Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Take a two inch ball of dough and flatten it out to about 4 inches in diameter.  Make sure all the dough is pretty even.  A then area of dough will result in an exploded roll when it is cooked.
2. Cover the middle of the roll with sauce, leaving an inch all the way around.
3. Pile the cheese and toppings onto the sauce, but make sure the total amount of toppings is no more than a Tablespoon or two.
4. Bring the edges together over the toppings and pinch them together.   You may need to twist the dough to get it to seal.
5. Place the roll seam side down on a baking sheet.
6. Bake at 400 degrees until dough is done.
7. Brush the tops with garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  You can add some more mozzarella as well. 

Notes
One recipe of pizza rolls makes 15 rolls.

For the pizza dough recipe, click HERE.

For the garlic butter recipe, click HERE.

For the tomato sauce recipe, click HERE.

You can also fill these rolls with variations, like ham and cheese, Philly cheese steak, and just about any hot sandwich type idea.

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How much does it cost?

1 recipe pizza dough = $.94
1 cup tomato sauce = $.83
1 cup mozzarella cheese = $1.00
garlic butter = $.55

One recipe costs $3.32.  Keep in mind the cost of pizza toppings.  It will increase the price depending on the toppings you use.  The use of the Parmesan will increase the cost some as well, but the amount you will use is so small, unless you really like Parmesan, that the cost would only amount to a few pennies.  You will also not need a whole recipe of garlic butter.

Granola Bars

I love granola bars, but they are always so expensive in the store.  I received this recipe in a mailer from Kroger about 2 years ago when they were doing their "Kid Approved Snacks" campaign.  I saw this and tried it and fell in love with this recipe!  This particular picture shows some I made for St. Patrick's Day.  I used orange and green m&ms and used dark chocolate chips. 

Granola Bars
Ingredients
2 cups quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup of peanut butter
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Line a 9x13 in pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. Mix all ingredients together and press into the pan
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
4. Let cool for 5 minutes before cutting.
5. Store in air-tight container.

Notes
Make 16 rectangular bars.

You can make just about any kind of granola bar that you want.  Just substitute the 3/4 cup of chocolate chips for anything you like.  Just make sure whatever it is, it is only 3/4 a cup.

Peanut Allergy?  Just substitute the 1/2 cup of peanut butter for 1/2 cup softened butter.  The taste will be slightly different but the bars will still turn out great!

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Is homemade worth it?

2 cups quick-cooking oats = $.92
1/2 cup brown sugar = $.215
1/2 cup honey = $1.50
1/2 cup of peanut butter = $.278
3/4 cup chocolate chips = $.937

One recipe costs $3.85, so one granola bar = $.24.

Normally when I buy granola bars, I buy Nature Valley. They costs $3 for 6 bars.  That is $.50 per bar, which is more than double the price of making them homemade.

The price of the Quaker Oats granola bars are very comparable to these.  At around $2 a box for 8 bars, you would pay $.25 per bar.  The size of the Quaker Oats granola bars is significantly smaller than the homemade ones.

Summery
Nature Valley Granola Bars = $.50
Quaker Oats Granola Bars = $.25
Homemade Granola Bars = $.24

Keep in mind the cost of making these will change if you substitute something different for the chocolate chips, or if you purchase any ingredients on sale.

Granola Bar Ideas

Peanut butter and chocolate chips
Dried Fruit/Nuts
Marshmallows
Marshmallows and chocolate chips
Sunflower seeds
M&Ms
Reeses Pieces

I will add pictures as I make each variety. I have liked every kind I have tried!

Pork Rub

In my home, we eat pork at least once a week.  Mostly fried pork chops.  I love those things!  It is one of the few meats my daughter will eat, with chicken being the other one.

This pork rub recipe is one my husband found, but I have no idea where.  We first put it on a pork roast that we turned into bar-b-que and, let me tell you, it was the best pulled pork we have every had!  To me, it did not even need sauce!  Since then, I have seasoned all of my pork chops with this rub.

Pork Rub
Ingredients
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup salt
3 Tablespoons paprika
1 Tablespoon garlic
1 teaspoon thyme

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Store in an air tight container.

Notes
One recipe is enough to coat generously a 4 pound pork roast with a little left over.

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How much does it cost?

1/3 cup sugar = $.08
1/3 cup salt = $.12
3 Tablespoons paprika = $.13
1 Tablespoon garlic = $.09
1 teaspoon thyme = $.39

One recipe of pork rub costs $.81.  This is much cheaper than buying a rub at the store!  

Recipes that use pork rub

Fried Pork Chop Bites

Strawberry Cake

This strawberry cake recipe is one I got from my grandmother and has been a family favorite ever since I was little.  If you like strawberries, then this is the cake for you!

Strawberry Cake
Ingredients
1 box white cake mix
¾ cup oil
3 oz pkg strawberry Jello         
4 eggs
8 oz frozen strawberries   
½ cup water

Directions

1. Beat Jello, cake mix, oil and water in a mixer until smooth.
2. Add eggs and mix well.
3. Mash strawberries (have the strawberries at room temperature) and fold them into the batter.
4. Grease and flour 3 round cake pans and evenly divide the batter.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for10-15 minutes or until cake just pulls from the side of the pan.

Notes
You can use any icing you want.  This time I used my grandmother's strawberry butter cream icing recipe.  You can also use a strawberry cream cheese icing or even a chocolate icing.

Save the other 1/2 of the strawberries for the icing if you are making a strawberry flavored icing.

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How much does it cost?

1 box white cake mix = $1.50
¾ cup oil = $.33
3 oz pkg strawberry Jello = $.79         
4 eggs = $.56
½ large pkg frozen strawberries = $2.50

This cake costs $5.69 to make.

Strawberry Butter Cream Icing

Originally created to top a strawberry cake, it can work just as well on a vanilla cake or a chocolate cake. 

Strawberry Butter Cream Icing
Ingredients
8 oz frozen strawberries
1 stick room temperature butter   
1 lb powdered sugar

Directions

1. Warm strawberries, or have them at room temperature.  Drain the juice but save it!
2. Beat butter, powdered sugar and strawberries together.
3. Slowly add the strawberry juice until you get the right consistancy.

Notes
If your icing gets too runny, just add some more powdered sugar.  If it is too thick, add more juice.

Makes enough to ice a 3 layer cake.

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How much does it cost?

8 oz frozen strawberries = $2.50
1 stick room temperature butter $.50   
1 lb powdered sugar = $1.00

One recipe costs $4.00.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is one of my favorite foods.  I do not get to cook it very often as I have a husband and daughter who wont eat it.  (The husband doesn't like cheddar cheese and the daughter won't because she is very picky about the kinds of noodles she will eat.  I think it is a visual thing for her! -- She will eat the boxed kind all day long, but wont even touch a freshly baked homemade macaroni and cheese.

The above recipe is one that has been handed down threw my family.  My grandmother makes it and so does my dad, using basically the same recipe.  There is a story behind this recipe that my grandmother likes to tell.  My grandfather did not eat macaroni and cheese when he and my grandmother married.  She cooked it and he ate it, but he didn't really care for it.  When my grandmother had her kids, she had a young lady that would come help her out.  She would not eat the macaroni and cheese either.  My grandfather looked at the young lady on day as they sat down to dinner and told her, "You better eat it.  She'll keep putting it in front of you until you do!"

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
2 cups noodles
1/2 pound cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
10 plain crackers 
1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Boil noodles until just done.  Drain.
2. While noodles cook, mix eggs, milk and crackers together.
3. Add butter and melt it into the noodles.  
4. Slowly add egg mixture.
5. Add cheese, leave a little aside to sprinkle over the top, and stir to melt cheese slightly.
6. Pour all into a greased pan and add a little cheese onto the top.
7. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Notes
You can make this ahead of time and set in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it.  You may need to add more milk as the noodles will soak some of it up.

You can use any kind of cheese you like.  The one above was mostly sharp cheddar with a little bit of Mexican blend cheese that I had left from a taco night. 

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Is homemade worth it?

2 cups noodles = $.50
1/2 pound cheese = $2.99
2 eggs = $.28
1/2 cup milk = $.13
10 plain crackers = $.25
1/2 stick butter = $.25
salt and pepper = $.01

In total, this mac-n-cheese costs $4.41.  I feed 5 people with the above mac-n-cheese and had enough left over for 3 more servings. My father ate two servings. So, in total, this made 9 servings.  So, one serving costs $.49.  

You can buy a box of Kraft mac-n-cheese for $1.25.  You have to add milk and butter to this to make it.  So you will add $.10 for the milk and $.06 for the butter.  I can feed 2-3 people off of this as a side.  So, one serving costs $.45 if you assume 3 people are eating.

Summery
Homemade mac-n-cheese = $.49
Kraft mac-n-cheese = $.45

So it is still cheaper to eat out of the blue box... but homemade is SO much better!  And, if you are like me and get a box of noodles for $.19 with coupons and the cheese on sale for $1 off, then homemade would be cheaper!

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This is another dish I never ate growing up.  My father did not eat it, so my mother did not cook it.  This casserole is one of my husband's favorites.  I do not cook it often as it takes a lot of time.  I usually only make it when I have left over rice and chicken already cooked.  

 
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients
2 chicken breast cooked and chopped   
2 cups cooked rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup       
½ small onion chopped fine      
½ Tablespoon butter
Crushed potato chips

Directions

1. Saute the onion in a small amount of butter.
2. Mix chicken, rice, soup and onion and pour in a greased casserole dish.  
3. Put chips on top.  
4. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Notes
For added flavor to the dish, cook the rice in the chicken broth made by cooking the chicken breast.

One recipe will feed 6 people easily. 

You can make this ahead of time and refrigerate.  Allow for 45 minutes to an hour cook time if you do so.

The chips will get soggy if left covered after cooked.  To make them crispy again, stick back in a heated oven for a few minutes.

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How much does it cost?

2 chicken breast cooked and chopped = $1.00
2 cups cooked rice = $1.00
1 can cream of mushroom soup = $1.00       
½ small onion chopped fine = $.30
½ Tablespoon butter = $.03
Crushed potato chips = $1.00

One recipe costs $4.33.  This makes this meal cost less than $1 per person!

Pizza Hot Pockets

This recipe can be used with a variety of fillings to make your very own homemade hot pockets.

Hot Pockets
Ingredients
1 recipe pizza dough
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
favorite pizza toppings
garlic butter

Directions

1. Divide dough into six even pieces.
2. Stretch dough into a 5-6 inch circles about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Spread a thin layer of sauce on each circle, leaving 1/2 inch all away around the edge.  
4. Sprinkle cheese and toppings on top of the sauce.
5. Fold like a burrito and seal all the sides by pinching the dough together.
6. Place on baking sheet seam side down and brush with garlic butter.
7. Let dough rise 30 minutes to one hour.  
8. Bake at 450 degrees for10 minutes or until the tops become golden brown.
9. Let cool 5 minutes before moving.

Notes
Make sure any meat toppings are fully cooked before you wrap them in the dough.  They will not be in the oven long enough to cook thoroughly if they are left raw.

For the pizza dough recipe, click HERE.

For the garlic butter recipe, click HERE.

For the tomato sauce recipe, click HERE.

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Is homemade worth it?

1 recipe pizza dough = $.94
1 cup tomato sauce = $.83
1 cup mozzarella cheese = $1.00
garlic butter = $.55

One recipe costs $3.32.  Keep in mind the cost of pizza toppings.  It will increase the price depending on the toppings you use.  You will also not need a whole recipe of garlic butter.

One hot pocket costs $.55 plus what ever toppings you put inside.  

A box of 2 hot pockets in the store cost $2.99 so one hot pocket costs $1.50.

Hot Pocket Variation Ideas

(pictures to come as I make them!)

Ham and Cheese - Place a slice of cheese and top it with 3-4 thin slices of ham.  Wrap like a burrito and bake as directed above.  Use plain melted butter instead of garlic butter
.
Philly Cheese Steak - Cook ground beef (you can also use thin steak strips, but using the ground beef keeps it tender), onion, peppers and mushrooms if desired.  Place a slice of Swiss cheese on the dough and top with 2-3 tablespoons of the ground beef mixture.  Wrap like a burrito and bake as directed.

Have any variation ideas?  Let me know and I will add them here!

Bread Sticks

So, I had a little bit of extra pizza dough and decided to try making bread sticks out of it.  The below picture is a result.  If anyone has an easier way to make out the dough to look like bread sticks besides rolling it in my hands like a play-doh snake, please let me know!

Bread Sticks
Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 Tablespoon honey
2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons canola oil
3 cups all purpose flour
garlic butter

Directions

1. Combine water, yeast and honey in a mixing bowl.  Let sit for 10 minutes or until yeast is frothy.
2. Add 1 cup of flour, salt and oil to the mixture and stir until smooth.
3. Add the rest of the flour slowly, stirring well after each addition.  You may not need all the flour.  
4. Once the dough can be touched without sticking to your hands, then begin kneading.  If using a stand mixer, knead or 6 minutes.  If by hand, knead for 10.
5. Oil bowl and top of dough.
6. Let rise until double, 1-2 hours.
7. Divide dough into 16 dough balls and shape each into a snake like shape about 4-5 inches long.
8. Place on baking sheet and let rise for 30 minutes to one hour.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn brown.
10. Brush with melted garlic butter.  

Notes
You can also roll or dust with Parmesan cheese after the garlic butter for a different flavor.

The recipe above is the same recipe used to make pizza dough.

For the garlic butter recipe, click HERE

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How much does it cost?

1 pkg active dry yeast = $.38
1 Tablespoon honey = $.20
2 teaspoon salt = $.01
2 Tablespoons canola oil = $.05
3 cups all purpose flour = $.30
garlic butter = $.55

So this recipe cost $1.49.

I included the cost for a full recipe of garlic butter, but you should not need it all unless you really want garlicky bread sticks!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup is just one of those foods that I never liked out of a can. The texture of the noodles, carrots and chicken was never appealing.  I never really ate it until I started making it myself.  I created this recipe myself, using my experiments with chicken broth and knowing the basic concept of what chicken noodle soup was.  The only thing I omit from this soup that is traditionally found in chicken noodle soup is celery chunks.  I do not care to bite into them, but I like the flavor they add, so I put celery salt in the broth to make up for it.  You most certainly can add celery if you so wish, but just omit the celery salt from the broth when you make it.

Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1/2 cup chicken, shredded
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
2 cups egg noodles

Directions

1. Combine broth and water in a pot on the stove and put on medium heat.  
2. Add the chicken and carrots and let them sit in the water until it begins to bubble lightly.
3. Add the noodles and allow them to cook until done.  This time will vary depending on how large your noodles are.
4. Once noodles are done, it is ready to serve!

Notes
This recipe makes enough for 4 people.

To find the chicken broth recipe, click HERE

I do not normally measure my noodles.  I just put 2-3 handfuls in.  It is roughly 2 cups of noodles.  I have small hands.

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Is homemade worth it?

2 cups chicken broth = $.75
1/2 cup carrots = $.25
2 cups egg noodles = $.45

I have omitted the cost of the shredded chicken since the cost of the chicken is calculated in the cost of the broth.

This recipe costs $1.45 to make.  Keep in mind it makes 4 servings, so 1 serving costs $.36.

You will pay $1.00 or more for one serving of canned chicken noodle soup at the store, so homemade is definitely cheaper!

Meat Balls

Growing up, we never had meatballs.  My father did not eat them, so my mother did not cook them.  I did not start eating meatballs until I moved in with my grandmother about 3 years ago.  She taught me how to make them and they have become a regular meal for our family since then.  My favorite way to serve them is over rice, as pictured below.  Since these meatballs have their own gravy with them, they also go great over mashed potatoes and noodles.

Meat Balls
Ingredients
1 lb group beef             
1 egg
1/2 onion chopped         
¼ cup milk
3 slices loaf bread crumbled   
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together well.  Form into small balls, about 1 inch round. 
2. Brown  the balls very quickly in a small amount of oil.  
3. Add the cream of mushroom soup and 1 soup can full of water. 
4. Cover and cook for 45 minutes on a slow simmer.

Notes
One recipe makes 24-30 meatballs depending on how big you make them.

Meatballs go great over rice, mashed potatoes and noodles!

Have ground venison?  It works just as well as beef in this recipe.  Just swap one pound of beef for one pound of ground venison and continue as directed!
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Is homemade worth it?

1 lb group beef = $3.99             
1 egg = $.14
1/2 onion chopped = $.40         
¼ cup milk = $.06
3 slices loaf bread crumbled = $.19
1 can cream of mushroom soup = $1.00

One recipe costs $5.78. 

I have never bought frozen meatballs before so I have no idea how much a package costs or how many are in a package, so I will have to look next time we go to the store.

Congo Bars

I always describe this recipe as a giant chocolate chip cookie.  It is one of my favorite recipes that my grandmother makes when we come to visit. She brought a large container full of these delightful desserts when she came a few weeks ago. 

Congo Bars
Ingredients
2/3 cup butter  
1 lb light brown sugar
3 eggs                   
2 2/3 cup self rising flour
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 pkg (6oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.  
2. In a large sauce pan melt butter.  
3. Mix the brown sugar with the margarine, cool slightly.  
4. Add eggs one at a time and beat well.  
5. Add flour, mix well.  
6. Add chocolate chip and nuts, mix well.  
7. Grease and flour a 10X15X2 pan.  
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Notes
This recipe makes 36 squares.

They are best fresh.  If they start to get hard, just stick a bar in the microwave for 10 seconds to make it soft again.

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How much do these cost?

2/3 cup butter $.66
1 lb light brown sugar = $1.00
3 eggs = $.42
2 2/3 cup self rising flour = $.27
1 cup chopped pecans = $1.33
1 pkg (6oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips = $1.25

Pecans are about $6 a pound, so one pound = 16 ounces and 1 cup is 3.5 ounces so there are approx 4.5 cups in each pound.  So, one cup = $1.33. 

This recipe costs $4.93 to make.

Cinnamon Rolls with Glaze

Cinnamon rolls are one of my favorite desserts/breakfast items to eat.  I could eat them everyday!  I love the ooey gooey texture and the cinnamon-sugar taste.  Growing up, I only had cinnamon rolls out of a can or from a bakery.  I never had homemade cinnamon rolls before getting married.  After getting married, I tried several recipes to make them myself, but none of them turned out quite right.  The taste would be there, but the texture would be wrong, or the texture would be good but not taste.  Well, I finally found a recipe that encompasses everything I love about cinnamon rolls.

I used aspects from the various recipes that I liked to create this combination for, in my opinion, the perfect cinnamon roll.  I found the pizza recipe at Lauren's Latest.  I found the filling recipe at Sweet Tea and Cornbread. The glaze recipe I basically already knew.  When all of them were mixed together, I made what is pictured below.

Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
1 recipe pizza dough
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 recipe vanilla glaze
 
Directions

1. Stretch or roll dough out into a rectangular shape about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. 
2. Spread melted butter across dough.
3. Mix cinnamon and both kinds of sugar and sprinkle it all over the dough.
4. Roll the dough up using the long end.
5. Cut rolls about 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick, depending on how large you want your rolls, and place them in a buttered pan.  Make sure the rolls do not touch.  You will need 2 round pans or a 9x13 pan.
6. Let rise for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
7. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown.
8. Pour glaze on top as soon as you remove from the oven.

Notes
Depending on how large you cut the rolls, you will make approx. 10 to 12 rolls.

You can also use 1/2 recipe of yeast rolls or frozen bread dough instead of pizza dough.

For the pizza dough recipe, click HERE

For the vanilla glaze recipe, click HERE

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Is homemade worth it?

1 recipe pizza dough = $.94
1 cup sugar = $.25
1 cup brown sugar = $.43
2 teaspoons cinnamon = $.04
2 Tablespoons butter = $.13
1 recipe glaze = $1.03

This recipe costs $2.22 to make. 

A can of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls cost $2.50 for a can of 8.  Right there you can already see making them yourself is cheaper.   Since the recipe above makes more than 8 and is already $.28 cheaper. Not to mention, the recipe's cinnamon rolls are a lot bigger.

Hush Puppies

A southern favorite to go with seafood!  (And apparently barbeque...)  This is the recipe my grandmother uses to make them. I can never get mine to taste exactly like her's, but isn't that how it always works? 

Hush Puppies
Ingredients
1 cup self rising flour 
1/2 cup corn meal
1 egg             
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup buttermilk 

Directions

1. Combine flour and corn meal into a bowl.  
2. Add the onion and egg.  
3. Slowly stir in the buttermilk until the mixture is moist but still very thick.  You may not need all the buttermilk.  
4. Drop teaspoon sized balls into preheated oil (around 350 degrees).     
5. Fry until golden brown. 

Notes
Traditionally my family uses a deep fryer to cook these in, but you can pan fry them in an inch of oil in a frying pan.  The ones pictured were cooked that way.

One recipe will make a lot of hush puppies, around 24-30.  For my family of 3, I cook half a recipe and still have leftovers.  

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Is homemade worth it?

1 cup self rising flour = $.10
1/2 cup corn meal = $.19
1 egg = $.14
1/2 cup onion, chopped = $.20
1 cup buttermilk = $.25

One recipe = $.88.  

I know you can buy frozen hush puppies, and after a little searching, I learned that they make mixes too!  So, when I go to the store next, I'll have to look at the prices then update this post.

Chocolate Glaze

Tonight, I decided to make some chocolate chip cinnamon rolls.  I did not want normal icing, but I wanted a chocolate glaze to go on top.  I looked my vanilla glaze recipe and thought, I can make this work!  And I did.  And it tasted like chocolate milk when I was done!

Chocolate Glaze
Ingredients
2 cups powdered sugar
4 Tablespoons milk
1 Tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  Beat until smooth.
2. Serve on your favorite desserts!

Notes
I have only used this once.  It was a little thicker than the vanilla glaze, but I liked that.  I figure if it is going to melt all ooey gooey on cinnamon rolls, it doesn't really matter if it is a little thick.  If you want it thinner, add a little more milk!

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How much does this cost?

2 cups powdered sugar = $.54
4 Tablespoons milk = $.06
1 Tablespoon butter = $.065
1 teaspoon vanilla extract = $.375
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder = $.08

So this recipe costs $1.13 to make.

Recipes that use Chocolate Glaze

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls

Last night, I wanted dessert.  I was making pizza dough away, so I decided to try making cinnamon rolls out of the extra dough.  I knew that cinnamon-sugar dessert pizza always turned out wonderful, so why not try it?

When my husband looked at these, he was skeptical on how they would taste.  He said he did not know how cinnamon and chocolate would taste together.  After he ate one, he apologized for being skeptical because they were "really good" and he also told me I had to make these for the next bake sale... :) So, from his reaction I'm sure this recipe is a keeper!  I think we both could have finished the pan, but we saved some for tonight's dessert!

Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Rolls
Ingredients
1 recipe pizza dough
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 recipe glaze (vanilla or chocolate)

Directions

1. Stretch or roll dough out into a rectangular shape about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. 
2. Spread melted butter across dough.
3. Mix cinnamon and both kinds of sugar and sprinkle it all over the dough.
4. Sprinkle chocolate chips all over.
5. Roll the dough up using the long end.
6. Cut rolls about 1 - 1 1/2 inches thick, depending on how large you want your rolls, and place them in a buttered pan.  Make sure the rolls do not touch.  You will need 2 round pans or a 9x13 pan.
7. Let rise for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.
8. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown.
9. Pour glaze on top as soon as you remove from the oven.

Notes
Depending on how large you cut the rolls, you will make approx. 10 to 12 rolls.

You can also use 1/2 recipe of yeast rolls or frozen bread dough instead of pizza dough.

For the pizza dough recipe, click HERE

For the chocolate glaze recipe, click HERE

For the vanilla glaze recipe, click HERE

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How much does it cost?

1 recipe pizza dough = $.94
1 cup sugar = $.25
1 cup brown sugar = $.43
2 teaspoons cinnamon = $.04
2 Tablespoons butter = $.13
1/2 cup chocolate chips = $.75
1 recipe glaze = $1.13

This recipe costs $3.67 to make. 

I know these are more expensive than the average cinnamon roll, but, boy, were they good and well worth the extra cost!

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is a recent addition to my meals.  I've only been making my own for about a year now.  I have thrown in all kinds of spices and finally came up with a combination I love.  This particular broth recipe is the one I use when making soups or to cook rice or noodles in.  

Chicken Broth
Ingredients
1 chicken leg-quarter
4 cups of water
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 Tablespoon salt
1/2 Tablespoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon celery salt

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a pot and place cook on low so that the water does not actually boil but still thoroughly cooks the chicken.
2. Remove chicken from the water and strain out any chicken that have come off the bone so the broth will be clear.
3. It is now ready for your favorite dish.

Notes
It depends on the size of the chicken on how long to cook.  I normally pull a leg quarter out of the freezer and put it directly into the water and cook it about 5-6 hours on low.  If you do not have that time, you and defrost or use fresh chicken and cut the time almost in half.

It is important not to boil the broth as it will become cloudy and some of the good proteins will be destroyed.

Sometimes, when I need a lot of broth, after I remove the chicken from the bone, I put the bones and skin and fat back in the pot and continue to cook on low until the bones are soft.  This allows all the minerals to leach out of the bones and makes your broth healthier.  I also add some more water and spices to get more broth to freeze. 

I freeze my broth in 2 cup containers/freezer bags.  This is the exact amount I use in most of my recipes.  I use 2 cups of broth to cook my rice and two cups when I make soup.

You most certainly can add veggies to your broth, like onions, carrots or celery, but I like to add the veggies into the actual recipes when I cook them.  
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Is homemade worth it?

1 chicken leg-quarter = $.50
1 teaspoon pepper = $.01
1/2 Tablespoon salt = $.02
1/2 Tablespoon garlic = $.045
1/2 teaspoon onion powder = $.01
1/2 teaspoon celery salt = $.11

One recipe of chicken broth costs $.75.

Keep in mind, you have around the equivalent of 2 cans of broth, already seasoned.

One can of broth costs around $1, so you will save $.25 making it yourself and get twice as much. 

Recipes that use chicken broth

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken and Rice

                                                                          

 

Hash Browns

I love hash browns.  I learned to make these from my grandmother.  Whenever she had left over buttered potatoes, she would make these for us.  They are great for breakfast or as a side dish.  If you are so inclined, you can also add some cheddar cheese to these as well.

Hash Browns
Ingredients
2 cups buttered potatoes (about 3 potatoes)
1/4 cup onion, chopped
2 Tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Lightly saute onions in the butter.
2. Add the potatoes.
3. Flip potatoes once the bottoms are golden brown, after 5 minutes.
4. Continue flipping every 5 minutes until all sides are golden brown and the potatoes are heated threw.

Notes
For the buttered potato recipe, click HERE.

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How much do these cost?

2 cups buttered potatoes = $1.05
1/4 cup onion, chopped = $.20
2 Tablespoons butter = $.25

This recipe costs $1.60 to make. 

Green Beans

I grew up eating green beans this way.  My grandmother calls these Weight Watchers green beans.  I'm not sure if she got the recipe from them or if she made it using their ideas, but nevertheless, this is my favorite way to eat green beans!

Green Beans
Ingredients
1 can green beans
1 Tablespoon onion flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 beef bullion cup

Directions

1. Drain green beans from can and cover them with water.
2. Add onion flakes, salt and bullion.
3. Bring to boil then turn on to simmer for at least 30 minutes.  

Notes
I usually just leave them on low after they boil until dinner is done.

One can feeds my family of 3 perfectly.

If you are using salted green beans, you can omit the extra salt.  I typically buy unsalted canned beans so I always ad a little

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How much do these cost?

1 can green beans = $1.00
1 Tablespoon onion flakes = $.06
1 beef bullion cube = $.12
1/2 teaspoon salt = $.0014

One recipe of green beans costs $1.18.  

Taco Soup

The first time I had taco soup, I was skeptical on whether or not I would like it.  I never really liked many soups, especially those filled with tomatoes.  I did slightly modify the recipe my friend gave me for this soup to make the tomatoes less chunky and toned down the spice slightly, but it still has a great taco taste that I can enjoy.

Taco Soup
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cups of water
2 cans tomatoes (sauce or diced)
1 can pinto beans
1 can corn
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 can rotel and chilies

Directions

1. Brown meat and onions together.  Drain off fat.
2. Put into large pot.  Dump in all other ingredients.
3. Bring to boil and then turn down to simmer for at least one hour before serving.

Notes
Original recipe called for one pkg dried ranch seasoning.  We are not big ranch eaters at my home, so I just omitted it with good results!

This recipe easily feeds 8-10 people.

Have Leftovers?  Freeze it!  Place extra soup in single serving freezable containers or plastic bags.  When you want soup, just pull it out, thaw and heat!  It is just as good as freshly made soup!

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How much does it cost?

1 lb ground beef = $4.00
1/2 onion, chopped = $.40
2 cans tomatoes = $2.00
1 can pinto beans = $.79
1 can corn = $1.00
1 pkg taco seasoning = $50
1 can rotel and chilies = $1.00

This recipe costs $9.69.  This recipe can easily feed 8-10 people.  One serving of taco soup, assuming 8 servings, costs $1.21. 

Fried Chicken Strips

Who does not love fried chicken?  This is my own recipe that I came up with after playing around with the spices in my cabinet.  It is still simple and easy and only uses spices that most people commonly keep in their pantries.

I made this for my family when they came to visit.  I seriously fed seven people off of 2 chicken breast... Five adults and two children.  We even had some left over, enough for another person.   That really helps when you are on a budget and needing to feed a crowd!

Fried Chicken Strips
Ingredients
2 chicken breast, cut in strips
1 cup self rising flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons salt
1 Tablespoon garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup buttermilk

Directions

1. Sprinkle 1/2 Tablespoon of salt over the chicken.
2. Place in a container and cover with buttermilk at least 30 minutes before cooking.
3. Mix the flour and spices together.
4. Take the chicken strips and let the excess buttermilk drip off.  
5. Place in four and coat well.
6. Fry in oil that is preheated to 350 degrees.

Notes
You can either deep fry or pan fry these.  The picture shows pan fried chicken strips.  I put one inch of oil in my frying pan and flip the chicken half way through cooking.

You can also cut the chicken up smaller and make chicken nuggets.  I do this for my daughter who likes bite sized meat chunks more than the strips.

Want a quick meal in the future?  Freeze them!  If you want to freeze chicken fingers for later use, just partially cook the chicken in the oil.  Once they have cooled, place in a freezer bag.  To cook frozen chicken,  preheat your oven to 400 degrees and cook fingers 8-10 minutes on each side.  You can do this straight from the freezer without thawing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is homemade worth it?

2 chicken breast = $1.00
1 cup self rising flour = $.10
1 1/2 Tablespoons salt = $.03
1 Tablespoon garlic = $.09
1 teaspoon onion powder = $.02
1 teaspoon pepper = $.01
1 cup buttermilk = $.25

So, one recipe of chicken strips costs $1.50 to make.  If you buy chicken by the pound, this could be $3.00 a pound.

Where we live, we can buy frozen chicken fingers for $1.40 a pound, already breaded and ready to cook at a discount/overstock store.  They do not taste as good as the homemade ones, but they are a lot cheaper. 

If you buy Tyson or another frozen brand at the grocery store, you will pay $6.99 for 1 1/2 pounds of chicken.  So one pound of Tyson chicken fingers costs $4.66.  It is cheaper to make homemade than to buy these.

Summery
Tyson chicken fingers = $4.66/lb
Homemade chicken fingers = $3.00/lb
Discount chicken fingers = $1.40/lb

Taste wise, however, I like the homemade ones much better than the frozen ones.

Buttered Rice

I made this simple recipe when my parents can to town.  Normally, I cook rice in some sort of broth for flavor, but that night I did not have any on hand.  I just made buttered rice.  I grew up eating this all the time.  My parents wondered why I did not make it in a rice cooker.  I responded saying that it takes much longer to cook that way, and I think it is just fine in a pot!

Buttered Rice
Ingredients
1 cup rice
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons butter

Directions

1. Bring water, salt and 1 Tablespoon of butter to boil on the stove.
2. Pour in rice, cover and turn down the heat so rice simmers.
3. Let the water cook out.  This takes about 20 minutes.
4. Fluff rice with a fork and add the other Tablespoon of butter.
5. Once melted, gently stir in the butter.

Notes
I always check the rice at about 15 minutes.  If there is any water left in the rice, I let it continue cooking.  Make sure not to leave the rice on the eye after the water is boiled out.  It will stick and burn very quickly.

This recipe makes just enough for our family of 3.

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How much does this cost?

1 cup rice = $.50
1 teaspoon salt = $.007
2 Tablespoons butter = $.13

So, one recipe costs around $.64. 

Buttered Potatoes

This recipe is one that I grew up with.  It is incredibly simple and can be quite tasty.  I always make enough for leftovers because I have a few recipes that calls for already cooked potato chunks, so I just use these.

 

Buttered Potatoes
Ingredients
6 potatoes cut in chunks
1/2 stick of butter (1/4 cup)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Put potato chunks in a pot and cover with water.  
2. Boil potatoes until they just fall apart when you stick a fork in them.  The time will depend on how large your chunks are.
3. Drain water and add butter, salt and pepper.
4. Lightly stir to coat all potatoes.  

Notes
This recipe is what I use for my family of 3.  I always cook to have leftovers, so this is twice as much as we will eat on any given night.

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How much does this cost?

6 potatoes cut in chunks = $1.84
1/2 stick of butter = $.25
salt and pepper to taste = $.01

So, one recipe costs $2.10.

Recipes that use buttered potatoes

Hash Browns

Parmesan Encrusted Potatoes

I was looking for a new potato recipe since I seem to cook the same kind all the time.  I found a recipe for Parmesan potatoes and tweaked it to my family's liking.  I omitted the creamier cheese and just went with the Parmesan and baked it on a baking sheet instead of a casserole dish.  They came out great!  My daughter even ate a good amount of these, and she hardly ever tries anything new!

Parmesan Encrusted Potatoes
Ingredients
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup butter, melted
6 potatoes, cut in chunks or wedges

Directions

1. Mix flour, cheese, salt and pepper in a bag.
2. Coat the potato chunks in the butter.
3. Put the potato chunks inside the bag with the flour mixture. 
4. Hold bag closed and shake until all potatoes are covered.
5. Pour potatoes on a greased (I spray Pam or canola oil) baking sheet.
6. Cook in a 450 degree oven for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes.

Notes
I made half this recipe when I first made it for my family of 3.  We had leftovers.  These potatoes are very filling.  I would recommend 1/2 of this recipe if you have a family of four.

I also lightly salted these when they came out of the oven. 

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How much do these cost?

1/4 cup all purpose flour = $.03
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese = $.249
3/4 teaspoon salt = $.005
1/3 cup butter, melted = $.33
6 potatoes, cut in chunks or wedges = $1.84

The cost of the pepper is negligible since it is such a small amount. 

The total cost of this side dish is $2.45. 

Fried Flounder

This is absolutely my daughter's favorite recipe.  She will eat two pieces all by herself (and she is not even two.)  She loves to hear mommy is cooking "pish" and always runs to the table where she hears me proclaim it is time to eat.
 

  
Fried Flounder
Ingredients
3 flounder fillet
1 cup self rising flour
1 Tablespoon seasoning salt

Directions

1. (optional) Divide each fillet in half.
2. Mix the flour and seasoning salt together.
3. Coat the flounder in the flour mixture until well coated.
4. Fry in oil around 350 degrees, until golden brown.  
5. Drain on paper towel.

Notes
If frying in a pan, you will flip the fish after 3-4 minutes of cooking.  The whole cooking process should not take more than 10 minutes.

For a crispier crust, let the fish sit in the flour for a few minutes.

Have fresh caught fish?  Use it!  I have used this same recipe with tilapia and sand trout.  I imagine it would work for just about any salt water fish.  I have not tried it with catfish or other freshwater fish, so I cannot comment on that.

For the seasoning salt recipe, click HERE

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Is homemade worth it?

3 flounder fillet = $2.39
1 cup self rising flour  = $.10
1 Tablespoon seasoning salt = $.06

I buy a bag of frozen flounder for $3.99.  There are 5 fillets in each bag.  I used these numbers to calculate the cost.

One recipe costs $2.55.  Each piece of flounder = $.43.  Keep in mind I cut my fish in half so I calculated the cost of each that way.  Each piece is approx the same size as you would find frozen fish fillet from Gordan's or Mrs. Paul's.

If you were to buy frozen fish fillets, you would pay around $6.00 for a box containing 10 fillets.  So, one fillet of frozen fish would cost $.60

If you were to make your own fish instead of buying it frozen, you would save $.17 per fillet, or $1.02 per recipe.  We have fish once a month, so we will save $12.24 each year buy making fried fish at home.

Summery

One frozen fish fillet = $.60
One fried flounder fillet = $.43

Baked Spaghetti

This is a simple twist on classic spaghetti.  I do not do anything fancy at all. 

Baked Spaghetti
Ingredients
1 12-16oz package spaghetti noodles
1/2 recipe of tomato sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Boil noodles until just done.
2. In a 9x13 pan, put a thin layer of sauce.
3. Place half of the noodles on top of the sauce.
4. Cover noodles with half of the sauce.
5. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese on top of the sauce.
6. Repeat 3-5 with the rest of the ingredients.
7. Bake on 350 until the cheese is just starting to brown and is bubbly.

Notes
Let sit for 5 minutes before serving, that way it doesn't fall apart when you scoop it out.

1/2 recipe of tomato sauce is close to one jar of sauce.  To get my recipe for tomato sauce, click HERE.

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How much does this cost?

1 16oz package spaghetti noodles = $1.25
1/2 recipe tomato sauce = $1.03
2 cups mozzarella cheese = $2.00

If you added meat to your sauce, like I did for this recipe, then you will need to add the price of the meat.  I used ground beef, which is approx $4.00 a pound, so the cost of the meat in 1/2 recipe would be $2.

This meal costs me $6.28.

Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost is one of my favorite sites to do surveys.  I have never had any problems getting my points or redeeming my rewards.

How to Start
You will need to provide your name, email and address for this site.  They will also ask a variety of questions to help place you into the appropriate surveys.  Click HERE to sign up.

Taking Surveys
This site sends you an email every time you have a survey that matches your profile.  You click on the link in the email and you will first be taken to a page where you will answer a few profile questions.  After the profile questions you will be able to take the actual survey.  If you disqualify, you will be able to play a game for a chance to win points.  I have probably on won 4 times in the 4 months I have been a member, but every little chance for points is worth it.  You can always skip the game if you do not want to do it.

Redeeming Points
Each survey will give 5 to 50 points.  Most are in the 10 to 15 range.  Each point = $.10.  You can redeem a $5.00 Amazon gift card when you reach 50 points.  There are other cards you can redeem as well for a similar price.  Last month, I only made $5, but in January, I made $20.  It really depends on how many surveys are available.  On average between the 4 months I have been on this site, I have made about $15 a month, so, in a year you could make at least $180.