Never buy boxed brownie mix again Brownies

Never buy boxed brownie mix again!  Follow the recipe below and make brownies for about $.30 a mix.  It is not only frugal but cuts out the "unknown" ingredients.  Plus it tastes good. You can mix up a large batch and save the dry ingredients in zip lock bag.  Take out how much you want, add wet ingredients and bake delicious brownies!  

Dry ingredients:

1   cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup cocoa

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

Wet ingredients: (add at baking time)

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan.

Check after 12-15 min of baking and remove brownies when done.

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb Italian sausage (I like mild sausage)
2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard, chopped
2 (8 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 quart water
1 cup heavy whipping cream


Directions:
Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.
Brown sausage in your soup pot.
Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.
Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot.
Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
Add bacon.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer for another 10 minutes.
Turn to low heat.
Add kale and cream.
Heat through and serve.

Strawberry Pie

Strawberry Pie

 

Mix 1 can sweet and condensed milk and 1/3 cup lemon juice with a WOODEN SPOON

whip 1/2 cup of whipping cream until stiff peaks.  Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and then fold in to boredons.

Spoon in to a baked 9 inch pie crust.  It will set up firm.

 

Take 1 package of Strawberry Danish Dessert  and add half the water that the package says.  Cook as directed.  Cool.  Fold in to fresh strawberries (whole or sliced) and place on top of mixture.  Chill and serve.

Hot Ham/Cheese Sandwiches

Ham/Cheese Sandwiches

 

2 dozen Costco-- or any kind of dinner rolls, small hamburger rolls, or dollar type rolls. Spread with a mixture of:

 

1 1/2 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds

1 1/2 Tablespoon Yellow Mustard

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 Tablespoon dehydrated onion

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

 

Put on sandwiches:

1 1/2 pound deli ham

1 lb. sliced cheese (havarti, swiss or cheddar)

 

Wrap the sandwiches in aluminum foil.  Bake at 300 for about 15 minutes. 

Serve warm---keep in foil and let guests unwrap their own.  They keep warm for a while.

 

 

Santa Fe Chili

Santa Fe Chili

 

2 lbs ground beef

1 onion--chopped

1 package original Ranch Dressing mix

2 packages Taco Seasoning mix

16 oz each black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans

32 oz white corn (frozen)

Rotel (diced with chilies) diced tomatoes

2 cups water

 

Sauté beef and onion. Stir in ranch dressing and taco seasonings. Add rest of ingredients, simmer 2 hours.  If you want it thinner , add more water.  Can drain and use as dip with chips if you would rather.

 

 Possible Condiments:

Sour Cream, shredded cheese, salsa, green onions.

Banana Cream Pie - adaptation for Coconut Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie

3 Tablespoons corn starch

1 2/3 cups water

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 can sweet and condensed milk

3 egg yolks

Mix and cook until barely bubbles.  (do not cook longer)

Add 2 Tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla

Let cool, stir a bit and cool some more

Slice firm (not over-ripe) bananas in the bottom of a COOKED pie shell.  Dip bananas in lemon juice if you want.

Pour pudding mixture over . Let cool and set.

FOR COCONUT CREAM PIE---omit bananas and stir in 1/2 cup coconut.  Sprinkle toasted coconut on top.

Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour

dash salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 eggs

Mix all together and then add:

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup melted butter

Pour in to pie crust and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour