Peach-A-Cobbler

Peach-A-Cobbler is a recipe my Mom made me many many times growing up. I am not sure where it originated from, but I do know it came from my Aunt Sandra. The recipe was not originally named "Peach-A-Cobbler", but for some strange reason that's what I called it. And even after being corrected for many years, I will continue to call it this, because well, I can. It is my favorite cobbler recipe and is always a crowd pleaser. It's the kind of dessert you don't want to share because its that good. The delightful dessert is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My version is modified a little, but not much. I make my crust from scratch most of the time - not because its better; but, because  I am too cheap to pay for it I always have the ingredients on hand. It is great either way and it is very simple too.
(As you can see by the photo, my kids could not wait until I took the picture to eat it; nor, am I a pastry chef, but boy did it taste good!)

Peach-A-Cobbler

1 Double Crust Pie Pastry
2 Large Cans Peaches in heavy syrup, drained
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ginger (optional; gives it even more flavor)
1/2 tsp salt
3 heaping Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 450*
In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cornstarch.
In a deep 2 quart or larger round baking dish, place the bottom crust. Dump one can of peaches into the dish. Top with half of the sugar mixture. Dump the second can of peaches. Top with remaining sugar mixture and slat of butter cut into quarters (just dollop onto the top). Cover pie with the top layer of crust; pinch edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top of the crust to vent.

Cook 40-45 minutes. If edges start to get too brown, cover the edges with foil (take a square piece, fold in half and cut out a half moon. When you open it up, you will have a circle)


Menu Plan Monday 2/28 - 3/06

I managed to totally flop on last weeks meal plan. For some strange reason I just kept wanting to eat beans - maybe what I really wanted was the homemade tortillas...they were so good. OMG! I think I could eat them everyday! Hopefully this next week will go a little more according to plan, but I highly doubt it. I am prone to last minute changes. My husband even knows this is just how my mind works. I think having a meal plan is great to fall back on, but it doesn't have to be set in stone.  We have some inside information about a possible move coming in the next few months- I am praying for something warmer. If this impending move happens, we will need to clear out our freezer and fridge in a few months. I sure hope I can keep myself out of the stores to accomplish this task. This weeks menu is planned around what we have in stock. To see more great menu ideas and recipes check out OrgJunkie.

  • Chicken Stir Fry with snap peas, bok choy, rice    
  • Crock Pot Whole Chicken with italian seasonings (sage, thyme, etc), rice cooker rice, mixed veggies  
  • City Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans   
  • Black Bean Enchilada Casserole! (no meat)   
  • Homemade pizza (peperoni, cheese)   
  • BBQ chicken thighs

Giant Eagle 1/25 *Deal Alert*

Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt is on sale 20 for $10 ($3 OFF instantly)
Print 3 Coupons here and here for .75/6 and get 20 Yogurts for only $2.50 if your store doubles.

Giant Eagle Brand Eggs $1 dozen

Stella Special Reserve Parmesan Cheese BOGO (this should ring up half price, so you do not have to get two of them)

There are a few other deals, but I am out the door, so I will have to post later.

Great Deal on Cereal @ Giant 2/19 - 2/25

Giant is doing a FREE milk when you purchase 4 boxes of General Mills cereal. $4 automatically comes off the cost of 4 boxes of cereal. Most of the boxes I saw are about 3.29. Regular cheerios are 2.99.

I have been able to pick up about 16 boxes so far. This is how the deal works...

Scenario:
Buy 4 boxes @ 2.99 = $12
Save $4 instantly = $8
Use 4 coupons from coupons.com, couponbug.com and ecentives.com (.75/1)
Assuming your store doubles...Coupons = $6 off
Final Cost = $2
GET Coupon for FREE milk up to $4.50 OYNO

This basically makes the cereal free, since most of us have to buy milk already.

You should be able to get the milk right after you buy the cereal. I have not had any problems. Depending on how they enter the coupon, you may get overage on your milk if they give you the full amount of the coupon.

I also noticed Tomatoes on the Vine are on sale for $1.77 lb. This is a great price!

Menu Plan Monday 2/22

We recently picked up a lot of free crescent rolls and biscuits from the Catalina deals going on at multiple stores. I am sure many of you were able to cash in on these great deals. I am hoping to find some creative ways to use them in the next few weeks. If you have any recipes or suggestions, please feel free to post links in the comments.

The kids finally went back to school on Thursday and Friday of last week. Boy was I happy about that! My husband and I also went to a Valentine's dinner this weekend. The funny part is we left early to go coupon shopping. I find this humorous. We were perusing the isles wearing semi-formal gear. I bet people were wondering why are these middle aged peeps dressed like they are going to prom...I bet they were saying "maybe they are chaperone's"? At least it was fun. I guess you know you are married to the right person when you can have a good time at a grocery store. We laughed and had a great time.  Enough about that, read on to see what we will be having for dinner this week - unless I change my mind. Here's to having an awesome week of the kids back in school!

Monday - Caldo Soup (sausage, collard greens from the freezer)
Tuesday - City Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans
Wednesday - Swiss Steak and rice
Thursday - Corn Chowder (corn, potatoes)
Friday - Spinach Pie
Saturday - BBQ Chicken, German Potato Salad
Sunday -  Broccoli Crescent Ham Ring

My quest to make Miso Soup

  (This is what I was going for)


(This is what I currently have)
 

Recently I saw something about the benefits of Miso soup, and wanting to figure out how to make it. It is shown to reduce cancer and bad estrogens, etc..etc.. On this show -who knows which one - they said to use Miso paste and regretfully my adhd mind became distracted this is all I heard. I stopped by a local organic market yesterday and picked up some Miso paste. It was $6.19! Ouch! So, I bring it home and do a search on recipes and now I have to buy more stuff. You have got to be kidding me. Now my quest for this wonderfully healthy soup is going to cost me a fortune; or at least $20. According to most online recipes I need some dried seaweed stuff (kombu) and a special fish broth (dashi) and mushrooms. I am hoping I can find this stuff; otherwise, I will have an expensive container of paste rotting in my fridge. Has anyone ever made this before? Have you even heard about it?

Tune in later to find out how my quest ends.

~Jen~

Pantry Challenge Update: February (Week 2)

I am still battling to keep my goal of $30 a week even with the abundant snow we have been slammed with. Please excuse the absense of photos, but since the kids have been home, I have been cleaning up after them preoccupied with other things. I have noticed we are out of several things and it is driving me mad. I guess I have been spoiled with having a backup stockpile and  when I do not have the item its frustrating. My budget went over mainly because of the meat I found at a stellar price. I found whole cut up chickens for .49 a pound. I know, I should have bought more, but I was restraining myself.

Weekly OOP $52.48

Commisary 
8 pkg chicken
OOP $14.65

Aldi (made the mistake of going shopping with the family - my husband and I are the worst in a store, its like we loose our minds and buy everything)
Lots of stuff
OOP $35.74


Giant Eagle
gum, diced tomatoes
OOP $2.09

FREE Ulta 15-piece make-up set! Hurry!


Thanks, Frugal Coupon Living for this fabulous offer at ULTA. If you have not tried their cosmetics yet, they are great. I would buy them more, but we do not have a store close enough. If you are wanting to try them out, now is the time. 

The 15 piece kit is free with a $17.50 qualifying purchase (only Ulta brand products, excludes some things)
Use code 40480 for 20% off one item
or 
58480 for FREE shipping with minimum $25 purchase. 

So, if you buy $25 worth of qualifying product, you can get free shipping and a free gift worth $88! Thats a deal!

Meal Plan Monday 2/15 - 2/21

What's for dinner this week?

I did pretty well following my meal plan this last week. I am so proud of myself. :) I am still struggling to keep my weekly spending on groceries under budget. I am really starting to think there is something wrong with me - the more I try to meet my budget, the more I go over it.

I am sure you have heard about the tons of snow we have received on the east coast. Would you like me to send some your way? We have plenty! I just found out we are supposed to get more. Holy Moly, I dont think I can take any more snow. Well, really the snow is okay, its the kids being home that messes with my schedule. I guess the snow does too when all the stores are closed.

Head over to orgjunkie.com to see more menu plans for the week.

Monday ~ Egg and Swiss Asparagus English Muffin Casserolle (eggs, swiss cheese, asparagus, english muffin bread and ham)
Tuesday ~ Grilled Swiss Cheese with 1,2,3 Tomato Basil Soup
Wednesday ~ Arroz con Pollo Puerto Rican Style (chicken thighs, olives, pigeon peas, tomato sauce, potatoes, and rice)
Thursday ~ Black Bean and cilantro rice burrito's (*frozen black beans, sour cream, homemade tortillas, and rice) Edit: Just had these last night (Tuesday) and they were fantastic! Everyone loved them.
Friday ~ Shredded BBQ chicken sandwiches (shredded chicken, hamburger buns, and bbq sauce)
Saturday ~ Chicken Pot Pie (shredded chicken, mixed veggies, cream of chicken)
Sunday ~ Hot Wings, Baked French Fries


*Precook beans using Slow Cooker method, cool and freeze into meal portions for later use.

Easy Tuna Casserole

I am sure I am not alone when I say I love easy and tasty recipes. This has become a regular around our house. I know there are a ton of tuna casserolle recipes out there, but I thought I would go ahead and share this one because it is so easy and it really was loved by my whole family.

Easy Tuna Casserolle

This is such a simple dish. I am still working ...

See Easy Tuna Casserolle on Key Ingredient.

1, 2, 3 Tomato Basil Soup



I love this recipe for tomato soup because it is so simple and it tastes so good. The original can be found here on Allrecipes, but I have modfied it just a little. Instead of heavy cream - which believe me is sooooo good in it - I used half and half. It still turned out delicious and the whole family enjoyed it. If you can open a can, you can make this simple dish.

2 Large 28 oz Cans of Diced Tomatoes
1 small can of chicken broth (or 2 cups)
8 - 10 Large Leaves Fresh Basil, or 1 tsp dried basil
1 Cup heavy cream, half and half, Evaporated Milk or Regular Milk (in order of calories)
1 Tbsp Butter or Margerine
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
*2 cloves Roasted Garlic, or fresh

In a large pot, bring tomatoes, chicken broth, basil leaves, and roasted garlic if desired, to a simmer. Let simmer covered for 10 minutes.  Add half and half or cream, butter, sugar, pepper.  Using an imersion blender or regular blender puree soup until creamy. Serve hot with grilled swiss cheese sandwiches for a delightfully easy dinner or lunch.
TIPS

Dried basil can be substituted, but fresh gives it more depth of flavor. During the summer months when basil is in season, place clean leaves in ziploc bags and freeze to use during winter months. Just pull out frozen leaves and use in recipes which call for fresh.

If you like it hot, add a pinch or two of hot pepper flakes when simmering tomatoes, basil and chicken broth.

*To roast garlic, cut off a small slice of the top of a garlic bulb. Place garlic bulb into a small baking dish or piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with olive oil. Roast covered tightly with foil for 30 minutes @ 350*. When cooled, squeeze garlic into a glass jar or container; store in refrigerater for a few months and use as needed to make pasta sauce, hummus, garlic bread, and more.

**To make chicken stock, place chicken bones, celery onion and carrot scraps, garlic cloves, whole pepper corns, and pinch salt in large stock pot. Simmer 1 hour or longer if desired. Freeze into 2 cup serving sizes to use in recipes.

Easy Tomato Basil Soup

An easy recipe that yields a wonderful rich soup. No ...

See Easy Tomato Basil Soup on Key Ingredient.

Menu Plan Monday ~ 2/08 - 2/14

I am still continuing the Eat From the Pantry Challenge. This has helped me to spend less on food by being on a budget.  I know if I work at it, I can stick to around $30 - $40 a week and we will still have plenty of food. Honestly, before I just did not keep up with what I was spending and it really does add up fast. So, for now I will continue using up stuff from my freezer, pantry and fridge and try to limit my spending throughout the week to $30. Also, I am going to start a new weekly tradition....Bean Night. The idea is from Mellissa D'Arabian, $10 dinners on Food Network. She said they have had bean night once a week for years and this sounded like a great idea. Kind of like Meatless Monday, but with a cool name. What kid doesn't love talking about beans? To check out more great ideas and recipes check out Org Junkie and All the Small Stuff.


  • Monday ~ leftovers from Superbowl
  • Tuesday ~ Baked Penne with Bechamel Sauce - using frozen Bolognese sauce and mozzarella cheese
  • Wednesday ~ Cowboy Stew
  • Thursday ~ Bean Night ~ Cumin Lentil Rice Pilaf or Pinto Beans and rice and Easy Cornbread.
  • Friday ~ Tuna Casserole - using wacky mac, tuna, cheese, and cream of mushroom
  • Saturday ~ *Meatballs, mashed potatoes, and Graddsas cream gravy.
  • Sunday ~ Jambalaya - it's NASCAR TIME BABY!
*Preform and bake meatballs in advance and freeze. To serve, thaw and warm in microwave, throw in your favorite sauce or in your slow cooker. 

    To Die For, Baked Apple Oatmeal

    Baked Apple Oatmeal
     I just finished making this fabulous recipe this morning. Which for me is a milestone since I am not a morning person and do not typically make breakfast - and by typically I mean never. I saw Paula Deen make a similar recipe, but was unable to locate it online. A friend of hers was on the show, so I am assuming it is her recipe. I did find several recipes online for different versions and settled on this this one from Allrecipes. Ofcoarse I had to modify the recipe a little - honestly, I just can't help myself...I think I am compelled to not follow a recipe. Maybe this stems from my childhood where teachers would write, "Does not follow directions". Warning: if you are looking for a healthy recipe STOP here. This is full of sugar and oil, but boy is it good!

    1/2 Cup White Sugar
    1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
    1/2 Cup Oil (Vegetable, Canola or Smart Balance Oil)
    2 Eggs
    1 Tbsp Baking Powder
    1 tsp Cinnamon
    1/2 tsp salt
    1 1/4 Cup Milk
    1/4 Cup Water
    1 large apple, diced with skin on
    3 Cups Oatmeal
    Topping:
    2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
    2 Tbsp Butter

    Preheat oven 350*. Grease small casserole dish or 9 * 9 dish.
    In a large bowl, combine oil, white sugar and brown sugar with whisk. Mix in eggs. Add baking powder, cinnamon, milk, salt; Mix well. Add oatmeal and apples; Combine all ingredients. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle 2 tbsp brown sugar evenly on top. Dot with 2 tbsp butter. Bake 30-35 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of milk over the top.

    Printable version:

    To Die For Baked Apple Oatmeal

    See To Die For Baked Apple Oatmeal on Key Ingredient.

    White Queso Dip

    I just made this dip for the Super Bowl and it is delicious. I found the recipe here at Cooking Mexican Recipes and modified it slightly. It is to die for good! I will be making it again and again.

    White Queso Dip

    Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip

    Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

    Who doesn't love spinach artichoke dip? It always gets gobbled up!  This is one of my favorite dip recipes. It is great for a BBQ or a pot luck.

    Yields: 10 Servings

    Ingredients:

    • 1 pkg *frozen spinach, thawed and drained well in a dish cloth
    • 1 10 oz jar of artichokes, drained and chopped
    • 1/3 cup milk
    • 1 Tbsp minced dried onions, or 1/4 onion minced and sauteed until golden.
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1-8 oz pkg cream cheese(room temperature)
    • 4 shakes Tabasco hot sauce
    • 2 shakes Worcestershire sauce
    • 2 Cups mozzarella Cheese, reserve 1/2 cup for top
    • 3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, reserve 1/4 cup for top
    • 1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 10 twists fresh black pepper or 1/4 tsp ground pepper
    Directions:
    1. In a large mixer bowl, blend cream cheese until smooth. Add cheese, salt, pepper, milk, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, minced dried onions, and pepper. Mix until combined well. Mix in spinach and artichokes.
    2. Grease a 2 or 3 quart casserole dish with **olive oil or cooking spray. Spread mixture into the dish. Sprinkle the top with remaining cheese. Bake at 425* 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
    3. Serve with tortilla chips, baked pita chips, tiny toasts or crackers.

    *To use fresh spinach, microwave fresh spinach covered for 5 minutes; place in dish towel and wring all excess water out. Chop spinach and add to recipe.

    **Use an olive oil mister

    Cumin Lentil Rice Pilaf

    This poor recipe was lost in one of my old recipe books. I picked it up many years ago at H.E.B. It was on one of those recipe cards - you know the ones your kids take like 20 of them and throw them on the ground (or are my kids the only ones?)  Maybe my kids were the ones who picked it up, who knows? Anyways, it ended up being a really good recipe, but for some reason it was put in a cookbook and lost for a while. Well, I needed to use some dried lentils I had and I found this recipe. It was a definite winner. I was blown away by my kids devouring it. My youngest REALLY likes it and I find myself loving it too and I am not a bean lover. So, now this recipe will be on our menu more in the future since it was loved by everyone. Its good for you too. It could even be a meal if paired with a side salad or a tomato salad.
    Cumin Lentil Rice Pilaf
    1/2 cup dried lentil beans
    3 Cups water (for boiling lentils)
    1 Tbsp Olive Oil, or Vegetable Oil
    1 tsp prepared garlic, or (1 garlic clove grated)
    1 tsp cumin seeds, or (ground cumin)
    1 Cup Long grain White Rice, uncooked
    1 Cup Chicken Broth, or (1 cup water with 1 tsp bullion paste)
    1/2 Cup Water
    1 tsp salt
    Fresh Pepper - a few twists, or (1/4 tsp ground black pepper)

    Directions:

    1. Bring 3 cups of water and 1 tsp salt to a boil in a small sauce pan. Cook lentils in boiling water for 10 minutes; drain and set aside.

    2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium sauce pan. Add rice to skillet; stirring often until rice is golden in color - about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in cumin seeds or ground cumin; continue stirring to toast the cumin for 2 minutes. 

    3. Add chicken broth, 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, pepper and drained lentils.

    4. Bring to boil; cover; reduce heat medium; simmer for 15 minutes; stirring once during cooking time. Remove from heat and let stand for a few minutes. Fluff with fork and serve warm.

    February Challenge (Week 1) - Pasta, Dog Food and Snacks OH MY!


    I did not get to take photo's of everything this time, but it was a busy week of shopping. I am glad I got it done because we are getting a boatload of snow dumped on us right now. So, the kids will likely be out of school Monday and Tuesday. We are all set for the snow storm. This is what I love about couponing and stockpiling; you have what you need to live off of when you need it. A friend of mine on Facebook said something about having your very own General Store at home. That is so true. When I need something I just head to my stockpile and pick it up. No driving needed.

    Many of the items I picked up this week will last us for several months, such as the dog food and the Mc Donald's treat cards. We do not eat out much, but for the return on investment it is well worth it. I am not a math wiz by any means, so this could be way off, but by my calculations the return on the treat cards is 1200%. Not a bad return.

    Total OOP this week; $47.32
    Total Saved; Approx $350
    Year To Date Spending; $203.02


    Giant Food & Giant Eagle
    Quaker Cakes - FREE with overage .50 each
    Polaner Fruit Spread - used $1/1 store coupon and $1/1 coupon from All You - .39 after coupons
    Sargento Cheese $2.50 - used .55./1 coupon from All You
    Rice Works - FAC
    Hillshire Farms Sausage BOGO - used 2 *$1/1 Home Mailer coupons
    Kraft Cheese $2 - used $1/2 - $1.50 each after coupon

    OOP 5.23


    Giant Eagle & Dollar Store
    Ronzoni Smart Taste *14 = FAC
    4 -Quaker Rice Cakes - Overage of .50 each with these
    Sprinkles $1
    Red Peppers $1
    Hamburger Buns $1
    Sea Salt $1
    Starbucks drink - Free with overage from Quaker Cakes
    10 Facial Tissues $1 - FAC
    10 Paper Towels - $2 - FAC
    $6.45

    Aldi
    Dog Food
    Dog Treats
    Brownies and candy bar
    $15.19


    Comissary
    Canadian Bacon
    Oreos and Cakesters - Get cakesters free wyb oreos
    Milk
    Knox gelatin $1.05 each - overage of $2.95 with $4/1 coupon
    $1.94


    McDonald's Valentine Free Treat Cards - $8
    will use these from 2/14 through May


    PETSMART
    20 Bags Dog/Cat Food
    $15.70







    Week 3 Pantry Challenge Update - Still Over Budget



    (not shown - 25 lb bag of Flour - the Hubby likes to make a lot of bread)

    Why is this so difficult for me? I honestly think the more I try to put myself on a budget, the more I want to spend money. I have made excuse after excuse on why I just have to get this and that until eventually I have exceeded my budget. The week is almost over. Thank the Lord! I still have two more stores to go to today and I know I should not even leave the house. My out of pocket so far this week is around $74. Granted the Kuerig coffee is something I normally do not count as part of my grocery budget, but it should be included since I would normally include regular coffee. I picked up a box of 80 k-cups at Costco for about $30, and they will last us at least through the end of February and possibly March - well, maybe not if my husband has his way with the coffee. Next week is the last week of the challenge, but since I did not meet my goals, I plan on continuing to hold myself accountable to a weekly budget of $30. I think keeping my blog updated with weekly spending helps me to take a mental look at what I am buying as well as to know exactly what I am spending.
    So, here is the breakdown for my shopping trips.

    Costco $49
    • 80 K-cups $33
    • 25 lb bag flour $8
    • 6 lb bag brown sugar $5
    •  Large Garlic Powder $3.00
    Aldi $14.20
    • Carrots
    • Celery
    • Garlic
    • Pigeon Peas (for puerto rican rice)
    • Rotel
    • Stewed Tomatoes
    • Cream of Mushroom
    • Andes Mints (No, I did not need these)
    • Chocolate Hazelnut Bar - This is not good.
    • Jar of Chili Powder
    • Kids dye free Liquid Ibuprofen $3.29 (my kids do not do well with red 40 or yellow dyes - they go nuts I tell ya!)
    • 3lb bag onions
    • green apple
    • whip topping
    Commissary $2.02
    • Kraft Slice Cheese $1.89 each - used $1/1 coupon I found at Safeway in Kraft Booklet
    • 4 Marcal Tissues - Free after coupon
     Safeway $4.00
    • Spinach $.99 - used $1 off min $5 produce coupon found in Kraft booklet in Safeway x1/21
    • Bananas 
    • Garlic, chopped .99
    • Tomatoes .99
    • 2 boxes Annies Organic Mac and Cheese - Free After printable coupon


    Giant Food 1/29 - 2/04 - Free Quakes & Fruit2O water

     Giant Food Deal Alert



    Quaker Rice Cake Quakes on sale $1 (The sign said the sale is good until March 2cd - don't quote me)
    ~ use $0.75/1 Quaker; 1-10 RP Insert
    Final Cost; FREE

    Fruit2o Water Bottles on sale $1
    ~ .75/1 Fruit2o; 1-17 SS Insert
    Final Cost; FREE

    Reach 2 pk Toothbrush $.99
    ~$1/1 Reach toothbrush 10-18 RP
    Final Cost; FREE

    FREE Meal @ Denny's February 9th, 2010

    Thanks to Money Saving Mom for the heads up on this freebie.

    On February, 9th, Denny's will be giving away a free Grand Slam Breakfast to all its customers from 6 am to 2 pm. Last year they were so busy they gave away free vouchers to anyone willing to come back later, so it may be worth stopping by even if they are really busy.