Tag: DIY

Recipes

Easy Pizza Bread

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

It’s not pizza, but it’ll be ok!


1 large loaf French or Italian bread (at any grocery store) ($1-2)
1 14-oz jar pizza sauce ($2)
2 cups cheese (Italian + Cheddar is a good pizza blend, or whatever you have!) ($3.50)
½ package pepperoni ~3oz ($4)

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Cover a large cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Cut loaf of bread in half crosswise (to be able to open as you would for a sandwich or like a book etc).
  3. Spread pizza sauce on both sides of the bread (1/2 jar total is needed or more to taste)
  4. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese on each half. Top with pepperoni and any other toppings you’d like.***
  5. Bake for 15 (***20 minutes if baked as one loaf) until cheese is melty and bubbly. Cut in 4 large “slices” and serve. Goes well with a nice garden salad for an easy lunch.

    ***IF you prefer a softer sandwich, only top one half with cheese and pepperoni, and put the other half on top of the loaf to bake. Wrap with aluminum foil as you would for garlic bread.

Feeds 4-6

Recipes

Pancake Syrup

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

In a pinch for some syrup, or trying to avoid high fructose corn syrup? Try this recipe!

¾ cup          packed brown sugar
¼ cup          white sugar
¾ cup          water
½ cup          light corn syrup
½ tsp           maple extract flavoring (optional)
½ tsp           vanilla extract (optional)

  1. Add sugar, water, corn syrup to a medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  2. Once syrup boils, set a timer for 7-9 minutes and let it cook on medium (not a hard boil, not a simmer). You may want to loosely cover it with a pot lid or splatter screen so that it doesn’t make a mess on the stove.
  3. It will be a little runny while warm – for thicker syrup boil 10 minutes. To test, cool on the back of a metal spoon.
  4. Remove from heat, add the extracts, and let cool. Store in a clean mason jar several months.

* Makes about 2 cups of syrup at a cost of ~$1.50. That price is hard to beat!

Recipes

Julie’s Play Dough

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

A fun activity for kids and adults. NOT EDIBLE!

Bring to boil:
2 cups          water
1                    (.13oz) pkg kool-aid mix (use a color/scent you like!)
3 TBSP          vegetable oil

Mix together separately in a large bowl:
2 ½ cups     flour
½ cup          salt

Pour boiling liquid over flour/salt mixture. Mix, cool slightly, then knead well. Store in airtight container or large plastic bag. It will keep for a long time. Costs about $1 to make and will entertain kids just as well as name brand dough.

Recipes

Homemade Hamburger Helper

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

Just as easy and better for you than a pre-packaged meal; adapted from Countryside Cravings

  • 1 lb              ground beef
  • ½ cup        chopped onion
  • 1 tsp            minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 tsp            paprika
  • 1 tsp            dried parsley, optional
  • 1 tsp            salt
  • ½ tsp         pepper
  • 2 cups        uncooked macaroni noodles (< 1 lb)
  • 1                  8oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cup     beef broth
  • 1 ½ cup     milk
  • 1~2 cup       shredded cheddar cheese

  1. Brown ground beef and onion. Drain grease. Add garlic, cook 1 min. Add chili powder, parsley, salt, pepper. Cook 1 min more.
  2. Add uncooked pasta, tomato sauce, beef broth, and milk. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook covered for 10-12 min or until pasta is done. Stir halfway through to prevent noodles from sticking to the pan.
  3. Remove from heat and stir cheese in at the end until melty.

Courtesy of Countryside Cravings (lots of great and easy recipes at this website!!)

Recipes

Sausage Potato Kale Soup

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

DIY a restaurant favorite!


1 lb Italian Sausage
¼ ~ ½ tsp red chili flakes (optional)
1 c chopped onion (1/2 a large onion or ¼ cup dried minced onion)
2 large potatoes, chopped (~2 cups)
2 c chicken broth
4 c water
2 cloves garlic, minced (½ tsp or more to taste)
1/3 c cooked bacon*
Salt and pepper
2 c chopped kale
1 c cream, milk, or ½ and ½

  1. Brown sausage in a skillet, drain.
  2. To a large pot add onion, potatoes, broth, water, garlic, red chili flakes. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer and cook until potatoes are soft, about 20 minutes.
  3. Add cooked sausage, bacon, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 min.
  4. Turn heat to low and add the chopped kale and cream or milk. Heat through until kale is softened. Serve with warm bread.

*Bake bacon in the oven on a foil lined cookie sheet at 400F for 10-12 minutes, checking regularly. Drain on paper towels and crumble

Recipes

Candied Sugar Pecans

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

A festive snack for your holiday get-togethers can double as a DIY gift for the holidays – courtesy of Sally’s Baking Addiction

6 cups pecan halves
2 egg whites
2 Tbsp water
2 cups sugar
2 ½ tsp cinnamon
2 tsp salt
Cooking spray

  1. Preheat oven to 300F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment and spray with non-stick cooking spray or use silicone baking mat.
  2. Pour pecans into a large bowl. Set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer that is very clean and preferably cold, beat the egg whites and water on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 4-5 minutes. NOTE: Your equipment must be clean and free of any egg yolk or they will not beat to stiff peaks. Rub beaters and bowl with lemon juice or vinegar and rinse/dry.
  4. Add the sugar, cinnamon, and salt to the egg whites and gently fold until combined. Pour this mixture over the nuts and stir to coat completely.
  5. Spread nuts over baking sheet and bake 45 minutes, stirring every 15 min. Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet. Store at room temperature covered up to 2 weeks.
Recipes

Granola

guidinglightlimaLeave a comment

A healthy snack or yogurt topping that is much cheaper to make at home!

3 cups          rolled/old fashioned oats (not instant)
3 TBSP        packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp         ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp         kosher salt (or half as much normal table salt)
1/3 cup        honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup        vegetable oil
1 tsp            vanilla extract

Optional:
½ cup small diced dried fruit
½ cup coarsely chopped nuts

  1. Heat the oven to 300°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
  2. Place the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl and stir to combine; set aside.
  3. Place the honey, oil, and vanilla in a small bowl and stir to combine. Pour over the oat mixture and mix until the oats are thoroughly coated.
  4. Spread the mixture in a thin, even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then stir and continue baking until the granola is very light golden brown, about 5 to 15 minutes more.
  5. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and cool the granola to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. (Note: It will harden as it cools.)
  6. Add the fruit and nuts or seeds to the baking sheet and toss to combine. Store the granola in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks