You are here: Home / tips

How to Make White Sauce

February 2, 2012 by


White sauce is one of the most versatile things you can learn to make.  There are many variations to the basic recipe so you can use it for:

  • Cheese sauce
  • Cream soup substitute
  • Cream sauce for peas or potatoes or other veggies
  • Sausage gravy
  • Chipped beef gravy
  • Sauce for casseroles
  • and more

Making white sauce is a quick thing to do.  You’ll only need a whisk and a heavy pan or skillet.  The amounts of butter, milk (or broth) and flour can be altered for different amounts and thicknesses of sauce.  For a very basic sauce of medium thickness, use 3 Tbs. butter, 3 Tbs. flour and 1 1/2 cups milk.  [Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with , , , 2 Comments

No Recipe Required – 10 Ways to Cook Beef Roast or Other Cuts of Beef

January 19, 2012 by

Have a cut of beef in your freezer that you need to fix for dinner?  Not in the mood for a recipe?  No problem!

Here are some ideas to get you started.  No recipe required.

These ideas are for roasts or other cuts.  If you’ve got a nice steak, you’ll want to choose a different cooking method.

All of these ideas can be done in the oven or slow cooker.  The cooking time will depend on the cut of beef and how large the piece is.  As a general rule, beef roast or a round steak weighing about 2-3 lbs. will take 6-7  hours on high in the slow cooker.

9 ways to fix beef roast or other cuts of beef

  1. Salsa – any type.
  2. Diced tomatoes and green chilis.  Shred the meat and serve in tortillas or slice and serve with cornbread and veggies.
  3. Enchilada sauce, shred and serve in tortillas.
  4. Jar of gravy, add potatoes, carrots and onions cut in chunks.
  5. Cream of mushroom soup.  Serve with baked potatoes.
  6. Spaghetti sauce -  Pour over the meat.  Add green peppers and onions.  Serve over angel hair pasta.
  7. Bbq sauce – Shred or slice and serve on buns.
  8. Sprinkle with Italian seasonings, add onions, garlic and a splash of red wine.
  9. Bay leaf, rosemary, salt and pepper, red wine or beef broth.
  10. Make French Dip Sandwiches – Pour can of beef broth and 1 Tbs. worcestershire sauce over meat. Shred and serve on sub buns.

 

PrintFriendly
Filed under: Crockpot, Main Dish, tips Tagged with , , , , , , 2 Comments

How to Make a Charging Station and Laptop Storage from a Dresser or Desk

January 6, 2012 by

For reasons that are probably already obvious, I will never have a blog about decorating.  But I had to show you this piece of furniture that Jim and I transformed into a charging station and place to store laptop computers.

We have as many laptops as we have people in this house.  (All low-end PC’s, some of which are nearly worn out.  Nothing worth stealing, just in case there are any bad-guys out there reading this.)  Four of these get used on a regular basis.  That means that most days find laptops scattered on end tables, kitchen tables, couches…  And when we want to put them all away, there has been no where to put them.

Combine this problem with the need to charge all kinds of devices – from my Kindle to iPods to MP3 players to phones.  Cords were taking over the house.

The week after Christmas, Jim and I started scouring Craigslist for a dresser.  We found this little desk that turned out to be perfect.  Here it is in the “before” state.

[Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with , , , 10 Comments

8 Easy Recipes from Crystal & Co.

December 2, 2011 by

This is a guest post from Crystal & Co.  Her Crockpot Ravioli is a favorite at my house.  She’s got all kinds of fantastic quick meal ideas and lots of other solutions for moms too.

Do you struggle with getting dinner on the table? Is life super busy and you find yourself scurrying to feed your family come 6:00 each night? Without my crockpot and easy recipes dinner would never be served at my house.

I am excited to share with you eight of my favorite easy recipes that are time savers, budget friendly and will keep you out of the drive thru lines. Each of these recipes can easily be adapted to meet the size of your family.


 

  1. Apple Butter Pork Chops in the Crockpot- apple butter season is here and these pork chops literally fell apart when they were done. The flavor was amazing. I served them over steamed rice which helped to stretch the meal even more.
  2. Italian Crockpot Chicken - do you have any idea how tender a chicken breast is after it has cooked for hours over a tomato sauce? You will be asking for seconds. Top with cheese and serve over your favorite noddle.
  3. Crockpot Lemon Chicken- can gourmet and crockpot be used in the same sentence? If you love the way lemon and Dijon mustard combine, you’re going to lick your plate clean with this one!
  4. Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole- who knew you could make something like this in the crockpot? This is tasty and feeds a crowd- perfect potluck meal.
  5. Baked White Spaghetti- this is a recipe I have been making for years and it comes together very quickly. Do you keep cooked chicken on hand?
  6. Beef Tips and Noodles (made in the crockpot)- I grew up on this recipe, my grandmother and mother made it when I was growing up. My kids enjoy it as well.
  7. Crockpot Ravioli- this is another recipe that cooks fast and looks and tastes like it was baked in the oven. Family favorite at our house.
  8. Easy Pasta Casserole- ground Italian sausage, cheese, your favorite pasta shape and your favorite jarred sauce and dinner is done in no time!

Delicious, easy and simple ingredient lists- that is what makes a recipe easy! (Well, add to that anything crockpotable!) Which of these easy recipes will you be adding to your menu plan?

Crystal is the author of the site Crystal & Co., where she shares her journey of raising five boys. On her site you will find loads of easy recipes, weekly meal planning inspiration, easy craft ideas, as well as mommy solutions and resources. Join her every Wednesday where she invites you to link up and share your mommy solutions and resources!

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with 3 Comments

All I Want for Christmas is… Holiday Gift Ideas for Eat at Home Cooks

November 25, 2011 by

I firmly believe you do not need the latest and greatest in kitchen equipment to be a good cook.  However, there are a few essentials and some fun items that are nice to own.  Since Christmas is coming, I thought I’d share some ideas with you.  Some of these are on my wish list and some are things I own that I think you might like as well.

Small Appliances

 


KitchenAid 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer, White is very similar to the one I’ve had for 14 years.  Mine is still going strong. I use it several times a week.  It was a huge splurge (one of the only black friday items Jim has ever purchased) but it was so worth it.


Hamilton Beach 33967 Set ‘n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker has been on my wish list for quite a while now.  I’d love to have a programmable option for slow cooking.  I do use this idea for making your current slow cooker programmable for just $4, but it would be fun to have the real deal.   [Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with Leave a Comment

Holiday Dinner Menu Ideas

November 21, 2011 by

Since Thanksgiving is later this week, I thought I’d share some recipe ideas instead of the regular Menu + Grocery list.

Desserts

Pie crust tutorial

Spicy Pumpkin Pie

Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce

Cranberry Braid Bread

Cranberry Nut Bars

Cranberry Upside Down Cake

Pumpkin Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Old Fashioned Spice Cake with Caramel Glaze

Side Dish/Salad/Vegetables   [Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips, Uncategorized Tagged with 1 Comment

Prep & Planning: Steps to a Peaceful Holiday – Free Printable Holiday Meal Planner

November 15, 2011 by

I had a great time cooking on Saturday and hanging out with some of you who were also getting things done in the kitchen.  We gathered on Facebook for a Virtual Cooking Party.  It was a lot of fun and now I’ve got a freezer full of cooked chicken, soup, meatballs and more.

If you missed the party on Saturday, but would still like to do a little virtual baking, plan to be part of Liz’s Virtual Baking Party on Wednesday morning.  We’ll be gathering on the Hoosier Homemade Facebook page to talk, bake and share ideas.

Today, I’ve got a free printable Holiday Meal Planner for you.  If you’re the cook for a Holiday feast this year, this will come in handy.  I’m a big believer in using lists when I’m cooking a big meal.

Lists keep me from forgetting to make the sweet tea or finding a fruit salad in the fridge after the dinner is over and everyone has gone home.

To print your Holiday Meal Planner, click here:  Holiday Meal Planner (590)

Last week, we talked about make ahead party food.  Liz posted this cheese ball recipe that can be frozen.

For the first week of the series, I posted 4 snack mixes that require no baking and no cooking.  Liz shared Hot Cocoa and Tea gifts in a jar.

How will you celebrate Thanksgiving?  Are you the main cook for the day?

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with , , 3 Comments

More No Bake, No Cook, No Time Gifts – Homemade Seasoned Salt and Italian Herb Salt

November 11, 2011 by

I like keeping these seasoned and herb salts on hand to cook with.  I’ve shared the recipe for homemade seasoned salt before.  This version makes a larger batch and is tweaked just a bit.

Use the seasoned salt just like you would any other seasoned salt.  I like using it in pasta dishes, on grilled meats and even on zucchini.

[Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with , , 13 Comments

Prep & Planning for the Holidays – Foods That Can Be Made Ahead

November 8, 2011 by

There are two ways to combat the crazy-busy whirl that is the holidays.

  1. Let things go.  Don’t try to do it all, or anywhere near all of it.
  2. Plan ahead.

We’re going to focus on the second one this week.  I’ve got some ideas here for foods that can be made ahead and frozen.  And on Saturday, we’re getting together on Facebook for a Virtual Cooking Party for holiday prep.  If you’ve got time, I’d love for you to pop in over there to cook and visit with us.  We’ll gather on the main Facebook page.   I’m looking forward to getting a lot of prep work done myself!  On November 16, Liz from Hoosier Homemade is hosting a Virtual Baking Day so you’ll have another chance to get some prep work done for the holidays.

Anything you do now will be a help later.   [Read more...]

PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with , , , 5 Comments

Make Your Slow Cooker Programmable for just $4!

November 4, 2011 by

This little tip was mentioned by Loretta, one of my readers.

You can use a timer (the kind you use for Christmas trees, lamps, etc.  Find them in the hardware section.) to set your slow cooker.  It isn’t quite as good as a programmable slow cooker, but it is very close.

And it’s perfect for slow cooked oatmeal.  I set it to start about 3am and at 7am breakfast was ready, without being overcooked.

Another cool tip, mentioned by a reader (I can’t remember who!) – Walmart now has Rival 2 quart slow cookers on sale for just $4!  I bought one, especially for fixing oatmeal.  It’s a fantastic price.  The same thing on Amazon costs $20 or more.

Happy cooking!

Related Posts with Thumbnails
PrintFriendly
Filed under: tips Tagged with 10 Comments
« Older Posts