Money Saving Ideas

In today’s economy we all can use some ideas on how to stretch the food budget.  One of the easiest is to buy an ice cube tray.  - You know, the plastic one like we used before ice makers.  Here are some ways to use that to help you save money,

Soups - If you have left over stock, gravy or soups pour into the ice cube tray and freeze.  When it is frozen solid  pop the cubes out and put in a freezer bag. That way when you are making soup or sauces you can add as much as you need to boost the flavor.

Milk - I don't always get to use the milk before it goes bad.  I started freezing it in the ice cube tray as it got closer to the expiration date. I use these in gravy or sauces or to make hot chocolate.  Works great and I don't throw it out.

I am sure that many of the reader may have other ideas too.  Please share them!

Cooking Class - Healthy Eating for Kids

At the class today we had several new recipes that were designed to help kids eat more healthy, One of the recipes used baked strawberries to enhance a Spinach Salad.  You find the recipe on Williams Sonoma's website.  Very interesting!

Pork Chops and Spanish Rice Bake

This is a redo of a recipe in the cookbook.

3- 4 pork chops - bone in preferred
DAVIS DUST
Olive Oil
1/2 diced onion
1 cup of rice
1 can of diced tomatoes in juice
I small can diced Hatch Chillies
1 cup of water -/+

Season the chops with the DAVIS DUST.  Preheat a heavy pan that has a lid and add olive oil to coat the bottom. Brown the chops on both sides and remove to a plate while you prepare the rest of the recipe.  The Chops will not be done only browned.

Add the onions to the pan and saute until translucent. Add more oil if needed.  In a bowl combine the tomatoes and chilies and water. Stir to mix and add to the pan with the onions.  Deglaze the pan scraping up all the brown bits.  Add rice and stir.  Then add the chops - nestle them down in the rice, cover the pan and baked at 350 for one hour.   Check after 30 minutes and adjust the water if needed.  Once the rice is tender take the pan out and let it rest for 5 minutes.

The chops will be very tender and the rice will have a great flavor.