Stew or sauce starters

One thing that has helped me to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables into my family's diet, has been Bountiful Baskets.  Every other week, I pick up my basket that is 50/50.  For two baskets it is $31 and sometimes the co-op has extras that are great for canning or freezing.  I ended up with extra tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.  However, right now is a time when there is a lot of fresh produce from the farmer markets or gardens.  These starters are no canning required and can easily be finished in weekend.  Starter packets can be changed up to whatever you have on hand.  The packets I did contain roma tomatoes, onions, and green bell peppers. Keep it simply to 3-3-1; 3 tomatoes, 3 bell peppers, 1 onion.   If using plastic freezer bags, make sure all the bags are air tight.

Gluten free Reece's Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Since my daughter is now gluten free, she has been wanting cookies.  She believes the need for a cookie is going to kill her but I keep telling her it will not.  It is very hard for adults to go GF but I have realized, it is pretty hard for little kids. This recipe is adapted from Land O' Lakes gluten free chocolate chip cookies.  I did not have enough chocolate chips but I did have some of the Reece's peanut butter chips.  Remember to always look at ingredients to make sure they are gluten free. 

Gluten Free Reece's Peanut Butter Chip Cookies (adapted from Land O' Lakes GF chocolate chip cookies)

2 1/4 cups Bob's Red Mill gluten free all purpose flour
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/4 t xanthan gum
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
1/2 package of chocolate chips
1/2 package of Reece's Peanut Butter chips
Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients together.  Cream butter and sugars in mixer until creamy.  Add eggs and vanilla until well mixed, scraping sides of bowel.  Gradually add flour mixture and beat on low until all ingredients are mixed in.  Drop by rounded tablespoons, 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.  Make sure to spray cookie sheets or use the silicon liners.  Bake for 9-12 minutes.  Let cookies cool for 2 minutes on sheet before moving to cooling rack. 

Pizza Bombs

This recipe has been adapted from the gfe-gluten free easly blog.  I've relied more on blog and reviews on blogs than I have on buying gluten free cook books at the book store or on Amazon.  I recommend doubling this recipe for pizza night because the little bombs are far easier than making pizza crust.   I will post pictures later this week because the family ate the little bombs before I could get pics. 


Pizza Bombs
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/4 cup tapioca starch
1 t baking powder
1/2 t pizza seasoning
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup mini pepperoni
Homemade pizza sauce (One 8 oz can tomato sauce with 1 T pizza seasoning mixed in)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchement paper or silcone liners. Add slightly beaten eggs in mixing bowel.  Add other ingredients in order shown, stir after each addition.  Stir well until ingrdients are fully incorporated.  Form dough into 1 1/2 to 2 inch balls.  Place about 2 inches apart on sheet.  Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool and then serve--if you can keep people away.   

Homemade dishwasher soap and laundry soap

Live on Less and One Good Thing by Jillee are two of my favorite DIY blogs.  I've made laundry soap from One Good Thing and dishwasher soap from Live on Less.

Dishwasher soap-adapted from Live on Less
1 box Borax
1 box Arm & Hammer washing soda (at Walmart, both are next to each other in the laundry soap isle; both are used to make laundry soap as well)
3 canning salt
1 container  of unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid (acts as the citric acid)

The recipe can be cut down or increased.  I used the whole box of borax and washing soda plus a whole container of the unsweetened lemonade and 3 cups of salt.  Mix all ingredients together and store in an air tight container.  To use put one tablespoon in latched compartment and 1 tablespoon in the bottom of the dishwasher.  I have found that adding a drop of Dawn dish soap to the dishwasher helps bring the grease off and that adding 1/4 cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle cuts down on cloudy glasses.
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/homemade-dishwasher-detergent-for-06-a-load-picture-tutorial/
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html
 

Frugal and gluten free

I have been slacking on posting recipes and reviews of GF products and I plan on getting caught up.  My goal is to stay caught up and posting items.  Since blogging last, my husband lost his job due to medical issues.  He could've stayed working but due to his condition he needed a more steady schedule and his employer wasn't going to let that happen. I have been online looking up ways to be frugal and gluten free.  Besides making my own edible products, I've been making my own cleaning supplies.  I will include links from other blogs and comments on what has worked for my family.