Posted in Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks Tuesdays: Saving Your Dollars – Nuts

Freeze and Save

Get the most out of your grocery dollars by freezing extras strategically. You’ll be amazed by how much you can save! Be sure to label freezer bags carefully with the item, amount and date frozen.

Nuts

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Place nuts in an airtight container, or wrap them tightly in plastic and place in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator – or, if using them for baking, toss them into a recipe frozen (though you may need to add a few minutes to your baking time).

Posted in Meal Planning

Meal Planning Mondays: Menu for Dec. 11 – 16 2012

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Monday 12/10 – Breakfast for Dinner

Harvest Grain Pancake, Bacon, Cantaloupe

Tuesday 12/11 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friends

Gyros, Greek Salad, and Grapes

Wednesday 12/12

Homemade Frozen Pizza, Carrot and Dip, Grapes


Thursday 12/13 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friends

Roasted Chicken, Risotto, Asparagus

Friday 12/14 – Dinner Out with In-Laws

My in laws and their children take turn hosting each other families for dinner.

Saturday 12/15 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friend

Mexicorn Stuffed Pork Chops, Salad, and Fruit Salad

Sunday 12/16 – Small Group Night

We are now having dinner with friends from church

Posted in - Pork, Breakfast

Sunday Brunch: Sausage Patties

Homemade Sausage Patties

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Makes 8 small patties

1 pound ground pork
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon dried sage, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried fennel, crushed
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg white
2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Prep Day: Mix together the pork, garlic, sage, thyme, fennel, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the egg white and combine thoroughly. Cover and chill for at least 15 minutes.

To easily form the sausage patties, rinse your hands in cold water. Divide the mixture into eighths and shape each portion into a 2 1/2-inch disk. Patties can be made to this point and refrigerated till you want to cook.

Freezing Notes: The raw patties can be wrapped individually, frozen until ready to use or patties can be fully cooled, wrapped, and frozen for microwave reheating.

Serve Day: Thaw. Heat a skillet over high heat, and then swirl in the oil. Fry the sausages on both sides until completely cooked through and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Drain and serve immediately with pancakes, waffles or eggs.