Posted in Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks Tuesdays: Saving Your Dollars – Milk

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.

Milk

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Unless you know you’ll use a whole container shortly after thawing, it’s best to freeze milk in smaller portions. One-cup or pint-size portions are convenient. Freeze milk in freezer-safe containers or in well-sealed freezer bags – but be sure to include some extra space, as milk expands when it freezes. Use the frozen milk within 1 month. Defrost in the refrigerator, and shake it well before using it. Milk sometimes becomes grainy after it’s been frozen and defrosted – if the texture is too unpleasant to use for drinking or on cereal, use the milk for cooking or baking.

Posted in Meal Planning

Meal Planning Mondays: Dinner Menu for November 5th – 11th 2012

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Monday 11/5 – Breakfast for Dinner

Apple Toffee French Toast, breakfast sausage, fruit

Tuesday 11/6 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friends

Crab Cakes, Lemon Rice, Salad

Wednesday 11/7 – Pizza Wednesdays

Chicken Pesto Pizza, Carrots, and Grapes

Thursday 11/8 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friends

Stuffed Pesto Chicken, Butter Noodles, Green Bean Sauté

Friday 11/9 – Dinner Out with In-Laws

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

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Saturday 11/10 – Main Dish Provided By Meal Swap Friends

White Bean Chicken Chili, Corn Bread, and Fruit Salad

Sunday 11/11 – Family Night

We have a large lunch with friends or family after church, so we have a snack for dinner

Popcorn, Fruit and Dip

Posted in Breakfast

Sunday Brunch: Minnesota’s Twist on a New Orleans Egg Bake

Minnesota’s Twist on a New Orleans Egg Bake

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I came up with this recipe for our team when we were in New Orleans on a missions trip last winter. The best egg bake I ever had.

Serves 12+

12 large eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup cream
2 teaspoon Creole seasoning, or a seasoned salt mixture
6 slices wheat bread, torn in small pieces
12 ounces of andouille sausage, thinly sliced
12 ounces smoked breakfast sausage, your favorite flavor
2 plum tomato, diced
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion
1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons softened butter

Prep Day: Grease a large and deep baking dish with softened butter. Whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, and seasoning. Arrange bread pieces in the baking dish; pour egg mixture over the top, then top with tomatoes, green onions, the sliced sausage and last of all cheese.

Freezing Directions: Cover the egg casserole with aluminum foil. Press the foil down securely around the baking dish so that it remains sealed. Place the egg casserole into a 2 gallon freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible from the bag. Seal it tightly to prevent freezer burn. Sit the egg casserole on a flat surface in the freezer. Write the date on the bag with a permanent marker. Use the egg casserole within six months for best results.

Serve Day: Place the casserole in the refrigerator overnight to thaw before cooking. If you refrigerate overnight, give the casserole about 20 to 30 minutes to come to room temperature before baking. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until firm and lightly browned around the edges.

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Note: if want a place to go to make difference here in the USA book a service project trip with Urban Impact in New Orleans. http://www.urbanimpact.org/