FREE Kashi Frozen Entree

Coupon Good For a FREE Kashi Frozen Entree

Complete the form provided for your coupon for a FREE Kashi frozen entree. Limit one coupon per family, household, address, or email address. Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.  HERE is you link.

Save That Hard Brown Sugar

Photo: Shutterstock

Yesterday my mom brought me a brick of brown sugar.  You could have hurt someone with it, that is how hard it was!  She was at a loss as to what to do with it.  She was going to throw it out but figured I could use it in a chili or something.  

This was a perfect opportunity to try a remedy I had heard of but never tried.  I used a cut piece of apple and added it to the sealed container.  With in a few hours the edge of the brick was softening.  It took just under 24 hours and it was better than new!

What a great way of pinching pennies!  Instead of tossing it I was able to save it and save my mom some money.  I am returning her sugar to her the next time I see her.

Pay only $2 for a $25 gift certificate at Restaurant.com expires 2/28

 

Click on this link and pay only $2 for a $25 gift certificate at Restaurant.com

Certificates do not expire for a full year, stock up now!

It's not too early to think about Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts at this price.

Be sure to use code: DINE

If you missed out on the Valentine's Special today is a great day to get an awesome deal!

Now Save 80% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code DINE and pay $2 thru 2/28/09.

IHOP and National Pancake Day

February 24, 2009

Join IHOP to celebrate National Pancake Day on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll give you one free short stack (three) of our famous buttermilk pancakes.* All we ask is that you consider making a donation to support local children’s hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network, or other local charities.


In 2008, you helped IHOP celebrate National Pancake Day by raising more than $875,000 for charity. In 2009, we hope that together we can top that by giving away enough free pancakes to raise $1,000,000 for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities. To find an IHOP location near you, please click here.

* There is a limit of one free short stack per guest. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last and is not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount.

About National Pancake Day

Known also as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, National Pancake Day dates back several centuries to when the English prepped for fasting during Lent. Strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products…hence the name Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday.

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised nearly two million dollars to support charities in the communities in which it operates. With your help, we hope to raise $1,000,000 for Children’s Miracle Network in 2009!

The above information was found on the IHOP website.  I only wish we has an IHOP with in driving distance!  Enjoy!

I ROCKED Target!

Well it wasn't an actual take over of penny pinching fabulousness at Target but it was an awesome deal. The Kashi people have a yummy new bar called the Soft Baked. HERE is a link for $2 off. You do have to download their coupon printing program and you can only print 2 per computer. Then go HERE and download the in store coupon for $1 off Kashi.

My store had them on special for $2.75
                                  Target coupon -1.00

                                  Kashi coupon - 2.00

                                                             FREE**

I bought 2 boxes.  My total before coupons was $5.50 ( thanks to the boxes being of temporary price cut.)   They took off both of the Kashi coupons and one of the Target coupons.  **They would have taken both of the target coupons off but they are not allowed to have a $0 balance due.** Sooooo if I had picked up a pack of gum (or anything worth .50) not only would I have gotten my boxes of bars for free but I would have gotten my gum free as well.  Was that clear as mud?  By adding the .50 item it would have brought by amount due to the exact amount of my coupons.  Lesson learned.

Photo from Kashi.com

Restaurant.com does it again!!!

Starting today, YOU can save 70% off when they try our new coupon code "PREZ". It can be used on both of our most popular products, Dinner of the Month Club and our $25 Gift Certificates. This offer is valid February 16th through February 19th!   That is right!!! A $25 Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for $3.00.
Click this link or the graphic above to go straight to the site!
Take 70% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code PREZ and pay $3 thru 2/19/09.

Chex & Redbox have a treat for you!

When movie time meets crunch time. 

Better get a big bowl. 

Here's the scoop: purchase any 2 Chex Mix, Cheerios Snack Mix, Gardettos or Buggles products and you'll receive a free one-night rental from redbox. Feel free to mix and match. Share, too. Plenty to go around. The offer's good 2/15/09 through 2/28/09 at all Giant Food Stores. 

Don't forget to use coupons on the above items to make it an even better penny pinching purchase.

Valentine's Day Dessert

In our penny pinching days we don't go out to eat much these days....if ever.  So going out on Valentine's Day is out of the question.  My husband is a chocolate fan so I wanted to give him something yummy and chocolaty for dessert tonight.  I remember seeing THIS recipe in a magazine over christmas.  I did a google search and found it.  Let me tell you this is a WINNER!!!!!  You would be paying upwards of $10 for this dessert in a fine dinning restaurant.  I added cut up strawberries on the side and it was heaven on earth!  I did omit a few spices and the wine (I didn't have any on hand) and it was wonderful!!!  The cakes even oozed like they did in the photo.  MMMMM.   But if you are a recipe diehard refer to the link above. We will be making this one again and again. Let me know if you make it and how you like it!!

4 ounces chocolate
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
6 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Butter 4 (6-ounce) custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

2. Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 minute or until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in wine, vanilla and confectioners' sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and yolk. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour batter evenly into prepared custard cups.

3. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute. Carefully loosen edges with small knife. Invert cakes onto serving plates. Sprinkle with additional confectioners' sugar. Serve immediately.

Make Ahead: The chocolate mixture can be prepared up to 10 hours ahead of time. Pour the batter into prepared custard cups; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories: 567 Sodium: 209 mg
Fat: 35 g Carbohydrates: 57 g
Cholesterol: 219 mg Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 6 g

**photo from McCormickgourmet .com

Why Didn't Any One Tell Me!?

Possibly it is because you thought I knew but I didn't.  Turns out Walgreens has this program called "Easy Saver".  You aren't kidding me!  This month they have 6 items that are free after rebate.  PLUS you can do your rebate on line I was in today and I was able to get the multi-purpose solution, the shampoo and the cold care lozenges.  They were out of the other three.  Go figure.  But I will be back don't you worry!  In fact while I was there a clerk was ordering more of the lip gloss and the foundation.  She said that they are not able to keep the free items in stock.  Not a surprise.  She also told me that you are able to use a manufacture coupon on top of the Wallgreens in store coupon.  (This is called stacking coupons.)

Once you have gotten your freebies go through the little easy saver booklet and check out the other money saving coupons.  Keep in mind because they are Wallgreens coupons you can stack THESE coupons with manufacture coupons!  PLUS...it gets better...through out the month these items in the booklets will go on SALE.  Did you get that? On sale, Wallgreens coupon and then stack it with a manufacture coupon.  How cheap can you get it?

**Photos from Wallgreens.com

60% off at Restaurant.com

I am a fan of Restaurant.com.  My husband and I have gotten certificates from them in the past and it is a great deal!!  They are helping us out yet again and offering another coupon code TREAT.  This will get you 60% off your gift certificate purchase of $25.  For those math challenged that is a $25 certificate for $4!!!!

See website fore more information and complete details.  It is an awesome deal! Hurry, coupon only valid until February 15.

Photo from Restaurant.com

Spanish Style Beef and Rice

I made this recipe for my family last night. Of course I can't leave well enough alone... I have to change it up a bit. Partially because I didn't have everything in stock and partially my family doesn't like everything in the recipe. Here is how I interpreted this recipe.

Ingredients

4 beef bullion cubes
3 3/4 cups water
2 cups white enriched rice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 2/3 pounds ground beef (80/20)
Salt and pepper
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups tomato sauce
2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/3 palmful, twice

Spicy Chopped Salad, recipe follows

Directions
Heat water and bullion cubes to a full boil. Add rice, reduce heat and cover pot. Cook 20 minutes, until tender and liquids are absorbed.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, 2 or 3 minutes. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, Worcestershire. Cook together 5 to 7 minutes, until veggies are just tender. Add tomato sauce, and cumin. Bring mixture up to a bubble and reduce heat to low.

Combine cooked rice with meat mixture and serve with Spicy Chopped Salad,recipe follows.
{Reserve 1/2 of the beef and rice and freeze for stuffed peppers for another meal.}

Spicy Chopped Salad
1/4-1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives (from the olive bar next to the deli)
1 vine ripe tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped super fine
2 tablespoons salsa
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil, eyeball it
Salt and pepper

Combine salad ingredients in a bowl.

I served it just like it is portrayed in the picture. A bed of rice, topped with meat and then a sprinkling of chopped salad. My 22 month old LOVED picking out the olives. This is a winner in our house!

It's A Wrap!

I think the most pinch for my penny that I have gotten to date is my Sam's Club box of plastic wrap. It is 2000 square feet of clear wrapping goodness. At the time I bought it I paid under $10 for the box. Times have changed. In the past 7 years (that is right I have had the same box of wrap for 7 years and counting!!!) the price has gone up but so has the square footage. The box is now in the $13 range and has 3000 square feet per box. For all you penny pinching calculators out there that is $.0043 per square foot. Less tha 1.2 of a penny.
I love that the box has a slider on it to cut the wrap instead of a sharp metal edge. And the wrap actually clings! I have wrestled with 'brand name' wrap at other people's houses and it does not cling nearly as well as my big box of wrap. The only drawback to my big box of wrap is the size. It does not fit neatly on the door under your kitchen sink. BUT if you have a spot in your cabinet or your pantry for the box it will be well worth the space sacrifice. I love my big box of wrap.

Starbucks Syrup

Did you know that Starbucks will sell you the syrup they use to make their yummy drinks? There is a Starbucks in my Target and they sold me the bottles for under $7.25!! Isn't that fabulous?! I can get a lot of use out of a bottle. This would be a great gift for the coffee lover in your life. Having a bit of Starbucks at home. Complete the gift by pairing it with a personalized cup sleeve.

Microwave Popcorn

Here it is almost midnight and my brain won't shut off. So I blog. I am thinking of the make-it take-it I have planned for the 15th of this month. I really want to have air popped popcorn for the event. I want the lightest, fluffiest, fullest kernels of corn for our activity. I don't want the popcorn to be weighed down by the slight bits of oil that may cling to them when they are popped on the stove top. (There is NO WAY I would use microwave popcorn. Such NOT a penny pincher thing to do!)

So I was remembering a science project I did in the 6th grade. I wanted to see if brand made a difference in popcorn kernels. We had a ridged plastic popcorn popper that was made for the microwave. I very scientifically counted out 100 kernels for each test batch and put them in said popcorn maker, popped them for the alloted time etc. My POINT being that I was wondering if there was a way I could do popcorn in the microwave! I am sure the aforementioned popper has long been disposed of and I was NOT finding an air popper to borrow or one with the price point I wanted to purchase.

Turns out you CAN pop popcorn in the microwave!!! After a bit of goggling I discovered that all is needed is a paper bag. ( And loose popcorn kernels.)

1. Use a clean brown paper lunch bag.
2. Pour 1/4 cup of loose popcorn kernels into the bag.
3. Add 1 Tablespoon of oil of your choice ( I would be using peanut...but not for the MITI application)
4. Add any seasoning you want. Salt, Pepper, Parmesan cheese, chili powder, Old bay seasoning, etc.
5. Fold over bag several times. Make sure it is tight. OR staple it with a staple. (your microwave will not catch on fire)
6. Shake bag
7. Microwave on high for 2 minutes or until there are 5 seconds between pops.
8. CAREFULLY remove the bag from the microwave, shake and CAREFULLY open and enjoy!


There you go. I can now go to sleep (I hope) and you can have a penny pinching snack of microwave popcorn with out all the additives that the commercial microwave popcorn bags give you.

Baking Mix

I am getting ready to make our dinner of sausage and egg biscuits along with a cheese quiche.  I pull out my box of Bisquick and know from the weight of it there is NO WAY it will make a batch of biscuits.  Now is the perfect opportunity to try out a recipe I have wanting to try.

Home Made Baking Mix

4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dry nonfat milk
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS
In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together until evenly combined. Store at room temperature in a resealable plastic bag until ready to use.

Now you can use this as if you would Bisquick.  But you have pinched a few pennies in the process.

Limoncello

Limoncello. Just saying it makes me want to go to Italy.  But then again, it doesn't take much for me to WANT to go to Italy.  Limoncello is a fabulous lemon liqueur originating from southern Italy made from the rinds of lemons,  alcohol, sugar and water.  (There are just so many fabulous things about that last sentence!)  If you have not had the pleasure of having limoncello as an after dinner digestivo or over ice cream you need to try this recipe.  From what I have heard making your own is far better than what you can purchase at the liquor store.

After watching Michael Chiarello on the Food Network I was surprised at how easy it was to make!  I use vodka in my recipe because vodka is so cheap!  I find the cheapest bottle I can find because I am just going to be flavoring it, not enjoying it for the flavor of vodka. I was so cheap, yummy and easy to make, I made it for my husband to take to the office for Christmas presents.  It was well received!  If you are thinking of making this for Christmas presents I would get started very soon.  It takes 4 weeks to macerate.  So here you go:

Limoncello
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello Show: Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello Episode: Gaucho Gusto

Ingredients

12 Meyer lemons, or a mixture of lemons and limes, peel only, no pith
3 sprigs lavender, optional but lovely
2 liters light rum or vodka
6 cups sugar
3 cups water

Directions

Put the lemon peels, lavender, if using, and rum or vodka in a container and let stand for 4 weeks.

Strain the mixture into a decanter.

Mix the sugar and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool before adding to the rum mixture.

Serve in small aperitif glasses.

Store in the freezer for up to 1 year.

**If you are truly pinching pennies I found this recipe can be cut in 1/2 but if you are waiting 4 weeks for it to macerate you are going to want it more and more.  

Brine that Turkey!

Thanksgiving will be here before you know it.  I know you have been racking up 'turkey points' at your local grocer to get your 'free' turkey.  If you are going to the in-laws for Thanksgiving and still have the certificate for the free turkey, go ahead and either give the turkey certificate to your local food bank or give the actual turkey to the food bank.  I am sure either would be appreciated.  But call ahead and see if they have a preference.  

If you one who actually uses your turkey and it seems like you never seem to get the turkey quite right...try brining your turkey this year.  I tried this a few years ago and have not looked back since.  I am partial to Alton Brown and the Food Network but feel free to search for your own formula.  If you don't want to do the research here is the formula I use: HERE

Please pre-read all of the directions.  If you have a frozen turkey and are not sure how to properly thaw it go HERE.  The USDA can help you get that turkey thawed.

Ingredients
1 (14 to 16 pound) frozen young turkey

For the brine:
1 cup kosher salt
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 gallon vegetable stock (HIPP has used chicken stock)
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/2 tablespoon allspice berries
1/2 tablespoon candied ginger (HIPP has left this out but if you have it use it.)
1 gallon iced water

For the aromatics:
1 red apple, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup water
4 sprigs rosemary
6 leaves sage
Canola oil

Directions
Combine all brine ingredients, except ice water, in a stockpot, and bring to a boil. Stir to dissolve solids, then remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.

Early on the day of cooking, (or late the night before) combine the brine and ice water in a clean 5-gallon bucket. (HIPP used the huge stock pot that I used in the Laundry Detergent Post) Place thawed turkey breast side down in brine, cover, and refrigerate or set in cool area (like a basement) for 6 hours. Turn turkey over once, half way through brining.

A few minutes before roasting, heat oven to 500 degrees. (that is not a typo!) Combine the apple, onion, cinnamon stick, and cup of water in a microwave safe dish and microwave on high for 5 minutes.

Remove bird from brine and rinse inside and out with cold water. Discard brine.

Place bird on roasting rack inside wide, low pan and pat dry with paper towels. Add steeped aromatics to cavity along with rosemary and sage. Tuck back wings and coat whole bird liberally with canola (or other neutral) oil.

Roast on lowest level of the oven at 500 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and cover breast with double layer of aluminum foil, insert probe thermometer into thickest part of the breast and return to oven, reducing temperature to 350 degrees F. Set thermometer alarm (if available) to 161 degrees. A 14 to 16 pound bird should require a total of 2 to 2 1/2 hours of roasting. Let turkey rest, loosely covered for 15 minutes before carving.

This is the best turkey I have ever eaten.  Get the most out of your 'free' turkey and cook it correctly.

Cinnamon Ornaments

Thanksgiving is over and the boys are watching football.  You know what that means!  It is craft time!  Clear the table, round up the kids and prepare to get messy!  

This year try making Cinnamon Ornaments.

For 5 ornaments you are going to need:

1 cup ground cinnamon ( go to your big box store and get the big canister of ground cinnamon)

1 cup applesauce (use the cheapest you can find please!)

1/4 cup white glue

This can be doubled or tripled depending on how many people are participating.

Mix everything in a bowl.  If it seems to stiff for rolling out add a touch of water.  Knead the dough till it is play dough-like.  Allow it to rest while you plan what type of ornament you are going to make and how you are going to decorate them.

Gingerbread men, hearts and candy canes are just a few suggestions.  It is also cute to make a flat circle and press a child's hand into the dough making an impression.  Be sure to write the child's name and the date with a toothpick next to the impression.

Roll out the dough between 2 pieces of wax paper.  If you are brave roll it out on a clean flat surface.  If you dough is sticky use a bitt of cinnamon to dust your surface or rolling pin.  Do not use flour.

Roll to 1/2" - 1/4" in thickness.  Cut out with cookie cutters or mold into what ever shape you would like.  If you have a flat ornament you can use a straw, dowel rod or pencil to poke a hole for a place for the hanger to attach.   Another option is to  press a metal ornament hanger or an unfolded paper clip into the back.

Now you have the option of baking them at 200* for 2 hours (flip 1/2 way through) or let them air dry for 3-5 days.

Left Over Halloween Candy

Trick or treat is over and your kids have a huge bag of candy that they do not need.  Now is the time to assert you parental authority and confiscate a couple of handfuls.  We are now going to make my version of Sinful Saltines.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spray a sided cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray (or rub down with cooking oil)

Line the pan with saltine crackers.

In a pot bring 3/4 cup butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar to a boil.

Once boiling, stir continually while boiling for 4 minutes.

Pour the hot butter/sugar mixture over the crackers and spread with a spatula.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle 1 cup of chocolate chips over the hot crackers.  Allow to soften for 3 minutes.  Spread to completely cover the crackers with chocolate.  

Chop your leftover halloween candy.  I would advise pretzels, M&M's, chopped up miniature bars, and raisins.  But feel free to use what you want.

Pop into your freezer for 1/2 hour or until frozen.

Now that it is frozen it should break apart easily.  Do your best not to eat the entire batch in one sitting.

Corn Fritters MMMM

It is dinner time. You have the cabinets open waiting for something to speak to you. A lonely can of corn is staring back at you begging to be used. But who wants to eat canned corn? So here is a recipe that I like for Corn Fritters:

1 15 oz can corn (undrained)
1 egg
1/2 t. salt
1 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. sugar

Honey for dipping

Heat your frying oil to 350. To check it with out a thermometer use a wooden spoon and hold the end touching on the bottom of the pan. If bubbles come up like champagne bubbles you are good!


Stir all your dry ingredients together. Add the egg and the whole can of corn. Stir to combine. If the batter is more cookie dough-like than thick pancake batter with corn in it.....add a bit of water.

Use a scoop of your choosing. I like to use my smallest one. Keep in mind your fritters are going to just about double in size upon frying. I have noticed that my fritters turn themselves over when one side is finished cooking. From time to time they need a slight push. Use tongs to do so.

Once golden brown all around transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with salt.

Serve with honey. Other options are powdered sugar or ranch dressing.

Not the most fat free suggestion but this blog is about pinching pennies...not fighting fat.