Recipes

 As promised, here are some recipes for make-it-yourself foods.  As grocery prices continue to move skyward, the more I am looking into recipes for foods I can make at home.  

Today my grocery order was delivered.  Who knew that a 15 oz. can of apricots, store brand, would cost $2.79.  Or that a small bottle of Karo syrup would have a price tag of $4.29.  Really?  Won't be ordering either of those again any time soon.

The following are recipes for items I use on a regular basis.  Thanks to Diane who in the comments of the last post asked about sandwich meat and SJ who remembered when I didn't, both recipes for Salami and Summer Sausage that are included.  Hope these will be useful.

SALAMI

2 lbs. lean hamburger                    1/2 Cup water

1 tsp. pepper                                  1/4 tsp. mustard seed

3 Tbsp. Tender Quick                    1/8 tsp. garlic salt

Mix all ingredients very well.  Shape into three rolls and wrap in foil.  (Three rolls fit nicely into a Dutch Oven.)  Refrigerate for 24 hours.  Cover with water and boil for 1 hour.

SUMMER SAUSAGE

2 lbs. hamburger                            3/4 Cup water

2 tsp. liquid smoke                        1/2 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. onion powder                    1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. mustard seed                        3 Tbsp. Tender Quick

Mix ingredients together very well.  Shape into rolls and wrap in foil.  Refrigerate 24 hours.  Punch holes in the bottom of each roll with a fork.  Place rolls on a rack in a baking pan.  Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 35 minutes.

HOT COCOA MIX 

Note:  Most of the other recipes for cocoa mix I have seen call for Nestle's Quick.  Because that product has increased in price, I use this recipe, which tastes much like the Cocoa my mother made when I was a child.

5 cups nonfat dry powdered milk            About 3 cups powdered sugar to taste

1 1/2 cups dry cocoa                                1 cup nondairy coffee creamer

pinch of salt

Mix powdered milk, creamer, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Sift in cocoa and powdered sugar. Mix well. Store in an airtight container.  When ready to use, add approximately 1/3 cup to a mug of boiling water. Stir until cool enough to drink.

You might want to try some of these variations. The recipe is very flexible.

* crushed peppermint sticks

* cinnamon

* malted milk powder

HOMEMADE BEEF GRAVY MIX

Makes about 2-2/3 cups mix

1-1/3 cups powdered milk                            3/4 cup flour

3 tablespoons beef bouillon granules            1/8 teaspoon thyme or celery powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder                1/8 teaspoon sage or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix well and store in an airtight container.

TO USE: Pour 1 cup cold water in saucepan, using a whisk to blend, stir in 1/2 cup mix.  Stir constantly over medium heat until gravy is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.  Makes 1 cup gravy.

You have options to use whatever seasonings you like or try all of them, adjusting the amounts to your taste.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN GRAVY MIX

Makes about 2 cups of mix.

1-1/3 cups powdered milk                                    3/4 cup flour

3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules             1/4 teaspoon sage or poultry seasoning

1/8 teaspoon thyme or 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon pepper or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Mix well and store in an airtight container.

TO USE: Pour 1 cup cold water in saucepan, using a whisk to blend, stir in 1/2 cup mix.  Stir constantly over medium heat until gravy is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.  Makes 1 cup gravy.

You have options to use whatever seasonings you like or try all of them, adjusting the amounts to your taste.

There are other recipes I want to try.  All have been found by using a Google search.  I didn't include them here as I haven't tried them as yet.  But I think I will take a couple of days to put some of them together and test the results.  Included are:

A mix to replace cream of whatever soup.

A seasoning mix to use with a can of crushed tomatoes for spaghetti sauce.

Taco seasoning mix.

Seasoned rice mixes to use in place of the Knorr Rice Sides packets.

I hope to find others that I can make at home.  Guess this is my way of using what I have on hand and to avoid spending crazy amounts of money on groceries.

Keep on keeping on, friends.  Pray.