Hummus is one snack you should always have in your refrigerator.
It goes great with veggies or bread slices. I always keep on hand some type of
bean dip. This way, anytime I have the "munchies", I can quickly grab something
that is healthy and nutritious for me. I know when you are on a reduced budget;
it can be difficult to purchase healthy snacks. But, with this recipe, you’re
sure to be able to keep enough on hand to satisfy all those hungry snackers.


This recipe is fantastic, because it doesn't use Tahini which can be a bit
 expensive. There is no olive oil in this recipe for those trying to keep lessen
 their fat intake.

1 can chickpeas
2 tab. lemon juice
1 clove garlic
1 tab. nutritional yeast (optional - for your health)
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt

Drain chickpeas, add all ingredients to blender and whirl until smooth.  Add more water until desired consistency is resolved.

I have many cracker boxes from my local food pantry.  One day, perusing the Internet for recipes I came across this favorite and adapted it to my family's liking.  These bars are rich and crispy if made correctly.  Just like biting into a candy bar!  I keep these in the freezer for easy nibbles when someone needs a quick, sweet snack.

Quick and easy to make, these will become a recipe to share.  They even make great gifts during the holidays!

On medium/ low stove top heat melt:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Allow to boil 5 min. to thicken.  Then add:
1 tsp. vanilla

In a 13 x 9 inch pan place on hand crackers (any type) in a single layer.  Pour brown sugar mixture over evenly and spread if needed so each cracker is touched.  Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown and crispy. About 10 min.

Immediately take out of oven and sprinkle on:
1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips
Let stand 5 mins. to soften chocolate.  Then spread chococlate evenly over crackers.

Sprinkle with nuts if desired.  Cool in refrigerator and break into serving size pieces.

I have the most fantastic pizza recipe to share with you today.  But, I must warn you, once you produce this chewy, gooey, bubbly joy; your family will request this over take out.  Oh, come on you say?  I'm not kidding.  This pizza gets rave reviews from family members and guests each time it is lovingly made.  I have taken this recipe, and over the years, made it into the fantastic pizza it is today. 

I put it in the back of my recipe box when times got tough.  It does require that wonderful silky smooth cheese titled mozzarella.  And, it can be a bit expensive lately.  But, recently I went to my local discount food store and found it for 99 cents a pound.  Yes, FRESH mozzarella that cheap!  Well, once I put this on the pizza, rather than the traditional shredded, I now had a gourmet pizza.  Do look for bargains for this heavenly delight.

I have two large pizza pans that are restaurant style.  So I split the dough into 3 pizzas.  If you have the regualar size pan, you can split this dough into 4 pizzas.

Dough
1 pkg. active yeast
2 cups spring water
2 tsp. sea salt
4 cups flour
2 tab. olive oil
Place in bread machine on "dough" setting or 1 hour and 40 min.  You can add all ingredients, knead this by hand, and set it aside too.

Pizza Sauce
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chopped tomatoes
2 tab. olive oil
dash oregano
1 or 2 cloves of garlic
Put all in blender and whirl on high.  Set aside.

Toppings
3 cups of Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
Basil (fresh or dried)
Mushrooms
Pepperoni
Ham
Onions
Whatever strikes your fancy!

Set oven to 450 degrees.  Take out dough and gently knead again on lightly floured board.  Cut into 3 even pieces.  Roll out pizza to conform to pizza pie pan.  Top with 2/3 cup of pizza sauce, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 2 tab. parmesan cheese, and toppings of your choice.  Top with a sprinkle of fresh or dried basil.  Bake for 10-15 min. or until bubbly.  If you can, get that FRESH mozzarella!

Who says being on a food budget can't produce wonderful products?  I just came across another one to share!  These are fantastic, and I chose this specific recipe after the holiday rush so that you can use up some of those leftovers!  These are quite a treat the day after Christmas since leftovers are usually on the agenda.  Each muffin comes out soft, chewy and full of flavor in their middles.  You are going to be pleasantly surprised!

1/2 pd of Ham
1/2 pd of Sausage
2 1/4 cup Complete Pancake Mix
3/4 cup milk
6 tab. of cheddar cheese
Country Gravy Packet with tsp. garlic powder (optional)
Pam oil spray
1/4 cup milk

Set oven to 450 degrees.  Place pancake mix and milk in bowl.  Mix well.  Place on lightly floured board, and gently need 4 min.  Divide dough into 12 pieces.  Take 2/3 of one piece and place in lightly sprayed muffin tin.  Place ham or sausage, about 2 tab. in center and press down to make a mini filling.  Add 1/2 tab. cheddar cheese on top.  Take final 1/3 of individual dough piece and make a "rounded lid" for the muffin.  Place on top, and press corners so cheese won't erupt.  Gently brush tops with remaining cup of milk.  Bake for 10-12 min. until golden.  If desired, mix and cook gravy packet with garlic powder.  Serve on top of each muffin

An early Merry Christmas to all my readers!  I've been sharing favorite, inexpensive cookie recipes here the last few days to add joy to your holiday season.  Most of these recipes contain ingredients that you can find in your pantry or receive from your local food bank.  There is no reason to stop family customs, such as holiday cookie baking, just because you are on a tight budget.  Cookie baking is a great way to bring the family closer and enjoy the holiday season.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup margarine
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tab. water
1/4 cup molasses
2 tab. white sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Sift together dry ingredients.  In another bowl cream together margarine, spices, salt, 1 cup sugar,  1/2 cup brown sugar.  Roll into walnut size balls and dip into the remaining 2 tab. sugar.  Bake 8-10 min.

These cookies are by far the most requested recipe during the holiday season.  They are moist, chewy, and full of chocolate chips and nuts (if desired).  This recipe has been handed down for many years, and will soon become part of your favorite cookie recipes.  No Christmas party celebration is complete without this addition to the cookie tray.  Try it, you will be utterly amazed!

Cream together:
1 cup margarine (2 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar

Add:
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat well.

In a separate bowl mix:
2 cups of flour
2 1/2 cups of Oatmeal (measure and then put into blender until it resembles a powder)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

Put dry ingredients into first bowl.  Mix well.  Add:
12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chips
1 cup nuts (if desired)

Preheat oven to 350.  Roll cookies from large tablespoon.  Place 2 inches apart and press lightly with fingers.  Bake for about 10 min.  If you place cookies on aluminum foil to cool, they will be chewier.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies.  Once cool, I freeze them in Ziploc bags so there are a few left for Christmas!  I can never keep these long enough even in the freezer!

These cookies are just unbelieveable.  Yes, they use no flour, and are quick and ready in a snap!  I use up so many jars of peanut butter around my house utlizing this recipe.  Since the recipe uses no flour, they are packed with protein, so you know your little loved ones are gaining a healthy, delicious snack!

1 cup of peanut butter
3/4 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda

Put all ingredients in a bowl.  Mix well.  Roll into balls and use fork tongs to make imprints as shown above.  Bake at 350 on a greased cookies sheet for 8 - 10 min. 

This has to be an all time favorite around my home.  There is nothing like that bubbly aroma of simmering chicken breasts in a tangy sauce that brings them running when you sound the dinner bell.  Believe it or not, this takes less than 30 min. to prepare and all you need is a side of pasta and a tossed salad.  No one leaves the table hungry on this night using key ingredients you already have around the house.

Since my budget has been reduced drastically, I've learned to improvise and use the accumulation of spaghetti sauce cans in my pantry.  I buy the chicken breasts in bulk. These are always cut and ready to use waiting in my refrigerator.  With a couple of handfuls of my Frozen Seasoning Blend, I'm ready for a home cooked, simply delicious dinner special.

5 halved chicken breasts (See Freezing Bulk Chicken Breasts - Under Dinners)
2 cups of Bread Crumb Recipe (Under Cracker Recipes)
3 tab. oil
1 1/2 cups of Frozen Seasoning Blend
1 can Spaghetti Sauce
1 tsp. Oregano
1 tsp. Basil
1 tsp. Seasoned Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
2 tab. parmesan cheese

Take thawed chicken breasts and place in bread crumb mixture.  Press to evenly distribute bread crumbs. No need for an egg wash here.  Fry in oil until lightly browned.  Add Frozen Seasoning Blend.  Top with spaghetti sauce, oregano, basil, seasoned salt, and pepper.  Spoon some sauce over chicken breasts to keep them covered and moist.  Replace lid and cook for 20 minutes.  Remove lid, and top with both cheeses.  Replace lid for 8 more min. All you need is a side of pasta and a tossed salad!