Thrifty Recipes Blog - Living On Food Banks

Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Salsa

3/27/2022

Try this quick and easy entree for a fun Southwest meal idea. A splash of lime in the black beans balances the rich avocado salsa and blackened shrimp.

1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and chopped, divided
1 tablespoon water
3 teaspoons lime juice, divided
2 teaspoons blackened seasoning, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small navel orange, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped, optional
1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
6 tostada shells
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sour Cream, optional

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons chopped avocado, water, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning and cumin. Set aside 1/4 cup beans; add remaining beans to avocado mixture and mash with a fork. Stir in reserved whole beans. Set aside.

For salsa, in a small bowl, combine orange, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and the remaining avocado and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Place tostada shells on ungreased baking sheets; spread with bean mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until bean mixture is heated through and cheese is melted, 4-6 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and remaining 1 teaspoon blackened seasoning. Cook and stir until shrimp turn pink, 4-6 minutes. Arrange over tostada shells; serve with salsa. If desired, top with sour cream.

Jetson

Rhonda's Apple Butter

3/26/2022

Try this homemade apple butter recipe. Made with apples and cinnamon. This apple butter has never been so tasty. Serve on toast or drizzled over dessert.

This freezes well.

4 lbs apples
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Peel, core and slice apples.

Place in slow cooker and cover. Cook on High 2 - 3 hours.

Reduce to low and cook 8 hours.

Apples should be a rich brown and be cooked down by half

Stir in spices

Cook on High 2 - 3 hours with lid off.

Stir until smooth

Pour into freezer containers and freeze or into sterilized jars and seal.

Spiritual Gangster

Breakfast Apples

3/26/2022

That is one of the things I love most about food – it has an amazing ability to bring people together and bring calm to the storm, if only for a moment.

I chose this recipe to share with you because it’s the perfect time of year for so many reasons.

On the tail end of apple harvest season, many people are looking for great apple recipes to capture their flavor during the peak of freshness. This recipe is also great for fall because it does a great job of warming you right up on a cold morning

4 medium apples
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tab. melted coconut oil or butter
2 cups dry granola cereal (your favorite)

Place apples in slow cooker.

Combine remaining ingredients. sprinkle mixture over apples.

Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Cover FX

Grandma's Apple Cake

12/21/2021

My grandma's apple cake recipe is perfect for fall gatherings. With lightly spiced apples and a sweet glaze, each slice is comforting.

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1-1/2 cups vegetable or canola oil
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 medium apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 300°. Line bottom of a 10-in. springform pan or a 13x9-in. baking pan with parchment; grease parchment. In a bowl, whisk together flour and next 5 ingredients. In a large bowl, beat oil, sugar and eggs until pale and slightly thick, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla and lemon juice. Add dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Fold in apples and walnuts (batter will be thick).

Transfer to prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 55- 60 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack.

For glaze, mix confectioners' sugar and lemon juice; drizzle over cake.

Spiritual Gangster

Garden Chicken Cacciatore

12/11/2021

Treat company to this perfect Italian meal. You'll have time to visit with your guests while it simmers, and it often earns rave reviews. I like to serve it with couscous, green beans and a dry red wine. Mangia!

12 boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
2 medium green peppers, chopped
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with basil, oregano and garlic, undrained
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry red wine or additional chicken broth
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
Minced fresh parsley, optional

Place chicken in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. In a medium bowl, combine green peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, broth, wine, garlic, salt and pepper; pour over chicken. Cook, covered, on low 8-10 hours or until chicken is tender.

In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into slow cooker. Cook, covered, on high 30 minutes or until sauce is thickened. If desired, sprinkle with parsley before serving.

SwimOutlet.com

Tortilla Club

12/5/2021

Here's an easy wrap hack to make a delicious club. There are numerous possibilities with this one. Let your mind begin to create!

Juicy Lucy

12/5/2021

Here's a quick fix when you're running behind on a weeknight trying to prepare for the holidays. Not to mention all that beef is hitting inflation digits making it impossible to buy thrifty meat. This one recipe is darling and will satisfy even your pickiest of eaters.

1 pound ground beef
8 tablespoons shredded American or cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
Optional: Tomato slices, onion slices, lettuce

Shape beef into 8 thin patties. Divide cheese among 4 patties; top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 160° and juices run clear, 6-8 minutes on each side. Serve on buns with toppings of your choice.

Camp Chef

Thanksgiving: Traditional Green Bean Casserole

11/25/2021

It's Thanksgiving Day, and I trust you are planning your menu accordingly. Don't be stuck at the last minute completing recipes while your company enjoys themselves.

Today is pie day! Get all those favorite pies, baked, wrapped, and stored so that life will be easier on the big day.

Here's a few trustworthy favorites to include:

Fresh Ground Pumpkin Pie
Quick Coconut Cream Pie
Easy Chocolate Cream Pie
Ultimate Pecan Pie

At our local food bank Thanksgiving always arrives with a large food basket. Packed full in a laundry basket, all kinds of goodies can be had. I did note this year contained canned green beans and French's fried onions along with a sturdy can of mushroom soup. I've made the Classic Green Bean Casserole in previous years, but no one seemed to care for a second helping. This year my youngest son has prompted me to try it once again feeling this may be something he will enjoy now that he's older. So here goes an old family recipe.

2 cans green beans
1 can mushroom soup
1 tsp. soy a sauce
dash ground pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 can (2.8 oz.) French's French Fried Onion

Drain beans and place in heat proof serving container. Put oven on 350 degrees to warm up. In a small bowl mix soup, soy a sauce, pepper, and milk. Stir in 2/3 cup of the fried onions. Cook casserole for 25 minutes. Top with remaining onions the last five minutes of baking.

Purple

Best Ever Shortcake

11/23/2021

For a dazzling dessert, you can’t beat juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream over homemade shortcake. My son added even more indulgence to this recipe by buttering the shortcake. This is the best strawberry shortcake recipe.

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons cold butter, divided
1 large egg, room temperature
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in 1/4 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small bowl, combine egg and half-and-half; stir into crumb mixture just until moistened.

Spread batter into a 6-in. round baking pan coated with cooking spray, slightly building up the edges. Bake at 450° until golden, 13-15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat whipping cream, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Cut cake horizontally in half. Soften remaining butter. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with butter. Top with half of strawberries and cream mixture. Repeat layers of cake, strawberries and cream.

No Fine Print Wine

Butter Pecan Cheesecake

11/6/2021

Fall always makes me yearn for this pecan cheesecake, but it’s delicious in any season. You’ll want to put it on your list of favorite holiday desserts.

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
filling:
3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 cups sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup finely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, pecans, sugar and butter; set aside 1/3 cup for topping. Press remaining crumb mixture onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan.

Place springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, vanilla and butter flavoring. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Fold in pecans. Pour into crust; sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.

Bake until center is almost set, 70-80 minutes. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight, covering when completely cooled. Remove sides of pan.

Purecane