homemade almost everything

Also, once you get into the habit of making things yourself, it really doesn’t take much time. I use a bread machine, too. It takes me under 5 minutes to get it going in the morning before starting home school with my daughters, and we have fresh bread daily.

That machine is my favorite kitchen tool.

I ‘can’ foods not only to stockpile and save a few pennies, but also to eliminate the salt and other preservatives found in most everyday foods. I also freeze and dehydrate foods so that nothing is wasted.

Being a guy I am also using my late mother’s sewing machine (don’t tell anyone) to make my own repairs. I may not get beyond that, but ‘that’ is an accomplishment.

I wish I could make everything homemade too! I love to cook but all I have time for after a full day of work and night classes with grad school is to make something that doesn’t take more than 15 minutes. And on the weekends, I’ll usually go all out and make fancier meals…

but other than that, I really don’t have the time. I know you say its cheaper too but to me, cooking homemade food (at least all my recipes) have so many ingredients that cost so much for just the two of us, that it’s cheaper to buy something semi-homemade.

Thanks! Jaime

Becca, I know what you mean about being so busy. I, too, work full time with a second part-time job and go to grad school. There are days when I leave before 7 and don’t get home until 11 that night.

Start small and you will find that you enjoy the benefits so much that you’ll try to schedule time. Take Care – Christina

Um, how can we get the name of the spice store? I can’t figure out how to email you.

Heather

Thanks so much Kristina! It looks great. I’m gonna pass it on to my sis.
Heather

pleeeeeease oh pleeeeeeeeeeze… can i have the name of that site that you get your spices from???? thank you so much.

oops.. guess i should have read the ENTIRE post first.. ty

I love this thread! It is so nice to hear that others are into ‘making from scratch’. Our son was diagnosed as hyper-active at age 5.

He was put on Ritalin & after 2 years of side affects I took him to a specialist that put him on a diet of no sugar, no food coloring, & no preservatives. WE started at that point to cook everthing from scratch. Within 3 dayss we could see a major change in him.

I make everything homemade, no convenience foods at all. the closest I come to convenience foods is occasional use of Cream of Chicken soup for a casserole! I also make it all whole grain!

I’ve converted all my kids over too! My son went out to eat with friends and they all thought the food was great but my poor DS couldn’t stand to et it! He hadn’t had white rice in over 3 years and after eating brown rice all the time he couldn’t handle the white pasty rice stuff!

do you have a recipe for your enchilada sauce ?
would like to try this one.

@mcnerd 97195 wrote:

I get all my spices from penzeys spices home page

could you explain about “mural of flavor” how much do you use. and how long does this spice last for you ?

As written on their website:
Mural of Flavor blends over a dozen spices and herbs, creating a wall (hence mural) of flavor so delicious, there’s no need to add salt. Try it on chicken, fish, pork, and beef. Add it to soups, rice and potatoes.

To find a particular spice, click on choose a category. They have hundreds and hundreds of spices. What I love about ordering from them is they always include a small jar of some specialty spice.

It forces you to try something new which is always a treat.

I’ll have to go back and check this one out. Thanks again.

mcnerd,

and they have alot of great recipes too. :clap:

I would like the name of the ebay store you can buy spices in bulk!
Thanks
Sarah

Whitedovek, would you mind sharing the website for the bulk spices with me please? I would really appreciate it! 🙂

whitedovek thank you so very much for sharing the ebay spice store with us. I am going to pass it along to my brother. I’m in hopes that he’ll want to go in half with me when I go to order. :041: Have a blessed day all!!

Hugs,
Syndy:054::055::060::occasion16:

Oh by the way, McNerd, do you order from this company often? I’m trying to decide if I should start order online or if I should keep looking around in the stores like I do now. Sometimes buying in bulk is better, depends on the spice and how often I use it.

I got the enchilada sauce recipe from Allrecipes.com. Of course DH modified to our taste (spicier). Easy to make.

Spice Jars and Labels

what is the store that you use on ebay for spices?

I made some beef stew seaoning mix and it was awesome. Today I made a batch of kitchen bouquet. It turned out great. All this is new to me. I just started being frugal and this sight is fantastic.

what did you put in your beef stew seasoning? can you post the recipe. I too am new and am trying everything to really make a dent on our spending.

Beef Stew Seasoning Mix

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons oregano
2 tablespoons basil
4 1/4 tablespoons salt
4 1/4 tablespoons black pepper
4 1/4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 1/4 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons celery seed
4 1/4 tablespoons onion powder
2 teaspoons rosemary

I used the same recipe as Mcnerd. Awesome

I had printed out some recipes on how to make cream of soups it has baggies of powder stuff then you added milk to it and it was much healthier than the can stuff, but now I cant find it :076: does anyone have any recipes?

I started being frugal a few years back out of necessity, but now it is totally for personal preference and choice. The difference and personal satisfaction to me is awesome. Frugal is not being cheap, we all know that.

I ‘can’ foods not only to stockpile and save a few pennies, but also to eliminate the salt and other preservatives found in most everyday foods. I also freeze and dehydrate foods so that nothing is wasted.

Being a guy I am also using my late mother’s sewing machine (don’t tell anyone) to make my own repairs. I may not get beyond that, but ‘that’ is an accomplishment.

Man you’re way better at this than I am! Do you know I don’t even know how to turn a sewing machine on?? Canning vegetables is so beyond my frame of reference.

Like that song from the 90s–“peaches come in a can, they were put there by a man who works in a factory downtown.” That’s definitely my view. I’m trying to learn and change–it’s totally awesome you’re already there!

@katjane 109604 wrote:

I had printed out some recipes on how to make cream of soups it has baggies of powder stuff then you added milk to it and it was much healthier than the can stuff, but now I cant find it :076: does anyone have any recipes?
here’s mine that is a mix for the cream soup base and then you add whatever ingredient you want for the rest.

cream soup mix (replacement for cream of ___ soups)

1 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup instant bouillon granules
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix all the ingredients together.
Store in an airtight container.

NOTES : For the equivalent of 1 can of cream soup, mix 1/3 cup of dry mix with 1 1/4 cups of cold water. Cook in sauce pan until thick. Makes the equivalent of nine cans of cream soup.

.
and a fat free version

fat free cream soup (base)

2 cups powdered milk — nonfat
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup instant vegetable bouillon — (or less)
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme

To use: combine 1/3 of dry mix with 1 1/4 cups cold water. Cook and stir til thickened

Description: “A great substitute for cream of anything soup”

I love this site and sharing recipes and ideas. give some and get some. It’s great!

Thank you. Isn’t ist amazing how ones brain can just…… stop.

i love your no nonsense, logical approach to life.

i agree with the bread machine! not only does it cost less to make your own, but since you can control what goes into it, it taste better too!

Thanks again, Dena

The locations for acquiring many of the spices are mentioned in the discussions.

But now I am going to have to get a recipe to make my baking mix. Also I grow some herbs in my kitchen window, so I am able to clip the herbs while I grow. Also most meals or times I make spaghetti sauce I freeze in advance!!!

Boy does it save money and it doesn’t take that much extra time.

Bisquick Mix

8 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp.

In a large bowl, sift together all ingredients. Blend well. With pastry blender, cut in shortening until evenly distributed.

Mixture will resemble cornmeal in texture.

Use within 10 to 12 weeks.

NOTES : Variation: Use 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 4 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour instead of 8 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. Increase baking powder to 2 tablespoons.

3 1/4 cups unsifted all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1. Mix together.
2. Cover tightly and store.
3.

i really think spices make or break a recipe would love the link info thanks!

@mcnerd 109016 wrote:

This is my recipe:

Beef Stew Seasoning Mix

2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons oregano
2 tablespoons basil
4 1/4 tablespoons salt
4 1/4 tablespoons black pepper
4 1/4 tablespoons garlic powder
4 1/4 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons celery seed
4 1/4 tablespoons onion powder
2 teaspoons rosemary

Mix all ingredients well in a bowl. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

this recipe sounds better than the one i’ve got..gonna try this one when i have beef stew again.