Fascinating Find - Brownie Mix

Photo Credit - Fake-It-Frugal

Earlier this year I told you about some homemade cookie mix recipes that I had found on Heather’s blog, Fake-It-Frugal.  My family has enjoyed both the Sugar Cookie recipe and the Oatmeal Cookie recipe many times since then. Last night, we tested Heather’s Fake Betty Crocker Brownie Mix recipe. They were simple and delicious, and I will definitely be making these again and again. If you have never make homemade brownies, be warned, you will never go back to a mix!

I used melted butter instead of the vegetable oil called for in the recipe and I baked them in an 8X8 pan. I tested these because I thought that the dry ingredients, packed in a pretty jar, would make a simple and inexpensive Christmas gift for the kid’s teachers.

Heather, at Fake-It-Frugal, has all kinds of frugal recipe ideas and household solutions that will save you time and money. So, be sure to check out her blog below:

Website Link: Fake-It-Frugal

Brownie Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Brownie Mix

Cookie Recipe Link: Fake Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes 

Alfredo Sauce

My cooking has changed a bit now that it is just me and the kids, especially my dinner menus. We eat a lot less meat and the kids don’t seem to notice. I discovered this recipe over the summer and we like it because it is incredibly thick.  And, thanks to this recipe, my kids have learned how to “twirl” their pasta onto their forks to eat it. We always giggle a lot about it and they certainly make a mess with it, but it makes dinner so much more fun!

This recipe makes enough sauce for a full box of pasta. I typically toss angel hair pasta directly in the sauce before serving. It would also be perfect on grilled meats, in lasagna, or with steamed veggies. It reheats nicely too, so don’t be afraid of leftovers.

Alfredo Sauce

½ cup butter
2 cloves minced garlic
8oz. cream cheese
2 cups milk
6oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste

Melt butter in a sauce pan along with the garlic. Cut in cream cheese and whisk until melted. Whisk in milk a little at a time until smooth. Add cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk until cheese is completely melted. Serve over pasta, meat, and/or veggies.

This sauce thickens as it cools, but you can thin it with additional milk if need.

This recipe has been adapted from the one found here.

Our Favorite Fall Foods

We have been enjoying lots of Fall foods lately. My oldest especially loves apple slices dipped in caramel. I have made several batches of Caramel in a Can this Fall that we have gobbled up with Granny Smith Apples. This simple recipe can be made in the slow cooker and is no trouble at all.

Caramel in a Can

My son's favorite Fall food is Sweet Potato Muffins. He is not much of a fruit or vegetable lover, so I sneak them in wherever I can. These muffins make him so happy that he dances around the kitchen in pleasure when I make them!

Sweet Potato Muffins

This Pumpkin Snack Cake is one of my favorites because it is so moist. We normally eat this for breakfast with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. I served it last weekend to a group of friends and there wasn't a single crumb left when everyone went home.

Pumpkin Snack Cake

What are your favorite Fall foods? 

Candy Corn Crunch

Last weekend I went to a party at my neighbor's house. It was a girls night out and we had a blast! It was the first time I'd had a babysitter since I moved to North Carolina and I have to say it was an absolutely fabulous treat to come home to a quiet house where someone else had put the kids to bed. My neighbor went all out with Fall treats and Halloween decorations. And, as part of her decorations, she had candy corn displayed in pretty cocktail glasses on the food table.

As the party was coming to a close, we were discussing what to do with all of the leftover candy corn. One of the girls said that she liked to mix candy corn half and half with peanuts for a snack. Perfect! So, my neighbor gave me the candy corn, and I made up an unbelievably huge batch of Candy Corn Crunch to share. I sent some with my son on a camping trip this weekend, gave some to my neighbor, and the girls and I have been munching on the rest of it.

I would imagine that if you are allergic to nuts, that mini pretzels would be just as good as the peanuts.  And, raisins or dark chocolate chips might be good additions too.

Candy Corn Crunch

2 cups candy corn
2 cups peanuts, cocktail or dry roasted

Mix together and serve.

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Family Feasts for $75 a Week 

Last winter I told you about Mary Ostyn's cookbook called Family Feasts for $75 a Week.  My copy is stained and torn, and we have loved every recipe that we have tried.  (If you like, you can read my full review here.)

Recently, on Mary's blog called Owlhaven, I noticed that she posted her recipe for DIY Taco Seasoning Mix that is found in her cookbook. This recipe is an excellent substitute for the little packets that you can buy in the grocery store, and it is so much tastier. I have been using this recipe exclusively ever since I purchased her cookbook several years ago and I am thrilled that she posted it so that I could share the link with you!

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix

Mary has lots of great recipes, money saving household tips, and parenting advice to share, so be sure to click over to Owlhaven to check it out!

Recipe Note: I typically omit the cornstarch called for in this recipe with great results.

Investment Cooking

Today, my friend Terri is arriving from Texas for a visit. I am really pleased to have her here to help me with the back to school shopping. Plus, her visit has given me the motivation to get serious in my kitchen again. I have done some investment cooking over the last few days and it feels good to have my pantry and freezer stocked with healthy, homemade convenience foods.

I have made...

Italian Seasoning Mix

Seasoned Brown Rice

Burritos

I have also cooked up two pounds of dry pinto beans and a large batch of chicken for Teriyaki Chicken and Chicken Caesar Salad. I even made Chicken Broth with the leftover chicken bones. I have to say, cooking is good therapy!

Our Hearts Are Broken

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

It has been over a month since I have been here, and I have missed it. However, we have faced unbelievable tregedy and we are just now starting to make sense of our loss. Only two weeks after we moved into our new home, my husband stepped out of our front door to go for a run and was struck by a car. He died the next day due to severe head injuries. Although our grief is heavy, we know for certain that he was welcomed into eternity by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And, we take great comfort in the fact that we will one day join him in heaven.

I will continue blogging here, but I am not ready to jump into it again right now. However, you will be glad to know that I have made my way back into my kitchen; and, I have found great comfort in my routine cooking and baking tasks.  So, until I am able to return to You Can Make That, please be sure to keep us in your prayers.