by Annie Johnson on May 10, 2012
Many recipes call for chopped onion, but I rarely use a whole one. It is often handy to chop up several onions and put them in the freezer. But how do you do that without your whole freezer smelling like onion? That is where today’s quick tip comes in. . .
When you put chopped onion in your freezer, put the bag filled with onion inside another zip-topped bag that has a quarter to a half cup of baking soda in it. The baking soda absorbs the onion smell better in this outer bag than by just having a box of baking soda in the freezer.
Having some onion already chopped up and in the freezer, can shave a couple minutes off of the prep time for many of your meals. You don’t even have to thaw the onion out before you put it in most recipes.
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Annie Johnson is a stay at home wife and homeschooling mom of six beautiful children ranging in ages from 1 to 13. Annie teaches simple, easy to follow principles that will help anybody on how to stretch your grocery budget without working yourself to death. While you are here grab a free copy of One Habit That Will Slash Your Grocery Bill.
by Annie Johnson on May 7, 2012
I am always looking for easy, healthy foods to serve for breakfast at my house, and this recipe has become a favorite. A box of cold cereal can cost a small fortune, and only serves my crew ONE breakfast. Let’s not mention that they will be complaining about being hungry within the hour. But what do you keep on hand for those busy mornings that will provide a nutritious, frugal, fast breakfast?
We make homemade granola. This granola recipe costs less than one box of cereal and will provide breakfast for my large family for a whole week.
Granola
- 15 cups of oats (one large canister)
- 2 cups untoasted wheat germ
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut
- 2 teaspoons (or to taste) cinnamon
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix all the dry ingredients together in a roasting pan or other large shallow pan. Combine the honey, oil, and vanilla and heat in the microwave or a saucepan until warm and easily pourable, stirring every 30 seconds or so. Drizzle the warm liquid over the dry ingredients and stir until coated. Bake at 250 to 300 degrees stirring every 15-20 minutes until toasted to your liking. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.
This is the base recipe we use. It is easy enough that my 13 year old makes a batch or two every month. This is one of those very forgiving recipes that if you use a little more or little less of something it won’t hurt the outcome.
You can also change up your granola by adding seeds, nuts, or dried fruit after it has cooled.
I enjoy recipes like this where a large amount of an item can easily be made, stored, and serve my family for awhile.
We have modified this recipe from the one in The Taming of the C.A.N.D.Y.* Monster by Vicki Lansky. It appears that there has been a reprint of this book done in 1999. My copy is from the 1970′s.
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Annie Johnson is a stay at home wife and homeschooling mom of six beautiful children ranging in ages from 1 to 13. Annie teaches simple, easy to follow principles that will help anybody on how to stretch your grocery budget without working yourself to death. While you are here grab a free copy of One Habit That Will Slash Your Grocery Bill.
Many recipes call for chopped onion, but I rarely use a whole one. It is often handy to chop up several onions and put them in the freezer. But how do you do that without your whole freezer smelling like onion? That is where today’s quick tip comes in. . .
Annie Johnson is a stay at home wife and homeschooling mom of six beautiful children ranging in ages from 1 to 13. Annie teaches simple, easy to follow principles that will help anybody on how to stretch your grocery budget without working yourself to death. While you are here grab a free copy of One Habit That Will Slash Your Grocery Bill.
