Homemade Ranch Dressing

I came across this easy to make ranch mix a couple years ago.  Since then I've taken the dressing to parties (with a salad of course!) and served it at home.  Friends and family always ask for the recipe.  It's very easy to make and you probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

Ranch Mix:

5tbs. minced onions
7 tsp. dried parsley flakes
4 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. garlic powder

Mix together and store in container.

When you want ranch dressing you take 2 tbs. of your ranch mix with 1 cup of mayo and 1 cup of buttermilk.  Whisk together and store in fridge.

Coleslaw

We made pulled pork sandwiches this week and I love to have coleslaw with it. Usually I buy it somewhere (a certain fried chicken place), but being ultra cheap this week I made my own! I found this recipe online and I had everything.  It made 8 cups and was yummy!


Coleslaw:

• 8 cups finely diced  cabbage(about 1 head)
• 1/4 cup diced carrot
• 2 tablespoons minced onions
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 15 mins

1.  Cabbage and carrots must be finely diced. (I use fine shredder disc on food processor) .
2.  Pour cabbage and carrot mixture into large bowl and stir in minced onions.
3.  Using regular blade on food processor process remaining ingredients until smooth.
4.  Pour over vegetable mixture and mix thoroughly.
5.  Cover bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

shared at The Grocery Cart Challenge

UGH

You know those weeks that nothing seems to go your way?  The week that everyone needs something and you have a ton of places to be?  That was our last two weeks!  The paycheck got eaten by vet costs, pool costs and auto costs!  So, because I'm stubborn and won't touch my emergency fund, I got creative and barely went grocery shopping.  I bought what was a need and used our lovely (shrinking) stockpile.

I didn't get a picture this week

Milk 4@$3.29-$13.16
5 dozen eggs-$6.19
4 loaves of bread-$9.88
pretzels-$1.88
bananas-$2.80
2 yogurts-$3.36
ice cream-$3.98 (true, not a need, but I "needed" it this week. lol)
spaghetti sauce-$0.86
tortillas-$2.18
refried beans-$0.68
bulk pasta-$1.34
buttermilk-$1.28
mozzarela cheese-$5.07
colby jack cheese-$5.55
chai tea-$3.18


Total-$61.39

Just a bit over 1/2 my normal budget.  I think we can do this again next week and then I will be back to our normal shopping.  It's been an adventure and the kids and I have got creative with our meals.  No one is hungry and we are using the internet to find some new recipes to try.

Grocery Shopping for under $100

So, I try to keep my grocery shopping for our family of 5 under $100.  Some days I make it, other days- not so much.  lol

Hamburger buns-$3.99
Butter-$7.39
Cheddar cheese-$5.59
Ground beef-$20.12
Graham crackers-3@$1.48/each
White vinegar-$2.18
Ritz-$2.28
Chai tea-$3.18
Powdered sugar-$.88
Buttermilk-$1.28
BBQ brush-$1.98
Coffeemate-2@2.98/each
BBQ sauce-$2.68
Yogurt-$1.68
Spaghetti sauce-$.86
Frozen peas-$1.48
Bulk pasta-$3.54
Cabbage-$.88
Bulk Pretzels-$2.39
Bulk parsley-$.50
Bulk granulated onion-$1.32
English cucumber-$1.68
Bulk minced onion-$1.68
Bulk paprika-$.52
4 veggie seed packets-$5.00
Bulk taco seasoning-$1.32
Bulk chow mein noodles-$1.25
Milk(not pictured)2@$3.29/each

Total-$92.56

Shared at:The Grocery Cart Challenge

Mother's Day Scones

Happy Mother's Day!♥


I found this scone recipe and it was wonderful!  I added some blueberries to my batch.  They came out warm and smelling wonderful.  Sit and have some tea and a scone.  Enjoy the day.

SCONES:

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 5 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. Mix the egg and milk in a small bowl, and stir into flour mixture until moistened.
3. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and knead briefly. Roll dough out into a 1/2 inch thick round. Cut into 8 wedges, and place on the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Starbucks Happy Hour

From the Starbucks website: "Starting May 6 and running through May 15, come into participating stores between 3-5 p.m. for a half-price Frappuccino® blended beverage of your choice."

Go grab a frugal treat!

Free PC game

Here is another free PC game from Amazon.  Go here to download your free game!