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Why is Good Quality Bread So Expensive?
I’ll admit it. I couldn’t go a day without at least once slice of bread. I used to think only artisan bread was expensive but these days it seems (at least where I live), prices of all types of bread have been rising…no pun intended. I’ve been buying bread from a discount supermarket and while it’s okay, it’s not that great and a couple of loaves have been shall I say, stale tasting. Over the holidays I got spoiled because the high end supermarket in town sold their artisan bread for 50% off and I got hooked. How come this bread is so pricey I asked myself, after all it’s just flour, yeast, salt, sugar…
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A Simple Supper
I recently got to try some wonderful cooking wines and a pasta recipe that I thought I’d share with you. It’s perfect for a cold winter’s night and when you’ve just returned from holiday shopping. To bring a bold boost of flavor to everyday meals this season, Holland House Cooking Wines has partnered with YouTube cooking show Tatyana’s Everyday Food to create a delectable recipe perfect for sweater weather. Tatyana’s Everyday Food and Holland House’s recipe for Bold and Smoky Pepper Marsala Pasta can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLfQMK-1KvU. Holland House is a line of flavor-enhancing premium cooking wines that enhance sauces, marinades, slow cooker recipes, glazes and more. Bold and Smoky Pepper…
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Web Site Shout Out-The Penny Hoarder
Here’s a new feature I thought I’d start on Budget Smart Girl. A shout out to sites, people, products, whatever I think you should check out for their great content or ideas. My first shout out is to The Penny Hoarder. How did I hear about this site? Someone named the penny hoarder became one of my followers, I followed them back thinking they were simply someone who was watching their pennies. I was wrong, wrong, wrong. It wasn’t until a few months ago that someone told me about the great site called The Penny Hoarder that I decided to check it out. Wow, I was impressed and…
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Pears with Ricotta Filling
Here’s a recipe I recently tried out that’s somewhat of a break from pies and anything overly heavy. I bought some pears, and as everyone knows they’re either in one of two conditions. Either perfect for using as paperweights or mushy and only fit for smoothies. I don’t know why there’s never a middle ground for this fruit, but that’s the way it is. So before my purchase turned into mush, I decided to slow cook them. The result was a half descent pear that didn’t fall to pieces. The filling I made is a little more decadent depending on whether or not you use full fat or skim milk ricotta.…
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Asian-style Grilled Fish Tacos
The folks at NAKANO sent me this recipe to pass along to you. I think it’s perfect for a hot summer day. Makes: 8 Tacos Ingredients: Dressing: 3 tablespoons NAKANO Natural Rice Vinegar 2 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil Slaw: 3 cups shredded cabbage (purple and/or Napa) 1 cup shredded carrot (3 carrots) 1/4 cup chopped green onions (3 green onions) 1/4 cup thinly sliced radish (2 radishes) 1/4 cup chopped cilantro Tacos: 8 corn tortillas, warmed 3/4 pound (12 ounces) white fish, grilled 1 avocado, sliced Directions: In a large bowl, whisk NAKANO Rice Vinegar, tamari, honey and sesame…
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Growing Your Own Food-Post One
If you’ve followed Budget Smart Girl for the last few years you’ll know I’ve made some feeble attempts at growing vegetables in the backyard…well apart from the rhubarb which I’m happy to say is looking great right now. However, this year as you’ve seen in previous posts I’m determined to get it right, and I’m off to a pretty good start. I started lots of seeds indoors in March (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumber, broccoli and Brussels sprouts). Some seeds I’ve direct sown into the raised beds. Veggies like carrots, beets, parsnips, bush beans and yes, even melon. The rest I’ve purchased as plants, zucchini, edamame, peas, and all the herbs I’m growing along with the…
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The Three Stages of Homemade Yogurt
I’ve always been a fan of yogurt and not only eat it as a breakfast treat and dessert, but use it in things like breads and muffins. Good news is it’s easy to make. I have a Salton yogurt maker but I have heard that lots of people use a thermos with great results. Whatever your method here’s my basic recipe and tips I’ve found that increase the likelihood of a successful batch- 4 cups milk…I’ve tried it with all types, skim, 1% but have had the best results with whole milk ¼ cup dry milk powder ½ cup plain yogurt…once again the best type is made from whole milk…
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Getting Ready to Garden
Winter can be a frustrating time for us avid gardeners. This year I’m determined not to let cold weather (and fingers crossed, another late spring), hinder my attempts to get a vegetable garden planted. Many years ago I was freelancing for a local magazine and got assigned the topic of what gardeners can do while they can’t get outside. My editor arranged for me to meet with the head designer at a very upscale gardening store. I went in there thinking I’d come out with lots of tips I could pass along to readers when in fact I came away with just one. Pick up some gardening books and use…
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Five Must Have Ingredients (that save time and money)
All weeks seem busy but last week for some reason was hectic. Although I love to be in the kitchen, some days even I hate the thought of going in there to cook dinner. I’m gradually coming up with some shortcuts. I wasn’t thinking about saving money as I put them into practice but now I realize some can shave off a few pennies here and there- Flavored Mashed Potatoes When I make bangers and mash (that’s sausages and mashed potatoes in non Brit speak), I always like to serve caramelized onions on top of the potatoes. However, last week, the thought of peeling, slicing and then cooking onions had little…
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Cranberry-Orange Trifle
I’m not sure if I’m the only person who still eats cranberry sauce with their Christmas meal but year after year I was left with lots of it. I refused to stop making it because for me it wouldn’t be a holiday meal without it. My dilemma was what to do with all the leftover sauce. One idea was to pair it with cheese for a sandwich which is pretty good but last year I came up with this dessert recipe. Best thing is people who won’t touch cranberry sauce like this one…or maybe they don’t recognize it in its new form. I paired the sauce with canned mandarin oranges that…
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