When I was much younger my mother used to make a dessert simply by using Milnot and Jello. She would whip the this up, pour it into a glass dish then place it in the freezer (to speed up the setting time as us kids were impatient lot). What fond memories I have of that dessert! Jell-o sold a package mix called "1-2-3", that was similar, in the 1980s but I haven't seen it on store shelves for a few years now. The trick is in this dessert recipe is to plan timing as you don't want to the gelatin to harden but yet be cold as warm gelatin has the Milnot loose some of its stiffness.
Now Milnot was easily found in stores way back when but nowadays many people look at you blankly when mentioning it. My daughters, when making this recipe, use whipped topping (i.e. Cool-Whip) in place of Milnot; not quite the same but close enough to satisfy them.
List of Ingredients:
- 1 3-ounce box of flavored gelatin mix (we prefered using lime or strawberry for this dessert)
- 1 can Milnot (some people today substitute whipped topping)
- (optional)1 can crushed pineapple; drained
- (optional)1/4 cup chopped pecans
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Chill Milnot, still in the can, at least 1 hour before starting this recipe. Prepare gelatin according to directions (use a couple of ice cubes method as you want this to be cool and not warm) and set in fridge to start setting. Whip Milnot until it forms stiff peaks, and yes - this takes a little while, then set aside. Take gelatin out of fridge, it should not be set but cold. Whip the gelatin just to get it frothy then, while still mixing, gradually add in the Milnot. If using crushed pineapple and/or nuts, gradually mix those in last. Spread the mixture into glass container and chill for at least 1 hour in refridgerator before serving. For optimal visual effect, pour into a clear glass rectangle dish or clear individual dessert dishes as this gradually dessert forms 3 layers as its sets, the top one being the fluffiest tasting.
Garnishments: (optional)
Slice and serve on a leaf of lettuce.
Servings: 6 to 8.
Family Rating: 5 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
At my local supermarket, and some national chain stores, rain checks are good for anywhere from 3 months to 1 year from the date issued. Whenever I see a good sale, and was too late to participate in the savings that day, I always make sure to get a rain check and for the maximum limit allowed (for example: limit 6 per customer). I am not rushed to turn it in, as it is good for several weeks - or even a year, but still can benefit from the original sale's prices even if I don't go for the maximum amount allowed.
When I was younger my parents often attended functions that had potluck dinner. A woman shared this recipe with my mother, saying she got it from a box of Dream Whip. We weren't big mandarin oranges fans so we usually left that ingredient out of the recipe when making it at home. Although it may not sound good, when reading the recipe ingredients, it is a tasty cool treat!
List of Ingredients:
- 1 can crushed pineapple; drained
- 1 can mandarin oranges
- 1 small container of small curd cottage cheese
- 1 lg box orange or lime flavored gelatin mix
- Whipped topping mix
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Prepare whipped topping per instructions on box (or may substitute something like small container of Cool Whip), fold in cottage cheese and fruits then gradually fold in the gelatin mix powder. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Some people call this recipe Jello Fluff, but my mother called another dessert by that name, and like to add some chopped pecans or shredded coconut to this recipe.
Garnishments: (optional)
Serve on a leaf of lettuce.
Servings: 6 to 8.
Family Rating: 4 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
Back in the 1970s Bisquick shared a recipe for this cobbler on the back of the box and then replaced it with another recipe, which irked my mother. She loved this dessert for the ease factor plus the taste but always managed to replace copies of the recipe which had us calling my father's sister-in-law, whose family also loved this qucik dessert, for a list of the ingredients.
List of Ingredients:
- 16 ounces canned peaches with syrup; do not drain
- 1 stick of butter
- 1 cup sugar; divided
- 1 cup baking mix (i.e. Bisquick)
- 3/4 cup of milk
- (optional) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Melt butter in 9 x 13 baking dish. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, milk, and baking mix and put batter into baking dish - do not mix in with the butter. Pour can of peaches, syrup and all, on top of the batter. Sprinkle cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Batter will bubble and raise over the peaches to form a crust while baking.
Garnishments: (optional)
After dipping into a bowl, top with whipped topping or a dip of ice cream.
Servings: 6 to 8.
Family Rating: 5 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
At the local supermarket they markdown packaged meats starting a day before the listed "sell by" date. It averages anywhere from 1 to 3 dollars off the price. With certain cuts of meat, this can be a nice savings for the pocketbook - especially if the item was already on sale that week!
The trick is to immediately prepare or freeze the meat. If the latter, when you thaw it do so with the expectation of cooking it that same day.
Take the previous Sloppy Joe recipe, or use your own, and don't worry about buns!
Prepare sloppy joe meat mixture per instructions then spread across the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 baking pan.
List of Ingredients:
- 2 cups baking mis (i.e. Bisquick)
- 2 eggs; lightly beaten
- 1 cup milk
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour over meat mixture. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Garnishments: (optional)
Before putting the baking mix batter across the top, sprinkle meat mixture with half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Another option is sprinkling a tablespoon of sesame seeds across the top of the baking mix batter before putting it in the oven.
Servings: 6 to 8.
Family Rating: 4 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
List of Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 pounds ground beef; cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup green & red peppers; chopped
- 1-1/2 cups corn (or 1 can; drained)
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 envelope Taco Seasoning mix
1/4 cup onions; chopped- 2 8-1/2 ounces package corn bread/muffin mix
- 1/2 2.8 ounce can of french fried onions (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Combine hamburger, corn, peppers, onions, tomato sauce, water, Taco Seasoning mix, and corn. Blend well then layer in a greased 13 x 9 baking pan.
Mix corn bread mix according to directions. Spread over hamburger and corn mixture.
Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until corn bread is done. Sprinkle with cheese and french fried onions. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting and serving.
Garnishments: (optional)
None.
Servings: 6 to 8, depending on if any side dishes are served.
Family Rating: 4 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
When making pancakes, from a baking mix (i.e. Bisquick), change the flavor from time to time to give your taste buds a pleasant change of pace from the traditional pancake. If you don't have fruit, like blueberries, on hand then consider using one of the two "melt-in-your-mouth" variations shared on the back of a Bisquick box:
Classic: Stir in 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
Supreme: Stir in 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
In our family, on the first day of a snowfall, we always seem to find ourselves whipping a batch of pancakes. Must stem from our brief period of residency in the northeast when, on a large snowfall day, the news reporters often shared segments where they talked to some local residents - and those folks always seemed to be eating pancakes.
Our son is a picky eater at times and prefers pot pie type dishes with a slightly thick crust topping versus a thin layer. The following recipe helped us on the crust thoughts while getting the child to eat more of the inner ingredients as a side result. This is also a recipe I often whip together, since it is a breeze to make, on evenings where I am heading out somewhere after supper.
List of Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken; cooked; cubed
- 60 ounces mixed vegetables; drained
- 28 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-1/2 cups baking mix (i.e. Bisquick)
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 milk
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Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Combine chicken, mixed vegetables, soup, and pepper. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 baking pan.
Combine remaining ingredients together. Mix well then spread over chicken and vegetables mixture.
Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting and serving
Garnishments: (optional)
None.
Servings: 6 to 8.
Family Rating: 5 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
List of Ingredients:
- 20 ounce can of sliced pineapple or mixed fruit; drained; leave fruit in can
- 1 3-ounce package of flavored gelatin; your choice of flavor
- i cup water; boiling
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Pour gelatin into can with fruit. Chill at least 2-1/2 hours, or overnight is better, to set.
To serve, slide gelatin out of the can, slice (easy to do with the pineapple since you would cut between the slices.
Garnishments: (optional)
Serve on top of a leaf of lettuce if feeling fancy.
Servings: 5 to 6.
Family Rating: 5 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
Take advantage of sales on items like drink mixes (i.e. Kool-Aid) and gelatin. In my area these periodically go on sale for 20 for $2.00, with the drink mixes, or 20 for $10.00, with the gelatin. These are handy "sweet tooth" satisfying items to have on hand that are a breeze to make, and often for next to nothing, in between paydays. Plus these items usually have healthy shelf life.
With the drink mixes these can be turned into a summer time treat by pouring into ice cube trays, using coffee stirrers for the sticks, or Popsicle forms and then put into the freezer for an hour or so but more cheaply than if you went to the grocery store to buy a package of Popsicles.
And ladies, remember the Old Wives' Tale about how gelatin is supposedly good for fingernails (rumored to help strengthen them)!
List of Ingredients:
- 8 oz loaf of garlic bread
- 4 large, or 8 medium, breaded chicken strips
- 3/4 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup Italian blend cheeses
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped basil (optional)
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Place garlic bread, butter side up, on baking sheet. Arrange chicken strips on same sheet. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes or until bread is lightly browned and chicken strips are crispy. Cut chicken strips in half, lengthwise.
Spread marinara sauce onto bread. Lightly sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce, if using. Arrange chicken strips onto bread. Sprinkle with Italian blend cheese and basil. Bake 5 to 10 minutes, at 425 degrees, or until cheese is melted.
Garnishments: (optional)
After dipping into a bowl, sprinkle with shredded Mild Cheddar.
Servings: 4 to 6, depending on what side dishes accompany these open-faced sandwiches.
Family Rating: 5 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
List of Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound bacon; cooked; drained; diced
- 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings
- 1/2 cup onion; chopped
- 3 pounds potatoes; peeled; cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 3 large carrots; cut lengthwise; finely chopped
- 3 celery ribs; cut lengthwise; finely chopped
- 2-1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 5 cups water
Preparation or Cooking Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a dutch oven. Simmer, covered, for 2 hours or until vegetables are tender.
Garnishments: (optional)
After dipping into a bowl, sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Servings: 6 to 8, depending on how heavy-handed you are with the soup ladle.
Family Rating: 4 out 5 wanted seconds.
© Carol A. Wells
Left-over heels from loaves of bread are, in my opinion, a great substitute for bread crumbs in certain recipes, such as meat loaf. I toss these into a plastic bag and freeze until I need them, then cut these into 1/2 to 1/4-inch cubes for use.
We also do this with dried out bread or accidentally burnt slices of toast - which we then crumble up and let our children use to feed the ducks, or geese, while visiting a local park during the spring and summer months.