What Would Martha Cook?

Too Busy to Be Unprepared

Archives for October 2008

Microwave Pralines

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2 c. sugar
1/2 c. Karo
1/2 c. water
2 c. pecans
1 stick margarine
1 t. vanilla

Mix in a 2 quart glass dish: 2 c. sugar, 1/2 c. Karo, 1/2 c. water.

Cover and microwave for 4 minutes on high. Add 2 c. pecans.

Microwave 10 minutes.Take out and add 1 stick margarine, 1 t. vanilla. Stir until creamy and cloudy.

Quickly spoon onto wax paper. From Chris’ sister, Paula.

Grocery List:
sugar
Karo
water
pecans
margarine
vanilla

Approximate Cost: $4.58 (depending on where, when and how you get the pecans–we used to have 4 pecan trees. That made them free!)

Hot Cocoa Mix

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1 box (enough to make 8 qts.) powdered milk
1 jar (8 oz.) dry creamer
16 oz. Nestle’s Quik
5/8 c. powdered sugar
1 t. salt
2 c. sugar

Blend together thoroughly and store in covered container.

Mix 1/4 c. mix with 1 c. hot water (can use milk for a creamier hot cocoa). Serve with marshmallows or whipped cream and cinnamon. Makes a great gift to give away in a jar with the recipe and instructions.

Grocery List:
powdered milk
dry creamer
Nestle’s Quik
powdered sugar
salt
sugar

Approximate Cost: $8.97

Quick Pumpkin Crunch

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3 eggs
1 30 oz. can Libby’s pumpkin pie filling
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground cloves
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1 3/4 cups yellow cake mix
3/4 c. butter, melted
3/4 c. pecans
1 c. flaked coconut

Beat eggs in a large mixer, add pumpkin pie filling, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and evaporated milk; mix well. Pour into a greased 13×9″ baking dish. Sprinkle with cake mix. Drizzle with butter.

Sprinkle pecans and coconut on top and bake in pre-heated 325 degree oven for 1 hour.

From my dear friend, Melissa R.

Groceries:
eggs
Libby’s pumpkin pie filling
cinnamon
ground ginger
ground cloves
evaporated milk
yellow cake mix
butter
pecans
flaked coconut

Approximate Cost: $6.89

Kaleidoscope Cookies

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1 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1/4 t. salt
food coloring

Cream together butter and powdered sugar. Add 1 1/2 t. vanilla, 2 1/2 c. flour and 1/4 t. salt. Combine all in a mixer and mix well.

Put 6-8 drops of one color of food coloring (orange maybe for fall) on one side and 6-8 drops of another color of food coloring (perhaps yellow for fall). Mix on low for a few rounds (maybe 6 times). Just blend it a bit, not to thoroughly mix the colors.

Divide into 3 balls. Chill for 1 hour. Roll each ball into about 12″ long and 1″ in diameter and slice with a sharp knife to make “coin-like” cookies. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes.

Groceries:
butter
powdered sugar
vanilla
flour
salt
food coloring

Approximate Cost: $3.44

Mom’s Homemade Soup

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1. lb ground beef or turkey
1 can Ranch style beans
15 oz. can cream style corn
15 oz. cans mixed vegetables (1 bag of frozen is fine, too)
1 large can whole tomatoes (pureed in blender)
28 oz. water
1-2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Cook in a stock pot until all meat is browned. Add in onion and cook until translucent. Drain.

Return to pot and add in 1 can Ranch style beans, 15 oz.1 can cream style corn, 15 oz.1-2 cans mixed vegetables (1 bag of frozen is fine, too–about 16 oz)1 large can whole tomatoes (pureed in blender)28 oz. water and 1-2 bay leaves. Stir well. Simmer on low for 1 hour with the lid on. Stir occasionally.Remove bay leaves before serving. From my friend Melisa. Yummy!

Groceries:
ground beef or turkey
Ranch style beans
cream style corn
mixed vegetables
whole tomatoes
bay leaves
onion
salt
pepper

Approximate Cost: $7.19

Pumpkin Cookies

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1 c. sugar
1 c. margarine
1 c. canned pumpkin
1 T. vanilla
1 egg
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c. milk
3 T butter

Cream: 1 c. sugar, 1 c. margarine, 1 c. canned pumpkin, 1 T. vanilla, and 1 egg

Add: 2 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. cinnamon

Drop by round teaspoons and bake on a greased cookie sheet at 350 for 11-15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before topping with icing.

Icing:
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c. milk
3 T butter

Cook two minutes over low heat and stir in 2 1/2-3 c. powdered sugar and 2 tsp. vanilla.

Groceries:
sugar
margarine
canned pumpkin
vanilla
egg
flour
baking soda
baking powder
cinnamon
brown sugar
milk
butter

Approximate Cost: $6.25