Don’t throw out those over-ripe watermelon slices! Watermelon popsicles are a cinch to make – and they’re almost FREE if you consider that you make them from watermelon you would have thrown out otherwise.
Just throw chunks of the too-ripe watermelon in a blender, seeds and all. Also add a little lime juice and some lime zest, as much as you dare! Then turn your blender on full blast and wait for the popsicle magic to happen.
Strain the mixture through a kitchen strainer and add your sweetener of choice as desired. Freeze in popsicle molds or small paper cups. Then, bask in your glorious frugal-ness and sit on your porch steps and slurp away!
Who doesn’t love pound cake? This classic English dessert is so-named because its name is also its recipe: a pound of butter, a pound of flour, a pound of sugar (and some eggs).
I was looking for something rich and delicious like pound cake when I saw Anne Burrell of Food Network fame make olive oil cakes. I couldn’t wait to try them. The rich fruity taste of olive oil pairs well with summer fruits, and is healthier than butter, so I figured this was a win-win food discovery. Don’t get me wrong – I love butter and use it regularly in my kitchen. But. Like everyone else who is health conscious, these days I try to find ways to use liquid plant oils whenever I can. I also used agave nectar where Chef Burrell used white sugar, but you could also use your sweetener of choice.
I love both the taste and texture of olive oil in desserts. These cakes would be a fabulous pair with most any summer fruits – I had strawberries on hand this time, but plan to make these again and top with other fresh summer fruits. Up next? Grilled Balsamic Peach Slices on top! So many summer fruits . . . so little time . . .
Here’s an idea for all you moms out there trying to come up with healthy snack summer recipes for the kiddos in response to the constant good ole’ summertime refrain: “Mom, I’m hungry!” (Or for anyone else looking for rich sugar-free treats!)
These cookies are so surprisingly delicious that you will forget that they’re actually good for you. I promise. These cookies are packed with high-protein ingredients: an egg, almond butter, tofu, whole wheat flour, and oats. Seriously, we should all eat more oats, shouldn’t we? These cookies rival the high-fat, high-white sugar versions that are part of American snack time cuisine and culture. They are that good.
Keep the cookie jar packed with these healthy little gems. You may even catch yourself saying “Kids – please eat more cookies!”
Don’t you just love Berry Time of year? Seasonal berries are healthy, frugal and fabulous – perfect for this blog! So, here is a dessert that takes 20 minutes - tops! – from grocery bag to table. Each bite has a different taste: some crunchy, some creamy, some tangy but all bites are light, refreshing and fruity. The tangerine zest is what makes this dessert extraordinary. It is the perfect bit of intensity and adds such an amazing flavor – but you can use any citrus zest you like. I made these last Sunday and my family is already begging to have this again!
Use your best clear parfait glasses – so colorful and inviting!
We must interrupt our regularly scheduled Meatless Monday offering to share with you our weekend collaboration: The second birthday of Lily! Lily (Anne’s daughter and Donna’s granddaughter) has become an ardent fan of Elmo, also known in this household as The Red Menace, and we decided to thrill her with a Sesame-themed party – our favorite part being, of course, the food! We worked with quite a few food blog recipes to make the theme food, and have to share the love here. Continue reading ‘Sesame Street Shindig’
I’m a bit of a celtophile, and at least part of my ancestry has Irish ties. I was fortunate enough to visit over 10 years ago (wow) and was forever changed. There’s so much to love – the poetry, the rolling hills, the history, the music, the humor, the Guinness. Continue reading ‘Sundae Bloody Sundae: Guinness Ice Cream with Bailey's Sauce’
Astonish your family with this recipe! Have them try to guess the secret ingredient – I promise it will take them quite a while, if they ever get it at all. Just looking at the picture, can YOU guess what it is? Continue reading ‘Secret Ingredient Flourless Brownies’
If you haven’t discovered Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers, you’re missing out on a wonderful frugal shortcut that will turn you into an instant Dessert Diva. Look no farther for a last-minute cinchy dessert that will make your Valentine think you slaved for hours!!!
The wafers are thin, crispy dark chocolate discs that are not overly sweet and can be used so many ways. I often crush them and mix them with melted butter and a little sugar and then press the mixture into a crust, and there are lots more ways to use them – see above photo! Keep these wafers in your fab frugal pantry to whip up an amazing effortless dessert anytime!
This is a treat from our collaborative cookbook, “101 Things To Do With Tofu”. Note: FOUR INGREDIENTS total, including the “secret”. Couldn’t be easier! It would be a perfect Valentine’s dessert if, like me, you’re still needing to keep things on the light side. And I’ll bet your sweetheart will be none the wiser. (It’s always fun to see if people can guess the secret ingredient!) Continue reading ‘Secret Ingredient Chocolate Pudding’
