We all know summertime means feeding crowds. Whether that be the children (most often with friends) out of school and “starving” or those wonderful summertime barbcues.
But things can add up quickly, especially with the current grocery prices and shortages
TIP: If the store is out of an item… don’t fret. Most have NIGHTLY trucks coming in. Try the items availability 1st thing the next morning.
Okay, from the recipes I’ve seen scroll by I’ve been trying the few ingredients, fast cheap ones. Below are the ones I’ve tried and were winners!
Ice Cream. (Tastes more like frozen custard which for me is a win-win) Best yet… you can set the kids up to make it!
(1) Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
(1/2) Quart of Heavy Whipping Cream & 1 Tsp of Vanilla.
Whip using hand blender beat for about 8-10 minutes until mixture is thick. At this point you can fold in other goodies should you decide too. Think diced peaches or strawberries or pieces of chocolate.
Put in airtight freezer safe container with lid. Freeze for at LEAST 3 hours. If wanting for ice-cream cones…freeze at least 6.
This ended up making about the same as a store-bought brick and the cost was also about the same. $4.50
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Now this recipe was moms that I tweaked a bit, but most of us have at least half the ingredients on hand and my picky eaters love it,
YOU tweak it with whatever you have on hand and make it your own.
Rice and Cheese Casserole.
I would have said Broccoli Rice and Cheese, but lately I’ve been winging it with whatever I had on hand.
Instant rice (Make to whatever amount you need for your family.)
A cream of anything soup
Cooked Hamb, Diced Ham or even shredded Chicken.
Microwave Broccoli, Peas, peppers and onions or even Spinach would work. Whatever you have.
Velvetta
Butter
Milk, Canned Milk or Heavy whipping Cream. (Whatever you have on hand)
Cook your meat as you microwave your veggie. (Go sans veggie if you have to) Cook your instant rice and add a bit of butter, the soup and meat.
Mix well and add your milk and cheese and cook over medium heat until the cheese is melted.
Now, you can get fancy and put in a casserole dish and top with shredded cheese and some Durkee’s fried onions… but if trying your best to cut a few corners and save a few bucks, just serve out of the pot as is.
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This one is another of mine I’ve tweaked over the years and the kids actually eat.
Cowboy Baked Beans
Ground Beef (however much you want) cooked, crumbled and drained. Again, you can pretty much add whatever cooked meat you want. Bacon, chicken etc.
(3) Large cans of store brand backed beans.
(1) Seasoning Jar of Chopped or Minced Dried Onions.
Mix together and add a few squirts of mustard, barbecue sauce and about a cup of shredded cheddar. Mix well and bake in 350-degree oven for about 1-2 hours.
Kids think of it as sweet chili.
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Back to another dessert hack. Not mine, saw on Tik Tok I think. But tried it and WOW!
Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
(1) Pack of Kings Hawiian rolls. (Or store brand)
(2) Sticks Butter
(1/2) block of Cream Cheese
(1 1/2) Cups Powdered Sugar
Splash of Vanilla
2 plus tsp depending on level of Cinnamon you want
Melt 1 stick butter and pour in square glass casserole pan. Keeping the rolls whole, set them in pan and wiggle around gently to coat the bottom of the rolls in butter. Flip and repeat on other side of rolls.
Next melt the remaining butter and add cinnamon and sugar and mix well.
Using a butter knife stab the rolls all around. Pour the butter cinnamon mix evenly over top of the rolls.
Bake at 350 about 10-15 minutes. While the rolls are baking. Soften the cream cheese, add a splash of vanilla and the powdered sugar and using hand mixer blend well.
Sit icing in fridge until the rolls are done.
Ice when they come out and enjoy.
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Summer salad.
8-10 Roma Tomatoes quartered.
(1) Can of Black Olives cut in half.
(1) Block of Mozzarella Cheese, cubed.
(1) Red Onion Thinly Sliced
1/2 Cup of Parmesean Cheeser
Lightly toss with your favorite oil-based dressing. OR… turn into a meal, by adding diced ham or cubed chicken.
Since I’ve returned to writing… a little, I figured I’d pause and share some of the on the “cheap side” recipes above.
If you happen to try any, shoot me a message on how you liked it.
Bobbi Romans