BBQ Parfaits

The next time you serve barbeque, try this tidy little method: barbeque parfaits! Layer baked beans, barbeque, and coleslaw in half pint jars for an attractive (and portable) presentation. These are perfect for backyard barbeques, pig pickings, and picnics. It's just the right balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy all in its own adorable container. Now you have a great excuse to have barbeque for dinner!



Proper Drainage

Tuck a coffee filter into the bottom of pots with large holes to prevent the soil from falling through. Water drains, soil stays. Perfect drainage every time!

More great uses for coffee filters:

• Clean mirrors and chrome for a lint-free shine
• Cover your bowl before heating in the microwave to prevent splatters
• Layer those antique plates with coffee filters to prevent scratches (this works great for non-stick skillets too)
• Use as a disposable snack bowl- great in the car!
• Make baking soda sachets by filling the filter with soda and tying with string. Place inside shoes to keep odor at bay.
• Juice your lemons and limes through them to filter the seeds and pulp.
• Use to weigh chopped ingredients
• Use to contain messy foods such as tacos and hot dogs.
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S"egg"gregation

Do you ever get frustrated when you can't remember which eggs are new and which are older? Try alternating brown and white when you buy. For example, last week I bought white eggs and this week I'll buy brown. You'll always know which eggs to use first! (You'll have less of the one you need to use first.)

*Forgot to s"egg"gregate? Fill a glass with water and place the egg in question inside. If the egg sinks, it's still good. If it floats, you have a rotten egg! If it stays on the bottom of the glass but sits upright, it's fine to use but should be used soon.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

I've been interested in trying out making homemade dishwashing detergent for a while now and have finally mustered the courage to try. I just can't see why I have to pay 6 bucks (on sale, mind you) for a 12 pack of those handy little pods, only to be out in a week's time! Well, the good news is, after numerous loads, this simple and dirt cheap concoction cleaned the dishes just as well as the high dollar pods. Simply mix equal parts of Borax and baking soda. Fill the detergent well in your dishwasher and you're good to go! Store in a pretty jar and you'll feel even better about it.
*This also works in high efficiency washers.

Where's the dough?

I recently found out that one of our local pizza restaurants will sell fresh dough. Finally, I can enjoy a pizza at home that tastes like it came from a restaurant! It costs $3 and is enough to make 2 medium pizzas. It's also great for bread sticks, cheese sticks, stromboli, and calzones. Check out your local pizza shop to cash in on some great dough! (My sister's local shop sells theirs for only $1.50.)

For a crisp-on-the-bottom, chewy crust, place a pizza stone in your oven and preheat the oven to 450*. Stretch dough and top with toppings and slide onto hot stone. Cook until bubbly and golden, usually about 15-20 minutes. If you don't have a baking stone, just use your regular pizza pan or cookie sheet. It will still be delicious, just not quite as crunchy.

Shred it

The following is a post from my deal-huntress queen sister, Susi:

 

On my husband's birthday list was a request for an office paper shredder. Being a deal hunter and knowing he does not care from whence a gift comes, I nosed around. First I tried Best Buy since I had $16 on a gift card. The cheapest shredder there was $70. Next I tried Amazon where the range was $30 - $200+ depending on what you wanted. Next I tried craigslist where I found small, basic shredders for $20 (and a long drive to get it) and nicer models for $50 and up. On a whim I checked out Goodwill where I found a like new cross cut shredder for $15. I also found that Goodwill tests all electric items before putting them on the shelf. They also have a no questions asked return policy for store credit, if you return the item within one week of buying (with the price tag and reciept). The equivalent shredder I bought at Goodwill sells for $65 on Amazon. Not bad!

 

 

Bananas for breakfast

Shake up the boring breakfast routine with a banana split! After devouring one yesterday, our oldest declared that "This was better than doughnuts!" and "I could eat 1000 of these!". This is coming from a child who rarely eats a large breakfast. So here's how you make it: spoon yogurt atop a banana (the whipped yogurt is fun to use here) and top with chopped fruit, granola, and toasted coconut. That's it!

* I recently discovered that coconut can be toasted in the microwave. No more burnt coconut and mess to clean up! To toast, place coconut in an even layer into a glass dish and microwave at 15-20 second intervals, stirring each time. It worked perfectly!