Banana Bread, Frugalista Style

I am committed to becoming a better steward of what I have been given and one big area that I think I can save is in the kitchen/pantry.  Years ago I was a good couponer and did most of our cooking/baking at home but over the last few years that just went away.  The last couple of years, in particular, saw me almost completely stop cooking/baking.  I used to really enjoy it, though, and I think if I could get back in the swing of things I would enjoy it again and it would be better financially and health wise.  Not to mention, with 2 boys and their friends, it is important to always have some snacky stuff on hand.

So today I decided rather than throwing out the 3 bananas that had seen better days I would make banana bread!  I found this recipe which called for just a few ingredients (all of which I had on hand!)

Banana Bread

• 3 or 4 ripe bananas, smashed
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/2 self rising flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With a fork mix the butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl.  Mix in the sugar, egg and vanilla. Add the flour last and mix well. Spray a 4x8 inch loaf pan with no stick spray. Pour mixture into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour.  Cool on rack before removing from pan Iif you can wait that long!) Slice and enjoy!

Grape Salad with a twist!

I know everyone has their own Grape Salad recipe but a few weeks ago I found this one and had to give it a try as it replaces the pecans with crumbled Heath candy bars!  It is so yummy and we can pretend it is healthy because it has fruit in it...right?

Grape Salad Heath Bar Style
1 bunch seedless green grapes
1 bunch seedless red grapes
1 jar marshmallow fluff
1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 Heath Bars (crumbled)

Wash and dry the grapes, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl mix marshmallow fluff and cream cheese (I spray my hand-mixer blades with no stick spray before this to make clean up easier.)  Add in 1/2 the crumbled Heath Bars and stir well.  Add in grapes and stir gently to coat.  Top with crumbled Heath Bars.  Enjoy!

Luscious Low Carb Creamy Lemon Jello Jigglers!

My youngest son is on a strict low carb/high fat diet treatment for his Seizure Disorder, so lately my time in the kitchen is focused on making sure he has plenty to eat without becoming discouraged.  This can be particularly hard when it comes to snacks (you can only be excited about so many cheese sticks!)  Today I found a recipe just too good not to share.  Even if you are not on a low carb diet this snack will melt in your mouth and make you feel wonderfully indulgent!  It tastes just like my Grandmother's Lemon Meringue Pie (minus the meringue and flaky crust, of course)! I just can't wait to try out other Jello flavors in this recipe. I bet the lime will taste a lot like a yummy summer lime pie! 

My little man was so happy to have something sweet that works perfectly in his diet and who doesn't love jigglers, especially when they are in fun Easter shapes?

Luscious Low Carb Creamy Lemon Jello Jigglers

2- 3 ounce packs of sugar free lemon Jello

1 cup boiling water

5 ounces heaving whipping cream

Spray a pan* or Jiggler mold with non stick baking spray. Dissolve Jello in boiling water and then add heavy whipping cream and mix well.  Pour into prepared mold/pan and place in refrigerate for approximately 3 hours until set.  Pop out on a plate and enjoy!

Store in fridge.

*If you don't have a mold pour into a small baking or cake pan and when set cut into squares for Jello bites!  These are good in a zippy bag for snacks.

This is not a Jello ad (although, I wouldn't feel bad at all if Jello decided to pay me....uhm...) but I just happen to use Jello and my new Spring Jello Mold Kit to make this.  I am sure any brand of sugar free would work just as well.