Instant Pot Creamy Chicken And Rice

This creamy chicken and rice dish cooks up quickly in the Instant Pot.

If you’re looking for an easy weekday meal, look no further than this Instant Pot creamy chicken and rice recipe. It cooks up quickly. Best of all, the only clean up is the Instant Pot insert. Make it with your favorite veggies. I’ve made it with carrot sticks as you can see in the images […]

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Here's my favorite recipe for Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

We love a nice bowl of macaroni and cheese around here. It’s a favorite side dish and a must have on the holiday table. I initially started playing around with using the Instant Pot for this around the holidays. We cook a lot of different dishes for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Usually every burner on […]

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Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers With Meat And Rice

Stuffed Bell Peppers with meat and rice cooked in the instant pot.

If you’re a long time reader of the blog, you know I’ve been working hard behind the scenes on a new cookbook full of frugal Instant Pot recipes. During the process I’ve been cooking up a storm. Today I thought I’d share my recipe for Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers. It’s a whole meal in a […]

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How To Make Evaporated Milk

Here's how to make your own evaporated milk at home in 25 minutes from regular whole milk.

A few weeks ago I shared my recipe for sweetened condensed milk. Since then I’ve gotten quite a few questions about how to make evaporated milk. The process is similar, but there is no added sugar. By cooking down the milk to boil out some of the water content, you end up with a richer, […]

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Brown Gravy Mix Recipe

This recipe for homemade brown gravy mix is quick and easy to put together and use. No need to buy gravy mix packets.

Let’s talk gravy. More specifically, let’s talk about this homemade brown gravy mix recipe. Why would you want to make up a batch of this and store it in your pantry? There are quite a few recipes out there that call for a pouch of brown gravy mix. You can use three tbsp of this […]

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Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe

Here's a batch of dressing made using my buttermilk ranch dressing mix.

If  you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that I love to make things from scratch. I like having full control over the ingredients, and for the most part, making your own convenience foods is less expensive, and often more convenient than running to the store. This homemade buttermilk ranch dressing mix […]

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Creamy Italian Dressing

Make up a batch of this creamy italian dressing and try it on your favorite salad or sandwich.

Have you tried making your own salad dressings from scratch? It’s so easy and the end result is much tastier than the bottled stuff. Today I want to share my recipe for creamy Italian dressing with you. It’s a favorite around here and goes well on a salad that accompanies a wide variety of dishes. […]

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Skillet Chicken Teriyaki Recipe

This simple and inexpensive chicken teriyaki cooks in the skillet and comes together quickly. Serve over rice.

Do you spend a lot of money on takeout? We used to get Chinese food quite a bit and it didn’t take long for those little splurges to add up. I decided to do something about it by coming up with my own “Asian-inspired” recipes that were frugal and homemade. This skillet chicken teriyaki recipe […]

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Free Printables For Meal Planning

Get your weekly and planning meal planning printables. Two simple sheets that help you plan your meals.

Over the past few months I haven’t been as diligent as I used to be about planning our dinners ahead of time. I’ve gotten busy, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself to justify the fact that I stopped making out a weekly meal plan. Of course that’s not true. Planning ahead actually saves […]

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Replacing Buttermilk With Yogurt In Baking

Buttermilk made at home from regular milk and a little vinegar Great for baking.

I don’t buy buttermilk very often. I do get a half gallon around the holidays  to make an even tastier cornbread dressing. Throughout the rest of the year, I either make a buttermilk substitute from fresh milk and vinegar, or I use yogurt. That’s right. You can use the two interchangeably. Here’s what you need […]

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Chicken Cacciatore

This chicken cacciatore is flavorful and surprisingly frugal. Make it for your family or dinner guests.

We eat a lot of chicken around here. When I’m ready to switch things up and prepare my favorite cuts (legs and thighs) a little differently than fried or covered and baked in barbecue sauce, I often make up a batch of chicken cacciatore. This is an old dish that’s been around for centuries. As […]

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Real Mashed Potatoes

Here's how to make real mashed potatoes that come out perfect every time.

It always amazes me to hear from people who have never made real mashed potatoes. Some of them only grew up on the instant version. Other’s had them for holidays, but never tried to make a batch of their own. Making mashed potatoes from scratch, using real potatoes is a lot easier than you may […]

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Sauerkraut Pork Roast

I love making this sauerkraut pork roast in my slowcooker. Great for Sunday dinners with fresh rolls and real mashed potatoes.

Every once in a while my German heritage comes out in my cooking. Not nearly as much as you’d think, but it definitely does with this dish. It’s a sauerkraut pork roast that slowly cooks in the crockpot with brown sugar, apple juice, onion, and a few interesting spices. It may sound weird at first […]

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Chocolate Mint Cookies From A Cake Mix

These simple cookies are as easy as they are delicious. Perfect for baking with the kids or when you want a simple to make treat.

My Mom used to make a chocolate mint cookie that I think she made from a cake mix. They were soft and kind of moist. She would also dust them with powdered sugar. Can you help me find a recipe? – Marie B. From The Hillbilly Housewife:  I have a recipe in one of my […]

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Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

One of my favorite meals is a big plate of romaine lettuce with homemade Caesar Salad dressing. Throw in a few croutons and some leftover chicken and I’m a happy girl. Sure, you could use bottled dressing on this type of salad but where’s the fun in that? Once you make up a batch using […]

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