Just a tip

When a recipe calls for buttered crumbs don’t panic! Just mix together equal amounts of butter and crumbs.

Chocolate mint sauce

This is a super simple sauce that is excellent over ice cream

What you’ll need:

• 10 York Peppermint Patties (the candy)
• 3 – 5 Tbl cream (depending on how thick you want it)

Melt the candies in the top of a double boiler stirring occasionally. Blend in cream when candies are completely melted. Use immediately. Makes enough to cover 6 servings of ice cream (or 4 if you heap it on like I do!)

Cost:
candy – $1.50
cream – $1.12
Total – $1.72

Barbecue sauce

Barbecue, or as we have always called it, BBQ is just not the same without a good sauce. I’d like to share three of mine today. They are all good on any kind of meat or grilled seafood. This first one is very simple and is particularly good on chicken. The second takes a little time but is worth the wait. It’s excellent on pork. The third is perfect when grilling fish or shrimp. It can be used to baste the seafood while it is grilling or is also good as a marinade before grilling.

BBQ sauce #1
(Makes about 3/4 cup)

What you’ll need:

• 2 Tbl Worcestershire
• 1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter
• 2 Tbl vinegar
• 12 drops Tabasco sauce

Mix all together and heat over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Use immediately.

Cost:
Worcestershire sauce – $1.79
butter – $2.38
vinegar (small) – $0.92
Tabasco sauce – $1.59
Total – $1.66

BBQ sauce #2
(Makes about 3 cups)

What you’ll need:

• 1 clove garlic, chopped finely
• 1 medium onion, minced
• 3 Tbl butter
• 2 Tbl vinegar
• 1 Tbl orange juice
• 6 Tbl brown sugar
• 2 c ketchup
• 1 c water
• 1 1/2 c finely diced celery
• 3 tsp salt
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 4 Tbl Worcestershire
• small can of crushed pineapple

In a large, deep pot, saute the garlic and onion in the butter. Mix in remaining ingredients. Allow to simmer for 45 minutes adding water if it becomes too thick. Let cool 10 minutes before using.

Cost:
garlic clove – $0.50/1 head
yellow onions (3 lbs) – $0.99
butter – $2.38
vinegar (small) – $0.92
orange juice – $2.99/gallon
brown sugar – $1.44
ketchup (small) – $1.58
celery – $0.99
mustard – $1.28
Worcestershire sauce – $1.79
crushed pineapple – $1.09
Total – $3.55

BBQ sauce #3
(Makes about 1 3/4 cups)

What you’ll need:

• 1 c peanut or sesame seed oil
• 1/4 c soy sauce
• 1/2 c sherry

Mix all together well.

Cost:
oil (small) – $2.28
soy sauce $1.89
sherry – $2.00
Total – $2.89

Herb dressing

This is a tasty homemade salad dressing that can be kept up to a week in the refrigerator. It makes about 2/3 of a cup.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 c salad oil (This is really any oil you like. It can be corn, vegetable or olive oil)
• 3 Tbl wine vinegar
• 1/8 tsp powdered thyme
• 1/8 tsp powdered marjoram
• 1/4 tsp dried basil leaves OR 4 fresh basil leaves, chopped finely
• 1 Tbl minced onion
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbl parsley, finely chopped

Combine all ingredients in a salad dressing jar or any jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously. Let stand for 10 minutes before using. Shake again before each use.

Cost:
vegetable oil (regular) – $2.28
vinegar (small) – $0.92
herbs & spices – $1.50
Total – $1.82

French Quarter Sauce (for shrimp)

Most of you know that I am a huge fan of seafood. Specifically, I’m a huge fan of shrimp. Especially boiled shrimp! This recipe is made just for boiled shrimp. It makes about 1/4 cup of sauce.

What you’ll need:

2 Tbl cider vinegar
6 Tbl olive oil
3 Tbl Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
6 anchovy fillets, mashed to a pulp
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbl finely chopped parsley
1 Tbl finely chopped chives
1 hard boiled egg, minced well

Mix all ingredients well and chill thoroughly. Serve over chilled, shelled and deveined boiled shrimp.

Cost:
vinegar – $0.92
oil – $2.28
mustard – $1.28
garlic cloves – $1.12/lb
anchovy fillets – $1.38/can
eggs (18 count) -$1.47
Total – $2.47