The Marriage of Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Mmmm!  I think we had a group craving for something chocolate and peanut butter.  Kelcie wanted her usual store-bought chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs for Easter.  She isn't much of a fan for other Easter candy.  Andrew was asking about some frozen sandwiches I made a long time ago that blended chocolate and peanut butter between graham crackers.  And the same day, my sister sent me a post via Facebook asking about the same recipe!  Although I made these for Easter, I decided to post them for you because they'd make good treats through the whole summer, as making them does not heat up the kitchen.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we are!


FROZEN ROCKY ROAD SANDWICHES

(These sort of remind me of ice cream drumsticks.)

1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
4 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
approx. 2 cups miniature marshmallows
graham crackers (you will divide each cracker in half)
1/2 cup chopped nuts

In small bowl, mix milk and peanut butter till smooth.  Add pudding mix.  Fold in marshmallows; let stand 5 minutes.  Break about 16 graham crackers in half and spread filling about 1/2-inch thick on 16 of the halved crackers.  Top with remaining crackers, pressing down slightly so pudding goes to the edge of the crackers.  Dip edges in nuts.  Wrap individually in foil or plastic wrap and freeze till firm.  Store in freezer.



CHOCOLATE-COVERED PEANUT BUTTER EGGS

1 (16 oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 scant tbsp. milk
8 (1 oz) squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 tbsp. shortening

In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla until blended, using the milk if needed to moisten.  Shape mixture into eggs; set on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Freeze eggs for about one hour.  Near the end of the freezing time, melt chocolate and shortening in a microwave-proof bowl, heating for 1 minute, then stir.  Repeat if needed to completely melt the chocolate.  Dip each peanut butter egg completely in the chocolate using a long-tined fork or toothpick.  Let drain over the bowl, then set on wax paper to cool.  Store in refrigerator.

Eating on the Cheap

I think the recession has taught many of us how to live on less.  I know we certainly have.  If you plan carefully, you can save on the grocery bill.  For me, the best buys are generally at Walmart, who has recently pledged to cut prices on their fresh produce.  You can also take your ads from other stores and price match.  I found that usually if I waited on shopping a few days after the store ads came out, Walmart dropped their prices to be a penny or two under the advertised price anyway.  Usually what I do is make my list off of the store ads, separating each store's offerings on my list and also noting what page the bargain was on so I could find it easy at the check-out.  Generally speaking, I have found coupons not worth my time, because they are usually for quick, packaged products that I would not normally buy.  Sometimes I'll buy a little of that stuff to have on hand for busy days or snacking, but it seems that it is too pricey to buy all the time.  Cooking from scratch offers a better alternative.  You can save money.  Many times, when I am making supper or baking something special, one of the kids will wander in either to help or out of curiosity (Mom, what do I smell cooking?!).  That usually leads to conversation (my favorite perk!).  Cooking from scratch is usually better for you.  You control what oils you use and how  much salt goes in, for example.  Personally, I also enjoy my time perusing a cookbook and making my weekly menu and shopping list, usually savoring a cup of coffee or a cold glass of sweet tea.

Other things I do to save money is I tend to incorporate cheaper cuts of meat.  Steaks are only for special occasions and I only buy when there is a good price.  When I using big recipes, such as spaghetti sauce, that call for ground beef, I substitute one pound of ground turkey.  We usually have several meals using ground beef for the main dish, but in a variety of dishes.  Sometimes leftovers are put away in individual serving  containers to be microwaved for a lunch or late-night snack.  If leftovers do not lend themselves for that use, they are treats for our two dogs and the chickens, depending on whether it is a meat or produce.  (Just remember, dogs do not need chicken bones, chocolate, or raisins.)  My latest attempt to save money on groceries is that I have planted two tomato plants in a container.  The main things about vegetable gardening seems to be plant in plenty of sunshine and keep your plants watered.  Right now, one of the plants has four small green tomatoes!  I'll let you know how that comes out.

What ways do you save money on groceries?

Related articles

• FYI - How to Make Sure the Ground Beef You Serve Is Safe. (jwitness.wordpress.com)
• Walmart Announces Plan to Help Americans Eat Better -- Are We Doomed or Saved? (alternet.org)
• Grocery Budget Makeover: Week 1 (thehappyhousewife.com)
• Saving Money on Groceries (alwaysbcmom.com)

Chopped Steaks

This is a recipe I use occasionally that my family enjoys.  The gravy is rich and yummy.

1 lb. ground beef (I like to use the 80% lean)
1 lb. pork sausage
1 tsp. onion powder
4 tbsp. butter
dash Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
ground pepper to taste
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tbsp. sour cream
1 small can sliced mushrooms
flour to thicken

Thoroughly mix the meats with onion powder, Worcestershire, mustard, salt pepper and eggs.  Melt butter in heavy skillet.  Form meat into patties and fry.  Remove patties and cover with foil to keep warm.  Add the sour cream and mushrooms to the drippings and simmer, stirring to combine.  Use flour to thicken if needed.  Return the patties to the skillet to keep warm on very low heat until serving.