Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

Again, I know recipes like this aren't food but saving money is yummy and I just wanted to share this simple and inexpensive recipe for Dishwasher Detergent.

I had made a recipe previously and didn't like the white film it left on my utensils and bowls. I was hesitant to try another homemade recipe. Well let me tell you I am glad I did. This worked fabulous! I tried it out on some way yucky dishes and they came out sparkly clean!! The greatest thing about this recipe for me personally was that I already had everything that it called for so it really didn't cost me anything at all.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

1 cup of borax - Found this in the laundry isle at the commissary top shelf. I use this in the laundry soap too.

1 cup of baking soda

¼ cup of table salt

2 packets (half an ounce) of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid

Use 1 Tbsp in each load.

Homemade Laundry Soap (Powder)

I have posted previously the recipe we use for our laundry detergent. We are fortunate to have space to keep a 5 gallon bucket but for many that discourages them from trying the recipe. I have a friend here at FLW who uses this recipe and likes it a lot.

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 Bar - Fels Naptha soap -

1c Borax -

1c Washing Soda -

1/4 c oxy clean - optional

Grate the bar and mix everything up. Use 1 Tbsp for light loads and 2 Tbsp for heavy

Cost $2 per batch and 5 cents per load - Tide costs 30 cents a load.

Can use in HE and front loading washing machines

Buttermilk Waffles

Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner or breakfast for breakfast or breakfast anytime?? Tonight we had breakfast for dinner and we served up some homemade waffles. This recipe comes out of one of my Betty Crocker cookbooks (1970's edition).

I forgot the flour in the picture but I assure you that you need flour to make this recipe.

Buttermilk Waffles

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups all purpose flour (you can use wheat flour but I don't like the nuttiness of wheat flour in my waffles)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp shortening
1 tsp vanilla

Heat waffle iron.

My mom gave me this waffle iron back when Kevin & I first got married...so over 15 years ago. I have no idea how long she had it before she gave it to us...it's very loved and still works great!

Beat eggs; beat in remaining ingredients until smooth.

See, there is the flour that was not in the ingredient picture!

Pour batter from cup or pitcher onto center of hot waffle iron. Bake until the waffle maker indicates it the waffle is cooked through. Remove waffle carefully.

Serve with butter & syrup or whatever else you like. Tonight at dinner I watched my boys put peanut butter, applesauce, blueberry syrup, pecan syrup and who knows what else on their waffles.

We had our waffles with bacon (I baked it while I was making the waffles and messing around on twitter!)

ENJOY!

Buttermilk Waffles

2 eggs

2 cups buttermilk

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp shortening

Heat waffle iron. Beat eggs; beat in remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour batter from cup or pitcher onto center of hot waffle iron. Bake until the waffle maker indicates it the waffle is cooked through. Remove waffle carefully. Serve with butter and syrup.

Chocolate French Toast

Chocolate French Toast
* 3 large eggs
* 3/4 cup milk
* 3 tablespoons sugar
* 2 tablespoons Hershey's Cocoa
* 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
* 10 slices whole wheat bread
* 2-1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
* soft margarine


Directions:
1. Beat eggs, milk, sugar, cocoa, vanilla, salt and cinnamon, if desired, in large bowl until smooth.

2. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. Grease griddle with margarine, if necessary.

3. Dip bread in egg mixture. Place on griddle. Cook about 2 to 4 minutes on each side.

Serve with small slice of margarine and sliced strawberries!

Pretzels

Very easy to make!

Pretzels
1 1/2 cup warm water
1 1/8 tsp active dry yeast
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/8 tsp salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups warm water
2 Tbsp baking soda
Course salt, to taste
2-4 Tbsp butter (melted)

Instructions:

Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve. Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve: add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic. Let rise at least 30 minutes.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 Tbsp baking soda. Make sure you stir often.

After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into long ropes (about 1/2" or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Allow pretzels to rise again.

Bake in oven at 450 degrees for about 10 minutes or until golden. Brush with melted butter and enjoy!

Topping suggestions:
After you brush with butter, sprinkle course salt.
For cinnamon sugar topping, melt a stick of butter in shallow bowl. In another butter make a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Dip pretzel in butter and then dip in cinnamon.

Also, you can serve with mustard, pizza sauce, cream cheese, nacho cheese, whatever!

Enjoy!

Fried Green Tomatoes

I first had Fried Green Tomatoes at a Logan's Steakhouse in Clarksville, TN. Kevin and I had just started dating and I had never had them before. I fell in love with them! Because I don't grow my own garden I do not have the luxury of having green tomatoes on hand during peak times so I am at the mercy of those much more talented than I. Today I hit up the Farmer's Market and they had glorious green tomatoes. I was so excited that we had them for dinner tonight! I think this recipe is one of Tyler Florence's from Food Network that I printed off a while ago. Enjoy!


Fried Green Tomatoes

• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Cayenne
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large unripe tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices, ends removed
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Aren't they gorgeous? (the tomatoes, not my slicing skills!)

In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, and cayenne together. (The key is to put enough seasoning in your dry ingredients to really flavor the tomatoes, you really can't overdo it!) Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl and season with salt and pepper.

Dip the tomatoes in the buttermilk and then dredge them in the cornmeal mixture, coating both sides well.

Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and coat with the oil. When the oil is hot, pan-fry the tomatoes (in batches if necessary) until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

Carefully remove the tomatoes and drain on paper towels or on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath!

Serve with whatever type of dipping sauce you would like. We like Thousand Island dressing. Or just eat as is. There are numerous sauce recipes out there, decide what you like and go for it!