Going Easy

So tonight the guys are helping some people move, so it is just me and the kids for dinner. We have been trying to get rid of all the stuff in the freezer since the house on the market. So tonights dinner is going to be eggos, I know, super creative right? Well, here is something for you. We haven't had actual store bought syrup in the last three weeks. Are you one that often realizes that you are out of syrup on Saturday morning when you want pancakes for breakfast. These are the things that I do.
1- This is typical in my family but may only apply if you actually have mapleine. Mapleine usually has a recipe to make simple syrup on it. But you just do 1 part water boiled then add 2 parts sugar. So boil a cup of water then add 2 cups sugar then add your mapleine, typically a teaspoon for that amount of water and sugar.
2- Do you have some frozen fruit? We usually get frozen fruit to make smoothies. But if you boil it down with some water and puree in a blender or food processor. You can do half a cup pureed fruit have cup water and boil then add 2 cups of sugar, easy fruit syrup and way cheaper than the stuff you find on the shelf at the store.
3- Jam!! No joke. Just do the same as above just boil half cup fruit jam with half cup water and then add 2 cups sugar. Super easy. And to make it even easier I will just put the water and jam in a big tupperwar and microwave for 3 minutes, which brings it to a boil and then add the water. Becaue it has gelatin in it when you put it in the fridge it will thicken a little bit.
4- If you are a canner and don't know what to do with those parts that are just not good enough for the jars, boil and puree same as frozen fruit. Typically if it is a fruit that I wouldn't use on my own as a syrup I would add to something else like a blueberry.
Note: This not your typical store bought processed syrup it is not going to be thick, it will be runny. If you don't like it like that way you can add some light corn syrup for thickness.

Enjoy your pancakes....or in my case eggos!!!!!

P.S. I made these today and thought I would pass them along to my fellow peanut butter lovers!!! F.Y.I. I am not a big fan of honey so I halfed the honey and added more brown sugar. And I didn't have crunchy peanut butter so I did creamy a little less than what it called for and added some finely chopped pecans. Perfect!! Make sure you have it at a rolling boil for 90 seconds. If too short it wont set, if too long it will crumble on you.
Another thought- you could try melting down your favorite chocolate and dipping it like you would a strawberry, it would make something like a peanut butter cup. Yum!!!
www.allrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-and-honey-no-bake-cookies/detail.aspx

Welcome

Hello everyone!! In the last few years I have really begun to love cooking. Not that I didn't enjoy it before, but I have definitely grown in the last few years. I love the challenge of making something out of nothing. Figuring out how to add something into food is completely fascinating to me, this has been a big one lately because both of my kids have digestion issues so I try to find ways to put more fiber into our food.
So, here's my first challenge everyone go to their cabinets/pantrys and find one thing that they haven't used in a long time, then tell me why you haven't used it. Then tell me one thing your kids can't stand to eat and something you or your spouse can't stand to eat. Tell me what your biggest frustration with meal planning is. How do you grocery shop? Do you go with a plan, a list, a budget etc. How often do you go to the grocery store? once a week? Twice a week or more? Last tell me things you want to see on here. Recipes, meal planning ideas, food storage tips, cooking for large families etc.
Now in return I will do the same. I have several cans of pumkin puree in my pantry, I just can't bring myself to use it until it actually feels like fall. In Texas I might be waiting a while. Ruthie will not eat vegetables period, the end. I am not a lover of fish and Robbs stomach can't handle spicey foods. My biggest frustration with meal planning is my budget.....one day that will change, for now we make due. I go with a plan, I plan out enough meals for 15 days (Robb get's paid twice a month). I go thru what is in my pantry and cupbards and try to make meals with what I already have. Then I make my list of what I need from there. My list contains what I need and an estimated cost for each item, that way I know that I am not going to go over budget. I rarely put anything in my cart that isn't on my list. Usually the only time anything is added is when Robb is with me :) I want to see a lot of things on here mostly this is just a hobby for me. I love watching cooking shows, taking recipes and making them into my own, and sometimes using an old family favorite. For those of you who have ever eaten a Neugart family sugar cookie, I rest my case!!!! Please ask questions tell me what you want to know. Give me tips, recipes, etc. don't worry I will make sure people know where I got things from. And for heaven sakes enjoy cooking it doesn't have to be a chore.