Corn Dog Muffins

School will be starting soon or may have already started in your neck of the woods. I am always looking for after school meals to feed the kids that are quick easy and inexpensive.  These corn dog muffins fit into that category.

CORN DOG MUFFINS

3 HOT DOGS

2 PACKAGES JIFFY CORN DOG MIX

2/3 CUP MILK, I USE SKIM

2 LARGE EGGS

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven 400 degrees

In a large bowl, add jiffy mix, 2 eggs and 2/3 cup milk.  Mix just until combined.

In a greased 12 count muffin tin add mix until all 12 are filled.

cut each hot dog into 4 even pieces. Place one ho dog piece into middle of corn muffin mix.

Bake for 15-18 minutes

cool for about 5 minutes then remove from muffin tin and enjoy.

 

 

Pineapple Upside Down Bundt Cake

Labor Day is near and I have a dessert for you.  This cake is so moist and delicious you wont have any leftovers.  I love making this in a Bundt pan because of the pretty design.  Enjoy!!

 

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN BUNDT CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple, drained, (I used pineapple chunks and cut them, I find it easier to drain juice that way.)
•  ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• Maraschino cherries, 16
• 1 yellow cake mix, plus eggs, water and oil, per mix directions

DIRECTIONS:

•  Mix cake mix per directions
• Preheat oven 350 degrees
• Spray a Bundt pan with cooking spray, add melted butter to bottom of pan, even out butter in pan
• Sprinkle brown sugar over butter
• Place maraschino cherries over sugar
• Spread crushed pineapple over cherries evenly, careful not to disturb sugar to much
• Pour cake mix over top of pineapple layer
• Bake 40 minutes or until golden brown
• Test to make sure cake is done, toothpick should come out clean
• Remove cake from oven, use a knife to help release cake from side of pan
• Invert cake onto a cake plate, right after cooking to insure the cake comes out of pan, (careful when inverting pan, there may be hot juice from pineapple)
• Cool before serving

 

Enjoy!!!

Rae

Greek Goddess Dip

Looking for a dip other than the regular taco dip recipe? This is a great alternative. It is very addictive. You may want to double this recipe, mine disappeared in no time. I served with everything bagel chips, but you could use regular flavor or even bake up pita bread to serve with this tasty dip.

Greek Goddess Dip

Ingredients:
1 cup hummus, (I used garlic flavor from Trader Joe’s)

1 cup English cucumber , diced

1 tomato, diced

Red onion, diced. ( I used about 1/8 cup. You can use as much or as little to your taste)

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Salt & pepper, to taste sprinkled on tomatoes, before you place in dish

Tzatiki, (this is a cucumber yogurt dip, I found it pre made at my local Wegmans grocer, you can also find many recipes on-line)

Black olives, ½ cup (optional)

Directions:
Prepare all your ingredients per list, dicing veggies.
In a shallow bowl, Layer hummus, tzatziki sauce, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes (season them first). If you choose to use olives, add now, finally add feta.

Keep in fridge until ready to serve. Serve with pita chips.

Enjoy!!!
Rae

Two Months Without Cable

As you can see from the title I have been cable free for two months now. I still watch Netflix which is a pay subscription and I watch free shows on apps. Pluto and TUBI are two of my go to Channels. It helps that Netflix has new shows out. Orange is the new black and Wentworth are two female prison shows with a lot of drama. Schitt’s Creek is a favorite comedy of mine. I watch it over and over. And for about another year you can binge watch The Office.

I still watch local channels in my purchased antennas but the money I save is amazing. My internet phone and cable was $195 with a new price increase. I now pay $80.

Most people have a collection of movies on DVD. I recently did a project where I went through all my movies and put them in a program that alphabetized them. I love Christmas movies and enjoy watching Hallmark Christmas In July. Missing that aspect of cable I realized I had 54 Christmas movies and adding a recent Birthday supply of movies I was gifted brought the count to 61.  So go through your movies and make a list and watch what you have.

After the fall shows come on we will will re evaluate our situation but for now we are happy being cable free.

 

Christmas Shopping this Summer

I love Christmas in July.  I love the Holiday movies and books and it gets me excited for the holidays.  I find I’m not stressed during the holidays because I have a plan.  My plan is I start saving for Christmas in January.  I figure out how much I need for gifts and I divide it into 52 to get the amount I need to save.  Then I have a free savings account with my bank that has no fees and I add it to my account.  One thing to remember is if you are dividing into 52 weeks, Christmas falls into that week.  So be sure you budget accordingly.  I also start shopping after Christmas sales.  That’s the best time to get teacher gifts.  You can find hand towels at big box stores or JCPenney and then Bath & Body works clearance sale hand soaps.  I also take advantage of my free gift certificates.  I occasionally get $10 from Kohls or JCPenneys and I use them to buy things throughout the year.  Just recently I got a Kohls $10 to use on $10.  I searched the clearance section and found Christmas items in July, they had a sleep set on clearance for $10.80 so I paid 80 cents plus tax for a gift.  Don’t forget the JCP awesome clearance sales.  I purchased a great brand of Sleep pants for $3 each and I got 4 for $12 used a $10 free money and paid $2 plus tax.  SO be creative and you can get great gifts year round.

  If you have a new baby, child that graduated, went to prom, or just a cute kid, a great way to present a gift is to go to Yankee Candle and get a personalized candle.  You just pick out your candle and for approx. $5 you can use a photo from your phone and make a personalized photo candle.  I gave one as a gift and the gift receiver loved it.  I also received one as a gift from my kiddo and loved it.  I especially like that once I use the candle I can use the jar to hold items like pennies, hair ties or anything small that needs a home.  Remember when you go to Yankee Candle to use your Fan Club email.  The Yankee Fan club is free to join and allows you to earn points with every purchase and then you earn gift certificates.  I have earned a bunch and use them to purchase more gifts

I hope you take advantage of these suggestions and come January which is just 5 months away, start your savings and get an early start.  Happy Shopping!!

Chicken Wings

I have a Power XL Air Fryer and I bake Chicken Wings all the time.  I love a good Buffalo Wing, but sometimes I like to switch things up.  In this post I will give you a few air fry tips and topping suggestions.  I hope you give them a try.

To make Air Fryer Wings I add 12 at a time and cook on the pre adjusted chicken timer on my fryer.  After they are done, I usually shake the basket drain all water and fat and cook a full second time.  I notice this gives a crisp fried tasting chicken wing.  You could fry them or bake them too if you don’t have an air fryer.  If you have a different brand air fryer, make yours per your units directions.

Now for the topping.  Once the wings are fully cooked remove from fryer and add a few tablespoons Franks Red Hot Stingin’ Honey Garlic Sauce.  Just from the bottle is the way to go to make a great chicken wing.  Alternatively you can also try a dry wing by sprinkling wings with Old Bay seasoning.

Now this may not be a traditional recipe, more like suggestions, but sometimes its fun to play with flavors.

Enjoy!!