Netta's NICHE- French Fry Salad

The name slips my mind.

It was a small restaurant on a main street of a fairly small town.

We were newly weds and would eat at that little place once in a while.

They served it there.

All these years later, a version of that dish sometimes shows up on my

 weekly menus.   The little restaurant called it STEAK SALAD!

If you know me well, you know that ANYTHING with STEAK on it

if gunna be on the top of my list!  mmmm

So salad with steak... awesome.

BUT... the real zinger here is what was served around the edges

of that giant steak salad.... FRENCH FRIES!

Today we don't have steak in our salad too often, but we do

have salads for lunch. No one gets excited about that.

BUT... if it's salad with FRENCH FRIES on the top...

well, that's reason for a jumping for joy!

Here's the ridiculously easy way to make those Joy-inducing fries:

The thinner you cut them the quicker they cook.

Usually I toss'um in Oil, salt & garlic powder.

Today I used a bit of leftover pasta sauce, oil & seasoning salt.

Turned out pretty good.

(Plain oil version is our fav)

Spread on baking sheet. Cook at 425 degrees

for approx. 30-45 min. Turn once.

(If you want them crispier, turn on the

broiler for a couple minutes. DO NOT

walk away!  They'll burn in seconds!...

not that I've ever done that or anything.

hee hee)

Serve on top of a tossed green salad.

(Our family uses Ranch, Bleu Cheese or

Thousand Island Dressing on it.)

Mmmm

Netta's NICHE- Use THAT for WHAT?

These are NOT original.

Truthfully, I have no idea where I got most of these ideas.

Perhaps one or more of them will save you time and/or money.

Gel dishwasher detergent is good for...

- Cleaning tiles & grout in bathroom (rinse well)

- Cleaning inside toilet bowls

- Bleach for Laundry (Can apply directly to stain

on WHITES only! or add to water for whites)

Rubbing Alcohol works well in a squirt bottle for...

- cleaning mirrors

- cleaning windows

- cleaning sinks, countertops, tiles

- cleaning toilets

- Add 1 pt Peroxide to 1 pt rubbing alcohol & spray

on cuts & scraps (kills infection)

- Add above mixture to swimmers ear or ear aches

(the bubbly noise is kinda fun, too)

NOTE: a well ventilated room is needed when using

this to clean... the strong smell doesn't last long, but

it IS strong.

Happy Weekend!

Netta's Niche - Quick Kitchen Fixes

Here's a few quick ideas to spice up things.

FRUIT DIP





Sour Cream

Brown Sugar

(dot of vanilla, optional)

Mix until it's smooth & brown.
It'll be kinda runny,
but so good for
apples, grapes, etc...





HOT CHOCOLATE
Sugar Free & Fat Free but full of yumminess!



2/3 C nonfat powdered milk

1 T cocoa powder

2 T Splenda (or other sweetener)

1 1/2 - 2 C Boiling Water

dash of salt
Optional - dot of vanilla
1 t of creamer



I mix the dry ingredients together first... mix'um well.
Then add hot water & any liquid flavoring you desire.
Stir... alot & often.

But mmm, so yummy & much cheaper than hot chocolate
packages... especially when you have a house full of
kids. When ONE asks for hot chocolate they all ask for it!

mmm

DIY Confessions

Secret Confessions... that are no longer secrets:













1. My creativity far exceeds my actual ability

2. Storage tubs tucked around my house are filled with supplies
from projects I was dying to do... but didn't... yet :)

3. Most DIY projects I actually complete appear to be completely DYI

4. I have a secret desire to own, learn & master power tools...
(my Dad would be proud!)

5. I once patched a huge wall full of screw holes with tooth paste.
Following a good sanding & paint job... well, it looked great!
(my Master-drywaller-Dad would be horrified, and then proud!)

In a time where "do it yourself" means you're cool, creative
and a good steward of your resources, I have a few thoughts
on the subject.... as I'm sure you do, too. So...
YOU GO FIRST!

What projects have you done/will be doing yourself?
Have you always done that?
How did you learn them?
Why do you do them?
Are you satisfied with the finished product?

(NOTE: if you're having trouble leaving a comment
because you don't have a blog, that's OK.
Please make sure that you've selected "anonymous"
below the comment area.)

In a couple of days I'll be posting some things that
JESUS wants us to do ourselves!

AND... if you'd like to see a few pics of some of my more recent
"DIY" projects, click here, or over on the right side bar click
"Netta's NICHE."

(Another NOTE: if you're reading this on your email,
you can click on the title of this blog & it should take you
to my actual blogsite.)

Let us all know about your DIY Projects!

Netta's Niche - Laundry Bags

A few months ago I decided that the
"ghetto-rigged" laundry shoot I made
out of a duct pipe & duct tape suspended down
the basement stairs just wasn't doing the
job anymore. We needed laundry hampers/bags
in each bedroom.

But there's a couple of problems with that...
1. Bedrooms are SO small
2. Even if I got laundry bags for $5 each
that's still more money than I wanna spend.
(and the $5 bags are ugly, too)

SOLUTION....

Quickly made laundry bags sewn from
old clothes, used sheets and unused fabric
from previous projects.



















The boys' bag (pic above) is made from the
pantlegs of husband's old jeans.






















This one was a designer flat sheet (above)
I got for $5 about 5 years ago. It was
made into a crib dust ruffle & curtain
trim. Now it's been remade once more
into a laundry bag for our room.























This adorable little bag is the one I
DID NOT make... because my sweet
daughter, Zoe (pictured), made it herself
for her room. She used fabric from our
huge storage tubs filled with leftovers &
unused portions of fabric.

I'm so proud of her! (and special thanks to
our friend, Jennifer, you has truly taught
all three of girls to sew beautiful things
with great skill and precision!)

So, the final cost of our new laundry bags...
$0 out of pocket!

YES!
(and it's a "Green" project, too... recycling at it best!)


Final note- My older girls do their own laundry and
have their own baskets & systems for doing it!
Training & delegating at work!

Grill Master Mighty White- Netta's NICHE

The grill calls to me.... it taunts me to try new things!
So, I've given in this summer.
Besides the regular grilled chicken, and ham
and pineapple kababs & fat french fries, we've also made pizza.
(Just because it's summer doesn't mean we can just
abandon our "Finger Food Friday" tradition!)

















Regular sized pizza.
Single serving sized pizzas.
and pizza turnovers (small calzones!).


















Success!
Sweet Success!















(The little calzones are the family's fav of all
grilled pizza-type foods. We dipped'um in
some spaghetti sauce for added yummy-ness!)


I'm still planning to grill some fruit and
possibly even try to make some kinda dessert! mmm

It's starting to feel like just about anything can be
made on the GRiLL!

Menu Plan Monday

Hey, I just joined up with a bunch of other
sites that post their menu plans each Monday
on Happy Homemaker.
Since that's the day I usually plan our menu, I
thought I'd post my plans, too!

Keep in mind that pretty much everything
we eat can be purchased at Aldi... and even
their produce section has improved this summer
and we're getting those items there, too.

Also, keep in mind that we often have our big meal
at noon and a smaller one in the evening....
and I don't list breakfast by day.



Breakfast Options:
- Cereal
- W. Wheat Waffles w/ berries & yogurt
- W. Wheat Pankcakes w/ Peanutbutter & syrup
- Scrambled eggs & cheese

MONDAY
Lunch- Brunch of Scrambled Eggs w/leftover
Roast & Potatoes

Dinner- Out

TUESDAY
Lunch- Creamy Potato & Corn Chowder
in crock pot w/crusty bread

Dinner- Grilled Chicken & Veggies, Rice

WEDNESDAY
Lunch - Taco Bowls (taco ingredients + corn over rice
and tortilla chips)

Dinner - Chicken Salad Sandwiches, carrots

THURSDAY
Lunch- Car Picnic of lunch meat sandwiches
(This means we eat while running errands)

Dinner- Ham & Pineapple Kabobs, Rice
grilled peaches

FRIDAY
Lunch - ABC Sandwiches, tomatoes, chips

Dinner- Grilled personal pizzas

SATURDAY
Lunch - Smothered Green burritos, corn
Rice

Dinner- Homemade Lunchables

SUNDAY
Lunch- Salsbury Steak in Crock Pot
Potatoes to mash in #2 Crock Pot

Dinner- Mac & Cheese, Watermelon

Remember to check out all the other menu ideas
at Happy Homemaker.

Netta's Niche - Favorite Recipes

EDIT:
My friend, Sarah, pointed out that I had listed salt
twice on the Choc. Cake recipe. Only add it once!
I updated the recipe.
THANKS, Sarah!!!!

Jesus has done such amazing things in so many lives this weekend...
and He's teaching me new things about getting out of the classic
procrastination mode that plagues certain areas of my life.

HOWEVER, more about that later! (is anyone else finding that
funny, or just me!? ha!)

Seriously, though, writing about that takes more concentration
than my home/life will allow at the moment. Instead, I'll answer
the request of several of my Facebook friends who have requested
some recipes. (Not that I'm a famous cook, just a constant, frugal
one with lotsa people to keep fed and hopefully some even happy!
Keeping all 7 of us pleased about the menu is not always possible!)

Every home needs a crock pot (slow cooker!).
Here's a couple of my favorites and then some other recipes, too.

CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS
my version of a recipe taken from this cookbook...







4-6 boneless chicken breasts
4 chicken bouillon cubes
4 cups of water
2 or 3 celery sticks cut into small pieces
4 or more carrots cut into small round slices
salt
pepper
oregano and/or italian seasonings
Also, left over corn or peas are yummy, too.

DUMPLINGS:
1 recipe for biscuits
(you can use bisquick, I just make'um homemade)

Put all ingredients EXCEPT DUMPLINGS into
crock pot and cook for approx. 6-8 hrs. on low.
Then, turn on High and add spoonfuls of dumpling
mix to the top of cooked chicken mixture.
Cover & cook for approx. 35 minutes.
Don't open the lid until biscuits are done.

Serve immediately.
______________________________________________



NETTA'S CHICKEN GUMBO
click here



______________________________________________
CROCK POT SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS
2 bags of Turkey Meatballs (from Aldi)
2 jars of pasta sauce & 1/2 jar of water
extra Italian Seasonings

Cook on low for at least 4 hrs.
Since the meatballs are already cooked, the
crockpot thaws them out and the flavors of
meat & sauce blend together.

Then serve over spaghetti noodles
(I cook them ahead of time & store them in the frig with
some olive oil mixed in. Then I just nuke'um up & serve)
Crazy Easy!


_____________________________________________

SUNDAY ROAST
(Our weekly tradition that dates back to my childhood, except my Mom
put it in the oven on time bake. But I'm addicted to the Crock Pot!)

Any cut & size of Beef Roast (cheap cuts work fine!)
Season with steak pepper, onion & garlic powder and
braise on a hot skillet.
(Braise means to brown on the outside for a couple of
minutes per side. This keeps the juices in while it's roasting.)

Fill crock pot 2/3 full of potatoes cut into lg. chunks
and carrots cut into large pieces
and sliced or diced onion
Place braised beef on the top and add at least 1 Cup of liquid.
Cook for at least 6 hrs. on high or much longer on low.

Liquid ideas:
water, flat cola, beef broth, 1 bouillon cubes & 1 C water
or even tomato juice or dice tomotatoes

When you get home from church, mmm, the smell meets you
before you even open the door! It's ready! NO WAITING!


______________________________________________

RANCH DORITO CASSEROLE
(I made this up based on an idea from my Husband! and his
Mom's Beef Doritos Casserole)

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken, cooked & shredded or diced
1 can (15 oz) cream corn
2 cans (15 oz) cream of chicken soup
4 oz green chili or green salsa verde
1/2 C (or more) of Ranch Dressings
1 bag of Ranch flavored Doritos, crushed (my boys like doing this!)
1/2 (or more) C Shredded cheese
Minced onion (or onion powder)
garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin

-Mix everything EXCEPT CHEESE, together
-Place in greased 9x13 pan
-Cover the top with cheese
-Bake at 350 f approx 30 min.
Longer if everything is cold to begin with

Yummy to serve with rice and cornbread, sliced tomatoes
and ice-tea. mmmm


______________________________________________
CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
(My Mom & friend, Jodi, make this more than I do!)
Yummy!

1 onion chopped
garlic powder or minced garlic
1 T olive oil
2 t chili powder
1 t oregano
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes or diced works, too
5 chicken bouillon cubes
5 C water
1 can corn
1 can hominy (or just use another can of corn)
1 4 oz. can chopped green chili peppers
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked & chopped or shredded
crushed tortilla chips
Mexican flavored cheese (or any other shredded cheese)

Mix everything EXCEPT fresh cilantro.
Cook on MED heat until almost boiling.

Serve with crushed tortilla chips, fresh cilantro and shredded
cheese.


______________________________________________

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CHIP CAKE
(My Mom used to pack 2 pieces of this in my lunch cuz my friend,
Wendy, & I LOVED this cake. I still make it... often! mmm)

Mix- 1 & 3/4 C boiling water with 1 C uncooked oatmeal
let it sit for 10 minutes

Mix- 1 C brown sugar 1 C sugar
1 stick of butter 2 eggs

Stir together-
1 & 3/4 C flour
1 t baking soda 1/2 t salt
1 T cocoa powder

Add ALL three mixtures together and stir in 1/2 bag of
chocolate chips. Pour into 9x13 greased pan and the
sprinkle remaining 1/2 of choc. chips on the top.
(You can also add crushed walnuts on the top)

Bake at 350 for approx. 40 minutes.

Do NOT frost this cake. It stands alone!
(And makes any day a party! Right, Wendy?)
_______________________________________________

Netta's Niche- FINGER FOOD FRIDAY

Many years ago... when we only had 2 girls
and lived in Y-town Ohio... we started a weekly
tradition...
FINGER FOOD FRIDAY!

Not any old finger-food, however...
our favorite is Homemade Pizza!
I started making the dough, then
the kids shape it and add their own
ingredients. Or sometimes we just
make two big pizzas!

Over the last 10 years I've changed the
recipe to suit us.

Here's it is... mmmm.. .and Heathly, too!


Netta's PIZZA DOUGH

(you'll need a "dough" beater on your
mixer... or you can use this in a bread
machine, too!)

2 ¼ C warm water
3 T olive oil
3 1/3 C whole wheat flour
3 1/3 C flour
1 tsp. salt
oregano, basil, garlic powder
3 tsp. dry yeast (approx. 2 pkg)

Add the ingredients to the mixing
bowl in the order they're listed above.
Mix with dough beater until well
blended. Cover with a clean dish towel
and let it raise for about 1 1/2 hour.

Pinch dough into 2 parts and spread
onto 2 pizza pans
(or even a cookie sheets with work).
Add toppings & bake for 10-15 minutes
on 425 degrees.

Our favorite topping:
-olive oil (no tomato sauce)
-pizza & pasta seasoning (Aldi)
-sliced black olives
-diced green peppers
-fresh spinach
-sliced tomatoes
-tiny bits of broccoli
-diced onion
-TONS of mozzarella cheese

Give it a try... add the toppings you like..
or experiment with new ones!

I'd love to hear how it goes!

Currently Listening Juice Box Heroes By Imagination Movers

Netta's Niche- Chicken Gumbo

• Netta Niche'- Chicken Gumbo

  Several years ago my wonderful friend, Denise, gave me
  a MOST needed gift... a huge crock pot with a
  "Fix it and Forget it" cookbook.
  (It's her b-day today... I'm so grateful
  for you, Denise! Happy Birthday!)
  It's a gift ALL ladies,
  moms,
  people-in-ministry,
  single guys,
  well, basically everyone should have!
  
  All those years ago I started making a dish from that
  cook book... but as time went on I changed it, adapted it
  and have "perfected" it for OUR family.
  It's quick,
  it's easy,
  it's not expensive,
  it's good for you!
  
  CHICKEN GUMBO (Chilton Style)
  1 onion chopped
  1-2 Tbl minced garlic
  1 lb. pkg frozen sliced okra
  2 cans diced tomates
  2 cans water
  3 or 4 chicken bullion cubes
  5-6 boneless, skinless chicken tenders
  2 or more Tbl of cajun seasoning
  
  Crock Pot instructions: put everything
  in the slow cooker & cook on low for
  approx. 6 hrs.
  Serve over cooked rice.
  
  Stove Top instructions:
  In a stock pot cook thawed chicken, onion
  and garlic on high for several minutes.
  Add all other ingredients and cook on low
  for approx. 2 hrs.
  Serve over cooked rice.
  
  Thanks, Denise, for the gift of SLOW COOKING!
  Love you and miss you, My Friend!
  
  
  
  

  Currently Reading Fix-it And Forget-it Recipes For Entertaining By Phyllis Pellman Good

• 
  

Dinner for a Dollar!

Ok, I told you earlier that I'd read an article in Newsweek, Oct. 6th
issue, entitled "Flowers from Uncle Sam." The author,
from Baltimore, stated that her family of four (2 adults, 2 kids)
wasw now exceeding $1,000 a month for groceries!
WHAT???
That means that each person was eating $3 per meal 3x a day.

As a stay-home-Mom it's my job to save money, and slashing the
grocery bills without killing the palate while still making
healthy choices makes for FUN and challenge!

I've been tracking our family's food budget for years, but in the
springtime of this year I decided to experiment by boycotting the
large, mega-mart grocery stores
(weekly sales ads & time-consuming coupon cutting)
in favor of Aldi and Save-a-Lot and an
occasional trip to the amazing farmer's market.
GOOD CHOICE!

We have SEVEN in our family:
High Schooler,
Jr. Higher,
Elementary-aged,
Preschooler, Toddler
and Mom & Dad.
(and pretty often there's a friend or two at the table, also
but I didn't count that in my figures.)

Careful examination & calculations of my "Aldi Experiment"
have revealed that in our family,
seven people eat 3 daily meals for an average of...
dun, dun, dun...
$1 per meal!

It's actually even less than that because our weekly
grocery bill also includes diapers, pull-ups, most cleaning
supplies, laundry supplies and about 1/3 of our toiletries.
(but I didn't wanna figure all that out!)

"Thank You, Jesus, for helping us in the daily, ordinary
parts of our lives!"

In future blogs-entitled "Netta's Niche"- I'd love to share
my menus, recipes & ideas so that you won't be blaming
Uncle Sam for your crazy-high grocery bills.

Here's a recipe that was used in ALL YOU Magazine
in September. Taco Bowls

THAT'S INSANE!!!

I just read in Newsweek Magazine about an average family
of 4 (2 kids 2 adults) spends $1000 a month on groceries!
(and she was blaming the economy!)

WHAT?

THAT'S INSANE!

Stay tuned.... I have quite a lot to say about that.
My JOB is saving money... and since groceries
are a HUGE part of that...
well, yeah...
I have QUITE a lot to say.

Stay tuned.

Currently Reading The Shape of Mercy: A Novel By Susan Meissner

Netta's NICHE- Wholewheat & Oatmeal Banana Pancakes

My number one focus/ministry/calling is my family.
Taking care of my husband and children tops all!

There's a whole subculture of interesting blogs,
sites, magazines, TV shows, etc that tell us how
to live better, more efficiently and within a budget.

SO... I've decided that from time to time I'll post
a segment entitled "Netta's Niche" which will
be my take on something that's either
- timesaving
-money-saving
-healthy
-creative
-fun! etc...etc...etc....

My first NICHE is a recipe I've experimented with
for several months... and finally "perfected" a few
weeks ago! It's my attempt to make my favorite
breakfast food healthier!


WHOLEWHEAT & OATMEAL BANANA PANCAKES
1 C wholewheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 T Splenda (optional)
1 1/2 C quick oatmeal
2 eggs , beaten
1 3/4 C skim milk
1/4 C mashed banana

Mix well.
Cook on hot griddle (use cooking spray).

We like to top these with natural peanutbutter.
(Aldi's sells it now! yum)
And then we do put syrup on it (hey, it's MY niche!)
and you CAN buy LITE syrup.

Other TIPS:
1. Bananas can be put in the freezer when they get
spotted. Then defrost them when you're ready to cook with them.
They'll be all mushy and weird-looking, but they're perfect for cooking!

2. Skim Milk can be made from powdered skim milk.
It saves money and it always handy.
1/3 C powdered milk + 1 C water = 1 C milk

3. Wholewheat flour is pricey! You can mix 1/2 white
and 1/2 wheat for just about any recipe.

Happy Monday!