The frugal gourmet

JustJo · 07-07-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by femmennoir

I got more currants and some cherries, and will do another batch of crème de cassis and cassis/cherry jam, which is incredible! I also got yesterday at the green market huge bouquets of basil and cilantro for $2 a piece, and just finished making pesto: I used a mixture of nuts I already had (almonds, cashews and pistachios), olive oil, garlic, sea salt and fresh ground pepper, with Parmiggiano for the basil pesto, and habañero pepper for the cilantro. I need to get freezer labels, because otherwise I will have some surprises! I love the summer, when I can preserve my own stuff! Cheaper, satisfying to make, and oh! so much tastier!

Elle*, who needs to bake some banana somethings, because I had to defrost some I had thrown into the freezer to make room for the pesto!

Oh my gosh, this pesto sounds fantastic...and what a bargain compared to what you pay for a little jar in the store. I've never made it, but I think I'm going to need to try. Do you know how long it will keep frozen?

Chancie · 07-07-2010, 08:37 AM

Has anyone had any luck making fat free pesto?

femmennoir · 07-07-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chancie

Has anyone had any luck making fat free pesto?

Chancie,
It might not be a traditional pesto, but you can freeze basil chopped very fine in your cuisinart with a little water, just enough to wet it, and add the nuts and cheese. Freeze in ice cube trays, then you can store in freezer bags.

Elle*

femmennoir · 07-07-2010, 09:24 AM

And now about those frozen bananas! I always buy more than I can eat and since I am frugal, I throw them in the freezer before it's too late! But I am not a fan of banana bread, so usually they stay there until I get annoyed and put them in the compost!
So! I went to MarthaStewart.com (Love her), and of course, bingo! Banana/yogurt/blueberry popsicles!
Very easy, I had all the ingredients in the house: one and a half cup Greek yogurt and a cup blueberries, juice of one lemon, three tablespoons sugar, and of course, 1lb bananas. Blend it all in your trusted cuisinart, and voilà! I had bought on sale at Williams-Sonoma a popsicle maker (four years ago!) which I have never used, and so, presto! I licked the spoon it was so good!
Merci, Martha! Once again, you came to the rescue!

Elle*
P.S. I would strain yogurt a little if it were not Greek yogurt, because it makes the popsicles creamier and more sinful!

Bit · 07-07-2010, 02:22 PM

We found a blender on sale for $19, Greek yogurt on sale for $3, and cherries on sale for $2 a pound.

Smoooooothie time!!!!!

Ice cubes
Greek yogurt (honey flavored)
fresh Bing cherries
a little sugar

I didn't measure anything so this is just a guesstimate, but I think it was about six ounces of yogurt, a tablespoon of sugar, and somewhere between a quarter to a half a cup of cherry halves (after I pitted them). I used three ice cubes and that was one or two too many but I didn't care!

It works out to about $2 a smoothie, with lots of cherries leftover.

Ursy · 07-12-2010, 05:49 AM

Made this today, loved it, so I thought I'd share - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fresh-Pea-Soup/Detail.aspx

Oh, but I used frozen peas - it was still wonderful.
I am in love with simplicity

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 medium shallots, finely chopped
2 cups water
3 cups fresh shelled green peas
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons whipping cream (optional)
Directions

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook the shallots until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Pour in the water and peas, season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the peas are tender, 12 to 18 minutes.
Puree the peas in a blender or food processor in batches. Strain back into the saucepan, stir in the cream if using, and reheat. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

Ursy · 07-12-2010, 07:13 AM

Oops, probably ought to mention that I added some stock powder to the soup... and some rosemary that I had on hand.

Fancy · 07-12-2010, 07:15 AM

Maybe a little off the topic, but I love grilling in the summer. When it's warm out, it's almost a must to get out of the stuffy kitchen and throw something on the fire outside. I delight in finding new things I like to grill, so here's what came out of this weekend....

* Corn on the cob - cooked - then cut off the cob
* Sliced long-ways and grilled zucchini - then cut into smaller pieces
* A dash of Montreal Steak seasoning
* Mix it all together and toss it in the fridge
* Toss in fresh - chopped up tomato just before eating it

It was simple, and my taste buds are smiling.

femmennoir · 07-07-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJo

Oh my gosh, this pesto sounds fantastic...and what a bargain compared to what you pay for a little jar in the store. I've never made it, but I think I'm going to need to try. Do you know how long it will keep frozen?

It will keep up to 6 months, after that, it might not be the freshest, but could still be used in soups, stews, etc....

The cilantro one I just made up on the spot because I could not resist the beautiful cilantro...It might not last as long, but in any case, it will all be long gone after two or three months!

Elle*

07-07-2010, 09:24 AM	#4
femmennoir Member How Do You Identify?: femme, naturellement Preferred Pronoun?: Elle Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: new york Posts: 686 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 76 Thanked 1,223 Times in 478 Posts Rep Power: 5661332	And now about those frozen bananas! I always buy more than I can eat and since I am frugal, I throw them in the freezer before it's too late! But I am not a fan of banana bread, so usually they stay there until I get annoyed and put them in the compost! So! I went to MarthaStewart.com (Love her), and of course, bingo! Banana/yogurt/blueberry popsicles! Very easy, I had all the ingredients in the house: one and a half cup Greek yogurt and a cup blueberries, juice of one lemon, three tablespoons sugar, and of course, 1lb bananas. Blend it all in your trusted cuisinart, and voilà! I had bought on sale at Williams-Sonoma a popsicle maker (four years ago!) which I have never used, and so, presto! I licked the spoon it was so good! Merci, Martha! Once again, you came to the rescue! Elle* P.S. I would strain yogurt a little if it were not Greek yogurt, because it makes the popsicles creamier and more sinful! __________________ You will hear thunder and remember me, And think: she wanted storms. The rim Of the sky will be the colour of hard crimson, And your heart, as it was then, will be on fire. Anna Akhmatova "White nights"

07-12-2010, 05:49 AM	#6
Ursy Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: Engaged Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 274 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 606 Thanked 661 Times in 206 Posts Rep Power: 2127933	Fresh pea soup - Potage Saint-Germain Made this today, loved it, so I thought I'd share - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fresh-Pea-Soup/Detail.aspx Oh, but I used frozen peas - it was still wonderful. I am in love with simplicity Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter 2 medium shallots, finely chopped 2 cups water 3 cups fresh shelled green peas salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons whipping cream (optional) Directions Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Cook the shallots until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Pour in the water and peas, season to taste with salt and pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the peas are tender, 12 to 18 minutes. Puree the peas in a blender or food processor in batches. Strain back into the saucepan, stir in the cream if using, and reheat. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving. __________________ My art My Zazzle My Printfection

07-12-2010, 07:13 AM	#7
Ursy Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: Engaged Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 274 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 606 Thanked 661 Times in 206 Posts Rep Power: 2127933	Oops, probably ought to mention that I added some stock powder to the soup... and some rosemary that I had on hand. __________________ My art My Zazzle My Printfection

07-07-2010, 08:37 AM	#2
Chancie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: queer femme-inist Relationship Status: I'm lucky. Join Date: May 2010 Location: Western Mass Posts: 3,774 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,518 Thanked 14,540 Times in 2,744 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Has anyone had any luck making fat free pesto?

07-07-2010, 02:22 PM	#5
Bit Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Stonefemme Relationship Status: married to Gryph Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 2,177 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,126 Thanked 3,770 Times in 1,264 Posts Rep Power: 10778870	We found a blender on sale for $19, Greek yogurt on sale for $3, and cherries on sale for $2 a pound. Smoooooothie time!!!!! Ice cubes Greek yogurt (honey flavored) fresh Bing cherries a little sugar I didn't measure anything so this is just a guesstimate, but I think it was about six ounces of yogurt, a tablespoon of sugar, and somewhere between a quarter to a half a cup of cherry halves (after I pitted them). I used three ice cubes and that was one or two too many but I didn't care! It works out to about $2 a smoothie, with lots of cherries leftover.

07-12-2010, 07:15 AM	#8
Fancy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: N/A Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NY Posts: 3,742 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 7,696 Thanked 7,076 Times in 2,316 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Maybe a little off the topic, but I love grilling in the summer. When it's warm out, it's almost a must to get out of the stuffy kitchen and throw something on the fire outside. I delight in finding new things I like to grill, so here's what came out of this weekend.... * Corn on the cob - cooked - then cut off the cob * Sliced long-ways and grilled zucchini - then cut into smaller pieces * A dash of Montreal Steak seasoning * Mix it all together and toss it in the fridge * Toss in fresh - chopped up tomato just before eating it It was simple, and my taste buds are smiling.