The best beer batter for fish or vegetables.

 

This is a great simple batter that we use for fish, vegetables or anything that we want to deep fry

 

 

 

 

 

Basic beer batter


1 cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
1 Tablespoon paprika
1/2 Tablespoon Salt
1/2 Tablespoon ground black pepper
Mix these dry ingredients together in a large bowl.

Add to the dry ingredients:

1 large egg
1 1/2 cups beer (12 ounce bottle or can)

Whisk until a smooth batter is formed


Happy frying!  

Cut your grocery bill.

Feeding a family on a budget can be such a challenge. It seems that lately at our house the budget is shrinking as the cost of food and other supplies are rising at a rapid rate, but never fear there is hope.  There light at the end of the tunnel.

 

 

Money saving mom, Crystal Paine has partnered up with some incredible people to bring you Grocery University.  I have been a follower of Crystal and her blog  for about 5 years. It began as I embarked upon learning how to coupon and how to save money. During the process I stumbled upon her blog and have not looked back. I have learned many a skill from her writings. She is a true inspiration.


The information that she and her associates share should prove itself invaluable.  They have spent many years learning how to win at the "grocery game"  They are ready and willing to share and teach others the skills that they have spent a lifetime learning by trial and error.  I am grateful for those who have learned and are willing to help me so that I don't have to learn by trial and error. I love having someone that will help me see and avoid the most common traps and pitfalls.


You can get your own Grocery University Course by clicking the link below.


 
                                                                

It gets even better!  They are launching a brand new updated version of the course TOMMORROW: Tuesday August 19th. 

Mark your Calendar (and your alarm) 
Tuesday August 19th
Beginning at  5 am central time


5 am price is $2.97
8 am pricing is $3.97
11 am $4.97
2 pm   $5.97
5 pm   $6.97
8 pm   $7.97
11 pm  $8.97

 
Happy shopping

This post contains affiliate links.  You can read the full disclosure by clicking on the privacy policy tab at the top of the page.  

How to remove chewing gum from about anything.

Chewing gum, what a sticky icky mess when it gets in places it does not belong, but never fear, there is an easy and economical way to remove chewing gum from almost anything.

Who knew, that peanut butter could unstick the gum from nearly anything

Peanut butter will remove gum from things like:

Carpet, and tile
Clothing
Furniture
Hair
even a bubble popped on the face and into the eyebrows can be cleaned with peanut butter



The oils in peanut butter have a way of neutralizing the sticky part of the chewing gum. It begins to dissolve the chewing gum into a soft and almost slippery mass that is then easily removed from whatever it is stuck to. 


It is really easy to do:  Just smear the peanut butter over the gum and rub it in.  Let it sit for a minute or two then work the gum and peanut butter mass loose with your fingers.  

I have used this trick on several occasions and it works perfectly.  The only trouble is getting rid of the grease stain that can be left from the peanut butter.  I have found that on carpet, clothing and other items that Dawn dish soap is a great agent for getting rid of the leftover peanut butter residue. 


I saved my favorite blouse this way and I have saved several children and parents from the frustrating thoughts of having to cut the gum from hair.  I hope that this helps.

 

Disclaimer:  Please use this at your own risk. The peanut butter could stain some items.  I would not use it on a dry clean only items.  

Making wontons

Wontons have become one of the new obsessions at our house.  Several times a month we make them.  My daughters love to help fill and fold them. It makes for some fun times and great conversation as we cook together.  I love spending time with the kids in the kitchen.
 

To make wontons you will need

1 package of store bought wonton wrappers
about 1/3cup filling per dozen wontons
oil for frying
Sauce for dipping


You can fill wontons with just about anything you desire.
Here are some of our favorite fillings




 
Crab Rangoon   makes about 36 wontons

4 ounces of softened cream cheese
1 clove finely minced garlic
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
3/4 cup flaked crab meat 


Mix softened cream cheese with spices. Then fold in the crab (can use fresh crab, imitation crab, or canned crab meat)





Pork wonton filling   makes about 50 wontons

1/2 pound ground pork
2/3 cup finely chopped celery
2/3 cup grated carrots
2/3 cup grated onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons sesame oil


Heat the sesame oil in a small skillet over medium high heat.  Add the pork and vegetables. Cook for about 2 minutes until the vegetables wilt and the pork is nearly cooked.  Add the garlic, pepper, and soy sauce. Cook the mix for about a minute more.  Remove from the heat and cool until it can be handled easily. 





To make the wontons,

Place about a teaspoon of filling into the middle of a wonton wrapper

 

Wet the edges of the wonton wrapper with a clean paintbrush or your finger dipped in water
Fold the wrapper in half (corner to corner) to create a triangle shape and press to seal the filling inside.

Some people leave them just like this and cook them but we take it one step further,

Take the top corners and bring them together and press them with a dab of water to create a tortellini type shape. 

Once they are filled you can pan fry, deep fry, or bake them in the oven for a crispy treat. 



We usually pan fry them. 

To  pan fry the wontons:  Heat oil about 3/4 of an inch deep over high heat for about 2 minutes, then carefully place the filled wontons in the hot oil cooking about 2 minutes per side.  If they are browning too fast, adjust the heat down a bit.  Drain on paper towels.  Can be kept warm in a 200 degree oven



To deep fry wontons:  Heat the pot of oil to 365 degrees and cook the wontons about 4 minutes (If the oil is deep they will float when done)


To bake the wontons:  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, Place the wontons on the baking sheet and brush with oil (or spray heavily with a spray oil)   Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6-8 minutes.



Serve wontons with your favorite dipping sauce. 

photo taken from taste of home website

Be on the lookout as we will be posting some of our favorite choices for dipping sauces in an upcoming post.