{Money Saving Tips}: Make Your Own Food

Americans spend a TON of dough (no pun intended!) on food! It's true!

Why not do yourself a favor by saving some money and make your own foods. It's easier on the wallet AND your body. If you're cutting out a lot of processed, additive filled foods, you're doing your body some good. You may think it's time consuming but au contraire!!

Below you'll find some easy, and delicious recipes to make your own goodies!!

 

Homemade Peanut Butter

Ingredients

2 cups dry roasted peanuts

1-1/2 tsp organic oil (like peanut, olive, or veggie oil)...this is optional

salt (also optional)

 

Pour peanuts into your food processor or blender.  Chop continusouly for 2-3 minutes.  If you like your peanut butter really smooth, add a little oil to the mix to get it to the desired consistency.   Add salt for taste.  Store in the refrigerator. 

 

 

Homemade Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cups of flour (plus more for dusting)
• ¼ tsp yeast (yes, only ¼ tsp)
• 1 ¼ tsp salt
• 1 5/8 cups water 

Time Estimates

Prep time: 15 min, plus 18 hours to set, and 2 hours to rise  

Cook time: 25 min  

Total time: 40 min  

 

How is it done?

1. Mix all ingredients together and put in bowl covered in plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature for about 18 hours or until the dough is dotted with bubbles.
2. Place dough on a floured surface. Turn it over a couple of times on itself, cover with plastic again and let sit for 15 minutes.
3. Form the dough into a ball and place on well-floured cotton towel. Cover with another cotton towel. Let it raise for two hours.
4. Place in a pot with a lid that has been heated in a 450 degree oven and let bake.

 

Homemade Pasta Sauce
Ingredients

• 1 1/2  med bell pepper; diced
• 1 1/2 med onion; diced
• 3 cloves garlic; minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cups plum tomatoes; diced (I used a combo of plum and slicing)
• 3 tablespoons parsley; fresh, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons oregano; fresh, chopped
• 4 tablespoons basil; fresh, chopped
• 3 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

 

 

Time Estimates

Prep time: 10 min  

Cook time: 30 min  

Total time: 40 min  

 

Directions

1. Saute onion, bell pepper and garlic in oil until soft.
2. Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Serve over hot pasta.

 

Yield

Makes about 6 cups of sauce

 

Notes

All ingredients may be adjusted to taste.

Appropriate amounts of dried herbs may be substituted for fresh.

Regular tomatoes may be substituted for plum, but sauce will be soupier.

 

Homemade Baby Food
Check out my friend's, Anne, post over at Simply Savvy Supermom on how she makes organic baby food for her little one. She gives you a price break down of how much money you're saving each month by making your own baby food for your sweet baby!!

 

Homemade BBQ Sauce
Head over HERE to find 3 easy recipes for 3 different, yet basic, BBQ recipes! They all sound super yummy!

 

 

Easy Homemade Ice Cream