Baked Bombers (Beans)

Baked beans were always on the table at family gatherings in the summer when I grew up.  Ladies exchanged recipes, especially for the tangy tasting ones.  My brother and his wife shared this recipe with me back in the mid-'90s.

Bakes beans go so well with ham, burgers or hot dogs.  I watch for canned bean sales and stock up on the inexpensive "pork and beans" type, then doctor them up adding more bacon and ingredients that fire them up!  

I also pressure cook dried beans, pinto or kidney, and use them from time to time. They freeze well after cooking and are even less expensive than canned beans and great for other recipes.

For a quick supper side dish for two, use one can of beans and jazz them up with ingredients below, cutting down on measurements. For a crowd, use the full recipe.

Baked Bombers (Beans)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 pound chopped bacon
3, 15 oz. of beans (kidney or pinto) drained, or canned pork and beans, drained
3 Tabs. each of horseradish, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard of choice, and brown sugar.

Fry bacon, drain, saving 2 Tabs. of fat.  In a 2-quart kettle or pan combine bacon, chopped peppers and onions. Mix together with beans. Stir in horseradish, ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard and brown sugar.

Mix well.  Add and stir in 2 Tabs. of bacon fat.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour.

Serve with hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, or take to picnics or potlucks.

Serves 8 to 10.
Estimated cost: $4.00 or less. .50 cents a serving or less.

Granola for Breakfast or Granola Bars

For breakfast or a snack, Granola always provides a quick, healthy meal or snack. My sister shared her recipe for breakfast granola mix way back in the 1970s when Granola first became popular - long before there were so many varieties and brands, and before such things as packaged Granola Bars existed.

We were raising young families then and always looking for ways to stretch food budgets, yet provide a healthier alternative to sugary boxed cereals for kids.  Back then bulk food bins at grocery stores were introduced in our town and became popular.  

We used to call that time our "Little Houses on the Prairie Days." Homemade is less expensive, has no chemicals etc., and takes little time for a healthy quantity.

I'm including her recipe for breakfast Granola and also a granola bar recipe I and my husband likes.

By making a large quantity, it can be preserved by vacuum sealing or freezing. Feel free to change up either recipe by adding or leaving out ingredients to taste. Can use craisins instead of regular raisins,  or add coconut, chocolate chips, alternative dried fruits.

Breakfast Granola
5 cups rolled oats, not instant
1 cup wheat flakes
1 cup what germ
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts
1 1/2 cups chopped dates
1 1/2 cups raisins
1/2 to one cup of honey
1/2 cup of vegetable oil

Mix honey and oil.  In a large container mix remaining ingredients, then slowly pour honey and oil mixture stirring to coat mixture.

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet or bottom of a large baking pan.  Bake at 225 oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until light brown.  Stir every 15 minutes.  Store in jars or plastic bags. Makes about 15 cups.

Estimate cost: $6.00 or less; .40 cents a serving or less

Granola Bars
3 cups old-fashioned oats, not instant
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup dried  raisins
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup of wheat germ, optional
1, 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
Honey, optional for drizzling at end of baking.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 inch pan or dish ( 9x11 works, too) with lightly sprayed parchment paper. Paper should extend up sides of dish or pan.

First, mix oats and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, adding sweetened condensed milk last. Mix together in a bowl until all ingredients are combined.

Spread mixture out and up to edges of prepared pan, pressing evenly and flat into corners. Mixture is sticky, so grease hands as you spread the mixture. or use the back of a pancake turn to spread and flatten, pressing down.

Bake until edges appear golden brown, 20-25 minutes. If wanting chewier bars using less time and slightly more time for more crunchy bars.

Allow to cool at least 5 minutes in the pan before using the parchment paper to lift them from the pan. Use a sharp knife to cut into bars of desired size.

I cut mine into 24, 4-inch by 1-inch bars. Drizzle with honey if desired.  Let bars cool completely, then store in an airtight container or freeze. Makes 24 bars.

Estimated cost: $6.00 or less; .25 cents a bar or less.

Homemade Instant Cappuccino Coffee

Become your own "barista" by making your own Cappuccino coffee brew at home and save money. 

This recipe makes approximately 50, 6 ounce cups, which commercially would cost you several dollars a cup.

Cappuccino is normally espresso mixed with steamed milk, then topped with foamed milk. This mix lets you duplicate the beverage, minus special equipment and minus the cost!

The convenience is having it on hand anytime for your coffee pleasure or to serve to guests at dessert time.  And if you like a cold Frappuccino style coffee drink, use your blender and crushed ice with the mix and enjoy.

I sometimes add a a few teaspoons to my regular brewed coffee to jazz it up.

Making a large batch of this and putting in decorated gift jars makes a nice hostess gift or  addition to a holiday gift basket.


Homemade Instant Cappuccino Coffee
In a large container, mix the following ingredients:
1 cup. instant coffee creamer
1 cup instant chocolate drink mix (like Nestle's cocoa powder)
2/3 cup instant coffee, regular or decaf
1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground Nutmeg
Whipped dessert topping (optional)

To serve, mix 3 tablespoons of cappuccino mix with 6 ounces of hot water. Stir well.  Top with a dollop of whipped cream. Store mix in a jar with lid.

Estimated cost: pennies per serving.