Comments on: Baking Day: Lasagna, Ziti, and a picture of the fruits of my labors http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html Helping You Be a Better Home Economist Fri, 25 May 2012 16:24:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Marion http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149026 Marion Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:49:12 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149026 What did you family think of the new lasagna recipe? I am always afraid to try new lasagna recipes as its my hubby favorite meal. But it can be so expensive to make I only make it every 6 weeks or so. ******************** Money Saving Mom here: We ended up really liking it. In fact, my husband commented a few times about how good it was! What did you family think of the new lasagna recipe? I am always afraid to try new lasagna recipes as its my hubby favorite meal. But it can be so expensive to make I only make it every 6 weeks or so.

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Money Saving Mom here: We ended up really liking it. In fact, my husband commented a few times about how good it was!

]]> By: Lorie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149025 Lorie Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:30:23 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149025 THAT'S IT! I'M DOING IT! My own baking day. I figure if I get nothing more done than pre-cooking a bunch of ground beef, chicken, beans, & rice then it'll help tremendously with preparing dinner. I normally like to cook but lately I've been in a rut & nothing has been inspiring me. I don't know if it's because I'm pregnant with #3 or what but I've got to do something to lift this burden a bit. Thanks for all the inspiration. THAT’S IT! I’M DOING IT! My own baking day. I figure if I get nothing more done than pre-cooking a bunch of ground beef, chicken, beans, & rice then it’ll help tremendously with preparing dinner. I normally like to cook but lately I’ve been in a rut & nothing has been inspiring me. I don’t know if it’s because I’m pregnant with #3 or what but I’ve got to do something to lift this burden a bit. Thanks for all the inspiration.

]]> By: jean http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149024 jean Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:59:26 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149024 baking is one of my favorite activities. I love to make brownies and freeze for later use. When I make them, I use a box mix and instead of the water and oil that is on the recipe, I put in pureed spinach....if the total water and oil is 1 cup, I substitute 1 cup of pureed spinach....i steam the spinach and then add water to it so it blends up nicely.......i put 2 cups of pureed spinach in a plastic bag and freeze it for later use..(i always make a double batch of brownies). One cannot taste the spinach and i feel like i'm giving the kids a healthful treat. baking is one of my favorite activities. I love to make brownies and freeze for later use. When I make them, I use a box mix and instead of the water and oil that is on the recipe, I put in pureed spinach….if the total water and oil is 1 cup, I substitute 1 cup of pureed spinach….i steam the spinach and then add water to it so it blends up nicely…….i put 2 cups of pureed spinach in a plastic bag and freeze it for later use..(i always make a double batch of brownies). One cannot taste the spinach and i feel like i’m giving the kids a healthful treat.

]]> By: Sarah Hollis http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149023 Sarah Hollis Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:23:40 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149023 are you willing to share your ziti recipe? are you willing to share your ziti recipe?

]]> By: Christine http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149022 Christine Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:43:46 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149022 For the post that asked about Ziploc bags, I find that if you make sure that your bags are freezer quality and not the regular variety, you will have much better results. For my baking, such as bread and muffins, I like to use bread bags (purchased from King Arthur Flour or a local co-op) to wrap my baked goods and then put them in a freezer bag. I can fit 3-8x4 loaves in a 2-gallon bag. I usually bake six at a time, leaving me several to freeze, one to eat right away, and at least one to give away. Hope that is helpful! For the post that asked about Ziploc bags, I find that if you make sure that your bags are freezer quality and not the regular variety, you will have much better results. For my baking, such as bread and muffins, I like to use bread bags (purchased from King Arthur Flour or a local co-op) to wrap my baked goods and then put them in a freezer bag. I can fit 3-8×4 loaves in a 2-gallon bag. I usually bake six at a time, leaving me several to freeze, one to eat right away, and at least one to give away. Hope that is helpful!

]]> By: Becky http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149021 Becky Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:49:15 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149021 Inspiring! You've inspired me to finally get off my butt and restock my own freezer - as well as given me a few new recipes! Between your inspiration and Jewel's Fav4 sale on Chicken breasts at a stock-up price this week, I made a ton! I ended up with: -about 2 dozen Chocolate-chip pumpkin muffins (after I ate a few and gave a few to my sister) (thanks for the excellent & easy recipe!) -16 Sweet-Potato biscuits -2 bags of your chicken tetrazzini (thanks for the recipe - similar to 1 I've made before) -2 bags of sweet & sour chicken (a big fave!) -1 bag of crock-pot dump chicken -6 balls of pizza dough -1 HUGE pot of Cream of Mushroom soup Thanks for the much-needed motivation! Inspiring!

You’ve inspired me to finally get off my butt and restock my own freezer – as well as given me a few new recipes! Between your inspiration and Jewel’s Fav4 sale on Chicken breasts at a stock-up price this week, I made a ton! I ended up with:

-about 2 dozen Chocolate-chip pumpkin muffins (after I ate a few and gave a few to my sister) (thanks for the excellent & easy recipe!)
-16 Sweet-Potato biscuits
-2 bags of your chicken tetrazzini (thanks for the recipe – similar to 1 I’ve made before)
-2 bags of sweet & sour chicken (a big fave!)
-1 bag of crock-pot dump chicken
-6 balls of pizza dough
-1 HUGE pot of Cream of Mushroom soup

Thanks for the much-needed motivation!

]]> By: Katie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149020 Katie Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:08:28 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149020 Hi Crystal, Way to go!! Please could you post on what you can and can't freeze(I know you're constantly asked for stuff). I get so confused with freezing stuff. Thanks, Thanks - your achievements continually encouragement to achieve more. Hi Crystal,

Way to go!! Please could you post on what you can and can’t freeze(I know you’re constantly asked for stuff). I get so confused with freezing stuff.

Thanks, Thanks – your achievements continually encouragement to achieve more.

]]> By: Carrie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149019 Carrie Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:17:17 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149019 Crystal, I had the same questions as many others. Do you freeze the lasagna uncooked and then put frozen into the oven, or do you let it thaw? I've never frozen uncooked lasagna or ziti before but it sounds like a great idea. Crystal,

I had the same questions as many others. Do you freeze the lasagna uncooked and then put frozen into the oven, or do you let it thaw? I’ve never frozen uncooked lasagna or ziti before but it sounds like a great idea.

]]> By: Linda Dirks http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149018 Linda Dirks Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:57:27 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149018 I use real pumpkin all of the time. Just cook it like squash, then scoop out and mash. Use in the same amounts as you would for canned. If you like it really smooth, you can use a hand blender or mixer to smooth it out. It is a little more watery, but that should just make the muffins more moist. I make pumpkin bread a lot and use real pumkin and it is awesome. I use real pumpkin all of the time. Just cook it like squash, then scoop out and mash. Use in the same amounts as you would for canned. If you like it really smooth, you can use a hand blender or mixer to smooth it out. It is a little more watery, but that should just make the muffins more moist. I make pumpkin bread a lot and use real pumkin and it is awesome.

]]> By: Denise @ Together We Save http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149017 Denise @ Together We Save Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:06:44 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149017 Wow - that is really impressive!! Wow – that is really impressive!!

]]> By: Daina http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149016 Daina Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:17:45 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149016 To Christy who asked about real pumpkins... it works GREAT for cooking! We use one for decorating and eating both -- just leave it out for decoration until we're ready to carve it, carve it the day of (or evening before and refrigerate), put it out for one evening to show off our handiwork, and bring it in before the slugs get to it! To use the pumpkin, just halve it, take out the seeds, and bake it until it's soft... I forget how long that took, a couple hours? Then use a spoon to scrape the flesh into storage containers -- I freeze mine in two cup portions. Don't worry if it's stringy... once you cook bake with it, the texture won't be a problem. Last year's pumpkin gave us enough for a big bowl of soup and enough leftovers to make FOURTEEN loaves of pumpkin bread!! Discard the rind... but you can bake the seeds separately for a snack, or at least dry them to put out for the birds if you don't like pumpkin seeds. To Christy who asked about real pumpkins… it works GREAT for cooking! We use one for decorating and eating both — just leave it out for decoration until we’re ready to carve it, carve it the day of (or evening before and refrigerate), put it out for one evening to show off our handiwork, and bring it in before the slugs get to it!

To use the pumpkin, just halve it, take out the seeds, and bake it until it’s soft… I forget how long that took, a couple hours? Then use a spoon to scrape the flesh into storage containers — I freeze mine in two cup portions. Don’t worry if it’s stringy… once you cook bake with it, the texture won’t be a problem. Last year’s pumpkin gave us enough for a big bowl of soup and enough leftovers to make FOURTEEN loaves of pumpkin bread!!

Discard the rind… but you can bake the seeds separately for a snack, or at least dry them to put out for the birds if you don’t like pumpkin seeds.

]]> By: Karen H http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149015 Karen H Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:46:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149015 Very cool! How often do you do this? Very cool! How often do you do this?

]]> By: Patty http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149014 Patty Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:36:18 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149014 How do you organize your freezer once all the baking and cooking is finished? Do you keep a list taped to the freezer door showing what is in the freezer? How do you organize your freezer once all the baking and cooking is finished? Do you keep a list taped to the freezer door showing what is in the freezer?

]]> By: Susan http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149013 Susan Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:12:57 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149013 You are such an inspiration! The pictures you include and steps in the process make us realize that we to can do this! Recently I spent a few weekends cooking up various different meals and casseroles for my grandmother who was bedridden due to a bad fall (and refused to leave her house to recouperate) so I know it is possible, I just need to find time to do this for myself. Everytime I read an article like this one I get re-motivated and energized! Thank you and.... I'm off to BJ's tomorrow so wish me luck finding some good buys! You are such an inspiration! The pictures you include and steps in the process make us realize that we to can do this! Recently I spent a few weekends cooking up various different meals and casseroles for my grandmother who was bedridden due to a bad fall (and refused to leave her house to recouperate) so I know it is possible, I just need to find time to do this for myself. Everytime I read an article like this one I get re-motivated and energized! Thank you and…. I’m off to BJ’s tomorrow so wish me luck finding some good buys!

]]> By: Samantha Witt http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149012 Samantha Witt Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:44:30 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149012 Great Job! I am envious of your freezer size! I would love to do this stuff but can't until I get a separate freezer! Great Job! I am envious of your freezer size! I would love to do this stuff but can’t until I get a separate freezer!

]]> By: Cherie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149011 Cherie Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:11:53 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149011 Very impressive! I am going to try the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins this weekend. They look yummy. Very impressive! I am going to try the pumpkin chocolate chip muffins this weekend. They look yummy.

]]> By: Christine @Lily of the Valley http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149010 Christine @Lily of the Valley Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:56:35 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149010 Hubby and I are saving up for a deep freeze. It would make life so much easier and then I could really put away some meals.I made an extra stuffed shells meal, and it filled my reg, freezer. I think a deep freeze would be a worthy investment for us. Terrific job,Crystal! Hubby and I are saving up for a deep freeze. It would make life so much easier and then I could really put away some meals.I made an extra stuffed shells meal, and it filled my reg, freezer. I think a deep freeze would be a worthy investment for us. Terrific job,Crystal!

]]> By: Debbie http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149009 Debbie Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:51:14 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149009 Compare to you, I'm very lazy. You've inspired me to cook a little more! Compare to you, I’m very lazy. You’ve inspired me to cook a little more!

]]> By: Carissa http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149008 Carissa Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:14:29 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149008 Wow, that is AMAZING!!! I wish I had 1/8th of your ambition! Oh, and some freezer space. :) Wow, that is AMAZING!!! I wish I had 1/8th of your ambition!
Oh, and some freezer space. :)

]]> By: Julia http://moneysavingmom.com/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html/comment-page-2#comment-149007 Julia Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:52:31 +0000 http://moneysavingmom.net/2009/10/baking-day-lasagna-ziti-and-a-picture-of-the-fruits-of-my-labors.html#comment-149007 I don't ever buy canned pumpkin, I just cook and puree it. I'm sure there are lots of ways to do it: I cut up the pumpkin, steam it (I'm sure you could also halve the pumpkin and bake it face down on a cookie sheet) and puree it in the food processor. It's runnier than canned, so I have lined a colander with paper towels (I need to get some cheesecloth, I think) and pressed out some of the excess moisture. I use it for pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin bars and pumpkin pie and it has worked fine - I will definitely be trying the muffins! Also, I don't even restrict myself to buying pie pumpkins - we scrape as much flesh out of our jack-o-lanterns as possible when we carve them, and I cook that. Julia I don’t ever buy canned pumpkin, I just cook and puree it. I’m sure there are lots of ways to do it: I cut up the pumpkin, steam it (I’m sure you could also halve the pumpkin and bake it face down on a cookie sheet) and puree it in the food processor. It’s runnier than canned, so I have lined a colander with paper towels (I need to get some cheesecloth, I think) and pressed out some of the excess moisture. I use it for pumpkin spice cake, pumpkin bars and pumpkin pie and it has worked fine – I will definitely be trying the muffins!

Also, I don’t even restrict myself to buying pie pumpkins – we scrape as much flesh out of our jack-o-lanterns as possible when we carve them, and I cook that.

Julia

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