Barley Casserole

This wonderful recipe was submitted by Dwyla Perriton. Thanks Dwyla!!! :)

1 can campbell’s extra strength beef broth
1 can of swanson’s clear beef broth
1/4 to 1/2 c. left over meat (hamburger, roast pieces) – the meat is optional
2 cans of mushrooms with juice or fresh mushrooms sautéed
1-1/2 c. uncooked barley
1 onion
celery leaves chopped or pieces

Brown barley in a skillet in a little butter. Sautee onion, celery & mushrooms (if fresh). Add all to a baking dish with a lid. It will be very liquidy, but that is how it is suppose to be. Cook @350 degrees for 1 hour to 1-1/2 hours (until liquid is absorbed and barley is not crunchy).

Mexican Rice

There are so many variations out there for mexican rice. The couple that I tried wanting to post, were not wonderful, but this one had 31 5-star ratings, so that must mean something. :)

Mexican Rice

Corn & Mushroom Crepes

I've been surprised at so many different ideas and variations on the same basic items. The basic food storage items we are asked to store may be simple, but they are wonderful basics that can be adapted into so many different uses!

Corn & Mushroom Crepes

Broccoli Rice Bake

Another fun way to use up your rice, make a meal and prove the versatility of this basic food storage item! :)

Broccoli Rice Bake

Pot O' Gold Popcorn

I' a big fan of any time I can add chocolate to anything. Well, just about anything. So this pot o' gold popcorn had me at the first picture! :)

Pot O' Gold Popcorn

Strawberry and Cream Risotto

Another fun way to stop having plain, white rice. Strawberry and Cream Risotto.

Grocery Deals (4/18 - 4/24)

I don't know if I've ever seen such a horrible week for sales. The cream cheese at Albertson's is worth getting excited about and my kids will enjoy some corn. But otherwise, I'm saving my money for next week.

King Soopers’
Strawberries - $1.50 each
Corn - $0.50 each
Jazz Apples - $1.09/lb.
Organic Fuji Apples - $0.99/lb.
Anjou Pears - $0.99/lb.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken - $1.99/lb.
Fritos/Cheetos - $2 each
Powerade/Powerade Zero - $0.59 each
Kraft BBQ Sauce - $1
Dawn Dish Detergent - $1

Safeway
Corn - $0.50 each
Safeway Canned Vegetables (limit 6) - $0.59 each

　
Albertsons
(all coupons are being rounded up to $1 this week)
Boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts - $1.99/lb.
Albertsons’ Cream Cheese - $1.25 each
Naval Oranges - $0.99/lb.
Must buy in 3’s for the price:
Lawry’s Marinade - $0.99 each
Lindsay Black Olives - $1.13 each
A HUGE list of items for $5 - check out the site for exact details

Carmel Corn

Another fun idea to jazz up your popcorn! Carmel Corn! :)

Stuffed Bell Peppers

I know that you all have your own version of a stuffed bell pepper recipe, but this one at Taste of Home seemed good too! :)

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Cornbread

I just realized after all the corn postings, I still hadn't added just plain ol' cornbread! Paula Deen is always a favorite at our home. So here's a simple, basic recipe for you to try!

Cornbread

Yummy-licious Rice Pudding

We all have a simple rice pudding recipe, but this rice pudding has all the extras that make yummy-licious! Even if you aren't a rice pudding fan, give this one a try! :)

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn

This is just one of many varieties of chocolate & peanut butter popcorn - an absolute favorite dish in our home!

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn

Chicken & Rice Soup

The ultimate comfort food, as we all know we have at least a month left of un-expected snow storms on the horizon! :)

Chicken & Rice Soup

Creamed Corn Casserole

We never used to store creamed corn in our kitchen, but this recipe has made it a must-have in my food storage! The sour cream is such a great kick, and the fact that it's not a crumbly cornbread, but more like the title says, casserole - makes it a fun dinner idea! :)

Creamed Corn Casserole

Ham Fried Rice

If you're looking for a way to use up your leftover Ham from Easter, this is a family favorite! We literally can have this as just dinner and even my ultra-picky 4 yo will come back for seconds!

Ham Fried Rice

Cornbread Cake

There is no way to claim this is healthy, but it's absolutely delish! I always make a double batch because my kids will eat it all (but a single batch makes a TON), our favorite reason to have it is with split pea soup. Yummy! :)

Cornbread Cake

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

I thought this was such a great way to use up the spices you buy in bulk from Sam's or Costco and save some money!

Make your own Rice-A-Roni

Corn Meal Braid Bread

For our corn food storage, we have popcorn, some canned corn, frozen corn, and lots of corn meal. I love this corn meal braid bread idea, so pretty! :)

Corn Meal Braid Bread

Cilantro Lime Rice

One of my besties will go to every Sunday dinner at her Mom's home. While they are there they always have Cafe Rio shredded pork and cilantro lime rice. This recipe is absolutely delish and a great treat on a Sunday spent with the family! :)

Cilantro Lime Rice

Polenta Lasagna

I have a favorite polenta lasagna recipe that I came up with years ago and can't even begin to explain, even though I've been trying to for a while. So, if you're interested in another way to use up your corn, try polenta! Or even better yet, try it as a lasagna! :)

Polenta Lasagna

Chicken Fried Rice

Since this month's focus is rice & corn, we'll be finding and posting lots of both kinds of recipes! Chicken Fried Rice sounds so delicious and a great variety of the same ol' plain jane rice we usually have!

Chicken Fried Rice

Pioneer Woman - Corn Recipes -

There is an absolute treasure trove of corn recipes from the Pioneer Woman's Site! One of my personal favorites is Corn Chowder with Chilies. I have some canned corn, but I really love to take fresh corn, lightly cook it & slice & freeze the kernels. So much less salt and additives. So that always makes this recipe so fresh and delish!

April Goals

Both are extremely low cost items this month! :)

Place a change of clothes into your 72 hour kits (a single multilayer item is fine), but make sure to place a change of underwear & socks for each family member for 3 days into the backpack. Think weight when choosing the items.
You'll want a change of underwear & socks for each day, but if you have to wear the same outfit for a few days, it won't be the worst thing.
Another thing to pick up this month is N95 masks for each family member. Bird flu, and other outbreaks can occur, and in these worst case scenarios, you'll be hard pressed to find masks to protect the family members when you're out of the house, or to help prevent infection from fellow family members.
Continue placing $10 - $15 in small bills into your packs to help with costs like hotels, gas, etc. if you need to leave town fast!