Chateau des Noix

Super Cheap Spices!

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:48:30 GMT

If you're looking for spices, herbs, or other flavorings for your cooking, try your local ethnic grocery! I have a fantastic Vietnamese grocery just down the way that I can get a 4 ounce jar of yellow curry powder for US $1.29, and a Mexican grocery nearby that where an ounce of paprika is US $0.99!

The other place to try is an Herb store. You'd be surprised at the price difference, 1 ounce of Oregano almost fills a pint jar, and costs about US $1.35. A jar of Oregano at the grocery store is about 1/2 ounce or less, and you'll pay US $3-5.

So what's the difference, other than price? Well, the nifty little jars, for one. Herbs and spices from the ethnic grocery or herb store don't usually come in jars, but little plastic bags. So save your glass jars (you were anyhow, right?), and ask neighbors with babies for their baby food jars. Go buy a pack of sticker labels, and you're in business!

I always label my herbs and spices with the following: What it is, where I got it (name of store), and the price I paid.

Happy yummy cooking!

Super Easy Scrub Recipe!

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:53:09 GMT

1 2/3 c baking soda

1/2 c liquid soap (NOT dish soap!! liquid castile soap is best, something like Dr. Bronner's)

1/2 c water (distilled, or water that has been left to sit in the open for an hour)

2 tablespoons vinegar ADD LAST!!

This is cheap to make, even if the liquid soap is expensive. ($10 usd for 16 floz here in KS) At only 1/2 cup per recipe of scrub it's SO worth it, as this recipe fills a peanut butter jar even AFTER scrubbing the tub, sinks, and commode!

Leftover Day

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:58:39 GMT

LEFTOVERS IN THE FRIDGE:

Black Bean Soup

ID4 Chicken

Hmmm...

Cut up the chicken, add it to the soup and add 1 cup cooked rice. A certifiable hit with the roomie's kids!