Sandwiches

Almost all meats can be put in the blender and then mixed with a little mayonnaise to make a sandwich spread. Spreads can be made more flavorful with the addition of seasonings, chopped vegetables and eggs, mustard, pickles, and spices. Spread the mix on a piece of whole grain bread; add a slice of cheese and your favorite lettuce. You’ve got a delicious sandwich with just a small amount of leftover meat. 

More leftover ideas available at All Things Frugal

• Beef
• Bison
• Buffalo
• Chicken
• Elk
• Pork
• Venison

Foods and other homemade items make wonderful holiday gifts, especially for people on a budget. Try these low-cost gift ideas and recipes:

• Create a fruit basket. Choose a few apples, oranges and/or canned fruits and arrange them in a basket or decorated paper bag.
• Bake a loaf of bread or rolls either from scratch or frozen bread dough and deliver them to a friend while they are still warm.
• Make festive dough ornaments (recipe below). Cut shapes with holiday cookie cutters and use ribbon as hangers.
• Make play dough (recipe below). Place the dough in a plastic bag and decorate it with stickers or ribbon.
• Share a batch of holiday cookies with a friend.
• Make gift certificates using old Christmas cards or paper and stickers. 
• List what you will do for the person, such as washing dishes, babysitting, or a free hug or cup of hot cocoa.

2 cups white or whole wheat flour
1 cup salt 
1 cup water 

Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add water, a little at a time, 
mixing as you pour. Form into a ball and knead 7 to 10 minutes until dough is smooth. Shape into ornaments. Remember to put a hole in the ornament for hanging. A straw works well! Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes, or until dry. Dough can be made ahead and kept in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Play Dough

1 cup flour 
1 cup water 
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil 
2 Tablespoons cream of tartar 
1/4 cup salt 
Food coloring or flavored drink powder 

Stir and cook over medium heat until thick. Keep in a plastic bag or wrap and put in refrigerator. 

RECIPE: Rudolph Sandwiches

Cut a slice of bread into four triangles and spread each with 
peanut butter. Use pretzel sticks for antlers and raisins for eyes. Add a 
half-cherry, strawberry, candy, piece of red apple with skin on for the 
nose, or a touch of red frosting.

RECIPE:Rudolph's Peanut Butter Cookies 

1/2 cup margarine 
1/2 cup peanut butter 
11/4 cups flour 
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 
64 small pretzels 
32 cinnamon red hot candies 
Chocolate chips or raisins 

         Beat margarine and peanut butter for 30 seconds. Add half the 
flour and all of the sugar, egg, baking soda, baking powder and vanilla. 
Beat until thoroughly combined. Stir in the remaining flour. Cover and 
chill 1 hour or until easy to handle. 
         Work with half the dough at the time, keeping the rest 
refrigerated. Using 1 tablespoon of dough, shape it into a triangle about 2 
1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly 
press pretzel antlers into sides at wide end of triangles. Add red candy 
noses and chocolate chips or raisins for eyes. 
        Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes or until bottoms are 
lightly browned. Let cool 2 minutes on the cookie sheet. Carefully remove 
to rack to cool. Makes 32.

Holiday Breads

Use your favorite quick bread recipe: banana, pumpkin, etc. Use small
coffee cans, soup cans or even tuna cans to make different sizes and shapes
for attractive gift giving. Be certain to grease cans thoroughly to prevent 
sticking. Wrap the baked bread in plastic wrap or bags. Decorate with 
stickers, ribbons or holiday wrap. 
 

Six easy ways to enjoy each other around the holiday table

1. 1. Try one new food and make a new favorite for this year.
2. 2. Set your table in a festive way and add holiday colors.
3. 3. Share memories at mealtime about what makes you special
4. 4. Turn off the TV and listen to holiday music.
5. 5. Wash hands and store leftovers safely to keep everyone healthy for the holidays.
6. 6. Hang around after the meal and read a holiday book. 

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Pizza is one of those foods that always taste great. This recipe makes twelve pieces, so invite some friends to a pizza party from your own pizza garden!

Tools

vegetable brush paper towels paring knife and cutting board several bowls (cereal bowls are good) scissors	cookie sheet mixing spoon can opener table knife pot holder

Ingredients

From Your Garden 3 small tomatoes or 1 big one 1 clove of garlic 12 basil leaves (Whatever else you grew: 4 oregano leaves, 1 sprig parsley, 1 sweet red pepper, 2 small onions, and as much as you like of other favorites.)

From the Market 1 pizza crust (packaged in a roll in the refrigerated section of the market) 8-ounce can tomato sauce 2 cups mozzarella cheese TIP How much will you need? Start with one of each vegetable you like. If that's not enough, run to the garden to get more. If you have more than you need, make a salad!

Steps
1. Wash and dry all the veggies and herbs.
2. Cut out the button on the top of each tomato. Cut the tomatoes in half from top to bottom, then hold them, cut side down, over the sink and squeeze gently until most of the seeds fall out. Chop the tomatoes into small pieces and put them in a bowl.
3. Using scissors, cut the herbs into small pieces. Toss the snipped herbs with your fingers to mix them.
4. Chop the veggies into small pieces. Put each veggie in a different bowl.
5. Spread the pizza crust in a pan according to the instructions on the package.
6. Put one clove of garlic on the cutting board and crush it with the back of the spoon. Pick off the papery pieces and set them aside.
7. Pick up the smashed pieces of garlic and rub them over the whole pizza crust.
8. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce all over the pizza crust.
9. Using the table knife, draw lines in the tomato sauce to mark off 12 equal-size pieces.
10. Put different pizza toppings in each square. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top.
11. Bake the pizza a 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.