Mandarin Cake - also known as Pea Pickin Cake

This is a really easy cake recipe - and excellent for Easter or summertime, because it's ccccold.

I got it from a lady I used to work with. Whenever there was a special occasion at work, she'd make this cake, and everyone was always praising this cake to the heavens and clamoring for the recipe. Is that an endorsement, or what? :)

Then again, we were all very happy for any break from work at that place!

1 box yellow cake mix
1 can mandarin oranges
12 oz Cool Whip
1 can crushed pineapple
1 box instant vanilla pudding

Prepare cake mix according to box directions. Pour into cake pans
Drain mandarin oranges and drop into cake batter.
Bake cake according to box directions.
Mix Cool Whip, crushed pineapples and vanilla pudding mix.
Ice the cake with the Cool Whip mix once the cake has cooled
Refrigerate after icing.

Cake Mix for 4.5 Cents Per Box!

Another post from me today, and again it's not a recipe...but I just have to tell you about this.
If you don't use coupons, think about starting.

Often, it comes out to free groceries! Not the total bill, but I get free items.
The key to the big savings is matching up your coupons to the deep discount deals at the grocery store. You know the specials they advertise? They are called "Loss Leaders"...deals that are a loss, but it brings you into the store and you spend more money.

Today I went to the grocery store and they had Pillsbury Cake Mixes on a Buy One Get One special. That meant two boxes would be only $1.49. Already that's not bad. I used my two coupons for .35 cents off...the two coupons are doubled to .70 at that store.
.70 cents times two is $1.40. So, I paid 9 cents (4.5 cents each box) for those cake mixes. I don't need cake mix right now, but for less than five cents a box, I think I can pony up that kind of money and go ahead and stock up! On a recent visit, I also received a package of Pillsbury Toaster Strudel totally free after the discount from the store and my coupon doubling.

An easy way to be able to match your coupons to the specials is to check out the deals on sites like CouponMom.com . This site is free. Look for Deals by State (you will need to register first) and then look for the stores you shop in. I print out the deals and then use that list to try to match my coupons to the deals.

There is another site called the Grocery Game - it is not free but it's very affordable. I found that Coupon Mom gave me all I needed, so I canceled my Grocery Game subscription. If you really want to join in Forum discussions etc about coupons, then you might like Grocery Game for the friendships.

Free Shipping on orders over $50 at Kitchen Collection

There's been several times I haven't bought something online for my kitchen because kitchen stuff is generally heavy so the shipping fee is too high. The Kitchen Collection has a free shipping offer going on for a limited time on purchases over $50 (just thru April 4th). Free Domestic FedEx Ground Shipping.

Shop through this link and use Discount Code 32607 - enter it in the Promo Box at Checkout....Those of you getting this message through Feedblitz, click the link to visit the blog and then click the image link graphic to get this deal.

not yer granny's mixer

I must admit my mixer doesn't get a lot of use. I have a fear of power equipment...lol

My mixer is a Sunbeam handheld jobbie doo and it's oh about 21 years old...got it as a wedding present from Granny Dixon. Can she wedding shop or what?!?

Oh I digress.

Ok, if you have a Sunbeam handheld, maybe you can use these too, but these are especially for the Kitchen Aid type of stand mixer. How about adding some flames to it to hot-rod it? We all might find our husbands and teenage sons suddenly becoming more interested in cooking, eh? I have had flames in my kitchen before, but not the decal type.

Check it out here: LINK

Quick-Fix Beef Burrito Skillet

This one sounds so good and comes from Kraft's Food & Family Magazine (it's free, just sign up and they'll send you issues in the mail...and even better, they have good coupons in each issue too!)

Prep time 10 minutes
Total time 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg (1-1/4 oz) Taco Bell Home Originals Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can (19 oz) kidney beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup Taco Bell Home Originals Salsa
1 cup water
4 flour tortillas (6 inch), cut into 1-1/2 inch squares
1 cup Kraft Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheese
1/3 cup Breakstone's or Knudsen Sour Cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions (about 1 large)

Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat; drain.

Add seasoning mix, beans, salsa and water; stir. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 minutes.

Stir in tortillas; top with cheese. Cover; let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions.

Makes 4 servings, 1-1/2 cups each.

Jazz it up: Top with your favorite Mexican-style toppings just before serving, such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and / or chopped avocados.

Taco Pie

Today's recipe, Taco Pie - comes from Michelle Clark, a Tupperware Manager and a Unit Leader for AVON! Michelle's phone number is 506-384-3928 and her websites are: http://my.tupperware.ca/michelle4lee and www.interavon.ca/michelle.clark1

1 lb Ground Beef

1 ½ c shredded cheese

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1 Jar Salsa

Brown Ground Beef in Family Microsteamer Colander, (about 5-6 minutes) drain.

Mix browned ground beef with salsa, taco seasoning and cheese with Silicone Spatula.

Cover, then microwave another 5 minutes and let stand for 3 minutes.

Garnish with sour cream and chives.

Serve with Baked Pita Chips or side dish like macaroni or potatoes.

Crockpot Brunswick Stew

Today's recipe, Crockpot Brunswick Stew - comes from Carol Smith. Carol is obviously a busy woman, running FOUR websites: www.StrategicPathPlanning.com (We help more people become successful), www.BlueDiamondHosting.com (Affordable Web Hosting), more sales with less effort with www.SalesGreatness.com,
www.HomeHelpRepairs.com (remodel, insurance repair)

Brunswick Stew

1 medium onion, chopped

1 (28-oz.) can tomatoes, diced

1 (15-oz.) can Castleberry Barbeque pork

1 (15-oz.) can Castleberry Barbeque beef

1 (10-oz.) can white chicken

1 (14-oz.) can creamed corn

1 (11-oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained

¼ cup barbeque sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Double recipe for a 5 or 6 quart crockpot.

Easy Chocolate Bundt Cake

Today's recipe is from Brenda of http://www.fromtheheartjewelry.net

Brenda says, "Dessert, ahhhh I know my family loves them, but when strapped for time, it's got to be good and easy. The following recipe fits that bill....enjoy!!"

1 box german choc cake mix

1 can german choc icing

Mix cake mix as directed on box, add 1 entire can of the icing and fold in. Bake in a bundt pan at 350 degrees for about 35 - 40 minutes, keep checking cake, different oven temp's might be off a bit.

Don't forget to butter/flour bundt before pouring in batter.

Cool cake in pan for just a bit, then turn over onto your favorite cake display. I either shake on some powdered sugar over the top or I make a thin icing that I spoon over cake. Delicious, rich and very moist cake.

Tarragon Mustard Chicken

Today's recipe is from Karen Heck of www.familyfriendlymarket.com

Karen says, "I have 3 boys and they always say yay when I say we are making Tarragon Mustard Chicken( healthy as well). I hope you enjoy this super easy/healthy and yummy to my family recipe."

Tarragon Mustard Chicken

boneless skinless chicken breast

olive oil

light margarine

dried tarragon

dijon mustard

light cream

1-2 packets of artificial sweetener or 1-2 teaspoons of sugar

Instructions:

Add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil and margarine to frying pan

Add chicken breasts to brown and then continue cooking until done

Remove chicken breasts and add 2-3 tbls of mustard and 2 tbsp of tarragon...mix up with pan drippings. then add 1/2 cup or so of light cream and sweetener or sugar...keep on low and stir until combined.

You can then plate the chicken and pour sauce over - or what I like to do is return the chicken( sometimes cut into smaller pieces) to the pan and serve that way of course with extra sauce and over rice...

all of my measurements are estimates as some like more or less mustard, more or less tarragon etc. so my suggestion is do the taste test before serving and anything can be added at the end to your taste.