Photo Courtesy of Food Network

Some of you may have seen my Menu Plan for this week.  I am planning on frying catfish one day this week.  Well, at my house you can’t have Catfish without Hushpuppies, and coleslaw.  If you are going to make a meal you have to do it right.

Catfish is one of my absolute favorite meals.  I just love fish in general.  I could eat it for every meal and never get tired of it.  Ok, well, it would atleast take awhile.

My Hubby is just as passionate about his Catfish Dinner.  He loves hushpuppies.  Not just any hushpuppies.  They have to be just right.

So, this week I am sharing my go to Hushpuppy recipe.  Pictures will come later since, they aren’t for dinner until Saturday, and I don’t want to waste the ingredients.

I have to give credit where credit is due on this one.  Thank You Paula Deen, for your fabulous Hushpuppy recipe!

Hushpuppies

Hushpuppies Printable Version

• 6 cups Vegetable or other cooking oil
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising cornmeal
• 1/2 cup self-rising flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 cup buttermilk (Dairy Free: Substitute your Milk and 1 tsp vinegar)
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions

Using a deep pot, preheat oil for frying to 350 degrees F.

Using a mixing bowl, stir together the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the onion.

In a small bowl, stir together the buttermilk and egg. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients and mix until blended.

Drop the batter, 1 teaspoon at a time, into the oil. Dip the spoon in a glass of water after each hushpuppy is dropped in the oil.

Fry until golden brown, turning the hushpuppies during the cooking process.

Makes 35 Hushpuppies

I have plenty of other SideDishes for you to try out!

This post may contain affiliate links

I know that I have posted a Gluten Free Corndog recipe in the past.  That has been my go to recipe for months now.  Not any more.

Since I got back from the Betty Crocker Kitchens I have been a busy little bee in the kitchen.  I came home and found Gluten Free Bisquick at Publix.  After making the best Gluten Free Pancakes that I ever tasted, I vowed to come up with more recipes.  Betty, you can hire me at anytime

At 5 PM I had 3 little ones asking what was for dinner.  After a busy day of cleaning I had forgotten to take something out of the freezer.  So, CornDogs it is.  I started to drag out my gazillion ingredients and then I remembered the GF Bisquick.  Hmmm….I wonder.  So, I threw my concoction together, and began frying.

I knew I was in trouble when after round one, they were asking if they could have another, and another.  So, I asked, -because being Mom I hadn’t eaten yet- “Are they better than the ones I made before?”

In the nicest, most polite way possible my 9 year old said, “ Well, I really like everything you cook.  And the old corn-dogs were good, but these are way better!”

So, the verdict is in!  If you have a child or know someone on a GFCF diet pass this one on.  They will thank you!

Gluten Free Corndogs

Gluten Free Corn Dogs Printable Version

• 1 cup Gluten Free Corn Meal
• 1-1 ½ cup Gluten Free Bisquick
• 2 eggs(beaten)
• 1 TBSP Sugar
• 1 cup Milk (you can use soy, almond, etc)
• Hot Dogs
• Sticks (optional)

Directions

Heat the oil for frying to about 350 degrees.  I used my Dutch oven.  You could use a fryer, or any method you choose.

In a bowl add Corn Meal, Sugar, and 1 cup Gluten Free Bisquick. Stir together. Whisk in 2 eggs, and 1 cup of milk.  The batter will be the consistency of thick pancake batter.  If needed add extra bisquick to thicken.

Now place the hot dogs onto sticks, or cut into bite sized pieces.  I cut my hot dogs in half to make kid sized corn dogs.  Really, it is up to you.

Once the hot dogs are prepared, roll them in batter until they are covered.  Quickly drop them into the oil and allow them to fry about 3-5 minutes until golden brown.  You may need to flip them once.

Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate.  Serve.

Makes enough batter for 1 package of Hot Dogs.

Check out the Ketchup covered face in the background! I think she wants another!

Looking for more Gluten Free Recipes?  I have plenty!

This post may contain affiliate links

I marched in the kitchen fully prepared to make 1 pan of PB&J Bars, and then I got the look.  The look from a 5 year old boy that could melt an iceberg.

Son: Are they going to be Gluten Free??

Me: ~THUD~  Well, no sweetie.

Son: Oh, You can’t make them gluten free?

Me: Well,  I guess I could.  I could make some gluten free and some regular.

Son: Thanks mom…no nuts on mine, OK?!

Me: OOOO K  ~sigh~

So, I am a sucker for a cute little boy.  Instead of making one huge 13×9 pan of PB&J Bars, I am now the proud owner of 2 huge 13×9 pans of PB&J bars.  I am at least being good and only took one bite of each for taste test purposes.

And by the looks of the smiling jelly covered faces starring back at me right now, I don’t think they will have a problem finishing them off without my help.

If you are interested, I now am the proud owner of the original, and GFCF (Gluten Free Dairy Free) Versions of this recipe.  Both, by the way, are awesome!  I am not a big fan of PB&J sandwiches but these cookie bars are really good!

PB&J Cookie Bars

PB&J Cookie Bars Printable Version

PBJ Cookie Bars GFCF Printable Version

• 1 ¼ Cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. baking powder
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 6 tbsps. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter (or margarine), softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup seedless jam (any flavor)
• 2/3 cup salted peanuts, chopped

Directions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Place aluminum foil in the bottom and overhanging sides of a 9x13x2 baking dish; set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.

Beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy; about 2 minutes. Add egg and beat until incorporated.

Add Peanut Butter and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes.

On low speed, add in the flour and beat just until blended. Stir in vanilla extract.

Spread dough into prepared pan. It will be thick and you will need to use your hands to work it into the pan. Bake at 350 degree for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and spread with jam and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake the bars an additional 5 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Then, lift from pan using foil and cut into 18 bars.

Tip

If you can have peanuts or don’t like peanuts, you could substitute Almond butter, or any other type of nut butter on the market.

The ones in the front with the nuts are the regular and the ones in the background are gluten free.

If you are looking for more Dessert Recipes, I have you covered.

This post may contain affiliate links

OH I had to share this one! I will be ordering these for my kids for Christmas.  They feel so left out when it comes to chocolates.

Today at Eversave Orlando get $40 worth of Chocolates from Premium Chocolatiers for just $16!  These would be great for anyone, but the best part is they are Dairy and Gluten Free!  So, no worries about allergies.

This is a regional deal for Orlando, but can be purchased anywhere since it is an online deal.   Here are the details right from the site.

How this Save Works: Eversave negotiated a great deal (what we call a “Save”) with PremiumChocolatiers.com. If you’re interested in today’s Save, click “Buy Now.” We’ll e-mail you a link for a voucher that has a unique 13-digit code you can use when you checkout at www.PremiumChocolatiers.com. Simply type your coupon code into the “Coupon Code” box at checkout.

• So just go to Eversave
• Sign up or log in
• And take advantage of this great deal!

This post may contain affiliate links

If you are planning on having some friends over this weekend, it is a great time to do so frugally.  This weeks meal deal isn’t so much a recipe, but frugal hosting ideas.   I love switching things up a little.

I bought a large pack of ground beef from Winn Dixie.  It is just $1.99/lb this week which is an amazing stock up price.   We love hamburgers at our house, but I refuse to by the premade ones and spend $3+ a pound.  I just make my own.

I get a large pack of meat like this one and just salt and pepper it.  I have found with good fresh meat that is all you need for a good burger.  My hubby likes to add onions.  You can add any mix ins you want to make them your own.

I grab a handful of meat the size of a tangerine and form it into a patty.  **TIP ALERT** Take your thumb and put a dent in the middle of the patty.  When you grill the burger it will keep it’s shape and not get all fat in the middle!  I just love that tip!   Your burgers will come out looking like they belong in a restaurant every time!

Yes, my nails are blue. I had a 9 year old stylist do them for me.

Anyway, I usually turn the entire pack into patties.  Cook the ones we will eat for that meal.  Then, take the rest and wrap them individually in wax paper.  Then place in a large freezer bag.  They are so easy to pull out and defrost for a quick meal.  That way I don’t have to worry about making patties again for a while.  I am all about convenience.

So, this Labor day Party we are having….

• Burgers
• Hot Dogs
• Corn on the Cob
• Chips
• Bush’s Baked Beans
• Iced Tea
• Paper Plates
• And cheese for cheese burgers

One thing I can tell you, if you are going to have a get together, pick an easy menu.  Something that doesn’t take a lot of time so that you  (The Host/hostess) can spend time with your guests.  Nobody wants to miss out on the party by spending the whole day in the kitchen!

Meal Deal

I am buying everything at Publix, except for the hamburger.  I bought that at Winn-Dixie.  I am sure that if you don’t have a Winn Dixie close by you will have another store that is having a deal on Ground Beef this weekend.  So, here is my grocery list.

Thanks to I Heart Publix for this weeks matchups!

Labor Day Cookout Printable Shopping list

Ground Beef $1.99/lb (at Winn Dixie) 3lbs = $5.97

2 Ball Park Beef Franks Regular, Bunsize, Fat-Free, Singles, Grillmaster or cheese or Fat-Free Smoked White Turkey Franks, 12.8 to 16 oz pkg (Excluding Angus) BOGO $3.99
-$2/1 Facebook coupon (no longer available)
-FREE Sara Lee Buns (up to $2.00) with the purchase of 2 Ball Park Franks DND starts with 5 Tearpad
Use 2 of the Facebook Coupons and the Tearpad. Get 2 packs and buns free!

1 pack of Sara Lee Hamburger Buns Free after Coupon above

2 Lay’s Potato Chips, Assorted Varieties, 10.5 to 13.25-oz bag (Excluding Baked!, Light, and Natural) BOGO $3.99
-$2 OFF PRODUCE wyb any two (2) BAGS OF LAY’S Potato Chips (10 oz or larger) Tearpad
-$1/2 Lay’s Potato Chips, Any Flavors/Varieties, 10.5 Oz. Or Larger Tearpad
Use Both Coupons pay $2.99 for 2 chips and get $2 off your Produce!

2 Publix Deli Tea, 1 gal bot, BOGO $2.39

2 Packs Dixie Plates or Bowls, Assorted Varieties, 20 to 48-ct pkg, BOGO $2.99
-$1/2 Dixie or Dixie Ultra Paper Plates
-$1/1 Dixie or Vanity Fair Cups, Plate or Bowls 8/1/2010 Rite Aid Clip + Save Booklet (exp 12/31/2010)
Use two Rite Aid coupons with the $1/2 and get two for FREE!

2 Packs Kraft American Cheese Singles 12 oz, 2/$4
-$1/2 Kraft products: Kraft Singles, Kraft Natural Cheese, Kraft Parmesan Cheese, Philly Cream Cheese or Breakstone’s Sour Cream (any varieties) tearpad (exp 9/4/2010)
-$1/1 Ground Beef wyb any (2) Kraft Singles (regular, 2%, fat free, or singles select 10.7 oz or larger) – peelie found on kraft singles (exp 9/15/2010)
-$1/2 Kraft Singles Harveys coupon
-$1/1 Publix Bread wyb 1 Kraft Singles
-$5/5 Kraft Cheese Printable
Use $1/2 MFG & $1/2 Harveys Plus $1 off Bread WYB Kraft Singles. Pay $2 for 2 packs plus $1 off Bread!

2 cans Bush’s Best Baked Beans or Grillin’ 21 to 28 oz can, 3/$5
-$1/2 Bush’s Baked beans any variety 28 oz or Grillin beans 22 oz., dnd, Publix coupon – Toss 4 Cash (exp 9/30/2010)
You pay $1.16 per can

1 Publix Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns regular or seeded 13 oz, $.89
Great price on buns!

Tomatoes on the Vine, $1.49/lb.

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers, Assorted Varieties, 12 oz bag, BOGO $2.39
-$.50/2 Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen vegetables
-$1/2 Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen vegetables
-$.50/2 Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen vegetables
If your store doubles you will get each bag of veggies for 70¢

Total Before Coupons with sales $33.45

Total after Coupons $16.45

Divide by 10 (It’s a party !)

$1.65 per person

You really have enough food for 12 or more people @ $1.37 per person or less!

Need a Dessert?

Try this one!

Strawberries and Cream Gooey Butter Cakes

Are you looking for other great cook out ideas for less?!  Check out these great ideas!

BBQ Ribs on the Grill

Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

I linked up to

Life As mom

This post may contain affiliate links

Photo courtesy of Betty Crocker

Ok Ok, so I am a little obsessed over my new Betty Crocker recipes.  Well, wouldn’t you be if you just got back from the Betty Crocker Kitchens???    I had such a great time I want to help you have the same great food I ate.

So, to demonstrate how easy it is to make this coffee cake, I made you a video!   Then, my computer didn’t like that idea.  It is not letting me upload my video.  So, instead you get a picture of my coffee cake, and my word that is took less than 5 minutes to toss together and throw in the oven.  I wish my video would work.  I need one of those FLIPs that was on sale today.

Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake

Printable Version

	Print these coupons…
	About Concordance™

And here is my Cherry Swirl Coffee Cake!  Let me tell you, this is so good, you would be proud to take it and serve it anywhere!

Looking for more quick breakfast recipes?  I have a ton…including some really great muffins!

I linked up at

This post may contain affiliate links

Most of your kids are back to school, and if they aren’t they will be soon!  So, with Monday on the horizon I thought I would recap all of own Lunch box recipes from the past few weeks.  That way you have some ideas fresh on your mind for the upcoming week!  Don’t forget to throw a little something special in, like a note, or stickers; something that let’s them know you are thinking of them even while they are at school!

School of Fish Lunch Box idea	BBQ Chicken Wrap
ShortCut-ables	Sweet and Crunchy Chicken Salad
PB&J Waffles	Pepperoni Rolls

This post may contain affiliate links

Since my trip to General Mills I have been in a baking mood. Not so much an eating mood, but a baking mood.   I laughed and told my husband yesterday that I think the majority of what I bought at the grocery store yesterday was from General Mills.  Mostly because I wanted to make everything that I had tasted there to share with my family.   I just don’t know if I can stomach any sweets right now.

I don’t have anybody to pawn my baked good off on.  I guess I could go knock on my neighbors doors with plates of goodies!  My sister volunteered to be my taste tester if I mailed her a box.  I may do that.  She is in college, and working and doesn’t have time to bake.  That is a great idea for any of you that know students that are off on their own.  Bake them a care package just because.  It will make there day.

So, the recipe that I am sharing with you today is so yummy and refreshing.  I made a batch in the Betty Crocker test kitchens and they are super easy to throw together.  I will be including these on my Christmas Cookie trays this year.  The Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix makes them really quick to make.  Plus, it is dairy free!  So, if you use margarine to make your cookies, you are all set!  You could also use a regular drop sugar cookie recipe.  Either way these will turn out fabulous!

By the way, I told them that I would love to see a Gluten Free Sugar Cookie mix.  Betty Crocker has no plans to release any more Gluten Free products.  So, if you would like to see more, or you have someone with Gluten issues in your family.  Contact Betty Crocker and let them know how important this is to you.  I was told only 1% of consumers are Gluten Free.  I don’t feel that is an accurate number.  Do you?  Apparently,  Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix makes a really mean sugar cookie.  I can’t wait to get the recipe to try them.  I will share it as soon as I get my hands on it!

Citrus-Kissed Fig Thumbprints

Printable Version

Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. If desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Cool completely. Store tightly covered at room temperature.

Makes 48 cookies

I have everything to make these sitting on the counter right now. I will be making a batch in the next day or two. If you can’t find fig preserves, you can substitute another flavor. Trust me. You may want to make 2 batches.  These won’t last long!

Looking for some more great treat recipes?  Check out my Desserts!

General Mills paid for my airfare and accommodations while in MN. All opinions and comments are 100% my own.

This post may contain affiliate links