Christine, when you layer your lasagna noodles in your pan, over lap the noodles using the ruffled edges. Kind of connect them together like a puzzle. I worked for an old Italian lady for years (like straight off the boat Italian lady) and she taught me this. She would said "those a ribbons are there for a reason, they not just a look a pretty". (Yes, please say this in an Italian accent) Yes it takes more noodles but try it out next time. Game changer! Merry Christmas!
I was so excited to use you as a source on my persuasive speech this semester! I was persuading people to make a meal plan before they go to the grocery store! Everyone thought I did good and loved your ideas!
Speedy would love the leftover pumpkin! It doesn’t have added salt or sugar, so it is a wonderful treat for him - so much vitamins and fiber snuck into people food!
I think that what you do is amazing especially when it comes to making food for other families I know that there have been times when it's been really hard for me and my family to survive and an extra meal from somebody that was as sweet and kind-hearted as you would be absolutely perfect thank you for what you do
Hi Christine! I hope this comment doesn't get buried because I love your channel and wanted to say thank you! My new years resolution is to be less wasteful next year and your tips are good for the wallet and the spirit. Your freezer meals/tips alone save me as a single lady trying not to eat out of the house all the time. This may have been suggested before, but I'd love to see a video of responses you may have for people who have objections to common frugal tips. Things like "But I cant stand cooking!" or "I have a hard time getting my family to eat leftovers". I love leftovers, but the idea of a video like this intrigues me. I haven't run across one yet watching frugal and cooking tip videos. Thanks for all you do and have a great day!
I know your friend will appreciate the meals. Bless you. Just so you know, you need don't need those no-cook noodles. Just add a tad more liquid to your sauce and use the regular noodles. I make mine a day or two before I plan on baking it and it turns out perfect. I do tend to use more sauce and mine is a little thicker. If it's just me,I will cut leftovers into individual portions, wrap and vacuum seal for the freezer.
Leftover pumpkin gets tossed into pancakes and scones around here. Pumpkin pancakes are my kids' favorites- your regular pancake recipe, us a bit of pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, tiny bit of nutmeg. So good. Also, if you have enough, go with Smitten Kitchen's pumpkin butter. Just....just do it. It is amazing.
love you ! Here is a great recipe to use up the pumpkin: Pumpkin Bread with Maple glaze 1 yellow cake mix 15 oz. pumpkin (small can) 2 eggs 1/4 c. oil 2 Tbsp. pumpkin pie spice Mix and bake at 350. Mini pans are 20-25 minutes. larger pans 40-55 minutes. Cool completely and glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/4 c. real maple syrup (not pancake syrup). If I'm gong to freeze or gift later I glaze right before. The thinner glaze soaks in as it sits. Or I make it thicker with more sugar so its more like a frosting. Yummy.
Another great video! I look forward to our time together, Christine! My Alexa picked up your “Rockin around the Christmas Tree” 🎄 command, so I listened to it, too! 😁
I don't know how to love a videographer more than I love watching your videos!! You teach while making people laugh and smile the entire time. I just love how you do things with such glee.
I must say I love your videos! You and I have the same sense of humor and I just love it. It's hard to find "your" people. Keep them coming please!! 😍😜😁
Another tip for using up the pumpkin, I like to use it to thicken chili! Sounds kind of wack, I know, but it can help to thicken a chili if it's too soupy!!
@@thegracklepeck too true! It's amazing in cheese fondue. I grate fresh nutmeg into the mixture of melted butter and chocolate in my brownie recipe. I let it bloom while it cools a little bit before mixing the chocolate concoction with the eggs and flour. I've seen people eat the whole thing in one sitting and just lay back blissed out.
I use the lasagne sauce for home made pizza pockets. I just make white bread dough, makes a small circle fill with cheese and lasagne sauce, fold over and bake. I sometimes let them rise for 20 minutes before baking. I also have used the cottage cheese mixture in pockets.
You need to try cornbread casserole Corbread casserole recipie: I box of cornbread mix 2 eggs 8 oz sour cream 1 can creamed corn 1 stick butter/margarine Melt butter in a deep casserole dish then add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes.
Oooohhh. The corn cake is right up my alley. Love it with chili. My hubby doesn't like it so more for me. If you don't want cracks on the top of your cheesecake, put a pan of water in the oven on the rack below your cheesecake. It will help with the cracking issue.
I have a full star food chopper and it saves so much time meal prepping. Mine has several attachments but I just used the small dice and the larger chop.
It’ll be fine! Yummy & funny I learned the one can of pumpkin one box of spice cake mix recipe combined and 18 minutes later 12 muffins soo great w or without walnuts as u wish ~ in case u have extra pumpkin! Have a super fun holiday season 🌲🙌😋🤣
Extra pumpkin can be made into dog treats! Also, I used to mix it with plain Greek yogurt, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla protein powder - made a tasty mousse!
Rocking’ Around the Christmas Tree and Jingle Bell Rock get confused all the time. I’m like, didn’t we just hear this song and the kids say No Mom that’s the other one 🤣🤣
Christine - your recipes and reviews of them are such a blessing! Our youngest has many food allergies (eggs, milk, nuts, peanuts, avocado, banana, mustard) and it is very challenging to find foods that we can all eat and also like! When you make something that is safe for him, I always make it! My family wasn't so sure about these pumpkin bars, but when I said you made them and loved them, they were on board! The littlest one doesn't love lots of baked things, especially since he doesn't like chocolate, even though he CAN safely eat it. He LOVED these. We only had to sub for dairy free butter sticks and they were delicious! Thanks again!!
MMM I can't wait to try that pumpkin dessert. My favorite smoothie for the remainder of your pumpkin: 1 serving 1 oz liquid (soylent, oat/almond milk your choice) 1 or 2 good spoonfull of pumpkin 1 or 2 good spoonfull of yogurt 1 frozen very ripe banana & some chocolate covered bananas if you have any & want the bit of chocolate good dash of cinnamon, & nutmeg pinch of ginger I also add pumpkin seasoning for the extra spice :) you can also add some oats if you want Bam!! blend & enjoy.
I *NEVER* cook *ANY* lasagna noodles, ever. The sauce offers the moisture needed. It cuts time and I don’t buy the oven ready noodles, either. I have done this for decades. Totally works and saves time! ⏳
My go-to’s for extra pumpkin are Souper at 60’s pumpkin spice snickerdoodles and Jessica Sienfeld’s deceptively delicious oatmeal. Each recipe uses 1/4 cup pumpkin purée. 😁
Any recipe that only uses a portion of pumpkin, I just double/triple it so I’ll use the whole can of pumpkin. I always give the extras to family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
My mom said that too! Years went by and I finally caught her adding 2 tbsp of sugar to the jiffy box mix! "Ah-ha!" I shouted! She startled so bad she knocked the sugar to the counter and we laughed and laughed! 😆
I like to use 1/2 ricotta 1/2 pumpkin for my lasagna. I add nutmeg to the mix sounds weird but trust me it’s perfect in any savory pumpkin dish. I also use dried parsley since I grew up always using dried parsley in the ricotta layer.
