Simple Potato Salad

Potato Salad
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Potatoes	4 medium
Oil	1 Tbsp
Vinegar	1 Tbsp
Thyme	1/16 tsp
Basil	1/4 tsp
Dry Mustard	1/8 tsp
Marjoram	1/4 tsp
Celery seed	1/4 tsp
Sugar	1/4 tsp
Celery	1/4 C
Onion	1/4 C
Green olives	2 Tbsp
Mayonnaise	1/4 C

Boil whole potatoes until tender.
Mix oil, vinegar, thyme, basil, dry mustard, marjoram, celery seeds, and sugar.
When potatoes are tender, peel if desired, and cut into 1/2 inch dice while still hot.
Pour oil and vinegar mixture over hot potatoes, tossing gently. Let sit for half an hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When cool, mix in chopped celery, minced onions, and chopped green olives.
Stir in mayonnaise until potatoes are lightly coated.
Serve chilled.

Notes:
Buy 'salad' olives rather than the perfectionist whole stuffed olives.
Go light on the mayonnaise. It doesn't need to be visible to taste like potato salad.

Simple Oil and Vinegar Slaw Dressing

I make up 2 or 3 cups of this at a time, and then store it in the refrigerator for a fast dressing for shredded cabbage. It's a nice alternative to the more traditional mayonnaise version.

Oil and Vinegar Slaw Dressing

Sugar	1/2 C
Vinegar	3/4 C
Oil	3/4 C
Mustard seed	1 tsp
Celery seed	1 tsp

Stir ingredients together in small saucepan.
Heat to boiling, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Pour into canning jar and store in refrigerator for up to a month.
Use about 1/4 C per pound of cabbage.

Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Many people make this with twice the amount, but I find it far too sweet.

Corned Beef

Corned beef requires long, slow cooking. It's a perfect Crockpot dish.

Corned Beef

Beef brisket	4 lbs
Mustard seeds	1 tsp
Caraway seeds	1 tsp
Peppercorns	1/2 tsp
Coriander	1/2 tsp

Crush mustard seeds, caraway, coriander and peppercorns*. Rub into both sides of beef brisket.
Pour 1 cup of water in bottom of crockpot, and add brisket.
Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
Slice thinly to serve.

*If your corned beef comes with a spice packet, use that instead.
*I use a small coffee grinder to crush whole seeds.

Simply Frugal -- Herbs and Spices

Herb and Spices
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

The flavors you add to the basic foods can change a cornmeal concoction from Southern USA to Southern Italy with just a pinch of dried herbs.

If you live in a town with a food coop or a natural foods store, you can probably buy these in bulk at prices that are far less than the itty bitty jars on the shelf in the grocery store. If not, stock up first with cinnamon, chili powder, ginger, and vanilla extract, and add the rest as the budget allows.

Allspice
Basil
Bay leaf
Celery seed
Chili powder
Cinnamon
Cumin
Curry powder
Cloves
Dill weed
Ginger
Marjoram
Mustard, dry
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Peppercorns
Red pepper flakes
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme

Extremely Frugal recipes only use
Cinnamon, chili powder, and ginger.

Simple BBQ Sauce

BBQ Chicken
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Onion	1 C
Garlic clove	2
Butter	3 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce	2 Tbsp
Sugar	2 tsp
Chili powder	1 tsp
Dry mustard	1/2 tsp
Red pepper flakes	1/2 tsp
Vinegar	1 C
Coffee	1/4 C
Tomato sauce	1/2 C

Mince onion and garlic very fine. Combine with butter, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, vinegar, and coffee.
Bring to a boil and stir in tomato sauce. Boil 5 more minutes.
Reserve 1/2 C sauce and use remainder to marinate meat 3 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
Baste with marinade while cooking.
Serve reserved sauce at the table.

Note: the cold coffee can be as strong as you like. Even if it's been left warming in the coffee pot all day, the intensity of the flavor will work well here. Instant espresso is a substitute for strong cold coffee.

Simple Texas Dry Rub

A spicy mixture that I make up in quantity to give oven-roasted meats a summer flavor.

Garlic	2 cloves
Salt	1 Tbsp
Chili Powder	1tsp
Black pepper	1 tsp
Paprika	1 tsp
Cumin	1/2 tsp
Coriander	1/2 tsp
Dry mustard	3/4 tsp

Mash garlic, and combine thoroughly with spices.
Rub into meat on all sides and let it stand for two hours at room temperature before cooking.

If you are making up a large quantity, leave out the garlic. When you're ready to use it, mash 1/4 C dry rub with two garlic cloves.