Simple Plum Cake

Plum Cake
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Plums	2 C
Yeast	1 tsp
Milk	1/2 C
Sugar	1 tsp
Milk	1/4 C
Salt	1/4 tsp
Butter	2 Tbsp
Egg	1
Sugar	1/4 C
Flour	3 C

Wash and half plums. Cut into thin wedges and set aside.
Mix together yeast, milk, sugar, and flour. Let rise about 1 hour, then stir down.
Warm milk with salt and butter until butter melts.
Stir in egg and sugar.
Add yeast mixture to batter.
Stir in flour, sufficient to make a stiff dough.
Pat the dough into a greased 9 x 11 pan, and place fruit on top in a single layer.
Let dough rise again.
Preheat oven to 400° F.
Bake 15 minutes, lower oven temperature to 350° and bake 10 minutes more.

Simple Rosemary Chicken Salad

Rosemary Chicken Salad
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Chicken, raw	1 lb
Onion	1/2C
Celery	1/4 C
Bay leaf	1
Celery	1 C
Onion	1/2 C
Grapes	1 C
Walnuts	1/4 C
Rosemary	1 tsp
Mayonnaise	1/4 C

Put chicken in saucepan and poach with onion, celery and bay leaf. Drain, reserving broth for other uses.
Mince celery and onion. Halve grapes. Chop walnut fine.
Dice chicken and stir in minced vegetables, and walnuts.
Sprinkle with crushed rosemary and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Gently fold in mayonnaise, and chill for 1 hour or until serving time.

Summer Fruit Tart

Summer Fruit Tart
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Clear Glaze for Fruit Tart

Gelatin	1 envelope (7 grams)
Cold water	1 C
Sugar	1/2 C
Fruit	1 1/2 C

Soften gelatin in cold water in a small saucepan.
Add sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring to dissolve gelatin and sugar.
Chill by immersing in an ice water bath until syrupy and slightly thickened.

Wash, dry, and slice fruit. I use strawberries, kiwi fruit, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apricots and other soft fresh fruit.

Drain fruit for a few minutes on a towel. Dip in glaze and then place on tart.

Recipe for shortbread crust
Recipe for custard filling

This is so easy to make. The only ingredient that isn't on the Simply Frugal shopping list is the gelatin. Otherwise, it only uses stuff that's already in your pantry along with inexpensive seasonal fruits.

Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Here's a way to use the mangos that are in season for the next few weeks

Mango Salsa

Red bell peppers	1 C
Mango	1
Red Onion	1/4 C
Cilantro	1/4 C
Green chiles	2 Tbsp
Lime juice	2 Tbsp
Chili powder	1/4 tsp

Dice mangoes, peppers, and red onions.
Mince fresh cilantro and green chilis.
Combine and sprinkle with lime juice and chili powder, stirring once or twice.
Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Extremely Frugal version
Use canned tomatoes instead of red peppers and canned green chilis.
Substitute yellow onions for red onions and lemon juice for lime juice.

Cantaloupe Salsa

An interesting way to make cantaloupe a dinner side dish.

Cantaloupe	1 1/2C
Onion	1/4 C
Red bell pepper	1/4 C
Fresh chilis	1 Tbsp
Cilantro	1/4 C
Salt	1/4 tsp
Lime Juice	2 Tbsp
Oil	1 Tbsp

Coarsely chop the cantaloupe. Dice the onion and bell pepper Finely chop the fresh chilis and cilantro.

Toss vegetables with salt, lime juice, and oil. Let sit for at least one hour. Served with broiled or grilled chicken.

Simplify it:
Use green bell pepper instead of red.
Or substitute diced tomatoes for bell pepper.
Use canned green chilis instead of fresh.
Use lemon juice instead of lime juice.

Simple Fresh Plum Chutney

Plums
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

An easy side dish for baked ham

4 servings

Butter	1 Tbsp
Plums	1 lb
Onion	1 C
Ginger	2 tsp
Brown sugar	1 Tbsp
Vinegar	1 Tbsp

Chop onions coarsely. Remove pits and stems from plums and cut into quarters. Grate ginger.

Saute onions in butter until soft. Add plums and ginger and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add brown sugar and vinegar, and stir well. Set aside until ready to serve, then reheat. You can even make this the day before and refrigerate. The flavors blend nicely when held overnight.

Fancy it up:
Use balsamic vinegar instead of cider vinegar. Use only 1 tsp for a very subtle flavor.

Simple Baked Pears

Baked Pears
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Seasonal fruits combined in a simple dessert

Pears	3
Oranges	1
Raisins	3 Tbsp
Brown sugar	1/4 C
Water	1/3 C
Butter	1 Tbsp

Slice oranges without peeling.
Layer in bottom of baking dish, and sprinkle raisins on top.
Halve and core pears. Place cut side down on oranges.
Mix brown sugar and water, and pour over pears.
Dot with butter, cover, and bake a 325 F for 45 minutes to an hour.


Fancy it up:
Add 1/2 C white wine before you cover the baking dish. A flavor-enhancer that makes the dish stand out.

Simple Apple Onion Saute

Apple Onion Celery Pork
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

An easy accompaniment to roasted meat.

Apple Onion Saute
4 servings

Apples, Granny Smith	1 pound
Onions	1/2 pound
Butter	1 Tbsp
Celery (optional)	1/2 C
Sage	1 tsp
Salt	1 tps

Slice onions into thin rounds.
Core apples, but do not peel. Slice into thin wedges.
Melt butter in frying pan, and saute apples until slightly browned.
Add onions (and celery) and saute until translucent.
Add sage and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook 5 minutes longer.

Can also be used as a base while roasting pork or beef.

Extremely Frugal Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Tart apples with a simple oatmeal, butter, and sugar topping.

Apples, tart	4 C
Lemon juice	2 Tbsp
Water	2 C
Oatmeal	1 C
Flour	1/2 C
Brown sugar	1 C
Cinnamon	2 tsp
Butter	1/2 C

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mix lemon juice with water in 1 qt bowl.
Wash, core, and slice apples, dropping them into the acidulated water as you slice them.
Mix oatmeal, flour, sugar, and cinnamon well.
Cut or rub in butter until it is the size of small peas.
Place apple slices in greased casserole. Add 1/4 C acidulated water.
Cover with oatmeal topping.
Bake for 35-45 minutes.