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.

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.

Parisian Carrot Salad

Parisian Carrots
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

An easy side dish for winter meals.

Parisian Carrot Salad
Serves 4

Carrots	2 C
Parsley	1/2 C
Olive oil	1 tsp
Garlic	1 clove
Salt	1/4 tsp
Pepper	1/8 tsp
Red wine vinegar	1 Tbsp

Mince parsley very fine, and shred carrots.
Drizzle oil over mixture.
Crush garlic and add to mixture along with salt and pepper.
Stir well, coating carrots thoroughly.
Sprinkle vinegar over mixture, toss, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Simplify:
Use vegetable oil instead of olive oil
Use cider vinegar instead of red wine vinegar

Simple Cabbage Tomato Soup

Cabbage Tomato Soup
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

A wonderful winter soup.

Cabbage and Tomato Soup
6 servings

Cabbage	2 C
Tomatoes, canned	28 oz
Bacon	3 slices
Onion	1 C
Oil	2 Tbsp
Bay leaves	2
Allspice	1 1/2 tsp
Paprika	2 Tbsp
Brown sugar	2 Tbsp
Garlic	1 Tbsp
Vinegar, cider	1/3 C
Chicken stock	3 C

Saute bacon, bay leaf, and oil over medium heat until bacon is translucent.
Stir in cabbage and onion and saute 5 minutes.
Add allspice, paprika, brown sugar, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Lower heat and let vegetables steam gently in their own juices. Do not brown.
Add vinegar, tomatoes, and chicken stock. Add sufficient water to cover the tops of the vegetables.

Simmer 30 minutes, until cabbage is soft. Puree 1 or 2 cups, and stir back into pan. Taste for balance, and serve hot.

Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

A sturdy bean soup with Caribbean flavors.

CUBAN BEAN SOUP
Six servings
Buy: Black beans, pork loin (ham, dry sherry, fresh lemon)

	6 servings	2 servings
Black beans	2 C	2/3 C
Olive oil	2 Tbsp	2 tsp
Onions, chopped	1 C	1/3 C
Garlic	2 tsp	1 tsp
Pork shoulder	8 oz	3 oz
Tomato	1/2 C	3 Tbsp
Vinegar	2 Tbsp	2 tsp
Cumin	1/2 tsp	dash
Bay leaf	1	1/3
Pepper	dash	dash
Salt	1/2 tsp	dash

Wash beans well. Soak over night, drain soaking water. Cover beans with water and bring to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer until soft, about 3 hours. Drain. Puree the beans. Lightly rinse the pan, and return beans.

Chop pork into small dice.

Heat the oil until a haze forms. Add the onions and the garlic and stir until soft. Add the cumin, bay leaf, and pepper, and stir for 1 minute. Add tomato, pork, sherry OR vinegar, and stir until mixture thickens slightly. Add to bean puree and heat for 15 minutes.

Serve garnished with slices of boiled egg and lemon.

Fancy Fixins
Use ham instead of pork
Use annatto oil in place of olive oil
Use fresh tomato in place of canned diced tomato
Use sherry instead of vinegar

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.

Extremely Frugal Carolina BBQ Sauce

A sharp contrast to the usual tomato-based barbeque sauce

Cider Vinegar	1 1/2 C
Water	1 C
Butter	1 Tbsp
Dried red pepper flakes	1/4 tsp
Salt	1 tsp
Garlic	2 cloves

Heat vinegar, water and butter until butter melts. Add dried red pepper flakes, salt, and crushed garlic. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Use as marinade and basting sauce for pork, chicken, and beef.