!

! When it comes to cooking, I like to keep things as simple

as possible. As a mama of two young boys, there isnʼt much

time to spend in the kitchen cooking or baking elaborate meals

and desserts. Instead, I rely on very simple recipes to help me

prepare foods quickly so I can get out of the kitchen to soothe

my fussy baby, change diapers or read to my toddler. Most of

the dishes I cook are not fancy but they are yummy, especially

considering the simplicity of them.

! Keeping recipes simple is also important for keeping

costs down. Using staples like beans or limiting the number of

ingredients keeps the cost of a dish low which is a must for

living frugally and sticking to my grocery budget.

! I hope you enjoy a few of our family favorites.

! Rachel Boreing

© 2012 - All rights reserved

intentionallysimple.com @rachelboreing facebook.com/intentionallysimple

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Breads............................................................................................................Apple Bread 5

.......................................................................................................Banana Bread 6..................................................................................................................C ornbread 7

..........................................................C ountry Ham & Cheese Biscuits 8.....................................................................................................Pumpkin Bread 9...................................................................................................Simple Muffins 10

Desserts...................................................................................................Blueberry Crisp 12

............................................................................Dark Chocolate Brownies 13...................................................................................Peanut Butter C ookies 14

......................................................................................Snickerdood le C ookies 15Dips

......................................................................................Buffalo Chicken Dip 17...........................................................................................................Spinach Dip 18

Main Dishes..................................................................................Buffalo Chicken P izza 20

................................................Chicken, RO*T EL & Rice Casserole 21........................................................................Creamy Ranch Pork Chops 22

..........................................................................Ham and Potato Casserole 23................................................................................................Italian Meatbal ls 24

.............................................Meatloaf with Sweet and Sour Sauce 25..............................................................................................Mexican Casserole 26

............................................................................................................P izza Pasta 27About the Author 28

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Breads

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Apple BreadMy apple bread recipe was created one night when I wanted to bake but didnʼt want to make cookies or a pie. This apple bread uses homemade applesauce and is based on my pumpkin bread recipe. Itʼs such a moist and delicious bread.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 3/4 cups chunky applesauce

Directions:

1.Mix flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and baking powder in large bowl.

2. In another bowl, beat eggs and add sugar, oil and vanilla.

3. Combine egg mixture with dry ingredients. Stir in chunky applesauce.

4. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans. Bake at 350ºF for 1 hour.

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Banana BreadI love banana bread. This recipe tastes great and helps prevent food waste. When our bananas turn brown, they are made into this easy banana bread.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening(I use palm shortening)

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.

2. In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar.

3. Add eggs and beat thoroughly, add mashed bananas and vanilla.

4. Blend in dry ingredients.

5. Pour into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350ºF for about 40 minutes or until brown.

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C ornbreadAs a southerner, I have a love for cornbread. Itʼs easy to make and is a great addition to a frugal dinner of beans and greens. It is a yummy bread for grilled and barbecued meals and can also be a great dessert (I love drizzling honey or maple syrup over warm corn bread.). This recipe is for our small 8-inch iron skillet but you can easily double for a larger portion.

Ingredients:

2 cups self-rising cornmeal

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup  oil

Directions:

1. Preheat a well greased 8-inch iron skillet (or 8×8 baking pan) at 425ºF.

2. Blend all ingredients, stirring until moistened.

3. Pour batter into preheated skillet.

4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden.

5. Remove from pan and serve.

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C ountry Ham & Cheese BiscuitsThese biscuits are a fun twist on the traditional ham biscuit. Theyʼre easy to make and so yummy. They also make a great ʻfreezer mealʼ. To freeze, donʼt brush with butter. I freeze them in packs of four in small freezer bags. When weʼre ready to eat them, I defrost for approximately two minutes and then warm for one minute. Country Ham and Cheese Biscuits are a convenient home cooked breakfast biscuit.

Ingredients:

2 cups self rising flour

1/4 cup shortening(I use palm shortening)

1 cup finely chopped country ham

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup milk

2 1/2 tsp butter, melted

1 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Measure flour into large mixing bowl. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

2. Add ham, cheese, milk, and sour cream; mix until well blended.

3. Knead dough gently on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick and cut out biscuits.

4. Bake on baking sheet at 450ºF for 8-10 minutes.

5. Brush tops with melted butter.

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Pumpkin BreadAs soon as the weather cools, I bake pumpkin bread. I love celebrating fall by baking extra loaves to share. This recipe is simple and makes a moist and delicious pumpkin bread.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 can pumpkin

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/3 cup water

1 3/4 cups flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions:

1.Grease and flour loaf pan; preheat oven to 350ºF.

2. Mix flour baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in sugar and wet ingredients.

3. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans; bake 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

4. Cool in pans on wire racks, then take out the loaves to fully cool.

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Simple MuffinsMuffins make an easy breakfast or snack. These muffins are very simple, thereʼs no fruit or special flavoring, but theyʼre still yummy.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup milk

1/3 cup oil

Directions:

1. In large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

2. In small mixing bowl, combine egg, milk and oil.

3. Gently push the dry ingredients against edges of bowl to make a well in the center. Add wet ingredients and stir until just moistened.

4. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full.

5. Bake at 400ºF for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

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Desserts

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Blueberry CrispBlueberry Crisp is one of my favorite ways of using frozen blueberries. This is such an easy desert to make. This recipe also works with frozen blackberries.

Filling Ingredients:

3 cups blueberries

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon salt

Topping Ingredients:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup oats

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Mix blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl for the filling. Transfer to an 8x8 baking dish.

2. Mix flour, oats, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar together; stir dry ingredients into butter until crumbles form.

3. Sprinkle topping evenly over filling. Bake at 375ºF about 30 minutes, until bubbling in the center or until topping is brown.

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Dark Chocolate BrowniesWho doesnʼt love brownies? Most people make brownies from boxed mixes but I prefer making brownies from scratch. The ingredients in these brownies are on hand in most households and the dark chocolate cocoa powder is an indulgent addition. (If you donʼt have dark chocolate cocoa powder, regular works too, the brownie just isnʼt as rich.)

Ingredients:

1 1/8 cup sugar

1/3 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

3/4 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

6 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Mix dry ingredients together in large mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, cream butter and eggs; add to dry ingredients. Stir until moist.

2. Pour into lightly greased 8 x 8 baking pan. Bake 20-25 minutes at 350ºF.

3. Cool in pan; cut into squares & enjoy.

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Peanut Butter C ookiesThese are the easiest, yummiest peanut buttery treats you'll ever make. Iʼve been baking them since I was a little girl and they are still one of my favorite cookies to make.

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup sugar

1 egg

Directions:

1.Mix all ingredients.

2.Shape into small balls, place onto an ungreased baking sheet.

3.Press fork onto cookies for a lattice look (optional).

4.Bake at 350ºF for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are browned.

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Snickerdood le C ookiesThis is a simple recipe that almost everybody loves. They contain simple ingredients, are easy to whip up and are so yummy.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 tsp cinnamon

Additional 1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Cream 1 1/2 cups of sugar and the butter until light and fluffy for at least 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.

2. Add dry ingredients, blend well.

3. Roll 1/2 Tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and then roll them in a mixture of 3 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar.

4. Space balls 1-inch apart on cookie sheets.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 400ºF; cookies will be soft and puffy. Let cool a minute before taking off cookie sheet.

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Dips

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Buffalo Chicken DipWe love buffalo chicken dip. When thereʼs a game on television or a party to go to, we make this dip. This easy to make four-ingredient recipe rarely has any leftovers.

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breasts*,boiled & finely shredded

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup buffalo sauce(or more if you like spicy food)

8 ounces cream cheese

Directions:

1. Toss chicken with buffalo sauce.

2. Spread cream cheese in the bottom of small baking dish (12-inch cast iron or an 8×8 baking dish is what we use). Spread chicken on top of cream cheese, then sprinkle cheese on top.

3. Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

4. Serve with tortilla chips.

* To save money use legs or thighs instead of chicken breasts.

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Spinach DipWhile in college, we lived near a restaurant that served amazing spinach dip. We often ate there just because of the yummy spinach dip. When we moved to a new city, there was not a local restaurant that made a spinach dip as good as the one we had grown to love. We baked and tasted and tweaked for quite a while before landing on this recipe. Itʼs not exactly the same as that ʻfamedʼ dip but itʼs a recipe that makes our taste buds happy.

Ingredients:

1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained

1/2 can RO*TEL, drained

1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

3/4 cup mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup mayo

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients until well blended.

2. Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

3. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy.

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Main Dishes

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Buffalo Chicken P izzaAny food with the word ʻbuffaloʼ in the name gets our attention. We put Franks Red Hot Sauce on anything we think it will taste good on. (Itʼs really good on Mexican Casserole, page 26) We came up with this simple Buffalo Chicken Pizza several years ago and its one of our favorite pizzas.

Ingredients:

Your favorite pizza crust

1 pound chicken breasts*, boiled & finely shredded

Hot Sauce (We use Franks.)

Cheese (We prefer mozzarella)

Directions:

1. Boil and shred chicken.

2. Coat chicken in hot sauce. We use a lot of hot sauce.

3. Spread a layer of hot sauce on your pizza crust followed by a thin layer of cheese. Spread chicken evenly around the entire pizza crust and top with more cheese.

4. Bake at 450ºF for 20 minutes or until the pizza is browned and bubbly.

*To save money use legs or thighs instead of chicken breasts.

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Chicken, RO*T EL & Rice CasseroleThis recipe is one of my momʼs, it was one of my favorite dishes growing up. Itʼs a comforting food that is really easy with inexpensive ingredients. Itʼs the perfect casserole for a cold winter night.

Ingredients:

1 chicken, cooked & cut up

2 cans cream of chicken*

2.5 cups milk

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups cooked rice

1 can RO*TEL

Cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Put diced chicken in bottom of 9 x 13 casserole dish, pour RO*TEL over chicken.

2. Mix cream of chicken, milk, chicken broth and rice; pour over RO*TEL.

3. Cook for 50 minutes at 350ºF. Add cheese and cook 10 more minutes.

* I make Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup.

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Creamy Ranch Pork ChopsCreamy Ranch Pork Chops are simple to make but taste like they required a lot of effort.

Ingredients:

1 tsp oil

4 boneless, pork chops(I cut mine in half.)

1 can cream of mushroom soup*

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix*

4 servings cooked rice

Directions:

1. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned.

2. Mix together soup, milk and dressing mix. Pour into the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce heat to low.

3. Cover and cook 10 minutes.

4. Serve over rice.

*I use homemade cream of mushroom and ranch dressing mix.

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Ham and Potato CasseroleThis is one of our family favorites for winter. Itʼs a recipe that my mom created years ago. We often make this casserole after Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter with leftover ham.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds potatoes

1/2 cup diced, cooked ham

Medium onion, chopped

3 Tbs butter

3 Tbs flour

1 tsp salt

Dash of pepper

1 1/2 cup milk

1 cup grated sharp cheddar

Directions:

1. Peel and slice potatoes.

2. Saute onions in butter. Blend in flour, salt and pepper. Gradually add milk and stir until sauce is thickened. Blend in 3/4 of grated cheddar.

3. Alternate sliced potatoes, ham and cheese sauce in a 9 x 13 casserole dish; cover with foil.

4. Bake at 350ºF for one hour. Sprinkle with cheese, bake for 15 more minutes.

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Italian Meatbal lsThese meatballs are really easy to make. They make a great appetizer or can turn boring spaghetti sauce into a delicious and hearty sauce. I often make a double or triple batch to freeze. I freeze in packs of 12-15 meatballs. When Iʼm using them for dinner, I simply put them in a pot with spaghetti sauce, turn on low and let them slowly defrost.

Meatball Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1/2 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1 medium onion

Salt, pepper & garlic to taste

1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

1.Mix all ingredients together. Donʼt add all of the water at one time. (Mixture should be slightly moist, but not falling apart.)

2. Shape meatballs to desired size and place on cookie sheets.

3. Broil until outside is slightly brown on one side, then turn and broil the other side.

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Meatloaf with Sweet and Sour SauceThis is one of my husbandʼs favorite dishes that his mom made when he was growing up. I had never liked meatloaf until I tried this recipe and now I love it. Itʼs really easy, inexpensive and delicious. (Itʼs not the healthiest main dish due to the sugar in the sauce, but itʼs so yummy.) Every time I make this meatloaf, I have one happy husband.

Meatloaf Ingredients:

1 pound ground meat

1 egg

3/4 cup oatmeal

Salt and pepper to taste

Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients:

1-8oz can tomato sauce

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. mustard

Directions:

1. Mix together all of the meatloaf ingredients.

2. Bake in a greased baking dish (8x8) on 375ºF for 45 minutes.

3. Boil all the sweet and sour sauce ingredients and pour over meatloaf last 10 minutes of baking.

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Mexican CasseroleThis casserole was my favorite dinner dish growing up and was the one thing Iʼd request when I came home from college to visit. This also was the very first dish I ever cooked for my husband when we were dating. Needless to say, itʼs still a family favorite and makes a regular appearance in our meal planning.

Ingredients:

Tortilla chips*

1 lb ground meat

1 can pinto or Ranch Style beans

1 small can mushrooms

1 can RO*TEL

1 can cream of chicken

Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Brown ground meat.

2. Layer 9×13 casserole dish with tortilla chips.

3. Spread browned meat over chips, spread beans over meat followed by mushrooms.

4. In mixing bowl, mix RO*TEL and cream of chicken together, pour on casserole and top with shredded cheddar.

5. Bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes.

*When we get to the bottom of a bag of tortilla chips and all that is left are crumbs, we save them. After three or four bags worth there are enough tortilla chip crumbs to make Mexican Casserole.

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P izza PastaThis main dish was created during the early years of our marriage when we were living on a very small income and needed to make our grocery budget stretch as far as we possibly could. With four ingredients, itʼs super simple and quite frugal.

Pizza Pasta (for 2)

Ingredients:

1/4 pound sausage

2 cups Penne Rigate

Spaghetti Sauce

Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

1.Brown sausage; boil water and cook penne.

2.When pasta finishes combine sausage, penne, and spaghetti sauce (I use about 1/4 jar because I donʼt want it too runny).

3.Top with grated parmesan.

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About the AuthorRachel Boreing is a wife and mama of two little boys. Those two little boys are the reason she keeps meals simple.

She keeps things simple not only in the kitchen but in all areas of life. You can find her blogging about choosing a life of simplicity at Intentionally Simple. There you'll read about cloth diapering, gardening, living minimally, frugally, debt free and more!

You can connect with Rachel on Twitter and Facebook.@rachelboreing facebook.com/intentionallysimple

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