Delicious One Bowl/One Fork Coconut Cookies . . .

in a minute, using a cake mix.  It can't get much easier than this!

1 package  coconut,  white, or  yellow cake mix                                                  

1/3 cup water 

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted  

1 large egg

1 tsp. to 1-1/2 tsp.** coconut extract                                 

1 cup large coconut flakes* or shredded coconut

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl. 

Add water, egg and extract and stir with a fork until combined. 

Stir in cake mix.  

Stir in coconut. 

Drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart on an ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet.

On ungreased or parchment-covered baking sheet, drop walnut-sized mounds of dough, spacing about two inches apart.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 11-13 minutes until cookies start to turn light brown (watch closely).  Let cool on baking sheet for one to two minutes before removing to rack to cool completely.

*I buy my coconut flakes at a health food store that sells spices, etc. in bulk.  They are so light they weigh next to nothing. I like how the big flakes protrude from the cookies and get a little toasty.  

**When using  a white or yellow cake mix I increase the amount of extract.

Note: The cookies taste yummy but aren't very pretty, looking somewhat like a drop biscuit.  If you want to dress them up a little bit you could drizzle them lightly with melted chocolate chips (but that would require another bowl!)

'till we eat again,

       I am Simply, Gail

   

                                               

It's Best to Tell the Truth and . . .

It has happened again! I have forgotten how to add the recipes from several posts to the cookbook list that runs down the side of my blog.

I have posted several GREAT recipes (at least I think they are and so do my tasters!) without being able to list them for your future reference.  I have spent hours going through my notes, digging through Google Blogger for Dummies, and experimenting --- unsuccessfully.

We have two grandchildren coming  through here in the next week or so on their way home from college. Hopefully they will be able to spend some time and will be willing to help me out.......again.

In the meantime---- please don't give up on me!

Fortunately, a few weeks ago when we were visiting, our daughter pointed out the little white search box at the top left hand side of my blog.  Can you believe ..... that's a dumb question ..... sure you can, that I didn't realize it was there.

Of course, you probably already knew about it.

Until help arrives I am going to list the recipes that don't appear in the sidebar and the wording to type in the little search box.

I am sorry for the extra work this will cause you but if you read one of the posts, wanted the recipe, and couldn't find it again, hopefully this will be worth your effort.

I have tried each of the "titles" I have put in bold, before the recipe descriptions and they will take you to the correct site.

• Chocolate "Shell" gives you the 2-ingredient recipe for the crackly chocolate topping that hardens when it hits ice cream (or frozen banana slices). 
• Blender Compost teaches you to turn your veggie and fruit trimmings into an instant compost smoothie for your garden.
• Artisan Bread reveals the simplicity to frugally making that expensive crusty-type European breads found in bakeries --- in minutes for pennies.
• Greek Yogurt shows you how to easily make this expensive yogurt  inexpensively without any special equipment.
• Donuts provides simple and simply delicious cake donuts in minutes --- Dave thinks they are the best he has ever tasted!
• Root Veggie Chips from my experimenting to create inexpensive and  healthy alternative to commercial ones.
• Zucchini Chips offers more in the dehydrating line of healthy snacks. They are so much better than they sound.
• Tartar Sauce quickly made from simple ingredients you probably already have on hand --- with none of the additives.
• Cole Slaw Dressing perfect for cabbage slaw (I am not sure where the name Cole came from) to mix up in a minute using simple ingredients.
• Microwave Potato Chips ---- to make, eat, and enjoy without any expensive specialty equipment.
• Coconut Cookies that require only one bowl and one fork to make.
• Barbecue Sauce that requires few ingredients, no cooking, and tops the most famous.
• Jello Milk Shake for a cool and colorful refreshing treat.
• Deodorant that does the job with natural, around the house, ingredients and no yucky, potentially harmful ones.

When I finally learn, I promise to

---fully write out the directions

---prominently post them in an obvious place

---immediately add the recipes to the cookbook list

Until that time, I will continue to add the search box headings to the bottom of each post.

And, I am thanking you in advance for what I hope is your patience with me.

I am Simply  Simple, Gail.

UPDATE!!!  My good friend Sandy talked me through how to put my recipes (including all of the above) in the Cook Book section.  Thanks, Sandy.

My next project will be how to make the Cook Book Section more user-friendly. In the meantime (which could be quite a long time) I hope you'll keep scrolling down to see what is there for you to make simply, cheaply, and without a bunch of added chemicals and other ingredients.

Watch Your Savings Add Up With DIY Snacks ---

Dave read my "poem" and called it doggerel.
I had to look it up.

I know the poem is pretty corny but Dave was kind enough to tell me  there is actually  a real dictionary word for what I composed.

As I promised last post, if you take the simple step of packaging your own lunch box snacks the $avings will add up almost quicker than the time it takes you to do the packaging!

For even greater $avings, try one or more of the following recipes, and package them to fit your family's needs and appetites. With a little thought and imagination, or even (if you have to) some initial expense, you can acquire a variety of reusable containers that will satisfactorily do the job.

Notes: Heidi uses lidded yogurt cups --- over and over and over.
I bought one 24 pack of 8 ounce bottled water; they are perfect  for juices. You can even add a little powdered lemonade or other flavors to the original water when using them the first time.

$ Extend Commercial Mixes:

Gelatin Extender: Simply add three cups of water to a 3 ounce package of gelatin rather than the called for two cups. Portion as desired.  Refrigerate. Note: It takes a little longer to set up and is a little softer than regular gelatin.

Cooked Pudding Extender: Add 1 T. cornstarch and 1 additional cup of milk to a 3 ounce package of cook-type pudding mix. Cook as directed. Portion as desired. Refrigerate. Note: If you partially heat the milk before adding the pudding mix, you will save some stirring time.

Frozen Juice Concentrates:  Add some additional water, a little at a time until you find just how much you can dilute it without affecting the taste.

$$ Make Master Mixes from Scratch:

Vanilla Pudding Mix
Combine the following ingredients, blending well. Store in tightly-lidded container.
2-1/3 cups granulated sugar
1-3/4 cups cornstarch
3/4 tsp. salt

To use: In medium saucepan combine 2/3 cup pudding mix and 2-3/4 cups milk. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Cook and stir one minute longer. Remove from heat and stir in 2 T. butter or margarine and 1-1/2 tsp. vanilla flavoring. Portion as desired. Refrigerate.

Coconut Pudding:   Prepare as for vanilla pudding  but stir in  1/2 to 2/3 cup shredded coconut. You can replace vanilla extract with 1/2 tsp coconut extract if desired.

Chocolate Pudding Mix
Combine the following ingredients, blending well. Store in tightly-lidded container.
1-1/2 cups plus 2 tsp. cocoa powder
3-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1-1/3 cups cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt

To use: Use 1 cup mix per recipe with 2-3/4 cups milk and following directions for vanilla pudding above.

"Krunch" Candy Bar
2-1/3 cups crisp rice cereal (like Rice Krispies)
1/4 cup (1/2 cube) margarine or butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put cereal in a sack and crush it to make about 1 cup. Set aside. In large saucepan, add margarine, chocolate chips, corn syrup and vanilla. Place over very low heat and stir continuously until contents are smooth and blended. Remove from heat. Use wire whisk to mix in powdered sugar. Stir in crushed cereal until thoroughly coated. Quickly press mixture evenly into buttered 9x9" pan. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into bars of desired size. Wrap in clear wrap and store at room temperature. 

Note: there are many recipes on the internet for making the marshmallow rice crispy bars that kids love.  They are quick, easy, much cheaper and, I think, better tasting than there commercial counterparts.

Soft Caramel Dip
27 caramels (if you buy them in bulk they are cheaper than in the package)
1/2 cup (1 cube) margarine
1 can sweetened condensed milk (or one recipe - below)

In microwaveable bowl, combine unwrapped caramels and margarine and heat for three minutes or until melted, checking and stirring often. Be careful not to overcook. Beat in condensed milk. Portion as desired. Serve with apple slices or pretzels.

Sweetened Condensed Milk 
1 to 1-1/2 cups dry powdered milk
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
4 T. (1/2 cube) margarine

Put sugar, boiling water and margarine in a blender. Process at low speed, adding dry powdered milk 1/4 cup at a time until the condensed milk is the right consistency (thick and creamy). Blend until smooth. Use in place of one can purchased "Eagle Brand" type condensed milk. Note: I have not used this in baking but it is good in non-baked items.

$$$ Do your kids like cookies that are sandwiched with frosting? Spread frosting between graham crackers for a great treat.  You can use canned frosting; for more savings, and better flavor, it is simple to make your own. The measurements don't need to be exact.  Basically, in a bowl add about half a cube of softened margarine, a sprinkle of salt, a little vanilla or other flavoring, and about 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar and a small amount of milk. Beat until smooth, adding sugar or milk a little at a time as needed to obtain consistency you want.  

It is simple to make your own Tuna, Chicken, Ham Salad Sandwich or Cracker Filling

1. Open a can of tuna, chicken or ham, drain if needed, place in a small bowl, and with a fork break into small chunks. 
2. Mix in mayonnaise or Miracle-Whip-type salad dressing to moisten. (I like to add a tiny amount of lemon juice or vinegar when I am using tuna)
3.  Add other ingredients as desired to taste: pickle relish, salt, pepper, powdered dill weed, chopped hard-boiled egg, etc. 
4. Store covered in refrigerator.

For egg salad, follow same directions, with the addition of a tiny bit of mustard, and any other additions you may like.

$$$ More . . .

For most of the commercial products you buy, you can find recipes or ways to Do It Yourself ---- almost always cheaper and almost always better tasting (and healthier)---- on the internet.  Even Twinkies!  With natural ingredients!!! Rather than the commercial Twinkies' 39 unnatural ingredients.*

If you are even tempted to buy little single serving packets of carrots, celery sticks, or whatever, look at the price and find great satisfaction in the savings of D-ing IY.

* Want to learn more about the amazing ingredients in a modern-day  Twinkie (and other manufactured food facts) check out

http://thecreativecheapskate.blogspot.com/search?q=twinkies 

or simply type Twinkie in the small upper left search box. 


It will change the way you think of foods and quite possibly what you eat.

Make Your Own Chocolate "Shell" for Ice Cream and More

You know what fun it is to watch the ice cream store employee dip your ice cream cone in a runny chocolate that immediately turns to a  crackly coating for a yummy treat? 

You can make your own in minutes with only two ingredients!

Make it . . . store it in the frig . . .
ready for an instant treat at a moments notice.

This is the ideal treat to keep on hand for hot summer weather.   It's super great because it is quick, much cheaper than the commercial "shell topping" you can buy, and without a lot of unnecessary ingredients.

Simply

1. Combine 1-1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips with 
1/2 cup coconut oil (measured when solid).

2. Melt in the microwave at about 70 percent power for about one minute (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat. Stir until smooth.

3. Drizzle, dip or pour over ice cream or other frozen treats* and enjoy.

Adapted from  Skip to my Lou.org 

Store remaining topping in the refrigerator in a bottle or jar. When ready to use the next time, heat in microwave for 30 seconds. Shake or stir and continue heating at 15 second intervals until liquid and well-combined. 

• This simple recipe is simply too good to limit to ice cream.  We freeze banana slices in single layers on cookie sheets, scoop them into dishes and drizzle with the topping.  Delicious!

• You can cut bananas into chunks (about four per banana), skewer each with a toothpick and freeze on cookie sheets. Dip each frozen chunk into the topping, allow excess to drip off, and return to freezer until totally set. Store in bags or containers until ready to use.

• If desired, you could roll each banana section in sprinkles or chopped nuts before the topping sets. Then return to freezer.

• Just before serving I have topped the picks with a pineapple tidbit and a maraschino cherry and set them on a bed of ice. 

I keep thinking of other things to freeze and dip.  Pretzels and marshmallows top my to try list. Sandwich cookies?

'til we eat again,

                Simply Gail

Simple Rocking Horse Cake to make.

Yesterday I posted the directions for making a Teddy Bear cake without a special pan.

Today it's a Rocking Horse cut from one 9x13 cake.

They are fun and simple to make.

This Hobby Horse cake is simply covered in fluffy white
frosting, sprinkled with coconut and dotted with
colored Life Saver candies.

 Note: If this cake was for a very young child I think M&M's or a softer candy                                            would be safer than the hard candies shown in the above photo.

A long, long time ago

I made a cake like this for Heidi's first birthday. 

This was the first time she had tasted cake                    

 (or cookies or anything sweet for that matter) 

so we weren't sure what her reaction would be.

1. Cover a board or heavy cardboard (slightly larger than the finished cake will be) with aluminum foil.
2. Bake a cake of your choice in a 9x13 inch cake pan.
3. Remove from pan and let cool completely.
4. Follow cutting directions   

Assemble cake on board using illustration above as your guide.

The saddle was made with a small amount of colored frosting. The reins are licorice strings.

All Gone!

'til we eat again,
          Simply, Gail