Simple Thrift and Herbs

Saving money, time, energy. And chatting about herbs.

  • Pinto Bean Cake

    I have a ton of beans around here and need to be using them, so when Dylan Hollis had this recipe on TikTok, I knew I had to try it. The Recipe Two 27 ounce cans of pinto beans, drained 1 1/2 cups peanuts 3/4 cup honey 5 eggs 1/2 cup melted butter 2 tsp.… Read more

  • Water Pie

    I’ve been trying to pick Mom’s brain about ways to save money that are even more black-belt level than the ones I already do. Mom was born in 1929 and remembers the depression quite a bit. One of the things she remembered was that the neighbors made ‘Water Pie’. According to her, “You ate what… Read more

  • TOO SPICY!!

    Today I didn’t follow my own advice and make a half batch when trying a new recipe. So when the Butter Chicken I made ended up a bit too spicy, I had to make a decision. Throw it out? Absolutely not! We don’t waste food in this household! But what to do? With my lips… Read more

  • White Sauce

    White sauce is a really basic thing that you can tweak to make other things. Plain white sauce, made thicker, can be used as a binder for things like croquettes. Thin it out and it can become a cream soup or the base for potato soup. Add cheese and it becomes the base for scalloped… Read more

  • Halving Recipes

    It’s down to just the man and me now with all the kidlets out of the house, so meals have gone from cooking for an army to cooking for just the 2 of us. I really dislike any kind of food waste, but I also get bored making the same thing all the time. I… Read more

  • Windshields are Expensive

    Last week, while I was enjoying a lovely day running errands, I noticed a chip in my windshield. Bummer. Even worse, it was a Thursday, and my day off is Wednesday – that meant waiting at least almost a week to get it fixed. I have had this happen several years ago with the same… Read more