Ketchup Tray Tip

Where do you put the ketchup when you are at a fast food joint? Napkins sog and rip, the top of the nugget box works, unless you want to take anything home.

Try a big drink lid. Turn it upside down and squirt away. You can move it all around the table because it is sturdy. Pretty nifty.

Source: My own frustration

How to Thaw Bread - Tip #6

Be sure to thaw your frozen bread in the refrigerator. If you put it in your refrigerator before bed, you will have a perfect loaf for morning school sandwiches. There will be no hard crusts like you get from thawing the bread on the counter.



Source: Lots of my own wrecked loaves of bread.

Low Calorie Bagel Toppings - Tip #5

I think that Jenn E. was able to see my scheduled posts on this tip blog! Yep, the next post after the bagels, was to tip about the toppings!

She is right! The Weight Watchers whipped cream cheese is really good on bagels.

We use that cream cheese and the



"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray".

It all turns out good and doesn't taste too "diety". Dig in. It won't hurt. I promise.

Source: My searching eyes in the refrigerated section. The spray has been a staple for a long time in our fridge.

Back Up Source: Jenn E. on the WW cream cheese

Low Calorie Bagel - Tip #4

Here is another tip that follows our continuing subject of bread.

I just recently found a low-calorie bagel. They are only 110 calories per bagel. They are called The Alternative Bagel from Western Bagel. They sell three varieties in the refrigerated section at Wal-Mart; Cinnamon Spice, Roasted Onion and Sweet Wheat.



Pretty tasty little guys with a lot fewer calories.

Source:  My eyes scanning the refrigerated section.

Homemade Bread Crumbs - Tip #3

Another tip for bread! Homemade bread crumbs are so easy to make. Try this the next time your recipe calls for them.

Put a few pieces of bread (stale or fresh) in your food processor. Add a pinch of salt. Pulse for a few seconds and you have fresh bread crumbs!



If you want to season them, just add in a little bit of whatever taste you are going for.

These homemade bread crumbs will make your meatloaf and meatballs so much moister that the ones from the can.

Source: Probably Martha Stewart

For more cooking ideas go to: A Dash of Vanilla Blog

Cubed Stale Bread Can Also Make Great Croutons - Tip #2

Stale bread cut into cubes can also be repurposed to make great homemade croutons.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Put on a cookie sheet. Drizzle your bread with olive oil, salt & pepper. Add any other seasonings that you might like. Bake 10 - 15 minutes. Gourmet!

Source: My experimentation living in Ivins, UT. Homemade crouton recipes are now easy to find.

To find more cooking ideas go to: A Dash of Vanilla Blog

Fish Food for a Later Date - Tip #1

Do you want to feed the fish or ducks at a nearby pond or park with your kids or grandkids? You will always be ready with this tip.



Use your bread that has gone stale or is unusable. (Think heels or the last hot dog bun, etc.) For our example; ciabatta rolls.



Cut them up



into bite size pieces.



Bag all of your scraps together



and put them in your freezer in a small designated spot.



Then, when you get the wild idea that you want to go feed an animal, you are ready!



Places here in the Las Vegas, NV area to feed the fish and ducks are:
Sunset Park
Lake Mead Marina

Source: Bret's dad & his family were here to visit. We decided to cut up all of the stale freezer bread that we had before we went to feed the fish at the Lake Mead Marina. It was a hit and made the outing easy when we got there.