In a Pinch: Innovative Homemade Recipes & Ideas

Have you ever been in a pinch before where money was getting really tight? Such as payday is still a few days away or even weeks but the kids and cats need to be fed.

Well, I have and when those times hit, we don't just suffer through it, I improvise. Here's a few ways I have found to "get by" in the tough times.

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Milkshake Without a Blender

After so many moves, it is now impossible for me to keep a functioning blender with all its pieces intact, accessible, and thus usable. However this does not curb my occasional cravings for milkshakes. One day in my dire need for a milkshake, I thought to myself, "Why can't I just whisk it?" Eureka!

Ingredients:

• Any ice cream you want
• Milk
• Bananas or any other soft fruit

Tools:

• Medium mixing bowl
• Whisk (No whisk? Just use a fork ;)
• Tall cup

Steps:

1. Scoop as much ice cream as you want into the bowl.
2. Add any soft fruits you would like (doesn't really work with hard or frozen fruits).
3. Add 1/2 cup milk.
4. Slowly mash and then whisk all ingredients together. Add more milk as needed to soften the mixture. 
5. Pour from bowl into cup and enjoy.

*Note: I also used this whisk idea to create strawberry soft serve from vanilla ice cream and strawberry syrup. Just whisk very softly and only until combined.

Homemade Cat or Kitten Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• Eggs (1-2 per 10 pounds of weight on your cat)

Steps:

1. Place eggs in medium saucepan and cover with 1 inch of water. 
2. Put pan on stove on high heat.
3. Bring the water to a rolling boil and then immediately reduce heat to low.
4. Simmer for 4 minutes.
5. Remove pan from stove and run under cold water to stop the eggs from cooking too much.
6. When the eggs have cooled enough to handle, peel shell off and place in a shallow bowl or dish.
7. Mash or cut up eggs into small enough pieces so the cat(s) can eat them.
8. Serve.

*Note: I read also that this may work with dogs, too.

Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies

No eggs in the house, but still wanting to whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Here is a great recipe I found for making Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 C. sugar
• 1/2 C. butter, softened
• 1/2 C. oil
• 3 Tbs. water
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 1/4 C. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1-1 1/2 C. chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Add sugar, butter, oil, water, and vanilla to a medium sized mixing bowl and mix well.
3. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips and mix until combined.
4. Spoon mixture in teaspoon sized mounds onto a greased baking sheet. 
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown along the edges.

*Note: I have never been able to double this recipe successfully.

I am always looking for ways to get around not having a certain ingredient or tool. What are some ways you have been innovative or improvising at home or at work?