Free Gas Baked Beans (No Pun Intended)

No pictures for this one... everyone knows what baked beans look like.

Haha, yes, I meant what I said... free gas.  If you shop at Giant (or Martins) you know what I am saying.  Every week, they offer a small selection of products, that when a certain number are purchased, you can get a certain amount of money off per gallon of gas (up to 30 gallons).  For this recipe, I used many ingredients that I have been stocking up on while saving money on gasoline. :)  This is another "what's on hand" recipe.

• Fry 1/2 lb. bacon in a large skillet.  Drain on paper towel.
• Drain most of the drippings.
• Brown 1 lb. venison (yes, deer meat.... we don't buy beef) in the same skillet - making sure to pick up all of the goodies left behind by the bacon!
• Add canned tomatoes (could be diced, puree, whatever).  I had some leftover from another recipe in the fridge that needed to be used.  Or, better yet, fresh from the garden!
• Cut/crumble in the bacon.
• Add a can of your favorite baked beans (this is semi-homemade).
• Pour/squeeze in a half c. or so of your favorite barbeque sauce (or whatever was on the gas points list!)
• I added a bit of ketchup (should have gone for a little mustard, too).
• In another skillet, melt 1/4 c. butter.
• Saute 1 small onion in the butter until translucent.
• Dump both butter and onions into the beans.
• Simmer on low/crockpot on low for about an hour or until ready to serve.

This is a hearty, bold picnic favorite!  Hope you enjoy this spin... or make it your own!

P.S.  I have 5 more weeks, and I'm already up to 1.20 off per gallon!!!
Check out www.forthemommas.com for more info. :)

Sporty Eggs

They are good for your health and fitness, but not athletic themselves. What I am referring to are deviled eggs with a kick. (Named by my dad's family...got this idea from Gram). Everyone has their own hard-boiling techniques and recipes, but here are mine:

Place a dozen or so eggs (add a couple extra just in case they break/tear) in a pot; cover with water.  Heat to boiling and then boil for about 10 minutes.  Allow to rest for a few minutes, and then strain.  Fill pot again with cold water, cover with lid, and shake!  The shells will crack, and the cold water will get in underneath and make peeling a whole lot easier.  Peel and rinse. Cut eggs in half placing cooked yolk into a small mixing bowl.
Mash with fork.
Add mayonaise (quarter cup-ish - enough to make the mixture smooth).
Add a squeeze (or more) of mustard.
Add enough hot sauce/wing sauce to get the desired amount of heat.
Add any other spices/salts you desire (e.g. italian seasoning, onion powder, etc.).
Optional: Ranch dressing or powder

Spoon mixture into ziploc sandwich bag and cut off corner.
Squeeze into egg halves.
Top with garnish (I used celery seed, but you could use paprika or whatever you like).

Chill.  Enjoy.