Today is day number 38 of temperatures over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Yesterday we were w/out electricity, therefore w/out A/C.  So I’m officially declaring the kitchen closed due to heat wave.

But cooking isn’t my only hobby.  :Taking deep breath here: I confess.  I’m a couponer, too.   I will spend hours scouring the Sunday paper to save twenty cents on yogurt.  But it’s not the kill.  It’s the thrill of the chase, right?

Did you know you can get coupons and discounts on restaurants, too?  And not just the chain places.

And this time, I’ve done all the hard work for you! Here are some legit coupon places that have discounts for restaurants in all price ranges.

Red Plum   These are the guys who do the coupons in the paper.
Coupons.com  Mostly for groceries, they have occasional fast food restaurant coupons
AllYou  Not really coupons, but a list of chain restaurants that have ‘Kids Eat Fee’ nights.  (LOVE this website.  It’s so –pink! Be sure to explore.  It even has a book club section!)
Restaurant.com  I just found this one as I was researching this article.  Narrowed down the choices to my local area and found discounted gift certificates to my husband’s favorite restaurant, Nicky’s! I’m bookmarking this website now!
Woman Freebies.com  I signed up for the newsletter which sends me more restaurant deals than I find on the website.  Just got some great Quiznos coupons from the newsletter. (The website looks a lot like coupons.com but in different clothes)

I saved my all time FAVORITE for last:
Groupon –LOVE Groupon for all kinds of stuff.  Had two massages and more than three meals for half price in the last month alone.  I really like that it’s location specific so I can get discounts for local places, not just chain stores.

We have a magnificent pear tree in our yard.  It’s not much to look at, due to some broken limbs from springtime storms, but it gives a huge amount of fruit each year.

Despite the drought, this year is no exception.  Except–the thirsty squirrels have been stealing those rock-hard, bitter pears, risking my noisy dachshund’s energetic attempts to save them.  So, I’m picking them even though they are  still on the smallish side.

I don’t know what kind of pears they are, but they’re not the kind that get soft for munching off the tree.  They are perfect for canning and cooking, however.

So, here is my  favorite recipe for cooking pears.  They can be hard as rocks, or mellow perfection and this cobbler recipe will still work:

• 2 to 2 1/2 cups sliced fresh pears
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 4 oz butter
• 3/4 c flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/4 tsp allspice (just in case you left anything out<G>)
• opt. 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ginger–this gives the cobbler a whole new attitude, taking it from country to sassy
  (if you don’t have one of more of these spices in your cabinet, just substitute more of one that you do have on hand–different every time that way!)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg

Mix pears w/ white sugar and let stand.  Put butter in 2 quart casserole dish and place in 325 degree oven until melted.  (This is important b/c you really need to get the dish  warm, so don’t go the microwave route here.)

Combine all dry ingredients, including the brown sugar and mix well.

Whisk together the milk and eggs.  Slowly combine with dry ingredients to make a batter.

Pour over melted butter.  Do not stir! Just let it sit in the bottom of the dish.  Spoon pears over the batter.  Still, Do not stir!The pears will spread out where they need to go on their own.

Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until nicely browned and pears are tender.

Serve hot w/ homemade vanilla ice cream.

Oh, I have been known to use mace in place of nutmeg.  Get creative with it!