Thursday, April 23, 2009

Help me, faithful readers!

So due to a great sale at the Acme and some really great couponing, I have stockpiled 45(!!!!) boxes of mac n' cheese at a price of about $0.35 per box.

So, what's YOUR favorite way to tart up mac n' cheese? What do you like to serve it with? Do you mix other ingredients into it? Inquiring Puttanescas want to know!!!!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

What to do with all those veggies?

You know your kids need to eat veggies, but they don't like them. Your hubby won't eat them. YOU don't like them....

Veggie Pancakes or Fritters
2 cups cooked vegetables, broken into small pieces
4 eggs, beaten
garlic
parsley
salt and pepper
3/4 to 1 cup Bisquick

1. Add vegetables to beaten eggs and stir to coat.
2. Add garlic, parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Mix with Bisquick, a little at a time, until a thick batter forms.
4. Cook like pancakes on a preheated pan or griddle, or fry in preheated oil until golden brown.
5. Serve hot.
Makes 10 - 15 pancakes

The Verdict
I made these with leftover cauliflower and this was a HUGE hit with Josh, Jim, and my father- and stepmother-in-law. They are also good with broccoli, grated zucchini, or grated carrots. A great way to use up extra veggies. Josh likes them cold for snacks too!

Holidays a la Puttanesca

We're on Spring Break here, and I'm vacationing in many ways, including not stressing out about food, but just eating what's in the house. I did learn a little about holidays on the cheap this year though!

Easter Dinner:

2 Kosher Chickens, roasted with garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon. (lemons $0.50, the chickens were FREE!)
Fried Corn (corn $3.35, heavy cream $0.50, butter $0.50, honey, salt, and pepper)
Italian-style broccoli ($3.00 for broccoli, bread crumbs, grated cheese, balsamic vinegar)
Bourbon Sweet Potatoes ($2.50 for potatoes, butter $0.50, brown and white sugar $0.25, mini marshmallows $0.50, bourbon, vanilla)

Total Cost for Easter Dinner: $11.60

Want the recipes? Comment and let me know!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

$1.00 per serving ~ Apple Pie Pork Chops with Stuffing

My sister mentioned a recipe like this and I searched high and low to find something close!

Apple Pie Pork Chops with Stuffing ~$1.00 per serving, $6.00 total cost
1 can apple pie filling ($2.00)
6 boneless pork chops ($3.00)
1 box stuffing mix, prepared ($1.00)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray bottom of 11x7 baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Spread pie filling in bottom of pan. Top with pork chops, followed by stuffing. Cover with foil and bake 30-40 minutes.
3. Uncover and bake 10-15 more minutes, until pork is fully cooked.
Makes 6 servings


The Verdict

Jim and Josh both went nuts for this! I served it with some steamed snap peas and baby carrots. I was not nuts about it, but told Jim I would like to try it with peaches or apricots instead.


$0.94 per serving ~ Gingered Beef and Rice

This came from Mom's school of protein + starch + veggies = dinner in one pot.

Gingered Beef and Rice ~ $0.94 per serving, $3.75 total cost
1 lb. lean ground beef ($2.00)
2 tbsp. fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 6.2 oz box rice and vermicelli mix - Fried Rice flavor ($0.75)
2 cups water
1 medium bell pepper, chopped ($0.25)
8 oz. frozen sugar snap peas ($0.50)
1/4 slivered almonds, if desired ($0.25)
soy or teriyaki sauce to taste

1. Saute beef and ginger in large skillet until beef is thoroughly browned. Drain.
2. Add rice mix and seasoning packet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil.
3. Lower heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add pepper and snap peas. Cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove from heat and stir in almonds. Serve with soy or teriyaki sauce.
Makes 4 servings.

The Verdict
Josh, who has been sick with strep throat, found his appetite again when I gave him a bowl of this. He said "Mommy, this is SO yummy!" Jim thought it was just ok. I thought it was boring until I topped it with some Thai sweet chile sauce. All in all, not a bad experiment, and very easy for a work night!