$0.88 per serving ~ Ravioli and Broccoli

This was thrown together on a whim...

Ravioli and Broccoli~ $4.40 total cost, $0.88 per serving
2 packages mini ravioli (I used Seviroli's Mac-a-Roli) $2.00
1 bag broccoli florets $2.00
1 stick unsalted butter, cut up $0.40
grated lemon peel
2 handfuls grated cheese

1. Boil water and cook ravioli according to package directions. Steam broccoli in microwave 3-4 minutes.
2. Drain ravioli. Place butter into hot pot. Return ravioli to pot and add broccoli. Gently stir until butter is melted. Add lemon peel to taste and grated cheese. Toss and serve.
Makes 5 servings

The Verdict
This was ready in about 10 minutes! Jim and I loved it. The kids, not so much. I was bummed because I really thought they'd like these "mac-a-roli" that are filled with cheddar and ricotta. They taste like a less-salty macaroni and cheese dish. But neither of them ate it. I will try this again with regular cheese ravioli, and just do the mac-a-roli in plain butter and garlic.

$0.39 oer serving ~ Super Fast Rotini with White Beans

Fridays are hectic in my house. We get home from work around 4:15 and at 5:15 I need to get Josh off to gymnastics. Usually we rely on "breakfast for dinner" but I had an idea for something fast and easy...

Super Fast Rotini with White Beans ~ $0.39 per serving, $2.55 total cost
1 13.25 oz. box whole grain rotini ($1.00)
olive oil
minced garlic
1- 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings, NOT drained ($0.80)
1- 15.5 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed ($0.75)
oregano
basil
chopped dried onion
parsley
shredded or grated parmesan cheese

1. Boil water, cook and drain rotini according to package directions.
2. While waiting for water to boil/rotini to cook, saute garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
3. Add tomatoes, beans, and spices to taste. Bring to bubbling and cook about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. Serve sauce over pasta, topped with cheese.
Makes 4 servings

The Verdict
Jim devoured this. Julia devoured it. Josh was grumpy and didn't eat at all. I really liked it too, and we have NO leftovers. I will definitely make this again, but I will double it next time! I served it with crusty bread to sop up all the sauce... YUM :)

$1.44 per serving ~ Pumpkin Apple Soup and Crispy Cheese Sandwiches

I've been really sick with asthmatic bronchitis. I know when I get sick all I want is soup and comfort food... so I decided to use what I had in the house to make some "upscale" sick food.

Pumpkin Apple Soup ~ $4.20 total cost, $0.70 per serving
1/2 lb. bacon, chopped fine ($1.25)
1 large onion, chopped ($0.25)
1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree ($1.00)
1 large apple, chopped unpeeled ($0.25)
2 cups apple cider ($0.25)
1 cup water
4 chicken boullion cubes ($0.10)
1/4 cup brown sugar ($0.10)
salt to taste
dash liquid smoke
3 tsp. white pepper
2 tbsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup heavy cream ($1.00)

1. Lightly saute onion and bacon in a large soup pot.
2. Add pumpkin, apple, cider, water, boullion cubes, brown sugar, salt, liquid smoke, white pepper, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well to combine. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1 hour.
3. Use immersion blender to puree in pot, or remove to food processor and process till smooth.
4. Over very low heat, add in cream and stir until well combined. Serve immediately
Makes 6 small servings.

Crispy Cheese Sandwiches ~ $2.75 total coast, $0.64 per serving)
8 slices bread (from breadmaker, loaf cost $0.75 to make)
4 slices each provolone and muenster cheeses ($2.00)
butter
grated cheese.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Butter 4 slices of bread and sprinkle with grated cheese. Place face down in pyrex dish. Top with 1 slice of each cheese. Butter the other slices of bread and top the sandwiches, butter side up.
3. Bake for 10 minutes. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of sandwiches, flip, and bake 10 more minutes.
Makes 4 servings.

The Verdict
I made the mistake of scooping out very big bowls of this soup... it is such a rich soup, with such complex flavors, that only a little felt like a lot of food! WOW! It was so delicious. Jim loved it, his mom adored it, Josh liked it but didn't eat very much, and Julia wore most of hers. Josh did LOVE the cheese sandwich, and between him and Julia they demolished 2 whole sandwiches!

$1.31 per serving ~ Better than McNuggets Chicken Fingers with Green Beans, Cheesy Rice, and Cole Slaw

I'm back with a new recipe!

Better than McNuggets Chicken Fingers ~ $0.81 per serving, $3.25 total cost
2 cups french fried onions ($1.00, Aldi's brand)
2 tbsp. flour
1 egg, beaten ($0.25)
4 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into "fingers" ($3.00)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine onions and flour in a gallon size zipper bag. Crush as finely as possible.
3. Dip chicken in egg, then coat in onion crumbs. Place into baking dish.
4. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Makes 4 servings

The Verdict
I served this with green beans ($1.00) and Rice a Roni brand Broccoli au Gratin rice ($1.00) and there was no talking at the table... just empty plates. I will enjoy the leftovers at lunch. The chicken was so flavorful!

$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!

$0.51 per serving ~ Christine's Corn Fritters

My mom used to make these when I was a kid. This and broccoli were the regular side dishes to a dinner of baked chicken cutlets. At some point she stopped frying them and started cooking them like pancakes, but when I found this recipe in with some others of hers, I knew I needed to make them the old fashioned way...

Christine's Corn Fritters ~ $0.51 per serving, $2.55 total cost
1 1/3 cups buttermilk baking mix ($1.30)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 14.75 oz can cream-style corn ($0.50)
1 egg, beaten ($0.25)
1 cup oil for frying ($0.50)
syrup or molasses

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat.
2. While heating, sift together baking mix and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. In a small mixing bowl, combine corn and egg.
3. Combine egg and flour mixtures, stir gently.
4. Drop batter by tablespoonsful into hot oil one layer at a time. Fry approx. 1 minute on each side until golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper or towel. Serve with maple syrup or molasses if desired.
Makes 5 servings of 3 fritters each.

The Verdict
I was planning to serve leftover Creamy Ham Chowder tonight. I really wanted to do something a little bit different so that Josh wouldn't get bored... man, was this the right choice! He ate the soup AND 4 fritters, saying "Mama, this is SO yummy" over and over again! Jim took one bite and said, "Yeah, these can't be good for you. I don't think I care." They were just like I remember my Mom's. I shouldn't make them often, but I will make them again.

$1.13 per serving ~ Buffalo Chicken Cacciatore

Buffalo Chicken Cacciatore ~ $1.13 per serving, $4.50 total cost
1/2 cup brown rice ($0.15)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces ($2.50)
2 celery stalks, sliced thin ($0.25)
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained ($1.00)
1/2 cup wing sauce ($0.30)
1/4 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing ($0.30)

1. Preheate oven to 350 degrees. Cook rice according to package directions. Spoon into greased 8 inch square pan.
2. Heat oil over medium heat. Saute celery and chicken until chicken is completely cooked.
3. Remove from heat, stir in tomatoes and wing sauce. Spoon over rice. Do not stir.
4. Bake uncovered at 350 for 25-30 minutes.
5. Drizzle dressing over the top and serve.
Makes 4 servings

The Verdict
Josh said "So spicy, mama!" and asked for some cheese instead. Jim said it was spicy too, but he ate two helpings. I think it was fine, but the leftovers will get spicier with time. I will decrease the wing sauce next time, but this was a nice dinner when we want something a little different!

$0.35 per serving ~ Waffles and Ice Cream

This is what happens when a family has a week where at least one member is sick EVERY day, and then the last workday of the week throws not one but THREE curveballs at me...

Make waffles according to recipe on box. ($0.40 total cost, $0.10 per waffle)
Scoop ice cream on top. ($2.00 for gallon of ice cream on sale plus coupon, $0.25 per serving)
Eat, enjoy, go to sleep.

2 dinners in 1 post! Hearty Corn Chowder ($1.34 per serving) and Nana's Quiche ($1.11 per serving)

I've been so swamped with holiday preparations that I forgot to post! The chowder was last night's dinner and the quiche was tonight...

Fast and Hearty Corn Chowder ~ $1.34 per serving, $5.35 total
2 tbsp. butter ($0.15)
1 medium onion, chopped ($0.35)
2 tbsp. flour
1 can corn, drained ($0.65)
2 medium potatoes, chopped ($1.00)
4 cups milk ($1.20)
8 oz. deli ham, chopped ($2.00)
white pepper
salt
nutmeg

1. Melt butter in soup pot. Saute onions until slightly colored but not brown. Add flour and make roux. Stir constantly till bubbly.
2. Add corn, potatoes, and milk. Simmer until thickened.
3. Stir in ham and spices to taste. Continue to simmer until heated through.
Makes 4-5 servings

The Verdict
Everyone enjoyed this soup. It was VERY filling. We all needed to add more salt and pepper, so you can be a bit heavy-handed with the spices, the milk soaks a lot of it up. This was SUPER fast and easy!

Nana's Quiche ~ $1.11 per serving, $6.85 total

1 Pre-made frozen pie shell ($1.80)

8 oz. deli ham, chopped ($2.00)

1 cup shredded cheese ($1.80)

3 eggs ($0.75)

1 cup heavy cream ($0.50)

2-3 Tablespoons grated cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

pepper, to taste

Add Cooking Step
If you want to change the order of the directions list, just drag a step to a new location (it will automatically re-number itself).">

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Bake pie shell for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Place ham in the bottom of the browned pie shell.

4. Top with grated parmesan cheese, then shredded cheese.

5. Blend slightly eggs, cream, salt and pepper and pour over cheeses.

6. Bake 45 min. to 1 hour. Should be golden brown.

7. Let the quiche sit for nearly an hour before serving for best results (and easier slicing.)
Makes 6 servings

The Verdict
My stepmom makes this, Josh calls her Nana. You can replace the ham with bacon, artichokes, or mushrooms. Play with the cheeses and spices. Ham works best with cheddar, artichokes with italian blend, and bacon with swiss. This is one of the only ways I will eat eggs!!!! Serve with a green salad for dinner, or with hash browns and fruit for brunch.

$0.90 per serving ~ Creamy Beef & Potato Stew

I am so glad I put food in the crockpot last night... I have a wicked cold and we would have been eating microwave pizzas tonight if I hadn't!

Creamy Beef & Potato Stew ~ $0.90 per serving
1 lb. ground beef ($2.00)
1 16 oz. package frozen cut green beans ($1.00)
1 pkg. dry au gratin potato mix ($0.75)
1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1 tsp. garlic powder
3 cups water
1.5 cup half and half ($0.75)
Grated cheese to taste

1. Crumble ground beef into crock pot. Cook on high for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is completely cooked. Drain and return beef to crockpot.
2. Add green beans, potatoes and sauce mix, and spices. Stir and pour water over mix. Cook on low 7-8 hours.
3. Stir half and half into meat mixture. Cook about 30 minutes or until completely heated. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese.
Makes 5 servings.

The Verdict
I didn't like this much, I thought it was kind of bland. Jim and Josh really enjoyed it though. I think I need to add more cheese. Cheese makes everything better!

$2.04 per serving ~ Buffalo Wing Soup and Mashed Potato Pie

Buffalo Wing Soup ~ $1.60 per serving
Adapted from "A Year Of Crockpotting"
2 cups cooked and cubed chicken ($2.00)
2 tbsp minced onion
3 stalks celery, chopped ($0.25)
1/4 cup unsalted butter ($0.25)
1/4 cup flour ($0.10)
2 cups milk, no higher content than 2% ($0.75)
3/4 cup chicken broth ($1.25)
4 oz Velveeta ($1.40)
1/2 cup hot wing sauce ($0.40)

1. Make a roux with the flour and butter.
2. Chop up the onion and celery, and dump it into your crockpot. Add the cooked and cubed chicken. Pour in the chicken broth and milk. Add Velveeta.
3. Stir in the flour and butter mixture. Add hot sauce.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4. The soup is done when the celery and onion reach desired tenderness and the flavors have melded.
Makes 4 servings

Mashed Potato Pie ~ $0.44 per serving
3 cups mashed potatoes (free, leftovers!)
1 cup shredded mozzarella ($1.50)
1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs ($0.25)
Grated cheese to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cheese and breadcrumbs into mashed potatoes.
2. Spread mixture in 8 inch pie plate. Top with grated cheese and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs.
3. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Makes 4 servings

The Verdict
The soup was delicious, we each added a splash of ranch dressing. Mashed potato pie is a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes... add MORE cheese if you want it super gooey!

$1.66 per serving ~ Hawaiian Sloppy Joes with Pineapple and Glazed Carrots

Back at the end of maternity leave, I watched a show and saw a recipe by R-ch--l R-y (letters omitted in case she really is as much of a draconian control freak as the tabloids say.) I loved the idea of Hawaiian-style sloppy joes, but the way she put it together seemed icky. So I made up my own version!

Hawaiian Sloppy Joes ~ $1.31 per serving
1 lb. ground beef ($2.00)
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped ($1.25)
1 can Manwich sloppy joe sauce ($0.50)
1 can chunk pineapple ($0.50)
4 or 5 kaiser rolls, split and toasted ($1.00)

1. Brown beef on stove in large skillet. Drain. Add chopped bacon and sloppy joe sauce, heat over low heat.
2. Drain pineapple, reserving 1/2 cup of juice. Chop 1/2 cup of pineapple, set rest aside. Add chopped pineapple and reserved juice. Stir until well mixed and heat through.
3. Serve on buns.
Makes 4-5 servings, depending on the size of the rolls.

The Verdict
This was really good and a nice change of pace! If you don't want to use the canned sauce, you can make your own by mixing equal parts canned tomato sauce and red wine vinegar, then adding brown sugar and Worchestershire sauce to taste. I served it with frozen honey glazed carrots ($1.00 a box) and the rest of the pineapple on the side.

$2.25 per serving ~ An All-American Dinner

In honor of election day, we went all-American!

Hamburgers (Burgers $4.00, day old rolls $1.00)
Baked Beans ($1.25)
Green Beans ($0.75)

Baked Basil Fries ~ $0.50 per serving
1/2 cup grated cheese ($1.00)
2 tbsp. olive oil
dried basil
garlic powder
4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes ($1.00)

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine cheese, oil, basil, and garlic powder in a bowl.
2. Cut potatoes ontp 1/4 inch sticks. Add to cheese mixture, toss to coat. PLace in a large baking pan coated with cooking spray.
3. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn potatoes, bake 15-20 minutes longer.

The Verdict
Quick, easy, delicious, and pretty healthy. Always a crowd pleaser, and Jim has leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

$0.75 per serving ~ Picadillo Bean Burritos

Mmm, the second meal from that crockpot recipe...

Picadillo Bean Burritos ~ $1.06 per serving
2 cups bean picadillo, warmed on stove (from Saturday's recipe) ($2.24 from Sun.)
4 burrito-sized tortillas ($1.50)
1/2 cup shredded colby jack cheese ($0.50)
4 tbsp. sour cream

Lay out tortillas. Layer cheese, warmed picadillo, and sour cream, then roll up.
Enjoy!

The Verdict
I overfilled the burritos, so they fell apart and we had to eat them with a fork. Still good, though. I served them with frozen veggies - baby carrots, broccoli and cauliflower ($1.00). yum!

$0.83 per serving ~ Pasta e Fagioli and Garlic and Cheese Biscuits

I knew my friend Karen would think I stole this from her, but this is my own recipe, from an attempt to cut down the recipe the way Grandma used to make it... She has a great recipe posted on her blog so check it out if you want one with more veggies...

Pasta e Fagioli ~ $0.63 per serving
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning ($1.00)
2 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 15 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained ($1.00)
Salt and pepper
8 oz. small macaroni, cooked. ($0.50)
Grated cheese

1. Saute garlic in 1 tbsp oil until brown over medium heat. Cook macaroni in a separate pot. Drain, toss w/ 1 tbsp. olive oil, cover and keep warm.
2. Stir in tomatoes and cook until bubbly.
3. Add spices and simmer until tomatoes soften, about 15 minutes. Break up tomatoes with back of spoon if they are too large.
4. Add beans and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Place a scoop of pasta in a bowl, ladle tomato mixture over it and toss thoroughly. Top with grated cheese to taste. Makes 4 servings.

Garlic and Cheese Biscuits ~ $0.20 per serving
2 cups all-purpose flour ($0.05)
1 pinch baking powder
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese ($1.00)
2/3 cup milk ($0.20)
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl. Cut in shortening with a fork. Mix in cheese.
3. Stir milk in with a fork just until moist.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
5. Bake at 450 for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Combine melted butter and garlic in small bowl. Brush over biscuits while warm.
Makes 12 biscuits/6 servings.

The Verdict
I did a few things differently than the recipe for the pasta fagioli. I got a ton of tomatoes and peppers from a neighbor at the end of the summer, so I jarred them after cooking them together with onions, garlic, and spices. So I replaced the diced tomatoes and all the spices with my jar... it was delicious! I have a business idea now... "Puttanesca's Pasta e Fagioli, just add pasta and fagioli!" Hm, maybe not. Josh wasn't nuts about the pasta e fagioli, but he did eat a decent amount of it. The biscuits, on the other hand, were a SMASHING success. We should have had 6 left over... we only had 4. Oh well, guess I can make more, and I can change-up the cheese based on what the main dish is. Colby Jack with Mexican, Cheddar with beef stew, ah, the possibilities are endless...

$1.32 per serving - Ravioli with Peas in Rose Sauce

The weather was so beautiful today we decided to drive down to Cape May and wander. After two nights running of Julia sleeping poorly (baby girl inherited my allergies, poor thing) I was really not in the mood, but Jim really wanted to go. I'm glad I gave in and went, even though we ate lunch out. Josh had a great time and the sea air seems to have helped Julia's congestion.

Breakfast - $1.05
Bagels with peanut butter and pears again

Lunch - $5.75
We split a small pizza and each had a small soda or lemonade.
Funny how it galls me to pay this much and I've only been tracking a few days!

Ravioli with peas in rose sauce - $1.32 per serving
1 package frozen mini ravioli (any filled pasta will work) $3.50
1 cup frozen peas $0.50
2 tbsp. flour
1 dash black pepper
1 cup milk $0.25
1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes $1.00
Grated cheese (I prefer pecorino romano)

1. Cook pasta according to directions, adding peas the last minute of cooking. Drain and keep warm.
2. Stir together flour and pepper, and slowly stir in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Cook 1 minute more, then add undrained tomatoes and heat through.
3. Add pasta and peas to tomato mixture and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle grated cheese over each dish. Makes 4 servings

The Verdict:
Jim and Josh really enjoyed this one. I found the flavor a bit bland, and will try one of the cans of tomatoes with spices already added next time I catch them on sale. (Maybe the one with garlic and balsamic vinegar, yum!) This was VERY fast and easy. It's definitely a keeper for crazy nights after work, to avoid the dreaded call for pizza...

Even on sale, filled pastas tend to be expensive. I have to watch for a sale on that again soon, I'm nearly out of it.