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!!!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
$0.65 per serving ~ Beef and Bean Medley
When I saw this recipe in a BH&G cookbook, I realized I had everything on hand so I decided to try it.
Beef and Bean Medley ~ $0.65 per serving, $6.50 total cost
1 lb. ground beef ($2.00)1 small onion, chopped ($0.25)
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled ($1.00)1 28 oz. can baked beans ($1.25)
1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained ($0.75)1 15 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained ($0.75)
1 cup ketchup ($0.50)3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. dark brown sugar1/2 cup water
1/2 tsp. pepper1. In a large skillet, good ground beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain fat and transfer to crock pot. Add crumbled bacon and all beans.
2. In a bowl, combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, water, and pepper. Stir to combine and add to crock pot.3. Stir well, cover, and cook on low 6 hours.
4. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.Makes 10 servings
The Verdict
I wasn't actually home to eat this, so I'll have it for lunch tomorrow. Jim pronounced it "tasty" and ate 3 helpings. Josh, on the other hand, took one bite and then finished his tortilla chips without eating another bite, so I guess that's a no from him.
The Verdict
I wasn't actually home to eat this, so I'll have it for lunch tomorrow. Jim pronounced it "tasty" and ate 3 helpings. Josh, on the other hand, took one bite and then finished his tortilla chips without eating another bite, so I guess that's a no from him.
$0.51 per serving ~ Vegetable Shepherd's Pie
This is an old favorite of mine...
Vegetable Shepherd's Pie ~ $0.51 per serving, $3.25 total cost
2 pouches Roasted Garlic and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, prepared ($1.00)
1 small onion, chopped ($0.25)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 16 oz. package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed ($0.75)
1 15 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained ($0.75)
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce ($0.50)
1 tbsp. soy sauce
paprika
1. Prepare potatoes according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Saute onion in oil in large saucepan. Stir in vegetables, beans, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. Heat through until bubbly.
3. Pour into 2 quart casserole and top with potatoes. Sprinkle paprika over top. Bake uncovered at 375 for 30 minutes.
Makes 6 servings
The Verdict
Jim always loves this, as do I. Josh asked for a peanut butter sandwich instead. He usually eats this, though, he was just in a bad mood.
I had a box of strawberries from Jim's mom, and I had some heavy cream from the last time I made quiche. Cleaning out my pantry I found cobbler/shortcake mix... so we had strawberry shortcake and fresh whipped cream for dinner. Josh had it again for breakfast!!!!
Vegetable Shepherd's Pie ~ $0.51 per serving, $3.25 total cost
2 pouches Roasted Garlic and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, prepared ($1.00)
1 small onion, chopped ($0.25)
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 16 oz. package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed ($0.75)
1 15 oz. can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained ($0.75)
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce ($0.50)
1 tbsp. soy sauce
paprika
1. Prepare potatoes according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Saute onion in oil in large saucepan. Stir in vegetables, beans, tomato sauce, and soy sauce. Heat through until bubbly.
3. Pour into 2 quart casserole and top with potatoes. Sprinkle paprika over top. Bake uncovered at 375 for 30 minutes.
Makes 6 servings
The Verdict
Jim always loves this, as do I. Josh asked for a peanut butter sandwich instead. He usually eats this, though, he was just in a bad mood.
I had a box of strawberries from Jim's mom, and I had some heavy cream from the last time I made quiche. Cleaning out my pantry I found cobbler/shortcake mix... so we had strawberry shortcake and fresh whipped cream for dinner. Josh had it again for breakfast!!!!
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