17. Menu: Garlic toast, pasta anything and veggie anything.
What a strange menu, you may say. What's with the "anything," anyway?
Well, 0n this menu alone I could probably spin out thousands of permutations and combinations. The real deal is that pasta is cheap. Do you like spaghetti? Prefer tuna casserole? How about Mac & Cheese even? Pick a different pasta recipe each time you make this menu.
What about the veggies...try a salad. If you don't have fresh produce, open a can of green beans.
Here's the honest truth about this meal...it's the garlic toast that makes everything else taste great! What kind of garlic do you have to use? Anything from garlic powder (NOT garlic salt...too salty!) to creamed garlic in a bottle to fresh garlic. It all works wonders.
There are many different ways to fix the toast. Some people wrap it in foil. It's great that way but I don't. I lay out slices of bread on a large flat baking pan. Preheat oven to about 375. Butter the bread, spread or sprinkle the garlic, and pop in the oven until the outside edges turn golden. Remove and serve.
If you're feeling wealthy, sprinkle parsley flakes and parmesan cheese on the garlic toast. Nice but it isn't necessary. Make plenty of toast for everyone. The aroma in your kitchen will make everyone hungry!
The garlic toast is the gem in this meal because its wonderfully delicious and superbly cheap. Make your bread or buy discount.
Shopping List: Bread, butter, garlic powder, pasta & sauce, veggies
Cost: $cheap
I will post pasta recipes if you want. Just leave me a note. Thanks!
Showing posts with label $10 Dinners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label $10 Dinners. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
$10 Dinners part 6
How to get a lot out of poultry: There are a lot of ways to buy poultry these days. I'm referring mostly to chickens and turkeys, as cornish hens, duck and goose are too pricey for everyday fare, and require specialized cooking.
You can buy skinless, boneless chicken. You can choose whole chicken, uncooked or whole BBQ chickens. You can choose cut-up chicken pieces. You can choose breaded or unbreaded chicken strips. You can choose chicken patties- cheap but not exactly all real chicken. Of course, there are also chicken nuggets. You may be wondering which of these choices gives you the most for your money. I really think that depends on how you prepare them, how much you serve per person, and whether you shop for the deals.
Some people swear by the skinless, boneless chicken. The cost per pound is greater, but there's no doubt that it is quick and easy to use and there is absolutely no wasted parts. Chicken pieces on the other hand, appear to be cheaper per pound but you don't eat the skin or bones. (Well, let me retract the "you don't eat the skin" part because I know that some people do. But we know its not as healthy as the meat.)
I have often noticed that the whole BBQ chickens that you can buy cooked and warm and ready to serve are cheaper than buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself. So, to choose between these two options, you need to compare costs, and also ask yourself how you wanted to cook the chicken. If you wanted to stuff it and bake it with certain seasonings, for example, you would want to purchase it raw and cook it at home. If you just want cooked chicken, you might choose the BBQ chicken. They are very tender and juicy.
Sometimes I buy those processed chicken cutlets- you know the breaded ones, that are made out of a combination of chicken meat and soy protein. They are seasoned and only need warming as they are pre-cooked. They are like a large flat chicken nugget, almost. My kids enjoy these in a hamburger bun, with fixings inside like tomato, lettuce and pickles to make a chicken burger. They are quick to prepare and are inexpensive. The drawback is they are processed, and thus contain additives and preservatives. So don't eat them too often. Serve with citrus fruit which helps to negate the effects of the preservatives.
When I want to buy and serve turkey, I just go for the best deal I can find. I don't buy a certain brand or anything. I have never bought them pre-stuffed so I don't know how they compare in price.
Here are my tips on how to get a lot out of your poultry purchase:
9. Menu: Chicken burgers, lime & carrot salad
Shopping list: chicken patties (1 each), hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, relish, mustard, etc (whatever you like in a burger), 2 pkg lime jello, 3 large carrots, shredded fine. Total Cost = $9.50
Warm precooked patties by placing in 325 oven covered with foil for about 20 minutes or fry in a frying pan. Serve with buns and fixings. The jelly salad is made ahead of time by preparing 2 pkgs of lime jello according to package directions. Stir in finely shredded carrot. Let set.
10. Menu: Taco Rice and tortillas
Shopping list: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1/4 c chopped celery, 1 pkg taco seasoning, 1 1/2 cups cold water, 1 c frozen corn, 1 c frozen peas or mixed vegetables, 1 can tomatoes or stewed tomatoes, 1 1/2 c uncooked instant rice, 1 c grated cheddar cheese, 1 t chili powder, 2 Tbsp sliced canned jalapeno peppers (optional.) Corn or flour tortillas, sour cream. Total Cost = $9.00
Brown ground beef with onion and celery. Add taco seasoning, water, corn, vegetables, spices and peppers. Bring to boil. Add rice and stir. Simmer covered for 7 minutes. Turn off heat, add cheese and recover for cheese to melt. Serve on a warmed tortilla with a spoonful of sourcream on top.
You can buy skinless, boneless chicken. You can choose whole chicken, uncooked or whole BBQ chickens. You can choose cut-up chicken pieces. You can choose breaded or unbreaded chicken strips. You can choose chicken patties- cheap but not exactly all real chicken. Of course, there are also chicken nuggets. You may be wondering which of these choices gives you the most for your money. I really think that depends on how you prepare them, how much you serve per person, and whether you shop for the deals.
Some people swear by the skinless, boneless chicken. The cost per pound is greater, but there's no doubt that it is quick and easy to use and there is absolutely no wasted parts. Chicken pieces on the other hand, appear to be cheaper per pound but you don't eat the skin or bones. (Well, let me retract the "you don't eat the skin" part because I know that some people do. But we know its not as healthy as the meat.)
I have often noticed that the whole BBQ chickens that you can buy cooked and warm and ready to serve are cheaper than buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself. So, to choose between these two options, you need to compare costs, and also ask yourself how you wanted to cook the chicken. If you wanted to stuff it and bake it with certain seasonings, for example, you would want to purchase it raw and cook it at home. If you just want cooked chicken, you might choose the BBQ chicken. They are very tender and juicy.
Sometimes I buy those processed chicken cutlets- you know the breaded ones, that are made out of a combination of chicken meat and soy protein. They are seasoned and only need warming as they are pre-cooked. They are like a large flat chicken nugget, almost. My kids enjoy these in a hamburger bun, with fixings inside like tomato, lettuce and pickles to make a chicken burger. They are quick to prepare and are inexpensive. The drawback is they are processed, and thus contain additives and preservatives. So don't eat them too often. Serve with citrus fruit which helps to negate the effects of the preservatives.
When I want to buy and serve turkey, I just go for the best deal I can find. I don't buy a certain brand or anything. I have never bought them pre-stuffed so I don't know how they compare in price.
Here are my tips on how to get a lot out of your poultry purchase:
- Skinless, boneless chicken: Because it is a high quality meat with no waste, you can serve less per person and still make it cost-effective.
- Bone-in whole chicken: You can make 3 different meals out of it. 1) Bake it and serve pieces cut off of the bird, like you would with turkey. Do the same with chicken (don't give each person a whole piece because you are going to use the bones) 2) Strip away as much remaining chicken as you can for chicken salad, chicken wraps or chicken casserole. 3) Boil the bones to remove as much remaining strands of meat and flavor as you can for chicken soup. This is the biggest reason I usually buy bone-in chicken. Price is better and I can get 3 meals out of one chicken (even for 7 people.) When the BBQ chickens go on sale I buy those. Even though they are generally smaller birds, the meat is supreme and I didn't have to cook it, which saves energy (mine and electrical) and time.
9. Menu: Chicken burgers, lime & carrot salad
Shopping list: chicken patties (1 each), hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, relish, mustard, etc (whatever you like in a burger), 2 pkg lime jello, 3 large carrots, shredded fine. Total Cost = $9.50
Warm precooked patties by placing in 325 oven covered with foil for about 20 minutes or fry in a frying pan. Serve with buns and fixings. The jelly salad is made ahead of time by preparing 2 pkgs of lime jello according to package directions. Stir in finely shredded carrot. Let set.
10. Menu: Taco Rice and tortillas
Shopping list: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1/4 c chopped celery, 1 pkg taco seasoning, 1 1/2 cups cold water, 1 c frozen corn, 1 c frozen peas or mixed vegetables, 1 can tomatoes or stewed tomatoes, 1 1/2 c uncooked instant rice, 1 c grated cheddar cheese, 1 t chili powder, 2 Tbsp sliced canned jalapeno peppers (optional.) Corn or flour tortillas, sour cream. Total Cost = $9.00
Brown ground beef with onion and celery. Add taco seasoning, water, corn, vegetables, spices and peppers. Bring to boil. Add rice and stir. Simmer covered for 7 minutes. Turn off heat, add cheese and recover for cheese to melt. Serve on a warmed tortilla with a spoonful of sourcream on top.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
$10 Dinners part 3
In $10 Dinners part 2 I broke down the shopping list into each item needed and listed the prices separately so you could see how the dinner value is calculated.
Because we want to generate 100 of these $10 dinners, in the interest of time from now on I will only indicate the total cost of the dinner. Remember that is my cost and hopefully you can match or beat that cost, and save yourself even more money!
In these times when people are looking for ways to make more money, we can't forget to try to save as much of the money we are making as we can. The extra money you save on your grocery bill could be put towards savings, debt payments to pay them down faster (and save you interest!), or other items you need.
Try to have as much fun planning meals on a budget as you can. Think positive about this and you will do well and can be very proud of yourself. Remember health is important and we are trying to make nutritious meals which cover a wide range of the food groups.
Today's $10 Dinners:
4. Menu: (Mock) BBQ beef on a bun, coleslaw, orange wedges
Shopping list: 3 cans of well-drained tuna in water
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 1/2 cups of bbq sauce (homemade works great)
Combine the above ingredients in non-stick skillet. Heat thoroughly for about 10-15 minutes. Serve on discount or homemade buns.
6 cups shredded cabbage
1 shredded carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion
coleslaw dressing- bought or homemade
Combine coleslaw ingredients and blend well.
Orange wedges- 3 or 4 per person
Total = $7.98
5. Menu: Vegetable BBQ Couscous, cucumber and tomato slices and sausage patties
Shopping list: 1 lb bulk pork sausage meat
1 package frozen veg mix (corn, black beans, broccoli and red peppers)
1/2 bottle bbq sauce
1 box couscous
1 english cucumber
2 tomatoes
Make couscous according to package. Cook frozen veggies, drain and add bbq sauce. Heat together. Form sausage meat into patties and put onto cook in skillet with lid. Meanwhile, slice cucumber and tomatoes. Arrange alternate slices on a plate. Turn sausage patties over and cook on other side.
Serve veggies over couscous, with sausage patties on the side and a plate of cucumber and tomato slices.
Total cost: $7.80
6. Menu: Pinto Beans and Cornbread
Shopping List: 1 lb. dry pinto beans
1 large can tomato sauce
ham pieces or bone
one clove garlic, chopped
spices: pepper, onion powder, cayenne, garlic powder, etc.
1-2 pkg cornbread (or homemade)
Salad dressing
Directions:
Soak beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse. Put all ingredients except salad in crockpot. Add a variety of the spices if desired. Cook for 12 hours on low. Salt as needed after beans are cooked. When beans are ready, cook cornbread and serve. Leftover beans can be used in burritos the next day or frozen.
Total cost: $5.40
I hope today's recipes give you some new ideas for cooking within your budget.
Because we want to generate 100 of these $10 dinners, in the interest of time from now on I will only indicate the total cost of the dinner. Remember that is my cost and hopefully you can match or beat that cost, and save yourself even more money!
In these times when people are looking for ways to make more money, we can't forget to try to save as much of the money we are making as we can. The extra money you save on your grocery bill could be put towards savings, debt payments to pay them down faster (and save you interest!), or other items you need.
Try to have as much fun planning meals on a budget as you can. Think positive about this and you will do well and can be very proud of yourself. Remember health is important and we are trying to make nutritious meals which cover a wide range of the food groups.
Today's $10 Dinners:
4. Menu: (Mock) BBQ beef on a bun, coleslaw, orange wedges
Shopping list: 3 cans of well-drained tuna in water
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 1/2 cups of bbq sauce (homemade works great)
Combine the above ingredients in non-stick skillet. Heat thoroughly for about 10-15 minutes. Serve on discount or homemade buns.
6 cups shredded cabbage
1 shredded carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion
coleslaw dressing- bought or homemade
Combine coleslaw ingredients and blend well.
Orange wedges- 3 or 4 per person
Total = $7.98
5. Menu: Vegetable BBQ Couscous, cucumber and tomato slices and sausage patties
Shopping list: 1 lb bulk pork sausage meat
1 package frozen veg mix (corn, black beans, broccoli and red peppers)
1/2 bottle bbq sauce
1 box couscous
1 english cucumber
2 tomatoes
Make couscous according to package. Cook frozen veggies, drain and add bbq sauce. Heat together. Form sausage meat into patties and put onto cook in skillet with lid. Meanwhile, slice cucumber and tomatoes. Arrange alternate slices on a plate. Turn sausage patties over and cook on other side.
Serve veggies over couscous, with sausage patties on the side and a plate of cucumber and tomato slices.
Total cost: $7.80
6. Menu: Pinto Beans and Cornbread
Shopping List: 1 lb. dry pinto beans
1 large can tomato sauce
ham pieces or bone
one clove garlic, chopped
spices: pepper, onion powder, cayenne, garlic powder, etc.
1-2 pkg cornbread (or homemade)
Salad dressing
Directions:
Soak beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse. Put all ingredients except salad in crockpot. Add a variety of the spices if desired. Cook for 12 hours on low. Salt as needed after beans are cooked. When beans are ready, cook cornbread and serve. Leftover beans can be used in burritos the next day or frozen.
Total cost: $5.40
I hope today's recipes give you some new ideas for cooking within your budget.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
$10 Dinners part 2
Okay, Here is the beginning of our list of Dinners for $10 or less.
1. Menu: Spaghetti with scrambled hamburger, salad, canned peaches
Shopping List: Spaghetti (1.85), sauce (1.00), 1/2 lb hamburger (1.25), salad (2.00), peaches(3.00)
1/4 bottle of salad dressing (.75) TOTAL = $9.85
2. Menu: Beans and meatballs with crusty rolls, carrot, celery and cucumber sticks
Shopping List: 1 Tbsp Oil, 1 onion(.20) 2 cloves garlic(.05) 1/2 cup ketchup(.15) 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp mustard, 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans(1.50), 1 can (15 oz) pork & beans(1.50), 16 small meatballs- use 1/2 lb ground beef(1.25) Crusty rolls-discount or homemade (1.00) carrot, celery and cucumber(3.00) TOTAL = $8.65
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large saucepan, warm oil and add onion and garlic; cook til tender. Add ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Bring to simmer.
Drain kidney beans and add with pork and beans to onion mixture; mix well and remove from heat. Add meatballs and pour all into 2-quart casserole. Bake 40 minutes or until bubbling.
3. Menu: Chef salad and garlic toast
Shopping List: 1 large head lettuce, iceberg or leaf (1.50) 4 eggs (.50), 6 slices thin-sliced ham (1.50), 1 shredded carrot (.20), 8 chopped green onions (.75), 1 cucumber (1.00), 2 tomatoes (1.50), discount or homemade bread(1.00), garlic powder, parmesan cheese(.50), margarine(.25), 1/2 bottle ranch dressing(1.00) TOTAL= $9.95
Directions: Hardboil eggs; cool, peel and chop into 1/8ths.
Cut ham into thin strips, shred carrot; chop green onions and cucumber. Cut tomatoes into 1/8ths. Toss salad ingredients together.
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread each bread slice with margarine, sprinkle on the garlic powder and parmesan cheese. Bake in oven till crispy around edges but still soft in middle, about 5 minutes.
1. Menu: Spaghetti with scrambled hamburger, salad, canned peaches
Shopping List: Spaghetti (1.85), sauce (1.00), 1/2 lb hamburger (1.25), salad (2.00), peaches(3.00)
1/4 bottle of salad dressing (.75) TOTAL = $9.85
2. Menu: Beans and meatballs with crusty rolls, carrot, celery and cucumber sticks
Shopping List: 1 Tbsp Oil, 1 onion(.20) 2 cloves garlic(.05) 1/2 cup ketchup(.15) 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp mustard, 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans(1.50), 1 can (15 oz) pork & beans(1.50), 16 small meatballs- use 1/2 lb ground beef(1.25) Crusty rolls-discount or homemade (1.00) carrot, celery and cucumber(3.00) TOTAL = $8.65
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large saucepan, warm oil and add onion and garlic; cook til tender. Add ketchup, brown sugar and mustard. Bring to simmer.
Drain kidney beans and add with pork and beans to onion mixture; mix well and remove from heat. Add meatballs and pour all into 2-quart casserole. Bake 40 minutes or until bubbling.
3. Menu: Chef salad and garlic toast
Shopping List: 1 large head lettuce, iceberg or leaf (1.50) 4 eggs (.50), 6 slices thin-sliced ham (1.50), 1 shredded carrot (.20), 8 chopped green onions (.75), 1 cucumber (1.00), 2 tomatoes (1.50), discount or homemade bread(1.00), garlic powder, parmesan cheese(.50), margarine(.25), 1/2 bottle ranch dressing(1.00) TOTAL= $9.95
Directions: Hardboil eggs; cool, peel and chop into 1/8ths.
Cut ham into thin strips, shred carrot; chop green onions and cucumber. Cut tomatoes into 1/8ths. Toss salad ingredients together.
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Spread each bread slice with margarine, sprinkle on the garlic powder and parmesan cheese. Bake in oven till crispy around edges but still soft in middle, about 5 minutes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
