Category Archives: recipes

Spicy Sloppy Joes

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A little of the same old same old is just fine for me. It becomes comforting to go back to childhood favorites and share them with your kids. Sloppy joes are the ultimate in comfort food but I needed a bit more this go around! These were spicy but I went back for seconds because I so enjoyed the flavor. If you don’t like messing with the classics these probably are not for you. But if you like throwing caution to the wind and piling on the chillies …welcome!

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One can Rotel, drained
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon ground mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef over medium heat. While browning mix all ingredients in bowl except Rotel.

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Drain ground beef and rinse. Add Rotel and cook 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over you favorite hamburger buns. This was enough to feed myself and my little one with a serving left over but you could always double the recipe.

I loved this recipe and it’s frugal cant beat that!

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This Week’s Menu

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Dinners:

Slow cooker BBQ Chicken
Mini Meatloaf, baked potatoes and broccoli
Caprese Salad and homemade bread
Farfalle Pasta and sauce with baked chicken
Chicken fajitas
Chicken salad and roasted sweet peppers

Lunches:

Cottage cheese, salad and fruit x 3
Ham and cheese wraps
Left overs x 2
Lunch out x 1

Breakfasts:

Healthy omelets- egg whites, tomatoes, spinach and mushroom x 3
Oatmeal x 3
Cereal

Snacks:

Homemade yogurt and fruit parfaits
Fruit
Homemade bread and honey

Frozen Hot Chocolate

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An inspiring sale lead me to this delicious concoction! A short while ago I found Instant Hot Chocolate Packages on sale for $.25 a box! Granted the store was severely overstocked from the holidays still and looking to purge, that did not stop my elation. I bought 4 boxes for $1.00 and they are set to expire after next season. So…score!

However, today while cleaning the pantry they eyed me temptingly. “I would love one of those frozen right now!” Here is what I came up with:

Frozen Hot Chocolate items

any type of semi sweet chocolate

instant cocoa mix

milk

ice

-Melt chocolate on lower setting until fully melted.

-Stir in instant cocoa and allow to cool.

-Slowly add milk until smooth.

-Place in blender with ice and added milk. Blend until smooth. ( make sure to fully blend ice)

Can be eaten now or for a truly tasty treat poor in mugs and place in freezer for an hour. Enjoy!

 

 

This Week’s Menu

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So I tried to clean out the cupboards tonight and had luck. I used a Kikkoman stir-fry mix (that I bought with a coupon for free of course) added chicken, carrots and frozen peas over white rice. It was delicious, simple and budget friendly.Other things on the menu this week!

Dinners:

Tonight- stir fry and rice

Chicken fajitas and beans

Chicken and dumplings

Dinner out x 1

Onion burgers, salad and corn

miniature meatloaf, mashed potatoes and peas

steak on the grill, mashed potatoes and fruit salad

Lunches:

Pasta and sauce

Left overs x 2

Sandwiches and fruit x 4

Breakfasts:

Bacon, eggs and bagels x 2

fresh fruit smoothies

oatmeal x 3

cereal

Snacks:

Fourth of July fruit cones

Cheddar and apple bake

Red Velvet cake!

 

I am trying a bunch of new recipes this week and will post links soon to my results!

 

 

 

Potato Crisps

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My husband is a meat and potatoes kind of guy and during the summer we adore grilling out. Here is a simple way to change up your typical potato options. Instead of mashed or baked try crisped!

For two people:

Three medium sized baking potatoes

Oil

Season-I used season salt and black pepper but also love sea salt, black pepper and garlic powder

Slice potatoes thinly. My husband and I differ here. I like mine a little thicker so I use varying cuts.

 

Drop potato slices one at a time, so they do not stick, in batches into preheated oil over medium high heat. Mmm love that sizzle sound…

Cook for 1-2 minutes flip and cook until browned.

Yummy! Remove each from oil and let dry on paper towels. Season and allow some to make it to the table. We had these with  grilled tenderloin and corn on the cob and it was a delicious summer treat.

Roast Chicken Repurposed Ten Ways

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Mmm…how I craved one tonight! I bought a small five pound bird for a small price and am already considering all the things I can make with the leftovers. As I stated in my guest post on moneysavingmom.com I love cooking chicken. It can be repurposed so many ways. Here are my top ten.
1. Sliced Chicken and gravy. This was one of my Mother’s third day leftover favorites. After serving the Chicken for two days she would often whip up her favorite gravy with flour, chicken stock and butter in a skillet on the stove. She would then simmer the meat for a few minutes to repurpose it into a whole new meal!
2. Chicken salad sandwich. There are a million go to varieties of this meal. My preferred having low fat mayo, diced red grapes and celery on a whole wheat roll.
3. Chicken soup. After picking all meat off the bone you can add noodles, a variety of vegetables and the chicken to stock you easily have a kitchen go to!
4. Chicken tacos. After having made these using a variety of spices I discovered my husbands favorite using McCormick’s spicy taco packets and very small pieces of diced chicken breasts.
5. Chicken fajitas. Again these can be made simply with a pre made spice packet in you grocery aisle and a few other ingredients.
6. Chicken and dumplings. Left over roast chicken is perfect for this recipe!
7. Chicken and enchiladas. Also a great use for leftovers for here.
8. Classic chicken sandwich. I love shaved chicken breast, mayo, tomato and lettuce on wheat bread. The real reason my “eating for two” self roasted a chicken tonight. Amazing!!
9. Chopped chicken salad. Veggies get a protein kick with this addition.
10. A chicken casserole. With the meat already made you can easily whip one up in less than 30 minutes in one pan. An ideal meal.

By buying a whole chicken instead of breasts you can save up to 50% off. With a little creativity and a few on hand ingredients you can serve the cooked meat many different ways before you family tires of frugality. What are your favorite ways to repurpose a chicken?

Simple Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

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Before my hubby headed out this week he requested one of his favorites. This chicken and dumplings recipe is so simple it only requires a few ingredients.

-1 lb chicken I use bone in chicken breasts

-2 family size Campbell’s Cream of Chicken soup

-Bisquick and milk for the dumplings

-frozen peas (or carrots if you prefer)

-potatoes, butter and milk for the mashed potatoes

Bring chicken to a boil on the stove on high. Lower temperature  to allow to simmer and cover until cooked through (about 20-30 minutes depending on cut used). When chicken is finished cooking boil potatoes until fork tender and mash with butter and milk ( I prefer a little sour cream mmmmm) After chicken has cooled shred with fingers. (This can be done on a prep day if you want a quick work week meal.) Place chicken, frozen peas, soup and two cans of water in large pot. Stir well and bring to a boil. Mix 2 1/4 cups Bisquick with 3/4 cup milk to make 10-12 dumplings. Drop the mixture onto the boiling soup by the spoonful. Allow to cook 10 minutes uncovered and 10 with cover for dumplings to form. Remember to watch the temperature to prevent over boil and stir the bottom often to prevent burning.

Serve over mashed potatoes.

Last time I had family in I made this and it was a hit. Comfort food at its finest!