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Money Saving Tip-Homemade Salad Dressings
Salads make a great side dish or even a bargain main dish. One of the best things about salads is the dressing. And yes, you can pick up some bargains at the store but you’re paying for something that’s often loaded with preservatives and some not so good for you stuff too. Making your own is simple and most of the time, the most budget friendly way to go. Here’s a quick and tasty vinaigrette to try on your next salad. Mix ¾ cup of oil with ¼ cup of vinegar and season with salt, pepper and even some Dijon mustard. For other variations try adding honey, balsamic vinegar, orange…
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Budget Meal-ALL DAY MACARONI AND CHEESE
It’s comfort food and it’s also affordable but who says you have to serve mac and cheese from a box just because you’re on a budget. Here’s a version that adds a few more ingredients and best of all, uses a Crockpot to save on your energy bill too. What you’ll need- 8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained 4 cups(16 ounces) shredded sharp Chedder Cheese (divided) 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk 1 1/2 cups milk 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Place the cooked macaroni into the Crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Add the remaining ingredients but keep back 1 cup…
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Budget Meal-Calzones
Calzones can be made with just about any ingredient and this version uses ground beef and some taco seasoning for extra taste. If you can make your own pastry that’s great but if not, you can pick some up next time your supermarket has a sale. What you’ll need… 1 (15-oz.) package refrigerated pie crusts 1 pound ground beef 1 (4-oz.) can diced green chiles 1/4 cup water 1 (1.25-oz.) package Taco Seasoning Mix 1 cup shredded mild Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, divided Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Brown the beef in a large skillet and then drain off the fat. Add the chilis, water and seasoning…
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Pantry Challenge-Stocking Up
It’s almost the end of February and did you take the pantry challenge? If so, what did you discover? Could you put together a few emergency meals if say there was a power outage? How about if you couldn’t get to the store for a week? Maybe you discovered you’re lacking basic things like rice, pasta, beans that make great emergency meals. Make a list of what you feel you need and then work some of these products into your budget. Check out my previous post about stocking a pantry for more tips on doing it on a budget. March is Frozen Food Month which means some sales and discounts…
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Budget Meals-Fiesta Eggs
I like to think of this as a fancy breakfast but you could also enjoy it for lunch or even dinner served with hash browns and sour cream, maybe even a chopped avocado. Eggs, while more expensive than they once were, are still a bargain protein to enjoy. This recipe called Fiesta Eggs is taken from my new cookbook One Pot, Low Cost, Easy to Fix Meals… What You’ll need- 1 15 ounce can chili beans 4 slices of bread, toasted 1/3 cup salsa 1/3 cup shredded cheese 4 eggs Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray four ramekin dishes with non-stick cooking spray and place them on a baking sheet.…
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Pantry Challenge-Five Tips to Help Build a Pantry
What have you discovered during this pantry challenge? Could you put together an emergency meal or if illness strikes or the grocery stores are closed, how many meals could you make from what you have on hand? If these questions put you into a panic then set a goal to start to put together a pantry. Here are five tips to help you do that on a budget- If you don’t eat it don’t buy it I’ve seen things on sale and grabbed them thinking they’d be perfect for the pantry but sometimes it’s something we don’t really like. Only buy things you know you eat or it’s a waste…
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Budget Meal-BREAKFAST PITA POCKETS
Although this is a breakfast recipe, you can eat it for lunch, even for dinner by pairing it with something like an apple or even a fruit salad depending on your budget. No matter what time of the day you eat this, it’s tasty. And yes, eggs aren’t as cheap as they once were but they’re still a good source of protein for the price. What you’ll need- 1 pita bread, cut in half. You can serve this cold or warm it slightly in the oven or even toast it lightly 2 eggs, beaten salt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup peeled and diced potatoes Oil of your choice Optional-salsa,…
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Pantry Challenge-Make a Meal
How did you get on with the first challenge of taking stock of items you have on hand in your pantry, fridge, freezer? This week’s challenge focuses on using what you have. If you had to put together a meal only using things you have on hand, what would you make? Maybe you’ve got some canned chicken, some rice, a can of soup, a bag of frozen vegetables etc. Do some brainstorming and see what you come up with. Feel free to share what you made by leaving a comment. Sharing with others can also help people get ideas on what to stock and how to put together a quick…
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Budget Meals-SALSA CHICKEN & RICE
Here’s an easy meal that’s perfect to make when chicken is on sale. What you’ll need- 2 cups cooked white rice, kept warm 1 tablespoon oil 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips 1 medium onion, chopped 1 small red bell pepper, sliced 1 jar (16 oz.) Salsa 1/2 cup shredded Mexican-blend cheese Sour cream (optional) Chopped fresh cilantro (optional) Over medium high heat and in a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the chicken, onion and bell pepper and cook stirring occasionally for 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the salsa and bring to a boil then remove it…
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Pantry Challenge-Using What You Have
I’ve always thought of food as a great investment. Having food on hand not only helps on days when you haven’t got time to cook but essential in times of emergencies like when the power goes out or even when you lose your job. Let’s use February as a way to take a pantry challenge. Maybe you have one item on the shelf or maybe you have cans stacked to the rafters. Let’s build a pantry, organize it, and yes, use it as a financial investment too. For this first step of the challenge, make a list of what you have on hand right now. For example, three cans of…