Here’s the deal on proteins…I try to keep our protein source under $2.50 for each meal, as I can typically get in a starch and veggies for less than $2.50 to round out the meal at $5…so when I come across a gem like this at the store, I’m sure to snag it up!  $1.85 for a package of stirfry beef, and I can certainly make a stirfry meal for less than $5!

Also, I used snap peas from the garden!  I love to munch on them as I pick them, but thought stirfrying would be best for a meal! 

Would love to hear your favorite ways to use your snap peas from your garden!

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked brown rice ($.40)
.6 lb. stirfry beef ($1.85)
4 Tbsp sesame oil, divided ($.50)
1 tsp rice vinegar ($.05)
1 Tbsp soy sauce ($.10)
Few cracks of garlic pepper grinder (free) Bought on sale for $1 with $.50 coupon that doubled to $1 = FREE!
1 large broccoli head, about 1/2 lb. ($.69)
1-2 cups of fresh snap peas (free from the garden)

Directions
1. In medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups of water to boil. Add 1 cup of uncooked brown rice, return water to boil and then reduce heat to low.  Cover and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until brown rice has softened.
2. Marinate stirfry beef strips in 2 Tbsp sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and cracked garlic pepper.
3. Add 1 Tbsp sesame oil to skillet and heat until steams. Toss in broccoli and snap peas with the hot oil for about 30 seconds to a minute.

4. Add 3/4 cups of water to the broccoli and snap peas.  Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes.

5. Drain water and set aside on a plate.

6. Add marinated beef and onion to same skillet.

7. Stirfry on high heat for 4-5 minutes or until beef has cooked through and onions become translucent.

8. Toss steamed broccoli and snap peas with the cooked beef and onions.  Stirfry on high heat for 2-3 minutes, tossing sauces and ingredients together.

9. Serve Beef, Snap Pea and Broccoli Stirfry over Brown Rice.

Cost $3.59

P.S. I’m feeling much better!  Thank you for your kind emails, thoughts and prayers!  Thankfully it seemed to be just a 24 hour bug that took me about 48 hours to recover from!  But boy, I thought I was gonna be out for days that first few hours!!!