Did you know that having a Costco membership has all kinds of hidden benefits? I originally started shopping at Costco after visiting an OH store with a friend and seeing the price of rice milk. We have a few dairy allergies in the family and have used rice milk for a long time for cooking, baking and drinking. Being the math and numbers nerd that I am, I quickly … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Shredded Pork with Thai Peanut Sauce
We love shredded meats. Like, really love them. They are so easy to make (usually in the slow cooker) and you can 'sauce-ify' them easily to give them such amazing flavor. Then you can use the shredded meats in tacos, enchiladas, on "haystacks" or in soups, etc. This didn't start out as a "haystack" kind of meal...but ended up as one after I finished adding all the … [Read more...]
Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes
Sloppy joes. Quite possibly one of the best and easiest freezer meals ever. Well, "meal starter" anyways. I love having "meal starters" in the freezer, along with complete meals. A meal starter is something like sloppy joe sauce. It's not the entire meal...but part of the meal. The start to a meal. Spaghetti sauce is another great "meal starter." Even just seasoned ground … [Read more...]
Balsamic & Brown Sugar Pork Chops
"Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?" Pork Chops. "What kind?" The brown sugar and balsamic ones you love so much. "YESSSSSSS!" followed by a giant double arm pump Yes, this is a real conversation. And yes, I'm teaching him how to make these on his own. Because they are his favorite. And because he needs to learn how to cook something other than scrambled … [Read more...]
Homemade Vanilla Extract
The holidays are coming. In a few months, yes. And if you want to give the gift of this homemade vanilla...I suggest that you make this RIGHT NOW. It takes at least 2 months to reach quality flavor potential, 3 to 4 months if you can swing it to really maximize the flavor. So write down on your errands list to stop at the liquor store to pick up some rum or vodka...and … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Ever heard of wanting to face plant into your dinner? Apparently it's a 'thing' and this is the kind of meal that makes me want to plant my face right into the bowl. Because YUM. LOL I love the contradictions that happen with this soup. Like, it's soft but chunky. The sour cream and milk give it a soft consistency, but the beans and shredded chicken make it chunky. It's … [Read more...]
12 Pantry Staple Ingredients Every Penny Pincher Should Stock Up On
Whether you are a prepper or a penny pincher, a savvy shopper or frugalista, stocking up on canned goods and other pantry staples is always a wise move. Canned goods can typically be purchased cheap, and as you know they have an excellent shelf life. If you are curious about which canned goods to stock up on in order to save some cash and stretch your food budget, take a look … [Read more...]
Ginger Peach Salmon
I adore this salmon. It's so flavorful and the combination I want to make salmon more often, but it's so expensive. So I buy it when my budget allows and then pair it with inexpensive sides like rice and frozen veggies. And top it with an amazing sauce or glaze like this one... These peach, sesame oil and ground ginger flavors are just magical! Ginger Peach … [Read more...]
Back to School Freezer Cooking ~ 40 Freezer Friendly Slow Cooker Meal, Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Ideas
I don't know about you - but going from the relaxed 'schedule' of summer and late nights and quasi-bedtimes to being forced back onto the school routing is just plain daunting. I'm not sure if it's the ginormous pile of papers that come home that first week of school and 87% of them need to be filled out or signed. And then you have to turn your "but I still just wanna be … [Read more...]
Veggie Loaded Spaghetti Sauce
I love sneaking veggies into sauces like this. Shredded carrots meet a homemade spaghetti sauce and never once have my boys asked about the "orange stuff" in the sauce. (And I think that's because I shred the carrots really small!) I ALWAYS double up when I make this...so that I always have spaghetti sauce in the freezer if I need it for a no-brainer dinner! I'm … [Read more...]