I like cucumbers. I like their crisp. Their crunch. Sometimes I like the seeds...say, for sliced cucumbers on top of a salad. Other times, I don't like the seeds. For those times when the seeds have got to go, this is what it looks like! Cut off the ends. Slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, run it down the middle, scooping out the seeds. Slice the … [Read more...]
Mediterranean Quinoa
It's we're on a bit of a quinoa roll these days! I have a number of recipes on One Dish Dinners using quinoa (with another coming next week!), Lisa shared her Cilantro-Lime Quinoa last week and we've made a number of different quinoa recipes here on $5 Dinners! If you haven't heard of quinoa (keen-wa), it's a gluten free grain from Peru that is gaining popularity quickly … [Read more...]
No Sugar, No White Flour – Meal and Snack Ideas
I haven't had time to develop a full week's meal plan yet...but I wanted to share a few ideas of the things I have been and will be enjoying this month (and beyond)! Knowing your food options after cutting out white sugar and white flour might just be half the battle... Breakfast Scrambled Eggs with Avocado and Salsa Mom's Best Naturals Organic Multigrain Oatmeal with … [Read more...]
Peach Pie
One of my favorite summer things is glorious fruit. Peaches are in their glory right now and on sale for under $1 a pound. That tells me it's time to make pie! Fruit pies are such a simple and lovely allergy friendly dessert. Peach just so happens to be one of my favorites. Many people think that you need to have whipped cream, ice cream, or something similar for a slice of … [Read more...]
Taco Salad Casserole
Hey kids! Who wants avocados for dinner? silence ... silence.... sigh. Hey kids! Who wants taco salad for dinner? ~ insert chorus of cheers here ~ Now that's more like it! Just don't get too nosey about those avocados lurking on the counter looking all guilty like they're about to jump in your food and be all healthy for you. I don't know what priorities my … [Read more...]
Cilantro-Lime Quinoa
This recipe is quickly becoming one of our favorites for outdoor cookouts, potluck gatherings, and overnight camping trips. It can easily be made in advance, tastes great leftover, and is sure to please any crowd. A little over a year ago we would have been adding a bag of chips or pasta salad (made from white flour) to our cookouts, but now that we're on the real food … [Read more...]
Chilled Summer Squash and Orzo Salad
Hello garden goodies! It's that time of year when the zukes, squash, and tomatoes and abundant in gardens across the land. And I've got the p.e.r.f.e.c.t recipe that will use them all up in one shot! There's just something about a chilled orzo salad during the summertime it just makes my tongue, my tummy and my heart happy! Orzo is the perfect size, texture and does … [Read more...]
Chicken Fajita Melts
The final recipe from this month's pantry challenge. This is a new one to me. Maybe not to you. In the freezer I found chicken breasts, peppers and onion blend, loaf of reduced priced bread, slices of pepper jack cheese. And the pantry did make a contribution to the meal...some jarred salsa! Once I had it all out on the counter, it occurred to me that I bought some … [Read more...]
Fried Green Tomatoes
Sliced, dipped, dredged and fried tomatoes equal a plateful of delights as the showcase of veggie night. It’s an annual treat. I make fried green tomatoes maybe twice a summer. Veggie plate night, of course being a frugal way to feed our hodgepodge. And fried green tomatoes, of course being a way to liven things up a bit. I explained to the children that fried green … [Read more...]
How to Seed a Tomato
If you need to use a tomato without all the drippy, seedy parts, try this quick and easy way to remove the seeds from the tomato. Simply slice the tomato along it's equator, then gently squeeze out the seeds. By slicing longways, the seed pods should be broken and should fall out easily. The seeds from some varieties of tomatoes might not fall out so easily, so … [Read more...]