Chelsea asks... As a college student, our access to food is limited by our budget and even our supplies (I only have a mini fridge, microwave, hot pot and secret hot plate). We have our highlights outside of ramen and pizza but good food is hard to come by. So I was wondering if you have any suggestions for meal ideas for us? First off, I have to share the all-time best meal … [Read more...]
Rigatoni with Grilled Chicken and Dried Tomatoes
Seriously I have had enough. Winter started way too early this past November. And it continues to drag on, with a tease of warm weather here and there. In a feeble attempt to pretend that it may in fact be spring, or summer, I pulled out the tomatoes and basil that I dried, after having picked them from my garden last year. And for a few glorious minutes, I got to taste … [Read more...]
Food Allergies on a Budget – Part 3
It's time for part 3 of the Food Allergies on a Budget series! In case you missed the previous posts, here they are: Part 1 Part 2 This time we'll be taking a closer look at the practical things that need to happen in your kitchen when you have to start eliminating foods from your diet. Practical Approaches for Food Allergies Cross-contamination An … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Make Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and Cheese...a kid favorite for sure! But why can't it be an adult favorite?! With just a little sprucing up, it sure can be! I remember my mom making "the blue box" and mixing in peas and tuna. It was the "all-american meal" back in the 80s. That...and chicken cordon bleu's from the freezer. Two meals that I am both fond of, but somehow disgusted by. (I do … [Read more...]
How to Chop an Onion Without Crying
So this has happened to every last one of us. At least once I imagine! After just one slice into one of "those" onions, and we beeline it out of the kitchen hoping to keep the tears at bay. But alas, it's too late! That pesky onion juice has done it again and the waterworks are a-flowin'. With just one slice. How in THE world am I supposed to finish chopping that … [Read more...]
Pulled Pork with Red Onion
This recipe is featured in the 21 Freezer Cooking Recipes from Costco Meal Plan #5. Several weeks ago I purchased a large pork tenderloin. I used part of it to make Spanish Stew, sliced off a few pork chops, and then left the remaining portion whole to cook in the slow cooker. This is quite simple...I placed the roast fat side up in the slow cooker, topped it … [Read more...]
Angel Food Cake with Lime Glaze and Pistachios
(No. I did not forget about my "dessert of the month" promise. Yes. I do realize that it's the last day of the month. I work best on a tight deadline! Translation: I am one giant procrastinator.) A match made in food heaven... Lime. and. Pistachios! I made this earlier this month when we had some friends from church over for dinner. I made the angel food cake the night … [Read more...]
Italian Wedding Soup
Here is my version of Italian Wedding Soup. Simple. Delicious. So yeah. There's going to be a wedding this year. My sister's!!! I'm honored to stand beside her as the matron of honor, and I'm thrilled that Charlie gets to be a ring bearer! And there's going to be an Italian at the wedding. My sister's fiance is Italian. Dark headed, dark eyed with a last name that's … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Batch Cooking: The Super Supper Saver
Having that ground meat, already cooked and ready to pull out of the freezer is a super supper saver. It's a strategy that works with busy toddlers under foot, hungry teens hovering and all those in between. (that's us!) For about two years now I’ve been batch cooking with my slow cooker every shopping trip. My friend, Little Sanctuary, shared how she cooks ground meat in … [Read more...]
Storing Yeast in Your Freezer
If you bake bread regularly, or you are thinking about starting, here's a little tip for you... Store your yeast in the freezer! It is certainly cheaper to purchase a jar of yeast than to purchase the strips. If you are planning to make more than 3 loaves of bread or 3 batches of dough for rolls, pizza crust, cinnamon rolls or other yeast bread, then … [Read more...]