This recipe is inspired by 2 things...first, I was grabbing a few ingredients to make some pasta meals for our church group gathering we were hosting. I spotted a package of gnocchi that I hadn't seen before in this store and it was priced at $1.99. I grabbed 2 packages to make a giant batch of this for everyone coming over. (Note: the recipe below is written for 4 people, so … [Read more...]
Black Bean & Sweet Potato Dip
We're coming up on the spring time of the year when sweet potatoes go on sale for a short window of time, dredging up memories of autumn that have been all but covered by mounds of snow. And these same awesome sweet potatoes remind us that the beauty of spring is here to revive us again. Therefore, it seemed appropriate to use baked sweet potatoes in an enchilada-inspired … [Read more...]
Tropical Green Smoothie
Smoothies have become my go-to afternoon snack, ever since I made the 'make ahead smoothie packs' for the 85 Breakfasts & Snacks for $140 meal plan. (Definitely check it out, if you haven't yet! It's a huge time, money and sanity saver!) This smoothie is smooth-nomenal. As in "smoothie-phenomenal." I'm not sure if it's the peach in the smoothie. Or the clementine. Or the … [Read more...]
Best White Mexican Cheese or Queso Blanco Dip
Queso Blanco Dip... This is the part where I'm going to embarrass myself. But in the process, I think I'll find a new tribe of queso-lovers. This goes back 2 months, let me tell the story... Back in early February, I met some girlfriends for dinner at a new restaurant in San Antonio called Tacos and Tequila. It's a joint out of Austin and they are expanding into other … [Read more...]
Thai Chicken Bake
I recently shared how I wanted to rekindle my romance with Thai food after enjoying some Thai take-out when I was visiting my sister a few months back...except it is super expensive to go out for Thai food regularly, so instead I'm making it at home more. I put together a Chicken Pineapple Curry that you cook on the stovetop, and decided a similar baked version was in … [Read more...]
No Bake Gluten Free Coconut Lemon Tarts
Did someone say 'no-bake dessert'??? Why yes, yes I did! We've already had a couple of 'those' days here in San Antonio. The days that make you long for summer...and kinda dread it at the same time. The days where it tops out at a 'dry' 85 degrees and you feel like you're melting. Those first really hot days of the spring that send you running outdoors to play baseball in … [Read more...]
New 6-Week Paleo Meal Plan Available from The $5 Meal Plan
Whew...it's finally here! Thank you so much for your patience. I know you've been asking for this for what feels like forever and it's done. Finished. And ready to be saved to your computer! The Paleo and Whole30 eating plans have taken the world by storm and I'm delighted to say that it is totally possible to 'do them' on a budget. I've pulled together some phenomenal and … [Read more...]
Lemon Steamed Broccoli
If you're planning on having broccoli at your Easter dinner, I beg of you to make it like this. All you need (besides the broccoli!) is 2 lemons. It'll work with 1 lemon, but 2 is just right. It's super simple...you squeeze some of the lemon into the water that will steam the broccoli. Then you add zest from the lemons in with the broccoli heads while it's steaming. It's … [Read more...]
Pesto Ricotta Pizza
Holy flavor load...this pizza has it all! It's got the creamy from the ricotta, and the punch of fresh herb-i-ness from the pesto, and the perfect balance of salt from the Parm and garlic from the...well, the garlic. Seriously, can you taste it yet?!? Make this amazing pizza with a homemade crust (it's definitely cheaper this way!!!) or grab a pre-made crust from the … [Read more...]
Potato Pancake with Refried Beans
Many years ago, on my first trip to Europe, my in-laws took me to a restaurant built around potatoes. Everything had potatoes. That one experience opened my eyes to what potatoes can do. And I've since experimented, but never as much as I wished. Potato pancakes are such an easy workhorse. You can put almost anything sweet or savory on top of them. If you're looking for … [Read more...]