I'm often asked during news interviews and radio interviews..."Is this really possible to do this $5 Dinners thing?" And my typical reply is... "Of course, a key part of this whole frugal cooking business is being creative with the ingredients that you get on sale, or even discounted, from the grocery store. If you score a fabulous deal on butternut squash and you don't know … [Read more...]
What to Make When…Ground Beef
It's time for another version of "what to make when." Every several weeks ground beef, ground chuck and ground round will go on sale, ranging from $1.49/lb to $2.99/lb...depending on the type. I prefer ground chuck and stock up when it's on sale for $1.99/lb, but will also pick up ground beef when it hits the $1.49/lb sale mark. Ground round doesn't usually go on sale for … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
This was one of those meals that sorta came together and ended up "balancing" perfectly. I started out with chicken and pineapple in the slow cooker. Then as dinnertime drew closer, I decided that rice would be a nice complement, and found a side of the red cabbage apple slaw in the fridge! (How to Shred Cabbage here.) Voila! Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple … [Read more...]
Spicy Chorizo and Lentil Soup
Splurge Alert! Over the summer I'd stop at the local traveling farmer's market in my town. It comes through every Thursday through the summer, and I look for the sign every week (as I can't remember when it starts back up. May, likely?!) on Thursdays when I take Charlie to school. There are many days when I just which we had more grocery budget money to spend on the … [Read more...]
Mini Barbeque Chicken Pizzas – Copycat California Pizza Kitchen
Quick story. When Steve and I lived in the Dominican Republic, we had the choice to fly back to the US for vacations or family get togethers via Miami or New York. Those were are only 2 options. Santiago to JFK or Santiago to Miami. (Except once we flew through Puerto Rico, and then onto Chicago. I was pregnant with Ryan and I was terrified the entire time we were on the … [Read more...]
Lime Cake
Any cake with more than two layers is a special celebratory cake in my cookbook. A spring green cake even more so. At the first sign of brilliant blue skies, I start to think of making my Aunt Kathy’s Lime Cake. Will it be for Easter, Mother’s Day, a birthday or a bridesmaids luncheon? All of the above. The inside of the cake gets its spring green … [Read more...]
Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've just got to get this out of my system. Ever since I saw these Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies over at Picky Palate, I've been wanting to try something similar. I have a little thing for chocolate chip cookies. And by little, I mean big. And by big, I mean huge. And by huge, I mean... You get the picture. After making these, I'm really not sure that chocolate … [Read more...]
Sauteed Potatoes and Mushrooms
This is a quick and easy side dish that goes beautifully with just about anything! It’s completely dairy free if you use dairy free margarine and it’s also free of the top 8 allergens! Sauteed Potatoes and Mushrooms 1 lb White Button Mushrooms, quartered3 Green Onions, sliced2 Cloves Garlic, mincedCup Dairy Free … [Read more...]
Spicy Kale Chips and Yogurt Dip
I was not that fond of kale and initially only grew it in our garden to supplement our guinea pigs and bearded dragon's diet. When it continued to grow throughout our harsh winters filled with snow and below freezing temperatures producing more than our pets could consume, I developed a new respect for its resilience and grudgingly added it to my diet. I used it primarily as … [Read more...]
Shredded Beef Sandwiches with Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw
Right now in SW Ohio, we are entering what my friend Jenny has dubbed "hormonal weather" season. It's the high, low, warm weather tease one day, snow flurries the next. HOT FLASHES. That's what these warm weather teases are y'all. Weather hot flashes. One day there's a dusting of snow on the ground and the next we are swinging at the park in our t-shirts. It's during … [Read more...]