I found a jar of apricot preserves in my pantry. And there's not a better way to use it up than this! I used the Apricot Chicken recipe from the Make it Fast, Cook it Slow Cookbook! Hello, delicious. Ingredients 3 large or 4 small chicken breasts ($2.57) About 2/3 cup apricot preserves ($.75) 1 tsp dried minced onion flakes ($.05) 1 Tbsp dijon mustard ($.05) 1 … [Read more...]
Garlic Chicken Risotto
Tonight's guest recipe comes from Susie at Susie's Homemade. She is a thriving stay-at-home mom of two wonderful girls (5 and 19) and a caretaker of my 67 year old live-in mother. On her blog, Susie's Homemade, she shares her adventures in baking, cooking, gardening, homemaking and entertaining. Garlic Chicken Risotto Garlick-y and creamy … [Read more...]
Black Eyed Pea Casserole
Jeannine emailed this great gluten free Black Eyed Pea Casserole recipe to me a few weeks ago and I knew we had to try it! It's not dairy free, but the cheese could certainly be omitted, or just added to individual servings! And although we are not eating entirely gluten free at the moment, I do try to keep the gluten to a minimum! It's so easy to get in a rut or feel like … [Read more...]
Sweet and Sour Chicken
I had every intention of serving this over brown rice. But I got a little distracted by the Balloon Boy story this afternoon (so glad he was found...but boy I wasted a bunch of "what if that was my kid" emotional energy because of the whole ordeal). By the time I realized that the dinner hour was fast approaching, it was too late to get the brown rice going! So white rice it … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Applesauce Chicken
In honor of the release of Stephanie's Make it Fast Cook it Slow Cookbook, I thought it only fitting to make a recipe from her site tonight! I found this recipe in the book...and knew the boys would love it. So I made it. And they loved it. Not only did they ask for more chicken, they asked for more squash too! Even had 3rds on the squash!!! Oh. And I try to make meals … [Read more...]
Baked Italian Chicken
This Baked Italian Chicken is KID APPROVED! BEFORE AFTER I'm often asked...well, how much do your kids eat? How much do you give them? How about a "visual" answer to that question. Above is my 2 year old's plate. Before and After. He nearly polished off the chicken, almost all of the peas and squash, and ate at least half of his rice...before … [Read more...]
A1 Beef Stew
This was the perfect meal to come home to after an afternoon adventure/walk to the park! It was just cold enough outside to be chilly, but not so cold that we didn't enjoy ourselves! Arriving home to this soup was lovely! Warmed our tummies right up! Here is the "doubled" version of the recipe! The total cost is not under $5...but since it is two meals worth...we divide … [Read more...]
Grilled Tilapia and Acorn Squash
Nevermind that the high today was just 60. And there's a frost advisory for our area tonight. Wasn't gonna stop me from using the grill tonight! Grilled Tilapia and Acorn Squash No matter what the temperature outside, it's always worth it to grill tilapia fillets! 4 frozen tilapia fillets1 Tbsp seafood seasoning1-2 Tbsp lemon juice rice (side … [Read more...]
Lentil and Brown Rice Casserole
If you are ever in need of an UBER frugal meal, here you go! Not only was this quite tasty, dinner really doesn't get much cheaper than this. And we had leftovers. Which will probably end up in a tortilla with some salsa! Again, thanks to Gayle at the Grocery Cart Challenge for leading me to this great recipe! Note: When I pulled this from the oven, before adding … [Read more...]
Coconut Rice and Beans
I love experimenting with rice and beans. They don't have to be boring, as their reputation generally suggests! These were excellent. The pineapple juice gave just enough sweetness to balance the coconut milk. We will certainly have this again! I also cooked up some extra beans and I put them into the freezer so I can quickly incorporate them into a future … [Read more...]









