This right here is the perfect example of a "leftovers makeover." Not long ago, I made a giant beef roast. I found it on sale and I planned on slow cooking it so that I could make roast/potatoes/carrots for meal #1 and tacos for meal #2. I was planning on soft tacos, but 4 unnamed children decided to polish off the flour tortillas that I'd purchased for the second meal. … [Read more...]
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Maybe I should call these Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies? Why?? Because the cookie dough contains peanut butter AND peanut butter baking chips. Have you seen them yet? You can get a combo of peanut butter baking chips and milk chocolate baking chips in the same bag. I might caution you though. You might want to buy two bags. Because you might end up eating the … [Read more...]
Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin – A Freezer to Slow Cooker Meal!
This is such a flavorful dinner! Not only is it flavorful, it's so simple to prepare. The result...perfectly cooked onions that have soaked up all the yummy flavors from the teriyaki sauce, along with shredded pork that has done the same. Top with a few sesame seeds and/or sliced green onions and dinner is served! Melt in your mouth goodness, right here... So … [Read more...]
12 Best Chili Recipes
There is nothing that celebrates the taste of fall more to me than a good bowl of chili. Even though we do eat chili year-round, there is something special about a steaming hot bowl of chili with brisk temperatures outside. In honor of nearing that lovely time of year, we've gathered up the 12 Best Chili Recipes on $5 Dinners (although you can actually find a dozen more if … [Read more...]
Lemon Blueberry Cobbler
This right here is a lick the pan kind of dessert! Yes, lick the PAN! I'm giving you permission right now to lick the pan and your plate CLEAN! I big puffy heart lurvvveeeee lemon and blueberry together and this cobbler makes me fall in love with it all over again. The tiny bit of tart from the lemon with the touch of sweet from the baked blueberries is simply … [Read more...]
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe
This is one of those snacks or lunches that I have to double up on if I want any to end up in the freezer. I do a.l.o.t. of baked breads and muffins like this for my boys' lunch boxes because they don't love sandwiches. So I often resort to these kinds of goodies. If I'm adding chocolate chips, then I bring the sugar down in the recipe so it's not too much. (Not any more … [Read more...]
Strawberry Oatmeal Cookies
Our family is currently obsessing over these "oatmeal cookies." I love how easy they are to put together. And they turn out so perfectly. They kinda remind me of drop biscuits in the way that you drop the dough on and they stay nice and rounded and 'fluffy.' But they are sweet enough to be cookies. (And Strawberry Oatmeal Drop Biscuits doesn't quite convey the right amount of … [Read more...]
Teriyaki Beef & Veggie Stirfry
Fakeout-Takeout Straight Outta the Freezer! BOOM. This is super delicious and freezes and thaws beautifully. The steak strips soak in the teriyaki sauce while it thaws, infusing all the delicious flavors deep into the meat. Stir-fry and drop over some rice --- amazing and simple weeknight dinner. Pro Freezer Cooking Tip: Get the steak that is pre-cut into strips at the … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
So delicious...such amazing flavors that perfectly melt together and complement each other. Also, don't skip the red wine on this one. I've skipped it before, but in doing so you miss out on the deeper flavors in the sauce. The red wine has a special way of enriching the tomato sauce and enhancing the bell pepper flavors. So don't skip it ;) Buon appetito! See the … [Read more...]
Scallops & Herbed Tomatoes
Hello, budget gourmet!!! I don't often share recipes like this with "super expensive ingredients" - like scallops. But when I do, I still try to budget hack them. Serving these with in season tomatoes and fresh herbs from your garden, over inexpensive pasta, and you'll end up with a budget gourmet meal. This is a freezer friendly meal...as the scallops, tomatoes and herbs … [Read more...]