Easy Way to Cook Brown Rice in the Oven Friends...I'm baking brown rice these days. For years, I'd made it on the stovetop, as that's how I learned how to cook rice when I lived in the Dominican Republic years ago. Then I discovered the rice cooker. I've only been using my rice cooker for a few months, but I love it. It cooks the rice so beautifully, and the clean up is … [Read more...]
8 Homemade Mix Recipes – From Taco Seasoning to Cocoa Mix
Skip the pricey packets and bottles, and try these delicious homemade mix recipes instead! Some of the most popular recipes here on $5 Dinners are the homemade mixes. Their posts and pages get thousands of visits each week, so I thought I'd pull them all together into one place for you. … [Read more...]
Grocery Store Shortcuts for Homemade Meals
I really prefer to feed my family home cooked meals, but some days that just isn't as easy as others. For example, I like to prepare pizza dough ahead of time and keep it in the freezer for future meals, however there are days that the family wants pizza but I completely forget to take the dough out to thaw in time. Here are a few tips and tricks for using grocery store … [Read more...]
Dairy Free Hot Cocoa Mix
Hey y'all! The boys were begging (seriously, begging) for hot cocoa the other night. So in an attempt to appease their pleading, I stumbled across an amazing "homemade dairy free hot cocoa mix." Most (if not all) store bought cocoa mix contains dry milk of some kind, so I never get it for them. But this mix that I blended up is simple and perfect, plus it tastes great in both … [Read more...]
Gourmet Homemade Microwave Popcorn
There are controversial chemicals in packaged microwave popcorn but our family loves to eat popcorn as a healthy snack, and I really enjoy the convenience of popping it in the microwave, so we simply make our own using brown paper lunch bags. It's quick and easy to make and also costs a fraction of the price of the packaged variety. All you need are a few simple … [Read more...]
Homemade Break ‘n Bake Cookies
Two cookie dough posts in one week. You'd think I was pregnant and craving cookies or something. (Oh wait.) Actually, I really should have included this in Monday's How to Freeze Cookie Dough article, but we'll let this one stand on its own. I love gifting people with homemade cookie dough. And this is a simple and easy way to do it! Scoop into groups of … [Read more...]
How to Freeze Cookie Dough
Do you know the reason why you should freeze cookie dough?! Here I explain why you should freeze cookie dough and how to properly freeze cookie dough! I've shared a few of my tips for how to freeze cookie dough in the past, and I wanted to revisit it again as we move into the holiday baking season. I'm planning on doing a couple of "dough makes" in November, as … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal
So we've had a handful of "brisk" mornings here in San Antonio. And by "brisk," I mean the temp has dropped below 70. Which must mean fall is here because I've seen a number of people out wearing sweatshirts. Or my blood is already starting to thin out some, because it's really not that cool?! While it may feel warm outside still, it's starting to feel like fall as we … [Read more...]
Cilantro Lime Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken Guacamole Enchiladas. Cilantro Lime Chicken Avocado Enchiladas. Cilantro Lime Chicken Guacamole Enchiladas. CLCG Enchies. For short. I really don't care what we call these, because it doesn't really matter. What matters is that they are packed with flavor. And they are the perfect summer enchilada. Sales for avocados have started, you can pinch cilantro … [Read more...]
Chicken and Brown Rice Casserole
This casserole is a nice way to add more fresh vegetables, and some whole grain rice, to the dinner menu. I used celery and broccoli since this was what we had available. You can substitute this for your favorite fresh vegetables, or whatever you have on hand. I also used a can of cream corn, to bring an added fun flavor, and a little creaminess. My teenage … [Read more...]