I like cucumbers. I like their crisp. Their crunch. Sometimes I like the seeds...say, for sliced cucumbers on top of a salad. Other times, I don't like the seeds. For those times when the seeds have got to go, this is what it looks like! Cut off the ends. Slice in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, run it down the middle, scooping out the seeds. Slice the … [Read more...]
Summer Side Salad
A nutritious and delicious summer side salad...or lunch! There are many great colors, textures and flavors in this dish. I set out to use up some of my corn...then threw in the FIRST tomato from my garden (more on that tomorrow!), then a cucumber that was on sale last week and needed to be used up...plus some chickpeas, parsley from the garden and a vinaigrette … [Read more...]
Grilled Pork Chops with Apple Juice Brine – $5 Dinner Challenge
Grilled Pork Chops with Apple Juice Brine Yield - 4 servings Preparation Time - 4 hour marinate time Cooking Time - 4-5 minutes Ingredients 4 pork chops (free!) Remember this coupon! 1 cup apple juice ($.15) 1/2 cup salt ($.10) Water 4 corn cobs ($1) 1/2 bag of lettuce ($1.50) 1/2 cucumber ($.25) 2 Roma tomatoes ($.58) Big sale last … [Read more...]
BBQ Chicken Pizza
So I was NOT thinking clearly about the new dairy allergy when I wrote up my meal plan for the week and included pizza! Hello, CHEESE! So this pizza is cheeseless! I thought it tasted fine without the cheese, as the BBQ and red onions gave it a rich flavor. (But still, there's just something odd about a cheeseless pizza!) I'm on this "lets see how few dishes I can use," … [Read more...]
Almost Cobb Salad
This recipe can now be found exclusively in The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook. … [Read more...]
Spaghetti
Little guys LOVE spaghetti! Always a kid favorite...pssssghetti! So I had a cucumber that I needed to use up, as we will be out of town for the holiday weekend! Since I don't prefer cucumbers by themselves, I threw on some sour cream "sauce" to make it a bit tastier. I also love to soak them in balsamic vinegar! Normally we eat broccoli or green beans with our … [Read more...]
Summer Pasta Salad
A light, simple summer "one bowl" dish! Summer Pasta Salad Yield - 4 servings Preparation Time - 5 minutes Cooking Time - 20 minutes Ingredients 1 Box Pasta (bowtie, rotini, ziti) ($1.25) 1 chicken breast, cooked and cubed or shredded ($1) 1 cucumber, diced ($.67) 1 cup cheese (chedd or mozz) ($.85) 1 can Italian style tomatoes ($.70) 1/2 cup Italian … [Read more...]