Ratatouille is one of the most frugal dishes in my repertoire. When my garden is in full swing the only ingredient I have to buy to make this dish is olive oil. As much as I like ratatouille, I must confess it has a couple of downsides. First, if I turn on the oven on a hot July day and only have vegetables to show for it, I will have a mutiny on my hands. Which brings me to … [Read more...]
Eggplant Parmesan Recipe
Eggplants. The purple gems of the garden. Also known as a tasty treat for pesky chipmunks. I saw 3 eggplants fruit in my garden in the last month and a half or so. And every one of them ended up as a meal for my little critter friends. Enemies, really. It helps knowing that they didn't get to enjoy the eggplants like we get to enjoy eggplants. They have to eat them … [Read more...]
Eggplant Pizza Bites
Introducing Alea...you'll be seeing more of her! Last year when I saw pictures of Erin’s eggplant flowers, I resolved to grow them in my own garden. Not for the fruit, mind you, but for the flowers. I have never grown eggplant before because my husband has always professed that it is the one vegetable that he did not like. He insisted that they taste … [Read more...]
Eggplant Rosemary Focaccia Bread
I mentioned yesterday that we had an impromptu Italian dinner feast with Tricia and her family. And I might have mentioned that I made some Eggplant Focaccia bread. Turned out to be quite good...a little tough on the edges...but what a yummy combination of flavors! It was only after about 5 seconds that Tyler and Tessa were holding hands. (They are less than 1 month … [Read more...]
Baked Chicken Spaghetti
This dish sorta turned into an experiment. I started with a plan in mind. And it kept changing as I found new things in the fridge to add to the dish! I needed to use the eggplant and Cubanelle peppers I picked from the garden this week. And I had 2 green tomatoes in the fridge (more on the green tomato situation in the next garden … [Read more...]
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce and Salsa
I had a surplus of about $25 from my August grocery budget. I decided to go on a "tomato spree." The farmer's market just down the road from me offers a "You Pick" price for Roma tomatoes of $.69/lb. Not too bad. Plus we (yes, I took the kids for "the experience") got to have a little fun and learn about "good" and "bad" tomatoes! All that you see above (2 habanero … [Read more...]
Grilled Eggplant Panini with Rosemary-Garlic Aioli
So that has GOT TO BE the fanciest recipe title I've come up with yet! Because I used so much from the garden for this meal, I was able to be a little more creative and made up a delicious rosemary-garlic aioli sauce for these paninis! These were "UH-MAZING," according to the Hubs! So if you've got an eggplant in the garden, or come across a great deal on eggplants...I … [Read more...]
Eggplant Penne Pasta with How to Prepare Eggplant
This meal is sorta "2-n-1"...it could be vegetarian...or it could be done with meat or diced chicken! Here's the lowdown... Since I only used 1 cup of the crushed tomatoes, I ended up using the rest to make spaghetti sauce for the boys while I'm gone this weekend. Before stashing it in the fridge, I tossed about 1 cup with the eggplant and pasta for the … [Read more...]
Simple Moussaka
I've been wanting to try moussaka for a long time, but knew that I couldn't pull it off for under $5. I used the recipe from Joy of Cooking and simplified it quite a bit. I did not use any Greek yogurts or cheeses. Yes, I know those are the KEY ingredients to the dish, but I'm trying to keep it frugal and simple here. Also, this seems to be "How to" week at $5 Dinners! From … [Read more...]
Steak and Potatoes
Can't beat this...2 steaks for $2.08! "Manager's Special" is the way to go! May not be the "best" cut of steak, but it was still delicious! Ingredients 2 cuts steak ($2.08) 1/4 cup marinade ($.50) 4 potatoes ($1.oo) 3 cloves garlic ($.10) 1/2 cup milk ($.10) 2 T butter ($.20) 1 small eggplant ($.79) 2 T EVOO ($.10) 1/2 cup corn ($.20) Directions 1. Marinate steak … [Read more...]