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...]
Grow. Eat. Save. – Eggplants (and 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 like rubber tires and … [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 update!). Why not throw those in … [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 boys...then … [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...]