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First things first. You need burritos, right? OK, that’s a no brainer. Just use my Saturday night Bean and Cream Cheese burritos (without ground beef) and you’re in business! Next, the main event. The chile. Now this is a labor of love. Each cook puts his or her own stamp on each batch. You dictate [...]
OK, I said perfect for low carb diets, not low fat. But seriously, even if they are a little higher in fat than a standard burger, you could always substitute with ground turkey and make them more lean. As for us, we eat them wrapped in lettuce, hence the low carb comment, but a standard [...]
Do you like corn tortillas? Maybe you just don’t have time to roll flour enchiladas. Or, maybe you just want to try something new and fun. Here’s a great tasting casserole dish made with torn corn tortillas, chicken, cheese, onions and sauce. So simple, yet so delicious. A Southwestern Tex Mex meal that everyone will [...]
On my drive through Escondido, after picking up my daughter from Wild Animal Park camp, I spotted one of those deals that requires the squeal of the brakes! ERRRRT!!! Avocado, 15 for $2 bucks! Of course they weren’t ready yet, but 3 days later, the Bacon, Chicken, Avocado Club, came to life. It didn’t live [...]
A nicely priced steak or roast is wonderful for steak sandwiches! You don’t have to have the best cut or the most leanest of meats, you just have to give it a nice dry rub, broil and slice on the bias. Add some wonderful summer veggies, a few onions and some melted cheese and KAPOW! [...]
The weekend is here. Life is crazy. Seriously, our weekends are more hectic than the weekdays. Admit it, so are yours, right? And, of course, just when you’re in the middle of a project, this kids start screamin’, “We’re hungry!” Before you cave in and rush to McDonalds, stop! Open the cupbard and whip out [...]
Jambalaya! Who doesn’t love, jambalaya? There are so many varieties, it would be hard not to find one to your liking. Maybe even impossible. I mean, the possibilities are endless. For me, simple is best! It’s also inexpensive and easy and that’s what I like most. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have to taste [...]
One of the most versatile meats you can purchase is pork. You know, the other white meat. There are so many cuts, prices, etc., just look for deals. This week, I picked up a package of 8 country ribs for $5.65. That’s awesome, right? But then…I round the corner and fresh corn is on sale, $.15 [...]
I once saw Tyler Florence make Carbonara on Food911. It looked so delicious and rather easy for such a beautiful dish, I just had to try it. Now, I know pancetta is probably more traditional for this meal, but I’m watching costs here. So, I made some modifications and substituted Pancetta with Bacon ends. Besides. [...]
If you eat as much ice cream as we do, buy an ice cream maker. We recently did just that and it has been nothing short of amazing. I was a bit of a skeptic. Could homemade “really” be as good as Thrifty? But, I had some reward points to use up so figured, why [...]
Thin sliced pork chops can be as cheap as chicken, at times. And zucchini is damn near free during the late summer months. With these nice summer evenings, the BBQ grill is your best friend. I mean, really, what doesn’t taste good with grill marks? Don’t answer that question, just eat! Grilled Pork Chops: 6 [...]
Do you like kung pao chicken? Then try this recipe! The perfect blend of spicy, sweetness, peanuts and salt. A simple Asian recipe that’s yummy, easy and under $10 bucks. Let me emphasize, EASY, YUMMY & UNDER $10! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Tangy Asian Glazed Chicken Tenders: 8 [...]
Summertime and Sangria. It just doesn’t get better than that! This fruit based red wine is super popular in Spain, but since I can’t afford to visit Spain any time soon, I’ll have to make do with Sangria in my own backyard. Oh, I’m not complaining. Not one tinsy winsy bit! Sangria: 1 bottle red [...]
Happy 25th Birthday to my brother, Chris (aka Alien baby). Cheers to another great year!! We love you, Ken, Renae and girls
My brother’s tree is just overflowing with Oranges. They are also on sale everywhere I go. If you find yourself with too many oranges, add some honey and ginger and whip up some delicious muffins. With a little homemade honey butter, you’ll have yourself the perfect snack! Orange, Ginger, Honey Muffins: 2 cups all-purpose flour [...]
Stuffed bell peppers come in many flavors. From mostly rice, to mostly tomato base to mostly meats. I’d classify this recipe as a good combo of all of them! Lots of yummy meats and flavors with some rice and a good amount of cheese to hold the stuffing together. So, if you like meat, cheese [...]
Stroganoff is simple, yet so yummy! Nothing to it, really. Not just easy, but very inexpensive, if you keep it that way. I’m sure there are recipes that far exceed $10, but not this one! It’s probably on my kiddos top 5 list for dinners, so it must be good! Oh, and don’t count on [...]
It is strawberry season, folks! What are you waiting for? I’m not gonna say anything about this post except….STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE IS SCRUMPTIOUS!!! Simple Shortcake: 2 cups flour – $.50 3/4 cup half and half – $1.00 4 tsps baking powder – pantry 3/4 teaspoon salt – pantry 3 Tbsps sugar – pantry 2 Tbsps butter – pantry 2 Tbsps lard – [...]
Do you know an Angler? You know, a fisherman or woman (I’m not sexist). If you do, don’t be shy. Make sure they know you will take any and all extra fish they catch. Free is free and fresh is fresh. Free, fresh, fish. That’s what I’m talkin’ bout!!! By [...]
Summer meals are all about being easy, quick and fresh. If you have tomatoes, use ‘em. If it’s bell pepper, use it. Whatever you have, you can toss into a simple penne with sausage and create a tasty and nutritious meal that is also very quick and very affordable. Not only is [...]
Oh how I love cocoa. Hot cocoa, chocolate stouts, cocoa crispies. Pretty much anything that has that deep, dark chocolate flavor. Nothing over sweet, just rich in taste and deep in cocoa goodness. Hence….Double Chocolate Chip Muffins. Great with or without frosting! You know which way I prefer, but [...]
Mexican Jumbo Shrimp are really similar, if not pretty much a match, to prawns. And when you can get them for $4.99 a lb. Get ‘em! I also bought a Thresher shark steak for $4 bucks. I wouldn’t necessarily put them together normally, but fresh is fresh, so this is what [...]
I know it’s so easy. Just get that can opener and whip out that Campbell’s soup. Add some milk or water, stir and heat or, even worse, microwave it. All hot! Perfect. Slap it on the table with some crackers and bam! Lunch. Well, one of two things [...]
One meat I know nothing about is lamb. OK, I know about gyro. Not making it, but eating it is yummo. No one in our house loves gyro more than my 8 year old daughter though. So, when she asked about having lamb chops, I wasn’t exactly surprised, but I was [...]
Every Wednesday, our ritual has been to visit the library, stop for a Jamba Juice and enjoy a book and a smoothie in the sun. Today, the gal at the counter mentioned we could make them at home too. Say what? Seriously? This weekend, we’re doing a taste test. Sort of a Jamba Juice head [...]
Everything is better with bacon, including black-eyed peas. This is a very simple, very easy recipe, but believe me, it rivals that of many, many other more complicated. Sometimes, simple is best. This is a down home dinner that will stick to your ribs and make you want 2nds or even 3rds. [...]
Tilapia isn’t as cheap as it used to be, but it’s still a better price than most fish and still considered, “eco friendly”. Plus, it’s very versatile and mild. Perfect for kids. Mine love it baked, fried or even poached. With such a mild fish, you really can play up the [...]
I haven’t had Pineapple Upside Down cake in years! It’s not typically served for birthdays, celebrations or soccer parties, so that may be why I haven’t made one lately. Now a days, my baking is filled with chocolate, sprinkles and various other “kid friendly” sugary gimmicks. But last night, I decided to make something [...]
There are few things as cheap as chicken leg quarters in the butcher or meat department. At my local grocery, Save A Lot, the butcher has quarters pre-seasoned for $1.49 a pound! Yeah! Awesome! I did ask him what they season with, so I listed that in the recipe below. [...]
Udon are just a fantastic noodle. They don’t mush and fall apart like standard egg noodle. They’re hearty, tasty and definitely lend themselves to a giant bowl of DINNER! That’s right. This is a meal. I promise. You will not be hungry after a big bowl of Scallop and [...]
My baby girl, MJ, just turned 2. She loves Toy Story, so I decided to make her a cake of one of my favorite scenes. It’s the one where Sid tries to blow Buzz up and Woody saves him. Best part is when the toys come to life and scare the living daylights [...]
There are times when it’s not just about saving money, but also about convenience and using what you have available. This recipe was perfect for one of those times. As usual, we flew in from soccer, kids were starving, I was scrambling and then it hit me, sloppy joe. I’ve made my own before [...]
My family loves Ice Cream Sandwiches. I usually keep it simple, chocolate chip cookies and vanilla or cookies n’ cream. Not today! We’re going for the ULTIMATE ice cream sandwich – The Chocolate Moose Track and Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwich! The big Daddy of ice cream sandwiches. The king. [...]
Linguini is that pasta that goes well with so many sauces. Personally, I prefer it over spaghetti. I mean, it’s great with white sauce, butter and pesto, red sauce and especially with meatballs. Speaking of marinara or red sauce, I have a recipe for you that is so simple and easy, you’ll [...]
It’s Memorial Weekend! Of course that means, SUMMERTIME is here! People around the country are firing up that BBQ and slappin’ on that meat. If you happen to get as lucky as I did, you may find some Tri-tip on sale. I picked some up for $5.47. A nice big, beautiful piece [...]
OK. Who remembers ice cream logs? Not the overpriced Baskin Robbins rolls, but the ones they sold in the grocery store. The simple ones. The cheap ones. OMG! I loved those things. I always asked for that instead of a cake and ice cream separate. Something about [...]
Menudo is known as the world’s greatest hangover cure. Some people also believe it has medicinal values. Especially for people with gastric problems or illnesses that affect their appetites. Me? I take menudo for exactly what it is, a hearty, spicy, yummy, Mexican soup, filled with tripe (and pig or calves [...]
My daughter’s school has their annual carnival tomorrow. Part of the fundraising is a “cake walk”. You know. Parents make cakes and other parents bid on them and the PTO earns a little cash. This is my favorite part of the carnival because I LOVE creating crazy cakes! No pretty stuff for [...]
I had leftover soup and mushrooms from my Mushroom and Swiss burger recipe. It happened to also be a super busy night with Soccer practice for my daughter and me trying to train for this 1/2 marathon. Yeah! My time is becoming more and more limited and I’m becoming more and more [...]
For those of us on the West Coast, Hardee’s is practically non-existent these days. But when I was a teenager, growing up in Ogden, Utah, Hardee’s was “the” place to hang with friends, cause teenage mayhem and eat till our bellies wanted to burst. Until I moved to San Diego in ‘95, I’d [...]
I’ve had 1/2 a package of dried manicotti shells in the pantry just calling my name. I also had some Spicy Italian Sausage I got on sale for $2 bucks!! I was a bit worried about the spice being too much for the kids, but honestly, it was perfect! I think the [...]
BLT’s are awesome! They’re so awesome, I risk all injury to the roof of mouth to enjoy every bite. So how can this simple sandwich improve? Avocado, of course! A much better fat than mayo and even better when they’re on sale, 4 for $1. I had to hunt for ones that weren’t [...]
Whenever you make carne asada tacos and beans, you will always have leftovers. OK, maybe not always, but more often than not. You know how it is? You’re having a BBQ. You estimate the meat. You count the guests. You worry about the non RSVP people (you know who you are). [...]
If you like stuffed bell pepper, you will LOVE stuffed Poblano! Add to the dish, Calabacitas, and you have a Southwestern meal that is so delicious, so rich, so pretty, you’ll want to share it with everyone! Fresh and fun, and a little bit spicy. Perfect for a dinner party with friends! Chicken Stuffed Poblano [...]
That smokey, salty flavor. That crispiness. That crunchy, yet chewy goodness. Yeah…I LOVE bacon. Can you tell?! And I really love things wrapped in that goodness. Like hotdogs in Mexico. They are the best! I can see some of your faces now. All shriveled up and [...]
The secret to my chicken enchiladas…Hatch green chile, home roasted! I know it’s time consuming, but once it’s done, freeze it and you’ll have it all year. I like Big Jim mixed with Sandia. Adds a little extra kick. I order my chile from New Mexico every fall and roast 10 lbs or so. [...]
My daughter loves ginger. I love pork. Hubby loves spicy. So, I put it all together. And guess what? It works! The flavors meld together wonderfully. Here’s proof that chicken isn’t the only meat that works well with lemon and ginger! Ginger & Lemon Pork Stir Fry: 1 lb Pork cushion, [...]
Do you love Mexican food, but hate the fact that all the good stuff is fried? Well, try these baked Empanadas! I’m not saying they don’t pack some calories, but they’re definitely better than eating fast food or restaurant Mex. And obviously better on your budget. For less than $7 bucks, you’re whole family [...]
Make sure it’s 7 of ‘em! Then, get a 1 gallon, glass jug with a lid (Sun Tea containers work great!). Oh, you’ll also need some duct tape, a dish towel and a group of party people! Almost ready. Just a few more things…. Tequila Lemonade, AKA Scuba Juice: Tequila (750 ml should do it, but get [...]
I was skeptical of this recipe, but I like Rachael Ray and this sounded like something the kids would love! And they did. They weren’t the only ones. Daddy has been bugging me to make more and add different ingredients. I think this is one to experiment with. Thanks Ms. [...]
