Tuesday 4/20 "Creamy Chicken Helper"

Happy Birthday Dad!
Chicken helper: $1.61
Canned chicken: $2.98
Total: $4.59

Monday 4/19 "Creamy chicken"

This is a Rachael Ray recipe, but it is under a different name.

• 3 tblsps. butter (already purchased)
• 1/2 lb. spaghetti, broken ($1.00)
• 1 c. instant rice (already purchased)
• 3 c. chicken stock ($2.98)
• 1 c. frz green beans ($1.00)
• 1 lb. chicken thighs ($3.61)
• 1 lb. mushrooms ($1.88)
• 1 shallot (already purchased)
• 1 tblsp. flour (already purchased)
• 1/3 c. sour cream ($0.94)
• tarragon (already purchased)
• 1 tblsp. dijon mustard ($1.50)

Melt 1 tblsp butter in a saucepot. Toast up broken spaghetti and rice in the butter. Stir in 2 c. chicken stock and simmer under a lid. STeam green beans in bag and add to pasta at end of cooking time (about 15 minutes). Cook chicken in EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Move to a plate and cover to keep warm. Add remaining 2 tblsps of butter to same pan and cook mushrooms and shallot. Don't season with salt and pepper until cooked. Add flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in sour cream, remaining 1 c. of chicken stock, tarragon, and mustard. Add chicken back to pan. Serve over spaghetti/rice/green bean mixture.

The verdict: It was very good. I would have made more of the pasta mixture. The recipe calls for chicken breasts, but thighs were what I had so I trimmed them a little. My kids loved it. Total cost to make: $12.91.

Sunday 4/18 "Posados"

A moment of weakness. We went to a local mexican restaurant and waited FOR-EVER. It was worth it however because we went with friends from church and all the ladies went shopping afterwards. Awesome!

Saturday 4/17 "Mooyah in Allen, TX"

We went to visit good friends of ours that just had their first baby this past week--a handsome boy! We bought their dinner at this burger place called Mooyah. It was really good and reasonably priced. We totally enjoyed visiting them and seeing their precious little one!

Friday 4/16 "Mushroom Taquitos"

Rachael Ray.

• 1 lb mushrooms ($1.88)
• EVOO (already purchased)
• 1 onion (already purchased)
• 1 poblano pepper ($1.00)
• 2 c. Jack cheese ($2.98)
• 8 corn tortillas (already purchased)

Cook chopped mushrooms in 2 tblsps of EVOO. Preheat oven to 250. Season mushrooms with salt and pepper after they are cooked. Remove to a plate. Add 2 more tblsps of EVOO to same pan and add onion and pepper. Cook until soft. Turn off heat and add mushrooms and cheese to the pan. Heat tortillas between moist paper towels for 30 seconds in the microwave. Spray tortillas with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Wrap mixture in tortillas and place seam side down on pan. cook for about 10 minutes or until done.

The verdict: This didn't make enough. I would have to double it next time. I wanted to use my tortillas before they went bad and this was a last minute thrown together. Restaurant quality in my opinion though. Total cost to make: $4.86.

Thursday 4/15 "Little Caesar's"

Happy Birthday Noah! The shame of pizza again. But I have to say...Little Caeser's Hot N Ready for $5 a piece. Total cost: $10.83. Not a bad deal...if you budget for it!

Wednesday 4/14 "I got nothing"

Happy Birthday day Sandy! Handbell rehearsal...

Tuesday 4/13 "Fettuccini with vegatables"

This is also Rachael Ray inspired (for the pasta seasonings). I added the broccoli and cauliflower to feel healthier! :)

• 1 lb. fettuccini ($1.00)
• 6 tblsps. butter (already purchased)
• 8 oz. parmesean cheese ($2.18)
• Frz. broccoli and cauliflower in steamable bag ($1.58)

Set water to boil and add pasta. Heat oven to 200 and warm a serving dish in the oven. Steam veggies in microwave. When pasta is finished, scatter butter into warmed dish. Reserve 1 ladle of cooking water from pasta. Place pasta, cooking water, and cheese over the butter in the warm dish. Add veggies. Yummy!

The verdict: Loved by all. Very cheesy! I think I will add pre-packaged chicken next time to bump up protein. I will also double up veggies. Those were very popular! If you have picky eaters, blend the veggies into a paste and integrate into pasta/cheese mixture. Total cost to make: $4.76.

Monday 4/12 "Spaghetti"

Old school spaghetti with ground meat ($2.98), spaghetti ($1.00), and a jar of sauce ($2.98). Toast some bread and add butter and garlic seasoning. Voila!

Sunday 4/11 "I got nothing"

I was tired after church and I think we did mac and cheese for the kids and sandwiches for us. It is very tempting to go out to eat on Sundays, but we didn't today. Kudos!

Saturday 4/10 "Beef pot pies"

This is a Rachael Ray meal.

• 1 lb. steak ($3.85--I used manager's special sirloin)
• 8 mushrooms sliced ($1.88)
• 1 onion chopped (already purchased)
• 1 chopped clove of garlic (already purchased)
• 1 tblsp. flour (already purchased)
• 1/2 c. beef stock (already purchased)
• 1/2 c. frz. peas ($1.00)
• 2 tblsps. Worcestershire (already purchased)
• 1 pkg. prepared pie crust ($1.62)
• 1 egg (already purchased)

Preheat oven to 425. Slice steak and cook in EVOO until brown all over. Transfer to a plate and then add 2 tblsps. butter the same pan. Add mushrooms and cook. Add onion and garlic and cook a few minutes more. Add flour to the pan and cook for a minute. Stir in beef stock, peas, and Worcestershire. Let peas heat through and add meat back to pan with salt and pepper. Cut pie crusts in half (it is a package of 2). Place 1/4 of meat mixture on each pie piece. Brush beaten egg onto edges of pie crust. Fold over and press with fork to seal. Bake 10 minutes on parchment paper to prevent sticking.

The verdict: My husband and I loved it. I think the presentation is off-putting for kids, but it smelled good. I probably would have made more if I realized it would only make 4 pies. But they are very large servings--we just served the kids half of one. Total cost to make: $8.35. Can't beat that.

Friday 4/9 "Frozen pizza"

Two pizzas for $5.75 each. Total cost $11.50. My shame is complete now that the big wide "out there" knows that we do pizza once a week. It is so not good for us!

Thursday 4/8 "Two-tomato Spaghetti"

This is a little different take on a regular spaghetti. It comes from Rachael Ray.

• 1 c. sun-dried tomatoes ($1.88)
• 1 c. beef stock ($1.78)
• 1 lb. ground meat ($2.98)
• 1 onion (already purchased)
• 4 cloves garlic (already purchase)
• red pepper flakes and marjoram/oregano and basil (already purchased)
• 1/2 c. wine ($6.99)
• 1 can (28 oz) italian crushed tomatoes ($1.00)
• 1 lb. spaghetti ($1.00)
• 1/2 c. parmesean cheese ($2.18)

Preparation:

Set water to boil and add spaghetti. I try to purchase whole grain and organic when I can. I really notice a difference in texture that I like. Place beef stock and 1/2 c. water in a pot to simmer and add sun-dried tomatoes to reconstitute them. Brown meat with some EVOO. Add onion, garlic, salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Brown for a couple of minutes. De-glaze the pan with the wine. This is a splurge and you can certainly use more beef stock instead if you prefer. I love the taste of food when you cook with wine! Place sun-dried tomatoes (with liquid) in a food processor and puree until smooth. Add to meat mixture with the crushed tomatoes. Simmer to warm through. Drain pasta but reserve a ladle of the cooking water. Add cooking water, 2 tblsps butter, cheese, basil, and half the meat sauce to the pasta and toss to combine. Serve with remaining sauce over the top.

The verdict: My kids loved this! The sauce was just a little tangy from the sun-dried tomatoes. Make sure that those tomatoes are really cooked and soft and blended entirely or you will get some chunks in the sauce! Total cost to make: $17.81 ($10.82 if no wine).

Wednesday 4/7 "I got nothing"

Wednesday nights we have handbell rehearsal at church. So, it is kind of a free for all for everyone. We just grab what's there.

Tuesday 4/6 "Taco Pasta Toss"

Rachael Ray.

• 1 lb. penne pasta ($1.50)
• 1 lb. ground meat ($5.61--it was extra lean)
• 1 onion chopped ($0.67)
• 1 jalepeno ($0.06)
• 4 cloves garlic (already purchased)
• 2 tblsp chili power, 1 tblsp ground coriander, 1/2 tblsp cumin (already purchased)
• 1/4 c. tomato paste ($0.79)
• 1 1/2 chicken stock ($3.98)
• 1 c. shredded monterey jack cheese (already purchased)
• 10 chopped cherry tomatoes (already purchased)

Set pasta to boil. Brown meat. Add onion and jalepeno and garlic. Add seasonings and salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and cook for a minute. Add chicken stock. Let reduce and add pasta to meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese and cover to let melt. Garnish with chopped cherry tomatoes.

The verdict: This was like a little taco but with pasta. Duh! It was good and not too spicy. I might add hot sauce next time. The recipe also called for shredded lettuce garnish which I omitted. You could also use beer instead of chicken stock for a little different flavor. You can't buy beer at the grocery stores here, so we rarely make it to the liquor store. No time! Total cost to make: Under $13.00.

Monday 4/5 "Cheesy Hamburger Helper"

I kind of gave up this last trip to the grocery store. Maybe TTTMNBN was still affecting me. Anyway, I bought some Hamburger Helper. I really do prefer to cook fresh, but I am not feeling it right now. I go to the store again this weekend, so hopefully I will be refreshed by then.
HH: $1.61
Ground meat: $5.61

Saturday 4/3 and Sunday 4/4 "TTTMNBN cont."

TTTMNBN left Nathan Saturday afternoon and migrated to me Saturday night. I didn't know that you could throw up when there was nothing left in your stomach, but let me tell you--you can! I don't even know what Nathan did for the kiddos and himself for supper. Later that night, Ava woke us up with TTTMNBN. Easter was low-key. Elisa and Noah and Nathan were in good spirits. Nathan's parents came over and had an Easter egg hunt. Ava and I stayed hidden. I pray TTTMNBN never comes again.

Friday 4/2 "Black Friday"

Okay. I think that is technically the day after Thanksgiving intended for mass consumerism, but it was Good Friday. However, it just so happens that this particular Friday was when "The Thing That Must Not Be Named" (hereafter known as: TTTMNBN) descended upon our household. Elisa and Noah already had their bouts with it, but it attacked Nathan quite viciously on his "good" Friday. Let's just say that he was working both ends over the toilet. The kids and I stayed on the other side of the house and lost much of our appetite.

Thursday 4/1 "Grilled cheese"

An oldie but a goodie. I already had cheese and the bread was $2.99 for a loaf. Served with Cheddar Bunnies and fruit! I have started purchasing pre-cut fruit. I know it is more expensive, but I just won't cut melons on my own. I just am TOO LAZY!!! This one was $6.99. Not bad. I had 2 sandwiches. Don't tell!

Wednesday 3/31 "Lazy, but motivated?"

I didn't want to free for all for the 3rd night in a row, so I went the way of the grocery store deli. I was making an effort and it wasn't technically "fast food"! I got chicken tenders (fried), instant mashed potatoes (not low cal--understatement!), potato wedges (also fried), packaged salad (my one attempt at healthy but full disclosure: I loaded it with ranch), pre-made angel food cake (not for diabetics), strawberries (my favorite part). To be honest, I didn't keep my receipt this time (trying to destroy evidence of my guilt!). I am putting this at about $18.00-$25.00. Not a savings for my family.

Tuesday 3/30 "I still got nothing"

Take my children away. I am unfit. :)

Monday 3/29 "I got nothing part 2"

Shameful. There is no excuse.

Sunday 3/28 "Meatball melties"

Rachael Ray recipe.

• 1 lb. ground meat ($2.98)
• 1/2 c. bread crumbs ($2.98--I already had some--guessing on cost)
• parsley to taste (already purchased)
• 1/4 c. parmesean cheese ($2.50--I buy fresh when I can--tastes better)
• 1 egg (already purchased)
• 2 cloves garlic (already purchased)
• 2 tblsp. grated onion ($0.67)
• splash milk
• ground sage, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste (already purchased)
• sliced provolone cheese ($2.79)
• 15 oz. fire-roasted tomatoes ($0.99)
• basil and oregano to season (already purchased)
• ciabatta rolls (previously purchased rolls "manager's special" kept frozen)

Combine meat, bread crumbs, parsley, parmesean, egg, garlic, onion, milk, sage, nutmeg, and salt and pepper in a bowl. You got to mix it with your hands. (Yuck!) Form into mini patties and saute in olive oil. While cooking, combine tomatoes, basil, and oregano in a saucepot and heat until warm. Broil roll halves. When meat is cooked, place provolone on top and cover pot (turn off heat) and let melt. Serve patties on rolls with tomato sauce on top. Yum-O!

The verdict: A little messy, but delicious. Ava, my 2 year old, loved this. And, they are minis so you can eat more than one! Total cost to make: Under $13.00. Not bad.

Saturday 3/27 "Craving central"

I went to the grocery store and wanted White Castle mini-cheeseburgers and Lay's potato chips. Hey, I'm pregnant! Leave me alone! I shared with the family so it's okay! :)

Total cost: $5.49 + $2.99 = $8.48.

Friday 3/26 "Orange chicken"

This recipe is from Parenting magazine.

• 1 lb. chicken thighs ($3.61)
• 1/2 jar orange marmalade ($1.68)
• 2 tblsp. red wine vinegar (already purchased)
• 2 cloves garlic ($0.33)
• 4 servings instant rice ($1.99)

Mix marmalade, garlic, vinegar, and salt and pepper together. Place thighs in oven dish and pour sauce over the top. Cook at 375* for 20 minute or so (until done). Meanwhile, prepare rice according to box directions (may call for butter). Serve chicken and sauce over rice when done.

The verdict:

This was so easy to make, and my husband and I LOVED it! Make sure to taste the mix to make sure it is not too sweet for your taste. Adjust seasonings as needed. I haven't really cooked with chicken thighs that much, but they are much cheaper and they taste just as good. I wish I had added some steamed veggies to bump up nutrition factor. All in all I will definitely repeat this recipe. Total cost to make: $7.61. Can't beat that.