Food Budget Blues

This past summer, we had an overabundance of green tomatoes at the end of the summer.  We quickly realized we needed to figure out something to do with all of these tomatoes so they did not go to waste. After a quick search of the internet, we discovered that you can ripen green tomatoes by placing them in a cardboard box, layer-by-layer, with a newspaper between each layer.  Additionally, a banana can be placed in the box to help speed the ripening process. Once all the tomatoes were ripened, we then froze the tomatoes so we could enjoy the taste of our homegrown tomatoes all winter long. One... 

This past fall, I noticed the farmer’s markets were full of various types of apples and winter squash. One common tip I see for individuals on a budget is to buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season. This helps you to still have nutritious meals yet stay within your food budget for the week. So, I decided to challenge myself to find some new recipes that incorporated these fruits and vegetables into our weekly menus. Here is a great recipe I found that uses apples. The dressing is a bit tart, if made exactly to the directions, so I added a second apricot and a dash of sugar to sweeten... 

Over the past couple of years, we have discovered that sticking to a food budget involves using coupons, purchasing sale or generic items, and purchasing fresh and in-season produce. Additionally, we have found another key piece of sticking to a food budget is not letting food go to waste. Recently, we purchased a fresh loaf of French bread to use for a sandwich recipe we were going to try. Unfortunately, our week became really busy and we did not end up using the recipe. We discovered the bread had become too stale to use for sandwiches but did not want the bread to go to waste. What to do? Make... 

Whenever I make hummus, I really like to bake my own pita chips. I have discovered that baking your own pita chips is a really easy process which requires very little time. The below recipe calls for purchased pita bread; however, I have found many recipes online for making your own pita bread from scratch. After looking at the recipes, I can see how making your own would be more cost effective although it would require more time. With my busy schedule, I have opted to go for the quick and easy method. Next time you are serving hummus, try out this recipe for a delicious chip to serve with it! Ingredients: 1... 

  Recently, BJ and I have been using hummus and pita bread as a side item to complement the Chicken Gyros and Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken recipes. However, pre-made hummus is fairly expensive with a one-cup container costing approximately $3-4. We have discovered it is more cost-effective to make your own from scratch, even despite the high cost of tahini paste (~$10/1 lb). Thanks to the garbanzo beans, hummus is a wonderful source of fiber. Additionally, although hummus does contain fat, the majority is from mono- or polyunsaturated fats from the tahini paste and oil. So, you can feel... 

During the week, I am always looking for quick and healthy lunches to prepare. Fortunately, I work from home so I have my whole kitchen available to me. I have discovered that salads are one great way to have a healthy lunch. Even better, you can actually prep almost any item for a salad on the weekend when you have some time. Then, all you have to do is throw everything together at lunch. Can’t get any easier than that! The Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken is a great recipe to prep over the weekend and then enjoy later on in the week. Plus, fixing homemade hummus and baked pita chips makes for... 

    These are super good little sandwiches that are very easy to make. You will basically add everything into a bowl, roll into balls, and bake. We also tried tons of different topping for them and it was kind of fun. We had a big platter with salsa, ranch, BBQ sauce, mustard, and anything else you can think of. We served with a salad and fries. This can also be a great appetizer. Enjoy!     Ingredients: 1 1/2 lbs ground chicken 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp minced garlic 2 Tbsp taco seasoning mix 1/2 cup bread crumbs 2 eggs, beaten 8 slider rolls or small sandwich buns Directions: Preheat... 

          Here is a delicious creme soup recipe. It is healthy and perfect for the carrot lover. Ingredients 3 Tbsp oil 1 onion, chopped 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups water 2 lb carrots, peeled and sliced 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 cup fat free half and half 1 Tbsp fresh sage Croutons and grated cheese (optional) Directions In a dutch oven, heat oil on medium for 30 seconds. Add onion and saute for 5 minutes. Add broth, water, and carrots. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until carrots are soft. Add salt and pepper. Set aside for 10 minutes. Puree... 

            This very-hearty beef stew, in some circles, is known as  ‘world famous!’ You will need a large slow cooker (but also feel free to “half” the recipe if you don’t want as much.  This stew has quality ingredients, a superb taste, and health benefits. I made this recipe and most people say it’s the best beef stew they have had in their life. Enjoy!   Ingredients 3 pounds cubed beef stew meat 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 pound carrots, peeled... 

Try this when you are feeling daring and want to mix things up a bit! A Southern inspired recipe that is sure to add a little fun to your dinner table. Try serving it with corn bread. You can use fat free half and half instead of the cream to save some calories. I will definitely be making this again. Tasted just like Fettucini New Orleans that you can order in restaurants. Enjoy! Ingredients 4 ounces linguine pasta 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced into thin strips 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 2 tablespoons butter 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped 4 fresh...