No Cook Meals July 8, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: No Cook Meals, chicken salad, pasta salad, fish, pantry supplies
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It’s hot, it’s humid and you can’t stand the thought of spending more than 10 minutes in the kitchen. Here are some meal ideas I often fall back on. They’re quick and budget friendly.
Mediterranean Platter
This one’s a breeze to put together, especially if you have some of the ingredients already in your pantry. On a large platter, place hummus, sun dried tomatoes… I prefer the ones packed in oil, some olives, and feta cheese, maybe some canned tuna and pair it with pita bread or focaccia. It’s a light meal and people can pick and choose what they want. Leftovers make ideal sandwiches for lunch the next day.
Salmon Quesadillas
You’ll need four tortillas; one 7 oz. can of pink salmon, about ¼ cup of mayonnaise, mixed with 1 tsp. dill weed. Mix the salmon and mayo mixture and spread it on two tortillas. Top with another of the tortillas and press down slightly. Lightly grill or fry until they’re golden brown on each side and then cut into quarters. Serve it with your favorite salsa.
Tuna and Egg Stuffed Tomatoes
When I taught afternoon tea classes I’d used this mixture for one of the sandwiches, but these days I find it makes a really good filling for stuffed tomatoes. I like to serve them with triangles of toasted whole wheat or whole grain bread. Allow either one large beefsteak tomato per person or two smaller ones. The filling serves four. Three hard- boiled eggs, chopped. Six tablespoons of mayonnaise, one 7 oz. can tuna in water. Mix all the ingredients together, pile into the tomatoes and chill for about an hour before serving.
Grilled Fish
A quick cooking food is fish. You can select any fish you like, grill it for a few minutes, and serve it with salsa or chutney. It’s ideal paired with a tossed green salad.
Curried Chicken Salad
This one’s really tasty and full of good for you ingredients. If you don’t want to use chicken you can go with tuna. Another idea is to replace the real chicken with a vegetarian product like Quorn. This recipe serves four people. You’ll need three cooked chicken breasts, chopped into bite size pieces. ½ cup of mayonnaise, 1 cup of chopped seedless red or green grapes, ¼ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts, one tablespoon of curry powder. Just mix everything together. This is great with crusty French bread, or once again served in a scooped out tomato.
Pasta Salad
Take any cooked pasta and toss it with chopped tomatoes, fresh shredded basil, and cubes of mozzarella cheese, chopped olives and add a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste.
Veggie Loaf
Here’s something I’ve been making for years and I always connect it with summer. Take an uncut loaf of bread; I really like the round boule style ones. Cut it in half horizontally. In a bowl add half a sliced onion, the sweet varieties like Walla Walla are great for this, two chopped tomatoes, half a red pepper, chopped. Add a handful of chopped olives, ¼ cup blue cheese, and enough Italian or vinaigrette dressing to coat all the ingredients. Mix everything together and pile onto one half of the loaf and top with the other half, press down firmly and wrap tightly with cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. When it’s chilled enough, slice it into wedges. You’ll find all these ingredients have blended together and made the bread soft and full of flavor. If you don’t want to go with just veggies, you can add a can of tuna to the mix. This makes a really great picnic item because a ‘soggy’ sandwich is really what you want to end up with anyway.
The Pantry Comes to the Rescue
I’ve found the following items are ideal to keep on hand for no cook or simple meals, cans of tuna, beans, pasta, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, lots of herbs and spices, and in the freezer you should keep a couple of different types of breads.
The Fourth of July on a Budget June 24, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: desserts, Fourth of July, picnics, sandwiches
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It sure feels like summer. Temperatures in the 90s and high humidity which means the Fourth of July isn’t far away. Here are some treats and dishes I’ve found that taste great but still easy on the budget.
Drinks
Instead of the standard ones like lemonade, try fruit flavored ones. Not mixes, but drinks you can easily put together yourself using real fruit. As strawberries and raspberries are in abundance right now try adding them to lemonade. You can put the lemonade into a blender and add about a cup of chopped strawberries and blend. And how about just adding some fruit, like blueberries, to a soda like 7-Up. If you get the wide topped one-liter containers you can put the blueberries straight into the bottle. Let it stand in the refrigerator overnight and you’ve got a drink that’s changed color and added some natural fruit flavoring, try using raspberries too. This also works with lemonade too.
Appetizers
Sometimes my favorite items at restaurants are appetizers. They’re also great if you’re heading out to listen to a concert on the Fourth. Or maybe you’re going to watch the fireworks and need just a light snack to take with you. I also like to serve appetizers when guests are stopping by after they’ve been to another venue and already eaten. They’re not too filling and you don’t feel bad about not serving your guests something to nibble on. An easy one is to take a tortilla, spread it with cream cheese with chives, and add some slices of turkey or chicken, you can also add some fresh basil, roll it up, and cut into pinwheels. A couple of other easy ones are flavored cream cheese piped into cherry tomatoes, and mini quiches. You can also get ready-made mini phyllo dough shells in your supermarket freezer. They cost less than $2 for 15 shells, and are made by a company called Athens. You can add just about anything to them and as they have a neutral flavor, plus, they’re perfect with both savory and sweet fillings. I like to add chicken, tuna, or egg salad.
It’s Picnic Time
If you’re heading out for the day, or even just staying at home, a great way to celebrate is with a backyard picnic. One way to save some time is to buy a large loaf of uncut bread, slice it in half horizontally and start layering it with herbed mayonnaise, mustard, cold cuts, cheese, tomatoes and peppers. You can leave it whole and have guests slice off what they need. If you’re taking it out and about with you, I prefer to wrap everything individually and assemble it once we arrive at the picnic site. It prevents the usual soggy bread, and it doesn’t take that long to put it all together. If you’re having guests over and want to turn it into a real party, why not give each guest a ‘picnic’ box with their name written on it. Inside you can add a sandwich, maybe wrapped in some red white and blue paper. Put in some of those red and blue corn chips, a little dish of salsa for dipping, and a cookie/brownie, or a container of fruit salad.
Desserts
Would any holiday celebration be complete without something sweet to finish off the day? One of my favorites, and an alternative to a pie, is a fruit pizza. You can use a regular pizza crust, and I know some people like to use crescent rolls as the base. The first layer is cream cheese sweetened with some powdered sugar. Then you just start layering on whatever fruit you want. Another dessert that’s really simple and makes an impressive centerpiece is Baked Alaska. I’ve found the keys to making a successful Baked Alaska is one to make sure all the ice cream is covered before you put it into the oven. And tip two is to serve it straight away. You can experiment with different types of cakes and ice cream combinations to come up with your own unique Baked Alaska. I love dark chocolate cake and cherry ice cream. It’s also a great way to use leftover cake.
Ways to Save Money on Organic Foods June 17, 2009
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I have to admit I’m a fan of organic foods, but as you know I also like to save money too. Here are some ways I’ve found to strike a happy balance between the two.
What’s Important to You?
What are some of your family’s favorite foods? What foods do you eat on a regular basis? If one particular food is on the top of the list, then maybe that’s the one you should think about buying in an organic version. Sticking with a food budget often means looking at what’s a priority for you. If eating more organic food is important, then rethink your budget. Maybe switch to a cheaper version of a non-food item and put the money you saved toward buying an organic product or two. (I do this by buying aluminum foil and plastic storage bags in the dollar aisle). Or maybe go with a vegetarian dish, something like organic vegetable curry rather than buying meat to make the same recipe.
Think Locally
The great news is farmers markets are open for business. They’re not only a great way to save money on summer’s bounty, but lots of organic farmers take their produce to markets. Another plus to shopping at a market is vendors will often give you a price break if you agree to buy all your produce from one farmer. Remember it never hurts to ask for a discount.
Search for Bargains
Just like everything else you buy, you have to do some homework and look for the bargains. Something I’ve discovered at my local supermarket is the organic section carries bagged produce by a company called Melissa’s. I’ve found it has some really competitive prices on things like organic kiwis and apples.
Check out the Warehouse Stores
More organic foods are finding their way into the warehouse stores. Three things I always buy there are organic milk, juice, and field greens because they have some of the most competitive prices. If you don’t have a membership, or the cost doesn’t fit into your budget, why not ask if any family, friends or co-workers are members. Ask to shop with them and perhaps buy them lunch in exchange for the favor.
Share the Cost with Friends and Neighbors
Lots of areas have nearby ‘pick your own produce’ farms. Many are organic, and a great way to spend a morning or afternoon is to head to one with some friends and stock up on things like organic strawberries or apples. And if you can’t eat everything within a week or so, turn them into jam or freeze some produce for winter dining.
Don’t just think Supermarket
Supermarkets aren’t the only places to buy organic foods these days. Spend an hour or so searching the Internet and you’ll sure to find lots of companies who sell organic and natural foods. Oftentimes these companies don’t have storefronts, just warehouses, so they can pass along their savings to you.
Another plus is they will often sell items by the caseload. Things like frozen burgers, vegetables, and canned soups. Buying by the caseload often qualifies you to purchase the product at wholesale prices, which is another way to save some money. And once again if you don’t think you can use that amount of food, or can’t fit it into your budget, why not start a buyer’s club with some neighbors or friends.
Trader Joe’s
Another store you might want to check out is Trader Joe’s. I’ve found some of the best prices on organic foods at their stores. Items like juice, peanut butter etc.
Supermarket Brands
Check out your supermarket’s own brand. With the increasing interest in organic foods I’m seeing more stores selling their own brand of organic produce.
Grow Your Own
One of the cheapest ways of getting organic produce is to grow it yourself. Most stores sell organic seeds now but if you have trouble finding them check out these two sites www.seedsofchange.com www.gardensalive.com.
Don’t Let It Go to Waste
Organic fruits and vegetables spoil a lot quicker than regular produce, so don’t buy more than you can eat within a couple of days or so. And finally organic or not, remember to wash your produce, even if it claims to be pre-washed. It’s not just pesticides that can make you sick.
Healthy Snacks for the Budget Shopper June 11, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: Healthy Snacks, snacks for summer, healthy eating on a budget, Honest Tea, Dole, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Latortilla Factory
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Healthy snacks…sounds like an oxymoron, but food companies are producing cookies and crackers with more healthful ingredients and opting to bake instead of fry things like potato chips. The problem is many of these snacks aren’t the cheapest foods at the store. Plus, unless they’re on sale or you have a coupon, they’re often items the savvy shopper doesn’t figure into their budget. And with the school vacation now in full swing, snacks and drinks are usually on the list of things to buy. Here are some ideas you might like to try.
Drinks
One way to cut down on sugar and save some pennies is to buy 100% fruit juice and add either plain water or sparkling water. You save calories and money and most people, including children, don’t even taste the difference.
Honest Tea
I recently got to sample some of the new products from Honest Tea, www.honesttea.com They not only sell tea, but Honest ADE and Honest Kids fruit juices. Low in calories and sugar but still sweet enough to satisfy sugar addicts. I also discovered you can buy their drinks in bulk and save money…and yes, time running to the store.
www.organicbythecase.com
Sweet Treats
Yes, the odd piece of candy isn’t so bad, but with so many summer fruits hitting the stores now, why would you bother with a candy bar? I sometimes make a fruit salad and put it in the fridge for snacks. Another treat that’s really refreshing this time of year is frozen fruit. Blueberries, strawberries, chunks of peaches and even grapes. Just cut them up, put them on a baking sheet and freeze and then store them in freezer bags. You can also make your own smoothie mixes from them too.
And another treat that I see at our local state fair is frozen chocolate bananas. Easy to make and also a way to keep children busy when they get bored. Freeze a peeled banana, dip it in melted chocolate and then have the kids decorate it with chopped nuts, chopped candy etc.
Frozen Treats
Ice cream isn’t just for the kids and there are plenty of homemade frozen treats you can make. I like to take fruit juice, add some fruits and freeze it. Sometimes I’ll blend the two together and freeze them. And leftover smoothies also freeze really well too.
Good For Your Body
Check out this site which gives you links to foods and recipes that are good for things like our brains, our eyes, etc. www.dolesuperfoods.com
Sign Up for Newsletters
I’ve been signing up for newsletters from companies like Betty Crocker and Pillsbury. I’ve found some great recipes and budget friendly ideas for meals.
Savory Treats
Crackers are a family favorite in my house. I top them with dips like hummus or low fat cheese. I also like to use the hummus and cream cheese as dips with veggies. However, one of my favorites is parmesan pita wedges. Lightly coat pita bread with some oil and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and cracked pepper. Bake for about ten minutes and then slice into wedges.
And for times when you’re stuck at your desk or you know dinner’s hours away, try cheese and veggie kabobs, like cherry tomatoes with cubes of cheese. And crackers with PB and J also take the edge off hunger too.
Summer Meals
I love wraps, especially for light summer eating. They’re great for supper, picnics and you can fill them with things like salmon salad, cold cuts, you name it. And wraps also make great quesadillas too
La Tortilla Factory sent these recipes for you to try- www.latortillafactory.com And there will be more great summer recipe ideas in the June newsletter.
Grilled Mushroom and Swiss Cheese QuesadillaServes 2
Preparation time 8 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups crimini or white mushroom, brushed with paper towel to remove dirt
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup small diced zucchini
½ cup small diced tomatoes
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese
2-4 La Tortilla Factory tortillas
½ cup guacamole, store-bought or home-made, optional
1.Preheat the grill or broiler, sprinkle 1 tablespoon plus olive oil, salt and pepper to the mushroom, and cook for 1- 2 minutes or until lightly caramelized. If using broiler, spread the mushroom on a sheet pan and cook in the broiler for about 5-7 minutes or until brown.
2.Transfer to a bowl and cooled, then thinly sliced
3.On a same griller or a skillet, place a tortilla on a the griller of the skillet, place a tortilla, spread about 2 tablespoons cooked mushrooms, 1 tablespoon of zucchini, tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of cheese and fold into half. Cook over medium-low heat for 1 minute or until the cheese is melted or the tortilla is lightly brown. Flip the tortilla to other side and cook to light brown.
Continue to cook the remaining tortilla. Serve with guacamole.
Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Serves 2, 300 calories
2 ½ oz shredded rotisserie chicken, only breast meat
1 oz romaine lettuce, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons shredded fresh carrots
2 tablespoons low-fat Caesar dressing
½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons low-fat parmesan cheese
2 La Tortilla Factory tortillas or wraps
1.In a small bowl, combine the chicken, lettuce, carrots, dressing, pepper, and mix well. Divide into two portions.
2.Place one portion of the chicken mixture and half of parmesan cheese onto a tortilla. Fold the sides over the filling and roll into a wrap.
Cooking Quick Tips, Shortcuts, and Tricks June 4, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: Cooking shortcuts, quick food preparation, saving time in the kitchen
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‘If I only had more time or another pair of hands’. Most of us mumble those words at some time or another. When you’re desperate to get dinner on the table, the temptation to head to the nearest restaurant can be overwhelming. But don’t panic, here are cooking shortcuts I use when time isn’t on my side.
Boiling Water
You know the old saying about watching milk boil, seems water’s no different. When I’m short on time, pasta usually comes to the rescue. However, waiting for a large pot of water to boil sometimes slows things down. I know the guideline is that water for pasta should be as salty as the Mediterranean Sea, but one cooking instructor told me that salted water takes longer to boil. I tried leaving out the salt and she was right. So now I add the salt after the water has reached a rolling boil. And here’s another shortcut. I boil the water ahead of time using an electric kettle and add it to the pan.
Smelly Foods
Okay, so the cooks on TV make it look so quick and easy to peel and chop garlic. Slam your fist down on the clove and chop away. I love using garlic in recipes, but hate the lingering smell on my hands. I found the perfect solution…jars of chopped garlic. It’s also great for adding to butter or margarine to make your own garlic bread.
Cooking Vegetables
If I’m boiling or steaming vegetables and I’m in a hurry, I usually cut or dice them into smaller than usual size pieces. Make sure they’re all about the same size so you don’t have to wait for just one piece of vegetable to cook. I do the very same thing when I’m throwing together a quick soup or casserole containing veggies, especially root vegetables. If I’m roasting them, I usually parboil them first. Just long enough that when you put a knife into the vegetable it pierces about a quarter inch of its outer layer.
Melting Butter or Chocolate
I did buy a double boiler for jobs like this, but find I use the microwave more often. Just watch things carefully though. Don’t cook them too long or you’ll end up with a separated or curdled mess.
Don’t Try Anything New
When time is short I always rely on recipes I’ve made so many times before I could probably prepare them in my sleep.
Collect Everything You’ll Need
Gather up every single ingredient and cooking utensil, pan etc. you’ll need before you start to cook. No more running back and forth to the pantry, fridge, etc.
The Right Equipment
Always make sure you’re using the right size pans or dishes for the recipe and sharpen your knives once in awhile. There’s nothing more annoying than a blunt blade when you’re chopping lots of foods.
Speedy Clean Ups
I always line hard to clean pans with aluminum foil and use a vegetable cooking spray for things like lasagna or when I’m roasting vegetables that I want to caramelize.
Put Away The Blender
I have lots of soup recipes that require you to puree the soup once it’s cooked. A couple of years ago I invested in an immersion blender. No more cleaning hard to reach blender blades.
Those Tough Vegetables
After cutting my fingers a couple of times, I now microwave tough skinned vegetables like squash before I peel and chop them. I piece the skin a couple of times with a fork and then microwave them anyway from 30 seconds to a minute, depending on the size and variety of the squash. Press the skin and if it yields just slightly, it’s ready for chopping.
A Memorial Day Feast on the Cheap May 21, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: baked beans, coleslaw, hamburgers, Memorial Day, Memorial Day foods on a budget, potato salad
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I think of Memorial Day as the first of many days of eating outside, firing up the grill, or even putting together a picnic to take to the park or beach. Here are some recipes ideas that won’t bust your budget.
Hamburgers with a Twist
I know just about everyone loves a hamburger and they’re easy on the budget, but once in a while it’s nice to give them a little twist or two. Yes, there’s the cheeseburger, but how about forgoing the regular slice of cheese. Switch to something with a little more kick, like blue cheese, and placing it inside the burger, so it melts into the meat while it’s on the grill.
Not Just any Salad
How many picnics and get togethers have you either been invited to, or thrown yourself, where the same recipe for coleslaw or potato salad is rolled out every single time? Over the years I’ve been adding different items to potato salads, like chopped eggs, roasted red peppers, chopped celery, sun-dried tomatoes. So experiment and see what works best for you. I also like leaving the skin on the potatoes, and also using a combination of white and sweet potatoes.
As for coleslaw, I’ve been using the broccoli slaw you can find at just about any produce department, and adding blue cheese dressing instead of mayonnaise. Try it; it really puts a new spin on a favorite side dish.
Baked beans are another favorite side dish at most cookouts. I’ve been adding sultanas (if you can’t get them, use raisins, but plump them up in some hot water first), and curry powder. For every 2 cups of beans I use about ½ cup sultanas and one-tablespoon curry powder, depending how hot you like it.
Potatoes
I never think any meal is complete without the potato, but just throwing one on the grill can be a bit bland. Here’s an herb butter I’ve been using for a couple of years with baked potatoes. Add some to the potato as soon as it comes off the grill, everyone says it compliments just about any type of dish.
Fresh Herb Butter
½ cup trans fat free spread or if you’re not watching the cholesterol, butter
1 cup of fresh herbs, I like a combination of thyme and basil, sometimes dill if you’re serving fish
1 small clove of garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
Place the butter into a bowl, and add the rest of the ingredients and mix until everything’s blended. Cover and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Another tip is to wash and scrub the potato, rub it with oil and then sprinkle with salt. It flavors the potato from the outside in.
And sometimes I’ll cook the potatoes indoors. I love homemade seasoned fries. Simply cut the potatoes into wedges, toss in oil and add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and I’ve even had success adding soy sauce for a really savory taste.
Quick Picnic Fare
I’ve always been a big fan of picnics and here’s something that is so simple and easy to put together. It’s best made the day before the picnic. I like to use bread like a foccacia, or you can use French loaf, Italian bread, anything that’s not pre-sliced. You want to slice it in half horizontally. On both halves spread either some olive oil, or pesto sauce. Then just start laying it with whatever you like. I often select cheese, roasted red peppers, artichokes, olives, for a really summer taste. You can use sliced ham, turkey. When you’re done layering, place the other top on the sandwich and wrap the whole thing tightly in cling wrap. Put it on a plate and then place it in the refrigerator. Next put something heavy like a large can of tomatoes or a gallon jug of milk, and leave it overnight. In the morning just put it into your picnic basket and when you’re ready to eat, cut it into wedges.
Stock Up the Pantry
Remember it’s a holiday and that means lots of items like hamburger buns, BBQ sauce, etc, will be on sale. Stock your pantry and freezer for the hot summer days ahead.
Make Your Own Meal Kits May 7, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: easy to make meals, freezable meals, getting organized in the kitchen, meal kits
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Seems like errands and stuff to do around the house have been taking up loads of my time. Some days dinner time rolls around and I think, if only I’d thought ahead and put more ready-made meals in the freezer. I’ve promised myself that on the first rainy weekend, I’ll stay in the kitchen and put together some meal kits and freezable ready to eat ingredients. I’ve done it before and here are some tips on during just that.
Get Organized
One key to planning ahead is making a list. I’ll take a calendar and write down what meals I plan to serve on each day.
See What You Need
See what ingredients you’re going to need for each dish. For example say it’s a chicken stir-fry with rice…chicken, green peppers, onions, carrots, celery, rice, marinade for chicken, cornstarch. Check what’s in the pantry and what you need to buy.
Think Ahead
Can anything be prepared ahead of time? The chicken can be cut into strips and placed in the marinade. The green peppers, onions, carrots and celery can all be washed, chopped and put into a freezer bag and the rice can be measured out, ready to go into the saucepan or microwave when you get home.
Get Some Freezer Bags and Labels
If you’re going to make lots of meal kits at one time, I stock up on freezer bags and labels and make sure everything gets indentified. For example, ‘Chicken stir-fry/marinated chicken’ and the date I made it. That way recipe ingredients don’t get mixed up and family members won’t eat something by mistake.
Just About Anything Can Be Pre-Prepared
It’s not just whole meals that can be made into meal kits. Things like cheese can be shredded; dry ingredients can be measured and put into small containers, spices too. And even if you’re using canned foods, they too can be set out on the counter top ready for when you come home. I’ve even spend an extra hour in the kitchen chopping things like green peppers and onions because I know most recipes call for those two vegetables.
An Added Bonus
Being organized and saving time aren’t the only pluses to getting everything prepped. Because you’re cleaning and cutting up produce and have a specific meal in mind, rotting and forgotten veggies become a thing of the past. And yes, no more wasted money. When the weather gets warmer, one of my favorite lunches is a salad. I’m usually in a hurry to get back to my work, so now I wash lettuce, tomatoes, carrots and cucumber ahead of time and have my own pre-made salad bar waiting in the fridge.
Some Other Time Savers
Two appliances that really help me out during busy times are my slow cooker and bread machine. Warm weather doesn’t always make you think of heavy stews and casseroles, but one thing I like is vegetable soup prepared in the slow cooker. It’s light, low cost and if you combine it with a sandwich, you’ve got a perfect meal for warmer days. Or you can pair it with some wonderful homemade bread that’s been mixing and baking in the bread machine while you’re out running errands or even working in the yard.
One of My Favorite Cookbooks
A few years ago I discovered this cookbook and so glad I did. The Everything Meals for a Month Cookbook by Linda Larsen. Great recipes, easy to prepare, easy on the budget, tasty and they all freeze perfectly. I highly recommend this one.
Meet The Meal Makeover Moms April 30, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: foods that are budget friendly and healthly, low cost foods, Meal Makeover Moms
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If you read the first issue of the Budget Smart Girl’s newsletter, you probably remember the Meal Makeover Moms, Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss. They’re both registered dietitians and their Web site www.mealmakeovermoms.com is all about making meal times easy. Here they share some of their tips and yes, some mouth watering recipes.
Budget Smart Girl (BSG)-Your goal is to help busy families eat better. Food prices have gone up and continue to rise, so do you think it’s more of a challenge now? And how can people work around higher food costs?
Meal Makeover Moms (MMM)-Yes, it is a challenge. Money certainly is a lot tighter now than it has been in the past few years for many families and food prices have risen as well. One of the easiest ways to keep food budgets in check is to prepare meals at home. Dining out costs more, so we recommend eating in more often.
BSG-You emphasize fruits and vegetables but some people aren’t buying these food items because of the cost. Any suggestions for ways to squeeze in some fresh produce but still stick to your food budget?
MMM-Check out the sale circulars and buy the fresh produce that is on sale and in season. Also, don’t forget about canned and frozen fruits and veggies. They can be just as nutritious as fresh and are often a great value.
BSG-I recently read that many people are now eating at places like McDonalds because they figure it’s cheaper than buying food at the store. It does seem tempting to stop by a fast food restaurant some days, but are there any cheap alternatives at the store? What bargain foods can tempt people back into eating at home? And if you do go to a fast food restaurant, any suggestions for healthful picks?
MMM-Some good values at the supermarket to help steer people away from fast food include things like eggs, potatoes, beans, value-priced family size cereals, whole grain breads and pastas, milk, and poultry or lean meats that are on sale. Planning your menu around the items that are on sale at your local market can save a bundle of money. When eating at a fast food restaurant be sure not to super size your meal! Check out the nutrition facts information before deciding what to order, drink water or low fat milk instead of soda, and make these trips an occasional treat, not a regular habit.
BSG-Your Web site has recipes, any particular ones you recommend we try as an example of a low cost, but yet healthful meals?MMM-Here are a few:
Vegetable Garden Tofu Pie (under $1.00 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/vegetarian/vegetable-garden-tofu-pie/
Potato Ole Omelet (under $1.00 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/vegetarian/potato-ole-omelet/
Slow Cooked Barbeque Beef (under $1.50 per serving)
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/slow-cooker-soups/slow-cooked-barbeque-beef/
BSG-Your Web site also has the Meal Makeover Mom’s Club, tell me more about that and what people will find there. And tell us about your newsletter, what can we find in it?
MMM-We have over 6,000 members in our Meal Makeover Moms’ Club. Members receive a monthly online Newsletter or Update from us filled with new product news, recipes, favorite finds, notice of giveaways, and mealtime tips. Members can also send us their favorite recipe for us to ‘rescue.’ Our blog, Meal Makeover Moms’ Kitchen http://mealmakeovermoms.com/kitchen/ is a popular forum for sharing ideas and recipes, and our weekly radio podcast http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/podcast/ has a loyal following of moms and dads who listen every week for new recipes and tips.
BSG-Kids…and yes, sometimes adults love to snack. Sometimes the high fat, high sugar snacks are the cheapest at the store. Do you have any suggestions for healthful, bargain priced snacks to slip into the lunchbox or as an after school treat?
MMM-We all love to snack! In fact children get about 25% of their daily calories from snacks. It’s a good opportunity to fill in the nutritional gaps in the diet. We suggest making your own snack bags using snack-size zip-top plastic bags. Fill them will homemade trail mix made from dried fruits, and nuts, pretzels, and whole grain crackers or serve up graham crackers with peanut butter, popcorn, cheese cubes, apple slices, or one of the snack recipes below:
Grab-and-Go Granola Bars
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/snacks-smoothies/grab-and-go-granola-bars/
Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/recipes/snacks-smoothies/banana-chocolate-chip-muffins/
Pantry Staples April 16, 2009
Posted by budgetsmartgirl in Budget Smart Cook.Tags: pantry staples, ways to save money on food
1 comment so far
As someone who loves to cook, I’ve always been obsessive about keeping lots of supplies on hand for cooking and baking. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized just how valuable a well stocked refrigerator could actually be. I got up one morning to find the fridge had broken and everything had melted. Not wanting to risk food poisoning, I just decided to toss everything and start again. That’s when I knew that having a well stocked kitchen can actually save you money. Here are some of the items I keep in the pantry, fridge etc. If you haven’t already got a good supply, try buying a few items a week. Another plus is, impromptu meals become are a breeze.
Refrigerator
•A tube of tomato paste, great for jazzing up sauces, soups, things like shepherd pies. I recently found one made from sun-dried tomatoes so I’m eager to try that one.
•A jar of sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, great for salads, sandwiches and egg dishes.
•Peanut butter
•Sugarless fruit spread
•Low fat mayonnaise
•Miso
•Eggs
•A couple of different cheeses
•Gingerroot that I peel, cut up into pieces, place in a jar and pour vinegar over it.
•Chutney, I have a couple of different types in there, great for soups and sandwiches
•Dijon mustard
•Salsa, either homemade or store brand
•Jar of pesto sauce
Freezer
•A couple of loaves of bread
•Tortillas
•Filo pastry
a package of frozen peas
•Stir-fry vegetable mix
In the pantry•Worcestershire Sauce – no one should be without it.
•Soy sauce, low sodium if possible
•Tabasco, both red and green varieties
•Cans of beans, different varieties, garbanzo, kidney, etc.
•Cans of Chile peppers
•Cans of tomatoes, crushed, some with peppers
•Jars of pasta sauce
•Olive Oil
•Balsamic vinegar
•Sea salt
•Lots of herbs and spices
•Raisins
•Nuts
•Breadcrumbs
I found a great way to keep all the staples organized in the pantry. A couple of years ago I bought two boxes of Mason jars while they were on sale, thinking I’d spend a couple of days canning tomatoes etc. Well, let’s just say I got a little sidetracked with work and never got round to it, so here I was with two boxes of jars taking up space in the basement. I now use them as containers for the staples. I got so carried away with my newly found organizing skills, I even went out and bought one of those label making machines and labeled all the jars.
