Hello Everyone,
This week is super exciting for me because we have a lot to celebrate. My second child has her second birthday party this weekend as well as the baby’s baptism. You also chose this week’s menu to be under $10 per meal. I accomplished this with one exception, Emmy’s chicken pasta. This can be done for less than $10 but you’ll have to use some serious coupon work. The rest easily fall into this category. Not only are these meals cheap but they are awesome!!! The homemade dressing is my newest addiction. I use it on everything from salad to grilled veggies to a marinade for my meat.
The drink for this week is also a favorite that reminds me of the Czech Republic every time I have it, and that is often. It is also under $10. You could go grocery shopping this week with $100 and walk out with money in your pocket. Add coupons to that and you could match my savings, I spent $50.29 and saved $54.50. And that was for the whole week!
I challenge you to try and let me know how it works out for you. If you need a little help, try http://www.couponmom.com/ for some great tips plus listings of all the sale items for your favorite grocery store.
Day 1 – Meatless Monday Mac-n-Goat Cheese (adapted from a Rachael Ray recipe)
I tried this recipe and made some pretty major changes to make it fit our $10 limit. I think it is better than the original recipe plus half the carbs!
½ box whole-wheat pasta cooked to directions with ¼ cup pasta liquids reserved
¼ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 pint cherry tomatoes cut into halves
1 box frozen spinach, thawed and wrung dry
4 ounces goat cheese crumbled (use the store brand)
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add tomatoes, spinach, and reserved pasta water and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Mix pasta, veggies, and cheese in serving bowl.
Day 2 – Grilled Chicken over Salad with Emmy’s Homemade Dressing
My friend Emmy made me dinner when the baby was born. We all loved it and I decided to split it into two meals. This is the first. Warning: this dressing is intoxicating. I now eat it on everything.
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 T honey
2 T Dijon or spicy mustard
Combine all ingredients in a jar. Screw on lid and shake until combined. You will need to shake it before each use.
Pour half into a zip-top bag and add 4 chicken breasts to bag. Let out the air and zip shut. Marinate chicken for 30 minutes. Cook chicken on grill or grill pan until juices run clear. Slice and serve over a salad with remaining dressing in jar.
Day 3 – Emmy’s Chicken Pasta
This is her exact recipe. It has lots of ways you can change it to suit your tastes but the original recipe is to die for.
1 pkg. boneless skinless chicken breasts,
salt and pepper both sides and sauté or grill till done. Cut in pieces before or after cooking. Set aside.
Sauté 2-3 cloves of minced garlic, ½ chopped onion, a few handfuls of mushrooms, 1 chopped bell pepper, and a several spoonfuls of sun dried tomatoes. Sauté until veggies get soft.
Pour 1 jar of marinara and 1 jar of alfredo sauce over veggies (I use Clasico but I’m sure it doesn’t matter), add chicken and cover on low until you are ready to serve with pasta. May need a little salt and pepper depending on what sauce you use.
Day 4 – Honey-Pecan Pork with Frozen Veggies
This is so easy you may never eat take-out again. Serve it with rice and a frozen veggie.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Awesome-Honey-Pecan-Pork-Chops/Detail.aspx
Day 5 – Tequila Lime Chicken
This is one great recipe, especially if you like Mexican food.
http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2752
Day 6 – Whole-wheat Banana Banana Bread
I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and had to make it whole-wheat. It works great just by swapping the original all-purpose with whole-wheat or unbleached flour. You can also use baby food bananas, sweet potatoes, or other fruits. Have fun with this one.
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas or baby food of your choice
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
Day 7 – Leftover Night
Enjoy the fruits of your week’s labor. Pull out all the leftovers and let everyone warm up their favorite or just grab a frozen pizza and pop it in the oven. Either way, rest! You deserve it.
Cocktail of the week – Red Wine Cola Spritzer
My cousin Jenny and I drank these most evenings when we were in Tabor, Czech Republic. It was the perfect summer drink when you knew you had a mile walk home.
3 ounces (half a glass) red wine
3 ounces (half a glass) cola (I always use diet but it’s great with whatever you have)
Combine and enjoy!
This week’s meals are so good, I may eat them again next week. Let me in on some of your family’s faves. I’d love to use them in the weeks to come.
With really great, cheap food,
Brooke
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Veggie Lovers Come and Get It!!!
Hello All,
It is a great week for recipes. The vegetables at the store look great and are relatively cheap. It’s also vegetarian week. You may be thinking that you are not a vegetarian and if you’ve made any of my other meals you know that I am not either but there are some great advantages to meat-free cooking. First, the cost should be less considering that meat is usually more expensive than veggies. Second, it is more eco-friendly to go meatless. And lastly, the health benefits are amazing. I like the idea so much that I will now include one meatless meal a week, I call it “meatfree Mondays.” After trying this week’s menu, I hope you become a believer, too.
I will also start a new feature called the signature cocktail. I love a nice drink but hate to pay the prices at a restaurant. This is a great way to entertain friends without the need to stock a full bar. The drink this week is also figure-friendly to match the menu’s theme.
Enjoy the beginning of summer with meals that taste great and make you bathing suit ready.
Day 1 – Greek Pizza
You all know how much I love a good pizza. This one’s so tasty you won’t miss the meat.
Refrigerated pizza dough
3 cloves of garlic, minced
½-1 cup kalamata olives
1 cup feta cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 small jar sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 small red onion, diced
2 handfuls spinach, chopped
Peperocini’s chopped (to taste)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out dough onto a cookie sheet or pizza stone. Spread garlic onto dough. Top pizza with all toppings. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until dough is golden brown and cheese in melted.
Day 2 – Artichoke Frittata
This is my homage to breakfast for dinner. This would also make a great brunch dish or potluck dinner.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2658
Day 3 – Spring-Summer Ziti
You will love this fresh take on classic pasta dish. It is supper easy and the kids will love it.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1832
Day 4 – Beautiful Berry Salad
This salad makes a fresh, gorgeous salad. It would be perfect for a ladies’ night or lunch. It is not your typical greens and dressing.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1734330
Day 5 – Grilled Eggplant Parm
This dish takes a little longer than most of my meals but it is well worth it. It is not only super healthy but also low carb. Bathing suits, here we come.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2738
Day 6 – Quick Veggie Stir-fry
Make this dish with a side of brown rice. You’ll think you’re at a Japanese restaurant.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Japanese-Zucchini-and-Onions/Detail.aspx
Day 7 – Leftover Night
Enjoy all the veggie dishes from earlier in the week. Plus, there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about rubbery microwaved meat.
Signature Cocktail –
The Skinny Margarita
Ingredients : 2 ounce clear Tequila A splash of fresh lime juiceA splash of Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple SecCombine all ingredients over a glass of ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and salt or sugar if you like. Makes one serving. If you prefer a frozen Skinny Margarita, crush ice in a blender, then pour in ingredients
With fresh garden vegetables galore,
Brooke
It is a great week for recipes. The vegetables at the store look great and are relatively cheap. It’s also vegetarian week. You may be thinking that you are not a vegetarian and if you’ve made any of my other meals you know that I am not either but there are some great advantages to meat-free cooking. First, the cost should be less considering that meat is usually more expensive than veggies. Second, it is more eco-friendly to go meatless. And lastly, the health benefits are amazing. I like the idea so much that I will now include one meatless meal a week, I call it “meatfree Mondays.” After trying this week’s menu, I hope you become a believer, too.
I will also start a new feature called the signature cocktail. I love a nice drink but hate to pay the prices at a restaurant. This is a great way to entertain friends without the need to stock a full bar. The drink this week is also figure-friendly to match the menu’s theme.
Enjoy the beginning of summer with meals that taste great and make you bathing suit ready.
Day 1 – Greek Pizza
You all know how much I love a good pizza. This one’s so tasty you won’t miss the meat.
Refrigerated pizza dough
3 cloves of garlic, minced
½-1 cup kalamata olives
1 cup feta cheese
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 small jar sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 small red onion, diced
2 handfuls spinach, chopped
Peperocini’s chopped (to taste)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Roll out dough onto a cookie sheet or pizza stone. Spread garlic onto dough. Top pizza with all toppings. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until dough is golden brown and cheese in melted.
Day 2 – Artichoke Frittata
This is my homage to breakfast for dinner. This would also make a great brunch dish or potluck dinner.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2658
Day 3 – Spring-Summer Ziti
You will love this fresh take on classic pasta dish. It is supper easy and the kids will love it.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1832
Day 4 – Beautiful Berry Salad
This salad makes a fresh, gorgeous salad. It would be perfect for a ladies’ night or lunch. It is not your typical greens and dressing.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1734330
Day 5 – Grilled Eggplant Parm
This dish takes a little longer than most of my meals but it is well worth it. It is not only super healthy but also low carb. Bathing suits, here we come.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=2738
Day 6 – Quick Veggie Stir-fry
Make this dish with a side of brown rice. You’ll think you’re at a Japanese restaurant.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Japanese-Zucchini-and-Onions/Detail.aspx
Day 7 – Leftover Night
Enjoy all the veggie dishes from earlier in the week. Plus, there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about rubbery microwaved meat.
Signature Cocktail –
The Skinny Margarita
Ingredients : 2 ounce clear Tequila A splash of fresh lime juiceA splash of Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple SecCombine all ingredients over a glass of ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and salt or sugar if you like. Makes one serving. If you prefer a frozen Skinny Margarita, crush ice in a blender, then pour in ingredients
With fresh garden vegetables galore,
Brooke
Monday, May 4, 2009
I'm back, plus one!
Hello Everyone!!!
I am happy to report that I am back to blogging with new baby in tow. Baby Vendula was born 2 weeks ago and is doing great. Vasek and I are getting less sleep but it is totally worth it.
This week’s menu is for those of you that are super busy. I am using quite a few convenience foods, pantry items, and simple recipes that you can literally throw together. I hope you’ll continue going through the menu and making your grocery list. I have been keeping my grocery store total to $50 or less and you can, too.
Day 1 – Baked Hawaiian Chicken with Rice and Veggie
This recipe cooks for an hour and half but the hands on time is 5 minutes. You’ll use it tomorrow night as well to make a great pizza.
Place a whole chicken minus the skin in a baking dish. Salt and pepper it. Brush on a thick coat of apricot jam. Pour a can of crushed pineapple in juices over chicken. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 1-1/2 hours. Use juices from chicken as gravy over cooked rice and a side of your favorite veggie. Reserve remaining chicken and pineapple for tomorrow night.
Day 2 – Hawaiian BBQ Pizza
This is my own creation. It is fantastic. Use a store bought pizza crust to make it super simple.
1 store bought pizza crust
2 cups shredded chicken
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can pineapple rings in juice
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat pizza stone, if using. Roll out crust with a little flour until desired shape. Place crust on stone. Mix chicken with BBQ sauce. Spread over pizza. Top with cheese and place pineapple slices on top. Cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Day 3 – Veggie-“not”-sagna from Rachael Ray
This is one of my favorite recipes. It is so healthy and really tasty. I would even use less pasta to save on the carbs.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1881
Day 4 – Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Asparagus Beds
You’ll love the simplicity of this meal plus it’s figure friendly.
Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill. Marinate chicken in your favorite Italian dressing. Place chicken on grill and cook turning once until chicken is no longer pink. Take chicken off grill and cover with foil to keep it warm. Place asparagus on grill and cook until bright green and crisp to the bite. Place a “raft” of asparagus on plate and top with chicken.
Day 5 – Taco Night
I noticed this week that the Old El Paso Taco Kit and ground beef were on sale. Those two things make this meal for 4 under $6. Just follow the directions on the box.
Day 6 – Clean Out Your Freezer Night
After my mom went shopping for me I noticed I had several freezer foods in the freezer. I will make a meal out of those. Most of you also have stuff in your freezer; use tonight to have a meal you paid for weeks ago.
Day 7 – Left Over Buffet
If you’re like me, your fridge will have several Tupperware of left overs from this week. Set them all out on the counter and let the family choose their favorites.
I am planning a completely veggie lovers menu for next week. Not only are meatless meals great for you, the environment also benefits. I am trying to appeal to those of you who think it’s not a meal without meat.
With baby hugs and kisses,
Brooke
I am happy to report that I am back to blogging with new baby in tow. Baby Vendula was born 2 weeks ago and is doing great. Vasek and I are getting less sleep but it is totally worth it.
This week’s menu is for those of you that are super busy. I am using quite a few convenience foods, pantry items, and simple recipes that you can literally throw together. I hope you’ll continue going through the menu and making your grocery list. I have been keeping my grocery store total to $50 or less and you can, too.
Day 1 – Baked Hawaiian Chicken with Rice and Veggie
This recipe cooks for an hour and half but the hands on time is 5 minutes. You’ll use it tomorrow night as well to make a great pizza.
Place a whole chicken minus the skin in a baking dish. Salt and pepper it. Brush on a thick coat of apricot jam. Pour a can of crushed pineapple in juices over chicken. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 1-1/2 hours. Use juices from chicken as gravy over cooked rice and a side of your favorite veggie. Reserve remaining chicken and pineapple for tomorrow night.
Day 2 – Hawaiian BBQ Pizza
This is my own creation. It is fantastic. Use a store bought pizza crust to make it super simple.
1 store bought pizza crust
2 cups shredded chicken
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can pineapple rings in juice
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Heat pizza stone, if using. Roll out crust with a little flour until desired shape. Place crust on stone. Mix chicken with BBQ sauce. Spread over pizza. Top with cheese and place pineapple slices on top. Cook for 30 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Day 3 – Veggie-“not”-sagna from Rachael Ray
This is one of my favorite recipes. It is so healthy and really tasty. I would even use less pasta to save on the carbs.
http://rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=1881
Day 4 – Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Asparagus Beds
You’ll love the simplicity of this meal plus it’s figure friendly.
Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill. Marinate chicken in your favorite Italian dressing. Place chicken on grill and cook turning once until chicken is no longer pink. Take chicken off grill and cover with foil to keep it warm. Place asparagus on grill and cook until bright green and crisp to the bite. Place a “raft” of asparagus on plate and top with chicken.
Day 5 – Taco Night
I noticed this week that the Old El Paso Taco Kit and ground beef were on sale. Those two things make this meal for 4 under $6. Just follow the directions on the box.
Day 6 – Clean Out Your Freezer Night
After my mom went shopping for me I noticed I had several freezer foods in the freezer. I will make a meal out of those. Most of you also have stuff in your freezer; use tonight to have a meal you paid for weeks ago.
Day 7 – Left Over Buffet
If you’re like me, your fridge will have several Tupperware of left overs from this week. Set them all out on the counter and let the family choose their favorites.
I am planning a completely veggie lovers menu for next week. Not only are meatless meals great for you, the environment also benefits. I am trying to appeal to those of you who think it’s not a meal without meat.
With baby hugs and kisses,
Brooke
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