If you followed my blog at all in the past, you know that we periodically go through budget challenges. Sometimes out of necessity and sometimes just for the challenge of it. The month of April is always a little surprising. We have two birthdays in the house, Easter, and usually spring break. That's a lot of extra spending. Luckily, we had Vendy's party last month, which threw off budget then. That brings me to this week's meals. We are really trying to spend less and get more and using the heck out of the crockpot. I've made a very specific effort to buy only what we need and what we can stockpile for later use. No, I'm not doomsday prepping but it's nice to have some of those shelf stable things in the pantry for those days you just don't want to go to the store. You can eat real, whole foods on a budget and from the pantry. There's a great challenge here. Last week, I spent $70 in groceries, not including my milk and few veggies that I get at Aldi's and that included a box of diapers. I do coupon but my total before coupons was $102 which is less than many of your weekly budgets out there. I also took my first cheese making class. It was great fun and I hope to share some of my recipes with you soon. I know what you're thinking, "where are the recipes, sister?" Well, here you go.
Meal 1 - Crockpot Split Pea Soup
This recipe was well under $10 for the whole she-bang! Super easy and very tasty.
1 piece of bacon, cooked or raw
1 large onion, diced
2 large carrots, diced
2 large ribs of celery, diced
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
6-8 cups of water
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flake
salt and pepper
parmesan cheese
extra virgin olive oil
Combine everything in a crock pot but the oil and cheese. You can do this the night before and leave it out on the counter until morning. Cook on low for 8 hours or until you get home from work. Taste and season again if necessary. Spoon into bowls and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with cheese. I also add more red pepper flake because I like it hot. Enjoy!
Meal 2 - Black Bean Taco Night
I know that beef can be expensive and doesn't last very long. I had 3 cans of black beans and I thought we can still have taco night. This is the recipe for "meat" part of the meal. Top like normal with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and salsa or add to your salad or nachos.
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon red pepper powder
salt and pepper
Heat oil in large skillet. Add everything else and heat until warmed through and the spices are fragrant.
Meal 3 - Crockpot Chicken with Baked Potatoes
Sometimes I feel that veggies get too mushy when cooked in the crockpot. This helps remedy that.
1 whole chicken
5 small potatoes, wrapped tightly in foil
3 tablespoons poultry seasoning
salt and pepper
Place potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with chicken making sure that the lid still fits. Sprinkle with seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Remove chicken and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Top potatoes with your favorite toppings. Don't forget that you can make broth from the leftover carcass.
Meal 4 - Bake Jalapeño Poppers
I love jalapeños. I love fried things. This is so much healthier and really delicious. Serve with ranch dressing or with a salad to make it a meal.
2 cups shredded cheese, I use extra sharp cheddar
1/4 cup mayo
3 tablespoons old bay or seasoning salt
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons parsley
salt and pepper
olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Mix cheddar, mayo, and seasoning salt and stuff into pepper halves. Mix parmesan, parsley, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Dip the tops of the stuffed peppers into parm mix. Place on cookie sheet. Spray with olive oil. Bake for 15-25 minutes depending on the size of the peppers. They will be golden brown on top.
It's been nuts this week and I haven't even remembered to take pictures. I'm really hoping to do better next week. I hope you are having fun keep your grocery bill tiny. Let me know about your successes.
With a full wallet and belly,
Brooke
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