Our new contest was announced in our August issue of Living a Better Life(TM)! The kids are back in school and schedules are mega hectic once again, so let's have a little fun! We shared the latest recipes that were selected to be featured on our dinner blog and asked our Better Budgeting members to vote for their favorite. The winning recipe will be featured on our front page at www.BetterBudgeting.com and the home chef who submitted it will receive a gift card of their choice at either Kroger, Publix, Food Depot, Target, Walmart or Walgreen's for $25 of FREE GROCERIES and a free ebook edition of our Frugal Family Recipes cookbook!
Note: To be considered for our next contest, please submit your yummiest frugal dinner recipe by the 10th of the month.
Look for voting links for selected recipes in the ezine each month! And GOOD LUCK!!! :o)
New Contest Coming this Week!
Good morning all! Just a quick note to let y'all know the final details of our new contest are in place and will be announced in our "Living a Better Life" ezine this week!
If you're not signed up you can get your free subscription at www.BetterBudgeting.com
I'll be back soon with more of our frugal recipes for your families!!! :o)
Keep the faith and keep that kitchen open!
Michelle
If you're not signed up you can get your free subscription at www.BetterBudgeting.com
I'll be back soon with more of our frugal recipes for your families!!! :o)
Keep the faith and keep that kitchen open!
Michelle
Baked Fruit Pies - Budget Copy Cat Recipes
Featured Recipe...
This is a recipe I just came up with, resembles the pies like you can get at McDonald's:
Baked Fruit Pies
2-4oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c. of fresh berries or 1 small jar of fruit jam
3/4 c. chocolate chips
One store bought pie crust (the soft kind that comes rolled up) or make your own dough
Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix the first three ingredients together by hand or with a blender. Cut out round circles from the pastry dough with a biscuit cutter. Place spoonful amount of mix in center of dough circle and fold in half. Crimp edges. Brush egg wash over top of pies.
Cook on a greased cookie sheet for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.
These are delicious hot with whipped cream but are also good cold the next day.
Submitted by Dawn Farris
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Mmmmm, what a treat! - Michelle
This is a recipe I just came up with, resembles the pies like you can get at McDonald's:
Baked Fruit Pies
2-4oz cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c. of fresh berries or 1 small jar of fruit jam
3/4 c. chocolate chips
One store bought pie crust (the soft kind that comes rolled up) or make your own dough
Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix the first three ingredients together by hand or with a blender. Cut out round circles from the pastry dough with a biscuit cutter. Place spoonful amount of mix in center of dough circle and fold in half. Crimp edges. Brush egg wash over top of pies.
Cook on a greased cookie sheet for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.
These are delicious hot with whipped cream but are also good cold the next day.
Submitted by Dawn Farris
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Mmmmm, what a treat! - Michelle
Meatless Lasagna with Tomatoes and Basil
Featured Recipe...
Meatless Lasagna with Tomatoes and Basil
Michelle, I just found your BetterBudgeting.com website. I just thought I would share a cheap and delicious meal that took less than 10 minutes prep. I bought 2 jars of Ragu reduced fat Parmesan Alfredo, a 4 pack of tomatoes, 1 pack fresh basil, a package of shredded Italian cheeses and 1 box oven ready lasagna noodles.
Use a 13x9 pan, spread some sauce, layer using noodles, sauce, sliced tomatoes and basil leaves. Top w/grated cheese. Cover and bake according to box directions. Hubby was at first upset there wasn't meat in it. My dad owns DQ's in NE Texas and I keep frozen grilled chicken breast from the store and debated over cutting some to add in, would have been good but it was fine without! About $10 to fix and had enough for 2 meals for my family of 4.
Submitted by Tonya King
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Lasagna is a dish that can be adapted in so many ways, and your version sounds yummy, Tonya! When you grow your own basil and/or tomatoes you save even more! :o) - Michelle
Leftover Ideas - Chicken Pot Pie
Featured Dinner Idea...
I made a chicken pot pie the other night with things I had in the freezer (a bag of chicken and broth, frozen vegetables). I made one large deep dish pot pie (filled to the brim) and still had enough for another pot pie, so I ladled the extra into a freezer container for another pot pie later in the month. But I still had some of the pot pie filling left over - there was not enough for an additional pot pie. I certainly didn't want to pour it out and debated about making a small individual pot pie (too much time for small gain). So I grabbed the chunky salsa out of the fridge and poured some into the mixture, added a tad of water and heated it up. It tasted REALLY good. So I poured it into a container and had enough soup for two lunches that week at work.
So my tip is: If you have a small amount of something left over think about what you might be able to do with it - if it doesn't turn out and you were going to throw it out anyway you haven't lost any money and you've gained experience for future food creations.
Submitted by K.A.
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I bet that was delicious! - Michelle
I made a chicken pot pie the other night with things I had in the freezer (a bag of chicken and broth, frozen vegetables). I made one large deep dish pot pie (filled to the brim) and still had enough for another pot pie, so I ladled the extra into a freezer container for another pot pie later in the month. But I still had some of the pot pie filling left over - there was not enough for an additional pot pie. I certainly didn't want to pour it out and debated about making a small individual pot pie (too much time for small gain). So I grabbed the chunky salsa out of the fridge and poured some into the mixture, added a tad of water and heated it up. It tasted REALLY good. So I poured it into a container and had enough soup for two lunches that week at work.
So my tip is: If you have a small amount of something left over think about what you might be able to do with it - if it doesn't turn out and you were going to throw it out anyway you haven't lost any money and you've gained experience for future food creations.
Submitted by K.A.
-----------------------------------------
I bet that was delicious! - Michelle
Juicy Pork Chops
Featured Recipe...
Juicy Pork Chops
1 can of cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
4 med size pork chops
1 cup of water
Heat oven to 350 degrees, mix together soup and water until blended. Place pork chops in pan and pour soup mixture over it. Add salt, pepper, garlic, curry... anything you like for taste. Bake for 30 minutes. Have salad, potatoes, veggies and crescent rolls for sides and it's a great meal.
Submitted by Tara Prater
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Adding curry as you suggested, Tara, very cool idea. I love curry! - Michelle
Juicy Pork Chops
1 can of cream of chicken soup (or cream of mushroom)
4 med size pork chops
1 cup of water
Heat oven to 350 degrees, mix together soup and water until blended. Place pork chops in pan and pour soup mixture over it. Add salt, pepper, garlic, curry... anything you like for taste. Bake for 30 minutes. Have salad, potatoes, veggies and crescent rolls for sides and it's a great meal.
Submitted by Tara Prater
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Adding curry as you suggested, Tara, very cool idea. I love curry! - Michelle
Marinated Chicken Alfredo
Featured Recipe...
Marinated Chicken Alfredo
Marinate two boneless/skinless chicken breast in Ken's Steak House Asian Sesame with Ginger & Soy over night or for several hours. Cook chicken on grill or broil til done. Sauté in light olive oil with small amount of finely chopped onions & finely chopped pepper (as most kids don't like onions & pepper), in sauce pan. Add chicken and 1 jar Alfredo (I use the Walmart brand...it is excellent and much cheaper), stir everything together and simmer.
Boil 1 box of bow tie pasta or your choice. I add some frozen peas to the bow ties just before I drain. Mix your bow ties/peas/Alfredo mixture in baking dish. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees.
My kids love it! Cheap, good, and too easy.
Submitted by Tammy Hines
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Thanks, Tammy, this does sound yummy and a dinner the kids would love. We could probably add some extra veggies in too, like mushrooms or carrots! :o) - Michelle
Marinated Chicken Alfredo
Marinate two boneless/skinless chicken breast in Ken's Steak House Asian Sesame with Ginger & Soy over night or for several hours. Cook chicken on grill or broil til done. Sauté in light olive oil with small amount of finely chopped onions & finely chopped pepper (as most kids don't like onions & pepper), in sauce pan. Add chicken and 1 jar Alfredo (I use the Walmart brand...it is excellent and much cheaper), stir everything together and simmer.
Boil 1 box of bow tie pasta or your choice. I add some frozen peas to the bow ties just before I drain. Mix your bow ties/peas/Alfredo mixture in baking dish. Top with fresh grated Parmesan cheese and bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees.
My kids love it! Cheap, good, and too easy.
Submitted by Tammy Hines
---------------------------------------
Thanks, Tammy, this does sound yummy and a dinner the kids would love. We could probably add some extra veggies in too, like mushrooms or carrots! :o) - Michelle
Summer Break
It's almost time for the kids to go back to school here in Atlanta and we've enjoyed taking some much needed time off from our work over the summer. How has everyone been, how was your summer, what new dinner dishes have you added to your favorites? Send me an e-mail, I'd love to hear from you! :o) - Hugs, Michelle
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