Cooking is a learned art and ANYONE can cook great food. Even on a budget. The more you cook, the better you will become. It's that simple. If you are new to cooking it's important to read the directions through BEFORE you start making a new recipe. There may be terms or ingredients you are unfamiliar with. If you're unsure about something, write to me or ask a friend. Or, as most of us did when we were first learning to cook back in the day (before the Internet), CALL MOM!
Most of our recipes are very easy to cook and easy on the budget. With four children, cooking meals at home and eating out less is an absolute necessity for us. We've been making homemade meals for decades and invite you to join us. You can sign up for our free money saving newsletter at BetterBudgeting.com.
We hope you will enjoy our recipes today and for many years to come!
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Frequently Asked Questions
c. = cup
T. = tablespoon
tsp. = teaspoon
oz. = ounce
lb = pound
pkg. = package
Is it okay to use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, in most cases you can use whatever butter/margarine you have on hand. However, margarine contains more water so it can effect baked goods in a negative way. I have found that "I Can't Believe It's Butter" works just fine though, and it's much less expensive than real butter. There is still debate as to whether butter or margarine (especially the newer health versions) may be better for you healthwise. When baking, I generally use real butter, and try to get it on sale. When cooking other foods, like meat and vegetables, I use EVOO (extra virgin olive oil).
The recipe calls for a pound of cooked chicken. What kind of chicken should I use?
There are many ways to come up with a pound of chicken. First, you can use a whole chicken, cut up chicken, or even canned chicken. You can roast, boil, or slow cook your chicken. Or you can cut up into bite size pieces and stir fry with a bit of olive oil. You may find it easier to cook chicken breasts for your recipe as they don't require removing skin and bones, like cooking a whole chicken will. Just know, there is a cost difference. Whole chickens (fryers - not roasters) are generally cheaper by the pound.
How long should I boil pasta?
Pasta is best cooked Al Dente, which means slightly undercooked. Once the water comes to a boil, fresh pasta will take about 5 minutes to cook, dried will take about 8 to 10 minutes. Overcooked pasta (way past the Al Dente stage), will become gummy and gross. It can also ruin the entire dish. So set your timer and do not leave the room for more than a few minutes. You'll have perfect pasta every time! :o)
Have a cooking question? Want to share a frugal recipe your family enjoys?
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