Welcome! If you're looking for frugal tips for cutting back on your grocery bill, cheap and easy recipes, menu planning ideas, shopping hints, frugal living ideas, and a downloadable grocery list and price book, you're in the right place. Browse the recipes if you're looking for some new ideas. Chicken is often cheap so you might want to start with my chicken recipes. Don't forget to read my cooking blog, which is updated more often than the main site. Sign up for my newsletter if you'd like to find out about new articles and recipes.
If you're just getting started in being frugal in the kitchen, start with Budget Tips, Food Storage Tips, Stretch That Chicken, Shopping Tips, and Things to Learn. Read my article on menu planning to get started. If you're new to cooking and on a tight budget, start with something easy like soups, roasted root vegetables, or tacos. I collected a list of easy recipes here.
When you're in a rush...make these easy recipes
(your kids will love them!)
BREADED CHICKEN DIPPERS
Breaded chicken is a good bet for finicky eaters, and this variation, grilled and served on a skewer, makes it even more appealing to kids. Add your child's favorite dipping sauce, and there might not be any left for the adults!
| INGREDIENTS: |
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick |
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Salt and pepper |
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24 (10-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked inbwater for 30 minutes |
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3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil |
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2 tablespoons barbecue sauce |
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1 1/4 cups plain dried bread crumbs |
1. Cut each chicken breast lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold the chicken strips slightly and weave them onto the skewers.
2. Prepare a charcoal fire or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot -- about 10 to 15 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the oil and the barbecue sauce. Spread the bread crumbs on a sheet of waxed paper. Lightly brush the sauce mixture over the chicken strips and then roll them in the bread crumbs.
4. Grill the chicken fingers uncovered until they're no longer pink inside, about 2 to 4 minutes per side on a gas grill.
5. Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice. Serves 6 to 8.
LOVELY LADYBUGS
A plateful of these cute candy creatures really hits the spot! Here's how to bring a bunch to life.
| INGREDIENTS: |
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1/2 cup creamy peanut butter |
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3 tablespoons softened butter |
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1 cup confectioners' sugar |
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15 black jelly beans |
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1 cup red candy chips (we used Wilton Candy Melts) |
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Toothpicks (optional) |
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Black decorators' gel |
1. Mix the peanut butter, butter, and confectioners' sugar together until well blended. Roll the mixture into about 30 (1-inch) balls.
2. Place the balls on waxed paper and gently flatten their bottoms.
3. Slice the jelly beans in half and push one half into each ball to make the ladybug's head.
4. Melt the red candy chips according to the package directions. Spoon the melted candy over each ball. If you need to, use a toothpick to evenly distribute the candy coating.
5. After the coating hardens, use the decorators' gel to add a stripe and spots to each bug.
FISH IN A PON
D
1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese or cheese spread
Fish-shaped crackers
4 celery ribs, stems removed
Scoop the cream cheese into a bowl. (You can tint the cream cheese with blue food coloring to make it look like a pond.) >{?Place the goldfish in a separate bowl. Let the kids dip the celery sticks into the cheese, then into the bowl of crackers to "catch" a fish. Serves 2.
