What are some foods that we should base our meals on the don't cost an arm & a leg?!


Question: What are some foods that we should base our meals on the don't cost an arm & a leg!?
Answers:
I would suggest going back to the basics!.!.!.!.potatoes, eggs, breads and budget meats!. Making a main dish based on eggs and/or bread and/or potatoes is actually pretty easy!. Then just add a green side salad to keep it healthy!. Or try doing dishes with round steak instead of sirloin!. My favorite dish with round steak is Swiss Steak!. Ham goes a long way!. And you can freeze the leftovers so you don't have to eat the whole thing in a day!. Once it's gone, use the bone for soup base!. Buy meat cuts such as pork chops or chicken breasts, in bulk!. Then break them up into main dish sized servings and freeze them in ziplock bags, so you can take them out and thaw them as needed!. also, pasta dishes that use an easy tomato sauce and hamburger are also cheap and go far,as do casseroles!. Try a penne pasta bake or the infamous tater tot hot dish!. And try introducing jello into your meals as a side dish to liven things up! An easy one I do is to make the jello as directed on the package, only substitute the same amount of sour cream for the cold water and whisk until creamy, then let it set up as normal!. It's a nice way to mix it up!. Or add the old standby bananas to the jello for a change!. Here are a couple of easy recipes to get you started!.!.!.

SPANISH POTATO OMLET
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 pound potatoes, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, thinly sliced
4 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
2 tomatoes - peeled, seeded, and coarsely chopped
2 green onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS
In a large frying pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat!. Sprinkle potatoes lightly with salt and pepper!. Cook until golden brown and crisp!.
Once the potatoes are golden, stir in the onions!. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and begin to brown!.
Meanwhile, beat eggs together with salt and pepper!. Pour eggs into pan and stir gently to combine!. Reduce heat to low and cook until eggs begin to brown on the bottom!.
Loosen bottom of omelet with a spatula, invert a large plate over the pan, and carefully turn the omelet out onto it!. Slide the omelet back into the pan with the uncooked side down!. Cook until eggs are set!. Garnish omelet with tomato and green onion and serve warm!.


CHICKEN AND CHORIZO PASTA BAKE

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 chorizo sausage, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups tomato puree
1 cup light cream
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C)!.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil!. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and set aside!.
Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat!. Add chicken, and cook until firm and lightly browned, about 5 minutes!. Stir in the bell pepper and chorizo and cook for 5 minutes until the chorizo is hot and the chicken is no longer pink in the center!. Remove from heat!.
Pour the tomato puree, cream, and red pepper flakes into a small saucepan!. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened!. Add drained pasta and sauce to the skillet containing the chicken and mix well!. Spoon the mixture into an oven proof dish!. Sprinkle the Cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese over the top!. Bake 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly!.

BAKED SWISS STEAK

INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound boneless round steak
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (14!.5 ounce) can whole tomatoes, crushed
1 small white onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS
Cut meat into two portions; pound to 1/4-in!. thickness!. Combine 1 tablespoon flour and salt; coat meat on both sides!. In a skillet, brown meat in oil!. Transfer meat to a greased shallow 2-qt!. baking dish; set aside!.
To pan drippings, add tomatoes, onion, Worcestershire sauce and remaining flour!. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes!. Pour over meat!. Cover and bake at 350 degrees F for 1-1/2 hours or until the meat is tender!. Serve with Mashed Potatoes and Green Bean CasseroleWww@FoodAQ@Com

i think it's best to stock up on flour, pasta, rice and noodles, tins (tomatoes, beans, coconut milk if you like curries!.!.!.) and stock cubes and spices!. maybe also some frozen spinach, corn, peas, green beans or whatever you like!. these things don't cost much!. some things are cheaper when bought from the ethnic food section in the supermarket (dried beans, chickpeas, spices, nuts)!.
you will just need to add some fresh vegetables depending on what's available or what you've planned to cook but even if you don't get anything else you can still cook something from these ingredients!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Slow cooker meals are pretty cheap and they are large portions!. Chili, chicken and potatoes in slow cooker!. also macaroni and meatballs are not expensive at all!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Pasta, rice, beans!. They're nutricious, filling, and take the flavors of other ingredients so well!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Vegetables from the garden are starting to grow so now you can eat fairly cheap!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Legumes!Www@FoodAQ@Com

fresh vegetables and fruits !.!.!. a protein source (eggs, cheese, tofu, legumes)Www@FoodAQ@Com

Beans
Rice
potatoes
pastaWww@FoodAQ@Com

Brown RiceWww@FoodAQ@Com

Here are a few E-Z recipes you might want to try!. Good Luck & enjoy!.

COLA CHICKEN (And more variations of recipe)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup catsup
1 12oz!. can cola (pepsi, coke, etc!.)

Put chicken in a non-stick pan!.
Mix together catsup and cola, pour over chicken!.
Bring to a boil!. Cover, reduce heat and cook 45 minutes!.
(turning chicken a few times, while cooking!.!.!.to prevent from sticking to pan)
Uncover, turn up the heat and continue to cook until the sauce
becomes thick and adheres to the chicken!.
It turns into the most incredible BBQ sauce!. Yummmm!

You can double the recipe and use more pieces of
chicken!.!.!.!.wings!.!.!.would be ideal!.!.!.add some hot sauce!.!.!.!.presto "Hot Wings"!

I have used Ribs, just as good!.

I tried this recipe with 'meatballs'!.!.!.!.was equally
as good!.!.!.served over rice!.

I found another variation!.!.!.!.!.omit the catsup and add a small jar of Salsa (any variety)!.
I have tried using Salsa (omitting the catsup!.!.!.!.not)!.
You'd think a recipe with only '3' ingredients couldn't be messed up!.!.!.!.wouldn't you!?!?
Well!.!.!.while I was preparing to fix the 'Cola Chicken' recipe
using Salsa!.!.!.!.!.I was also trying to carry on a conversation with my
husband!.!.!.(just proves!.!.!.I can't do two things at once)!.!.!.!.mixed Salsa & Catsup (before I realized I was supposed to leave out the catsup) & Cola!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.still turned out really tasty (to me)!.!.!.might be a little sweeter than some of you like!.

I fixed chicken wings, (using the above recipe)
but!.!.!.I added the spices from a MILD (I don't care for "HOT") Buffalo Wings packet!.!.!.(the kind you get to bake in the oven)!.!.!.!.!.I thought it was really good!.!.!.!.!.(but you/I can't find a 'bad' way to fix chicken)!.

Finally!.!.!.!.!! I fixed the 'SALSA' chicken!.!.!.!.!.!.that's good , too!.

Another (bright)idea!.!.!.!.!.I thought of trying!.!.!.!.!.!.replace the
catsup with a bottle of Shrimp Cocktail Sauce!.!.!.and add a bag of (pop corn) shrimp!.!.!.!.!.!
Fixed the shrimp with cocktail sauce!.!.!.!.!.!.eh!.!.!.wasn't all that
great!.!.!.was OK!.!.!.probably won't be fixing it again!.

also tried beef stew cuts!.!.!.!.!.!.that was pretty good!.!.!.!.!.I can see
myself making this again!.
Served both over rice!.!.!.!.!.think the stew cuts would have been just as
good over noodles!.

Try little cocktail weiners/sausages…for appetizers!.





CRUNCHY ONION CHICKEN

1 1/3 cups French’s Original French Fried Onions
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 egg, beaten

LIGHTLY CRUSH:

Onions in a plastic bag!.

DIP:
Chicken in egg

COVER:
With onion crumbs, press firmly to adhere to chicken!.

BAKE:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees!.
Place chicken on lightly greased baking pan!.
Sprinkle with additional onion crumbs, if desired!.
Bake for 20 minutes or until no longer pink in center!.




CHILLI DOG CASSEROLE
1 pkg!. (8) hot dog buns
1 pkg!. (8) hot dogs (use more if you like)
1 can Chilli (15 oz!. without beans, use more if you want)
1 small onion (chopped)
2 cups shredded cheese
mustard


DIRECTIONS: Pre-heat oven 350 degrees
In a 9" x 13" baking pan, break up hot dog buns (bite size) and spread in pan!.
Cut up hot dogs (about 1/2" size) spread over buns!.
Spoon/spred chilli over hot dog/buns!.
Sprinkle onions over all!.
Squirt mustard over entire mixture (don't spread!.!.!.just make a few lines both ways across mixture)
Cover with shredded cheese!.
Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly!.
(Hint: If using extra hot dogs & chilli, don't add extra buns!.)

"Canned Soup"!.
(My Way!)
Whatever cans of veggies I have, that I like, in cabinet it goes in the pot!.!.!.!.!.along with all the juices in the cans!.
Cook on stove top or Crock pot!.
Enjoy!

Canned:
corn
peas
carrots
gr!.beans (any variety)
lima beans
wax beans
tomato (any variety)
potatoes (whole or sliced!.!.!.or both whatever you like)

You get the idea!.!.!.!.lol!.

also add a package of shredded cabbage (cole slaw mix)!.

You can even add a package of onion soup mix!.

If it gets to dry and needs more liquids!.!.!.!.add tomato juice!.!.!.V-8!.!.!.etc!.


(I’ve not made this one yet)
EASY BEEF STROGANOFF

Ingredients:

3/4 lb lean ground beef
1 jar Heinz HomeStyle Savory Beef Gravy (12 oz Jar)
1 can mushrooms, drained (7 oz can)
1/2 cup sour cream
4-6 cups hot cooked noodles
salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a medium skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned and thoroughly cooked!. Carefully drain liquids and return to stovetop!. Stir in Gravy and mushrooms, and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally!. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, until thoroughly combined!. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately over hot noodles!.

Preparation Time: 1-15 minutes
Cook Time: 25+ minutes


(I’ve not made this yet, either…!.just received it!.)
"Corny Beanie Weenies!."
(from a country preacher in Mississippi…wife & 2 teenage sons)

Mix one can of good baked beans
We use a good sized can of beans (14-16 ounces, I think) and
get a kind that we like (maybe with brown sugar, onion, and bacon)!.
There are several kinds of good baked beans!.

and a package of Oscar Meier Weiners (all sliced up)!.

with a can of whole kernel corn (drained)

Any way, heat up these three ingredients, and serve with brown bread
(maybe toasted !?) and a glass of milk!.

It doesn't get any easier than this, and is suprisingly good!

P!.S…!.!.Might put ingredients ina casserole dish and top with corn muffin mix!.



POT ROAST
Your choice of beef (to fit crock-pot)
1 pkg!. dry Ranch dressing mix
1 pkg!. dry Italian dressing mix
1 pkg!. dry Brown Gravy mix
1 cup water
Put beef in pot!.
Mix together all the dry mixes…!.then add water …pour over meat and cover & cook on high 4-6 hours!.
Until meat is tender!.
The first time I mad it I didn’t have the Italian Dressing mix…!.so I added a pkg!. of Onion Soup Mix…!.I have to say I liked that better!.
If you use more water you might want to add more Brown Gravy mix…!.to make a thicker sauce!. Was gonna add
potatoes and carrots…but never got around to it!.


HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

2 lbs!. frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (thawed)
1 bunch green onions, chopped
sweet pepper chopped (red – green – yellow – orange – or a mixture of all)
1 lb!. Sausage, cooked until pink disappears, crumbled
1 cup ham cubes
4 slices crisp bacon, crumbled
1 small can sliced mushrooms
1 small can sliced black olives
2 – 8oz!. packages of shredded cheese
? cup milk
12 eggs beaten
Tabasco (optional)
sour cream & salsa (optional)

Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan, wipe excess with paper towel!.
Spread potatoes on bottom (cand be lightly browned in a skillet first if desired)
Sprinkle sausage over potatoes…then
Peppers…
Mushrooms…
Ham!.!.
Onions (reserve about ? cup)
Mix eggs & milk together……!.I added about 2 TBLS!. Tabasco…more to your taste… pour slowly over all!.
Cover with shredded cheese…!.then sprinkle over all
Remaining onions…
Olives…
Bacon…
Cover and refrigerate overnight!.
Uncover and bake at 375 degrees for 35 – 45 minutes…until browned and cheese is melted!.
Serve with sour cream and/or salsa!.




OLD SETTLER’S BEANS
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 lb!. ground beef
1/2 lb!. bacon
1 chopped onion
Brown in skillet and drain excess grease!.

ADD:
16 oz!. can Red Kidney Beans (drained)
24 oz!. can Pork & Beans (drained)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup Catsup
2 TBLS!. Molasses
1/2 tsp!. dry mustard

Mix Thoroughly !
Cook in a crock pot until!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!.!.!.hot!


MARINATED VEGGIE SALAD
1 lb!. can French style green beans
1 lb!. can small peas
1 lb!. can white corn
1 - 4oz!. jar pimento (chopped)
1 cup shopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup sugar (I used artificial sweetener)
2/3 cup vinegar (I used red wine vinegar)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 tsp!. salt
1 tsp!. pepper

1!.)Pour green beans, peas, corn & pimento in a colander to drain over a
large bowl!. Discard 1 1/2 cups of liquid!.
2!.)Put veggies in a large bowl and fold in onions, celery and green
peppers!.
3!.)Mix together thoroughly the remaining ingredients and toss with
veggies!.
4!.)Cover and let sit over night in refrigerator!. (The longer it marinates the better!.)

Desserts/Snacks


POUND CAKE

Combine:
2 sticks butter
1 2/3 cup sugar

Beat in:
5 eggs (1 at a time)

Add:
2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon rum extract

Mix thoroughly and bake 1 hour at 325 degrees!.



E-Z Candy
(All recipes are mixed the same!.)

Melt ingredients, seperately in microwave until runny!.
Mix together and pour into serving dish!.
Chill until firm, cut & serve!.

Chocolate Fudge:
16 oz!. container of Fudge Frosting
1 bag of Chocolate Chips (any flavor you like)

Peanut Butter Fudge #1:
1 small jar Peanut Butter (18 oz!.)
2 bags of Peanut Butter Chips

Peanut Butter Fudge #2:
1 small jar Peanut Butter (18oz!.)
16 oz!. container of White Frosting

Marshmallow Nougat:
1 small jr Marshmallow Creme
1 bag White Chocolate Chips
1 tsp!. Almond Flavoring
1 small bag Chopped Nuts

(I've made this without the flavoring & nuts!.!.!.!.I want to try
rolling
into balls and dipping in a chocolate coating!.!.!.!.sounds good to
me!.)

I've doubled all the above recipes!. The Marshmallow Nougat
recipe!.!.!.doubled and added a container of white frosting (had an
extra one!.!.!.!.so thought!.!.!.!.why not!)

I use a double boiler!.!.(prefer the double
boiler)!.!.!.add chips in first !.!.!.then rest of
ingredients!.!.!.!.!.saving
nuts and flavorings for last!.


Kreamy Kool-Aid Pie

1-(6 g) package un sweetened Kool-Aid powdered drink mix
1-(14 oz!.)can sweetened condensed milk
1-(8 oz)container Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed!.
1-(Www@FoodAQ@Com





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