We will be going on a trip tomorrow. I was looking in the refrigerator to see what would be spoiled when we got back. I found 4 things. A bag of fresh broccoli (I thought we would eat this before we left, but we didn't), some celery stalks, a bag of baby carrots, and some milk. Instead of letting them go to waste, I saved them.
The broccoli I washed and cut up and put into a ziploc bag and into the freezer. We will be able to steam it and eat it when we get back.
The celery stalks and some of the carrots I washed and put into my mini chopper. Then I put each one into a storage container and into the freezer. I will use these in soups, stews, casseroles, etc. The carrots I can add to cookies, cakes, or breads as well. The mini chopper chops the veggies very finely. This way they can be added to just about any recipe and not change the texture or taste. The remaining carrots are coming with us on the trip for a snack.
The milk I am putting into the freezer. We will dethaw it when we get back. It is fresh milk as I only purchased and opened it a couple of days ago. I would have gone without, but my kids have been eating a lot of cereal lately. I stock up on cereal whenever there is a good sale, and right now we have quite a shelf full.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Orange Chicken and Rice
Ingredients:
2 T Frozen concentrate orange juice, $.25
1 can cream of chicken soup, $1
1 cup milk, $.25 (we use powdered milk for cooking, any kind will work fine)
1T honey, $.25
1T dijon mustard, $.25
2 cups uncooked rice, $1
1 & 1/2 cups cut up chicken (we use breast meat but any kind will do), $2
Total cost: $5.00
Cooking time: 20 minutes (a little longer if you use brown rice)
This is my kids' favorite dinner. First start cooking the rice according to the directions. Use whatever kind of rice your family prefers. Then, put the chicken into a frying pan and cook it over medium heat until it's done. Then add the milk, cream of chicken soup, honey, mustard, and orange juice to the chicken pan and stir. You may add more milk or some water if you need more sauce. If the sauce needs to be thicker, mix a bit of flour or cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce. Serve over the rice. We usually have either fresh steamed broccoli or corn on the side. Our kids eat a lot of this meal, and usually we have at least 2 lunches from it as well.
2 T Frozen concentrate orange juice, $.25
1 can cream of chicken soup, $1
1 cup milk, $.25 (we use powdered milk for cooking, any kind will work fine)
1T honey, $.25
1T dijon mustard, $.25
2 cups uncooked rice, $1
1 & 1/2 cups cut up chicken (we use breast meat but any kind will do), $2
Total cost: $5.00
Cooking time: 20 minutes (a little longer if you use brown rice)
This is my kids' favorite dinner. First start cooking the rice according to the directions. Use whatever kind of rice your family prefers. Then, put the chicken into a frying pan and cook it over medium heat until it's done. Then add the milk, cream of chicken soup, honey, mustard, and orange juice to the chicken pan and stir. You may add more milk or some water if you need more sauce. If the sauce needs to be thicker, mix a bit of flour or cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce. Serve over the rice. We usually have either fresh steamed broccoli or corn on the side. Our kids eat a lot of this meal, and usually we have at least 2 lunches from it as well.
About the Recipes and How They Work
We are a family of five, one of whom is a preschooler who doesn't eat a lot, so the recipes I post are for an average size family. If your family is smaller, I suggest making the full recipe and freezing the leftovers or eating them for lunch the next day. If you have a large family, double or triple the recipes.
I try to write an approximate cost next to each item. This is approximate, and I try to round up a bit. That way, the recipe won't end up costing you way more than my estimate. Hopefully, your store has had some good sales and you can make it for much less!
All the recipes I post are frugal recipes even if you aren't running to every sale in town or clipping coupons like a mad woman. If you have the time, those are great ways to save money. But if you don't have time, just shop smart at your local store, plan a menu, and use these recipes to save.
Your savings will be threefold. One, the recipe ingredients don't cost a lot. Two, you will have a list when you shop which will reduce the impulse buys. Not having to run around to multiple stores will also reduce the impulse buys. And three, having quick and easy recipes to make at home, and having all the ingredients ready, will reduce the urge to order out.
The menu plans I post are ones that our family is using or has used. You can and should mix and match and use what works best for your family. When first starting out or if short on time, I encourage you to choose one of my plans and try it out. Let me know how you do. If you come up with a great plan, please share it with us! By the way, I use either one or two week menu plans. Any longer than that and I get mixed up because I never know which fresh vegetables will be on sale. Plus, I don't like to buy the items too soon and have them go bad before I get to a certain recipe.
I try to write an approximate cost next to each item. This is approximate, and I try to round up a bit. That way, the recipe won't end up costing you way more than my estimate. Hopefully, your store has had some good sales and you can make it for much less!
All the recipes I post are frugal recipes even if you aren't running to every sale in town or clipping coupons like a mad woman. If you have the time, those are great ways to save money. But if you don't have time, just shop smart at your local store, plan a menu, and use these recipes to save.
Your savings will be threefold. One, the recipe ingredients don't cost a lot. Two, you will have a list when you shop which will reduce the impulse buys. Not having to run around to multiple stores will also reduce the impulse buys. And three, having quick and easy recipes to make at home, and having all the ingredients ready, will reduce the urge to order out.
The menu plans I post are ones that our family is using or has used. You can and should mix and match and use what works best for your family. When first starting out or if short on time, I encourage you to choose one of my plans and try it out. Let me know how you do. If you come up with a great plan, please share it with us! By the way, I use either one or two week menu plans. Any longer than that and I get mixed up because I never know which fresh vegetables will be on sale. Plus, I don't like to buy the items too soon and have them go bad before I get to a certain recipe.
Hamburger Maccaroni Casserole
Ingredients:
One pound hamburger (could use less), $2.00
One can tomato sauce, 15 oz., $1.00
1/2 bag(or box) maccaroni, $.50
Onion Powder to taste, $.25(most likely cost will be less when divided among all your recipes)
Grated Cheddar or American cheese to taste, $1.00
Total cost: $4.75
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Directions:
Cook the maccaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile brown the hamburger in a large fry pan. If you aren't using lean meat, drain the fat off when it's cooked. Add the tomato sauce and onion powder. When the maccaroni is cooked, add that as well and stir. When all is heated through sprinkle cheese on top. You can then either stir it up so the cheese mixes with the sauce, or leave it on top. It makes a lot. Our family of five usually has leftovers. We usually serve this with a vegetable such as salad, peas, corn, broccoli, or green beans.
One pound hamburger (could use less), $2.00
One can tomato sauce, 15 oz., $1.00
1/2 bag(or box) maccaroni, $.50
Onion Powder to taste, $.25(most likely cost will be less when divided among all your recipes)
Grated Cheddar or American cheese to taste, $1.00
Total cost: $4.75
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Directions:
Cook the maccaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile brown the hamburger in a large fry pan. If you aren't using lean meat, drain the fat off when it's cooked. Add the tomato sauce and onion powder. When the maccaroni is cooked, add that as well and stir. When all is heated through sprinkle cheese on top. You can then either stir it up so the cheese mixes with the sauce, or leave it on top. It makes a lot. Our family of five usually has leftovers. We usually serve this with a vegetable such as salad, peas, corn, broccoli, or green beans.
Menus and More For Less
This blog is where I keep track of frugal recipes and menu plans. It takes a lot of work to come up with recipes and menu plans that work, especially frugal ones, so I wanted to make them available for others to use. If you like particular recipes or menus, please let me know. Thanks.
BurgerMom
BurgerMom
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