Crumbled Beef & Pork Sandwich

So when I made the stuffed bell peppers, I originally used 1 lb. of ground beef and 1 lb. of ground pork. This amount actually ended up being a bit too much, so what to do with the excess mixture? Well I just generously topped the mixture with soy sauce, and stuffed it into french bread!

Ingredients: 

• Leftover mixture from stuffed bell peppers recipe
• Soy sauce
• Shredded carrots
• Chopped cilantro
• 1/2 loaf of french bread
• olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cut loaf of french bread into fourths, place in toaster oven until desired crispiness. 
2. On medium heat, add some olive oil to a skillet. Once hot, add mixture and generously soak with soy sauce. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until well done. 
3. While the meat is cooking, shred carrots and chop cilantro.
4. Stuff cooked mixture into toasted french bread, top with carrots and cilantro.

Costs:

• Leftover mixture from stuffed bell peppers recipe
• Soy sauce
• Shredded carrots- $0.16
• Chopped cilantro- $0. $.10
• 1/2 loaf of french bread($1.98 for a loaf) $0.99
• olive oil

Approximate Cost: $1.50 (additional cost to the cost of the stuffed bell peppers) for a serving of 2 

I would roughly estimate that the cost of 2 sandwiches would be about $4. 

xoxo,

Amy

Colorful Stuffed Bellpeppers

Stuffing jalepeno peppers got me into stuffing bell peppers! Bell peppers come in a variety of colors, so these are really fun for dinner parties, or just dinner with your roomies. :) Personally, these were not my favorite; there was just too much meat. 

Ingredients:

• .75 lb. ground beef (lean)
• .75 ground pork (or turkey)
• 4 large bell peppers
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1tbsp. BBQ Sauce
• 1 tbsp. garlic salt
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 sm. onion, diced
• salt and pepper 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven 375F.
2. In a small bowl, crack eggs and beat well. Rinse and cut off tops of bell peppers, and save for displaying later. Hollow and deseed each bell pepper. 
3. In a medium bowl, combine beaten eggs, ground beef, ground pork, break crumbs, onions, garlic salt. Mix well. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. 
4. With a spoon, carefully stuff each hollow bell pepper with mixture. Spread BBQ sauce over each pepper, put the top back on, and place into oven to cook for about 45 minutes or so. 

Costs:

• 4 large bell peppers- $3.99 for 3( red, orange, yellow) 
• .75 lb .ground beef
• .75 lb. ground pork (or turkey)
• 2 eggs, beaten- $0.20
• 1tbsp. BBQ Sauce
• 1 tbsp. garlic salt
• 1 cup bread crumbs-(I had panko bread crumbs left over from making chicken strips)- $ 0.50
• 1 sm. onion, diced-$0.27
• salt and pepper 

Approximate Cost: $11 for a serving of 4

Sidenote: If you're looking for a kick, my friend Timothy made this recipe, and he added some cayenne pepper! Cayenne pepper tends to do the trick :)

xoxo,

Amy

Jalepeno Poppers!

So after eating some jalepeno popper samples from Sur La Table, I went home and attempted to make my own. "Attempted" is the key word here, my poppers didn't look as presentable as the ones in the store. :(  Regardless of their lack of visual appeal, these are baked so they are much healthier than the poppers you would find at any restaurant!

Ingredients:

• 3 slices pepper jack cheese
• 6 jalepeno Peppers
• 1/8 cup of onion, minced
• 1/8 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/3 cup of cream cheese
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 425F.
2. Rinse. Slice the jalepeno peppers in half lengthwise, and deseed. 
3. In a small bowl combine the cilantro, salt, onion, and cream cheese. Fill the jalepeno halves with the mixture.
4. Cut each slice of pepper jack cheese into 4ths or so and place on top of filled jalepeno half.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes or so, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Costs:

• Pepper jack cheddar cheese-($2.68 for six slices)-$ 1.34
• 6 Jalepeno Peppers- $0.35
• 1/8 cup minced onion-($0.41 for an onion)- $0.10
• 1/8 cup of fresh cilantro-($0.33 for a bunch)-$0.04
• 1/3 cup cream cheese-($1.42 for 1 cup)-$0.47

Approximate Cost: $2.30 for 12 jalepeno halves

xoxo,

Amy

Mediterranean Pitas

Vegetarian-friendly and easily packed into a ziplog sandwich bag, these mediterranean pitas are perfect to bring anywhere and to anyone!

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium size carrot
• 1/4 of a large cucumber
• 1/4 cup of kalamata olives
• 1.4 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper
• mini pitas, cut in half

Instructions:

1. Shred carrot. Peel and cut cucumber into matchsticks. Chop olives.
2. In a medium size bowl, combine carrots, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
3. Toast mini pitas, and stuff with mixture.

Costs:

• 1 medium size carrot-$0.16
• 1/4 of a large cucumber-($0.34 for an entire cucumber)-$0.09
• 1/8-1/4 cup of kalamata olives ~($4.00 for a jar)- $80
• 1/4 cup of feta cheese, crumbled-($2.38 for a cup) -$0.60
• 1 lemon-$0.16
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 2 pitas halves -($1.98 for 6 halves)-$0.67

Approximate Cost: $2.48 for one serving

xoxo,

Amy

7 Layer Dip

I was at a Mexican restaurant the other day, and I came to the conclusion that most of the dishes consist of the same ingredients. Fajitas= tortilla, meat, veggies, & cheese. Nachos= tortilla, meat, veggies, & cheese. Tacos= tortilla, meat, veggies, & cheese. The list goes on. Well this 6 or 7 or 8 layer dip (depending on how many layers you want) consist basically of you guessed it.... tortilla, meat, veggies, & cheese. :D

Ingredients:

• 1/2 bag of shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1-1/2 pounds of ground beef
• 2-3 roma tomatoes, diced
• a bag of finely shredded cheese( the mexican mixture which is cheddar & monterey jack)
• 1 can of refried beans
• 1/2 cup of chopped green onions
• 1/4 of an onion, chopped

Instructions:

1. On medium high heat pour some oil into a large skillet. Add the chopped onions. Let it cook for a minute or two, and then add the ground beef. Sprinkle with salt and pepper ( I added a hint of soy sauce, but you can season the beef however.) Cook well for about 4-5 minutes.
2. In a large container, for the first layer spread the refried beans at the bottom of the container. Add the cheese for the second layer. Once the beef has cooled, you may add the beef and onions for the third layer. Spread the sour cream very slowly for the fourth layer, or it'll get clumpy on your spatula. Fifth layer, lettuce. Sixth layer tomatoes. Seventh layer green onions. 
3. Serve with tortilla chips.

Costs:

• 1/2 bag of shredded iceberg lettuce-$1.15
• 1-1/2 pounds of ground beef-$2
• 2-3 roma tomatoes, diced-$0.60
• a bag of finely shredded cheese( the mexican mixture which is cheddar & monterey jack)-$2.28
• 1 can of refried beans-$0.80
• 1/2 cup of chopped green onions-$0.20
• 1/4 of an onion, chopped-$0.25

Approximate Cost: $8-9 for a serving of 5

xoxo,

Amy

Soy-Glazed Baked Carrots

Carrot lover or not, you're going to love these! Drizzled with soy sauce and olive oil, these carrots are the perfect side dish, or even a light, scrumptious, afternoon snack. I really enjoyed eating these carrots because you get a combination of sweet and salty; a taste of sweetness from the natural flavor of the carrots and a nice salty kick from the soysauce. Inspiration from one of my great friends, Amy Abell. :)


Ingredients:

• Bag of carrots ( about 6-7 carrots
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Soy sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven at 400F. Spray baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Peel carrots with a vegetable peeler. Slice carrots in half hotdog style. Laying one of the halves on the cutting board, flat side down, slice the carrot diagonally. You'll get longer strips of carrots this way. 
3. Throw on to the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and soy sauce. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss so that the carrots are covered evenly. 
4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes. 

Costs:

• Bag of carrots ( about 6-7 carrots) - $ $1.12
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Soy sauce

Approximate cost- $1.12 for a serving of 2-3

xoxo,

Amy

Black Bean & Corn Spanish Salad

I always see my roommate Jessica eating this corn and black bean mixture. I sneaked a bite, thought it was delicious, and asked her for the recipe. If you look closely at the photo above, you can see Oscar in the background! :)


Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. salt
• 6 tbsp. of lime or lemon juice (I've used both, there's a mild difference) 
• 5 tbsp. of oil ( I use olive)
• 2 tbsp. vinegar (cider or red wine)
• 1 cup cilantro
• 1/2 cup red onion
• 3 roma tomatoes
• 1 red bell pepper ( or green, green is less $$)
• 2 tsp. of garlic
• 30 oz of black beans ( 2 small cans, or 1 large can)
• 1 can of corn 
• pepper
• 3/4 tsp. cumin (optional)

Instructions:

1. Drain black beans & rinse. Drain corn. Mince cilantro. Chop onion. Chop bell pepper. Chop tomatoes, and make sure you deseed the tomatoes or the salad will become soggy. Mince Garlic. Combine all in a large bowl.
2. In a small bowl, combine salt, lime or lemon juice, oil, vinegar, and optional cumin.
3. Pour the mixture over the vegetables.
4. Stir and chill.

Costs:

• 1 tbsp. salt
• 6 tbsp. of lime or lemon juice (I've used both, there's a mild difference) - $0.40
• 5 tbsp. of oil ( I use olive)
• 2 tbsp. vinegar (cider or red wine)
• 1 cup cilantro- $0.29
• 1/2 cup red onion- $0.60
• 3 roma tomatoes- $0.65
• 1 red bell pepper ( or green, green is less $$)- $1.68
• 2 tsp. of garlic
• 30 oz of black beans ( 2 small cans, or 1 large can) $1.25
• 1 can of corn $ 0.81
• pepper
• 3/4 tsp. cumin (optional)

Approximate Cost: $5.68 for a serving of 4 

( a lot of the ingredients involve kitchen basics such as salt, vinegar, and oil that I did not include in the calculations.)

xoxo,

Amy

Weekend Breakfast!

Ricotta cheese, asparagus, bacon, and poached eggs on thick-sliced toasted country bread is a perfect treat for your weekend guests! This well-balanced breakfast took me approximately half an hour to whip up, but only half the time the second time around.


Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of fat free ricotta cheese
• 2 slices of toasted thick-cut country bread
• salt and pepper
• 8 pieces of asparagus
• 2 slices of bacon, crumbled
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Bread: Preheat oven to 400F. Thaw loaf of bread in room temperature for about 15 minutes, and then bake for about 10-15 minutes.
2. Bacon: In a large skillet on medium heat, place pieces of bacon on the cool skillet. Cook until desire crispiness.
3. Asparagus: Bring a medium pot of water to boil. Cut the white ends off the asparagus. Place asparagus in a steamer over the pot, and steam for about 2-3 minutes until soft, yet slightly crunchy.
4. Once the bread is baked, cut the loaf into thick slices. Spread the ricotta cheese and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with the steamed asparagus spears. (Now you're prepared to poach the egg!)
5. Poached Egg: Bring a pot that 2/3rds full of water to a boil. Splash the water with some white vinegar (not necessary, but helps.) Crack an egg into a soup ladle. With a spoon, swirl the boiling water, and carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. Wait 2-3 minutes to cook. 
6. Top the toast with the poached egg. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and bacon bits.

Costs:

• 1/4 cup of fat free ricotta cheese($1.78 for a tub)- $0.22
• 2 slices of toasted thick-cut country bread (a loaf or 10 slices cost $2.98) ~ $0.60
• salt and pepper
• 8 pieces of asparagus( $1.98 for a bunch of about 40) ~ $0.40
• 2 slices of bacon, crumbled( $2.99 for 25 slices) -$0.24
• 2 eggs- $0.20

Approximate Cost: $1.66 for a serving of 2




xoxo,
Amy

Smoked Salmon Crisps

If you're looking for something affordable, extremely easy to prepare, and satisfying, then this recipe is for you! Smoked salmon crisps are the perfect snack and an easy appetizer, especially when you're having a few guests over. I really like this snack, because you contrasting textures in one bite: the crunch from the chip and the tenderness from the smoked salmon.


Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sour cream
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
• salt and pepper
• a bag of thick potato chips or kettle cooked chips
• 4 oz. smoked salmon.

Instructions:

1. The smoked salmon usually comes ready to serve and pre-sliced (or you can slice it yourself.) 
2. Mix sour cream, dill, salt, and pepper. Put as much as your heart desires onto a large chip and top with a small slices of salmon.

 Costs:

• 1 cup of sour cream- $0.61
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill-($2.47 for about 10 stems, you need 2) $.50
• salt and pepper
• a bag of thick potato chips or kettle cooked chips-$2.29
• 4 oz. smoked salmon- $4.97

Approximate Cost: $8 for a serving of 3-4



xoxo,
Amy

Cream Cheese Cucumber Wraps

Delicious, quick to make, and just only about $0.42 per serving make these turkey wraps fantastic as finger foods, lunch, or an afternoon snack.


Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. of fat free cream cheese
• 1 large flour tortillas(or wheat)
• 1/8 of a large cucumber
• 3 pieces of smoked turkey deli meat
  

Instructions:

1. Chop the cucumber. Mix cream cheese and cucumber. Warm tortilla for about 15 seconds. Spread the mixture onto the tortilla. Top with 3-4 slices of smoked turkey.

Costs:

• 1.5 oz. of fat free cream cheese-$0.26
• 1 large flour tortillas-$0.23
• 1/8 of a large cucumber$0.04
• 3-4 pieces of smoked turkey deli meat$0.34

Approximate Cost: $0.42 for one serving 

 


xoxo,
Amy

Tropical Mahi Mahi Kabobs

It's summer time and what better way to enjoy it then with some tropical kabobs! These kabobs are great for barbeques, pool parties, or just a day for grilling. They taste great, they look great, and best of all they are great to make! :)


Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. of brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. of soy sauce
• 32 cubes of pineapple (I bought the pre-cut pineapple, but you can easily buy a whole one and cut it yourself )
• 24 cubes of mahi mahi or about 1.25 lb
• 1 red bell pepper 
• 1 orange bell pepper
• 1 small sweet onion or 1/2 of a big one
• wooden skewers

Preparation:

• In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and soy sauce. 
• Cut the bell peppers, onions, pineapple, and mahi mahi into squares. Toss the peppers, onions, and mahi mahi in the mixture.

Instructions: ( definitely recommend grilling, because you get the smoky taste!),

1. For the oven. Preheat oven at 375 F. 
2. Thread the pineapple, mahi mahi, bell peppers and onion onto twelve 12 inch skewers. Brush the kabobs with mixture, oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place the kabobs on a baking sheet. Pour any remaining mixture. Rotate every 4 minutes to cook for about 15-20 minutes. Transfer to platter.
4. For the grill. Rotate occasionally, and cook for about 10 minutes. 

Costs:

• 4 tbsp. of brown sugar
• 6 tbsp. of soy sauce
• 32 cubes of pineapple- $3.48
• 12 cubes of mahi mahi or about 1.25 lb- $9
• 1 red bell pepper- $1.68
• 1 orange bell pepper-$1.98
• 1 small sweet onion- $1

Approximate Costs: $18 for a serving of 6

xoxo,

Amy

Potato Pancakes

If you're a fan of breakfast foods, then you'll be a fan of potato pancakes. It's exactly what it sounds like a pancake-like potato hahah :) Potato pancakes are not only delicious, but takes absolutely no time to make! These took me about 25 mintutes to prepare and cook.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh chives
• 1/2 of a large onion
• salt and pepper
• 1 lb. of potatoes or  a bag of old-fashion shredded hashbrowns
• 2 tbsp. of corn starch or potato starch
• 2 eggs, beaten
• oil for frying

Prepartion:

• Slice onion in half. Thinly slice the onion half, you want thin shredded pieces. Coarsely grate the potatoes if you decided to buy whole potatoes.

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine sour cream and chives. Add salt and pepper.
2. Combine the potato and onion. Squeeze out any excess liquids. Add corn starch and 1 tsp. salt. Mix in the eggs. Drain any excess water through a fine strainer.
3. Medium heat, add 1/4 inch of oil to a large skillet. Scoop 1/8- 1/4 cup of the mixture onto a cutting board and flatten to about 3 inch-wide pancakes.Using a spatula, place the pancakes into the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip once making sure both sides are golden. Place on napkins on a plate to soak up any excess oil. Sprinkle with salt and serve with sour cream and chives. 

Costs:

• 1 cup sour cream-$1.22 for 2 cups ~ $0.61
• 1/4 cup of chopped fresh chives-$0.68 for a bulk
• 1/2 of a large onion- $0.50
• salt and pepper
• 1 lb. of potatoes or  a bag of old-fashion shredded hashbrowns- $1.94
• 2 tbsp. of corn starch or potato starch
• 2 eggs, beaten- $0.15
• oil for frying

Approximate Cost: $4 for a serving of 4-5

xoxo,

Amy

Spaghetti with Curry-Tomato Sauce

May has been such a busy month for me! I apologize that I haven't posted in awhile, but no worries, I'll have plenty of time this summer to overload you guys with recipes! :) I am a huge fan of curry, and I only know a few people who are on the same boat. Nonetheless, I think you're going to fall in love with this curry-tomato sauce!

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb. spaghetti
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 2 tbsp. of curry powder
• 1/2 cup  chicken stock
• 1/4 tsp. of red crushed peppers
• 1 can san marzano tomatoes (28 oz.)
• 1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
• cilantro leaves
• parsely (optional)
• grated aged gouda cheese( optional)

Preparation:

• Chop onion. Finely chop garlic. Coarsely chop cilantro.

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Follow instructions on back of pasta package. Cook as directed. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. ( I poured this water into a coffee mug, and later measured out 1/2 cup)
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet on medieum-high heat. Add onion, red crushed peppers, and garlic. Stir for about 2 minutes. Add curry powder and salt. Stir for a minute. Add chicken stock. 
3. Add tomatoes and crush with a wooden spoon. Add chickpeas, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or so. 
4. Using the large pot you cooked your pasta in, toss the pasta with the reserved cooking water and then the sauce. Top with optional gouda cheese and cilantro. 

Costs:

• 1 lb. spaghetti- $1
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion- $1
• 4 cloves of garlic- $0.50
• 2 tbsp. of curry powder
• 1/2 cup  chicken stock- $2.45 for 4 cups~ $0.31 for 1/2 cup
• 1/4 tsp. of red crushed peppers
• 1 can san marzano tomatoes (28 oz.)- $4.49
• 1 can chickpeas/ garbanzo beans- $1.12
• cilantro leaves- $0.29
• parsely (optional)
• grated aged goat cheese-$7 for about a block ( optional, I love goat cheese, but it's a bit pricey. Add your choice of cheese, and it'll still taste great!) 

Approximate cost: $10 for a serving of 5 


Approximate cost with optional goat cheese: $17 for a serving of 5

xoxo,

Amy

Queso con Miel

Cinco de Mayo? What better way to celebrate the holiday then with quessooooo! Queso served with tortilla chips is a tex-mex specialty that can be a scruptious appetizer or snack. This queso isn't your ordinary queso, because it has a thicker consistency. Not only is it delicious, but so easy to make! Plus you can serve it at barbeques, pool parties, game days, and a variety of other occasions.


Ingredients:

• 1 large onion
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp. chipotle in adobo
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• salt
• 1 pound Monterrey Jack cheese ( 2 8oz. bags)
• 1/2 cup queso fresco
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
• 2 tbsp. honey
• tortilla chips

Preparation:

1. Dice onions. Mince garlic. Chop cilantro. Puree chipotle in adobo. Shred queso fresco.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F.
2. Medium heat, in a skillet, saute the onion, garlic, olive oil until soft. Add the chipotle puree, cilantro, and a pinch of salt.
3. Spread the onion in an even layer in a baking pan, top with the shredded cheese and place in oven for 15 minutes or so.
4. Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with queso fresco, pumpkin seeds and a drizzle of honey.

Costs:

• 1 large onion-$1.06
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced-$0.20
• 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp. chipotle in adobo, pureed- $0.79
• 1/4 cup cilantro-$0.07 ($0.29 for a bulk)
• salt
• 1 pound Monterrey Jack cheese-$4.56 ($2.28 for 1 package)
• 1/2 cup queso fresco-$2.98
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted-$0.45(you can find these in the self-serve areas in HEB, Whole Foods, or Central Market)
• 2 tbsp. honey
• tortilla chips

Approximate Cost: $10 for a serving of 5




xoxo,
Amy

Honey-Roasted Peanuts & Pretzels Chicken Strips

You don't have to feel so guilty eating these chicken strips, since they are coated with crushed pretzels and honey- roasted peanuts! :) Not many steps to make, you can easily make these in 15-20 minutes.


Ingredients:

• 1 bag of pretzels
• 1/2 cup of honey roasted peanuts
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 8 chicken tenders or a pound of chicken
• 2 eggs
• salt and pepper
• honey mustard, ranch, or barbeque sauce for dipping, ( I did a spicy mayo which consists of red garlic chili paste, mayo, and sriracha)

Instructions:

1. Grind peanuts and pretzals in food processor until fine. Pour into a shallow dish. Add thyme, salt, and pepper.
2. Crack eggs and mix well in a seperate bowl. 
3. Slice chicken breast into strips. Coat chicken in peanut/pretzal mixture, then egg, then the mixture again. Place on a plate.
4. On medium heat, pour enough olive oil to take 1/4 inch on the side of the skillet. When oil is hot, with a pair of tongs place coated chicken to cook on each side for about 3- 4 minutes.
5. Take out and place on paper towels to soak up excess oil, when cooking the rest of the strips.

Costs:

• 4-5 cups of pretzels- $1.00 or so
• 1/2 cup of honey roasted peanuts-$0.72
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme- $0.55 $2.77 for 15 sprigs
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 lb. of chicken-$4
• 2 eggs- $0.18
• salt and pepper
• honey mustard, ranch, or barbeque sauce for dipping

Approximate Cost: $6.50 for a serving of 3-4




xoxo,
Amy

Roasted Tomato & Garlic Soup

One of my favorite meals to eat is tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. This particular soup recipe is not only for the health conscious eaters, but also for all the lazy folks out there who prefer not to slave in the kitchen:) The majority of the work consist of peeling the garlic, slicing the tomatoes, and chopping the onions and basil leaves... the rest you can let the oven/stove do ;)


Ingredients:

• 2 bulks of garlic
• 12 Roma tomatoes
• olive oil
• salt & pepper
• a handful of fresh basil leaves
• 2 tbsp. of herbs (ex. rosemary, parsley)
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes with italian herbs
• 4 cups of vegetable stock 
• 1 onion

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven 425F. Peel dry layers off of garlic cloves. Place cloves on aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the cloves with the aluminum foil. Cook for 40-45 minutes. 

2. In the meantime, clean tomatoes and cut in half lengthwise. Place halves faced up on foil on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and herbs. Then, set the oven to 300 F and cook for about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

3.When the tomatoes are done, on medium heat, saute chopped onions with olive oil until soft for about 10 minutes.

4.Place the roasted garlic cloves, half of the roasted tomatoes, the sauteed onions and the canned tomatoes in a food processor/blender. Puree until smooth. Place the mixture in a pot with the vegetable stock. Stir and simmer on low heat.

5. Chop the remaining roasted tomatoes and stir them into the soup to add texture. Sprinkle in half of the shredded basil leaves.

6. Chop the remaining basil leaves more finely, and sprinkle on top of soup when serving. 

Costs:

• 2 bulks of garlic- $1.00
• 12 Roma tomatoes- $3.40
• olive oil
• salt & pepper
• a handful of fresh basil leaves- $2.47
• 2 tbsp. of herbs (ex. rosemary, thyme, parsley)
• 1 can of crushed tomatoes with italian herbs- $1.24
• 4 cups of vegetable stock - $2.45
• 1 onion- $0.27

Approximate Total Cost: $10 for a serving of 7-8

xoxo,

Amy

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I went to P.F. Changs recently, and I always order the lettuce wraps for an appetizer. These lettuce wraps are amazing and extremely delicous! So I decided to look up the recipe and make them myself! :)


Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup water chestnuts
• 2/3 cup of mushrooms
• 3 tbsp. chopped onions
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 4-5 leaves iceberg lettuce

Special Sauce Ingredients(optional): 
(I didn't end up making this sauce, so I can't tell you how it taste.)

• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 2 tbs. rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbs. ketchup
• 1 tbs. lemon juice
• 1 tbs mustard
• 2 tbs. water
• 1-2tbs garlic and red chile paste

Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 2tbs. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar

---------------------------------------------------------

Preparation:

1. Special Sauce- Dissolve the sugar in water in a small bowl. Add soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, and lemon juice. 
2. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Combine the hot water with the mustard and set aside.
4. Stir Fry Sauce- Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, and rice vinegar together in a small bowl.
5. Chicken Mixture- Chop onions. Mince garlic. Chop water chestnuts and mushrooms to the size of your pinky nail.

Instructions:

1. Chicken Mixture- On medium-high heat, pour oil into a skillet. Saute chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side or when fully cooked. Remove chicken and lay on paper towels on a plate to cool.
2. Keep oil in pan, hot. 
3. When chicken is cool cut it into the same size pieces as the water chestnuts/mushrooms.
4. Lower temperature to medium. Add another tbs. of oil to the pan.
5. Add chicken, garlic, onions, water chestnuts, and mushrooms to the pan. Add the prepared stir fry sauce to the pan and saute the mixture for a few minutes.
6. Top with the prepared special sauce.

Costs of ingredients:

• 3 tbs. oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts- $3-4
• 1 cup water chestnuts- $0.50
• 2/3 cup of mushrooms, 4-5 medium mushrooms - $0.70 ($1.87 for 8 oz)
• 3 tbs. chopped onions-$0.08 ($0.47 for an onion)
• 1 tsp. minced garlic(1 clove)-$0.12 ($0.50 for 1 bulk)
• 5-6 leaves iceberg lettuce- $0.99 for a head of lettuce

• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 2tbs. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. rice wine vinegar

Approximate Cost: $6-7 for a serving for 2-3

xoxo,

Amy

Pigs in a Blanket with Chorizo

These are great snacks for parties, or even game days at the house. These are similar to your everyday pigs in a blanket except there's a bit of a kick from the chorizo. ;)


Ingredients for pigs in a blanket:

• A package of 6oz chorizo sausage( usually comes in 12)
• A package of Puff Pastry Sheets(usually comes in 2)
• 1 egg

Instructions for pigs in a blanket:

1. Preheat oven 400F. Thaw 1 puff pastry sheet. Unfold and cut in 4ths hamburger style, cut in thirds hotdog style. Now you should have 12 small rectangles. Cut each rectangle diagonally into 2 triangles. Refrigerate triangles until needed.
2. Cut 6oz sausage into 24 pieces. Working with one triangle at a time, arrange a piece of sausage at the base of the triangle and roll up snugly. Seal the triangle with a dab of beaten egg. Brush triangle with beaten egg. Bake all until golden brown for about 20-25 minutes. Then cook for another 5-10 minutes on 300F.

Costs for pigs in a blanket:

• A package of 6oz chorizo sausage( usually comes in 12)- $$0.75
• 1 sheet of Puff Pastry (package usually comes in 2)- $2
• 1 egg-$0.08

------------------------------------------------------------

Dipping Sauce

Ingredients for dipping sauce:

• 2 1/2 cups of herbs such as cilantro and parsely
• 1/4 tsp. of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 gloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 2 1/2/ tbs. of red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs. warm water

Instructions for dipping sauce:

1. Combine all ingredients into a food processor. Serve with pigs in a blanket.

Costs for dipping sauce:

• 2 1/2 cups of herbs such as cilantro and parsely- $0.29
• 1/4 tsp. of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 gloves of garlic- $0.15
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 2 1/2/ tbsp. of red wine vinegar
• 2 tbs. warm water

Approximate Cost for 24 pigs in a blanket: $2.82

Approximate Costs for dipping sauce: $0.50

xoxo,

Amy

Garlic Fries with Pesto Sauce

So I went to Mandola's, a great Italian restaurant, and I had garlic fries for an appetizer. These fries came along with a pesto dipping sauce, and were delicious! I loved them so much, I decided to make these at home:) These are great along burgers, or even as party appetizers!


Ingredients for fries: 

• 1/3 a bag of shoestring fries
• 1 tbsp. of vegetable/canola oil
• 1/2 tsp. of salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsely 
• 1 tbsp. freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions for fries:

1. Place oil and garlic in a large nonstick skillet, and cook over low heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Once the garlic is toasted, pour the garlic oil into a small dish.
2. Follow the directions to cook the shoestring potato fries. Once cooked, toss with the garlic oil mixture, parsley, and parmesan cheese.

Costs for fries:

• 1/2 bag of shoestring potatoes-$0.59 
• 2 tsp. of vegetable/canola oil
• 1/2 tsp. of salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced-$0.10---$0.50 for 1 bulk
• 1 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsely-$0.20(1 sprig)---$2.47 for 12 springs ( you only need 1)
• 1 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese-$0.10---$2.48 for 1.5 cups

Fruit Kabobs Infused with Passionfruit Vodka

Fruits are always great at barbeques and pool parties, but they are even better when infused with passionfruit vodka! In this particular fruit kabob, I used cantaloupe, mango, and strawberries and soak them in fresh citrus juices from oranges and limes. I think watermelon would also work really well because they're succulent and absorbent.


Ingredients:

• 10 small navel oranges
• 6 key limes or 3 regular limes
• 1 cantaloupe
• 3 mangos
• 1-2 lb. of strawberries
• 20 wooden skewers
• passionfruit vodka
• cranberry juice

Instructions:

1. Rinse and clean all of the fruit.
2. Slice the oranges and 2 limes. Squeeze the juices into a medium size bowl. Add a splash of cranberry juice and add however much vodka your heart desires. 
3. With one skewer, poke holes in the strawberries, and toss them into the bowl to soak. Next, cut the cantaloupe into squarish pieces, and toss them in with the strawberries. Lastly, peel the skin off of the mangos with a vegetable peeler, slice the mangos into squarish pieces, and add them to the fruit mixture. Mix well.
4. Let it sit in the fridge over night or for a few hours, so the fruit can soak up the juices and alcohol.
5. Slide the strawberries on the skewers first and last so it can hold the rest of the fruit in place. Drizzle the remaining juices and the last lime over the skewers, and chill them in the refrigerator until your party starts!

Costs:

• 5 oranges- $2.00
• 6 key limes or 3 regular limes- $1.00
• 1 cantaloupe- $0.77
• 3 mangos- $1.50
• 1-2 lb. of strawberries. $2.00
• 20 wooden skewers
• passionfruit vodka, I used three olives vodka

Approximate Total Cost: $7 for about 15-20 skewers 
(+ $ of alcohol)

xoxo,

Amy

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Looking for something light? This linguine pasta tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives will hit the spot without the extra calories ;) I think it's perfect for lunch with a salad or even for dinner! 

Ingredients:

• 16 oz linguine pasta
• sea salt
• olive oil
• 5-6 roma tomatoes, diced
• 3/4 cup of pitted kalamata olives
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes, drained and diced
• 3/4 cup of mozzarella cheese (you can replace this with parmesan cheese, but it will be more salty)

Ingredients for the dressing:

• 5-6 sundried tomatoes in oil (drained)
• 2 tbs. garlic infused red wine vinegar (or regular red wine vinegar)
• 6 tbs. olive oil 
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 3/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 3/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of packed basil leaves, chopped

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring water to boil with salt. (Just follow the instructions on the back of the pasta package)
2. For the dressing, in a food processor/blender/the magic bullet, combine sun-dried tomatoes, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. After 10-12 minutes of boiling the pasta, drain the pasta. In the same pot, add the tomatoes, olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Mix well. Pour the dressing over the pasta, sprinkle with parmesan cheese, and chopped basil leaves. Toss well.

Costs: 

• pasta- $1
• 5-6 tomatoes- $1.12
• parmesan cheese- ~$2
• mozarella cheese~$2
• kalamata olives- $2-3
• basil leaves- $2

Approximate Cost: $10-11 for a serving of 6

xoxo,

Amy

Greek Shrimp Linguine

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic
• 3 tbs of olive oil
• 20 peeled and deveined frozen shrimp
• 1 tsp. oregano (fresh or dried)
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup feta cheese
• 6-7 sliced campari tomatoes or a can of tomato wedges
• salt and pepper
• half a package of linguine pasta

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, boil pasta to desire tenderness. (Follow the instructions on the back of the package.) Drain water and set pasta aside. 
2. In large skillet, on medium high heat saute garlic in olive oil. Add shrimp until pink but slightly undercooked. Add tomatoes, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Remove from heat. 
3. On medium-low heat, in a large pot add a little more olive oil and throw in the shrimp mixture. Add the cooked pasta and feta cheese. Mix well. 

Costs:

• 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic- $0.15
• 3 tbs of olive oil
• 20 peeled and deveined frozen shrimp- $4
• 1 tsp. oregano (fresh or dried)
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup feta cheese- $3
• 6-7 sliced campari tomatoes or a can of tomato wedges- $2
• salt and pepper
• half a package of linguine pasta-$0.60

Approximate Cost : $10 for a serving of 4

xoxo,

Amy

Sauteed Noodles & Steak

A delicious snack, lunch, dinner, whatever you want to eat it for. Not only is it a simple recipe, it's REALLY affordable. 

Ingredients:

• Ketchup( 5-8 ketchup packets)
• 2 tbs minced garlic
• A package of shoulder steak( it should be about $3-4 worth)
• a package of wide egg noodles
• 3 tbs. of chopped onion
• 2 tbs. of oil (preferably olive)
• 4-5 tbs. of soy sauce

Preparation:

• Clean the steak. Slice the shoulder steak into thin- ish slices. Sprinkle a bit with soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the noodles for about 5 minutes. Drain in a stainer. ( Follow the instructions on the back of the package.)
2. In the meantime, on medium high heat , cook the minced garlic, onions, and olive oil for a few seconds in a large skillet. Toss in the sliced shoulder steak, and mix it around a bit. Cook the meat medium style, where it's slightly still pink. (You don't want to cook the meat too well because we're gonig to cook it again with the noodles later.) 
3. Using the same large pot(without the water,) pour a tbs. of olive oil in and add the garlic-steak mixture. Throw in the cooked noodles, and mix evenly. Squeeze in all the ketchup, and pour in a about 3 rings of soy sauce. Toss evenly. Sprinkle generously with pepper and salt. (Add sriracha, or crushed red pepper if you want it to have a kick :)

Costs:

• Ketchup( 5-8 ketchup packets)- Free at any fast food restaurant
• 2 tbs minced garlic- $1 for a bulk
• A package of shoulder steak( it should be about $3-4 worth)
• a package of wide egg noodles- $1.30
• 3 tbs. of chopped onion- $0.29 for one onion
• 2 tbs. of oil (preferably olive)
• 4-5 tbs. of soy sauce

Approximate Total Cost: $6 for a serving of 6

xoxo,

Amy

Citrus Lemon Cupcakes

I've already written a blog post about Lemon Buttercream Frosting, combined with this citrus lemon cupcake batter, and you got yourself a fantastic lemony dessert for a nice, sunny day! I decorated these with extra big sprinkles :)

Ingredients:

• Stick of butter
• 1 cup of sugar plus 2 tbs, preferably golden bakers'
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 2 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tbs sour cream
• 1 tsp. lemon zest

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is pale and smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one.
2. Sift the two flours together in a different bowl. In another bowl, mix the milk, lemon juice, and sour cream together. Add 1/3 of the flour to the creamed mixture, beat well. Add 1/3 of the milk mixture, beat well. Repeat steps until all flour and milk have been added. Mix the lemon zest with the last third of flour.
3. Using a 1/4 cup, scoop the mixture into the cupcake liners in the cupcake baking pan (2/3 full.)
4. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.
5. Remove from oven, and allow to cool for 10 minutes before icing.

Costs:

• Stick of butter- $0.16
• 1 cup of sugar plus 2 tbs, preferably golden bakers'
• 2 large eggs-$0.20
• 1 cup self-rising flour-
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tbs. all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 2 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice-$0.20
• 1 tbs sour cream
• 1 tsp. lemon zest

Approximate Total Cost: $5 for 20 cupcakes

xoxo,

Amy

Peanut-Ginger Green Bean Salad

Spring break is over, back to real life. Sorry guys that I haven't posted in awhile! It's a bit difficult to cook when you don't have your guinea pigs (roommates) to taste your food! :)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs green beans
• 1 cup of peanuts
• 1 one inch of ginger
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 1 tbs. granulated sugar
• 2 tbs. vegetable oil
• 3 tbs. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt

Prepartion:

1. Clean green beans. Break off tips.
2. Coarsely chop peeled ginger and garlic clove. 

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans to boiling water. Cook for about 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water. Refrigerate.
2. Coarsely chop peanuts in a food processor or blender. Take out 1/3 cup of peanuts to toss in salad later. Continue mixing until the peanuts are finely chopped. Add vinegar, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, oil, salt, and 2 tablespoons of hot water. Blend until smooth.
3. Toss the green beans with the dressing. Sprinkle the 1/3 cup of chopped peanuts over the green beans.

Costs:

• 2 lbs green beans- $2-2.60
• 1 cup of peanuts- $1.00
• 1 one inch of ginger- $0.30
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tbs. soy sauce
• 1 tbs. granulated sugar
• 2 tbs. vegetable oil
• 3 tbs. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt

Approximate Total Cost: $5 for a serving of 5-6

xoxo,

Amy

Soy-Glazed Salmon Ciabatta Sandwiches

My friends and I decided to go on a hike at Greenbelt this past weekend. Nothing is better to satisfy that growling stomach after the hike, than these delicious sandwiches! These sandwiches are perfect for picnics/hikes for a variety of reasons: no soggy bread, no need for utensils, no refrigeration, and easily transportable! 

Ingredients for 4 sandwiches:

• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 4 five ounce salmon fillets or 2 .6 lb. salmon fillets, (each fillet for each sandwich needs to be about .3 lb a piece
• 4 ciabatta sandwich rolls (found in frozen bags)
• asian chili sauce ( not sriracha, but in a cylinder container with green cap)
• mayonnaise
• 1 large carrot (shredded)
• a few springs of cilantro
• 1 lime, or 2 key limes
• cooking spray

Preparation:

Salmon Marinade

• In a freezer ziplog bag, combine the brown sugar and soy sauce and mix well. Clean salmon. Skin salmon. Cut salmon in portions of .3 lb. 
• Place clean salmon pieces in ziplog bag. Shake around to marinate. 

Ciabatta Bread

• Defrost. Follow instructions on the back of the bag.

Carrot

• Using a cheese grater, make shredded pieces of carrots.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven 400F. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Using cooking spray, spray foil. Place marinated pieces of salmon on baking sheet. Pour remaining marinade evenly over pieces of salmon. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, or when cooked throughly (salmon should be flaky.) Remove from oven, and let cool. 
2. Split the rolls in half, and spread bottom half with mayonnaise, top half with chili sauce. Place a piece of salmon on the bottom half, season with salt and a squeeze of lime juice. Top with some carrots, and springs of cilantro. 
3. If you're taking this on a picnic/hike, wrap each sandwich with plastic wrap, and place in a ziplog bag. 

Costs:

• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 4 salmon fillets- $8 ( for 1.2 lbs.)
• 4 ciabatta sandwich rolls -$3(for 4)
• asian chili sauce (not sriracha, but in a cylinder container with green cap)- $2
• mayonnaise
• 1 large carrot (shredded)- $0.20
• a few springs of cilantro- $0.25 (for a bulk)
• 1 lime, or 3 key limes- $0.20
• cooking spray

Approximate Total Cost: $4 per sandwich

xoxo,

Amy

Orange Sliced Jello Shots!

Regardless of the party, these jello shots are always a hit! I made these for the first time for a Halloween party because the orange fit the occasion. I made them again for my birthday party a few months ago but I used a variety of flavors such as raspberry, blackberry fusion etc. (the red color has a really nice contrast with the orange peel) 

Ingredients:

• .5 liter of Vodka
• 6 (small box) packs of jello mix or 3 (big box) packs of jello mix
• water
• 15 symmetrical medium oranges (each orange makes 6 orange slices)

Preparation:

1. Wash the oranges, pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the oranges in half, and carefully with a spoon take out the pulp. Lay the halves on paper towels to dry. 
2. Clear a shelf in the refrigerator to make room for the trays.

Instructions:

1. The jello box will say to add 1 cup of boiling water  to the jello mix ( or 2 cups of boiling water to the jello mix, depending on the size of the jello mix.) 
2. Next the jello box will say to add 1 cup of cold water. Instead, mix in 1/2 cup of cold water, and 1/2 cup of vodka.
3. Place the orange halves on a baking tray or cupcake tray. Pour the jello-vodka mixture into the orange halves. Place in the refrigerator overnight, or for about 4-5 hours to set. 
4. Once the halves are set, slice into thirds! 

Approximate Total Cost: $9-10 for 90 orange shots!

Enjoy!

Amy

Honey Sriracha Glazed Chicken Wings

I've had so many variations of chicken wings, but I must say that Honey-Sriracha wings are in my top 3. The sweetness from the honey, and the kick from the sriracha gives a flavor similar to spicy honey barbeque. These chicken wings are pretty easy to make, and they are a great treat on game days! 

Ingredients:

• Vegetable or peanut oil
• 2 lbs chicken wings
• a stick of unsalted butter
• 1/3 cups of sriracha sauce
• 1/4 honey
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lime

Tips Before Frying:

The more wings you put into the pan the more heat gets taken away. Therefore, add just enough chicken wings for one layer, but make sure to not overcrowd them!


Preparation:

• Cut the chicken wings so that the wing and the drumstick are separated. Rinse chicken under water and pat dry. Lightly season with salt.

Instructions:

1. Fill a wide  pan with about 1 1/2″ of oil. On med-high, heat to 350°F. Preheat oven to 200°F.

2. When oil is hot, fry chicken wings in batches.  Fry the chicken wings for about 5 minutes, flip them, then fry for another 5 minute or so. As each batch finishes, place on foil on a baking pan, and place in oven to keep warm while you cook the rest of the chicken wings.

3. Now we're going to do some multi-tasking. While frying the chicken wings, melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add sriracha, honey, salt, and lime juice, then stir to combine.  Keep warm over low heat.

4. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked chicken wings with the sriracha-honey mixture, so that the chicken wings get coated evenly. 

Costs:

• Vegetable or peanut oil
• 2 lbs chicken wings- $4
• a stick of unsalted butter- $0.18
• 1/3 cups of sriracha sauce- $2.14 for a bottle
• 1/4 honey
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 lime- $0.33

Approximate Total Cost: 8 wings, 8 drum sticks = 16 pieces for about $6

xoxo,

Amy

Fresh Homemade Guacamole

Need a great, healthy dip for parties? Guacamole is super tasty, healthy, and easy to make! 

Ingredients:

• 2-3 Campari Tomatoes or 1 roma tomato
• 2 Large Avocados
• 3-4 Key Limes ( or 1-2 regular limes)
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1 tsp of onion powder
• 1 tbsp of sour cream
• 1-2 tbsp of minced cilantro
• salt
• pepper

Tips Before Beginning:

• When picking avocados, remember that the darker the avocado, the riper it is. 
• If you're not using the guacamole right away, stick the avocado pit in the mixture, this helps the dip keep its fresh color. 

Instructions:

1. Cut the avocados in half, and depit. Cut into slices, and peel skin away. Chop the avocados into large pieces, this facilitates the mashing process. 
2. Add sourcream, lime juice from the limes, and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and onion powder.
3. Once at a chunkiness consistency, slice the tomatoes and deseed. Cut the tomato skins in pieces the size of a pinky nail, and add the tomatoes and cilantro into the mixture.
4. When the tomatoes are in, make sure to mix in a flipping motion, to prevent the tomato pieces from falling apart. Season with more salt and pepper if you like! 

Costs:

• 3-4Campari Tomatoes- $5 for 20-25
• 2 Large Avocados-$1.33 each
• 3-4 Key Limes ( or 1-2 regular limes)- $1.98 for a bag of 30
• 2 cloves of minced garlic- $1 for a bulk
• 1-2 tbsp of minced onions- $0.38 per lb.
• 1 tbsp of sour cream- ?
• 1-2 tbsp of minced cilantro-$0.29 for a bundle.
• salt
• pepper

Approximate Total Cost: $4-5 for a serving for 5

xoxo,

Amy

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Love baked potatoes? Well then this is the perfect dish for you. Warm, cheesy, and just the perfect consistency of a full loaded baked potato, this hashbrown casserole will soon be a top favorite side! I first had them at Sarah's house, I love them so much....her mom named them "Amy Potatoes" mmm yummy:)


Ingredients:

• Bag of frozen shredded hashbrowns
• 1 can of campbell's cream of mushroom preferably the one with garlic flavor
• 8 oz. of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of chopped yellow onions
• 2 handfuls of shredded cheese
• 1 stick of melted butter ( or just soft enough to mix)
• 1-2 tsp of salt 
• 1/2-1 tsp of pepper
• 1 tsp of minced garlic

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Mix all the ingredients and a cup of shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl. Spray the baking dish, and pour the ingredients into the dish. Top the ingredients with the rest of the shredded cheese, some pepper and salt.
3. Bake for about 60 minutes or until the cheese becomes golden.

Costs:

• Bag of frozen shredded hashbrowns- $1.94
• 1 can of campbell's cream of mushroom- $1.22
• 8 oz. of sour cream
• 1/2 cup of chopped onions- $0.29( for one onion) 
• 2 handfuls of shredded cheese- $1.50
• 1 stick of melted butter ( or just soft enough to mix)- $0.40
• salt 
• pepper

Approximate Total Cost: $6 side for a serving of 8 

xoxo,

Amy

Happy Fried Chicken with Lemon

Want some fried chicken? but don't want all those extra calories? Although these aren't super healthy, they are a lot healthier than the traditional fried chicken. Skinless, and rolled in panko bread crumbs, you still get the crunch without the excess guilt!

Ingredients:

• 3- 4 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 lemons
• 8 skinless chicken thighs
• bottle of vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp.pepper
• 1 tb salt

Tips Before Beginning-

• Although it might defeat the title of fried chicken, you can stick these on a baking pan and bake in the oven for about 40-45 minutes or until cooked. 

Instructions for Cooking Fried Chicken:

1. In a medium sized pot, pour about 1-1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil on medium- high heat. Crack the eggs into a bowl. Pour the panko bread crumbs into a dish and add pepper and salt. Clean the chicken thighs, and cut them in half. 
2. Mix the eggs in the bowl, and drench each half piece of chicken into the eggs. Roll the drenched chicken in the dish with panko break crumbs. 
3. Once the oil has been sitting on the stove for about 5-8 minutes, turn the heat to medium. Place each breaded chicken into the oil. Cook the first side for about 5 minutes, and then flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes. 
4. Take fried chicken out to dry on a  plate of paper towels ( so it can soak up the oil) Lightly sprinkle with salt. For a subtle citrus taste, squeeze a lemon slice over the chicken (it really brings out the flavor!)

Costs:

• 3- 4 cups Panko Bread Crumbs
• 2 lemon- $0.40
• 8 skinless chicken thighs $4-$5
• bottle of vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp.pepper
• 1 tbsp salt

Approximate Total Cost: $6-7 for 16 pieces of chicken! 

xoxo,

Amy