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