The One I've Used:1 large pork roast or loin ($5)
1/4 - 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (.10)
2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce (1.00)
1 can caffeine free coke or Dr. Pepper (.33)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (.25)
1-2 cloves garlic, minced (.01)
Combine ingredients and cook in crock pot on high 4-5 hours or on low 7-8 hours. Serve in burritos, enchiladas or in a salad with beans, rice, tomatoes, guacamole, cheese, tortilla chips, cilantro, a lime wedge and creamy cilantro dressing. (Freezes really well - I usually freeze it in a Ziploc Bag and can use the leftovers 3-6 times to feed our family).
Total Cost = $6.75/5 meals = about 1.35 per meal
Dressing from same recipe:1 pkg Ranch Buttermilk Dressing ($1)
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (.10)
1-2 jalapenos (or 1/2 can green chiles) (.25)
Make Ranch Dressing according to directions or just use a bottle of ranch already made up. Add the cilantro and chiles in a blender. Keeps for up to 3 weeks in fridge (or longer in freezer)
Total Cost = $1.35 (can last for 5 meals too)
Other Recipes To Try:Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing ($1)
1 Tbsp chili powder (.10)
1 Tbsp cumin (.01)
3 cloves garlic - minced (.03)
5 lbs chicken breast ($7.50)
Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.
Total Cost = $8.75, but can last for 4-5 meals as well, equalling out to about $2.20/meal
The Dressing1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as per recipe) ($1)
2 tomatillos (tomato like vegetable with a husk around them) ($2)
1/2 bunch of cilantro (.20)
1 clove garlic (.01)
Juice of 1 lime (.10)
1 jalapeno (Use the seeds too if you like it spicy. You could substitute a few drops of green tobasco for the jalapeno) (.25)
Use a food processor to blend all the ingredients well. Refrigerate.
Total Cost = $3.56
Vinagrette (I made this one up from other recipes and what I had on hand)
1/2 cup oil (.40)
1/4 cup vinegar (.10)
3 Tbsp lime juice (.15)
1/2 bunch cilantro (.20)
2 tomatoes or tomatillos ($1)
Mix in blender. Refrigerate.
Total Cost = $1.85. Can last even longer because there is not the creamy base