Zucchini Boats

Anything that is called a "boat" can disguise the taste to a 3-year-old - so mine loved this meal and got the other kids excited about EATING THEIR BOAT! :) Love it.

2-3 medium-sized zucchini (home-grown = free)

2 tomatoes (home-grown = free)

6 eggs ($.50)

1/4- 1/2 cup milk ($.10)

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cheese for top ($.30)

Cut off ends of zucchini, then slice in half lengthwise. Clean out the inside of the zucchini (but keep enough so the "boat" doesn't fall apart), keep the insides in a separate bowl. Cut zucchini's into about 4-6 inch sections, then place face down in a greased fry pan and fill with 1/4 inch water and cook to soften while preparing inside of "boat" about 5-10 minutes - careful not to burn.

Dice the zucchini innards. Dice the tomatoes. Remove the boats from heat and cook the zucchini & tomatoes. Cook about 5 minutes. Beat eggs and milk together, then add to the zucchini mixture. Add salt and pepper. Cook until eggs are scrambled. Then scoop into boats. Top with a slice of cheese and warm boats in pan again until cheese is melted. Then serve and enjoy.

Serves: Depends on # of zucchini and how big they are.

Total Cost = $0.90

Men's Favorite Salad

3 1/2 oz can French Fried Onions (?)
1/2 head iceberg lettuce ($.44)
5 cups romaine lettuce broken into bite-size pieces ($.89)
1/3 cup Italian Salad Dressing ($.50)
Tomatoes ($1)

Heat can of onions at 350 degreesF for a few minutes until crisp.

In a bowl, Break up both lettuces, add salad dressing & toss lightly. Add warmed onions and some tomato wedges and serve with other veggies & bread & maybe a little meat or beans.

SERVES 6

TOTAL COST: $2.80 + french fried onions - maybe about $4-5

How to Make French Fried Onions

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By an eHow Contributing Writer
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It is very easy to make French fried onions, and once you have made them you're going to want to serve them often. French fried onions, also known as fried onion rings, make a delicious addition to any meal, and can also be served as an appetizer or an evening snack.
.From Quick Guide: Onions 101 . How to Cook Stuffed Onions

Spicy stuffed onions are part of traditional Indian cuisine. The onions are coated with a mixture of… More
How to Make Creamed Onions

Prepare these creamed onions 1 hour before eating. Serves 10.… More
How to Make French Fried Onions

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions.Things You'll Need:
•1 1/2 cup flour
•1 3/4 tsp. salt
•1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
•2 tsp. sugar
•2 eggs
•1 1/4 cup milk
•1/4 cup vegetable oil
•Measuring cup
•2 Large bowls
•Measuring spoon
•Wire whisk or fork for blending
•A deep frying pan
•Paper towels
•Baking sheet
Prepare the Onions
Step 1
Remove the skin from the onions.

Step 2
Cut the onions crosswise, making slices that are approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Step 3
Separate the onion slices carefully into individual rings.

Step 4
Dry the onion rings thoroughly with paper towels.

Step 5
Dredge the onion rings in flour, coating them thoroughly.

Step 6
Set the coated onion rings aside on a large baking sheet.

Step 7
Repeat the process until you've coated all of the onion rings with flour.

Prepare the Batter and Fry the Onions
Step 1
Place all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and stir until everything is thoroughly and evenly mixed together, then set the bowl aside.

Step 2
Blend the milk, oil and eggs together in a large bowl. Once they are blended, add the dry ingredients to the mixture.

Step 3
Beat the ingredients until the batter is blended and smooth.

Step 4
Heat one inch of oil in a deep pan until it reaches 375 degrees F.

Step 5
Dip the flour coated onion rings into the batter and allow all of the extra batter to drip off. Put the onion rings carefully into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd them

Step 6
Fry the onions until they turn a golden brown color, then turn them over until they are cooked on both sides.

Step 7
Remove the onions from the hot oil once they are cooked and put them on a paper towel lined baking sheet or wire rack. This will allow all of the excess oil to drain off the onion rings. Repeat the process until all of the onions are cooked.
.

Read more: How to Make French Fried Onions eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2098940_make-french-fried-onions.html#ixzz0sBtlzwsH

Chinese Chicken Salad

4 chicken breast halves ($1.50)
2 Tbsp slivered almonds ($.30)
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds ($.15)
1 head cabbage finely chopped ($.50)
2 green onions, eliced ($.10)
2 pkg Ramen noddles/chicken flavor ($.50)
2 Tbsp sugar ($.01)
1/2 cup vegetable oil ($.40)
1 tsp salt ($.01)
1/4 tsp pepper ($.01)
3 Tbsp vinegar ($.01)

Cook chicken in small amount of water, covred until tender about 20-30 minutes; skin, de-bone, and dice chicken. Combine with toasted almonds & sesame seeds, cabbage, green onions, and uncooked noodles (crumbled). Set aside.

In a glass jar combine rest of ingredients; shake until well blended. Pour over salad and toss. Cover and put in fridge for at least 2 hours. (Some people use the seasoning in the dressing, some don't - I don't)

*Toasted Sesame Seeds and Almonds
To toast, spread almonds in shallow pan in single layer; bake at 350 degreesF for 2-3 minutes; add sesame seeds and bake another 2-3 minutes.

Serve with fresh fruits and vegetables and bread or muffins

SERVES: 8-10 (it served 6 adults and 4 children easily!)

TOTAL COST $3.50

Fiesta Pie

2 cans black beans (rinsed & drained) ($1.00)

1 cup corn ($.30)

1/2 can green chilies, diced ($.35)

2-3 Tbsp taco seasoning mix ($.25)

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup cheese ($1)

2 1/2 cups baking mix ($.50)

2 eggs ($.16)

2 cups milk ($.30)

1 1/2 cups salsa ($1)

Cook beans, corn, chilies, seasoning and water to boiling. Simmer about 10 more minutes (till liquid has evaporated). Divide into 2 greased pie pans.

Whisk baking mix, eggs and milk until well blended. Pour over beef mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees F until topping is browned and toothpick inserted between center & edge comes out clean, about 30 minutes.

Cut into wedges & serve with salsa.

12 slices (61 cents per serving) 270 calories, 15g protein, 30 g CHO, 9 g Fat, 6g Sat Fat, 39 mg Cholesterol

Total Cost $5.00 - made 3 pies (about $1.66 per night)

Granola Bars (or Breakfast Bars)

This is my best attempt at Homemade Granola Bars and we've liked them so far.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars


4 c. dry oats (old-fashioned or quick cooking) (.25)
1 1/2 c. flour (.25)
1 c. brown sugar (.25) with other sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon (.01)
1/2 t. salt (.01)
3/4 – 1 c. canola oil (or part to all applesauce) - (.25) used mostly applesauce and that was canned at home and free
4 eggs (.40)
1 1/2 c. raisins (.35)


Dump all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir, by hand, just until completely moistened and combined. 3. Press into a greased 13×9 casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into individual bars.

Serves: 15-20 ($1.80 total)

A few notes about this recipe:

~ If your family isn’t too keen or raisins, you can substitute with other dried fruit. Or, chocolate chips or other fun insides might work as well.
~ These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap the cooled and cut bars individually and then freeze. They can be thawed in about 2 hours, or if you’re in a hurry, cook in the microwave on the defrost cycle for about 20-30 seconds, depending on the size of your bars.

Homemade Granola

10-13 cups rolled oats (.75)
1 cup wheat germ (optional - I also cracked wheat) (.50)
1/2 lb. shredded coconut (.50)
Up to 3 cups seeds (sunflower, sesame, chopped nuts) (.50-3.00)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (or sugar and some molasses) (.25)
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup honey (optional) (.50)
1/2 cup molasses (.25)
1 1/2 tsp salt (.01)
2 tsp cinnamon (.02)
3 tsp vanilla (.05)
Raisins or other dried fruit (.50)

Combine oats, coconut, nuts, seeds. Mix well. In saucepan, add remaining dry ingredients. Heat until sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Pour over dry ingredients. Stir until well coated. Bake at 300 degrees F for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally

*Can also add applesauce in place of honey for an apple cinnamon taste or just dried apples, we also like craisins, raisins or without dried fruit. I am fairly liberal with following this recipe and have tried several variations as you can see from the "up to 3 cups" or 10-13 cups oats - that's a large difference, but I've tried it all because I have about 4 different recipes I've tried and they all work out about the same.

*Storage: 2 large gallon size bags. Yummy for breakfasts or for snacks.

Total Cost: $3.10 - $6.10.
Makes 1 1/2 - 2 gallon bags. Lasts 2-3 months in our house.

Cafe Rio Chicken and Dressing - two recipes

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 Dressing
1 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

Mexican Black Beans

Mexican Black Beans

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 c. black beans, fully cooked from dry beans) (.25) 1/2 c. frozen corn (.25)
1/4 c. diced red bell peppers (.05)
1/2 c. beef or chicken stock/broth (.05)
1 1/2 t. cumin (.01)
1/2 t. garlic powder (.01)
Salt, to taste
2 T. minced cilantro (.10)

1. Combine black beans, corn and red bell peppers in a skillet. Add stock/broth, cumin, garlic powder and salt to taste.

2. Bring liquid to a boil and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove from heat, adjust salt if needed and stir in cilantro.

*This is a first, so I'll see how it turns out and comment then. According to the recipe, it is good warm or cold.

Total Cost: $0.72 (maybe more with real red peppers, instead of dried)

Cafe Rio Rice

3 cups water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
4 tsp garlic - minced
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles - or equivalent fresh
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp butter
1/2 onion
3 cup rice

Blend cilantro, green chiles, and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.

Pinto N Pasta Salad

2 lbs rotini or penne pasta, uncooked (I'm trying macaroni, actually) $1 With coupons
2 lb pinto beans, cooked, rinses, drained ($1)
1.25 lbs zucchini, diced ($1) Because of Sale
2 red or green bell peppers ($1)
2 lbs broccoli florets ($1)
1 cup carrots, sliced ($.50)
Creamy Bean Dressing

Cook pasta according to directions, cool. Combine pasta and remaining ingredients in large bowl, toss well.

Total $5.50

CREAMY BEAN DRESSING
2 cups regular sour cream ($1)
2/3 cup red wine vinegar (.20)
1/4 cup olive oil (.15)
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard (.05)
2 garlic cloves (.01)
2-3 Tbsp dried basil leaves (.05)
1/2 cup parsley leaves (or less if dried Parsley) (.05)

Total Cost $1.51

Process all ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth, adding enough water to make medium consistency.

Yield about 35 servings. ($7.01)

Nutrition info per serving: Calories 197, fat 6g, CHO 28g, Folate 87 mcg, Sodium 245 mg, Protein 8g, Dietary Fiber 6g, Cholesterol 7mg, Calcium 88mg


Or Another One To Try
1 large Package MultiColored Spiral Pasta
Diced Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Tomato, Cuke, Red Onion, Mild Yellow Chili Pepper, Cheese, Broccoli, etc.
2 Cans Sliced Olives
2 Bottles Girard's old Venice Italian Dressing
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Cook Pasta, Rinse Thoroughly. Add all ingredients and toss.