What's for dinner? Was it "budget"?

[babytrees]

Last night was leftovers from Easter dinner--bbq prime rib, asparagus and fiesta potatoes. Yum. Tonight I think I'm going to make some fish (I have some tilapia frozen), a salad and....? Whatever vegetable is in my freezer.

fiesta potatoes??

those sound good and something new...is there a recipe you would be willing to share??

 

[Trish Bessette]

Still using up the ham from easter. Tonight will be easy ham/mushroom/onion omelets with english muffins.

I just love having breakfast for dinner Super easy & super cheap!

 

[beckanoah]

Still using up the ham from easter. Tonight will be easy ham/mushroom/onion omelets with english muffins.

I just love having breakfast for dinner Super easy & super cheap!

Doing the omelets with easter ham tonight here. Probably peppers, jalapenos, onion, tomato, ham and cheese here tonight. May make some fried potatoes to go with!

 

[Sorsha]

I'm new to this forum - I spend *lots* of time on the Wedding board (DFTW in just over 10 months - BIG motivator to save $! ) And we just found out that both DF & I need root canals + *new* crowns put on teeth we've both already had worked on! When it rains ...

Anyhoo, I've started making a huge pot of spagehitti sauce on the weekends, and dishing it into freezer containers the right size for a dinner for two. Not incredibly original, but you just can't beat the feeling when you don't want to cook that you don't have to get take-out!

I think I might sound kind'a silly, but I find it empowering. DF & I are working very hard to get rid of a fair amount of debt, and every success is motivating!

Sorry for the long post - dinner tonight is angel hair pasta w/ sauce and a salad.

Welcome to our thread! Nice to meetcha!
Great idea about making large batches of sauce and freezing them!
I am so sorry to hear that you and DF have to have so much dental work done... *shudders*... I hate the dentist... well not him personally, he is a very nice man... but you know what I mean...

 

[awdfan]

fiesta potatoes??

those sound good and something new...is there a recipe you would be willing to share??

Sure! They're a fiesta version of funeral potatoes. My mom got the recipe from the Seattle Times http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=potatoes06&date=20050706&query=fiesta+potato

They're even better a day or two later.

Recipe: Fiesta Scalloped Potatoes


Makes 8 to 12 servings

- 4 pounds large russet potatoes (we just used the frozen, grated potatoes)

- 2 teaspoons salt

- ½ teaspoon black pepper

- 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapeños

- 1 cup fresh corn kernels, or substitute 1 cup frozen corn, defrosted

- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions

- ¼ cup very tiny diced red bell pepper

- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles

- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

- 1 cup sour cream

- 2 cups cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish.

2. Peel and slice the potatoes into ¼-inch slices. You should have 10 to 12 cups of potatoes. Toss them in a large bowl with the salt, pepper, jalapeños, corn, green onions, red pepper and diced green chiles.

3. Layer half the potato mixture in the buttered baking dish, distributing all the veggies evenly. Sprinkle with half the cheese and top with remaining potatoes and veggies.

4. In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream and cream and pour over potatoes. Tap the baking dish on the counter to spread out the sauce and help release any air bubbles. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

5. Bake potatoes, uncovered, for about 1 to 1 ¼ hours, or until browned and completely tender all the way through when poked with a knife. Serve immediately.

Kathy's tip: You can also make these in advance. Cool, then store, covered and refrigerated, for up to 1 day. To reheat, bring potatoes to room temperature and reheat in a 350-degree oven until hot.

 

[stitchlet]

I hate the dentist... well not him personally, he is a very nice man... but you know what I mean...

LOL - yes our dentist is a very nice man too, just wish we weren't going to be seeing so much of each other!

Thanks so much for the welcome, Sorsha!

 

[stitchlet]

Eeeeeek - I am a thread killer

Can anyone offer inspiration for an easy (and I cannot stress easy enough here) suggestion for a quick dinner tonight? I'm feeling dinner-planning challenged today, and trying to stay strong and not just grab McDonald's ...

TIA - it's much appreciated!

 

[babytrees]

Eeeeeek - I am a thread killer

Can anyone offer inspiration for an easy (and I cannot stress easy enough here) suggestion for a quick dinner tonight? I'm feeling dinner-planning challenged today, and trying to stay strong and not just grab McDonald's ...

TIA - it's much appreciated!

grilled cheese and soup??

grilled peanut butter??

scrambled eggs


these are my choices for tonight I think

Sometimes the urge for grabbing fast food passes and then sometimes it doesn't. It's okay to do it every once in awhile.

Last night was Totino's pizzas with salad. $1.82 for the pizza, 50 cents for the extra cheese....and 50 cents for the salad. Marginally better than fast food.


Might have to do french toast tonight.

 

[stitchlet]

You had me at "grilled cheese & soup" - thanks babytrees!

It's still snowing here today and that's really gonna hit the spot!

Thanks again!

 

[awdfan]

Eeeeeek - I am a thread killer

Can anyone offer inspiration for an easy (and I cannot stress easy enough here) suggestion for a quick dinner tonight? I'm feeling dinner-planning challenged today, and trying to stay strong and not just grab McDonald's ...

TIA - it's much appreciated!

I know you already decided on grilled cheese & soup (mmm my favorite!) but the first thing that popped in my head was Shake & Bake chicken with some frozen french fries or onion rings. For some reason that has been sounding good and I was going to make that this weekend.

 

[babytrees]

You had me at "grilled cheese & soup" - thanks babytrees!

It's still snowing here today and that's really gonna hit the spot!

Thanks again!

that is the first time I've ever been told....you had me at...

You are quite welcome!!

 

[Sorsha]

Eeeeeek - I am a thread killer

Naaahhh! You aren't a thread killer! This thread goes though regular semi-comatose states... it always gets CPR'd by somebody though!

 

[Sorsha]

Dinner tonight.... hmmmm.. wish I knew!
Dinner last night was baked chicken hindquarters, homemade mashed potatoes, gravy homemade from the chicken pan drippings, and green beans.

TODAY I am in the midst of sorting clothes and cleaning out closets... its bound to be spring one of these days, right?? Anyhow its cold and windy outside, and its Friday, and I am busy and tired, and I have NO inspiration for dinner tonight.

I could do the soup and grilled cheese thing, too. That sounds pretty good. Or I could let my family forage the fridge for leftovers. Hey, I know... maybe some Fish Filets. The ones in the Blue Box. LOL The kids love those, and I could make some rice-a-roni or mac-n-cheese to go with it. All pre-prepared and full of fat and sodium, and I DON'T CARE! *insert maniacal laughter* Hoo boy... I think I need a weekend.

 

[marcyinPA]

Tonight is not budget. I'm picking up a pizza and some stuff for a salad at Wegman's. My DS12 and my DH are leaving for a middle school retreat tonight with church....they need to be there at 5:30. Gives a whole new meaning to "dine and dash"! LOL

 

[beckanoah]

We're just having Hotdogs, grapes and chips tonight.

We ate lunch at OntheBorder today. Had a 5.00 coupon, plus a 25.00 Visa gift card and a 10.00 girft card from On the Border. OOP expense 5.00 tip!

Not bad for 3 people. Still have 10.00 on the OTB Gift card too.

So hotdogs will be easy and not too filling tonight!

 

[Chicago526]

This thread reminded me to take my marinating pork chops out of the fridge so they could "warm up" a bit before baking. Thanks!

 

[babytrees]

tonight is marinated pork chops and fried rice...if I feel up to making it..lol

I also picked up our Angel Food Ministries box today and am looking forward to trying some stuff with it...but I have no idea what to do with the pork filet...any ideas??

 

[DawnM]

I got this from another site and it is in the crockpot right now. Quite budget friendly and others have say their families raved about it.


Easy and Yummy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

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

1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced onions
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cups milk
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese (or your favourite kind of cheese)
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni Directions

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray for easy cleaning.
In a saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients.
Pour in milk and stir with a whisk until no lumps remain.
Heat and continue stirring until mixture boils and is thickened.
Add cheese and then macaroni.
Stir until well mixed.
Pour into 3 1/2 quart (3. 5L) slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or on high for 1 hour.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We're having a roast with potatoes and green beans in the crock pot. I'm so glad. Easy and ready with out a lot of fuss!

 

[babytrees]

I got this from another site and it is in the crockpot right now. Quite budget friendly and others have say their families raved about it.


Easy and Yummy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

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

1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced onions
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 cups milk
1 cup of grated cheddar cheese (or your favourite kind of cheese)
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni Directions

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray for easy cleaning.
In a saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients.
Pour in milk and stir with a whisk until no lumps remain.
Heat and continue stirring until mixture boils and is thickened.
Add cheese and then macaroni.
Stir until well mixed.
Pour into 3 1/2 quart (3. 5L) slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2-2 1/2 hours or on high for 1 hour.

that sounds yummy!!