Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

$2.52 recipe / $0.50 serving

Herb roasted potatoes are a classic recipe that everyone needs to know how to make. Potatoes are delicious and satisfying and roasting them has to be one of the easiest ways to prepare them. I love mashed potatoes but (I'll be honest) I'm a little too lazy to mash them sometimes. I chose rosemary and garlic to roast my potatoes with but you can really make this recipe with any seasoning you like. These potatoes do take a while to cook but if you start them before preparing the rest of your meal, they can cook away while you're busy taking care of everything else.

These potatoes were prepared as part of my BBQ Chicken Dinner.





Total Recipe cost: $2.52
Servings Per Recipe: 5 (1/2 lb. each)
Cost per serving: $0.50
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 45-50 min. Total: 1 hr.

INGREDIENTS		COST
2.5 lbs.	red skinned potatoes	$1.74
1/4 cup	chopped parsley	$0.25
2 cloves	garlic, minced	$0.12
2 Tbsp	olive oil	$0.21
2 tsp	dried rosemary	$0.10
20 cranks	fresh cracked pepper	$0.05
1/2 tsp	salt	$0.05
TOTAL		$2.52

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Wash the potatoes well and cut into 1 inch cubes. Try to make the size of the cubes as uniform as possible so they cook at the same rate.

STEP 2: Either in a large bowl or on your roasting pan, add the oil, parsley, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper to the potatoes. Reserve some parsley for garnish. Toss to coat well. Spread the potatoes out evenly in a single layer on the pan. If the potatoes are crowded or sit in layers they will tend to steam rather than roast, preventing the edges from crisping.



STEP 3: Put the pan in the oven to roast. Stir the potatoes about every 20 minutes to expose more edges to the hot air and allowing them to crisp. Be sure to spread the potatoes out in a single layer each time to stir. The potatoes are done when they are golden brown and crisp on the edges and corners. Mine took about 45 minutes to get to this point.



NOTE: Use fresh rosemary if it is available to you to really make the flavor pop. Give the rosemary a quick chop to release the oils before tossing with the potatoes.

What is your favorite seasoning for potatoes? The possibilities are endless and I'm always looking for something new to try! 

 

http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2009/10/rosemary-roasted-potatoes-252-recipe.html

BBQ Chicken Pizzas

$8.13 recipe / $1.36 serving

This may be the quickest, most delicious BBQ chicken pizza that you'll ever make. I know it was for me. I don't usually buy pre-baked pizza crusts (it's pretty expensive compared to homemade) but I've got places to go and people to see this weekend so I took a HUGE short cut and bought the ready-made crusts. Don't worry, if you like to make your own crust or buy dough from your local pizzaria (like I usually do), you can still make this recipe. It will take a tad bit longer but be a lot less expensive! Later this summer I will be getting into some serious bread making and will surely make lots of pizza dough so stay tuned for that. Until then, it's the pre-made stuff... which is still delicious, by the way.

I had some frozen chicken breasts in my freezer (buying them in 5 lb. packs saves you at least $1 per pound) so I pulled one out to use for the pizzas. This chicken breast was pretty massive, weighing in at .75 lb. At first I didn't think that one would be enough for two pizzas (I was thinking more like .5 lb. per pizza) but It turned out to be quite a bit of meat. If you have smaller chicken breasts (.5 lb. each), you could probably still use just one.




Total Recipe cost: $8.13 (makes two 12" pizzas)
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Cost per serving: $1.36 (1/3 of a pizza / 2 slices)
Prep time: 15 min. Cook time: 15 min. (7 min. each pizza) Total: 30 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
2	12 inch pizza crusts	$3.48
.75 lb.	chicken breast	$1.49
2 cups	shredded mozzarella and cheddar	$1.96
1/2 bottle (1 cup)	BBQ sauce	$0.78
1/2 small	red onion	$0.25
1/4 bunch	green onions	$0.12
to taste	salt and pepper	$0.05
TOTAL		$8.13

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and turn on a counter top grill (George Foreman type) for 5 minutes to preheat. Sprinkle the chicken breast with a little salt and pepper and cook in the counter top grill until it is cooked through, brown and crispy on the outside (about 7 minutes).

STEP 2: While the chicken breast is cooking, thinly slice the red and green onion.

STEP 3: Once the chicken is finished cooking, transfer it to a cutting board and cut/shred it into small pieces. Use a fork and a knife for this because the chicken breast will still be steaming hot. Transfer the chicken pieces to a bowl and add about 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce. Stir to coat the chicken with the sauce.

STEP 4: Pour 1/3 of a cup of BBQ sauce on one of the crusts and spread it out from the center using the back of a large spoon. Top the sauce with 1 cup of shredded cheese. Next sprinkle half of the BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese. Finish with a few red and green onions.

STEP 5: Place the pizza in the preheated oven (425 degrees) and cook for 7-10 minutes. Because the crusts I used are thin and crispy style, I placed the pizzas directly on the oven rack with no pan. If you are using a different type of dough/crust, you may need a pan and may need to cook the pizzas longer. While the first pizza is cooking, top the second pizza. Bake the second pizza after the first one has finished (they cook more evenly one at a time).

Step By Step Photos


Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and your counter top grill for 5 minutes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper then cook on the counter top grill until cooked through and crispy on the outside.


While the chicken cooks, thinly slice the onions.


When the chicken is finished, cut and shred it into small pieces using a knife and fork.


Mix enough BBQ sauce into the chicken pieces until they are completely coated (about 1/4 cup).


This is the crust I used. It's pretty good... until I start making my own again anyway.


Spread about 1/3 cup of BBQ sauce over the crust. Cattleman's BBQ sauce (see top right of photo) is my favorite. It is so tangy and flavorful and only costs about $1.50 per bottle. NICE!


Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella and cheddar blend over the sauce.


Follow the cheese up with half of the BBQ chicken mixture, some red onions and green onions. Bake for 7-10 minutes (until the cheese is all melted and the crust is to your desired brown-ness). Cut each pizza into 6 slices.



Now THAT is a delicious, visually stunning pizza... and for about the same price as the cheapest of cheap frozen pizzas! Serve this up with a nice green salad and you've got a quick, delicious weeknight dinner.

You're likely to have left over onions and BBQ sauce. You can use the onions in omelets and on salads. BBQ sauce stays good in the refrigerator for quite a while and is excellent on sandwiches so hang on to the other half of the bottle! Who knows, maybe you'll want to make more of this pizza next week :)

http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2010/04/bbq-chicken-pizzas-813-recipe-136.html

Broccoli Shells n' Cheese

$6.05 recipe / $1.01 serving

I got a request from Nelson (a BB reader) last week to make some homemade mac n' cheese and what a fantastic idea it was. I really need some mac n' cheese in my life right about now.

Of course, there is the issue of guilt surrounding eating large quantities of cheese so I added some good ol' broccoli to rationalize it all. ha. right. If you don't want broccoli, just leave it out, make everything else as directed and you'll have a good classic mac n' cheese.

Making a cheese sauce can be a little bit intimidating at first but give it a shot. Once you get the hang of it, it's super easy. The thickening action of the roux is kinda like magic, very mysterious but you gotta learn to trust it. It will thicken.

I like to use medium to sharp cheddar for my mac and cheese because I feel like cheese sauce needs that extra punch of flavor. I also ended up adding a little parmesan (another strong cheese) because after tasting the sauce I wanted it even cheesier! I despise a bland macaroni and cheese.

Then there is the hot sauce. I add just a little to add flavor but not really any heat. The hot sauce is completely optional. Many people add dry mustard which has a similar effect on the flavor. It just gives it a little zing. In the end, the cheese sauce is all about tasting and adjusting. And really, who's complaining about repeatedly tasting cheese sauce? No one.





Total Recipe cost: $6.05
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Cost per serving: $1.01
Prep time: 10 min. Cook time: 30 min. Total: 40 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
8 oz.	pasta	$0.55
1 lg. crown	broccoli	$1.69
1/2 med	onion	$0.18
3 Tbsp	butter	$0.12
3 Tbsp	all-purpose flour	$0.03
2.5 cups	milk	$0.65
8 oz. (2 cups)	sharp cheddar, shredded	$2.49
1/4 cup	grated parmesan	$0.24
1 tsp	hot sauce (optional)	$0.05
to taste	salt and pepper	$0.05
TOTAL		$6.05

STEP 1: Get a large pot of salted water on to boil. Rinse the broccoli well and cut it into small florets.

STEP 2: The pasta and broccoli will be cooked in the same pot to save on dishes and time. When the water comes to a full boil, add the pasta. Set a timer for 8 minutes then add the broccoli. Cook the pasta and broccoli for two minutes more and then pour everything into a colander to drain. Set them aside until ready to add to the cheese sauce.

STEP 3: While the pasta and broccoli are doing their thing, you can begin the cheese sauce. Finely dice the onion and cook with butter over medium heat until softened (about 2-3 minutes).

STEP 4: Add the flour to the butter and onion. The flour and butter will form a paste like mixture (roux). Using a whisk, stir and cook the roux for 1-2 minutes more taking care not to let it scorch. This slightly cooks the flour preventing the cheese sauce from having an overly flour or paste like flavor.

STEP 5: Add the milk and whisk well to dissolve all of the flour clumps. Add freshly cracked black pepper at this point. Bring the mixture up to a simmer (you may need to raise the heat just slightly). When the sauce reaches a simmer, it will begin to thicken. When it is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it's time to add the cheese.

STEP 6: Turn the burner off and whisk in the shredded cheese (and parmesan if using) until it is fully melted in. Give the cheese sauce a taste and add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste.

STEP 7: Once you have the cheese sauce seasoned to your liking, stir in the cooked and drained pasta and broccoli. Serve hot and gooey!

Step By Step Photos

I used one large broccoli crown... It was about the size a half bunch of broccoli.


Chop the broccoli into small, bite sized pieces. Do this before you begin anything else so that you can just toss it into the pasta water when it's ready.


I cooked the pasta and broccoli in the same pot to make things easier. The pasta takes 10 minutes (according to the box) and the broccoli takes 2 minutes or less. So, I cooked the pasta for 8, added the broccoli and cooked both for two minutes more. I also salted the cooking water because, again, I HATE bland mac n' cheese.


While you're waiting for the water to boil and the pasta to cook, you can get the cheese sauce going. It starts with cooking down some diced onion in butter. Cook them over medium heat until the onions have softened.


Once the onions are soft, add the flour.


The butter and flour will create a paste, or roux, which will thicken the sauce. Cook the roux while stirring for 1-2 minutes more to "cook out" the floury taste.


Next add the milk. Whisk the milk in good to dissolve any clumps of roux. Bring the mixture up to a simmer. The sauce will not begin to thicken until it begins to simmer. I also add the pepper at this point so that it simmers with the liquid and releases some flavor.


When the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, it is time to add the cheese. The cheese needs to be shredded to properly melt in. Turn the burner off and whisk in the cheese(es) until everything is melted and mixed.


It's now time to taste and season. I added a few dashes of hot sauce and just a little salt.


Give it all a good stir and then serve it up!

This really was the perfect side dish to the raspberry chipotle BBQ chicken. PERFECT.


Hello, comfort food!

http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/02/broccoli-shells-n-cheese-605-recipe-101.html

Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo

$5.48 recipe / $0.69 serving

So, this isn't really alfredo, it's more of a (not) alfredo recipe... I've made too many alterations for it to truly be alfredo, but it's still creamy and delicious!

I mean, I love alfredo with all of its buttery, creamy, parmesan-y goodness, but I also know that I can't afford to eat a 2,000 calorie meal. So, I made a few switches to lighten it up a smidge and added some broccoli florets to get in some green. If you like to live dangerously, go all out and use cream in place of the milk.

This pasta comes together super quick and uses staple ingredients so it's a nice standby for those nights that you just really don't feel like cooking. If you want to up the protein, you can quickly grill up some chicken breast on a countertop grill, slice it up, and then serve it on top. This is a super versatile recipe!

Oh, also, this recipe is super easy to cut in half... I just wanted to use the entire package of pasta and broccoli so I made a large batch.




Total Recipe cost: $5.48
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Cost per serving: $0.69
Prep time: 5 min. Cook time: 25 min. Total: 30 min.

INGREDIENTS		COST
16 oz.	dry fettuccine	$1.63
16 oz.	frozen broccoli florets	$1.29
1 clove	garlic	$0.08
4 Tbsp	butter	$0.45
4 Tbsp	all-purpose flour	$0.06
3 cups	milk	$0.94
1 cup	grated parmesan	$0.96
1/8 tsp	nutmeg	$0.02
to taste	salt & pepper	$0.05
TOTAL		$5.48

STEP 1: Begin to boil a large pot of water to cook the pasta. When it reaches a full boil, add the pasta and cook for 7-10 minutes or until al dente. When the pasta is finished cooking, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and then drain the pasta in a colander.

STEP 2: While the pasta is cooking, thaw the broccoli in the microwave and begin to make the parmesan sauce. Mince the garlic and cook it over medium heat in a medium sauce pot with the butter until the garlic has softened slightly (3-5 minutes). Add the flour, stir and cook for 2-3 minutes more. This is the "roux" that will thicken the sauce.

STEP 3: Whisk in the milk. Increase the heat to medium-high. Whisk the milk mixture until it comes up to a light simmer. As soon as it reaches a simmer it will thicken and should be able to coat a wooden spoon (see photos below). Turn the heat off and whisk in the parmesan cheese. Add freshly cracked black pepper, nutmeg, and salt to taste. Make the sauce slightly saltier than you'd prefer if you were eating the sauce alone. Once it's spread out over the pasta and broccoli it will taste more mild.

STEP 4: Return the cooked pasta to the large pot that it was boiled in (with the burner turned off). Add the reserved pasta cooking water and toss the pasta to loosen it up. Add the thawed broccoli and then pour the parmesan sauce over top. Stir to coat everything in the sauce and then serve!

Step By Step Photos

Begin by boiling the water for the pasta. Once it reaches a full boil, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve about a 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining it in a colander.


Meanwhile, cook the minced garlic and butter in a medium pot over medium heat until the garlic is softened (3-5 minutes).


Stir in the flour and continue to cook and stir this mixture for 2-3 minutes. It's important to cook this for a few minutes to slightly toast the flour. This prevents a "floury" flavor in the final sauce. Make sure to continually stir while it's cooking.


Next, whisk in the milk and increase the heat slightly (to medium-high). Allow the sauce to come up to a light simmer, whisking occasionally.


When the liquid reaches a simmer, the starch granules in the flour will swell and thicken the sauce. It should be thick enough to coat a wooden spoon as shown.


Turn the heat off as soon as it has thickened. Add the parmesan cheese and whisk until it melts in.


The cheese will further thicken the sauce. It should now coat a wooden spoon even more.


Season the sauce with salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a pinch (1/8th tsp or so) of nutmeg. Make the sauce slightly saltier than you'd think because once it's spread out over the pasta and broccoli, it will taste more mild.


Add the drained pasta back to the large pot that it was boiled in. Make sure the burner is turned off. Add the reserved pasta water and toss to loosen the pasta. Add the broccoli (thawed), and pour the parmesan sauce over top.


Toss the pasta and broccoli in the sauce until everything is well coated. Serve warm!


Easy-peasy! Ooh, peas would be nice in this instead of broccoli, too!

http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2012/02/broccoli-fettuccine-alfredo-548-recipe.html

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

I've seen these taquitos posted on a few different recipe blogs recently, and after hearing everyone rave about them I had to try them. They were so great! We liked these so much, they made it into the regular rotation. I loved how the subtle flavors of the cilantro, lime, and spices mixed so well. Definitely a dish we would make again and again. Try them, you'll love them!

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

1/3 cup (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup salsa
1Tbs fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 cloves garlic, minced {1 tsp jarred minced garlic}
3 Tbs chopped cilantro
2 green onions, sliced
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup grated pepperjack cheese {or cheddar, monterey jack, etc}

12-16 small flour tortillas {you could use corn but we like flour!}
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix softened cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and minced garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Be sure not to over-fill as the chicken mixture will expand and bubble during baking. Then roll it up as tight as you can. {If using corn tortillas, heat in the microwave to make them more pliable before rolling.} Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle some kosher salt on top. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Makes 12-16.

 

http://mrshardingcooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/creamy-chicken-taquitos.html

Crispy Chicken Wraps

Direct from one of my favorite food magazines on the planet, these Crispy Chicken Wraps from Cook’s Country are simple, extremely fast to put together, require NO heating up the oven in the summer temps, and are incredibly delicious. Once again, my kids and husband (and myself) ate them up and the verdict was I should make these again…and often. A perfect summer, weeknight, FAST meal!
Crispy Chicken Wraps
Printable Version
Printable Version with Picture
**To prevent the wraps from unrolling during cooking, be sure to start them seam-side down in step 3.
INGREDIENTS:
1/3 cup mayonnaise, light or regular
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 scallions, sliced very thin
2 celery ribs, chopped fine (I omitted these due to my husband’s non-celery preference)
2 tablespoons sour cream, light or regular
2 teaspoons hot sauce (this does not make them spicy but adds great flavor!)
1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded, meat shredded into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (the sharper the better, in my book)
4 (12-inch) flour tortillas
DIRECTIONS:
Whisk the mayonnaise, cilantro, scallions, celery, sour cream and hot sauce in a large bowl. Add chicken and toss to combine. Sprinkle cheese over tortillas, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges, then arrange chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll stuffed tortillas, leaving edges open. Spray the tortillas all over with cooking spray. Heat a large non-stick skillet (or griddle) over medium heat for 1 minute. Arrange 2 wraps, seam-side down, in pan and cook until golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining wraps. Serve.
Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Country

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2008/06/crispy-chicken-wraps.html

Jamba Smoothie Recipes

Hints: 1 scoop – about half a cup to a cup

Enlightened Base – found at a health food store or substitute it with juice

ALOHA PINEAPPLE
10 oz. pineapple juice
1 scoop plain yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice

BANANA BERRY
12 oz. apple juice
2 scoops bananas
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop frozen yogurt
1 scoop raspberry sherbet
1 scoop ice

BERRY FULLFILLING
4 oz. raspberry juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop ice

BERRY LIME SUBLIME
12 oz. raspberry juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 scoop ice

BRIGHT EYED AND BLUEBERRY
12 oz. soymilk
2 scoops yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries

CARIBBEAN PASSION
12 oz. Mango-passion juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

CITRUS SQUEEZE
6 oz. pineapple juice
6 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

COLD BUSTER
12 oz orange juice
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

KIWI BERRY BURNER
12 oz. Kiwi juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop raspberries
2 scoops raspberry sherbet
1 scoop ice

MANGO-A-GO-GO
12 oz. Mango-passion juice
3 scoops mangos
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice

MANGO MANTRA
4 oz. orange juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops mangos
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop ice

MIGHTLY CHERRY CHARGER
4 oz. raspberry juice
6 oz. soymilk
2 scoops cherries
1 scoop strawberries
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice

ORANCE-A-PEEL
12 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice

ORANGE BERRY BLITZ
12 oz. orange juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice

ORANGE CHERRY CHEER
6 oz. orange juice
6 oz. soymilk
3 scoops cherries
1 scoop frozen yogurt
1 scoop orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

ORANGE DREAM MACHINE
6 oz. orange juice
6 oz. soymilk
2 scoops frozen yogurt
2 scoops orange sherbet
2 scoops ice

PEACH PLEASURE
12 oz. peach juice
2 scoops peaches
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

PINA COLADA
12 oz. pineapple juice
1 Tbls coconut
1 scoop bananas
2 scoop frozen yogurt
2 scoops pineapple sherbet
1 scoop ice

PUMPKIN SMASH
8 oz soymilk
1 scoop pumpkin mix (from can)
4 scoops frozen yogurt
2 scoops ice

RAZANATAZ
12 oz raspberry juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

STRAWBERRIES WILD
12 oz. apple juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
2 scoops frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice

STRAWBERRY NIRVANA
4 oz. apple juice
8 oz. enlightened base
4 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas
1 scoop ice

STRAWBERRY SURF RIDER
12 oz. lemonade
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
2 scoops lime sherbet
1 scoop ice

SUNRISE STRAWBERRY
12 oz. soymilk
2 scoops yogurt
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop bananas

GUMMIE BEAR
12 oz. peach juice
1 scoop peaches
1 scoop of each: orange, lime, pineapple, and
raspberry sherbet and frozen yogurt
1 scoop ice

TANGO TROPIC
12 oz. peach juice
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop peaches
1 scoop raspberry sherbet
1 scoop orange sherbet
1 scoop ice

TROPICAL AWAKENING
4 oz. pineapple juice
8 oz. enlightened base
2 scoops strawberries
1 scoop blueberries
1 scoop bananas
1 scoop ice

http://somersetwardrecipeclub.blogspot.com/2009/01/jamba-smoothie-recipes.html