I am busy making extra food, so that my husband and kids do not starve while I’m out of town this weekend. Today, I made a double batch of Cajun Black Beans and Rice for lunch. I will freeze the leftovers for an easy freezer meal for my family. Cajun Black Beans and Rice Read More
Herbed Asparagus
When you are purchasing asparagus, look for firm, fresh, spears with closed, compact tips and uniform diameter and color.It does not matter whether the spears are thin or thick, different varieties have different diameters. The spear on the left has a compact tip, the one on the right has begun to bud. If left inRead More
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Dairy Free)
This is my family’s favorite mashed potato recipe. Instead of butter and milk, I use olive oil and vegetable broth. It is is so flavorful that nobody will ever miss the butter and milk. I use a potato ricer to easily create super creamy mashed potatoes. I like to make my mashed potatoes a couple hours before dinnerRead More
Scalloped Potatoes Recipe with Ham and Peas
My favorite scalloped potatoes recipe was inspired by holiday leftovers. My mom usually made ham, scalloped potatoes, and peas for Easter dinner. The day after Easter I would take a little of each of the leftover dishes and stir them together and make my improved scalloped potatoes. With its origins in my early childhood, thisRead More
Garlic Pasta with Vegetables
Ingredients: 1 pound of pasta (GF $1.99) 2 cups of uncooked peas (free from garden) 1 cup of uncooked carrots (.25) 2 T butter (.13) 2-4 garlic cloves, minced (free from garden) 2 T flour (GF .14) 3/4 C vegetable broth (.25) 3/4 C milk (.10) 1 T parsley, finely chopped (free from garden) BringRead More
Rice with Garden Vegetables
I wanted to use $5 Dinners Rice with Garden Greens recipe, but I was unable to access her site so I made up my own version which ended up including an ingredient that was inspired by Amanda at Coping with Frugality. As it turns out I did not have the 4 cups of spinach calledRead More
Brazilian Rice with Green Peas
I have been harvesting peas a handful at a time. I wanted to use them in our meals, but I needed a recipe that did not require a large amount of peas. Then I remembered a rice and pea recipe that a friend gave me years ago. If I save up my peas I shouldRead More
Salvaging Dry Rice: Fried Rice Recipe
Ever wonder what to do with the leftover white rice from getting Chinese take out? It is usually dry and unappetizing. Instead of tossing it out you can add it to soups or casseroles. However, my favorite way to use it is to make Fried Rice. Fried Rice is actually better when made with driedRead More
Scalloped Potatoes with Ham and Peas
This recipe was inspired by childhood Easter leftovers. My mom usually made ham, scalloped potatoes, and peas for Easter dinner. The day after Easter I would take a little of each of the leftover dishes and stir them together and make my improved scalloped potatoes. I don’t make scalloped potatoes on Easter Day, primarily becauseRead More