Been Baking (and I didn't burn it!!)

Granola Bars (Emeril's Recipe) on the right I substituted Trader Joe's pumpkin granola for the oats for something different. Guess which one disappeared first:)

I've been trying to save by making bread (with the bread machine) and also healthy snacks for the kids because I find these are some of the key things I keep running back to the store from and they keep putting me over budget.

I'm getting closer to making less trips, but until I get that cow in my backyard I will still be going back for things like milk but at least I've cut down some.

Oatmeal bars to replace the endless supply of fruit bars I keep buying. These were technically supposed to have apples but I didn't feel like cutting them so this batch was just plain. These went real fast.

Pumpkin Bread - I cheated and used Trader Joe's boxed mix with Trader Joe's pumpkin butter in place of the oil.

BTW - Did you know you can replace oil in baking recipes with apple sauce?

Bread for sandwiches from the bread machine which is my new money saving toy and it really takes such a short amount of time, it's easy and I can't burn it cause it does itself! :) Plus, I didn't have to spend money since I got my grandmothers that she wasn't using, so it's even better!

Sorry and help (recipes) needed:)

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've still been cooking away and trying to save money. I've taken loads of pics and tried some new things along the way so stay tuned, you may even see more than one post a day on days I have more free time.

Here's where I need help. Vegetarian meals are a great way to save money. So all you Food Bloggers and just plain food lovers, got any great vegetarian recipes? I'll be making up my meal plan later today so I'd love some ideas and would love to post your links as well!

Rachels Ray's "Meals for a Steal"

Today on Rachel Ray, she gave us two more "Meals for a Steal" Recipes - New England Pasta Bake and Chicken Chickpea Curry Bowls, both for around $10 for 6 people. Pretty good. They both look like dishes I'd like to try.

To make them a little healthier (it may put the price up but not much, the health benefits are worth it) I would recommend using whole grain or whole wheat pasta for the Pasta Bake and brown rice for the Curry Bowls. Plus she recommended dropping the price in the Curry bowls by making them vegetarian, omitting the chicken and using two cans of chick peas.

Almost Local BLT

OK - so here's my almost all local BLT.

Bread - Jersey Farmer's Market (though I can't tell you where they get their grain)

Lettuce - Jersey Farmer's Market (yes, I'm a Jersey girl)

Tomatoes - my Garden! (and I'm still getting some)

Bacon - from Trader Joes, so at least it's with non of that extra junk:) I looked to see where they get their product from, it's New England, but can't say where the animal came from.

Oh well - 3 out of 4

Egg Casserole Using Leftover Chorizo Mixture

To use up my leftover chorizo mixture (chorizo, onions, poblano peppers and roasted red peppers) from the Chorizo Stuffed Bread Bites I made the night before I cooked up an egg casserole for a church breakfast!

Ingredients:
- leftover chorizo mixture
- 12 eggs
- plain yogurt (about 1 cup)
- couple handfuls of frozen hash browns
- shredded mozzarella cheese (as much or little as you like:)

Lightly browned the hash browns

Mixed all ingredients and then sprinkled a bit of cheese on top.

Baked at 400 degrees until done all the way through.

Yum:)

Rachel Ray's - Chorizo Stuffed Bread Bites

I adapted this recipe a bit from "Rachel Ray 2, 4, 6, 8," (link below)

I can't find dried chorizo around me but this was fresh or uncooked (whatever you would call it) from Aldi's (I also saw that Trader Joes has vegetarian chorizo that I want to try next).

So I started by browning the chorizo and then added the chopped onions and also chopped poblano peppers since I had them from my garden, along with the roasted red peppers.

Real simple - used prepackaged crescent rolls - added a bit of the chorizo, topped with shredded mozzarella, rolled and baked.

I wound up with some leftover chorizo mixture, but no problem I used it the next day to make an egg casserole (click to see).

This is one of the neater looking ones:)

Baking in the oven. Mmmm, can't you just smell it?

Finished product with a side of Fried Green Tomatoes to use up those garden tomatoes.

Tomatoes were just coated in buttermilk and a cornmeal flower mixture and then fried. Real simple.

healthy and budget friendly family meals - October 1, 2008

Welcome to the October 1, 2008 edition of healthy and budget friendly family meals.

Mama Squirrel presents Menu Plan for this week (Low-Sodium) posted at Dewey's Treehouse

Healthy Family Meal

Matthew Stevenson presents Orange Baked Rainbow Trout posted at The Chef's Day Off.


NAOMI presents ROOT VEGETABLES MAKING A COMEBACK posted at Diary From England.

Woman Tribune presents Healthy Three-Pepper Pasta Topping posted at Woman Tribune.

Really Easy

Christy Jordan presents Southern Plate: Crock Pot Oatmeal ~Breakfast In Bed!~ posted at Southern Plate, saying, "Quick and easy way to have breakfast waiting on you and your family! With kid friendly stir ins, this is sure to be a family pleaser!"

Matthew Stevenson presents Slow roasted gammon, with port & garlic sauce posted at The Chef's Day Off.

Matthew Stevenson presents Broccoli, Potato & Onion Gratin posted at The Chef's Day Off.

Kelly Turner presents Foodie Friday: The Most Simple Soup Ever posted at Grounded Fitness, saying, "This three ingredient soup is cheap, healthy and delicious.

Kelly Turner
www.groundedfitness.com"

Batya presents Craving Techina, Easy To Make At Home posted at me-ander.

Something Everyone will love

Matthew Stevenson presents The Perfect Yorkshire Pudding... posted at The Chef's Day Off.

Matthew Stevenson presents Getting Cheesy! posted at The Chef's Day Off.

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