Amy's Pasta Salad Recipe

A co-worker of mine made a similar version of this so I dolled it up a bit for my family's taste. I love recipes like this because you can just throw in whatever you have around the house!!! :)

Ingredients:
1- 14.5 oz can Petite Diced Tomatoes (0.25/can)
1- 40z can sliced mushrooms (1.29/can) Not purchased on sale
1/2- can black olives, sliced (1.49/can so 0.75) Not purchased on sale
1- medium zucchini, sliced and quartered (0.84)
1/2 onion, diced (maybe .10- purchased 6 per bag for 1.25 not too long ago)
1 large chicken breast (got this free from a neighbor- farm raised...yum)
1 box Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta- Rotini Shape (FREE)
1/2 cup mayo (after this next purchase this would be about 0.15)
1/2 cup Italian Dressing (1.00 for bottle so maybe 0.25)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (0.63? 2 cups per bag)

Directions:
1. Cook pasta and drain pasta. Set aside.
2. Saute together zucchini and diced onion in pan with maybe 1 Tbsp butter. Set aside.
3. Grill chicken and let rest before dicing.
4. Mix separately with a whisk the mayo and Italian Dressing (you may only need 1/3 cup of each--to taste)
5. Place all ingredients together and combine until well mixed.
6. Top with shredded cheese and then let cool.

This pasta is great served right then after cooling in the fridge with a slight chill. It is even better the next day for lunch. This makes quite a bit and is filling so it may be something you want to take to a family gathering this summer. The thing I love best about this pasta is that it is versatile. Add what you want and delete out what you don't like of my ingredients. Enjoy!

RR's Chili Dip

Named after a co-worker who brought it to me. I would have NEVER tried this if I saw the recipe out there but it is GREAT so here it is. I am thinking Superbowl Sunday...

Ingredients
1 80z pkg Cream Cheese (softened)
1 can Hormel Chili (preferred brand but up to your preference)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or blend)

In a shallow dish (I usually use an 8 inch clear pie plate) spread the cream cheese along the bottom, follow with the chili, and then top with shredded cheese. Place this in the microwave until the shredded cheese on top is melted (or do so in the oven) and then serve with tortilla chips.
*Note: this can be made ahead (cover with saran wrap and place in fridge) and then just wait to heat until you are ready to enjoy!

Taco Soup

I love this recipe!

Ingredients:
1 can Whole Kernel Corn (drain off water and refill can...reduces sodium)
1 can diced tomatoes w/green chilis
1 can chopped green chilis
1 lb. Hamburger Meat, cooked and crumbled (from the freezer)
1/2 onion diced and sauteed, optional
1 can Petite or Regular Diced Tomatoes
1/2 can black olives, sliced
1/2 pkt. Taco Seasoning
1/2 pkt. Dry Ranch Dressing Mix
2 cans (30 oz) water or broth (I usually do a combo)

Toppings (our preferences):
Tortilla Chips of any kind (crushed)
Salsa
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese (cheddar blend)
Remaining Sliced Black Olives
Tomatoes if we have them

Directions:
Combine all ingredients (except Hamburger Meat) into pot on stove. Let cook to a slow boil and reduce to simmering for 15-20 minutes. Add in Hamburger Meat and let simmer another 10 minutes. Let rest a couple of minutes then serve with the above toppings or see below.

Common Substitutions we do:
2 cans tomates w/green chilies instead of additonal can of green chilis and tomatoes
Some people like diced avocado on top of their taco soup
If you like it hot I suppose you could add Jalapeno or Chipotle Chili but with this one we don't so its kid friendly.
Add/Substitute all you like...we just do what we feel like each time!

Corn Casserole...Cheap and EASY!

This is a recipe that I got from my mother-in-law but I basically think of her as my second mom. They make this every year for the holidays. I have since added it to our listing of recipes to make often.

Ingredients:
2 boxes Jiffy Cornbread Mix (around $0.45 a box)
1/2 cup Milk
1 Tbsp Vinegar (sometimes I omit this)
1 can Cream Corn
1 can Whole Kernel Corn (drained)

Directions:
Mix all ingredients above and place into oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes.

I usually make this once a month since it is so cheap and easy! More if it is a tight budget month.

French Toast Muffins

These are great when money is tight! The recipe uses staples you keep on hand all the time. They will need to be stored in an airtight container or I guess you could freeze some of them...they don't make it that far in our house!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4-1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease regular size muffin pan or line with liner.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Make well in center of mixture (using the measuring cup just move it in a circle in the center of your bowl until you reach the bottom).
In a separate bowl stir the lightly beaten egg, milk, and 1/3 cup melted butter (heat and then let cool to room temp).

Place these wet ingredients into the well that you created in bowl #1. Gradually incorporate the wet and dry ingredients.

Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes (will depend on your oven but I always use the toothpick method).
Remove from oven when done and make the following items:
Bowl A. Melt 1/3 cup butter in a bowl
Bowl B. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Dip either top only or all of your muffins (depends on preference) in Bowl A and then Bowl B.
Serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container to keep them moist.

Hello from the Kitchen

When I work in the kitchen I try to do a number of things that save me time. I worked at a restaurant in college and then sold food as an independent distributor for a while. While I don't do those things anymore the concepts that I learned have greatly improved how I view my kitchen. What I hated worse than anything was the 4:00 p.m. timeframe sitting at my desk at work running through a number of recipes in my head trying to picture what was in my cabinet and what I had in my freezer. I almost always thought of something that included some kind of meat that was usually frozen solid, raw in my freezer. That was the past and I hope this blog will help you to understand how to better manage your time in the kitchen because the less time you spend in front of the stove, microwave, etc. the more money you will save in the end.

On the side of my blog are Labels. Please look at the Kitchen Tips and Recipes Sections for Items that I think are great. For the recipes some are ones I have created and some are internet inspired.