Spicy Pork Chops - about $1 each!

I like to scan the meat department for bargains - there is always SOMETHING on sale, and i can usually figure out something to do with it. Our market likes to sell meat right up to the date printed on the package, and when that day comes, they slap on a sticker for $1 or $2 off. If you're like me, and you put your meat in the freezer when you get home, it doesn't really matter if you bought it on it's last good date - it stays good in the freezer for a long time. Well, last week, there was a nice package of thick cut boneless pork chops on sale, and with the $2 off coupon, three of them only cost me about $3. I made a really simple "cabinet marinade" using stuff that we always have around the house, and pan fried them (i was planning to grill but we ran out of propane). I can still smell them this morning and they were really delicious... and super easy!

Servings: 2-3

Ingredients:

3 Thick cut boneless pork chops (you could use bone in, too) - $3.21

1T Garlicmash (or, the same amount minced garlic plus a splash of chili oil)

2T Scotch Bonnet Stew (this adds spice, but is optional if you don't have it)

1/4 c vegetable oil

1/4 c vinegar (helps to tenderize the chops, and allow the spices to permeate)

2T soy sauce

2T honey

Chili Powder

Cumin

Oregano

Coriander

Cardamom

Cayenne

mix together all ingredients but chops in a bowl - use as much of the spices as you feel comfortable with - cooking is more about personal taste than following rules! I listed mine in order from most to least used. pour into a ziplock bag, and add chops, then seal and allow to marinate for at least a half hour. These could be grilled or baked, but i chose to fry them in a nonstick grilling pan - it leaves grill marks, and requires very little oil (actually, the oil in the marinade is almost enough). Heat the pan to medium high, and place the chops in the pan. What i did here was cook them until the outside was done, then butterfly them and cook the inside through - this is why you want thick, boneless chops - it's easier to cook through without blackening them (and you can transfer all the little browned bits of marinade to the inside of the chop that's sitting on the pan). be sure to cook them until the meat is fully done - uncooked pork is nasty stuff - this is another reason the butterflying works so well. Be sure to take them off as soon as they are done - overcooked pork can get chewy. We served them with shoestring fries (probably about $.75 a serving). I think this is one of the best pork marinades I've ever done - the soy, honey and vinegar really helped the spices permeate the meat nicely. You can change it up too - try it with 5 spice powder!

Bon Appetit! :)

Beans and Rice is nice... and under $5!

It's always a good idea to have a big bag of rice on hand. It's got lots of potassium (something no one ever gets enough of), and protein, and it's a complex carb, so it's digested more slowly than simple carbs. And of course, Schoolhouse Rock reminds us of what a tasty, nutritious meal beans and rice can be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heKYNWFBkW8&feature=player_embedded#

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:

1 Cup rice, uncooked

1 can beans (you can use anything, i like black or kidney - $1 can)

1/2 bag frozen peppers and onions ($1 bag)

1/4 package taco seasoning or mexican marinade ($1)

Shredded cheese ($2.50/bag, but you won't use a full bag)

Leftover meat (I found a sad lonely burger in the freezer) - optional

Cook rice (with 2 cups water - you know how to make rice, right?) While it's cooking, cook the meat and veggies in a saute pan. If you're using raw meat and a nonstick pan, you shouldn't need oil. After they are mostly cooked, add the beans (with juice from the can) and seasoning, and cook completely. Mix veggies and meat with cooked rice, and stir in a little shredded cheese. This makes a really hearty, nutritious, and filling meal for two, or a nice main course for 4 with sides.

Mangia!

Pasta night - $3-5

So, one of the things we eat a lot on a budget is pasta. at $1 a box, it's hard to pass up. And i've recently found pasta sauce for $1 a can. it's not the greatest sauce in the world, but with enough little add ins, it's very tasty and nutritious.

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:

1 Box pasta ($1)

1 Can Past Sauce ($1)

1/2 bag frozen peppers and onions, or spinach ($1/bag) - use multiple veggies if you like, or substitute for 1/2lb ground beef

1/2 bag shredded cheese ($1.50)

while your pasta is cooking, steam the spinach, or lightly stirfry peppers and onions. if you're using ground meat, brown in a separate pan while pasta cooks. After the additional stuff is heated through, stir in a can of pasta sauce and some cheese. Pasta and sauce doesn't have to be boring - make that sauce your own!

Spaghetti and White Clam Sauce - $4.58

I didn't cook tonight, but i figured i'd try to post something anyway...

This is something we had nearly once a week when i was a kid. i had no idea at the time that it would fit on my $5 menu, but it's remarkably cheap, and tastes like gourmet food. It's also super easy. No wonder it was a staple for both my mom and grandmother. In this recipe you will learn a little about roux - a blend of warmed butter and flour, used to thicken sauce to a creamy consistency.

Servings: 2-4

Ingredients:

3T Butter

3T Flour

2 cans chopped or minced clams ($1.79 ea)

1T garlic salt/garlic/garlicmash

Oregano

Salt

Pepper

1 Box pasta ($1.00)

In a medium saucepan, gently heat butter till it melts, then stir in flour with a wooden spoon until it's smooth - this is the roux. be careful not to burn it!add the clams and juice from the cans, and spices, and stir over low heat until it thickens - and all you did was mix in flour and butter! serve with cooked pasta. you won't believe how something so easy can taste so good - try it!

mini layer cakes - $3.69

I have noticed recently that the store sells brownie mix for a dollar a box. all it takes is a couple eggs an some oil for a tasty treat. and if you want them a little healthier, you can substitute 1/3c applesauce for each egg you use. I have been getting creative, but tonight's adventure really "takes the cake." I didn't have any birthday cake this year, so i figured i would make my own individual cakes using my trusty brownie mix. One box of mix makes about 20 with this recipe. The secret is to add an extra egg, and use baking cups, for the perfect consistency.

Servings: 20 individual cakes

Ingredients:

1 Box Brownie Mix (cheapest you can find - most stores have $1 boxes) - $1

3 Eggs (or one egg more than your brownie mix calls for) or 1c applesauce

1/2c oil

1/4c water

1 can frosting (I used cream cheese, use your favorite) - $2.69

Cupcake Papers

Garnish

Optional items:

Nuts

Coconut

Chocolate Chips

peppermint oil/extract

etc (you get the idea - whatever you have a little bit left of in your cabinets)

Mix together the eggs and oil, then add brownie mix - blend till all lumps are gone, then add extra ingredients. pour into muffin cups about 1/3 full to make individual layers, and 2/3 full to make sliceable cakes that can be cut in two to make layers. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. let cool - if you don't the frosting will melt! When they are cool, slice the tall ones right under the "muffin top." Frost the bottom half, then place the top on it. Frost the sides, then the top, and garnish with a sprig of mint, a drizzle of hersheys syrup, a maraschino cherry, sprinkles - use your imagination on this an the add ins that mix well wit a dark, devil's food like cake and your favorite frosting.

they are yummy!

Welcome to Fantastic Five Dollar Food!

Welcome to my new blog, Fantastic Five Dollar Food!

I've decided to keep a new blog about cheap and easy (and, if possible, healthy) meals and snacks. With money as tight as it is these days, and time as short as it ever was, everyone needs ideas of how to make their dollar go further, yet still enjoy tasty meals.

I'm going to try to keep a blog of everything I cook that comes in under $5 to prepare. Dinners, snacks, desserts, breads - whatever i manage to whip up. I'll give as much detail as i can, and i won't count "common" ingredients in my price (condiments, staples like milk, flour, eggs, butter, spices, rice, etc) - things you usually have lingering in your cupboard. I will post photos as often as i can.

Please leave me comments if you like (or hate) the ideas, or try the recipes. I'm excited to share them with you!

Cheers!

-Buggsy