Dinner for 4 - less than $8.

[mums the word]

Hi Connie - Anything that I have tried from this site that is South Beach, I have reviewed so click on my page and my reviews and you will see the things I have made. I have made several dishes from the "first" book too and the only thing I didn't like so far was the hummus as it had way to much cumin for my taste. Everything else has been good.

I lost 12 lbs so far and my husband has lost 11. I have moved on to Phase 2 as I didn't have much weight to lose, but my husband is continuing on Phase 1 for another week to drop a bit more weight. The food is good and healthy and it makes you rethink your food choices so it is a lifestyle more than a diet. I borrowed the books from the library and there are several you can get.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

Thank you mum. I did have the books but lent them out. I will go to the library and take them out so I can follow protocol. I hate the part of no bread for a while. Especially during holidays.
Congrats to both of you!!!

I use the site myfitnesspal.com to log my food, drink, exercise and it really helps!

[mums the word]

Thanks for the link to the website Connie, I'll check it out. I don't miss the bread so much but I did find Phase 1 really restrictive.

I am confused because the first SB book said no milk on Phase one but the "SB Diet Super Charged" book says low fat milk is ok for Phase One. Now I am thinking that they altered the diet later as this book was published in 2008 and I believe the first book was from 2003. At any rate, I already suffered through the "no milk" phase so I guess it doesn't matter much now.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

Todaya is going tobe double duty dinner.

I am making chicken quarters in the oven and then using the broth and 2 quarters to make a huge pot of chicken veggie soup.

So cost wise this will be a great menu.
The soup will last at least 4 days for DH and I with me eating it 2 times per day lunch and as a predinner soup. DH will just eat for predinner.


Chicken qtrs $2.58 for 3.25 lbs. (sale at .49 lb)
1/2 bag baby carrots at .50
3 stalks celery at .15
1 onion at .50
garlic whole bulb .75
1 cup rice at .25
1 TBSP chicken boullion .25
1/2 lb corn (freezer) .55
1/2 lb shredded zucchini (freezer).10
2rosemary sprigs garden but if bought .25
juice of lemon .50
4 potatoes .40
salt and pepper < .10
olive oil < .20


$7.75 for 2 full meals nd leftovers to boot for 2 people. So fr 4 it would still be 2 fullmeals. YUMMY

PLUS SNOW is coming so the soup and the chicken will warm our bones here. That and some hot chocolate.

Chicken recipe is here

Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Roasted Chicken Quarters
by MarthaStewartWannaBe the soup will be the leftovers as stated and other ingredients not in chicken rcipe.
I will also have 2 more quarters to use up later in the week for another meal or to freeze for future meals. OH YEA this is a good one. I love when chicken goes on sale.
I stock up!

[mums the word]

Hey, since when do you use 4-letter words in a post -SNOW!?! Ugh! Thanks for the link to the chicken recipe, it sounds great so I saved it to my cookbook.I love making soup from bones and leftovers too. Can't beat that for budget friendly meals.

In my last post I mentioned the confusion in South Beach Diet over the milk in Phase One. So, I googled it the other night and sure enough, the diet was amended in 2004 to allow 2 servings of 1% or non-fat milk or non-fat yogurt per day in Phase one. So, if you are going to go on SB diet, remember to change your book to now include milk in Phase 1.

[mums the word]

Okay, so I haven't posted here for quite some time and I apologize. But, work was keeping me too busy and yes, I've been too lazy to post. But, tonight I made a dish that was really yummy and super cheap, so I thought I better share it! Check out Mushrooms Paprikash With Egg Noodles.

Here is a rough estimate of cost

butter .30
onions .20
garlic cloves .05
mushrooms $1.99
tomato paste .20
paprika .20
sour cream .35
egg noodles $1.00

total cost $5.39 for 4 servings

This recipe was delicous and should you be at the bottom of the pantry, I bet you would still have the ingredients to make it. It is also great in that you can throw in leftover beef, chicken or seafood. And, to top all of that off, it is quick to prepare - 20 minutes start to finish.

[new_cook74]

Hi, I hope you don't mind me joining in. I am really enjoying reading all of your recipes too.
I will let you know how I get on

Not sure if anyone is interested but I have found a website that has great recipe cook books for cooking on a shoestring, it also has some great slow cooker recipe books which I love to use in the winter.

Happy Cooking!!

http://mealsona.shoestringmall.com

[mums the word]

new_cook74 wrote:
Hi, I hope you don't mind me joining in. I am really enjoying reading all of your recipes too.
I will let you know how I get on

Not sure if anyone is interested but I have found a website that has great recipe cook books for cooking on a shoestring, it also has some great slow cooker recipe books which I love to use in the winter.

Happy Cooking!!

http://mealsona.shoestringmall.com

Welcome and we are glad to have you stopping by. Thanks for the link to the website, I shall have a peep at that later. Please feel free to post any recipes you wish to share!

[mums the word]

This is a crock pot recipe I made for the "Cooking from the Pantry Challenge". Super yummy and the gravy it makes is sooooo good.

Here's the breakdown for Crockpot Pork Pot Roast

pork picnic shoulder $4.74 (paid .99/lb)
s&p and garlic .20
onion soup mix .50
2 T worcestershire - about .20
Montreal Steak spice - maybe .15
mashed potatoes - $1.00
carrots .40

Total $7.19 for 4 servings PLUS leftovers for next night where I made 4 hot pork on a bun sandwiches.

Try it, you'll like it! By the way, have a peek at the Canning and Preserving forum and look at some of the good recipes that have been made for the "Cooking from the Pantry Challenge".

[mums the word]

Here is another family favourite that finds its way to my table every month or two. The kids go wild....Crescent Roll Casserole

1 lb ground beef $2.31
tomato sauce .99
cheese $2.49
reduced fat crescent rolls $1.25
parmesan cheese about .25
sour cream about .15

Total $7.44 for 4 large servings. (normally would feed 6 but my kids are piggies when it comes to this dish)

Added bonus, it is a simple weeknight meal to prepare.

[mums the word]

Made this tonight for the kids and their visiting friends and they loved it. Everyone went back for more.

Hamburger Skillet Supper

ground beef $3.35 (about 1 1/4 lbs)
2 pkgs ramen noodles $.89
2 C frozen vegetables - about $1.00

Total for 6 servings $5.24

Dirt cheap and easy to boot, what's not to love? If you decide to try it, read the method described in step #6, which is how I chose to make it.

[DEEP]

Another thread worthy of a "revisit".

[mums the word]

I'm back....and since I made you wait so long for a new post, I have a simple
comfort dish that only costs about $5.00 for 4-6 servings.

Easy Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie

chicken $2.16
frozen vegetables .89 (I use fresh sometimes or clean out the fridge)
cream of chicken soup .79
Bisquick .40 (I use a copy cat recipe - there are a few listed on this site)
1 potato .20
milk .25
egg .22

Total $4.91 4-6 servings.

I served this to my inlaws last week and they thought it was great. It was so easy I almost felt guilty taking the compliments! What they don't know won't hurt them.

I usually add a dash of poultry seasoning to the soup mixture and sprinkle the bisquik topping with some garlic salt and celery salt too.

[mums the word]

Last week we put snow tires on both of our cars and this week we had to put new brakes on the older car.

So apparently I need to save some $$ amd make some cheap dinners for a while.

Please post your favourite cheap dinners for me!

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

Hi mum

I have been MIA for a long time! Been where internet is scarce if at all.

Of course I come here first to check on you and some recipes.

I need new snow tires as well dang it! but it must be done for safety especially as I am driving extensively for the past 6 months.

I made soups this weekend as my budget stretcher and a turkey! I know Tday around the corner but I just cooked the turkey sans all the extras, made a huge vat (6 qts) of soup with tons of veggies, barley, black eyed peas (handful) and the juice came from cooking the turkey and boiling the bones. All stuff I had on hand or in freezer from the garden.

I also made a turkey casserole using taters, gravy, and instant stuffing (got it free with coupons)

and then made chicken noodle soup with some veggies using a chicken I purchased for 49 cents a lb. I think it came to just iunder $3.00 and DH and I had it and I gave to neighbors a quart &1/2 as they both were just laid off.


She is coming by to get some casserole and some turkey soup tomorrow. I told her I made too much so please take it off my hands. My freezer is full.
Made my heart full for sure that she said ok she will come by.

I do not think I spent more than 15.00 all told for everything and there will be more than 8 meals from the above serving 2 per meal. Soups and spagetti with sauce are the best budget stretchers, best part about the fall and winter months.

This week and 1/2 is clean the freezer out week as turkeys are on sale for .48 lb with a $25.00 purchase. I plan to get my staples loaded (thus spending at least $25 per trip) and several turkeys back in the freezer by T day. I go in spend 25 get turkey load car then go back in and do the same. T-paper and paper towels make 1 trip, fresh fruit and veggies make next trip and another turkey. Next week I load up on baking items and do the same.

.