Honey Chicken Griller $7 per family, Easy but time consuming

Honey Chicken Griller

(serves 4)

2 tomatoes, sliced

1 small onion, sliced

1 green pepper, sliced

4 small red potatoes, cut into wedges

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

4 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 tsp margarine

4 tsp honey

To Assemble:

1)cut foil into 20 inch pieces. Divided and layer tomatoes, onions, peppers, and potatoes on each foil piece. Place chicken breast on each vegetable nest.

2)Mix Worcestershire sauce and pepper in a small bowl. Spoon over each chicken breast. Top with 1 tsp margarine and 1 teaspoon honey.

3)To seal packets, bring 2 opposite sides of foil together and fold over several times. Fold over the other 2 ends of foil tightly.

To Prepare

Pierce top of foil twice with a sharp knife to vent.

To Bake:

Preheat Oven to 450

Arrange packets on baking sheet. Bake for about 35 minutes.

To Grill:

Cut cooking time by more than half by grilling. Place packets, seam-side up, on a grill 4 to 6 inches from heat source. Cook for about 15 minutes.

White Stuffed Shells $9-10 per family (time consuming-medium difficulty)

This is the recipe for a 9x13 size. I 5x the ingredients but probably only needed to 4x it.

1 pkg jumbo shells (boiled al dente)
2 lg chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
1 pkg muchrooms (sliced and sauteed with 1 clove chopped garlis and 1 Tbs butter of Olive Oil)
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/4 -1/2 of a small box chopped spinach (defrosted and drained really well)-- use as much or as little as you like
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 jar alfredo sauce (thinned with 1/4 cup milk)
Additional Mozzerella and parmesan to garnish

Mix cheeses, egg, chicken, spinach, mushrooms and spices. Spoon into shells

Freezer club directions:
Thaw
Thin alfredo sauce with 1/4 cup milk
Pour a little alfredo sauce in the bottom of a grease 9x13 baking pan
Place shells into pan.
Pour as much alfredo sauce as you want over the shells
Sprinkle with additional mozzerella and parmesan to taste
Bake at 350 degrees for around 35 minutes or until warmed through
Enjoy!

Cracker and Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Around $10 per family Medium Difficulty

1 cup oyster crackers

1/3 cup Ritz crackers (generous handful)

¾ cup parmesan cheese

1/3 cup flat leaf parsley leaves

3T chopped fresh chives

2T fresh thyme leaves

1T Old Bay seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Flour, for coating

2 large eggs, beaten

Splash of heavy cream or half and half

EVOO, for frying

1.5 lbs sole or tilapia fillets, rinsed and patted dry

salt and pepper

lemon wedges for serving

Using a food processor, grind the oyster crackers, Ritz crackers, parmesan, parsley, chives, thyme, Old Bay seasoning, and garlic powder (if using). Transfer to a shallow bowl. Place flour in another shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, beat the eggs and cream.

Fill a large skillet with enough EVOO to reach a depth of ¼ inch and heat over med.-high heat. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper. Coat the fish with the flour, shaking off any excess; coat with the egg mixture, then with the cracker crumbs. Working with 2 fillets at a time, fry the fish in the skillet, turning once, until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer each batch to the oven to keep warm. Serve with the lemon wedges.

Freezer Club...let the fish thaw and then fry the fish in the skillet.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Approx cost: $10/family of 4. (I didn't keep my receipts, I will calculate better next time or update next time I make this!).  Easy;  Prep. time 1.5 hours

Both recipes are prepared through the cooking stage. Cook pasta 9-11 min. or until tender. Reheat sauce with meatballs in saucepan until heated through. May thaw first or place in medium saucepan on stove. Serve with a salad and garlic toast, if desired.

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup white wine

Directions

1. In a food processor place Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat saute the finely chopped onion in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the blended tomato sauce and white wine.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serves 8.

Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 pound extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®), or to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2. Place the beef into a mixing bowl, and season with salt, onion, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, oregano, red pepper flakes, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce; mix well. Add the milk, Parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. Mix until evenly blended, then form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs, and place onto a baking sheet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes. Serves 4.

Salisbury Steak

$7-$8 per family, Easy, Prep Time: 1.5 hours, Ingredients are per family

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lb. extra-lean ground beef

1 pkg.  Chicken Stove Top

1-1/4 cups water

3/4 cup  chopped onions

1 can Beef Gravy 

 

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375ºF. Mix together meat, stuffing mix, 1-1/4 cups water and onions until well blended. Shape into 6 (1/2-inch-thick) oval patties. Place in 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until done. Heat gravy and add desired seasonings. I usually saute mushrooms with butter and seasonings before adding the gravy to simmer together. Serve steaks with gravy poured over top. 

Side Suggestions: This is a yummy meal to serve with fresh baby potatoes and your family's favorite vegetable.

Thawing Directions: Allow meat to thaw completely, line a cooking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Don't cook these in the supplied pan. Bake as directed above.

Banana Brownie Waffles

From: www.mealmakeovermoms.com
Makes: 18 small waffles

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat flour)
1/4 cup wheat germ (may also use mix of ground flaxseed and wheat germ)
1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
4 tablespoons granulated sugar (I used raw sugar)
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups 1% milk
2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


1. Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, wheat germ, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and set aside.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, bananas, eggs, canola oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened.

4. Coat the hot waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Pour the batter onto the hot waffle iron (about 2 cups or according to your waffle iron) and cook on medium-high setting. Repeat with the remaining batter.

5. Freeze or Serve!!!

There are so many fun ways to top these waffles. Try them with sliced bananas or raspberries and strawberries on top and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Use Agave nectar in lieu of syrup. Spread peanut butter or almond butter on top, or for a real treat, NUTELLA!!