Extremely Frugal Hot Dutch Potato Salad

Dutch Potatoes
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Potatoes	2 lbs
Celery	3/4 C
Onion	3/4 C
Bacon	4 strips
Sugar	1/4 C
Vinegar	6 Tbsp
Water	2 Tbsp
Celery seed	1 tsp
Egg	1

Boil potatoes and cut into 1/2 inch slices.
Chop celery and onion.
Cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and add sugar, vinegar, water, and celery seed. Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir 2 tablespoons of the mixture into the well-beaten egg, and then stir back into the skillet.
Mix well and remove from heat.
Combine potatoes, celery, and onion in a bowl. Pour mixture over and mix well.
Place in a casserole and crumble bacon over the top.
Bake at 350° F for 30 minutes.

If you add 8-12 ounces of canned tuna or left-over chicken, you have a hearty dinner.

Extremely Frugal Baked Rice Pudding

Rice Pudding
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Baked Rice Pudding

Rice, cooked	2 C
Milk	1 1/2 C
Salt	1/8 tsp
Sugar	5 Tbsp
Butter	1 Tbsp
Vanilla	1 tsp
Eggs	3
Lemon juice	1 tsp
Raisins	1/3 C

Preheat over to 325° F. Grease baking dish.
Combine milk, salt, sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, and lemon juice. Beat well.
Stir in rice and raisins.
Pour into baking dish and bake 50 minutes, until pudding is set and top is lightly browned.

Beef Barley Soup

Beef Barley Soup
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Beef broth	4 C
Barley	1/2 C
Onions	1/2 C
Celery	1/2 C
Mushrooms	1 C
Thyme	1/4 tsp

Finely chop onions. Coarsely chop celery. Slice mushrooms.
Bring broth to a boil. Add vegetables. Simmer 5 minutes
Add thyme and salt to taste.
Add barley.
Simmer, covered, about 30 minutes until the barley is tender.

Extremely Frugal Mashed Potatoes

Mashed Potatoes
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Potatoes	2 lbs
Butter	3 Tbsp
Salt	1 tsp
Milk	1/2 C

Boil potatoes for about 30 minutes, until they are cooked through. Quartering them speeds this up. Pour off the water and return the potatoes to the hot pan. Shake them over the hot burner for a few minutes to dry them completely.
Heat the milk.
Use a hand potato masher or electric beaters to whip potatoes. Add butter and warm milk to smooth them to the proper consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

I usually leave the skins on, but they are easier to mash to a creamy consistency if you peel them.

Simple Scalloped Potatoes

Simple Scalloped Potatoes
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Potatoes	2 lb
Flour	2 Tbsp
Butter	5 Tbsp
Onions	2 Tbsp
Ham	1/2 C
Milk	1 1/4 C
Salt	1 tsp
Paprika	1/2 tsp
Dry mustard	1/4 tsp

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Peel and thinly slice potatoes. Drop into boiling water and parboil about 8 minutes.
Dice ham, finely mince onions. Mix with butter and flour.
Grease a baking dish and alternate layers of potatoes with layers of ham.
Heat the milk, and season it with the slat, paprika and dry mustrd. Pour over potatoes.
Bake for 35 minutes.

Ham is optional. Chop a couple strips of bacon if you don't have ham.

Simple Cheesy Chicken

Cheesy Chicken
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Flour	2 Tbsp
Butter	2 Tbsp
Milk	1 C
Cheese	4 oz
Worcestershire sauce	1/2 tsp
Dry mustard	1/2 tsp
Red pepper flakes	1/8 tsp

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in milk a few tablespoons at a time, incorporating into flour mixture well.
Add cheese, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and red pepper flakes.
Cook until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Stir in leftover chicken and serve over rice or noodles.

Simple Banana Bread

Banana Bread
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Shortening	1/2 C
Sugar	1 C
Eggs	2
Bananas	1 1/2 C
Lemon juice	1 Tbsp
Flour	2 C
Baking powder	1 Tbsp
Salt	1/2 tsp
Walnuts, chopped	3/4 C

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition.
Stir in mashed bananas and lemon juice.
Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to banana mixture stirring quickly.
Add nuts.

Bake in a greased loaf pan for about 1 hour at 350° F.

Extremely Frugal Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Ground beef	1 lb
Onions	1/2 C
Catsup	1 C
Sugar	3 Tbsp
Mustard	3 Tbsp
Vinegar	3 Tbsp
Worcestershire sauce	3 tsp
Water	1/2 C

Brown beef and onions in large frying pan.
Add catsup, sugar, mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.
Add water and simmer for 15 minutes.
Server hot on toasted buns.

Extremely Frugal Northern Chili

Chili
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Ground beef	1/2 lb
Pinto beans,cooked	2 C
Tomatoes	4 C
Chili powder	1/3 C
Cumin	1 tsp
Onions	1 C

Cook pintos in pressure cooker, using this recipe.
Saute onions and beef until onions are translucent. Add chili powder and cumin and cook for 2 minutes longer.
Stir in beans and tomatoes. Simmer for at least 25 minutes.

This is a great crock-pot recipe. Just dump everthing in and stir well. Simmer on low for at least 6 hours.
It also tastes better if refrigerated overnight and reheated the next day.

Simple BBQ Chicken Sandwich

BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Chicken	1 lb
BBQ sauce	2 C

Make 2 cups of Texas BBQ sauce. ( Recipe here) Reserve 1 cup.
Grill or broil chicken, basting with remaining sauce.
When cooked through, cool enough to handle and pull meat from bones.
Reheat reserved sauce, and mix in chicken pieces.
Serve on toasted buns.

Simple Deviled Eggs

Deviled Eggs
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Eggs	12
Salt	1/4 tsp
Pepper	1/4 tsp
Celery seed	1/2 tsp
Wocestershire sauce	1/2 tsp
Basil	1/8 tsp
Marjoram	1/8 tsp
Thyme	pinch
Dry mustard	1/8 tsp
Mayonnaise	2 Tbsp

Place eggs in pan of cold water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down heat to just simmer the eggs, timing them for exactly 10 minutes. Remove from heat and chill quickly in cold water.

Remove the shell, halve eggs lengthwise, and carefully remove yolks. Rinse whites and set aside to drain.
Place yolks in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, celery seed, Worcestershire, basil, marjoram, thyme, and dry mustard.
Gently mix in mayonnaise, adding more until yolks are a smooth spreadable consistency.
Fill cavities in whites with yolk mixture.

Hints:
I get the best results when the eggs have been in the refrigerator at least a week after I purchased them. The shell peels much more smoothly.
See this post for Perfect Hard-boiled Eggs

Storing deviled eggs is messy. I get around this by filling them from a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4 inch round tip. The bag of yolk mixture is sealed by putting a bit of plastic wrap over the tip. Store in the refrigerator. Then fill the whites when you are ready to serve. It's also the easiest way to carry them to a picnic or a party. Faster too.

Simple Dill Slaw

Dill Slaw
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Cabbage	4 C
Carrot	1/2 C
Onion	1/4 C
Oil	2 Tbsp
Vinegar	1/4 C
Dill	2 Tbsp

Shred cabbage and carrot. Mince onion very fine.
Toss in serving bowl, then sprinkle with oil, vinegar and dill. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Toss again and chill 1 hour or until serving time.

Simple Primordial Chicken

Primordial Chicken Ready To Cook
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Chicken	1 lb
Oil	2 Tbsp
Garlic	4 cloves
Tarragon	2 Tbsp
Salt	2 tsp

Rub chicken pieces with oil. Crush garlic and rub it over the chicken.
Sprinkle tarragon generously over the chicken. Sprinkle with salt.

Grill or broil chicken for 30-40 minutes, until well done.

The amounts in this recipe are totally made up. It's one of the simplest recipes I know of, and works well with rosemary instead of tarragon. Lemon peel is good too. The idea is to take some pieces of chicken, grease them, use the grease to hold the spices onto the skin, and then broil or grill them until the skin is crisp.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
26¢ Ham, bone in .99 per pound (Meijer)
38¢ Ground chuck 4.49 for 3 pounds (Meijer)
51¢ Ground Chuck, 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
51¢ Chicken breast, boneless 1.99 per pound (Meijer)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
22¢ Eggs .88 per dozen (Meijer)
30¢ Milk 1.59 per gallon (Meijer, Kroger)
52¢ Cheese 2.77 per pound (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
16¢ Plums .88 per pound (Meijer)
16¢ Apricots .99 per pound (Meijer)
17¢ Blueberries 2.00 per pound (Meijer)
26¢ Peaches .99 per pound (Meijer)

12¢ Potatoes 2.88 for 10 pounds (Meijer)
14¢ Green beans .77 per pound (Meijer)
16¢ Celery .99 a bunch (Kroger)
20¢ Green peppers .99 per pound (Meijer)
23¢ Eggplant .77 per pound (Meijer)
26¢ Roma tomatoes .99 per pound (Meijer, Kroger)


Stock The Pantry
Parmesan cheese 8 oz $2.50 (Meijer)
Mustard 16 oz $1.00 (Meijer)

Other good buys
none this week

Extremely Frugal Sweet Sour Slaw

Sweet Sour Slaw
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Cabbage	1 lb
Bacon	2 strips
Vinegar	2 Tbsp
Water	2 Tbsp
Sugar	2 tsp
Salt	1 tsp

Shred cabbage.
Saute bacon slowly, until meat is crisp and fat has rendered out.
Remove bacon and crumble.
Add vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to pan, heat to boiling. Return crumbled bacon.
Pour hot dressing over shredded cabbage and chill until serving time.

Simple Plum Cake

Plum Cake
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Plums	2 C
Yeast	1 tsp
Milk	1/2 C
Sugar	1 tsp
Milk	1/4 C
Salt	1/4 tsp
Butter	2 Tbsp
Egg	1
Sugar	1/4 C
Flour	3 C

Wash and half plums. Cut into thin wedges and set aside.
Mix together yeast, milk, sugar, and flour. Let rise about 1 hour, then stir down.
Warm milk with salt and butter until butter melts.
Stir in egg and sugar.
Add yeast mixture to batter.
Stir in flour, sufficient to make a stiff dough.
Pat the dough into a greased 9 x 11 pan, and place fruit on top in a single layer.
Let dough rise again.
Preheat oven to 400° F.
Bake 15 minutes, lower oven temperature to 350° and bake 10 minutes more.

Simple Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Beef, ground	1 lb
Bread crumbs	1 C
Egg	1
Onions	1/4 C
Parsley	3 Tbsp
Salt	1 tsp
Paprika	1/4 tsp
Lemon juice	1 Tbsp
Nutmeg	1/4 tsp
Allspice	1/8 tsp
Drippings or butter	2 Tbsp
Broth	2 C
Flour	1/4 C

Shape meat into 1 inch balls. Brown in drippings.
Cover with broth and simmer about 15 minutes.
Remove meatballs.
Stir 2 teaspoons broth into the flour, making a smooth paste. Stir the paste back into the simmering broth, stirring up bits of browned meat from the bottom. Cook for 5 minutes until gravy thickens and flour is cooked.

For a more pronounced flavor, mix 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind into the meatball mixture.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
35¢ Chicken leg quarters .79 per pound (Meijer)
39¢ Whole chicken, .85 per pound (Meijer)
50¢ Ground chuck 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
51¢ Boneless pork loin 1.69 per pound (Meijer)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs, .98 per dozen (Meijer)
30¢ Milk, 1.59 per gallon (Kroger)


Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
15¢ Orange juice, .91 per 12 oz can (Meijer)
15¢ Celery .91 per bunch (Meijer)
15¢ Mangoes .50 each (Meijer)
16¢ Green beans, fresh .77 per pound (Meijer)
18¢ Grapes .97 per pound (Meijer)
23¢ Peaches, .88 per pound (Meijer)
23¢ Eggplant, 77 per pound (Meijer)


Stock The Pantry
Walnuts 2.99 per pound (Kroger)

Other good buys
Almonds 2.99 per pound (Kroger)

Extremely Frugal Southern Green Beans

Southern Green Beans
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Green beans, fresh	1 lb
Bacon	2 strips
Onion	1/2 cup

Clean beans and leave whole or cut to preferred size.
Saute bacon until crisp, remove from pan, and crumble.
Chop onion and saute in bacon fat until translucent.
Stir in green beans and stirfry quickly until bright green.
Return bacon to pan, stir to mix in.
Season with a bit of pepper.

Simple Rosemary Chicken Salad

Rosemary Chicken Salad
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Chicken, raw	1 lb
Onion	1/2C
Celery	1/4 C
Bay leaf	1
Celery	1 C
Onion	1/2 C
Grapes	1 C
Walnuts	1/4 C
Rosemary	1 tsp
Mayonnaise	1/4 C

Put chicken in saucepan and poach with onion, celery and bay leaf. Drain, reserving broth for other uses.
Mince celery and onion. Halve grapes. Chop walnut fine.
Dice chicken and stir in minced vegetables, and walnuts.
Sprinkle with crushed rosemary and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Gently fold in mayonnaise, and chill for 1 hour or until serving time.

Summer Fruit Tart

Summer Fruit Tart
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Clear Glaze for Fruit Tart

Gelatin	1 envelope (7 grams)
Cold water	1 C
Sugar	1/2 C
Fruit	1 1/2 C

Soften gelatin in cold water in a small saucepan.
Add sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring to dissolve gelatin and sugar.
Chill by immersing in an ice water bath until syrupy and slightly thickened.

Wash, dry, and slice fruit. I use strawberries, kiwi fruit, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, apricots and other soft fresh fruit.

Drain fruit for a few minutes on a towel. Dip in glaze and then place on tart.

Recipe for shortbread crust
Recipe for custard filling

This is so easy to make. The only ingredient that isn't on the Simply Frugal shopping list is the gelatin. Otherwise, it only uses stuff that's already in your pantry along with inexpensive seasonal fruits.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
42¢ Pork shoulder bone in (Western ribs) 1.19 per pound (Meijer)
42¢ Ground beef, 73%, 1.59 per pound (Kroger)
51¢ Chicken breast, boneless skinless 7.99 per 4 pounds (Meijer)
54¢ Round steak, bottom round, 1.99 per pound (Meijer)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer, Kroger)
30¢ Milk, 1.59 per gallon (Kroger)
48¢ Cheese 2.50 per pound (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
3¢ Cabbage .33 per pound (Meijer)
8¢ Celery .99 per bunch (Meijer)
12¢ Cucumber 3/1.00 (Meijer)
12¢ Romaine .99 per pound (Meijer)
16¢ Zucchini .99 per pound (Meijer)
17¢ Green beans, .99 per pound (Meijer)
18¢ Grapes, .97 per pound (Kroger)
18¢ Plums, .99 per pound (Meijer)


Stock The Pantry
Pasta .75 per pound (Meijer)
Sugar .40 per pound (Meijer)

Other good buys
Green onions 3/1.00 (Meijer)

Sesame Broccoli

Sesame Broccoli
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Broccoli, fresh or frozen	1 pound
Lemon juice	1 tsp
Soy sauce	1 tsp
Roasted sesame oil	1/2 tsp
Sesame seeds	1 tsp

Steam broccoli briefly and place in serving bowl.
Mix lemon juice, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Sprinkle over broccoli and then toss.
If you are serving this as a cold summer salad, refrigerate for several hours.
Otherwise serve immediately, sprinkling sesame seeds for garnish.

Note: There are two kinds of sesame oil sold. One, a light golden color, is used as you would use any cooking oil. Dark or roasted sesame oil is a flavoring ingredient that can be purchased in Asian grocery stores and in some supermarkets in the ethnic foods section. Don't try to substitute one for the other. The darker oil has a very powerful flavor.

Simple Potato Salad

Potato Salad
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Potatoes	4 medium
Oil	1 Tbsp
Vinegar	1 Tbsp
Thyme	1/16 tsp
Basil	1/4 tsp
Dry Mustard	1/8 tsp
Marjoram	1/4 tsp
Celery seed	1/4 tsp
Sugar	1/4 tsp
Celery	1/4 C
Onion	1/4 C
Green olives	2 Tbsp
Mayonnaise	1/4 C

Boil whole potatoes until tender.
Mix oil, vinegar, thyme, basil, dry mustard, marjoram, celery seeds, and sugar.
When potatoes are tender, peel if desired, and cut into 1/2 inch dice while still hot.
Pour oil and vinegar mixture over hot potatoes, tossing gently. Let sit for half an hour or refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
When cool, mix in chopped celery, minced onions, and chopped green olives.
Stir in mayonnaise until potatoes are lightly coated.
Serve chilled.

Notes:
Buy 'salad' olives rather than the perfectionist whole stuffed olives.
Go light on the mayonnaise. It doesn't need to be visible to taste like potato salad.

Extremely Frugal Cornbread

Cornbread
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Cornmeal	1 C
Flour	1 C
Baking Powder	4 tsp
Salt	1 1/2 tsp
Milk	1 1/2 C
Egg	2
Oil	2 Tbsp

Preheat oven and iron skillet to 425° F, adding a bit of bacon fat or other grease to the pan.
Stir together flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt.
Stir milk, egg and oil into center of flour mixture, taking care to mix egg well.
Stir to moisten flour, then pour into hot skillet.
Return skillet to oven and bake about 25 minutes.

Notes:
Yes, that's my grandmother's skillet in the photo.
About Grease. Grease is a fine southern ingredient. It means whatever liquid or solid fat that you've got on hand. Bacon grease is the ultimate grease, but you can use shortening, butter, oil or chicken fat in its place. This recipe uses grease both in the batter and on the pan.

Extremely Frugal Custard Base For Fruit Tart

Custard Base For Fruit Tart
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Milk	3/4 C
Sugar	1/4 C
Flour	2 Tbsp
Egg yolks	2
Vanilla extract	1 Tbsp

Heat milk to scalding. (I find a microwave does this better than the stovetop).
Combine sugar, flour, and egg yolks in the top of a double boiler set over hot water.
Stir with wire whisk until it becomes light. Gradually stir in hot milk until well blended.
Cook, stirring continuously, until mixture is about to boil. It thickens and coats the spoon.
Cook 30-40 minutes, just simmering.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Keep stirring until custard cools.
Chill completely, setting saucepan in ice water. Refrigerate, well covered, until ready to use.

Extremely Frugal Shortbread Tarts

Shortbread Tart Shells
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Butter	1/2 C
Powdered sugar	1/4 C
Vanilla extract	1/2 tsp
Flour	1 C

Soften butter and cream with powdered sugar until well blended.
Add vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Stir in sifted flour, mixing well. Use hands to work dough thoroughly and form into a ball. Wrap well in plastic and chill 1 hour or more.

Preheat oven to 350° F.
Roll dough out 1/3 inch thick on lightly floured board.
Fit into fluted tart pan, trimming evenly and patching as needed.

To bake unfilled:
Prick several times with a fork both before baking and as soon as the crust comes from the oven.
Bake for 20 to 26 minutes.

To bake filled:
Prick several times with a fork, and bake 15 minutes. Prick again before pouring filling into shell.
Bake as directed.


Frugal Tip:
If you don't usually have powdered sugar on hand, don't go out and buy it for this recipe. Just use your food processor. One cup of granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon of cornstarch will make 1 cup of powdered sugar.

Simple Lemon Baste Chicken

Lemon Baste
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

A wonderfully summery lemon tarragon combination

Chicken breasts	4
Flour	1/2 C
Salt	1 tsp
Tarragon	1 tsp
Oil	1/4 C
Lemon juice	1/3 C
Onion	2 Tbsp
Garlic clove	1
Pepper	1/4 tsp

Combine onion, garlic, tarragon, lemon juice, and pepper in food processor.
Combine flour and salt.
Dredge chicken breasts in flour mixture.
Place oil in oven pan and preheat oven to 350° F, until oil is very hot.
Place dredged chicken breasts in hot oil turning once to keep skin side up.
Baste with lemon tarragon mixture several times.
Bake for about 30-40 minutes.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
.44¢ Ground hamburger (73%) 1.68 per pound (Kroger)
53¢ Pork loin, boneless 1.79 per pound (Meijer)
57¢ Chicken breast, boneless, skinless 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
60¢ Ham, boneless 1.99 per pound (Kroger)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
33¢ Milk, 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)
49¢ Cheese 2.58 per pound (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
11¢ Bananas .39 per pound (Meijer)
18¢ Plums .99 per pound (Meijer)
31¢ Strawberries 1.65 per pound (Kroger)

Stock The Pantry
Walnuts 2.99 per pound (Kroger)

Other good buys
Almonds 2.99 per pound (Kroger)

Extremely Frugal Brotchen

Broetchen
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Broetchen are a German roll with a crispy crust and slightly chewy interior. The secret to getting them just right in a home oven include high heat, a pan of steaming water below them, and three risings of the dough.

Yeast	2 tsp
Water	1 1/4 C
Sugar	2 tsp
Shortening	2 Tbsp
Salt	1/2 tsp
Egg white	1
Flour	4 C

Warm 1/4 C water. Add yeast and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes, until foamy.
Heat 1 C water, shortening and salt until shortening is melted. Let cool, then add yeast mixture.
Beat egg white until stiff.
Fold egg white into liquids in mixing bowl.
Add flour to form a soft dough, and knead 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to coat with grease, cover with damp cloth. Let rise until double in bulk, about an hour.
Punch down, and let rise again.
Punch down, and divide into 12 pieces. Form into balls, and place on greased baking sheet. Cover with damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 40 minutes.
Preheat oven to 450° F, placing a pan of boiling water on lower rack.
Bake rolls for 20 minutes until lightly browned.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
23¢ Ham, bone in .99 per pound (Kroger)
37¢ Ground beef 27% 1.59 per pound (Kroger)
38¢ Chicken breast, bone in 1.29 per pound (Meijer)
38¢ Whole chicken .89 per pound (Kroger)
51¢ Ground Chuck, 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
52¢ Chicken breast, boneless 2.00 per pound (Meijer)
60¢ Chuck roast, boneless 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
71¢ Pork spareribs 1.48 per pound (Kroger)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Kroger)
33¢ Milk 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)
56¢ Cheese 3.00 per pound (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
26¢ Mango !.00 each (Meijer)
32¢ Strawberries 1.66 per pound (Meijer)
45¢ Cantaloupe 1.50 each (Meijer)
47¢ Blueberries 2.50 per pint (Kroger)

6¢ Potatoes 2.98 for 10 pounds (Kroger)
12¢ Onions 1.68 for 3 pounds (Kroger)
15¢ Tomatoes, Dei Fratelli 28 oz for 1.00 (Meijer)
17¢ Green beans, frozen 1.00 per pound (Kroger)
20¢ Broccoli tops 1.00 per pound (Kroger)
21¢ Broccoli, frozen 1.00 per pound (Kroger)

Stock The Pantry
Sugar .35 per pound (Meijer)
Bacon 2.29 per pound (Meijer)
White rice .75 per pound (Meijer)
Brown rice .75 per pound (Meijer)
Butter 1.79 per pound (Kroger)


Other good buys
none this week

Simple Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Onion	1/4 C
Garlic cloves	4
Oil	1 Tbsp
Tomato sauce	4 C
Basil	1 Tbsp
Marjoram	2 tsp
Oregano	1 tsp
Thyme	1 tsp

Chop onion fine, and crush garlic.
Heat oil in large saucepan, add onion, and saute 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute 3 minutes more.
Add tomato sauce, basil, marjoram, oregano, and thyme. Simmer for 20 minutes.

I find the flavors blend better if the sauce is allowed to sit for a few hours, or even overnight, and then reheated.

It's also a great crockpot recipe, left on low for 5-6 hours. Add the meatballs just before serving.

$5 Dinner Turkey Meatball Spaghetti

5 Bills
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

This week there are good deals on spaghetti and ground turkey. They make a perfect match with bread sticks for a simple Italian dinner

Simple Spaghetti Sauce
Simple Turkey Meatballs
Extremely Frugal Breadsticks

If you have fresh herbs growing in containers or your garden, substitute them in the recipe. In general, you need at least twice the amount as suggested in the recipe for the dried version. I was able to use basil, oregano, and thyme from my windowbox herb garden.

Extremely Frugal Breadsticks

Breadsticks
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

It's easy to make bread sticks.

Milk	1/4 C
Water	3/4 C
Yeast	2 tsp
Oil	2 Tbsp
Sugar	1 Tsp
Flour	2-3 C
Salt	1 tsp

Warm milk and water to lukewarm (85° F).
Take 1/4 C warm water, add 2 tsp sugar, and yeast. Let sit 10 minutes, until frothy.
Mix milk, remaining water, oil, and remaining sugar.
Mix flour and salt in large bowl. Slowly pour in yeast and then liquids.
Mix thoroughly until dough leaves the sides of the bowl.
Turn out on floured surface, and knead 12 minutes.
Wash bowl, then grease.
Place dough in bowl, turning once to coat surface with grease. Cover and let rise until double in bulk, about an hour.
Punch down, and divide into 8 to 12 small balls.
Roll each ball between the palms of your hands to form a long rope. Place on greased cookie sheet, cover with damp cloth, and allow to rise until double in bulk, about 45 minutes.
Bake in a 425° F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Simple Turkey Meatballs

Ground Turkey Meatballs
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Ground turkey is an inexpensive alternative to ground beef. Personally, I find the texture different enough that it doesn't work as a burger for me. But meatballs come out great.

Ground turkey	1 pound
Garlic clove	4
Basil	1 Tbsp
Marjoram	1 Tbsp
Thyme	1 tsp

Crush garlic cloves, and add to ground turkey along with basil, marjoram, and thyme.
Use a teaspoon or a large melon baller to scoop equal amounts of turkey mixture on to baking sheet.
Roll mounds of turkey mixture into small balls and return to baking sheet.
Bake in 350° F oven for 30 minutes, until well browned.


A trick I learned to speed things along is to scoop out all the meat mixture before you go back and form all the balls. You get into a rhythm that speeds up the process.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
27¢ Ground turkey 1.00 per pound (Meijer)
40¢ Chicken thighs, boneless 1.50 per pound (Meijer)
43¢ Chicken thighs, bone in 1.19 per pound (Kroger)
46¢ Pork, western ribs 1.29 per pound (Meijer)
48¢ Ground chuck, 1.88 per pound (Kroger)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
25¢ Eggs, .98 per dozen (Meijer, Kroger)
33¢ Milk, 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
9¢ Bananas, .33 per pound (Save A Lot)
16¢ Apricots, .99 per pound (Meijer)
22¢ Peaches, .99 per pound (Meijer)
28¢ Blueberries, 1.50 per pint (Meijer)
37¢ Kiwi fruit .25 each (Meijer)

Stock The Pantry
Butter, 1.79 per pound (Kroger)

Other good buys
Mac & Cheese, 25¢ per box (Save A Lot)

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
42¢ Whole chicken .89 per pound (Kroger)
42¢ Pork shoulder, bone-in [western ribs] 1.19 per pound (Meijer)
42¢ Ground beef, hamburger 1.59 per pound (Kroger)
45¢ Ham, boneless 1.99 per pound (Kroger)
48¢ Pork loin, boneless 1.59 per pound (Meijer)
48¢ Ground chuck 1.92 per pound (Meijer)
48¢ Ground turkey 1.79 per pound (Kroger)
51¢ Ham, boneless 2.19 per pound (Kroger)
60¢ Bottom round 2.19 per pound (Meijer)
63¢ Chicken breast, boneless 2.49 per pound (Kroger)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer, Kroger)
33¢ Milk 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)
57¢ Cheese 3.00 per pound (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
12¢ Potatoes, .29 per pound (Kroger)
12¢ Onions .56 per pound (Kroger)
16¢ Apricots, fresh .99 per pound (Meijer)
22¢ Nectarines, fresh .99 per pound (Meijer)
26¢ Peaches, fresh .99 per pound (Meijer)
52¢ Cantaloupe, fresh 1.77 each (Kroger)
$1.12 Blueberries, fresh 2.50 per 6 ounces (Kroger)

Stock The Pantry
$1.75 Catsup, Meijer brand 46 oz .04 per ounce(Meijer)
$1.79 Butter, Kroger 1 pound

Other good buys
Almonds 4.99 per pound (Meijer)
Bacon 2.50 per pound (Kroger)

Basil Tomato Salad

Basil Tomato Salad
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

A Roma tomato, a few chunks of cheese, and a basil leaf cut chiffonade.*

Basil Tomato Salad

Tomato, fresh	1 lb
Cheese, mozzarella	8 ounces
Basil	2 fresh leaves
Vinegar	2 Tbsp
Oil	1 Tbsp

Slice tomato in 1/4 inch slices.
Cube cheese.
Roll fresh basil leaves into cylinders, and slice into thin ribbons.

Mix tomato, cheese, and basil gently in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with oil and vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Refrigerate until ready to serve, at least 2 hours.




*A fancy culinary term that means roll it up and slice it into thin ribbons.

Extremely Frugal Pita Bread

Pita
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

It's a simple yeast bread, cooked hot and fast in a 500° F oven.

Pita Bread

Yeast	2 1/4 tsp
Sugar	1 tsp
Water	1 1/2 C
Flour	3 C
Salt	1 1/4 tsp

Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1/2 C warm water. Let set 10-15 minutes until water is frothy.

Combine flour and salt, and make a well in the middle.

Pour yeast into well, and slowly add 1 C warm water. Knead 10-15 minutes.

Grease a large bowl. Place dough in bowl and turn once, leaving a thin film on top of dough ball. Cover with a damp towel, and let rise about 3 hours, until double in bulk.

Roll out a thick rope and cut into 12 small pieces. Roll into balls, and place on a floured surface to rest for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven and baking sheet to 500°

Roll dough out into circles 1/4 inch thick. Let proof for 10-15 minutes.

Bake 4 minutes until bread puffs up Turn over and bake 2 minutes longer. Remove with spatula and press down. Cool on rack with moist towel over them.

Don't roll the circles too thin; you'll end up with flatbread crackers that don't puff.

Simple Roman Bean Spread

Roman Bean Spread
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Navy beans, rosemary, and garlic highlight this simple bean spread, which dates from Roman times. It makes a dip similar to hummus, and is great on pita or flatbreads.

Roman Bean Spread

Navy beans	1 C
Oil	2 Tbsp
Garlic clove	1
Rosemary	1/2 tsp
Worcestershire sauce	1 tsp
Lemon juice	1 Tbsp
Salt
Pepper

Soak beans overnight, drain and rinse. Cover with fresh water and simmer 1 hour or until very tender.

Saute oil, garlic, and rosemary for 5 minutes, let cool.

Put beans in food processor. With motor running, slowly add garlic mixture.

Add Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper.

Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving.

$5 Dinner Roman Navy Beans

5 Bills
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

$5.00 Menu

This ~$4.25 dinner provides 1/2 cup beans, 1/2 cup tomatoes, 2 ounces of cheese, and 3 pita breads per person.

Roman Navy Beans
Pita bread
Mozzarella Tomato Salad


Buy: Nothing
Pantry: Navy beans, olive oil, rosemary, garlic, flour, cheese
For 4 servings

1 pound flour .46
1/2 pound navy beans .50
1/4 C olive oil .75
8 oz mozzarella 1.50
1 pound Roma tomatoes 1.00
garlic, rosemary,

Total $4.21

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
35¢ Pork, western ribs .98 per pound (Kroger)
41¢ Ground beef, 27% 1.59 per pound (Kroger)
42¢ Chicken, whole .89 per pound (Kroger)
43¢ Chicken, thighs 1.19 per pound (Kroger)
51¢ Ground chuck, 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
51¢ Chicken, boneless skinless breasts 1.99 per pound (Meijer)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer)
33¢ Milk 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)
57¢ Cheese 3.00 per pound (Meijer, Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
20¢ Broccoli, frozen (Kroger)
24¢ Avocado 1.00 each (Kroger)

Stock The Pantry
Brown sugar .50 per pound (Meijer)
White sugar .40 per pound (Meijer)

Other good buys
Cocoa 3.11 per pound (Meijer)

Cocoa will probably get more expensive as the year goes on, due to a fungal problem that is limiting the supply. MIlk continues to drop in price. Kroger's $1.77 per gallon is the lowest it's been in a couple years. Also watch for pork prices to drop for a while.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
29¢ Turkey breast, bone in .88 per pound (Kroger)
43¢ Ground beef, 27% 1.66 per pound (Meijer)
43¢ Pork, country style ribs 1.19 per pound (SaveALot)
46¢ Chicken breast, boneless 1.78 per pound (Kroger)
46¢ Chicken, whole .98 per pound (Meijer)
48¢ Turkey, ground 1.79 per pound (Kroger)
54¢ Round steak 1.98 per pound (Kroger)

Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
20¢ Peanut butter .99 for 18 oz jar (Kroger)
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer)
33¢ Milk 1.77 per gallon (Kroger)

Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
8¢ Bananas .29 per pound (Meijer)
13¢ Apples .98 per pound (Meijer)

Stock The Pantry
Bacon Plumrose 2.19 per pound (Meijer)
Butter 1.79 per pound (Kroger)
Catsup Hunts 1.00 per 18 oz (Meijer)
Walnuts 3.99 per pound (Meijer)

Other good buys
Mac&Cheese 25¢ per box (SaveALot)

MIlk continues to drop in price. Kroger's $1.77 per gallon is the lowest it's been in a couple years. Also watch for pork prices to drop for a while.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
37¢ Chicken breast, bone in 1.29 per pound (Meijer)
45¢ Ground chuck 1.78 per pound (Kroger)
53¢ Pork loin, boneless 1.79 per pound (Meijer)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
24¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer + Kroger)
37¢ Milk 1.98 per gallon (Meijer + Kroger)
49¢ Cottage cheese 1.99 per 24 oz (Kroger)
51¢ Cheese 2.69 per pound (Kroger)


Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
13¢ Cameo apples .88 per pound (Kroger)
17¢ Green beans, frozen 1.00 per pound (Meijer)
20¢ Broccoli, frozen 1.00 per pound (Meijer)


Stock The Pantry
3.88 Sugar 10 pound package (Meijer)

The True Cost of Protein

I usually compare the cost of a meal based on a 3 or 4 ounce serving of meat. I have a personal rule of thumb that I should keep the average cost below 45¢ per serving. See this post for how to calculate the cost per serving.

The cost of protein is a different calculation, since a serving of meat or meat equivalent can vary widely in how much protein it provides. The chart below will give you a glimpse into the true cost of protein.

Price is price per pound except for eggs (dozen), tuna (5 oz can), and milk (gallon). All prices are the lowest price I've paid since January 1, 2009.
Protein cost is for 20 grams of protein, about 1/2 to 1/3 of your daily requirement.

Item	Price	Protein cost
Lentils	.79	.12
Peanut butter	1.21	.22
Navy beans	.99	.22
Turkey, whole	.77	.25
Eggs	1.00	.26
Chicken leg quarters	.59	.26
Milk	1.99	.31
Boneless chicken breast	1.69	.33
Ground beef (26%)	1.60	.38
Whole chicken	.89	.44
Tuna	.71	.44
Pork loin, boneless	1.79	.45
Turkey, ground	1.99	.46
Round steak (bottom round)	2.49	.46
Hot dog (beef & pork)	1.39	.53
Cheddar cheese	3.33	.59
Pork steaks	1.99	.66
Sausage	1.89	.91
Catfish	1.59	1.24

Hot dogs, sausage, and catfish are surprisingly expensive sources of protein. Tuna, chicken, and pork loin are good buys if you want meat as the focal point of the meal. As you might guess, lentils, peanut butter and navy beans can bring your costs way down. But notice that turkey, eggs and chicken, when on sale, are really very cheap sources of protein.

One creative way to provide protein is to use a small amount of meat along with the beans or eggs or peanut butter. The meat helps create some variety in the lentils and bean dishes that I serve several times a week. For example, baked beans at lunch can provide nearly 1/3 of the day's protein, and you'll then find a lot more room in your budget for the chicken or pork main dish at night.

Simple Oil and Vinegar Slaw Dressing

I make up 2 or 3 cups of this at a time, and then store it in the refrigerator for a fast dressing for shredded cabbage. It's a nice alternative to the more traditional mayonnaise version.

Oil and Vinegar Slaw Dressing

Sugar	1/2 C
Vinegar	3/4 C
Oil	3/4 C
Mustard seed	1 tsp
Celery seed	1 tsp

Stir ingredients together in small saucepan.
Heat to boiling, stirring until sugar dissolves.
Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Pour into canning jar and store in refrigerator for up to a month.
Use about 1/4 C per pound of cabbage.

Adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Many people make this with twice the amount, but I find it far too sweet.

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.
Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
45¢ Ground chuck 1.78 per pound (Kroger)
46¢ Whole chicken .89 per pound (kroger)
46¢ Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1.79 per pound (Meijer)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
25¢ Eggs .98 per dozen (Meijer + Kroger)
37¢ Milk 1.99 per gallon (Meijer + Kroger)
50¢ Cheese 2.69 per pound (Kroger)
50¢ Cottage cheese 1.99 per 24 oz (Kroger)


Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
12¢ Cameo apples .88 per pound (Kroger)
14¢ Onions .56 per pound (Kroger)
16¢ Green beans, frozen .91 per pound (Meijer)
17¢ Green beans, canned .60 per can (Meijer)
19¢ Broccoli, frozen .91 per pound (Meijer)
19¢ Zucchini, fresh .99 per pound (Kroger)
24¢ Avocado .91 apiece (Meijer)
26¢ Roma tomatoes, fresh .99 per pound (Meijer)




Stock The Pantry
Macaroni + spaghetti .50 per pound (Meijer)
Walnuts 3.99 per pound (Meijer)


Other good buys
Saurkraut .6o per 16 oz can (Meijer)
Mac&Cheese .40 per box (Meijer)

Many Meijer-brand products are on sale this week. It's a good time to stock up on the items on your personal shopping list.

How To Calculate The Cost Per Serving

Several people have asked how I know what the cost per serving is for different items.

My main source for information is the USDA database called The Nutritional Composition Of Foods. For years I owned the paperback versions that they printed in the 70s and 80s. Fortunately the information is now available online. I use other USDA publications as well, including a pamphlet I picked up when my kids were little that lets you calculate how much food to buy for day-care centers that serve meals. Now I use it to help my sons to figure out how much food to buy for their growing families.

Over the years, I've created a spreadsheet that does all the arithmetic for me. All I have to do is type in the price per pound, and the number of servings and it tells me how much to buy and how much it will cost. This week I spent a bit of time working on the spreadsheet to create some Magic Numbers for folks who read this blog.

The Magic Number for a food item is used two ways.

1) Multiply the Magic Number by the price per pound. That will give you the cost of a 1 ounce serving of cooked meat.
2) Multiply the number of servings by the size of the serving in ounces. Then multiply that by the Magic Number. That will tell you how much raw meat to buy.

Magic Numbers for fruits and vegetables work in a similar way. You'll get a different number of servings from a pound of fresh green beans than you will from frozen. And you'll get a different number of servings from a 1 pound can of green beans than you will from a 1 pound bag of frozen green beans. The Magic Number times the price per pound will give you the cost of a 1/2 C serving of that fruit or vegetable. The Magic Number times the number of servings will give you the amount you need to purchase.

When I post the price per serving each week, I take all these differences into account. That's how I come up with the comparisons between the various sale prices in the ads.

For those of you who want more details:
Let's try an example. The Magic Number for chicken thighs is .1202.

If chicken thighs are 99 cents per pound, you multiply .1202 times .99. That gives you .119. Read that as the dollars per serving, ie $0.119, or roughly 12 cents per 1 oz serving. (Only look at the first 2 or 3 numbers to the right of the decimal point. The rest is just junk).

If you need to serve 4 people, and you want each of them to have a 4 ounce serving of meat, you first multiply 4 times 4, or 16. Then you multiply the Magic Number by 16. 16 x .1202 = 1.92. Read that as 1.9 pounds of chicken thighs. If you want to serve 4 people 4 ounces of cooked meat, then you'll need to buy about 2 pounds of chicken thighs. If you only want to serve 3 ounces per person, then you'll only need 12 x .1202, or 1.4 pounds of chicken thighs.

If people want this information, I will start including it in my posts. Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Simple Savory Custard

Savory Custard
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Most of us think of sweet desserts when we hear "custard". But custards can be savory as well. When eggs and milk are cheap, think about serving a simple custard that provides bunches of protein in a slightly different style. Quiches are one version of savory custards, but this is a fun version that doesn't require a pie crust and comes in individual servings.

Serve this with a salad for lunch, supper, or brunch. When it is cooler, steamed broccoli complements these flavors.

Savory Custard
6 Servings

Milk	2 C
Thyme	1/4 tsp
Garlic	1 clove
Eggs	3
Egg yolks	2
Cayenne pepper	1/8 tsp
Salt	1/2 tsp
Swiss cheese	1/2 C
Parmesan cheese	1/4 C

Preheat oven to 300F.

Crush garlic and shred cheese.
Boil about a quart of water.
Grease 6 custard cups or ramekins.

Put thyme and garlic into milk and heat just to boiling. Remove from heat (or microwave) and allow to cool.

Beat eggs, egg yolks, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl. Mix in shredded cheese and parmesan. Add milk and beat several times.

Pour or ladle mixture into custard cups. Place cups in a baking dish and place on oven rack. Carefully pour boiling water around the custard cups, until water is about 1 inch below the edge.

Bake until set, approximately 30 minutes. Remove custard cups from baking pan with tongs. Leave pan in oven until cool enough to handle easily.

Simple Broccoli Quiche

Quiche
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

When eggs, milk, cheese, and broccoli are all on sale at once, try a new twist on the standard Quiche Lorraine. This quiche uses Cheddar cheese and broccoli for its flavors

Ingredient	9 inch	Tart
Broccoli	1 C	1/4 C
Cheddar cheese, shredded	8 oz	2 oz
Onion, grated	2 tsp	1/2 tsp
Flour	1 Tbsp	1 tsp
Salt	1/4 tsp	pinch
Egg	3	1
Milk	1 C	1/4 C

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Grate onion, shred cheese.
Shred or chop broccoli small.
Combine cheese, onion, flour and salt, mixing well.
Layer filling and cheese mixture in pastry shell.
Mix egg and milk, pour over cheese and filling.

Bake in 450 oven 15 minutes, then lower heat to 325 and bake 30 minutes longer, or until just firm in center. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Mango Salsa

Mango Salsa
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Here's a way to use the mangos that are in season for the next few weeks

Mango Salsa

Red bell peppers	1 C
Mango	1
Red Onion	1/4 C
Cilantro	1/4 C
Green chiles	2 Tbsp
Lime juice	2 Tbsp
Chili powder	1/4 tsp

Dice mangoes, peppers, and red onions.
Mince fresh cilantro and green chilis.
Combine and sprinkle with lime juice and chili powder, stirring once or twice.
Refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Extremely Frugal version
Use canned tomatoes instead of red peppers and canned green chilis.
Substitute yellow onions for red onions and lemon juice for lime juice.

Simple Three-Chili Chicken

Use mild green chilis, flaked hot red peppers, and chili powder in this chicken and rice combo. You can adjust the heat by adding more red pepper flakes.

Three-chili Chicken
Makes 4 servings

Chicken Thighs	2 pounds
Onion	2/3 C
Green chilis	2 Tbsp
Cumin	2 tsp
Chili Powder	1 Tbsp
Red pepper flakes	1/4 tsp
Garlic	2 cloves
Chicken broth	2 1/2 C
Rice	1 C

Chop onion and green chilies. Crush garlic.
Brown chicken thighs in frying pan, remove. Reserve drippings.
Saute onion, chilis and garlic in drippings until onion is translucent.
Add cumin, chili powder and red pepper flakes and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.
Stir in rice, coating well. You may want to add a tablespoon of oil if the pan is dry.
Pour chicken broth into pan, and return the browned pieces of chicken.
Bring to a boil, cover tightly, and turn to low.
Gently steam rice for 20 minutes.
Check chicken for doneness before serving.

$5 Dinner Three-Chili Chicken

5 Bills
Originally uploaded by Simply Frugal

Put a Mexican-flavored dinner on the table with this week's bargains at Kroger
Chicken Thighs Menu - Kroger

This ~$5.25 dinner provides 4 oz of chicken, 1 cup of rice, and 1/2 C salsa per serving.

Three-Chili Chicken, Mango Salsa

Buy: Chicken thighs, mangos, cilantro, red pepper
Pantry: rice, onions, green chilis
For 4 servings

2 lb chicken thighs $1.90
1/2 lb rice $0.35
1 mango $1.00
1 C onion $0.58
1 can green chilies $.99
1 bunch cilantro $0.50

Total $5.30

The Price is Right

The Price is Right
Originally uploaded by darthdowney

Here's this week's best buys in southeast Michigan. Ingredients in italics are more expensive than the rule of thumb I use for truly frugal cooking, 45¢ per serving.

Meat
Cost for a cooked 3 oz serving
36¢ Chicken breast, bone in 1.29 per pound (Meijer)
36¢ Chicken thighs, bone in .99 per pound (Kroger)
36¢ Pork shoulder, bone in .99 per pound (Meijer + Kroger)
50¢ Ground Round 1.99 per pound (Meijer)
51¢ Chicken, whole .98 per pound (Meijer)
53¢ Chuck roast, boneless 1.77 per pound (Kroger)
68¢ Chicken breast, boneless 1.88 per pound (Kroger)


Meat Alternatives
Cost for equivalent to 3 oz serving of meat
25¢ Eggs, large .98 per dozen (Meijer)
38¢ Cottage cheese 1.00 per pound (Kroger)
50¢ Cheese, chedder 2.69 per pound (Kroger)


Fruits and Vegetables
Cost for 1/2 cup serving
14¢ Apples 1.00 per pound (Meijer)
19¢ Grapes 1.00 per pound (Kroger)
20¢ Broccoli 1.00 per pound (Kroger)
26¢ Mango 1.00 each (Kroger)
30¢ Cantaloupe 1.50 each (Meijer)
30¢ Pears 1.18 per pound (Meijer)


Stock The Pantry
1.98 Milk, per gallon (Meijer + Kroger)
1.00 Mustard 24 oz jar (Kroger)

Other good buys
60¢ Campbell's Tomato or Chicken Noodle soup (Meijer)
Red bell peppers 1.00 each (Kroger)