Tired Of Hot Dogs?

Here is another way to eat those hot dogs. This is a meal that my mom cooked...a lot! I still make it for my family from time to time. We like it and it is a great way to mix up using hot dogs. I know some of you may look at this and think NO WAY! But, this really is pretty darn tasty! If you are on a super tight budget and hot dogs are what you can afford you have to find new ways to use them.

Cost of the items you see  $4.33 = $1.08 per serving
**I cut the price of the BBQ sauce in half because I had already used half on my chicken thighs. The relish and onion I already had and only used trace amounts.

The hubby decided at the last minute he wanted corn not brussel sprouts :(

Just slice up the hot dogs and put them in a pan with your BBQ sauce, diced onion and a squirt of relish. Use as much sauce, onion and relish as you like.  Heat it and eat it!

Pigs - In- A - Blanket

Okay, so this is a "nothing fancy" meal. But, if you are looking for easy, tasty and CHEAP this is a go to meal. If your family is getting tired of hot dogs why not turn them, or in this case smoked sausage into a fun, fast meal. This makes 16 piggies with a little sausage to spare. The total cost was $7.41...that's only $1.85 per serving! Here's the breakdown.

Crescent Rolls - On sale for $1.39 each = $2.78 - $0.40 off 2 coupon made them $2.38

Macaroni Cheese - 5 box pack $4.50 - $1.00 off 4 boxes coupon made them $3.50 I used 1 box which was $0.70 per box

Smoked Sausage - $2.35

Cheese - $0.12 a slice (I used 4 slices) $0.48

Bag of Veggies - $1.50

I cut the smoke sausage ring in half, halved the halves and then halved the halves again. Fold and tear a cheese slice into four strips. Put the cheese on the crescent dough, the sausage on the cheese then roll and bake according to crescent package directions. Make your macaroni and cheese and microwave your veggies. That's it!

Requested "Common Everyday" Meals

On Facebook yesterday a member of a recipe group I'm in posted a message that I completely related to. She is a working wife and mother of 4 whose family is tired of the same things over and over again. Being on an extremely tight budget makes spaghetti, chicken and and chili look pretty good. But, after awhile the family begins to turn up their noses when they see that on the dining room table...again!

Being on a limited budget may limit you on what you can purchase. But, there are ways of using those same ingredients with a twist. Over the next few weeks I will be posting common, everyday meals that use those same ingredients in a different way. There may be things on here that make you say " Of course! Why didn't I think of that!"

My first words of advice are PLAN YOUR MEALS! Throughout the week take some time every day to search recipe sites, blogs, books, magazines and even Pinterest for budget friendly meals. This is a great way to search using ingredients you can afford. Print or bookmark the recipe or website so you can refer to it later. When you find the meals to fill your week write down the ingredients needed. Next, head to the fridge and the pantry to mark off what you have and circle what you need. Once that is done make your master grocery list. It is crucial to shop with a list! If you don't you will buy things, get home, unpack your groceries and be like...."what did I get for meals?!" When you are shopping do your best to stick to the list! I know it is inevitable that you are going to need something that isn't on the list but don't go overboard or you will bust your budget.

With your master grocery list in hand look through your local weekly circulars and search for coupons! www.coupons.com , www.redplum.com  and www.smartsource.com are fantastic websites for printable coupons and you can print twice from each computer/printer. Also, check brand name websites like Pillsbury, Kraft and Betty Crocker. With Thanksgiving around the corner Butterball usually has great coupons! If you shop at Target they have their own coupons on their website.   If you print a coupon for something on your grocery list mark it with a C with a circle around it. This way you won't forget to pull your coupon when you put the item in your basket.  If you shop at Wal-mart see if your location has Scan & Go. With an assigned hand scanner you will get your items off the shelf, scan it yourself and bag it in your basket. The hand scanner shows your total with tax as you go. This is a great way to see if you can afford the things that you don't really need but want.

After you get home and unload your groceries write down your meals on a calender, chalkboard or dry erase board where you can see it everyday. If you get home after work on Tuesday and you don't want to have hamburgers swap it with Wednesdays meal. There is nothing wrong with swapping your meals within the week.
 
 This is the plan that I stick to week after week and it works for my family of 4. I spend 
$20-$30 on pet food, $10-$15 on paper products and toiletries and approximately $60 on food ingredients. I will splurge now and then if I find steaks or roasts or chops on sale. But, I usually hang pretty tight to that budget. One huge money saver for me is I often make meals that yield leftovers for the next day.  If you have a crockpot you can purchase the tougher cuts of meat that are less expensive. I love, love, love mine! I can put a beef roast in on Sunday with carrots and potatoes. Then on Monday I can use the left over roast for yummy roast beef sandwiches or taco's. You could cook a pork roast on Sunday and have BBQ pork sandwiches on Monday. My slow cooker is essential to me and I almost always have leftovers. Let's face it who really wants to cook after a long Monday at work?

I would love to hear the tips and tricks that you guys have!!!

Lyric's Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

I know I say everything is "easy" but this is EASY! I am all about throwing my ingredients into a slow cooker, turning it on and doing what I've got to do!  This is a go to favorite on a cold, snowy day.

Rotisserie chicken, meat pulled off and shredded
1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes, smashed with a masher and broken into smaller pieces
1.5 cups frozen sweet corn
1/2 cup onion, finely diced
1 can Bush's Chili beans (I use the beans in mild sauce)
1 (32 oz) carton Swanson's Mexican Tortilla Flavor Infused Broth
2 cups chicken stock
Tortilla Chips
Shredded cheese (I love the cheddar/Monterey Jack blend for this recipe)

Put all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cover and cook 3-4 hours on Low.

Spoon into individual bowls. Break up some tortilla chips and mix into soup while in the bowl. This will allow the chips to soften up. Next, add the shredded cheese to the top and allow to melt.

ENJOY!!

Taco Pie

Put a simple spin on Taco Tuesdays! This Taco Pie is filling and extremely tasty!

1.5-2 lbs. ground beef or ground turkey
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can Rotel (undrained)
Shredded Cheddar cheese
2 refrigerated pie crusts (I get Great Value crusts that had 2 per box $2.67)
For Garnish if desired: Shredded lettuce, diced onion, diced tomato, sour cream, salsa

1. Brown the ground beef or turkey. Drain off excess grease and return to skillet. Add the envelope of taco seasoning and can of Rotel. You may need to add a little water to help dissolve the taco seasoning. You want a slightly damp consistency. But, NOT runny! Too watery will hinder the cooking of your crust.
2. While you are heating the meat mixture get your 9"x12" casserole dish and preheat the oven according to pie crust package directions. Roll out one pie crust and place it in the bottom of the dish. You may need to roll it a little to help it fit up the sides of your dish.
3. Pour meat mixture into casserole dish on top of the bottom pie crust. Smooth mixture flat. Top with shredded cheese.
4. Place second pie crust onto the top and gently push flat onto cheese and meat mixture. Press crust to sides of your casserole dish and pinch if needed. Cut a few slits into the top of crust so steam can escape.
5. Bake according to pie crust package directions. You want the top to be slightly golden brown.
6. Once you take the Taco Pie from the oven let it cool for about 10 minutes before you slice it. Top with the garnishes of your choice and ENJOY!!

Super Easy Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

I love homemade chicken and dumplings but I don't always want to take the time to make my dumplings from scratch. That's why I love this slow cooker recipe.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved
1 box container chicken stock or broth  
2 tbsp. butter
2 (10.75 oz ) cans Cream of Chicken Soup
1 small onion, finely diced
2 rolls refrigerated biscuits, quarter each biscuit

1. Place chicken breasts, butter, soup and onion into slow cooker. Use the chicken broth or stock to fill slow cooker just to cover ingredients.

2. Cover slow cooker and cook 5-6 hours on Low. About 45 minutes before serving, place quartered biscuits into the slow cooker. Stir or push biscuits down into liquid. Cook until chicken is done and biscuits are no longer raw.

**To make this meal even quicker you can use a precooked Rotisserie chicken. Put all the ingredients into your slow cooker or stew pot. Cook over low or medium high heat until the biscuits are no longer raw. This way you are really only heating the ingredients through. It cuts down on cooking time and it is super yummy!