SEASONED GRILLED FRIES

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Sides

4 baking potatoes (6 oz each) cut lengthwise
1 tsp salt
1/4 c olive oil
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder

Prepare oven or grill.
In a large bowl combine oil, paprika, salt pepper and chili powder. Add potatoes. Toss to coat with mixture. Divide among 4 large pieces of heavy duty foil. Double fold ends of foil together to seal in potatoes and form packets. Place on grill or in oven, turning packets over once, until potatoes are done, about 15 min each side on the grill. You can also bake the fries in the oven at 425 degrees for about 20-30 minutes. Making sure you toss them several times while baking.

Technorati Tags: homemade fries, potato fries

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Easy Crock Pot Chicken

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Main Dish

This recipe was THE popular weekly dinner menu item with my circle of friends. No one knew exactly where it came from, though. One person thought it was this person’s, and that person thought it was someone else, and that person thought it was….. well you get the picture. I followed all the someone’s back to my friend Cathy Carter. She got the recipe from her Grandmother. Then one day when I was looking through a cookbook of crock pot recipes, low and behold there it was, but with a slight variation. Once you try it you’ll know why it is a favorite.

1 packet Italian salad dressing mix
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup (cream of celery or mushroom can be substituted)
6 chicken breasts

Place all the ingredients in the crock pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.

Now for the variations: For the fat free version, in place of the cream cheese and cream of soup use a cup of water. For the less fat version, omit the cream cheese. I have also made this dish on the stove top.

Technorati Tags: chicken, crock pot, easy recipes

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Making Homemade Pizza Dough and Sauce

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breads, RECIPES - Main Dish

Many people love pizza. It is easy and versatile. In addition to being yummy, pizzas are fun to make, which makes it a great activity for the family. Have a house full of the neighbor kids? No problem. Let them make their own personal pizza.

Some prefer the store bought pizza crust, which is a little pricey, but it is a no fail way to go. While others may reach for the refrigerated pizza dough, I enjoy making my own.

The next step is the pizza sauce. Before you reach for the stuff in the jar, try making your own. It is easier than you think. It just takes a little preparation. The great thing about sauce is you can make it the day before, because like wine, it tastes better with age. Personally, fresh is best. But if you do not have time to peel and cut tomatoes, or have an herb garden, cans work.

Source: What A Dish
Dough
1/3 cup warm water
1 1/3 cup warm milk (110 F)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 pk (or 2 1/4 tsp.) Dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3-4 cups flour
2 tablespoons olive oil (for dough)
3-5 tablespoons olive oil (for greasing pans)

If kneading the dough by hand:
Place yeast and sugar in a large bowl. Add warm water to dissolve yeast; let sit for 5 minutes or until yeast blooms.

Add warm milk, salt, oil and 2-3 cups of flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed. Turn out on to a flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes, adding as much flour as necessary to make a soft, supple dough that is not too sticky.

If kneading dough in a Bosch or Kitchenaid mixer:
Add milk, water, oil, sugar, salt, and half the flour into the mixing bowl. Pour the yeast on top of the flour. Turn on the mixer. Add enough flour until dough pulls away from the sides, cleaning the side of the bowl. Mix on medium speed for 8 minutes.

Divide dough into three balls. Grease three 9″ cake pans or pizza stones. Form the pizza dough by laying the dough on the pizza stone, then pat and pull the dough until it is the size you want. *Rolling the dough forces the air bubbles out which produces and thinner flat crust. For a thick crust make a little rim.

Place dough in cake pans and cover. Place in warm area and allow to rise for 30 minutes to 1 – 1 1/2 hour. Meanwhile heat the oven to 450 – 500 degrees.

Once the toppings are on and the pizza is ready to be baked, place pizza on the bottom rack. Bake 10-15 minutes until crust is browned.

Variations:
Use tortillas in the place of pizza dough. Place a tortilla on foil or a baking sheet. Brush with oil. Top with desired toppings. Bake 350 for 6-10 minutes. The cheese should be slightly browned and the tortilla a golden brown. So fast and easy they would make a great lunch.

PIZZA SAUCE:
Pick your sauce base- (about 3-4 cups or 4 pounds) fresh (peeled and seeded) or canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce plus 1 can puree or tomato paste.
1 cup onion, chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Oregano 1-2 teaspoons, dried
Rosemary 1/2 teaspoon, dried
Thyme 1/2 teaspoon, dried

Saute onions and garlic in a little olive oil, until onions begin to be transparent. Season with herbs and pepper. Add tomato base and sprinkle with salt. Bring everything to a boil, then let simmer for about 20 minutes.

Variations:
- Replace the oregano, thyme and rosemary with 1 tbsp Italian seasoning.
- Puree veggies such as zucchini, cauliflower or a carrot to add to the sauce.
- If using diced tomatoes, process in a food processor until desired consistency.
- Quick sauce recipe: 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper. Place in a food processor or blender. Process until combined. Bring to a boil in a sauce pan to thicken.

Technorati Tags: fast easy lunch ideas, Pizza, pizza dough, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, tortilla pizza

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Apple Oatmeal Muffins

Filed under: BUDGET MEALS, RECIPES - Breads, RECIPES - Snacks

These are a great family treat. The kids go nuts over them. I am glad, because they are healthy, as well as really tasty. They are perfect for breakfast, on the go, or as a snack. Or, if you are desperate for something sweet, try them warm with a sprinkle of chocolate chips and a dollop of whip cream.

1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup non-fat milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce (with cinnamon or unsweetened)

2 eggs (for a healthier option use the whites only)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon, divided
2 tsp. sugar, divided
½ cup each raisins or nuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a muffin pan with cooking spray.

Ground the oatmeal with the flour in a food processor. Combine milk, applesauce and eggs. Mix until combined. In a separate bowl whisk or sift the flour, sugar, salt, soda, powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp sugar, raisins and nuts.

Fold wet ingredients into dry, and mix until just combined. Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. You should still see small ribbons of flour. Spoon into the muffin pan. Combine 1 tsp cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle on top of each muffin. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. Remove from pan to cool.

Technorati Tags: Applesauce, batter, healthy, muffins, snack

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