Category Archives: Easy Recipes

These are recipes that can be done by a novice in the kitchen.

Peter Piper Picked A Pepper Relish

Posted by meredithfoster in American, Easy Recipes, Random Tips, Spanish, Vegetarian

So far one of my favorite things about this blog is when people ask me for ideas. I like the challenge of finding ingredients for what they want on sale and making them into something delightful.

Last week I posted about home grown veggies. One of my friends, Christy, told me that she had so many banana pepper that she was throwing them out before she could use them. First off, I would say compost them. In fact, it was her mom, during my childhood, who introduced me to composting.

I thought for a while about what to make with a plethora of banana peppers. At first, I considered a casserole with a biscuit topping, but no matter how savory you make it, that would still be pepper overload.

So I went in the direction of a relish. The coolest thing about pepper relish is that it stays good for a while. Generally when anything is cooked in vinegar, it will last a lot longer than you would think.

Banana Pepper Relish

Total Cost- $1.49

Total Cost at Average Retail- $6.34

Total Savings- $4.85

Banana Pepper Relish

–         7-9 Banana Peppers, seeded and deveined and chopped finely (Garden FREE- Average Retail- $3.99/lb)

–         2 jalapenos, finely chopped and deseeded (Garden FREE- Average Retail $1.99/lb)

–         1 cup of vinegar (Publix Manufacturer’s Coupon $0.50 off doubled so $1.00 off from Average Retail $1.99)

–         1 tsp salt

–         ¼ cup water

–         1 tbsp mustard (Publix Manufacturer’s Coupon $0.40 off doubled so $0.80 off from Average Retail $1.79)

  1. Cook peppers and vinegar on medium heat for 5-7 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and cook for 5-7 more minutes.
  3. Quickly strain, still reserving some of the liquid.
  4. Allow time to cool and transfer to an empty jar.
  5. Refrigerate and serve

All it takes to make a pepper relish

The ingredients

Sweet TOMATO Pie and I Shut My Mouth

Posted by meredithfoster in American, Easy Recipes, Italian, Vegetarian

Growing up in the South, my meals included mayonnaise, butter, cream, buttermilk, fried flour and/ white gravy. Since I left home as a teenager, I have changed my diet to represent culture and essence of southern cooking, but with a healthier (much healthier) spin on the classic dishes.

I think this summer I decided that Tomato Pie has moved into my top 10 All Time Favorite Foods. Since we have had a plethora of tomatoes this summer, I was experimenting with new ways to uses them so they wouldn’t go to waste. When I saw Buy One, Get One Free piecrusts on www.southernsavers.com, I knew just what I wanted.

I clipped three of the buy one get one free coupons for piecrusts, so I knew I had some room to experiment with modernizing a southern Tomato Pie.

Since the Southern traditional one is always a hit at dinner parties and family gathering, I am going to include that recipe too.

Traditional Tomato Pie

Total Price- $2.01

Average Retail Price- $10.22

Total Savings- $8.21

Traditional Tomato Pie

1 pie shell (Publix $2.49/2 Buy one get one free. $0.62/each Average retail $1.25/each)

3 tomatoes- thickly sliced, seeded and dried- dry very well with paper towel (FREE- garden, Average retail $2.99/lb

2 tbsp fresh chopped basil (FREE–garden Average retail $2.99/pkg)

¼ cup chopped sweet onion (Super H 3lb bag $0.98 Average retail 3 lb bag $2.99)

½ cup Mayonnaise (Publix Buy one Get one Free $3.99/2 Average retail $3.99/1)

1 ½ cups extra sharp shredded cheddar cheese (Costco $6.99 5/lb bag Average retail $3.49/1 lb bag)

½ tsp salt

½ pepper

  1. Baste rim of piecrust with egg white prior to baking to make it brown better.
  2. Bake crust 5 minutes at 425 degrees.
  3. Combine salt, pepper, basil and onions.
  4. Place seeded tomatoes in crust to cover the bottom.
  5. Spread onion mixture over tomatoes.
  6. In a mixing bowl, mix cheese and mayonnaise and spread over tomatoes.
  7. Bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees.
  8. Allow pie to cool/set before cutting and serving.

Medium Healthy Mozzarella and Basil Tomato Pie

Total Price- $2.01

Average Retail Price- $10.22

Total Savings- $8.21

Medium Healthy Tomato Pie

1 pie shell (Publix $2.49/2 Buy one get one free. $0.62/each Average retail $1.25/each)

3 tomatoes- thickly sliced, seeded and dried- dry very well with paper towel)

½ cup fresh chopped basil (FREE–garden Average retail $2.99/pkg)

¼ cup chopped sweet onion (Super H 3lb bag $0.98 Average retail 3 lb bag $2.99)

½ cup Mayonnaise (Publix Buy one Get one Free $3.99/2 Average retail $3.99/1)

1 ½ cups shredded mozzerall cheese (Costco $6.99 5/lb bag Average retail $3.49/1 lb bag)

drizzle of balsamic vinegar

½ tsp salt

½ pepper

  1. Baste rim of piecrust with egg white prior to baking to make it brown better.
  2. Bake crust 5 minutes at 425 degrees.
  3. Combine salt, pepper, basil and onions.
  4. Place seeded tomatoes in crust to cover the bottom.
  5. Spread onion mixture over tomatoes.
  6. Drizzle balsamic vinegar on onion mix
  7. In a mixing bowl, mix cheese and mayonnaise and spread over tomatoes.
  8. Bake for 35 minutes at 400 degrees.

Allow pie to cool/set before cutting and serving.

Extra Healthy Mozzarella and Basil Tomato Pie

Total Price- $2.62

Average Retail Price- $9.72

Total Savings- $7.10

Healthy Tomato Pie

1 pie shell (Publix $2.49/2 Buy one get one free. $0.62/each Average retail $1.25/each)

3 tomatoes- thickly sliced, seeded and dried- dry very well with paper towel)

8 fresh whole basil leave (FREE–garden Average retail $2.99/pkg)

¼ cup chopped sweet onion (Super H 3lb bag $0.98 Average retail 3 lb bag $2.99)

1 tbsp cups shredded mozzarella cheese (Costco $6.99 5/lb bag Average retail $3.49/1 lb bag)

5 – ½ inch thick slices of fresh mozzarella (the kind in the big ball) (Costco $1.99/each Average Retail $4.99/each)

drizzle of balsamic vinegar

½ tsp salt

½ pepper

  1. Baste rim of piecrust with egg white prior to baking to make it brown better.
  2. Bake crust 5 minutes at 425 degrees.
  3. Combine salt, pepper, and onions.
  4. Place seeded tomatoes in crust to cover the bottom.
  5. Place fresh basil leaves over the top of the tomatoes
  6. Spread onion mixture over tomatoes.
  7. Drizzle balsamic vinegar on onion mix
  8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over onion mixture
  9. Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Allow pie to cool/set before cutting and serving.

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Posted by meredithfoster in American, Easy Recipes

Yesterday my mom had her dreaded rotator cuff surgery. I knew that after fasting the night before, she would want to come home and have something good to eat, but I also knew that it couldn’t be too greasy or spicy.

When I was growing up, fried chicken and mashed potatoes were a weekly event in my house. My grandparents owned a southern cooking restaurant in High Point, North Carolina called The River Road Inn. Both my mom and my dad worked there when they were younger, so they know how to cook southern specials. In fact, when we fry chicken at home these days, my dad still uses one of the cast iron pans from The River Road Inn. He also uses the same recipe.

Since my mom couldn’t have anything fried, I decided to make her mock fried chicken done with breadcrumbs and potato chips and baked in the oven. It was quite a hit! We also made a cucumber and onion salad from the garden and sliced some homegrown tomatoes.

I WANT TO KNOW:

WHAT DOES COMFORT FOOD MEAN TO YOU?

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“Fried” Chicken, Collards, Mashed Potatoes and Corn Bread

Serves 4

Total Cost- $4.32

Total Per Person- $1.08

Total without Sales- $14.60

Total Savings- $10.28

Comfort food

CHICKEN

~ 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Super H $1.48/lb Average Retail $4.99/lb)

~ 3 tbsp mayonaisse (Publix Buy one, get one free $2.99 for 2)

~ 1 Egg (Costco 36 eggs for $1.18 $0.06/egg Average Retail $2.99/12 $0.25each)

~ 1 tsp hot sauce of choice (BIG LOTS)

~ dash of paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper (BIG LOTS)

~ ½ cup milk (Costco $1.89/gallon Average Retail $3.49/gallon)

~ 1 cup Panko bread crumbs (Super H Buy one, get one free. 2/$2.99)

~ ½ cup crispy potato chips (Walmart Great Value $0.99 each Average Retail $3.99 each)

***You can use Saltines, Ritz Crackers, Corn Flakes or regular bread crumbs in place of potato chips if you prefer***

~2 tbsp flour

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix eggs, milk, hot sauce, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper.
  3. In another mixing bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs, crushed chips, flour, salt, pepper and paprika.
  4. Transfer dry mix to a large plate.
  5. Dip chicken breast into the wet mixture, then coat with the dry mixture.
  6. Transfer coated chicken to a greased baking pan or a cookie sheet.
  7. Cook for 20 minutes.
  8. Flip chicken breasts over.
  9. Cook for 20 more minutes.
  10. Spray chicken breasts with butter spray and broil for 2-4 minutes until crispy.

COLLARDS

~ 1 bunch of fresh collards (chopped) or one bag of prechopped collards (Super H $0.99/bunch Average Retail $3.99/bunch)

~ 1 can chicken stock (Costco 12 cans for $6.99 Average Retail $1.19/can)

~ 1 ¼ cup water

~ 4 slices bacon (Publix Buy one get one Free $3.99/2)

1. In a large pot, cook 4 pieces of bacon on medium high heat for about 5 minutes and    leave them (and their grease) in the pot.

2. Add chopped, cleaned collards, add chicken stock and water and bring to a boil.

3. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 1- 1 ½ hours.

4. Salt and pepper to taste.

MASHED POTATOES

~ 1 lb Idaho Potatoes peeled and cubed (Super H $0.98/ 10lb bag Average Retail $4.99/10lb bag

~ 1/2 stick salted butter (Costco 5lbs $5.19 Average Retail $2.99/lb)

~ ½ cup sour cream (Publix Buy one get one free2/$1.99)

~ ¾ cup whole milk (Costco $1.89/gallon Average Retail $3.49/gallon)

~ salt and pepper (BIG LOTS)

  1. Boil potatoes until fork tender.
  2. Add butter and mash.
  3. Add remaining ingredients and mash
  4. Salt and pepper to taste.

No Knead to Buy Bread

Posted by meredithfoster in Easy Recipes, Random Tips

One of the best and most flavorful ways that we save money with by making our own bread. I know exactly what you are thinking. What a hassle! Well, it is super simple and super cheap if you buy a bread machine. Then all you do is add the ingredients and press a button. It makes the most wonderful bread and your house smells great for a week.

There are several kinds of bread that you can make, some are easy and some are more difficult. Blake’s mom, Jeannie, is the master at making bread, and she shares all of her tips with us. Now, we make all different loaf breads, French bread, bagels and pizza dough. A loaf of homemade bread makes for a great housewarming or Christmas gift as well! The good quality bread at the average grocery store runs you about $3.99. That can really add up!

The bread machine recipes are endless on the Internet and once you get the hang of you, you can create your own. Bread Flour was buy one get one free the other day at Publix, so I went ahead and bought 6 bags of it. We are stocked for a few months now!

This is the bread machine we have. Blake’s mom bought it for us when it was on sale at Walmart for around $40. I highly suggest it. Our Bread Machine

This is the loaf that Blake made this morning for Yas and his dad. Yas’ dad lives in Japan, so it is always a treat when we get to see him. He loves Blake’s Onion Dill Bread. He says it is the best bread he has had in is whole life.

Homemade Onion Dill Bread- 2lb loaf

Hot and Fresh

Blake and Jeannie's Asiago French Bread and Plain French Bread

Here Fishy Fishy

Posted by meredithfoster in American, Easy Recipes, Fish, Spanish

Blake had his best friend, Yas, and his dad come over for lunch today. We made fish tacos. We had some Tilapia in the freezer and our garden provided most of what else we needed. Yesterday at Super H mart, the whole wheat tortillas were not on sale, but I knew they were at Publix. I really hate going to a store for one item, so I asked if they would give me the $0.50 off so I didn’t have to go to Publix, and sure enough they did. I buy all of my seasonings at BIG LOTS for $1.00 each. They are just as good as the name brands. For this recipe, you can buy the premixed blackening seasoning to simplify it, but I like making my own. Whoot!

Blackened Fish Tacos and Black Beans

Serves 4

Total price for 4- $8.02

Total price per person $2.00

Total price without sales- $16.49

Total savings- $8.47

Blackened Fish Tacos with Black Beans



3 filets of tilapia (Super H $2.99/lb from Publix $6.99/lb- recipe used about 1.5lbs $4.49)

3 tbsp of blackening seasoning (mixture of cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and nutmeg) This recipe uses about $0.50 worth of seasonings

2 tomatoes (Garden- FREE)

½ onion (red or sweet) (Super H $0.69/lb from Kroger $1.99/lb- used 1/5 of  pound $0.14

3 tbsp of fresh cilantro (Garden- FREE)

juice of one lime (Super H 7/$1.00 from Publix 3/$1.00 total $0.14)

2/3 cup of sour cream (Super H $0.99 from Publix $1.99. Used $0.50 off coupon)

1 fresh jalapeno- seeded (Garden FREE)

1 can of black beans (Buy one Get one Free at Publix last week. $0.49 each from $0.99)

6 flour tortillas (Super H- $1.99 to match Publix. Was $2.99)

¼ head chopped green cabbage (Super H $0.49/lb from publix $1.29 per lb- used 1/5 of head $0.07 total)

Before starting the fish tacos, you need to make the pico de gallo and the cream sauce. Cut 2 tomatoes into 1 inch chunks and remove seeds. Dice half of onion and add to tomatoes. Add 2 tbsp of fresh cilantro coarsely chopped. Dice ½ seeded jalapeno and combine. Add juice of ½ lime and 1 tps of salt and pepper. Mix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, strain and serve to top tacos.

To make the cream sauce, add juice of ½ lime, 2/3 cups of sour cream, 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and ½ diced jalapeno- seeded. Mix and refrigerate and serve on top of tacos.

Heat black beans in pot for 10 minutes on medium high.

Combine all seasonings together to create blackening. Cut each tilapia filet in half and pat dry with paper towel. Bring to room temperature. Put 2 tsp of butter  and 1 tsp of oil in a large pan and bring up to very high heat. Roll tilapia in seasoning and when the pan is hot, place filets in pan. Cook on high heat until cooked through and crispy (about 3 mins per side depending on thickness of filet.

Wrap tortillas in foil and put in the oven on 300 degrees for 5 minutes to heat before serving.

Serve like a salad bar and allow guest to top with what they choose. For me, sauce, fish, pico, more sauce, cabbage- black beans on the side. YUMMY!

Basmati Hottie

Posted by meredithfoster in Chicken, Easy Recipes, Indian

Last night we had Jenny over for dinner. She and Blake have both been dying to have Chicken Vindaloo, so when the chicken breast tenders and the potatoes went on sale, I knew it was time. Blake LOVES Indian food. Vindaloo is to Indian food like Spaghetti and Meatballs is to Italian food~ simple, common and delicious.

Here is what we had:

Chicken Vindaloo with Poached Eggs and Basmati Rice

Serves 4

Total Price for 4- $8.27

Total price per person- $2.06

Total Savings for 4- $11.17

Chicken Vindaloo with a poached egg on Basmati rice

  • 3 large Vidalia onions chopped  (Publix $1.29/lb from $1.99/lb)
  • 4 medium tomatoes chopped and seeded (Garden FREE)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar (Manufacturer’s Coupon $0.50 off- $0.89 total)
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil. (Kroger $0.50 off total $0.94 for 48oz bottle)
  • 2 small garlic clove, chopped (Publix 5/$0.99 from $1.99/lb)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric (Big Lots $1.00 per bottle)
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (Big Lots $1.00 per bottle)
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste (Costco $2.25 off case- whole case $4.75- $0.39/can)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin (Big Lots $1.00 per bottle)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (Big Lots $1.00 per bottle)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (Big Lots $1.00 per bottle)
  • 1/2 teaspoon (depending on taste) cayenne pepper (Big Lots $1.00/ bottle)
  • 8 skinless boneless chicken breasts tenders or 4 boneless chicken breasts , cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces (Ingles- tenders on sale for $1.98/lb from $3.98/lb- Total $3.96)
  • 1 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces (Publix 5lb bag $2.99 – $0.59 total)
  • 1 1/2 cups low-salt chicken broth or water (Costco $1.75 off of case $6.25 total for case- one can $0.52)
  • 2 cups of steamed rice (Super H $9.99 for 10 lb bag from $12.99 for 10 lb bag- total for recipe $1.00)
  • 4 eggs (Costco- 36 eggs for $1.99 or $0.05/each)

Add onions, tomatoes, vinegar, garlic and spices to a food processor (or blender if you don’t have a processor) and blend. Heat two teaspoons of vegetable oil in a large sautee pan, then add the paste. Stir occasionally for 3-4 minutes. Add the chicken and potatoes and cook for 7-9 minutes. Then add chicken broth or water and bring to a boil. Once it boils, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer. Break 4 –5 eggs on top of the mixture and cover in order for eggs to poach and chicken to fully cook (approximately 5 more minutes). Garnish with 2 strips of crispy bacon and a few sprigs of parsley. ENJOY!

A Fish out of Water

Posted by meredithfoster in American, Easy Recipes, Fish

Blake started his new job last week, and I tried to have him an inexpensive prize at the end of each day when he got home. Today, I got him cedar planks that were on sale from Whole Foods. We put them to use on this dish. We both knew we wanted some kind of white fish, and Mahi Mahi and mango were on sale, so we went with that. I love the combination of mango and tomato~ especially when both are ripe!

Cedar Plank Mahi Mahi with Mango and Homegrown Tomato Salsa

(Serves 2)

Total Price for 2 people- $8.63 ($4.32 each)

Total Savings for 2 people- $14.28 ($7.14 each)

Cedar Plank Mahi Mahi with Mango/Tomato salad and polenta


2 Frozen Mahi Mahi Filets ( Whole Foods/Paycheck $6.99/4 filets from $11.99)

2 Ripe Mangos chopped(2/ $3.00- Publix from $1.99 each)

1 small red onion- diced small ($1.29/lb from Publix from $1.49/lb)

½ Jalapeno- seeded and diced small(FREE- garden)

2 tbsp Cilantro coarsely chopped (FREE- garden)

1 ½ Homegrown tomatoes diced and seeded (FREE- garden)

Juice of one lime (5/$1.00 Publix from 3/$1.00)

Salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne pepper

1/2 roll of polenta ($3.19 Whole Foods from $3.69)

Soak Cedar Plank in water for one hour. Marinate the Mahi filets in lime and lemon juice, salt, pepper, cayenne and melted butter in a Ziplock bag (buy Ziplock bags in bulk when you have a coupon from Costco, BJ’s or Sams. Generally coupons range from $2.00-$5.00 off depending on quanity).

In a bowl, add mango, onion, tomato, cilantro, lime, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper and mix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Strain excess juice.

Turn heat of grill to medium high and allow cedar planks to get hot. Once hot flip the hot side up and apply Mahi to cedar plank and grill for 7-8 never turning.  (If you want crispy Mahi, place straight on grill or broil for 4 minutes per side).

Cut prepared polenta into ½ inch discs and grill for 2 minutes on each side alongside the cedar planks.

Serve Mahi on top of three discs of polenta and top with Mango salsa. Garnish with fresh dill (FREE from garden)