Broccoli with brown sauce

I was craving broccoli with brown sauce tonight after work and almost stopped at the Chinese restaurant.  Then remembered I am broke and went to Shoppers instead to buy broccoli.

So glad I did because this meal is alot cheaper than the $6 or more I would have paid.

Did you know that brown sauce was so easy to make??

1 1/2 c. cooked. Jasmine rice $0.50
2 c. Steamed broccoli $0.98
3 garlic cloves. $0.10
1 Tbsp sesame oil $0.10
2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.10
4 Tbsp soy sauce $0.16
1 1/2 c water
1-2 Tbsp corn starch $0.10

Brown garlic in oil.  Add brown sugar, soy sauce, water.  Cook until sugar dissolves.

Add corn starch.  Cook until sauce thickens.  It will brown up some more as you cook it.

Ass broccoli.  Serve over rice. 

Enjoy!

Total cost $2.04

I thought I was going to eat all of this, but my eyes were bigger than my stomach. So I have lunch for manana! Cost per serving. $1.02

 

Veggie Cous-Cous

I may have posted this recipe before only because I love this dish.  I am all about the quick and the easy and this dish is both.  The crunchy veggies mixed with the soft cous-cous is a perfect combo. 

I used Israeli cous-cous for this recipe.  I cannot get enough Israeli cous-cous.  I enjoy it more than the small pearled cous-cous.  Up until I moved I was a member at Costco and could buy huge 5 pound bags for around $9.  I still have about half a bag left. 

You could use any mixture of veggies, I used what I had left in the fridge.  I am guessing on the cost for the cous-cous because I have no idea how many cups are in the bag.  I don't keep the bags and have it stored in a metal container.  Also the carrots are a guess, I bought a 3lb bag and I didn't count how many carrots are in the bag.   I will need to pay attention more on the next trip! 

I also can't keep track of how much spices costs, especially everyday spices like salt & pepper.  You can pick up everyday spices for super cheap at the Dollar Store or even Big Lots. 

Veggie Cous-cous

1 1/2 cup dried cous-cous $0.56
3 c. Water $0
4 carrots $0.75
1 sm onion $0.37
1 red or yellow bell pepper $1.50
1/2 bag spinach (couple of handfuls) $1
Salt & pepper to taste
Italian seasoning to taste

Total cost: $4.18

I can get about 4 meals out of this, cost per meal: $1.05

Noms noms!

Veggie egg rolls

Since I am on the go a lot I like making easy finger foods that transport well and do not need to be reheated.  Today I made a delish batch of veggie spring rolls.

I baked mine, but you could just as easily fry them.  You can also fill them with whatever veggies you have in the fridge (or meat).

I use egg roll wraps from the produce section.  They are usually near the herbs.  You can also use wonton wrapers and make dumplings.  There were 16 wrappers in the package and I was able to make 14 egg rolls.  I guess I'll need to find something to do with the other two wrappers now!

Whatever you decide to fill them with, you will not be able to eat just one!

1 package wraps. $1.50
1 small onion $0.37
2 carrots. $0.32
1/4 head small cabbage $0.50
1/2 package mushrooms. $1.00
1/2 carton tofu diced. $0.75 1 inch piece ginger $0.05
1 Tbsp sesame seed oil $0.10
3 Tbsp soy sauce. $0.05
3 Tbsp fish sauce. $0.05
1 Tbsp sugar. $0.05
2 Tbsp rice vinegar $.10
2 Tbsp oyster sauce $0.10

Total cost: $4.94

Saute onions, carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms in sesame seed oil until soft. Add tofu and sauces. Cook for about 3 minutes more. Turn off heat and let veggies marinate in sauce. Add a spoonful to eggroll sheet and wrap. Bake at about 350 degrees until tops of rolls are brown.

Cost per egg roll - just $0.35!!  You can't beat that anywhere!

Black bean & corn burgers

So if you hadn't noticed this is my second burger post in a week.  I love making burgers.  Not only can I whip out a weeks worth of lunch, they are cheap to make.  In addition the ingredient possibilities are endless.
Today I made spicy black bean and corn burgers.   I love black bean and Cuban combo and the added paprika topped with avocado makes it all more delish.

The other, more like third great thing about burgers is they are easy to transport and do not need me to reheat.  This means I can throw one in my bag for class or work in a cinch.

I used dried beans and frozen corn in this recipe because it's cheaper.  But you could certainly use canned beans and fresh corn (when in season of course).

Spicy black bean burgers
2 1/2 cups cooked black beans  - $0.59
1 cup corn - $0.30
1 sm onion - $0.50
2 clove garlic $0.26
1 cup oats  $0.72
Olive Oil  $0.25
paprika, cumin, salt, pepper to taste  $0.10

Total cost:  $2.72
Package of hamburger buns $2.99

Cost per burger + bun: $0.84

Can't buy such a cheap delish burger at any restaurant!!

Saute onion in  a little bit of oil until soft.  Add garlic and spices.  Cook about 2 minutes longer.
Pulse oats in food processor until they look like flour.
Combine beans, corn, onion mixture into food processor.  Pulse until smooth.
Form mixture into patties the size that you want. I made about 8 patties.  Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Butternut squash bread

I don't remember where I found this recipe, but since I have it has replaced zucchini bread in my kitchen.

I have to make sure I make some sort of bread or muffins each week or I spend a ridiculous amount of money buying muffins.  Since my 2nd seasonal job is finished today I have to eliminate the extra money I allocated for eating out.

To say that this bread is delish is an understatement, moist, sweet, and fluffy all make this a excellent choice for a breakfast bread or an afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

The original recipe calls for 1cup sugar and 1/4 cup water.  Today I substituted honey for the white sugar and omitted the 1/4 cup of water.  The original recipe also calls for white flour and I used some white/wheat combo bag I accidently picked up. 

Every time I make this bread it only lasts about two days before I eat it all.

Total costs for the loaf $4.33.  Much cheaper than buying $2 muffins every day.  I included .25 for the spices.  They have been in my cabinet and I don't remember how much I paid and calculating cost from a bottle of salt gives me too much of a headache now.  I buy my spices from an Indian grocery and get huge bags of cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, etc for about $2. 

Recipe

1 c. Butternut squash puree (see recipe below)
2 eggs - .66
1/2 c. Oil (I used olive) - .44
1/2 c. Honey - .68
1/2 c brown sugar - .38
1 3/4 c. Flour - . 34
1 tsp baking soda - .04
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamon

Butternut squash puree
1/2 cooked butternut squash $1
6 Tbsp butter - .56
2 Tbsp brown sugar -  .05
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Pinch of salt

Head oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly oil a loaf pan (or muffin tin).
Combine ingredients for puree in food processor and combine until smooth.  You might have to add a bit of water. 

In mixing bowl, mix eggs, puree, oil, honey, and brown sugar until smooth.  Add flour and spices and mix until just combined.

Pour mixture into an oiled loaf pan, bake at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes or until done.

Clam chowda

I really need to start planning my meals so when I go to the grocery store I don't say things like, "I want clam chowda!"  Which is what I did tonight.

But it did not turn out as expensive as I thought, only $2.37 a bowl!  I threw in the last 1/2 cup of moscato I had.  I bought a super cheap bottle from World Market, it was one of their holiday wines and I got it for $2.83.

3 potatoes - .74
2 cloves garlic - .26
1/2 pint cream - .74
1/2 c almond milk - .33
1 can clams - 1.69
1/2 moscato -  .30
1/2 md onion - .42

Grand total is $4.75 and I got two bowls out of it. 

Noms noms!