Budget

Well, now that my pantry is low, I have really been able to see how much I can spend- and this month's menu was done for under $250.00, I actually gave myself $300 for budget, because I realized the kids eat so much, unless I have a stocked pantry to cook out of, I just can't do it for as cheap as I used to!
I think I came close to $220 for this menu- but I had 3 "company" meals I had to come up with and so spent money on things that weren't on the menu. All total, I did it with $250, so I did have some excess of $$- which is so much nicer than cutting it right down to the last cent.
I don't think I'll do that again this month- that was too much boxed mac & cheese (granted, it's a really cheap meal, but so unhealthy!).

I was thinking about how much my kids eat the other day- and you know, they do eat alot! Naomi is one now, and she will eat a whole sandwich plus fruit or veggies. If I use store bought white bread, the boys easily eat 4 sandwiches each before I tell them to stop and eat some carrots or something. It continues to increase every year. Good thing Luke is going hunting this year!

Creamed Tuna & Peas

I got this from the Hillbilly Housewife and we really liked it. It reminded me of a dish my grandma used to make when she would host a ladies brunch- Creamed Shrimp on Toast. The only difference was, well, toast, tiny shrimp and she would put some diced hard boiled eggs in. It was so delicious- and this was very similar, so I enjoyed the memories that came with dinner. :-)


Creamed Tuna & Peas


Cost:
Tuna: $1.
Peas: $.44
Milk: $.50
Rice: $.40
Meal Total: $2.34

Not Posting Much...

Just thought I would give you all a "heads up". I haven't been posting too much and probably won't over the next couple weeks. For one, blogger seems to have issues with uploading pictures- does anyone else have problems? I do have a MAC, so I don't know if they're clashing or what, but it's a head ache for me.

The other reason is, we are remodeling our kitchen... and somehow I got the pictures to upload this time, so you can see the mess!


This is what it looked like on Saturday:



And then after my dear husband got it cleaned up so I could cook again:


We live in an old house (1882) and are making the kitchen bigger, so we knocked down a wall and can't let Naomi crawl around in there, for fear of her eating the insulation or other unknown garbage that is hiding in the exposed areas.

I'll try to post some pictures when I can- this is looking like a couple months of work!

Skillet Hash

I'm always wanting to make different things with leftover venison roast*- there is always sandwiches, but this is a nice alternative:

Skillet Hash
4 c. chopped cooked meat
4 c. chopped cooked potatoes
2/3 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 c. olive oil
2/3 c. water

Add everything except the water, fry and stir in large skillet for about 15 min. Add water, stir and stick in oven to broil for 5-10 minutes, till it has a slightly crispy top.

Cost:
Potatoes: $2.
Roast: $1.64
Onion... $?
Meal total: $3.64

*This roast had really good flavor, which made the Hash have a wonderful flavor. I had cooked the roast with a packet of organic french onion dressing mix.

Deviled Eggs

My Deviled Egg Trick:

9 eggs
4 T. mayo
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp paprika
Pinch of salt






Put the egg yolk and rest of ingredients into a ziplock bag, seal and squish it with your hands.





When it's smooth, cut a corner of the bag off with scissors.







Squeeze the "yolk" into the egg white halves.













Toss the empty bag- and they're all done!

Ants on a Log

My grandmother used to make these and take them to every church potluck, it was always one of my favorites.


Super easy- and kids can help, if you don't mind them licking their fingers. :-)

Wash and dry as many stocks of celery as desired, cut into 2"to 3" pieces, spread peanut butter in the middle, put some raisins on the peanut butter. Serve.

Ham and Cheese Bake

Ah, leftover Easter Ham... YUM!








Ham and Cheese Bake
16 oz spaghetti pasta, cooked & drained
2 c. diced ham
2 c. shredded cheese (I don't think it matters which kind- I used cheddar)

Mix all together and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until cheese is thoroughly melted.

Cost:
Pasta: $.72
Ham: $2.25
Cheese: $1.84
Meal total: $4.81

Egg Drop Soup

Naomi and I have this for lunch now and then. I don't think Egg Drop Soup normally has pasta and veggies, but it helps to make it a full meal.
I have 2 pictures here- the top bowl is mine, and the bottom one is Naomi's- since it's a bit hard for her to eat the broth yet. :-)


Egg Drop Soup
4 c. chicken broth
1 pk. ramen noodles (not using the flavor packet)
1 handful green beans, or other veggies
1/2 tsp. sesame seed oil
1 tsp. soy sauce
2 eggs, beaten

Bring broth to boil, add noodles and cook until tender. Put in green bean and bring back to a boil, add sesame oil and soy sauce. Stir in eggs, take off the burner as soon as they are all in. Serves 2.


Cost:
Broth: $.50
Eggs: $.30
Ramen Noodles: $.14
Beans: $.20
Meal total: $1.14

April Menu

Well, I have used my pantry down to very little... I basically have a bunch of dried beans, some rice, pumpkin puree, tuna, tomato soup, tomato sauce and marshmallows (and all my wheat/oats, etc). So this month I'm going to see how much I can actually get the grocery bill down to and still have some variety to the menu.


April Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	DInner
4 Pancakes		Tacos (leftovers)
5 Banana Bread	Grilled Cheese	Mac & Cheese
6 Coffee Cake	Lentil Chili	Sandwiches
7 Pancakes		Turkey dinner
8 Oatmeal		Turkey soup
9 Zucchini Bread		Hash
10 Pancakes		Skillet Rice
11 Oatmeal		Peanut Butter Rice
12 French Toast	Lentil Chili	Turkey Soup
13 Coffee Cake	Mac & Cheese w/ hot dogs	Left overs
14 Pancakes		Egg Drop Soup
15 Oatmeal/Granola		Grilled Cheese
16 Zucchini Bread, eggs		Creamed Tuna over Rice
17 Pancakes		Lentil Chili
18 Muffins		Black Bean Soup
19 Waffles	Grilled Cheese	Pizza
20 Coffee Cake	Mac & Cheese	Chili Dogs
21 Pancakes		Skillet Lasagna
22 Oatmeal		Egg Drop Soup
23 Toast		Fried Rice
24 Muffins		Grilled Cheese
25 Pancakes		Stroganoff
26 Hootenanny Pancakes	Pizza	Lentil Chili
27 Coffee Cake	Mac & Cheese	Sandwiches
28 Pancakes		Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles
29 Oatmeal, eggs		Turkey Soup
30 Banana Bread		Steak-bit Spaghetti

Carrot Cake

It was Naomi's First Birthday, and I decided to make her a carrot cake- at least it has some nutritional value, right?
I went off of this recipe that was on the Today Show the other day. Thanks Kristy for letting me know!








Carrot Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. applesauce
1/2 c. vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3 c. finely grated carrots (about 1 pound)

Mix sugar, applesauce and oil, then add eggs one at a time. Stir together dry ingredients, then combine into oil/sugar mix, then add carrots and stir well.
The recipe makes alot, so they had you using three 9" cake pans- who has 3?? So I made two 9" cakes and one 8" cake, which we ate the night before, making sure it was acceptable, you know. I greased the sides of the pans and cut out parchment paper for the bottom, it worked well for getting the cake out of the pan, as it is definitely moist!

Bake at 350˚ for about 40 minutes.

Frosting

4 c. powdered sugar
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 tsp vanilla extract
Beat until smooth- spread a dollop on the first layer, then set the next layer on and spread the rest over the entire cake (unless you were able to make 3 of the same size- in that case, it will cover the entire cake.)