Author: Mindins

I have always loved the idea of serving food in vegetables, or fruit for that matter.  In fact at every party I have thrown over the years it seems to be a pattern.  Whether it was pumpkin soup in pumpkins or lemon sorbet in lemons, it gives your food a touch of elegance.  Hence I bring you sausage in zucchini boats.  Don’t worry, since nothing goes to waste in the kitchen, you can use the inside of your zucchini for so many great things, from zucchini muffins to the little zucchini hearts  you can find on our Instagram page.  With Valentine’s day around the corner, it’s a great time to serve this up, and then surprise your loved ones with some homemade zucchini hearts.

	Ingredients serves 4	Cost
1	1 package  Jalapeno Chicken Sausage	$2.99
2	2 long Zucchini	$1.78 (.89 a piece)
3	1 C  Roasted Garlic Marinara Sauce	$0.66*
4	4 ounces Almond Mozzarella Style Shreds	$1.75*
	Total	$7.18 ($1.79per serving)

Happy New Year!!! We are starting 2019 with some quick and easy recipes for you to enjoy.  Whether you cook for one, or ten, cooking should be simple and fast.  We know that you are super busy, and why add to your burden with complex recipes that require a ton of ingredients?   We are not reinventing the wheel here, in fact this week we bring you a new twist on an old time fav,  Beans and Franks!!  This recipe will take you under 4 minutes to make, that is faster than waiting in line at a drive through.  When you watch the video I recommend this serves 3, we actually fed 4 satisfied adults with this one meal.  If you are a vegetarian, you can substitute with your favorite meatless frank.  Keep visiting us for more fun recipes, that won’t break the bank.

	Ingredients serves 4	Cost
1	Package of Hebrew National Nitrate free all Beef Hot Dogs	$3.99
2	1/3 Container diced yellow onions	$0.60*
3	1 Can of giant baked beans in tomato sauce	$1.99
		$0.50*
	Total	$6.58($1.65per serving)

We did a stuffed portobello mushroom awhile back, and when I came across this wonderful truffle Alfredo sauce, I knew it was time to come up with another wonderful stuffed mushroom!!! I think we did it with this dish that is under 80 calories.  The zucchini spirals fill you up and the sauce has so much flavor that a little goes a long way.  Cheers to all my vegetarian friends, this one’s for you !

	Ingredients serves 4	Cost
1	2 packages portobello mushrooms (2 in pack)	$5.58
2	1 bag zucchini spirals	$2.69
3	3/4 box baby bells mushrooms	$1.71*
4	1/4c Truffle Alfredo Sauce	$0.80*
5	3T Parmasean Cheese	$ 0.50*
	Total	$11.28($2.82 per serving)

Chicken is always a good go to meal

	Ingredients serves 5	Cost
1	1 .5 lb package of  organic chicken tenders	$8.49
2	1/2 Jar olives with juice.	$1.15*
3	1/4 Jar capers with juice.	$0.67*
4	Handful  of pitted prunes	$0.50*
5	1/4C white wine	$ varies
	Total	$10.81 ($2.16per serving)

We all have those favorite dishes that we couldn’t wait for our moms to make us.  One of mine was her potato chip chicken.  It was always a special treat when she would prepare this, and now I bring it to you with just three simple ingredients in under 10 minutes.  Since it is the most wonderful time of the year, I couldn’t pass up trying this recipe with Trader Joe’s seasonal stuffing flavored potato chips.  You can make this with any chip you like, and dip them in any sauce that you would like

	Ingredients serves 5	Cost
1	1 .5 lb package of  organic chicken tenders	$8.49
2	Bag of potato chips. (You Will use 36 chips for this)	$1.99*
3	2 large eggs	$0.20*
	Total	$10.68( $2.14 per serving)

Since my boys were little they loved going for Chinese Food.  One of their favorite things to get was always Minced Chicken in Lettuce. Now as grown men, they still always order and love this dish, so when a friend of mine asked if I do anything in lettuce wraps , my creative wheels started turning.  I came up with this super quick, super easy, and super low cal version you can make at home.  This is also an easy dish to substitute the chicken with your favorite vegetarian option if you choose.  Since this dish makes 8 wraps, servings very depending on appetite.  You can serve this up with a side of our Chicken Fried Rice Recipe that you can find in our recipe section or with our quick and easy Won Ton Soup recipe that you can find in our Fun Tip section.

	Ingredients make 8 Lettuce Wraps	Cost
1	lb ground chicken	$3.49
2	4 scallions chopped	$0.32*
3	8 romaine lettuce leaves	$0.93*
4	1/2 jar or Mango Ginger Chutney	$1.25*
5	1/4 C of low sodium soy sauce	$0.35*
	Total	$6.34($0.79 per wrap)

Nutrition Facts (Per wrap)
Calories	117
Carbs	7.6g
Fats	4.5g
Protein	11.2g
Sugar	6g
Fiber	0.2g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Spray pan with olive oil spray add meat and set pan to m/h heat.

Step 2: Using your handy dandy chopping tool, start chopping up meat.

Step 3: While meat is browning ,chop up scallions.

Step 4: Drain meat when it is cooked and add your scallions to the pan.

Step 5: Add your chutney and soy sauce to the pan and heat through.

Step 6: Place 8 lettuce leaves on a serving platter, and spoon mixture into each piece of lettuce.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Super excited about this Fall Medley recipe!!! When asked by a HUGE, and I mean HUGE TV show to come up with a Fall recipe, I  was super elated and came up with this delight in a flash!!  Sometimes things don’t always go as planned and the three minute slot got filled up, so the recipe was not used…. but on the bright side, I created something that I never would have though to put together.  I was honored  beyond belief that I was asked , and even though this didn’t make it on national TV, it is here for you to enjoy.  Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I hope you enjoy all the different Fall flavors blended into this very special dish.  As always please feel free to adjust according to your dietary lifestyle.

	Ingredients Serve 5	Cost
1	1 Pkg Apple Chicken Sausage	$3.99
2	1 Honey Crisp Apple	$1.69
3	1 Bag of Diced Butternut Squash	$2.49
4	1/2 Container of Diced Yellow Onions	$0.90*
5	I /2 Can of Wolfgang Puck Butternut Squash Soup	$1.50*
	Total	$10.57 ($2.11per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package. 

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	205
Carbs	23.2g
Fats	8.2g
Protein	12.3g
Sugar	11.3g
Fiber	2.9g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s and Giant Eagle

Directions

Step 1: Spray a cast iron skillet with Olive Oil spray then set on M/H.

Step 2: Put half container of diced onions in skillet and start to brown.

Step 3: While the onions  are browning, microwave the squash in the pierced bag for three minutes.

Step 4:  While the squash is in the microwave, peel,  and slice your apple into chunks.

Step 5: Microwave  your apple chunks in a microwave safe bowl for 3 minutes.

Step 6:  While the apple chunks are in the microwave slice up the entire package of chicken sausage into bite size pieces.

Step 7: Add all of the ingredients to your pan, and pour in the half a can of Butternut Squash soup. Put in a dash of Allspice and sprinkle some black pepper. Stir all together and heat through.

Step 8:  Enjoy!

I love a good fillet! What I don’t love is the price when I order one. Here is the perfect solution …. make it at home! Trader Joe’s has amazing fillet at under $11 for two fillets!!! Now you can enjoy this protein packed treat every night if you want. I pair it with a delicious mushroom risotto that I mix with fresh spinach in order to add a healthy dose of veggies into the one-pan dinner.

Sometimes it’s nice to get new ideas for dinner, especially when it is proven to be delicious and a time saver. I am here to share my finds with you! They may not be made from scratch, but they are made with love.

	Ingredients Serve 2	Cost
1	1 Pkg Fillet Mignon	$10.85
2	1 Pkg Mushroom Risotto	$2,19*
3	1/2 Bag Fresh Spinach	$1.15*
	Total	$14.19 ($7.10 per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package. 

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	438
Carbs	26g
Fats	25.1g
Protein	13.9g
Sugar	1g
Fiber	1.5g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Spray a cast iron skillet with Pam grill spray then set on M/H.

Step 2: Sprinkle salt and pepper on the top of steak while the bottom is searing. After about 4 minutes or so flip the steak.

Step 3: Place the whole bag of Mushroom Risotto that has been defrosted in your fridge into the skillet.

Step 4: Add half bag of spinach to the skillet and wilt.

Step 5: Stir into the risotto. When the steak is done to your liking, place on a plate with a serving of risotto. (Note: there are 3 servings per bag so you should have some left over for lunch)

Step 6: Enjoy!

I love Chicken Fried Rice, but what I don’t love is the calorie count in the traditional recipe or how long it takes to prepare. So, I came up with a quick and easy version for you to cook along side of me – hope you enjoy it! If you follow a vegetarian diet, you can substitute the chicken with Quorn Chik’n Cutlets, and for my vegan friends, an egg substitute works too. 

	Ingredients Serve 4	Cost
1	1 Pkg Natural Chicken Tenders	$5.34
2	1 Bag Riced Cauliflower Stir Fry	$2.99
3	1 Egg	$0.25*
	Total	$8.58 ($2.15 per serving)

*Please note: the cost of this items reflects the amount used for this recipe, not the total cost of the package.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories	194
Carbs	8g
Fats	4.4g
Protein	27.8g
Sugar	3.4g
Fiber	2.2g
	Source: MyFitnessPal

*Ingredients sourced from Trader Joe’s

Directions

Step 1: Turn on your range to med/high heat. Spray the pan with a little olive oil spray.

Step 2: Place chicken tenders in the pan and cook according to the directions.

Step 3: Remove chicken from the pan and place on serving platter.

Step 4: Pour the whole bag of defrosted cauliflower rice stir fry into your pan (I recommend putting it in your fridge the night before so it’s defrosted when ready to use).

Step 5: Make a well in the center of the rice.

Step 6: Crack your egg and place in the center of the rice. Put the lid back on the pan, allowing the egg to fry up. Once you see the egg start to cook, start stirring it into the rice, making sure the whole egg has cooked.

Step 7: Place the chicken back on top of the fried rice to warm back up a bit.

Step 8: Enjoy!