Tuna Couscous Salad

The beginning of summer is always exciting! New veggies to eat, a grill to fire up, and for me new ways to try and save money. This week I wanted to try to cook with things I already have on hand. While clearing out the freezer and pantry for ingredients I saw a box of Israeli couscous and canned tuna. Immediately I knew I wanted to make a pasta salad. Searched the fridge for veggies to round out the salad and it was done! I challenge all you readers to see what you can do with what you have this month!

Tuna Couscous Salad
serves 6 for main course, 10 for side salads

Ingredients:
1 1/3 cup uncooked Israeli couscous
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 3/4 Cups boiling water
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 peppers (red, yellow, or orange), diced
1/4 small red onion, minced
3 handfuls arugula, torn
2 cans water packed tuna, drained
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 Cup olive oil based salad dressing (like Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar)
Salt and Pepper to taste

mmm golden and toasty!

In a medium sauce pan heat olive oil on medium heat. Add smashed garlic and dry couscous. Toast couscous until golden brown. Keep a good eye on this, stirring constantly because it will happen fast. When toasted fish out the garlic clove and discard.  Slowly add the boiling water and stir together bringing to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium low and cook until water is absorbed.

This screams warm weather to me!

While the couscous cooks dice up your veggies and mix together in a bowl big enough to serve the salad in. My husband LOVES when I do this because it means less dishes to do later, and in our house I cook; he cleans! If you do not like the bite of raw onions and would like to mellow them down a bit soak the diced onion in a small bowl of water or a water/vinegar mixture for 10-20 minutes.

Not going to lie, I stole a bite or two after I snapped this one!

When couscous is done mix together with the diced veggies and add arugula. The hot couscous will cause the arugula to wilt down a bit, depending on your love of the peppery green you may want to add more. Add chickpeas and tuna. Mix in the juice from half a lemon, adding the zest if you want more lemon flavor. Season with salt and pepper and then add salad dressing to taste.

Yes, we had bread with pasta...but the veggies balance it out, right?

This can be served warm or kept in the fridge and served cold.  Easily made vegetarian without the tuna, but plenty of fresh veggies and protein for a main dish. This is going to my go-to for party dishes!

Black Bean Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

Usually a cooking challenge is exciting to me. Our recession budget, eating meatless as often as possible, and healthy living are some I have tackled and documented here on this very blog. Unfortunately the new challenge in our life is not as fun and very unrewarding. Hubby has had some tummy issues lately so we have tried eliminating gluten as a solution. This has been very difficult for me as far as meal planning. We have been eating a lot of rice and making pasta includes two types for the new gluten free variety as well as my regular one. It has also increased our grocery bill - gluten free foods are at least two times more expensive! While its been harder on both of us, it does seem to be working and that makes the battle worth it. Tonight's dinner was so yummy I didn't even miss the bread!

Black Bean Burgers with Avocado Lime Sauce 
and Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:
1 16 oz. can of black beans, drained
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (unseasoned, panko, or crushed rice krispies)
1 Egg
2 tsp. Cumin
1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 Clove garlic, minced
1/2 Avocado, sliced
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 large sweet potatoes, sliced into “fries”
1/4 tsp. each: cinnamon, garlic powder, salt, pepper
Pinch cayenne


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat fries with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with seasoning. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown.

My little army of yum!

While the fries are baking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat in a skillet. Add garlic and shallot, cook until translucent. Add peppers and corn and saute until slightly browned, stirring every so often.

Mash 3/4 of the can of black beans until smooth. Add in breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, cayenne. Then add in the cooked vegetables and stir well to combine. Finally, gently add in remaining black beans and combine. Form into 4 patties. Set aside.

When the sweet potato fries have 5 minutes remaining, cook black bean burgers. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Spray pan lightly with cooking spray. Cook black beans burgers about 4 minutes per side, until nicely browned, and cooked through. Top with avocado sauce (below) and serve with sweet potato fries.

obviously we hated this

Avocado Lime Sauce

Ingredients
1 ripe Haas Avocado
1 lime
1/2 cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt

In a bowl mash avocado with a fork. Mix in the juice from one lime plus some zest, and the yogurt. Stir to combine. This does not keep well, use same day.

Baked Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions

This winter has been a pretty mild one for us New Englanders. I mean, with temps in the 40's through all of February it leaves little to complain about (don't get me started on the lack on snow!). But lately I have had trouble shaking the 5:00PM chills that come when the sun starts dropping. Bored with most of what I have been cooking lately for dinners I wanted to switch it up and make a stick to your bones, warm meal. This recipe has been pinned and repinned by lots of people on Pinterest (if you do not have one you are missing out!) It was originally posted on The Kitchn. After on friend posted a successful trial with the recipe I knew I had to make it. Totally worth it, and a big hit with the hubs.

I followed the recipe from The Kitchn, next time I would make several changes. Number 1, vegan shmeagan! I am using what I have on hand, no tofutti! If you need this for your particular diet please make the substitutions necessary for you. For me? I want butter next time! See below for my changes to the original.

PS. Thank you to my husband for the wonderful action shots taken while I was cooking!

Baked Mushroom Risotto with Caramelized Onions
serves 4 to 6

1/2 ounce package dried Porcini mushrooms, finely chopped and lightly rinsed to remove dirt
2 Cups boiling water
2 Tablespoons olive oil or butter
2 medium yellow onions, cut into a small dice (about 1 1/2 cups)
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 pound Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 sprig fresh rosemary, if you are not into this flavor substitute fresh Thyme
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine (I used Pinot Grigio)
1 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups vegetable  or chicken broth
1 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

That's a lot of mushrooms!

Heat the oven to 300°F.

Place the dried mushrooms in a ceramic bowl and pour boiling water over them. Set them aside to steep until needed.

Woo! Look at those onions go! Everyone into the pot!

Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a 3-quart (or larger) Dutch oven over medium heat. If you do not have a dutch oven or stove top safe casserole dish, feel free to use a stock pot and add to a casserole before baking. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until soft and golden.

I am still always amazed when things start like this...

Push the onions to the side of the pot, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Add all the sliced cremini mushrooms and let them cook for 5 minutes without stirring. Flip the mushrooms and cook for another five minutes, or until they are quite brown and a crust is developing on the bottom of the pan. Add 1/2 the salt.

....and reduce down to this!

Drain the dried mushrooms and reserve the steeping liquid. Add the mushrooms to the pan and mix in with other mushrooms.  Add the rice and cook, stirring once or twice, for about 5 minutes, or until the rice begins to turn transparent.

Ignore the rosemary here, I would save it for the end next time.

Turn the heat to high and add the white wine, vinegar, broth, and reserved mushroom steeping liquid. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze all the wonderful bits sticking to the pan. Stir in the remaining salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil. Add rosemary spring and cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and put it in the oven to bake for 35 minutes. (if you are using a separate casserole now is when you want to transfer from the pot).

While the risotto is cooking, use this time to caramelize some onions to top. Recipe below. When the risotto has finished baking, let it stand uncovered for 5 minutes before serving. Serve a heaping serving in a shallow bowl with a  pile of caramelized onions, a little extra pepper and salt to taste.

After 35 minutes in the oven you are greeted by this inviting sight! mmm

Caramelized Onions

2 Medium Onions
2 Tablespoons butter, olive oil, or a combination of both
salt and pepper

Slice onions in half from root to top. Slice each half into strips, again root to top. This method helps avoid the creepy looking worm onions that happen with slicing into half moons. In a medium pan add butter, olive oil, or a combination. Heat over medium low heat. When pan is hot add onions. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, and reduce heat to low. Continue cooking for about 20-30 minutes stirring frequently. Your onions should become a medium to dark brown. Try not to eat them all before the risotto is done.

Roasted Red Peppers

After posting the pizza I realized I didn't let you in on the secret of making roasted red peppers! Better late than never!! And roasting peppers is FUN stuff!

Good, charred, bubbled up skin!

First, wash the peppers and PLEASE remember to peel off any stickers! For a gas top stove, set your flame to medium-high, place the pepper directly in the flame and burn it to hell! For an electric stove, set your broiler to high, place the peppers on the top rack, and...you guessed it...burn 'em up! Slowly rotate and get each side equally charred. As soon as they are thoroughly charred place in a paper bag, crumple the top and let sit for about 20-30 minutes. This allows the peppers to steam, which pulls the charred skin away from the "meat" of the pepper. To peel the pepper, simply use your fingers to pull away the skin. Running the peppers under water while doing this will help the process. Seed and slice into thin strips and they are ready to use! Mine last about 3 days in tupperware in the fridge (if we don't eat them immediately).

Glorious, sweet and smokey, goodness!

A very simple, easy way to save money is to try and not buy prepared foods whenever possible. This means doing a little more work yourself, but they payoff is amazing food that you made!

Spiced Candied Nuts

Naked Nuts, haha!

Caution, these are highly addictive! Make in large batches to share or to hoard and eat alone! I made a batch for a girls' night and am making two more for my dad and my father-in-law for Father's Day. Its okay to splurge on the nuts, I bought bags of walnut pieces, pistachios, and almonds at Trader Joe's for $6 each, I don't think I would be able to put together a good party snack or two gifts for under $20!!

Spiced Candied Nuts

Ingredients
Mixed raw nuts of your choice, about 4 or 5 cups worth, unsalted
2  Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp agave nectar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp raw sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne

Heat oven to 400 F. On a baking sheet lined with wax paper or pachement arrange nuts in a single layer. Bake for about 15-30 minutes until nuts are toasted and fragrant, stirring every 10 minutes. Be careful not to let the nuts burn. While nuts are roasting combine maple syrup, agave nectar and vanilla in a bowl large enough to hold all the nuts. In a food processor combine sugar, salt and spices until ground to a medium fine powder. Pour the hot nuts into the syrup mixture, stir to thoroughly coat. Sprinkle half the sugar mixture over the top, stir gently, then add remaining sugar and stir gently to coat. Place nuts back on sheet pan and return to oven for approximately 10 minutes, or long enough for glaze to set. When nuts have cooled, salt to taste. Store in a covered container at room temperature.

Roasty Glazed Goodness!

Feel free to adjust seasonings to your taste, if you like things a little spicier add more cayenne, less spicy feel free to omit or add your favorite flavor. Enjoy! To give as a gift, fill a ball jar with nuts and top with a bow, nothing fancy to get in the way of digging right in!

heh heh, nuts!

Roasted Stuffed Mushrooms

This is an easy and quick meal that makes plenty for leftovers! Hearty, healthy and flavorful you will be making this one again!  Using ingredients we normally have on hand makes this even easier. I first saw this printed in Everyday Food, my changes are below.

White Bean Stuffed Portobellos

Serves 2 (with leftovers for 2)

Ingredients

4 large portobello caps (stems removed)

1 tsp lemon zest

1 Tbsp lemon juice

3 Tbsp olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can cannellini beans, drained

2 tsp fresh thyme 

1 Cup bread crumbs

1/2 Cup feta cheese crumbles

1 bag baby spinach

Preheat oven to 400F. In a small bowl combine 2 Tbsp olive oil and 2 Tbsp lemon juice, brush over each side of the mushroom caps, season with salt and pepper, place stem side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes. Flip and drain any juices from sheet pan. Reserve two mushrooms for tomorrow's lunch.

In a saucepan heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat, saute garlic for 1 minute. Add beans, thyme, lemon zest and 1 cup water. Season with salt and pepper, stirring occasionally until liquid is almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. 

Top each mushroom half with a handful of spinach leaves, then 1/4 cup of bean mixture, layer of feta cheese and top with breadcrumbs. Drizzle mushrooms with remaining olive oil. Return baking sheet to oven and roast until breadcrumbs are golden, 5-10 minutes. Serve with a spinach salad and garlic chiabatta toast. 

For your leftover lunch, warm bean mixture and mushrooms. Top a spinach salad with sliced mushrooms and feta. Top a couple slices of toast with the warmed bean mixture.

Weekly Budget Update!

This weekend I spent $64 at Stop & Shop. We are recovering from the holidays which means fresh food - loads of fruits and veggies!  I also spent $8 on fresh pasta from a little Italian deli, so excited to eat it! Under budget with $8 to spare!




Major Purchases: Chicken breasts, fresh basil, and bundles of fresh fruit!

Good Deals: Pineapples were on sale this week for $2 each! Also got some individual serving guacamole snack packs to keep on hand. Not a huge savings, but they don't turn brown and mushy as quickly!

Meal Planning:
Egg Nog French Toast with Fruit Salad
Fusilli with Pink Vodka Sauce and Grilled Chicken
Pork Tenderloin, Potatoes, Veg
Mushroom Fritatta with Mixed Green Salad
Individual Pizzas with Soup

This menu should get us back on track and recovered from the holidays! The leftover will also serve as great lunches for my husband and me.

Weekly Budget Update!

Leftover week is here! After diligently cooking for the last month my freezer runneth over! And we need to eat some of that food. Because almost all my meals are made for this week my grocery bill was really low this week, I spent $29 at Stop and Shop today. This evens out the extra money I spent on extravagances last week, notably a $15 flank steak and a $10 block of Gruyere cheese. There is still over 2/3 of the cheese left and 1/2 lb steak in the freezer!

No good deals or major purchases at the store, just milk, eggs, potatoes, and bread.

Meal Planning this week is also going to be easy. I will pretty much just choose something out of the fridge every morning and surprise Eric at dinner! Tonight we had sausage and pepper sandwiches! I am also playing cards with my girlfriends this week, stay tuned for what I bring!

Weekly Budget Update!

This weekend I spent $63 at Stop & Shop. We are still going to eat from the freezer, that lentil soup was great this weekend and we still have 2 more servings!




Major Purchases: package sweet sausage, chicken thighs, and chicken tenders.

Good Deals: 1L Flavored Seltzer water for $0.75 each! 

Meal Planning:
Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken Thighs with Stuffing (so what if we are preparing for Thanksgiving!)
White Bean and Sausage "Cassoulet"
Shrimp Stirfry
Pizza and Soup
Steak with Sweet Potato Fries and Arugula Salad (Date Night!!)
????

As much as I try and plan out my weeks, there is almost always a night that I can not pin down. This week we will have had red meat, chicken, seafood and vegetarian meals. Who has a suggestion for night 7?

A Lebanese Feast

I love going out to eat, but on our budget sometimes I have to make the take out. After talking with some friends the other day about Gyros and Falafel, I started craving Middle Eastern food. The hummus and garlic were calling to me (okay, maybe it was just my stomach). I had to have it. So with lentils on the brain already I wanted to make one of my favorite side dishes, Jedra, or Mujaddara to be exact. Luckily I was able to find a recipe here. Served in a pita with some grilled chicken, hummus, lettuce, and pickles it was just like take out!

Ingredients: Lentils, Rice, Onions, Cumin, Cinnamon, Olive Oil, Chicken, Hummus, Pitas, and additional condiments.

Caramelizing the onions is one of my favorite parts! Here's how they start out, just sweating a little bit.

 And after 15 minutes you get these delicious little noms!

What a feast we had! The recipe claims 4 servings, judging from the amount of rice in that bowl I would say at least 6 or more! Sounds good to me, leftovers for lunch this week!

Weekly Budget update!

This weekend I spent $13 at Trader Joe's and $66 at Stop & Shop. Because I cooked so much last week I was able to spend less this week!

 Major Purchases: 2 lbs ground beef, package of fresh thyme, 2 filets frozen tilapia, lots of produce!

Good Deals: None this week unless you count all the free candy we keep getting for Halloween!

Meal Planning:
Lentil Soup
Eggplant Parmesan
Meatloaf
some sort of chicken with rice??
Leftover Beef Stew
Tilapia (date night!)

Every week I try and make a special "date night" meal to replace going out for dinner. I set the table, light some candles and spend a little more time cooking to make it special. This week I am shooting for sauteed tilapia in a white wine sauce with roasted potatoes and carrots. Wish me luck!!

A bit about me and my new blog!

Welcome to my kitchen! As you will soon see it is a very small kitchen, about 35 square feet! This is where the journey to savings began. After cutting back where we could everywhere else my husband, Eric, and I have challenged ourselves to save more money during these tough times. The best way we could think to do this is by limiting the amount of times we dine out each month. Though it was tough at first to continuously cook every night, I eventually came up with a system to both save money and time - and actually started to enjoy it!

We have a budget of $80 per week to spend on all food! That means if we want ice cream from 7 Eleven one night it has to come out of the budget. I will be sharing how I do with the budget as well as any awesome weekly finds and deals, and photos of the recipes I am making each night! Hopefully you will be inspired to start saving money, and dining in with food good enough for a restaurant!