Friday, October 28, 2011

Easy & Quick Vegetarian Dinner

If a recipe is easy and quick AND my kids love it - I consider it a keeper! I found this recipe years ago and have had it tucked away in my recipe binder.  When we changed our diets (and food budget) and started eating more vegetarian meals I found it and tried it out.  I admit I wasn't super confident that the kiddos would go for it, or that I could bake it correctly I mean come on a corn & cheese souffle?? Anything with the word "souffle" scares the crap out of me, but after trying it the first time I was pleasantly surprised and overjoyed when both kids gobbled them up! A success! (*photo from shape.com)

Serves: 6
Cook Time: 20 min.

Ingredients

1Tunsalted butter
1 1⁄2Tfine bread crumbs
2Tolive oil
4 scallions, thinly sliced
3Tall-purpose flour
1clowfat milk
4 large eggs, separated
1⁄3cfresh corn kernels (from 1 cob) - I exchange frozen corn thawed
1⁄4cgrated sharp white cheddar
1⁄4tsalt
1pncayenne pepper - I omit for the kids
1pnfreshly ground black pepper
1⁄4tcream of Tartar
2tchopped chives

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease six 6-ounce ramekins with butter. Divide bread crumbs among ramekins, turn to coat, and gently shake off excess. Place on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Toss in scallions and saute? for 2 minutes or until soft. Add flour, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Add milk and raise heat to medium high (do not boil). Whisk for 4 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly; remove from heat.
Lightly beat egg yolks in a large bowl. Stir in a spoonful of the hot milk mixture, then pour in the rest. Stir in corn, cheese, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; set aside.
In a small bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until they form peaks. Fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the corn mixture. Add remaining egg whites; mix gently (a few streaks of white should remain). Divide among ramekins and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops are puffed and golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped chives and serve immediately.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Applesauce Cups

My kids love applesauce, and like most kids they love when they have it in those tiny disposable containers.  I don't like the price, so I cut a couple corners to make me, my budget and my picky kids happy :)

I prefer to but all-natural (no sugar added) or organic applesauce - which is even more expensive! Typically a 6 pack of pre-packaged applesauce runs about $2-3 dollars (I'm stretching the $2 price - that's on sale or with coupons) but I can buy an entire jar for about $2.  So I take out my trusty mini Tupperware cups (measure out at 1/2 c.) and fill em' up and toss in the fridge.
 They're easy, they're convenient, they're even kinda cute.  Plus we re-use the Tupperware so we lessen waste.  I can usually get at least 8 cups out of a 33oz jar which comes out to $.25 a cup whereas the pre-packaged run us about $.42 a cup.  Savings + happy kids = happy mommy and money in the bank!

Oatmeal Packets vs Bulk Containers

We all love oatmeal in my house - especially when the weather starts to turn chilly! Its a great start to the morning not to mention nutritious! We used to buy the boxed instant oatmeal packets with the variety of flavors, that you just add water and stick in the microwave. Yum. Pricey.  We would spend about 3-6 dollars per box which contained about 8 packets.  So figure we guesstimate the price out to $4.50 per box which lasts 8 feedings (not even a weeks worth if we all eat it) comes out to about $.56 per packet.  It's a little bit less to buy in bulk from Costco - about $.50 per packet.  Plus we buy the large 42oz containers of oats for recipes, granola, homemade power bars, etc.  So altogether we contribute a lot of our small grocery budget to oats!! We since we need to cut that budget down, I attempted to make my own "packets" and guess what - they are awesome!!!
First thing - hen I see large containers on sale I swipe up at least 2, I have found them at my store for $1.88 (store brand). Then I measure out 1/2 cup of dry quick oats (HAS to be quick oats not traditional) and add my flavor - we love the brown sugar and cinnamon, so I add to my Tupperware cup of oats 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 1/8 tsp. of cinnamon.  
Slap on a lid with mixing directions (see side of oatmeal container) and toss in the cabinet.
Now whoever needs oatmeal can add water right to the Tupperware (microwave safe of course) and eat it out of the same bowl too! Plus if the hubs is running late he can put the lid right back on and take it to go.  Fan-stinkin-tastic! And the breakdown price wise is: $.06 per packet - plus the sugar and cinnamon which I always have on hand. Way cheaper than the boxed variety and stopping at Starbucks for theirs.