Calling all cooks....Summer will be here soon!

I am looking for an array of your favorite summertime recipes.  So dust off those cook books and send me a few of your easy, peezy favorites!  Once I try them, I may post them.  Don't worry, you'll get full credit! :) <3

What's for Dinner???

My family has been begging me to fix a family favorite.  It's a little on the expensive side, but delicious and I only make this dish about once every 2-3 months.  Tonight I made rack of lamb, with mint sauce, asparagus spears and mashed potatoes. 

Broiled Rack of Lamb
I purchase rack of lamb at Albertsons, seems to be the best deal around.  First cut the rack of lamb into chops and place them in a large ziplock bag and add the following:
2 fresh pressed cloves of garlic
fresh ground pepper to taste
2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped rosemary
1/4 cup olive oil

Seal the zip lock bag and mix the rack of lamb well in the mixture, put in refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours marinating time.  After marinating time, place individual cuts on a foil-lined broiler pan.  Broil on high for 5-7 minutes on each side.  Remove and serve immediately - they will be sizzling.  Serve with the fresh mint sauce see below...

Mint Sauce:
1 bunch of mint leaves
Red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil

Chop mint leaves very fine and place in a bowl, add 1/4 cup red wine vinegar and mix.  Let sit for 1 hour then strain and add sugar, olive oil and mix.  Refrigerate until lamb is ready to serve.

Sauteed Asparagus:
I've found that Trader Joes has the best asparagus at the best price. 

1 bunch asparagus
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 fresh pressed garlic cloves
salt and pepper to taste

Put olive oil, butter and fresh pressed garlic into a pan on a low heat.  Once butter is melted add asparagus and salt and pepper.  Saute asparagus on a medium heat until aldente.  Serve immediately.

I'm a foodie for sure...

BBQ Chicken Burritos

This recipe is super easy and kids will love to make it with you. I've found when you involve your children in the preparation of meals, you're less likely to have picky eaters. This is a great recipe that involves very little contact with knives.

1/2 C BBQ Sauce

1/3 C frozen corn

10 ounces of cooked chicken strips (shred with hands)

8 flour totillas (med size)

shredded cheese

shredded lettuce

chopped tomato

Have your child build the burrito themselves. They will feel accomplished!

Garlic Bread Pieces! Oh yeah!

As most of you know, I LOVE Food and to cook for my family. I am always trying new things and then re-trying old favorites. One that I love are Garlic Bread Pieces made with a can of biscuits, 1/2 cube of butter, 2 large cloves of garlic pressed and Italian seasoning (about 1 to 2 tsp). Open your can of biscuits and cut each circle in 1/4 ths, place them close together in a round cake pan or pie dish. Add the butter, the garlic and Italian seasoning and stir in a sauce pan until butter is melted. Pour over the cut biscuits and place in the oven at 400 degrees and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Slightly cool, flip onto a dish and break apart. Super easy peezy and oh so yummy! Enjoy! xo

Back to blogging

Hi Everyone:

It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog. I am getting back into it and will post not just cooking and shopping tips, but anything I think will be helpful. Also, I hope that you will comment on things that work for you too!

Happy Spring!

Love, Lisa

Dinner for Four $3.06

Hi Everyone:


I just wanted to update you on a few REALLY good deals at The Dollar Tree and 99Cent Only Stores:


You can still get chicken thighs 3 for $1 and they still have the Luigi's Italian Ice, 4 cups for $1.


At 99 Cent Only Store, I got the following for $1 each:

• 2 eggplants (pretty good sized)
• 3 cucumbers
• 7 bananas (still a little green the way I like)
• 1 package of fresh raspberries
• 1 package of strawberries
• 1 small watermelon
• 1 package of cherry tomatoes

That is $7 spent on fresh produce and it is delicious!

Now for the good stuff: How did I make a full dinner for 4 persons for only $3.06????

Chicken from The dollar Tree $2
- Boiled the chicken - removed the skin - seasoned with season all salt and put on the grill just until browned. Yum!

Greek Cucumber Salad - used 2 cucumbers .66 cents - w/greek yogurt .50cents
-peeled cucumber, sliced and quartered cucumbers and put in bowl - added 1/4 cup non-fat greek yogurt - pressed 2 garlic cloves - add just a little pepper and salt. Delicous!

Eggplant - .50cents - sliced eggplant - dipped in Soy Sauce - sprinkled w/garlic salt and grill on BBQ until tender!

Money Saving Deals

Who likes to save money? I know I do! I am passing on some great deals that I find, on to you!

First, I like to go on date nights with my hubby, but sometimes the ol' budget keeps us from going out for a meal. I've found Restaurants.com, where you can purchase a $100 restaurant gift card for $40. How cool is that? Here's the link: http://giftcard.restaurant.com/index.asp

Next, I really like saving at the market. I shop around for the best deals. I shop at Trader Joes, Vons and Albertsons.

This week Vons has some really great deals. http://weeklyspecials.vons.com/customer_Frame.jsp?drpStoreID=2077

5 lb bag of potatoes for 88 cents! Price good through 9/18/10

Ragu Pasta Sauce 99 cents when you buy 6 jars. Price good through today 9/14/10

Red Lion Sweet Necatries 77 cents a lb. Price good through today 9/14/10

It is always good to stock up on items to put in your food storage. Pasta sauce has a LONG shelf life and you can always use or many different recipes!

Low Fat Apple Cake - in the CROCKPOT!

Low Fat Apple Cake - Made in the crockpot!

2 c flour (1 white and 1 wheat)

3/4 c brown sugar (not packed)

4 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

6 medium apples - peeled and chopped

1/2 c eggbeaters *

4 tsp vanilla

*purchase at Trader Joes, 1/2 the cost of what the market charges. Also a healthier option!

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

2. Add apples, stirring lightly to coat.

3. Combine eggbeaters and vanilla. Add to apple mixture and stir until moistned.

4. Spoon into a greased crock pot (use non-fat cooking spray)

5. Cover and cook on medium for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

6. Serve warm, yummmmmmm!

Tuna Burgers

I love this recipe, it's fast, it's simple, it's DELICIOUS!


2 Cans water packed white tuna, drained
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup sliced green onions with tops
1/4 cup unseasoned dry bread crumbs or panko flakes
2 tablespoons non-fat mayo
2 tsp relish drained
1 egg white
1 tsp dijon mustard

Drain tuna, place in a bowl and flake. Add chopped celery, green onions, bread crumbs, mayo, egg, relish, mustard and mix well.

Form tuna mixture into 4 round patties 1/2 inck thick, spray pan with non-fat cooking spray. Cook patties over medium heat 6 minutes, turn over and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Serve hot. Serves 4!

I eat without a bun to save myself some calories! Serve with a green salad! Total cost (salad included) $4.00 for a family of 4!

Nutrition Facts: Calories 219; Total Fat 8.1; Carbs 9.6; Protein 25.8