Monday, February 9, 2009

My personal challenge

Ok, so as you all know, I love to cook. I'm obsessed with planning out meals and increasing the health and nutrition value of the meals I make. I like to have well-rounded meals, with veggies and other side dishes. I also don't like to make the same recipe in the same month, or even same 2 months.

This means I often go over our budgeted grocery amount each month. It should be cheap to buy food for us two, especially since I get free breakfast and lunch 4 days a week, but it's not.

I'm considering doing more extensive coupon clipping and searching.. but for the next 2 weeks, I'm challenging myself to NOT go to the grocery store. I'm going to be scrappy and use all of the food I have in the house. It's time to get creative! It's also a good skill to learn for the tight economy and possible tough times in the future. Don't worry.. right now I'm not at risk of losing my job, but you have to be prepared right?

Anyways, I just wanted to post some recipes that were a big hit at the Super Bowl party we went to last week. Oh, and if you want to lighten up the recipes, feel free to substitute low-fat products where you can.

Buffalo Chicken Dip (serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or crusty bread)
1 can (10 oz.) chunk white chicken, drained
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup buffalo sauce (I used Frank's Red Hot)
1/2 cup ranch or blue cheese dressing
2 cups cheese (cheddar, monterey jack, or colby jack.. all good)

Mix all ingredients together, except cheese. Spread into an ungreased shallow 1-qt baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Peanut Butter Balls (From Graham's aunt Lizzie)
1 pound powdered sugar
2 cups peanut butter
1/2 cup margarine or butter
3 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
1 package chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk)

Melt peanut butter and margarine together; add powdered sugar and mix together. Remove mixture from heat and stir in Rice Krispies. Roll into 2" balls and chill in refrigerator. Melt chocolate chips. Dip peanut butter balls in melted chocolate halfway, and chill in refrigerator.

Store in an air-tight container in the freezer.

Enjoy! Both of these recipes are ADDICTING.

7 comments:

Jules AF said...

Buffalo sauce???? I don't know how I feel about that....

Jules AF said...

Oh and is it okay to eat 2-week-old chicken pot pie if it's been refrigerated the whole time? If not, I need to go throw up immediately.

Jacob said...

eww Julie. Seem like some good recipes.

Sue said...

Julie you made me lol. Don't forget to have food storage. Our ward has really been reminding us. So don't cook it all and keep buying a little extra each time.

Shannon said...

Good for you being so creative with recipes. I am currently trying to cut $100 from our grocery budget this month, so please please pass along your "stuff around the house" recipes!

Jules AF said...

Don't worry. I threw away the pot pie. But it made me sad to do it. I had THREE more servings!

Jules AF said...

8 days have gone by. BOOORIIINNGGG

New home blog coming soon

I have received a lot of questions via email about how the home is holding up for the past 2.5 years. I plan to do a detailed update on our ...