Vegan a Go-Go / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I’m sharing the recipe to one of my favorite side dishes that can also double as a main vegetarian dish. Tabbouleh is delicious and can be thrown together in no time for an easy weeknight dinner.
It can easily be transported so it’s great for picnics or potlucks. It’s served cold so it’s refreshing on a hot day. Just like homemade ice cream. I found this recipe in the latest issue of Bon Appetit. They shared other grain recipes if you’re interested.
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By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Meat muffins - yum!
I have recently discovered many mini-foods I can make with my muffin pan. I’m not really a muffin person, so the pan has lingered unloved in the cabinet next to the oft-used cookie sheets. Until now!
My new uses for muffin tins include:
Binnorie Artwork / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I love tangy yogurt for breakfast and recently tried my hand at making my own. The yogurt recipe I made is ridiculously easy to make. The best part is you only need two ingredients and it costs less than the store-bought stuff.
I like my yogurt with fresh fruit and a crumbled granola bar. Check out Julia’s granola bar recipe if you don’t have a favorite one, yet. This recipe is also tasty when accompanied with a healthy muffin. Give my healthy muffin recipe a go!
najjie / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I was walking down the produce isle at Trader Joe’s when I spotted fresh asparagus for $1. I made a beeline for them and bought two bunches. Just a few weeks ago I had seen the pencil thin vegetable for almost $4. This time the asparagus where bright green, firm, and plump.
Love in season produce – you just can’t beat the taste and low price! Asparagus is best cooked the day it’s purchased, though you can keep it in the fridge for up to five days. If there’s room in the fridge, I’ll store the bundled stalks in a bowl with about an inch of water. If there’s no room, in they go into the crisper with a damp paper towel wrapped around the bottom of the stalks.
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By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
Beef soup
The first time I ever made this soup my husband wrote me a love letter. Really. Nothing says lovin’ like a big pot of hearty beef and bean soup.
The key ingredient is a cut of meat called a shank cross cut. It is sometimes referred to as a center cut. This cut of meat has a roundish bone surrounded by meat. It is very tough, therefore it needs to be boiled for at least 3 hours, perhaps 4 for the best taste. The thing to remember with beef is the tougher the cut, the tastier the meat.
Must remember to snap a photo next time. This photo doesn't do it justice! Lorenia / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
You’ve probably had red-sauce enchiladas before, but have you tried enfrijoladas? They’re just as yummy, easy, and inexpensive to make. Try your hand at the recipe below.
Frijol is the Spanish word for bean. In this dish, purred beans will be used as a sauce. I made these for dinner last night and grilled chicken breasts as a side. They were delicious!
natebeaty / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
When it’s cold outside, I crave warm stews like this chicken and hominy recipe. This stew is a traditional Mexican dish known as Pozole. The red chiles give it the heat and color. Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! You can find all the ingredients in your grocery stores’ ethnic aisle.
This spicy stew is perfect with a little lime when you are all stuffed with a cold. Don’t worry! You can control the heat and still enjoy a bowl if you don’t like spicy food. It’s usually made with pork, but I make it with chicken because I’m allergic to pork.
Owenfinn16/flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
A watery glass of luke-warm coffee is a bummer. A good cup of coffee is a treat. A glass of perfectly made iced coffee is a spiritual experience!
Years ago a barista taught me the secret of correctly made iced coffee. The secret is so simple and easy that it is a constant wonder to me that so few coffee shops make so-so iced coffee. Learn my secret and save yourself a few bucks while sipping a delightful beverage.
Here is the secret:
I'm baking cookies for Valentine's Day. What are you doing? chollingsworth3 / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Every year the prices of candy, chocolate, and roses balloon during this time. Instead of overpaying, I rather spend time in my kitchen making inexpensive treats to give out for Valentine’s Day. Below I share quick and easy recipes to make and share with others.
We ate these homemade granola bars in no time!
My husband and I eat a fair number of Nature Valley granola bars, which run us about $3 for 12 pre-wrapped bars, or about $.25 a bar. Could I make these myself? Here’s my version of a recipe I found in my favorite cookbook, The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook.
I have not calculated exactly how much this recipe costs to make, but it yields three times as many bars as one box from the store and tastes a lot better!
What do you make instead of buy to save money?
Can't wait to make a Buche de Noel! Telephone Melts / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Tis the time to haul out the bakeware! I love baking, especially in the cold weather months, as it warms up our home. It’s been really cold in L.A. lately! Below are a few dessert recipes I’m planing to make for our different Christmas celebrations.
Gingersnap Pear Cheesecake – In my post about non-traditional Thanksgiving desserts, I said how much I love cheesecake because of it’s versatility. For Christmas, try one with pears and a gingersnap crust. The flavors complement each other wonderfully. Best thing is that if you know how to make a basic cheesecake, you can have this done in no time. Another thing I like is that it travels well to parties and it can be made ahead of time.
Sifu Renka / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I love Thanksgiving and can eat leftovers for days. This year, I tried a new recipe that used leftover turkey. Not only did this save money and time, but it created a new tradition! Below I share the recipe to this yummy Turkey Pot Pie.
The best part of this recipe is that you can substitute chicken if your turkey is all gone. Need other ideas for leftover? Check out my post on what to do with leftovers and learn other money saving tips! This recipe was adapted from Carla Hall’s recipe for The Chew on ABC.
lordog / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Don’t get me wrong, I love apple and pumpkin pie — served warm with a scoop (or two) of vanilla bean ice cream. These pies complete a Thanksgiving meal. But if you’re in charge of dessert this year, change it up a bit and try your hand at making one of these six non-traditional turkey day sweets. (If you’re in charge of the bird, here’s how to cook a perfect turkey.)
Flan
If you’ve never tried flan, you’re missing out! This is a custard topped with caramel that’s similar to creme brulee. I’ve taught several friends how to make this decadent dessert using my family’s recipe. I like that it’s so easy to make and it keeps well in the fridge so you can make it ahead. The Food Network’s Ellie Krieger has a pumpkin flan recipe similar to mine. You can either use ramekins for individual portions or make one to share. If you’re traveling, don’t flip it till you arrive or you’ll end up covered in caramel.
StarMama / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
With Thanksgiving fast approaching it’s time to decide what will be on your menu. To get you started, I share my five favorite sources of free recipes below.
Thanksgiving on a budget is possible as long as you start preparing early! Although, I tend to roast my turkey the same way every year, I’m already browsing the five sites below to decide on the sides and desserts I’m making this year.
JillOW / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
A while back I shared a pumpkin bread recipe that till now had been my favorite to bake when the crisp autumn air rolled in. I recently discovered a new favorite. Here is the recipe. If you are looking for pumpkin carving ideas, we got dozens.
This pumpkin seed bread stays moist because of the applesauce that I use instead of oil. The pumpkin seeds also give it a surprising crunch. The best part about this recipe is (more…)
