Category: Budget Friendly

Posted in Budget Friendly

Budget Friendly Bits: Breakfast for Dinner – Waffles

Posted on by Northerly Nosh

Under $5: Breakfast for Dinner – Waffles

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I used Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Pancake and Baking Mix to make these. I think it’s one of the better mixes out there. I have made waffles from scratch before, and they were good. And maybe they even cost less than the $2 that it cost me to make 8 large waffles from the mix. And, I’m sure I’ll make them from scratch again soon. But, sometimes the mix in my cupboard is more convenient.

To freeze your own waffles: Make waffles using a mix or your favorite recipe.
Cool waffles completely on a cooling rack. Place waffles first between sheets of wax paper and then into a freezer bag. Place waffles in your freezer.

To eat homemade frozen waffles: Take waffles out of freezer. Microwave waffles for about 20 seconds/waffle. I find that this speeds up the toasting process so the waffles don’t get too crispy before they get warm enough in the toaster oven. If you like your waffles really crispy, you could skip the microwave. Place waffles in toaster oven for about a two minutes depending on thickness of your waffle – thicker waffles will need a bit longer to warm up. Top waffles with fruit, butter, syrup, chocolate, ice cream… Enjoy!

My Budget Breakdown: $1.61 for 8 large waffles

Waffle mix (3.5 cups of 32 oz box @ $1.99/box) – $0.87
2 eggs (2 of dozen @ $1.71/dozen) – $0.29
Canola oil (1/2 cup of 1 liter bottle @ $3.79/bottle) – $0.45

That works out to $0.21 per waffle! The box says that this recipe makes 12 – 4 inch waffles, but mine are larger than that. This is definitely more budget friendly than boughten frozen waffles. I recently saw Eggos on sale for $2/box. I think you get 10 – 12 smaller waffles in there. It’s always good to have frozen waffles in your freezer for those days that you are in a big hurry.

Posted in - Poultry, Budget Friendly

Budget Friendly Bits: Buttermilk Roasted Chicken

Posted on by Northerly Nosh

Under $10: Buttermilk Roasted Chicken

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adapted from Smitten Kitchen, originally from Nigella Lawson

6 servings

Total Cost: $8.08
Cost Per Serving: $1.35

3 cups buttermilk (I used 3 cups of regular milk with 3 tbsp of white vinegar) – $.82
6 garlic cloves, minced – $.60
1 1/2 tablespoon table salt – $.02
1 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar – $.03
3 teaspoons paprika, plus extra for sprinkling $.37
Freshly ground black pepper – $.15
5 to 6 pounds chicken parts – $5.94
Flaked or coarse sea salt, to finish – $.15

Prep Day: Whisk buttermilk with garlic, table salt, sugar, paprika and lots of freshly ground black pepper in a bowl. Place chicken parts in two freezer gallon-sized freezer bags and pour half of the buttermilk brine over each of them, then swish it around so that all parts are covered. Refrigerate for at least 2 but preferably 24 hours and freeze.

Serve Day: Thaw. When ready to roast, preheat oven to 425 degrees. Remove chicken from buttermilk brine, let the excess brine drip off, and arrange in large baking dish or large cast iron skillet (which is what I used). Sprinkle with additional paprika and sea salt to taste. Roast for 40-45 minutes, until brown and a bit scorched in spots. Serve immediately.

Posted in - Pork, Budget Friendly

Budget Friendly Bits: Ultimate Pork Chops

Posted on by Northerly Nosh

under $10: Ultimate Pork Chops

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Makes 6

Total cost: $9.36
Total cost per serving: $1.56

6 (1.5lbs.) thick cut boneless pork chops – $2.99
1 pkg. (12 slices) bacon – $3.50
1 large green pepper, cut it into 6 slices – $.59
1 large onion, cut 6 – 1/4in. slices from it – $.99
1 large tomato, cut into 6 slices, remove seeds – $1.29
Toothpicks (not pricing cause I use different amounts each time I make this recipe)

Prep Day: Lay 2 strips of bacon in an “X”. Place a chop on bacon, then layer a slice each of green pepper, tomato, and onion. Pull the bacon ends up like you were wrapping a package and stick toothpicks in. Freeze in a single layer in a hard sided disposable container. Do not use Freezer bag may be punctured by toothpicks.

Serve Day: Thaw. Grill with indirect heat about 20 min. The veggies make a nice compliment to pork chop. YUMMMMMMM! Serve with a rice pilaf or baked potato with all the fixings.

Note: You can do this recipe with extra large chicken breasts. I buy pork loin roast and cut it into chops. This recipe is a family friends and I have adapted it for freezer cooking.