Day 6 Pantry Challenge

Day 6

Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms
Mandarin Oranges/Pineapple

$0.00

All the ingredients for this meal were in the pantry or freezer.

Day 5 Pantry Challenge

Day 5 - Baked Three Cheese Manicotti with Broccoli - $0.00

All the ingredients for this meal were in the pantry or freezer. I made a triple batch; two for ill families at church and one for us. Here's my secret recipe:

Ingredients for three:
3 boxes of manicotti noodles
6 lb. can of Marinara Sauce (will have extra)
3 lb. container of Cottage Cheese (6 cups)
3 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3 cups shredded Parmesan Cheese
5 eggs
2 tablespoons Basil paste (or substitute chopped fresh basil)
Salt & Pepper
Chopped olives (optional)

Directions:
Combine 2 1/2 cups Mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, 2 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, basil paste, eggs and a little salt and pepper. Stir gently and set aside.

Cook manicotti shells al dente. Drain. Loosely stuff (about 1/4 cup per shell). Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce into shallow 8x12 casserole dish, arrange stuffed shells in sauce. Then spread 2 cups sauce over top. Sprinkle remaining Mozzarella/Parmesan (and optional olives) over top. Bake uncovered 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Recap so far:
Day 1 - Teriyaki Chicken from freezer w/Green Beans - $0.00
Day 2 & 3 - Crockpot Navy Bean and Ham Soup - $0.00
Day 4 - homemade Pepperoni Pizza (homemade dough) and salad - $0.00

What's Karen Cooking?

My mother-in-love, Karen, is an amazing cook and baker. Truly. She taught Mike since he was a rug rat and HE'S an amazing cook, too. Me, I didn't learn how until years after we were married and I am more efficient than delicious or adventurous though I try.

In addition to making yummy food, she's EXTREMELY frugal. That woman can stretch a dollar more than anyone else on the planet. So, I asked her to start sending me what she's made for dinner so I can share with YOU. I know money is tight everywhere, and one of the biggest areas we gals have control over is the food budget. Karen meals are from scratch so you know exactly what's in 'em and very budget friendly.

Here's what was for dinner a few nights ago, directions in her own words:

Danish Chicken with Asparagus

You cook a whole chicken in four cups of water and cook the asparagus in a little water until tender crisp. Keep the asparagus water. When the chicken is done I take the skin off and break into pieces but you can leave in whole pieces too. I put the asparagus water into the broth. Use 3 Tablespoons of flour and two egg yolks to thicken the broth. I put all together in a casserole dish and put in the oven to heat til bubbly. Serve with mashed potatoes.

Whole chicken $4.69
Asparagus $1.99
Medium Onion, Flour, Eggs and Potatoes on hand