Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE to cook. I think about it constantly. I scour cookbooks, websites and magazines for recipes all the time. I watch shows like “Chopped” on the Food Network and try to imagine what it would be like to be a contestant. Well recently I got to put my culinary skills to the test.
A few weeks ago I participated in the First Annual Food Lion Frugal Cook off, an event organized by the Salisbury, NC based grocery store chain. They invited influential bloggers from the area and I was lucky enough to be asked to represent Charlotte Smarty Pants.
I had no idea what to expect, no way to prepare. I knew that I would be put on the spot to cook from a set list of ingredients they had on hand. How fun, I mean we do this all the time, right? We get home from running our kids to every different afterschool activity only to find that we have exactly 4 minutes to put dinner together from a fridge full of random ingredients. You would be amazed at what I can do with just rice.
The event was held uptown at a very cool fitness studio called Flex and Fit, which has a demonstration kitchen. Sometimes I feel like I want to have one of these in my house, is that weird? We got to have a drink and mingle with some fellow bloggers around town. It was fun, but don’t kid yourself, I was totally eyeing my competition.
We then had a presentation from an executive from Food Lion about their store brand products called “My Essentials”. These are the staples you use all the time like rice, pasta, canned soup, peanut butter and even tuna fish. They are very economically priced and the quality is great. The president of Food Lion, Cathy Green Burns, was even there. You know the lady that talks to you in the Food Lion commercials. She was one of the five judges. She was super friendly and ready to EAT!
We were quickly split into four teams of three and given the challenge to make dinner for four people for under $15 using My Essentials brand products and fresh produce and meat from the fridge. The catch was it had to consist of a meat and two side dishes, so my go-to soup ideas were thrown out the window.
We had 15 minutes to decide on a menu and shop in the mock pantry and 30 minutes to cook. I was lucky enough to be paired with Katie from Charlotte Mom Favorites and Kelly from Foodie Fresh who were wonderful. We decided on a meal of Pan-Seared Curry chicken with an Asian peanut dipping sauce, veggie stir-fried rice and teriyaki-glazed carrots that we roasted in the oven.
We all worked great together. We got to work chopping and prepping all while cameramen and women were taking pictures and video taping the giant mess we were making. The most challenging part was sharing the one four-burner cooktop and oven with the rest of the teams. We each only had one burner and partial use of the oven. We started microwaving things, adjusting recipes, and trying to time the meal to be done in the allotted 30 minutes. At stake was of course the title of “The Frugal cook off Champion” but also (2) $250 Food Lion gift cards, one for us and one to give away to you, our readers. Such pressure, that is a ton of money and with how low the prices are there you can really stock up.
Our team was finished first and was able to present the panel of 5 judges with our meal. Whew, they seemed to love it. One judge said he never ate carrots because he didn’t like them but he cleaned his plate. Now we just had to sit back and watch as each of the other teams presented their dishes. Theirs looked great; most were of an Italian theme.
Well guess what Smarties. WE WON!!! They loved our dish the most! So that means that one of you lucky readers has the chance to win the other $250 gift card. This could really come in handy for the upcoming holidays.
How can YOU win the $250 gift card from Food Lion?
1) Leave a comment below with your favorite go to frugal gourmet recipe!!
2) “Like” this post on facebook (just under my pic in upper left corner:-)
3) The fine print – Winner must live in the Greater Charlotte area. We’ll pick our winner at 5p on Sunday, 10/14. Dish it, Smarties!
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Mom’s White Chili. (So good, easy, and affordable)
1 lb. large white beans
6 C chicken broth
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 medium onions, chopped
1. Tbsp oil
2 (4 oz.) cans chopped green chiles
2 t ground cumin
1 and 1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t cayenne pepper
4 C cooked, diced chicken breasts
3 C grated cheese (preferably Monterrey Jack)
Combine beans, chicken broth, garlic, and half of the onions in a large soup pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the beans are very soft (3 hours or more). In a skillet, add remaining onions and cook until tender. Add chiles and seasonings and mix thoroughly. Add to bean mixture, add chicken and continue to simmer 1 hour. Serve with grated cheese on top. Good with a dollop of sour cream mixed in and cornbread. Serves 8-10.
Creamy Dijon sauce (use over meatballs or chicken and noodles)
1/2 cup chicken broth
6 tbsp. dijon mustard
1/3 cup cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp. minced herbs (optional)
Mix well, heat to melt all together till sauce thickens.
Our “go-to” is using leftover grilled chicken and throwing it into wraps with rice and stir-fried veggies….easy and yummy!
WAY TO GO WENDY!!!!
Pinto Beans
1 lb pinto beans
2 tomatoes (chopped) or 1 14. 5 oz can
3-4 stalks of celery (chopped)
3-4 carrots (chopped)
1 large onion (chopped)
1 bell pepper (chopped)
1 clove of garlic (chopped)
3-4 bacon strips
1 fresh jalepeno (chopped)
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 bunch of cilantro-chopped
Stove top: Soak beans overnight or for 6-8 hours, discard water. Add 4 cups water and all ingredients except cilantro to pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer for 2 to 3 hours (monitor water and add more if needed) or until beans are soft. Add cilantro just before serving.
Crockpot: Combine 6 cups water, pintos and all ingredients except cilantro. Cook on low for 9 hours. Monitor water level throughout the day and add more if needed. Add cilantro just before serving.
Easy, yummy and CHEAP. Serve in bowl as a soup or over brown or white rice. Yummy condiments-avocado, sour cream, chives, cilantro, cheese,etc!
Enjoy.
This would be so wonderful to win! My birthday is this weekend!
My favorite frugal gourmet recipe is something my mother taught me how to make, “arroz con pollo”. Yellow saffron rice, chicken breast, and green olives are so yummy together!
Thanks for the chance!
This would be great, I love to cook!!
Easy peezy Pork in crock pot
Pork chops – bone in or boneless (whatever is on sale) can use chicken as well.
Packet of dry ranch dressing
Can of cream of chicken soup
Can of water/wine- I do half & half.
Low 4-6 hours in crock pot.
This is my fave gourmet recipe:
4 Chicken breasts
Flour for dredging
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for frying
1 yellow onion, peeled and sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
¼ cup dry white wine, Chablis type
½ cup sweet Marsala
Dredge with flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
Sauté onions, garlic in oil until clear. Remove and deglaze with Chablis. Pour over the onions and garlic.
Brown the Chicken then remove to warm plate. Add onions and garlic and deglaze with Marsala and reduce it a bit.
Pour over Chicken.
I liked this post on facebook.
Put a pork tenderloin in the crock pot. Cover with BBQ sauce. Cook approximately 6 hours. Voila! Delicious pulled pork. It will fall apart.
Serve over rice or make sandwiches.
So easy!
My favorite frugal recipe is pasta with marinara sauce
My go to easy, frugal meal is to throw a pack of chicken breasts in the crock pot with a jar of salsa and let it cook while I’m at work. When you get home, shred the chicken and then use it for quesadillas, chicken soft tacos, etc for an easy, yummy meal!
My frugal gourmet recipe pesto argula flatbread:
1 storebought pizza dough
i jar of pesto
1 bag of arugula
1 ball of mozzarella
Spread pesto on a rolled out pizza and top with rinsed argula and slices of mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes at 400. Delicious!
frugal fried rice–leftover rice, scrambled eggs, frozen peas and leftover diced veggies. The kids beg for it, and it is a great way to clean out the fridge.
My newest favorite one dish meal
3-5 chicken breasts
6-10 red potatoes quartered with skin on
2 cans green beans drained
1 envelope italian dressing mix
coconut oil (or 1/2 stick melted butter)
in a 9×11 pan sprayed with Pam, place chicken breasts in the middle, cut potatoes on one side, green beans on the other side, sprinkle pack of italian dressing mix over the entire pan, drizzle 4-5 tablespoons of coconut oil over the pan (or the melted butter), cook for 50-60 minutes at 350. Easy and loved by my entire family.
We need to do recipes WAY more often – these are so YUM! Keep ’em coming, Smarties! $250 goes a LONG way at Food Lion!
chicken pie
1 can cream of chicken & mushroom
1 can cream of potato
1 can of diced potatoes
2 deep dish pie shells
1/2 cup milk
mrs dash or pepper to taste
2-3 chicken breasts chopped or 1 small rotisserie chicken (dark & white meat)chopped up
Mix together ingredients pour into pie shell then place other pie shell on top crimping edges together. Make 6 slits on top.
Cook 45 min @375….Yummy..my go to dish..Serve with a green vegetable or salad
Baked Philly Spaghetti
1 16oz pkg of pasta (we like thin spaghetti but any works fine)
4 oz cream cheese
1 Lg jar Spaghetti Sauce of your choice
1/2 lb Hamburger or Ground Turkey
Cheese (we use cheddar but again, your choice)
Boil pasta, drain, and set aside.
Brown hamburger/ground turkey and mix into spaghetti sauce.
Cube cream cheese into spaghetti sauce and warm until whisked smooth.
In large 13×9 pan layer pasta, and sauce until done and top with cheese.
Bake in oven for 20 mins at 350 degrees.
Quick, easy, and everyone in my house eats! 🙂
Crockpot chicken tacos
4 frozen chicken breasts
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can of diced tomatoes with chilis
Put chicken in crockpot pour remaining ingredients on top. Cook on low for 8 hours. Chicken will fall apart. Serve in tortilla shells and top with whatever taco toppings you prefer!
Here’s a recipe for you!
White Bean Soup with Dark Greens -10-12 servings
Soak 4 cups of white beans overnight in plenty of water
10-12 cups of water
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
3 bay leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups of baby spinach or dark green of your choice
1/3 cup of olive oil
6 garlic cloves, peeled and minced or put through garlic press
3 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 cup of tomato paste
Sea Salt and Pepper
1-Rinse and drain your beans, then add to a large pot. Add 10-12 cups of water, the smashed garlic cloves, bay leaves and olive oil.
Bring to a boil and turn down heat to a low simmer. Simmer until beans are soft and tender. How long this takes will depend on how old your beans are, and what type you are using, but it should generally take about 1 1/2 hours.
2-Wash and drain the baby spinach leaves (or wash and chop dark greens of your choice). Add to soup and allow to simmer while you do step three. Baby spinach will only take a few minutes to completely cook, while kale or swiss chard can take up to 10-15 minutes to really soften.
3- In a small saucepan heat the olive oil until hot. Add the tomato paste, oregano, and garlic. Continually stir until the the olive oil is tinted with red, and the garlic is softening (but not brown). Pour this flavorful mix over your beans in the pot and stir in.
4-Add salt and pepper to taste.
Here is curry recipe. Remember we had to use only certain ingredients on hand.
Curried Chicken and Peanut Sauce
1 pound boneless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Pound chicken with a meat mallet about 1/2 inch thick. Cut chicken into 2 inch wide strips. Season with spices on both sides. Heat oil in a medium sized pan on medium heat. Place chicken in pan and cook, flipping once, until chicken is completely cooked through. Serve with peanut sauce (recipe follows) and garnish with green onions.
Peanut Sauce
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons honey barbecue sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
pinch of salt
Add all ingredients to a medium bowl. Mix well. Serve with curried chicken (above)>
Teriyaki Carrots with Peanuts
Lb. carrots
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/4 cup Teriyaki sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup peanuts
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Halve carrots lengthwise, and then across. Toss in 1/4 cup of teriyaki sauce and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Chop peanuts coarsely. Scatter peanuts evenly over the carrot. Plate and serve hot.
Asian Rice Pilaf
4 eggs
1 ½ teaspoons curry powder
3 Tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups instant white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 large white onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
16 oz. pre-sliced button mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium pan. Beat the eggs and curry powder and add to the pan. Allow to set slightly, then scramble. Remove and set aside.
Place rice and chicken broth in a microwave safe bowl and cook according to package directions.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a medium pan. Add garlic and onions to the pan and cook until soft. Add mushrooms and bell pepper and cook on medium high for about 10 minutes or until veggies begin to caramelize.
Combine rice, egg, and vegetables with salt and teriyaki sauce. Serve warm.
My favorite frugal “gourmet” recipe is chili.
32 oz kidney beans
24 oz crushed tomatoes
chili seasoning
1lb hamburger
I love to add cheese, crackers and onions!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
My favorite go to gourmet meal is chicken parmesan – chicken breasts pound thin, rolled in milk and beaten eggs, covered with bread crumbs, then sauteed. Then stick in a cassrole topped with homemade tomato sauce and lots of mozzerella and parmesan cheese.
This would be amazing to win!!!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I like this post on fb — “wild orchid”
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
so so proud of you!! but OF COURSE your team won.
Ranch Pork Chops
Mix 1 tablespoon flour into about a cup of prepared ranch dressing just to thicken it up a little. Dip pork chops in ranch dressing and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. You can do with boneless pork chops or ones with bones or with boneless skinless chicken breasts. Easy and very tasty.
One-Pan Chicken and Potato Bake
4 bone-in chicken pieces (1-1/2 lb.)
1-1/2lb. baking potatoes (about 3), cut into thin wedges
1/4cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/4cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1tsp. Italian seasoning
HEAT oven to 400°F.
PLACE chicken and potatoes in 13×9-inch baking dish.
TOP with dressing; sprinkle with cheese and seasoning. Cover.
BAKE 1 hour or until chicken is done (165ºF), uncovering after 30 min.
Good job Wendell!
Frittatas are my go to:
-3 slices bacon diced
-1small onion diced
-red bell pepper diced
–zucchini diced
-1smashed garlic clove
-whatever else is left in the veggie bin
-6 eggs beaten
-real cheese for me or Daiya havarti if you are paleo
-tony chateres creole seasoning
Sauté bacon, remove. Sauté veggies briefly. Season. Add eggs and allow to set for a few minutes. Add crumbled bacon and cheese. Then place pan under broiler until top is set. Serve with salad.
Sausage with white beans and spinach
olive oil
1-2 cloves of garlic
1 kielbasa sausage
1 28oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp rosemary
2 cans cannellini beans
salt & pepper to taste
1 bag baby spinach
loaf of crusty bread
Pour a few glugs olive oil in a dutch oven or other large pot. Add galic and cook for 1 min. Add kielbasa sliced in 1/4 inch rounds. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in diced tomatoes. Let tomatoes and sausage simmer for 20 min. Now add beans, thyme and rosemary. Stir to incorperate and cook until beans are warmed through. Finally add fresh spinach and salt and peper to taste. Stir for 1 minute and turn off heat. Serve with thick slices of crusty bread. Yum!
Beans should be rinsed and drained
One of my kids’ favorites is “Mother’s Chicken”.
Chicken breast, cut into 3-4 pieces each
Flour
A favorite of ours is mother’s chicken:
Chicken breast, cut into 3-4 pieces each
1can cream of chicken soup
1can water; Paprika, garlic powder, pepper
Roll chicken in flour–put in baking dish.
Mix soup with water (whisk) and pour over chicken.
Sprinkle with rest of ingredients.
Bake 1hour 15 min at 350 degrees.
My go to recipe is my 3 envelope london broil!
1 london broil
1 envelope dry italian dressing
1 envelope dry ranch dressing
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
Mix with water and pour into crock pot. Cook on low 6-8 hours. SOOO easy and sooo good! The sauce is great on top of mashed potatoes!
My kids love this for dinner and very inexpensive:
Tater Tot Casserole
1 Can cream of chicken
1 16oz container of sour cream
1 stick butter or margarine
1 package of diced ham (or you can leave this out)
1 bag frozen taters
1 package cheddar cheese
Mix the soup, softened butter and sour cream together, then add cheese and ham. Then can the tater tots, pour into a 13×9 baking dish and bake at 350 for 50-60 mins. It is done when the soup mixture sets up.
Sometimes I hold back some cheese and sprinkle on the top before baking.
Cheesy Grits with…..what you got?
I usually make quick cook grits, add shredded cheese, garlic salt, pepper and whatever cooked meat I have to use up (italian sausage, precooked bacon(cut with scissors right over the pot), shrimp etc)
Viola! Dinner cheap and quick…great on cold raint nights 🙂
Southwestern Sloppy Joes
These are a hit with my whole family every time we make them
3/4 lb ground turkey
1/2 yellow onion diced small
1/2 c red or yellow bell pepper diced
1 garlic clove minced (or 1 tsp minced garlic from a jar)
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
1 diced jalapeno (optional)
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp canola oil
1 1/2 cups salsa (HT traders black bean and corn salsa from Harris teeter is delicious with this dish)
1/3 c frozen corn & 1/3 c black beans IF you don’t use the HT Traders salsa
Shredded cheddar to top- optional
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Swirl in the oil, then add the onion, garlic, and jalapeño. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 minutes. Add the chili powder and oregano, and cook 1 minute more. Add the turkey and corn, & cook until the mixture is nearly dry, about 4 minutes. Stir in the salsa and sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and the turkey is cooked through, 4–5 minutes longer. Spoon over the opened sesame buns and enjoy!!
Cheese Date Ball
8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
1 cup pitted dates, chopped
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon brandy
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients together. Roll and shape into logs. chill until firm. Serves 20!!!
At first the IRL had difficulty attracting top drivers; however, as the organization gained credence,
it was able to attract some competitive drivers. The 27-car race
lineup will include IZOD Indy – Car Series points leader Will Power and runner-up Helio Castroneves, representing Team Penske,
last-year’s Kansas winner; Scott Dixon of Target Chip Ganassi
Racing, who has 21 IRL wins in his eight seasons of Indy racing, including championship seasons in 2003 and 2008; Ryan Hunter-Reay, currently third in the points
standings, and female favorite Danica Patrick,
both driving under the Andretti Autosport banner, and Dan Wheldon
of Panther Racing. It’s filled will all the bells and whistles that make driving a state-of-the-art luxury car fun (and safe).