Category Archives: Recipes

Frugal Cooking Focus: Kale {Fulton St Farmer’s Market}

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fulton st farmers market

This morning I met up with Jen from The Big Binder blog at Fulton St. Farmer’s Market.  There really are lots of frugal foods there. Some are from Michigan, some aren’t. They had cantelope for $1.00, lots of local asparagus for around $2.00/lb, and so much more.  Jen talked me into buying some kale (only $3.50/lb), but beyond using it in a salad I was at a loss. Luckily, we have some West Michigan ladies to the rescue!

Frugal Cooking with Kale:

  • The Big Binder suggests making Kale Chips. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and put in the oven on 200 F until crunchy. Great for kiddos and super easy!
  • The Local Cook has a How to Cook Kale post with her top 10 ideas to get you started.  I love that Wendy frequently shares recipes using ingredients that are a bit unfamiliar to me. Great resource for using up some of your CSA items!
  • Vegan Bon Vivant has a great recipe for Kale & Lentil Soup.  Adrienne assures me that kale keeps well in the refrigerator for a long time if it’s kept dry.

west michigan farmers markets

Check my list of popular West Michigan Farmers Markets for times and locations.

What’s your strategy for shopping farmers markets? Do you just buy whatever looks good or do you stock up on the cheapest items to can/freeze/preserve?

Frugal Cooking Focus: Oatmeal {Easy Granola Recipe, too}

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Cold cereal is expensive — even with coupons. I only purchase it when I can get the “healthy” versions for $1.00 or less. Even then, I consider Raisin Bran a treat.

I’ve been purchasing bulk oatmeal because I prefer a hot oatmeal breakfast, and have been making my own quick & easy granola recipe when I really want a “cold cereal” option. It’s frugal and nutritious.

easy oatmeal granola recipe

Some of you may have limited access to the less expensive bulk foods, so I was curious how prices would translate shopping at a local discount store. I headed to Walmart to check out the oatmeal and hot cereal options. (See my shopping trip photos here.)

walmart oatmeal shop

Purchasing oatmeal from the grocery store (with or without coupons) is still very affordable.

Country Life Natural Foods (bulk foods)

  • $0.50/lb for 50# bags of regular rolled oats
  • $1.10/lb for 25# bags of organic rolled oats

Walmart

  • $0.28 per serving – Great Value 6pk single serve oatmeal packets
  • $0.27 per serving – Great Value 42oz canister old-fashioned oats

Are you a hot cereal or cold cereal person? I have to have my oatmeal sprinkled with walnuts, drizzled with Michigan maple syrup, and finished with a bit of soy milk. What’s your favorite topping?

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, but all opinions and delish granola recipes are my own. ;)

Frugal Cooking Focus: Dried Beans {Plus, A Bean eCookbook Deal!}

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kitchen stewardship everything beans

A good chunk of my $25/wk Food Budget Challenge has been dedicated to buying in bulk: oatmeal, rice, and beans. I love beans and had previously always used canned beans, but dried beans are less expensive. Now I’m up to my ears in 25# of dried black beans and I love them!

My two biggest tips are:

1.  Don’t salt the water while you’re cooking dried beans. It toughens the skin. Season beans while preparing your recipe.

2.  Beans love to be cooked with fat. I add olive oil to the boiling water and the beans cook so much faster and come out so perfectly soft.

When Katie at Kitchen Stewardship published “The Everything Beans Book” (click here to view more details), I knew it would be a great resource. It’s 95 pages of everything you need to know about beans including 30 recipes. (I even printed it out and put it in a 3-ring binder for easy reference. I know, I know it’s supposed to be an “e”book.)

I’ve always wanted to make black bean burgers so I’m starting with Mexican Black Bean Burgers when I get back from the blogging conference on Sunday.  With summer coming up, it will be a great vegetarian alternative to burgers on the grill!

At only $9.95, I feel it’s a great deal for a quality cookbook. Plus, it supports local #realfood blogger and writer who cares about our West Michigan community.  Thanks for clicking through my links. Please see my disclosure policy.

The $5 Dinner Mom: Breakfast & Lunch Cookbook {Black Bean Brownies}

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Dessert Recipe:

black bean brownie recipeI’ve been trying new recipes from The $5 Dinner Mom Breakfast and Lunch Cookbook: 200 Recipes for Quick, Delicious, and Nourishing Meals. Last time, I showed you Southwest Pasta Salad and promised you a breakfast recipe. Well, I got completely distracted by the dessert section and had to try the Black Bean Brownies.

Black Bean Coconut Brownies:

  • 3 cups cooked black beans
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teas vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • 1 teas baking soda
  • 1 teas salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350°. Coat 9×13″ pan with cooking spray. Puree the cooked black beans with 1/2 cup water until smoothie-consistency. In mixing bowl, combine black bean puree, sugar, milk, and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt. Add to bean mixture. Stir in shredded coconut and chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared baking dish.  Bake for 45 to 55 minutes.  Makes 24 brownies for approximately $3.18.

The verdict: flavor is awesome. I’d definitely make them again. (My only problem this time was not processing the black beans long enough. They could have been smoother. I also omitted the coconut, but might try it next time.)

Disclosure: I received a FREE copy of this cookbook for review, but all opinions and experiences are my own. By clicking through the link above to purchase this cookbook, you are supporting Schuler Books & Music, a local West Michigan company. Please see my disclosure policy.

Summer Drink Recipe {Plus Smirnoff Deal}

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smirnoff ocean spray mail-in rebate

Today it’s snowing on a spring day in Michigan, but that didn’t keep me from dreaming of summer days and evenings entertaining on the deck. I’ve been trying to come up with a tasty, refreshing cocktail that’s affordable to serve in larger quantities for bigger groups. Thanks to jodimichelle and Jaime, I’ve got the perfect recipe!

Smirnoff Summer Lemonade:

Ingredients:
12 oz can Frozen Pink Lemonade Concentrate – $1.69
12 oz Smirnoff Vodka – $12.99 for 750 mL
12 oz Club Soda – $1.25 for 1 liter (you can substitute a can of beer)
12 oz water

Instructions:
Use the lemonade can to measure out all other ingredients. Mix together, chill, serve on the rocks. (You could also add a touch more vodka and club soda and drink as martinis like we did.) Garnish and enjoy!

This recipe is so easy to prepare and I think you’ll love it! Also note, I found a hangtag for $3.01 mail-in rebate when you purchase Ocean Spray cranberry juice and Smirnoff Vodka. I didn’t need the juice for this recipe, but I picked some up because it was only $0.48 after rebate!

Final price per 6 servings = $6.44

summer smirnoff cocktail recipeCheers!

Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias. All experiences and opinions are my own.