*Feed Your Family $10 A Day Challenge*(AT HOME)

[Plantlady]

I have my concerns as well but I will be home 99% of the time. I just don't want to have to spend so much time in the kitchen once school starts. I will have too much to do.

I hear you.. much easier to throw it in, and let it cook all day.

Today, my DS10 requested hashbrown casserole, homemade dinner rolls, and strawberrys for dinner.. I've been working on those blasted rolls for the past 3 1/2 hours, and they're still not ready for the oven!

edit to add a total.. for this meal alone..

hashbrown casserole: $5.00 (i think.. i added up ingredients in my head)
dinner rolls: about $1.00.. made enough for two meals. I divided during the rising process.. and will bake the second half with a later meal.
strawberries: $1.00

Total for dinner: $7.00

 

[dawn1967]

4 pounds ground beef or turkey
4 (28oz.) cans spaghetti sauce or homemade
32 lasagna noodles
3 (15oz.) cottage cheese
4 t. dried Italian seasoning
11/3 cups water
4 (4oz.) cans of mushrooms
1 red and green pepper diced
6 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
You can delete the meat if you want for church they want it.
Cook beef and Italian seasoning in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles; drain. Combine spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, seasoned meat and water in bowl. Layer thinly in bottom of lightly greased 5-quart electric slow cooker: 4 uncooked lasagna noodles, sauce mixture, cottage cheese & mozzarella cheese. Repeat for each layer (approx 8 total layers). Cover & cook on high setting for 1 hour; reduce heat & cook on low setting for 5 hours. Can do ahead and store in fridge!! Yields 16 Servings (one FULL 5 quart Crock Pot!!!)

 

[dawn1967]

I hear you.. much easier to throw it in, and let it cook all day.

Today, my DS10 requested hashbrown casserole, homemade dinner rolls, and strawberrys for dinner.. I've been working on those blasted rolls for the past 3 1/2 hours, and they're still not ready for the oven!

edit to add a total.. for this meal alone..

hashbrown casserole: $5.00 (i think.. i added up ingredients in my head)
dinner rolls: about $1.00.. made enough for two meals. I divided during the rising process.. and will bake the second half with a later meal.
strawberries: $1.00

what did you do different to the hashbrown cassorele? I'm thinking of making it thursday but adding broccoli and mushrooms and tomato's instead of the meat.

 

[Plantlady]

what did you do different to the hashbrown cassorele? I'm thinking of making it thursday but adding broccoli and mushrooms and tomato's instead of the meat.

here is my recipe.. not healthy.. my son loves sour cream and cheese, so it's altered just for him:

Hashbrown Casserole

2 pound bag frozen hash browns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can cheese soup
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

mix all together and place in 9x13" pan. bake 45 minutes at 350.

----------------

The original recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup rather than cheese soup
It also calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion

it also calls for 2 cups croutons, crushed, mixed with 1/4 cup butter, sprinkled on top.

I like the topping, but DS10 does not. Same with the onions.

I have the calories written down in my cookbook as 10 cups.. 1 cup @ 340calories.

 

[dawn1967]

This is another favorite of the kids at church.

CREAMY CHICKEN & TORTILLAS
4 c. cooked chicken, diced
1 dozen corn tortillas, each cut into 6-8 triangles
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8 oz. jar salsa
1 c. sour cream
1/2-1 c. cheddar cheese
1 can black beans or pinto beans
1 can corn undrained
Combine the soups, salsa, and sour cream in a bowl and blend well. Grease the crockpot and make 2-3 layers of chicken, tortillas, and sauce. Cook on low heat for 4-5 hours. Add the cheese 15 min. before eating. Serve with salad and warm tortillas.
I have made this with out the meat for my family they didn't miss a thing. and i excluded the beans and corn they thought i made chicken enchilada's. in the crockpot. no one missed the chicken even my hubby lol

 

[mommiepoppins]

here is my recipe.. not healthy.. my son loves sour cream and cheese, so it's altered just for him:

Hashbrown Casserole

2 pound bag frozen hash browns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can cheese soup
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

mix all together and place in 9x13" pan. bake 45 minutes at 350.

----------------

The original recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup rather than cheese soup
It also calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion

it also calls for 2 cups croutons, crushed, mixed with 1/4 cup butter, sprinkled on top.

I like the topping, but DS10 does not. Same with the onions.

I have the calories written down in my cookbook as 10 cups.. 1 cup @ 340calories.

omg that is my fav meal. I make and I can eat the entire thing and gain about 5 lbs. My pickey dd loves it .

 

[dawn1967]

here is my recipe.. not healthy.. my son loves sour cream and cheese, so it's altered just for him:

Hashbrown Casserole

2 pound bag frozen hash browns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can cheese soup
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

mix all together and place in 9x13" pan. bake 45 minutes at 350.

----------------

The original recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup rather than cheese soup
It also calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion

it also calls for 2 cups croutons, crushed, mixed with 1/4 cup butter, sprinkled on top.

I like the topping, but DS10 does not. Same with the onions.

I have the calories written down in my cookbook as 10 cups.. 1 cup @ 340calories.

I"m going to make this for the kids i have a few bags of obrien hashbrowns i was wondering what to do with.

 

[Priorityonecb]

I am enjoying this thread! I think we come close to $10 a day for our family of four. But, we are all light eaters. I am sure some here would think we are all starving all day but truly, we eat when hungry and stop when full!

I'll try to do today...though dh is out of town so we'll have to take that into consideration.

Breakfast:
Me: Pumpernickle toast, hot tea .15
Dd10: Orange yogurt, Pumpernickle toast .60
Dd16: Key lime yogurt, pear .70

Lunch:
Crackers, swiss cheese and ham: 1.00 (homemade lunchable style)
cucumber and carrot sticks (leftover from last nights dinner)
grapes .50

Snack:
Popcorn .10
2 Fudgescicles .25

Dinner:
1 chicken breast, cut into tenders and grilled 1.00
spinach and artichoke dip 2.00
grilled bread for dip...leftover from last night
carrots, celery and tomato slices .75

We'll have chocolate chip cookies and milk for dessert. 1.00

Total: $8.05

 

[CEDmom]

I wish I was willing to use a crockpot.

My dad was an insurance claims adjuster, and worked claims where houses burned down, fire caused by a crock pot.. so, I am not willing to leave one plugged in while I am not home. Perhaps I could do it on the weekend though, when I'm here... I'll have to give that some thought!

I feel the same way. I won't use the crock pot if I'm going to be out all day. It's great for a weekend or for days I'm working from home.

 

[mommiepoppins]

I have lots of left over potatoes. Dose anyone have any ideas?

 

[javamoma]

I feel the same way. I won't use the crock pot if I'm going to be out all day. It's great for a weekend or for days I'm working from home.

That always worried me too. I guess thats why I have never used one. But now I am a stay at home mom. No worries of leaving the house (even when I try )

 

[mom2dea0813]

That always worried me too. I guess thats why I have never used one. But now I am a stay at home mom. No worries of leaving the house (even when I try )

I had to laugh cause this is so me .

 

[ducklite]

I feel the same way. I won't use the crock pot if I'm going to be out all day. It's great for a weekend or for days I'm working from home.

Same here. Fortunately DS works for a grocery store so often is home all day a couple of days during the week, so I use it then.

Somehow the bread machine doesn't scare me to set and go, maybe because it really only heats for 30 minutes or so?

Anne

 

[mom2dea0813]

OK doing Tuesdays meals now so I don't forget what my kids packed for lunch .

B- Me and DH plums .38
DS cereal and milk free
DD 4 packages of grits and milk/juice free

S- for DD#2 and me

L-
DH- lentil soup (he wants it again , I just froze the last bit as I do not want it again ) peach .62 and apple .16
DD#2 Grilled cheese sandwich .15 , apple slices .16
me- Salad Lettuce .25 ,Tomato left over from tonight free, cheese free,mexican rice free from tonight , Sour cream .25 , Salsa .25 , rest of chips .25
$2.09

DD#1 Pb and jelly .10 bread .10 , plum .19 , vanilla pudding cup .13 , cheese crackers .17 , plus she has PB crackers at the school from today that she did not eat , bottle water .17 and sugar free pack to make juice .5
$.91

DS- Pb and homemade jelly .25 bread .10 , plum .19 , pack of chocolate cookies .10 , chips .25 , water bottle .17 , sugar free juice pack .5
$1.11

Snack -

Dinner-
Free we are eating at the church 1 time ever other month we go and Dh goes out to the new members and brings welcome packs and I write letter to the homebound or to the birthdays for the month . The church feeds those that do this 1 time a week but you are on rotation for 1 time ever 8 weeks or so if you want to be . This is our Tuesday .

Total= 4.49 without snacks and this is eating dinner for free .

 

[ducklite]

I have lots of left over potatoes. Dose anyone have any ideas?

Get a boneless chuck roast and some carrots, and make a pot roast. It freezes very well, so you can use what you need for a meal and freeze the rest. I usually get three meals for three adults out of a 1.5 pound roast, six large potatoes, and six large carrots. You can either season it to taste or buy a packet if pot roast mix.

Anne

 

[cinamin27]

here is my recipe.. not healthy.. my son loves sour cream and cheese, so it's altered just for him:

Hashbrown Casserole

2 pound bag frozen hash browns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can cheese soup
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

mix all together and place in 9x13" pan. bake 45 minutes at 350.

----------------

The original recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup rather than cheese soup
It also calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion

it also calls for 2 cups croutons, crushed, mixed with 1/4 cup butter, sprinkled on top.

I like the topping, but DS10 does not. Same with the onions.

I have the calories written down in my cookbook as 10 cups.. 1 cup @ 340calories.

I have made a recipe that is very similar, sliced American cheese instead of shredded cheddar, cream cheese instead of sour cream, mushroom soup instead of cheese soup, and the topping is crushed corn flakes (not frosted LOL) and butter. Its a yummy topping! & a yummy cassarole altogether!

 

[Plantlady]

I have lots of left over potatoes. Dose anyone have any ideas?

yet another unhealthy comfort food

Make Ahead Potatoes

3-5 pounds of potatoes
1 block of cream cheese
1/2 tub of sour cream
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup margarine or butter

Peel and boil potatoes, until tender. drain water. Add cream cheese, sour cream and onion powder. Mash. Transfer to baking dish (I use a two quart casserole). At this point, you can freeze, refrigerate, if you are not planning on eating them the same day.. hense the name "make ahead".

When you're ready to finish, pour 1/4 cup of melted margarine (or butter) over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.


-------------
This dish was made every time our church had a "fellowship dinner" growing up. A pot luck dinner, once a month, second sunday of the month. It was made by an older lady. It was always gone, when I went back through for seconds. When I moved away to go to college, my mom got the recipe from her, and passed it on to me.

 

[cinamin27]

ok, now that school is in & my daughter isnt at home grazing all day where I have no idea what she eats & how much, I think I'll give this a try. I'll "formally" introduce myself, Just 2 in the household, me (Melissa), 35 & dd 14. I dont cook dinner everyday, alot of times we individually eat just what ever we find in the fridge, freezer or pantry or sometimes pick up take out. I will post only on days I actually cook something or have an idea what things cost if they are actual portion sizes. I'm a stockpiler, shop b1g1f's + coupons (sometimes) & look for marked down meats (that are NOT past expiration & have a small chest freezer I immediately put the meat in). We generally eat meat or seafood at almost every lunch & dinner meal. I buy 50% convenience foods 50% food I have to actually spend time cooking LOL!

Breakfast
dd - 1 Smuckers uncrustable .49, Peach-Passion non fat yogurt smoothie .45
me - 2 guava cheese pastries 1.09, green tea (made from a powder tub, sugar free with splenda, 4C brand bought in a big box from bjs, 5.99/box & makes 9 gallons total cost me about .67 to make a gallon, LOVE this stuff, I keep the gallon jug in the fridge at work so I dont buy drinks from the vending machine), so lets say .10
breakfast = 2.13

lunch
dd was supposed to eat at school so it would have been $1.45 but she decided that the line was too long (1st day back) and ate when she got home at 2:45 - WAY too long to wait to eat lunch if you ask me.
dd - all left overs, pork chop, corn & mac & cheese (not from a box, from the refridgerated section at the grocery store), minute maid light passion drink in a can, lets say, 1.35 for the food, .16 drink
me - left over pork chop, steamed broccoli 1.05, green tea .10
lunch = 2.66

dinner - sauteed marinated turkey breast tenderlions, $5.99 sealed pack already marinated, enough for dinner today & lunch tomorrow, box of chicken mushroom rice a roni, .49, can of corn, .50, green tea x 2 , .20
dinner = 6.98 divided by 2 = 3.69 including tea (ate 1/2 of everything today & other 1/2 packaged in 2 servings for lunches tomorrow but hopefully dd will eat at school instead of waiting, I dont like that.)

No dessert, dd was supposed to make brownies (pillsbury brownie dough from a tub from bjs) but forgot, oh well, dont need the calories anyway!

total today = $8.48

WOW, I thought it would be less since we only have 2 in the house BUT, this helps me see what a HUGE savings I have taking my lunch to work instead of buying out which would range from $4-8 depending on where I would pick up something from. I have got to keep on myself to bring my lunch to work!

 

[grumpy28]

here is my recipe.. not healthy.. my son loves sour cream and cheese, so it's altered just for him:

Hashbrown Casserole

2 pound bag frozen hash browns
1/2 cup melted butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can cheese soup
1 pint sour cream
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

mix all together and place in 9x13" pan. bake 45 minutes at 350.

----------------

The original recipe calls for cream of mushroom soup rather than cheese soup
It also calls for 1/2 cup chopped onion

it also calls for 2 cups croutons, crushed, mixed with 1/4 cup butter, sprinkled on top.

I like the topping, but DS10 does not. Same with the onions.

I have the calories written down in my cookbook as 10 cups.. 1 cup @ 340calories.

Yum, yum, yum, yum, YUM!! I have never tried this before (never even heard of it!), but it sounds so good! Can't wait to try it! Thanks for sharing!

 

[sk!mom]

Same here. Fortunately DS works for a grocery store so often is home all day a couple of days during the week, so I use it then.
Anne

My DS does too. Now that I am back at work I use the crockpot at least once a week on days that he is home.

A few recipes we like-

No Peek Casserole (I tried this last week and everyone liked it)

2 pounds extra lean stew meat
1 can low fat cream of mushroom soup
sliced mushrooms
1 packet onion soup mix
1/2 cup red wine

Low all day. Serve over Healthy Harvest noodles.

Crockpot Roast Chicken

1 whole chicken
favorite seasoning

Low all day.


Queso

1 pound 93/7 ground beef- browned
1 pound low fat velveeta
1 can rotel
1 can low fat cream of mushroom soup

Low for 4 - 6 hours. Serve over baked tortilla chips.