Dining on a Dime: Tip of the Day - Garlic Toast

Stop buying those expensive boxes of Garlic Toast! Making your own is easy-peasy!

Grab your loaf of bread (whatever your favorite kind). Pull out 1-2 slices for each serving. In a bowl, mix softened butter or margarine and enough garlic powder to your liking - I don't like mine too strong. Mix thoroughly.

Place each piece of bread on a cookie sheet and put into the oven under the broiler until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven.

Spread mixture on the toasted bread. Sprinkle parmesan and a pinch parsley over each piece. If we have it available, we like a little mozzarella or other grated cheeses, too.

Viola! You AGAIN, are a Rock Star in the kitchen!

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$10 Meals (or less): Beef Taquitos

Beef Taquitos

Our kids love taco night and taquitos are so much less messy than letting them dress dinner themselves! Seems like this is one recipe that no one fusses about. Understand that if your family doesn't particularly love an ingredient you can remove it (my hubby hates onions). Make your meal to suit your family's tastes.

 Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on the taquitos
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1 cup salsa, plus more for dipping
• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 10 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack
• Sour cream

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 400º. Grab a large skillet and heat the oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Be sure to stir often to cook evenly and prevent burning. Add the beef and use a spatula to break it up while it cooks. Brown about three minutes or until it is no longer red. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa, chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and continue cooking for 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
   
2. Place the tortillas on a microwave safe plate and cover them with two damp paper towels. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds or until warm and pliable. Cover each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the cooked beef mixture spreading it to an inch from the edges. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the mixture on each tortilla.
   
3. Line a baking sheet with foil. Roll up the tortillas then place them seam side down on the sheet. Brush the taquitos lightly with vegetable oil. Bake 8 to 12 minutes, until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly browned. Serve them hot with sour cream and/or salsa.
   

* Yields about 4-6 servings.

$10 Meals (or less): Roast Chicken & Carrots

Roasted Chicken & Carrot side

 

 Ingredients

• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken (fryer chicken go for about $.99/lb)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Rinse chicken thoroughly inside and out under cold running water. Remove all fat. Pat dry with a paper towel.
3. Place chicken into a small baking pan. Rub with olive oil. 
4. Mix the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, paprika and cayenne pepper together and sprinkle over chicken.
5. Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Lower the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and continue roasting 40 minutes, to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (85 degrees C). Let cool 10 to 15 minutes and serve. 

With about 25 minutes cook time left.... prepare the carrots.....

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package baby carrots (sold for just over $2/lb)
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Rinse carrots. Place in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and cook 10 minutes covered until tender. Remove from heat. Drain. Toss gently with margarine/butter, dill, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. 

* Have VERY picky kids? Bypass the dill and lemon on a portion set aside for the little one. The butter and salt make the carrots taste oh so yummy.

Total Initial Prep time: 10 minutes for chicken. Cook time: 1 hour.
Total time until serving: 1 1/2 hours

* Yields about 8 servings.

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