Recipes on a Budget

PITA PIZZAS Melissa Higgley - any size or brand of pita (I suggest the papa pitas from Costco) - spaghetti sauce - cheese - any other toppings you like - you could try bib sauce and chicken - cook at 450 for ten minutes. Cost comparison: large 1 topping delivery pizza about 17$ you can make 5 ham and pineapple pita pizzas for 5$ or 17 for 17$ bonus- easy dinner for dad to make - only takes about 20 minutes.

Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup Emily Sorensen
1 can of each: diced tomatoes and green chilies (use 2 cans of chilies if you want it spicier).
2 cans chicken broth
1 can re-fried beans
1 can corn, drained
1 can shredded chicken breast

Combine tomatoes and broth in a medium saucepan. Stir in beans and corn. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes stirring frequently. Add chicken and heat through. Top with tortilla chips, sour cream and cheese.

(This is a great recipe because it's simple, fast, you can just open cans from your food storage! It is also low fat, but delicious!)

Southwest Chicken Cami Russell
Combine the following in a large skillet with a lid:
2 cup water
1 package taco seasoning (¼ cup)
1 cup salsa
Add 2 large chicken breasts (about 1 pound), cut into strips
and place on medium high heat until boiling. Stir and reduce heat to low;
simmer for 10 minutes.
Add:
2 cans drained and rinsed black beans
2 cups minute rice
Replace lid and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
Garnish with any or all of the above: shredded cheese, sliced olives, corn, sour cream

Yummy Healthy Fudge Roshelle Pulsipher
2/3 C canned milk or light cream
1 2/3 C sugar
1 ½ C mini marshmallows
½ C chopped nuts
½ C strained cooked pinto beans
1 ½ C chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Combine sugar and milk in pot and boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Add remaining ingredients and stir until marshmallows dissolve. Pour into buttered pan cool and cut into squared.

German Pancakes Susan Olson
Set oven to bake at 350º. Select glass bake-ware - you may use 3 quart size or 2 – 9x9 or 1 9x9 and 2 smaller, 4 small rounds are what I prefer. Cooking spray each dish (especially the bottom) and place 3 – 4 tablespoons butter between them (about 1 T. in each dish or 2 T. in bigger dish, etc.) Place in heating oven, and while dishes heat and butter melts mix together in a blender:
4 eggs
2/3 cup flour
2/3 cup milk
About ½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon or so vanilla (optional)
Cover and blend. Stop blender and thoroughly scrape sides with a rubber spatula. Cover and blend again until smooth.

Carefully remove hot dishes with hot pad; then dump mixture from blender, proportionately between hot dishes. Bake for 18 – 24 minutes depending on size of dish and desired doneness. Serve with syrup. Jazz them up with on or more of the following: sliced bananas, fresh or frozen berries, sautéed apples (below) whipped cream and or a sprinkle of powdered sugar, apricot syrup or other home made syrups or jams.

Sautéed Cinnamon Apples
Slice apples into bite-size pieces (I prefer thin, about ¼ inch). Heat a sauté pan for 3-4 minutes over medium heat. Once hot, cooking spray and add a little butter. Add apples and sauté, (stirring frequently). Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar when they start looking tender. Serve hot over German pancakes or French toast.

Fettuccini Alfredo Karen Mortensen (I like this Alfredo recipe best, it’s easy, fast and yummy)
12 oz. fettuccine noodles – cook according to package direction in a large pot.
1/2 cup butter
1 cup unwhipped cream (can substitute milk, but will not be as creamy)
1 cup Parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper.
Drain noodles; turn off stove and add butter - return to burner, leaving stove off. Add half the cream and toss thoroughly. Add salt, pepper, garlic, and ½ of the Parmesan cheese. Toss again. Add the rest of the cream and toss, the rest of the Parmesan cheese, toss and serve immediately

Variations: Add grilled chicken and /or steamed veggies: broccoli, julienne carrots, etc.