Tag Archives: cheap meals

Back to School Chicken Potato Corn Chowder Slow Cooker Recipe

15 Aug

Back to school means more than just the beginning of the school year but also the beginning of all those activities that keep us running.  It is also a time where we vow to be more organized, planned, and on top of our time management. Fall signifies our best intentions and with a little extra planning those good intentions can become successful weeks, months, and beyond.

If you’re looking for some fresh inspiration then join me here for the next ten days as I share five of our family favorite slow cooker recipes and five of our favorite make ahead breakfasts.

Today,  I will be sharing a hearty chowder perfect for those hectic days and even better is that all the prep can be done the night before.

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Chicken Potato Corn Chowder

 

Click here to watch the video

Click here to print the recipe

 

What are your favorite time crunch meals? Leave a comment or link down below I would love to see what you’re cooking!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

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Homemade Rice-a-Roni

28 Jul Homemade Rice-a-Roni

One of the things that my family collectively loves is my homemade Rice-a-Roni.  Besides being ridiculously yummy, it is also a simple and inexpensive recipe.  As a side dish, this recipe feeds us all with leftovers….hallelujah for that!  Keep reading for the video and printable recipe.

What things do you make homemade that you can find pre-made at the store?  I would love some fresh inspiration!

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

These basic and inexpensive ingredients is all you need to make Homemade Rice-a-Roni.

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

A few simple steps to light, flavorful, fluffy rice goodness!

 

 

Click here to watch the video

Click here for the printable recipe.

 

Thanks for visiting!

Be Blessed and be a Blessing,

Rebecca

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Huge Aldi Grocery Haul 5-25-2016

1 Jun

Two to three times a year I like to “shop” my pantry, freezer, and fridge.  I like to use up what we have.  I find that I waste a lot less food doing this.  I love that it gets me to be more creative in the kitchen and it makes it easier to clean the fridge and pantry J I’m all about that…BTW, I just read an article that said homemakers in the 50’s did over 50 hours of housework a week…..phew…..I am so grateful for modern conveniences!

I love watching and seeing what others are shopping for so I thought I would once again share my Aldi grocery haul.

I share that I like to use coconut oil as a moisturizer but am pretty clueless on how to cook with it!  I would love to see how you use it. Please leave a link or recipe in the comments…I would LOVE to check it out!

You can view my Aldi Grocery Haul here.

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

Photo credit: Aldi and Google Images

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Lest we Forget

28 May

I am so grateful for the brave men and women who headed the call and left what was familiar and comfortable for a life of upheaval and uncertainty. Today I pause with reflective prayer to honor those who gave their all…the fallen brave who courageously breathed their last breath defending the country and the people they so loved.

To the families who gather around a grave rather than a grill-my prayer is that our Heavenly Father will fill them with grace, peace, and healing. That they would find comfort in each other and that the sweet memories of their loved ones will sustain them until they are reunited in Heaven. Thank you, for your great sacrifice also!

 

As you enjoy your 3 day weekend please remember and pray for all the brave men and women in our military. Pray for the mothers and fathers who will never hold their precious boys and girls in their arms again, for the wives and husbands who will never get to live out the hopes and dreams they planned together, and for the precious children who will never feel the tickle of daddy’s whiskers on their cheek or the soft embrace of their mother’s arms again. The burden is too great to let this weekend go by without a heartfelt sense of gratitude for the meaning behind our three day weekend.

 

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Photo credit: Google Images

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Chicken Pasta Salad

2 May

I am a use up the leftovers kind of gal (one of the things my family loves most about me 😉 ).

I am also a lover of a quick, throw together, minimal dishes kind of meal.  This recipe is a perfect combination of both.  If you are feeling my sentiments than this is for you!

 pasta salad

Click here to watch the video

Click here for the printable recipe

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Aldi Grocery Haul-4-25-16

27 Apr

Welcome to my Aldi grocery haul for my family of 5. I am always looking for fresh inspiration and I love to see what other families enjoy buying and eating. I have been loving the beautiful spring/summer fresh fruits and vegetables hitting the shelves….and I love that shopping at Aldi makes it possible for us to eat well and stay in budget.

Click here to see our latest haul.

If you’re an Aldi shopper what are some of your favorite products?  Leave me a comment  or a link, I would LOVE to check it out!

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Photo Credit: Aldi and Google Images

Homemade Croutons

18 Apr

This is a public service announcement.

It seems for years we have been doing our salad injustice!  We take our beautiful fresh garden greens and top it with stale, artificial tasting, bagged croutons. Why?  Because we didn’t realize making our own was so easy!

I have always been a sorta like croutons kind of girl but once I started making my own, they have pretty much become more than just a salad topping.  My family will eat these for a snack, my daughter’s boyfriend asks to take some home whenever he comes for dinner, and friends and family are always wanting the recipe.

Because I consider you all friends…I want to share the recipe with you too!

Keep reading for the salad changing printable recipe.

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The stars of the show. 8 simple, mostly pantry staples.

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Get your butter, oil and spices in a 9×13 baking dish and place that in your pre-heated oven.

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Cube your baguette into bite size pieces.

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After about 30 minutes, this gloriousness happens! Crispy without the expensive dentist bill and so flavorful!

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Garden fresh salad topped right!

 

Click here for the printable recipe.

See, simple right?

Is there something you make homemade that is much better than store bought?  Please share a link or comment down below, I would love to check it out!

Thanks for visiting.

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Simple Salisbury Steak

16 Apr

One of the greatest successes’ of motherhood has to be the moment when you serve a meal your whole family loves.  It’s a moment when the clouds part, the Hallelujah Chorus is cued, and for the next 30 minutes all is right with the world. You live for those blissful moments, am I right!?!

Anyway, that is what this recipe does for our family and I am pretty confident it could give a moment to you too!

Keep on reading for the printable recipe.

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The stars of the show. Ok, don’t let the gravy mixes get you nervous…sometimes mama needs a shortcut.

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Everything but the gravy gets thrown into bowl. Get your hands in there and give it a quick mix.

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I usually shape them into 4-5 patties. They will be thick but that just adds to the yumminess. I promise, they will NEVER know about the hidden mushrooms 🙂

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After browning the beef on both sides you will momentarily remove the patties from the pan so you can get the gravy started….Kinda makes it sound like a party!

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Once the gravy comes together, it is time to add the patties back in. This is where good things happen!

 

Here you have it!  We like to serve this with either mashed potatoes or rice.

Click here for the printable recipe

What recipe brings your whole family together? Please leave a link or comment below, I would love to check it out!

Thanks for visiting!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can also find me on Pinterest

 

 

Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · www.andasprinkleoflove.com

Aldi Grocery Haul

12 Apr

 

I thought I would share something a little different.  I am always a little curious and a bit fascinated about how life is for others.  I think we learn new things and become inspired when other’s welcome us into snippets of their life. 

So today I am going to share with you our Aldi’s grocery haul.  This will feed our family of 5 for about 7-10 days. I love that I can feed my family fairly healthy and still stay in budget! 

If you’re interested in watching click Aldi Grocery Haul

If you shop at Aldi what are your favorite things to purchase from there?

Thanks for watching!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

 

Photo credit: Aldi and Google pictures

 

 

 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

13 Nov

I love this time of year especially for the smells and tastes of fall. One of my most favorite things to do this time of year is spend as much time as possible in the kitchen…cooking and baking and sharing my love of it to those around me.

One of my most requested fall recipes are these cupcakes. I get asked for this recipe all the time. This is usually what I am asked to bring for holiday gatherings.  TO. DIE. FOR.  Seriously!  They are moist, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to make.

Go ahead and do yourself a favor and whip these puppies up…everyone will love you and you will love how quick and easy it was. Keep reading for the recipe.

What you will need to get started. So far so good.....

What you will need to get started. So far so good…..

Take a minute to add some of your measured flour to the chocolate chips. Keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

Take a minute to add some of your measured flour to the chocolate chips. Keeps them from sinking to the bottom.

Now go ahead and sift the rest of the dry ingredients and set aside. I know what you're thinking "2-3 tsp of pumpkin pie spice? Isn't that crazy talk?" Trust me, it works and it is awesome!

Now go ahead and sift the rest of the dry ingredients and set aside. I know what you’re thinking “2-3 tsp of pumpkin pie spice? Isn’t that crazy talk?” Trust me, it works and it is awesome!

Start by mixing your sugar and oil.

Start by mixing your sugar and oil.

Go ahead and add in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin.

Go ahead and add in the eggs, vanilla, and pumpkin.

Now here is the part where your house will start to smell heavenly.

Now here is the part where your house will start to smell heavenly.

Baked to moist, golden brown, deliciousness. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down.

Baked to moist, golden brown, deliciousness. The hard part is waiting for them to cool down.

You can certainly enjoy them as is, they make for a crazy good muffin. If you want to do it right, frost them with the worlds bestest cream cheese frosting. It will be the best decision you'll make all day! I'll leave a link for that below.

You can certainly enjoy them as is, they make for a crazy good muffin. If you want to do it right, frost them with the worlds bestest cream cheese frosting. It will be the best decision you’ll make all day! I’ll leave a link for that below.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it makes enough to share! Go ahead and wrap them up cute and share the love.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it makes enough to share! Go ahead and wrap them up cute and share the love.

Pumpkin Chocolate Cupcakes

by Rebecca Vahdat

Prep Time: 12 minutes

Cook Time: 17-22 minutes

Ingredients (18-24 cupcakes)

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 C. sugar
  • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 C. vegetable oil
  • 2 C. flour
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 2-3 tsp. pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-15oz. can 100% pumpkin
  • 2 C. chocolate chips

Instructions

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with cupcake liners.

Add a heaping Tablespoon of flour to the chocolate chips and mix well (this step keeps the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom of the cupcakes). Sift together the additional flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt; set aside.

Combine sugar and oil and mix well. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well between each addition. Add vanilla and pumpkin and mix well.

Slowly add in dry ingredients until just combined.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full of batter and bake for *17-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle of a cupcake comes out clean.

Let cool and frost or skip the frosting and enjoy as a muffin.

*Oven temps vary, check muffins a few minutes before to avoid over baking.

*You can find the recipe for the Worlds Bestest Cream Cheese frosting here.*

I hope you enjoy these cupcakes as much as we do!

~Be Blessed and be a Blessing~

Rebecca

You can find me on Pinterest

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