Chickpea and Tomato Salad with Fresh Basil

July 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

chickpea and tomato salad with fresh basil

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are an excellent source of cheap protein.  Pair them with basil from your garden and sweet grape tomatoes when in-season, and you’ve got a frugal salad that’s also really healthy.  I found these tomatoes at my ALDI store for just $.79 this week (view more recently posted Grocery Bargains).  You could also easily add rotini to this to make it a pasta salad.

Frugal Tips:  To save money, buy dried chickpeas and soak overnight.  Beans can even be soaked and frozen for later.

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Chickpea and Tomato Salad
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 3-4
 
A refreshing summer salad that’s rich in protein and packed with flavor
Ingredients
  • 1 carton of grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 can chickpeas, drained
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 25 basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Whisk together the vinegars, oils, honey and salt and pepper. Drizzle over the chickpeas, basil, and tomatoes. I put mine in a plastic container and give a good shake. Chill a few hours or overnight.

Thanks for the inspiration, Green Lite Bites!

Filed Under: Salads and Sides Tagged With: , , , , ,

Homemade Frozen Custard

June 27, 2013 by 1 Comment

homemade frozen custard

 Do you love the frozen custard sold at places like Culvers?  I do!  I recently got an ice cream maker and decided to give homemade frozen custard a try.  It’s not that hard to make, but the process is somewhat time-consuming.  It’s not for anyone who demands immediate gratification.  Trust me though… the final result is worth the wait!

Frugal Tip:  When a recipe calls for only egg yolks or egg whites, don’t throw the other part away!  They can frozen and kept for later use.

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Homemade Frozen Custard
 
A rich, creamy frozen custard that’s worth the wait
Ingredients
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 C. white sugar
  • 1 C. milk
  • 1¼ C. heavy cream
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
  1. In a mixer, combine eggs yolks and sugar until mixed. Meanwhile, heat milk on the stovetop on medium heat until just before the boiling point.
  2. Next, SLOWLY add the milk to the egg/sugar mixture, stirring constantly.
  3. Place the egg/sugar/milk mixture back on the stovetop on medium, stirring constantly, until thickened. Allow to cool.
  4. Add cream and vanilla, and chill for 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Place the custard mixture in your ice cream maker and follow manufacturer instructions.

 

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Black Bean and Corn Salsa

June 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

black bean and corn salsa

I originally posted this black bean and corn salsa recipe, also known as Cowboy Caviar Salsa, on Mommysavers.com.  It’s one of my go-to summer recipes, especially since I LOVE fresh cilantro.  I start it in seeds in late winter and transplant to the garden when it’s warm enough (which for us in Minnesota, can sometimes be late-May).

Frugal Tip:  When fresh sweet corn is in season, buy extra and cut off the cob.  Then, freeze the sweet corn flat in gallon Ziplock bags.  It will stay fresh in your freezer for several months.

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Black Bean and Corn Salsa
 
Ingredients
  • 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup sweet corn kernels (NEVER used canned – either fresh or frozen)
  • ½ cup chopped red bell pepper or tomato
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 3 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 8 green onions, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. ground cumin

Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients. Refrigerate overnight to let all flavors blend.

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Greek Salad with Couscous

June 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Greek Salad with Couscous | Frugalbites.com

I love Greek food.  Not only is it packed with flavor, it’s usually pretty healthy.  This easy Greek Salad with Couscous salad is no exception.  Don’t have couscous?  Substitute orzo pasta, quinoa or bulgur.  I find that the couscous is a frugal way to extend the salad and give it more texture.

Frugal Tip:  If jarred Kalamata olives are too expensive, check the grocery store deli.  You may be able to buy them by the pound for less.

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Greek Salad with Couscous
Serves: 6
 
Healthy Greek salad is packed with flavor
Ingredients
  • 1 C. cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • 1 cucumber, cut in bite-sized pieces
  • 1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
  • ¼ C. fresh parsley
  • 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 4 oz. feta cheese crumbles
  • ½ C. Kalamata olives
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1 C. large-pearl couscous
Instructions
  1. Cook couscous according to package directions. Meanwhile, add remaining ingredients. Drain couscous and add to veggies/dressing. Chill for 4-6 hours before serving.

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Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad

June 11, 2013 by 1 Comment

Blue Cheese Bacon Potato Salad | Mommysavers.com

Everything is better with bacon, isn’t it?  This bacon blue cheese potato salad is creamy, flavorful and tangy.  If you like bacon and blue cheese, you’ll love it.  It goes perfectly with a burger straight off the grill.  Bring on summer!

Frugal Tips:  Look for blue cheese at stores like ALDI, Sam’s Club and Costco to save money.

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Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad
Serves: 6
 
Blue cheese and bacon make this a hard-to-resist potato salad
Ingredients
  • 2½ lbs red potatoes, cubed
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled
  • ½ C. mayo
  • ¼ C. sour cream
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 4 oz. blue cheese crumbles
Instructions
  1. Boil potatoes with the skin on until fork-tender (about 12-13 minutes). Meanwhile, add the other ingredients in a large bowl. After potatoes have cooled, dice them and add to dressing ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

 

Boil potatoes with the skin on until fork-tender (about 12-13 minutes). Meanwhile, add the other ingredients in a large bowl. After potatoes have cooled, dice them and add to dressing ingredients. Chill in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours or overnight.

Filed Under: Salads and Sides Tagged With: , , ,
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