In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I present to you my recipe for Mexican Spoon Bread.  This custard-like corn dessert is yummy enough to satisfy any sweet tooth.  It’s the perfect ending or side dish for a savory Mexican meal.  I prepare it in a casserole dish, then scoop into ramekins for individual servings.

I originally posted this in the Mommysavers forum:  Don Pablo’s Mexican Spoon Bread Recipe

The post Mexican Spoon Bread appeared first on Frugal Bites.

(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I’ve heard people say they’re nuts about the Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip.  I’m really not much of a fan of chain restaurants.  We have an Applebee’s in our town and I think I’ve only been there a few times (only because someone else chose the location).  I have nothing against Applebee’s.  We just choose to frequent mom and pop restaurants (see our road trip family rules).

Forget the chains.  I have a Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe that I would put up against any restaurant recipe.  Honestly, I’ve never come across a better version.  Yes, I’m bragging.

Frugal Tip:  Instead of going out to eat, invite another couple over this weekend.  This is the perfect thing to serve at a casual party.  In my opinion, it’s so much more fun (and frugal) to invite people over to your home instead of going out to a restaurant.

The post (Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip appeared first on Frugal Bites.

Orange Julius has been around ever since I can remember.  They were always one of my favorite mall treats as a teen, and I still enjoy them today.  My mom has been making this copycat version for years and years.  It’s pretty close to the original, and a great way to enjoy this yummy mall treat at home for less.

Copycat Orange Julius Recipe

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 C. milk
1 C. water
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
6-8 ice cubes (about 1 1/2 C. ice)

Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend until frothy. This makes enough for about 4 large glasses or 6 small ones.

Note:  I originally posted this Copycat Orange Julius Recipe and photo on Mommysavers.com.

The post Copycat Orange Julius Recipe appeared first on Frugal Bites.

This copycat version of the creamy Parmesan dressing from Carrabba’s Italian Grill is my new favorite. Not only is it delicious, it’s incredibly easy to make.

Frugal Tips:  This recipe only calls for a little bit of buttermilk, so don’t let the leftovers go to waste.  Did you know you could freeze buttermilk?  Here are some great ideas to use up buttermilk after making this dressing.

See how simple the ingredient list is?  Much of this is in your refrigerator already.

Mix the dressing well.

Serve with romaine and croutons.

The post Copycat Recipe: Carrabba’s Italian Grill Salad Dressing appeared first on Frugal Bites.

Orange Chicken is what my kids usually order when we eat at Chinese restaurants.  By making it at home, we can get our takeout “fix” for less.   Plus, by making it in the crock pot it’s even easier.

If I were to make it again (or if I were cooking for a larger group) I’d probably double the batch.  This version served our family of four with no leftovers.   Now what am I going to eat for lunch today?!

Frugal Tips:  Learn how to make copycat versions of your favorite restaurant foods at home.  It really does help you fight the temptation of blowing your budget by eating out too often!

Just mix the ketchup, vinegar, orange juice and brown sugar to create the coating/sauce for your orange chicken.

Coat all your chicken pieces in flour

Brown the chicken in a little bit of olive oil

Place the chicken in the crock pot and pour sauce on top

The post Crock Pot Orange Chicken appeared first on Frugal Bites.

Rice recipes are inherently frugal.  Problem is, too many people don’t make it correctly.  When it comes to making rice, the right type of rice is important.   Believe it or not, not all rice is created equally.  A true risotto requires arborio rice, sushi a sticky short-grain, and for certain Indian dishes only Basmati will do.  Also, attention to detail in its preparation is equally important.  When it comes to making fried rice, the key is to use cold, day-old rice.  Who knew?

I was browsing the internet for a copycat version of the Benihana Fried Rice.  All the recipes I saw didn’t include those important details!  Plus, adding garlic to the butter was omitted in many of them.  It makes a big difference.   My whole family loved this dish, and my husband said, “This is the best fried rice you’ve ever made.”  This recipe is definitely a keeper.   My only regret is not making more.  Sadly, there are no leftovers.

The post Benihana Fried Rice Copycat Recipe appeared first on Frugal Bites.

The Halal Guys Chicken and Rice is one of my favorite frugal New York street food experiences.  Located on the corner of 53rd and 6th, New Yorkers and tourists alike line up for a taste of this mouth-watering goodness for just $6 a pop (more on Frugal New York Eats).  Every once in a while, I crave it and nothing I can get in my smallish Minnesota city comes close.

Recently, I experimented with Halal Guys Chicken and Rice copycat recipes I could make at home.  The one I landed on was definitely close enough to keep me happy until my next New York City trip.  To make it even easier, I used my crock pot to cook the chicken thighs.  It’s a great meal to make on a busy evening.  Just set the crock pot to go before you leave for the day, and come home to the savory smell of chicken.  The rice can be ready in about half an hour.  For a kick, add Harisa Hot Sauce.

Thanks to Serious Eats and The Huffington Post for the recipe inspiration.

The post Halal Guys Chicken and Rice Copycat Recipe appeared first on Frugal Bites.

The best thing about salmon, other than its great flavor, is the fact that it’s good for you.   It’s packed with Omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to lower your cholesterol and improve your memory (among other great things).

When it comes to preparing salmon, I often get stuck in a rut.  I went about searching for recipes the other day and came up with this one.  I love that this dish can be made in under 30 minutes from start to finish.  The red pepper flakes add a kick, but you can dial back the heat by adding more or less according to your taste.  Hoisin sauce is almost like an Asian molasses.  I found it in the ethnic section of our regular grocery store, but if you have trouble finding it you can always get it on Amazon.com.   If you want to go the frugal route, don’t get it at all and substitute molasses.  It won’t be as authentic-tasting, but it will still be good.

Frugal Tips:  Many people avoid eating salmon because it tends to be expensive.  A bag of four salmon fillets is just $4.99 in the freezer section at ALDI Food Stores.   When you offset a dish like this by serving it with rice, the cost is actually very reasonable.

This was originally posted on Mommysavers:  Ruby Tuesday copycat salmon

The post Asian Glazed Salmon: A Flavor-Packed Dinner in Under 30 Minutes appeared first on Frugal Bites.

Making homemade condensed cream soups is one way to save money and end up with a healthier product at the same time.  Once you get the hang of it, you’ll want to add your own seasonings and flavors according to taste.  In my book, Instant Bargains, you’ll find dozens of other recipes that will help you save money in the kitchen.

Note:  These recipes makes a roux which can be substituted for the can of soup.  It doesn’t make the finished soup product.

Homemade Condensed Cream Soups

The post Homemade Condensed Cream Soups appeared first on Frugal Bites.

If you’re currently buying the boxes of Near East Parmesan Couscous…. why?  Parmesan couscous is easy to make, frugal, and only takes a few minutes.  Not only that, you can have fun experimenting with fun add-ins and tweaking the flavor.  After you get the basics down, you can create a copycat couscous of just about any of the flavored box mixes you typically buy.

Frugal Tip:  Couscous is usually located near the rice and grains in most supermarkets.  If you have a hard time finding couscous, you can purchase it on Amazon.com or Vitacost.  Plus, when you register for a new Vitacost account you’ll receive a code valid for $10 off a $10 order.

Source:  Inspired by the Mommysavers Parmesan Couscous recipe

The post Copycat Recipe: Near East Parmesan Couscous appeared first on Frugal Bites.