Taco Salad

     Two salads in one week here at Penny Pinching Provisions! Although, this one doesn't really seem like a salad. It does have lettuce, but the addition of tortilla chips makes it seem more like nachos. Any way you look at it, it's delicious.
     My favorite part of this taco salad is the dressing. Basically, it's like a Mexican style bruschetta, and it really makes the dish.
You could definitely make this for less by getting less expensive meat or leaving out the meat and using only beans. I've been trying to get at least 90% lean meat when possible.
Estimated cost:  $5.50
spinach $0.25, lean ground beef $2.50, black beans $0.75, multi-grain chips $1, others $1

meat:
1 lb lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbl taco seasoning (or 1 pkt or 2 clove garlic +1 Tbl chili powder +1/4 tsp red pepper)
1/3 cup water

dressing:
4 tomatoes, diced (from garden-yum!)
2 Tbl olive oil
2 Tbl lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

salad:
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
multi-grain tortilla chips

• Cook beef. Add garlic and beans and cook for 2 more minutes. Add seasoning (and water if needed) and stir until well combined and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. 
• Mix the dressing.
• Divide the spinach among dinner plates. Top with beef mixture, and sprinkle with cheese. Spoon dressing over each salad and serve with chips on the side or crumbled on top.

Summer Salad

     Sometimes it is so hot, I don't feel like cooking a big, heavy meal. Sometimes, I don't feel like cooking anything at all. Last week I made this salad, and it was just perfect for a hot summer evening. Not only is it beautiful, but it's also healthy, light, and satisfying. We served this with a pumpernickel dinner roll.
     My husband was less than thrilled when I told him we were having salad for dinner, but he really enjoyed it. He couldn't believe how well the strawberries and bacon complimented each other. He even liked the dressing, and he is usually strictly a blue cheese guy.
     If you want to have this again for lunch the next day, I recommend storing everything separately. The salad may get mushy if you keep in all in one container.
Estimated cost:  $4
 Spinach $1.20, bacon $0.75, Mandarins $0.40, Strawberries $0.75, Other $1

serves 2-3
6 cups baby spinach (or whatever leaves you like)
6 slices of bacon, chopped
1 cup mandarin oranges
1 cup sliced strawberries
1/4 cup diced red onion
3 Tbl extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbl red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp black pepper

• Mix the salad: spinach, bacon, mandarins, strawberries, and onion.
• Mix the dressing: oil, vinegar, garlic, and pepper. 
• Pour dressing over salad.
• Serve with a dinner roll.

Basil Burgers with Sun-Dried Tomato Mayonnaise

     It's burger week here at Penny Pinching Provisions...well, at least it might seem that way. I have a backup of recipes to post, so I thought since I have a couple of burgers I would post them all this week. Everyone loves burgers for their summer cookouts, right?
     This summer, I have really gotten into using lean meats. Not just ground turkey, but lean ground turkey...and lean ground beef too. Not only is it healthier, but it tastes better too! You wouldn't believe the difference in taste and the amount of fat the drips off these things.
     This basil burger was surprisingly good. I wasn't sure how I would feel about basil and beef together. I think one time I tried a meatloaf with Italian seasoning and it was so gross. It could have been a bad recipe...or it could be something I just don't like.  This changed my mind though. We had fresh basil from our garden which made it even better! Next time, I might actually follow the directions and put the cheese in the patties before grilling them! They were good when added after, but I didn't read closely enough to see that it should have already been done. OOPs! Either way, you should definitely include these on your next cookout menu.
     I've always wanted to try homemade hamburger buns, but I haven't got around to it yet. These are store bought, but you can obviously use whatever you like. Sometimes, we just use toast....We are penny-pinchers after all.


From Healthy Cooking Magazine- July 2011
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup boiling water
1 cup mayo (I like the Olive oil mayo)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tsp Italian seasonings
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 lbs lean ground beef (90% lean)
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
6 whole wheat hamburger buns
Additional fresh basil, opt.

• Combine tomatoes and water in a small bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes and drain. In a food processor, combine mayo and tomatoes. Chill until serving.
• Combine worcestershire, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic, pepper, and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 12 thin patties. Place 2 Tbl cheese on six patties, and top with remaining patties. Press edges firmly to seal.
• Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and coat grill rack. Grill burgers, covered over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until the juices run clear. 
• Serve on buns with mayonnaise mixture and additional basil leaves if desired.

Chocolate Pudding Pops

     I've been on an ice cream kick my whole life lately. If I find a really good sale, I'll buy it at the store. If not, I've been experimenting with different Popsicles and homemade ice creams. My latest recipe tastes just like Fudgesicles! Not only are they delicious, but there are only five ingredients.
My daughter and her buddy enjoyed these after splashing around in her water table on a hot evening.

2 cups milk (I used 1%)
1/3 c nonfat dry milk powder
1/3 cup brown sugar
3Tbl cocoa
1 Tbl cornstarch

• Heat, stirring constantly, over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until like gravy. 
• Cool to room temperature.
• Spoon into popsicle molds...or dixie cups with a stick.
• Freeze 6 hours or overnight.

Here are some of my other frozen treat posts:
Cornstarch Ice Cream
Frozen Yogurt Pops
French Vanilla Ice Cream

This is linked up to
Sweet Tooth Friday
and


Sweets for Saturday

Simple Vinaigrette Dressing

I am trying to eat healthier, so naturally I had to eat all the unhealthy foods in our house last week...My friend called it "Fat Week" like Fat Tuesday, but it took about a week! So, I decided we should eat a salad or some type of vegetable before each meal so we can fill up on that. I had a good Valentine's Day dinner planned with a salad a special chicken dish (which I will post next) and realized we didn't have salad dressing! I found a recipe one of my many cookbooks, but I only had a couple of the ingredients. So, I used it as a base and made my own and it tasted pretty good!
Makes about 1 1/2 cups

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup canola oil (Olive oil would probably be better, but I didn't have it)
1 Tbl dried basil
1 Tbl dried marjoram
1 Tbl dried oregano
1 tsp spicy brown mustard
ground black pepper

• Mix all ingredients in airtight jar
• Shake vigorously
• Refrigerate for up to a week
•