Four Meals Under $10
by Julie F

Description: Easy, inexpensive meals you can make for your family even on a tight budget.
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Times are tight and the price of everything from clothing to entertainment is going up. The cost of feeding your family continues to rise, too. Every week at the grocery store, it seems like we pay a little bit more and get a little bit less.

To help you make the most of your already tight food budget, we've got 4 deliciously complete dinners than you can make for your family of 4 for under $10.

Chicken Rice Bowls

4 chicken thighs - $3.57
1 cup dried rice - $.50
1 can black beans - $1.15
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese - $.75
1 avocado, sliced - $1.00
1 jar of salsa - $1.50
Total - $8.47

Dice chicken thighs. Heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat. When hot, add 1 tablespoon canola oil. When oil is hot add chicken. Brown, seasoning with garlic salt and pepper. While chicken is cooking, boil rice according to directions. Heat beans in a small saucepan on the stove. When the rice and chicken are done, layer rice, black beans and chicken, topping with 1 oz cheddar cheese, avocado slices and salsa.

Bratwurst

4 links Bratwurst - $4.00
1 green pepper, seeded and diced - $1.00
1 onion, sliced - $.75
4 French rolls - $1.25
Frozen French fries - $2.00
Total - $9.00

Heat grill. Place bratwurst on grill, turning occasionally until browned on all side and cooked through. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and cook fries according to directions.

Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium high heat, adding one tablespoon on oil. When hot, add green pepper and onion to skillet. Cook, stirring and turning occasionally until brown and soft. Serve bratwurst in rolls, topped with green peppers and onions and French fries on the side.

Pasta and Italian Sausage

1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage - $1.99
1 pound dried penne pasta - $1.50
1 jar tomato sauce - $2.00
Baguette - $1.00
1 head Romaine lettuce - $1.00
Total - $7.49

Boil water in a large pan, salt and cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When hot, add Italian sausage, breaking up into small bits. Cook until brown and cooked through. When no longer pink, drain fat. Add tomato sauce to Italian sausage, turning heat to low. Slice baguette and tear lettuce into bite sized pieces for a salad. When pasta is done, drain and serve topped with Italian sausage and sauce, with bread and salad on the side.

Steak Fajitas

1 pound skirt steak - $4.00
Shredded Cheddar cheese - $2.00
Flour tortillas - $2.00
1 onion, sliced - $ .75
1 tomato, diced - $ .50
Shredded lettuce - $ .25
Total - $9.50

Slice steak into 1/2" slices against the grain. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil. When hot, add steak and onion slices. Cook, stirring occasionally. When steak is cooked through, add 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, cracked black pepper and 1/4 cup water. Stir to combine, coating steak. When some of the water has cooked off, serve steak wrapped in tortillas, topped with tomato, cheese and lettuce.

Make the most of your time and stretch your money. More recipes and great ideas are always the first place to start!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_F

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