Good Cheap Eats

Easy Chicken Strips for the Freezer

Jessica Fisher — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 23:07:29 +0000

Make a big batch of chicken strips and freeze them for later use in salads and sandwiches. On my last trip to visit my sister, she met us at the airport with these wonderful dinner salads, cookies, and homemade dressings. It was a feast! Particularly so since my friend Heidi and I had been cooped […]

The post Easy Chicken Strips for the Freezer appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

3 Ethnic Foods You Can Make Yourself

Jessica Fisher — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 03:38:31 +0000

Growing up in Southern California, I’ve had the advantage of easy access to a wide-variety of foods, beside the typical “American cuisine”. Mexican and Asian foods are probably my favorites. The Golden State features so many different cultures, it is really fun to eat here. (Just saying.) Over time, I’ve learned to make at home […]

The post 3 Ethnic Foods You Can Make Yourself appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Make Cookies More Convenient

Jessica Fisher — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 03:08:22 +0000

Homebaked cookies are so much better than the packaged varieties. Make them more often, make them more convenient. When I think of convenience foods, one of the most common that comes to mind is that of refrigerated cookie dough. What a boon to home cooks! Buy the dough already mixed, bake it up, feel like […]

The post Make Cookies More Convenient appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

DIY Baking Mixes

Jessica Fisher — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 19:14:51 +0000

I think it’s probably a common American experience, to grow up thinking that all baked goods come from a box, from the freezer section, or the bakery aisle of the grocery store. Perhaps it’s just us folks in our late 30’s and 40’s, but all the kids I grew up with had the same experience. […]

The post DIY Baking Mixes appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Homemade Cranberry Soda

Jessica Fisher — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 15:27:38 +0000

I used to be a soda pop junkie. A few years ago, I decided to give it up. I don’t really remember why. But, I think a handful of cavities had something to do with it. And maybe empty calories, too. Regardless, I kicked my cola habit. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes like […]

The post Homemade Cranberry Soda appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Honey Syrup

Jessica Fisher — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 07:25:29 +0000

Years and years ago I bought Sweet ‘n’ Low. In fact, those pink little packets of artificial sweetener were staples in our tea and coffee cupboard, not because we liked the taste, but because we liked sweet tea. Here in California, tea is not usually served already sweetened. You have to sweeten it yourself. But […]

The post Honey Syrup appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Fill the Freezer with DIY Convenience

Jessica Fisher — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 03:23:39 +0000

Up until now in the DIY Convenience series, I’ve shared recipes. Today, I wanted to make a plug for one of the biggest time-saving, money-saving, convenience food-avoiding methods I know: freezer cooking. This morning, I spent about an hour making a double batch of granola and a batch of breakfast bars. It didn’t take long. […]

The post Fill the Freezer with DIY Convenience appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

5 Seasoning Mixes You Can Make Yourself

Jessica Fisher — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 05:40:50 +0000

This is Day 24 of the DIY Convenience Series. I hope that you’re learning to cook lots of things yourself! It’s been years since I bought a packaged seasoning mix. Years. I can’t even remember why I would do such a thing. It’s easier and cheaper to make myself. You see, since we cook a […]

The post 5 Seasoning Mixes You Can Make Yourself appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Strawberry Mango Smoothie with Banana

Jessica Fisher — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 03:56:48 +0000

Make your own smoothies to save money, eat more healthfully, and bring convenience to your own home. Ever since I was in college, the siren song of the smoothie bar has been strong for me. Even after we bought a pretty heavy-duty blender, I found myself tempted to go get a smoothie rather than make […]

The post Strawberry Mango Smoothie with Banana appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.

Seasoned Rice Pilaf (like Rice-a-Roni but better & cheaper!)

Jessica Fisher — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:30:55 +0000

Boxed rice mixes are a thing of the past, especially when you know how to make a healthier, cheaper, and tastier seasoned rice pilaf yourself. Try this homemade rice-a-roni recipe today. Growing up, I really loved the boxed rice and pasta pilaf known as “the San Francisco treat”. Rice-a-Roni was a staple in our home, […]

The post Seasoned Rice Pilaf (like Rice-a-Roni but better & cheaper!) appeared first on Good Cheap Eats.