Salmon Mini Strata $5.99

3 pieces of whole wheat bread
1 can salmon (14 ounces)$3.89
1 cup mozarella cheese $1.20
1 egg .15
4 egg whites .60
1 tablespoon dried onion .10
1 tsp garlic powder.05
black pepper to taste

spray muffin tin with cooking spray
cut each piece of bread in 4 squares and place a square each in the bottom of the muffin tin
combine egg, egg whites, onion, garlic powder, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese in bowl and mix together
devide other 1/2 cup cheese amond each piece of bread in the muffin tin
pour egg mixture evenly in muffin tin about 2/3 full each
bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes or until the egg strata are light brown in color and a toothpick or fork comes out clean.

Gnocchi

This idea came to me in the middle of the night. I was remembering how much I love gnocchi and how much I dont like to make them because potatoes are full of water and the dough can be so mushy at times. I never know how they will come out, ive had disasters occasionally when making gnocchi. So continuing in the theme of convenience store cooking, I researched some boxed potato recipes and I found a ton on the internet, and came up with recipe and they came out GREAT!! The best thing about this version, was the dough was so easy to work with. I literally mixed the dough and cut the gnocchi in less then 30 minutes. I did need to flour my hands a bunch of times and I think it was key to put the gnocchi in the freezer for an hour after making them.
2 cups tap water, real warm
2 cups instant potato bunds
3 cups flour
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt

in a medium bowl combine water and potato buds. Mash with fork until combined. Add eggs and flour and mix again until dough forms a ball. Transfer to a wooden board and continue to knead dough, if dough still sticky, add more flour, do this until dough is not sticky and able to slice into pieces approx 3/4 inch wide. Then with flour on your hands, roll slices into round, skinny tubes. Then with knife cut tubes into 1 inch chunks.
place pieces on cookie sheet so they arent touching eachother, and sprinkle with flour so they dont stick. Store in freezer.
to cook

Mandarin Orange and Grapefruit Granita $2.60

I took my niece to Walgreens and she picked out this combination for a granita, and I was impressed with her creativity. She actually made the granita with my son they had fun making it and eating it!!!

ingredients
2 cups grapfruit juice $1.10
1 cup mandarin oranges $1.20
1 tablespoon honey .30

heat grapefruit juice, mandarin orange and honey in a sauce pan and let come to a boil, stirring the whole time. Lower and simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Pour into a freezer safe bowl and freeze for 2 to 3 hours. Serve when frozen.

Banana Oat Walnut Cupcakes $8.04

These cupcakes were gone almost before they were frosted. I think I gave he Cupcake Boss a run for his money. The cupcake was moist, rich, delicious and super healthy. If a cupcake can taste so good with oats in it, I will include oats everytime. Oats, are afterall my all around convenience store superfood.

1/2 cup butter softened .64

12 cupcakes

1/2 cup sugar .40
2 eggs .30
1 cup banana babyfood $1.20
3/4 cup honey $1.20
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour .36
1 cup oats .35
1/4 cup walnut pieces .60
1 tsp baking powder.05
1 teaspoon baking soda.05
$5.15
For Frosting
4 oz cream cheese softened .99
1/4 cup butter .64
1 cup sifted confectioners sugar .65
1/4 cup walnuts .61
in small bowl cream cream cheese and butter, when smooth, mix in sugar
mix well
$2.89


in mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, banana food and honey, mox well. Combine dry ingredients, stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Fill paper lined muffin cups until 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until cupcakes test done. cool before frosting

frost cupcakes and add a few walnuts to the top

serve

Pasta with Peas and Tuna $4.98

Here is a quick meal that can be made with pasta or rice. Ive made this with olive oil and spices and I have made it in a tomato sauce, both delicious. It is quick, easy and healthy. I know I say that a lot, but the truth is, if one wants to eat healthy, one can. A can of tuna whether. it is on sale or not on sale, is very inexpensive. I purchased tuna this week with an instore coupon for .69 a can, and the pasta cost me about .80, and the peas $1.69, olive oil .40, garlic powder .20, and wha la for $3.78 I have a meal for 4 people, or two super hungry people.

Ingredients
12 ounces pasta .90
1 tablespoon olive oil .20
1 tablespoon garlic powder .10
dash black pepper
1 can tunafish drained and rinsed 1.99
1 can green peas rinsed and drained 1.79

cook noodles according to instruction
heat large skillet with oil add garlic powder on medium for a few minutes
add tuna and toss for a few minutes
add peas
toss in cooked pasta and saute all together for a few minutes
add black pepper
serve

Sweet Potato Casarole $5.30

Sweet Potatoes are a nutrition superstar! With high amounts of potassium, fiber, vitamin and they may also might be natures unsurpassed supplier of Beta Carotene.

3 cups canned sweet potatoes $3.00
1/4 cup olive oil .25
1/4 cup brown sugar .20
1 tablespoon cinnamon ,10

for topping
1/4 cup flour .26
1/3 cup pecans or walnuts .75
1/4 cup brown sugar .20
2 tablespoon butter .54

rinse and drain sweet potatoes very thoroughly
mash in olive oil, brown sugar and cinnamon, mix until smooth
pour into baking dish and smooth down evenly

topping
melt butter and mix with flour, sugar and nuts
top evenly over the potatoes
bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until the top is golden brown

Tuna, Green Beans, Tomato Salad $4.37

Ive made this salad hot and cold,and I like it both ways. With a hint of olive oil and a little pepper and garlic powder, this is a great tasting, healthy salad. The combination of protein, B1,B3,B6,omega 3's from the tuna, vitamin C,A, iron,potassium, calcium,and fiber from the beans, and then the super food- tomatoes(actually, super food- canned tomatoes) which is high in the antioxident- beta-carotene, vitamin E as well as the carotenoid lycopene. This means that tomatoes are hielpful in preventing heart disease and cancers. Tomaoes are also high in potassium but very low in sodium which means they help combat hight blood preassure and fluid retention. Unlike some other canned foods, canned tomatoes retain most of their nutrients. Infact, cooked or canned tomatoes cantain more lycopene than raw tomatoes. So, yes I know I include tomatoes in a ton of recipes, but they are just so good for our bodies, and think they are also so versitile in cooking and always lend depth, flavor and texture.
Heres recipe and can served as a meal or appetizer

1 cup green beans(drained and rinsed very thoroughly) 1.29
1 cup diced tomatoes .99
1 can 6 ounces tunafish(drained and rinsed)1.99
2 tablespoon olive oil .40
dash pepper .05
garlic powder optional .05
toss all ingredients together and serve cold