quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

Ratatouille. Sauteed tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onions, garlic. Serve hot or cold over brown rice.
Salad Nicoise. Potatoes, green beans, eggs, tuna, lettuce. Served with whole wheat bread.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Level

Anne, after I got over my initial disappointment in this not being about you modeling high heels, an apron, and not much else,
 
Well... it isn't me... but it's the best I can do! 
 
**For Level**
 
I dug up this link to a great low carb recipe site:

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html
 
And it's like heaven!  WOW! 

You're wise to avoid the sugar and starch, it's unnatural, and not very healthy.

I have a lot to do today, but I'll try to come up with some more things that might help you.

Thank you, thank you! 

quote:

ORIGINAL: barelynangel

Level that is THE BEST LOW CARB RECIPE SITE!!  I have used it for years and have heard good things about it from others as well.  

quote:

ORIGINAL: KMsAngel

Brown Rice Patties

3 cups leftover brown rice
1 cup grated carrot grated in food processor
1 medium onion, grated in food processor
2 cloves minced garlic, minced in food processor
1 t salt
½ t pepper
2 eggs
½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
Vegetable oil of your liking for frying

If you do not have a food processor you can use a box grater instead. Just make sure any onion juice makes it into the bowl, lots of flavor there!

Combine all ingredients except the oil. If you have the time to make this in advance and let it sit for a bit the garlic and onion flavors will blend even more, but it's not necessary, just nice. If the patties don’t hold together because they are too dry then add another egg. If they are too wet add a little flour.

Heat a frying pan or griddle on med - med/high heat until hot and add oil. Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop out the rice mixture and gently lay them on the frying pan. Use the back side of the measuring cup to flatten out each patty. Cook until golden brown on each side, you might want to keep the oven on 250 with a baking sheet in there to put the finished ones on as you cook the rest. Enjoy!

not my recipe, and i forgot where i got it from, but it sounds good

quote:

ORIGINAL: Level
Anne, another thing; pick your battles wisely. Organic may be the best choice, but as you said, it's pricey, so maybe just get the main food item you use in organic form, and "make do" with some others? Maybe buy grass fed beef, but "regular" sour cream, etc.

quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

quote:

Is it ok to freeze fresh zucchini and yellow squash? If I cube it up first and stick it in a ziplock bag? I wouldn't want to cook it, but I'd like to keep some from the summer as it's pretty cheap now.

What ISN'T ok to freeze?

I've never bought whole grain rice before. Is isn't the kind you just add water to and 10 minutes later it's done, is it?

Anne...i have cleaned and cut zucchini as if preparing it for a recipe, then put it into individual freezer bags with good results.

As to the brown/whole grain rice...i buy the Uncle Bens brand that has the bags you just toss into boiling water. So easy!

quote:

ORIGINAL: lronitulstahp

 

quote:

I have a great recipie for Chicken Chili... I bet turkey would do well in it! (I'll see if I can find and post it.)   

Anne, the chili i made that night for everyone at Cali's b-day was made with turkey, if that helps to give you an idea of how the flavor might differ from chicken.

It was really good!  I'm excited to try this turkey stuff... LOL 
 
One simple thing i do to cut costs, is, i don't let the price per lb. of things influence my choices too much. If zucchini costs $1.89/lb, but i only need one zucchini, i buy ONE. Otherwise you're stuck trying to find a use for the extra, and often go on unplanned shopping trips in an attempt to make complete recipes. Buy what you need. There can be too much of a good thing.

Brilliant idea!  I'm going to have to start using a list, and *ahem* sticking to it.  It's a crazy thought.  
 
With meats, it is a bit different, as you can freeze it  to use later. When i buy a pack of buy one get one free meat, i portion them out in Ziplock bags and freeze them. That way, i can thaw out only what i need for a meal at a time. But on the other hand, if i need only a half pound of smoked turkey for flavoring, i ask someone in the meat dept. that they cut and package just what i need.
 
I had no idea they would do that.  Good advice!  
 
To keep salad greens fresh longer, i store them in a bowl of cold water in the fridge.  Just remove the stalk cut into small pieces, and store. You'll have crisp green lettuce longer than when you leave it wrapped in plastic in the crisper.

And this makes it last longer... how cool!  I have a problem with my fresh spinach and lettuce going brown quickly, so this would be great!  You don't have to add anything? 

Thank you, Tulip!!!  :D 

quote:

Is it ok to freeze fresh zucchini and yellow squash?  If I cube it up first and stick it in a ziplock bag?  I wouldn't want to cook it, but I'd like to keep some from the summer as it's pretty cheap now.

What ISN'T ok to freeze?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

quote:

Is it ok to freeze fresh zucchini and yellow squash?  If I cube it up first and stick it in a ziplock bag?  I wouldn't want to cook it, but I'd like to keep some from the summer as it's pretty cheap now.

What ISN'T ok to freeze?

You can freeze almost everything--you might have to briefly prepare it first:

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/freeze.html

Here's a fresh zucchini recipe--Faux Zuccini Lasagna:

Cut zuccini lengthwise, in thin lasagna-noodle-like fashion.

Overlap them on aluminum foil or cookie sheet. Add onions/peppers/mushrooms/whatever if desired. Then cover with a layer of tomato sauce (add basil/oregano if you like), and sprinkle mozzarella on top.

Stick it in the oven (or toaster oven). Ready when warm (15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit is good).

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesFIP

Brown rice takes about 45 minutes to cook. So if you're short on time right when you get home, cook it in bulk once a week and heat it up later on.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Level

Local farms/ranchers can be a great option, for sure. And, if you have a large freezer, buy in bulk, and you'll save even more.

quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

cheaper yes...especially if you are in a farming community...but please do not think just because it is locally grown that it is safe. Farmers fertilize with animal manure which can be a source of e-coli. This is a problem with some who think because produce is "organic" it is safe

quote:

ORIGINAL: KneelforAnne

quote:

ORIGINAL: scarlethiney

Anne we make our own granola for breakfast. Large amounts that we vac seal and have for months. Oats are cheap, we add nuts, dried fruit i.e raisens, cranberries, apples etc.cinnamon, honey or splenda (sometimes I prefer splenda to the honey).
 
This sounds so yummy!  What kind of oats do you use?  Is it the kind that are "quick" or the other kind?  I've never really SEEN the other kind, the slow cooking kind... so I'm interested in which you use.
 
Do you have it with milk, or is it something you cook?

Anne you can use the quick oats or regular.  Yes, we have it as cereal and I  put it in yogurt and have that for breakfast and also in some of the bread I make.

When I am off I make bread and freeze the extra loaves. The recipe on the bag of King Arthurs 100% white whole wheat is a great recipe. Some of the loaves I will add cinnamon and raisens for cinnamon bread, some I add cottage cheese and honey for a high protein bread.
 
I have never heard of this, but it sounds great!   To tell the truth, I've only ever made bread once and the birds didn't even eat it.  I am, however, willing to try again. 
 
I actually think baking bread is a little sexy... LOL... I'm strange, I know.

Making bread is  not as difficult as  you think. If you can find the King Arthur Flour, the recipe on the bag is easy and very good. When you warm your milk, honey and cottage cheese, just make sure it is not too hot before you add it to your flour mixture and yeast. Proof (sprinkle it on the water , half a cup and when it starts foaming it is ready to add  to the flour mixture)the yeast in a small amount of warm water.
 
Ground turkey is usually fairly inexpensive and makes great burgers, meatloaf and chili. It is very low in fat and to me tastes just like beef without all the calories.

I've used it before!  Never for burgers though.  Do you have trouble keeping the burger together?  I have a great recipie for Chicken Chili... I bet turkey would do well in it! (I'll see if I can find and post it.)  
No, add an egg and or some bread crumbs and it will help bind the burgers. Add chopped onion, Mrs.Dash, Worchestershire sauce or soy sauce and whatever spices you like.

I also make my own pizzas out of tortilla dough. A big bag of the inexpensive tortilla dough is about 3$ and will last a long time making pizzas or tortillas. If your watching calories make small individual pizzas with pasta sauce, ground turkey, alpine lace or laughing cow cheese. We also make small individual pizzas with no sauce, just olive oil.,garlic, fresh spinach, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese or parmesean. 
 
That's my kind of pizza....  yumm!  I've tried it on a tortilla before, but never a whole wheat one... we shall see!  Do you think freezing a tortilla would work?   I don't see actually USING a whole pack of them before they go bad... maybe with a paper towel between them?  In a ziplock freezer bag?
 
Add a cup of soup and this is a really filling meal.
 
I love soup.  I find it to be the ultimate comfort food.  I tend to buy the frozen soups (not any longer!) because I don't like the taste of canned.  Does anyone have a *simple* Minestrone Soup recipe?  Something that maybe I could take the pasta out of?  I'm tired of regular vegetable soup, it's boring me. 
 
I often make 5 or more 6in pizzas and then freeze them for evenings when we don't feel like cooking. These are not low carb, but you can buy low carb tortillas and do the same thing.
 
I am so in love with the freezer idea.  Most of the time the last thing I want to do on a weeknight is cook! 

I love to stuff a large tomato or an avocado with chicken salad or tuna  or brown rice and veggies, especially home grown tomatoes.
 
Yumm!


Lettuce wraps are inexpensive and really good. You can put almost anything in a lettuce wrap. If you have time to grill up several chicken breasts and then chop them up with onions, peppers and pineapple and freeze them, this is a pretty tasty filling for the lettuce wraps.  Again, very low calorie and healthy.

I never would have thought to put the pineapple in.  Interesting... sounds good! 

We try to do a small garden every year with tomatoes, herbs, squash, carrots, brocolli.

Squash casserole
Thinly slice squash, and layer in a dish with onions, green peppers, garlic, sea salt and spinach. Beat 3 eggs and add 3/4 cup milk or chicken broth or half of both. Pour over layered veggies. Top with cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 375 for 30mins or until bubbly.

Now, when you say squash... do you mean the yellow squash/ zucchini?  Or are we talking like, the gourd type of squash?  Just to clarify.  I'm thinking you mean the yellow/ zucchini kind, but I just want to be sure.

Any kind of squash is good. I use yellow squash and zucchini and sometimes both.
 
Sounds good!

Good luck!
 
THANKS!!

You are very welcome!