If you’re a subscriber to my weekly e-newsletter, A Busy Mom’s Kitchen, you read that this week I’m sharing how mom’s or dad’s can create inexpensive meals for their families that are not only quick and easy but cost less than $100.
Normally, when I’m at the grocery store I can spend just a tad bit over the $200 mark for almost a month’s worth of groceries. Yes, it can be done. You just have to pay attention to what’s on sale and from trial and error know what a good deal is at the supermarket. I see more and more people shopping with lists and coupons these days. It’s good to see people are looking for that extra savings.
My last trip to the grocery store, I picked up some cubed steak. You can pick up a decent package of cubed steak for less than $1.50 for 2 pieces. Serve with a salad and a vegetable and you have yourself a wonderful meal.
I’ve learned how to create a week’s worth of salad with lettuce, carrots and celery to make it last all week and still taste fresh. This I will share with you in a later post.
Vegetables are inexpensive when purchased frozen and still have the required nutrients. Of course you can buy canned vegetables if they are on sale. I’m able to get more side dish meals from the frozen vegetables.
In this easy weeknight dinner, I’ve created a main dish using just 6 simple ingredients.
Cubed Steak with Gravy
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
4-6 pieces of cubed steak
1 large onion, diced
3/4 cup flour
Salt and pepper
1 cup water
Directions:
Place flour on a baking dish, plate or plastic bag. Salt and pepper both sides of cubed steak. Coat the cubed steak with flour on both sides. Save the flour for later, you will be using it for the gravy.
Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Brown cubed steak on both sides, roughly 3 minutes. Once cooked, remove from saucepan. Keep drippings in pan, add onion. Cook onion, for 2 minutes, then add flour, about an 1/8 cup or a little more. Stir while flour browns.
As you are continuously stirring, slowly add water and reduce heat to low. Simmer the gravy until it is the right consistency. at this point you could add the cubed steak back in and simmer for about 5 minutes more or you could plate it and serve the gravy on top as I did.
I served the cubed steak with corn and a salad. You could also serve with rice or mashed potatoes.
Do you have any tips that work for you on shopping and creating inexpensive meals? I’d love to hear them!
As always, my quick and easy recipes for Busy Moms can be found on my website Noel’s Kitchen Tips.com.
Visit my new Amazon Kitchen Store for some of my recommeneded appliances, storage and kitchen needs along with some of my favorite cookbooks and aprons to help you with your family meal planning. For high quality kitchen tools for your kitchen, visit www. NoelsKitchen.com
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