hi guys! i’m very excited about this month’s $30 for 5 meals edition. these past few weeks, the recipe ideas have been rolling in. i have had to keep a pen handy, since my brain seems to be working hard! ya’ll seemed to be very excited about some of the recipes that i tested and posted on my facebook page, which reminds me about something. some of my readers love to share their delicious meals they made or tasted somewhere. sometimes i receive emails or they share them on my fan page. i love to hear about and share what you’re cooking at home, so don’t forget to submit your recipes! i created a special page just for you to submit them. i will price out your recipe and publish it on the website for all to enjoy. okay, lets get movin’.

here we go!

bacon and pineapple fried rice – i stepped out of my comfort zone (of not eating sweet fruit in my savory food) right into this yummy rice. i will never look back! the sweet, spicy and smoky flavors in the rice were so good, it has quickly been added to the rotation of dinners in our house. you gotta try this one!

cilantro lime chicken pasta – in my haste to get spring here and use up my cilantro before it went bad, i made this yummy pasta. the chicken marinates in this flavorful cilantro lime sauce and the hot pasta gets tossed in some of it as well. throw in some tomato, black beans and sweet corn and you’re all set.

cheesy lasagna pasta – i don’t know about you, but sometimes i don’t feel like going through the hassle of making a lasagna. so, i came up with this way to simplify the process but make it taste exactly like lasagna. the added bonus? this ooeeyy gooey cheesy pasta does not cost as much and takes less than 30 minutes to make.

crispy baked honey dijon chicken – we love the flavor of honey dijon. the sweet and savory flavors of it is very addicting! so i marinated the chicken in honey and dijon mustard, coated it in panko and baked it until golden brown. please try this one…very soon!

rosemary roasted potatoes – i LOVE roasted potatoes. these are cooked with olive oil, fresh garlic and rosemary. i threw them in the oven with the chicken, to bake at the same time. the perfect accompaniment.

slow cooked corn beef and cabbage – with st. patrick’s day right around the corner, i thought i would throw in this meal. however, it actually same from a discussion on my fan page about our favorite sandwiches. since i am from cleveland, my favorite is corned beef! after the discussion, i drove to the store to get the corned beef the next day! i slow cooked it with onions, fresh garlic, bay leaves, cabbage and carrots, until it was melt in your mouth tender. there is also a leftover recipe from this slow cooker corned beef and cabbage. my reuben sandwiches! this is what they look like…

*corned beef can be pricey. be sure to buy it when it’s on sale, stock up on it and freeze it.

the GRAND total? $31.40! whoops. we are a little bit over but, we were under almost $3 last month, even after i threw in dessert, too! so… i’m okay. that doggone corned beef pushed me over the edge. 🙂 here is our receipt, by the way…

serving size for 4 people

okay, let me know how you liked these meals along with your own unique touches. please don’t forget to send in your great tasting meals! see you next month!

-tijuana