As the dog days of summer die down, like you, I am finding special ways to incorporate some last minute fun into my family's schedule.  Nothing beats a long boring evening than running to Redbox and securing some DVD's for a family movie night for about a buck a piece.  If splurging on pizza is not in the budget, why not grab a pound of ground beef from the freezer and look on your canned food oasis to see if a can of pinto beans can be spotted. With just a few more ingredients Movie Tacos can be had!  

You can fill the tacos and hand out to the kiddies or put everything in neat little bowls to allow them to top their own.  Anyway you do it, these are simply delicious and quite filling!

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope chili seasoning
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans
5 pkg. corn chips
Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream

In a skillet cook ground beef and drain.  Be sure to break meat into small crumbles when doing so.  Stir in chili mix, pepper, tomatoes, and pinto beans.  Simmer for 20 minutes until mixture is thickened.  

Just before serving, cut open corn bags.  Add beef mixture and toppings as desired. Grab a spoon and eat directly from the bag. YUM!

As summer drones on I'm tempted to fill the upper crest at the top of my refrigerator with quick, thrifty breakfast boxes to ward off hunger from my growing brood.  These meals in a box require no effort as each household member is able to fill their own cereal bowl and top it with milk.  But, sadly, these foods do not make a big enough dent in the digestive scheme of things and before long heads are seen bobbing at the door of the icebox claiming, "Mom, did you get anything for lunches?"  

I have no energy to shop today and funds are running low, so I am on a quest to find quick dishes that can be made in minutes for pennies.  Then, when the gentle rustle of bed sheets begins, usually a tad before noon during these summer escapades, there sitting a top of the stove will be a warm concoction to quell the morning munchies.  

4 cups blueberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tab. lemon juice
1 cup flour
2 tbs. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tab. butter
1/2 cup milk

In a cast iron or oven proof pan combine blueberries, sugar, water, and lemon.  Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes until slightly thickened.  Stir occasionally.  

In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Cut in butter to make mealy crumbs.  Add milk and stir until JUST moistened.  Drop batter in six portions on top of blueberries.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes until dumplings are golden brown.  

There has been a plethora of mushrooms available at most groceries lately.  This delicious meal under $5 can't be beat especially if you're picking up those mushrooms at Aldi for $1.29 a pack.  Rolls can be had for under a dollar, and you've got a complete meal here with this easy to make burger. Set a side salad out and dinner is done!

4 large portobello mushrooms
4 tsp. plus 1 tap. oil divided
1 1/2 cups finally chopped plum tomatoes
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
4 hamburger rolls.

Preheat broiler or grill.  Remove stems and scrape gills out of mushrooms.  Brush caps with 4 tsp. oil.  Grill or place on baking sheet stem side down and broil 5 minutes.  

In a bowl mix tomatoes, cheese, seasonings and remaining oil.  Remove mushrooms and fill caps with tomato mixture equally.  Broil or grill 4-6 minutes longer or until mushrooms are tender and cheese melts.  Place on buns.

Been camping in the back woods for the last couple of weeks and came across a delicious treat that is a must share.  This delectable recipe is quick and easy with very little mess.  Ingredients are a camper's staple and can be found around the tent or cabin.  Give this a try on your next camping adventure when you tire of the usual S'mores.

Ingredients:

• Bananas
• Chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows

Preparation:

1. Slice one side of an unpeeled banana end to end.

2. Fill the slit with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.

3. Close the peel back over the banana, and wrap the whole thing in foil.

4. Place on the embers of your campfire, and cook for 5 minutes or until the chocolate chips and marshmallows have melted.

5. Allow the banana boat to cool; then open and eat with a fork. Deliciously easy!

I am not exactly sure where I'd be without my bread machine all summer.  With inspiring meals like these, I am only moments away from a thrifty, nourishing meal I may not be privy to if I didn't have the ease of throwing all these ingredients into a machine and  pushing a button.  Like the rest of you, my days are full of commitments and duties that make the joys of cutting, chopping, and cooking a thing of the past many a day.  But, meals such as this can be made in moments if the right appliance is adorning your shelves.

Tomatoes
4 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/2 inch slices lengthwise and seeded.
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Crust
2 Tbsp. oil
1 large onion finely chopped
2 Italian seasoning
1 tsp. basil
1 pkg. yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 - 4 cups all purpose flour

Topping
1 cup ricotta cheese
3 garlic cloves minced
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
8 oz. block mozzarella cheese, shredded

Toss tomatoes and place in a food dehydrator for 3 1/2 hours or oven at 250 degrees for 2 hours to shrivel.  For crust, place onions and oil in skillet and cook 3-4 minutes.  Add herbs.  In bread machine place onion mixture and all ingredients of the crust.  Push button for dough cycle.  Watch the first few spins adding more flour until a soft, sticky ball ensues.  Close lid and go about your duties.  

Turn dough on lightly floured board.  Roll out into a rectangle to fit into a 15 x 10 x 1" pan.  Make sure dough fits up sides and bottom of pan.  Indent edges to hold filling.  In a bowl mix ricotta, garlic, salt, and Italian seasonings.  Spread over crust.  Top with tomatoes and shredded cheese.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.  

I was in Aldi yesterday picking up a quart of strawberries for $1.29.  Knowing I had some leftover blueberries from last month's food pantry bag stashed deep in the freezer, I knew I had a red, white, and blue concoction to share. This recipe is quick, thrifty, and easy to make.  You can put these beauties together in around 30 minutes and surprise your family tonight with a real treat!

Aldi's blueberries were on sale for $1,29 a pint this week!

Biscuit

2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1 1/2 cups blueberries
3 tab. pancake syrup

Shortcakes

2 cups whole wheat or white flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine, cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup pancake syrup

Cool Whip

In a bowl, mash 2/3 cup strawberries with syrup.  Add the rest of the strawberries and blueberries.  Refrigerate. In a bowl mix flour, baking powder, salt, and soda.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Whisk in egg, milk, and syrup until just moistened.  Turn out on lightly floured board and roll into 3/4 inch thickness. Cut with a  2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter or inverted drinking glass.  Place on greased cookie sheet two inches apart. Bake at 400 for 12 - 15 minutes or until lightly browned.  

Split shortcakes and fill with berry filling and cool whip.  Place more on top if desired.

I was just at Winn Dixie when low and behold there are HUGE packs of chicken thigh specials!  For only $1.59 a pound you can pick up a good size tray for your Fourth of July BBQ.  What a special treat!  All you need is a package of hot dogs and you've got a great grill-in fare happening at your place on the Fourth!

At this very moment, buy one get one Ball Park Franks are on sale.  Nothing like splurging a buck on some good dogs.  Just seems to make the festivities all the better!

This recipe adds flavor through and through allowing you to marinate overnight.  So get cooking and slip some of these thighs into a Ziploc baggie for tomorrows grill fest.

1/3 cup yellow mustard
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
8 - 10 bone in chicken thighs

In a bowl mix all ingredients.  Place chicken in a Ziploc bag and reserve 1/4 cup marinade.  Pour rest over chicken and place in refrigerator overnight.  Grill chicken covered over medium heat until thermometer reaches 170 degrees.  Serve with reserved marinade.

At first glance this may seem a bit out of budget.  But, upon a closer look, you'll find this pie will last for days offering leftovers longer than expected.  My boys feasted on this for three days after the initial dinner was consumed.  It is so filling that a couple of good, hearty slices will completely stuff the most empty belly!

Each June Winn Dixie will mail you 4 $10 off each $50 you spend coupons.  If you haven't signed up at Winn Dixie's site for mailings I encourage you to do so.  I grab these coupons each June ensuring I buy ONLY the Buy One Get One specials, including the meats, and stock up exclusively for the summer.  This way, for the next two months I don't have a major food binge to purchase.  

The cheese was purchased for $1.79 at Aldi along with a 7 oz. bag sliced pepperoni (good for two pies) at $2.39, and (2) boxes of cooked breakfast sausage for .99 each.  Mushrooms also happened to be on sale that week at .79.

With these exquisite savings why not check out your local movie theater and see what days they offer a special night at $5 to $6 a show?  This way you can start Terrific Tuesday Movie Night with your family all summer!

Dough
1 pkg. active dry yeast
2 tab. oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour

Filling
(1) 8 oz. block mozzarella cheese
(1) 8 oz. block white cheddar cheese
2 tabs. flour
2 tsp. Italian seasonings
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
(2) 8 oz. packages of cooked breakfast sausage links, sliced into 1/4 inch circles
(1/2) 7 oz. package of slice pepperoni
1/2 pound sliced mushrooms

Sauce
15 oz. can spaghetti sauce
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tab. oil
1 tab. Parmesan cheese

Topping
Remaining shredded cheese
Parmesan cheese

Place dough in bread machine and cycle through on dough.  In a small bowl mix sauce by placing canned sauce, seasonings, oil, and Parmesan cheese.  Stir and set aside to marry spices. Shred block cheese in one bowl mixing together lightly.  Set aside 3/4 cup for topping.  

When dough is through, cut into three equal portions.  Take two and roll into a 15 x 11" rectangle.  Place in the bottom of a 13 x 9" well greased pan.  Top with shredded cheeses, flour, seasonings, sausage, mushrooms, and pepperoni. Roll out last piece of dough into a 13 x 9" rectangle.  Place on top of filling and crimp edges to seal.  

Pour sauce over dough and smooth to fit top.  Prick with fork to allow steam to seep through.  Top with sauce mixture spreading evenly.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes on the bottom rack of the oven.  Take out and sprinkle reserved cheese and Parmesan over top.  Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes more.

All you need is a salad or some fresh sliced watermelon on the side.  Save a Lot has seedless watermelons for only $2.99 most of the summer!