The rising prices of meat is enough to make anyone cringe.  How is one supposed to feed their family each week while the cost of living rises, yet the average paycheck doesn't? According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, the average monthly food cost for family of 4 in the United States is about nine hundred sixty-five dollars ($965) per month.  What???!!!!  That averages to approximately $241 a week.  Anyone out there hand out that much?

I've been routinely concerned as I noticed meat prices soaring each week.  My normal BOGO meat sales at Winn-Dixie have been taking a sharp curve.  This weekend I went in to purchase the Sirloin Pork steaks toted at $3.99 BOGO.  When I approached the cash register I noticed they were being run up with only $2 and $3 discount taken off each set.  I quickly grabbed my circular stashed in the cart to confront my doubting cashier. Was I beside myself when that young finger pointed out the SMALL picture of Simply Potatoes next to the HUGE picture of pork chops that was labeled only as BOGO!  I felt totally deceived! Shame on you Winn-Dixie!

This recipe utilizes those on sale salad shrimp packages that can be found as low as $3.99 each at Aldi.  With a jar of Alfredo Sauce for only $1.29 you're in business again saving money.

3 cups bow tie pasta
2 cups frozen peas
1 package of salad shrimp
1 jar (15 oz.) Alfredo sauce
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to directions on box.  Add peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking.  Stir in salad shrimp just as you are ready to drain. Strain and return to pan.  Stir in sauce and heat on medium for 2 minutes.  Top with cheese. Who needs meat? 

This has always been a favorite in my household, but with soaring food prices it's taken a back burner most weekends.  There is nothing better than a deliciously light cherry cheesecake to whet your dessert whistle. While simplistically easy, most foodies cringe at the extra dollars added to an already unstable food bill each week.

Last week in Aldi they advertised graham cracker crusts for only 99 cents.  Also on special were bricks of cream cheese for 99 cents. A can of cherry filling was only $1.69.  With these prices I thought it's time to entertain my family again with one of their favorite scrumptious desserts.  Wait for supersonic specials like those mentioned and treat your family to this age old recipe.

2 (8 ounce) packages Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese 
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 prepared graham cracker crumb crust (6 ounces or 9 inches)
1 can cherry pie filling

Mix cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; mix until blended.

Pour into crust.

Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool. Refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.  Top with canned cherry pie filling.

It's fall, and thank goodness ground beef has dropped a bit in price!  This is the season to be on the lookout at Winn Dixie for all those by one get one specials this season.  Roasts will soon be in your circulars toting prices that can't be seen during the summer months. Roasts can be a God-send if you ensure you are able to get a couple of meals out of them.

With ground beef on sale this week, I picked up a pound and a half and made 8 big whopping burritos that gave me a free lunch for the following day.  These beefy beauties are made on those extra large 10 inch tortillas so they are a true rib stick'n meal.  Filled with one pound of potatoes, that ground beef extends to two pounds of pleasure.  Give these a try and reap the leftovers the following day!

1 1/2 pd. ground beef
1 taco seasoning packet
3/4 cup water
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
Juice 1/2 lemon

2 medium potatoes, about one pd. peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 tab. oil

(8) flour 10 inch tortillas
(1) 8 oz. block of cheddar cheese shredded

Fry ground meat and drain when cooked and no longer pink.  Add taco seasoning, water, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and lemon juice.  Cook 8-10 min.  Set aside.

In a non-stick fry pan, cook potatoes in oil.  When golden, about 5-6 min., drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Add to ground beef mixture.

Place about 2/3 cup of beefy mixutre onto each tortilla shell. Top with 1/4 cup cheese.  Fold bottom and sides of tortilla over filling and roll up.  Wrap each burrito in tin foil and bake for 15-18 min. at 400 degress.  

Yesterday I headed out for my normal pit stop to the local food pantry and was handed two bags of presliced apples.  Of course the date noted had a expiration date that just passed.  How could I utilize these apples quickly I thought before time runs out?  This recipe was just the answer!  It will send delicious aromas of fall throughout our house as it bakes away.  Great addition to a family breakfast or just alone with a glass of milk.  These freeze well and can be zapped for future rushed mornings.  

Best of all, I put these together in about 15 minutes.  No need for tons of prep work here as the recipe just comes together with ease.

3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3 tab. margarine or butter
1 1/3 cups milk
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
4 cups chopped apples, I used skin and all in the food processor

Sauce
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 tab. flour
1 tab. butter or margarine
1 tsp. cinnamon

In a bowl mix first 3 ingredients.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles course crumbs.  Add milk and stir until just moistened.  Batter will be sticky.  You want it light.  Turn dough onto lightly floured board and roll into 18 x 12 inch rectangle.

Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.  Top with apples.  Roll up jelly roll style and pinch edges.  Pinch seam to seal.  Cut dough into 12 equal sections and place in a 13 x 9" pan.

In a pan add all sauce ingredients.  Cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened.  Pour over buns and bake at 350 degrees for 45 - 50 minutes or until golden.  These come out with a perfect sticky sauce.

You know, when you're on a thrifty food budget, those 99 cent hot dog packs often become a staple dinner item once a week.  With an 89 cent package of hot dog buns at Aldi you've got a meal for less than $2 and a few extra bucks to take the kids somewhere special this weekend.

But those cheaper hot dogs due leave the palate with something to be desired.  They seem a bit flimsy, under nourished as you boil away at their skins.  Next time instead of investing in the hot dog buns why not grab a small yellow corn meal package and evaporated milk?  This recipe is easy and will make those want-to-be-bulkier hot dogs more rib pleasing.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tab. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. paprika
dash pepper
1 egg
1 cup evaporated milk
Oil for deep frying
Wooden skewers
Package of hot dogs

In a bowl whisk the first eight ingredients.  Stir in egg and milk until just blended.  Put batter in a tall drinking glass.  In your Fry Daddy or other skillet heat oil to 375 degrees.  Insert skewers on hot dogs and dip into batter, allowing excess to drip off.  Fry a few at a time for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.  Drain on paper and serve immediately.  

Here's a delicious, thrifty treat that doesn't require much effort.  Most ingredients can be found in your cupboard so little investment is needed!  These are great to make when you're up early unable to sleep.  Nothing makes the heart grow fonder than being able to create a fresh baked treat for those you love before they wake.  Make these rounds and you can go about your morning duties without much hassle.  

1 pkg. yeast
1/4 cup warm water
2 cups flour
4 1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine cubed
1/3 cup milk
1 egg yolk

Filling
2 tbsp. butter or margarine softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Sugar Roller
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon

Place yeast and water in bowl, stir.  In larger bowl mix flour, sugar, and salt.  Begin working in butter until mixture resembles small crumbs.  In the yeast bowl add egg yolk and milk; stir.  Add this to flour mixture and mix gently. Place back and bowl, cover with wrap and place in refrigerator for 2 hours.

Place on surface and let rest 10 min. Roll out on lightly floured surface to 18x10" rectangle.  Spread with softened butter and sprinkle with mixed sugar and cinnamon.  Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with the long side.  Pinch seam to seal.  Cut into 24 3/4" slices.  Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.  Sprinkle 1/2 tsp. of sugar roller mixed sugars on wax paper.  Place dough on top. Sprinkle with additional 1/2 tsp. sugar an roll out into a 4 inch circle.  Repeat.

Bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes until golden brown.  Cool on wire racks.