Sweet Orange Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

EASE: Low Difficulty *** (Great recipe for inexperienced bakers!)
COST: About $0.46 per roll (14 cinnamon rolls)
TIME: Prep and Cooking approximately 1 hour

These things are ah-may-ZING.
I ate too many the first time I made them lol :) Something fun to do when you feel like baking, but don't know what to make! The entire family will enjoy these tasty cinnamon rolls, even more with the sweet and lightly citrus-y glaze on top! From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!

- Kierra

Sweet Orange Glazed Cinnamon Rolls

Dough:
2 1/2 cups All Purpose Flour + about a tbsp. to roll the dough out (Gold Medal: $0.93)
1/4 cup granulated sugar (Great Value: $0.07)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (average: $0.05)
1 tsp. baking soda (average: $0.04)
1 cup buttermilk (Store brand: $1.25)
1/2 tsp. salt
7 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted (Great Value: $0.66)
1/2 tsp. cold water (only if needed)

Filling:
1/3 cup light brown sugar (Dominick: $0.21)
1/4 cup ground cinnamon (Great Value: $1.44)
2/3 cup granulated sugar (Great Value: $0.19)
5 tbsp. butter, divided & melted (Great Value: $0.38)

Icing:
1 cup + 1 tsp. confectioners' sugar (Dominick: $0.40)
4 tbsp. melted butter (Great Value: $0.38)
1 tbsp. granulated sugar (Great Value: $0.08)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract (McCormick: $0.20)
1/4 tsp. orange extract (McCormick: $0.20)
2 tbsp. milk

Preheat your oven to 425*

For Dough:
Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center if flour mix. Pour in butter milk and mix just until incorporated. SLOWLY add melted butter and blend until incorporated. At this point if it still feels a little dry, add 1/2 tsp. of cold water. Split dough in half.
Flour flat surface for rolling out dough, and roll it out to about 8 inches by 12 inches (just imagine a little bigger than a sheet of paper).

For Filling:
Combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Add 3 tbsp. of butter, melted, reserving 2 tbsp. Using a basting brush, brush some of reserved butter over rolled out dough. You don't have to use half, just enough to cover the surface. Spread half of your cinnamon sugar filling on rolled out dough, leaving about 1/4 of an inch on each edge. Slowly roll dough, and use a little of reserved butter to seal the edge. Cut ends off, and slice the roll into 7 pinwheels. Repeat with remaining dough, filling, and butter, reserving at least 1/2 a tbsp if possible. (Usually I have to melt another teaspoon or so... I have an addiction to butter, y'all!) Place cinnamon rolls in a greased 8 x 8 glass baking dish. Brush remaining butter over tops of cinnamon rolls. Bake for 16 minutes, or until tops are brown.

Sweet Orange Icing:
Mix all ingredients together, and place in refrigerator until ready for use.

Let cinnamon rolls cool for 5 minutes before drizzling icing over cinnamon rolls.

(Sorry, I started picking at them before I took the picture!)


Try to only eat a one or two at a time :)

Ways to Jazz These Puppies Up!

- Add 1/2 tsp orange zest to dough for an extra punch of delicious citrus flavor!
- If you aren't a fan of brown sugar, that's okay! Just replace it with granulated sugar!
- Replace orange extract with 1/4 tsp. orange zest, and just a small squeeze or fresh orange juice!

Effortless Meatballs for Eleven

EASE: Simple *
COST: $1.30 a person (11 servings)
TIME: Prep and cooking about 25 minutes

Ingredients:
1 Frozen Bag of Great Value Home Style Meatballs $4.38
2 Cans of Spaghetti Sauce $1.98
2 Packs of Hoagies $ 4.96
1 Package of Shredded Great Value Cheese $2.98
Season to Taste Ingredients:
Sugar
Lawrys Seasoned Salt
Salt
Pepper

This meal is a quick no-brainer that you can throw together in less than 30 minutes. This is something most guests really enjoy and swear I put too much effort into dinner, even family goes gaga for it. I usually serve sides with it, sides are your choice. Veggies, a salad, fries, heck even some mac n' cheese. I used to have to feed 8 very hungry teenage boys and now just feed 6 people. You can always cut this recipe in half or have plenty for left over night if you are not looking to feed eleven. Also something to note you can make your own meatballs(which can be messy). I have a good homemade recipe for that as well!
So here goes:
Step One: Gather the ingredients and a stock pot of medium size.
Step Two: Open the meatball bag and dump it in the pot.
Step Three: Open up both cans of Spaghetti Sauce and pour into the pot.
Step Four: Cook on Medium Heat. (Now’s a good time to also start on the sides if you have any and have not already. If you forgot you can simmer the meatballs after heated to stall for time.)
Step Five: Add the seasoning and sugar and cook for approx 20 minutes or until the center of the meatball is heated.
Step Six: Turn off the burner. It is now time to load up those hoagies with meatballs and top with cheese. (Toasted hoagies are pretty nommy too!)
Step Seven: Dig in!

-Ashley

Yummy Chocolate Fudgy Brownies

EASE: Easy **
COST: About $0.40 each (1 dozen brownies)
TIME: Prep and Baking about 45 minutes

These brownies are so good, I can never JUST have ONE. Ever. When I first posted this recipe on my facebook page, I was on my second one by the time I was done typing... the first sentence :D

Sure, you can buy box brownie mix... and trust me, there is NOTHING wrong with that. But sometimes it just feels better to do it from scratch! From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!

- Kierra

Here's how you become an addict. You'll need the following:

2 cups of granulated sugar (Great Value: $0.55)
7 tbsp. cocoa powder (Hershey's: $0.88)
2 sticks of butter, melted (Great Value: $1.50)
4 eggs, beaten (Store Brand: $0.96)
1 1/3 cups all purpose flour (Gold Medal: $0.50)
1/2 tsp vanilla (McCormick: $0.40)

Whisk together sugar and cocoa powder to get all the clumps out.
Add melted butter and vanilla, mix together. Avoid urge to run to your room with the bowl and a spoon at this point.
Add beaten eggs and stir til combined. Switch to your wooden spoon after this.
Slowly incorporate flour. I go 1/3 of a cup at a time.
Either line 9 x 13 glass baking dish with parchment paper, spray with baking spray, or grease heavily with butter. Pour batter in, and bake at 350* for 27 minutes, up to 29 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

Wait as long as you can for them to cool.... or at least til you don't burn the crap out of yourself trying to devour them... like me.

:)

ENJOY!

Here are some ways to jazz them up!

- Melt 1/2 cup of soft caramels and swirl into batter after pouring into baking dish!
- Beat together 8oz. softened cream cheese, 1/4cup granulated sugar, and 1/4tsp. of vanilla. Swirl into brownie batter after pouring into baking dish for a cheesecake-like brownie! (be sure to let the brownies cool completely before cutting and eating to avoid burning your mouth!)
- Sprinkle crushed walnuts on top of batter before baking for a crunchy treat :)

Baked Angel Hair Pasta Dinner

EASE: Easy **
COST: About $2.42 per plate (family of 6)

TIME: Prep and Cooking Approximately 1 Hour


I love making a dinner that looks, smells, and tastes like it took HOOOUUUUURRSSS to make, when really... it only took 1! This recipe can be doubled, even tripled, to feed more than a family of 6! From my kitchen to yours, enjoy!


- Kierra



Baked Angel Hair Pasta


1lb. angel hair pasta  (Great Value: $1.28)
1 -42oz jar traditional flavor spaghetti sauce  (Great Value: $2.68)
2lbs. ground beef (WalMart:  $5.72 @2.86/lb)
1 1/4lbs mozzarella cheese, finely shredded (Great Value: $4.83)
1/2 tbsp. onion powder
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. fennel seeds, finely crushed

Salt & Pepper (to taste)


Preheat oven to 375*

Brown ground beef and strain grease. Pour in spaghetti sauce, and add onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, fennel seeds, and salt & pepper. Simmer over low-medium heat for 30 minutes.

Boil water and begin cooking pasta to package directions (about 4 minutes). Strain and set aside.
If your cheese isn't already shredded, this is a good time to do it. Buying pre-shredded cheese will add to the cost slightly, but will reduce prep time! Reserve 1/4lb of mozzarella.



In a 9x13 glass baking dish, spread just a little sauce over the bottom. This helps prevent sticking. Layer in this order:


1/2 of pasta
1/3 of mozzarella
1/2 of sauce
1/2 of pasta
1/3 of mozzarella
1/2 of sauce
1/3 of mozzarella



Bake at 375* for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into it!

(This "slice" is the serving size for my 20 month old daughter, KJ!)

Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella on each plate.

(Apologies for my poor food photography skills... was too hungry to make it pretty!)




Serves 6 hungry people :)





Jazz it up with other options!:


- Instead of just ground beef, go 1lb ground beef, 1lb. ground sausage
- Not a fan of ground beef? Try it with ground turkey or chicken instead. Just as tasty, less fat! This may increase the cost.

- Make your own spaghetti sauce for that real, homemade taste and feel. If it isn't premade it may add to cooking time and cost. But when you're in the mood, it's worth it :)
- Don't do pasta? Replace angel hair pasta with "zucchini noodles"! Simply julienne a couple large zucchini squash into the thickness and size of actual noodles. This is great for people who want to sneak some extra veggies in on the kids (or stubborn spouse!)
- Jazz up your cheese selection with some Parmesan and Romano cheeses along with your mozzarella! This will add cost, and flavor as well!

A Quick Fix!

EASE: Simple *
COST: Approximately $2.82 per plate (family of 4)
TIME: Prep and Cooking about 30 minutes total

Dilemma: You had a long, exhausting day. You're on your way home and you remember... you didn't take anything out of the freezer for dinner!

What are your options? Fast food. Order pizza?
How about a quick, simple, and tasty meal the whole family will enjoy!

This easy chicken and pasta dish is delicious, filling, and something you'll feel good about feeding your family & friends :)

-  Kierra

Chicken & Egg Noodle Dinner

1 family size fully cooked rotisserie chicken  (WalMart: $7.99)

1 - 12oz. bag of extra wide egg noodles (Skinner: $1.28)

1 stick of butter, cut into tablespoons (Great Value: approx. $0.75)

1 bag frozen cut broccoli (Great Value: $1.25)

Garlic Salt (to taste)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Dried Parsley Flakes (for color)

Cook pasta until firm (approximately 7 mins), and strain.
While pasta is cooking, cook broccoli according to package instructions, and strain.
While pasta and broccoli are cooking, chop chicken into small pieces

If you only use the breast, you should be able to get at LEAST 2 cups.
When pasta is done and strained, add chopped chicken. While still hot, add 4 tbsp of butter. Add garlic salt to your liking.
To broccoli, add remaining butter, salt, and pepper to desired taste. Toss in with pasta and chicken (you can also wait til you dish the pasta and chicken and add the broccoli to the top, like I did!). Return to low heat and warm through. Sprinkle parsley flakes for color.

Now, this recipe is for at least a family of 4. Any less than that and you WILL have leftovers lol. We had 4 very hungry people tonight and there was actually a little left over! But boy it'll make a tasty lunch tomorrow :)

Other Options:
Replace broccoli with corn.
Replace garlic salt with lemon pepper (VERY TASTY option!)
Omit veggies altogether if you do not eat them.
Use fresh veggies, rather than frozen.
Try with rice instead of egg noodles!
Instead of using a precooked rotisserie chicken, bust out the chicken breasts and baking sheets and make it yourself! This way will also save $$, but it will add time.