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I’m not sure who presses the fast forward button at the beginning of December, but everything just feels busier this time of year. I try not to get too caught up in my to-do list and just remember to enjoy the season with my family.
Right now we are trying to keep meals simple so that we have time for other things. Dinner doesn’t have to be a big production and it’s a great time to use up some things that have been sitting on the pantry shelf or in the back of the freezer for a while.
Make smart use of leftovers too – Roast extra veggies and toss them in a pasta salad for lots of flavor!
Oven Roasted Veggies – Recipe
Red Pepper
Green Bell Peppers, 33-69¢ ea. (Aldi, Winn Dixie)
Yellow and Zucchini Squash, 99¢-$1.29 lb (Publix, Sweetbay)
Onions, 50¢-$1.29 lb (on sale almost everywhere)
Artichoke Hearts, canned (pantry)
(1 Point Plus)
Roasted Pork Tenderloin – Recipe
Pork Tenderloin, $4.98-$4.99 lb (Ingles, Harris Teeter)
Spices (pantry)
Olive Oil, Filippo Berio, 16.9 oz, $3.99 (Kroger)
(3 Points Plus)
Baked Ziti – Recipe
Turkey Sausage, Butterball, 16 oz, $1.50-2.50 (Winn Dixie)
Onions, 50¢-$1.29 lb (on sale almost everywhere)
Green Bell Peppers, 33-69¢ ea. (Aldi, Winn Dixie)
Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz, 50¢-$1 (Harveys, Harris Teeter, Winn Dixie, Bi-Lo, Ingles)
Green Peas, Birdseye, 10-19 oz, 67¢-$1.96 (Bi-Lo, Food City, Kroger)
Tomato Paste, Muir Glen, 8 oz, 29¢ (Kroger)
Spices (pantry)
(8 Points Plus)
Polenta w/ Baby Spinach – Recipe
Chicken Broth, 14 oz, 50-74¢ (Food City, Kroger, Food Lion, Publix)
Cornmeal, 24 oz, 79¢ (Bi-Lo)
Spinach, Fresh Express, 9 oz, $1.99-$2 (Sweebay, Food Lion,, Ingles)
Parmesan, Kraft, 8 oz, $1.83-$1.98 (Food Lion, Ingles)
Evaporated Milk, 12 oz, 65-75¢ (Food City, Aldi)
Spices (pantry)
(5 Points Plus)
Cuban Chicken & Pineapple Salad – Recipe
Limes, 8¢ ea. (HEB)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, $1.99-$2.99 lb (Sweetbay, Publix, Bi-Lo, Winn Dixie, HEB)
Pineapple, Whole Fresh, $1.50-$2.50 (Kroger, Publix, Winn Dixie, Harveys)
Jicama (Apple works well as a seasonal substitute)
Cilantro
Red Pepper
Scallions
(5 Points Plus)
Easy Fried Rice – Recipe
Eggs, dozen, 97¢-$1.37 (Harris Teeter, Aldi, Target)
Carrots, 1 lb, 64¢ (Bi-Lo)
Scallions
White Rice, 5 lb, $2.89 (HEB)
Green Peas, Birdseye, 10-19 oz, 67¢-$1.96 (Bi-Lo, Food City, Kroger)
Soy Sauce (pantry)
(4 Points Plus)
