Cool Gadget: Demy Recipe Reader

So apparently cook books are passe. Meet the Demy recipe reader, courtesy of Engadget:

This device apparently does it all, "Crafted by Key Ingredient, this here device packs a sealed 7-inch display, storage for up to 2,500 recipes and USB connectivity for syncing with your PC. Furthermore, it provides three kitchen timers, a measurement conversion calculator and an ingredient substitution dictionary to get cooks out of a pinch if they are one special ingredient short."

Apparently this is shipping from Amazon "soon," which is good because the price listed is $299.99. Better start saving.

Banana Muffin Bread

I use this banana bread recipe to make giant banana muffins because I don't have a loaf pan. Yes, those pans are only $7, but whatever giant muffins are much more fun. To make the muffins I use ceramic bakeware. this is also a great use for ripe bananas.

Banana Muffin Bread
Makes 2 muffins or 1 8.5 x 4.5 loaf of bread

1.5 cups flour
1.5 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 stick of butter at room temperature
1 large egg
2 medium sized, ripe banans

Heat oven to 350. Grease the bakeware. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and mashed bananas. Add the dry ingredients slowly, mixing until well combined. If you are using muffin type bakeware, fill it up only half way.


Bake for about 45 minutes.

Macaroni Salad

So the title of this post is a bit of a misnomer, as I made this salad with rotini instead of macaroni. Other than the pasta change, the rest of the ingredients are from your standard macaroni salad. This is a great sandwich companion or it can be eaten as alone as a light lunch.

Macaroni Salad
Serves a lot

1 box of macaroni or rotini
1 diced red pepper
1 diced green pepper
1 diced small red onion
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1.5 tablespoons of sugar

Mix the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar until well blended. Toss the mayonnaise with the pasta and vegetables until coated.


This is one of the thriftiest meals, coming in under $10. If you're not making this for a crowd, this will feed you for a week.

The Weekend Meal: Chickpea Patties & Chinese Cole Slaw

I'm a recent convert to the cult of the chickpea. Cheap, full of protein-what else can you ask for in a food? The cole slaw part of this meal is also full of goodness, with almonds and sunflower seeds. I'm not quite sure what makes it Chinese, but it's delicious.

Cole Slaw
Serves: a ton

16 oz. package of cole slaw (I found them by the ready to eat salads)
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 packages chicken Ramen
1 cup sliced, toasted almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds

Combine oil, vinegar, sugar, and seasoning packets from the Ramen noodles. Crush Ramen noodles. Toss all the ingredients.

I find that this taste better when made a day before you plan on eating it.
Chickpea Patties
Makes about 8-10 patties

1 19 oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 clove of garlic
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons of flour
2 tablespoons olive oil

In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas, garlic, salt and pepper until coarsely chopped.

Form into patties, using a tablespoon. Coat the patties in flour, shaking off the excess.

Heat the oil and cook the patties until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes a side.

Yum.

Total cost: less than $20, granted that you have olive oil, flour and garlic in stock

NYT: Eating Food That's Better for You, Organic or Not

Eating cheaply doesn't necessarily mean eating unhealthily. I came across a great article in the New York Times that emphasizes that eating organically is not synonymous with eating healthy. Click here for the article.

Just a thought!

Pasta with Mozzarella, Peppers, and Arugula

I'm on a pasta kick (read: feeling a little poor). But, with spring coming up, it's a good time to explore some lighter pastas with seasonal vegetables. This particular recipe uses a couple of my favorite vegetables, red peppers and arugula.

Pasta with Mozzarella, Peppers, and Arugula
Serves 4-6

1 box short pasta (ziti, penne etc)
8 oz. mozzarella cut into bite sized pieces
2 bunches of arugula, washed (you can also just buy an arugula salad)
1-2 red peppers
1/4 cup olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Cook the pasta. While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large pan. Cook the peppers until tender. Add the arugula and cook until wilted. Add the pasta, cheese, salt & pepper. Ta da! Dinner.

All told, the meal costs between $12-$15, depending on how much you spend on the cheese.