Five Dollar Family Feed: Pizza Boats

Hello Friends!

This has been a favorite among my kiddos each time I've made them.  I tend to make them on Friday night as they are easy, cheap and sets the stage for a relaxing weekend (again they are so easy to make).

You've probably made a version of this before but did you really think about how inexpensive this meal is?  Not only that, but our family of 4 made this into two meals.  We had them for dinner on a Friday night, then had leftovers for lunch on Sunday after church.  Just pop them back into the oven or toaster oven for 5-10 minutes at 400 degrees and you're set!!!

Peddi Girl's Pizza Boats

French Bread (sliced in half lengthwise)

Pizza Sauce

Pepperoni

Tomato (sliced very thin - optional)

Black Olives

Onion

Mozzarella Cheese

Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling

•  Preheat oven to 425 degrees, rack on middle row
• Lay french bread slices onto 9x13 pan.  Spread tomato sauce onto each slice.  Top with mozzarella cheese
• Top with pepperoni, tomato, black olives and onion (or your favorite pizza toppings).
• Drizzle evoo on each slice
•  Bake for about 10 min, until cheese is melted and golden.

That's it, enjoy!!!


I will give you an update on this particular recipe.  I felt as though my french bread was a lot of bread, if you know what I mean.  I'm going to experiment with different breads to get the right one for me.  The other option would be to slice the bread, then scoop out some of the breading from the loaf.  Not a lot, but just enough to make it less thick.  This of course is a personal preference as the Mr. and kiddos loved them just the way they are.

Also, here's a frugal tip.  I like to make my own marinara sauce and freeze it in individual portions.  However, we all have crazy nights, no marinara in the freezer or just want it to be extra easy.  So for those evenings, I open a can of pizza sauce, use what I need and then freeze the extra.  I usually get 3 pizzas out of one can.  So put them in separate baggies, mark them and you're ready for the next time you make pizza boats.  They only take about 15 minutes to defrost or just put them in a bowl of warm water for quick thawing.


Hugs,
        Trish

Peddi Girl's Spicy Tex Mex Skillet

Hello Friends!

As you know, I'm a girl who loves to save my family money.  I love to get the look for less.  In addition to that, I also love to find delicious frugal recipes to feed the family.  This is a segment I'm working on that I like to call  Five Dollar Family Feed.  I've made this yummy concoction a few times and this last time the hubs said, "I love this meal, it's so filling".  Now you may not know this but my hubby has been blessed with the thin and fit fairy.  With this point made, you should know that when he eats, he totally fills his dinner plate.  So, to hear him say how much he likes this meal and that it fills him up....all for around $5.00 makes it a hit!

This is a modified version of the Campbell's Soup recipe I found on the back of the can.  It's very good as is, but I prefer a little extra heat to it.

Peddi Girl's

Spicy Tex Mex Skillet

1 lb. ground beef or deer burger 

1 Can kidney beans (I prefer black beans) rinsed and drained

1 Can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes drained

1T Chili Powder

1/4 - 1/2 Cup chopped onion

1/8 - 1/4 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 Can Beefy Mushroom Soup

1/4 Cup Water

3/4 Cup Instant White Rice

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 Cup Shredded Cheese

Tortilla Chips

• Cook the beef, onion and chili powder in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
  
  
• Stir the soup, water, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and beans in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.  Cook longer if you like it spicier.  The longer you simmer red pepper flakes in this, the hotter it gets. Remove the skillet from the heat.
  
  
• Stir in the rice. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes or until the rice is tender.  Sprinkle with the cheese. Serve with the tortilla chips for dipping.
  
  Feeds a family of 4 for around five dollars, enjoy!
  
  
  
  Hugs,
           Trish