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Making Dinner for Ten Dollars is Easier Than You Think

April 18, 2011 By admin 8 comments

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Making dinner for ten dollars and feeding a family of four with it really is possible! I have shopping tips and a delicious fish recipe to share that will show you just how easy it is.

Most people probably never take the time to break down the cost of each meal they prepare.  I do it often.  I just like to know…maybe justify to my husband a little when he sees the grocery receipts.

I was recently challenged to use the Kroger ad and only buy what was on sale to spend no more than $10.00 on a dinner for my family of 4.  I really thought this would be a piece of cake, but when you break it all down it seemed a little more daunting.

So, Kroger ad in hand, my youngest son and I set off on our quest.  I never realized what a good lesson in budgeting your money this could be.  My son was such a good helper and he scanned the shelves for the cheapest items as well as kept the running total so I was sure not to go over.
Here is what making dinner for ten dollars bought us, and the breakdown in cost:

The groceries here were purchased and used to make dinner for ten dollars and feed a family of four. Making dinner for ten dollars IS possible!

1 lime= $.75
2 small mangoes= $2.00 (I know, it’s a splurge)
1 bag of long grain brown rice= $1.00
1 can of black beans= $.60
1 can of pineapple tidbits = $1.09
2.23 lb bag of fresh frozen Tilapia = $4.44

frozen tilapia filets

 Total bill = $9.88
Total per serving (2 adults, 2 kids) = $2.47
Not too bad, really.  I had hoped to get a red pepper but I just really refuse to spend over $2.00 for one this time of year and that’s what they were going for.

See? Making dinner for ten dollars really isn’t that difficult!

The recipe that we made for dinner is Fruit Tilapia with Black Beans and Brown Rice.

Making dinner for ten dollars to feed a family of four is easier than you think! We made this fruity tilapia with black beans and brown rice. Get the recipe on Basilmomma.com

 

Step by step instructions are shown below. Click this link for the printable recipe –> fruity tilapia with black beans and brown rice.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of pineapple tidbits, juice and all
1 lime juice and zest
Tilapia, a little over 2 lbs, frozen
2 small mangoes, peeled and diced
2 tsp cumin
salt/pepper to taste
a drizzle of olive oil
*cooked brown rice*

Use 4 cups of water and 2 cups of rice on a low boil for 45 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.

While that is cooking, heat a large skillet on a medium heat.  Add a drizzle of olive oil and add the Tilapia. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper and the cumin.

tilapia filets use when making dinner for ten dollars to serve a family of four

In a bowl, add the remaining ingredients.  You could also add all of these things to the skillet when the fish is cooked, but I like to let it sit for a minute and come together a little bit.

mango, pineapple and black bean salsa. Served over Tilapia with a side of brown rice. Get the recipe on basilmomma.com
This fruity salsa is actually really good by itself ????

When the fish is done cooking, reduce heat and add the contents of the bowl.

Fruity black bean salsa with Tilapia

Let heat through and reduce just a little.
Serve immediately over a bed of brown rice.

This was a very simple dish to put together.  Other than the time of the rice cooking it would have only taken about 20 minutes.  You could use a quicker cooking brown rice but this was what was on sale and I couldn’t pass up $1.00 rice!
This post can also be found at:

Amee’s Savory Dish

 

Making dinner for ten dollars to feed a family of four is easier than you think! We made this fruity tilapia with black beans and brown rice. Get the recipe on Basilmomma.com

Related posts:

Pork Loin Milanese with Arugula Salad
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Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: black beans, budget meal, fish, fish recipes, heart healthy, Main Dish, Mango, pineapple

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Comments

8 responses to “Making Dinner for Ten Dollars is Easier Than You Think”

  1. Karla says:
    May 6, 2011 at 1:20 pm
    Tech Ed 4 Kids dropping by for the Friday Blog Hop! http://teched4kids.com
    Log in to Reply
  2. Nina C. says:
    May 6, 2011 at 3:56 pm
    Found you from a friday blog hop, great tip. I have a family of four and sometimes a great dinner can get very, very expensive. I love tilapia and this is a great and inexpensive way to get it.
    Log in to Reply
  3. K says:
    May 6, 2011 at 4:39 pm
    PleasepleasePLEASE come link some recipes up to my recipe contest/linky! I need your talent! http://www.bigklittlea.com/2011/05/concours-dcuisine-may-edition.html ~K
    Log in to Reply
  4. Flora Loveday says:
    May 7, 2011 at 5:37 pm
    Hi! Found you on the Stalk Hop Friday - just following now and you can follow back at http://www.the-upper-hand.com/2011/05/stalk-hop-friday.html Cheers! Flora Loveday
    Log in to Reply
  5. Kat says:
    May 11, 2011 at 9:09 pm
    What a bright and beautiful day to join a blog hop! Just popping by to say hello and follow your blog! I'm Kat the author/editor of The Vivification of Mrs. Moment (MrsMoment.Com). VMM is a A blossoming community of storytellers weaving true tales about fleeting moments that touch our lives in incalculable ways. Plus, excerpts from my odd little life. Stop by, get involved, tell a story, and follow back. We love to welcome new writers into our community. Peace and illumination, Kat
    Log in to Reply
  6. Mary says:
    May 22, 2011 at 2:52 am
    That's a fascinating challenge - $10 for a meal. Good job meeting the goal! I "followed" you from Frugality is Free and would love a follow back. Mary @ Redo 101
    Log in to Reply
  7. Jeanie says:
    May 27, 2011 at 8:19 pm
    I found you on Amee's Savory. I love tilapia and all the fruits would be delicious with it.
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  8. [email protected] The Culinary Lens says:
    June 17, 2011 at 10:41 pm
    I work professionally in a kitchen ad am not always up for cooking when I get home. In NYC it is oh so easy to order take out but money savings are huge if you in vest the time. And your dish is healthy, tasty and saves money. What more could you ask for.
    Log in to Reply

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