Thursday, August 26, 2010

semi-homemade

( Don't you love my fancy shmancy plate?!)

I know that a lot of people to save money, or for their health, or whatever reason, don't like to buy processed food. Instead they prefer to make everything or most everything from scratch.

I am not one of those people. No mean emails/comments please.

My dinner/saving money philosophy is getting the best deals. Whether it is a coupon matched with an ad, a clearance sale, buying a generic...whatever is the best deal.

If you look in my pantry, you will see plenty of Betty Crocker boxes, Pillsbury rolls/biscuits etc, and other helpers.

But there is no hard and fast rule that says you have to eat these items as is. You can jazz them up right?!

Tonight we had chicken (that had been marinated in Italian salad dressing), Betty Crocker's mashed potatoes (with bacon bits, cheese and sour cream added-yes a heart attack waiting to happen! But they were delish!) Pillsbury breadsticks brushed with melted butter and a sprinkling of garlic salt.

Do you have any convenience food items that you like to jazz up? I would love to hear them!

3 comments:

Susan said...

I love me some Betty Crocker instant garlic mashed potatoes. Yum. I don't jazz them up, I just eat them - sometimes right out of the pan. Actually, I sometimes use them to top shepherd's pie, which is really, really good.

Beth said...

I like using the instant potatoes for shephard's pie too!! And I don't care what anyone says....we love us some Hamburger Helper every once in awhile!!

Book Loving Mommy said...

I love to take the Pasta-Roni mixes (My fave in white cheddar) and add chicken, peas, carrots, etc. to them. It makes a great and easy lunch. And I also use instant potatoes for shepherds pie. I also use manwich (or other sloppy joe mix) for the sauce and just add ground beef, carrots and peas with the potatoes on top with cheese!

And no mean comments here! I'm with you 100 percent. It's all about convenience and great deals at my house :)

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