Challenge No. 1 Entries

Kendra came up with the idea to have a challenge amongst the drivers to show new cooks how easy cooking on the truck can be and how much money you could save. So here is the first challenge; we hope to do one every quarter so get your cooking appliances ready! :)


This first entry is by Holly McNeal Jessie; recipe and pics are hers :)

****Entry for cooking contest***
Meat loaf
Corn
Sweet potato mash
.........................
Meat loaf
*2..packs of 97/3 beef..1lbs each =$6.00 each @(walmart)
*1..large egg..(6 pack =$1.20..@ walmart)
*1 tsp..dry minced onion($1.oo @ dollar store)
*2 cubes..beef bullion ($1.00 @ walmart)
*Dash or so..garlic salt and celery salt ($1.00 @ dollar store)
*1 sleeve..crushed bacon flavored ritz crackers($2.50 @walmart)
*mix together till well blended
*pack into foil pan (3pans from walmart for .88 cents in baking section)
*in seperate bowl mix *
*2 table spoons of Worcestershire sauce($2.50 @ walmart)
*2 tbs of mustard.(free @ pilot)
*2 tbs of ketchup(free @ pilot)
*3tbs of brown sugar($1.00 @ dollar store)
*pour onto top of meat in pan,spread out nicely.
*place in burton lunch box cooker ($24.99 @ pilot)
*cook till firm and not bleeding(roughly 1.5 hrs or so)
................................................................
Corn...
I used fresh picked corn.(3 x .50= $1.50 @ walmart)
Removed corn from cobb
Add enough water to cover corn
Boil till tender..about an hour.. (used aroma rice cooker $30.00 @ walmart)
Drain and add butter($1.00 @ dollar store)
........................................................
Sweet Potato Mash
2 med sized potatoes(.88 cents a pound =$1.78 @walmart)
Peel and chop into small cubes
Add enough water to cover cubes
Boil till tender(also cooked in rice cooker)
Drain
mash
add butter
Add some brown sugar
Mix well
And enjoy...


Entry by Jessica Reece:

Entry for the contest from the White House (on wheels) Kitchen

Cheesy enchilada chicken bake (inspired byhttp://starvingkitten.com/2011/04/12/no-tortilla-cheesy-chicken-enchilada-bake/)

Ingredients I used:

1/2 package Bellafina mini sweet peppers ($2.50 at the Walmart I got them from, but can be up to $3.49 in some stores, so recipe cost $1.25)

1 can chopped green chiles ($0.88 from Walmart)

1 bag Tyson Southwest style grilled chicken breast strip ($6.98 from Walmart)

1 can enchilada sauce ($0.88 from Walmart)

1 Tbsp each minced garlic and onion (full bottle is $1 each from the dollar store)

1 cup of Fiesta cheese blend ($4.98 for a 4 cup bag. Price goes up if you get a smaller bag) - not pictured because it was added later

Dump all ingredients except the cheese in the crockpot. I started on high until the pot got hot (1/2 hour) and then turned it to low for my 4 1/2 hour nap (all I can sleep anymore in one shot). Put the cheese on top and waited for a stopping point.

This is a satisfying (S) meal on the Trim Healthy Mama (THM) diet. I will eat it with some steamed cauliflower cooked in the microwave (again not pictured but $1.96 at Walmart) to stay on plan. My hubby will eat his on a wrap ($2.16 at Walmart for 8). This recipe fed three of us with leftovers. Total recipe cost less than $15.00 if you don't eat the wraps (approx $3.90 per serving including the cauliflower, but no wrap or salad). It would be less if you had the minced garlic and onion on hand. We start every meal with a salad, so that is a little different from others. If you were doing this for a single serving, I would use the fajita style chicken strips in the deli, but then I'm not sure how to handle the partial cans of enchilada sauce and chiles (by the way if someone wanted to tell me what spices go in enchilada sauce I'd totally do it sometime and freeze portions for this type of recipe, so then it would be on plan). This could be done in a smaller batch in the lunchbox oven.

Entry by Graceann Harbach:

My entry for the contest. Stuffed peppers. 1 can rosaritas refried beans $1.00. 1package johnsonville brats(we use the hot) $4.58. 4red peppers $1.58 each. 1package seeds of change brown rice $2.48. Salsa(world market) $1.98. Shredded cheese of your choice(the smaller package) $2.88. Sour cream(optional) $0.98 for 2 serving size. Take 3 brats and remove the casings put into skillet with the rice mix and chop up the sausage while mixing it up with the rice. When done drain grease and add 1 can rosaritas refried beans, turn skillet off first. Season to taste. Cut the top off of the peppers and remove seeds then fill with bean,rice and meat mix. Place in crockpot and spoon in apron 2tbsp of salsa per pepper then put on cheese. Cook on low 6-8hrs. Can be served with a spoon of sour cream if desired.

This next entry is by Wendy Copper:

Heres an easy one pot meal that can be cooked in your slow cooker. (or the Burton stove if you cut the recipe in half)

2 Tablespoons mustard

2 Tablespoons Brown sugar

1 Tablespoon Apple cider vinegar

1pound sausage, sliced**recipe calls for Apple chicken sausage..BUT we have also used polish kielbasa and lil smokies** (cost $3.98 for the Apple chicken sausage)

1\2 onion, sliced (cost approx .50cents)

2 cups sauerkraut. (Cost approx $3.00 for 16 oz jar)

7 mini pierogis **we used regular size ones and used the whole box of 12** (cost for box of 12 was $2.58)

Total cost to feed TWO people was $10.06. So if you halved the recipe for one person approx $5..

Combine mustard and Brown sugar and Apple cider vinegar in bowl. Add sliced up sausage to bowl to coat sausage well with mixture. **I would NOT skip this part of the recipe, I feel those ingredients really make the dish** Set bowl aside.

In crockpot or burton oven place all of the sauerkraut in the bottom of the crock.

Next layer on top of the sauerkraut the 1\2 onion, sliced.

Next layer is the sausage, mustard, Brown sugar mixture. Place on top of onions.

Set slow cooker on low for 6/8 hours.

One hour before eating, place all the pierogis in a single layer on top of sausage and turn crock to high until they are steamed and heated thoroughly.

Before serving stir everything gently together and serve..

**Hubby wanted me to tell you to skip the chicken sausage and just use the kielbasa or lil smokies..they DID taste better than the chicken sausage(meal was still very good though)..but it's a personal preference* * 

Below are pics of the sausage and pierogis we used and how to layer ingredients in the crockpot.

Entry by Eric Markey:

Ok i decided to use my bacon black and bleu burger as my official entry.
List of ingredients
1/2 lb choice beef 4.19 lb on sale
2 strips bacon 4.78 lb
1 red onion. .98¢
Baby spinach 2.98 bag
Bleu cheese 4.19 container
Avacado .98¢
1 mushroom .40¢
1 chiabata roll .59¢
Thats approx $6.18 for ingredients ( remaining ingredients will be used in other meals )

Preperation:

Slice 1/2 tomato slice

Slice the onion 1/2 thick remove outter skin . Only use the outter layer

Slice mushroom and avacado for sauteing

Make burger the size you want and place in 350° skillet along with bacon add avacado n mushroom.

Cook burger to your likeing idea is to sear both sides ( hence black ) after its almost cooked thru on 2nd side place the raw red onion on burger and fill the onion with bleu cheese ( this keeps your cheese in place ) also adds alittle crunch to the meal . While thats melting remove mushroom and avacado and place the sliced chiabata in grill an toast. When tou toast bun top n bottom place on a plate put spinach on bottom of bun ( so juices dont make bun soggy ) then burger then begin to layer all other ingredient to your likeing. Hope you enjoy.

PS. I add nothing to the meat as i buy good beef to enjoy that flavor of course you can choose to add to it as you see fit . Thank you.

Next entry is by Tammie Evans Miller:

*****My contest entry*****

Corned beef and cabbage

Corned beef. 10.15

1/2 cabbage ( the other use for another night fried with bacon) 1.01

Carrots 2.53
Onion .33
Honey gold potatoes. 2.99
Pepper 4.88, garlic powder 5.69, 7 seasoning 5.00 Salt Grass Steak house( use your favorite seasoning)
Put meat at the bottom of your slow cooker and add seasoning. I use the package that comes with it and always pepper and garlic. Cover meat with water about an inch over. Layer with veggies with cabbage on top. Cook 7 hours on high. There is always left overs that I use to make corned beef hash in the morning or (my favorite) ruebens for lunch. Cost is around 20.00 but it's more than one meal.

Entry by Shannon E. Green:

My contest entry.

BBQ chicken with sweet potato, green beans & spinach. All cooked in the Burton oven.

Green beans (organic) - . 34lb @ 1.99 = .68 (. 34)
Sweet potatoes (organic) - 1.18lb @ 1.99 = 2.35 (1.41)
Spinach (organic) - 1.50 a bag (. 75)
Chicken breast(boneless skinless) - .73 lb @ 5.99 = 4.37 (2.18)
Haks habenero & pineapple bbq sauce - 5.99 (.50)
Salt, pepper & garlic (.10)

Total cost - 14.89
Meal cost (1 person) - 5.28

Wrap potato in foil & cook for about am hour & a half (until it's almost done), making sure to turn occasionally to prevent burning. Place chicken & bbq in cooker for about 30 minutes (depending on size of chicken) . Place spinach & green beans into sperate foil packs & cook until desired doneness. Remove all items from cooker, place on plate, enjoy.

Entry by Pam Johnston-Hill:

My contest entry... i have posted this b4... i call it Taco Spagetti
Ingredients
1 lb chub of taco flavored ground turkey... found in short freezer cases in front of the fresh meat $1.50
1 spagetti squash... around $4
Shred cheese to taste $2
Salsa to taste .50
Total about $8, makes 4 servings! $2per serving$

Directions

Carefully stab squash a few times to vent, microwave squash 10-15 til soft, carefully cut open, remove seeds and pull squash w fork to make "noodles".

While squash cooking brown taco meat.

Top squash w taco meat, cheese, salsa...

Easy peasy and cheap! Very yummy and calories cant be too bad.

Entry by Micah Reeme:

For the coleslaw: mix the cabbage and dressing, add some chopped almond pieces (cut small) and diced red onion. Mix well and set aside.

Salsa: Cut tomato, jalapeno pepper, onion in small pieces. Rough cut cilantro and mix well, add crushed pineapple to taste until you get it as sweet as you like.

Fish: Coat fillets with your favorite cajun seasoning. Get some butter hot in the skillet, place fish in hot butter and sear both sides until fish is white and flaky inside. Set aside.

Shells: Heat some oil in skillet until hot. Place corn tortillas in oil for 5- 10 seconds and flip it over for another 5 - 10 seconds, take it out and fold over to make a shell.

Assemble tacos as shown in pictures and enjoy!

Entry by Jesse Morris:

Here at the jm BBq joint. Here's what's for lunch today

Steak with black eyed peas and multi grain rice . got everything from wally world. Steak was 1 lb for 7.50 can of peas were. .80 cents rice was a 4 pack microwave ready for around 2 dollars. Steaks are in the toaster oven peas and rice in microwave. Seasoned steaks with Mccormick grill mates

Entry by Tracy Greene:

You will need:

Corn tortillas
Enchilada sauce
Cheddar cheese
Onions, optional
Canned chicken

I use my lunch box stove. First I roll up some aluminum foil into logs and put then in the stove before putting the aluminum pan in. It keeps the bottom from getting to browned. First pour in a little enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan. Rip the tortillas to fit in the pan covering the whole bottom. Pour a little more sauce over them. Break up the chicken and add to the top of the tortillas. Layer with shredded cheese. Put on a little more enchilada sauce. Repeat starting with tortillas. End with the tortilla shells. I like to then compress it. I usually use the bottom of the sauce can. I like to do it so the sauce squirts up over the tortillas. Pour on the remainder of the sauce over the top. Top with cheese. Close the lid and heat until all heated and cheese melts. 45-60 minutes. Let it cool for about 15 minutes then serve. Delish. I add jalopenos sometimes as we'll. You can change or substitute anything to your liking. This costs about $7 and for one person it's easily two meals.


Entry by William Courtney:

***contest entry***
Pizza potatoes
2-3 cans great value potatoes... $0.68 each
2/3 bottle pizza sauce...$1.50
1 tbsp margarine. ..box $0.94
1-2 tbsp milk approx...1/2 gallon $2.19
2 cups shredded mozzarella. .. $2.38
Toppings can be adjusted according to taste
1 can great value mushrooms pieces and stems... $1.25
1 green pepper... $0.72
2 slices of salami...pkg $2.00
5 slices deli pepperoni. .. $5.99/lbs
3 slices deli black forest ham...$5.99/lbs
1/3 pkg real bacon bits... $0.86
First boil the potatoes, drain, mash. Then add the butter and milk into a creamy consistency. Place the potatoes on the bottom of the crockpot and smooth off the top surface. Add the pizza sauce and spread out evenly. 
Cut up your toppings into small pieces. Optional...cook up your toppings in a skillet until warm. Add toppings on top of potatoes, and cover evenly with shredded mozzarella. Cook on high in slow cooker for approximately an hour, can cook longer if desired make sure cheese is melted. Makes 4-6 servings
This is a very versatile meal, quick easy and delicious. Customizable to your own taste. If you like it on pizza use it.

Entry by Tammy Adcock Welch:

This is my entry!!!!!
Homemade Crockpot Mac and cheese
Recipe:
8oz cooked elbow macaroni noodles $.50
2 large eggs - beaten $.30
20 ounce shredded cheddar cheese $3.79
1 1/2 cup milk $.60
1/2 stick butter melted $.13
2oz can evaporated milk$.57
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients (reserve 1/2 cup cheese )except elbows spray crockpot liner with Pam pour elbows in crock then pour all ingredients on top, stir well. Sprinkle with reserved cheese. Tie crockpot liner with breadtie. Cook on high 3 hours 15minutes. Put on plate and enjoy! Yield 6 servings.


Entry by Roy Abney:

**CONTEST ENTRY**
Blue Bird Cafe
Baked pork loin, roasted red potatoes and steamed asparagus

Hormel Pork loin.....$7.99
1# red potatoes.......$2.69
1/3# asparagus......$.85
1/2 medium yellow onion maybe $.50

Cooked in Ninja 3 in 1 cooking system

Season pork loin with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Sear in 2tbs of olive oil. Remove loin from ninja and place on roasting rack.
Set ninja to bake at 350°

Add 2 cups of beef broth. I use hot water with L.B. Jamison's beef flavored soup base.

Whole seating off pork do the following:
Quarter potatoes and add 1/2 medium yellow onion and 2Tbs of butter in a foil pouch. Salt and pepper to taste and roll up pouch.

Break off asparagus stems and put in sperate foil pouch with 1Tbs of butter. Salt and pepper to taste and roll up pouch.

Put potatoes in ninja for 10 minutes, then add pork loin and cook for 20-25 minutes until internal temp is 160°.
About 10 minutes into pork, add asparagus.

Let pork loin rest, slice and serve.

10 minute prep, 35 minute cooking time.

Entry by Carie Partin:

Little rose's red cafe
**CONTEST ENTRY**
stuffed cabbage rolls and banana nut cake.
Shopping list: (walmart)
Fresh cabbage-.67@lb (1lb)
Lean small round pkg hamburger meat - $4.98
3 small cans of low sodium V8 juice @$1.98
1Tbsp Italian seasoning @ .25
1c. Minute rice@ .50
1/4 tsp salt (free pilot)
1/4. Tsp pepper(free pilot)
Crock pot cooking bag @ .49
Betty crocker banana nut muffin mix@ $1.00
1/2 c. Water free
Lunch box aluminum pan @ .66
Aluminum foil @ .10
Total cost :$ 10.63
PREP TIME 10-20 MIN.
APPLIANCES USED:
4Qt. Crockpot
Road pro lunch box oven
DIRECTIONS FOR CABBAGE ROLLS:
Mix together in a bowl hamburger meat, italian seasoning , rice and salt. Blend well.
Take cabbage cut out bottom core gently peel leaves from cabbage head some tearing will happen its okey cut a line along core edge as you go you need approx. 8 Leaves.
Fill each leave with a small ball of hamburger mix. Fold up side then roll forming and envelope .
Line crockpot with cooking bag used two cans of v8 some pepper then fill with cabbage rolls pour last can of v8 over all sprinkle with pepper cover and leave for 4-5 hours on low. THERE IS AN ATERNATIVE TO THIS RECIPE : CUT UP CABBAGE, CRUMBLE GROUND BEEF, ADD SEASONINGS , ADD V8 COVER AND LEAVE 4-5 HOURS AT LAST 20 MIN ADD RICE. CALLED INSIDE OUT CABBAGE ROLLS. PREP TIME 10 MIN.
BANANA NUT MUFFIN CAKE:
in bowl mix muffin mix with 1/2 water pour in a foil lined lunch box pan sprayed with pam (optional). Bake 45-60 min. In lunch box when you start smelling aroma from cake insert knife to see if it comes out clean. Remove when done. All easy clean up.


Entry by Mary Odumcunliffe:

****Contest entry****

Pulled BBQ pork sandwich

1 bottle BBQ sauce (.99)
1 packet of McCormick slow cooker pull pork (.99)
1 tablespoon garlic powder (.50)
1 tablespoon chopped onion (.50)
1 pork roast ($4.69)
Hamburger buns ($1.18)
Total cost: $9.00

Directions:
Put pork roast in slow cooker add the Bbq, mccormick, garlic, chopped onion, and 2 bottle of water using the BBQ bottle. Cook on low for appx 8 hours. Pull roast out and shred meat and place back in pot. Cook another 3 hours. Serve on buns and enjoy.

* The Big Red Café*



Entry by Kelly Francine:

****My Entry For Contest****

SMOKED SAUSAGE AND CABBAGE W\CORNBREAD

Ingredients~

Smoked Sausage $2.50
Cabbage $0.98
Ham Goya $1.67 (a box and I add 2packs)
Martha White Cornbread Mix $1.29
Pepper Free (Wendys)
1egg for cornbread (free compliments of Denny's) 
Water 2 gallons for $1.00 only used 4cups
Aluminum loaf pans $0.98 for three only needed one
Total Cost:$7.42

Cooking Instructions:

Cut up Smoked Sausage and Cabbage put in Crockpot add Pepper, Ham Goya and Water stir and let simmer for an Hour or until your Cabbage is done.
( Some Crockpots don't get as Hot as mine does)

Cornbread Instructions:
Preheat Toaster Over 350°
Simply follow instructions on Cornbread package
Add egg and water basically and mix well put into Aluminum pan and cook until toothpick comes out clean about (35minutes)

Serve and Enjoy!