A friend from facebook asked me if I have a room full of groceries as I seem to create dishes with 4-5 ingredients in a flash! Yeah right...I wish! Nothing really - -cereals, pop tarts, crackers, granola bars , soda, pasta, tuna, salsa and water - - these are basic items I have in the main pantry. Not a lot as you can see in the picture.
I initially wanted to enter the ALL YOU magazine competition ($25 / person/ week budget for a chance to win the $1000 prize) but fresh produce alone costs more than $150/week (yeah, we have one teen who snacks on a box of grapes in one sitting and another teen who has a sophisticated palette and knows what a good cheese is) - that's why we have a restaurant sized freezer in the garage where we stock up on fresh food (cheaper to buy in bulk).
5 things I maintain in my main pantry? Pasta, Crackers, Tuna, Cereals and Oatmeal
We love smoked salmon, ham, tuna and cheese for snacks and keeping a variety of crackers is essential for me. Since I opened the pantry - --try keeping Graham Cracker Crumbs handy - -you may never know when you want to indulge in a cheesecake like this. No bake -- and readily available!
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsp sugar
6 tbsp butter
1 package unflavored gelatin
1 package reduced fat cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla extract
blueberry topping (optional - you can make your own by mixing fresh blueberries, 2 tbsp of sugar, 2 tbsp of water, 2 tbsp honey and 1 tsp vanilla .Microwave for 2 minutes)ESTIMATE COST: $2- $3
STEP 1: Prepare crust by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter
STEP 2: Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Let cool until
thickened, but not set. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and vanilla
until smooth. Blend in gelatin.
STEP 3: Pour mixture on crust.
STEP 4: Sprinkle 1 tbsp graham crumbs on top (optional - I like it this way). Chill for one hour
STEP 5: Add topping
See BUDGET MEALS: My tried and tested $10 (even less) meal
