PMM #4 & Watermelon Shark

Its good to be back home after a week of vacation with the family in Branson, MO. I'll put up several review on my other blog about some great places we were at.

On the other hand, I feel so out of the loop in the blogging world! I had posts up all week, so I bet hardly anyone noticed. If I haven't replied back on anything, I'll get to them today. Now back to a normal week!

WATERMELON SHARK

 

This was a fun treat for my kids while camping out. My son loves sharks and got the biggest kick out of this! I found this idea on the Sun Scholars Blog. There is detailed directions there as well as to how to make it. It was quite a bit of work, but wonderful to see everyone's reactions.

Personally, I think it looks more like a monster than a shark. Or maybe one of the dragons from "How to train your Dragon" movie. I'll make sure I get the angles and cuts more accurate next time! I also didn't get fancy with the fin and gills like others have. My kids were begging to eat it, so I "had" to hurry and finish. =) This would be perfect for a birthday party with a theme like pirates, underwater, ect..

Make sure you eat it before it eats you!

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Now for my Penny Meal Monday recipe....

SPAGHETTI NIGHT

Not only is this a penny-meal, its also a favorite among my kids. They beg for it every week! I cave in only once or twice....a month... =)

ground turkey: $1.79; sauce: $0.89 (sale); spaghetti noodles: $0.30 (case sale). TOTAL: $3.00
We usually serve it with a salad on the side, but when in a pinch, it gets left off. We love pigging out on just a plate full of spaghetti. This batch also makes a huge leftover dinner for us.
~Cook the meat until fulled browned, drain. Add sauce and mix until heated through. Cook noodles according to directions, drain. Mix the sauce and noodles together and serve. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.

SPAGHETTI LEFTOVER CASSEROLE
Leftover spaghetti: FREE, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese:$1.25; TOTAL: $1.25
~Grease casserole dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix together leftover spaghetti and cheese. Put into the casserole dish. Sprinkle a little cheese on top. Cook in oven at 375 degrees F for 30 to 45 minutes.

PMM #2: Grilled Catfish

There has been cases of thievery in the blog world. Start adding watermarks to your images (if you haven't already)! 733 Blog gives a very easy tutorial on how to if you don't know.
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[Got that image from HERE]

This is me and my husband 8 years ago. Thats my Hero.

Getting his commissioning (pinning him) after college.

My, have times changed us.

This was from our Ball last year

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Ok, so the linky site is supposed to be paid for after your trial is over. And I'm too cheap to pay for it. I know, maybe some other time I will. So I'm still going to have my "Penny-Meal Mondays" and if you have one you would like to share, link it up in a comment. Thanks for understanding my friends!

And, of course, this week's "Penny-Meal" isn't really things I have on hand. Its more planned, but very cheap.

GRILLED CATFISH

6 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 catfish fillets 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 lemon, sliced into rings

In a large Ziploc, combine lemon juice, butter and Worcestershire sauce. Add the fish; seal a refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Drain and discard marinade. Sprinkle fish with salt and lemon-pepper.

Spray the grill with cooking oil. Grill fish, covered, over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, or until fish flakes easily. [Cook with lemon slices on top of fish]


Serve with:

LEMON-PEPPER SQUASH & ZUCCHINI

1 large squash, cut into rings 
2 large zucchinis, cut into rings
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 to 2 teaspoons lemon-pepper seasoning

In a large bowl, toss squash and zucchini in butter and sprinkle lemon-pepper seasoning over top.

Grill, at the same time as fish, for 10 minutes or until soft, with lemon slices [from fish] mixed in.

Serve everything over white rice!


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COST: Catfish fillets: $4.75; squash & zucchini: $1.00 (summer sale!); Rice: "free"--whatever in pantry
TOTAL: $5.75 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.cookinformycaptain.blogspot.com" title="Cookin' for my Captain"><img src="http://x00.xanga.com/edcf956300333276855046/t220581120.jpg" alt="Cookin' for my Captain" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

PMM #1 {{{Hop & linky}}}

**These can be FUN MEALS or INDIVIDUAL dishes to add on the linky! And it doesn't have to be like $3 cheap--just a dish that is fairly inexpensive!**

So this is something I've decided to start on my blog. PENNY-MEAL MONDAY. Don't you even have that night when its the day before pay-day, and there is nothing to cook? I always have these meals on hand in case that happens. I always have the ingredients. And if I don't, I can scrape up money from the couch cushions and get. Hence the name: Penny Meals.

~~I'm looking for some co-hosts for this linky next week. If interested, please leave comment so I can get in touch with you!~~ 

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.cookinformycaptain.blogspot.com" title="Cookin' for my Captain"><img src="http://x00.xanga.com/edcf956300333276855046/t220581120.jpg" alt="Cookin' for my Captain" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Here is one of my favorites. I have many, so please check back next week for another one! Who knows when you might need it to save the day.
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Pasta Roni: (10/$10 sale) = $1.00
Can veggie: $0.75 [corn is just what I had tonight, but any family fav veg will work!]
Polish Kielbasa Sausage: (huge value pack was $6, split into normal portions) = $1.50
TOTAL: $3.25 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children)

 
How do I make this? 
Pasta: according to directions (5 minutes)
Sausage: Cut in sections, then in half. Spread BBQ sauce over it and cook on grill, or grill pan.
Veggie: Drain, dab with butter and garlic salt and pop into microwave for 2 minutes.
[variations: mac-n-cheese instead of pasta]

Some might think this is retarded, but it has saved me so many times. And my kids gobble this up like their life depends on it.
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So please share you penny-meal recipe with me and everyone else!

RULES:
1. Grab my button and put it on you blog (optional--but would be really nice)
2. Be a follow of me via GFC
3. Link up your penny-meals, as many as you would like!
4. Please no giveaways or other linkys
5. This linky opens up May 22nd, 6pm central times and close May 24th, midnight central time.
6. Jump around and leave comments on others linked up.
7. I'll choose my favorite and share them (with your blog) the following week.