Pickles, Please.
Simple refrigerator pickles. We were in the middle of making a monster meal, you know the kind where every utensil, pot and ingredient is spread across the countertop and piled in the sink. The recipe called for a little of this and a little of that leaving plastic bags of veggies with bits and...
Homemade Granola
Homemade Granola Make your own granola. It’s easy. It’s cost effective and way tastier than anything you’ll buy in the store. Go to the bulk section in your grocer for the ingredients. Ingredients -3 cups of rolled oats -1/2 cup walnuts -1 cup whole cashews -1/2 cup shredded coconut -1/4 cup dark brown sugar...
“More Ideas than Bergdorf’s has Snobs”
Yesterday*, The Star-Ledger of New Jersey, wrote a glowing review of Bitches on a Budget. Obviously, whenever anyone says something nice about our message we feel happy, but when someone who is a terrific writer says something nice about our writing, we positively shine. Some snippets of what they had to say in yesterday’s paper: “With a...
Strawberries and Spaghetti
More strawberry ideas. One of our all time favorite restaurants in NYC was Sfoglia*, a charming Italian restaurant on the Upper East Side across from the 92nd Street Y . While everything was fantastic we lusted after two things on their menu– chicken under a brick (more on this another day) and spaghetti sauce made...
Chicken Soup for the Flu
Feeling flu’ish? Taking care of someone sick with the flu? Just looking for a great, simple chicken soup recipe you can throw together in minutes and freeze for later? Here it is. Simple and delicious. Chicken Soup for the Flu 1 chicken 1 onion 2″ knob of ginger 3-4 stalks of parsley 1 fennel bulb...
Grind It Yourself
Grind your own meats. It’s cheap. It’s better for you. It’s better tasting. When you buy your own cuts, you get to select the best quality pieces and have control over the freshness of the product. While we’re not big meat eaters, on occasion we make homemade meatballs, turkeyballs (that just sounds wrong, doesn’t it?),...
Orgasmic Little Bites for Holiday Giving: Canelé de Bordeaux
We spent the day baking canele de Bordeaux for holiday gift giving. If you haven’t had one of these orgasmically delicious little gems you haven’t lived. They’re the perfect confection: crispy and caramelized outside, soft and custardy inside. For years, we braved long lines at our favorite bakery to buy them. But, our little addiction...
Roots on a Budget
Living well has nothing to do with how much money you have, it’s about discovering what roots you and gives pleasure. Things like: spending time with family and friends; reading a book; going for a swim; playing a game;eating well. While we kid around about most things, (we did write Bitches on a Budget, after all),...
Cheese on a Budget
If you’re a cheese lover you know how easy it is to end up with the ends of once great cheese. While you’re all too happy to open the fridge, peel back the wrap and nibble away, these pieces are not presentable on the table at cocktail hour. Be thrifty and repurpose them. Save the...
Summer Potions: Muddled Basil Martini
You know us, we’re wine drinking gals, but when we drink the hard stuff–vodka, bourbon, scotch– we usually prefer it straight up. These are adult drinks and each maker works hard to give their spirit a distinct taste. (Read more in the tutorial on whisky/whiskey in our book.) On occasion, however, as the summer sizzles...
Buttermilk Sorbet
Buttermilk rocks! Try this simple and yummy low-fat alternative to ice cream. Lemon Verbena Infused Buttermilk Sorbet* 2 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk 1 1/4 cups sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup 5 fresh leaves of lemon verbena (if you can’t find any–don’t fret you can sub in any other herb you favor or take a pass...
White Beans for Meatless Monday
Are you serious about eating smart? Are you watching your wallet? Are you crazy for great food? One of our favorite bean dishes covers all the bases. It is super healthy, easy on the budget and yummy. While we’d like to say we’re organized enough to buy dried beans and cook them up — well,...
