As year-end recipe lists go, my Top 9 Recipes of 2024 is one you can really sink your incisors into. And all of my top picks are deliciously cheap to make. Just click on any recipe name to see the original 2024 blog post for tasty photos and my money-saving tips, and be sure to play any embedded videos below. The ranking order is random and not by delectability, so go ahead and dig in!
1. Black-eyed Peas with Collard Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, and Okra.
My recipe is loaded - with veggies, that is. I used dried Black-eyed Peas, but you can use fresh. This is food for the soul.
2. Bagel, Cream Cheese, Onion & Tomato
I've learned there are many types of Bagels since I met my wife, Linda, as I've accompanied her many times to New York City, where there are Jewish Delis and Bagel shops in every neighborhood. Use any type for my simply delicious Bagel, Cream Cheese, Onion & Tomato recipe.
3. Pizza with Anchovies & Capers
Nothing is fresh in this recipe. And I add Anchovies to a frozen Pizza, so this recipe may not be for everybody. If you can follow frozen Pizza directions, then my Pizza with Anchovies & Capers may be for you!
4.Chilaquiles & Eggs - Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Cheese, and Eggs
I like Tortilla Chips with Salsa. Now add this to your breakfast: Fried Eggs with cheese, and you have a spicy start to your day. I use a small can of green Salsa Verde, but you can use any favorite Salsa, fresh or from the jar, for my Chilaquiles & Eggs recipe.
It is a quick and easy recipe to make. All you do is set out a block or container of Cream Cheese on the kitchen counter to soften while you boil an Egg. Mix the chopped boiled egg into the Cream Cheese and spread it on a hot, toasted Bagel. I make this Bagel Spread more than any other.
6. Turkey Salad
I always have leftover Turkey after Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals. I like to add chopped celery, onion, pickle relish, with mayo and mustard to my Turkey Salad. How about you?
7. Grilled Hatch Chile Sausages
When I see packages of Sausages on sale at my local grocery store, I'll give them a try, especially during the summer grilling season. Charred Grilled Hatch Chile Sausages only need a smear of mustard.
8. Whole Roasted Chicken from Ralphs Grocers
If you have a grocer who sets out packages of Whole Roasted Chicken, then I have a slew of recipes for it. The hard part of cooking a Whole Chicken is taken care of. Check out my Panda Express ripoff recipe of Black Pepper Chicken below, and go right to the stir-frying part.
9. Grilled Eggplant
I like grilled veggies, and Eggplant is the latest tasty subject. I slice a whole Eggplant thickly as a steak and grill it until fork-tender. Grilled Eggplant is my latest favorite recipe.
It has been a fruitfully abundant year of recipes here at the Cheap$kate Chateau. I did the heavy lifting for you, so now all you have to do is pick a recipe link and save yourself some hard-earned cash by trying out any of the above. And if you have a favorite recipe of mine, then leave a comment to share.
And make sure to keep checking in here from time to time. I create yummy-looking blog posts with a dollop of humor, and while my tastes are cheap, my recipe flavors are top-shelf !!
Starting the New Year withBlack-Eyed Peas and Greens is a Southern tradition signifying good luck and prosperity. I'm not superstitious, but what the heck, might as well just in case?
Peas represent coins, and Collards are the green color of money. And you are visiting the right place; this Internet Chef likes cooking for cheap, so you will save mucho dinero following my recipes.
Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens have a lot of flavor the way I make them, so read on and see how much bang for the buck I deliver...free of charge!
I can honestly say I did not care for Black-Eyed Peas as a kid, as they were usually heated up right out of the can, but over time, I have grown to savor them, especially when they are homemade.
My Black-Eyed Peas video recipe below includes the addition of a leftover ham bone or ham hock. Ham is still cheaper than a buck a pound, but make sure to get it bone-in so you can add it to the Black-Eyed Peas. Smoked Ham Hock is more expensive, but you are buying all pork.
The main vegetable additions are onion, garlic, and celery. If you are vegan, it's easy enough to leave out the ham and add extra veggies like carrots and bell pepper. And for that smoky ham flavor, add a few drops of Liquid Smoke.
And for the New Year's Day Celebration, my Black-Eyed Peas just need some rice to make the Southern traditional Hoppin' John. You can cook rice (about 20 minutes of simmering, covered) with the finished Black-Eyed Peas or steam the rice separately and add the Black-Eyed Peas when you are ready to celebrate.
As for Collard Greens, I never had them until I started High School in Louisiana. We'd get them sometimes in the cafeteria for lunch, and if you went to a local country-style restaurant or BBQ joint, they were on the menu somewhere, and they were always loaded with bacon or ham, of course.
My late wife Amy found a recipe she would make all the time, and I fell in love with it, too. What makes the recipe over the top is the addition of a bottle of beer, a tablespoon of molasses, and a small splash of vinegar. Bacon is included, too, but you can substitute it with a few drops of liquid smoke and make this a vegan entree.
I get Greens here for about a dollar per bunch -- that's still a good and cheap deal. So check out my recipe video below and click here to see my original blog post and all the yummy details.
Simplest to serve Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens with white rice and a hotlink, or Mom's Jambalaya!
How about combining Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens? I came up with this tasty combo, and it works! This is a recipe for all my vegan visitors. I even throw in some okra for extra Southern Cuisine flavor. Check out my recipe video below for all the delicious details.
It's the busiestand most overwhelming cooking day of the year -- well, don't fret, The 99 Cent Chef wants to take the stress out and make it a bit easier for you.
I got it all here: my holiday recipes, along with a cupboard full of money-saving tips for you during this Christmas Season. So read on and take a few tips from the grinchiest tightwad around.
Below is everything you need to serve a sumptuous and cost-saving dinner table feast. And make sure you bookmark this page because Christmas is right around the corner -- yikes!
First up, if you live in Los Angeles, the Cheap$kate Chef would recommend getting fruits and veggies at any Superior Grocers -- just click here to see the great deals to be had, it's incredible. They cater to a Latin clientele, but everyone is welcome.
In the recent past, Superior Grocers has sold a whole celery stalk for 79 cents, fresh corn 3 for $1, and Russet potatoes at 2 pounds for 99 cents - oh boy!
My late in-laws always served Roast Duck for Christmas. They slathered it with the packaged Orange Sauceas the duck roasted. For my Roast Duck recipe, I left out the Orange Sauce, but you can add it.
If a Baked Ham is your dining table centerpiece, be sure to save the ham bone. It will flavor the broth of my recipe for Split Pea Soup.
And, right around the corner is New Year's Day, so any leftover ham is added to my Hoppin' John's Blackeyed Peas recipe, here.
My simmering pot of good luck will warm you on the first day of the New Year.
I'm sure there are Turkey deals to be had wherever you are during the holiday, so this week, check out those grocery flyers in the mail before you give them the heave-ho.
This holiday, my local Ralphs Supermarket is offering Young Turkeys for 79 cents per pound with their Rewards Card! And, you don't need a $25 minimum purchase this time.
The main event is the centerpiece, a fat turkey overloaded with stuffing. Now, wouldn't it be great if you could get away with just setting out a stack of heated Banquet Turkey Dinners? That really is the cheapest way to go.
Well, I know that won't fly, but one year in my bachelor days, I had one. My wacky review of this frozen fiasco poultry dinner is a click away here.
But seriously, I posted my version of a Turkey with Stuffing recipe, and click here to read all about it. My blog post also features my Mother-in-law's decadent Sausage Stuffing. I shot a video below for you, and it's done in my movie technique of stop-motion animation to boot.
Gravy with Mashed Potatoesis a favorite part of the holiday meal. Hey, I'll end up dragging everything on the plate through theGravy. Check out the most pungent holiday recipe you'll ever taste, my Giblet Gravyrecipe video, below.
You may find a whole turkey too much to handle, or your guest list is just yourself and maybe one or two other guests. In that case, it is easy to bake a whole Turkey Breast.
The last time I cooked a Turkey Breast,it took about 2 hours at 350 degrees to roast. I simply seasoned it with salt and pepper, leaving it uncovered. You can also add some herbs, or do it with your own family recipe way.
Check with a thermometer for a reading of 165 degrees. I usually just slice into a thick part of the Turkey Breast and make sure there are no pink juices. And, when done, remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes so juices settle back in the meat.
The same goes for Turkey Legs. They may cook a little quicker, though, so start checking for doneness after an hour and a half. For a change of pace, I made a tasty recipe calledMexican Cola Turkey Carnitas. I just covered and braised a couple of Turkey Legs for about 2 to 3 hours in Mexican Cola with herbs. I shredded the cooked Turkey Legs, but you can serve them whole for a centerpiece presentation. Check out my sweet recipe in the video below.
To add some South of the Border Christmas tradition, serve a steaming bowl of pork, chile, and hominy stew called Pozole. Along with tamales, Pozole is a Mexican culinary holiday tradition.
Setting out a platter of plump Tamales is an edible holiday package of deliciousness. And while I don't have a cheap$kate recipe yet, I can point you to a local L.A. fave purveyor called Tamales Alberto. If you are in the 'hood do get a dozen.
My recipes are stuffed with cooking tips and cheap shopping sources like my local 99c only Store and Dollar Tree. They have stepped up their holiday food deals as well. Dollar Tree items now start at $1.25. Each carries boxes of stuffing and Hormel Bacon & Pork Sausage Links on the cheap. Right now, they are selling everything but the bird!
Click on any photo to see larger.
Come take awalk on the wild sides with The 99 Cent Rebel With a Cause Chef. And you can be sure the following links will go over big with your hungry family and visiting neighbors.
You've never seen stuffing made like this: Stuffing Cupcakes with Cranberry Topping & Gravy. To get the step-by-step directions for this most deliciously unique savory and sweet stuffing recipe, click here. It's easy and quick to make; all you need (to borrow) is a cupcake pan. Stuffing Cupcakes are portable for an office party or a potluck dinner. If you are like me, stuffing, next to roasted turkey, is the main event for my ravenous taste buds.
Stuffing Cupcakes
Make your own Homemade Cranberry Sauce by simmering two cups of fresh cranberries in a simple sweet syrup. My original recipe uses fresh strawberries, but you can use almost any fresh fruit, including cranberries.
Everyone knows how to make Mashed Potatoes, right? Well, if you are a newbie to pulverizing tubers, I've got your back! And you gotta have gravy to go with Mashed Potatoes. My Turkey with Dressing link has a Homemade Gravy recipe, too.
Mashed Potatoes
Boring Creamed Spinach is a typical Christmas side, but I have a Hindi twist. One of my favorite Indian restaurant side dishes is Saag Paneer, which is just like creamed spinach, but with cheese and the added spice punch of ground cumin. My version is made with easy-to-get (and lower-fat) cottage cheese instead of Indian Paneer (cheese) and Ghee (butter). Once you and your family try my cheesy and creamy Saag Paneer, you won't go back to Creamed Spinach. And the recipe is a click away, here.
If you are looking for traditional sides, I have the old-school French Fried Onions and Green Bean Casserole, which is right out of the 1960s-themed Mad Men TV series. Yeah, all you need is a can opener for the green beans and Campbell's Mushroom Soup. This is a classic recipe where Betty Crocker has it right -- creamy, crunchy, and so satisfying. Click here to see the Cheap$kate Chef's version.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are edible Christmas ornaments that you can add to the oven during the last 30 minutes of roasting your turkey. Just drizzle them with oil and dust them with salt and pepper. It couldn't be simpler to do, and here is my stop-motion animated video to prove it.
And if that isn't enough -- it's dessert time! After you push yourself away from the table and waddle to the couch to catch a holiday game on the TV, be sure to grab a handful of my wife's Cranberry Orange and Coconut Cookies (click on the name for the recipe).
But you can't do better than desserts made by Mom. They know what makes a family happy, and mine has been generous enough to show me how she does it. Here are a couple of videos I made of her homemade Pumpkin and Mini Pecan Pies.
Now is the time to hit up your local grocery for cans of pumpkin or, if you are cheap like me, less expensive cans of sweet potato. You can use either, as the taste is identically delicious (that is, when canned yams are in a sweet syrup.)
Read the recipe details of my Mom's luscious Pumpkin Pieby clicking here. And watch the video below to see how she does it.
Every Christmas holiday, I eagerly await a package from Mom of her famous Mini Pecan Pies. A dozen of them travel well inside a shoebox from Louisiana to Los Angeles. These small pies are the tastiest present one can receive, and I got her recipe for you -- all you have to do is click here.
This is a great Christmas party dessert, but make sure to give your host a few, as they will disappear way too fast. If you don't believe me, just check out the video I made of Mom setting out a plateful -- and watch my relatives devour them in no time flat! (By the way, I think you will be impressed with how the Chintzy Chef gets around paying typically exorbitant pecan prices.)
I hope you all have a great holiday. Keep checking back here for more budget recipes and loads of new food videos. And I'll leave you with my Homemade Eggnog recipe and wacky tree-trimming video.
It's the busiest and most overwhelming cooking day -- well, don't fret, The 99 Cent Chef wants to take the stress out and make it a bit easier for you. It's all here, my holiday recipes, along with a cupboard full of money-saving tips for you during this Thanksgiving season.
Read on and click on any highlighted recipe name to gobble up my original blog post for the recipe, illustrated with yummy photos, fun videos, and tasty text.
Below is everything you need to serve a sumptuous and cost-saving dinner table feast. And make sure you bookmark this page because Christmas is right around the corner -- yikes!
First up, get all your goodies this week when every local market and chain grocery stores have the deepest cuts in produce prices. If you live in Los Angeles, the Grinchiest Chef would recommend getting fruits and veggies at any Superior Grocers -- just click here to see the great deals to be had, it's incredible.
They cater to a Latin clientele, but everyone is welcome. If you have an ethnic market nearby, do give them a visit -- you'll be surprised what you may find on sale.
In the recent past, Superior Grocers has sold russet, yams, and sweet potatoes at 1 pound for 79 cents, and yellow onions at 2 pounds for 99 cents - oh boy!
Turkey is on sale this week at chain grocery stores and local markets, so make sure to read the fine print. Usually, a $25 purchase is necessary to get a cheap big bird. Walmart is straight up with their prices on the bird - no minimum purchase necessary. Below are Walmart prices per pound for a whole frozen turkey that I saw in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee.
Click on any photo to see larger.
When I visit Louisiana, Rouses Grocery Store is my favorite for local produce deals. Their Thanksgiving turkey sale includes a free turkey with the purchase of a whole ham (I just checked the online Weekly Ads).
I'm sure there are turkey deals to be had wherever you are during the holiday, so this week, check out those grocery flyers in the mail before you give them the heave-ho.
The main event is the centerpiece, a fat turkey overloaded with stuffing. Now, wouldn't it be great if you could get away with just setting out a stack of heated Banquet Turkey Dinners? That really is the cheapest way to go.
Well, I know that won't fly, but one year in my bachelor days, I had one. My wacky review of this frozen fiasco poultry dinner is a click away here.
But seriously, I posted my version of a Turkey with Stuffing recipe, and click here to read all about it. My blog post also features my late Mother-in-law's decadent Sausage Stuffing. I shot a video below for you, and it's done in my movie technique of stop-motion animation to boot.
Gravy with Mashed Potatoesis a favorite part of the holiday meal. Hey, I'll end up dragging everything on the plate through theGravy. Check out the most pungent holiday recipe you'll ever taste, my Giblet Gravyrecipe video, below.
Often, you will find a whole turkey too much to handle, or your guest list is just yourself and maybe one or two other guests. In that case, it is easy and often cheaper to bake a whole Turkey Breast.
The last time I cooked a Turkey Breast, it took about 2 hours at 350 degrees to roast. I simply seasoned it with salt and pepper, leaving it uncovered. You can also add some herbs, or do it with your own family recipe way.
Check with a thermometer for a reading of about 155 degrees. I usually just slice into a thick part of the Turkey Breastand make sure there are no pink juices. When done, remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes so juices settle back in the meat. Click here to see my recipe video, photos, and tasty text.
The same goes for Turkey Legs. They may cook a little quicker, though, so start checking for doneness after an hour and a half. For a change of pace, I have a tasty recipe calledMexican Cola Turkey Carnitas. I just cover and braise a couple of Turkey Legs for about 2 to 3 hours in Mexican Cola with herbs. I shredded the Turkey Legs for tacos, but you can serve them fall-off-the-bone whole for a proper Holiday presentation. Check out the sweet recipe video below.
My recipes are stuffed with cooking tips, and cheap shopping sources like my local Latin Grocer and neighborhood Dollar Tree have stepped up their holiday food deals as well.
Click on any photo to see larger.
Come take awalk on the wild sides with The 99 Cent Rebel With a Cause Chef. And you can be sure the following links will go over big with your hungry family and visiting neighbors. You've never seen stuffing made like this: Stuffing Cupcakes with Cranberry Topping & Gravy.
To get the step-by-step directions for this most deliciously unique savory and sweet stuffing recipe, click here. It's easy and quick to make; all you need (to borrow) is a cupcake pan. Stuffing Cupcakes are portable for an office party or a potluck dinner. If you are like me, stuffing, next to the roasted turkey, is the main event for my ravenous taste buds.
Stuffing Cupcakes
Make your own Homemade Cranberry Sauce by simmering two cups of fresh cranberries in a simple sweet syrup. My original recipe uses fresh strawberries, but you can use almost any fresh fruit, including cranberries.
Everyone knows how to make Mashed Potatoes, right? Well, if you are a newbie to pulverizing tubers, I've got your back! And you gotta have gravy to go with Mashed Potatoes. My Turkey with Dressing link has a Homemade Gravy recipe, too.
Mashed Potatoes
Boring Creamed Spinach is a typical Thanksgiving side, but I have a Hindi twist. One of my favorite Indian restaurant side dishes is Saag Paneer, which is just like creamed spinach, but with cheese and the added spice punch of ground cumin. My version is made with easy-to-get (and lower-fat) cottage cheese instead of Indian Paneer (cheese) and Ghee (butter). Once you and your family try my cheesy and creamy Saag Paneer, you won't go back to Creamed Spinach. And the recipe is a click away, here.
If you are looking for traditional sides, I have the old-school French Fried Onions and Green Bean Casserole, which is right out of the 1960s-themed Mad Men TV series. Yeah, all you need is a can opener for the green beans and Campbell's Mushroom Soup. This is a classic recipe where Betty Crocker has it right -- creamy, crunchy, and so satisfying. Click here to see the Cheap$kate Chef's version.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are edible Christmas ornaments that you can add to the oven during the last 30 minutes of roasting your turkey. Just drizzle them with oil and dust with salt and pepper. It couldn't be simpler to do, and here is my stop-motion animated video to prove it.
And if that isn't enough -- it's dessert time! After you push yourself away from the table and waddle to the couch to catch a holiday game on the TV, be sure to grab a handful of my late wife's Cranberry Orange and Coconut Cookies (click on the name for the recipe).
But you can't do better than desserts made by Mom. They know what makes a family happy, and mine has been generous enough to show me how she does it. Here are a couple of videos I made of her homemade Pumpkin and Mini Pecan Pies.
Now is the time to hit up your local grocery for cans of pumpkin or, if you are cheap like me, less expensive cans of sweet potato. You can use either, as the taste is almost identically delicious (that is, when canned yams are in a sweet syrup).
Read the recipe details of my Mom's luscious Pumpkin Pieby clicking here. And watch the video below to see how she does it.
Every Thanksgiving holiday, I used to eagerly await a package from Mom of her famous Mini Pecan Pies. A dozen of them travel well inside a shoebox from Louisiana to Los Angeles. These small pies are the tastiest present one can receive, and I got her recipe for you -- all you have to do is click here.
This is a great Thanksgiving party dessert, but make sure to give your host a few, as they will disappear way too fast. If you don't believe me, just check out the video I made of Mom setting out a plateful -- and watch my relatives devour them in no time flat! (By the way, I think you will be impressed with how the Chintzy Chef gets around paying typically exorbitant pecan prices).
I hope you all have a great holiday. Keep checking back here for more budget recipes and loads of new food videos.
