Top 9 Recipes of 2025 - Video Recipes

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.

5. Bagel Spread - Cream Cheese & Chopped Boiled Egg 

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 !!

Pizza with Anchovies & Capers - Video Recipe

Nothing is fresh or homemade in this recipe of Pizza with Anchovies & Capers, but that doesn't mean it's not one tasty bite.

I find cheap frozen individual Pizza at my local.Dollar Tree. Frozen Celeste Cheese Pizza is my canvas and canned Anchovies with Capers are my paint box. 

You can use any favorite Pizza including one's topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, bell pepper, onions, and olives - go for it.

My local Ralphs Grocers has a Monday special of large pizzas with premium ingredients for $6 each and they are loaded.

I like Anchovies on my Pizza, but many do not. The trick is not to add too many anchovies as they can overwhelm other ingredients.

For my individual Pizza, I added 2 whole Anchovies, and because the Capers were wrapped in Anchovies I added Capers, too.

The can of Anchovies were salty and slicked with olive oil, just the way I like them. They are messy to handle. 

Once opened, this type of canned cooked Anchovies can be stored covered in the refrigerator for weeks, so you can unroll the deliciousness over a few Pizza Nights. 

Celeste Pizza does the job. They are minimalist mini-masterpieces. The crust is thin, the tomato sauce is tangy, and the cheese melts fine. Nothing to complain about here. 

I do sometimes add a few extras like sliced black olives and a little extra shaved parmesan - all frozen pizzas can do with a little more cheese.

For a regular large frozen Pizza, I would add 4 whole Anchovies. I break them in half and spread them around.

Follow the regular Frozen Pizza baking directions, as Anchovies do not cover too much real estate, so baking time is not affected.

I always have a Frozen Pizza in the freezer and a can of Anchovies in the kitchen cabinet. This is College Student, Bachelor, or Bachelorette Cuisine, nothing to it, and a no-brainer recipe for anyone, and done anytime.

Pizza with Anchovies & Capers - VIDEO     Play it here. Video runs 1 minute, 46 seconds.

My YouTube video link for viewing or embedding, just click here.just click here. 

Ingredients

• 1 Frozen Pizza - I used a single-serving pizza with cheese. Okay to use your favorite pizza.
• Anchovies with Capers - 1 or 2 for a small Individual Pizza. I got mine from a can of anchovies with capers in olive oil.

Directions

Just add as many anchovies with capers as you like to your favorite frozen pizza. I added 2 anchovies and 2 capers to mine - it's okay to start with one (half the anchovie).

Follow the box directions. Usually, bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes. 

I like to bake mine at 350 degrees so it is easier to watch the browning and cheese melting. With very hot temperatures it's too easy to burn and dry out a frozen pizza. Just add a couple extra minutes of baking time.

For a large frozen pizza, I will add more anchovies and capers.