Ways to liven up your rice bowl

First instead of water use broth, chicken, beef or vegetable is fine.  There are quite a few things you can do to make rice more interesting.  We tend to eat a lot of brown rice here because that's what WIC gives out.  Brown rice does tend to be a little more chewy than white.

Fried Rice
go ahead and cook your rice in the broth.  Then store it overnight in the fridge.  For some reason leftover rice browns and crisps much better than fresh.  Take out cooked rice and add to hot oil.  You can use corn oil but if you want to be really fancy use peanut oil.  So fry your rice with garlic and onion powder.  When you have fried it about 30 seconds when most of the oil is used add your sauces.  I like to put in soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce.  Use what you have.  That's the point of pantry cooking! 

Sweet Rice
Cook rice in broth and add raisins and cranberries at the same time as the rice.  It adds a great sweet flavor and a little color.

I also have a great Mexican Rice recipe but its specific and takes more time.  Ill post this later.

How to save money when buying meat

How many people feel discouraged in the supermarket looking at the choices of meat and the prices?  Meee!  I discovered that if I buy the meat in bigger portions I can save in the end.  How is that you say!?

Well for feeding a family of three or lately four since my son has began eating more meat you go for the least expensive cut of whole pork loin.  This usually ends up being around 2lbs for about 8.00 to 10.00 bucks.  That's when its on sale mind you.  Always, always look for meat on sale :) 

So when you get it home cut it into three equal pieces and bag them up separately.  I use freezer bags but would really love to have one of those no air food sealers!  If you have one then, Most Definitely, go for it! 

Now you have three dinners out of one pork loin.  How easy was that?  Well, of course you still have to cook the meat and all that. 

One very big note of caution when buying meat on sale!  Look at the expiration date.  I mean the sell by date and the use by date.  Sometimes they are the exact same day!  So if you take it home and freeze it right away you are fine.  However, when you go to thaw it out you need to cook it that same day you thawed it.  Do not decide to go out with friends and just cook the pork tomorrow!  Hmm, have I don't this...yes.  It does not turn out well, let me tell you!

So there you have it.  How to save a few dollars when buying meat.  Don't stop at the pork though!  You can easily do this with a large bag of chicken leg quarters.  Use the same method from above.