More cheap, easy and tasty recipes

Sorry for my silence. ;) Chalk it up to my exploring new, healthy recipes, some with as few ingredients as possible. I found a few winners that I just have to share!

First is Ritzy Chicken Nuggets, courtesy of Nigella Lawson. Not only do I love it because it uses only 3 ingredients (chicken, buttermilk and Ritz crackers), but also I have the option to fry OR bake them!!

2 chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil (if you are frying the nuggets)
1 3/4 cups cracker crumbs (recommended: Ritz crackers)

1. Put the slices into a freezer bag with the buttermilk and leave in the refrigerator to marinade for up to 2 days.
2. When you are ready to cook them, heat the oil in a large frying pan, or preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
3. Tip the cracker crumbs into a wide shallow bowl, and then shake off the excess buttermilk from the nuggets and dip them in the crumbs. Coat them well before lying gently in the hot oil, and cooking for about 2 minutes or so a side until they are golden brown. Transfer to a kitchen towel on a plate to blot the excess oil.
4. Alternatively, you can lay the crumb-coated chicken nuggets on a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. They can also be frozen once marinated and crumbed. If cooking from frozen, add 5 minutes to the oven cooking time.

Recipe #2 is Asian Beef Spring Rolls thanks to every Midwest Mommy's best friend: Kraft Foods. ;)

1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup Asian Toasted Sesame dressing, divided
2 carrots, cut into thin strips
2 tbsp peanut butter
8 large iceberg lettuce leaves

1. Brown meat in large skillet; transfer to plate.
2. Heat 1 tbsp dressing in same skillet on medium-high heat. Add carrots; cook and stir 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in remaining dressing, meat and peanut butter. Cook 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Spoon onto lettuce leaves; roll up.

For added flavor, season meat with 1/2 tsp each crushed red pepper and grated fresh ginger before browning.

Last recipe I made for breakfast this morning and it's from Cookie Magazine, Peanut Butter Waffles. And when you top with luscious, velvety strawberry sauce, oh my goodness it's like a PB & J! :D

2¼ cups whole-wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1½ tablespoons sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2¼ cups milk
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Cooking spray or melted butter

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the first 8 ingredients.
2. Preheat a waffle iron. When it is hot, spray its surface lightly with the cooking spray or brush it with the butter.
3. Fill a medium-size ladle with batter and pour it onto the waffle iron. Cook until the waffle is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup and butter or fresh berries.