One way to stay within your budget for groceries is to pay attention to what is on sale this week at the grocery store. Often, the sale items will suggest a great meal that you can make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Today, I have a Budget Recipe for Fish with Macaroni and Cheese, which can be made for picky eaters, or for those with a wider pallet.
One meal that tends to be a family favorite is Fish with Macaroni and Cheese. This can be made very quickly and simply from packaged food that doesn’t require any preparation time. Or, you can make it a bit fancier, if you would like to. The trick is to purchase what you need for this meal while it is on sale at the grocery stores.
The current sale at Vons will last through October 4, 2011. If you are interested in making the “quick and easy” version of Fish with Macaroni and Cheese you could get a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (the 7.25 ounce size) for $1.19. This product is part of the “Mix and Match” deal that is going on right now. Gorton’s Seafood is also on sale right now. Buy one package (of 6.3 to 24.5 ounces) and get the second one for free.
Or, if you want to do the “slightly fancier” version of Fish with Macaroni and Cheese, then you will want to get a 28 ounce family package of Cheese Baked Macaroni and White Cheddar from the Vons deli. It is on sale for $5.99. Get a package of Lucerne Shredded Cheese (32 ounce) for $6.99 (choose parmesan). One package of previously frozen Alaskan Cod Fillets is $6.99.
If you have young children, (or kids who are extremely picky eaters), I would recommend going with the “quick and easy” version of this Budget Recipe. Follow the directions on the package of fish, and the directions on the packages of macaroni and cheese. This gives your family a fast, tasty, dinner, with foods that they are already familiar with, (and enjoy).
Or, you can choose the Fish and Macaroni and Cheese Budget Recipe that will be enjoyed by people with a slightly wider pallet. I found a recipe for Parmesan Baked Alaska Cod on the website for the Coal Point Seafood Co..
You Will Need:
Three tablespoons of flour
Three tablespoons of corn meal
One quarter of a teaspoon of onion salt
One eight of a teaspoon of pepper
Two tablespoons of butter or margarine
One pound of Alaska cod fillets (thawed)
One quarter cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
One package of Vons deli Cheese Baked Macaroni and White Cheddar
What You Will Need to Do:
Step One: Combine the flour, cornmeal, and seasoning. Melt the butter in a shallow baking dish.
Step Two: Dredge the cod fillet in the flour mixture. Place it into the dish. Turn it over to coat it with butter. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese onto the fillet.
Step Three: Bake at 450 degrees farenheit for eight to ten minutes (or until cooked).
Step Four: Follow the directions on the package of Vons Cheese Baked Macaroni and White Cheddar. Serve!
Image by profernity on Flickr