Most years we have our own garden, but this year it just didn’t happen. We ended up going to Hawaii, then a wedding, and putting up a fence in the yard the month we should have prepped the garden, and before we knew it summer was here! Luckily we have awesome friends who love to share. My favorite garden go-to item is zucchini squash. I love zucchini because of its versatility, high-water content, and because it simply tastes great no matter how you prepare it! 

(SIDE NOTE: The funny thing about a zucchini plant is that its leaves get so large and leafy, that they often hide the squash growing underneath them. If you’re not thorough, you’ll miss a squash, only to find it when it’s the size of your arm!)Keep Reading..

When my husband and I have had a long day and we both look at each other and ask ‘What’s for Dinner?’ the answer is usually Chinese takeout. 

When we order take out I prefer just a couple of egg rolls, so this is one of my favorite Asian Meals to make at home, and very frugal!

All the ingredients combined cost me less than $10.00 this week at Harris Teeter! Not only is this meal frugal and full of flavor, it can be done and on the table in less than 15 minutes cook time. 

Ingredients

• 1 medium head of cabbage, cut into thin strips.
• 4-5 carrots shredded 
• 1lb ground pork ( you can also do ground chicken, sausage, or beef) 
• 1 green onion
• House of Tsang Stir Fry Sauce 

Directions

• Cut your cabbage into strips.
• Shred 4-5 carrots (I use a shredder with a box attached to catch the carrots)
• Cut 1-2 green onion
• Brown your ground pork on medium in oil, I used HT Traders Sesame Oil that I had on hand, but you can use regular cooking or olive oil, whatever you have on hand. Ground pork is often lean so it needs a little oil to cook.
• After the meat is done add your cabbage and saute until tender (usually five minutes).
• Add in carrots and saute for a few more minutes.
• Lastly, add in a little stir fry sauce. I really love the flavor of House of Tsang! Or you can use a little soy sauce. And throw the green onions on top. 

That’s it! Serve in a bowl, and eat with a fork (or a pair of festive chopsticks if your feeling really authentic.) 

I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine does. 

Looking for more dinner inspiration? Check out my other Deals to Meals:

My fridge is stocked with cheese! We have had lots of great deals including Sargento Cheese for just .94 cents this week. So pizza was definitely on my menu for this week. On a personal note I’ve jumped back on the Trim Healthy Mama Lifestyle. So I’ve drastically cut out all the sugar and flour in my diet and only three weeks in I have been craving a warm delicious piece of pizza! I stumbled upon this recipe in a recipe group, but it seems very similar to the one found here and I had to give it a try. The crust is just cream cheese, parmesan, egg and seasoning! You bake it first and once its cooled add your sauce and toppings, pop it back in the over and viola!

Crust:
8oz of Cream Cheese
2 Eggs
2/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (I used Sargento parmesan I threw in the food processor and pulsed mine up, but you could also use parmesan cheese that’s already ground up in the shaker)
Seasoning of Choice (I used a little garlic, basil, and oregano)

*Make sure to soften the cream cheese first. Mix all the ingredient together. You can use a hand mixer if you want, but I just mixed well with a fork. Don’t worry the mixture is a little wet. Spread out the crust in whatever shape you’d like. Make sure it is thin and even. I baked mine on this Pampered Chef Large Bar Pan. It didn’t stick, although if you don’t have any stoneware you may consider baking it on parchment paper.

Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes on 375. The crust will be done but not brown. Let cool for 10 minutes and let the ‘crust’ harden. Then add the toppings of your choice. I added steamed spinach, pepperoni, onion, and bacon bits. Then popped the whole thing back in the oven for 10-15 minutes on 350.

Seriously some of the best pizza I have ever eaten! If you are looking for a gluten or low carb pizza, or just want to use your cheese stockpile give this a try. You wont be disappointed.