A Mexican Fiesta

John and Lori enjoy Mexican food and have planned to have fajitas sometime during the challenge but haven't yet.  Late last week Lori went to her therapist hairdresser and the conversation turned as if often does, to favorite recipes.  This time however they focused more on low cost recipes.  Lori's most excellent hairdresser, shared a couple of favorite, low cost Mexican recipes.  Lori left that day not only with fabulous hair, but an idea for the week ahead, making this week a Mexican themed week for their evening meals.  When she discussed it with John, he was all for it.

Tonight we are having chicken ole.  It is chicken smothered in pinto beans, black beans, corn and salsa. served over rice.  I cooked the black beans and pinto beans over the weekend.  Using only the amount called for in the recipe there are plenty for the rest of the week.  (Love that no cooking theme!)  Tomorrow night, we plan to have Mexican pork.  It should be an easy slow cooker meal.

Both recipes should yield at least 6 servings.  So we could easily alternate nights for the rest of the week between chicken & pork.  We're both ready for some fajitas so we'll work those in one night as well.

Speaking of ethnic foods, we were both getting a hankering for pizza over the weekend.  Lori made a pizza crust from scratch at a cost of $0.84.  They had some pizza sauce made over the summer with ripe tomatoes and herbs from their garden.  (It is scrumptious!!!)  Adding 1/2 lb of ground beef, 1/2 lb of sausage, 4 oz of pepperoni, and mozzarella cheese brought the cost of the entire pizza to $5.41.  We made it in a 9x13 pan and cut it in 8 generous deep dish slices.  Each slice cost us a mere $0.68!!

We are enjoying a wide variety of food for a very low cost and just a little planning.