Recipes Under $30

Thumbnail image for Tuscan Sausage Soup with Shell Pasta, Spinach & White Beans

Tuscan Sausage Soup with Shell Pasta, Spinach & White Beans

April 23, 2012

Mariel here. I happen to be one of those people that swears certain pasta shapes just taste better than others. Penne, rigatoni, cavatelli and orecchiete all top my list. Elbow macaroni and farfalle? Ehh, I could take ‘em or leave ‘em. I suspect it has something to do with their meager sauce-sopping abilities. In any [...]

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Thumbnail image for Harvest Lasagna with Roasted Squash and Caramelized Onions

Harvest Lasagna with Roasted Squash and Caramelized Onions

November 3, 2011

Mariel here. This past weekend, I spent some time down in Charlotte celebrating the engagement of my best friend…I just happen to be her maid of honor so it was an event I couldn’t and wouldn’t wanna miss. Unfortunately, the weather here in NYC had other plans. As many of you no doubt know, we [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chicken Pot Pie with Sweet Potatoes, Leeks and Portabella Mushrooms

Chicken Pot Pie with Sweet Potatoes, Leeks and Portabella Mushrooms

November 1, 2011

Mary Anne here. When my children were toddling tots, I struggled to find a dinner that pleased all three of them and their dad as well. Ravioli, Linguini with Clam Sauce, Chicken/Turkey Potpie, and Chicken Tenders were about the only choices they could all grudgingly agree upon. (Note: The links for Ravioli and Linguini with [...]

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Thumbnail image for Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

August 4, 2011

Mary Anne here. It would seem we’re on a sandwich roll here – get it? Oh whatever. From Mariel’s Crispy Chicken, Fried Egg and Prosciutto Sammie and my Classic Lobster Roll to these ridiculously rich Open-Faced Peach and Prosciutto with Brie and Arugula Sandwiches, we could practically open a deli! Thanks to the steamy temps outside, I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Mango-Spinach Salad Topped with Oven-Baked Panko Chicken and Carrot-Ginger Dressing

Mango-Spinach Salad Topped with Oven-Baked Panko Chicken and Carrot-Ginger Dressing

June 28, 2011

Mariel here. Brain. Is. Fried. I have four deadlines in advance of the July Fourth festivities so my vocab is running on empty – so empty that I stood snapping and clucking my tongue at a bewildered cashier, searching for what to call that tube dealie I use to drink iced coffee. I was literally [...]

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Thumbnail image for Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Ginger Marmalade

Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Ginger Marmalade

April 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. While we normally don’t pay much attention to the “suggested” recipes sent our way – we have to eat what we make, after all – Sam’s Club recently passed along a shrimpy serving suggestion that struck my fancy. Unlike the pay-for-play Panera and Nutella craze that you’ve seen splashed about the internet, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Corned Beef and Cabbage with a Boozy Peach Glaze (a.k.a New England Boiled Dinner)

Corned Beef and Cabbage with a Boozy Peach Glaze (a.k.a New England Boiled Dinner)

March 15, 2011

Mary Anne here. In general, I prefer to prepare most meals from scratch and that includes brining a fresh piece of brisket for homemade Corned Beef. But alas, my day job is interfering with my true love, our little blog, and I simply didn’t have the four days required for brining the beef. Thankfully, my [...]

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Thumbnail image for Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Crabmeat

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Crabmeat

March 10, 2011

Mary Anne here. So I guess it seems I’m in splurge-mode these days, while my dutiful daughter has been shopping her market’s sale shelves. That being said, I do have a pretty good excuse for this pricey dish: I was serving my Osso Bucco to very special guests (Mariel, my niece, and their respective husbands!). My [...]

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Thumbnail image for Beer-Braised Brisket Sliders

Beer-Braised Brisket Sliders

February 15, 2011

Mariel here. My workload has been a tad oppressive as of late, which certainly isn’t a bad thing when you’re a freelance writer. But unfortunately, all that writing, researching and scrambling means I’ve neglected my wee little kitchen. Last week, I subsisted solely on Chipotle-Spiced Pulled Pork, Mango Salsa and Apple Raisin Slaw leftover from [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crab Louis Salad Over Avocado

Crab Louis Salad Over Avocado

October 7, 2010

Mary Anne here. This delectable Crab Louis was created on an Indian summer day when the thermometer topped out at a sultry 89 degrees. I had purchased a pound of lump crab meat on sale at my local grocer’s and decided this salad would be the perfect salute to summer’s last gasp. While this is [...]

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Thumbnail image for Garden Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage, Dried Apricots, and Walnuts

Garden Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage, Dried Apricots, and Walnuts

July 6, 2010

Mary Anne here. The weather outside is frightful – and I’m not talking snow. Here in the Northeast, we’ve been hitting 90-degrees almost daily, and the Weather Channel is predicting we’ll top out at 100 by the end of the week…and it’s only the sixth of July! This past weekend, I was hankering for my [...]

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Thumbnail image for Four Cheese Crab Macaroni

Four Cheese Crab Macaroni

May 24, 2010

Mariel here (on behalf of Mary Anne). This is a new take on a family favorite, courtesy of my multi-talented mamacita. While this is HER recipe, I decided to do her a solid and write the intro – I’m certainly not trying to pass off her work as my own… By now you probably know [...]

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Thumbnail image for Passover Pot Roast

Passover Pot Roast

March 28, 2010

Mariel here. When my mom called me on Friday and asked me to put together a pot roast for Passover, I was, at first, pretty confused. “Ummm, mom, we’re not Jewish.” But after a moment’s pause, I realized, I’m not not Jewish either. As my mother mentioned in previous posts, her own upbringing represented a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lady Finger Ice Cream Cake with Toffee Crunch

Lady Finger Ice Cream Cake with Toffee Crunch

February 17, 2010

Mary Anne here. Ellicotts and Rittenhouses don’t consider any celebration complete without my mom’s absolutely-over-the-top ice cream cake. We are so nuts for this dessert, that at Mariel’s very fancy and formal Bridal Tea last summer, we skipped Petit Fours and Chocolate Truffles in favor of this homespun treat. While not exactly the cheapest dessert [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crab and Corn Soup

Crab and Corn Soup

November 16, 2009

Mariel here. I’ve noticed a trend recently on our site: my mom and I seem to be having a small love affair with soup. Never one to forgo a fad, I decided to add to our online arsenal and post my mother’s super delicious crab soup, even though it’s not the most traditional winter dish. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Thai Lettuce Wraps

Thai Lettuce Wraps

August 19, 2009

Mariel here. This is probably one of the most summer-friendly dinners out there. While it requires a good deal of chopping – not my favorite pastime – it’s totally worth the somewhat annoying prep. And cooking takes about 7 minutes which is always a good thing when you live in a tiny apartment that gets [...]

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Thumbnail image for Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Homemade Barbeque Sauce and Coleslaw

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Homemade Barbeque Sauce and Coleslaw

June 29, 2009

Mariel here. Always a fan of Sloppy Joes as a kid, I’ve since graduated to Pulled Chicken sandwiches. They’re messy, they’re sweet and savory, they’re totally delicious. While Pulled Pork  – aka the other white meat – is a steady favorite at traditional BBQ joints, I prefer Pulled Chicken. It just makes me feel healthier [...]

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Thumbnail image for Risotto with Shrimp and Zucchini

Risotto with Shrimp and Zucchini

May 19, 2009

Mariel here. It’s taken me a little longer than I’d like to cobble together my first Feast-worthy recipe, but I found one that’s up to snuff. I present (healthy!) Risotto with Shrimp and Zucchini. I found the original recipe while cruising SELF ‘s website. I have to say, they do a fantastic job creating healthy [...]

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Thumbnail image for Veggie Soba Noodles

Veggie Soba Noodles

April 20, 2009

Mary Anne here. I used authentic Yakisoba Noodles for this recipe and I served these delicious noodles alongside a Thai Spinach and Mango Salad, and Miso Cod. Yakisoba noodles cost 1.99/8 oz. package, but you can certainly use regular pasta like Vermicelli or thick spaghetti to cut costs even further! This was a particularly rewarding [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Moistest Carrot Cake Ever

The Moistest Carrot Cake Ever

April 15, 2009

Mary Anne here. My mother – the go-to-gal for all of my baking questions – passed along her recipe for creating a carrot cake that is denser and moister than any I’ve ever sampled.  Her secret step is to cook the carrots prior to assembling the cake. If this doesn’t beat back the winter blues, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Smoked Salmon with Dill Sauce

Smoked Salmon with Dill Sauce

April 8, 2009

Smoked Salmon with Dill Sauce Serves 12 or more and recipe is easily halved Ingredients: 1 lb. Norwegian smoked salmon, pre-sliced – $17.98 Thin sliced Pumpernickel bread; cut into rounds (three per slice) with a small cookie cutter (I use a heart shape) – $2.99 Sweet butter, softened - from stock Sprigs of fresh dill for [...]

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Easter: Renaissance Ricotta Pie

April 8, 2009

Serves 10 Mary Anne here. One of my favorite things about this pie is that it can be made in stages, up to two days before the event.  I make the crust first, which requires a fair amount of time in the refrigerator before being rolled out. At first it’s a frightening experience, because the [...]

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Fried Rice with Shrimp and Pancetta

April 3, 2009

Serves 6 Mary Anne here. This reheats beautifully for leftovers, although my host scarfed it down before anyone else could! Ingredients: 3 Tablespoons Peanut oil, divided - $4.49 3 large eggs, lightly beaten - from stock 1/3 lb. Pancetta, trimmed and diced (from one chunk) - $3.60 1 cup scallions, diced (including green tops) - $.45 *Plus 1 or 2 extra [...]

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Thumbnail image for Orange Bread with Turkey and Ginger-Apple Butter

Orange Bread with Turkey and Ginger-Apple Butter

March 17, 2009

Mary Anne here. This bread can be made up to three days before.  With the bread remaining un-sliced, seal in a layer of plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil and store at room temp. This also freezes very nicely for up to two weeks. You’ll need a blender or food processor for this one as [...]

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Smoked Salmon with Wasabi Aioli

March 17, 2009

Mary Anne here. Wasabi Mustard is a relatively new product on the market, though I found Stonewall Kitchen makes a great one that can be ordered online.  If you can’t find one in your local grocery store, simply combine Wasabi powder with white vinegar (rather than water), according to package specifications, to produce 2 Tablespoons.  [...]

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Wild Rice Salad with Montrachet, Currants and Scallions

March 3, 2009

Serves 8 with leftovers Mary Anne here. This recipe is delicious served hot, cold, or at room temperature. It’s been a staple in my catering business for years and the type of work-horse recipe I can’t imagine living without. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Ingredients: ¾ lb. premium quality wild [...]

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Thumbnail image for Honey and Herb Marinated Sirloin Steak

Honey and Herb Marinated Sirloin Steak

March 3, 2009

Mary Anne here. When I’m whipping up extravagant fare for my catering clients, I typically use filet mignon in lieu of sirloin. But at $140 for just six pounds, it’s far too expensive for an any-given-Sunday dinner. Two Christmases ago, I swapped out the pricey boeuf for much wallet-friendlier sirloin, but I first softened up [...]

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Thumbnail image for Harvest Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Corn

Harvest Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Corn

February 23, 2009

Mary Anne here. A hybrid soup and stew (a stoup?), this fragrant, flavorful dish is a bowl-full of fall. It’s also a a seasonal update to our Corn and Crab Chowder, if you’re ever looking for a summer rendition. I’ll get right down to brass tacks so you can get started on what’s become a [...]

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