$5 Dinners

Sometimes, especially around the holidays with extra "expenses", it is really, really helpful to have a few cheap recipes on hand. And by cheap, I don't mean gross. I mean homemade, easy, healthy dinners for a family of four. Of course, you can get fancy and start adding whatever you may have on hand (that extra can of beans, the wilting celery, bananas, etc.).

So, here are some I keep in my back pocket for a rainy day....and the best part? They each average $5!

1. Lentil Soup

1 bag lentils ($1)

1 box organic chicken broth ($2)

1 can diced tomatoes ($1)

1 onion ($1)

Saute vegetables in large pan (add anything else you may have on hand, such as garlic and salt). Rinse lentils. Add broth and lentils to pan. Simmer for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

2. Sweet Potato Stir-Fry

1 pound sweet potatoes ($2)

1 can organic chick-peas ($1)

1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes ($2)

Saute chick-peas in hot oil (after rinsing and draining from can). Chop potatoes into bite-sized pieces; Add to pan. Add tomatoes. Cover and cook on medium heat about 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Serve alone or over couscous.

3. Ol' Faithful (breakfast dinner)

1 dozen eggs ($2)

1 package turkey bacon ($2)

3 apples ($1)

Scramble eggs using 6 whole eggs and 6 egg whites. Cook bacon. Slice apples and saute in pan using 1/4 c. water, 2 T. brown sugar, 1 T. butter, and a dash of cinnamon. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until you can pierce apples with fork. Or if you don't have those ingredients on hand, just slice 'em up and eat them fresh!

If you have any healthy, easy, and/or cheap dinners to share, please do!