potato cakes Breakfast for under $3

Potato cakes. Man these things take me way back. I loved having mashed potatoes with supper because I knew mom would make Potato cakes for breakfast in the morning. I would (as a child) smoother it in ketchup luckily my palate has matured a tad now :)

For potato cakes you need Left over Mashed potatoes (I had oh about 2 1/2 -3 cups left over) 1 egg beaten About 1/4 - 1/2 cup flour (plus some for light coating), salt and pepper to taste and optional diced onion (they are really good with onion in them but I used my last one in chili last night) *to make these gluten free substitute flour for rice flour or your favorite blend, lightly coat the potato cakes in either your flour blend or corn meal)

In a bowl combine your potatoes beaten egg, salt and pepper and about 1/4 cup of flour (add it a little at a time) you want it to get a little thick but it will still be sticky.

on a shallow pan or plate have flour ready for coating (season this with a bit of salt and pepper as well). With an ice cream scoop, scoop some potatoes and place in the flour plate shake around coating the entire ball.

In a skillet heat about 1 tbsp of oil (I used vegetable oil today some people use shortening or bacon grease but I am trying not to die of heart failure) Place the coated balls in the heated oil and

gently press down into "cakes"

Do not flip until a golden "crust forms" (don't do this on high gear medium heat is sufficient) Flip them once.

Place on platter (with a paper towel if you wish to drain them).

Fry an egg to put on top

Or top with Cheese and sour cream

The potatoes are leftovers so they are actually free the eggs are only about 10 cents each you could even use a little bit of sausage to patty up some mini patties you don't need a lot because the potato cakes are very filling!

This meal is easily made for under $3.

Mexican skillet meal under $9 (cheaper if you use leftovers!)

This meal is one of my Husbands favorites. He requests it all.the.time.

I threw this thing together one evening when I had failed to have something ready for supper. I had some left over rice and I had some turkey kielbasa that needed to be either used or frozen that day.

If you catch them on sale the butterball turkey sausages can be bought for $2.50 a pack. The key is to dice it to make it "look" like more in the skillet. I could probably get by with using only half if I diced but usually I slice and use the entire thing.


Here is what you need

about 2-3 cups of rice (measurement is for cooked rice) (perfect for leftover costing you nothing, even if you need to cook it its pennies on the dollar)
Can of black beans drained (or use dry beans, about a half a bag soaked overnight)
1 package of kielbasa (I use turkey kielbasa) Sliced or diced
2tbs butter
1/4 - 1/2 cup Chicken broth ( you can substitute water, or even bouillon water to be more cost effective, Chicken broth is something I always have on hand)
Onion (grated or diced)
1 Clove of Garlic minced
Mozzarella cheese (I always preach about buying block cheese and grating your own but this is one meal that when I am fixing on the fly I tend to grab a bag of shredded cheese, Trust me, it is so much better with the real McCoy but whatever is more cost effective for you)
Spices (this is all entirely up to you) I use salt, pepper, cayenne pepper and a tad of chili powder (and sometimes cumin).I also add a squirt or 3 of sirachi sauce (great stuff I should be their spokes person) but you can just use plain ol' Tabasco or do without the hot factor.

Now the good part, In a skillet add your butter, saute your onion and garlic (you can add other veggies too, whatever is on hand this dish is a throw together meal to fit any budget or taste bud) Add the sliced kielbasa, cook until starting to brown. Add your beans (we also like red kidney beans in this meal or even garbanzo beans would be great), add your rice, add a bit of your broth just so it doesn't dry out, add your spices, cover and simmer to heat everything through, watch it carefully though so that it doesn't get too dry and stir often. (if it starts to dry out add more broth/water) I salt mine at the end once the flavors have melded. top with cheese cover just long enough for it to melt and there you have it! Now the great part, EATING IT!

Other items that would work great in this dish are Corn, salsa or canned tomatoes, you could even use ground beef or chicken instead of kielbasa. This meal is usually enough to feed us plus my husband has enough for work for one or two days.