Does your family enjoy Mexican food? If so, you probably head to your favorite Mexican place at least every other week. But, why? Mexican food is easy to prepare at home. Plus, many of the dishes contain the same ingredients, making it easy to prepare four different meals in one night. This week, let’s discuss having taco night at home.
The typical family of four would spend the following on a night at their favorite Mexican restaurant:
Drinks $8
Appetizers $5
Four entrees $32
Dessert $12
Total $57
A meal at home on the other hand is much more affordable!
Nachos
Tortilla chips $3
Cheese sauce $4
Refried beans $1
Sour cream $2
Green onions $1
Salsa $3
Tacos
Tortillas $3
Taco shells $2
93% lean ground beef (1 pound) $5
Taco seasoning $1
Lettuce $2
“Fried” Ice Cream
Caramel swirl or vanilla ice cream (1 pint) $4
Frosted Flakes cereal $4
Drinks
2 liter of soda $2
Total: $37
Note that you can use leftover nacho toppings to top the tacos. You can also save money by purchasing a kit that includes soft tortillas, taco shells, and taco seasoning. A few other ways to save money include buying 80-85% lean ground beef, making your own tortilla chips and taco seasoning, and serving water.
You could change this meal up a thousand different ways and still save money. And remember, when items your family uses on a continuous basis go on sale, stock up! You’ll save even more money at family night when you have some of the items stashed away. And, if you’re wondering how to make “fried” ice cream, here’s a recipe.
“Fried” Ice Cream
1 pint of ice cream, scooped into 4 half cup servings
4 cups of Frosted Flakes, lightly crushed
Caramel or chocolate sauce, optional
1.Shape the ice cream into balls and freeze while dinner is being prepared and served.
2.Roll the ice cream in crushed cereal and top with sauce right before serving.
Rolling the ice cream in the cereal before serving ensures that it stays crunchy and seems more like it just came out of the deep fryer.
