Peanut Pasta

Alright yall, today we are going to be openminded. I've always been somewhat of an adventurous eater and knew I was going to love this recipe the minute I saw it. The best way I can describe it is an Americanized version of Pad Thai. This peanut pasta was delicious, quick to prepare, and made great leftovers for me to eat on throughout the week. It's not too heavy but really felt like comfort food. If you're feeling adventurous, try it!!

Ingredients:

1 lb angel hair pasta

1 lb chicken breasts, chopped into 1 inch pieces

1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

2 Tbsp sesame oil

10-12 green onions, chopped and divided

1 Tbsp minced garlic

4 Tbsp soy sauce

1 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

salt and pepper, to taste

roasted peanuts, to garnish

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil for your pasta, but don't cook pasta just yet.

2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, drizzle your EVOO and sesame oil. Add in your chicken and cook through, about 4-6 minutes. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on top.

3. Add in the majority of your chopped green onions (save a few to garnish), garlic, and soy sauce. Saute for about 2 minutes. 

4. Stir in your chicken stock and reduce heat to low. Stir in peanut butter with a pinch more salt and pepper, and simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes. Stir to coat pasta evenly. 

5. Garnish with a few peanuts and green onions and serve!

 

Saving Money 101: 10 Things You Should Buy At Dollar Tree

If you know me, you know I love a good deal. You won't ever see me on Extreme Couponing (mad respect for people who have that much patience), but I love to save a dollar where I can. I've figured out some of the best places to buy things on the cheap, so I thought it was time I share my tips and tricks with you all. One place you can get a killer deal: Dollar Tree. 

While I wouldn't necessarily buy everything from Dollar Tree (the $1 steaks leave me a little uneasy), there are some things you definitely should be buying. So today, I'm sharing my 10 favorite things to purchase at Dollar Tree.

1. Greeting Cards- If you only listen to one item on this list, make it this one. Greeting cards can be upwards of $5, which is a little excessive considering people read them once and stow them away forever after. We purchase all birthday cards from Dollar Tree, and some of them are even 50 cents. 50 cents!! They have a great selection too. 

2. Halloween Candy- Why oh why is Halloween candy so expensive? If you live amidst a lot of kiddos, you could easily spend $100 on Halloween candy. Or, you could buy 10 large bags of Halloween candy for $10 and call it a day. 

3. Seasonal Items- I actually have a good friend who is a buyer for seasonal items at Dollar Tree, and they have a really good selection. You may still need to purchase a few items at Hobby Lobby, but if you're in the need for some cheap holiday decor, check out Dollar Tree.

4. Packaging Supplies- I just discovered this one and am so glad I did. You can purchase boxes and bubble envelopes from Dollar Tree for half the cost you would spend at the post office.

5. Gift Wrap- Let's face it: Nobody wants to spend $10 on a gift bag and tissue paper after they buy a present. It's just going to get discarded anyway, so buy it on the cheap at Dollar Tree. 

6. Toothbrushes & Toothpaste- Colgate and Crest toothpaste for $1? Yes, it's true!

7. Picture Frames for Crafting or Gallery Walls- If you're just going to spray paint the picture frame or use it for crafting, buy it at Dollar Tree.

8. Plastic Storage Bins- If you're looking to organize your pantry or a closet, you can buy these little plastic bins for a fraction of what they would cost at The Container Store.

9. Cleaning Supplies- This is a broad one, but you can buy all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, scrubbers, and the like all for $1. Glass cleaner is glass cleaner, so you might as well buy it on the cheap. 

10. Paper Towels- If you're like me, paper towels are your most used hoousehold product. We go through rolls by the truckload, but I don't feel too guilty about that since I can get them for $1.

So there you go! Just some money saving tips from one frugal noodle to another. What are your favorite tips to save a few bucks?