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Melissa d’Arabian’s Ten Dollar Dinners {with Giveaway}

December 9, 2012 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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One of the responsibilities I take most seriously as a wife and mom is feeding my family well. I take it seriously, but that doesn’t mean that I feel like I’m doing my very best. There’s a lot to balance as I try to create budget-conscious and healthy meals with some variety. Melissa d’Arabian comes to the rescue with her Ten Dollar Dinners cookbook, which offers “140 Recipes and Tips to Elevate Simple, Fresh, Meals Any Night of the Week.”

This is the kind of cookbook that is a joy to read, with its bright photos and chatty, informative feel. It would make a great holiday gift for a relative, or teacher or friend. You could sweeten the gift by including a gift card to their favorite grocery store for even more budget appeal!

Melissa gives interesting bits of info about how she was inspired for a particular recipe, or her own family’s responses. There are also tips throughout the book that cover topics such as “Buy big now, save big later.” We all know that it’s cost-effective to stock up when meat goes on sale, but it ends up feeling like it’s more trouble than it’s worth when it comes time to use it. However, Melissa helps you by explaining exactly how to break up and save those ingredients for easy meal prep later.

These recipes are somewhat gourmet, but family and budget friendly at the same time. The recipes I’ve tried made for a nice change for us, were easy to follow and delicious. They were

  • Crispy Chicken a l’Orange, page 141
  • Four Step Chicken (with many variations), page 141
  • Kielbasa and Black-eyed Peas, page 177

I can’t wait to try out the

  • Salmon Cakes, page 127
  • Lemon-Thyme Meatballs, page 190
  • Fried Brown Rice and Eggs with Garlicky Soy Vinaigrette, page 331

Does that sound good to you?

One of you (US and Canadian shipping addresses) can win a SIGNED copy of Ten Dollar Dinners. Use the Rafflecopter form to enter this giveaway starting with leaving a comment answering “Are simple meals or cost-effective meals more important to you?”

New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Melissa’s a great social media sharer, so get more tips and tricks by following Melissa on Facebook and Twitter (@MelissadArabian) or visiting www.melissadarabian.net.

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Around the Blogosphere-Add YOUR Giveaway Link
Another Avon Mom Who Knows How to Juggle Life and Family

About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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64 Comments

  1. Beth C says

    December 21, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Cost effective are more important to me.

    Reply
  2. clarissa says

    December 19, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    definately cost effective. I enjoy cooking and making more complicated, time consuming meals…but with a large family I am budget conscience

    Reply
  3. Don says

    December 18, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    We kinda do both here at our house.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer C says

    December 17, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Simple meals are more important to me.

    Reply
  5. Idaho Jill says

    December 17, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    simple – I don’t have a ton of time to cook…but I don’t spend a lot, either…

    Reply
  6. Francine Anchondo says

    December 17, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    I like Cost effective meals but if it is simple and cost effective that is even better

    Reply
  7. Lori D. says

    December 17, 2012 at 11:17 am

    Going simple just works better for me when I’ve had a hard day at work.

    Reply
  8. Jenny says

    December 17, 2012 at 2:23 am

    Yes! Simple and cost effective meals are very important to me. I don’t have much time, so simple is always great!

    Reply
  9. Kelly Blackwell says

    December 16, 2012 at 2:08 am

    I love simple, but the fact is I need to take care of both in my life. I am pretty busy weekly with work even when I am not working so anything that will give me back time for my family is important. Saving money is always a priority, but if I need to save time, I will compromise on the cash.

    Reply
  10. Bluerose says

    December 15, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Both are pretty important for me right now!

    Reply
  11. Van says

    December 14, 2012 at 9:01 pm

    I would go with easy any day of the week.

    Reply
  12. Jes says

    December 13, 2012 at 1:30 am

    Both are important to me! It sounds like Ten Dollar Dinners achieves this! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Margaret says

    December 12, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Both equally actually!

    Reply
  14. Cindy B says

    December 11, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    I stick with SIMPLE most of the time!

    Reply
  15. Daniel M says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    simple quick and easy

    Reply
  16. Angie says

    December 11, 2012 at 9:59 pm

    Cost effective meals are most important to me!

    Reply
  17. June says

    December 11, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    I say, the more simple the better.

    Reply
  18. Jessica T says

    December 11, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Simple – they tend to be cost effective too!

    Reply
  19. paige aka mrs. bacon says

    December 11, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    cost effective all the way!

    Reply
  20. Linda V says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    I cook for us every night, so it is very important to have simple good meals.

    Reply
  21. Staci A says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    Yes, we all like our meals pretty simple.

    Reply
  22. Jingle says

    December 11, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    Simple and fast, although cost plays a role, too.

    Reply
  23. Tonia says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:40 am

    For me – cost-effective meals are important.

    Reply
  24. Chuck says

    December 11, 2012 at 10:34 am

    We prefer the more simple recipes.

    Reply
  25. Daiva says

    December 11, 2012 at 5:22 am

    both are important to me:)

    Reply
  26. Marianne S. says

    December 11, 2012 at 5:18 am

    Cost effective first, as both my husband and I are disabled, and we’re raising a special needs child…on a Social Security budget… then simple

    Reply
  27. Holly says

    December 11, 2012 at 5:12 am

    Simple is better because the simplest recipes tend to be the healthiest. 🙂

    Reply
  28. April says

    December 11, 2012 at 2:05 am

    Both are important, but if pushed, I’d say cost effective.

    Reply
  29. Lauren says

    December 11, 2012 at 1:06 am

    Hi:) At this time, simpler meals are more important to me…because I still have so much to learn! 😉

    Reply
  30. acmommy3 says

    December 10, 2012 at 11:59 pm

    Definitely both together are my favorite 🙂 but I’d probably choose cost effective since cost of living is high.

    Reply
  31. Erin says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:53 pm

    Cost effective is more important.

    Reply
  32. diane sabatini says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    I’d say cost effective. I love Melissa d’Arabian! I’ve been making her garlic tomato sauce for over a year and never buy jarred sauce anymore.

    Reply
  33. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    I think Simple usually beats Cost for me!

    Reply
  34. Allyson Zupin says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Cost effective as a military family with 2 boys, and one with diabetes, things are tight during the holidays!!!

    Reply
  35. Steve says

    December 10, 2012 at 9:15 pm

    Love it when I can get both in a recipe but Cost effective is my preference!

    Reply
  36. Michelle says

    December 10, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    I prefer simple.

    Reply
  37. Janet says

    December 10, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    I can’t choose so I will say both are important.

    Reply
  38. Sue says

    December 10, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Probably cost effective but good for you recipes count the most!

    Reply
  39. butterfly wishes wonderland dreams says

    December 10, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    simple and cost effective work for us!

    Reply
  40. Angela E. says

    December 10, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Gonna say simpler meals are what I go for.

    Reply
  41. Melissa says

    December 10, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    Cost-effective for sure

    Reply
  42. Darcy says

    December 10, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Simple Meals are more important

    Reply
  43. Kerrie Mayans says

    December 10, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    Right now simple meal are more important to me.

    Reply
  44. Brittany says

    December 10, 2012 at 11:50 am

    I love fancy recipes but most of the time with our schedules it is easier to have something simple and easy to put together. I love saving money wherever I can. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  45. Dianne says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:58 am

    Simple meals are all I can handle! I would love to try some new variety!

    Reply
  46. Garrett says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:34 am

    With a busy work week, simple meals are the way to go.

    Reply
  47. Alexandra says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Simple meals are important!!

    Reply
  48. Donna O'Neil says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:18 am

    Simple meals are important.

    Reply
  49. Tobi Drabczyk says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Cost effective meals are what I need right now but, simple and cost effective are exactly what I need.

    Reply
  50. Kathy S says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:03 am

    The simpler, the better

    Reply
  51. Anne says

    December 10, 2012 at 10:01 am

    Cost effective meals are important.

    Reply
  52. Debbie Bashford says

    December 10, 2012 at 5:33 am

    Cost effective, everything is going up except the income so I need to save money where ever I can

    Reply
  53. merrilie cardiali says

    December 10, 2012 at 12:56 am

    With the price of food these days, I have to go with cost-effective. Having a cookbook showing how to make simple, yet healthy meals is a big plus!

    Reply
  54. sindy murray says

    December 9, 2012 at 11:39 pm

    cost-effective is more important!!

    Reply
  55. Johanna miner says

    December 9, 2012 at 11:21 pm

    Love to watch Melissa

    Reply
  56. Jen F says

    December 9, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    I try my best to make sure meals are the perfect balance between simple, cost effective and healthy…not always easy though.

    Reply
  57. Allison says

    December 9, 2012 at 10:38 pm

    Right now, cost effective meals are more important, but I also want them to be healthy, with some variety. This would be perfect.

    Reply
  58. Jenny says

    December 9, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Cost effective meals are very important, without sacrificing a lot of time in the kitchen.

    Reply
  59. Karen Lynch says

    December 9, 2012 at 10:16 pm

    Simple meals during the week.

    Reply
  60. Tabitha P. says

    December 9, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    cost effictive is more important

    Reply
  61. Okaasan says

    December 9, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    For now, simple!

    Reply
  62. angie says

    December 9, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    both are important but due to lack of time the simple meals may be the ones I cook most

    Reply
  63. Sandra K321 says

    December 9, 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Yes, simple meals that are quick to prepare are always good since we are always on the go.

    Reply
  64. Jennifer Thomas says

    December 9, 2012 at 6:46 pm

    I think simple meals are more important to me.

    Reply

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