In these financially difficult times, college students and low budget wonder seekers alike are searching for tasty and cheap ways to feed themselves or their families. I have asked a few friends and family to share with me different techniques that they use to tweak low budget store bought items, here are a few tips and recipes they were kind enough to share.
(note: I’ve tried them and they are all VERY tasty)

TIP #1:
My sister, Jessy, is the queen of quick and easy meal making so I naturally went to her seeking advice on this topic. She suggested her Butter-Toasted Eggo waffles. It is a quick and easy trick to ensuring that the Eggo waffle doesn’t turn out too hard after toasting and the butter adds a homemade savory flavor. All you need for this tip is of course Eggo waffles, 5-6 pieces of small cubed chunks of butter, and a toaster oven (if you don’t own a toaster oven, you can also use the broiler in your oven-but keep a close eye on the toasting). Evenly arrange the butter cubes on top of the waffle and lay flat on oven sheet. Let the butter melt and once the waffles are a nice golden brown, they’re ready. You can add your favorite syrup or jam and enjoy!

TIP #2:
When I first moved from South Florida to Pittsburgh, I was not prepared for how cold the winter time can get and my sister and I were on a very limited food budget (which was a big reason why I decided to get a job at a restaurant…I ate a lot of free soup and salad). After work we would, of course, get hungry for ramen noodles. I became extremely tired of ramen every night and needed a more authentic flavor; so I experimented with different spices and tricks that I knew would add a little something special and came up with my version of gourmet ramen. All you need to do is first add a tablespoon of butter to a pan and toss in a pinch of minced garlic and oregano. Next add some low sodium chicken stock and bring to a boil, place the ramen noodles in gently and allow it to soften. If you have any leftover white wine, add a tablespoon to the noodle mixture and allow it to cook for one minute. The combination of butter, garlic, and wine is always a beautiful flavor combination in any soup, sauce, or dressing of any kind, in my opinion.

TIP #3:
All of my friends and family know that I love cookies and I always end up serving them at every party or bring them to any get-together. One day I was trying to think of a different way to display my beloved chocolate chip cookies but I couldn’t think of any creative ways to do so, mainly because I was so looking forward to chowing down on the nachos that were going to be served at my friend’s house, when all of the sudden I had an epiphany and said aloud in my kitchen “Cookie Nachos!!” All you need for this recipe are your favorite cookies (mine are definitely chocolate chip), and vanilla pudding (Nutella, whichever you prefer). Simply slice each cookie in the form of a nacho chip and arrange on a serving platter, around a dipping bowl. Follow the directions on the package for making the pudding (or just gently heat up the Nutella in a microwave safe bowl for about 30 seconds). Spoon the pudding into the center bowl on the platter and serve your Cookie Nachos!

BONUS TIP:
Another quick tip that I had to include is my deep fried flour tortillas. They make any nacho dish or Mexican lazania taste like you are harboring a mini chef in your kitchen. Simply heat up vegetable oil or canola oil on a deep pan and slice the flour tortillas in any shape you require. (To check if the oil is hot enough for frying just carefully drop in a small piece of tortilla and watch to see if it turns golden brown and bubbles to the surface) Be sure to have a plate with a paper towel close by to drop the fried tortilla pieces on. Please be extremely cautious while working with hot oil, use gloves at all times.

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