Slight Change in Plans

Hi Everyone,

There has been a slight change in plans for Heart of the Matter this month, and I will not be able to do the round-up because I had to leave town unexpectedly. Please send your HotM entries to my co-host, Ilva, at Lucullian Delights. Her email is luculliandelights AT gmail DOT com. If you have already sent in your entry to me, please know that I have forwarded it on to her, so there is no need to re-send it if you have already. I apologize for the change and will see you next month.

Best,
Michelle
The Accidental Scientist

Heart of the Matter 28: Budget-Friendly Foods

If you’re in the U.S. or many other parts of the world, you’ve no doubt heard about The Recession for months now. Many people are tightening their belts and making changes in their lifestyle to try and conserve funds or prepare for uncertain times. But no matter where you are, it never hurts to be a bit frugal occasionally or to have a few meals in your repertoire that can stretch your pocketbook a bit further if needed. Thus, the theme for this month’s Heart of the Matter is “Budget-Friendly Foods.”

Your challenge this month is to come up with a meal that is budget-friendly AND heart healthy…either using ingredients that don’t cost much (or perhaps you grew yourself?) or even ingredients where a little goes a long way. Be creative and share with us how you save money when you cook! What’s your go-to meal at the end of the month or before payday comes? What do you make when you have a lot of people to feed but not a lot of money?

After the round-up, we’ll all have a suite of meals that we can use to help stretch our budget next month…And who knows, maybe that extra money you’ve saved could go towards a trip later on in the summer or spent on a bushel of extra juicy peaches while they’re in season?

After you’ve made your meal and blogged about it, send me the link before midnight on Friday, July 31 at phillipslayden AT gmail DOT com and stay tuned for the round-up a few days later.

Remember that your entry should be low in saturated fats (lean meats and fish), be low in salt (sodium), and that you can be abundant with vegetables or fruit. If you want to get more information, check out the useful links in the right hand marginal. Please only use your entry for this event so that we can keep things centered on heart-healthy recipes.

Join The Party-June's HotM Roundup!

It's time for the HotM roundup, June's theme was The Best of June's Produce and we have got quite a few great entries as you can see. I will get going straight away, today is going to be one of those busy (and hot) days and people are beginning to trickle in so join the party, there's room for each and every one of you and the buffet table is full of food!

Murasaki Shikibu from Samurai Viking Cuisine who has made a refreshing and light Frozen Melon Smoothie for us to sip while we wait for every one to arrive! Easy to drink and even easier when you know it is good for you!

Lisa of Lisa's Kitchen has made a lovely Aspargus Pesto Rice, elegant and full of flavours. Personally I really like the asparagus-pesto combination so this is going to find its way to my plate!

Fish is so good for your heart and Labelga from Leafy Cooking has brought an incredible little salad-Young Herrin and Fresh Pea Salad that brings you goodness both for your tastebuds and your body!

Spelt berry, asparagus, and strawberry salad, doesn't that sound good? It is Katie of Eat This who has prepared this lovely summery dish and I'm sure there's enough for all of us!

Soma from eCurry has made an incredible Farinata with Grilled Vegetables and how can I resist that? I will try to leave some for you too! Maybe...

Mango Madness, an irresistible name for a mango salsa, Aparna the cook in My Diverse Kitchen has made this fresh dish and also gives us suggestions to what it is good to pair it with.

Why don't you take some of Marla's of Bella Baita View's tasty Italian Style Quinoa Salad, be quick because I have a feeling it will finish soon, I saw a lot of guests queing up for it!

But leave some space for my good friend and co-host Michelle's, The Accidental Scientist, Lemony Summer Pasta Salad, it is packed with hearty goodness!

And there is more to eat, Sandeepa brought Methi Rice or Rice with Fenugreek Greens from Bong Mom's CookBook, healthy and full of interesting flavours!

And now it is time for the sweets and desserts: we have a Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie which ingeniously uses Tapioca pearls in the filling. It is Deborah of Pure Mothers who has baked it for us!

Are you thirsty? Curry Leaf from Experiments, Emotions, Experiences with food has made us a fantastic Mango Pineapple Agua Fresca to refresh us with, after all this food we need that!

And how will you be able to resist to nibble on Yasmeen from Health Nut's incredible Blueberry Almond Butter-Oats Bars? I am sure that I will even though all this food has made full!

I brought Sweet Mint Couscous With Summer Berrie and Basil Sugar for us!

Now we have eaten and eaten well so this is the time to relax, chat and enjoy each others company - Thank You for joying the party. I hope to see you here soon again!