Five meals under four dollars

These simple budget meals are both delicious and inexpensive, making them ideal for the money-conscious home chef on any busy weeknight. Try one tonight and see for yourself. Saving money has never tasted so good.

Pepper-Braised Chicken Thighs

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings

12 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper
2 tbsp (25 mL) olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 sweet green peppers, thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) smoked paprika or
chili powder
1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried thyme
1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic vinegar
1 can (28 oz/796 mL) whole
tomatoes
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh
parsley

Sprinkle chicken with half each of the salt and pepper. In large shallow Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat; brown chicken, in batches. Transfer to plate.

Add onion, garlic and green peppers to pan; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in paprika, thyme and remaining salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup (50 mL) water and balsamic vinegar; cook, scraping up brown bits, until almost no liquid remains.

Add tomatoes, breaking up with spoon. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to pan, spooning sauce over top; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until juices run clear when chicken is pierced, about 25 minutes.

Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken and peppers to serving plate; keep warm. Stir parsley into sauce and bring to boil; cook until thickened. Spoon over chicken.

Four more budget meals under four dollars:

Korean-Style Chicken with Cucumber Pickles
For chicken that is cooked to perfection broil this dish until the onions are slightly charred and there is almost no soy sauce mixure left.

Piri-Piri Chicken Legs
This Piri-Piri Chicken is best when refrigerated for at least 8 hours. With 5 minutes of prep time why not prepare it before you head to work in the morning?

Eggplant and Tofu in a Spicy Meat Sauce
Stir-fry eggplant, tofu, hot pepper flakes and beef for this spicy and protein-rich dish

Rosemary Beef Burgers with Jalapeño Mayonnaise
Mix minced jalapeño pepper, parsley, pepper and garlic into mayonnaise for a spicy topping to these homemade burgers.

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