SWEET DEAL

Look around the supermarket, and one of the cheapest items that you will find in the produce section: SWEET POTATOES. These golden vegetables are worth much more than what you'll pay, however, so spend 75 cents and try this recipe.

SWEET POTATO FRIES, SERVED OVER STEAMED KALE WITH ASIAGO CHEESE.

One is all you'll need for two people,

Two is all you'll need for three.

Slice the potato into ''coins'', MUCH thinner than in the photo. Heat a pan of olive oil, butter, or sesame oil (which adds quite a delicious flavor to the dish). Wait until the oil is hot, and then carefully place the sliced coins into the pan. Wait until the edges brown, or until the surface appears brown. Try one (careful) to test if it is relatively soft in the center. If so, then scoop out the fries, set on a plate, and set aside. Lightly steam a hefty bag of kale, or spinach, then place kale in a bowl. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top, then the fried sweet potatoes, then thin slivers of asiago cheese.

Enjoy!

POOR? Make PICKLES

Empty wallet, empty cupboards, empty fridge, and dwindling kitchen confidence? We whipped up these pickles with a few vegetables, spices, and cupboard essentials. Pickles are no longer a thing of the past, so pick up on the trend and follow this easy recipe.

The jars in the photos contain such delights as carrots, fennel, radish, and red onion, with spices like anise and cinnamon. Don't feel the need to be this exotic on a tight budget, however, an onion costs well under a dollar and pickled onions taste delicious on salads, pizzas, and sandwhiches. Carrots, cucumbers, and cauliflower make perfect pickles, and they are certainly not expensive.

1 cup vinegar

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

spices of your choice

vegetable of your choice

Instructions:

Depending on the produce, you will need to blanch, steam, or lightly boil your vegetable. For example, if you are preparing beets, you will need to boil your beets until they are just barely soft. Don't overcook, soft vegetables make for soft pickles (and that is no good). Set vegetables in jar, and then boil vinegar, water, and sugar with the spices in a separate pot. When hot, pour the liquid over the vegetables and seal the lids. Wait until the jar cools, and then keep in the fridge for eating!