Next week is one of those weeks that will test me and my band. Two of my daughters and two of my grandchildren will live here with DH, Dante, and myself. Our grocery bill just doubled. Thank goodness, it's only temporary.

However, in the meantime, I must return to dollar-stretching meals like casseroles, shepherd's pie, pot pies, lasagna, chili, and stews.

Fortunately, there are low-carb and band-friendly solutions to these problem recipes. I'll start with the one everyone quite rightly fears-- lasagna. This is a challenge, with its layers of pasta. However, there is a solution, and fortunately, it's available right now. Zuchinni!

Yep, the ol' zukes, sliced lenthwise on my mandoline (v-slicer, not the musical instrument) become thin, flexible substitutes for the thick, gooey pasta for even cheaper! Hooray!

Notice that the recipe I posted is already not really a BAD one for carbs at 27g per serving. By using a few slabs of zuke on one end (one corner does the trick), I can have the same sauce, cheese, and deliciousness as my family with no feelings of deprivation or extra work making two meals. (I am not a masochist!)

I'd love to buy one of those ceramic pie birds to mark which end is mine, but until then cutting into the lasagna and serving whatever appears on the correct plate is fine. Cut in one end and find pasta? That's the family's side. Find zukes? Mine! LOL!

Yep, I'm looking forward to this.

Nummy! I love zucchini; we just planted a few hills.

Can you give me your pic link again, I can't find it...went to Fat Frog...sorry, I have oldtimers. I promise to bookmark it.

Hi, I have been following your Blog and that of Band Groupie for a few weeks now. I would also like help with recipes. Your writing is such a gift. May I please have a link to some of your tried and true recipes? I am just learning how to cook. Maybe we could have a recipe swap? I cannot read the lasagna recipe its to small and being new with computers my mouth is watering. If you publish a cookbook I would buy one. What do the numbers mean? I am guessing it is calories and carb grams maybe?

Thanks so much, Kathy imaluckydog

Hi Kathy,

Here's a link to all my recipes:

Pictures by voiceomt2002 - Photobucket

To copy any one of my recipes like the too-small Lasagne recipe, simply right click on it and "Save as" to your computer. Then you can click on it on your own computer and it will appear in a larger size.

The numbers are calories and carbs. My doctor, the wonderful Dr. Michael Baptista, prefers that his patients monitor both calories and carbs, even after surgery. So, I went through all my cookbooks and wrote those numbers prominently. (I'm 50, and after so many hours in front of a computer writing, my eyesight isn't good.)

I'm still compiling the cookbook. Upon occasion, the original recipe needs minor alterations. For instance, tonight DH and I have altered a Crock Swiss Steak recipe. The original was bland and the large chunks called for in the recipe made me have a nasty PB. However, we decided it was worth a second attempt, since the meat itself was tender and the one-step cooking method a delight to a busy working person like myself.

Coming up this week is an altered version of Shepherd's Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, and Chicken and Dumplings. These "feed a crowd on a budget" recipes only require minor reworking, with the dumplings being the biggest challenge. (DH just dramatically put a hand over his heart and swore to sacrifice his taste buds in the name of good eats for bandsters. LOL!)

KayVee, right click on any recipe you like. Your computer should give a popup screen. Choose "Save As" and save to whereever you like on your computer.