Last month, I was sent an advanced copy of Cooking Light’s Healthy Budget Cooking issue for my review. I am already a subscriber to Cooking Light and love the magazines, so I was excited to get a copy of one of their “Best of” series that is not included in my subscription.
This economic downturn is affecting everyone, in one way or another. This issue with 104 healthy yet budget friendly recipes will ensure that you eat healthy without breaking the bank. 
My favorite sections/tips included…
These 2 tips really speak to me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more meatless meals since watching Food Inc. and during the spring and the summer, most of my produce comes from the farmers markets and near-by farms. It’s important for me to support local farmers, and often this also forces my husband and me to eat more vegetables, cuts down on our grocery bill, and really makes us appreciate the season. Cooking Light had lots of great recipes in both sections, and throughout the magazine!
But wait, there is more 
Lindsay, representing Nasoya, also contacted me recently and sent me some coupons to try Nasoya’s new wraps. I just bought ww wraps at TJ’s so I haven’t been able to taste test Nasoya’s wraps (they sound great!) but I did pick up 2 packages of organic extra-firm tofu for tonight’s dinner from the above mentioned magazine. How’s that for multi-tasking 
I chose the recipe from the meatless section – tofu steaks with red pepper-walnut sauce and invited my mom over for dinner. I omitted parsley (my husband hates it) and the white wine vinegar (my mom hates it) – replacing it with some cooking white wine with lemon juice, and scaled the recipe up by 1.5 times just to ensure no one went hungry at my dinner table 
Oh I also cut down on oil a bit (used less than 2T for 6 steaks). For sides, I stir-fried some local brussels sprouts and reheated some cooked brown rice. Here is the whole meal:
Tofu closeup:
Red pepper walnut sauce:
And the brussels sprouts:
My portion:
The tofu steaks were so delicious. Very “meaty” – Adam said he thinks that non-tofu lovers would love this. He really raved about this meal! I think the sauce was really what put it over the top for him. He really drenched his plate with it and then practically licked it clean. We calculated that this meal costs less than $2 per serving and that’s using mostly organic and local ingredients! Thank you, Miranda, for sending me the magazine to review. I plan on making another recipe from the issue this week. It was hard to choose my favorites – great stuff in there!
Lyndsay also graciously offered to send my readers some coupons to try out Nasoya products!! In order to win TWO coupons for free Nasoya products, please leave a comment on this post. For some extra credit let others know about this giveaway and link back to this post. FIVE lucky readers will receive 2 coupons, each. I will announce the winners this Thursday night. Good luck! 
THE REST OF TODAY’S EATS
Nonfat yogurt with apple slices, autumn olives, peanut butter Puffins and walnuts + coffee
Yes, I had a pumpkin whoopie pie for breakfast too. It jumped into my mouth as I was packing the rest to take to work. This is why they had to go!
Leftover chopped chicken salad from Not Your Average Joe’s
+
Another giant low fat cookie from the package 24carrot sent me. I thought this one had a more prevailing “off sweetness taste,” than the rocky road cookie. I think the nuts and marshmallows in the other cookie distracted me from that strange sweetness taste. Not sure how to describe it. It wasn’t bad per-se, but definitely tasted “healthy.” I’d have to be in a particular mood to like it. I did like how large and dense this cookie was. I like my desert to feel substantial
I think that’s all I have for today. I attended a Group Power class after work, which will surely make me sore for a few days. My workouts may get creative to make up for it
Don’t forget to enter the Nasoya giveaway!
That tofu looks good, any chance you could post the recipe?
Thanks for posting that review, I love Cooking Light and always been intrigued by the other series. I am also starting to use more tofu.
Morgan, I linked to it (click on the name of the dish – it should direct you to the online recipe).
That breakfast looks delish! I’ve never heard of autumn olives before.
Also, I made those whoopie pies the weekend before last, and I can attest to their deliciousness. Luckily, my husband ate most of them!
I would love to try out some of Nasoya’s other products. Their tofu is awesome.
And those pumpkin whoopie pies look ahhmazing.
woo giveaways! i wanted to try this for ages!!
xoxox
lo
Cooking Light picked the right person to review the issue! You are exactly who I would thikn of for that
Very cool that you got an advanced copy.
That tofu recipe looks absoluitely delicious. I would love to be a guest at your table
Your photos shuold do Cooking Light proud!
Wow, so many typos in there…sorry!
I am eating mostly vegetarian now and would love to experiment more with tofu – these coupons would be great!
That tofu looks beyond yummy!
Looks so, so good. What did Adam, have to say about the tofu?
I recently tried to make Chris take a bite, just a bite, of tofu, and he refused!!
I have never cooked with tofu but this recipe looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I also have to agree that the pumpkin whoopie pies look delicious too!
Lara – no worries
24carrot – Adam LOVED it!
i want coupons i want coupons! and where did you get those autmn olives? leeme guess… farmers market
they look yummy. and they’re my favorite color hee heee heee
Yay for free tofu. I used to be a Cooking Light subscriber but eventually stopped since the recipes are now available to everyone for free on their website (you used to have to be a subscriber) and I’m trying to declutter. I still make their recipes a lot though. They are always the perfect marriage of flavor & healthfulness.
those tofu steaks look insanely good!
what a yummy looking meal…can’t believe it’s only $2 per serving!
I’ve been wanting to try the Nasoya noodles for awhile! Great giveaway!
I posted your giveaway on my site today
http://www.melissanibbles.com/2009/11/diagnosis-confirmed.html
I want some Nasoya!
I LOVE Tofu just wish I cooked it better!
I’d love to try Nasoya tofu! I’m just starting to like tofu and I haven’t tried theirs yet
Any pointers for someone who is new to cooking tofu?
Oh wow!! I really hope I win! I can just image blintz and won ton stuffed goodies, not to mention brie anyone? These wrappers would be perfect plus inspiring for other new recipes!
That tofu looks incredible! I am so uncreative when it comes to cooking tofu, but I think I really need to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Innz – you guessed right
Kelly – I thought about not renewing either, but I really love the magazines. I read them like books and get excited when I get them in the mail
Jessica H – It’s important to press the tofu before cooking (line with paper towels and put something heavy on it for at least 30 minutes). This way the water escapes and the marinade can really soak into the tofu. Marinading it is another great way (after blotting) to kick up the flavor. Then you can pan fry it or bake it… or follow this recipe!
Your eats look delicious! I love the flowers at your table as well!
This looks delish! I’ve really been thinking about a Cooking Light subscription – me thinks I will definitely give this issue a shot!
I love Nasoya tofu, they’re so versatile in cooking and yum!
Posted and shared this giveaway on Facebook . http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/tcarolinep?ref=profile
Tweet this giveaway http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/5401019340
Dugg this giveaway@tcarolinep
Link here : http://digg.com/food_drink/Cooking_Light_Nasoya_delicious_healthy_budget_friendly
the tofu looks fantastic. thanks for posting the link to the recipe.
i would love to try their wraps or tofus!
I am cooking Nasoya tofu for dinner
I would love to try Nasoya wraps. I’m a big fan of their tofu, but haven’t had a chance to try their wraps yet.
I just tweeted about the giveaway at http://twitter.com/liandxp
The wraps are great and so versatile!
That looks really good! I’m not usually one for tofu – I haven’t ever eaten a “steak” of it, just small pieces in other things – but this seems like something I would be willing to try.
Your pumpkin whoopie pies look so irresistible that I’m scared to make them. Maybe for Thanksgiving…
Thanks for taking the time to run such a great blog and for always being so honest with your readers.
that tofu looks so interesting! i got food, inc. on netflix and can’t wait to watch
thanks for coming tonight!! and sharing dessert
LOVED those pumpkin whoopie pies!
Mmm, tofu please! I’ve been craving it lately (go me, what a healthy craving!)
Looks like a great book!
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[...] Cooking Light + Nasoya = delicious, healthy, budget friendly dinner (giveaway alert!) [...]
[...] A Nasoya giveaway! I’d love me some tofu. [...]
I linked on my post this morning
http://foodmakesfunfuel.com/2009/11/04/the-egg-then-the-chicken/
I love tofu!! Great giveaway!
Your tofu looks REALLY good!
Enjoy!
i would love to try some nasoya product! i am pretty picky about my tofu!
I would love some coupons!
I love cooking light! That tofu looks awesome, very hearty and something meat eaters would enjoy.
great giveaway!!! your tofu looks amazing
Nasoya for me please!
[...] Cooking Light + Nasoya = delicious, healthy, budget friendly dinner (giveaway alert!) [...]
One Healthy Apple – thanks! My mom brought them over. I love them too
Tanya – I really love Cooking Light. Check out this issue or any other ones out there. I think most of their dishes are healthy but don’t taste like it.
JC – thanks for spreading the word! You definitely get lots of extra points
Marie – they are definitely dangerous but SO good! Thanks for a sweet comment
Shannon – I think Food Inc. will change the way you look at food. It definitely changed my life despite the fact that I thought I already knew a lot.
I’ve been dying to try tofu, but can’t bring myself to pay for it if I don’t know I’d like it. Getting a coupon for free tofu would be PERFECT!
[...] Cooking Light + Nasoya = delicious, healthy, budget friendly dinner (giveaway alert!) [...]
[...] Elina from Healthy and Sane is having a giveaway for coupons for free Nasoya products. Check out her post by clicking on the hyperlink and enter! [...]