~*~Dream Cookies~*~

A fun twist on classic chocolate chip cookies.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Yield: 2-3 Dozen 2" cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla or almond extract

1 cup butter or shortening

1 bag chocolate chips

1 bag shaved coconut

Step 1: Prep the Batter!

Preheat the oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until creamy. Beat in the eggs. Add the baking soda, salt, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. With a wooden spoon mix in the flour until the batter is think. Fold in the chocolate chips and coconut. I usually use 1/2 a bag of both. For a sweeter option, add the entire bag of chips and roll balls of dough in the coconut flakes.

Step 2: Bake!

On an ungreased cookie sheet, drop the batter into 1" balls about 1/2" apart. Bake on the bottom oven rake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool.

Step 3: Enjoy!

Want to add your recipe to the Starving Artists Blog? Email us at starvingartistsblog@gmail.com !

5 Things Every Kitchen Needs

Maybe one of the most essential factors to be able to prepare a cheap and last minute meal is keeping some key items in your kitchen. This simple list will provide you with enough basic ingredients to complete a full course meal any night of the week.

1. Couscous - A cheap an easy alternative to pasta and rice, couscous is one of those basic ingredients that is cheap in bulk and goes with anything. It also can be found in a wide variety of flavors, too.
2. Spices - I can't express this one enough!! Spices are essential, especially when you can't afford a lot of fresh ingredients. Spices are cheap and easy to find; I like to check out local Asian and Hispanic grocers for spices because they usually have the same products (if not better) as the larger chain markets, but at a more reasonable price. Some basic spices? Try oregano, basil, paprika, cinnamon, lemon pepper, and rosemary.
3. Root Vegetables - Cheap, filling, and can be dressed up a million ways. Root veggies can last for months in the fridge without going bad. They are also full of vitamins and nutrients, and fill you up fast making them last longer. A bag of carrots and potatoes can last a group of two about 2 months for under $5.
4. Oil - Vegetable oil, olive oil, canola oil, whatever you prefer, it's always good to keep it on hand.  Tons of recipes usually call for oil for frying, basting, or greasing. 
5. Frozen Fruit/Vegetables - Just as good as fresh produce, but 1/2 the cost! Plus, frozen fruits and veggies won't mold and rot if you don't use them right away. 

These are just some of the things I try to always keep in my kitchen, you might find you use all of these, or sometimes none at all. Keep an eye on what you use most, and you'll start saving money.

Want to add your recipes to The Starving Artists? Email us at starvingartisblog@gmail.com !

Salutations!

Do you ever find yourself digging through the cabinets, scrounging for a decent meal, but always come up disappointed? So you try to collect your change for takeout, but the price for pizza doesn't fit your budget?

Don't fear! Help is here!


We know what it's like trying to eek out a living on an artist's salary (or lack there of), and we want to share our tips and secrets to delicious, healthy, and cheap eating.

All of the meals we create can be made for $20 or less, and leftovers last for days!

Want to contribute your special recipe to The Starving Artists? Email us at starvingartistsblog@gmail.com !