Dollar store dinners

You would be surprised what you find at the dollar store. Its not just knick knacks anymore, the budget friendly stores are stocked with everything from home goods to grocery items. This week, we put a professional chef to the test.

Marc Walden is comfortable with cooking fancy fair at his restaurant Little House Midtown, but can he handle the Family Dollar Challenge?

We gave Walden a 20 dollar budget to put together a meal for a family of four with items only found on the shelves of the Family Dollar.

Walden jumped right in and first grabbed the main ingredient, canned salmon. He stocked his cart with the makings of a great meal. The plan was salmon croquettes with a corn and black bean relish. Waldon says it is not only cheap, but healthy.

Here’s a look at the ingredients:

Tabasco sauce
Worcestershire sauce
Old Bay seasoning
Parsley
Brown Rice
Pink salmon
Black beans
Corn
Roasted red peppers
Sweet corn
Eggs
Bread crumbs

Walden did go a little over budget. He spent $20.11. We’ll give him the change.

When he whipped it all together, it was impressive, and simple. Four servings of salmon croquettes with a corn and black bean relish over brown rice. A meal for a family of four on a budget.