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Everything is blooming, both in the garden and at your local farmers' market. So focus on what's currently available in your area. Enjoy a fresh meal and celebrate the season by choosing foods that are widely available and, thus, less expensive.
- If you're looking to cook vegetarian, try my spring pea and soba noodles dish. The sweetness of the spring peas plays off the saltiness of the truly healthy kelp.
Cost: $26.00 - For dessert, you just can't beat my rhubarb raspberry cast iron skillet crumble. Rhubarb didn't debut in my diet until fairly recently. I always thought of rhubarb as a mid-western thing, but my friend Cathy turned me onto it when we were in college. I just love its tart flavor. It's not sweet when eaten raw, but when paired with sugar in a cobbler, or pie, the fabulously sweet flavor blends with its natural tartness. Use a cast iron skillet to add a wonderfully rustic quality to the dish.
Cost: $42.00 - For a fresh take on a cocktail, try Kelly Rossiter's organic Gin Gin Mule. As luck would have it, Kelly was at the farmers' market and purchased some homemade ginger beer. It's a little too strong to drink straight, but works great in this recipe. Try using organic gin and garnishing with that mint you've been growing on your window sill.
Cost: $31.00
Total: $99.00
More on Feeding a Crowd for Cheap:
Feed 8 Friends for Under $100 with this Green Frugal Feast: The Broken-Hearted Gourmet
Feed 8 Friends for Under $100 with this Green Frugal Feast: A Tapas Party!
Feed 8 Friends for Under $100 with this Green Frugal Feast: Celebrate Earth Month!

























