This week I am continuing our family interviews with a conversation I had with my mother-in-law, Jan. She and my father-in-law, Dean, have been taste testers for many Spend Smart. Eat Smart. recipes over the years. They are also excellent home cooks and a joyful part of our family. Here is what Jan shared with me:

Q: What is your favorite holiday food memory?
A: Making homemade taffy with my cousins and grandma at grandma’s house. We hand pulled the taffy, so we had to take butter and spread it all over our hands so the taffy wouldn’t stick to our hands. We would pull it until it changed color to white and then roll it into the shape of a snake and cut it into pieces.

Q: What is a holiday food that always makes you smile?
A: Mashed potatoes and gravy. (She started smiling as soon as we started talking about them.)

Q: When you feel rushed during the holidays, what is a quick and easy meal you make?
A: Frozen pizza.

Q: What is one tip you would like to share for eating on a budget?
A: Have a plan. We pull out all of the grocery ads for the week to see what is a good value and plan our menu from there. Also, stick to your grocery list, Dean has trouble sticking to the list.

Q: What is your favorite Spend Smart. Eat Smart. recipe?
A: Sweet Pork Stir Fry, I really like that one, it is probably my favorite. Chicken Noodle Soup too. Also, the one with the fish and ramen noodles (Fish and Noodle Skillet) is really good. Dean likes to add ingredients, especially more vegetables, to recipes.

Thank you to Jan for sharing your favorite memories and some tips with all of us!