Welcome to Coined Cuisine!
Hey y'all! I'm Shani, the recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer behind this food blog focused on budget-friendly, delicious recipes.
In the beginning...
I'm the oldest daughter, so I frequently helped out with dinner and eventually began making all sorts of meals for my siblings and I. But I also grew up in a foodie family from central Mississippi, so from a young age I appreciated the experience of sitting around a home-cooked meal with friends and family.
Throughout high school and college, I dabbled in creating meals for classmates or clubs I was involved in. I even participated in a mock Chopped-style competition! When it was time to choose a degree, I majored in Accounting as I've always had a knack for money-saving.
Combining Food & Finance...
I moved states to attend graduate school, and that's when my experience for Coined Cuisine really began. I was a broke grad student, in a new city, with no family to fall back on. I didn't have tons of money, but I also didn't want to limit my diet to packets of ramen and cereal.
Since I was also studying for the CPA (Certified Public Accountant) exam, I didn't have really any time to workout either... Did you know, statistically, it's harder to pass the CPA exam on the first try than it is to pass the bar exam? Between school, studying, and a part-time job, I had to make a conscious choice to fuel my body with affordable, healthy options.
I began challenging myself to stretch my grocery budget as much as I can while still being creative in the kitchen; making my own versions of food that would've cost 3x as much if I went to a restaurant. I also started finding ways to shop in the grocery store and save as much money as possible - couponing, looking at weekly ads, shopping the perimeter of the store, etc.
Mid-Pandemic... Coined Cuisine was Born!
Around the summer of 2020, during all of the uncertainty in the world, I had an idea. What if I combined my cooking experience and financial knowledge, and shared it all on a food blog to the world?
I posted my first couple of recipes - including this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi - and the rest is history! Coined Cuisine is a culmination of my passion for cooking, and my desire to help others save money in a time where every dollar counts.
What You'll Find on Coined Cuisine
- Budget-Friendly Recipes. Detailed, easy-to-follow recipes that ensure success while considering ingredient costs.
- Cost Breakdowns for Each Recipe. I call it the Coined Breakdown - every recipe has a section showing the cost per serving, the cost per the entire dish, and an average cost if you were to buy the dish in a restaurant.
- Reliable, Obtainable Recipes. Each recipe has been developed and tested multiple times by me. No matter if you're a beginner cook or a seasoned chef, my step-by-step photos and Pro Tips sections will ensure you can cook anything on the site that your heart desires.
- We Stay in Contact. You can sign up for a twice-a-month recipe newsletter where I share new recipes, seasonal food trends, and relevant tips and tricks to improve your kitchen confidence.
More About Shani & The Blog
I recognize that food ingredients are priced differently based on tons of factors, including location, store policies, brand name products vs. store brand products, and even seasonality.
If it helps, I normally shop at stores with tons of sales and coupons like Kroger, Aldi, and local farmers markets for the best deals. With a little bit of research ahead of shopping, you can find tons of ways to save cash on groceries!
Under the "Shop" menu tab, I have all of my merchandise. I’ve released two cookbooks so far! Plate Night In is a cookbook focused on meals for two and is perfect for date nights or special celebrations. Air Fried Boss has tons of air fryer recipes so you can really make the most of your kitchen appliance. Both cookbooks have the option toorder the physical copies or digital versions!
I post free videos for my recipes on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. They all have detailed voiceovers so you can follow along with me. My username is @coinedcuisine on all social media platforms.
Although I'm only a cat mom for now, I have tons of recipes for weeknight dinners. I believe that we can all spend less time in the kitchen after work, and more time with family! I suggest Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies, One-Skillet Chicken Thighs and Rice, or Creole Red Beans and Rice.
Yes of course - I have a big sweet tooth so I love hosting parties with desserts. You can try my Triple Berry Crumble, No-Churn Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, or Roasted Sweet Potato Turnovers.
As Seen In...
