Tuesday, April 6, 2010

One almost 5 pound chicken, three delicious meals

Are you in on the secret? No, I'm not taking about that book that describes how to wish things into being. *eye roll* I am talking about cooking from your pantry and fridge/freezer. Everything I need to make for this series was found in my own house. Three complete meals (plus leftovers) from what I have already in my house. The chicken came from the full size freezer in my garage. I purchased it in November 2009 for $2.41. This week I will be sharing with you one way to cook once and eat three different meals from the leftovers.

When we first got married my husband informed me that he did not like leftovers. Well, I started brainstorming because, as a family of two, we have a lot of leftovers. Americans waste so much food by letting leftovers and other foods go bad and I didn't want us to contribute to that. (
Here's an article by The Discovery Channel) So I decided that rather than serve my husband roasted chicken three nights in a row I would come up with a plan to "re-make" the leftovers into a completely new meal. Also, we are snobs and only really like eating white meat. We can save a ton of money by buying a whole chicken rather than just the breasts so I needed a way to "hide" the dark meat to make us want to eat it. Thus, the roasted chicken to chicken stock to chicken soup to chicken salad journey began.

Since I started cooking this way it has become one of my favorite time and money saving tricks. Last night I got home from work, prepped my chicken (I'll tell you more about that later) and then put it in the oven to roast for about 1 hour, 40 minutes. The first night that I make roasted chicken I make mashed potatoes and gravy to go with it.

How I roast chicken- a tutorial by a semi-OCD germ freak

You will need:
1 chicken- take out and throw away the nastiness that is stuffed in the cavity. Try not to look at it. Wash your hands 5 times and try to forget it ever existed.
Paper towels
2-3 Tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning mix (example: garlic herb, lemon pepper, etc use your favorite)
kosher salt (only a little if the seasoning mix contains any)
freshly ground pepper (life is too short to use fake pepper from a can)
1 teaspoon paprika (I don't care what other kind of seasoning you use- you need paprika because it tastes good and it give the chicken a nice color)
1 lemon cut into 4 chunks
1 small onion cut into 4 chunks
2 cloves garlic- don't cut just smash it
1 basting brush
something to roast the chicken in- sometimes I use a large corning ware oval dish last night I used a 9X13 nonstick pan
oven mitts (duh)
cutting board
foil
really sharp knife
1 small saucepan
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chicken stock
whisk
mashed potatoes-use your own recipe

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Dry off the outside of the chicken really well using paper towels. This is what will allow you have a crispy golden skin. Throw away the paper towels and wash your hands 5 times.

Step 2:
Combine your seasoning blend, the salt, the pepper and the paprika in a small ramekin. Put the olive oil in another ramekin. Brush the outside of the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mix one with one hand and use the other to rub it in. Use the same hand to flip the chicken. Use the "clean hand" to brush olive oil on the other side and then sprinkle with the seasoning mix. Use your "dirty hand" to rub it in. Use your "dirty hand" to put the chicken in the roasting pan breast side up. Use your "dirty hand" to shove the lemon, onion and garlic into the chicken cavity.

Step 3:
Wash your hands 5 times and swear that you will never again roast a chicken because surely it cannot be worth all this (5 minutes of) effort. Place chicken into oven. Set timer for 1 hour, 40 minutes. Go sit on the couch and watch TV and try to forget that you just touched a raw chicken.

Step 4:
With 30 minutes to go on the oven start making your mashed potatoes and any other side dish that requires cooking. Tip: you don't have to cook salad- I'm just saying. You've done enough with touching the raw chicken.

Step 5:
Take chicken out of oven. Test for doneness. Remove from roasting pan to cutting board and tent with foil.

Step 6:
Finish mashed potatoes. Keep warm.

Step 7:
Pour juices and tasty bits into a small sauce pan. Combine butter and flour into a paste using a fork. Whisk into the chicken juices. If gravy is too thick add chicken stock (it usually is too thick).

Step 8:
Carve chicken (there are how to videos all over the Internet). Our family of two eats one and a half breasts. Serve roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Moan because it is so good. Be forced to share with any furry children that live in your house, especially one large cat with a chicken addiction.


After dinner remove all of the leftover meat from the bones. Set aside leftover breast meat for chicken salad. Set aside all the dark meat for chicken noodle soup.

Save the bones! Throw them in a bag and store in the refrigerator. Tomorrow we'll make chicken stock in our crock pot while we work.

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Best Biscuits I have ever eaten

About a year ago I was perusing my Google Reader when I happened upon a recipe for soft, tender, fluffy biscuits made without shortening. I was so excited as cutting shortening into flour ranks as #2 on my list of things I hate to do in the kitchen. In case you are wondering, peeling things is #1.

These biscuits contain no fats or liquid other than heavy cream. Now, reader, in case you don't know butter is made by beating heavy cream until your arm falls off. Alternatively, you can put it in a mason jar and shake it until your arm falls off. So don't go thinking these are healthy for you or anything.

I have made these biscuits several times over the last year and they never disappoint. Be careful top work them only as much as you absolutely need to so that you don't overdevelop the gluten and make hockey pucks instead of biscuits. Gluten basically is the stuff in bread that makes yeast breads chewy. Great if you are making pizza dough... not so great if you are trying to make fluffy biscuits.

I found this recipe on the Delish blog but the original recipe is from Cooks Illustrated. I would have been happy to provide a link to Cooks Illustrated directly, however I'm not willing to subscribe to their website in order to do so. :-)

Cream Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream



Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.


Whisk dry ingredients together in medium bowl. Stir in the cream with a wooden spoon until the dough forms, about 30 seconds.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and gather into a ball. Knead the dough briefly until smooth, about 30 seconds.


Pat the dough into a 3/4-inch thick circle. Cut the biscuits into rounds using a 2 or 2-1/2″ biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

The baking sheet can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 hours. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Yields: 1 dozen 2″ biscuits

Monday, February 15, 2010

Cinnamon Apple Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal

I am sorry for the lack of updates lately. My mother had surgery a couple of weeks ago and is still at a rehab facility getting better every day! I have been running around like a mad woman visiting her, washing her clothes, finding books for her and also taking care of my husband and household. I have been exhausted, to say the least, and haven't really been cooking. If I have cooked it has been the most basic and simple things known to man. Like grilled cheese sandwiches. If y'all need a recipe for grilled cheese sandwiches then you need more help than I can provide. :-)

One thing that I really like to do is to make hot breakfasts on the weekends, especially if my husband isn't working. During the week we grab muffins that I thaw from the freezer or granola bars so it is nice to have something warm once in a while. It is even better when I can make a healthy, filling breakfast that is cheap!

Penny for penny homemade oatmeal is one of the best things that your money can buy. First of all, it is cheap! I have gotten all kinds of deals this winter for old fashioned rolled oats, my oatmeal preference. Second of all, oatmeal is very, very healthy. I'm not a nutritionist so if you want more information I suggest you consult Dr. Google as I have heard it called (by OHmommy of www.classychaos.com she is hilarious!).

Here's my own recipe for oatmeal

1 apple (use your favorite)
1 3/4 cups milk
big pinch of kosher or sea salt
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
1 cup old fashioned quick cooking (not instant) oats
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped pecans

1. Peel, core and finely dice apple. Set aside.

2. In a medium sauce pan heat milk to boiling. Add in the dried cranberries, the cinnamon and the apple while milk is heating up.

3. Once the milk is boiling add in the oats. Reduce heat and stir often until cooked, 3-5 minutes. If you notice the oats look very dry right away you may need to add a bit more milk, up to 1/4 cup more.

4. While the oats are cooking toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, watching them very carefully. They will burn quickly so err on the side of under toasted if this is your first time toasting nuts on top of the stove.

5. When the oats are done, remove from heat and allow to sit for a couple of minutes. Dish up into bowls and top with toasted pecans.

It doesn't get much easier, cheaper, healthier or yummier than this!

What is your favorite breakfast food? Do you have any time saving tips for making a hot breakfast during the week? I would love to hear from you!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Sauteed Zucchini

I love zucchini and my favorite way to prepare it is by thinly slicing it into coins, battering it and deep frying it. That is not exactly health conscious though and it is MESSY. So I was thinking of what I really like about that recipe and decided to take those elements and make a sauteed version that would be lower in fat and just as yummy. This is what I came up with:

Sauteed Zucchini

3 small Zucchini
2 teaspoons olive oil
salt
pepper
onion powder
garlic powder
grated Parmesan cheese, if desired

1. Cut off ends of zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Then slice into 1/4 inch thick half moon slices.
2. Heat olive oil in small stainless steel fry pan over medium heat until very hot.
3. Add zucchini, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.
4. Cook, stirring sparingly until zucchini is softened and lightly browned.
5. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and serve.

I served this the other night with my Ham and Cheese Quiche so I did not sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.

Ham and Cheese Quiche


I love to make quiche. It is my absolute favorite way to use up leftovers. Well, maybe pizza is. Ok if I never ate anything besides quiche and pizza (and ice cream) for the rest of my life I could be happy. But if I did, then I wouldn't have all these yummy leftovers to use up!

As I told you earlier this week I bought 20 packages of cheese over the weekend. I also had some leftover ham and I always have eggs so the first thing that came to mind was ham and cheese quiche.

I remember as recently as a year ago I would buy a frozen pie crust and think that I was getting a good deal because it was only $1.00. Ha! I don't love making my own and I certainly don't love washing my 25 year old non dishwasher safe food processor, or as I like to call it the tank, but I sure do love those savings!

I use the Better Homes and Gardens single pie crust recipe. Since I follow the directions exactly, I'll just link to that recipe.

Here is my own original "filling" recipe:

7 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
6 ounces cheddar cheese, 2 ounces reserved
1 cup diced ham
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp pepper (please do not use fake pepper in the can)
pinch garlic powder
1 prebaked pie crust

1. Prebake the pie crust according to the recipe.
2. Whip eggs & milk together until they are light and frothy.
3. Add all other ingredients except for the 2 ounces of reserved cheddar cheese, stir together until well combined.
4. Pour into prebaked pie crust.
5. Sprinkle remaining 2 ounces cheese over top of quiche.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1 hour.
7. Let cool 10 minutes before serving to allow the quiche to fully set.



I am going to start adding serving suggestions to my recipe posts because that is something that always interests me on the blogs that I read. I love reading what others serve with things. It just gives me so many ideas!


Serving suggestions:
basic chopped salad

Monday, January 25, 2010

An example of why I use coupons & shop sales

Hubs and I eat a lot of cheese. I mean A LOT. We love quesidillas for quick dinners or lunches and grilled cheese sandwiches frequently make an appearance on our dinner table with tomato soup. That isn't even counting pizza night or one of our favorite meals... my homemade macaroni & cheese.

I logged onto Southern Savers yesterday and just about fell out of my chair when I realized that I could make money buying Kraft cheese, but only for that one day. I don't exactly like shopping on Sunday and I certainly don't like planning last minute trips but I felt the results would be worth it. Well I just finished doing all the math, and friends let me tell you it was SO worth it. I'll break down my transactions for you below.

I just want to give another shout out to Money Saving Mom and Life As Mom for hosting the eat from the pantry challenge. If I had not participated there is no way that I would have been able to purchase 20 bars/bags of Kraft cheese yesterday.

I made two trips to two different Krogers and did a total of four transactions. The first Kroger was in the afternoon and it was crowded and they were almost out of cheese. The second Kroger is where I go if I have trouble finding things. It is a little out of my way but if the deals are great I think it is worth it. I made that stop on my way home from my parents' house.

I bought 20 bars/bags of cheese but I only got 5 from the store that was running low. I got the other 15 at 10:30 the day the Catalina deal ended and that store still had plenty of cheese left. Sure I would have loved to do everything that afternoon, but I believe in being courteous to other shoppers.

1st transaction:
3 bars cheese
2 bags cheese
1 Tazo chai (not mega)
1 Pillsbury Toaster Struedel
1 Daisy sour cream
1 chex mix
1 snyders
1 punch (not mega)
1 Krusteaz muffins

Total spent: $9.41
Total saved: $25.57
Catalina: $5.00

#2:
5 bars cheese
1 goldfish
1 ICBINB
1 Nature valley nut clusters
1 Quaker chewy granola bar

Total: $.09
Saved: $32.45
Catalina: $5.00

#3:
1 Wheat Thins
1 Ritz
4 Rotel
5 bars cheese
Total: $3.15
Saved: $17.70
Catalina: $5.00

#4:
5 bars cheese
2 Halls
2 Rotel
1 goldfish
1 Green Giant Steamfresh
hmmm it appears that I messed up & shouldn't have gotten my $5 off but its there so are the halls part of the deal? Anyways, it was an error I wasn't trying to cheat.
Total: $1.57
Saved: 19.85
Kroger card: $5.00 (catalina wouldn't print I'm fine with them doing it this way)

Total spent (pre-tax to determine percentage saved) : $13.25
Total saved: $100.57 (includes $5.00 gift card)
Saved percentage: 88%

If you want information on how I got such great deals please go visit Jenny at Southern Savers. She has all the best match ups for the southern region each week. She puts a ton of time & effort into her website and gives us all the information we could ever need for FREE. I can't say enough great things about Jenny!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Please help Haiti

I just finished a large mug of hot cocoa while watching one of my favorite shows. I'm nice and toasty warm in my home cuddled up with my dogs. My husband is in the next chair over laughing along with me to the show. We're safe. We're provided for. But tonight in a tiny country far away there are many, many people in danger. Without food. Without comfort. Without a home. They need our help. They need our prayers. They need our support.

Tomorrow my husband and I will be making a donation to The Salvation Army to assist in their relief efforts. Won't you please consider making a donation too? There are many great relief agencies out there on the front lines right now doing everything they can to help. Right now, while I sit at home and sip my cocoa.

Tonight and every night for the foreseeable future I'll be keeping the people of Haiti in my prayers. Won't you consider praying with me?

There are many bloggers today who are making donations for every blog entry linked up on their sites. I am especially touched by Money Saving Mom's efforts in organizing these donations and in her & her husband's very generous donation of $10.00 per blog link today. She always tells us that they live like no one else so that they can give like no one else and I think we are seeing today exactly what she is talking about. I'll be linking this post up to:

Mommy Snacks

The Diaper Diaries

Lamp Unto My Feet

Scrapbook of Sorts

Mom's Toolbox

Cha-ching on a Shoestring

Thrifty Northwest Mom

Saving Money Plan


The Happy Housewife


4 Hats and Frugal

Cincinnati Coupons

Baby Goodbuys


Another Mom's View

The King's Court

The Frugal Girl

Mrs. Moneysaver

SwagGrabber

Puget Sound Prudence

Saving Money in Missouri

Heavenly Homemakers

Pennies and Blessings

Faithful Provisions

She Saved

Saving with Amy

The Prudent Patron


I Heart Publix
(side note: this happens to be one of my favorite blogs)

Frugal Living and Having Fun

A High and Noble Calling


Sharpen Your Scissors

Cincinnati Cents

Coupon Lady Online

Common Sense With Money

The Homespun Heart


Ava's Mom

Bargain Blessings

Coupon Geek


The Gothros

Saving Bits and Pieces


The Suburban Tree Hugger

My Litter of Six

"Deal"ightful Savings

Sixth Cents Savings

Really Are You Serious?


Christian Frugal Mom


Sharpen Your Scissors

The Krazy Coupon Lady

The Stearns' Weekly News


Making Time For Mommy

The Simple Life of the Boreings


The Frugal Find

The Coupon Basics


My Fave Deals

Thrifty on the Dollar

My Blessed Life (Myra is my bloggy homegirl)

Kingdom First Mom

The Thrifty Couple


Frugal Living NW

My Pet Savings

Mama's Laundry Talk

Frugal Follies

The Haney Life

Covenant Homemaking

Coupon Teacher

Mommie Cheapest


Please note: I typed all of these in by hand. If I messed up your blog's name or link please let me know and I will be happy to fix it. Thank you all so much for your generous donations.