Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun!
- Kchurchill5
- Posts: 16044
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:55 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
This also looks very good.
You could easily use regular pasta, vs whole wheat
You could use the chicken too in the pasta which would be very nice
Instead of carrots use any veggies on hand like peas or red pepper, scallions or mushrooms.
Make a basic white sauce and use the mascarpone, add a little mustard and dill and serve over the grilled chicken thighs
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/reci ... one-sauce/
I have made this with boneless skinless breasts and a can of tomatoes, so I'm sure it would work with thighs
- Kchurchill5
- Posts: 16044
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:55 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
Also using up some ground beef with my Mexican Goulash.
Today, I just finished cooking up 1 lb of ground beef; to use in just about anything, the other pound I mixed with Lipton Onion Soup and made burgers
Monday I am using 2 bags of frozen broccoli, I got from my neighbor to use to make broccoli and potato soup
And tomorrow I am making walnut crusted chicken fingers with a spicy cranberry dipping sauce; using up the walnuts and cranberry.
So I certainly haven't used up everything. But I will have used 1 of each of my 15 items. At least I will have made a dent.
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The whole key for this challenge is take a normal dish. For example I was planning baked chicken fingers with a spicy honey sauce / onion rings and fruit while watching the games tomorrow.
Instead ... I tried to incorporate 1-2 items from my list. I combined nuts, and the cranberry from the pantry and will make a spicy sauce from that. Rather than plain breaded chicken it will be nut crusted and rather than a honey sauce, it will be a spicy cranberry sauce.
And for soup, rather than making chicken or beef or bean, etc - Pick a new recipe using the broccoli (ie., that is what I had on hand)
So just think of a regular weeknight meal and try to incorporate one of your items in it.
Obviously, I still have a few more sauces, marinades, broccoli - but a dent has been made.
- HeatherFeather
- Posts: 2558
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:07 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
You can also stir some into spaghetti sauce at the end of cooking to make it creamy.
- HeatherFeather
- Posts: 2558
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:07 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
You just reminded me that I have a box of Lipton onion soup mix in my pantry I haven't used in a while. I should make up some burgers too and stash them in my freezer.Kchurchill5 wrote:In the next week, I will be using up some of Dad's leftover pkg gravies or sauces over grilled chicken
Also using up some ground beef with my Mexican Goulash.
Today, I just finished cooking up 1 lb of ground beef; to use in just about anything, the other pound I mixed with Lipton Onion Soup and made burgers
Monday I am using 2 bags of frozen broccoli, I got from my neighbor to use to make broccoli and potato soup
And tomorrow I am making walnut crusted chicken fingers with a spicy cranberry dipping sauce; using up the walnuts and cranberry.
So I certainly haven't used up everything. But I will have used 1 of each of my 15 items. At least I will have made a dent.
-------------------------------------------------
The whole key for this challenge is take a normal dish. For example I was planning baked chicken fingers with a spicy honey sauce / onion rings and fruit while watching the games tomorrow.
Instead ... I tried to incorporate 1-2 items from my list. I combined nuts, and the cranberry from the pantry and will make a spicy sauce from that. Rather than plain breaded chicken it will be nut crusted and rather than a honey sauce, it will be a spicy cranberry sauce.
And for soup, rather than making chicken or beef or bean, etc - Pick a new recipe using the broccoli (ie., that is what I had on hand)
So just think of a regular weeknight meal and try to incorporate one of your items in it.
Obviously, I still have a few more sauces, marinades, broccoli - but a dent has been made.
The cranberry chicken fingers idea sounds really good.
- Kchurchill5
- Posts: 16044
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:55 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
You can take those and make a beef gravy with mushrooms and presto. A quick dinner.
HF, Ever use frozen mushrooms? I get mine at sweetbay or Publix. I love them - now I love fresh first and always, but I keep frozen on hand because they are OK for sauces, gravies and just when you want a few. They are like 97 cents and they last forever. Not for fresh use, but sauces are fine
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
Kc - your recipe for Karen's chicken sounds totally delicious! I agree the challenge isn't to use it all but to at least use it once for the month.
I ate a portion of my baked ziti casserole from the freezer for dinner yesterday and although these aren't on the list I finished off some gourmet popcorn and choc-hazelnut wafers that I had stashed away from the holidays.
This week I want to dive into the couscous and try the baked fish idea suggested for sure. Nothing else planned yet. I am just going day by day here.
- HeatherFeather
- Posts: 2558
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:07 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
I haven't ever tried them frozen, except if they came on a frozen pizza or something. I love fresh mushrooms and almost always have some in the house, so I don't ever think of buying them frozen. I have a guilty pleasure item with mushrooms - the ones sold in glass jars. I have always loved them on pizza, even better than fresh mushrooms. I also love the canned ones in spaghetti sauce, but only pre-made sauce, not my homemade ones. No idea why.Kchurchill5 wrote:The lipton burgers are pretty good and easy. Nice to have them all made. Just cook and eat. It is still frozen food, but easy to prepare.
You can take those and make a beef gravy with mushrooms and presto. A quick dinner.
HF, Ever use frozen mushrooms? I get mine at sweetbay or Publix. I love them - now I love fresh first and always, but I keep frozen on hand because they are OK for sauces, gravies and just when you want a few. They are like 97 cents and they last forever. Not for fresh use, but sauces are fine
Oh - almost forgot. I made some oatmeal today for breakfast. Still want to use a lot more of it though.
- Kchurchill5
- Posts: 16044
- Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:55 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
I have a stew which has chicken, eggplant, squash, tomatoes, pretty much basic Mediterranean flavors, olives, mushrooms and it is just simmered. Nothing fancy, very easy. That is served over couscous and topped with fresh spinach, chopped and feta cheese. It is like a stew sort of. I have a spin off of that on f.com. Sort of like chili over rice
- HeatherFeather
- Posts: 2558
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:07 am
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
I also used up a can of the peas in a pea salad. I can't believe how tasty it is! I only made half the recipe, thinking I'd have to choke the salad down and didn't want to waste the ingredients. However - it is delicious! So simple too! Just canned peas, mayo or miracle whip (I used Miracle Whip light since I am trying to use that up, mistake purchase), chopped sweet onion, a nice amount of Mrs Dash original blend, and some chopped hard boiled eggs. Mixed together all to taste and then chilled to let the flavors soak into the peas. Surprisingly good!!
Re: Budget Stretchers: Use it Or Lose it 2012 - Join the fun
Heavens, Heather, be careful! You might end up buying more canned peas.HeatherFeather wrote: I also used up a can of the peas in a pea salad. I can't believe how tasty it is! Surprisingly good!!
