Little Apple Cook: January 2012

January 25, 2012

This week there are not as many good deals, so I am using some staples that I hoard almost A&E worthy. I usually go crazy and buy a number of items that I don't need at the moment in mass quantities. This includes things like pasta and rice mixes (like pasta-roni), frozen veggies, canned veggies/beans/tomatoes, canned soups and broths, frozen meats, bacon, cheeses, and jarred items. That way it is only a few items I buy each week at need, and the rest are other hoarding items. It also makes the rough patches easier to handle, those times when every penny counts. I write this without good deals this week, there are a few but not as many as usual. I am using those staples I have, but have tried to find deals on others for anyone out there reading.... if there is anyone! Remember that I shop for everything else I can at Aldi's and

Meal 1:
Roasted Pork Butt (Pork Shoulder) with Apples and Onions (from the Pioneer Woman - LOVE HER!!)
She calls for wild rice to be a side dish but I plan on using different rice mixes I have collected
On Sale This Week:
Farmland Best Pork Butt Roast $.98/lb - Ray's Apple Market (Friday-Sunday only)
Apples (Gala/Granny Smith/Golden Delicious) 10 lbs for $10 at Dillons ($1.49/lb at Ray's)
Yellow Onions $.98/lb at Ray's and 10 lbs/$10 at Dillons *
* indicates that item located at Aldi and may be cheaper

Meal 2:
Crock Pot Chicken Soft (or Hard) Tacos with Re-fried Beans
Will use this recipe for Creamy Chicken Taquitos later in the week. My family likes rice, but if you rather beans or taco chips and salsa totally change it up.
On Sale This Week:
Best Choice Frozen Chicken Breasts 3 lb bag $4.88 at Ray's Apple Market (GOOD DEAL!!) **
Kroger Shredded Cheddar Cheese 2 for $4 at Dillons (maybe cheaper at Aldi's I stocked up a few weeks ago at HyVee) *
Kroger Sour Cream at Dillons 4 for $5 (don't have to buy 4 for deal) *
Dole Lettuce $.77 -at HyVee (Thursday-Saturday only)

Taco Bell Taco Shells (if making hard tacos) $.98 at Ray's
Taco Bell Refied Beans $.98 at Ray's *
Kraft Salad Dressing at Dillons $1.79 (need Zesty Italian)*
Avacados $.29 each at Aldi (10 for $10 at Dillons)
* indicates that item located at Aldi and may be cheaper

Meal 3:
Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos and Spanish Rice Bake (leave out ground beef and can sub white rice for long grain rice)
On Sale This Week:
See Crockpot Chicken Recipe above
Dole Lettuce $.77 -at HyVee (Thursday-Saturday only)*
Kraft Salad Dressing at Dillons $1.79 *
Kroger Shredded Cheddar Cheese 2 for $4 at Dillons (maybe cheaper at Aldi's I stocked up a few weeks ago at HyVee)*
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $.99 at Dillons
Bell Peppers (on sale for $.98 each at Ray's but can get cheaper at Aldi if purchased in 3 pack)
Yellow Onions $.98/lb at Ray's and 10 lbs/$10 at Dillons *
Kroger Shredded Cheddar Cheese 2 for $4 at Dillons (maybe cheaper at Aldi's I stocked up a few weeks ago at HyVee) *
* indicates that item located at Aldi and may be cheaper

Meal 4 (Promised Alex these even though they are not on sale):
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches with Fries (frozen) and Green Beans (canned or frozen)
On Sale This Week:
Yellow Onions $.98/lb at Ray's and 10 lbs/$10 at Dillons *
Bell Peppers (on sale for $.98 each at Ray's but can get cheaper at Aldi if purchased in 3 pack)*
Kroger Provolone Cheese 2 for $4 at Dillons (probably cheaper at Aldi's)*
Frozen Veggies (Bird's Eye at Ray's $.98)
* indicates that item located at Aldi and may be cheaper

Other Sale Items I Found Worth Buying (or stocking up on!)

Hy-Vee (see above recipes for other deals)

Thursday-Saturday Only:

Wonder Classic White Bread (20 oz.) $.99 (limit 2) ($1.88 at Ray's) - Thursday-Saturday only
Pepsi 2 liter $.99
Russet Potatoes (5 lbs bag) $.99
Dole Lettuce heads $.77
Starkist Sensations $.99
Cottenelle 9 Big Roll $3.88

Chilean Red Grapes $1.49/lb ($1.69 Dillons/$1.99 Ray's)
Hamburger Helper 10 for $10 (never bad to have on hand)
HyVee Ketchup $.69
HyVee Fruit Bars/Yogurt Smoothie Bars 2 for $4
Coupon needed - Buy 3 Special K Products on page get $3 off milk (GOOD DEAL FOR FAMILIES)

Dillons (see above recipes for other deals) Armor Lunch Makers (small lunchables) $.88

Pepsi 2 liters $.99
Kellogg's poptarts $1.69 (Best Choice at Ray's $.98)
Kroger Yogurt 10 for $4
Kroger Cottage Cheese/Sour Cream/Dip (16 oz) 4 for $5
Kroger Bacon $2.38 (buy and freeze for future use when eggs are on sale)

Ray's (see above recipes for other deals)

Friday-Sunday Only

Coke 24 pack $4.88 (same price for off brand Kroger/HyVee soda (4-12 pack for $10)

Best Choice Toaster Pastries $.98
Oscar Meyer Bologna $.98

Aldi

Baby Carrots $.49/lb

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

2 sweet onions, thinly sliced
1 green pepper thinkly sliced
(1 T butter)
1-2 packages Steak EZ (purchased at Aldi) or Steak-Ums
6 slices provolone cheese
6 hoagie rolls

In a large non-stick skillet, caramelize onions and peppers in butter. Pile to side, heat beef strips then combine. Brush hoagie rolls with olive oil and place under broiler until brown. Layer beef, onions, cheese slice on hoagie rolls, retun to broiler until cheese in melted. Use condiments as desired (I use mayo).

Jan 17 2012

So after much deliberation I have come up with the following meals for the week. Unless otherwise stated I shop at Aldi's, and I realize that Walmart is probably cheaper for some things, but I usually don't go there.... personal reasons. So here is what we have. So click on the link for the recipe or my link....

Meal 1: Roasted Chicken, potatoes, and carrots

HyVee - Whole Fryer Chicken $.69/lb OR Rays $.78/lb
Aldi - Yukon Gold 5 lb. $.99 OR HyVee Red Potatoes $.77/lb
Baby Carrots $.49/lb OR Bunny Luv Organic Carrots $.99/lb

Meal 2: Chicken Fried Rice & Egg Rolls

Chicken cooked from meal 1
HyVee- eggs $1.28/doz (I know this is high but it is the best I can find)
Dillons-Frozen Veggies (peas) 10 for $10 OR Dillons Canned Veggies 5 for $2 ($.40 each)

Meal 3: Banditos Hotdogs

Rays- Bar S Meat Franks $.88 each
Aldi - Frito's (off brand) $.99 OR Dillon's Frito's 2 for $4
HyVee - Shredded Cheese (6-8 oz) 2 for $4 OR Dillon's - Kroger Shredded (12-16 oz) $2.99

Meal 4: Delicious Tuna Burgers & fries or chips
These turned out pretty good.... Maddie had her opinions as you can see, but not bad towards the end.

Dillon's Tuna ($.59/can) OR HyVee 5 for $3 (limit 5 = $.60/can)
HyVee Hamburger Buns $.99 OR Dillon's Hamburger Buns 10 for $10
Aldi's - chips or frozen fries

Maddie thought something I said was not as funny as I did apparently!

Meal 5: Egg Boats and Cinnamon Apples

HyVee- eggs $1.28/doz (I know this is high but it is the best I can find)
Kroger French Bread 10 for $10 (you don't actually have to buy 10 for this deal)
HyVee - Shredded Cheese (6-8 oz) 2 for $4 OR Dillons - Kroger Shredded (12-16 oz) $2.99

Other Items on Sale I Though Important

HyVee: (currently experiencing technical difficulty but there will be links ASAP)

Campbell's Soup Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup Soup $.39 each (Coupon required limit 2)
HyVee Popsicles $.99/box (If your family goes through Popsicles like mine!)
HyVee 2 liter soda $.69 each
Bananas $.39/lb (Ray's is $.25/lb on Tuesdays)
Charmin 24 double rolls $7.88 ($.33/roll)
Saltines $.77/box (coupon required)
Canned Veggies 5 for $2 ($.40 each) coupon required
Canned beans 2 for $.88 (limit 2) coupon required
Flour 5 lb bag $.99/bag (coupon required)
Hamburger Helper Bonus Dinners $.88 (limit 4)

Dillons

Milk (1 gallon) 10 for $10
Tuna cans $.59/can
hamburger and hot dog buns 10 for $10
Kroger yogurt 3 for $1
French Bread 10 for $10
Progresso Soup 10 for $10
Oscar Meyer Lunchable 10 for $10

Rays

Bar S Hot dogs $.88/each
Knorr Sides $.88/each
Strawberries $1.48/lb (limit 4)

Cinnamon Apples

4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced

(Cinnamon, sugar, butter)

Toss apples with 3-4 T sugar & ½ t cinnamon. Heat in microwave in a covered dish for 5 min.

Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, and Carrots

1-2 Fryer Chickens ( realize in this picture I used chicken leg quarters, same steps apply)
3-5 lb potatoes, cut into cubes (I use Golden Yukon but can use Russet, Red, or other)
1-2 lbs carrots
1-2 sticks butter (softened)
1-2 packages dried onion soup mix/dry ranch mix/garlic dressing mix
salt and pepper to taste
garlic and onion powder to taste

Clean chicken, removing innards and rinsing clean. Season with salt and pepper. Place potatoes and carrots in bottom of roasting pan. Sprinkle with half soup/ranch mix. Top with chicken. Mix softened butter and either additional soup mix/ranch mix/or garlic dressing mix. Spread over chicken and under skin. Roast 2-3 hours at 350 degrees. (If you choose smaller portion on one ingredient choose smaller portion on other)

Chicken Fried Rice

1 lb chicken, slice into thin short strips

(2 T soy sauce, 6 T oil, 3 beaten eggs, ½ t sugar)
1 bunch green onions, slice into ½ in pieces & separate green & white pieces
1 red bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
1 T finely chopped fresh ginger
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
(4 cups cooked white rice)
4 to 6 egg rolls

Mix 1 T soy sauce into chicken. Heat 2 T oil in large skillet on med/hi temp; cook chicken for 8 min. or until chicken no longer pink. Remove chicken to bowl. Add 1 T oil to skillet and cook white onion pieces, bell pepper, ginger and peas for 5 min. Push vegs to one side, add 1 T oil, stir in beaten eggs til they start to set then stir in vegs. Add veg/egg mix to bowl w/ chicken. Stir in 1 T soy sauce and ½ t sugar. Heat 2 T oil & add cooked rice. Stir in chicken and mix in green onions. Bake egg rolls by pkg directions.

Paula Deen Madness

So my DVR was getting a bit full and I decided to see what could be deleted. I had 44 episodes of Paula Deen that I decided to scale down... Here is a list of all of the recipes that I want to try (some I have tried) from these episodes:

Spicy pecan fried chicken with pecan glaze

Creamy Artichoke Spinach Dip

Bacon Pimento Mac and Cheese

Grandma's Never Fail Pound Cake

Vidalia Onion Pie

Ooey Gooey Butter Layer Cake

Cheesy Squash Casserole

I have made this one and it was AWESOME!!!

Coming next week!

I decided to put my efforts to work from this point on..... Every Tuesday the ads come out and I plan my meals for the following week based on those ads and deals. I then shop over the weekend and use those products to make my dinners for the following week. I seriously spend a great deal of effort on this so I might as well share, so next week look for my new posts on the meal planning based on our local ads, these will include HyVee, Dillon's, and Rays. Anywhere else I should include?

Betty Corcker BBQ Pork Chops

I am trying this later in the week. Pretty excited about it, haven't had pork chops in a while. We will see......

1 1/2 cups barbecue-flavored potato chips (1 1/4 oz)

1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
6 pork boneless loin chops, 1/2 inch thick (about 1 1/2 lb)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup barbecue sauce

Place potato chips in 1-gallon resealable plastic food-storage bag; crush with rolling pin. Add Bisquick mix to chips; mix well. In small shallow dish, mix egg and 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce. Dip pork chops into egg mixture, then shake in bag to coat with Bisquick mixture. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-low heat. Cook pork chops in oil 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until golden brown and pork is no longer pink in center. Serve with 3/4 cup barbecue sauce. To Freeze and Bake: Coat pork chops as directed, but do not cook. Wrap each pork chop in heavy-duty foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Place in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight until thawed. Cook as directed.