| Saving money on groceries can be done many ways. | | | | Meal #2: Chicken and Dumplings |
| One of the best ways to save money on groceries is | | | | Ingredients: |
| to stretch more expensive ingredients, particularly meat | | | | 1 packet of leftover roasted chicken |
| and poultry. | | | | 8 chicken bouillon cubes |
| Here is a way to create three meals out of one | | | | Carrots |
| chicken, along with the recipes for doing so. | | | | Celery |
| Whole chickens can be purchased on sale at very | | | | Onions |
| reasonable prices. Stock up on then when they are on | | | | Sage or Poultry Seasoning |
| sale. | | | | Bisquick |
| You'll be able to get three meals out a single chicken! | | | | 1. Take one packet of the reserved leftover chicken |
| Here's how: | | | | and dump it into a pot with 8 cups of water, and 8 |
| First off, buy the largest whole chickens you can find. | | | | bouillon cubes. |
| The larger the chicken, the greater ratio of meat to | | | | 2. Add in diced carrots, onions, and celery, and ½ |
| bones, so you'll be paying for more chicken and less | | | | t. poultry seasoning or sage. |
| bones, with a larger chicken. | | | | 3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 |
| Secondly, be strategic in your use of the chicken. | | | | minutes, or until vegetables are tender. |
| Below are three recipes planned around one chicken. | | | | 4. Meanwhile, mix up a batch of dumpling batter, |
| The same basic idea can be applied to your favorite | | | | according to the instructions on the Bisquick box. |
| chicken recipes as well. | | | | 5. Add dumplings to broth, and simmer 10 minutes, or |
| Meal #1: Roasted Chicken and Vegetables | | | | until done. |
| Ingredients: | | | | Meal #3: Chicken Stir-Fry |
| 1 large roasting chicken (the largest you can find) | | | | Ingredients: |
| Onions | | | | Rice |
| Carrots | | | | Onions |
| Celery | | | | Garlic |
| Oil | | | | 1" Piece of Fresh Ginger Root |
| Seasonings | | | | 4 cups of assorted vegetables |
| 1. Wash the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. | | | | Packet of leftover chicken |
| Place it into a roasting pan. | | | | Soy Sauce |
| 2. Surround the chicken with an ample amount of | | | | Oil |
| carrots, onions, and celery. | | | | 1. Put on a pot of rice to cook -- enough for your |
| 3. Rub the outside of the chicken with oil, and sprinkle | | | | family. |
| with desired seasonings. I like using different varieties | | | | 2. While the rice is cooking, heat two tablespoons of oil |
| of McCormick Grill Mates chicken seasoning, but | | | | in a large skillet. |
| whatever you have on hand, even if it is just salt and | | | | 3. Add in 1 cup diced onions and sauté until |
| pepper, works fine also. | | | | onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. |
| 4. Cover with foil and roast the chicken at 350 | | | | 4. Add in 2 cloves of garlic, minced, and 1" of fresh |
| degrees until done. (The length of time will vary | | | | ginger root, peeled and grated. |
| depending on the size of the chicken. The package the | | | | 5. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. |
| chicken came in will give you guidelines regarding | | | | 6. Add in 4 cups of vegetables of your choice. Some |
| cooking time.) | | | | good options are broccoli, carrots, snow peas, celery, |
| 5. Serve the chicken with the roasted vegetables, and | | | | etc. You can actually use most any vegetable you |
| with other filling side dishes such as potatoes, rolls, | | | | might find in your fridge. |
| salad, etc. | | | | 7. Sauté the vegetable mixture 10 minutes, until |
| After dinner, immediately tear into the left over chicken; | | | | vegetables are crisp tender. |
| literally picking all meat off the bones. You'll be | | | | 8. Add in the remaining package of leftover chicken |
| surprised how much meat will be left on the chicken. | | | | and 2 tablespoons soy sauce and cook until heated |
| Divide the leftover meat into two equal parts; you'll | | | | through. |
| need one part leftover chicken for each of the next | | | | Serve over hot cooked rice. |
| two meals. | | | | |