Stockpile Cooking: A couponer's guide to success

Philly Cheese and Ground Beef Casserole - 419183 - Recipezaar

2010-04-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

Check out this recipe for Philly Cheese Casserole. It will use up those Grands biscuits that clutter up a couponer's fridge!

Philly Cheese and Ground Beef Casserole - 419183 - Recipezaar

Smothered Chicken Casserole

2010-03-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

Here's an easy one for ya. Everyone here loves this supper- even though they don't like rice. Hrmm...

1 package Zatarain's Smothered Chicken Rice Mix (75¢)
2 bone-in chicken breasts- boiled and shredded ($1.50)- see post below on boiling a chicken
1 can cream of something or homemade cream of something (50¢)
3 cups hot water
2 tbs + 1 tbs butter or margarine (5¢)
Chopped onions and peppers (optional) (50¢)

Preheat oven to 350. Saute onions, peppers, and 1tbs butter in small skillet. Stir rice mix and water into a 3 quart casserole dish (or 9x13 pan). Stir in cream of something, chicken, butter, and pepper mixture (if desired). Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until rice is fully cooked.

Super easy and delicious! Total cost: $3.30

Boiling a chicken

2010-03-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

Boiled chicken.. not the best picture I've ever taken, but it's still very interesting looking. In my defense, it is in the cooling process. Seriously.

I love having chicken in the freezer for those necessary chicken recipes, but I never tend to use it unless I've cooked it before hand. It's too big of a pain to thaw out and cook for one recipe. Oh- and I try to avoid boneless chicken breasts. Bone-in are so much better!

So I've had two packages of bone-in chicken breasts in the freezer for a couple of months. I keep them in case of a chicken emergency, but our refrigerator freezer seems to freezer burn in just a few weeks, so I've got to do something with them. Our deep freeze is too full for this chicken. (Confession: I think I might be a chicken hoarder.)

Today, I thawed the chicken out and boiled it all. I'm going to use it in a few of our meals this week and refreeze the rest. IMPORTANT: When you purchase chicken, it typically says 'Previously Frozen' or 'Fresh' on the sticker. If it says 'Previously Frozen' and has thawed, you MUST cook it before refreezing. 'Fresh' is supposed to mean never frozen, but judging from the rock like mass that our 'Fresh' chicken comes in at the grocery store, our butcher didn't get the memo.

Thaw your chicken in the refrigerator or microwave. I normally thaw mine just enough to get it out of the package. Wash thoroughly.

You can prepare it a variety of ways. I like to simmer mine in a stock pot filled with boiling water. You could also put it in the crockpot on low and let it cook all day. I've even baked it with a little water!

BROTH

Once it's done, let it cool and separate from the bones. SAVE THE BROTH!!!! I put mine in quart ziploc baggies and lay flat in the freezer. If I don't need to use the full bag in a recipe, I just smash it with a rolling pin and dump in what I need. It looks eerily similar to a chicken snow cone, which I do not recommend you feed to your children on a hot day.

You could also freeze it in an ice cube tray and then put into a baggie. A lot of people do this, but I'm curious as to how you get the chicken grease out of the ice tray.

If you'd like to make even more broth, save the skins and bones and place in the crockpot. Cover with water and add leftover veggies (ANY veggies you want), and a tbs of salt. Let simmer 4 hours on low. Strain and freeze.

Cream of Chicken Soup

3 cups milk (evaporated or regular)
1.5 cups chicken broth
3/4 stick of butter
1/3 cup flour
Salt and Pepper

Add milk and broth to saucepan, heating through. Melt butter in microwave safe bowl. Stir in flour. Add to the milk and broth mixture. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Allow to cool. Use immediately or pour into individual baggies and freeze. Makes 5 cups.

*Soup will be thinner than canned soup. If you desire it thicker, slowly stir in a cornstarch and water mixture and bring to a boil.

Our favorite 'healthy' snack!

2010-03-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Yup- that's it. A scoop of peanut butter (5¢) topped with a handful of Goldfish Pretzels (FREE). Warning: Goldfish Pretzels are possibly the best pretzels alive. You will become addicted. Stock up in mass amounts when on sale to avoid paying full price later. Also avoid the cinnamon graham ones. They will cause a conflicting addiction.

It's Fat Tuesday!!!

2010-02-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

I'm so ashamed. I forgot Fat Tuesday. How? I have no clue! I can honestly say that I've never slacked on an opportunity to eat cajun food. We even went out for a cajun lunch on Saturday. I've bought all of the ingredients. Now I've got to figure out what to do with them!

Thanks to the Zatarians sale at Dillons last year, I think I've got a couple of boxes of gumbo mix and a box of red beans and rice as a backup.

Right now, I'm scouring the internet for recipes and ideas.

Christy Jordan over at Southern Plate has a yummy looking recipe for Dirty Rice (don't like dirty rice? Check her blog out anyways.. awesome!).

You should definitely read Ninja Princess' experience- a northerner presenting a king cake to other northerners- with one southerner in the mix. Disaster in the making!

Mama Belle has an awesome recipe for shortcut gumbo. I LOVE her logic!! I highly doubt that I can buy jarred roux here. She has tons of other recipes- I love her Super Bowl foods post.

Now I'm off to do a google search for some other cajun recipes! The Zatarains mix is sounding better and better.

Chicken Verde Enchiladas

2010-01-15T07:14:00.000-08:00

This recipe was delicious and was just thrown together with stuff I had on hand! This recipe is very versatile as you can thicken the sauce and use it as filling (be sure to save a little to top them with to prevent browning) or fill the enchiladas with whatever filling you choose. You could even leave the chicken out of the sauce, season with taco seasoning and a can of tomatoes, and fill the tortillas with it.

Sauce:
16 oz container sour cream (85¢)
4 oz cream cheese (25¢)
1 jar Pace Chili Verde (FREE after coupon- from stockpile)
1 cup chicken broth
2 bone-in chicken breasts ($1.50)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
*Cornstarch to thicken, if desired

Enchiladas:
1 package large flour tortillas ($1.00)
1 can refried beans (35¢)
1 8 oz package shredded cheese (70¢)

Directions:
Boil the chicken until cooked through. Shred with a fork, reserving all broth. Mix the remaining ingredients in saucepan, bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Add chicken and thickener (if desired).

Fill enchiladas as desired, top with sauce, and bake for 25 minutes at 350.

Tip: carefully pour the (cooled) extra chicken broth into a ziploc baggie and freeze. You will then have it on hand for the next recipe! You can also pour it into an ice cube tray to freeze individually. When frozen, put it in a baggie and you will have individual broth cubes!

King Cake

2010-01-06T17:15:00.000-08:00

Ok- so not the most flattering picture I've ever taken, but this was hot and smelled so good that we devoured it right out of the oven. I wanted a picture of the whole thing (or as close as I could get) to show you the basic shape of the cake.

Every year, I bake a King Cake on January 6th. This is a tradition my husband experienced as a child in New Orleans that we decided to carry on with our family. Traditionally, a King Cake is baked on January 6th (and is only eaten until Ash Wednesday) to symbolize the end of the 12 days of Christmas (according to the Christian calendar). This is celebrated in many countries, including parts of the US. In Louisiana, the cake also symbolizes the kick-off of Mardi Gras.

A plastic baby (to symbolize Baby Jesus) or large nut is hidden in the cake. Whoever finds it has to buy (or make) the next cake. They are about $50-$75 each, so this is NOT an honor!

This cake is actually a sweet bread-like pastry filled with a variety of fillings (or none). I prefer a cream cheese filling. It is also supposed to be iced with purple, yellow, and green glaze, or covered with dyed sugars.

Pastry:
2 packages yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup warm milk (105-115 degrees)
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine- cooled
4 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp grated lemon rind

1. In large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in milk. Let sit until dissolved. Mix in butter and egg yolks.

2. Mix in dry ingredients and lemon rind.

3. Stir until dough is smooth. Turn on floured board and knead for 5 minutes (or until smooth).

4. Let raise 1 1/2 hours.

5. Roll out in an 8" by 36" rectangle. Spread filling (recipe follows). Fold long sides together, sealing the edges. Lay on cookie sheet, twisting the dough while forming into a circle.

6. Let raise 45 more minutes.

7. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

8. When cool, top with glaze and colored sugars.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese- softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix well.

Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup lemon juice
2 tbs milk
assorted food coloring if desired

Mix until smooth.

Jalapeno Popper Dip/Spread

2009-11-30T13:25:00.000-08:00

6 fresh jalapenos
2 cloves garlic
1/2 medium onion
2 8oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
8 oz cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Mix the peppers, onion, and garlic in the food processor. Add in salt, pepper, mayo, and cream cheese. Blend until mixed. Spoon into oven-safe dish and stir in cheddar cheese. Bake at 300 for 18-20 minutes. Serve with crackers. *You could add chopped cooked bacon or bacon bits to this also.

This is a variation of my poppers. I use the mixture (with no mayo) and roll into small balls. Partially freeze. Roll each ball in flour, then an egg/milk mixture, and then in saltine crumbs. Repeat once for each ball. Deep fry.

You must fry them when they are VERY cold and just for a few seconds.

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2009-11-18T08:00:00.001-08:00

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Zucchini Cake

2009-08-12T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorites!

Zucchini Cake:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In bowl, combine dry ingredients. Mix in oil and eggs. Stir in zucchini until well mixed. Fold in nuts. Pour into 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool. Top with cream cheese frosting (recipe follows).

Cream Cheese Frosting:
3 oz cream cheese, sotened
1/4 cup butter, softened (not margarine)
1 tbs milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Cream together cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla with mixer. Mix in powdered sugar.

Key Lime Pie

2009-08-04T20:18:00.000-07:00

11 graham crackers, or 1 cup of graham cracker crumbs
3 tsp sugar
5 tbsp margarine (melted)

Crush the graham crackers in food processor. Pour into 9" pie pan. Stir in sugar. Add in melted margarine. Press firmly into pan and up the sides. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes.

While crust is cooking, beat together 4 egg yolks and 2 tsp. lime zest. Beat in 1 can sweetened condensed milk. Stir in 1/3 cup lime juice. Pour into baked crust and bake at 325 for another 15 minutes.

Let cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 3 hours before serving.

If you really want a treat, bake this in an aluminum pan. Poke popsicle sticks into the outside of the pan, so that they will be through each individual piece. Freeze. Once frozen, cut into slices and remove from pan (leaving sticks intact). Dip each piece in melted chocolate chips (mixed with 1 tsp shortening) or dipping chocolate. This makes a delicious frozen chocolate dipped treat.

Chicken and Biscuits

2009-08-04T14:16:00.001-07:00

1/2 split chicken or 2 breasts (bone in)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
Biscuits

Boil chicken in large pot until done. Remove chicken, debone. Pour broth into 9x13 casserole dish. Add onion and deboned chicken. Stir together cornstarch and water. Strip into the chicken broth mixture. Top with biscuits. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until biscuits are browned.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Soup

2009-08-04T14:09:00.001-07:00

1/2 split chicken or 2 breasts (bone-in)
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbs. Mrs. Dash seasoning
2 cups uncooked rice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
12 ounces velveeta

Boil chicken in large pot. Once done, remove chicken and debone. Add the chicken back to pot when done. Add all remaining ingredients, except the velveeta. Cook until rice is done. Stir in velveeta, simmer until melted. Serve immediately.

Black Bean Soup

2009-08-04T14:03:00.001-07:00

1/2 split chicken, or 2 breasts (bone in)
8 oz dried black beans (or 3 cans)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeno peppers, minced (optional)
1 tsp olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter
1 can diced tomatoes (or 2 cans rotel)
2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup chili seasoning
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic salt

Boil chicken in large stock pot until fully cooked. Remove chicken from pot, let cool, and shred. Add beans to chicken broth and cook until tender. While beans are cooking, saute onion, bell pepper, garlic, jalapenos, and oil in skillet over medium heat. Add to chicken broth, along with tomatoes and seasoning. Let simmer for 20 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese and sliced jalapeno peppers before serving.

You may use any type of canned tomatoes you have in place of the diced. 2 tsp. chili powder can be substituted for chili seasoning.

Cooking Day

2009-08-04T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have spent the entire day slaving over the stove- yes, really! Although our freezer space is limited, I want to have some pre-made meals and items put up. Our schedule is just getting more and more hectic, and fall is just around the corner. It saves so much money, because we are not constantly running through a drive through because of time constraints.

I did not get as much done today as I would have liked, as I got a late start and we had a power outage for a while. Our power rarely goes out, but the last three cooking days, I've been stuck in a panic with several meals going at once.

Over the weekend, I was able to snag some hamburger and chicken at a good price. Of course, the chicken was previously frozen, so I had to do something with it.

Here's what I got done today:
18 stuffed peppers
3 batches of Cheesy Chicken and Rice soup
1 batch of Black Bean Soup Base
Chicken Salad
Chicken and Biscuits
5 dozen Biscuits (to freeze)

All I have left on today's list is Key Lime Pie, which I will be starting shortly. The other recipes will be posted soon.

New Rating System

2009-07-31T18:45:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed that you can now rate each post. I ask that you use this to rate the recipes as you try them so that other readers can plan their meals accordingly.

Meatball Soup

2009-07-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

1 package frozen meatballs ($.75)
1 jar spaghetti sauce ($.25)
2 1/2 cups water
1 package cheese tortellini ($1)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese ($.50)

In large pot, combine meatballs, sauce, water, and tortellini. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer for 20 minutes, or until tender. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Dinner: 7/31/09

2009-07-31T17:50:00.000-07:00

We ended up eating out last night instead of tonight, which is a perfect example of why you should always leave wiggle room in your menu plan. I was busy all day, so I needed a quick fix.

Pork steaks are on sale for $.88/lb at Summer Fresh this week- STOCKPILE PRICE!
I love to sprinkle them with Lawry's Seasoned Salt and grill them over the charcoal grill. Once they are almost done, baste them with BBQ sauce and flip. Repeat.

We had sliced fresh tomatoes and cucumbers as a side, along with green beans and new potatoes out of the garden.

It was a very inexpensive meal, at just under $2 for the meat, and everything else was free from the garden.

Chicken and Veggie Alfredo

2009-07-31T17:41:00.000-07:00

1 box penne pasta, cooked according to package (any other pasta will work)
1 lb. diced boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 jar Ragu Roasted Garlic Parmesan (or any other white pasta sauce you have stockpiled)
2 tsp olive oil (or butter)

Any assortment of veggies from the following, or any other fresh garden veggies (I use them all when possible!):

1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup diced yellow squash
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, slivered
3 tomatoes, wedged

Cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain. Brown chicken with oil in large skillet. Saute chicken with veggies (except tomatoes). Stir in sauce, simmer. Toss in tomatoes just before serving.

Menu Planning

2009-07-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

Am I the only person that has a hard time doing this? I am terrible about throwing things together at last minute and causing undue stress on myself. I know that if I'd just do it, I'd feel so much better!

This week, I buckled down and made my menu plan again. We were set to be home almost every evening, so I was planning on making things that take a little longer and can't be eaten on the run. Then, I found out we have football camp every evening this week.

I'm going to try to stick to it, luckily most of it is casserole type dishes that can be reheated easily.

Here's the week's plan:
Lasagna
Sweet & Sour Chicken
Chicken and Biscuits
Breakfast for Dinner

We have get togethers and dinners Friday-Sunday, so we only need 4 meals this week.

Do you guys menu plan? How are you able to adapt it to a busy schedule?

Pancake Battered Onion Rings

2009-07-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
oil (for frying)
boxed pancake mix, prepared according to box (can substitute beer for water)
salt
pepper
garlic
large onion

Directions:
Add seasonings to pancake batter, stir. Slice onion in to rings. Dip rings into pancake mix. Deep or pan fry until golden brown. Enjoy!

2009-07-13T20:44:00.001-07:00

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Easy Biscuits

2009-07-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp salt
1/3 cup softened butter, margarine, or shortening
3/4 cup milk or evaporated milk

Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt until no lumps remain. Cut in butter with fork, pastry blender, or by hand. When mixture resembles cornmeal, stir in milk. Turn dough out on floured board. Knead a few times until mixture sticks together nicely. Pat out to 3/4 inch thick, cut with biscuit cutters or use a glass (with rim dipped in flour). Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes.

Snow Cone Syrup

2009-07-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

2 c. sugar
3/4 c. water
1 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid

Bring sugar and water to full boil. Stir in Kool-Aid. Chill completely. Pour over crushed ice.

Taco Casserole

2009-06-16T06:02:00.001-07:00

1 lb ground beef ($1.50)

1 package taco seasoning (FREE)

1 6 oz can tomato paste ($.20)

1 cup water (FREE)

1 can crescent rolls ($.75- think Pillsbury coupons!)

1 ½-2 cups crushed corn chips ($1)

1 cup sour cream ($.25)

1 cup cheddar cheese ($.25)

Assorted toppings of choice

Preheat oven to 375. Brown hamburger in skillet. Drain. Stir in taco seasoning, water, and tomato paste. Layer crescent rolls in bottom of 9x13 pan. Top with crushed corn chips. Spread sour cream over top of mixture. Top with cheddar cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until crescent rolls are cooked through and cheese is melted.

Total: $3.95