Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Asian Noodles on the Cheap



I did this over on my main blog Mommy Gourmet and forgot to update it here. Sorry I am not good with keeping up with this one!

Over at the Alchemist Chef http://alchemistchef.blogspot.com/2009/03/call-for-submissions-recession-proof.html they are calling for some recession proof dinning. Seeing how I started family meals for less, (but never did much with it) I thought it was a great idea. Money is tight for some many of us, and the reality is you can still eat great food that is healthy on a dime. So for this post I also included the price of the items and the number of servings.

The other day the grocery store had a ton of veggies on sale and that is what inspired this. I think you could put any you like in (I thought asparagus and tomato would also be great)but this is what I did.

1 bunch of broccoli broken into small pieces ($1.65)
1 bag of matchstick carrots ($1.25)
1 zucchini (I used a peeler to ribbon mine, but you can chop it too) (.75)
1 bunch of green onion chopped (.75)
1 lb chicken (1.99 on sale, 3.99 otherwise)
1 package of soba noodles (1.75)
2 tbs sesame oil (.50?)
4 tbs soy sauce (.25?)
¼ c. of sweet chili sauce ($1)
Salt and pepper
1 clove of garlic
Pinch of red pepper
1 tbs olive oil

Serves 6
The total cost if you get the chicken on sale is $8.99 it is $10.99 otherwise


I started by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper. I heated the oil and added the garlic to pan and cooked the chicken. Set aside and let it cool.

Meanwhile cook the soba noodles and drain.

Toss the soba with the vegetables and shred or chop the chicken and add. In a small bow add the sesame oil, soy and chili sauce and mix. Pour the sauce over the noodles and toss.

Just a reminder, please stop by to see these blogs!!


Wonderings http://bunnytrailthoughts.blogspot.com/ .
My Tasty Treasures http://mytastytreasures.blogspot.com/
Chef E at Behind the Wheel Chef http://cookappeal.blogspot.com/

Friday, January 30, 2009

Transylvanian Baked Sauerkraut


3 tbs bacon fat
1 onion chopped (.50)
1clove garlic
1 lb ground pork (2.50)
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
1tsp paprika
1 package of kielbasa cut into small slices (2.50)
¼ lb bacon chopped in to small pieces (.75)
1 c. sour cream (.75)
¼ c. rice (.25)
1 lb ground pork (2.50)
2 bag sauerkraut (2.00)



The total for this comes in just under $10. Even with big eaters you will have leftovers and the leftover just get better. This is not an original recipe at all. It was one of my favorite things as a kid. It is also just one more reason to love winter cooking. I totally forgot to take a picture of it so the picture is curtsey a Google image search.

In a skillet began to cook bacon, pull off your 3 tbs and add to another skillet.
Add sausage to the skillet with the bacon and allow it to cook over medium until bacon begins to brown (about 5 minutes).

In the pan the bacon fat was added to, sauté onion until it starts to wilt. Add pork and allow it brown. Stir in garlic, paprika, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Make the rice according to package instructions and set aside.

Heat oven to 325. Grease the bottom of 3 quart baking dish.

Rinse sauerkraut and pat dry. Place 1/3 of the sauerkraut in the bottom of dish.

Over that put the bacon and sausage mixture including all juices.

Spread another 1/3 of the sauerkraut on top. Dot with 2 tbs of sour cream. Sprinkle the rice over.

Add the pan with the pork mixture and all the juice and cover with the rest of the sauerkraut.

Pour 1 cup of water in the skillet that had the pork and swirl it around, and then pour it over everything.

Cover with the rest of the sour cream and put in the oven and let bake uncover for 1 hour and a half.

Let stand 20 minutes.