How Much Do Your Recipes Really Cost?

[Kitchen Diva]

Okay, I give up, what's a Pittascine?

 

[janetupnorth]

Okay, I give up, what's a Pittascine?

She probably means: Psittacine

Those would be her parrots for us non-bird owners...

 

[chefann]

Um, yeah. I didn't bother to open up the dictionary to double check the spelling. And those are the parrots. Little smart-alecs. But we have discovered that they love food that's pasta with a protein (Creamy One Pot Pasta with chicken, Asian Noodle Skillet, etc.). And tuna melts apparently are acceptable, too. But then they have tuna breath.

 

[janetupnorth]

Um, yeah. I didn't bother to open up the dictionary to double check the spelling.

And those are the parrots. Little smart-alecs. But we have discovered that they love food that's pasta with a protein (Creamy One Pot Pasta with chicken, Asian Noodle Skillet, etc.). And tuna melts apparently are acceptable, too. But then they have tuna breath.

That is hilarious!

I don't own birds, but naturally am around people who do and am AMAZED at their intelligence!

 

[chefann]

DH is trying to teach Beaker to say, "Pull my finger." and then fart. So far, she farts when he says it.

 

[PamperChefCarol]

HA! Chicken here is $6.99 to $7.99 for a pacage of three small breasts! keep in mind that these are three single breasts....not a pair of three breasts which would actually be 6 breasts. If I go with bone in and skin on, I can get three breasts for $5.99 to $6.49. Normally our packages of clucker meat (what I call chicken) are 16 to 24 ounces! A pound of 80/20 ground beef is almost $4.00, and don't even get me started on how expensive bacon and steaks are! And a bag of approx 6 carrots is about $1.89+ here.

Yesterday I took DH to Wal*Mart and we bought enough food for 5 suppers, and some lunchmeat- for lunches. We spent $121.00- and we bought crap in my opinion. For the exception of the hotdogs and hamburger for burgers, we'll be eating a family sized frozen lasagna (not as healthy or as yummy as home made) corn dogs, soup and pizza's.

I'm used to making a nice, healthy, balanced meal with three items (protien-veggie and carb/startch) which costs more, as I use fresh ingredients and nothing prepackaged.

I commend you for being able to find your food at such reasonable prices. I'm so disgusted with food costs it makes me wanna spit.! 18 eggs at a local store (where I will only go to if desparate) is $4.00! FOR EGGS! It used to be 0.89 cents for a dozen! Thankfully I found 18 eggs at Wal*Mart for under $3.00-

So as we were leaving Wal*Mart he said is this how we'll have to eat to save money, and I said, yes- until we both get jobs, I'm sorry! I still have standards and won't buy hamburger helper... LOL Oh, and A red, yellow or orange pepper here in my town is about $4.99 a pound. If you buy a package with one green, one yellow nad one red you'll pay about $6.00 for those three peppers!

I don't feel so bad, I can get chicken breasts, 3 to a pack, average 1.5 lbs on sale at Meijer's for $1.99 a pound when they are on sale. Eggs were generally around $1.79/dz. But red peppers are pricy.

Hold on to your hats ladies and gentlemen, with gas prices being what they are and are going to be, all food is going to be going up.

 

[reba515]

If you go to the supermarket the SAME day you are cooking the recipe, I suggest you ask your produce dept if they have a reduced produce rack! I always check there first...I can usually get a 4 pack of red, green, yellow OR orange peppers for less then $2! Same with bananas, eggplant, artichokes, etc. You name it --- I can usually find it there. (I think its 49 cents a lb for reduced produce in one market I shop at).

At least 3 supermarkets in my area have the reduced produce rack. As long as you eat in a few days its fine!

I also shop the reduced produce and can get 4 or 6 packs of red,green & yellow peppers for about $2.00 (per package) I just buy em all up and bring them home slice and freeze them.
They are perfect for about anything but a salad and makes throwing a pizza together E-Z !

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Wow ... lots of posts in here. And I am AMAZED at the prices some of y'all have to pay.

Then again, since I am the only wage earner in my household and I only have 32 hours of wages, so I must be as frugal as possible.

Do they have an Aldi's where you are? It's $2.79 for a 3 pack of peppers when they're NOT in season ... I think they are a bit lower now. Carrots and mushrooms are usually $1 a pack. Only thing is you have to watch the freshness of the produce you buy there.

Saw peppers on sale for 99 cents each last week so I picked one up ... even though Roomie is not suposed to eat them any more.

Got eggs for $1.89 on sale last week ... cheese is often on sale for $2 or less for 8 ounces, whether it's shredded or block. Chicken is often on sale for $1.99 or less a pound, and I put it in the freezer. Sometimes I'll see meat marked way down with a "special today" sticker, which means it must be cooked or frozen THAT DAY. I still have some chicken in there that way.

I'm really obsessive about checking ads for sales and shopping at Aldi's, Sav-A-Lot or Marc's when stuff is not on sale.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow ... lots of posts in here. And I am AMAZED at the prices some of y'all have to pay.

Then again, since I am the only wage earner in my household and I only have 32 hours of wages, so I must be as frugal as possible.

Do they have an Aldi's where you are? It's $2.79 for a 3 pack of peppers when they're NOT in season ... I think they are a bit lower now. Carrots and mushrooms are usually $1 a pack. Only thing is you have to watch the freshness of the produce you buy there.

Saw peppers on sale for 99 cents each last week so I picked one up ... even though Roomie is not suposed to eat them any more.

Got eggs for $1.89 on sale last week ... cheese is often on sale for $2 or less for 8 ounces, whether it's shredded or block. Chicken is often on sale for $1.99 or less a pound, and I put it in the freezer. Sometimes I'll see meat marked way down with a "special today" sticker, which means it must be cooked or frozen THAT DAY. I still have some chicken in there that way.

I'm really obsessive about checking ads for sales and shopping at Aldi's, Sav-A-Lot or Marc's when stuff is not on sale.

I have found Aldi's to be an excellent choice for many of my groceries. I have a hard time buying produce there, because I've found so many spoiled things in the produce section. But for frozen chicken breasts, and cheeses, and so many things - they have great prices, and a quality product. Like real maple syrup, and jarred artichoke hearts, and parmesan blocks, and brie rounds, and tortillas. Good prices on fresh meats, and nuts, and olive oil, and their chocolate chips are pure chocolate! If you read the ingredient list for their chocolate chips, it's very short. (I like that). They are located all over, so I would check into buying groceries (especially staples) there!

 

[Jennie4PC]

I dont really shop ads I could probably save money doing that. But I shop at Walmart and when I know something is on sale at Smiths I will have Walmart match my price. There are things I will not buy there. I think I shop there cause I know thier prices and when I run to smiths for just a few things I end up spending way to much.
Also when I run out of hamburger we will go into Albertsons and ask for thier reduced meat. We alwyas get it for about 1.40 a lb we then stock up on it and use my food saver to vacum pack the food.

 

[rennea]

Wow!!! Some of you have really cheap places to shop!

Milk here alone, is $7.11 for a gallon, a block of supermarket brand cheese is $6. Banana's are .80/lb, Chicken breasts you can usually get for about $8 per poud on SALE! ... you get the point. Man, sometimes I really miss living in the U.S! I remember my grocery bill for a month for 2 was around $150 a month. Here, its around $700 a month

Sara do you have an Extra Foods, Super Store, or Loblaws(all the same company) in your area?? My grocery bill is about $65.00 a week for two people. We use our President's Choice credit card and you earn points for free groceries. If you have one of these stores in your area you should look into getting one. I don't like credit cards but we put everything on our card and pay it off they same day via on line banking. Right now I have enough points for $40.00 in groceries. Every little bit helps

 

[Jennie4PC]

She probably means: Psittacine

Those would be her parrots for us non-bird owners...

Thread hijack my sister got bit by a parrot the other day and had to go and get a tetnus shot.

 

[chefann]

Really? My parrot bites me all the time and I'm fine. And, yes, she breaks skin when she bites.

 

[janetupnorth]

That must have been an odd doctor.If it was a REALLY bad bite and the patient hadn't had a tetnus shot in many, many years, they may have used the situation as an excuse to get her up-to-date or to avoid infection.Parrots don't carry rabies...they are non-mamillian...(if I spelled that right...) so no fear there.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Still hurts.

Acme ad for today has milk on sale for $2.77, a whole block of cheese for $3.49 and green peppers 2 for $1. Red ones are 99 cents.

Probably should mention that I'm single, so it is pointless to really stock up because it will just rot in my fridge ....

Anyway ... I think I'm just going to tell my hosts what I always have, that they save money by making cooking at home cheaper and more fun. They already know it's cheaper than a restaurant.

 

[janetupnorth]

Still hurts.

Acme ad for today has milk on sale for $2.77, a whole block of cheese for $3.49 and green peppers 2 for $1. Red ones are 99 cents.

Probably should mention that I'm single, so it is pointless to really stock up because it will just rot in my fridge ....

Anyway ... I think I'm just going to tell my hosts what I always have, that they save money by making cooking at home cheaper and more fun. They already know it's cheaper than a restaurant.

Same thing happens when DH is a picky eater and kids are little.
Don't forget you can freeze many things...cheese and peppers for sure can be frozen.

I know fresh tastes best, but frozen isn't bad!

We are drinking more lemonade and water around here because I used to go through 8 gallons per week with just DH and DD!!!!

I got it down to 3-4 now. Whew...

 

[janetupnorth]

Oh, and get to know people around you, find a friend you can share produce with...go shopping together and split.Today I got a phone call from a neighbor...they had company and made "sticky buns" but made too many. Neighbor remembered Steve loved them at camp so they called and asked if we wanted some.Kids and I biked the mile there and mile back with a backpack and got them. We got exercise, DH gets free food. (Of course I'll probably make them cookies when I return the container...)

 

[Jennie4PC]

That must have been an odd doctor.

If it was a REALLY bad bite and the patient hadn't had a tetnus shot in many, many years, they may have used the situation as an excuse to get her up-to-date or to avoid infection.

Parrots don't carry rabies...they are non-mamillian...(if I spelled that right...) so no fear there.

I thought it was odd also. She lives right next door to my mom and she went in and told her about the bite, and my mom told her to call her dr. and they said she needed to go in. It has been about 10 yrs since her last tetnus shot.

 

[janetupnorth]

I thought it was odd also. She lives right next door to my mom and she went in and told her about the bite, and my mom told her to call her dr. and they said she needed to go in. It has been about 10 yrs since her last tetnus shot.

Tetnus shots are every 10 years so they probably had her have it done.

Yikes, that reminds me...I'm due for one this year!!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Well, I just did my part to cut the cost of groceries in the future!

I went today and bought all kinds of stuff for my garden!:love:

12 Tomato plants (5 different varieties)
4 Pepper Plants - red & yellow bell peppers, cubanella, and jalapeno
Onion bulbs
And the following seeds:

Butternut Squash
Green Beans
Yellow Beans
Carrots
Pumpkin
Sugar Snap Peas

I am so excited about planting my garden. I thought DH would flip out when he saw how many tomato plants I brought home,(we have limited garden space) but - he is so wonderful! His first comment was "You know, I think I could probably till up another 2-3 feet out from where the garden is right now." YAHOO!





I think it's because he was so disappointed that the salsa I canned last year only lasted until February....and he has to eat store-bought salsa now.

 

[janetupnorth]

Well, I just did my part to cut the cost of groceries in the future!

I went today and bought all kinds of stuff for my garden!:love:

12 Tomato plants (5 different varieties)
4 Pepper Plants - red & yellow bell peppers, cubanella, and jalapeno
Onion bulbs
And the following seeds:

Butternut Squash
Green Beans
Yellow Beans
Carrots
Pumpkin
Sugar Snap Peas

I am so excited about planting my garden. I thought DH would flip out when he saw how many tomato plants I brought home,(we have limited garden space) but - he is so wonderful! His first comment was "You know, I think I could probably till up another 2-3 feet out from where the garden is right now." YAHOO!





I think it's because he was so disappointed that the salsa I canned last year only lasted until February....and he has to eat store-bought salsa now.

Becky - hang some of your tomato plants this year just like I am - it will save some ground space!

I'm not getting plants for a few more weeks since it can still get VERY cold before Memorial Day.

I do have strawberries and chives coming up already though.

 

[janetupnorth]

Oh Becky, can you send me your salsa recipe???? I used to have one for canning that was excellent and lost it when I moved up north. I need a good one!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Becky - hang some of your tomato plants this year just like I am - it will save some ground space!

I'm not getting plants for a few more weeks since it can still get VERY cold before Memorial Day.

I do have strawberries and chives coming up already though.

I looked into hanging tomato plants, but with all of the construction going on here, there just isn't any place for me to hang them. We are adding a 4 season porch off the back, a covered front porch, and re-siding and re-roofing. Those poor tomatoes wouldn't stand a chance with all that!

I want strawberries - but have no place for them. :cry:
I do have black raspberry bushes, and chives, and rhubarb that is looking good!

The irony of all of this is that when I was younger, I HATED having to work in the garden, but now I enjoy it so much! There is a spiritual lesson to be learned with that, I think. "Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it." or - in my own personal paraphrase - "Teach your children the right things, and when they are grown, they will return to the things you have taught them!"

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I'm going to post my Salsa recipe, but need to preface it with this - This is an old recipe from my Grandma, who called this "Chili Sauce". I have tweaked it some to suit us (I'm pretty sure Grandma didn't even know what cilantro was), but my dad says it still reminds him of Grandma's Chili Sauce. She used this as a regular condiment on the table for everything! It is slightly sweet, and spicy at the same time. DH can hardly get enough of it! I am planning on canning it in quart jars this year, because he can go through a pint in a day or two!I run my tomatoes through a Sauce Master Food Strainer. (this is also how I do pumpkin, squash, and apples for applesauce) It's what people used before there were food processors. SAUCE MASTER by Norpro, Food Strainers & Sauce Makers at www.homesteadhelpers.comAnd the rest I chop up finely by hand. I usually triple or quadruple this recipe for each time I make it.SALSA3 Quarts fresh tomatoes (I use a variety) - chopped
3 Jalapeno Peppers (I use a variety of peppers) - chopped
2-3 onions - chopped
2-4 Bell Peppers (again, a variety of colors) - chopped
1 Tbls. Salt
1/2 Cup Sugar (scant)
1 Cup Vinegar
3 small cans tomato paste
1-2 teas. Cumin (to taste)
2-4 Tbls. fresh Cilantro - finely choppedCook for 45 min. to 1 hour or until thick (this will depend on how meaty your tomatoes are)
Put into freezer containers & freeze, or pint jars and process for 35 minutes.ETA: Oh - and the Roaster from PC works great for cooking this down!

 

[janetupnorth]

Ooh Becky - that looks so similar to the one I used to have - thank you!!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Ooh Becky - that looks so similar to the one I used to have - thank you!!!!

You are so welcome! Now...to just wait the next 120 days until the harvest is ready! (drumming my fingernails on the desk impatiently....)

 

[janetupnorth]

Hey, I need 120 days to get my house clean to have room to can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Hey, I need 120 days to get my house clean to have room to can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! Totally relate! The house looks pretty good right now because of the breakfast this morning - but there was plenty of shoving into cupboards and closets going on!

 

[KellyTheChef]

I know this has been discussed on here before, but it sounds like everyone needs to try grocerygame.com!

I have been doing TGG since October. I can't tell you how much toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and body washes I have gotten for FREE. I pay for two lists and it equals out to $2 per week. It has saved me soooooooo much more than $2 per week!

I have to admit, the last couple of weeks I have been missing out on some GREAT deals, cuz I am so far behind on cutting and filing my coupons, that I couldn't get them together to shop. Grrrr.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I'm nervous about the Grocery Game. Plus it lists only one store in my area that actually sells groceries ... the rest are drug stores.I just found out a local store in my area is having "grand reopening" sale ... they have boneless skinless chicken for $1.79, ice cream for $1.88, butter for $1.49 and bananas for 39 cents. They also have iceburg lettuce for 99 cents, which I just might get. At least I know my roomate will leave it alone ...