Pineapple & Teriyaki Chicken

A definite favorite at our house!! I typically grill this but we're out of propane, ugh, so I had to bake it.

Pineapple & Teriyaki Chicken

4 Chicken Breasts

4 Slices Provolone Cheese

4 Slices Red Onion

1 Can Pineapple Rings

1/2C Teriyaki Sauce

1 Clove Garlic - minced/pressed

Drain and save pineapple juice. Set rings aside. Combine pineapple juice, teriyaki sauce and garlic. Pour 3/4 of mixture over chicken and marinate 30mins (or overnight). Save remaining mixture for pineapple rings and onion slices.

To Grill: Grill chicken until done. Meanwhile grill pineapple and onion slices for 3-5 minutes, turning once and brushing with remaining pineapple juice/teriyaki sauce. Top chicken with cheese, onion ring and pineapple ring, leave on grill until cheese melts. Serve as is or on a bun with lettuce, tomato and mayo.

To Bake: Place chicken on baking sheet, bake @ 375* for 30 minutes or until done. Meanwhile in skillet (non stick) lightly brown pineapple rings and onion rings in remaining pineapple juice/teriyaki sauce. When chicken is done top with cheese, onion ring and pineapple ring. Put back in oven 2mins or until cheese melts.

Spent/Saved Sunday

Grocery day. Here's what I needed/bought this week (sorry no pics, my husband put things away before I could snap any....not complaining!!). Some of the things I didn't need but who can pass up crackers for $.19 a box or creamer for $.99 or even mayo for $1.50?! I try not to buy things I don't need unless its on a good sale.

I don't need anything else for this week so will try my best to stay out of the grocery stores until Friday.

Safeway:

*Foster Farms Chicken Strips ($6.99, not great but needed them)

*Jimmy Dean Sausage Patties ($1.50)

*Ritz Crackers x 2 ($1.50ea)

*Taco Seasoning x 2 ($.38ea)

*Ragu Sauce ($.95)

*Eggs 18 pack ($1.49)

Oven Joy Bread x 3

4 Slices Provolone Cheese - deli

2lbs Bananas

Milk x 2

Spent: $25.48, Saved $16.27

*Coupons Used: 7

Albertsons:

*Ragu Sauce x 2 ($.50ea)

*Creamer - 32oz ($.99)

*I Can't Believe Butter x 2 (Free, after coupons!!)

*Yogurt x 8 ($.42ea)

*Cheese Nips x 2 ($.19ea)

*Mayo - 30oz x 2 ($1.50ea)

*Quaker Granola Bars x 5 ($.40ea)

Hormel Pepperoni Slices

8lbs Apples

Spent: $18.91, Saved $45.61

*Coupons Used 14

Totals: Spent $44.39, Saved $61.88

Stuffing Stuffed Chicken Rolls

Chicken and Stove Top.....how could you go wrong? I don't think you can!! Well I could have pounded the chicken a little thinner but it all tastes the same right?! This is simple and delicious!! Start to finish I think it's about 40 mins and most of that is in the oven.

Chicken Rolls

6 Chicken Breast Halves - pounded to 1/4" thickness

6oz Stove Top - Chicken

1C Water

2 Eggs - lightly beaten

1Can Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2C Milk

1tsp Paprika

Combine stuffing and water in small bowl, let stand 5 minutes. Stir in eggs. Spread mix over pounded chicken to within 1/2" of edges. Roll starting at short end. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

In lightly sprayed 13x9 place chicken rolls seam down. Mix soup and milk together. Pour over chicken rolls, sprinkle with paprika and bake @ 400* for 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

Another Albertson's Post

Here's the next Albertson's deal I'm working on....in Sunday's paper there will be double your manufacturers coupons and I'm going to put them to good use:

2 Jars Ragu @ $1.50ea

-in ad coupon $1 off 2

-double coupon $1

=$1 for 2

Coffeemate Creamer 32oz @ $2.99ea

-$1 off 1 coupon here

-double coupon $1

=$.99

Quaker Promo Buy 5 for $5

-$3 off 5 coupon (may be able to get it at Fred Meyer still, in store coupon booklet)

-double coupon $1 ($1 is the limit for doubling)

=$1 for all 5

Cheese Nips @ $1.69ea

-$2 off 2 coupon here

=$1.38 for 2

And the grand total will be $4.37!!

Taco Bake

Time to use up some of the left over taco meat. Here's what we had last night.

Taco Bake

1lb Ground Beef (or 1lb left over taco meat)

1/2C Chopped Onion

1 Pack Taco Seasoning

1 Can (16oz) Tomato Sauce

1 Can Corn - drained & rinsed

1 Can Black Beans - drained & rinsed

2C Shredded Cheese (cheddar and/or mexican style)

Bisquick Top:

2C Bisquick

1C Milk

2 Eggs

**Combine in small bowl and set aside.

Brown beef and onion together in large skillet until cooked through, drain. Return to skillet and stir in taco seasoning, tomato sauce, corn and black beans. Simmer 5 minutes or until heated through.

Spoon mixture into bottom of 13x9 (greased). Top meat mixture with shredded cheddar. Pour bisquick evenly over top and bake @325* for 35 minutes or until knife comes out clean.

Serve topped with sour cream, salsa, lettuce and tomato.

Only $6

Woo Hoo!! I got all this for $6 and I saved $49.35!!

(4 boxes cereal and 11 boxes of granola bars)

Teriyaki Beef Bowls

Simple and yummy.

Teriyaki Beef Bowls

3C Rotini Noodles

3C Broccoli - bite size

2-3 Carrots - peeled & sliced

Cook noodles as directed. Add veggies last 1 minute of cooking. Drain and set aside.

1lb Steak of Choice - cut into strips

1-2tsp Veggie Oil

1/4C Zesty Italian Dressing (I use Fat Free)

1/4C Teriyaki Sauce

1tsp Ground Ginger

Cook steak in veggie oil over med heat until all sides browned. Add remaining ingredients, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens.

Combine noodles/veggies with meat/sauce in large bowl. Mix well and serve. Serves 4+.

**I typically make this with leftover grilled steak.....if you want to use left over meat skip the veggie oil and cooking of meat. Just combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, cut your steak into strips and add to the cooked noodles & veggies. In your noodle pot or large skillet over med heat and stir together until warmed through.

Albertson's Quaker Sale

I am so excited about this upcoming sale!! Quaker Cereal, Granola Bars & Oatmeal all for $1 each when you buy in quantities of 5. Look Here for a peek at the ad.

I am lucky enough to have 4 coupons for $3 off when you purchase 5. That means I can get 20 items (probably will be mostly granola bars and a few boxes of cereal) for $8 and that breaks down to $.40 per box!!

Oh and I found the coupons at Fred Meyer, they have a monthly coupon booklet that is normally by the doors or at the customer service booth. This is not a Fred Meyer coupon, it's a manufacturer coupon.

Needless to say I will be at Albertson's bright and early on Wednesday (27th)!!

Fred Meyer and Walgreens Loot

More successful shopping trips.....I should have been using coupons a long time ago!!

Fred Meyer Loot

Fred Meyer:

4 bags Kraft Cheese (.75 ea)

6 Cans Corn (.50ea)

2 Cans Green Beans (.50ea)

4 Cans Black Beans (.50ea)

= $9 spent and $13.96 saved

Walgreens Loot

Walgreens:

2 Boxes Raisin Bran (1.75ea)

2 Ziplock Freezer Bags (2.00ea)

2 Coffee Mate Creamers (.75ea)

2 Neosporin Lip products (1.00ea) - awesome deal, regular price is over $5 ea

1 Jug All Laundry Soap (3.00)

= $11.47 spent (after RR coupons) and $26.54 saved

Chicken & Veggie Wraps

I love tortillas.......I will fill them with any and everything! Even PB&J on occasion. But this is one of my favorite wraps, the cream cheese sauce is so flavorful and all the veggies keep it healthy.

Chicken & Veggie Wraps

4 Flour or Spinach Tortillas

4oz Cream Cheese - Softened (Fat Free is fine too)

1T Milk

1 Packet (1oz) Ranch Dressing Mix (divided)

1 Clove Garlic - pressed or minced

3-4 Chicken Breasts

1-2 Tomato - seeded and cut into strips

4 Red Onion Rings - sliced and separated

1 Carrot - cut into julienne strips

1/4 - 1/2 Cucumber - sliced thin

1C (ish) Alfalfa Sprouts

1 Avocado - sliced

In small bowl combine cream cheese, milk, 2tsp ranch mix and garlic. Mix well. Set aside.

Sprinkle Chicken with remaining ranch mix, grill until cooked through.

Spread cream cheese mixture over tortilla. Layer with veggies and chicken. Roll tightly. Serve immediately.

Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti

Continuing with cheap and easy.....I've never had 1lb of burger go this far!! We ended up with about 15 - 1/2C servings. Stick the leftover sauce in the freezer for an easy meal next week.

Spaghetti Sauce

1lb Ground Beef (or venison, elk, turkey)

1/2 of a Red Onion (or so) - chopped

3 Jars (1lb ea) Pasta Sauce - I used 2 Ragu Chunky Garden & 1 Prego 5 Cheese

2 Cans Mushrooms Stems & Pieces - chopped

1 Can Sliced Olives - chopped

1/4C Fresh Parmesan Cheese - grated

Brown meat and onion together, until cooked through. Drain. Add remaining ingredients, stir well. Cook over med. heat 10-15minutes. Cook over low heat for 1hr. Or throw it all in the crockpot and leave it for a few hours.

Free!!

My best coupon shopping trip yet!! All of this was free, I actually got $.50 back from Safeway:)

I love coupons but I love free more!!

(4 boxes of cereal, 4 boxes of fruit snacks, 2 boxes fruit by the foot and 2 boxes of oatmeal)

Black Beans, Chicken and Rice Skillet

Another cheap and easy one.....this one also makes a ton. We got about 6 servings out of it and it also freezes good too. I hate eating leftovers in the same week, I always freeze mine and build them in to another weeks meal plan.

Black Beans, Chicken and Rice Skillet

2 Chicken Breasts (bone/skinless) cooked and cubed.

2tsp Veggie Oil

1C Uncooked White Rice (I used Minute Rice)

1 1/2tsp Cumin

1tsp Chili Powder

2C Frozen Bell Pepper/Onion Stir fry - coarsely chopped (or veggie stir fry of choice)

1 Can Black Beans - drained/rinsed

1 3/4C Chicken Broth

2TB Water

1/2C Cheddar - shredded

In 12" skillet heat oil over med/high heat. Cook & stir rice, cumin and chili powder about 1 minute. Stir in all remaining ingredients, except cheese. Heat to boiling, reduce heat, cover and let simmer 15 - 18 minutes. Stir occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.

Remove from heat, fluff with fork. Sprinkle with cheese, replace lid until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Southwestern Style Corn Skillet

The theme for dinner lately has been cheap and easy meals that create leftovers. We ended up getting 8 servings out of this....it also freezes well too.

Southwestern Corn Skillet

1lb Ground Beef

1/2C Onion - chopped

1lb Uncooked Pasta (I'd use rotini next time)

1 Jar (26oz) Chunky Tomato Sauce

1 Can (11oz) Southwestern Style Corn - do not drain

1/2 Can (or so) Corn - drained

1/2 Can (or so) Black Beans - drained/rinsed

1/2 tsp Salt

1C Cheddar - shredded

Green Onion Tops - sliced

Cook and drain pasta as directed. In 12" skillet brown beef and onions until cooked through, drain.

Stir in pasta sauce, corn, beans, salt and pasta. Cook over med heat until hot. Sprinkle with cheese, let stand 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Top with sliced green onion tops and serve.

Mini Pesto Pizzas

These little pizzas are delicious! It was a main stay recipe for my Pampered Chef Shows. So of course it is a Pampered Chef recipe. They have wonderful recipe books....if you don't have one I would suggest getting one or all of them. I have 6 and so far have only found 1 recipe I didn't like (my husband liked it though).

Before

After

Mini Pesto Pizzas

1 Tube Refrigerated Pizza Dough - do not unroll, cut into 15 disks 1/2" thick

1C Mozzarella Cheese - shredded

1/4C Parmesan Cheese (fresh grated is best)

1/4C Walnuts - chopped

2 Plum Tomatoes - sliced

1/3C Basil Pesto - prepared or follow recipe below

In small bowl combine Parmesan cheese and chopped walnuts.

Lightly press dough disks into stoneware or cookie sheet to seal seams. Top with 1tsp (ish) of the pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, tomato slice and a sprinkle of the parm/walnut mixture.

Bake @ 425* for 12-15 minutes.

Basil Pesto:

1C Basil Leaves - lightly packed

1/4C Walnuts - toasted

1oz Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4C Olive Oil

2 Garlic Cloves - pressed

**using a food chopper combine half of the basil leaves with half the walnuts and chop until resembles a thick paste. Place into small bowl. Repeat with remaining basil and walnuts. Add remaining ingredients to bowl and stir to combine.

**using a food processor combine all ingredients, except olive oil. Using quick pulses, chop ingredients. Once it looks like a paste, slowing drizzle olive oil into mixture mixing well.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I needed a little piece of summer so made pulled pork sandwiches for dinner. One of my absolute favorites, especially since we don't have it often. I froze leftovers this time so we'll see how well they keep.

Pulled Pork

3-4lb Pork Shoulder Roast

1C (ish) Apple Juice

BBQ Sauce of Choice

Coleslaw Mix - prepared

Burger Buns of Choice (I prefer Onion Buns)

Dry Rub:

1/2C Brown Sugar

2T Paprika

2T Kosher Salt

1/2T Cayenne Pepper

Garlic Powder - few shakes

Mix all ingredients and rub on pork roast. Refrigerate 12-24 hours.

Put apple juice and a few shakes of BBQ sauce in bottom of slow cooker. Add pork roast. Cook on high for 1hr, turn to low and cook another 6-7hrs.

Pull roast from slow cooker. In 13x9 or large bowl use 2 forks to pull apart. Add a little more BBQ sauce and mix well.

Put pulled pork on bun top with more BBQ sauce and prepared coleslaw.

Only $40.47

Here's the loot from Albertsons:

The hot deals:

2 boxes HN Cheerios @ $1.88ea (minus $3.00 in coupons) = $.76 (.38ea)

6 boxes Fruit Snacks @ $1.88ea (minus $3.50 in coupons) = $7.78 (1.29ea)

6 jars Skippy @ $.99ea (coupon price) = $5.94

5 Lean Cuisine Dinners @ $1.67ea (sale price) = $8.35

Not so hot deals:

2 jars Coffee Creamer @ $3.49ea (minus $1.50 in coupons) = $5.48 (2.74ea)

1 loaf Cheese @ $5.99

1 loaf Bread @ $1.50

1 carton Eggs @ $1.59

***I usually get these at a better prices but when you need it, you need it. And I had 2 cranky kids who were not up for a trip to another store.***

People Magazine @ $3.99 (some things you just can't pass on!!)

And for the totals savings:

Preferred: $25.81

Bonus Buy: $1.26

Coupons: $6

Store Coups: $9.06

= $42.13

Crabbie Patties

I've had this recipe for a really, really long time and just never tried it until recently. Both my husband and I really enjoyed it.

Crabbies in Oven

Crabbies Complete

Crabbie Patties

1 Egg - lightly beaten

1/4C Bread Crumbs

2T Onion - finely chopped

1 1/2tsp Horseradish Sauce - (Kraft creamy, is excellent for this)

1 1/2tsp Red Pepper - finely chopped (optional)

1 1/2tsp Dijon Mustard

1/8tsp Salt

1/8tsp Cayenne Pepper

1/4C Mayo - divided

6oz Crab (imitation is fine)

1T Butter

2 English Muffins - split and toasted

4 Tomato Slices

4 Swiss Cheese Slices

Combine first 8 ingredients. Stir in 2T mayo. Add crab and mix well. Shape mixture into 4 patties and cook in butter over medium heat 3-4 minutes each side.

Place english muffins on baking sheet spread remaining mayo evenly over muffins, top with pattie, tomato slice and cheese slice. Broil (about 4" from heat) for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

New Year's Resolution

To eat more things like this:

Happy New Year!!

Christmas Dinner

We kept Christmas a little more low key (not as much variety). Prime Rib, Green Bean Casserole (family secret recipe, sorry), Potato Casserole (another family recipe, not secret) with rolls. Nothing fancy but delicious just the same.

Prime Rib

My husband was in charge of the meat. I have no idea what spices he used as a rub or what quantities he used but hopefully he'll remember so we can enjoy it again!!

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole

6 Medium Potatoes

1/4C Butter

2C Shredded Cheddar

2C Sour Cream

1/3C Chopped Onion

1T Salt

1/4tsp Pepper

Cook potatoes (baked potato style) with peelings on. Cool and then grate into large bowl. Combine butter and cheese in sauce pan over med/low heat. Heat until almost melted. Add to potatoes in bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir lightly. Bake at 350* in greased 13x9 for 45mins.

This can be made the night before and can also be halved.

Christmas Eve

Better late than never right?! Here's a peek at our Christmas Eve food in pictures with a recipe or two. I was on a mission to keep costs down and variety up.....I think I did pretty good.

The Menu:

Taco Dip with Fritios and Tortilla Chips

Spinach Dip with Club Crackers

Chili Sauce over Cream Cheese with Wheat Thins

Crab Dip with Club Crackers

Chili Cheese Dip with Fritios

Elk Sausage w/ Smoked Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Cheddar and Wheat Crackers

Lil Pigs

Turkey Puffs

Brownies, Banana Bread (yup I actually made them!!)

Fudge, Candy (courtesy of Mom)

Cookies

The Pictures:

The Table (not all the food would fit, oops)

Warm Dips

The Sweets

The Recipes:

Taco Dip

Taco Dip

12oz Cream Cheese - softened

1/2C Sour Cream

1tsp Chili Powder

1/2C Salsa

2C Mexican Style Shredded Cheese

1/2 Can Black Beans - rinsed and drained

1C Lettuce - shredded

3 Tomatoes - diced

Sliced Olives - 1 to 2 small cans

Green Onion Tops

In large bowl beat cream cheese, sour cream, and chili powder until smooth. Stir in salsa. Mixing well. Spread onto large serving platter, cover and refrigerate 15 - 20 minutes.

Top with black beans and 3/4 of cheese, lightly press cheese and beans. Then top with lettuce, tomato, olives, green onion and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or fritios scoops.

Crab Dip

Crab Dip

1/2lb Velveta Cheese - Cubed

3/4C Mayo

1-2 Cans Crab - drained, flaked with fork

Green Onion Tops

Combine all ingredients in baking dish (9" round, 8x8 etc) and bake at 200* for 1 hour. Serve with crackers.