What's for dinner? Was it "budget"?

[beckanoah]

I'm making something with chicken. I'm trying to decide between WW Panda Express Orange Chicken (clone) or Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti and marinara.

 

[MrsNick]

Tonight will be lentil soup in the crock pot.

-1/2 bag of lentils $.33
-1/2 bag baby carrots chopped $.84
-1 small onion $.10 (bought the whole bag for $1, so, I don't know, $.10 or less?)
-2 cloves garlic $.05 (whole bulb was $.29, so I'm guesstimating)
-3 stalks celery $.50 aprx.
-3 pieces of smoked turkey leg $1.00 (bought a package for $3.00 aprx. and stretched over three soups, this being the third) I substitute smoked turkey for ham hocks since DH is watching his cholesterol
-2 cans low sodium chicken broth $1.33
-1 bay leaf, pepper, some dried basil and dried thyme. I don't know how I would price that, lol.
-Later I will make half box of pasta to eat with soup $.35 (bought the Barilla on sale)
-will top off the whole thing with grated cheese and a splash of olive oil (Again, not really sure how to price this since I'm not using more than a fraction of each container) so, I'll call it $.50.

Grand total = $5.00

This will serve dinner tonight, and lunch for a few days. I'd call it a bargain

 

[Floridagal23]

I'm making something with chicken. I'm trying to decide between WW Panda Express Orange Chicken (clone) or Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti and marinara.

Would you mind posting your recipe for the orange chicken? Thanks!

 

[momx2]

Crockpot chili: Double recipe

1 1/2 lb. ground turkey $1.50
3 cans beans $1.50
4 cans diced tomatoes $2
1 can diced green chilis .90 cents
1 onion .25 cents
spices .50 cents ?????

Total = $6.65 with plenty of leftovers that will make chili dogs.

So tomorrow night will be chili dogs

Chili $free from tonight
hotdogs $1 on sale
buns $1 on sale
Cheese .50 cents

Total = $2.50

So for less than or right around $10 I will have dinner for 2 nights for a family of 4. Not bad.

 

[beckanoah]

I don't mind, but I"ll have to do it in a little while. Hope that's okay!

 

[kmchar1]

Tonight is chili and cornbread:

1 pound ground turkey (jenny-o): 1.00
3 cans kidney beans: 1.00
3 cans diced tomato: 1.00
onion: .25
green pepper: .50
seasonings

Jiffy cornbread mix: .50
ingredients for mix: .50 or so

Total: 4.75 with leftovers for chili dogs

 

[carissanboys]

Chicken thighs (that I got on sale) covered with some leftover marinade that I had (didn't have much left so I added a bit of water which was ok since it was pretty salty when I originally used it) and baked in the oven. Perogies on the side. Veggie and strawberries for the kids and salad (that we need to use up) for dh and I.

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm having Kalua pork, sticky rice, mac salad and hawaiian rolls and fresh pineapple for dinner. I'm sharing w/a neighbor so my portion is:

Hawaiian bbq sauce (free from friend who moved)
fresh maui pineapple $2.50

I had them over last week for dinner and I covered the majority of the food and we trade out so it's their turn.

 

[carissanboys]

I'm having Kalua pork, sticky rice, mac salad and hawaiian rolls and fresh pineapple for dinner. I'm sharing w/a neighbor so my portion is:

Hawaiian bbq sauce (free from friend who moved)
fresh maui pineapple $2.50

I had them over last week for dinner and I covered the majority of the food and we trade out so it's their turn.

Can I come over too? That sounds VERY yummy!

 

[rparmfamily]

Can I come over too? That sounds VERY yummy!

Sure!! I'll see you about 6pm HST then?

 

[beckanoah]

Orange Chicken! WW version. Although I have used regular sugar too.
Serves 4. Run through recipe builder for points!

Sauce
5 TBSP water
2 TBSP Orange juice
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup SPLENDA
1 TBSP dry sherry, or RICE VINEGAR
2 1/2 TBSP soy sauce (or low sodium version)
1/3 cup lemon juice + 2 TBSP (total 6 TBSP)
orange zest, from whole orange (optional, but adds flavor)
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger (or ginger from spice can)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (i use packet from pizza hut)

Remaining Ingredients
2 TBSP cornstarch
3 TBSP cold water

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast diced raw
2 teaspoon peanut oil. (i used EVOO)
1/4 cup flour

Marinade chicken in
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp orange juice


Dice chicken breast into chunks. Put TBSP lemon juice and orange juice over chicken and let sit in fridge and marinate for a couple hours.


Next combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir often while bringing to a boil. When sauce reaches boil, remove it from heat and allow to cool for an hour or so uncovered. (while chicken marinades) Then mix cornstarch and 3 tbsp cold water until cornstarch dissolves. Stir into the sauce and put back over heat. When sauce bubbles and thickens cover and remove from heat again. Let cool a bit while preparing and cooking chicken.

Take chicken pieces and toss them with flour in a bag. Preheat a non-stick skillet and add olive oil to pan. Put floured chicken in pan and stir while chicken crisps up. While the chicken is browning and cooking turn the sauce back on low. When the chicken is browned and all the way done, take the pieces out and add them to the pan with the sauce.

Serve with rice and broccoli!

You can also cook the chicken without the flour (but it won't have that breaded/fried taste going on)
You may have to double the sauce (especially if you like sauce). It's so good. You can also marinade for only a few minutes and not let the sauce cool all the times in between, if you are in a hurry! I'm using the splenda brown sugar blend tonight too, so I'll probably use only 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of that instead of the plain brown sugar. I've also added 1 tbsp Orange Blossom Honey to the sauce mixture too. I end up tweaking everything I ever make. LOL!

This is so yummy!



Hope this makes sense.

 

[mom2my3kids]

Its either salad night or fajitas or buffalo pizza..Something with chicken, I bought a value pack of boneless chicken breast and I need to split them up tonight.

 

[babytrees]

last night was the tuna melts: so about $5

tonight is the rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and pears. Simple as it's been a VERY bad day.

 

[Floridagal23]

Thank you so much!!

Orange Chicken! WW version. Although I have used regular sugar too.
Serves 4. Run through recipe builder for points!

Sauce
5 TBSP water
2 TBSP Orange juice
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup SPLENDA
1 TBSP dry sherry, or RICE VINEGAR
2 1/2 TBSP soy sauce (or low sodium version)
1/3 cup lemon juice + 2 TBSP (total 6 TBSP)
orange zest, from whole orange (optional, but adds flavor)
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger (or ginger from spice can)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (i use packet from pizza hut)

Remaining Ingredients
2 TBSP cornstarch
3 TBSP cold water

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast diced raw
2 teaspoon peanut oil. (i used EVOO)
1/4 cup flour

Marinade chicken in
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp orange juice


Dice chicken breast into chunks. Put TBSP lemon juice and orange juice over chicken and let sit in fridge and marinate for a couple hours.


Next combine all the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir often while bringing to a boil. When sauce reaches boil, remove it from heat and allow to cool for an hour or so uncovered. (while chicken marinades) Then mix cornstarch and 3 tbsp cold water until cornstarch dissolves. Stir into the sauce and put back over heat. When sauce bubbles and thickens cover and remove from heat again. Let cool a bit while preparing and cooking chicken.

Take chicken pieces and toss them with flour in a bag. Preheat a non-stick skillet and add olive oil to pan. Put floured chicken in pan and stir while chicken crisps up. While the chicken is browning and cooking turn the sauce back on low. When the chicken is browned and all the way done, take the pieces out and add them to the pan with the sauce.

Serve with rice and broccoli!

You can also cook the chicken without the flour (but it won't have that breaded/fried taste going on)
You may have to double the sauce (especially if you like sauce). It's so good. You can also marinade for only a few minutes and not let the sauce cool all the times in between, if you are in a hurry! I'm using the splenda brown sugar blend tonight too, so I'll probably use only 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of that instead of the plain brown sugar. I've also added 1 tbsp Orange Blossom Honey to the sauce mixture too. I end up tweaking everything I ever make. LOL!

This is so yummy!



Hope this makes sense.

 

[Adi12982]

beckanoah - I WILL be using that recipe one day soon THANKS for posting!!

Tonight we are having:
Ham ($1.50)
Mashed Potatoes ($1 - fresh potatoes)
Biscuits ($0.50)
White Gravy (leftover from last week, $0)
Drinks ($0.50)
TOTAL: $3.50 ($1.75 a serving)

 

[beckanoah]

NO problem.

You can tweak it to your taste (with less or more red pepper, less or more ginger, etc)... you really can't go wrong!


It hit the spot tonight, that's for sure!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Tonight I'm adding BBQ sauce to the beef left over from last night. We'll have BBQ on buns with the left over green beans and whole potatoes. And I think I'll cook some yellow squash with onions and bacon too.

I'd like to whip up a light dessert. Maybe some pudding.

 

[babytrees]

We are having chicken/cheese enchiladas and brownies for dessert.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Today I made a huge stock pot of vegetable soup. I will budget it all tonight but for the rest of the month it will be a freebie to go with dinner.

5 cans no fat/low sodium chicken broth $2.50
1 can beef broth $.50
1 small cabbage $.75
4 stalks celery $.25
1 large onion $.50
Garlic $.25
2 large zucchini's $2.00
1 bag green beans $1.00
1 can tomato paste $.20
italian seasoning $.05
1/2 bag baby carrots $.50
Total $8.50

All veggies are diced and sauteed in one teaspoon olive oil. Add broth and tomato paste til incorporated. Add seasoning. Cook to your liking (I like my veggies a little past crunchy)

This will make 16 servings of soup. (For the WW group it is 0points if you don't count your veggies, 1 point if you choose the reality that everything has some type of calorie for each 1 cup serving... (2 veggies per serving)

Now I have to figure out what to make for dinner.... Well the prep work will be worth it on a no-time to breath night.

 

[carissanboys]

Tonight will be tuna burgers, mashed potato and a veggie.