$10 Dinners part 6

How to get a lot out of poultry: There are a lot of ways to buy poultry these days. I'm referring mostly to chickens and turkeys, as cornish hens, duck and goose are too pricey for everyday fare, and require specialized cooking.

You can buy skinless, boneless chicken. You can choose whole chicken, uncooked or whole BBQ chickens. You can choose cut-up chicken pieces. You can choose breaded or unbreaded chicken strips. You can choose chicken patties- cheap but not exactly all real chicken. Of course, there are also chicken nuggets. You may be wondering which of these choices gives you the most for your money. I really think that depends on how you prepare them, how much you serve per person, and whether you shop for the deals.

Some people swear by the skinless, boneless chicken. The cost per pound is greater, but there's no doubt that it is quick and easy to use and there is absolutely no wasted parts. Chicken pieces on the other hand, appear to be cheaper per pound but you don't eat the skin or bones. (Well, let me retract the "you don't eat the skin" part because I know that some people do. But we know its not as healthy as the meat.)

I have often noticed that the whole BBQ chickens that you can buy cooked and warm and ready to serve are cheaper than buying a whole chicken and cooking it yourself. So, to choose between these two options, you need to compare costs, and also ask yourself how you wanted to cook the chicken. If you wanted to stuff it and bake it with certain seasonings, for example, you would want to purchase it raw and cook it at home. If you just want cooked chicken, you might choose the BBQ chicken. They are very tender and juicy.

Sometimes I buy those processed chicken cutlets- you know the breaded ones, that are made out of a combination of chicken meat and soy protein. They are seasoned and only need warming as they are pre-cooked. They are like a large flat chicken nugget, almost. My kids enjoy these in a hamburger bun, with fixings inside like tomato, lettuce and pickles to make a chicken burger. They are quick to prepare and are inexpensive. The drawback is they are processed, and thus contain additives and preservatives. So don't eat them too often. Serve with citrus fruit which helps to negate the effects of the preservatives.

When I want to buy and serve turkey, I just go for the best deal I can find. I don't buy a certain brand or anything. I have never bought them pre-stuffed so I don't know how they compare in price.

Here are my tips on how to get a lot out of your poultry purchase:

1. Skinless, boneless chicken: Because it is a high quality meat with no waste, you can serve less per person and still make it cost-effective.
2. Bone-in whole chicken: You can make 3 different meals out of it. 1) Bake it and serve pieces cut off of the bird, like you would with turkey. Do the same with chicken (don't give each person a whole piece because you are going to use the bones) 2) Strip away as much remaining chicken as you can for chicken salad, chicken wraps or chicken casserole. 3) Boil the bones to remove as much remaining strands of meat and flavor as you can for chicken soup. This is the biggest reason I usually buy bone-in chicken. Price is better and I can get 3 meals out of one chicken (even for 7 people.) When the BBQ chickens go on sale I buy those. Even though they are generally smaller birds, the meat is supreme and I didn't have to cook it, which saves energy (mine and electrical) and time.

Enough of the rambling and on to the $10 recipes for today.

9. Menu: Chicken burgers, lime & carrot salad
Shopping list: chicken patties (1 each), hamburger buns, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles, relish, mustard, etc (whatever you like in a burger), 2 pkg lime jello, 3 large carrots, shredded fine. Total Cost = $9.50

Warm precooked patties by placing in 325 oven covered with foil for about 20 minutes or fry in a frying pan. Serve with buns and fixings. The jelly salad is made ahead of time by preparing 2 pkgs of lime jello according to package directions. Stir in finely shredded carrot. Let set.

10. Menu: Taco Rice and tortillas
Shopping list: 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/4 c chopped onion, 1/4 c chopped celery, 1 pkg taco seasoning, 1 1/2 cups cold water, 1 c frozen corn, 1 c frozen peas or mixed vegetables, 1 can tomatoes or stewed tomatoes, 1 1/2 c uncooked instant rice, 1 c grated cheddar cheese, 1 t chili powder, 2 Tbsp sliced canned jalapeno peppers (optional.) Corn or flour tortillas, sour cream. Total Cost = $9.00

Brown ground beef with onion and celery. Add taco seasoning, water, corn, vegetables, spices and peppers. Bring to boil. Add rice and stir. Simmer covered for 7 minutes. Turn off heat, add cheese and recover for cheese to melt. Serve on a warmed tortilla with a spoonful of sourcream on top.