Broke Food - Fried Rice

It's the night before payday, and the pickin's are looking pretty slim in the fridge.  It's time for another episode of broke food!  Fried rice is one of my favorite broke foods because you can whip it up in a few minutes and clean your fridge out in the process!  The additions are what make this an especially great dish. 

You can eat this alone as a tasty and filling meal, or if you have several people to feed, pair it with egg drop soup (coming in a later post) to stretch it further.  Also, the great thing about fried rice is that it's actually the items that have been sitting in the fridge a while that work the best.  Day-old leftover rice is perfect for making fried rice!

I'll put my method below.  There are a million different ways to make this, with various spices and additions.  Once you get the hang of making this, use what you like and what appeals to you for flavors.  In the photo above, I used:  corn, peas, carrots, sliced green onions, and diced leftover pork chop from when we grilled out a couple of nights ago. 

Here are the basic components.  I'll get into detail below this post.

FRIED RICE:

1-2 tablespoons cooking oil of choice

Spices and seasonings of choice 

Vegetables

Protein* (Meat or eggs should be cooked beforehand and set aside.)

About 1 cup rice (adjust to your liking)

Sauce 

In large skillet, heat oil until drop of water flicked on surface sizzles.  Add your spices (not sauces) to the oil and stir for approximately 20 seconds to distribute the flavors in the oil.  Add any uncooked veggies and stir, coating with oil, then allow to cook for a minute or two. Add any already cooked vegetables. Add cooked meat or protein.  Allow to heat through.  Add rice and sauce.  Stir thoroughly to heat through and coat with sauce and spices.  Serve immediately. 

Now we'll talk about what you can put into this wondrous concoction!

Additions: 

Veggies:  Nothing is taboo.  Carrots, onions, bell peppers, celery, medallions of yellow squash, hulled peas, snow peas, broccoli, corn, green beans ... any of it will be great in fried rice.  Also consider adding leftover cooked vegetables from prior meals.  These are great in fried rice. 

Protein:  Diced up scrambled eggs, diced deli meat, Spam, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, garbanzo beans, or tofu are all excellent protein items that can be added to this.  You don't have to have a protein, but in my opinion it makes the dish a little heavier, filling, more satisfying, and provides a more complete meal, especially if you're only eating the fried rice. 

Spices:   You can add any spices you like during cooking.  Ginger, red pepper, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, cinnamon... anything that you can think of can make awesome additions to the fried rice.  If you prefer a sweeter taste, consider ginger, sugar, a dash of red pepper, and garlic.  I prefer a hotter, spicier sauce, so for the photo above I used oregano, basil, fresh minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. 

Sauce:  Simple soy sauce added at the end of cooking the rice can be all you need.  However, if you want something a little different, consider a small bit of Hoisin sauce, teriyaki sauce, or add fruit juices such as pineapple or orange juice to the soy sauce before adding it to the fried rice.  When using sauce, keep in mind what spices you've used so far.  

Rice:  Any type of cooked rice will do.  If you have leftover Minute Rice, use that.  Steamed or cooked long-grain white rice is awesome for this, especially if it's at least a day old.  Even brown or Basmati rice will work in a pinch.  There's also nothing wrong with making the rice in preparation for cooking this. 

Oil:  Really, again any oil will do.  I used olive oil, but plain cooking oil or even melted Crisco will work.  Sesame oil can be used for flavor if you have it on hand.  

Don't be intimidated if what you have on hand doesn't seem to go together.  Use what you have, try it, add some sauce, and you may find that you have discovered a new favorite dish.  Ad libbing the ingredients is half the fun! 

Even More Printable Coupon Links - New Post

This is a new listing for printable coupons.  Periodically, I have been posting printable coupon links and websites.  The best updated post with links is HERE.   The links below are all new printable coupons. Some of them are regional, with products not available in all parts of the country, unfortunately, but I will be happy to add any that are available elsewhere. 

With the holidays coming, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are times most associated with cooking, companies are ramping up their coupon promotions in order to bring in more business.  Reap the benefits of those promotions by checking the websites for your favorite products.  

Here are some additional websites, in addition to those linked above in the post, that are new since I last blogged about them.  

Pilgrim’s Chicken

$1/1 frozen OR fresh (top right of page, in the blue strip)

http://www.pilgrims.com/

Reser’s Fine Foods

(Deli salads, potato salad, etc.)  

Sign up for the Newsletter at the top right side of the page, and coupon links will be e-mailed.  Some may be present on their special offers page.

http://www.resers.com/special-offers/coupons

Nature’s Own Bread

Sign up/sign in, and accept the newsletter.  E-mails will be sent periodically with links to coupons. 

http://naturesownbread.com/

Roman Meal Bread

Coupon link is bottom right of page.  They usually always have a coupon link there.  Also sign up for e-mail newsletter to receive special offers.

http://www.romanmeal.com/

Litehouse Foods

(Dips, dressings, and glazes)

Sign up to receive $0.55 off any Litehouse product. You will also receive periodic e-mails with links for coupons.

http://www.litehousefoods.com/offers-page

Red Gold Tomatoes (Tomato Country website)

Sign up, and you can print a $0.50 off coupon.  Once you are registered, enter your e-mail address, and a link will be sent. 

Sign up for the newsletter, and a link will be e-mailed to you.  If you have a store that doubles coupons, these tomato products will oftentimes be free or nearly free.

http://www.redgold.com/welrg12502

Old Orchard Juice

Printable coupons on their website.  Must sign up to print.  Sign up for newsletter, and additional savings will be e-mailed to you.

http://oldorchard.com/promotions/

Welch’s Juice

May or may not be coupons on this page.  Check periodically.  However, sign up for newsletter, and coupons will be e-mailed to you.

http://www.welchs.com/promotions

Bar-S Meat Products

No current promotions, but check back for coupons.  Sign up for e-mailed newsletter and coupon links.

http://www.bar-s.com/promotions/promotions.php

French’s

Mustard, Worcestershire sauce, fried onions, Dijon mustard, etc.

http://www.frenchs.com/my-frenchs/create-an-account?redirect=/promotions/coupon

Sparkle Paper Towels

Coupon right on home page for $1/1 6-pack regular rolls or larger (may change to napkins, depending on time of year).

http://www.sparkletowels.com/

Mt. Olive Pickles

Warning!  Turn your volume down.  There is music that plays on this site!

Have freebie giveaways and newsletter.  Most of their coupons are in the form of hangtags, but will occasionally e-mail coupons.

http://www.mtolivepickles.com/

Kashi Products

(Cereals, granola bars, etc.)

Check page periodically for coupons.  Sign up for e-mail newsletter to receive e-mailed offers. 

http://www.kashi.com/events/coupons

Emeril’s Food Products

Coupon for $1/2 any Emeril food products.  Includes sauces, seasonings, etc.  Other coupons periodically. 

http://www.emerilscooking.com/promotions.asp

New World Pasta

(American Beauty, No Yolks noodles, Wacky Mac, Ronzoni, and Creamette brands)

Sign up for newsletter, and links to coupons will be mailed. 

Also check their Facebook page, as they periodically offer coupons there, as well.

https://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/sweeps_general/form.cfm

Garnier Hair Products

Sign up, and they will often e-mail you exclusive coupons, especially for new products. 

http://www.garnierusa.com/_en/_us/home.aspx

Maybelline

Sign up for their newsletter (bottom right of page), and they will often mail exclusive coupons. 

http://www.maybelline.com/

Incredible Edible Egg Facebook Page

There is often a $0.55/2 coupon promotion.  This is a coupon off ANY BRAND OF EGGS!  It’s a promotion by the association of egg producers. 

Like their page, then print.  This makes for extremely cheap eggs when there is a sale!

https://www.facebook.com/IncredibleEdibleEgg/app_433292576729358

 

Yankee Candle Company

They will e-mail coupons and notices for special exclusive sales.  Shipping is a flate rate of $5.00 for orders under $100, so this is a great way to stock up for gifts, especially with Christmas coming up.  They recently had wax tarts on sale for $1.00, used in wax warmers.

http://www.yankeecandle.com/home2

Earthbound Farms Organic Vegetables

Sign up for newsletter, and they will e-mail links to coupons.

http://www.ebfarm.com/

Organic Girl Greens

Sign up for e-mail, and coupons will be e-mailed.  Also like their Facebook page, as it often has printable coupons.

http://iloveorganicgirl.com/

Vidalia Onions

Facebook page.  They will have seasonal coupons, so keep an eye on their fan page.

https://www.facebook.com/VidaliaOnions?ref=ts&fref=ts

California Cuties (Clementine type oranges)

Sign up for newsletter, and e-mail coupons will be sent seasonally.

http://cutieskids.com/

Arm and Hammer (Baking Soda, Toothpaste, Laundry Detergent, Cat Litter)

Create account and print coupons from coupon page.  Sign up for e-mail newsletter, and links to coupons will also be e-mailed. 

http://www.armandhammer.com/Resources/SavingsCenter.aspx?CampaignId=Toothpaste

Silk Soy Milk

Coupon on lower right-hand corner of home page.  Sign up for newsletter, and coupons will also be e-mailed to you.

http://silksoymilk.com/

Freschetta Pizza

Link to coupon.  Enter e-mail to print.  Sign up for newsletter to receive coupons in e-mails.

http://www.freschetta.com/coupons.htm

Salvaging Meat That's Tough or a Bad Cut

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Ever cook meat and have it come out looking and tasting like shoe leather?  We have two tried and true ways of salvaging bad cuts of meat or meat that we've somehow flubbed the cooking process. Nothing makes me madder than ruining food, so I am always determined to save it if I can. 

Method #1, crock pot shredding method.  

Works for any type or cut of meat. Place meat in crock pot and cut in chunks to make it fit, if necessary.  We particularly use this if the meat has been cooked but at the end of the cooking process it's tough.  It works especially well for grilled items like steaks, chicken breasts, or pork tenderloins.

Place meat in crock and add enough broth or bouillon to cover it about halfway.  It doesn't even matter what type of bouillon.  Beef, chicken, vegetable... any of it is good.  It doesn't even have to match.  For this process, it's fine to use chicken broth with beef or vice versa.  Cook meat on low for 8 hours.  Shred inside crock pot.  Either add 1/2 bottle of barbecue sauce OR 1 packet of taco seasoning mix.  Allow to cook for another hour or so.  Remove shredded meat and discard drippings/sauce.  This will not have a strong flavor but more of an essence of whatever seasonings you added. 

If using barbecue sauce, then use shredded meat in sandwiches or add to baked beans and use more full-strength barbecue sauce. 

If using taco seasoning, use as meat for enchiladas, soft tacos, flautas, etc.  

Method #2, oven method.  

Especially good for large cuts of meat such as roasts or other thick but less expensive cuts. 

Place meat in a large pan.  Add water or broth, enough to fill halfway.  Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil and cook in a 200-250 degree oven for 8 hours.  We usually do this overnight.  

The next morning, this usually comes out tender, juicy, flavorful, and falling apart.  

Meat is too expensive nowadays for it to be ruined and need to be thrown out.  Usually one of these two ways is an excellent way to salvage meat that's just not quite come out how it was expected and is an economical way to get your money's worth! 

Freezer to Crock Pot Cooking Tips

• Link to post with above photographed recipes is HERE.
•  I use 1 gallon zippered freezer bags.  They are more durable than regular zippered bags.  The 1 gallon size is usually equivalent to a 5 quart slow cooker.
•  When you’re ready to cook your items, always start with a cold crock pot.  Do not preheat the crock.  If you put cold items into a crock that’s already heated, the crockery insert could shatter or crack. This is also true for items that have just been in the refrigerator.  Cold+hot=Shatter. 
•  I cook items straight from the freezer.  It takes longer to cook, but I’ve never had a problem.  Some people prefer the recipes are thawed first.  If so, thaw the entire bag of ingredients unopened for 24 hours in the refrigerator, and then add to the crock.  Adjust cooking times as necessary. 
•  Write what’s in the zippered freezer bag on the outside before adding ingredients.  Include cooking times, directions such as to add potatoes, serve over rice or noodles, etc.  You may think you’ll remember what’s in that bag, but two weeks from now you might not. 
•  Crock pot cooking temperatures vary.  When in doubt, allow more time to cook rather than less. 
• When using meat, you will need to precook meats with a high fat content such as hamburger meat or certain cuts of stew meat.  If in doubt, precook.  I also recommend rinsing these meats before adding them to the freezer bag.  Since you will be cooking them again in the crock, there might be more fat that comes out during the cooking process. 
•  Place meats in the bottom of zippered bags and place ingredients on top.  Once everything is added, squeeze out air, seal the bag, and massage slightly to distribute ingredients well.  This ensures meats are surrounded by ingredients.  This is important when you’re ready to cook because sometimes the meat can stick together as it is cooking, increasing time needed for everything to cook evenly.
•  Less liquid is better than more.  The funny thing about cooking in a crock pot or slow cooker is that it generates liquids from the items that are cooking, since condensation is trapped.  You can always add more liquid later if the recipe seems dry or thick.
•  If at the end of cooking your recipe seems to have more liquid than intended, turn the crock pot on high, remove the lid, and allow some of the liquids to simmer/boil off until it’s the desired thickness. 
•  You can make almost any crock pot recipe a freezer-to-crock recipe.  Just remember that potatoes and pasta do not freeze well.  I’ve seen recipes that say you can use both of these items, but my experience is that the potatoes and pasta come out mushy, with the exception of lasagna.  I add potatoes at the time I put ingredients in the crock.  I cook pasta separately and add it just prior to serving, as we tend to like our pasta al dente.
•  Almost any casserole can be adapted for cooking in a crock pot. 
•  Almost any soup can also be adapted for the crock pot.  Just decrease the liquid significantly (by at least 1/2 if not 2/3).  When I make soup in the crock, I start with as little amount of liquid as possible then add liquid toward the end, if needed. 

I will be posting more freezer-to-crock pot meals in the coming days and weeks.  I just need photos.  Photographing food is a lot harder than it looks! 

More Grocery Savings Strategies - 2 trips

This is one of those weeks I go out of my way to make a couple of trips to the grocery store.  My favorite store, Homeland, was having some sweet deals that I knew would allow me to get quite a few groceries for a really good price.  Homeland doubles coupons up to $1.00, BUT they will only double one like coupon per trip.  Combining those double coupons is what allows these deals to be so great, but sometimes you have to be creative in getting double coupons.  This means I sometimes make a trip to a different store on the same day so the coupons will double.  We're lucky in that we have 3 Homeland stores in Muskogee, two within 1 mile of each other, and the other is across town.  That makes getting these deals much easier. 

In order to get the deals I wanted, I visited two separate stores.  I also bought meat at the first store using the strategies noted in a prior post, and then made a second run.  I'll show photos and prices/scenarios from both runs to hopefully help and compare.  When I can, I'll provide links to sign up for newsletters and coupons that were e-mailed. 

Total for trip #1 was $52.78.

Total for trip #2 was 41.33

Filled up with gas (see way below) for $2.749 per gallon with rewards points for $21.18.

There are photos and prices for both trips, so don't forget to scroll down to check them out!

This is trip #1: 

There was a special going on where if you bought 10 Red-Gold Tomato products, you would receive a $5.00 automatic rebate on your grocery total.  Red-Gold offers coupons from their website and e-mailed newsletters.  Plus, there are coupons for Red-Gold diced tomatoes and Sloppy Joe Sauce in the Homeland Cares Coupon books.  These could be used in combination with the $5.00 to get these products basically for free.  This technique is called "stacking."  It means using manufacturer coupons along with either store coupons or rebates in order to get maximum savings.

Here are prices, coupons, and totals for the first trip:

Fresh limes  4 @ $0.09 = $0.36 

Yellow onions x2 = $0.93

Bell Pepper x2 @ $0.79/lbs. = $0.94

On the Border Tortilla chips = $2.99 

Coupon for $0.55 available HERE which doubled to $1.10

Final $1.89

Red Gold Petite Diced Tomatoes with Chiles x3 $0.75 = $2.25*

Less Homeland Cares Coupon for $1.00 off 3 cans 

Doubled to $2.00= $0.25*

Red Gold Tomato Sauce x2  @ $0.75 = $1.50*

Less printable coupon from Red Gold $0.50 off 2 cans 

Doubled to $1.00  = $0.50*

Red Gold Diced tomatoes with chipotle peppers x3 @ $0.75 = $2.25*

Less Homeland  coupon for $1 off 3 cans 

Did not double because already used one = $1.25*

Red Gold Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Onion x2 @ $0.75 = $1.50*

Beef top Round Roast  = $16.00 

Beef Chuck Roast  = $8.59

Beef Top Round Steak = $4.15

Boneless Butterfly Pork Tenderloins = $4.15

Bonless Butterfly Pork Tenderloins = $4.82

Thin Cut Boneless Pork Tenderloin = $5.30

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts = $4.06

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts = $3.80

*Purchased 10 items so received $5.00 off total order

**Used $5.00 off $50.00 purchase from Enjoy the City coupon books.

Trip #1 FINAL TOTAL (tax incl.) = $52.78

Trip #2 (Photo above)

5 lbs. Russet potatoes x2 @ $1.39 per bag =$2.78 (stacked one on top of the other in photo)

Kraft 17.5/18 oz. BBQ Sauce x2 = Free**

Minute Rice 14 oz.  = $1.50

Coupon for $ 0.60, doubled to $1.20               

Final price =  $0.30

Minute Rice 14 oz. = $1.50

Coupon for $0.60  (did not double because of prior coupon)

Final price = $0.90 (still a good price!)

 

Red Gold Tomatoes with Chiles x3 $0.75= $2.25

$1.00 coupon doubled to $2.00

Final price = $0.25*

Red Gold Sloppy Joe Sauce x2 @ $0.75 = $2.25

$1.00 coupon doubled to $2.00

Final price = free*

Red Gold Tomato Sauce x2 @ $0.75 = $1.50

Printable coupon for $0.50 doubled to $1.00

Final price $0.50*

Red Gold Sloppy Joe Sauce x2                              

Coupon for $1 (did not double because had one prior but still good price)

Final = $1.25*

Libby’s veggies x4 @ $0.79

Coupon $1/4 doubled to $2.00

Final price = $1.16 for 4 or $0.29 each

Williams Chili seasoning x4 @ $0.89

Final $3.60

Nabisco crackers x3 $1.99 **

Coupon for $1.00 off 2 doubled to $2.00

** Store special for $3.00 off purchase of 3 Nabisco cookies/crackers

Final = $0.97 for 3!!

Keebler Club crackers x2 @ 2/ $5.00

Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final = $3.00

Freschetta Pizza $3.99

Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final price= $1.99

International Delight Creamer

Coupon for $0.55 doubled to $1.10

Final = $0.89

Coffee-mate creamer x2 @ $2.45

Coupon for $1/2 doubled to $2.00

Final:  $2.90 or $1.45 each

Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved Meat 16 oz. $4.99

 Coupon for $1 doubled to $2

Final:  $2.99

Oscar Mayer Weiners 16 oz.$1.99**

Borden Shredded Cheesex3 @ $2 = $6.00

Coupon for $1 off 3 doubled to $2

Final = $4.00

Lay’s Kettle Cooked chips x2 @ $3.00

Coupon $1 doubled to $2

Final = $4.00

On the Border chips  $2.50 (in-store sale)

Coupon for $ 0.55 doubled to $1.10

Final = $1.40

Best Choice Cream Cheese $1.45

Hiland Sour cream $1.93

*Buy 10 save $5.00

**Buy Oscar Mayer Wieners 16 oz. get 2 Kraft BBQ sauces free. 

FINAL TOTAL with tax included = $41.33

Homeland has a gas station outside the store at Chandler and York.  You can accumulate cents off per gallon with use of your store card.  I had accumulated $0.55 in savings.  So I filled up my tiny little car's gas tank and got 7.786 gallons of gas@ $2.749 per gallon for a total of $21.18.  

So my grand total for the day was $115.29!!!

Grocery Savings Strategies

This is this my most recent shopping trip.  I paid $61.24 (plus tax) for this batch of food.  Normally, I am an avid couponer, but most coupons are for nonperishable food items.  It is very hard to find deals on meat or find coupons for meat items.  Some meat packaging websites will offer coupons for their brand of meat (such as Hormel) and the brand that is store owned, Red River Ranch Angus, but those are few and far between or are only for specific items.

My strategy for saving on meat is twofold:  First, I know the days the meat is marked down at the store where I shop, which is Homeland.  Second, I have a coupon that is issued by the store for $5.00 off a $50.00 purchase.  These $5/$50 coupons are usually available in fundraising booklets.  One place to find such a coupon is on the back of the Homeland Cares coupon books (see photo below).  The second is from a fundraising book called Enjoy the City.*  which can be purchased online.

I check the marked down meat first.  I then stack up $50 worth of meat, and use my $5/50 coupon.  By using that coupon, it automatically takes my purchase down by 10%.  Add in the markdown on the meat, and you've got significant savings.  Even if the meant is not marked down, by using the $5 off $50 coupon, you've automatically reduced the cost by 10%. 

Today's purchases included extra items, making the total a bit more than $50, but everything will be used to prepare the meat I purchased.

Here is a list along with prices: 

Bell Peppers x4  @ $0.79 each = $3.16

Green onions x1 @ 0.69 each = $0.69 (not a great deal but I needed them)

Yellow Onions x2 @ $0.79/lbs. = $1.01 

Jar sliced jalapenos x1 $1.89 =  $1.89

Campbell's Chicken gravy x1 =  $1.49

Best Choice chopped green chiles x4 $0.99 each = $3.96

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $2.99/lbs. @ 2.65 lbs. = $7.95  (the one item not on sale)

Beef Top Blade Patio Steaks = $3.31

Ground beef 1.5 lbs. @ $3.84 each = $11.52 

Stew Meat (sirloin chunks) 1 lbs.. x1 = $3.94

Stew Meat 2.5 lbs.  = $7.86

Stew Meat 3.5 lbs.. = 10.07

Boneless Pork Tenderloins = $4.26

Subtotal $61.11

Minus $5.00 coupon

Final total with tax**  = $61.24

*Enjoy the City books are available for many metropolitan areas and may be directly purchased from the website linked above.  They are not just for Oklahoma.  Most major grocery store chains have coupons for a certain dollar amount purchased in these books, so it is worth your time to check into them.They also contain numerous coupons for other activities, restaurants, and stores in your area.

** A note about sales tax.  Even if you use coupons and bring your total down, tax is charged on the original dollar amount, not the amount minus coupon, so keep this in mind when figuring totals.  Particularly if you are on a tight budget.

Hope Kids Outreach, for whom I am a board member, is selling the Homeland Cares Coupon books for $5.00 each.  You make your money back using the $5/50 coupon on the back, and it contains $40.00 of manufacturer coupons that often double at Homeland and are not available elsewhere.  If you are interested in purchasing one, please let me know in the comments and leave an email, and I'll be happy to contact you.