One way I’ve found to reduce my grocery budget is to plan a menu. My first step is always a peek inside my stockpile closet, refrigerator and freezer. I want to see what I already have and what needs to be used before it expires. A couple weeks ago I decided to use my FREE Philadelphia Cooking Creme. I found an easy recipe on the back of the container. I glanced at it, thought I had the ingredients and moved on. When it came time to make dinner, I realized I didn’t have exactly what the recipe called for. I sure wasn’t about to run up to the store, so I improvised.
Here is the recipe from the container:
Chicken Primavera with Pasta
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables (broccoli, carrots, red peppers, snow peas)
- 1 tub (10 oz.)PHILADELPHIA Italian Cheese and Herb Cooking Creme
- 2 cups cooked fettuccine
I looked in the freezer and realized I had used my stir-fry mix, and I didn’t have fettuccine in the cabinet.
My version of Chicken Primavera with Pasta
- 4 strips of chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces (from a lg bag of chicken tenders) ~$1
- Box of frozen broccoli florets FREE
- Part of a bag of frozen carrot and peas ~$0.25
- Tub of Philadelphia Italian cheese and herb cooking creme FREE
- Box of thin spaghetti noodles FREE
- Sprinkle of mozzarella cheese (per hubbies request) ~$0.25
I served it with bread from the bread machine, so I spent around $1.50 for my family of 4, with leftovers!
I realize this was a pretty easy substitution, but I could have spent $3 or $4 more if I had gone back up to the store (stir-fry mix is not usually cheap). Also, I almost always use less meat than the recipe calls for.
Even better? My pasta-hating hubby actually liked it!
What type of substitutions do you make in cooking?
This post is linked to Life as Mom & My Coupon Teacher
When tempted to buy a seasoning packet, look on the back of the packet. Read the ingredients. 9 times out of 10, you’ll have most of the herbs in your spice cabinet. Add a little flour and voila, you saved yourself $3!
Great tip! I made my own Taco Seasoning Mix. I use that unless I’ve gotten a free packet
Pasta HATING? WHAT? I’ve never heard of such a thing! 😉 I looked at Target today to use my Free coupon for the philly cooking cream and couldn’t find it! Must try Walmart and see if they have it.
I know! I’m all about pasta, so he just has to suffer during dinner 🙂 I don’t have suggestions for you all the way over in CA. Somewhere should have it. Most stores here are now carrying it. Or you can mail me the coupon, JK 🙂
I substitute and leave out ingredients all the time. I very, very rarely run to the store before dinner.
I am a constant substituter but I am trying to use my drawer full of Philly cooking cream without any luck because I don’t think that my husband will like any meal that calls for it. He is very boring that pasta should have red sauce. I guess I should be grateful he doesn’t hate pasta 🙂
He, he. He also doesn’t like red sauce. Look on the Philly Cooking Creme site. There are a ton of recipes you could try.