Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Welcome 2-6-08 through 2-12-08

Welcome!! I hope everyone is surviving this weather better than we are. I have rotated the crud through each of my three kids and now am back at the originator who appears to be headed for round two. I think I officially have "it" too. Good thing I stocked up on some Delsym at Harris Teeter when I noticed it in their clearance bin this past week. That would be my tip of the week. From store to store I am noticing that everyone is doing some sort of inventory spring cleaning. CVS is and will be marking down shampoos in the coming weeks. They marked down their Bonne Bell lip glosses and I got several for .62. At Teeter, they were marking down several "seasonal" items and I found 3 bottles of Delsym for 3.06 (reg price 8.99) and had the mfg coupons for 2.00 off. Michaels put their Christmas stuff on clearance for 90% off this week and I found there to be alot of stuff they considered Christmas. Kohls had racks and racks of clothes for 80% off. Just take a look around where your regular shopping takes you and see if you notice the store clearing out "stuff".

At the grocery stores I did not notice very much on sale. This might be a down week. They happen from time to time and can last one week or even two. These are the weeks that I take advantage of my stockpiled groceries and use up what I got on a good deal weeks before and rely less on what is on sale. The recipes I have posted for this week are a combination of things you might have on hand from previous sales and what is on sale this week. Several people have asked me about my pantry. I keep it well stocked. I tell my husband when he gripes about how many boxes of Cheerios I have on hand that there is a method to my madness. If I find a good deal I do not buy just one, I buy as many as I can get for that good deal price even though I might not immediately need it/them. Sales cycle and some are more frequently and some are more rare. They call it stockpiling. Once you have a good base of the things you use all the time then you will only buy it when it is a good deal and never pay full price again for that item. It aggrivates my husband to the hilt to have 10 boxes of Cheerios but he loves that I get everything so cheap and free up money.

If you have not sent in your rebates, check their postmark required dates and get them out. Make sure you make copies just in case...... I had one of these this past week where I was shorted about 9.00 and called to follow up and they asked me to send the receipt. I told them they had it and I could sent a copy of it since they could not "find" it. Happens from time to time, so make copies. I also date them so I can remember when I sent them out.

Have a good week and email if you have any questions.
justgenna@triad.rr.com
Genna

Meals 2-6-08 through 2-12-08

Mexican Manicotti
Herb Roasted Chicken
Hearty Chicken and Noodle Casserole
Bubble-Up Pizza
Poached Salmon with Caper Sauce
Torta Italiano
Grands! Monkey Bread
Frozen Ice Cream Delight


Mexican Manicotti:
Plan ahead....start the night before
1 lb lean ground beef (I use turkey)
1 can (16 oz) refried beans
2 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 pkg (8 oz) manicotti shells
2 1/2 cups water
1 jar (16 0z) picante sauce
2 cups (16 oz) sour cream
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican-blend cheese
1/4 cup sliced green onions
Sliced ripe black olives, optional
In a bowl, combine the uncooked beef, beans, chili powder and oregano. Spoon into uncooked mnicotti shells; arrange in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. (I have put into ziploc bags and cut the corner out and squeezed into the uncooked shells). Combine water and picante sauce; pour over shells. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Uncover; spoon sour cream over the top. Sprinkle with the cheese, onions and olives if desired. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. I serve with corn and spanish rice.

Herb Roasted Chicken:
1 chicken (about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 lbs)
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried sage
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Preheat to 450. Cut the chicken in half. Arrange chicken, skin side up, in a roasting pan. Combine butter, lemon juice, oregano, rosemary, sage, salt and black pepper in a small bowl and mix well. Brush the chicken wthe the butter mixture. Roast until juices run clear, about 20 minutes. Broil 6 inches from heat for additional 3 minutes. For added flavor, toss sliced onions and mushrooms in a little olive oil and roast alongside the chicken. I will serve with salad, rolls, mashed potatoes and probably a green vegetable. This is one I will do on the weekend!

Hearty Chicken and Noodle Casserole:
1 can (10.75 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup frozen mixed vegs
2 cups cubed cooked chicken (I just boil real quick)
2 cups medium eggs noodles, cooked and drained
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat to 400. Stir soup, milk, black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, vegs, chicken and noodles in a 1 1/2 qt casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until hot. Stir. Top with cheddar cheese. I will serve with more vegs.

Bubble-Up Pizza:
3 pkgs (7.5 oz ea) buttermilk biscuits, quartered
1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
3 cups (12 oz) shredded mozarella cheese
1 garlic clove, pressed
Optional toppings: onion, ham, mushrooms, olives, peppers, bacon, (I have used Feta)
Preheat to 375. Quarter biscuits into a bowl. Stir in 1 cup of sauce and 2 cups of cheese. Press garlic clove with a garlic press and add to biscuit mixture. If desired, add optional ingredients and mix to combine. Spread mixture into 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour remaining sauce and cheese over top. Bake 30-35 minutes or until sides are golden brown.

Poached Salmon with Caper Sauce:**** this recipe by request for a fish recipe
4 4-ounce fresh or frozen salmon steaks or other fish steaks cut 3/4 inch thick.
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine
dash pepper
4 lemon slices
2 tbsp water
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp drained capers
2 cups shredded zucchini
Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse the fish and pat dry with paper towels. In a 10-inch skillet combine chicken broth, wine and pepper. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Place fish in skillet, place lemon slices atop fish. Cover and simmer for 8 to 12 minutes or till fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove fish and lemon, keep fish warm. Discard lemon. Gently boil broth mixture, uncovered, till reduced to 3/4 cup (about 2 minutes) Stir together water and cornstarch, stir into broth mixture. Stir in capers. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Divide zucchini among four plates, arrange salmon on zucchini and spoon sauce over salmon.

Torta Italiano:
2 cups reduced fat bisquick (can use reg)
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 lb ground turkey
1 large garlic clove, pressed
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 cup (4 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 oz grated fresh parmesan cheese (2 tbsp)
Preheat to 350. Lightly spray either a springform pan or a cake pan with veg oil/nonstick spray. In a mixing bowl, combine bisquick mix and milk. Roll dough evely over flat bottom of pan (I just spread it the best I can). Chop onion. Cook turkey, onion, and pressed garlic over med heat 8-10 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink; drain. Sprinkle with seasonings. Stir in tomato sauce. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes. Spread turkey mixture over dough. Top evenly with spinach. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. Bake 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. If using a springform pan, run a knife around the inside collar before removing. Cut into 8 wedges. (FYI ea wedge is 5 WW points)

Grands! Monkey Bread:
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cans (16.3 oz ea) pillsbury Grands Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
Heat to 350. Lightly grease 12 cup fluted tube pan (bundt). Mix sugar and cinnamon in large plastic ziploc bag. Separate dough into 16 biscuits; cut each into quarters. Shake in bag to coat. Arrange in pan. Mix brown sugar and butter' pour over biscuit pieces. Bake 28 to 32 minutes or until golden brown and no longer doughy in center. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Turn upside down onto serving plate; pull apart to serve.

Frozen Ice Cream Delight: Still have Oreos???
2 1/2 cups Oreos, crumbled and divided
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 gallon chocolate, coffee or vanilla ice cream, softened
1 1/2 cups salted peanuts
1 carton (8 oz) frozen cool whip, thawed
CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
Combien 2 cups cookie crumbs with butter and sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Freeze for 15 minutes. Spread ice cream over crumbs; freeze until firm, about 3 hours. Meanwhile, combine first four sauce ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla; allow to cool to room temperature. Spoon sauce over ice cream; sprinkle with nuts. Freeze until firm. Spread whipped topping over nuts and sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs. Freeze at least 3 hours before serving. Can be stored in freezer for up to a week.

Harris Teeter Deals 2-6-08 through 2-12-08

Grapes .99lb
Whole chicken fryers .49lb
Ferrero Rocher 12pk candy 2/5- .75/1= 1.00
*** great for teachers' valentines and q exps 2-11-08
Texas Toast crutons .94- .40/1= .14
Uncle Bens rice 4/5
McCormick seasoning mixes .99 BOGO- .25/2= get 2, .25 ea
Hormel can ham 3/4- .35/1= .63
Campbells spaghettios 5/5- .40/2= get 2, .60 ea
No Yolks egg noodles 2/3- .50/1= .50
Muellers whole grain pasta 3/3- 1.00/2= get 2, .50 ea
Campbells Select soup 3/4-.40/2= get 2, .94 ea
Campbells classic micro bowls 3/4- .50/2= get 2, .84 ea
Progressive micro bowls 2.59 BOGO- .50/2= get 2, .80 ea
Campbells chix noodle/tomato 5/5- .40/2= get 2, .60 ea
Emerald Trail mix 10/10- .50/1= FREE
Kashi oatmeal 2.49- 2.00 IP= .49
Mrs Butterworth syrup 3.69 BOGO= 1.85
Nutri Grain bars 2/5- .75/1= 1.00
Dannon yogurts 10/5.00-1.00/10= get 10, .40 ea
Dial soap 8pk 3.88- .30/1= 3.28 (.41 a bar)
***cheaper at Lowes with store and mfg coupons .30 bar
Harris Teeter tissues 5/5
Birds Eye box frozen vegs 2/4 BOGO= 1.00 ea
Birds Eye bag frozen vegs 2/5 BOGO= 1.25 ea


Deals:

#1: Go to www.Unclebens.com and register and you will be able to print off coupons. They update pretty frequently and it is enough to keep me getting free rice anytime I need rice for a recipe. You might be able to use them to get the Country Inn rice that is on sale 4/5 for free. I am not sure what is on there this week or what will be available. Worth checking out.

#2: Keep your eyes out for the winetags. I found one for 2.00 off flowers or chocolate and got this huge planted flower that had been reduced from 32.50 to 3.75 and paid 1.75!! They were on some wine called "Dog House" but they are free to use regardless if you purchase alcohol. Remember we live in a dry state where the alcohol distributers are legally not allowed make you purchase their product to participate in their coupons for other products and rebate submissions.

#3: Check out the produce and bread clearances, I have found a few great deals there this past week like more bread for .49 a loaf, 2 red peppers for 1.00, bananas for .19 lb.....

Lowes Foods Deals 2-6-08 through 2-12-08

Chicken boneless breast or tenders 1.79lb
*** sold in 2.5 lb bags
Kraft salad dressing 2/4- .75/2= get 2, 1.25 ea
Kraft BBQ .79- 50/2 peelie= get 2, .29 ea
Texas Pete sauce .99- bottle coupon= FREE
Motts applesauce 6pk 2/4- .55/2= get 2, 1.45 ea
Hunts can spaghetti sauce 5/5= 1.00 ea
No Yolks egg noodles 1.44- ..50/1= .44
Campbells classic soup 10/10- .40/2= get 2, .60 ea
Campbells Spaghettios 10/10- .40/2= get 2, .60 ea
Wolf Chili 2/3- .50/1= .50
Pace salsa 4/6 (1.50)- .75 Target q= .75
JFG coffee, reg 2.59- .60/1= 1.39
JFG decalf 3.49- .60/1= 2.29
Splenda sticks 2.39- .75/1= .89
Betty Crocker cake mix 1.65 BOGO =.82 ea
Betty Crocker cookie mix 3/4.98 (1.66)- .60/1 IP= .46
Nutri Grain bars 2/5- .75/1= 1.00
Quaker instant oatmeal 2/4- .60/1= .80
Reese cereal 2/5- .55/1 IP= 1.40
Rice Krispies w/Strawberries 2.45- 1.00/1 IP= 1.45
Egglands eggs 2.39- .35/1= 1.69
Lowes Brand cottage cheese 1.89
Jose Ole Taquitos 3.99- .75/1= 2.50
Barber stuffed chicken breasts 4.99 BOGO (2.50)- 1.00/1= 1.50
El Monterey frozen burritos 10pk 2/6- 1.00/1= 2.00
***good for the recipe 2 weeks ago
Viola meals 3.99- 1.00/1 IP= 2.99
Lowes Brand frozen vegs 4/5= 1.25 ea
Edy's ice cream 5.55 BOGO= 2.77 ea
Scrubbing Bubbles 2/5 store coup- .75/1= 1.00
Dial soap 3 pk 2/3 store coup- .30/1= .90

Deals:

#1: There is a rebate for 3.00 on a 6.00 purchase of organges by Leinenkugel Brewing. I found this rebate form at the Lowes on Old Oak Ridge Rd in the Cardinal area of Greensboro. Hold on to it or use it this week at Food Lions, it does not expire until June 2008.

#2: Hold on to the 4-week coupons that came on the 2-6-08 circular. You can use both a store coupon and a mfg coupon together on one product. Chances are, many of these items will have coupons coming out if not already and it might be a good time to stock up your cleaning closet since many are cleaning products.

#3: There is a peelie on some of the larger bottles of Kraft BBQ sauces for .50/2. Use that peelie on two of the smaller bottles and you will get them for .29 each.

#4: There are still bottles of Texas Pete sauce in Lowes that have the coupon for a free bottle on them.

#5: There is a coupon on the Target coupon generator at www.afullcup.com for .50 off 2 lbs of bananas. This could be turned into a GREAT deal if you are lucky and find the ripe bananas in the bags for .19 lb. You can go back and make the Banana Bread French Toast from last weeks' recipes for REALLY cheap with these. Just a thought.

And a FYI... I am personally still having problems getting the Lowes on the corner of Guilford College and Piedmont Parkway to accept my internet competitors' coupons. I would suggest either going to the one in the Cardinal area or New Garden if you plan to use alot of Target/Food Lion coupons.

*** Most of the IPs here are from www.coupons.com

Food Lion Deals 2-6-08 through 2-12-08

4lb bag of Navel oranges 3.99 BOGO= 2.00
3 lb bag Gala apples 1.99
Tilapia Fillets 2.99 lb
Smithfield boneless pork loin 50% off,
***there was recently a mfg coupon for 1.00 off
Post kid cereals 2.80 BOGO- 1.00/2= get 2, .90 ea
GM cereals, buy 4 get 6.00 off
Pillsbury cake mix 5/5- .40/2= get 2, .80 ea
Kraft chunk/shredded cheeses 2/4- .75/2= get 2, 1.63 ea
Pillsbury Grands biscuits 5/5- .50/3= get 3, .83 ea




Deals:

#1: If you find the rebate for 3.00 back on a purchase of 6.00 in oranges, this would be a good week to buy 2 bags of oranges, circling the original prices, and submit. Remember to make copies for your own records before mailing.

#2: Coke 2 liter deals. Buy 3 and they will ring up for .99 ea, total 2.97. Buy 4 and they will ring up for .89 ea, total 3.56. Buy 5 and they will ring up for .79, total 3.95.

#3: General Mills. Buy any 4 boxes and you will get an automatic $6.00 off. Do this in conjuction with mfg coupons and you can get some cheap cereal. Currently there are coupons for .75/2 from red blinkie machines in most stores, insert coupons for .75 off Crunch Cheerios, .75 off Curves, 1.00/2 all GM cereal and IP coupons from www.coupons.com for .75 off Yogurt Cheerios. Do the math and I would recommend doing the deal if the boxes come out to 1.50 or less a box after all the coupons and instant savings.