Thrifty Thursday: How to Redeem a Splurge
Chicken Parmigiana from left over “splurge”Now when I say “splurge”, it was a modest one, mind you. Our family went out for chicken a few days ago and it only costs the 9 of us $25; however, considering we could easily feed our family at home for $4 or $5, I call it a splurge.
So, we had 3 pieces of chicken left–worth nothing but fighting over UNLESS we put on our frugal cap and get to work.
So I cut up the chicken in strips (a little difficult to cut off the bone) and then placed those over pasta sauce and Penne pasta. Topped it with Mozzarella cheese and we had a delicious meal–I almost broke out in Italian song. I served it with salad and the last few pieces of dry sandwich bread (toasted with garlic butter, of course).
So if you’re gonna splurge, at least squeeze it for all it’s worth 
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April 16, 2009 8:26 am
Good idea, Kelly. When you cut up chicken into little strips, you realize just how much a few pieces can stretch. That’s how Chinese, Thai, and and Indian restaurants are able to get a good return on the meat they buy–they use small chunks of chicken (perhaps half of one breast per serving) and pile on the cheaper sauce and veggies, adding rice to the side.
For those of us whose bodies do not process starches well and/or who are pre-diabetic, I recommend making Kelly’s recipe without the pasta. Substitute spinach (or cauliflower or squash or anything else) as the base for the sauce, chicken, and cheese. It will be just as cheap and even more nutritious.
LOVE the new look! I just switched over to wordpress too! =)
I never thought of this. Sometimes we go to O’Charleys, because you get 2 kid’s meals free with each adult entree. It’s the only time our kids ever get their own meal at a restaurant. Anyway, we always have TONS of chicken strips left over and I’m never sure what to do with them all because they don’t taste so great reheated.
Thanks for the idea! =)
What a great way to redeem a splurge!
Many blessings!