Publix – December 30, 2012

     J.T. and I have been very busy over the last week.  While we spent Christmas with my parents in Alabama, we traveled to both Georgia and South Carolina later in the week to visit other family members.  Although traveling involves a lot of sitting, it sure is tiring!  We returned home on Saturday night and have been going nonstop ever since.  Much cleaning, laundry, and organizing has taken place over the last two days.  I finally organized the closet in our office and took a large load of items to be donated.  Thankfully, the charitable contributions were donated on December 31, so I can still count this charitable contribution for the 2012 tax year.  J.T. and I did make a quick run to Publix Sunday afternoon.  I decided to stock up on a few basic items that were running low.  Of course, we will be having black-eyed peas, collard greens, and ham tomorrow for our traditional New Year’s meal.  I am looking forward to getting back in the kitchen after being away for a few days!

·         Dairy

o   1 gallon Publix Greenwise Organic Milk @ $5.99

o   ½ gallon silk almond milk @ $3.35

§  $0.75/1 manufacturer coupon - $2.60

o   (1) 8 oz. block Cabot Vermont Cheddar Cheese @ $2.50

o   Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

o   1 lb. Organic Valley Unsalted Butter @ $6.99

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $5.99

·         Grocery

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic Toasted Oats cereal @ $7.58

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   (1) Cary’s Maple Syrup @ $6.79

·         Produce

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.06

o   Del-Monte pineapple @ $2.99

o   2 lbs. collard greens @ $3.99

o   1 lb. Publix Greenwise Organic Carrots @ $1.29

o   2 sweet onions @ $1.29/lb. - $1.34

·         Other

o   (2) Scotch brite scrub sponges @ $2.99

§  $0.75/2 manufacturer coupon - $2.24

o   (2) Hefty slider bags @ $3.33

§  $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon - $2.33

Total before coupons              $62.21

Less: coupons used                   (8.50)

Total with Tax                        $53.71

Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Apples

Merry Christmas!  J.T., Otis, and I are about to head over to my parent’s house for a day full of eating, presents, and tornado warnings! Yesterday, I made Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Apples and it will be served at our Christmas lunch.  It smells amazing and I even had to stop J.T. from sampling it yesterday!  Many of you may already know, but my birthday actually falls on Christmas.  I woke up to a sweet surprise from my husband – my birthday present.  I asked for food related items – kitchen tools, etc – and he delivered.  He even bought me two bottles of organic extra virgin olive oil!  Nothing excites me more than receiving kitchen tools, appliances, and specialty food items J Merry Christmas to each of you reading this blog.  May your day be filled with precious time with your loved ones celebrating the birth of Jesus. 

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten

Ingredients

For the sweet potatoes:

·         4 lbs. sweet potatoes

·         ½ cup almond milk

·         ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

·         4 tablespoons coconut oil

·         ¼ cup brown sugar

·         1 teaspoon cinnamon

·         ½ teaspoon nutmeg

·         2 teaspoons kosher salt

·         ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the apples:

·         3 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into eighths

·         3 tablespoons coconut oil

·         3 tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

1.      For the sweet potatoes, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Roast the sweet potatoes until very tender when pierced with a fork, about an hour.  When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and discard.  Place the potato flesh in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.  Add the almond milk, orange juice, coconut oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.  Mix together on low until combined.  The sweet potatoes should still be slightly lumpy.  Pour the filling into a greased baking dish. 

2.      For the apples, heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add the apples and brown sugar.  Sauté for 5 to 10 minutes or until the apples are nicely browned on all sides.  Evenly distribute the cooked apple slices on top of the sweet potato filling.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.  

Publix & Farmer’s Market – December 22, 2012

      Yesterday morning in the freezing cold, J.T. and I headed off to the farmer’s market and Publix.  I was still too sick on Friday to brave going to the grocery store alone.  With J.T.’s help, I got all of our grocery shopping done before 8:30 on Saturday morning.  This worked out great because my brother and sister-in-law-to-be were in town.  Shortly after returning home from our outing, J.T., Otis, and I headed over to my parents house to spend the day.  I love when people come to town, because it gives me an opportunity to cook for a crowd.  I spent a large majority of the day in the kitchen.  With my husband’s help (and Ina Garten!), together, we created some very delicious meals.  Lunch consisted of Pappa al Pomodoro and grilled cheese sandwiches smothered in butter and oozing with cheese.  For supper we had grilled steaks and roasted salmon, Paris inspired olive oil mashed potatoes, and my brother’s favorite sautéed green beans.  I was able to do most of the prep work for today’s lunch yesterday as well.  We will have Ina Garten’s Company Pot Roast, Rice Pilaf with Gravy, Roasted Carrots with thyme, and last but not least an Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp.  I always look forward to time spent with family gathered around great food. 

·         Dairy

o   ½ gallon Organic Valley milk @ $4.39

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $3.39

o   ½ lb. Kerry Gold Irish Unsalted Butter @ $4.09

§  $2.00/1 WYB Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs - $2.09

o   Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

·         Grocery

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Coffee @ $5.99

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic Toasted Oats cereal @ $7.58

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   (1) 32 oz. Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive oil @ $5.88

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $4.88

o   (2) Gourmet House Organic Brown Rice @ $2.70

o   (4) 28 oz. cans Muir Glen Organic tomatoes @ $7.67

§  (2) $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon  - $5.67

·         Meat

o   3 ½ lbs. ground chuck - $13.00 (farmer’s market)

o   ¾ lb. ground pork - $3.00 (farmer’s market)

·         Produce

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.58

o    4 medium sweet potatoes @ $0.49/lb. - $0.85

o   1 garlic bulb - $0.36

Total before coupons              $68.39

Less: coupons used                 (11.00)

Total with Tax                        $57.39

Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins

     Last Friday, I was at the doctor for this horrible sickness that still lingers around in my body.  While I am doing better, my head is still stuffy and my nose is still runny.  My cough has become less frequent and food is starting to become a tad more appetizing.  This past Wednesday, I started to feel better for the first time.  This led me to believe I was ready to get back to normal.  Wrong.  By the end of the day Thursday I felt awful, so my husband (and mother) confined me back to the couch.  I have spent most of today resting…again.  I am more up to date on facebook, day time television, and the news media than any one individual should be.  I did manage to make these muffins on Wednesday, when I felt so great.  There were two apples in fridge that were supposed to be used for an apple crostata.  Instead, I used the apples in these muffins.  They turned out absolutely delicious and I was pleased to get the perfect batch on my first attempt! 

Recipe adapted from Joy of Cooking

Ingredients

·         2 granny smith apples, unpeeled, very finely grated with accumulated juices

·         4 tablespoons pure maple syrup

·         4 tablespoons honey

·         2 eggs

·         1 ½ cups whole grain gluten-free flour blend (see note below)

·         2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

·         ½ teaspoon kosher salt

·         1/3 cup coconut oil

Directions

1.      Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease or line a12-cup muffin tin. 

2.      In a small bowl, stir together the grated apples, maple syrup, honey, and eggs.  Let this mixture sit for 10 minutes.  Slowly stream in the coconut oil, stirring constantly. 

3.      Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, whisk together the whole grain gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and kosher salt. 

4.      Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until the batter is thoroughly combined.  Use an ice cream scoop to evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tin.  Bake for 16 minutes.  Cool in the muffin tin for 3 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  Yields 12 muffins. 

Note:  The 1 ½ cups of whole grain gluten-free flour blend used in this recipe came from this batch of flours:

·         350 grams oat flour

·         350 grams buckwheat flour

·         300 grams arrowroot powder

Publix – December 14, 2012

This is the longest amount of time I have ever been this sick in my entire life.  At this point, I am sick of being sick!  I actually feel a little better today and managed to even put up some laundry.  Christmas is no time of year to get sick, but I seem to always catch something at the same time each year.  Last year, I distinctly remember being sick on Christmas, which made for a disappointing Christmas and Birthday dinner.  Oddly enough, I develop a strong aversion to many foods that I normally love when I am ill.  I am hoping (and praying!) that my appetite and energy return back to normal soon.  The groceries listed below were purchased last Friday.  Of course, much of the foods we still have because my menu plan flew out the window this week.  Since Friday, J.T. and my parents have made sure that I had something to eat which didn’t make me gag.  For that, I am grateful. 

·         Dairy

o   1 gallon Publix Greenwise Organic Milk @ $5.99

o   (2) ½ gallon Silk almond milk @ $5.00

§  $2.00/2 manufacturer coupon - $3.00

o   1 dozen Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

o   (1) 8 oz. block Cabot Vermont Cheddar cheese @ $2.50

·         Grocery

o   (2) Publix Greenwise Organic Toasted Oats cereal @ $7.58

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   1 lb. Publix Black beans @ $0.99

o   1 lb. Publix black-eyed peas @ $1.59

o   1 can Publix Greenwise Organic tomato sauce @ $0.79

o   Publix Greenwise Flaxseed @ $1.99

·         Meat

o   Semi-boneless ham @ $1.69/lb. - $8.95

·         Frozen

o   (2) Bird’s eye steam fresh @ $2.49 (brussels)

§  $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon - $1.49

·         Produce

o   Spice World thyme & black pepper @ $2.00

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.71

o   2 sweet potatoes @ $0.99/lb. - $0.83

o   1 green cabbage @ $1.58

o   2 granny smith organic apples @ $2.10

o   2 lbs. sweet onions @ $0.99 - $1.96

o   1 gold pineapple @ $2.99

o   1 head garlic @ $0.27

Total before coupons              $63.37

Less: coupons used                   (8.00)

Total with Tax                        $55.37

Chicken & Rice Soup

 It may seem as though I have disappeared from the blog world, but I am still here.  I, along with many other people, have come down with a horrible, nasty sickness that manages to linger around for days.  I started feeling bad last Wednesday night and have progressively gotten worse.  My sweet mother took me to the doctor Friday afternoon, once I finally decided that I needed some help.  J.T. was still at school and I knew he wouldn’t be able to leave for another hour, so my mother flew over immediately and drove me to a local walk-in doc in a box.  As I waited in the hot and stuffy waiting room I only seemed to feel worse.  Mama filled out all my paper work and helped me to the back when the doctor was ready to see me.  There was a brief moment where I thought I might die on the paper lined table, but I made it out alive.  The doctor ran tests for both the flu and strep throat.  Both of these tests came back negative.  I have actually had both of these illnesses before and I would personally diagnose myself with strep throat.  I am being treated as though I have strep with a wonderful 10 day round of antibiotics.  I still feel awful, but I managed to move off of the couch today for a little while.  My sweet husband made this soup for my lunch yesterday.  It was so yummy and exactly what this sick girl needed.  I made the recipe up based on what I knew we already had in the kitchen and J.T. did a great job preparing it.  I am so thankful for a family that takes such good care of me when I am sick.  Even Otis (our dog) has been my constant bedside buddy J I made it to the grocery store very early on Friday morning.  I hope to get my grocery post up tomorrow!

Ingredients

·         1 large chicken breast, bone-in and skin on

·         Extra-virgin olive oil

·         Kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper

·         1 cup brown rice

·         10 ¼ cups water, divided

·         ½ large onion, chopped

·         1 cup chopped carrots

·         1 cup chopped celery

·         ½ teaspoon dried thyme

Directions

1.      Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a small baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Rub the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Place on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the juices run clear.  Set aside to cool.

2.      Meanwhile, bring 2 ¼ cups water to a boil in a small sauce pan.  Add the brown rice and return to a boil.  Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 40 minutes. 

3.      Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven.  Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ½ teaspoon of thyme.  Sauté the vegetables until tender, about 15 minutes. 

4.      Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, chop into bite-sized chunks, discarding both the skin and the bones.  Add the chopped chicken, cooked rice, and remaining 8 cups of water to the sautéed vegetables.  Season with 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.  Simmer uncovered for an hour.  Serves 4.  

Publix – December 7, 2012

   Do you ever wonder what I make with all the food that I buy?  In the past, I have discussed the general menu outline that I follow each week.  In case you missed that post, click here.  A general outline makes planning much easier.  For example, we normally have some form of chicken on Tuesday.  It is much quicker to come up with a chicken recipe, than to look endlessly through an entire cookbook!  In November, we decided to quit eating at Zoe’s Kitchen every Wednesday.  We still love Zoe’s, but missed having a hot meal for supper.  We are saving our “eating out” money and putting it towards Christmas gifts and holiday travel.  We will be eating out tomorrow night, because we will be in Birmingham finishing up our Christmas shopping.  Listed below is my menu plan for the week.  I always plan our meals around what is on sale and what I already have in my pantry and freezer.  Sometimes my plan will change, but 99% of the time I stick to it.  I cook enough food for at least 4 people and we eat the leftovers at lunch the next day. 

Saturday (lunch)

·         Sausage Pizza

·         Sautéed Peas & Onions

Sunday (lunch)

·         Chicken & Rice Casserole from Joy of Cooking

·         Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas & Carrots

·         Leftover Wedding cake (yes, we still have wedding cake in the freezer!)

Monday

·         Corn Chowder from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

·         Whole Grain Popovers

Tuesday

·         Roasted Chicken (olive oil, salt, pepper)

·         Easy Pea Risotto (using brown rice)

Wednesday

·         Hoppin John

·         Honey Mustard Coleslaw from Poor Girl Gourmet (this makes a large amount)

Thursday

·         Sweet Italian Sausage with Apple & Fennel Seed

·         Leftover Honey Mustard Coleslaw from Poor Girl Gourmet

Friday

·         Waffles from Joy of Cooking

·         Fried Eggs cooked by my husband J

 

·         Dairy

o   1 gallon Publix Greenwise Organic Milk @ $5.99

o   ½ gallon Silk almond milk @ $3.39

§  $0.75/1 manufacturer coupon - $2.64

o   1 dozen Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs @ $4.29

·         Grocery

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic coffee @ $5.99

o   (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99

o   (2) Kashi Strawberry Fields Organic cereal @ $4.00 (on clearance)

§  (2) $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.00 (received 1 free because of incorrect pricing)

o   1 lb. Publix Black-eyed Peas @ $1.59

o   (1) 8 oz. can Publix Greenwise Organic Tomato sauce @ $0.79

o   (2) 8 oz. cans Giorgio Organic mushrooms @ $1.90

o   1 lb. Gourmet House Organic Brown rice @ $1.35

o   2 lbs. King Arthur Organic Whole Wheat Flour @ $2.42

o   (1) Vita Coco Coconut Water @ $4.99

§  $1.00/1 Publix coupon - $3.99

·         Meat

o   Publix Greenwise whole chicken @ $1.99 - $8.26

·         Frozen

o   (2) Green Giant Valley Fresh steamers @ $2.59 (sugar snap peas)

§  $1.00/2 manufacturer coupon & (2) $1.00/1 Publix coupon – free

o   (3) Green Giant boxed peas @ $2.97

§  $1.00/3 manufacturer coupon - $1.97

o   (3) Green Giant boxed corn @ $2.97

§  $1.00/3 manufacturer coupon - $1.97

·         Produce

o   Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.48

o   1 green cabbage @ $0.69/lb. - $1.75

o   1 organic Granny Smith apple @ $2.69/lb. - $1.00

o   red potatoes @ $0.99/lb. - $0.91

o   1 lb. Publix Greenwise Organic Carrots @ $1.29/lb.

o   2 lbs. onions @ $1.99

·         Other

o   Rachael Ray Just 6 dog treats @ $2.99

§  $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.99

Total before coupons             $71.54

Less: coupons used                 (14.75)

Total with Tax                       $56.79