When I get them home, I immediately start separating the quarters with a knife. Drumsticks go into a bowl for later and thighs go on a baking sheet. Today I used three baking sheets for all my thighs. Skin side up, salt/pepper/oil and bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour or so, until they are done. Then once they cool, I take the meat off the bone, and put the meat into quart sized bags and freeze.
The leftover chicken thigh bones go into two big stock pots. I pour enough water over the chicken to nearly come up to the top of the pot, I add a few carrots to each pot, a few celery stalks, half an onion, half a head of garlic, and some Italian seasoning. I let that boil for 3-4 hours. Once it's reduced by half, strain and refrigerate the stock. The next morning, skim the fat off the top, and pour into freezer safe plastic containers and freeze. Now you have fresh, homemade chicken stock for soups and stews. You can also freeze in muffin tins for 1/2 cup servings of stock for other recipes.
I got other things today at the grocery store. 500 bucks worth of food and after sales and coupons, I paid 380 dollars. Also, keep in mind that I shop ONCE a month. So that's the total I spent for our breakfasts/lunches/dinners/snacks for a whole MONTH for a family of four. I think I did pretty darn good.
I went in to the store armed with lots of canned soup coupons. I LOVE soup and I especially love it during the fall and winter. So I stocked up on soups and canned goods on my trip today. About 60 cans total. It also comes in handy for hurricane preparedness. The only bad thing about my big shopping trip is my pantry and fridge are full to the BRIM with cans and food. At least for a few days, until I can do all my freezer cooking.
The picture I leave you with tonight is my husband and two year old on the top of the Ferris Wheel at the Carnival today. Best friends, those two.
3 comments:
Thanks for your post I am always looking for something to do with those 10lb bags of thighs and legs on sale. I have only seen ours as low at .69 a lb but every bit helps right?
Thanks for sharing.. I am going to try this... Do you have any other tips?
I just found this through an internet search trying to decide if I should get the 10lb bag from the grocery store because it's just me. I found this plan of attack to be extremely helpful because I have an empty freezer! Thank you for saving this Neuro ICU nurse some tears at mealtimes. :)
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