Us here at JerseyCouponMom.Com are all about savings !!! We know that not everyone can get to every store in the area to shop around for the best prices. So, we wanted to show you that you can make Great meals on a budget at any store, if you plan ahead and shop smart.
This “Meal Plan” is based off of Bell Farms deals for 7/21 – 7/27 Found Here
Please note: This is working under the assumption that you already have some household staples in the house like Seasonings and Flour etc..
Shopping List:
- Basa Fillets 3 lbs ($8.97)
- Crisco Cooking Oil 128 oz ($3.99)
- Campbell’s Pork & Beans 2 Cans ($0.80)
- Green Giant Corn Nibblers ($1.50)
- Chicken Leg Quarters 6lbs ($4.14)
- Canilla Long Grain Rice 20lb ($3.99)
- Fresh Cilantro 1 Bunch for ($0.33)
- Boneless Pork Chops 3lbs ($5.97)
- Beef Chuck Steak 3lbs ($8.97)
- Le Fe Black Beans 1 Can for ($0.60)
- 2 Avocado ($1.60)
- Key Foods Frozen Broccoli ($1.66)
- 2lbs of Apples ($1.38)
- Dominos Quick Dissolve Sugar ($1.99)
- 2 Limes
- 1 Lemon
- 4 Large Potato’s
- 1 Can of Green Beans
- 1 Small Red Onion
*Please note: there are no prices listed for the Lime, Lemon, Potatoes, Green Beans, and Onion as they are not listed in the Bell Farms Ad. However the total of all the other items comes to $45.89, if you follow the weights and this list that will leave you with $4.11 to get the items listed without prices, which is VERY Possible.
Pan Fried Basa Fillet With Pork & Beans and Corn
What you need:
- Basa Fillets 3 lbs ($8.97)
- Crisco Cooking Oil 128 oz ($3.99)
- Green Giant Corn Nibblers ($1.50)
- Campbell’s Pork & Beans 2 Cans ($0.80)
- Items you should have at home: Butter, Seasoning
Protein Prep/Cooking Directions : Add a few teaspoons of oil to a heavy skillet and heat to medium high. Season the Basa fillet with smoked paprika, salt and pepper, or whatever it is you would like to season it with. Place the fillet into the pan and cook for 4 minutes, until the edges of the fish start to brown slightly. Carefully flip the fillet over, using caution so that it does not fall apart. Cook another 3 minutes until the flesh is opaque and cooked through.
Starch Prep/Cooking Directions: Open and heat the two cans of Pork & Beans.
Vegetable Prep/Cooking Directions: Place a medium pot on the stove and fill it with no more than 1 or 2 inches of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. It’s important not to put enough water in the pot to completely cover the corn. Add the frozen corn, making sure the cobs are in a single layer. Keep the corn moving by turning and rearranging it as it cooks. Corn on the cob can take up to five to seven minutes. Drain the corn into a colander and season it to taste with salt, pepper or whatever spice you prefer.
- Total Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Total Cost : $15.26
You will have oil left over from this recipe
Baked Chicken Thighs with Cilantro Lime Rice and Black Beans
What you need:
- Chicken Leg Quarters 6lbs ($4.14)
- Canilla Long Grain Rice 20lb ($3.99)
- Fresh Cilantro 1 Bunch for ($0.33)
- Le Fe Black Beans 1 Can for ($0.60)
- 1 Lime (Price Unknown)
- Items you should have at home: Butter, Seasoning
1st Step to this meal is Cutting the Chicken. Chicken leg quarters are inexpensive to begin with, but separating them into thighs and drumsticks allows you to use the same chicken for 2 separate meals making it MUCH MORE Cost efficient. Here is how you break the chicken down.
- Grab onto the chicken thigh with one hand. Hold onto the chicken leg with the other hand. Bend the chicken leg against the joint so that it dislocates.
- Cut through the dislocated joint with a sharp knife to separate the thigh from the leg. If you have difficulty using a knife, separate the pieces with sharp kitchen shears.
- Remove the excess fat and skin from the chicken leg quarters with a sharp knife or kitchen shears if you desire.
- Since we are only cooking the Thighs for this meal, put the legs into a freezer bag and store them in the fridge or freeze for later use.
Protein Prep/Cooking Directions : Preheat your oven to 375 Degrees. Place the chicken in a large baking dish, and season them to your liking. Bake the chicken in the oven until it is no longer pink at the bone, and the juice is running clear. This will take roughly 30 Minutes. If you have a cooking thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat near the bone, the temperature should read 165 degrees or higher.
Starch Prep/Cooking Directions: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, stir in 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 cup of rice. Cover the pot, lower your heat to low and simmer until the rice is tender. (About 20 minutes) Stir in 1 teaspoon of lime zest, 2 tablespoons of Lime Juice and 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro into the rice right before serving.
Beans Prep/Cooking Directions: Open and rinse a can of black beans. In a medium saucepan, combine beans and the remainder of chopped cilantro and bring to a boil. Reduce your heat, and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes.
- Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Cost : $9.06 (plus the cost of the lime)
You will have Chicken and Rice left over from this recipe
Fried Chicken Legs With Mango Avocado Salad
What you need:
- Chicken Leg Quarters 6 lbs (Take them out your fridge)
- Crisco Cooking Oil 128 oz (Remaining from the fish recipe)
- 2 Mango’s $1.00 each ($2.00)
- 2 Avocados ($1.60)
- 1 Small Red Onion (Price Unknown)
- 1 Lime (Price Unknown)
- Items you should have at home: Vinegar, Seasoning, Flour
Ok , Frying chicken can be considered a very sacred thing… so please note this is just a suggestion for those that do not know how to fry chicken. Please do not HANG ME if this is not how you make it… as this is actually not how I make it, but just a simple “get it done” recipe.
Protein Prep/Cooking Directions : In a shallow dish, mix your flour and seasonings (I usually use paprika garlic powder, salt and pepper… but .. please do you) Coat your chicken with the flour mixture. In a large skillet heat up your oil over med-high heat. (We are keeping this light on the oil and not deep frying, so you only need to fill the skillet about 1/4 inch deep of oil) Cook the chicken in the hot oil SKIN SIDE DOWN for about 10 minutes or until it is light brown on all sides. Reduce your heat to low, and flip your chicken over. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes WITHOUT turning until the chicken runs clear. If you have a cooking thermometer, insert it into the thickest part of the meat near the bone, the temperature should read 180 degrees or higher.
Salad Prep/Cooking Directions: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of vinegar (balsamic if you have it), tablespoons of oil, 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice and a bit of salt and pepper. Add in 2 Mango’s cubed, 2 Avocados Cubed and half of a small red onion sliced. Toss the ingredients around, and serve immediately.
- Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Cost : $3.60 (Plus the cost of the lime and onion)
Boneless Pork Chops with Applesauce and Sauteed Broccoli
What you need:
- Boneless Pork Chops 3lbs ($5.97)
- Key Foods Frozen Broccoli ($1.66)
- 2lbs of Apples ($1.38) (you only need 4 apples)
- Domino Quick Dissolve Sugar ($1.99)
- 1 Lemon (Price Unknown)
- Items you should have at home: Butter, Seasoning
Protein Prep/Cooking Directions : Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Over Medium heat, warm 2 Tablespoons of Oil in an oven safe skillet. While that is warming sprinkle salt and pepper and whatever other seasonings you like on both sides of your pork chops. Saute your pork until they are golden brown (about 2-3 minutes), Flip them over and repeat on the other side. Place the pan in the oven, and roast the chops until they are cooked thru (about 15 minutes)
Apple Sauce Prep/Cooking Directions: Peel,core and chop your 4 apples. In a large saucepan, combine apples, 2 Tablespoons of Fresh Lemon Juice, and 2 Tablespoons of Cold Water. Bring to a boil over Medium- High heat. Once boiling, reduce your heat to medium, cover the pan and cook for an additional 12 minutes or until the apples are soft. Stir in 2 tablespoons of quick dissolve sugar and the zest of your lemon. Allow the apples to cool down an bit, and then puree until smooth in a food processor.
Vegetable Prep/Cooking Directions: Add about 1/2 cup of water to a saucepan with a pinch of salt, and allow it to come to a rolling boil. Add the frozen broccoli to the pot. Cover the pot and allow the water to return to a boil. Lower your heat, and cook the broccoli for about 6-7 minutes or until tender. Drain and Serve. ( You can get fancy here and serve it with cheese and a bit of sour cream, or you can keep it simple with garlic and a bit of butter.. that is up to you)
- Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Total Cost : $11.00 + the cost of the Lemon
You will have sugar and apples left over from this recipe
Beef Chuck Steak with Baked Potato’s and Green Beans
What you need:
- Beef Chuck Steak 3lbs ($8.97)
- 4 Large Potato’s (Price Unknown)
- 1 Can of Green Beans (Price Unknown)
- Items you should have at home: Butter, Seasoning, Oil
Protein Prep/Cooking Directions : Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Over High heat, warm 2 Tablespoons of Oil in an oven safe skillet. While that is warming sprinkle salt and pepper and whatever other seasonings you like on both sides of your steak. Sear your steaks until they are dark golden brown (about 2 minutes), Flip them over and repeat on the other side. Place the pan in the oven, and roast the steaks until they are cooked thru (about 7 minutes for med-rare, a bit longer if you like them well done) Take the steak out of the pan and allow them to rest before serving.
Baked Potato Prep/Cooking Directions: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Scrub and clean your potatoes. Take a fork and pierce the skin on the potatoes several times. Coat the potatoes with Salt Pepper and Oil and Wrap in a Foil Wrapper. Bake for about 50 minutes or until the Potatoes are tender.
Vegetable Prep/Cooking Directions: Open the can of green beans into a small sauce pan and heat over med low heat until warm. You can also add seasoning or butter to the beans if you would like.
- Total Cook Time: 50 – 60 Minutes
- Total Cost : $8.97 + the cost of the Potato’s and Beans
Let us know if you would like to see more of these “Meal Plans on a Budget”