The new Cub Foods has finally opened in St. Paul. The isles are crowded with people pushing shopping carts while scouting for deals in the store.
There's lots of sales there at the moment.
They're selling Cub butter for 88-cents with a coupon. An eight-piece fried chicken is $3.99 with a coupon (and you can print out a second Gold -n-Plump coupon for double the savings!).
A Cub fresh whole chicken fryer is 49-cents a pound and Colgate toothpaste is 79 cents, with a coupon.
I purchased $70 in groceries for only $52 with all my coupons. It was great.
I suggest leaving children at home as the store is crowded.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Find cheap steals at exotic stores
I grew up eating caviar sandwiches for lunch, so not much seems exotic to me.
As a native of Kyiv, Ukraine that was the norm. Young children ate caviar sandwiches.
Growing up I'd often accompany my mother to Russian grocery stores in Chicago that displayed fish with heads behind the glass counter.
Although I didn't think about it at the time, someone who has shopped nowhere but Cub Foods may find this experience intimidating.
I urge you not to be afraid.
There are two great stores in the area, Holyland Bakery & Deli in Minneapolis and Ha Tien Groceries in St. Paul, that you should try.
Both offer wonderful deals and interesting foods for the pallet.
Holyland is a Middle Eastern deli that boasts a lunch and dinner buffet, meats, vegetables and wonderful sweets.
At Holyland (http://www.holylandbrand.com/) you can buy day-old bags of pita for $1.99 or 3 for $5. It is a great bargain, especially since many area grocery stores have stopped carrying pita (such as the Rainbow in Coon Rapids!).
The store also sells an assortment of fresh-baked pita chips in flavors like garlic, ranch and Parmesan cheese. At $1.99 for two boxes, they're a delightful steal.
The store also carries a variety of cheeses and olives, all more affordable than what you'd get at Byerly's.
Last, they carry meats. Now their butcher may at first seem frightening, as he doesn't speak English well and scrutinizes all customers. I've learned that's just part of his personality and once he sees you a few times he might even crack a smile.
Everyone who frequents the store seems to know the protocol at the meat counter.
"Can I get three pounds of lamb shoulder cut thin, please," customers say. Everything the butcher needs to know in a short sentence. Brilliant.
You get to watch him select a lamb shoulder and slice it. He might ask you if you want big or small slices-- so be ready with your answer.
The frozen lamb is $2.79 a pound and works great for dishes such as masala or stew.
Same goes for their goat. That's right, GOAT! It is a wonderfully-flavored meat overlooked in the United States. In many countries it is considered a delicacy, so you should try it.
I repeat the same line to the butcher when I go there.
"Can I have 3 pounds of goat leg please." Simple as that.
Now if you're not sure what to do with the meat but are interested in trying this alternative there is a solution in one of the isles right inside Holyland.
It's called Laziza. That's the Middle Eastern version of Hamburger Helper. I usually buy a "Laziza Quarma (meat) Masala" package and follow the instructions on the box. A word of caution about these mixes-- unless you are very tolerant to spicy foods I suggest you only use 1/2 or a third of the packet at a time. The cooking instructions are easy and results delicious. You can use those $1.99 pitas as an accompaniment to the meal.
If Asian food is more your style I suggest checking out Ha Tien Groceries at 353 University Avenue. The store has a great selection of Asian oils, a deli and a self-service seafood deli area. Here you get tongs and a bag so you can pick your own shrimp, fish or blue crab still crawling on ice. Yum!
The prices are great, for example a 7 oz bottle of sesame oil is only $2.19 (compared with $2.99 at Cub Foods). They also have a nice selection of seafood broth, which can be used for shrimp or lobster bisque, for only $1.59.
The store also has plenty of exotics, such as $6.99 for frozen baby octopus and $5.99 for frozen squid. An eel I purchased for $4 at the store sits in my freezer. I plan to use it in a garlic eel with red pepper dish I want to try.
The store also currently sells live blue crab for $3.49/lb. I'd call the store first to make sure they still have some left before making the trip.
The store's deli can also help you with short cuts when making Asian recipes. When I make spring rolls I go there to buy BBQ pork, a pound usually costs about $6. I cut the cooked meat at home and insert it into the rolls. The pound of pork will easily be enough for 20 spring rolls. Then I let my guests compliment me on my cooking savvy. Enough said.
Are there any stores you like to visit for good deals? Or are there stores you'd like to visit but are too intimidated? I'll scout the place out for you, just tell me where.
As a native of Kyiv, Ukraine that was the norm. Young children ate caviar sandwiches.
Growing up I'd often accompany my mother to Russian grocery stores in Chicago that displayed fish with heads behind the glass counter.
Although I didn't think about it at the time, someone who has shopped nowhere but Cub Foods may find this experience intimidating.
I urge you not to be afraid.
There are two great stores in the area, Holyland Bakery & Deli in Minneapolis and Ha Tien Groceries in St. Paul, that you should try.
Both offer wonderful deals and interesting foods for the pallet.
Holyland is a Middle Eastern deli that boasts a lunch and dinner buffet, meats, vegetables and wonderful sweets.
At Holyland (http://www.holylandbrand.com/) you can buy day-old bags of pita for $1.99 or 3 for $5. It is a great bargain, especially since many area grocery stores have stopped carrying pita (such as the Rainbow in Coon Rapids!).
The store also sells an assortment of fresh-baked pita chips in flavors like garlic, ranch and Parmesan cheese. At $1.99 for two boxes, they're a delightful steal.
The store also carries a variety of cheeses and olives, all more affordable than what you'd get at Byerly's.
Last, they carry meats. Now their butcher may at first seem frightening, as he doesn't speak English well and scrutinizes all customers. I've learned that's just part of his personality and once he sees you a few times he might even crack a smile.
Everyone who frequents the store seems to know the protocol at the meat counter.
"Can I get three pounds of lamb shoulder cut thin, please," customers say. Everything the butcher needs to know in a short sentence. Brilliant.
You get to watch him select a lamb shoulder and slice it. He might ask you if you want big or small slices-- so be ready with your answer.
The frozen lamb is $2.79 a pound and works great for dishes such as masala or stew.
Same goes for their goat. That's right, GOAT! It is a wonderfully-flavored meat overlooked in the United States. In many countries it is considered a delicacy, so you should try it.
I repeat the same line to the butcher when I go there.
"Can I have 3 pounds of goat leg please." Simple as that.
Now if you're not sure what to do with the meat but are interested in trying this alternative there is a solution in one of the isles right inside Holyland.
It's called Laziza. That's the Middle Eastern version of Hamburger Helper. I usually buy a "Laziza Quarma (meat) Masala" package and follow the instructions on the box. A word of caution about these mixes-- unless you are very tolerant to spicy foods I suggest you only use 1/2 or a third of the packet at a time. The cooking instructions are easy and results delicious. You can use those $1.99 pitas as an accompaniment to the meal.
If Asian food is more your style I suggest checking out Ha Tien Groceries at 353 University Avenue. The store has a great selection of Asian oils, a deli and a self-service seafood deli area. Here you get tongs and a bag so you can pick your own shrimp, fish or blue crab still crawling on ice. Yum!
The prices are great, for example a 7 oz bottle of sesame oil is only $2.19 (compared with $2.99 at Cub Foods). They also have a nice selection of seafood broth, which can be used for shrimp or lobster bisque, for only $1.59.
The store also has plenty of exotics, such as $6.99 for frozen baby octopus and $5.99 for frozen squid. An eel I purchased for $4 at the store sits in my freezer. I plan to use it in a garlic eel with red pepper dish I want to try.
The store also currently sells live blue crab for $3.49/lb. I'd call the store first to make sure they still have some left before making the trip.
The store's deli can also help you with short cuts when making Asian recipes. When I make spring rolls I go there to buy BBQ pork, a pound usually costs about $6. I cut the cooked meat at home and insert it into the rolls. The pound of pork will easily be enough for 20 spring rolls. Then I let my guests compliment me on my cooking savvy. Enough said.
Are there any stores you like to visit for good deals? Or are there stores you'd like to visit but are too intimidated? I'll scout the place out for you, just tell me where.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Frugal Find-- Feta cheese
I love sprinkling bits of Greek Feta cheese on my salads. Unfortunately I have noticed the price of feta (like many other cheeses) skyrocket in recent months.
It costs $3.29 for a 4oz container of Atheno's Feta at Rainbow. The President Feta isn't better at $4.79 for a 6 oz container.
There is a better deal out there. Visit Holyland Bakery and Deli, in Minneapolis. (http://www.holylandbrand.com/).
They have tubs of Feta cheese at the deli that they sell by the pound (16 oz). You can buy Greek Feta cheese for $4.99 per pound. Just today I bought 1/3 of a pound of feta for $1.30. That's less than half the price of the same cheese Rainbow sells for $3.29!
If you have a Costco membership and plan to make a dish using feta (such as Spanikopita), the wholesaler is a good alternative.
They sell President Feta for $3.39 a pound. That means you can get a 2.5 lb chunk of the cheese for $8.41. They also sell the cheese crumbled. A 20 oz container costs $6.39.
What about you, have you found a great deal on a favorite food you'd like to share with the readers?
It costs $3.29 for a 4oz container of Atheno's Feta at Rainbow. The President Feta isn't better at $4.79 for a 6 oz container.
There is a better deal out there. Visit Holyland Bakery and Deli, in Minneapolis. (http://www.holylandbrand.com/).
They have tubs of Feta cheese at the deli that they sell by the pound (16 oz). You can buy Greek Feta cheese for $4.99 per pound. Just today I bought 1/3 of a pound of feta for $1.30. That's less than half the price of the same cheese Rainbow sells for $3.29!
If you have a Costco membership and plan to make a dish using feta (such as Spanikopita), the wholesaler is a good alternative.
They sell President Feta for $3.39 a pound. That means you can get a 2.5 lb chunk of the cheese for $8.41. They also sell the cheese crumbled. A 20 oz container costs $6.39.
What about you, have you found a great deal on a favorite food you'd like to share with the readers?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Thrifty Thighs with Potatoes
So, what do I do with those chicken thighs I bought on sale at Cub Foods?
At $5.98 for two packages, I just couldn't resist.
But turning a chicken thigh into a flavorful food that's attractive for a family (even if it's just the two of us) can be challenging.
Since I'm not easily deterred, I opted to make seasame-flavored thighs with a side of potato, mushroom and onion medley.
The whole meal, which can easily feed four people, cost $6.64.
Here is what I spent:
Chicken: $2.99
Onion: 40 cents (I bought five onions for $2 at the farmer's market)
Red potatoes: $1 ( I bought a box of 20 for $2 at the farmer's market)
Mushrooms: $1.25 (I used 8 oz, but purchased a 16oz box for $2.50)
Spices: $1 estimate
To see the full recipe and pictures check out Momentous Occasions by Natasha.
Happy eating!
At $5.98 for two packages, I just couldn't resist.
But turning a chicken thigh into a flavorful food that's attractive for a family (even if it's just the two of us) can be challenging.
Since I'm not easily deterred, I opted to make seasame-flavored thighs with a side of potato, mushroom and onion medley.
The whole meal, which can easily feed four people, cost $6.64.
Here is what I spent:
Chicken: $2.99
Onion: 40 cents (I bought five onions for $2 at the farmer's market)
Red potatoes: $1 ( I bought a box of 20 for $2 at the farmer's market)
Mushrooms: $1.25 (I used 8 oz, but purchased a 16oz box for $2.50)
Spices: $1 estimate
To see the full recipe and pictures check out Momentous Occasions by Natasha.
Happy eating!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday Coupon Notes
Here are my Sunday Coupon Notes, which I’ll post every week.
I’ll include best deals at Aldi, Rainbow, and Cub Foods. I’ll also provide coupon links when I can.
RAINBOW
Perdue Frozen Chicken Breast $4.99 for a 3Lb. Bag
If you’d like, subscribe to their newsletter, which includes coupons. http://www.perdue.com/util/newsletters.html
If you buy five boxes of General Mills Ceral you get $5 off your grocery purchase as well as a coupon for a free gallon of milk at your next shopping trip.
Roundy’s Orange Juice is $2.79
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers are 2 for $6, and the paper has a coupon for 75-cents off.
Also, become a member on their web site and receive coupons via e-mail.
http://www.healthychoice.com/start/login.jsp
Whole white mushrooms are 2/$5 for a 16 oz container, a better deal than Cub’s 2 for $3 for an 8 oz container.
Kraft shredded or chunk cheese is 4/$10, but you can buy just one for $2.50.
Birdseye Steamfresh Blends or Freshlike Veggies are 4 for $7
Sara Lee bread is $2.29
If you like baked beans, Bush’s Baked Beans are 4 for $3, and with that you get a $1 off your whole purchase.
ALDI
Onions are 79-cents per bag
Carrots are 79 cents per bag
Carlini Vegetable Oil is $2.29 for a 48 oz box
CUB FOODS
A new Cub Foods is going to open at 1177 Clarence St. in St. Paul.
They will be giving away free Ground Beef, a head of lettuce, Cub cheese, Mission Flour Tortillas and a pound of vine on tomatoes with a $25 purchase.
Farm Stand baby peeled carrots are 2 for $3
Cub canned vegetables are two for 88-cents
Gold n Plump drumsticks or thighs are two for $5.98
Receive a free cookbook from Gold n Plump here
http://www.goldnplump.com/chicken.cfm?page=Coupons_and_Offers
Hormel Pork Roast is $4.29Here is a link to Hormel’s recipes http://www.possibledinner.com/
I’ll include best deals at Aldi, Rainbow, and Cub Foods. I’ll also provide coupon links when I can.
RAINBOW
Perdue Frozen Chicken Breast $4.99 for a 3Lb. Bag
If you’d like, subscribe to their newsletter, which includes coupons. http://www.perdue.com/util/newsletters.html
If you buy five boxes of General Mills Ceral you get $5 off your grocery purchase as well as a coupon for a free gallon of milk at your next shopping trip.
Roundy’s Orange Juice is $2.79
Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers are 2 for $6, and the paper has a coupon for 75-cents off.
Also, become a member on their web site and receive coupons via e-mail.
http://www.healthychoice.com/start/login.jsp
Whole white mushrooms are 2/$5 for a 16 oz container, a better deal than Cub’s 2 for $3 for an 8 oz container.
Kraft shredded or chunk cheese is 4/$10, but you can buy just one for $2.50.
Birdseye Steamfresh Blends or Freshlike Veggies are 4 for $7
Sara Lee bread is $2.29
If you like baked beans, Bush’s Baked Beans are 4 for $3, and with that you get a $1 off your whole purchase.
ALDI
Onions are 79-cents per bag
Carrots are 79 cents per bag
Carlini Vegetable Oil is $2.29 for a 48 oz box
CUB FOODS
A new Cub Foods is going to open at 1177 Clarence St. in St. Paul.
They will be giving away free Ground Beef, a head of lettuce, Cub cheese, Mission Flour Tortillas and a pound of vine on tomatoes with a $25 purchase.
Farm Stand baby peeled carrots are 2 for $3
Cub canned vegetables are two for 88-cents
Gold n Plump drumsticks or thighs are two for $5.98
Receive a free cookbook from Gold n Plump here
http://www.goldnplump.com/chicken.cfm?page=Coupons_and_Offers
Hormel Pork Roast is $4.29Here is a link to Hormel’s recipes http://www.possibledinner.com/
Friday, October 24, 2008
Chicken Coupons
Rainbow and Cub Foods constantly sell Gold 'n' Plump chicken at a discount. You can save even more by printing these coupons.
Happy shopping.
http://www.goldnplump.com/chicken.cfm?page=Coupons_and_Offers
Happy shopping.
http://www.goldnplump.com/chicken.cfm?page=Coupons_and_Offers
Sopa Castellana, Castilian Garlic Soup
This soup comes from the Castilla y Leon province of Spain, which include cities such as Avila, Burgos, Palencia and Salamanca.
This particular dish is from Palencia and has been modified to satisfy the gourmet on a budget. I found this in a book called "Spanish Home Cooking" by Miriam Kelen.
What you need:
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
5 garlic cloves, chopped
2 chorizos, sliced (Johnsonville has them for $5.39 for five of them or visit a mexican carniceria)***
4 cups of water
2 cups of beef broth
5 oz of ham, cubed*
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
4 eggs
2 or 3 (1/2 inch thick) slices of toasted day old bread, cubed (toast to dark to ensure they don't get too soggy in the soup)**
Serves 4-6
* The original recipe calls for serrano ham or prosciutto. But at $12.33/lb. at Rainbow, the proscuitto it is simply not worth it. It is cooked down and everyone at the table agreed that simple cubes of ham will do just fine. As for the serrano ham, I am sure it would be very expensive since it'd likely come from a specialty store.
** I bake my own bread, so the slices are as big as regular Wonder Bread pieces, but thicker. Do not use fluffy, processed bread for this dish because it will simply get too soggy in the soup. I suggest buying a hunk of french bread at Cub or Rainbow for $1.99.
*** You can usually find Johnsonville coupons in the paper. Also, check out this offer if you prefer to substitute the chorizo with the Italian sausage. http://www.johnsonville.com/home/events-promos.html
1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden.
2. Add chorizo; brown. Add water, ham, salt and paprika. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and summer for 5 minutes.
3. Break eggs into a saucer (do not beat them). Slide eggs one by one gently into the soup. Arrange the bread cubes around the eggs. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until the eggs are poached. Divide eggs in the soup or once in bowls (you can just put an egg in a ladle, cut it with a knife and return the pieces to the soup).
Ladle into individual soup bowls and serve.
This particular dish is from Palencia and has been modified to satisfy the gourmet on a budget. I found this in a book called "Spanish Home Cooking" by Miriam Kelen.
What you need:
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
5 garlic cloves, chopped
2 chorizos, sliced (Johnsonville has them for $5.39 for five of them or visit a mexican carniceria)***
4 cups of water
2 cups of beef broth
5 oz of ham, cubed*
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
4 eggs
2 or 3 (1/2 inch thick) slices of toasted day old bread, cubed (toast to dark to ensure they don't get too soggy in the soup)**
Serves 4-6
* The original recipe calls for serrano ham or prosciutto. But at $12.33/lb. at Rainbow, the proscuitto it is simply not worth it. It is cooked down and everyone at the table agreed that simple cubes of ham will do just fine. As for the serrano ham, I am sure it would be very expensive since it'd likely come from a specialty store.
** I bake my own bread, so the slices are as big as regular Wonder Bread pieces, but thicker. Do not use fluffy, processed bread for this dish because it will simply get too soggy in the soup. I suggest buying a hunk of french bread at Cub or Rainbow for $1.99.
*** You can usually find Johnsonville coupons in the paper. Also, check out this offer if you prefer to substitute the chorizo with the Italian sausage. http://www.johnsonville.com/home/events-promos.html
1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden.
2. Add chorizo; brown. Add water, ham, salt and paprika. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and summer for 5 minutes.
3. Break eggs into a saucer (do not beat them). Slide eggs one by one gently into the soup. Arrange the bread cubes around the eggs. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until the eggs are poached. Divide eggs in the soup or once in bowls (you can just put an egg in a ladle, cut it with a knife and return the pieces to the soup).
Ladle into individual soup bowls and serve.
About me
I shamelessly pick up pennies left on the ground.
I turn leftover stale bread into croutons (and bake my own bread).
I consider clipping coupons on Sunday the highlight of my morning.
That's why when I became unemployed a few months ago I started paying closer attention to cooking on a budget.
My goal is simple: keep the weekly food cost down to $40 while keeping my always-hungry husband satisfied.
The results have been wonderful and produced recipes such as garlic soup with chorizo and egg, creamy parmesian pasta salad and perch marinated in soy sauce, peanut butter, garlic, chili and paprika.
The trick to doing this right is setting a few simple guidelines and sticking to them. For example I've changed recipes that might call for duck and substituted it with chicken. Or if an item is on sale at a grocery store I'll go to the manufacturer's Web site to print a coupon.
Sure, it is easier to reach for the $5 bag of Doritos instead, but why get unhealthy food that won't satisfy hunger?
For that same $5 you can buy sweet potatoes, bushel of spinach and chicken thighs to make a delicious dinner that'll likely produce leftovers for next day's lunch.
That's why as I watched people load their shopping carts with food that results in a $120 bill and forces the buyer to return for "small things" later in the week I opted to find a better way to deal with the exorbitant food prices.
You can do it too.
I turn leftover stale bread into croutons (and bake my own bread).
I consider clipping coupons on Sunday the highlight of my morning.
That's why when I became unemployed a few months ago I started paying closer attention to cooking on a budget.
My goal is simple: keep the weekly food cost down to $40 while keeping my always-hungry husband satisfied.
The results have been wonderful and produced recipes such as garlic soup with chorizo and egg, creamy parmesian pasta salad and perch marinated in soy sauce, peanut butter, garlic, chili and paprika.
The trick to doing this right is setting a few simple guidelines and sticking to them. For example I've changed recipes that might call for duck and substituted it with chicken. Or if an item is on sale at a grocery store I'll go to the manufacturer's Web site to print a coupon.
Sure, it is easier to reach for the $5 bag of Doritos instead, but why get unhealthy food that won't satisfy hunger?
For that same $5 you can buy sweet potatoes, bushel of spinach and chicken thighs to make a delicious dinner that'll likely produce leftovers for next day's lunch.
That's why as I watched people load their shopping carts with food that results in a $120 bill and forces the buyer to return for "small things" later in the week I opted to find a better way to deal with the exorbitant food prices.
You can do it too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
