Idea File: Chicken x 3

Are you a budget-conscious cook? Do you choose the best of the meats that are on sale and try to get the most out of your grocery purchases? Then you will appreciate this particular blog post.

Sunday started with a slow pace as all Sunday mornings should (but don't). I enjoyed a mug of the new Green Mountain seasonal blend called Spring Revival. After the busy day at my parents' horse farm on Saturday, I decided that everything I did for the day would be relaxing. These kind of weekend days should be savored with a slow-cooked meal. When I was a little girl, I remember having big family dinners each and every Sunday afternoon. I try to pay respect to the tradition whenever I have the chance.

Dinner was going to be a roaster chicken. The chicken was just over eight pounds and was on sale at Stop & Shop for .99 cents per pound. For under ten dollars for the main course meat, I made not one meal but three. Below are the details of the menu items prepared.

Sunday Evening Chicken Dinner

• Roaster chicken: rubbed with seasoned salt, paprika, ground pepper and fresh chives; stuffed with celery and chopped onion; basted with broth and Chardonnay
• Asparagus roasted with garlic cloves and balsamic vinegar
• Sliced potatoes baked with olive oil, sea salt and chives
• Ciabatta bread with Greek olive oil for dipping
• Wine pairing was a Croteau Vineyard 181 Rose

Monday Bag Lunch: Honey Chicken Salad

• Chopped chicken breast mixed with mayonnaise, celery, red grapes, sea salt, cracked pepper and honey on Country White bread
• Cape Cod brand Jalepeno and Aged Cheddar potato chips

Monday Night Dinner: Chicken Chili Gorditas

• Cut and shredded chicken pieces from leftover breasts, legs and thighs simmered in a homemade sauce of canned tomato sauce, black beans, cumin, cayenne pepper, Red Hot, salt, diced tomato, chopped onion, chives and lime juice
• Chicken chili mixture was placed inside warmed flatbread and toppings included diced tomato, shredded cheddar, sour cream and peach salsa
• Tortilla chips on the side

We are definitely lucky to have an $8.00 chicken last for three different creations because there are only two of us, but I do hope this was helpful in giving you an idea or two. Even if it gets your imagination rolling for your leftovers, I did my job.

Happy cooking, creating and dreaming up new things!