Food Plan and Grocery List, 123012

The past couple of weeks I've been gradually making room for the new year. By that I mean I've begun a doing a little bit of cleaning up in various sections of my apartment. Most relevant to this blog though is the kitchen.

The kitchen walls and cabinet exteriors were washed using a Dawn:distilled white vinegar mix (not a 1:1, more like a 1:10 which was still much too sudsy)! While the kitchen is still like a dungeon the clean walls and cabinetry brighten things up quite a bit. Spices, oils, vinegars, and condiments were examined for expiration dates; the old ones were emptied from their containers and the containers recycled. The joint looks empty.

I plan to empty everything from the cabinets, clean the cabinet interiors, and sort through the items as I return them to the cabinets. Same with the fridge and freezer. Going forward I'll replace the old items as necessary, buying reasonably-sized packages of each instead of thinking bigger = better. Remember that flour? I still haven't used any. This will help keep the foods I make as fresh as possible, eliminating the possibility that any less-than-stellar results are from sub-par ingredients.

The meal to begin the next (it's going to take two days to prep) is from one of the only Bon Appetite mags I have:

• Shrimp and Sweet Potato Cakes with Chayote Slaw and Chipotle Tartar Sauce
• Slow-Roasted Pork with Lime Mojo
• Spiced Butternut Squash
• Corn and Cheese Arepas
• Coconut Creme Brulee

I hope to set the tone for the upcoming year by beginning with a well-rounded meal, complete with a starter, main, sideS and dessert.

Grower's Direct:

• limes: $1.28/1.44 lb (6)
• red bell pepper: $1.59/0.64 lb
• yellow bell pepper: $1.10/0.44 lb
• garlic: $0.62/0.31 lb (2)
• jalapeno peppers: $0.27/0.23 lb (2)
• pasilla peppers: $0.77/0.60 lb (2)
• butternut squash: $3.18/4.03 lb (2)
• chayote squash: $0.99/3
• sweet potatoes: $2.25/3.81 lbs
• TOTAL: $12.05

Ralph's:

• Newman's pizza: $5.99
• frozen corn: $1
• marshmallow creme: $1.99
• coconut milk: $2.99
• mayo: $2.99
• chipotle peppers in adobo: $1.49
• vegetable oil: $2.99
• coriander seeds: $2.99
• cumin seeds: $2.49
• heavy whipping cream: $2.50
• heavy whipping cream: $2.50
• cilantro: $0.49
• pork loin: $10.86
• shrimp: $3.91
• TOTAL: $45.18

1/1/13
Stater Bros.

• sherry vinegar: $7.99

1/3/13
Stater Bros.

• eggs: $3.99/dozen
• Bailey's creamer: $1.99
• Knox gelatin: $1.99
• TOTAL: $7.97

Grand Total: $73.19

Food Plan and Grocery List, 122312

Christmas means big grub and I'm going all Aidells all day.

Texas Beef Brisket Chili
Chocolate Stout Layer Cake with Chocolate Frosting

I'm thinking of taking a stab at making some tortillas and maybe even making my own tortilla chips, but that might be a little much.

BevMo!:

• North Coast Old Rasputin: $2.14/12 oz
• Rogue Chocolate Stout: $6.34/22 oz
• Rogue Chocolate Stout: $6.34/22 oz
• Total: $15.97

Smart & Final:

• Calidad white tortilla chips: $1.79
• Ghirardeli 60% cocoa: $6.99
• heavy whipping cream: $2.95
• unsweetened chocolate: $4.69
• ortega diced chiles: $2.49/7 oz
• red onion: $0.87/0.73 lb
• sweet onions: $2.37/2.39 lb
• monterey jack: $3.49/lb
• cilantro: $0.39
• butternut squash: $2.42/2.44 lb
• dried ancho chiles: $1.29/2 oz
• garlic: $0.39
• jalapeno: $0.11
• hass avocados: $3.89
• Total: $34.13

Ralph's

• moro coffee: $3.59
• Total: $3.59

Costco:

• beef brisket: $20.59
• extra virgin olive oil: $11.99
• Total: $32.58

El Metate, 122412:

• LaMex chile: $1.49/2 oz
• baking soda: $0.99
• TOTAL: $2.48

7-11, 122412:

• small coffee: $1.49

Stater Bros., 122412

• chipotle tabasco: $3.49
• bacon: $0.50/0.39 lb
• cilantro: $0.50
• limes (2): $0.50
• jalapeno: $0.08
• onion: $0.42
• Total: $6.55

Grand Total: $96.79
Total for the year: $2146.57

Food Plan and Grocery List, 121512

The Winter 2012 Cooking Club magazine showed up last week. There's a roast chicken recipe in there; I have a chicken in the freezer. Simple math. In my quest to do all things pumpkin, I'm going to try to do fudge, brownies, and a pound cake. It might be crazy.

Smart & Final:

• garlic: $0.39
• rosemary: $1.99
• fingerling potatoes: $2.99
• white morsels: $2.49
• iodized salt: $0.49
• TOTAL: $8.35

12/16/12
When's the last time I had a vegetable besides onions or potatoes for dinner? I'm adding in a shrimp pasta dish. And more fudge.

Costco:

• cream cheese: $6.88/3 lbs
• craisins: $6.84/3 lbs
• Coach's oats: $6.39
• pecans: $12.99/2 lbs
• chocolate chips: $6.99
• TOTAL: $40.09

Sprouts:

• artichoke hearts: $3.59/14 oz
• Pamela's artisan flour blend: $14.49
• marshmallow creme: $2.29
• white chocolate chips: $4.49
• yellow bell pepper: $1.50
• red bell pepper: $1.25
• red onion: $0.74/0.75 lb
• TOTAL: $28.35

Grand Total: $76.79
Total for the year: $2049.78

Food Plan and Grocery List, 112312

Thanksgiving Day was Thursday but my local family has decided to celebrate Saturday instead. And I just realized that since my focus was on the big meal tomorrow, I neglected to figure out what I'm going to eat next week. Oops! Maybe there will be leftovers.

Ralph's:

• buttermilk: $2.89/qt
• unbleached all-purpose flour: $2.50/5 lbs
• yeast: $2.69/3-pack
• evaporated milk: $1/12-oz
• TOTAL: $9.08

Ralph's:

• evaporated milk: $1/12-oz
• USDA Choice bone-in rib-eye roast: $42.43/6.07 lb
• TOTAL: $43.43

.............................................................................................
112612
With all of the pumpkin in the fridge, I'm going to make a couple of pumpkin desserts:

• Spiced Pumpkin Bread
• Spiced Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
• Pumpkin-Apple Streusel Cake

Stater Bros.:

• sour cream: $1.99/16 oz
• cream cheese: $1.49/8 oz
• cream cheese: $1.49/8 oz
• cream cheese: $1.49/8 oz
• whole milk: $1.19/pint
• Granny Smith apples: $3.99/3 lb
• ginger root: $0.80/0.23 lb
• navel orange: $0.56/0.57 lb
• TOTAL: $13.00

112712
Realizing I needed some pecans, I went to the store.

Smart & Final:

• granny smith apples: $1.09/1.10 lb
• organic cage-free eggs: $3.39/dozen
• pecan halves: $9.19/1 lb
• mini baking cups: $5.39
• unsalted butter: $7.39/3 lbs
• Total: $26.87

112812
And now I need more gluten-free flour.

Sprouts:

• Pamela's artisan flour blend: $5.99

Grand Total: $98.37
Total for the year: $1850.04

Food Plan and Grocery List, 111712

This week I'm keeping it really simple with Pork with 40 Cloves of Garlic and the potatoes I meant to prepare last week.

Stater Bros.

• boneless pork butt: $7.42
• garlic: $2/4 bulbs
• TOTAL: $9.42

Total for the year: $1751.67

Food Plan and Grocery List, 111012

Yonetta sent a link, saying she thought the recipe might be my thing. I'm going to do that recipe, Jerk Chicken. While rice, beans and maduros might be a more appropriate side, I'm going to do a potato recipe: Roasted Baby Potatoes with Caramelized Shallots. I'm a little wishy washy about it. For dessert, Salted Caramel Apple Bars.

Costco:

• Kirkland chocolate chips: $6.99/3.5 lbs
• mixed nuts: $13.99
• TOTAL: $20.98

Grower's Direct:

• habanero peppers (2): $0.15/0.05 lb
• Honeycrisp apples (6): $3.04/2.36 lb
• lime: $0.18/0.31 lb
• green onions: $0.49/bunch
• ginger root: $0.11/0.11 lb
• shallots: $1.10
• TOTAL: $5.07

Ralph's:

• light brown sugar: $1.79/2 lb
• heavy whipping cream: $2.29/half-pint
• fingerling potatoes: $6.88/2.30 lb
• foster farms party wings: $3.14
• foster farms party wings: $3.25
• caramels: $2.50/14 oz
• TOTAL: $19.85

Grand Total: $45.90
Total for the year: $1742.25

Grocery List and Food Plan, 110312

Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese in the fridge and half a box of jumbo shells in the pantry means I should do another take of the Stuffed Shells, this time with sausage. For dessert, an Apple Crisp Pie. I might also do Smoked Paprika, Sausage and Roasted Tomatoes on Pasta.

Stater Bros.:

• ricotta cheese: $3.99/15 oz
• Stater Bros. oats: $3.49
• Stater Bros. shortening: $5.99
• Stater Bros. sausage: $3.99/lb
• baby spinach: $2.99
• lemon: $0.69
• Granny Smith apples: $3.99/3 lb
• TOTAL: $25.13

Total for the year: $1696.35

Food Plan and Grocery List, 102012

My first day off from work since September, it's cold, wet, and dreary which prompted me to look for a chili recipe. I struck gold -- a Bruce Aidells chili recipe, Smoky Tex-Mex Chili -- and I look forward to rockin' that sucker this weekend. For some variety, I'll also do some Baked Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells. And maybe I'll get around to baking that Apple Pie Bread I mentioned previously.

Costco:

• Coaches Oats: $6.39
• 21 Grain Bread: $6.99
• chuck roast: $17.45
• Nestle chocolate chips: $7.63
• dates: $6.09/3 lb
• TOTAL: $44.55

Grower's Direct:

• onions: $1.56/3.18 lb
• Jonagold apples (2): $1.03/1.04 lb
• pineapple: $4.25/5.38 lb
• carrots (2): $0.27/0.55 lb
• garlic bulbs (3): $1.31/0.66 lb
• Anaheim peppers (2): $0.45/0.45 lb
• jalapeno peppers (2): $0.21/0.21 lb
• baby spinach: $1.49/10 oz
• TOTAL: $10.57

Ralph's:

• Barilla shells: $2.59
• Albers grits: $5.79
• Breyers ice cream: $2.99
• mozzarella cheese: $3.99/lb
• cage-free organic eggs: $4.19/12
• bacon: $3.99/lb
• TOTAL: $23.54

7-11:

• Modelo Negro: $8.99/6-pack
• TOTAL: $10.01

Grand Total: $88.67
Total for the year: $1812.02

Food Plan and Grocery List, 101312

There was no food plan last week because I was working like crazy. It's crunch time there for me. I either ate peanut butter and jelly, muffins thawed from the freezer, or skipped dinner entirely. This weekend I wanted to make something good. And because it gets dark in my kitchen by about 5:02, it's officially winter to me; I want something that takes hours in the oven, giving me that warm-cozy-by-the-fire feeling.

Zinfandel-Braised Short Ribs with Rosemary-Parsnip Mashed Potatoes it will be.

Stater Bros.:

• Barefoot Zinfandel: $16/4-750 mL bottles
• whole milk: $0.99/pint
• Smucker's preserves: $3.99
• beef short ribs: $16.79
• Russet potatoes: $2.48/3.14 lb
• red onions: $2.52/1.95 lb
• rosemary: $1
• garlic: $1/2 bulbs
• parsnips: $5.98/2 lbs
• TOTAL: $52.82 

Total for the year: $1723.35

Food Plan and Grocery List, 092912

This week, per Yonetta's slight urging, I will be preparing a chicken galantine, as in stuffing a boneless chicken. Anticipating that will be quite a bit of work and time, I'll bake a couple of yams for the side. If I have the gumption to do it, I'll bake an apple pie bread for dessert. Also, as I've been running out of chicken stock, I'm gonna whip out a batch of that brew.

Costco:

• Craisins: $6.84
• organic chickens: $22.71
• TOTAL: $29.55

Ralph's:

• 2% milk: $0.99/pint
• ricotta: $3.49/15 oz
• nutmeg: $3.49
• yams: $1.73/1.34 lb
• collard greens: $1.49/bunch
• Fuji apples: $2.15/1.08 lb
• TOTAL: $13.34

And I forgot carrots and celery for the stock. And cheesecloth too. I'll try to remember that on my way back after playing a round of golf.

Grower's Direct:

• carrots: $0.73/1.48 lb
• celery: $0.99/bunch
• white onions: $1.63/3.32 lb
• fresh thyme: $1.29/pack
• TOTAL: $4.64

$0.99 Only

• cheesecloth: $0.99*5 = $4.95

Grand Total: $52.48
Total for the year: $1670.53

Food Plan and Grocery List, 092212

This week I'm in the mood for something fall-flavored, something hearty and homey. Something that says fall, a stew. Pork Stew with Hard Cider, Pearl Onions and Potatoes. And I'll whip up a batch of cookies and this time I'll even bake them.

Grower's Direct:

• Granny Smith apples: $1.49
• asparagus: $2.57
• shallots: $1.65
• parsnips: $1.39/1 lb
• baby red potatoes: $2.79
• white pearl onions: $1.99/10 oz
• gold pearl onions: $1.99/10 oz
• fresh sage:$1.29
• TOTAL: $15.16

Stater Bros.:

• Breyer's vanilla ice cream: $8.99/gal
• Kruse applewood smoked bacon: $1.72
• pork butt roast: $6.31
• TOTAL: $17.02

BevMo!:

• Magner's hard cider: $3.19/19.2 oz
• Menorval Caldavos: $17.99/375 mL
• TOTAL: $22.88

Grand Total: $55.06
Total for the year: $1618.05

Food Plan and Grocery List, 091512

This weekend is so freaking hot - 90°F yesterday and close to it today. I'm just going to make the BLT Pasta I didn't make last weekend. If I eat anything else it's going to be PB&J or ice cream.

Ralph's:

• Breyers ice cream: $5.99/1.75 qt
• Private Selection salt and pepper chips: $2.50
• baby spinach: $2.99/5 oz
• cherry tomatoes: $2.99/pint
• La Brea take and bake French baguettes: $3.99
• TOTAL: $18.46

Total for the year: $1562.99

Food Plan and Grocery List, 090912

Again, I struggled figuring out what to eat this week. I finally settled on Smoky Bolognese Bake, BLT Pasta Salad, and cookies for dessert.

Costco:

• unsalted butter: $8.19/4 lb
• sundried tomatoes: $8.89/2 lb
• TOTAL: $17.08

Ralph's:

• farfalle: $0.83/1 lb
• garlic $0.50/bulb
• baby spinach: $1.99/5 oz
• cherry tomatoes: $2.99/pint
• carrots: $0.30 (2)
• celery: $1.69/bunch
• ground beef: $4.49/lb
• andouille sausage: $5.99/12 oz
• smoked gouda: $5.99/8 oz
• La Brea French baguette: $1.99
• TOTAL: $26.76

Grand Total: $43.84
Total for the year: $1544.53

Food Plan and Grocery List, 090312

Yonetta has some interesting food items pinned. I'm going to execute two of them that simply look divine: Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes and Lemon Blueberry Bread.
 

Smart & Final:

• unbleached flour: $2.69/5 lb
• red onion: $0.65/0.66 lb
• navel orange: $0.58/0.65 lb
• lemons: $1.18
• yellow potatoes: $2.99/2 lb
• chocolate chips: $11.49/72 oz
• blueberries: $4.99
• plain yogurt: $5.59
• TOTAL: $30.16

Market around the corner:

• fresh pork chorizo: $4.49
• TOTAL: $4.49

Grand Total: $34.65
Total for the year: $1500.69

Food Plan and Grocery List, 082612

This morning, I pored through the August/September issues of Cooking Club (how do I only have four?) and, as usual, nothing looked or sounded good. Finally, I settled on Penne with Chicken, Bacon and Tomatoes; Molasses-Mustard BBQ Chicken, and what I'm really looking forward to trying, Zucchini-Cornmeal Spoonbread. I'll round it out with a Plum Kuchen.

Grower's Direct:

• black plums: $2.15/1.55 (6)
• zucchini: $1.02/1.15 lb (3)
• Fuji apples: $2.76/1.85 lb (3)
• TOTAL: $5.93

Stater Bros.:

• Daisy sour cream: $1.99/16 oz
• sharp cheddar cheese: $2.50/8 oz
• Organic Circle organic, cage-free eggs: $5.39/dozen
• Breyers vanilla ice cream: $8.99/gal
• Poore Brothers S&P kettle chips: $1.50
• Barilla penne: $2.29/13.75 oz
• brown sugar: $2.29
• whole chicken: $4.27 @ $0.79/lb
• whole chicken: $4.46 @ $0.79/lb
• TOTAL: $32.89

Grand Total: $38.82
Total for the year: $1466.04

Food Plan and Grocery List, 081212

It's the hottest weekend of the year. I didn't think I was going to cook anything this weekend, especially since the tomatoes and basil I was so looking forward to using went bad, but when browsing in the August/September issues of the food mags I came across a couple which piqued my interest.

Pasta with Shrimp and Tomato Sauce
Sweet Cherry Upside-Down Cake

Grower's Direct:

• red cluster tomatoes: $1.96/2.20 lb
• TOTAL: $1.96

Stater Bros.

• 2% milk: $1.79/qt
• Breyers vanilla: $3.50
• Poore Bros salt and pepper chips: $1.50
• red bell pepper: $1.50
• green bell pepper: $0.79
• TOTAL: $9.08

Grand Total: $11.04
Total for the year: $1413.85

Food Plan and Grocery List, 080412

Last Friday I received three tomatoes and a few basil leaves fresh from a coworkers garden. The ziploc bag of leaves and fruit went into my backpack, forgotten until Monday when the bag was left on the kitchen counter. This weekend, they still look great and I'm going to use them. I'm really excited!

Zucchini Tomato Pasta with Fresh Herbs
Cornbread-Sausage Stuffed Bell Peppers
Apricot Upside-Down Cake

Grower's Direct:

• apricots: $1.38/0.77 lb
• green bell pepper: $0.46/0.46 lb
• zucchini: $0.29/0.33 lb
• yellow squash: $0.58/0.59 lb
• red bell pepper: $0.65/0.47 lb
• Fuji apples: $2.88/1.93 lb (3)
• pineapple: $4.16/4.20 lb
• celery: $0.89
• garlic: $0.34/bulb
• yellow bell pepper: $0.83/0.56 lb
• Italian parsley: $0.39
• fresh basil: $1.26
• TOTAL: $14.11

Stater Bros.

• Breyers vanilla ice cream: $4.49
• bulk Italian sausage: $2.18/0.73 lb
• cherries: $2.70/2.73 lb
• TOTAL: $9.37

Vons, 080512

• corn meal: $4.79/5 lb
• Lucerne buttermilk: $2.39
• TOTAL: $7.18

Grand Total: $30.66
Total for the year: $1402.81

Food Plan and Grocery List, 072812

Chicken Marbella was suggested and since it has prunes in it, I couldn't turn the suggestion down. It's been a while since I've done anything from Bourdain's cookbook, so I'm going to do his mashed potatoes and clafoutis.

BevMo!:

• Kirschwasser: $32.31 OTD

Stater Bros.:

• cage-free eggs: $3.49/dozen
• 2% milk: $1.79/qt
• heavy cream: $1.99/pint
• vanilla ice cream: $3.50
• potato chips: $1.50
• capers: $2.49
• stuffed olives: $1.99
• bay leaves: $7.99
• chicken: $4.16 @ 0.79/lb
• cherries: $3.41/2.64 lb
• prunes: $2.99
• fuji apples: $2.30/1.24 lb (3)
• russet potatoes: $2.30/2.32 lb
• Italian parsley: $0.59/bunch
• TOTAL: $40.04

Vons:

• distilled white vinegar:$4.99/gal
• plain yogurt: $3.59
• TOTAL: $8.58

Grand Total: $80.93

Total for the year: $1372.15

Food Plan and Grocery List, 072112

I used to be able to eat a whole chicken in less than a week without blinking an eye. I'm not sure if it's because of all the burgers I've been eating at lunch or what, but a five-pound bird in a week was a lot.

Offsetting the massive meat quantity of last week, I'm opting for meatless this week and the line-up includes Mexican 7-Layer Salad and Roasted Ratatouille Pasta.

Also, while I can easily put away an entire cake or pie in one week, I wasn't able to polish off the cream cheese bars. With half of them left, I didn't look for a dessert.

Ralph's:

• tortilla chips: $1.50
• Breyer's vanilla: $4.99
• farfalle: $1/12-oz
• pepper jack cheese: $1.50/8-oz
• eggplant:$0.99
• organic basil: $3.59
• yellow bell pepper: $1.50
• romaine lettuce: $0.99
• red onion: $0.84/0.65 lb
• lime: $0.20
• orange bell pepper: $1.50
• garlic: $0.50/bulb
• zucchini: $0.51/0.34 lb
• tomatoes: $0.29/0.29 lb
• Hass avocado: $0.97
• white corn: $0.59/ear
• TOTAL: $21.46

7/22:
Albertson's

• chocolate chips: $2.99
• sour cream: $1.99
• TOTAL: $4.98

Grand Total: $26.44
Total for the year: $1291.22

Food Plan and Grocery List, 071512

Store ads this week aren't inspiring at all this week. It's all ribs and steaks and more ribs. I want a simple one-dish meal I know will be good. That to me means roast chicken, such as Garlic Butter Roast Chicken with Vegetables. The last the blueberries picked up last week are going into Blueberry-Cream Cheese Bars.

Stater Bros.

• whole milk: $1.79/qt
• cream cheese: $2.98/16 oz
• vanilla ice cream: $4.49
• graham crackers: $3.49
• whole chicken: $5.20 @ 0.99/lb
• onions: $2.49/3 lb
• fingerlings: $3.99
• orange cauliflower: $3.22/2.16 lb
• lemon: $0.69
• parsley: $0.99
• carrots:$ 0.89/lb
• TOTAL: $30.22

Total for the year: $1264.78