Dinner with SunnyD: Black Beans & Rice... and chicken, and ... oh what the hell, make it into a burrito!

[SunnyD]

Today's adventure begins with payday... which isn't until Friday. It has come to my attention that our grocery budget allots us approximately $11 per meal. For a family of SIX. Yeah, and to think the teenage years are right around the corner. YIKES!

Anyway, payday isn't until Friday, and the fridge is becoming rather barren after not having gone a FULL grocery trip in about 3 weeks. So what do I have to make for dinner, and not break the bank today? A large package of skinless chicken breasts, some leftover rice from a couple days ago (this was intended), and a can of black beans (I forgot we had a leftover can when I made burritos last time). Sounds like the perfect recipe for...

Black Beans & Rice (and some chicken too!)

Grab some cumin, chili powder, seasoned salt, and cilantro, fry up the chicken, add some diced onion, then the rice, and a smattering of frozen mixed veggies (I'm out of plain corn) and the drained black beans.

But what else can we do? How about add a tortilla shell, some sour cream and some fresh made guacamole, lettuce and diced tomato, salsa, and it fills out pretty damn good.

The finished product.

Did we get our $11's worth? Yep. Simple, easy, effective.

 

[akshatp]

Damn yous guys is broke!

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Damn yous guys is broke!

Nah, not really. We could have gone grocery shopping the last couple weeks, but things have been rather hectic. I've stopped at the store on the way home several times to pick up a few needs here and there, but we try to plan everything out as much as possible ahead of time. Believe it or not, it saves money.

 

[oiprocs]

That does look good.

Mad props. :thumbsup:

 

[GagHalfrunt]

I do a casserole that's sort of like that. Diced chicken, rice, black beans, corn, a jar of salsa and a can of cream of chicken soup. Mix together, top with jack cheese, bake. Easy and yummy.

 

[Crono]

I made black beans and rice for lunch today. No chicken, though, just a mix of rice, beans, diced tomatoes and onions, mushrooms, peppers, various herbs and spices simmered for an hour. Essentially all that was left in the fridge Very filling.

 

[Baked]

Adopt me now!

 

[BUTCH1]

Is that one of those over the burner cast iron griddles?, I've been meaning to get one of those, do they cook well??.

 

[xanis]

How the hell do you make things that look so damn good for slightly less than $2 per person?

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Baked
Adopt me now!

You sure you wanna do that? $11 a meal for .... 7 people?

Originally posted by: BUTCH1
Is that one of those over the burner cast iron griddles?, I've been meaning to get one of those, do they cook well??.

No it's not, but I have one (which I can't use on this stove). Season it well, and it cooks fantabulous (everyone should use cast iron).

Originally posted by: Xanis
How the hell do you make things that look so damn good for slightly less than $2 per person?

How do that say... necessity is the mother of invention?

I like to cook. Took me years to figure that out... but now I know.

 

[BUTCH1]

I've got a cast iron skillet, had it for 15 years and use it a lot. I was gonna get that griddle with the intention of using it on my gas grill, I try to cook with the grill as much as possible this time of year (AC running), I saw one at Target.com for $40 but the shipping was of course,a bear, have to go to the local B+M to check it out..

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: BUTCH1
I've got a cast iron skillet, had it for 15 years and use it a lot. I was gonna get that griddle with the intention of using it on my gas grill, I try to cook with the grill as much as possible this time of year (AC running), I saw one at Target.com for $40 but the shipping was of course,a bear, have to go to the local B+M to check it out..

I'm pretty sure I got mine at target - in store though - for about $25. I basically wanted a raw reversible NOT non-stick (just plain cast-iron) griddle. Might want to check in store.

 

[MovingTarget]

woo. I haven't done that in soooooo long.