Working with what you have
I wanted to make a nice big meal for Jesse's arrival home yesterday, but I didn't have a whole lot of food on hand to work with (we were having an eating-from-the-pantry-week since Jesse was gone), and I didn't want to make a trip out to the store (Although the girls are usually really good when we go out, I much prefer to have Jesse with me when I take them both shopping!).
So, I searched the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer and came up with a menu based upon what we had on hand. I ended up having to make a number of substitutions, but that's part of the fun! I love being creative and working with what we have to stretch our grocery budget further.
Here's what I made:
Oven Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Banana Bread
Tossed Salad
Grapefruit
For dessert: Apple Crisp
It all turned out really good, despite the substitutions, and I wish I had taken a picture. But alas, I was a little too preoccupied with finally having my husband back home to think of photographing dinner.
I did, however, get a picture of the homemade pita pockets we made, thanks to Tammy's inspiration.
I don't know what it is, but making something like pita pockets from scratch just makes you feel really empowered. I'm really not sure what it is, but you ought to try it yourself!
I mixed the dough up in the bread machine and they were really simple to make. Now if only bagels were that easy...
So, I searched the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer and came up with a menu based upon what we had on hand. I ended up having to make a number of substitutions, but that's part of the fun! I love being creative and working with what we have to stretch our grocery budget further.
Here's what I made:
Oven Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes
Banana Bread
Tossed Salad
Grapefruit
For dessert: Apple Crisp
It all turned out really good, despite the substitutions, and I wish I had taken a picture. But alas, I was a little too preoccupied with finally having my husband back home to think of photographing dinner.
I did, however, get a picture of the homemade pita pockets we made, thanks to Tammy's inspiration.
I don't know what it is, but making something like pita pockets from scratch just makes you feel really empowered. I'm really not sure what it is, but you ought to try it yourself!I mixed the dough up in the bread machine and they were really simple to make. Now if only bagels were that easy...
posted by Crystal Paine at 8:03 AM
8 Comments:
Those look good! Did you ever try pretzels?
I tried making pitas once - they turned out fairly well - half of them puffed and made the pocket, and half of them didn't... I'm not sure why, but I think it had something to do with how many times I rolled over the dough. I think I'll have to try to make them again... perhaps we'll have chicken fajita (sp?) pockets tonight... =)
Sounds like a delicious & wonderful meal, Crystal.
Crystal, could you give me the recipe for the "Oven Fried Chicken"?
Thanks!
Leigh
I love being creative too - actually one of the most useful things I learned in my cooking classes was recipe alteration and improvement. Sure, I've had my share of kitchen disasters, trying out different substitutes... but it was worth it when I expanded the possibilities of different recipes!
They look so soft. I cannot wait to try them out. I have chicken salad and tuna salad on the menu this week, so I might have to give it a try!
Thanks!
You always are so encouraging, Crystal! I'll be "cooking from the pantry" myself this next little while, too! My husband was just diagnosed with malaria, and I don't shop alone here in Zambia, so it'll be a few days till I get some goods! I've actually discovered, though, that substituting is rather fun!
Those look fantastic, Crystal! We did a pantry round-up last week...I love how good it feels to use things up. :o)
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