I know Giant Eagle changes sales on Thursdays. Usually that means meat has the “Manager’s Special” stickers by Wednesday. It was chicken. 10 thighs were marked just under $6 add the $1 AND $2 off stickers. Lucky me! I grab 3 plump mushrooms from the bulk by weight which ended up costing 23¢. I paid just under $3 for both.
I got green beans, a chicken sandwich patty (with a slice of onion) and a medium size Bundt pound cake from the sandwich line. I had garlic, EVOO, rice and herbs at home. I knew I had some Press N Seal in my quilting supplies. I packaged up the other thighs individually and popped 8 into the freezer.
For lunch yesterday I prepared this feast. Total cost per serving: less than 50¢
Chop up the slice of onion from the sandwich and the mushrooms. Sauté in EVOO and butter to equal about a tablespoon. Add half of the green beans when the mushrooms are almost soft and caramelized. Heat through. Meanwhile bake 2 chicken thighs with your favorite herb sprinkled on top at 325° F for 35-40 minutes or until no pink is visible in the flesh. I used poultry seasoning but I also like fresh thyme & rosemary from my window box in the summer.
Cook ½ cup of instant brown rice according to the package with a pinch of rosemary. For more flavor you can combine the chicken dripping with the water or use chicken stock. Keep all liquids as one measurement to total water amount on the package.
Makes 2 meals. Eat one and share one with another Street Speech vendor.
You may note that I did not add salt. Most of the prepared items sold in vending machines (original source for the green beans) have plenty. Since I never know the dietary needs of who I cook for I use herbs for flavor. For me salt, pepper, and hot sauce are things that can be added at the table. I will add salt to my dish after tasting whereas Mom is on a low salt diet. This is how I've cooked for years.
On a slightly different subject, a friend sent me this link. I found it quite inspiring.
Today's Tally:
Friday, February 11, 2011 Time: 11:28 AM to 1:15 PM
Location: Corner of State & 3rd Sts. (across from the statehouse)
Temp: 29°F (21°F with wind chill factor)
Newspapers sold: 8 and someone gave me a candy for Valentines Day.
Viable job postings: 0 (that is online) received 4 leads from blog readers
Filled or baiting job posted: 6
Resumes/Job Applications sent: 4
You are a wonderful human being and an outstanding writer. Please keep posting - your strength and superhuman efforts to rise above your unfortunate circumstances are an inspiration and fine example of how the human spirit can meet adversity head on and eventually beat it.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Pati! You can do it! And in the meanwhile, consider taking your plight to the press. It is not only your local Street Voices newspaper that might be interested in what you have to say.
Bonnie B.
Santa Ynez, CA
In medicine, the 4 or 5 F's refer to risk factors for gall bladder disease: fair, fat, female, fertile, and flatulent!
ReplyDeletePati! It's that girl in the navy blue coat you met while selling Street Speech yesterday! (The one who had already bought a copy and was on the way to the Greyhound station? Remember me? Maybe not, but that's okay.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm loving your blog so far and am SO glad you are using it as a place to educate others about what you're going through. I love the recipe in this post, too; mushrooms are my favorite but many of my family members back home hate them... so I almost never get to eat them >_< And I love rosemary too! I think we need to talk about cooking more often. I'm not very good, but I managed to make an AWESOME batch of vegan snickerdoodles a while back for a potluck.
Also, I love the video you linked - I quilted when I was younger (now I primarily knit), and I cannot IMAGINE doing it entirely by touch. Wow. Just... wow.
Anyway, I'm gonna read back through your older entries now~ Keep blogging, and hang in there! Hope to see you around soon.
CJ