I had to run some errands this morning, so I stopped off at the grocery store to see if there was anything on clearance.
And yes, I found three tubs of chicken livers. Sunshine loves breaded chicken livers. I grabbed all three tubs, there is 1.25 pounds in each tub, so that is $.68/pound for our protein/meat.
Latest calculation for a 3 month span - $128 weekly, a bit more than $3/per person/per meal.
Bone-In Pork Chops are on digital coupon this week for $.97/pound (value pack). I got up early to take advantage of the sale, but there was only one “Value Pack” left (4 pounds).
There were six very nice pork chops, which are now in the freezer for a later meal.
My goal is to keep our protein/meat at around $1.00-$1.50/pound and still have some variety. I’m not always successful.
I know that won’t work for fish or hamburger, but I can substitute ground turkey for hamburger and I’ll keep watching for a “clearance” pack of fish (hopefully tilapia)!
My Aldi has 1lb tubes of 85/15 ground turkey for $1.99 – but the texture leaves a lot to be desired (reminiscent of ground beef “pink slime”).
There is one Aldi in the area, but it’s a 45 minute drive to get there. If we have to go to that area for another reason, we’ll stop in, but otherwise its not worth the trip.
I have found ground turkey to be OK as a substitute and I can usually find it for $1.99/pound or less.
I do keep my eye out for “clearance” ground beef/hamburger – every once in a while I’ll find a tube/chub.
Nothing on sale this week, so I’ll be leaning on the freezer and doing some baking.
I seem to have good luck checking the “clearance” (meat) bins on Thursday, so I’ll try then.
I do have a whole “emergency” chicken in the freezer – might be time to thaw him & into the slow cooker.
I’ve been using ground pork quite a little bit, of late. Chili or spaghetti, no sweat. Great deal on those chicken livers and pork chops.
Thanks for the tip… I’ll keep my eye out for ground pork.
The only thing on sale this week that I could use was Tuna – 59 cents/can (limit 6). I really wanted some tilapia, but I’ll settle for tuna. I wanted some kind of fish for variety.
So, I got up early, posted the digital coupon and picked up six cans.
I did some digging and found a recipe for Tuna Noodle Casserole on the “Chicken of the Sea” website. I’ll also make some tuna melt hot pockets. I discussed Tuna fried rice with Sunshine, but that was met with negative response.
I grew up on tunanoodacasserole so I had to check their recipe. We used cream of chicken soup, not mushroom, and no cheese.
I found a recipe for Tuna Pizza, which was (also) quickly rejected by Sunshine.
So I may make two Tuna Noodle Casseroles and I’ll try your suggestion!
Thanks!!
Canned tuna ideas:
This company creamed tuna is a family favorite. I usually serve over toast, cut diagonally to make triangles.
Salad Nicoise - tuna can be left in chunks or blended into the dressing. We’re not fond of kalamata olives so use black olives. Green beans can be replaced by asparagus if that’s affordable.
Edited to add this HO discussion with many recipe variations.
Tuna Biscuit Roll ups - Use 2 C. biscuit mix (Bisquick) or equivalent to make dough. Roll it out into a 10 x 12 rectangle. Combine 1 cup peas, a 7 oz can of tuna (drained) and ½ can cream of mushroom soup. Spread mixture on dough. Roll up from long side, jelly-roll fashion. Cut into 12 slices. Place slices on a greased baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until baked through.
Cream of celery soup also works.
Very popular in Germany and very good
MTT’s mention of creamed tuna reminded me of a family favorite. A well seasoned cream sauce, drained tuna and canned peas served over buttered toast. Yum.
Japanese tuna mayo and rice bowl
My mom made this all the time. 
I hated it. 
She also made tuna casserole all the time - the kind with cheddar cheese and canned mushroom soup. See above for emojis.
For kicks, there would be frozen lima beans on the side. I digress…
I’d love to try to make a Tuna Pizza, but my better half has spoken –
That’s funny. You either like something or you don’t and that’s all there is to it.
I will admit, I’ve never been able to willingly take even a bite of a tuna casserole. The smell alone just knocks me sideways. But I love tuna salad, salade niçoise, tuna sushi, tuna fillets, tuna steaks (rare). No explanation for it.
