Pulled Barbecue Chicken and Baked Potatoes

This is a recipe that I made off of something I had at a Barbecue restaurant with Amber when she lived out in Phoenix.  You can use any pulled/shredded meat, but I chose chicken.  It takes some time, but it's relatively simply.


Ingredients

• 1 pound
• 3 pounds for $6
• 6 or 8 oz .barbecue sauce
• $2.29 a for 28 oz
• Some baked potatoes
• $3 for 5 pounds

Dishes and utensils

• A baking sheet
• A large skillet
• A fork
• A spatula

Baking time: like an hour

People fed: 2 or 3

Cost: $3.48

Directions

Us the fork to poke holes in the potatoes, then put them in the oven on the cookie sheet for an hour at 350.  While those are cooking, take your thawed chicken out and get ready for lots of fun.  Jokes... it's not fun at all.  Take each piece of chicken and run the tines of your fork against it, ripping piece off that are very thin.  Or just ripping pieces off.  Just use whatever you get from it.  Once you have successfully done this with all of the chicken, put it in a skillet.  As the chicken starts to cook, put some barbecue sauce on it.  Like, coat the chicken.  Cook it some more.  If it seems as though there is not enough sauce... add some more.  You will be able to see that the meat is white through the barbecue sauce.  That means that it's done.  If your potatoes still have time, just turn the chicken on a low heat and let them simmer, stirring occasionally.

When your potatoes are done, take them out.  Cut each one open and put some of the chicken on top of it.  Enjoy!

Hamburger Stuff

This recipe is from my Blue Ribbon Country Cook Book.  I've made it one time, but anticipate that I shall make it again.  I really liked it.  It's simple, cheap, and lasted me 3 or 4 meals.


Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef (as usual, I use turkey)
• $1.50 for 1 pound of ground turkey
• 3 large potatoes
• $1 per pound
• 3/4 cup onion
• $1 per pound
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups water
• 6 or so crackers (optional)
• $2 for 6 sleeves of crackers
• Butter

Utensils and Dishes:

• A large skillet
• A 9 x 13 (or similarly sized) baking dish
• A spoon and/or wooden spatula
• A large bowl is useful
• Either a knife or grater

Total cost: $3

People Fed: 4 - 6

Cook time: 60 - 90 minutes

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350.  In your large skillet, brown your meat.  While your meat is browning peel your potatoes and either grate them or cut them into small pieces.  I used a knife and it took me forever, but it's up to you. Use what you have.  Also cut up the onion.  If you get a smaller onion, just  use the whole thing.  It's probably about 3/4 of a cup.  It will be good either way.

Once the meat is browned and your other ingredients are chopped, mix them all together in a bowl.  In a small container, put your crackers (which need to be crushed into pieces) with some butter.  I used about a tablespoon or so.  Then put it in the microwave for about 15 seconds.  This melts the butter and letters your crackers soak in buttery goodness.  Now put the meat/potato mixture in your (greased) pan and covered it with the buttered crackers.

Put all of this into the oven for 45 minutes.  And you're done!

I put butter on mine when I made it and it was delicious.  My cookbook recommends chili sauce.  But really put anything on that sounds good.  I don't put anything on it!  Your choice.  It will be good however you fix it.

Mom's Pizza Recipe

This is the pizza recipe I got from my mom.  I think it's considered a "hand tossed" crust, where it's in between thin and thick.  Some of the measurements are a bit more precise in this recipe because of the yeast.  Also: the price of spices varies incredibly depending on where you get them and the quality.  So I do not include a price.


Ingredients:

• 6 cups flour
• 19 cups in a bag... is between $1 and $2, I think
• 2 cups water
• 1 package (1 tablespoon) yeast
• $.80 for three packages
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• Around $1 for 20ish ounces
• 4 tablespoons white sugar
• $3 for a 5 pound bag (again, just a guess)
• 4 tablespoons cooking oil
• $1.50 for a large bottle
• 2 tablespoons of oregano
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (or 4 tablespoons if you don't use oregano)
• Spaghetti sauce
• $1.50 for 24 ounces
• 3 - 4 cups of cheese
• $3.50 for 4 cups
• Cooking spray (if using cookie sheets)
• Any other toppings you want (peppers, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, etc)

Dishes and Utensils needed:

• Large Plastic Bowl
• 2 baking stones or cookie sheets
• Microwave safe container (at least 2 cups)
• Thermometer
• Rolling pin (convenient, not necessary)

Cook time: 30 minutes + time need to let dough rise (a couple hours or so?)

People fed: 6 - 8

Total Cost: approximately $5

Directions:
First to make the dough.  In the large plastic bowl combine 3 cups of flour and the yeast.  In the microwave-safe container, combine the water, salt, sugar, and oil.  Microwave the water-solution until it is between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is important that the water is in between these temperatures to properly grow the yeast.  Too high and you'll kill the yeast.  Too low and it won't grow.  Add oregano and Italian seasoning to the flour.


After you have your properly heated water, add it to the flour.  Sir.  Add the rest of the flour half a cup at a time, mixing in between additions of the flour.  Then cover the floor with a lid or something and put it someplace where it will not be disturbed (I like to put it in the microwave or oven, but make sure no one tries to use either of those while the dough is in there).


I usually let the dough sit for about 2 hours.  I don't know what the minimum time is, but let the dough double in size.  Once it has, remove the dough from its safe location and punch it down.  Set oven for 400 degrees.  Split the dough in half and spread onto the baking stones or cookie sheets (whichever you are using).  The rolling pin can be used here.  Place the dough in the oven (making sure to place them appropriately for maximum ventilation).  Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the dough and add the sauce (to taste), cheese (most or all of it), and whatever toppings you like.  Return to oven for 7 to 10 minutes.  Remove from oven, cut, let cool, and eat!


Alternatively, one half of the dough can be shaped into breadsticks instead of a pizza.