FRUGAL FRIDAY

For many of us purchasing food items got to where it contained more convenience foods that it should have. Due to busy schedules, activities and not having enough time I would purchase rotisserie chickens at Wal-Mart. They were very convenient. I would use them in my salads, soups or just as the main meat course.

Recently, these chickens have gotten so small that they look like a large Cornish hen. That is not very frugal or convenient. I can see where a family or 4 or 5 with a large appetite would not be able to feed their family on one of these.

I wish I could remember where I read this tip so I could give that person credit. I now buy a large roasting chicken at the grocery store and cook it myself. I used to do two at a time in my oven. The tip is to put them in your crock pot and cook them. You need to put balls of foil, or as I did potatoes wrapped in foil in the bottom of the crock pot. Season your chicken as you like it and place it on the foil/potatoes and cook. Do not add any liquids.

I did learn that any seasonings you put on your chicken will be much more intense than roasting in the oven. I normally make a mixture of olive oil, chopped fine garlic, lemon and lime zest and other seasonings. I put this mixture under the skin the best I can and the leftovers go on the skin. I then take the lemons and limes left from zesting and stuff them in the chicken's cavity. You might want to go light on your seasonings until you have the right mixture. I believe mine cooked around 5 hours on high. My chickens have a pop-up gage on them to let you know when they are done. Mine cost $6.51 (1.24 per lb) at Wal-Mart but I got more than twice as much chicken than their rotisserie chickens. You can probably find them on sale and get a better price. I like knowing what ingredients are going into it.

For busy people on the go I think putting your chicken in first thing in the morning and putting it on low will be perfect. Or if your crock pot has the feature put it on auto where it cooks on high for 4 hours and then low for 4 more. When you get home you will have a perfectly cooked chicken rotisserie style and baked potatoes or other veggies you wrap in foil.

Quote of the Day "It is necessary to try to surpass oneself always; this occupation ought to last as long as life." – Queen Christina