The KFC $10 Challenge? I'll Take That.

Have you seen the newest add campaign from KFC? It portrays a mother and two kids at a grocery store trying to rustle up the ingredients for a fried chicken meal without going over $10. They can't seem to clear this hurdle, so they head off to KFC for dinner, instead. You can watch the ad HERE.

I think with the recent financial woes this country is facing that this is just a bad idea. I can take that same $10 and make that meal twice. When was the last time you were at KFC? The so-called sides are pitifully small and the belief that you could really feed your family of 4 on a meal like that is even more pitiful.

Here's what they are pitching: 7 pieces of chicken (please note that they count wings as a full piece), one side and 4 biscuits. I know complete incompetents that could make that meal for less than $10.

Just in case you're wondering about the ability to accomplish this, check out the LOK/CWA Challenge from May/June, which was to feed your family for a dollar or less per person, and the submissions HERE. I'll be writing more on budget cooking soon, especially since we're all so in need of ideas lately, but for now, please don't be fooled by KFC and their claim.

Accidental Soup

If you cook like I do, you know exactly what "Accidental Soup" is. If not, let me enlighten you. Accidental Soup is one of those perfect soup moments created by 'throwing things together' from whatever is on-hand. The soup you wish you'd written a recipe for so you can re-create it.

I made one of those soups yesterday and, as usual, I didn't write anything down. I'll try to pass on what transpired, though and maybe you can make this for yourself.

I had quite a few potatoes sitting around that I cooked at the same time I cooked potatoes for the Sausage Pasty I posted. It's gotten so chilly here that it seemed the perfect time to use them up in potato soup. The combination of sausage and potato in the pasties was so good that I wanted to carry it on, so I made this potato/cheddar/sausage soup and everyone, even the pickiest eaters, loved it. I have to say, it was really good - I even had some for lunch today.

Potato, Sausage and Cheddar Soup
Printable Recipe

1 pound bulk sausage
5 large potatoes - cooked and diced
6 cups chicken stock or broth
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon dry thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground sage

Break up sausage and brown well in a large and heavy soup pot.
Add potatoes, stock, milk, thyme and sage. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 - 45 minutes; use the longer time for a thicker soup. Mash slightly with a potato masher if you like and add cheddar cheese. Remove from heat, stir well and serve.

Sausage Pasty

Sausage Pasty

Non-traditional, but oh-so-good, these pasties go together easily and bake quickly for a warm and delicious handheld Autumn dinner.

Delicious Insides!

Sausage Pasty
Printable Recipe

3 large potatoes, boiled and crushed (between a dice and a mash)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 country-style sausages, cooked and diced small
salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything together well and set aside to make dough.

Pasty Dough:

2 sticks butter
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
flour, as needed - (anywhere from 3 to 4 cups)

Melt butter in a saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, add salt and flour, a cup at a time, stirring constantly until a smooth dough forms. Remove from heat. The dough is correct when it pulls away from the sides of the pan and is pliable. Let cool to room temperature, covered.

Separate dough into 8 pieces and roll each into a circle, about 8 inches in diameter. Drop 1/8 of the sausage and potato mixture into the center of each circle. Fold dough over sausage mixture and seal edges well. Vent each pasty by making a small cut into the top of dough. Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet in a 375 degree F oven for 30 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

What's in the Bag?

That's a big bag.




That's a LOT of apples!





One of the perfect pies that were made.


Anne's Apple Pie
Not Mom's, but still good.
Printable Recipe

1 recipe double crust pie dough
5-6 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced

Mix together:

1/2 c sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (I really prefer freshly grated)

1-2 Tablespoons flour

Place bottom pie crust into a 9" pie pan and sprinkle evenly with the flour. Put half of the apples in the pan and sprinkle with half of the sugar and spice mixture. Top with remaining apples and sugar. Top with crust, crimp edges and vent-I like to use a small star shaped cookie cutter and then replace the cut out dough offset slightly on top of the opening

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes until apples are soft and crust is golden brown.

Double Crust Pie Dough

3 c flour
1 c shortening
salt-I use about 1/2 teaspoon
6-7 Tablespoons ice water
Mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening until it resembles coarse meal or small peas. Add water a tablespoon at a time until dough forms well. Let stand 10 minutes under an overturned bowl before rolling to desired thickness.

Veggie Wednesday: Global Gardens

The Global Gardens Olive Oil & Gourmet Food Club, located in Southern California and on the web at http://www.oliverevolution.com/ , is a "revolutionary culinary adventure that offers members the opportunity to enjoy current harvest olive oils, vinegars and select gourmet foods made from worldly flavors." I happen to think it's just delicious.

Founded in 1998 by Theo Stephan as a way to reinvent and share her Greek heritage through food. Global Gardens is all-natural and pesticide free olive oils, organic snacks and spreads, fruit champagne vinegars and so much more. Global Gardens is Santa Barbara County’s first estate-grown, Certified Organic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and complete food product line.

I was able to try the Pomegranate Champagne Vinegar, Mediterranean Kalamata Mustard and Asian Japanese Mushroom Roasted Garlic Spread. Each product was absolutely delicious and unique. That mustard should be an award winner! I think the unique part is what really caught me. These aren't products that I can just run to the store and find, and I'm completely OK with that, especially because the Gourmet Food Club makes these so accessible.

For a mere $39 and shipping four times a year (that's a 20% savings!) , you'll receive select Global Gourmet products; one olive oil, one fruit vinegar and one gourmet food, shipped right to your door. The 20% savings carries over to any product in the store, as well.

Log on to Global Gourmet to check out more about the club and the fantastic products.