A week of meals for $20.00

I've had some readers recently email me and request a way to stretch their grocery dollar. I'm going to take it one step further and show you how to take your meals and keep turning them into more meals.

Let's start with Sunday and I'll add 1 meal per day for the week to show you how to manipulate your menu. All the meals will serve 4 people.

Sunday: Chicken Caccitorre

1 Fresh Whole Chicken 3.5lb-$3.47 ea.
2 Cups Long grain white rice (1 lb)- $1.30 - (This will yield 4 cups cooked)
1 yellow onion- $.30
1 Green Bell Pepper- $.99
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes- $.79
1 clove fresh garlic-$.25
1 Tbsp Italian herb blend-$.10
Total Cost: $7.20

1. First begin by roasting your chicken at 375 degrees until internal temp reaches 165 degrees.
2. In another pan prepare your rice as you normally would and set aside when finished.
3. To make your sauce dice both the bell pepper and the onion medium sized (approx. 3/8), and saute over medium heat until translucent.  Next add the garlic, crushed tomatoes and herbs then simmer for 20 min.
4. When the chicken is done allow to cool so you can work with it.  Remove only the breast meat from both sides, should be about 12oz.  Rough chop the breast meat up and add to the sauce and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes covered.
5. Now portion out your rice @ 1/2 cup per person and top with your sauce and serve.

Remaining leftovers:

1. Remaining roasted chicken with the dark meat only
2. 2 Cups cooked rice

The portions used were based on recommended portions, and pricing was based on Safeway online.