Busy bee

I've been pretty busy lately. The Star announced layoffs and while that totally sucks for everyone involved, it means more work for me. Anyway here's a recent article I wrote for the Star. I'm putting my original version and linking to the online version.

We actually had a photographer come over and take pictures of the food. It was funny because Kaia was also coming over and Sean dropped him off. Sean knows all of the Star photogs seeing as he's a videographer for KEYT news, so they said hi. I think Rob Varela (the star photog) was surprised, as people often are that we're related (the same last name would seem to be a clue -- especially because it's pretty unusual).

And on the Lindsay and Ryan front, Ryan's immediate physical wounds have healed, but they're grappling with the horrible PTSD aspects of any violent act. I wish them both the best. I'm just now becoming more able to drive loger distances without taking a Xanax, and I can still freak pretty easily, so I know how hard it can be.

Five meals under $15
By Anne Kallas
No one has to tell you that the hard-earned food dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did, even a year ago. So when the commercials come on TV for fried chicken meals or pizza deals that can be had on the cheap, it’s probably tempting to pile the spouse and the kids into the car and head for the greasy bucket or checkered tablecloth. Not so fast. Now maybe the commercials make you think there’s no way you can throw together a delicious nutritious meal without having to hand-print a “Will work for food” sign, but advertisers can be wrong.
Here are some family favorites that use inexpensive ingredients, along with some money-saving tips:
• Never pay more than $6 for meat. This means a lot of looking, but it can be done.
• Look for in-store specials. Since meat is highly perishable, keep an eye out for sell-by dates, especially with chickens. You can find $.67- to $.99- a pound whole chickens, if you know when to shop. If you notice a big pile of chickens, look for the sell-by date and stop back at the store then and nab one, or two – if you’re having company.
• Don’t forget Hispanic markets. They often have some of the best deals on meats and produce around. They are staffed with butchers who will cut your meat to order.
• Be willing to cherry-pick your stores. With gas prices going down, it’s worth it to shop at a number of stores. Trader Joe’s is great for cheese, butter and eggs. The big grocery chains advertise, so pick up the flyers and look for sales. If you belong to a super-savings warehouse store like Sam’s and Costco, swing by to pick up paper items and other supplies you know you will use in quantity – pet food, cereals. Don’t forget milk and other dairy items that don’t necessarily have to be bought in such huge quantities.
• Go to the farmer’s market. I pick up locally grown organic lettuce for $1.50 a head from by buddy B.D. Dautch of Earthtrine Farms up in Ojai. There’s something very satisfying about picking up leeks that are almost as big as baseball bats for only a couple of dollars.

Beefy spaghetti ala Bolognese
(Costs $9.04 , add $1.49 for bread and $.50 for Parmesan cheese, if using)
4 pieces bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces
11/3 pounds ground beef (get the more inexpensive, fattier meat. You’re going to drain excess grease and the meat will be more flavorful).
1 onion, chopped into ¼ inch pieces,
3 large carrots peeled and diced into ¼ inch pieces
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leave
1 tablespoon oregano
Thyme
2 large cans crushed tomatoes with puree
½ cup red wine
¾ cup milk
Salt to taste
1 pound spaghetti, prepared as directed on package
Cut bacon into ½-inch pieces and brown in a ceramic-covered Dutch oven. When bacon is browned add ground beef and brown. When all the meat is browned, about 5 minutes, drain off excess fat. Add chopped onions and carrots and start to cook until onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and cook until the garlic in fragrant, about a minute or so. Add herbs and cans of tomatoes and stir. Add wine and milk. Taste before salting, often the bacon will leave the sauce salty enough. Cook on low simmer for at least three hours. You can also make the mixture up to this point and put it in a Crockpot for the day. Because of the tomatoes and carrots, a side salad isn’t necessary, although you can serve one if you like. This makes a ton of sauce. Divide in half and freeze half for another day before adding 1 pound cooked spaghetti to the pot and stir until pasta and sauce are mixed together. Serve with Parmesan cheese on the side, if you want. I serve my spaghetti with garlic bread, which I make from the large French loaves ($1.49). I slice the bread into about 1-inch pieces and slather on butter and garlic powder. I wrap it up in aluminum foil and cook at 350-degree oven for 30 minutes.

Pounded pork cutlets and chorizo collard greens
(Cost $11.30)
Boneless pork, whatever’s cheapest. Boneless loin chops work well, as do any “country-style’ ribs
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 tablespoons canola oil
Pound each piece of pork between two pieces of plastic wrap until about a ¼-inch thick. Mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, herbes de Provence and onion and garlic powder on a plate. Spread thin layer of mayonnaise on each side of the pounded meat and dredge in the bread crumb mixture until the meat is covered. Heat 3 tablespoons canola oil in a large skillet and place meat in heated skillet. Cook, turning once, until browned on both sides.

Collard greens
1 package prepared collard greens
½ package chorizo
Chicken broth
Remove casings from chorizo and brown in the bottom of a ceramic-covered Dutch oven. Drain excess grease if necessary – you want some grease for the greens, but not too much. Add collard greens and cook until starting to wilt. Add about a cup of chicken stock and simmer for at least 30 minutes.
*Best fried chicken ever (*if you don’t believe me, I’ll make you some)
(Meal with cole slaw costs $11.26)
2 cups canola oil
1 whole chicken cut up or one family-size package of drumsticks
2 cups white whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur flour, which makes the best fried chicken IMO)
Lawrys seasoned salt
Ground black pepper
2 cups milk
This chicken will be an immediate family favorite. I try to make enough so I have leftovers for the following recipe, but if you have a hungry family, they may eat everything, like mine did. Heat ½ to ¾ inches oil in an electric skillet set at 350-degrees. Cut up a whole chicken into 10 pieces or just take the drumsticks and place in a shallow plastic storage container with milk or buttermilk, which adds a little extra flavor. Place flour, Lawry’s seasoning salt and black pepper in a clean paper bag (save the outer bags when you get a grocery order double-bagged, or ask for an unused paper bag). Drop milk-coated chicken pieces in the bag and shake (carefully, the more pieces you have the more the bag will want to tear). Place coated chicken pieces in hot oil and cook 15 minutes on a side. Drain on a paper-towel covered plate. Serve with homemade coleslaw

Homemade coleslaw
1 head green cabbage, sliced into strips using a mandolin or a knife
1 cup Miracle Whip sandwich spread
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
Mix all ingredients together. It’s tastier the longer it sits.

Chicken tacos ole
(Costs $8.07)
2 tablespoons canola oil
Leftover chicken skinned and cut into small pieces
1 teaspoon chile powder
1 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon dried coriander
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 package seasoned corn and black beans (this often comes with tomatoes, peppers and onions)
Taco shells
Shredded lettuce
Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Taco or hot sauce
Skin leftover chicken and remove meat from the bones and shred it. Heat oil in a skillet and add meat and spices and onion and garlic powder. Add seasoned corn and black beans. Cook until everything is warmed through, about 5 minutes. Heat taco shells in oven according to package directions. Set out the shredded lettuce (I finely cut whatever lettuce I have in the refrigerator), shells, hot sauce and sour cream. Let the family built their own tacos.

Potato leek soup with toasty cheese sandwiches
(Costs $12.32)
2 large leeks sliced into ¼ inch rings and cleaned
4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and cut into large 1-inch pieces
Chicken stock
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Jalapeno pepper minced
Loaf of sturdy rustic bread, sliced
Cheese, what do you like? Cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, Monterey jack, Colby
Clean the leeks by cutting into rings and placing into large container or sink full of water. Fish the rings out and drain on paper towels, leaving the grit behind. Place in ceramic-covered Dutch oven, along with potato pieces and one quart of chicken stock. Add salt and pepper to taste, but be careful many stocks already have lots of salt, so you may want to hold off. Add jalapeno peppers to taste. Simmer on stove for about 30 to 45 minutes. Using an immersable blender, blend soup until creamy. Serve hot.
To make the sandwiches, cut bread into ½ -inch pieces and add cheese. Spray the outsides of the bread with aerosol olive oil and toast in a medium-hot skillet, flipping once until both sides are browned and cheese is melted.

Accounting:
(All items were priced/purchased at Von’s and Ralph’s in Ventura in mid-October)
Beefy spaghetti ala Bolognese
4 pieces bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces $0.75
1 pounds ground beef (get the more inexpensive, fattier meat. You’re going to drain excess grease and the meat will be more flavorful). $4.71 for 1.35 pounds at $3.49 a pound.
1 onion, chopped into ¼ inch pieces, $0.89
3 large carrots peeled and diced into ¼ inch pieces $0.74
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced $0.06
1 bay leave $0.18
Oregano $0.18
Thyme $0.18
2 large cans crushed tomatoes with puree, $2.99 for 28 ounces
½ cup red wine $0.25 (1/2 cup Charles Shaw merlot aka Two-buck Chuck)
¾ cup milk $0.15
Salt to taste
Spaghetti $0.99 a pound, if it’s on sale
Pounded pork cutlets and chorizo collard greens
Boneless pork, whatever’s cheapest. Boneless loin chops work well, as do any “country-style’ ribs $4.28 for 1.43 pounds
Bread crumbs $0.31
Parmesan cheese $.50
Herbes de Provence $0.36
Mayonnaise $0.15
Garlic powder $0.18
Onion powder $.18
Collard greens
1 package prepared collard greens $3.69
½ package chorizo $1.09
Chicken broth $1.99
2 cups canola oil. $1.00 (savings tip, keep leftover grease, drained of any flour or other solids, in a jar and re-use)
*Best fried chicken ever (*if you don’t believe me, I’ll make you some)
1 whole chicken cut up or one family-size package of drumsticks $5.45
White whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur flour, which makes the best fried chicken IMO) $0.49
Lawrys seasoned salt $.025
Ground black pepper $0.25
Milk $0.40
Homemade coleslaw
1 cup Miracle Whip sandwich spread $1.88
1 tablespoon sugar $.02
1 teaspoon black pepper $0.25
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste) $0.02
1 tablespoon cider vinegar $0.06
1 head green cabbage, sliced into strips using a mandolin or a knife $1.19
Mix the first five ingredients together until you have a smooth dressing and toss with the cabbage. You can also add shredded carrots if you have some leftover from making the Spaghetti Bolognese. It’s tastier the longer it sits.

Chicken tacos ole
2 tablespoons canola oil $.04
Leftover chicken skinned and cut into small pieces
Chile powder $0.37
Ground cumin $0.37
Dried coriander $0.37
Garlic powder $0.37
Onion powder $0.37
1 package seasoned corn and black beans (this often comes with tomatoes, peppers and onions) $2.49
Taco shells $1.39 (10 jumbo)
Shredded lettuce $0.24
Cheese $1.25
Sour cream $0.75
Taco or hot sauce $0.10

Potato leek soup with toasty cheese sandwiches
2 large leeks sliced into ¼ inch rings and cleaned $2.99
4 to 5 potatoes, peeled and cut into large 1-inch pieces $1.74
Chicken stock $1.99
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Jalapeno pepper minced $0.50
Olive oil spray $0.10
Loaf of sturdy rustic bread, sliced $1.49 (Von’s whole wheat French bread)
Cheese, what do you like? cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, Monterey jack, colby $3.50

Nutrition Facts
Spaghetti ala Bolognese
8 Servings


Amount Per Serving

Calories 407.1

Total Fat 22.5 g

Saturated Fat 9.0 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3 g

Monounsaturated Fat 9.6 g

Cholesterol 67.8 mg

Sodium 185.6 mg

Potassium 428.2 mg

Total Carbohydrate 27.6 g

Dietary Fiber 2.8 g

Sugars 3.1 g

Protein 18.4 g


Vitamin A 41.7 %

Vitamin B-12 33.8 %

Vitamin B-6 16.8 %

Vitamin C 12.3 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 2.4 %

Calcium 8.0 %

Copper 9.5 %

Folate 17.0 %

Iron 19.9 %

Magnesium 10.2 %

Manganese 27.7 %

Niacin 26.8 %

Pantothenic Acid 5.3 %

Phosphorus 17.4 %

Riboflavin 14.0 %

Selenium 36.6 %

Thiamin 16.0 %

Zinc 22.3 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Pounded pork cutlets
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 745.9

Total Fat 43.0 g

Saturated Fat 13.9 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7.1 g

Monounsaturated Fat 18.7 g

Cholesterol 205.1 mg

Sodium 773.8 mg

Potassium 894.7 mg

Total Carbohydrate 10.7 g

Dietary Fiber 0.7 g

Sugars 0.8 g

Protein 75.2 g


Vitamin A 4.8 %

Vitamin B-12 28.5 %

Vitamin B-6 46.5 %

Vitamin C 4.9 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 14.4 %

Calcium 43.5 %

Copper 10.4 %

Folate 6.9 %

Iron 20.4 %

Magnesium 17.3 %

Manganese 6.9 %

Niacin 66.0 %

Pantothenic Acid 17.8 %

Phosphorus 72.7 %

Riboflavin 44.4 %

Selenium 155.4 %

Thiamin 145.3 %

Zinc 38.6 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Collard greens with chorizo
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288.2

Total Fat 22.5 g

Saturated Fat 8.4 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2 g

Monounsaturated Fat 10.7 g

Cholesterol 50.5 mg

Sodium 1,100.3 mg

Potassium 393.2 mg

Total Carbohydrate 3.6 g

Dietary Fiber 1.3 g

Sugars 0.2 g

Protein 17.3 g


Vitamin A 48.0 %

Vitamin B-12 21.0 %

Vitamin B-6 18.6 %

Vitamin C 21.2 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 4.8 %

Calcium 6.1 %

Copper 6.1 %

Folate 15.9 %

Iron 6.8 %

Magnesium 3.7 %

Manganese 12.4 %

Niacin 22.9 %

Pantothenic Acid 7.6 %

Phosphorus 12.6 %

Riboflavin 14.5 %

Selenium 19.8 %

Thiamin 25.4 %

Zinc 14.0 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Best fried chicken ever
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 408.6

Total Fat 9.5 g

Saturated Fat 3.4 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4 g

Monounsaturated Fat 3.0 g

Cholesterol 73.6 mg

Sodium 5,352.3 mg

Potassium 263.0 mg

Total Carbohydrate 52.8 g

Dietary Fiber 8.6 g

Sugars 6.2 g

Protein 31.3 g


Vitamin A 6.2 %

Vitamin B-12 5.3 %

Vitamin B-6 21.0 %

Vitamin C 2.3 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 0.2 %

Calcium 17.7 %

Copper 5.2 %

Folate 1.6 %

Iron 12.6 %

Magnesium 7.8 %

Manganese 15.1 %

Niacin 36.8 %

Pantothenic Acid 8.8 %

Phosphorus 16.2 %

Riboflavin 7.8 %

Selenium 20.2 %

Thiamin 4.6 %

Zinc 9.1 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.







Nutrition Facts
Homemade cole slaw
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 165.2

Total Fat 12.1 g

Saturated Fat 2.0 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 6.1 g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.0 g

Cholesterol 0.0 mg

Sodium 989.6 mg

Potassium 120.0 mg

Total Carbohydrate 14.1 g

Dietary Fiber 1.2 g

Sugars 7.4 g

Protein 0.7 g


Vitamin A 1.2 %

Vitamin B-12 0.0 %

Vitamin B-6 2.2 %

Vitamin C 24.1 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 0.3 %

Calcium 2.4 %

Copper 0.9 %

Folate 4.8 %

Iron 2.5 %

Magnesium 2.1 %

Manganese 5.5 %

Niacin 0.7 %

Pantothenic Acid 0.6 %

Phosphorus 1.1 %

Riboflavin 1.2 %

Selenium 0.6 %

Thiamin 1.5 %

Zinc 0.6 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Chicken tacos ole
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 634.4

Total Fat 28.9 g

Saturated Fat 8.2 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7.1 g

Monounsaturated Fat 10.1 g

Cholesterol 114.4 mg

Sodium 505.8 mg

Potassium 802.8 mg

Total Carbohydrate 59.2 g

Dietary Fiber 10.1 g

Sugars 3.8 g

Protein 37.9 g


Vitamin A 23.2 %

Vitamin B-12 9.1 %

Vitamin B-6 40.0 %

Vitamin C 31.8 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 15.4 %

Calcium 20.4 %

Copper 15.0 %

Folate 43.3 %

Iron 25.8 %

Magnesium 35.0 %

Manganese 30.3 %

Niacin 45.8 %

Pantothenic Acid 22.7 %

Phosphorus 47.8 %

Riboflavin 24.0 %

Selenium 36.0 %

Thiamin 27.4 %

Zinc 30.0 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Potato leek soup
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 164.8

Total Fat 2.9 g

Saturated Fat 0.8 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7 g

Monounsaturated Fat 1.2 g

Cholesterol 2.5 mg

Sodium 1,583.3 mg

Potassium 767.9 mg

Total Carbohydrate 22.0 g

Dietary Fiber 2.0 g

Sugars 2.1 g

Protein 13.1 g


Vitamin A 16.5 %

Vitamin B-12 8.4 %

Vitamin B-6 19.5 %

Vitamin C 29.7 %

Vitamin D 0.0 %

Vitamin E 2.8 %

Calcium 4.5 %

Copper 22.5 %

Folate 12.2 %

Iron 12.5 %

Magnesium 8.7 %

Manganese 42.0 %

Niacin 33.7 %

Pantothenic Acid 5.3 %

Phosphorus 20.0 %

Riboflavin 8.7 %

Selenium 9.2 %

Thiamin 8.1 %

Zinc 5.0 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.








Nutrition Facts
Toasty cheese sandwiches
4 Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 514.5

Total Fat 27.1 g

Saturated Fat 13.1 g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5 g

Monounsaturated Fat 8.9 g

Cholesterol 59.5 mg

Sodium 672.1 mg

Potassium 345.4 mg

Total Carbohydrate 48.1 g

Dietary Fiber 5.6 g

Sugars 0.0 g

Protein 21.8 g


Vitamin A 12.0 %

Vitamin B-12 7.8 %

Vitamin B-6 10.4 %

Vitamin C 0.0 %

Vitamin D 1.7 %

Vitamin E 9.8 %

Calcium 43.9 %

Copper 12.6 %

Folate 14.5 %

Iron 18.1 %

Magnesium 22.7 %

Manganese 87.1 %

Niacin 16.8 %

Pantothenic Acid 5.2 %

Phosphorus 46.3 %

Riboflavin 23.6 %

Selenium 62.3 %

Thiamin 15.9 %

Zinc 21.0 %






*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.




s