Pantry Items of the Day (according to Martha): Here are the basic baking staples you need for a well-stocked pantry. Pure vanilla extract and other extracts, vanilla beans, baking soda, baking powder, unsweetened and semisweet dark chocolate, Dutch- process cocoa powder, unflavored gelatin, dry yeast, cornstarch- store ingredients in airtight containers, away from heat and light sources. Extracts will last several years; leavenings lose their potency after about one year, and should be discarded on their expiration dates.
Despite the setback, I am excited to begin sharing with you some of the meals that our family enjoys, utilizing ingredients purchased from Aldi. I hope that this week’s menu plan provides you some new ideas for your dinner hour, as well as providing you a very budget-friendly dinner.
One of my favorite take-out foods is Chinese food. I love a good Chicken Lo Mein and was so excited when I happened upon this excellent recipe to make this dish at home. With some of my own modifications, I was able to make this dish with ingredients purchased at our local Aldi.
This dish is a hit with our entire family, even the broccoli & mushroom haters in the bunch. This dish just has something for everyone in the family. Because it is a pasta dish, the chicken and vegetables are easily stretched, keeping you well under budget.
To be honest, we do not normally serve a side with this dish, but we were to include a side with this dish so I will add a side of applesauce for the kids.
I love to double the recipe to eat it for lunch or a yummy late night snack!
Please check Meredith’s blog for her breakdown and meal plan for the evening. It sounds like she has something very yummy going in her kitchen. I think I would like to eat over there!
8 ounces thin spaghetti (if linguine is available, I prefer this over the spaghetti)
2/3 pound skinless, boneless chicken (3 chicken breasts, dethawed overnnight)
1 cup fresh button mushrooms
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 bag frozen broccoli pieces
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon ketchup
Cook pasta as directed. Clean & chop mushrooms. Heat oil. Cut chicken in bite size pieces. When all the chicken is cut, add it to the skillet. Add mushrooms and broccoli to the skillet. Cook for five to six minutes or until mushrooms have released their liquid and chicken is cooked through. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and ketchup. Stir to combine. Add cooked pasta and serve immediately.
Serve with ramekins of applesauce.
Cost Breakdown:
8 ounces thin spaghetti- .25
2/3# chicken breasts (approximately 1/4 of a bag)- $1.75
1 cup fresh mushrooms- .79
1 bag frozen broccoli- .79
1 jar applesauce- .69
(Other ingredients listed are considered staple items according to Iron Chef Mom guidelines)
Total Cost To Feed Four: $4.27
Cost Per Person: $1.07
Note: This recipe will be added to “the Aldi Queen” and all ingredients listed will be added to my weekly menu planner. My planners are posted every Friday so you can get a week’s worth of ideas and a grocery list in one stop!
I am enjoying watching this challenge go down. I don’t live local to an Aldi but have utilized combining double and triple coupons with weekly ads at Kroger. Now, however, we have moved a slight trek from Kroger, so my only option is Wal-Mart. I’ll be watching to see the results.
Catherine
http://angelfoodcakeisntacandle.blogspot.com
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Yum! This may be dinner tonight! (I found your blog via Meredith … as much as LOVE her, I’m an Aldi’s girl so I’m paying close attention to the contest.
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My husband loves Chinese, and would love to for me to make this! Is there anything else we can substitute for the white wine vinegar? This isn’t a staple at my house and we can’t get it at Aldi’s.
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I’m sorry- I meant to write white vinegar. The original recipe had called for wine vinegar and I was able to sub it with regular vinegar and I can’t tell a difference.
Make a double batch- he will love it
Thanks for helping me correct that typo. My daughter was up till four in the morning and my typing is not its best 
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Oh, wow, that looks goooood! Hey, congrats on your new sewing machine! (And thanks for visiting my blog.)I hope you have a lot of fun with it. You can find many free patterns on line, btw. It might be a way for you to make small projects for sewing practice, like pillows, baby bibs or pin cushions–anything that doesn’t require a lot of ‘structure’ (such as buttons and zippers.) Have fun!
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That recipe looks like a keeper!
I made your “Doritos Casserole” a couple of weeks ago and my kiddos thought it was Da Bomb!
Went to Aldi’s today, spent $66. Thats for the entire week! *WOOT!*
Of course, I was thinking of this challenge the entire time I shopped too.
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That sounds good. I have been looking for some good asian-inspired recipes and will try this one for sure!
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This looks like something my husband would love! He’s always trying to ketchup and soy sauce on everything! This is no reflection on my cooking. He does this with everyone’s cooking, even his own, although it is bit insulting.
Thanks…I’ll try this on him!
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ha! that picture’s hilarious. i love it.
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Yummy, this will be going on my menu for my next grocery trip. I love Aldi, but a lot of the time shop the sales at other stores. Can’t wait to check out your blog more and I’m really excited about the challenge.
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PeppermintPearl- Oh, I am glad that the Dorito Casserole was such a hit. I love that one! Such great comfort food
Alexandra- It sounds like this dish will be right up your husband’s alley
Soy & ketchup on EVERYTHING? Blech! I guess he has different taste than me 
Chrisi- Thanks so much for your sweet comments. This is going to be a fun week over here in bloggy land
Stephanie- Let me know if you guys get a chance to try it!
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I love seeing the cost breakdown. I’ve found some great recipes in Cheap. Fast. Good!
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Amy,
It’s fun that you linked to this today, because these were the first posts I ever read on your blog. Monica sent me a link to your site when Nathan was a baby, and I’ve been reading ever since!
.-= carrie´s last blog ..Energy audit =-.
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Hi Amy,
I wish I found this article earlier.
Matthew
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