The first thing to save money in and RV kitchen is don't use that gas stove. Fuel is too expensive and most RV parks electric is included in the rent. So embrace electronic products such as electric skillets, microwaves, and toaster ovens. Our toaster oven is actually a countertop convection oven. My favorite item is my crockpot. It doesn't have to be monitored, it doesn't heat up the RV in the summer and you would be amazed just what all you can make in one of these. Such things as cobblers and bread! So from now one I'm going to try and add a few easy meals that you can make in an RV and save money. Don't forget you can also take these items outside to the picnic table to cook also and leave no heat inside the RV.
This week I'm going to list a few of my favorites:
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Needed:
Chicken
The original recipe calls for four boneless skinless chicken breast but we are trying to save money so I'm going to give you the cheaper version but know that you can save time and fat with the boneless skinless breasts. I would rather save the money. Also if using boneless skinless breasts add two teaspoons of butter and I would recommend using chicken broth instead of water.
I prefer to buy leg quarters that you can get dirt cheap most of the time. I like to separate the legs and thighs and save the legs for hobos and bbq chicken on the grill. I don't bother taking the skin or bones off either because they make the broth more flavorful but make sure you stain the broth for small bones.
2 Cans of cheap canned biscuits
1 onion
seasonings of choice including salt and pepper
2 cans of condensed cream of chicken soup
The day before I place the thighs in the crock pot on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours. Then I turn it off and place it in the fridge or cooler so that the next day I can debone the chicken and skim off any fat. As for seasoning at the step I only season with salt and pepper. Make sure to add just enough water to cover the chicken. Water doesn't evaporate in a crock pot
The next day I debone the chicken and strain the broth because thighs when cooking apart have some small bones. After deboning the chicken I dice it up and place it and the broth back in the crock pot on high. This is where I season to taste using poultry seasoning, bay leaves, more salt and pepper, and even chicken bouillon if the broth isn't flavorful enough. Mostly just add seasoning that you like. There is no rule to this. Smell the seasoning and think about what you're cooking. If the smell matches what you are tasting in your mind add a little. But only a little at a time. Remember you can always add but can't remove extra seasoning.
Next you are going to finely dice an onion. I know this wasn't in your grandmother's version but it's good I promise. Then just throw it into the crock pot along with the condensed soups and put the crock pot on high. As for time you can let this cook until 30 minutes before you're ready to eat but make sure it's hot enough it's bubbling 30 minutes before eating because you need it hot hot hot for the next step. It also gives you a chance to taste and adjust the seasoning of your broth.
Next you are going to need two cans of canned biscuits. Regular kind not butter me nots. Cheap ones work great for this and kids can help with the next step. All you do is pinch off small bites of the biscuits and throw them in the crock pot. After each biscuit use a spoon and press the biscuit pieces don't into the broth. This makes it so they don't stick together before adding more biscuits. Once you have all the biscuit pieces in there put the lid back on and don't open it again for 30 minutes so that the biscuits can cook.
Also an important note! If you like thicker broth then thicken the broth before adding the biscuits. You can do the with a little flour and water made into a rue or with cornstarch.
That's it and it tastes amazing!
Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole
Needed:
Cooked shredded chicken You can use canned chicken or even leftover rotisserie chicken or fried chicken with the skin removed. Whatever is cheapest
2 cans of mixed vegetables
1 can of condensed cream soup, your choice I use cream of chicken
1 cup uncooked rice
2 1/2 cups of water or chicken broth I prefer chicken broth or I add chicken bouillon
salt and pepper to taste
First: Combine rice and water (or broth) in the bottom of the crock pot. Next add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Cook: on high for three hours or on low for five hours
Notes: This is how the recipe was originally written but I want you to know that it's also even better with more seasoning and even a little hot sauce. Also I hate mixed veggies so I use a can of corn, carrots, and green beans drained. One cup of rice is still enough with the extra vegetables. This is also good over biscuits.
Slow Cooker Stove Top Chicken Dinner
Needed:
4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts diced Or canned chicken, or leftover chicken, whatever is cheap
2 cups of stove top chicken flavored stuffing store brand and regular flavored work well also
1 can cream of mushroom soup Or cream of chicken or celery, your choice
1/3 cup of milk
1 2/3 cups of water
Place diced chicken in the bottom of the crock pot. Mix together soup and milk and spread over the top of the chicken. Next mix the stuffing and the water and place over the top of everything.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours
Note: I recommend adding some salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning over the chicken before adding the soup. For more flavor you can also add chicken broth instead of water to the stuffing but make sure it's low sodium broth because of the salt content in the stuffing.
Well there are three for tonight. Why did I do all chicken? Because that's what seems to be on sale right now in stores. Also because I don't think people realize that you can by the discounted rotisserie chickens at the grocery store and make other things out of them. Plus they already seasoned them for you! Just debone them and remove all the skin. You can also use left over fried chicken the same way! Cheap living is all around us, we just have to know where to look.
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