Family Meals for Under $5 - Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Family Meals for Under $5 - Chicken and Vegetable Stew
　
Lately I’ve noticed sections in my weekly grocery circulars that read “feed a family of 4 for under $10!”. I’m sure most of you have laughed at this as I did. As a result, I began to wonder what does dinner really cost for my family of 8? I figured if I kept it under $5, I was doing good.
　
My challenge became what meals I could come up with that were both healthy and tasty (my family does not like beans) and cost me $5 or less. This includes everything, main dish and side dishes.
　
We’ll see how I do. Here’s my first post in this series:
　
Chicken and Vegetable Stew
¼ c butter - On sale for .99c a Lb = .25c
3 potatoes - .68c for a 10 Lb bag = .09c
3 carrots - $1.24 for a 2 Lb bag = .18c
3 stalks celery - on sale for .88c a bunch = .24c
1 small onion - on sale for .99c for a 5 Lb bag = .02c
4 c chicken stock = .52c
1 can diced tomatoes = .54c
3 c cooked chicken - whole chicken on sale for .58c a Lb = $1.50
1 clove garlic = .05c

*Melt butter in pot add vegetables one at a time and saute until slightly tender. Add stock, tomatoes and chicken. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 min.
　
Serve with tossed green salad (Romaine lettuce on sale for 50c ea = .25c), rolls = .25c and milk = $1.00.
　
After doing all of my calculations I figured this meal cost just under $5. I included milk in the cost since it was needed to make this a well balanced meal. I probably couldn’t do it so cheap without some really good deals on the chicken, butter, lettuce and potatoes. And, this doesn't even take into consideration gardening, where we grow our own food, instead of buying it. Still, it just goes to show that it is possible to feed your family a healthy meal for under $5.

Thanks Aunt Pat for this great recipe.
　
Less is more,
--Renee