Scanning the Grocery Flyers SAVES money!

The closest grocery store to my house is Food Lion, so naturally, I do most of my weekly shopping there. When scanning the weekly flyer, I am looking for the best deals, not necessarily what the flyer is showcasing. This week’s flyer highlights 9 meats, but the best deals save you the most money. Each week, Madame Deals compiles this information on www.madamedeals.com so the work is done for you. Here are my meat and produce picks for this week (10/28-11/03), along with prep and storage tips:
1. Boston Butt Pork Roast is $.98 a pound. Ask the butcher to trim it to cut down on the fat. You can marinate and roast this cut creating a tender, tasty meal. Smashed potatoes and honeyed peas & carrots complete the meal. Or cook the roast in the slow cooker creating bbq. Once cooked, you can freeze your barbecue in quart-sized freezer bags for a quick meal later.
2. Smithfield Center Cut Ham Slices are 50% off. This cut of ham is a great choice for a Leftover Makeover. Bake or pan fry the ham slices the first night. Then, cube the leftovers to add into your macaroni & cheese, escalloped potatoes, or fried rice. And, potatoes are on sale this week, so you’re saving money by choosing meats and veggies when they are value priced.
3. Holly Farms Grade A Whole Fryers are $.59 a pound. Another great choice for a Leftover Makeover. Roast your chicken the first night. Then use about 2 c. cooked chicken for chicken noodle soup, chicken ‘n’ dumplings, chicken enchiladas...choices are almost limitless! Or, freeze chopped, cooked chicken for up to 4 months.
4. Fresh Ground Round is $2.49 a pound this week. Make a double batch of chili this week and freeze half in quart-sized freezer bags for chili mac or taco salad later. Onions, cluster tomatoes, and avocados (for topping) are also on sale making chili an economical choice this week.
5. Smithfield Smoked Bacon is BOGO. Many fall dishes tend to have the smoky, homey flavor of bacon, so stock up on these and freeze. Since they are flat, they don’t take up too much space in the freezer. And, who doesn’t love the smell of bacon cooking in the morning? Don’t like to fry bacon and make a big mess on your stovetop? Bake bacon on a sheet pan in 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, turning once. When bacon is crisp, drain on paper towels.
6. Martha White Corn Muffin Mix is 3 for $1. Great savings. This mix is good for making corn bread, corn waffles, corn bread crusts, and as chicken and pork breader. Baked corn bread can also be crumbled and made into a stuffing for chicken and pork. Quite versatile to have on hand.
7. Potatoes and carrots are also on special this week. Five-pound bags of white potatoes are BOGO and 2-lb. Bags of whole carrots are $1.29. Excellent savings and perfect sides for the roasted pork and chicken.

Think about what you will cook this week as you are looking through the flyer. Meal plan and make a shopping list before you go to the store. STICK TO YOUR LIST. You’ll spend a little more time planning and preparing, but the reward is saving money, healthy eating, and plan-ahead meals that will make your life easier!
Have questions or want recipe suggestions?? Email me at cookwithconnie@gmail.com