Do you like kung pao chicken? Then try this recipe! The perfect blend of spicy, sweetness, peanuts and salt. A simple Asian recipe that’s yummy, easy and under $10 bucks. Let me emphasize, EASY, YUMMY & UNDER $10! Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Tangy Asian Glazed Chicken Tenders:

8 medium chicken tenders, drumsticks or thighs, skin removed – $4.94
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar – $.25
1/3 cup soy sauce – $.25
2 green onion or scallions, finely chopped – $.20
1/4 cup honey glazed, salted peanuts – $.50
1 to 2 Tbsp Canola oil – pantry
3/4 cups water
2 Tbsp Sriracha (or Less, if you don’t want too spicy) – pantry (YOU MUST HAVE SOME OF THIS IN YOUR FRIDGE! ALWAYS!)
1 Tbsp Sugar – pantry
1 Tbsp minced/mashed fresh garlic – pantry
1 tsp ginger, grated or prepared – pantry/fridge
1/2 tsp sesame oil (optional. U can sprinkle with sesame seeds too) – pantry

Brown chicken in canola oil on high heat for 5 mins in a large frying pan. Make sure you have a lid for the pan as you will need it later. Once chicken is brown, add water, balsamic, soy, sugar, garlic, ginger and Sriracha. Cook till liquid begins to boil. Reduce to simmer, add sesame oil and peanuts, stir, cover and cook for about 20 minutes.

After 20 mins, remove lid and turn heat to medium high, reducing sauce down. Reduction takes about 10 to 15 more mins of rapid simmer with lid off. Don’t forget to turn chicken occasionally and watch heat, because glaze can burn fairly easy.

When done, plate chicken and pour glaze on top. Sprinkle with green onions or chopped scallions.

COST: $6.14

Add some rice and wonderful summer veggies. Now you have yourself a meal that is not only yummy, but much more healthy than PF Changs. I like to add fresh corn to canned veggies with butter. Fresh corn is in season and I’ve been buying it for $.15 a piece, sometimes 10 for a $1. What a steal!

Calrose (Sticky) Rice:

1 1/2 cups Calrose rice – $.50

Use Calrose, if you have it. Calrose is also called sticky rice. It is so good. Give it a try. Just note, it will not be flaky like long grain. It’s moist and yummy! Just follow this simple method for cooking rice and you can’t go wrong. Promise!

Pour rice into pot. Make sure your pot has a good lid. Add water to pot until it’s above the rice, precisely to your first finger tip knuckle line. Cover and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to slow simmer. Cook 20 mins and leave covered. DO NOT LIFT LID BEFORE 20 MINS!

COST: $.50 for rice and $.45 for 3 ears of corn and $.69 for can carrots

GRAND TOTAL: $7.78