The Coupon Project

Cod recipes from vlog

2010-03-11T09:24:09-08:00

A number of you have asked to have the recipes out that Terry and I cooked in our vlog here.

Herb Crusted Cod - from Season of Seafood booklet found at Albertsons

In a small bowl, mix together:
1/4 c. Japanese style breadcrumbs
1/4 c. finely shredded Parmesan cheesePublish
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Pat fish dry with paper towels. Place fish on baking sheet sprayed with olive oil. Spray fish with olive oil and sprinkle bread crumbs on top. Bake at 400 degrees until fish flakes with fork.

My Variation: I lightly coated my fish with olive oil, then dredged in the mixture and froze for later cooking.

Terry's Mediterranean Cod Burritos

Beer Battered Fish - adapted from AllRecipes.com
Mix together in a large bowl:
1 c. flour
2 TBSPS cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

In a small bowl mix:
1 egg
1 c. beer (we used a lighter beer for this recipe, however a darker variety might yield a stronger flavor, if desired)

Mix in the beer/egg mixture into the dry mixture. Wisk quickly. Heat oil in deep fryer to 375. We don't have one, so we just used a deep skillet with a couple inches of oil. We chose Smart Balance. Dip the fish into the batter and then place in the fryer, turning once (it took about 2-3 minutes per side). I demonstrate this process in the vlog.

For the toppings:
2 TBSPs chopped dill
2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil
1/4. c. pitted, chopped Kalamata olives
2 TBSPs capers, with a little reserved juice from the jar
2 TBSPs chopped sun-dried tomatoes
lemon zest from one lemon
Use same lemon and reserve juice

(We took this combination from a completely different recipe altogether - although the dill was Terry's addition. Modify the flavors to your taste.)

Place one-two pieces of fish (depending on how big you cooked them) in the center of a tortilla. Add toppings. Wrap in heavy-duty foil for the freezer.

By the way, my friend Rachel asked if the cod recipe could be adapted for chicken. I think that sounds really good! Have fun - burritos are great for the freezer - they're portable, fast, and yummy.

To see this cooking in action, go here.

Photo credit Bartlomiej Stroinsk

Free Baja Fresh burrito on 3/17

2010-03-11T08:08:34-08:00

Another freebie...and another Facebook offer. Become a fan of Baja Fresh, and print the full-page coupon (instructions on how to do this are found on the offer page). Be sure to wear your green, and then you can get a free burrito with a large drink purchase between 11 am and 8 pm.

Burrito choices include Baja, Mexicano or Ultimo Chicken, Steak or Carnitas. Find a location near you here.

I've never eaten at Baja Fresh, so which burrito would be good to try?

General Mills $1 off 2 printable coupon

2010-03-11T07:58:46-08:00

Here's a great printable coupon: save $1 on 2 boxes of General Mills cereal! This would be a great one to have with you if you head out to Safeway for the cereal promotion - which I may well today! Print it here.

Thanks, BeCentsAble!

Kashi TLC Bars: $1.50/2 printable coupon!

2010-03-10T22:22:28-08:00

Go here to print a coupon good for $1.50 off 2 TLC Kashi Bars!

Safeway cereal promotion: buy 5, save $5

2010-03-10T22:12:34-08:00

There's a great cereal promotion running at Safeway this week: buy 5 participating boxes, and save $5 at checkout with your Club Card. The $5 will come off instantly. According to the fine print, the limit is 20 boxes. It also appears that fruit snacks and granola bars are part of the promotion as well.

In my experience with these promotions, there were many, many more brands participating at the store than had been advertised - including some of the natural/organic labels and granola. My best advice? Bring ALL your cereal coupons just in case!! And look for peelies - in the past I've had luck just buying boxes with peelie coupons on them!

Below are some of the matchups and coupons I am aware of. Note that my price categories are assuming you are buying in multiples of $5.

$1 each
Quaker Oat Squares ($1/1 coupon from 2/14 Red Plum) = FREE!!
Kellogg's Corn Flakes
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks ($0.50/2 printable coupon) = $0.75 each

$1.50 each
Honey Nut Cheerios ($1/3 coupon from 2/7 SmartSource) = $1.17 each
Nature Valley Granola Bars ($0.40/1 printable coupon and here) = $1.10 each
Post Fruity Pebbles ($1/2 coupon from 2/28 SmartSource) = $1 each

$2 each
Kelloggs Raisin Bran ($1.50/2 printable coupon) = $1.25 each
Lucky Charms
Post Honey Bunches of Oats ($1/2 coupon from 2/28 SmartSource) = $1.50 each

Other coupons you might want to bring with you just in case:

From Inserts
Post $1/2 coupon from 2/28 SmartSource
Kellogg's $1/2 coupon from 3/7 Red Plum
General Mills $1/2 coupon from 3/7 SmartSource
Chocolate Cheerios $1/1 coupon from 3/7 SmartSource (limit one per person)

Printable Coupons
Chex $0.75/1 printable coupon
Chocolate Cheerios $0.55/1 printable coupon and here
Fiber One $0.75/1 printable coupon
Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats $1.50/2 printable coupon
Reese's Puffs $0.55/1 printable coupon and here
Kelloggs Raisin Brain, Mini Wheats, All Bran $1.50/2 printable coupon
Kix $1/1 printable coupon
Post $2/1 printable coupon (should make for a freebie)

Let me know if you end up finding other great matchups or coupons for this promotion!

Albertsons deals 3/10 - 3/16

2010-03-10T21:36:05-08:00

Albertsons has a few interesting matchups for the week, but perhaps the best news (that I hinted at a few days ago), is that the awesome Just C.H.I.L.L. promotion is continuing through this week! I will for SURE be back, buying more juice this week!

I couldn't find any doubler coupon rumors just yet. Stay tuned...I'll let you know if I hear anything!

Boneless, skinless chicken breast
$1.99/lb

Boneless beef chuck roast
$1.99/lb

Green Cabbage
$0.49/lb

Campbells Cream Chicken/Mushroom Soup* $0.75
$1/4 printable coupon
Bottom line: $0.50 each

Campbells Chunky Soup* $1.50
$1.50/3 printable coupon
Bottom line: $1 each

V8 Splash* $2
(this is a decent deal on this item, IMHO)

Pepperidge Farm Cookies $2
$0.60/1 coupon from 2/21 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1.40

Pace Salsa $2
$0.50/2 coupon from 1/31 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1.75 each

*Buy 10 participating Campbells products, earn 200 Labels for Education points; or buy 20 and get 500. I'd be curious to know if anyone participates in this program at their school.

All-Bran Cereal $1.88
$1/2 coupon from 3/7 Red Plum
Bottom line: $1.33 each

Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Bars $1.88
$1/2 coupon from 2/7 Red Plum
Bottom line: $1.33 each

Carapelli
Buy one for $11.79, get one free
Use (2) $1/1 coupons from 2/7 SmartSource
Bottom line: $4.90 each

No Yolks Pasta $1.29
$0.75/1 coupon from 2/21 SmartSource
Bottom line: $0.54

SoBe Lifewater $1
Buy one, get one free coupon
Bottom line: $0.50 each

Olay Bar Soap Packs & Washes $5.99
$1/1 coupon from 3/7 P&G
Submit for $15 Olay rebate when you buy 3 (must buy by 3/12)
Bottom line: all 3 free after rebate!

John Frieda Shampoos and Conditioners $4.99
$3/1 coupon from 3/7 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1.99
(See how to get these for free at Rite Aid this week)

Just C.H.I.L.L. Promotion

This is a continuation of the promotion from last week. Buy any 10 participating items, get a coupon at checkout good for $10 off your next order (this is also known as a "Catalina coupon" by the way). I'm including the products that seemed like the best deals after Catalina to me among the bunch. But you can find them all on page 7 of their ad.

Old Orchard Juice $1.29
Grape, Pineapple, and Cranberry advertised
(Please note I learned late last week that the Apple varieties were also included, and they rang up as $0.99 each!)
$1/4 printable coupon (thanks, Fabulessly Frugal!)

Hot Pocket Sideshots $1.69
$0.75/1 coupon from 1/3 Red Plum
(Note: I've not tried this myself, but Fabulessly Frugal reports this is working - if so, 10 of these after coupons would be FREE).

Hot, Lean Pockets $2

Healthy Choice $1.99

Red Baron Single Serve $3.49
$1/2 coupon from 2/28 SmartSource
$0.75/1 coupon from 1/17 SmartSource (exp. 3/14 - Sunday)

Kraft Bagel-fuls $1.99

Bagel Bites $1.99

Wondering how to work this? Here is just one idea of how you could do this deal.

Transaction One
Buy 10 Hot Pocket Sidehots $16.90
Use (10) $0.75/1 coupons (if you don't have that many - this is STILL a great deal!!)
Pay at register: $9.40
Receive a $10 off-your-next-order coupon

Transaction Two
Buy 10 Old Orchard Juice $12.90
Use (2) $1/2 printable coupons
Use your $10 off-your-next-order coupon from Transaction One
Pay at register: $0.90
Receive a $10 off-your-next-order coupon

There are more excellent deals up at Fabulessly Frugal and The Grocery Gathering. Check them out for even more Albertsons ideas!

Kmart double coupon event: WA stores to participate!

2010-03-10T10:49:34-08:00

Bargain Blessings just emailed me to say that Kmart will be kicking off a double coupon promotion in early April (looks like the week of April 4). What's more, she has an entire list HERE of all participating stores! Awesome!

The only problem with the list is it is not organized by state. I can tell you this: stores in Tacoma, Puyallup, Kent, Seattle, Lacey, Spokane and others WILL be participating in the event! This is the first time in more than a year that us Washingtonians will be able to participate!

Those new to Kmart double promotions: they usually double coupons up to TWO DOLLARS in value! There is usually a limit - such as 10 coupons per shopping trip, and recently they've created a "minimum purchase" amount. You might want to also read up on the posts in my Kmart category for how past promotions have worked, plus a couple of my own trips from Kmart double deals.

As we get closer to the event, I'll be sure to fill you in on the details and provide you with some matchup ideas. In the meantime, I'll be doing a happy dance!

Thanks, Bargain Blessings!

Fred Meyer Extra Savings matchups through March 30

2010-03-10T10:36:15-08:00

Here we go! While the matchups so far are light, there may be others as the month goes by. If you're aware of one I've not included, please feel free to chime in. I'm not listing every possible matchup, only the ones that I think are decent prices. The ones in blue are what I'd consider to be great deals.

Krusteaz Breakfast
$1.67 each with booklet coupon (first 3)

Fred Meyer Sausage (frozen)
$1 each with booklet coupon (first 10)

Rosarita Refried Beans $1
$0.50/3 coupon from 1/24 SmartSource
Bottom line: $0.83 each

Gatorade $1
$0.50/1 G2 coupon from 1/10 Red Plum
Bottom line: $0.50
(Note: this week, they're on sale for $0.88, making them just $0.33 after coupon!)

Ronzoni Smart Taste or Healthy Harvest Pasta $1.25
$1/2 coupons from 1/10 SmartSource
Bottom line: $0.75
(Note: these varieties sometimes go on sale for $1 a box...)

Good Earth Tea
$3 each with booklet coupon (first 4)
Stack with $1/1 printable coupon (requires registration)
Bottom line: $2

Betty Crocker Cake Mix $1
$0.50/2 printable coupon when you buy cake AND frosting ($1.50)
Bottom line: $2 for both

Betty Crocker Frosting $1.50
$0.50/1 coupon from 2/7 SmartSource
$0.50/2 printable coupon when you buy cake ($1) AND frosting
Bottom line: $1

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $2
$0.75/2 coupon from 2/7 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1.63 each

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix $1.50
$0.40/1 printable coupon
Bottom line: $1.10

Betty Crocker Warm & Mini Delights $1.50
$0.50/1 coupon from 2/7 SmartSource
Bottom line: $1

Soda/Jolly Time Deal
Buy 3 Jolly Time Popcorn @ $2 each, get a Free 12-pack Big K Soda (with booklet coupon)
While this is not a good deal *yet*, it might be if we see any Jolly Time coupons "pop up" this month!

Free Freshpet Selected Cat Food!
With booklet coupon - page 15, bottom
(Limit one coupon per transaction)

Sara Lee Frozen Apple or Cherry Pie $2.69
$1/1 printable coupon (requires registration)
Bottom line: $1.69

El Monterey Tornados $1.99
$1/1 coupon from 12/06 SmartSource
Bottom line: $0.99

Egg Beaters $2.50
$1/1 ConAgra mailer coupon (if you requested and received it)

Hormel Pepperoni $3
$0.55/1 coupon from 1/24 SmartSource
Bottom line: $2.45

Tom's of Maine Toothpaste
$3 each with booklet coupon (first 4)
Stack with $1/1 printable coupon (if this variety is included)
Bottom line: $2

Organic Valley Half & Half $2.19 - $2.99
$2/2 tearpad coupons on the shelves
$1.19 - $1.99 each

Clairol Balsam Hair Color $2.50
$1/1 coupon from 3/7 P&G
Bottom line: $1.50

Rice-A-Roni or Pasta Roni
Buy 4, get 1 free with booklet coupon (first 5 including free items)
Stack with $1/3 coupon from 1/3 Red Plum

Challenge Butter
$2 each with booklet coupon (first 2)
$0.75/1 blinkies found in front of the butter at my store - HOT!
Bottom line: $1.25
(and this butter is normally $4.19 - score!)

Carapelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Buy one, get one free with booklet coupon
Stack with $1/1 coupon from 2/7 SmartSource
(Note: you might see if your store would accept two $1/1 manufacturers coupons on this deal!)

See weekly Fred Meyer deals here, and read about free Belgian chocolate at Fred Meyer here.

Morningstar $1 printable coupon

2010-03-10T07:25:38-08:00

Any Morningstar fans out there?

You might want to print this $1 off Morningstar printable coupon! I've personally had luck finding their items on low prices at Winco - usually hovering between $2 and $3. The last item I tried were their "BBQ riblets" and they were very yummy!

Thanks, Smart Couponing!

Vlog: freezer cooking with cod

2010-03-09T15:44:42-08:00

In today's post, my husband Terry and I are going to show you what we did last week with five pounds of cod.

A couple notes:
1. You'll notice in the first recipe that my breadcrumbs don't stick to the fish well. You can remedy this by coating your fish lightly in olive oil (I later completed my recipe doing this - did just the thing!).
2. Terry got RAVE reviews on his fish burrito recipe from the fire crew!! I also wanted to point out that he loves good, quality ingredients. If you save in one area, you can afford to spend on others. Even still, all his ingredients were purchased at Winco, and he didn't do too bad at all!

UPDATE! You can get the recipes we used HERE.

Stay tuned for more vlogs! I hope to have one up at least every couple weeks.You can watch this and my earlier vlog over on YouTube, and you can follow me there too!