A loss leader is a gimmick a business uses to get you in the door to spend money. We use the term mostly for grocery chains but lots of businesses use this technique. In essence, the business will sell you something at a loss in the hopes you’ll make up for it by buying other products.
In my area the local Costco does this with rotisserie chickens which they sell for $4.99. In this economy that’s a great deal and Costco most likely pays more for the chicken than they sell it for. Other stores by you will have similar deals – usually a $7 range. This is a frugal living tip to save you some money using theor desire to suck you in.
No matter if you can get the ultra cheap $4.99 Costco chicken or a slightly more expensive one you can turn this purchase into at least 14 servings. Now, these are going to be poor people servings, meaning you’re not going to get up from a table full. But you will make ends meet.
First get your chicken home and process it, gymbro style. I personally shred all the chicken off the carcass and divide it into playing card deck sized portions which I then put into Tupperware containers with a small amount of either beans or rice. I’ll usually get 8-9 portions like this. I will heat these up and put serve in a bowl with taco sauce or whatever.
Then I use the bones to make a broth. I basically wing it but here’s the recipe I work from – You’ll need:
About six cups of water. I sometimes use more.
One onion
Salt and pepper.
And of course the bones.
I roast the bones for 30 minutes or so at 450. Then I add them to the water, add the other ingredients and boil. Once you get a good boil going reduce to simmering then strap in – you’ll be here a few hours. Some people say four but I can get by with 2 or so.
On occasion there will be a “scum” as people call it on the surface. Skim this, you don’t want it.
When done strain the broth into clean containers and put in the fridge. I usually get 5-8 servings of this. If you keep it in the fridge you’ll want to use it that week but you can freeze broth for longer. I’ve never done that so I don’t know how long it will last. I make soup with it by adding one serving to more water and veggies. I sometimes also use it over rice but you get more bang for you buck if you make soups.
So except for the onion and rice or beans, you don’t have to buy anything but this loss leader chicken for several decent, if not hearty, meals. Not bad in this economy.
Got cheap eating recipes of your own? Send them to me on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/oldtimeypistolero/
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Author Rob Taylor
