Whole Foods Market Hack Challenge

Yesterday I expressed my love (obsession) for Whole Foods Market. And today, I am going to show you — in great detail and delicious food — exactly why their store rocks my low-sodium world.

As a part of the Whole Foods Market Hacks challenge, I was tasked with the task of creating TWO MEALS A DAY to feed the THREE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY all for $125. Or in other words roughly 42 PLATES OF FOOD FOR $3 DOLLARS EACH. Got that? And let’s be honest, while I keep to a strict low-sodium diet, I do not keep to small (slash: normal) portion sizes. Sometimes I eat steak the size of my face.

So tiny plates of romaine for dinner or a mug of soup just wasn’t going to do. I wanted big meals, with lots of components, and tons of flavor. No skimping. No bowls of rice. And even though I have a lot of greens and frozen vegetables at home, I wanted to do this challenge right. Which meant I bought everything I needed for the week, fresh. No using what was in my cupboards, my fridge, or my counters (aside from spices and oils and flour). Everything else was purchased with that $125 gift certificate, from the couscous to the frozen peas.

And guess what? Not only is it totally, completely, unbelievably possible to make all those meals, complete with sauces and sides, for under $125. I made them for under $100, with tons of ingredients to spare. Literally, I am still eating leftovers and finding ways to use up my produce and grains a week later. And while I could have bought a steak the size of my face or a really nice bottle of wine with the remaining bucks, I decided to put it towards another amazing Whole Foods Market product: the Whole Kids Foundation. Because nothing tastes sweeter than giving everyone the opportunity (and education!) to eat well.

So with that intro, let me present to you some shopping advice and a week’s worth of meals. All for under $100. And keep an eye out for opportunities to win a $25 Whole Foods Market gift card below. Simply answer one of the highlighted How Do You Hack? questions in the comment section and five winners will chosen at random and announced on Friday, September 26 (winners have been chosen, thank you!) With that, grab your reusable bag and let’s go shopping! I mean, let’s get hacking.

A Whole Lot of Deals

Even though I think of myself as a savvy shopper, I took up Whole Foods Market on the offer of a value tour, where I learned some pretty incredible tips on how to not only pick the best and most flavorful products, but keep those receipts ridiculously low.

Look for deals: So this is pretty obvious when it comes to smart shopping. But what surprised me was the insane number of incredible deals WFM has everyday. I bought five avocados for $5 dollars! Four large carrots for $.99. Two red bell peppers for $3. And a dozen eggs for $4.49. I mean, my biggest splurge was on cherry tomatoes at $3.99 per basket. And even the specialty, low-sodium items, like the 365 Brand No-Salt-Added Beans, were a part of their Everyday Deals program and came in at a whopping $1.69 for one can. So don’t forget to look for the incredible Every Day Deal steals and the special one-day deals they have every Wednesday and Friday (which they tend to post on their Facebook page!).

Make a plan, then make swaps: Before even going to the store, it’s really helpful to create a list of the recipes and ingredients you need for the week. But when you get there, if couscous is cheaper than quinoa or red peppers are on sale, don’t be afraid to switch things up to get more bang for your buck!

Go big with the bird: Buying a whole chicken at the beginning of the week not only means many, many tasty chicken recipes in the days to come. But it is a whole lot cheaper than buying individual pieces. My Every Day Deal 4.5 pound chicken was only $11.33! Plus, you get the bones for stock and even the giblets for pates and pastas, if you’re adventurous. So roast that bird whole and carve on your own. Or ask the friendly WFM butcher to break it down. How do You Hack: Tell us how will you stretch your next bird (or other protein)!

Get what you need: Whether you’re at the bulk bins or the meat counter, get the exact amount of food you need for your recipe and your budget. If you only have $10 to spend on meat or fish, the butcher will gladly help you pick the right size and the right cut to maximize your buck. They’ll even marinate or filet at no extra charge!

Ask for half: Did you know you can ask your helpful Whole Foods Market employee to cut produce in half (or whatever size you need)? Um, YES! If you only want the bulb of that butternut squash or a quarter of the watermelon, they can slice it for you. And don’t worry, nothing goes to waste. Leftovers get used in the prepared food items or the pre chopped veggies.

Add bulk with bulk bins: Beans and grains not only work well as sides, but they also help stretch your protein purchases throughout the week. Add lentils to stews (and curries!) or quinoa to meatballs and burger patties to make more from less. And don’t be afraid to try something new. Grab a cup of freekeh or wheat berries from the bulk bin and give it a go. How do You Hack: Tell us what recipe you will bulk up with the bulk bins.

Keep it seasonal: The seasonal produce will always be the more price-friendly choice.

Choose frozen: But when you want something not in season, don’t forget the freezer section! These days you’ll find more than peas and carrots. Stock up on chard and kale and mushrooms, to name a few delicious things. And remember that frozen fish will often be lower in price too.

Multi-purpose: When planning your meals, look for ways to stretch ingredients. For example, if you want to make a polenta casserole, also make cornmeal crusted fish and “polenta muffins.” Or if you buy a can of coconut milk, use it in smoothies, soups, sauces, and even as whipped cream. See how many different ways you can use one single ingredient. It will not only stretch your budget, but your creativity. How do You Hack: Tell us about your favorite multi-purpose ingredient and how you use it.

Stretch those herbs: A few sprigs of cilantro or a sprinkle of dill will add tons of bright color and flavor to even the simplest dishes. So pick one or two bushels of fresh herbs and find ways to use them throughout the week. It’s an easy way to not only perk up your dinners but also your leftovers (or best overs).

Do the prep: Start the week off right by doing meal prep on the weekend. Roasting a whole chicken, chopping up vegetables, and even baking a (super easy!) loaf of bread will make lunch and dinnertime a snap.

A Whole Lot of Meals

And now for the part you’ve all been waiting for: the meal plan! As I said before, the following dishes not only fed my family of three for seven days, lunch and dinner. It also lasted well into the next week. All for under $100. And while I only have a few recipes posted below, I will surely be posting the others throughout the next few weeks. But if you are in need of more inspiration for your own cooking adventures, the Whole Foods Market newsletter has plenty of dishes, ideas, and recipes to choose from. All found here. So dig in and enjoy.

SUNDAY DINNER: Roasted Chicken with Roasted Roots and Herbed Couscous

Makes Two Full Adult Plates, 1 Mini Person Plate, and a Lot of Leftovers

• 1 1/2 cups frozen butternut squash
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half
• 1/2 white onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 salt-free guajillo chili or chipotle  powder
• Freshly ground black pepper
• One 4 chicken, patted dry inside and out with giblets removed
• 1 cup dry couscous
• 1 lemon
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Remove top oven racks so only the lower one remains. Preheat oven to 450dg F.

Place the squash, carrot, garlic, and onion into a large roasting pan. Then place the roasting rack on top.

In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and a few sprinkles of black pepper. Place the chicken breast side up on top of the roasting rack and rub it with a few drizzles of olive oil. Then rub the bird with spice mix, front and back. And finally, starting at the back end cavity, work your fingers under the skin separating it from the meat. Do this for as much as the chicken as possible, including the legs- it will help keep the skin nice and crispy.

Place the roasting dish into the oven and immediately lower the heat to 400dg F. Cook the chicken for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh reads 165dg F (or the juices run dry). Transfer the chicken to a carving board and cover the root vegetables with foil to keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan, bring a cup of water to boil. Add the couscous, remove the sauce pan from the heat, and put the lid on top. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then use a fork to stir and fluff the couscous. Transfer the couscous to a serving bowl. Then zest the lemon directly into the couscous. Cut the lemon in half and juice one half (saving the other for your goddess dressing!). Stir the lemon juice into the couscous. Then add a few pinches of black pepper and the cilantro, gently tossing until well combined.

To serve, put about 1/2 cup of couscous on each plate, saving the rest for the Couscous Corn Salad. Then carve the chicken into breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings. Either choose the breasts or the thighs for dinner and save the rest of the parts (including the back bone and all the meat on it) for the many chicken dishes to come. Leftover chicken will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

MONDAY LUNCH: Couscous Corn Salad with Broccoli Goddess Dressing

Leftover couscous makes the perfect base for a weekday salad (or an evening side). Add in frozen corn and a simple broccoli avocado goddess dressing (made from the leftover lemon, 1/4 avocado, frozen broccoli, and Greek yogurt). And you’ll have a dish worth eating al desko or al fresco.

MONDAY DINNER: Chicken and Lentil Curry

Use the chicken backbone from Sunday (and all that meat stuck to it) to make a savory stock. Add in more of the frozen butternut squash, one carrot, some cherry tomatoes, and red lentils for extra “meaty” bulk. Finish it with 1/3 of the coconut milk–saving the rest for your Roasted Red Pepper Sauce and the creamy fat for Coconut Whipped Cream. 

LUNCH: Avocado Toast with Nectarine and Chicken Legs and Wings

If you think spreading avocado on toast is easy, just wait until you try this no-knead bread recipe (just leave out the salt and put in some dried herbs or salt-free garlic powder). You should be making it every week. So you can eat avocado nectarine toast every day.

TUESDAY DINNER: Kale Strata

Make big croutons out of your no-knead bread and then mix with eggs, Greek yogurt, kale ribbons, some frozen broccoli or peas, and spices for a savory strata.

WEDNESDAY LUNCH: Vegetable Strata with Corn Tomato Salsa

Make second-day strata something special with a simple corn and tomato salsa.

WEDNESDAY DINNER: Pulled Chicken and Pickled Carrot Tacos

Use two forks to break up the the breast or the thigh meat (whatever you didn’t eat on Sunday) and then mix with spices. Shred leftover carrots and let them soak in apple cider vinegar overnight for a quick pickle. Then serve with Greek yogurt. Sliced avocado. Toasted tortillas. And shredded cabbage (just make sure to save some of the top cabbage leaves for your Turkey Wraps later in the week).

THURSDAY LUNCH: Rice and Leftover Lentil Curry

A little rice or couscous transforms leftover lentil curry into lunch for two. And some for the mini munchkin, as well.

THURSDAY DINNER: Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce and Massaged Kale Salad

Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia

Makes Two Full Adult Plates and 1 Mini Person Plate

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 large egg white
• 2 tilapia filets (only $9.99 per lb!)
• 1 teaspoon salt-free garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Vegetable oil

Combine flour and cornmeal in a shallow dish. Then mix the water and egg white in a second shallow dish, stirring to mix. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix the spices and then rub them on both sides of fish.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. With your left hand, dip one filet into the egg mixture. Shake gently to get rid of the excess egg and then place the filet in cornmeal mixture, using your right hand to coat the entire piece of fish. Repeat with the second filet. Then carefully transfer the filets to the hot oil. Cook for 4 minutes per side and use a fish spatula to remove the filets to two plates. Serve with massaged kale salad and a Coconut Roasted Red Pepper Sauce.

FRIDAY LUNCH: Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Brown half a pound of turkey meat with spices (I bought one pound for $4.99, what?). Cut half of a red pepper into matchsticks for some color. Slice some avocado and green onion for extra crunch and flair. Put all the fillings in a to-go container, with some lime wedges, and make your wraps when it’s time to lunch.

FRIDAY DINNER: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Use one cup of cornmeal to make a big batch of polenta. Then cut a red pepper in half, removing the seeds. Mix one cup of the cooked couscous with frozen corn, some thawed and chopped frozen broccoli, and lots of spice. Fill the pepper with the cornmeal mixture and bake at 400dg F for 30 minutes. If you can handle a little extra sodium, a little bit of parmesan or panko breadcrumbs on top will go a long way. Just remember to transfer the remaining polenta into a square or rectangle container, smoothing out the top before refrigerating.

SATURDAY BRUNCH: Polenta Kale Eggs Benedict

In place of the English muffin, use a round pastry cutter to make two thick circles from the day-old polenta. Heat some oil in a hot skillet and add the polenta rounds, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Top with leftover massaged kale salad and a poached egg.

SATURDAY DINNER: Pasta with Broccoli Pesto Turkey Bean Ragu

First, look for dry pasta on sale, like this amazing quinoa pasta that was only $4 for 2 whole bags. Then mix some frozen broccoli with traditional pine nuts and basil for a slightly earthier, herbier, and definitely healthier pesto sauce. Finish it with a ragù made from the other half of that ground turkey thigh (or whatever ground meat is on sale) and some creamy 365 Brand No-Salt-Added Cannelloni Beans for a rich weekend dinner.

SUNDAY BRUNCH:  Baked Pasta with Egg

There’s nothing I love more for breakfast that the crispy crunch of baked pasta. It’s texture heaven. Simply divide leftovers between two small oven-safe dishes and cook at 400dg F for ten minutes, or until the pasta begins to get brown. Crack one egg into each dish and cook until the egg whites harden, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market. However, the opinions, recipes, and genuine love of the store and their products are my own. Winners have been chosen, thank you.