dark chicken

dark chicken (i.e., thighs and drumsticks) are very affordable.  at our neighborhood Smart&Final, entire legs are sold for $1.39/lb, regular price.  when there is a sale, then the price drops, usually $.79/lb, but today to $.59/lb for just the thighs (drumsticks were available separately for $.89/lb).  it comes with skin and bones, but that's an added bonus.

we'll each about 2 lbs. of the chicken over 2 meals (dinner, and lunch the next day)  after you remove skin, bone, and account for shrinkage, that's about 1 lb of actual chicken.  so, that's $1.20 a day for chicken.  i'll followup with some different ways that we cook the chicken

we will also take the excess chicken skin & fat, and render it.  which gives us 2 things
- rendered chicken fat.  adds a great flavor to any sautéed vegetables, and also means we don't have to buy cooking oil
- cracklins.  crispy, crunchy, great tasting.  perfect substitute for bacon bits, or an flavor addition to any dish.