How to Eat in New Zealand for Under $100 a Week

“If I check 'McNuggetted' [when asked how he'd like his chicken prepared], d'you think they'll let me have two different dippin' sauces? I like hot mustard for the first bite, but I like to chase it with a little honey on the second bite. You know, it's like having a small meal followed by a tiny dessert every ten to fifteen seconds.” ~Randy, from My Name is Earl, Episode: “Joy's Wedding”

Did we ever mention to you that during the week-and-a-half we were exploring the North Island, we lived off of peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches and trail mix? There were a couple of meals where this wasn't the case; at Robyn's, on The Rock, and with Ricky, but by and large, we had a LOT of PB&J and trail mix. Also, oranges.

April is officially the month of the chicken nugget. We have been going to the supermarket once a week and getting items that are used to make primarily four meals:

1-Chicken Nugget Sandwiches
2-Chicken Nugget Salad
3-Chicken Nuggets, and
4-Pies

To anyone out there who likes to cook, we are publishing four recipes for you, so you can have what we're having. Feel free to print and save.


Chicken Nugget Sandwiches
Ingredients:
6 Frozen Chicken Nuggets
4 Leaves Lettuce
1 Tomato, sliced
4 Slices $0.99 Bread
4 Slices Cheese cut from wicked big block.

What to Do:
Bake nuggets in oven for 15 minutes on 200-degrees C (or, 400-degrees F), turning each one over once halfway through the time**. While these are heating, lay bread out and top half the pieces with cheese, the other half with lettuce and tomato slices distributed evenly among the two slices. Lay hot nuggets on top of the cheese, three nuggets to a slice. Close bread together and enjoy!

Serves 2. No Seconds or Leftovers.


Chicken Nugget Salad
Ingredients:
6 Frozen Chicken Nuggets
½ Head of Lettuce, cut up
1 Tomato, diced
¼ cup Cheese, shredded or diced
¼ cup Croutons
¼ cup Salami, diced
2 Eggs, hard boiled
Salt & Pepper and Dressing to taste

What to Do:
Clearly, from the number of ingredients alone, this recipe will be far more complex than the last one! It is actually very simple. Bake nuggets in oven for 15 minutes on 200-degrees C (or, 400-degrees F), turning each one over once halfway through the time**. While these are heating, unshell and slice up the eggs. Put eggs, salami and cheese in a bowl and set aside. Mix tomatoes and lettuce in a large bowl. Watch UK Who Wants to be a Millionaire? or scare the dog while waiting for the nuggets, which can feel like a lot longer than 15 minutes. Hopefully a rugby game is on. Dice up the nuggets and put in bowl with eggs, cheese, and salami. Two minutes before eating, combine all ingredients in larger bowl, season, and serve. Use only one fork and pass the bowl between you as you eat.

Serves 2. No Seconds or Leftovers.


Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients:
A Bunch of Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Ketchup

What to Do:
Bake nuggets in oven for 15 minutes on 200-degrees C (or, 400-degrees F), turning each one over once halfway through the time**. When done, scoop onto paper plate with ketchup (or, if none is available, 'toma(h)to sauce' would be fine) and enjoy.
Serves Many or Few. Seconds and Leftovers Depend on if you Have a Microwave and/or Free Time.


Pies
Ingredients:
1 Frozen Pie per Person, any kind. The best are steak and cheese, mince, and chicken and vegetable, though egg and cheese was good, too, the one time we had it.

What to Do:
Bake pies on cookie sheet in oven for 20-30 minutes at 200-degrees C (or, 400-degrees F)**. Enjoy.

Serves up to 6, the Number of Pies in the Package From Pak-n-$ave.


**Apparently, by law, none of the food in New Zealand shall be permitted to come with heating instructions on the label or packaging. These temperatures and times are all estimates and may vary by oven.

It should be noted that this is not a sad thing – we actually crave dinner every night!

Happy dining Everybody!