" I loved Melissa's summation of the recipe's cost components. She said " I can't believe you can cook all this chicken for only $5, and the slaw for under $4, and the crispy potatoes for a dollar!" Yeah Melissa, neither can I.

Try pricing fennel at the supermarket. Melissa says while not a traditionally budget item, it's not really expensive, though it doesn't really ever go on sale. Not expensive? Usually around $2.99 per lb. And you can't buy the 3/4 pound bulb without another pound of attached fronds, so that bunch she showed was over $5 all by itself. 5 bucks for the fennel, another 80 cents for red cabbage, mayo, scallions, and vinegar. 4 bucks, no way!

" thanks riverwilson for the tip on the pizza dough at Foggia's. I get deli sandwiches there all the time.