Author: Philip

Lunch

For lunch we shared a Tuna, Capers and Swiss sandwich and a Turkey Breast, Swiss and Avocado sandwich, both toasted.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• The Sweet & Spicy Tuna pouch is 99 or 50c per serve
• The Avocado is 30c per serve
• Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 34c per serve
• Add 30c for butter, capers and garlic spread.

The toasted sandwiches were a nice variation, and the Dave’s Killer Bread is surprisingly good toasted, at $2.10 per serve.

Dinner

The Foodies were traveling to a conference starting early tomorrow, so we stayed part way there in Santa Cruz where we ate at at Riva on the Pier. Both Foodies had the Prawns and Scallops Monterey, which was a a little weird. A vegetable heavy, seafood broth that was unexpected. The Shrimp were a little tough, but otherwise it was a enjoyable. We each also had a bowl of Clam Chowder to start, which was great.

Not including the spicy-but-interesting Jalapeño Margarita the meal cost $30.55 per serve.

Lunch

We seem to be on a roll with the BLT variations. Today it was spinach left over from last night’s meal.

• The Spinach was $1.99 and we used 1/4, or 13c per serve
• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
  
• Two slices of bacon are $1.37 per serve
  
• The Tomato was $1.33 or 33c per serve
  
• Add 20c for Garlic Spread.

Still good for $2.69 per serve.

Dinner

The Black Pepper Beef stir-fry is another very simple dish that packs a lot of flavor.

• 1 lb of Keller Crafted ground beef is $8.25 or $4.13 per serve
• Bell Peppers were 79c or 40c per serve
• Chipotle powder adds 10c per serve
• Onion and garlic add 25c per serve
• Brown rice adds 44c per serve
• Add 50c for the other ingredients.

A satisfying meal for $5.82 per serve.

Lunch

Keeping with the theme of simple sandwiches with great ingredients with made sandwiches with Old Croc Cheddar and a Heirloom Tomato.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• The Tomato was $1.33 or 33c per serve
• The Old Croc is $4.99 and we used half, or $1.25 per serve
• Add 20c for Garlic Spread.

Another simple-but-great sandwich for $2.44 per serve.

Dinner

A new recipe for Meatless Monday Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo.

• Mushrooms were $2.49 or $1.25 per serve
• The Orzo was $1.75 or 44c per serve
• The Spinach was $1.99 and we used half, or 50 per serve
• Half and Half is $1.49 or 38c per serve
• Parmesan cost $5.49 and we used half , or 90c per serve
• Add 30c for other ingredients.

We quite enjoyed this meal, although it was quite filling and neither of us finished the meal. Good for $3.77 per serve.

Lunch

There’s nothing better than a well prepared, simple sandwich from quality ingredients, so today we had a basic BLT!

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• Two slices of bacon are $1.37 per serve
• The Tomato was $1.33 or 33c per serve
• The green mix adds 25c
• Add 20c for Garlic Spread.

A great sandwich for $2.81 per serve.

Dinner

We had success with smoking the thin cut Pork Chops in the past, so we repeated it tonight. First smoke the Pork Chops and then pan fry the to finish cooking. Served with an Apple Endive Salad it made for a great meal.

• The pork chops are $10.30 or $5.15 per serve
• The endive were $1.49 or 75c per serve
• The Envy apple was 48c or 24c peer serve
• Add 20c for dressing ingredients.

The smokiness really enhances the Pork Chops and the salad is a perfect accompaniment for $6.34.

Lunch

The French onion soup has already been accounted for because I thought we’d get four serves, and we have more than eight!

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 32c per serve.

A great lunch for 92c per serve.

Dinner

For tonight’s “Fishy Friday” we decided on Coconut Curry Mussels. The precooked Mussels make it easy.

• The pre-cooked Mussels were on special for $2.99 or $1.50 per serve
• We chose the more expensive Coconut Cream for $4.99 per can, or $2.50 per serve
• The Bell Pepper was $1.49, or 75c per serve
• Ginger was 24c, or 12c per serve
• Add 75c per serve for the other ingredients.

We were very glad we opted for the Coconut Cream. The thicker, richer texture and flavor definitely elevated this curry. The Mussels are a good, inexpensive protein that gets the dish on the table quickly. We really enjoyed it for $5.62 per serve.

It seemed like we were hardly back from Amsterdam and then off again to Colorado for a little more snow than the Foodies enjoyed. That also means a few more meals eaten out of the home than typical.

The averages for this month:

• Lunch prepared at home $2.46 ($2.88 in September)
• Lunch eaten or purchased outside the home: $15.53 ($10.39)
• Dinner eaten at home: $5.93 ($5.65)
• Dinner eaten out: $13.29 ($26.50).

Our lunches at home average in a fairly narrow band and this month is only a few cents per serve down from last month.

We ate nineteen meals prepared outside the home (mostly because we were traveling). Our most expensive meal for the month was French Onion Soup in Keystone for $25.52.

Our most expensive at home meal was the New York Strip Steak with Tomato and Avocado Salat at $12.44 per serve.

This month, lunches at home cost 16% of the cost of eating lunches prepared outside the home. Dinners at home cost 45% of those prepared outside the home.

Had we purchased every lunch and prepared none it would have cost us $484.53 per person in October. We actually spent $46.69 for lunches at home plus $155.25 for lunches purchased or eaten out:  $183.20 in total.

Had we purchased every evening meal out and prepared none at home, it would have cost us $411.99 per person. We actually spent $130.50 for dinners at home and $119.65 for dinners out, or $301.94 in total.

This month’s savings from preparing most of our food at home is $411.38 and we had a lot more control over what we eat.

Over the month we prepared 15 different recipes for evening meals, and had some decent Mexican in Keystone CO.

Breakfast

Our local developer hosted another of their regular food trucks with Foodie Philip having a Ham, Cheese & Egg Croissant while Foodie Greg had a Breakfast Bagel. We enjoyed both.

Dinner

With the cold winds around the Foodies decided it was soup weather, and what better way to start than with the classic French Onion Soup. This recipe makes at least four serves.

• Onions were $2.49 or 63c per serve
• Organic Stock was $4.98 or $1.25 per serve
• A cup of wine is 80c or 20c per serve
• The Panini Roll is 63c each
• The French Brie was $6.20 or $1.55 per serve.

A flavorsome, warming Soup that was enhanced by the Panini Roll and Brie, for $4.26 per serve.