Category: Daily recipe

Lunch

Because it was a gray, rainy day we put two Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout Pies in the oven, and heated some of the leftover Sweet Potato and Horseradish Mash.

• Trader Joe’s Steak and Stout pies are $6.49 for two or $3.25 per serve
• The Japanese sweet potato was $2.92, but we got five serves, one of which we shared today, or but we will get at least four serves, or 29c per serve.

Lunch today was satisfying for $3.54 per serve.

Dinner

While we’ve cooked Rhode Island Clam Chowder, it was before we started this record, so it’s new to The semiSerious Foodies! A non-dairy alternative to traditional clam chowders, the dairy is replaced by gelatin to provide unctuousness. We also substituted clam juice for chicken stock, because we had it left over from the smoked trout chowder, and to amp up the seafood flavor.

• The clams were $5.24 or $2.62 per serve
• The bacon ends and pieces were $4.49 and we used about 1/5, or 45c per serve
• Onions, carrot, garlic, celery and herbs add 60c per serve
• Half a cup of dry white wine adds 25c per serve
• The clam juice was $3.39 and we used ⅓ or 57c per serve
• Potatoes were 61c, or 30c per serve
• Gelatin is $2.69 and we used 1/6 or 23c per serve.

The clam chowder was very, very good. Great mouth feel from the gelatin and a lot of flavor from the clams and clam juice, for $5.02 per serve.

Lunch

Today’s toasted sandwiches started with a pouch of Lemon Pepper Salmon – the perfect amount for one sandwich – and a slice of gouda on one sandwich, with Heirloom tomato, gouda and mayo on the other.

• The salmon was $2.79 or $1.40 per serve
• Gouda slices are 12 for $3.99 or 33c per serve.
• Three heirloom tomatoes were $2.87 and we shared half of one, or 48c per serve
• Two slices of bread are 32c per serve
• Add 45c for mayo and butter.

We were uncertain how well the salmon would pair with gouda (or any cheese) but it worked well. Tomato and cheese is probably the most cliché toasted sandwich, but when done well, is incomparable. Two good sandwiches for $3.30 per serve.

Dinner

Time to slice up that meatloaf and fry it off to get great extra flavor thanks to the maillard reaction on the surface. Pressure cook some Japanese sweet potato, which is not as sweet and further balance the sweetness with some horseradish.

We took some of the greens from a supermarket salad and dressed them simply in vinegar and olive oil to provide a green touch. Mashed potato always calls for gravy!

• The meatloaf from two nights ago cost $6.55 per serve
• The Japanese sweet potato was $2.92 but we will get at least four serves, or 59c per serve
• The salad kit was $3.00 but we only used about 10% or 15c each
• The gravy was $1.79 or 90c per serve, although some leftover went into the mash for an extra kick.

The fried meatloaf is always good. The gravy and mashed sweet potato went well together, probably better than the gravy and meatloaf! All up a good meal for $8.33 per serve.

Lunch

A repeat of some favorite sandwiches, although the use of Swiss instead of cheddar turned out well.

• Two slices of bread are 32c per serve
• Three heirloom tomatoes were $2.87 and we shared 1/3 of one, or 32c per serve
• Add 45c for labné and butter
• The 1.25 lb of beef pastrami was $7.69 (32c an ounce), and we used two on the sandwich, or 64c per serve
• Add 33c for Wildbrine Madras Curry and Cauliflower Sauerkraut salad
• Gouda slices are 12 for $3.99 or 17c per serve.

Lunch today was tasty for $2.23 per serve.

Dinner

A favorite meatloaf is the Mushroom and Red Wine Meatloaf from Chowhound. Tonight we paired with  steamed sugar snap peas and baked kabocha squash.

The meatloaf will make four very generous serves, exactly the kind we like! Greg created a demiglace of reduced red wine and beef stock.

• The ground beef is $4.65 per serve
• Baby portobello mushrooms were $3.29 or 82c per serve
• Onions and garlic add 20c per serve
• Two large eggs are $1.00 or 25c per serve
• The butter is $3.99 per block, and we used about 3/8 for four serves, or 38c per serve
• Red wine adds $1.00 or 25c per serve
• Add 20c for Worcestershire sauce and other spices per serve
• The kabocha squash was $1.84 and we shared half, or 46c per serve
• The sugar snap peas were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve
• Red wine for the demiglace adds 50c per serve
• Beef stock fro the demiglace adds 50c per serve.

The meatloaf came out well for $6.55 per serve. The kabocha squash and snap peas add another $1.21 to the meal for a total of $8.76 withe the demiglace for a very, very generous portion of meatloaf and satisfying meal.

Lunch

A normal ‘Burbank’ Monday for Foodie Philip found him back at In and Out Burger for a Double Double Animal Style for $4.27.

Dinner

Our plan for meatloaf was postponed until tomorrow night due to the lack of defrosted ground beef, so we used the legs from the supermarket roast chicken and paired it with some roast kabocha squash and steamed sugar snap peas.

• The chicken leg is $1.75 per serve
• The kabocha squash was $1.84 and we shared half, or 46c per serve
• The sugar snap peas were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve.

Dinner tonight was simple, inexpensive and tasty for $2.96 per serve

Lunch

Sunday lunch offers the opportunity to do something special. Today we reheated some of the remaining Mexican ‘chili’, layered it on a baked tostada and topped with a fried onion, and some salsa.

• The tostadas are 22 for $2.29 or 21c per serve
• Pastured eggs are 55c each or $1.10 per serve
• The salsa is $2.99 and we used 29c worth per serve
• We split one $3.70 serve of the Mexican ‘chili’ leftovers, or $1.85 per serve.

Lunch today had a good balance of crunch, spice from the salsa along with the meatiness of the chili topped off by the egg yolk drizzling though the meat. Really good for $3.45 per serve.

Dinner

Dinner was a do-over of last night’s choucroute for $4.71 per serve.

Lunch

We thought about burritos for lunch, but a Bahn Mi is only 2 more minutes away, and we like them a whole lot more, so Pork Bahn Mi for lunch at $8.50 per serve.

Dinner

The best way to enjoy sauerkraut is definitely in a Choucroute Garnie: sauerkraut, potatoes, carrot slow simmered with your choice of porky products. We paired it with Trader Joe’s Oktoberfest Bratwurst and prepared Pork Belly, two more pork products for our ‘day of pork.’

The recipe makes four portions.

• The bratwurst are $3.49 for the pack, or 87c per serve
• The Pork Belly is $6.49 or $1.63 per serve
• The sauerkraut is $2.99 a pack or 75c per serve
• The carrots were 50c or 13c per serve
• Potatoes add 53c per serve
• The onion, garlic, bay leaf and juniper berries add another 26c per serve
• White wine adds another 54c per serve.

Dinner tonight was tasty, warming and filling for just $4.71 per serve.

Lunch

A trip to Jon’s Market always results in a BBQ chicken (because they have the best) and a baguette. Today we also were able to get heirloom tomatoes for a ridiculous $1.50 per pound: cheaper than regular! We added some grated carrot and watercress for a more interesting sandwich.

• The chicken is $6.99 and we shared a breast or 88c per serve
• Three heirloom tomatoes were $2.87 and we shared half of one, or 48c per serve
• Watercress was 79c for the bunch and we used 1/4 or 10c per serve
• The baguette is $2.79 and we shared half for lunch, or 70c per serve
• Add 10c for grated carrot
• Add 20c for mayo.

The basic sandwich is a favorite and the extra ingredients added a little more depth for $2.46 per serve.

Dinner

Massaman Curry is a staple in cold weather because it is so rich and filling. Tonight we dropped the potato from the recipe and served without rice, as we had fresh baguette to dip in the delicious broth!

Beef Sirloin steak still in the freezer from our meat delivery and while  beef massaman curry isn’t a conventional use, it works well. We use a curry base we buy from Amazon for this simple, quick meal for two.

• The top sirloin steak was $13.43 or $6.72 per serve
• The curry is $3.38 per can or $1.69 per serve
• Coconut milk is $1.69 per can or 85c per serve
• Peanuts were $2.99 but we only used half, or 75c per serve
• Peal onion adds 20c per serve
• Carrots add 15c per serve
• The baguette is $2.79 and we shared half for lunch, or 70c per serve.

Tonight’s dinner was $11.06 per serve and very tasty, as always.

Lunch

Now that the ham is gone, it’s on to finding new lunch ideas. Today we took Trader Joe’s Gyro slices, heated them in the panini press and combined with hummus and tabouli on a wholemeal wrap. Yum.

• The fully cooked sliced gyro/yeros meat is $3.99 per 10oz pack. There are really four serves, so $1.00 per serve.
• The flatbread is 50c per serve
• Hummus is $3.99 per container and we used about 1/6 or 33c per serve
• We served 1/2 of the tabouli salad or 67c per serve.

Lunch today was tasty, filling and only $2.50 per serve.

Dinner

A long time favorite has been a salmon chowder, but tonight we tried a smokey fish version using smoked trout, that we now think is better than the salmon version!

We prepared half the recipe so we used both serves tonight.

• The rainbow trout fillets are $7.49 or $3.75 per serve
• Three slices of bacon are $$2.05 or $1.03 per serve
• Onion, leek and celery add 35c per serve
• The clam juice was $3.39 and we used ⅓ or 57c per serve
• The organic red potatoes were $1.25 or 63c per serve
• Heavy cream was $1.79 and we used half or 45c per serve.

We really liked this chowder. The smoked trout carries more flavor than salmon or canned fish and made a great meal for $6.78. Foodie Philip added a rustic roll for 63c more, but it was really too much and unnecessary.