Apr 12: Crisp Bread Ploughman’s Lunch; Vegetarian Biryani

Lunch

We repeated the Crisp Bread Ploughman’s Lunch to use up the remaining Apple & Cheddar.

  • The Rye Crispbread was $3.29 for a pack of 20, or 33c per serve
  • The Irish Cheddar was $3.49 and we used about 60%, or $1.05 per serve
  • Branston Pickle was $13.31 for the jar, and we used about 1/5th, or $1.33 per serve
  • Apple adds 20c per serve
  • Pickled Onion adds 10c per serve.

A simple, but good meal, for $3.01 per serve.

Dinner

We had Vegetarian Biryani from Trader Joes for $2.69 per serve. It had a lot of flavor and a non-heat spiciness that was appealing.

Apr 11: Crisp bread Ploughman’s Lunch; Turkey Bacon Chipotle Meatloaf with Tex-Mex Pinto Beans, Coleslaw and Turkey Gravy

Lunch

We used the full Rye Crispbread with Branston Pickle, Cheddar, Apple and Pickled Onions to make a variation on a Ploughman’s Lunch.

  • The Rye Crispbread was $3.29 for a pack of 20, or 33c per serve
  • The Irish Cheddar was $3.49 and we used about 60%, or $1.05 per serve
  • Branston Pickle was $13.31 for the jar, and we used about 1/5th, or $1.33 per serve
  • Apple adds 20c per serve
  • Pickled Onion adds 10c per serve.

A simple, but good meal, for $3.01 per serve.

Dinner

A long-awaited return to the Turkey Bacon Chipotle Meatloaf. We created this recipe, with the addition of half a can of chipotle and it’s pretty good. Tonight’s result was particularly light in texture and made four serves.

  • Ground turkey cost $3.59 or 90c per serve
  • Bacon adds 60c per serve
  • A can of chipotle is $1.50 and we used half, or 38c per serve
  • Add 65c for onion, breadcrumbs and seasonings
  • The gravy was $1.69 we used the remaining half for 22c per serve
  • The Pinto Beans were $2.25 or $1.13 per serve
  • The Coleslaw Mix was $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve
  • We made our own Dressing from Mayonnaise and Apple Cider Vinegar for 40c per serve.

This is Foodie Philip’s favorite Meatloaf and a very tasty one it is, for $4.78 per serve.

Apr 10: Lamb Gyro; Ham “Cobb” Salad

Lunch

We weren’t anywhere near New York Chicken and Gyro, but we decided to drive down and pick up one of our favorite lunches: the Lamb Gyro for $8.17 per serve with tax and tip.

Dinner

We still have a little Ham so we did a Cobb Salad substituting the Ham for both Chicken and Bacon.

  • We shared a serve of Ham for 10c per serve
  • Blue Cheese Crumbles add 44c per serve
  • Pastured Medium Eggs are 32c per serve
  • Lettuce adds 35c per serve
  • Avocados were 49c or 25c per serve
  • We used semi dried Cherry Tomatoes for 60c per serve
  • Add 40c for Olive Oil and Balsamic Glaze.

We think the Ham is a good substitute in a Cobb as this was very tasty and worked well together for $2.46 per serve,

Apr 9: Viva La Fiesta; Pasta Puttanesca with White Anchovies

Brunch

The Foodies met a dear friend for an early lunch in an outdoor setting at Viva La Fiesta. Foodie Greg had Fajitas while Foodie Philip had Pork Enchiladas Verdes, which was very good. Our friend paid for lunch.

Dinner

Puttanesca – a.k.a. slut spaghetti – is a quick and easy meal, mostly from cans, topped with White Anchovy

  • Anchovies for the sauce are $1.59 a can, or 40c per serve
  • Garlic and seasonings add about 10c per serve
  • The pasta was $2.99 but we used half, or 75c per serve
  • The White Anchovies were $3.19 or $1.60 per serve.
  • A can of Tomatoes is 49c or 25c per serve
  • The Green olives come in a $4.49 jar, and we used half, or $1.25 per serve.

The White Anchovies are very mild in taste, so good for those like Foodie Greg, who are not big on strong fishy flavors. The Lentil Pasta didn’t have a great texture, but otherwise the meal was tasty for $4.35 per serve.

Apr 8: Panini Roll with Apple & Delice de Bourgogne; Cambodian Hot and Sour Beef Salad

Lunch

We’re really enjoying the Delice de Bourgogne (Trader Joes) and Apple combo, today in a hot Panini Roll.

  • The Panini Roll is 63c
  • The Delice de Bourgogne was $5.38 and we shared ½, or $1.35 per serve
  • Apple adds 20c per serve.

We even got to eat this very tasty, and $2.18 meal, outside in the sun.

Dinner

Thursday night’s ‘Steak Night’ is a return to the Cambodian Hot and Sour Beef Salad, as it’s been a while since we last had it.

  • The NY Strip was $16.07 for two steaks, or $4.02 per serve
  • Limes were 49c for two but we shared one, or 13c per serve
  • Mint was from our garden
  • Lettuce adds 60c per serve
  • Spring Onions we grow
  • The Bell Pepper was 64c or 32c per serve
  • Instead of a Chili we used some Sweet Chili Sauce, which adds 20c per serve
  • Add 30c for Fish Sauce and other ingredients.

This is a flavor sensation. No wonder it’s a favorite for $5.57 per serve.

Apr 7: Chorizo, Bell Pepper & Smokey Cheddar; Beer Bratwurst with Choucroute

Lunch

A return to a favorite sandwich.

  • Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • Smokey Cheddar is 68c per serve
  • The Chorizo was $$5.75 after all discounts and we half, or $1.44 per serve
  • Add 50c for Garlic Spread
  • Fire Roasted Peppers cost $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve.

Putting these ingredients together transforms the sandwich into something completely of itself for $3.86 per serve.

Dinner

We served the remaining Choucroute with some Aldi Beer Bratwurst.

  • Beer Bratwurst were $4.49 or $2.25 per serve
  • Choucroute adds 33c per serve
  • Carrots add 45c per serve.

A tasty and satisfying meal for $3.23 per serve

Apr 6: Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich; Beef Massaman Curry

Lunch

A spur of the moment decision had us drive down and pick up a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches & Fries from Skewers Hallaal for $8.75 per serve. Skewers Halaal is the only take out place we visit for more than one dish, so I guess it counts as our favorite restaurant.

Dinner

Foodie Greg purchased some Pasture Raised Stew Beef from Whole Foods as the basis for Beef Massaman Curry.

  • The Stew Beef was $5.08, or $2.54 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
  • White Carrots were $1.99 to $1.00 per serve
  • Peal onion adds 30c per serve.

Tonight we took the extra step of defatting the dish before serving, which gave it a better mouth feel. As always a great meal for $7.13 per serve.

Apr 5: Leg Ham, Smokey Cheddar and Kumato; Soba Soup with Poached Eggs

Lunch

Since we had the Leg Ham, we went classic.

  • Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • Leg Ham adds 10c per serve
  • Smokey Cheddar is 34c per serve
  • The Kumato were $3.69 for six, and we had one each, or 62c per serve.

A pretty tasty sandwich for $1.80 per serve.

Dinner

Our Meatless Monday tonight is a simple Soba Soup with Poached Eggs.

  • Soba Noodles are $3.29 and we used about ⅓ or 55c per serve
  • Pastured Medium Eggs are 34c each or an average of 51c per serve
  • The Bok Choy was $2.48, and we used 1/5th, or 25c per serve
  • Add $1.00 per server for Bone Broth
  • Add 40c for Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce and other ingredients.

Tasty and filling for $2.71 per serve.

Apr 4: Brioche Bagel with Leg Ham, Smokey Cheddar, Spinach & Scrambled Eggs; Shredded Lamb with Mint and Preserved Lemon, with Sweet Potato Tray Bake

Lunch

Our Sunday lunches tend toward Eggs in one form or another. Today we shared a toasted Brioche Bagel topped with Leg Ham, Smokey Cheddar and Scrambled Eggs with Spinach.

  • The Brioche Bagel is 58c, or 29c per serve
  • Leg Ham is 10c per serve
  • The Eggs are 34c each or $1.02 per serve
  • Smokey Cheddar is 34c per serve
  • Spinach adds 30c per serve.

A tasty sandwich on a relaxed Sunday lunch for $2.05 per serve.

Dinner

Nigella’s Shredded Lamb Salad with Pomegranate has been a favorite of ours, and indeed, our whole family. Tonight we decided on a variation featuring our Preserved Meyer Lemon and Mint.

  • The Lamb Shoulder Blade Chops were $8.88 or $4.44 per serve
  • The Sweet Potato Halloumi Bake is $2.34 per serve
  • Mint and Preserved Lemon were free
  • Add 30c for Onion and seasoning.

A very tasty meal for $7.08 per serve.

Apr 3: Baguette with Apple & Delice de Bourgogne; Sous Vide Ham with Choucroute Garnie

Lunch

We finished the Baguette today, but not the Delice de Bourgogne!

  • The Baguette was $1.59 or 40c per serve
  • The Delice de Bourgogne was $5.38 and we shared ½, or $1.35 per serve
  • Apple adds 20c per serve.

Very, very good for $1.95 per serve.

Dinner

Aldi had Ham at 69c per pound, which isn’t quite the 49c/lb bargain at Christmas, but still definitely a loss leader!

  • The Ham is 55c per serve
  • Carrots were 51c, or 13c per serve
  • The Sauerkraut was $1.29and we’ll get four serves of the Choucroute, or 33c per serve
  • Fingerling Potatoes were 34c per serve
  • The Dressing ingredients add 35c per serve
  • Add 40c for Blue Cheese Mustard.

The Ham came out perfectly juicy and the Choucroute is, as always, a great side. An enjoyable meal for $2.10 per serve.