Sep 1: Gyro; Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Miso Butter Mushrooms

Lunch

A shopping trip had us near our favorite Gyro outlet New York Chicken and Gyro where we picked our Gyros for $8.17 per serve with tax and tip.

Dinner

Today was our swapped-out Meatless Monday, and we had Soba Noodle Broth Bowl with Miso Butter Mushrooms.

  • The Mushrooms were $3.99 or $2.00 per serve
  • Edamame was $2.29 and we used half or $1.15 per serve
  • Broth was $1.99 or $1.00 per serve
  • An egg is 51c per serve
  • Soba Noodles are $3.29 and we used about ⅓ or 55c per serve
  • Add 30c per serve for other ingredients.

This turned out really well. The Mushrooms became quite meaty and the broth flavorsome. A good meal for $5.51 per serve.

August 2020: Summary and Observations

Pandemic isolation continues so there was no eating out, but we did take-out for an evening meal. This was the first restaurant prepared evening meal since March. We chose Gus’ BBQ because we figured BBQ would travel well for the 10 minutes it took to get it home and on the table.

We have narrowed our range of take-out meals to those that travel well enough to not be compromised. We added Mr Fish and Chips in Simi Valley because we can merge it with an Aldi trip. In vented containers the Fish and Chips weren’t significantly compromised.

The averages for this month:

  • Lunch prepared at home $2.71 ($2.71 in July)
  • Lunch eaten or purchased outside the home: $8.47 ($8.47)
  • Dinner eaten at home: $5.71 ($4.71)
  • Dinner prepared in a restaurant $17.70 (NA)

Our lunches at home average in a fairly narrow band and this month’s average is slightly down, but within normal variation.

We ate six lunches and one dinner, of 64 meals in the month, that were prepared outside the home. 

Our most expensive meal of the month was the  Dry Aged New York Strip with Slow Cooked Broccoli at $14.12. Our evening meal average cost is right in the middle of the expected range.

Although Gus’ BBQ intended it as a meal for one, we shared our single take-out meal for $17.70 per serve with tax and tip.

This month, lunches at home cost 23% of the cost of eating lunches prepared outside the home. Our evening meals prepared in the home are 32% of the cost of Gus’ BBQ.

Had we purchased every lunch and prepared none it would have cost us $295.12 per person in June. We actually spent $55.59 for lunches at home plus $27.11 for lunches purchased or eaten out:  $82.70 in total, which is even lower than our usual low total cost.

If every evening meal cost us the same as our one this month, it would be $548.7.0 We actually spent $170.03 for dinners at home and $17.70 for dinners out, or $188.00 in total.

This month’s savings from preparing most of our food at home is now hard to calculate, but we definitely save by cooking for ourselves, and we had a lot more control over what we eat.

Over the month we prepared 23 different recipes for evening meals.

Aug 31: Sliced Ham & Coleslaw on Home Made Sourdough; Cuban Style Roast Pork with Black Beans

Lunch

We scored some more home made Sourdough from our neighbor today, so we made a Ham & Coleslaw sandwich with it.

  • The Sourdough was free
  • The Coleslaw is 56c per serve
  • Black Forest Ham is $3.29 per pack, or 66c per serve.

A fine sandwich for $1.22 per serve.

Dinner

Although it’s Meatless Monday, we repeated the meal from last night for $7.60 per serve.

Aug 30: Smoked Salmon Bagel; Cuban Style Roast Pork and Black Beans

Lunch

We took the remaining Smoked Salmon from Friday’s Pizza and spread it across two Brioche Bagels smeared in Neufchatel.

  • The Smoked Salmon was $2.58, or $1.29 per serve
  • The Brioche Bagel is 58c
  • Neufchatel adds 25c per serve
  • Add 10c for Capers.

A classic because it’s an excellent sandwich, for $2.22 per serve.

Dinner

Since we received another Pork Shoulder we revisited the Cuban-Style Roast Pork with Mojo Sauce. The Black Beans made four serves.

  • The Pork Butt was around $18.50 or $4.62 per serve
  • Navel Oranges were $3.83 or 96c per serve
  • Limes were $2.45 or 62c per serve
  • Black Beans were $2.45 and we shared ¼, or 15c per serve
  • Add 40c for other ingredients for the Beans
  • Plantain Chips were $1.70 and we used half, or 85c per serve.

The Pork was excellent – again – and the new Black Beans recipe was basically a fresh version of canned Beans. A great meal for $7.60 per serve.

Aug 29: Heuvos Rancheros; Baby Back Ribs with Apple Sauerkraut Slaw

Lunch

We made a quick trip down the hill to pick up Heuvos Rancheros from La Fiesta for $10.04 per serve with tax and tip.

Dinner

We had Baby Back Ribs in our Keller Crafted Meat Box so we smoked them for an hour in our cooktop smoker, and finished in the oven for an hour. We got great smoke taste and the extra cooking made them moist and tender.

  • The Baby Back Ribs are an estimated $11.00 per serve (unfortunately Keller Crafted no long provide per item costing)
  • The Apple was 79c or 10c per serve
  • The Artisanal Kraut was $3.29 or 42c per serve
  • Add 30c for Dressing ingredients.

The Ribs turned out particularly well, and the Salad is a perfect balance. Foodie Greg did not finish his, as these were a very generous serve, for $11.82 per serve.

Aug 28: Ham & Coleslaw on a Ciabatta Roll; Smoked Salmon Pizza

Lunch

We tested out some par-baked Ciabatta Rolls (from Aldi) by filling with Sliced Ham & Coleslaw from Mr Fish & Chips.

  • The Ciabatta par-bake was $2.69 or 45c per serve
  • Coleslaw adds 58c per serve
  • Ham is $2.69 or 54c per serve.

While we followed the instructions, the rolls had not developed a good crust in the recommended time. We will do better next time as the rolls are worth a repeat. Overall, a decent sandwich for $1.57 per serve.

Dinner

One of our favorite ‘Fishy Friday’ meals is the Smoked Salmon Pizza, tonight with extra Shallot.

  • The Smoked Salmon Pieces where $5.49 for 8oz, and we only served six, or $2.58 per serve
  • The Pizza Dough was $1.29, or 65c per serve
  • We used semi dried Cherry Tomatoes for 60c per serve
  • About two ounces of Neufchatel went on each Pizza, or 25c per serve
  • Add 30c for Capers and Shallot.

While we still haven’t been successful getting our pizzas to stay round, they are tasting very good. Budget extravagance for $4.38 per serve.

Aug 27: Fried Scallops, Fries & Coleslaw; Hot and Sour Beef Salad

Lunch

A nearby shopping trip put us near Mr Fish & Chips. We’ve enjoyed the Fried Cod before, but today decided to have Fried Scallops, Fries and Coleslaw instead. We ordered extra Coleslaw.

This is a meal for one that we shared, making it $5.19 with tax and tip.

Dinner

We chose Sirloin from our Keller Crafted meat box, seared it and sliced it into Hot and Sour Beef Salad.

  • The Top Sirloin was $12.36 or $6.18 per serve
  • The Salad Greens mix was $1.99 but we shared half, or 50c per serve
  • Limes were 49c for two but we shared one, or 13c per serve
  • Mint was from our garden
  • Sugar Snap peas were $3.49 but we used ¼ or 44c per serve
  • The Bell Pepper was 64c or 32c per serve
  • Instead of a Chili we used some Sambal Ulec, which adds 20c per serve.

This is a favorite of the Foodies for $7.77 per serve, although tonight’s Top Sirloin was not as tender as we expect from Keller Crafted, but it was full of flavor.

Aug 26: Tuna Melt; Elote

Lunch

We each had a full Tuna Melt, which meant we got to select our flavor. Foodie Philip went with Sweet & Spicy, while Foodie Greg chose Lemon Pepper.

  • Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • Swiss adds 34c per serve
  • Tuna adds 99c per serve
  • Add 50c for Garlic Spread, Shallot and Capers.

A very tasty sandwich for $2.57 per serve.

Dinner

Foodie Greg found some very good corn at Trader Joe’s so we changed plans to Elote, so we could eat them at their freshest, and therefore best.

A slow roast on the grill turns them out perfectly.

  • The Corn was $1.96 or 98c per serve
  • The Cotija was $4.49 and we used less than ¼ or 56c per serve
  • Garlic Spread adds 50c per serve
  • Greek Yoghurt adds 40c per serve.

The slow grill best develops the Corn’s flavor, caramelizing the sugars in the surface of the kernels. They’re done when they start popping! An excellent, and favorite meal, for $2.44 per serve.

Aug 25: Kumato & Swiss Sandwiches; Lamb Loin Chops with Smoked Eggplant, Feta, Mint & Pomegranate Salad

Lunch

Today we had a simple Kumato & Swiss Toasted Sandwich each.

  • Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • Swiss adds 34c per serve
  • Five Kumato were $3.49 and we used two, or 70c per serve
  • Add 40c for Garlic Spread.

A tasty sandwich for $2.18 per serve.

Dinner

We had some Lamb Loin Chops available, so we grilled them to perfection outside, and paired with a Smoked Eggplant, Feta, Mint and Pomegranate Salad. We’ve done the salad before but with Baked Eggplant.

  • The Lamb Loin Chops were $14.59 or $7.30 per serve
  • Mint was from our garden
  • Eggplant was $1.39 or 70c per serve
  • The French (Valbreso) Feta was $10.99 but we used 1/6 or 92c per serve
  • Pomegranate Seeds were $4.49 and we used about half, or $1.13 per serve
  • Add 30c for dressing ingredients.

The smoke layered an additional level of flavor to elevate the Salad and complement the Loin Chops. A really good meal for $10.35 per serve.

Aug 24: Rissole Rolls; Yaki Udon

Lunch

For lunch we had a Rissole & Cheddar Panini using the last of the Rissoles.

  • The Panini Roll is 63c
  • Rissole is $1.02 per serve
  • Smokey Cheddar was $2.69 for 10 slices, or 27c per serve
  • Add 10c for Spinach
  • Add 10c for Carolina BBQ Sauce.

As always a tasty combination for $2.12 per serve.

Dinner

  • The Baby Bella Mushrooms were $2.02 or $1.01 per serve
  • The Yaki Udon Noodles were $1.69, or 85c per serve
  • Sugar Snap Peas add 44c per serve
  • Add 40c for Onion and Seasoning.

Mostly because Foodie Greg caramelized the Mushroom before adding it to he stir-fry, this had a good meaty taste, without the meat. A good meal for $2.70 per serve.