The semiSerious Foodies

Lunch

We used the final Breast from our BBQ Chicken by stuffing it into a hot Panini Roll lush with Garlic Spread and topped with Kumato. A simple, but delicious, sandwich.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• The Chicken Breast is $1.75 or 88c per serve
• Five Kumato were $3.49 and we shared one, or 35c per serve
• Add 30c per serve for Garlic Spread.

Tasty and satisfying for $2.16 per serve.

Dinner

Being Meatless Monday we opted for Cauliflower Gnocchi with some Caramelized Mushrooms served in a RAO Roast Garlic Alfredo Sauce. We were impressed by the Rao’s Marinara sauce, so we thought the Alfredo was worth a try.

• The Cauliflower Gnocchi was $2.69 or $1.35 per serve
• The Alfredo Sauce was $4.69 or $2.35 per serve
• Mushrooms were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve.

Based on the quality of Rao’s Marinara Sauce we had high expectations for the Roast Garlic Alfredo, but were disappointed. It had nowhere near the depth of flavor of the Marinara, and was a little boring. The Mushrooms rescued the meal, that cost $4.45 per serve.

Lunch

The Foodies had an overnight guest with whom we brunched at La Fiesta, our local Mexican. Foodie Philip had Heuvos Rancheros while Foodie Greg had Chilaquiles. Our friend paid for brunch.

Dinner

After our recent success with the Cuban Roast Pork, we decided to try Cuban Picadillo as we’re always looking for ways to use Ground Beef.

• We only used one pound of Ground Beef for $8.25 or $2.06 per serve
• White Wine adds 25c per serve
• Tomato Paste is 89c and we used half, or 12c per serve
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes are $1.69 or 43c per serve
• Raisins cost 58c or 15c per serve
• The Bell Pepper was 99c or 25c per serve
• The Potato Medley was $3.49 and we used half, or 43c per serve
• The olives come in a $4.49 jar, and we used half, or 56c per serve
• Add 50c per serve for onion, garlic, oil and seasoning.

This turned out to be surprisingly good: way better than we expected. It had a great depth of flavor. We will probably drop the potato next time and serve with Rice, but otherwise a great meal for $4.75 per serve.

Lunch

A visit to the alternative home improvement superstore still put us near New York Chicken and Gyro so we had a Lamb Gyro for $8.17 per serve with tax and tip.

Dinner

We steamed a Chicken Leg each from the BBQ Chicken, along with Frozen Peas and Frozen Pearl Onions, topped with a Chicken Gravy.

• The Chicken Leg is $1.75 per serve
• Frozen pearl onions are $1.69 but we only used ¼ of the pack, or 43c per serve
• Frozen peas are $1.29 per pack and we used half, or 33c per serve
• The Chicken Gravy was $1.99 or $1.00 per serve.

A satisfying meal for $3.51 per serve.

Lunch

Before lunch we went for a trip to Jon’s Market, where we always pick up a BBQ Chicken and a fresh Baguette. Add a Kumato and some Garlic Spread and it’s a simple, but great sandwich.

• The Baguette is $2.99 and we shared half for lunch, or 75c per serve
• The Chicken is $6.99 and we shared ¼ or 88c per serve
• Five Kumato were $3.49 and we had one each, or 70c per serve
• Add 50c for Garlic Spread.

As always, simple, but great ingredients make a great sandwich for $2.83 per serve.

Dinner

A quick return to cold weather, and a Fishy Friday, made Cioppino a very attractive option. Tonight we made it with a Clam base with Clams and added Cod for the white fish. We will get at least four serves.

• The cod fillets were six for $12.99 or $2.17 per serve
• The can of Clams and Clam Juice(instead of Fish Stock) was $11.49 or $2.88 per serve
• Fennel bulb at $2 makes for 33c serve
• Onion and Garlic add 10c a serve
• Tomato paste 90c can but only half was used, for 12c serve
• Diced tomatoes in juice – $3.99 or 67c serve
• 1.5 cups dry white wine – about $1 or 16c serve
• We served with the other half of the Baguette for 75c per serve.

While possibly a little Clam heavy, this was very tasty and the Clams were a good addition. A great meal for $7.18 per serve.

Lunch

Once you’ve opened a can of Refried Beans you’re on a count down until they go off, so we decided to create a toasted sandwich version of a Quesadilla.

• The Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• One quarter of a can of refried beans, shared across two sandwiches is 13c per serve
  
• We used one slice of Swiss per serve, or 34c per serve
  
• Add 50c for Salsa.

Not quite as good as on a Tortilla, but still a pretty good sandwich for $1.63 per serve.

Dinner

Thursday night returns to being Steak Night with a NY Strip Steak, served with Crash Hot Potatoes and English Peas. The Foodies were celebrating their 29th Anniversary, so some Brie, Salami, Parma Ham and Grapes, along with fine Sparking White Wine, preceded dinner.

• At 10 oz the NY Strip is $8.22 per serve
• The Potato Medley was $3.49 and we used half, or 88c per serve
• The English Peas were $3.49 and we served half, or 88c per serve
• The Béarnaise sauce was $3.29 and we used about ⅓, or 55c per serve.

A very fine celebratory meal for $10.53 per serve.

Lunch

We finally got to use our final Tortillas to make a Quesadilla.

• The Tortillas were six for $1.99 and we shared two, or 33c per serve
• Half a can of refried beans, shared across two halves is 26c per serve
• We used two slices of Swiss per serve, or 68c
• Add 50c for Salsa.

It turned out pretty well for $1.77 per serve.

Dinner

The Pork Loin chops came from our Keller Crafted meat box, and are a heritage breed, which means there is a lot more fat than modern pork.

We served with a new recipe: Caramelized Cabbage.

• The Pork Cutlets costing $11.55 or $5.78 per serve
• The Savoy Cabbage was $1.07 or 54c per serve
• Tomato Paste was 85c or 43c per serve
• Add 30c for seasoning
• Add 40c for garlic and other ingredients
• Add 50c for butter for frying
• Add 20c for Tzatziki Labne.

The Cabbage turned out really well. The Tomato Sauce had a good mix of spice and heat, and the Cabbage was fall-apart tasty. It paired well with the perfectly cooked, and very moist, Pork Chops. A great meal for $8.15 per serve.

Lunch

Another cold day dictated a nice warming soup for lunch, so we defrosted the last of our Clam Chowder, heated it, and served with a hot Panini Roll.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• The Clam Chowder is $2.98 per serve.

Unfortunately the freezing breaks down the potato, so the texture was a little odd, but the flavor was still great for $3.61 per serve.

Dinner

Since it was still cold, we cooked our favorite curry: Beef Massaman!

• The beef was $8.84, or $4.42 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.

As always a great curry with tender meat and vegetables and an intensely flavorsome ‘broth’, for $7.71 per serve.

Lunch

For lunch we reheated some French Onion Soup we had in our freezer and served with half a Toasted Swiss Sandwich.

• French onion soup is $1.83 for a lunch serve
  
• Dave’s Killer Bread is 33c per serve
  
• Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 34c per serve.

A nice warming soup on a cold day for $2.50 per serve.

Dinner

Inspired by a somewhat disappointing version of Eggplant with Buttermilk Sauce at a restaurant in Amsterdam, we decided could do better. Unfortunately our Pomegranate Aureoles were past their prime, so we substituted Pickled Onion for crunch and a little acidic edge.

• Eggplant was $3.55 or $1.78 per serve
• Kefier was $3.49 and we used ¼ or 44c per serve
• We used Garlic Spread, at 50c per serve, instead of Fresh Garlic
• Pickled Onions (prepared separately) add about 30c per serve.

The Eggplant was perfectly cooked. The Garlic Kefir (our variation on Buttermilk) Sauce was full of flavor, and blended with the Eggplant to create a completely new flavor. We will definitely repeat this at $3.02 per serve. We definitely did better than the restaurant in Amsterdam.