The semiSerious Foodies

Lunch

Since Foodie Greg was shopping at Whole Foods anyway, he picked up some Seared Albacore and Tuna Nigiri for $15.24 per serve.

Dinner

The Foodies had one Flat Iron Steak from our meat box, and one Bone in Pork Chop, so we Souse Vidé both and gave them a quick sear. We shared the pork chop because it was 50% larger than the Flat Iron.

• The pork chop was $9.71
• The Flat Iron steak was about $12.54

• The average cost of Protein was $11.13 per serve
• Dandelion Greens were $3.49 and we used half, or 88c per serve
• Pomegranate Seeds were $3.99 and we used half, or $1.00 per serve
• Blue cheese crumbles were $3.49 and we used 1/4 or 22c per serve
• Add 30c for Dressing ingredients.

The Steak had a great beefy flavor and both proteins were cooked perfectly. A great meal for $13.53 per serve.

Lunch

For lunch the Foodies decided on Skewers Afghani: Foodie Greg had Falafel while Foodie Philip had Kobide. With tax and tip it was $10.30 per serve.

Dinner

After our great Pho in Cupertino, we decided to make our own, greatly simplified version: Soba Soup with Shrimp and Greens.

• 1 lb of shrimp is $10.99,  or $2.75 per serve
• The Dashi (Kombu and Bonito) was $7.99 and we used 2/7, or $1.14 per serve
• Pastured Eggs are 51c per serve
• Soba Noodles are $3.29 and we used about ⅓ or 55c per serve
• Dandelion Greens were $3.49 and we used half, or 88c per serve
• Add $1.00 for other ingredients.

While not in the same class as on our recent trip, but we enjoyed it and would do it again for $6.83 per serve.

Lunch

The Foodies were furniture shopping at Ikea and took advantage of their restaurant and had Swedish Meat Balls for $6.60 per serve with tax. In other news, the Foodies have new chairs at the dining table.

Dinner

One of the challenges with our meat box is that we get cuts that we wouldn’t normally choose, such as the thin cut pork cutlets we cooked tonight.

We chose the Rao’s Marinara sauce based on reputation, which was definitely justified.

• At 1.1 lb it was a very generous serve of pork cutlets costing $13.99 or $7.00 per serve
• The Marinara Sauce was $8.99 or $4.50 per serve
• The tickler radiatore pasta was $1.99 or $1.00 per serve.

The Marinara Sauce was very good (although expensive) and the whole meal worked well for $12.50 per serve.

Lunch

Our sandwiches today were: Lemon Pepper Tuna with Guacamole and Tomato with Garlic Spread. Simple but good.

• The Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• The Tuna Pouch is 99c or 50c per serve
• The guacamole was $2.99 and we used about 1/3 or 50c per serve
• Five Kumato were $3.49 and we each had one, or 70c per serve
• Add 30c for Garlic Spread.

Two quite good sandwiches for $2.66 per serve.

Dinner

We’ve not had the White (Ground Pork) Chili since February earlier this year. Normally done with chicken it’s easily adapted to pork. We got three good serves from this batch.

• The ground pork was $8.35 or $2.78 per serve
• The bone broth was $2.99 for one pint, or $1.00 per serve
• White beans are 99c a can or 33c per serve
• The jalapeño chili was 11c or 4c per serve
• The Sweet Onion was $1.49 or 50c per serve
• Add 10c for garlic
• Frozen corn was $1.29 and we used half, or 22c per serve
• Add 75c for seasoning, lime juice, labné and crushed tostadas.

Despite expecting the recipe to thicken with the blended beans, this was a very loose chili, with a texture more like soup! It has a fairly mild flavor, probably because we could only get one jalapeño and no poblano peppers. Quite enjoyable for $5.72 per serve.

Lunch

We tried the Sweet and Spicy Tuna with Tzatziki Labné, which was okay, but probably needed shallot. The other sandwich of Hummus and Sprouts was very successful.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 66c per serve
• Sweet & Spicy Tuna is $1.00 per serve
• The Tzatziki adds 25c per serve
• The Sprouts are $2.99 and we use ¼ per sandwich, or 38c per serve
• The Hummus was $3.99 and we used ¼ or 50c per serve.

Two decent sandwiches for $2.79 per serve, but the Hummus & Sprouts was definitely the most flavorsome.

Dinner

Tonight we returned to an old favorite that we haven’t had for nearly two years: Hebrew Temptation, also known as a Smokey Cheese and Pumpkin Slice.

Originally this was a Zucchini Slice, but the Foodies made a few modifications. We use the fat from the bacon as the oil component for this savory cake. It’s name derives from an experience where this dish tempted a Jew because “my wife says I’ve got to try it.”

• Five eggs are 64c per serve
• A cup of Flour adds 9c per serve
• Bacon was $6.99 for the pack or 69c per serve
• Butternut Squash (cubed) was $3.99 or $1.00 per serve
• Add 30c for other ingredients.

An exceptionally flavorsome “cake” for $2.72 per serve.

Lunch

Instead of bread, we finished cooking some par-backed Panini Rolls and filled them with Old Croc Cheddar and Curry Cauliflower Pickles.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• The Old Croc is $4.99 and we used half, or $1.25 per serve
• Add 33c for Wildbrine Madras Curry and Cauliflower Sauerkraut salad.

The rolls are always good, and the Cheddar/Pickle combination is a good balance of fat and acid for $2.21 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight’s Meatless Monday featured Baked Eggplant, Peanut Satay Sauce and a Mung Bean Salad. We chose to bake the eggplant in the oven, instead of the outside grill, but it takes a lot longer!

• The Eggplant was $1.80 or 90c per serve
• The Mung Bean Sprouts were $1.19 and we used half, or 30c per serve
• Add 25c for dressing ingredients
  
• The peanut butter was $1.99 and we used about 1/2,  or 25c a serve
  
• Other seasonings in the satay sauce add 35c per serve
  
• Add 50c for marinade ingredients.

As always we really enjoyed this combination for $2.55 per serve.

Lunch

Back home and for lunch we had Fried Eggs, Jumbo Baked Beans and Bacon on Toast.

• The Dave’s Killer Bread is 33c per serve
• Eggs are 51c each or an average of 77c per serve
• Trader Joes Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce cost $1.99 or $1.00 per serve.

An enjoyable lunch for $2.10 per serve.

Dinner

Since we had some cubed Pork Shoulder in our meat box, we did a slow cook with mushrooms and red wine and served with Lemon Parmesan Orzo, although we forgot the parmesan!

• The pork was $8.99 or $4.50 per serve
• The pasta was $1.75 or 87c per serve
• Parsley adds 20c per serve
• Lemon Zest and Juice adds 30c per serve
• Red wine adds 50c per serve
• Mushrooms were $2.49 or $1.25 per serve
• Add 25c for other ingredients.

This was excellent. The mushrooms added to the flavor and provided a texture variation. The pork was meltingly tender, probably the best we’ve ever had. Although we forgot the Parmesan the Orzo was a great side. This was probably three serves but we finished it as two, for $7.87 per serve.