The semiSerious Foodies

Lunch

Today we had mixed sandwiches because we are using up what we have ahead of a trip to Australia. Today we had another of the pseudo Rueben sandwiches, and one with smoked turkey breast, Swiss cheese and semi-dried tomatoes. Both were pretty good.

• Two slices of bread are 32c per serve
• Add 17c for Wildbrine Madras Curry and Cauliflower Sauerkraut salad
• The corned beef was $6.92 for 17 oz,  and we used about 2oz a serve, or 41c per serve
• Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 17c per serve
• The turkey breast is $5.99 for 8 oz and we shared 2 oz or 75c per serve
• Tomatoes were $2.79 before dehydrating, or 35c per serve
• Add 30c for mayo and cocktail sauce.

Today’s sandwiches were both good for $2.47 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight’s dinner made three very generous serves of the Turmeric Coconut Curry with Pork. We substituted bok choy for the cabbage because we have it (and it tastes better).

• The pork came from our Prather Ranch meat delivery – 1 lb of ground pork cost $8.31 or $$2.77 per serve
• Add 45c for onion, ginger and turmeric’
• Coconut milk was $1.89 or 63c per serve
• Bok Choy was $1.29 and we used half, or 22c per serve
• Almond flakes were $2.49 but we used only 1/5 or 17c per serve
• Brown rice is 33c per serve.

Dinner tonight could have had a little more heat but the coconut flavor was good. The bok choy provided a nice textural alternative to the pork and rice. A decent meal for $4.57 per serve.

Lunch

Sudden cool weather led us to Trader Joe’s meat pies. Foodie Philip had a Steak and Stout pie, while Foodie Greg had the Chicken Balti! They hit the spot in the cold for $3.25 per serve.

Dinner

As well as being tasty, tonight’s meal had to pair with sparkling white wine (a.k.a. champagne) because we were celebrating the release of a new app in our day job. We decided on Ginger Miso Broth and Vegetable Gyoza, but in typical Trader Joe’s fashion the Gyoza are not available, so we chose a Chicken and Cilantro Wonton instead.

• The Wontons were $2.99 or $1.50 per serve
• The Ginger Miso Broth is $1.99 or $1.00 per serve.

Despite both of us being “cilantro sensitive” it was in good balance in the wontons and, overall, it was a good, quick meal for $2.50 per serve.

Lunch

Today we had another Bahn Mi as a weekend treat. Or just because we love it! Slightly more expensive at $8.75 per serve with tax.

Dinner

A return to a favorite: Bacon and Black Bean Chili with avocado and a dusting of cotija cheese.

Time for a return to a favorite: Bacon and Black Bean Chili with avocado and Cotija cheese. The recipe makes six serves.

• The ground beef was $10.07 or $1.68 per serve
• The beans are $1.00 per can and we used two, or 33c per serve
• Canned tomatoes were $1.29 or 22c per serve
• Tomato paste was 79c or 13c per serve
• Bacon is $6.99 for the pack and we used half, or 39c per serve
• Add 30c per serve for seasoning
• Add 20c for a dusting of cotija cheese
• The avocado was 44c per serve.

We always enjoy this chili and today was no exception. We kept it simple with just the chili, avocado and cotija cheese (and a sprinkling of spring onion) for $3.79 per serve.

Lunch

While not a true Reuben today’s sandwich is definitely Reuben inspired. Corned beef, Curry and Cauliflower Wildbrine pickles, Swiss and a mix of mayo and shrimp sauce goes close.

• Two slices of bread are 32c per serve
• Add 33c for Wildbrine Madras Curry and Cauliflower Sauerkraut salad
• The corned beef was $6.92 for 17 oz,  and we used about 2oz a serve, or 82c per serve
• Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 17c per serve
• Add 30c for mayo and cocktail sauce.

A really good toasted sandwich for $1.94 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight we combined the chicken legs (thigh and drumstick) from our supermarket BBQ chicken, with roast kabocha squash and sugar snap peas for a decent, if unexciting, meal.

• The chicken is $1.75 per serve
• The kabocha squash was $1.94 and we used half, or 97c per serve
• The sugar snap peas were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve
• Add 40c for the chicken stock gravy.

Dinner tonight was tasty for $3.87 per serve.

Lunch

With the baguette gone, it was back to toasted sandwiches. Today we used the other chicken breast, an avocado and kumato with the garlic spread and it was really good!

• The chicken is $6.99 and we shared a breast, or 88c per serve
• Two slices of bread are 32c per serve
• Five kumato were $3.49 and we used one, or 35c per serve
• The garlic spread is $2.99 for the container and we used about 1/10 or 15c per serve
• The avocado was 44c per serve.

A really tasty sandwich for $2.14 per serve.

Dinner

We’re always looking for new ways to cook the meat we get from (now) Keller Crafted meats and tonight we though our thin cut pork chops would be good smothered with brown rice. The sauce makes four serves, so there was leftover.

• The pork chops were $10.95 or $5.47 per serve
• Organic bell pepper was $1.99 or 50c per serve
• Chicken broth was $4.38 or 55c per serve
• Add 40c for onion, celery and garlic
• Heavy cream is $3.29 per pint, but we used only 1/8 or 12c per serve
• Add 20c for other ingredients.

We felt the sauce was a little lacking in depth, despite the hot sauce, but was tasty enough. We cooked our thin cut pork chops way less than recommended for the thick cut of the recipe, so they were not overcooked. A good meal for $7.24 per serve.

Lunch

Today were were able to get to Jon’s and pick up a BBQ chicken and baguette. Instead of mayonnaise we used the garlic spread we’ve been enamored of lately. We also substituted the moon touched (semi-dried) tomatoes for more intense flavor.

• The chicken is $6.99 and we shared a breast, or 88c per serve
• The baguette is $2.79 and we shared half for lunch, or 70c per serve
• Tomatoes were $2.79 and we used ¼ today, or 35c per serve
• Add 30c for garlic spread.

The garlic spread really elevates this simple roll, for $2.23 per serve.

Dinner

Thursday night is traditionally our ‘steak night’ and tonight we followed tradition with NY Strip Steak, paired with a creamy blue cheese gnocchi. The  gnocchi was made from cauliflower, but you’d never know.

• The steak was $18.62 or $9.31 per serve
• The gnocchi was $2.69 or $1.35 per serve
• Blue cheese crumbles were $3.49 and we used half or 87c per serve
• Heavy cream is $3.29 per pint, but we used only ¼ or 42c per serve
• Organic frozen peas were $1.99 per pack or 50c per serve
• Add 30c for other ingredients
• Brown rice adds 33c per serve.

You would never know you were eating cauliflower, as the gnocchi and sauce were very tasty and balanced well with the steak. An expensive meal at $13.08 per serve, but mostly because of the excellent, dry aged beef we get from Prather Ranch (rebranding to Keller Crafted Meats).

Lunch

The Foodies were at an on-site software demonstration and the host invited us to lunch, so we ended up having some rather good sushi.

Dinner

We decided on a very simple meal of the Thai Vegetable Gyoza from Trader Joe’s done potsticker style. We served with a dip created from sweet chili sauce, lime juice and fish sauce.

• The gyoza were $3.99, or $2.00 per serve
• Add 30c for dip ingredients.

Dinner tonight was actually pretty good for $2.30 per serve.