Sep 25: Spanish Mussels with Chorizo and Tomato Wine Sauce

Lunch

We experimented with a Smoked Trout Bagel in the style of a Smoke Salmon Bagel, with Cream Cheese, Capers, Semi-dried Tomatoes & Shallots on a Brioche Bagel.

  • The Brioche Bagel is 58c
  • We shared a $3.49 can of Smoked Trout, or $1.75 per serve
  • Add 20c for Neufchatel
  • Add 40c for Shallot and Capers
  • Add 30c for Semi-dried Tomato.

We felt this worked as an alternative to Smoked Salmon for $3.28 per serve.

Dinner

We enjoyed the Spanish Mussels with Chorizo and Tomato-Wine Sauce so we had it again, without the Heavy Cream. We served with toasted Italian Bread liberally spread with Garlic Spread for an amped up Garlic Toast.

  • The pre-cooked Mussels were $2.29 or $1.15 per serve
  • Sherry adds 58c per serve
  • The Chorizo was $5.11 after all discounts and we used half, or $1.28 per serve
  • Add 85c for other ingredients
  • The Italian Bread is 22c per serve
  • The Garlic Spread adds 60c per serve.

We substituted Sherry for White Wine, which added a pleasant, but subtle, sweetness to the dish. As last time, very tasty for $4.68 per serve. The Garlic Toast was an excellent sop for the flavorsome broth.

Sep 24: Cod Madras Curry with Broccolini and Brown Rice

Lunch

After a very long two week break between Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches from Skewers, we enjoyed them again with a side of fries, for $8.75 per serve.

Dinner

A simple Fishy Friday Cod Madras Curry, with a pretty good simmer sauce from Aldi that included chunky Tomatoes, augmented with some Broccolini and served with Brown Rice.

  • The Madras Curry Simmer Sauce was $1.99 or $1.00 per serve
  • Cod Fillets are $2.17 per serve
  • The Broccolini was $2.79 and we served about ⅔ or 93c per serve
  • Brown Rice adds 34c per serve.

Although the simmer sauce was described as “mild” we found it quite “hot!” Still, very tasty for $4.44 per serve. The Foodies have decided that we pleased to be done with Cod. We can buy Ahi Tuna for less (at Aldi), so the only good Cod is a Smoked Cod.

Sep 23: Ahi Tuna Tataki with Bento Box

Lunch

The par-baked Panini Rolls we have enjoyed for years have disappeared from Trader Joe’s shelves, so we experimented with par-baked French Sandwich Rolls from La Brea Bakery (via Ralph’s). We filled them with Turkey Chipotle Meatloaf, Coleslaw and a Chipotle Mayo.

  • The Sandwich Rolls are 89c per serve
  • The Meatloaf is $2.53 per full serve, or $1.27 per lunch serve
  • The Coleslaw Mix was $1.99 and we used 1/4, or 25c per serve
  • We made our own Dressing from Mayonnaise, and Chipotle Hot Sauce for 30c per serve.

The French Sandwich Rolls got our approval and the sandwich was very tasty for $2.71 per serve.

Dinner

We added an extra Bento Box plus Ahi Tuna Tataki because the Foodies were celebrating the completion of another yard project. It was enjoyed with French Champagne to celebrate for $20.95 per serve.

The Bento Box was $18.38 per serve with tax and tip, while 12 oz of Tuna was $5.19, or $2.60 per serve.

Sep 22: Smoked Bratwurst with Apple Slaw

Lunch

What could be better than Delice de Boougogne on toasted Italian Bread with crisp, fresh Apple? Nothing, which is why we did it again!

  • The Delice de Bourgogne was $5.38 and we shared ½, or $1.35 per serve
  • The Italian Bread was 22c per serve
  • Apple adds 20c per serve.

A very tasty meal for $1.77 per serve.

Dinner

A simple meal of Smoked Bratwurst (from Aldi) with Apple Slaw. We decided we didn’t need the Bacon as there was enough Pork in the Brats.

  • The Smoked Bratwurst were $2.69 for five, and we shared four, or $1.08 per serve
  • Apple adds 44c per serve
  • Coleslaw Mix adds 60c per serve
  • Add 50c for Dressing ingredients.

Unfortunately the Smoked Bratwurst, like the Knackwurst, taste like Hot Dog Franks, unlike the imported Beer Bratwurst. Still, a decent meal (for a ball park) for $2.62 per serve.

Sep 21: Cubano Sandwich with Jerk Plantain Chips

Lunch

We opted for a simple meal of Shin Ramen Noodles, removed from the broth they were cooked in, along with a generous amount of Coleslaw mix, and finished with a little Butter stirred through.

  • A pack of four Shin Noodle Bowl was $3.69 or 93c per serve
  • Coleslaw Mix adds 30c per serve
  • Butter adds 40c per serve.

The Coleslaw Mix adds fiber and some variety. A decent meal for $1.63 per serve.

Dinner

It was time to use the remaining Cuban Roast Pork in the form of a Cubano sandwich, served with Jerk Plantain Chips.

  • The Cuban Roast Pork is $2.23 per serve
  • Deli Ham is 92c per serve
  • Swiss is 41c per serve
  • Bread and Butter Pickles are $4.69 for the jar, but we used less than 10%, or 23c per serve
  • The Brioche Roll is 53c per serve
  • Plantain Chips were $1.70 and we used half, or 43c per serve.

The sandwich had everything in balance and well cooked through and the Plantain Chips made a nice contrast. An enjoyable and tasty meal for $4.75 per serve.

Sep 20: Japanese Fried Rice with Fried Egg(s)

Lunch

We prepared a Rachel – a Reuben with Smoked Turkey Breast – on a Brioche Bagel, just to completely mash cultures.

  • The Brioche Bagel is 58c per serve
  • Sliced Gouda is 34c per serve
  • The Artisanal Kraut was $3.29 or 42c per serve
  • The smoked turkey was $2.99 for 7oz and we used about half or 75c per serve
  • Add 40c for Mayonnaise & Cocktail Sauce for the dressing.

A very tasty lunch for $2.49 per serve.

Dinner

A simple Meatless Monday meal of Japanese Fried Rice topped with one or two Fried Eggs.

  • Japanese Style Fried rice comes from Trader Joe’s and is $3.29 or $1.65 per very generous serve
  • Pastured Eggs average 57c per serve.

A decent meal for $2.22 per serve.

Sep 19: Cuban Roast Pork, Cuban Black Beans and Jerk Plantain Chips

Lunch

We still had the remaining Soy Nacho mix so it was Nachos for lunch.

  • Soy Chorizo is $2.29 or 58c per serve
  • Refried Beans are 99c or 25c per serve
  • The Corn Chips were $1.99 and we used about ⅓, or 33c per serve
  • Bell Pepper adds 16c per serve
  • Add 20c for Plain Yoghurt
  • Add 40c for Guacamole.

The Soy Chorizo brings a lot of spice and a little heat that makes this version more interesting than the more typical Ground Beef version. Very tasty for $1.92 per serve.

Dinner

Foodie Greg found a Bone-in Pork Shoulder Roast so naturally we decided on Cuban-Style Roast Pork with Mojo Sauce. We served it with Cuban Black Beans and Jerk Plantain Chips.

  • The Pork Shoulder was around $8.90 and there were four serves, or $2.23 per serve
  • Blood Oranges were $3.83 or 96c per serve
  • Limes were $2.45 or 62c per serve
  • Black Beans were $1.00 or 50c per serve
  • Plantain Chips were $1.70 and we used half, or 43c per serve.

The Pork Should only had about 10 hours in the marinade, whereas we’d normally give it overnight, but we didn’t notice any deterioration in flavor, which was excellent. A well balanced and very tasty meal for $4.74 per serve.

Sep 18: Warm Shredded Lamb Salad with Passionfruit, Mint and Lemon Pickled Onions served with a Raspberry, Feta and Mint Salad

Lunch

For lunch we picked up Green Pork Chili Enchiladas from Viva La Fiesta for $15.28 each with tax and tip.

Dinner

Nigella’s Shredded Lamb Salad with Pomegranate has been a favorite of ours, but there are no Pomegranate available right now, so we substituted a mix of Passionfruit juice and Preserved Meyer Lemon juice.

  • The butterflied Leg of Lamb from Aldi was $23.28 and we will get eight serves, or $2.91 per serve
  • Mint and Preserved Lemon were free
  • Add 30c for Onion and seasoning
  • Raspberries were $1.29 and we used ½ of the punnet, or 33c per serve
  • The Mixed Greens were $1.49 and we used half, or 38c each
  • Mint was from our garden
  • The Feta adds 48c per serve
  • Add 15c for Dressing ingredients.

A very tasty, flavorsome and balanced meal for $4.56 per serve, The frozen Passionfruit juice was cooling the Lamb too rapidly, so we leant on the Preserved Lemon juice for acid and seasoning.

Sep 17: Striped Bass with Coleslaw and Oven Fries

Lunch

For lunch we add Giant Baked Beans to toasted Italian Bread, topped with melted Swiss Cheese.

  • Italian Bread is 22c per serve
  • The Giant Baked Beans are $1.99 or $1.00 per serve
  • Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 34c per serve.

A very tasty open sandwich for $1.68 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight’s Fishy Friday was Striped Bass with tangy Coleslaw and Oven Fries.

  • The Striped Bass was $4.68 per serve
  • Coleslaw mix adds 45c per serve
  • Coleslaw Dressing ingredients add 40c per serve
  • The Oven Fries were $1.49 and we shared half, or 38c per serve.

The Oven Fries were good, but never quite got the crunch you get from deep frying, but good. They contributed to a well balanced and tasty meal for $5.91 per serve.

Sep 16: Red Wine and Mushroom Meatloaf with Cauliflower Gnocchi in a Blue Cheese Sauce

Lunch

We imitated a Reuben using Deli Ham.

  • The Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • Swiss slices are 12 for $3.99 or 34c per serve
  • Deli Ham is 38c per serve
  • The Sauerkraut was 32c per serve
  • Add 40c for Dressing ingredients.

A very tasty sandwich for $2.18 per serve.

Dinner

After quite a long wait, it was a return to the Red Wine

  • The grass fed Ground Beef was from Aldi for $5.49 per pound, or $1.38 per serve
  • Baby Bella mushrooms were $1.99 or 50c per serve
  • Onions and garlic add 20c per serve
  • Two medium eggs are 64c or 16c per serve
  • The butter is $3.99 per block, and we used about 3/8 for four serves, or 38c per serve
  • Red wine adds $1.00 or 25c per serve
  • Add 20c for Worcestershire sauce and other spices per serve
  • The English Peas were $3.49 and we served half, or 88c per serve
  • The gnocchi was $2.69 or 67c per serve
  • Blue cheese crumbles were $3.49 and we used half or 44c per serve
  • Heavy cream is $3.29 per pint, but we used only ¼ or 21c per serve.

Although we cooked all the Gnocchi we put half back for another meal. Flavorsome and filling for $5.27 per serve.