The semiSerious Foodies

Lunch

We took our Shin Noodles, but substituted a Ramen Broth for the very spicy flavor pouch.

• The Ramen is $1.32 per serve with the Bok Choy
• Oyster Mushrooms add 50c per serve
• The Ramen Broth was $1.79 or 90c per serve

A warming meal on a cool day for $2.72 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight we smoked, then cooked, some St Louis Ribs and served with Coleslaw and Mexican Cowboy Pinto Beans.

• The Ribs were $15.80 or $7.90 per serve
• The Mexican Cowboy Pinto Beans were $1.60 after specials, or 80c per serve
• The Coleslaw Mix was $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve
• Add 30c per serve for dressing ingredients.

These Pinto Beans were the premium brand, but lacked any distinguishing flavor. The less expensive brand has more flavor. Tonight we prepared a tangy dressing for the Coleslaw that we both preferred. A good meal for $9.50 per serve.

Lunch

Although we visit Skewers Halaal regularly, this is the first time we’ve tried the Nashville Style Hot Chicken Sandwich. The Foodies shared a serve of Fries, for $8.75 per serve. It was very good.

Dinner

Foodie Greg’s birthday dinner is usually Corned Beef Top Round, but this year only Brisket was available. Served with Boiled Cabbage and Carrots it’s a one pot meal (other than the Onion Sauce).

• The Brisket was on special for $8.75 per serve
• The Cabbage was 78c per serve
• Carrots add 82c per serve
• Heavy Cream is $1.99 and we used a tiny bit, or 10c per serve
• Add 50c for Flour, Onion and Horseradish.

The Brisket shrunk to about half size during cooking, so we served it all. The Brisket was not as good as the Top Round (Silverside) we normally have, but it was still good. A good meal for $10.95 per serve.

Lunch

The last in the Charcuterie (again) so we used the Salami with Kumato & Smokey Cheddar in a toasted sandwich each.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• The Salami was 85c per serve
• The Kumato were $3.69 for six, and we had one each, or 62c per serve
• The Smokey Cheddar is 34c per serve
• Add 40c for Garlic Spread.

A tasty sandwich for $2.95 per serve.

Dinner

Our Fishy Friday dish tonight is Miso Fish Soup with Soba.

• The cod fillets were six for $12.99 or $1.63 per serve
• The Oyster Mushrooms were $4.99 or $1.25 per serve as we used hal
• Sugar Snap Peas are add 44c per serve
• Broth was $1.99 or $1.00 per serve
• Soba Noodles are $3.29 and we used about ⅓ or 55c per serve
• Add 30c per serve for other ingredients.

While it looked pretty and tasted okay, the dish lacked any robust flavor. Not bad, but not exciting for $5.17 per serve.

Lunch

We had some Cheese Bagels from Aldi, so we added Avocado, Sprouts & Smoked Trout to make a tasty sandwich.

• Cheese Bagels were $2.89 or 58c per serve
• An Avocado is 49c or 25c per serve
• We shared a $3.49 can of Smoked Trout, or $1.75 per serve
• Add 40c for Garlic Spread
• Add 30c for Sprouts.

It came together well for $3.28 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight’s ‘Steak Night’ is a NY Strip Steak served with Crash Hot Potatoes and Asparagus. We made a tasty sauce from our Organic (no added sugar) Ketchup and Heavy Cream with a healthy dash of Worcestershire Sauce.

• The NY Strip was $16.07 for two steaks, or $4.02 per serve
• The Asparagus was $3.23 and we used half, or 81c per serve
• Fingerling Potatoes were 68c per serve
• Add 40c for Sauce ingredients.

A very good meal for $5.51 per serve. The Sauce may have an unusual color, but it was very tasty.

Lunch

As we had some slices of Chorizo we returned to our Chorizo, Peppers and Smokey Cheddar toasted sandwiches.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• Smokey Cheddar is 68c per serve
• The charcuterie was $$4.49 after all discounts and we used the Chorizo – about ⅓, or 75c per serve
• Add 50c for Garlic Spread
• Fire Roasted Peppers cost $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve.

We obviously like this sandwich for $3.17 per serve.

Dinner

To use the remaining Lentils we cooked a Hearty Lentil and Chorizo Soup, which will give us four serves.

• The Chorizo was on special for $4.49 or $1.13 per serve
• The Steamed Lentils were $3.29, and the remaining half went into four serves, or 42c per serve
• A can of Crushed Tomatoes is 99c or 25c per serve
• Carrots, Onion and Celery add 20c per serve
• Chicken Bone Broth adds 50c per serve
• Add 15c per serve for Red Wine
• The Baby Bella Mushrooms were $2.79 or 70c per serve
• The Spinach was $1.99 or 50c per serve
• Add 10c for seasoning.

A very tasty soup for $3.95 per serve.

Lunch

We replicated yesterday lunch of Meatloaf stuffed it in a hot Panini Roll with Garlic Spread and Mr Fish & Chips Coleslaw for $2.96 per serve.

Dinner

A simple meal of Beer Bratwurst, the remaining Mashed Potato and some excellent Sauerkraut.

• Beer Bratwurst were $4.49 or $2.25 per serve
• The Bob Evans Mashed Potato was $2.95 and we used ⅓, or 83c per serve
• The Artisanal Kraut was $3.29 or 84c per serve
• Add 20c for Mustard & Carolina BBQ Sauce mix.

A pretty good meal for $4.12 per serve.

Lunch

We split a serve of last night’s Meatloaf and stuffed it in a hot Panini Roll with Garlic Spread and Mr Fish & Chips Coleslaw.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• The Meatloaf is $2.53 per meal, or $1.27 per serve
• Garlic Spread adds 40c per serve
• The Coleslaw is 66c per serve.

This is another combination where the sum is greater than the parts. An excellent roll for $2.96 per serve.

Dinner

Although technically a Meatless Monday, we went meat-light for dinner with Creamy Chickpeas and Prosciutto, which has only a tiny bit of Prosciutto for flavor.

• Pastured Medium Eggs are 33c each or 66c per serve
• The beans were $1.00 or 50c per serve
• The charcuterie was $$4.49 after all discounts and we used the Prosciutto from there, which is ⅓ of the tray, or 75c per serve
• Heavy cream was $1.79 and we used half or 45c per serve
• Add 30c for tomato paste and smoked paprika
• Garlic Naan adds $1.00 per serve.

This is a very tasty meal for $3.66 per serve.

Lunch

For lunch we purchased Heuvos Rancheros from La Fiesta for $10.54 per serve, with tax and tip.

Dinner

After not having it for some time, we’re repeating the Turkey, Bacon, Chipotle Meatloaf with commercial Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Gravy and Sugar Snap peas.

Although we forgot the Breadcrumbs and Egg, this was still a great texture.

• Ground turkey cost $3.59 or 90c per serve
• Bacon adds 60c per serve
• A can of chipotle is $1.50 and we used half, or 38c per serve
• Add 65c for onion, breadcrumbs and seasonings
• The gravy was $1.69 or 40c per serve (we used it all)
• The Bob Evans Mashed Potato was $2.95 and we used ⅓, or 49c per serve
• Sugar Snap Peas add 44c per serve.

Even without Breadcrumbs and Egg the Meatloaf still had a light texture and held together well. A good meal for $3.86 per serve.

Lunch

We increased the size of the hole in our Brioche Bagels, and filled with an Egg. Topped with Sliced Ham & Kumato for a scrumptious lunch.

• The Bagel is 58c per serve
• Medium Pastured Eggs are 33c each or 66c per serve
• Black Forest Ham is $3.29 per pack, or 66c per serve
• Kumato adds 30c per serve.

The Medium Egg is a perfect fit and great value. Today’s lunch was $2.20 per serve.

Dinner

Once again we Sous Vide our Duck Breasts, this time in an Orange and Garlic marinade, which we used as the foundation of the sauce.

• The Duck was $16.84 or $8.42
• Oranges were free thanks to a gift from a friend
• The Steamed Lentils were $3.29, or 83c per serve (also reheated in the Sous Vide machine)
• We shared a $1.29 Grapefruit for 65c per serve
• Toasted Almonds add 28c per serve
• Add 35c for the Greens in the Salad
• Add 30c for Butter and other Sauce Ingredients.

One of the more expensive meals of recent times, but very, very good. The Orange Sauce was mixed into the Lentils, which soaked it up to great effect. An excellent meal for $10.83 per serve.

Lunch

We topped a Bagel with Neufchatel and Semi-dried Tomatoes.

• The Brioche Bagel is 58c
• The Neufchatel ads 20c per serve
• The sun dried tomatoes were $5.99 and we shared about 1/6 or 25c per serve.

A pretty tasty bite for $1.03 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight’s Fishy Friday was Grilled Barramundi with Coleslaw and Halloumi Fries. We were very curious about the Halloumi Fries, but it turns out they are just sticks of Halloumi! Color us skeptical at this point.

• The Barramundi was on special for $7.99 or $4.00 per serve
• The Coleslaw Mix was $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve
• We made our own Dressing from Mayonnaise and Apple Cider Vinegar for 40c per serve
• The Halloumi Fries were $3.29 or $1.65 per serve.

The Halloumi Fries worked really well, to our surprise. Overall, a very good meal for $6.65 per serve.