Month: June 2020

Lunch

A slightly cooler day had us turning to a Shin Noodle Bowl. A pack of four was $3.69 or 93c per serve, which proved to be quite generous and a satisfying – if spicy hot – meal. We do, however, only use one of the two flavor pouches.

Dinner

We had picked up some Giant Scallops from Aldi and were keen to find out how good they were, considering the low price. We’ve had mixed experience with Scallops: from Whole Foods they were good, but pricy (unless they are on special and you get a Prime discount). From Ralphs (Kroger) they were packed full of water and not at all pleasant.

We served on top of some Buttered Soycotash.

• The frozen “dry packed” Scallops were $9.69, or $4.85 per serve
• The Soyccotash was $2.29 and we used half, or 58c per serve
• Add 50c for Butter.

The Scallops seared nicely as they did not spit out water. In fact, these were as good as the Whole Foods and only slightly more than the Whole Foods price after the special and Prime discounts. The Soyccotash is kind of boring, but overall it was a good meal for $5.43 per serve.

Lunch

Today started gloomy so we toasted up a Ham, Kumato & Swiss & Sweet & Spicy Tuna, Capers and Swiss.

• Daves’ Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• The Tuna is 99c or 50c per serve
• Swiss adds 34c per serve
• Five Kumato were $3.49 and we shared one, or 35c per serve
• Black Forest Ham is $3.29 per pack, or 35c per serve
• Add 55c for Garlic Spread and Capers.

A pair of decent sandwiches for $2.83 per serve.

Dinner

Although traditionally our “Steak Night,” Thursday nights have evolved to be our protein heavy night. Tonight we sous vidé the Duck before searing the skin to crispen, and served with Garlic Chard stir-fried in Duck Fat and Yakisoba Noodles.

• The Duck was $16.75 or $8.37 per serve
• The noodles are $3.19 for the pack, or $1.60 per serve
• The Chard was $1.73 or 87c per serve.

An excellent meal for $10.84 per serve.

Lunch

We reheated the third serve of Drunken Pork Stew and packed it into a hot Panini Roll.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• The Pork Stew is $3.90, or $1.95 per serve.

A very tasty roll for $2.58 per serve.

Dinner

It was time to revisit Soutzoukakia.  Once again we used one can of fire roasted crushed tomato, and a can of Trader Joe’s Grecian Style Eggplant,Tomato and Onion. This is an excellent addition and it really elevated this dish. We cannot recommend it highly enough.

• Ground lamb was $9.99 or $4.50 per serve
• An egg is 24c or 12c per serve
• 8 oz Panko breadcrumbs are $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serveParmesan is $3.99 for 8oz and we shared 2 oz or 50c per serve
• 1/4 cup and a tablespoon of red wine – halved – is 34c per serve
• Canned crushed tomatoes were 49c for the can, or 25c per serve
• The eggplant, tomato and onion is $2.49 or $1.25 per serve
• Onions, shallot and garlic adds 25c per serve
• Parsley was 33c or 16c per serve
• Fresh mint came from our garden
• Tomato paste comes in a 90c can, but we used 1/8 or 5c per serve
• The farrow was $1.79 for the pack, but we shared ⅓ or 10c per serve
• The cherry tomatoes were $2.99 and we used half or 75c per serve
• Add 30c for seasoning.

An extremely tasty meal for $9.32 per serve.

Lunch

For lunch we reheated the remaining Rissoles and stuffed them in a hot Panini Roll with Swiss Cheese, Kumato and Carolina BBQ Sauce.

• The Panini Roll is 63c
• A serve of Rissoles is $3.51 and shared it, or $1.76 per serve
• Five Kumato were $3.49 and we shared one, or 35c per serve
• A slice of Swiss is 34c
• Add 10c for Carolina BBQ Sauce.

A tasty sandwich enjoyed in the sunshine for $3.18 per serve.

Dinner

A recipe we’d like before – Greek Drunken Pork Stew -definitely feels like a cultural mashup when served with Rice and Beans!

• The pork was $8.99 or $3.00 per serve
• Red wine adds 50c or 17c per serve
• Canned Tomatoes are 99c, or 33c per serve
• Add 40c for the other ingredients
• Brown rice adds 33c per serve
• Pinto beans are 50c per serve.

After a four hour cook, the pork is incredibly tender and the sauce has reduced to an intensely flavorsome liquid, balanced with Rice and Beans for $4.73 per serve.

Lunch

When you open a can of Sardines, Trout or other protein, it makes two full sandwiches. Today we paired Sardines with Neufchatel Cheese.

• The Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• Skinless, boneless sardines in water are $1.99 or $1.00 per serve
• An ounce of Neufchatel is 13c
• Add 50c for Garlic Spread.

A little underwhelming as these were not the best sardines, for $2.37 per serve.

Dinner

Being Meatless Monday we opted for a simple salad of Mixed Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, Pickled Beets and Caramelized Onion Cheddar.

• Beer Bratwurst were $4.49 or $2.25 per serve
• Spinach was $1.49 or 38c per serve
• The cherry tomatoes were $2.99 and we used half or 75c per serve
• We used about ⅓ of the $5.75 Caramelized Onion Cheddar, or 96c per serve

A nice meal for $2.37 per serve.

Lunch

Foodie Greg had a hankering for Giant Baked Beans, so we toasted a Brioche Bagel, fried an Egg in the hole and topped with the Baked Beans.

• The Brioche Bagels are $2.89 for five and we shared one, or 29c per serve
• Large Eggs are 21c each
• The Giant Baked Beans are $1.99 or $1.00 per serve.

A tasty lunch for $1.50 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight we returned to our traditional Rissole recipe, which is an Australian Classic.

• Dry aged 85/15 ground beef $8.57 or $2.86 per serve
• 8 oz Panko breadcrumbs are $2.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve
• A free range egg is 21c or 11c per serve
• The onion is 4c per serve
• Spinach was $1.49 or 38c per serve
• The cherry tomatoes were $2.99 and we used half or 75c per serve
• Pickled beets in vinaigrette are $1.69, of which we used about ⅓ or 28c per serve
• We used about ⅓ of the $5.75 Caramelized Onion Cheddar, or 96c per serve
• Add 10c for Carolina BBQ sauce.

The original recipe is definitely best! A good meal for $5.98 per serve.

Lunch

We over purchased Coleslaw from Mr Fish & Chips, so we had it on sandwiches with Bacon.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• Bacon was $4.99 and we used four of 10 slices, or 50c per serve
• The Coleslaw was $3.85 with tax and tip, or $1.92 per serve
• Add 20c for Neufchatel.

This sandwich worked very well for $3.36 per serve.

Dinner

We returned to the Beer Bratwurst, because we preferred the flavor. Served with a Mock German Potato Salad made with steamed Cauliflower and Sauerkraut.

• Beer Bratwurst were $4.49 or $2.25 per serve
• The Artisanal Kraut is $3.29 per packet and we used about ⅛, or 21c per serve
• The Cauliflower was $3.49 and we shared half, or 87c per server
• Bacon was $4.99 and we used three of 10 slices, or 75c per serve
  
• Onion and Seasoning add 45c per serve.

While the Potato version of this Salad is excellent, we were underwhelmed by the Cauliflower version. Still, a good meal for $4.53 per serve.

Lunch

We noticed Mr Fish & Chips in the same shopping mall as our favorite Aldi. With circumstances on our side for a fast trip home, we ordered and picked up two Fish & Chips: two pieces of Fish with Fries (Chips).

Fortunately the containers were vented and we made sure they were exposed on the trip home. We were minimizing the compromise that take out usually involves.

In this case the Fish remained perfect, while the Fries were a little less than perfect, but may have been slightly undercooked. Great Fish and good Fries for $11.60 per serve with tax and tip.

Dinner

We had purchased some frozen Tuna from Aldi and it was time to give it a try. Since it was “Sushi grade” we decided on a simple sear, then slice and serve on Asian Vegetables with a Beijing Style Soy Sauce pack.

The Tuna was “ridiculously” inexpensive so we had relatively low expectations.

• 12 oz Tuna was $5.19, or $2.60 per serve
• The Asian Stir-fry mix was $2.99 or $1.50 per serve.

The Tuna exceeded expectation and was very good. Our Tuna was in quite small steaks, which suggests it’s cut from the ends of the muscle and too small for the premium market. We will definitely repeat the Tuna, but probably with Japanese Rice. The Asian Vegetables were only okay. Overall a great meal for $4.10 per serve.

Lunch

One of our sandwiches was a direct repeat from yesterday and finished the Brisket. The other was Peanut Butter & Sweet Chili Sauce.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• The Brisket was $4.62 per serve, and we shared half, or $1.56 per serve
• The Tabouli is $2.89 and we served half, or 72c per serve
• The Béarnaise sauce was $3.29 and we used about ⅓, or 55c per serve
• Garlic Spread adds 50c per serve
• Peanut Butter adds 35c per serve
• Add 20c for Sweet Chili Sauce.

Two good sandwiches – although the Brisket was obviously the better one – for $4.62 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight we feasted on Sous Vide Bone-in Heritage Pork Chop, which we finished perfectly in a hot pan, and served with an Apple and Radicchio Salad.

• The Pork Chops were about $9.70 per 10oz serve
• The Radicchio was $3.49 and we used half, or 87c each
• The Apple was $1.38 or 35c per serve
• Add 30c for apple cider vinegar and seasoning.

We have the formula for the perfect medium rare Pork Chop with a light sear. A great meal for $11.22 per serve.

Lunch

Today one sandwich featured left over sous vide Brisket, with Tabouil & Béarnaise Sauce. The other a simple Egg Salad & Sprouts.

• Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
• Egg Salad is $3.69 and we use about ¼ for each sandwich, or 46c per serve
• Sprouts add 30c per serve
• The Brisket was $4.62 per serve, and we shared half, or $1.56 per serve
• The Tabouli is $2.89 and we served half, or 72c per serve
• The Béarnaise sauce was $3.29 and we used about ⅓, or 55c per serve
• Garlic Spread adds 50c per serve.

While not the cheapest of sandwiches, they were quite tasty for $4.83 per serve. The Brisket was particularly tender.

Dinner

We took the remaining Beef Larb and added it to Stir-fried Asparagus, Bell Peppers and Yakisoba Noodles with Thai inspired dressing.

• A serve of Beef Larb is $2.31
• The Baby Bell Peppers add 16c per serve
• The noodles are $3.19 for the pack, or $1.60 per serve
• The Asparagus was $3.69 and we shared half, or 93c per serve
• Add 50c for seasoning.

A very tasty repurposing of the original Beef Larb for $5.50 per serve.