Month: November 2021

Lunch

A cool day made a Trader Joe’s Spanakopita very appealing for $3.99 or $2.00 per serve.

Dinner

We pulled our last Ham Bone from the freezer and used it as the foundation for 13 Bean Soup, with cubed Ham.

• The Ham Bone was free so the Stock had no cost
• Add 25c per serve for Bay Leaf, Carrot & Onion
• The 13 Bean Mix was $5.49 and we used half, or 69c per serve
• Canned Tomatoes add 25c per serve
• Spinach adds 35c per serve
• Add 30c for preserved Lemon liquid and Apple Cider Vinegar
• Italian Bread adds 28c per serve.

This version of the 13 Bean Soup had Tomatoes and Spinach added for a bit more vegetable. We used the salty Preserved Lemon liquid for seasoning, and a little Apple Cider Vinegar to brighten the final flavor. A very tasty Soup for $2.12 per serve.

Lunch

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

Dinner

Tonight we returned to the Curried Scallops with Spinach recipe, although this time we created it as a deconstructed Pot Pie by placing an Indian Paratha below the Scallops.

• Bay Scallops are $5.99 o r $3.00 per serve
• Chicken Bone Broth adds 50c per serve
• Spinach is $2.29 and we used about half, or 58c per serve
• Add 35c for Butter
• Add 10c for Onion
• Heavy Whipping Cream is $3.99 per pint and we used half or $1.00 per serve
• Add 30c for other ingredients
• The Paratha was $1.99 for five, or 40c per serve.

The Bays Scallops are a better fit for this dish than the Giant Scallops. Overall, it worked extremely well and was very tasty for $6.29 per serve.

Lunch

For lunch, we heated some more of the remaining Red Wine and Mushroom Meatloaf in a hot Panini Roll.

• The Sandwich Rolls are 89c per serve
• The Meatloaf is $1.54 per serve
• Lettuce adds 10c per serve
• Add 20c for Mustard.

An enjoyable sandwich for $2.73 per serve.

Dinner

A welcome return to our sous vide Duck Breast. Tonight we went more French than Asian in the flavor profile.

• The Duck Breasts were $17.50 or $9.25 per serve
• The Red Swiss Chard was $1.50 after all discounts, or 75c per serve
• We shard an Apple for 40c per serve
• The Pomegranate was $2.69 and we used ¼ , or 34c per serve.

We have finally perfected the crisping of the skin by using a lower temperature and longer time. Overall a very deluxe meal for $10.74 per serve.

Lunch

As we had some Steak remaining from last night, we split it, added to a hot Dinner Roll, and served with a Butter Lettuce and Semi-dried Tomato Salad. Foodie Greg created a very tasty Jus for dipping.

• The Dinner Roll is 48c per serve
• The Steak was included in last night’s dinner
• Lettuce adds 20c per serve
• Semi-dried Tomatoes add 30c per serve
• Add 50c for the Jus.

The Steak reheated in the Jus and shared some Paprika flavoring with the Jus. A very tasty meal for $1.48 per serve.

Dinner

Barramundi, Coleslaw and Steak Fries is probably a prototypical Fishy Friday! We tried a more savory Coleslaw from Anne Burrell

• The Barramundi was $9.99 or $5.00 per serve
• Coleslaw and Balsamic Vinegar add 75c per serve
• The Steak Fries were $1.49 and we shared half, or 38c per serve.

A simple Fishy Friday for $6.13 per serve.

Lunch

What better than a Bacon and Coleslaw sandwich?

• The Aldi Sprouted Bread was 46c per serve
• Uncured Bacon was $5.99 for 10 slices, and we shared four, or $1.20 per serve
• Add 50c for Coleslaw.

A tasty sandwich for $2.16 per serve.

Dinner

We were testing a new recipe for Prosciutto, Cream Cheese and Pea Frittata.

• Pastured Eggs add 66c per serve
• The Prosciutto was $2.65 or $1.33 per serve
• Neufchâtel adds 50c per serve
• Add 20c for Seasoning.

This turned out really well. The little pockets of Cream Cheese were delightful, while the Prosciutto seasoned the Eggs perfectly, while adding a lot of flavor. We will repeat for $2.69 per serve.

October was another quiet month that we spent entirely at home. 

Our evening meals continue to be about the same as last year, with a wider variety of protein! 

The averages for this month were up slightly:

• Lunch prepared at home $2.14 ($2.20 in Sep)
• Lunch eaten or purchased outside the home: $10.48 ($8.75)
• Dinner eaten at home: $5.02($4.71)
• Dinner prepared in a restaurant $19.93 ($17.74)

The variation is small month to month.

Our most expensive meal of the month was, again, our modified Bento Box with Tataki Tuna for $20.98 per serve.

This month, lunches at home cost 20% of the cost of eating lunches prepared outside the home. Our evening meals prepared in the home are 25% of the cost of take-out meals.

Had we purchased every lunch and prepared none it would have cost us $324.88 per person in September. We actually spent $46.05 for lunches at home plus $39.47 for lunches purchased or eaten out:  $85.52 per person in total. These are a little higher than the averages for recent months.

If every evening meal cost us the same as our one this month, it would be $617.83. We actually spent $111.25 for dinners at home and $39.86 for two dinners out, or $151.11 per person in total, which is a little down.

Without the travel we’re back to our typical meal costs, within normal variation. We saved about $850 per person by preparing almost all our meals at home and we have a lot more control over what we eat.