Nov 12: Pollo ella Cacciatora (Chicken Caccitore) with Pesto Rosso Toast

Lunch

We had Rosemary Ham and Delice De Bourgogne on toasted Dave’s Killer bread as a Sandwich.

  • Dave’s Killer Bread is 74c per serve
  • The Delice de Bourgogne was $5.38 and we shared ⅓, or 90c per serve
  • The Rosemary Ham was $3.29 and we shared its or $1.65 per serve.

We warmed the Ham and spread the Delice de Bourgogne on hot toast, which we closed to make a Sandwich, for $3.29 per serve.

Dinner

Foodie Greg wanted to try a new recipe for Pollo Alla Cacciatora, although we left out the Cannelloni Beans out. We served with toasted Italian Bread spread generously with Pesto Rosso.

  • The Chicken was $7.09, or $3.55 per serve
  • Add 10 per serve for Garlic and Onion
  • The Tetra-pack Crushed Tomatoes at $4.39 are superior to canned, and we used half, or $1.10 per serve
  • Add 50c for Red Wine per serve
  • Add 75c for Olive Oil and other ingredients
  • Add 38c for Italian Bread
  • Add 50c per serve for Pesto Rosso.

The Sauce was surprisingly tasty for the simple ingredients, and the Chicken perfectly tender. The Pesto Rosso Toast was a perfect accompaniment in an excellent meal for $6.88 per serve.

Nov 11: Smoked Salmon Brioche Roll

Lunch

It has been a while, but we cooked our savory cake: the Smokey Cheese and Pumpkin Slice. I told the story of how it became known as Hebrew Temptation earlier and the recipe is there too. It makes four generous serves.

  • The bacon was $6.99 for 12 slices, and we used five, or 73c per serve
  • Four pastured eggs at 50c each is $2.00 or 50c per serve
  • A small bag of organic flour is $2.69 and we used about 1/3 or 23c per serve
  • Butternut Squash was $3.00, or about 75c per serve
  • The Smoked Gouda was $2.99 or 75c per serve.
  • An onion adds 8c per serve.

An excellent lunch for $3.14 per serve.

Dinner

A simple meal of Smoked Salmon, Avocado and a Fried Egg on a toasted Brioche Roll. The Chips came with our meal from The Country Deli and are accounted for there.

  • The Brioche Roll is 58c per serve
  • The Smoked Salmon pieces were $1.18 per serve
  • The Avocado was 59c or 30c per serve
  • A Pastured Egg adds 50c per serve
  • Add 10c for Spring Onion.

A very tasty sandwich for $2.56, that probably needed Arugula for a little crunch.

Nov 10: Marinated Skirt Steak Dinner

Lunch

The Foodies were in Simi Valley and stopped at Mr Fish and Chips to pick up our regular Scallops, Coleslaw and Fries for $7.31 per serve.

Dinner

Our Thursday Night Date Night meal was from The Country Deli where we reverted to the Marinated Skirt Steak dinner, which we split. Foodie Philip had the Steak with Home Fries and Fried Eggs that we added. Foodie Greg had the other half of the Steak, some Home Fries and an Arugula and Parmesan Salad.

  • The Marinated Skirt Steak Meal is $36.21 with tax and tip, or $18.11 per serve
  • Pastured Eggs are 50c each, or $1.50
  • Arugula adds 2oc
  • Parmesan adds 50c.

A very tasty meal for an average of $19.21 per serve.

Nov 9: Hambāgu Steak with Mash Japanese Sweet Potato and Butter Soy Steamed Broccoli

Lunch

Today was another Speck and Arugula Panini

  • The Speck was $3.99, or $2.00 per serve
  • The Ciabatta is 58c per serve
  • Arugula adds 40c per serve
  • Olive Oil adds 30c per serve.

A favorite because it tastes so good, for $3.28 per serve.

Dinner

Tonight was a complete do-over of Sunday night’s Hambāgu Steak with Mash Japanese Sweet Potato and Butter Soy Steamed Broccoli for $4.64 per serve.

Nov 8: Parmesan Risotto with Bay Scallops

Lunch

We shared a fresh Clam Chowder from Trader Joe’s that was very rich, creamy and $2.50 per serve. We will definitely do it again.

Dinner

Bay Scallops have been unavailable for a while so when they came back into stock Foodie Greg decides they were perfect for a Risotto.

  • The Risotto was $4.79 or $2.40 per serve
  • The Bay Scallops were $7.19 for a pound, but we used half, or $1.80 per serve
  • Add 40c for Saffron
  • Add 25c for Lemon Juice.

The Bay Scallops had great flavor, that is definitely more intense than Jumbo Scallops. They blended well with the Risotto for $4.85 per serve.

Nov 7: Stuffed Shells with Marinara Sauce and an Arugula Parmesan Salad

Lunch

Foodie Greg picked up a Tarte Aux Champignons for $4.79 or $2.40 per serve.

Dinner

Our Meatless Monday meal was Stuffed Shells with Marinara Sauce and an Arugula Parmesan Salad.

  • The Shells were $3.49 and we only prepared half, or 88c per serve
  • The Marinara Sauce is $1.79 and we used half, or 45c per serve
  • Add 30c for Agugula
  • Add 40c for freshly Grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

Unfortunately this is the last of the Stuffed Shells for a while, as they were an Aldi special buy, but they were tasty while they lasted for $1.93 per serve.

Nov 6: Hambāgu Steak with Mashed Japanese Sweet Potato and Butter Soy Steamed Broccoli

Lunch

It was Japanese day in our house, with the Japanese inspired Hambāgu Steak for dinner, and some very excellent Japanese Curry Rice for lunch. Foodie Philip had Beef, while Foodie Greg had the (better) Chicken. The Beef meat was a little tough, but the Curry was spot on. It evoked strong food memories in Foodie Philip from his exchange student days in Japan. Definitely doing the Chicken again for $18.84 per serve, with tax and tip.

Dinner

We enjoyed the Hambāgu last time, so it was time to repeat it.

  • Ground beef was$5.99 or $1.50 per serve
  • 8 oz Panko breadcrumbs are $2.99 and we used half, or 38c per serve
  • A Pastured Egg is 50c or 12c per serve
  • Cream Cheese adds 11c per serve
  • The Shallot is 6c per serve
  • Ketchup adds 40c per serve
  • Add 17c for Red Wine
  • Add 20c for other Sauce Ingredients
  • The Broccoli Florets were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve
  • The Japanese Sweet Potato was $2.27 and we used half, or 65c per serve.
  • Add 30c for Sour Cream in the Sweet Potato.

The Sour Cream balanced the sweetness of the Sweet Potato. A very tasty and balanced meal for $4.64 per serve.

Nov 5: Pork and Sage Rissoles with Vinegar Coleslaw

Lunch

Lunch was our reliable and favorite Speck, Arugula and Olive Oil Panini.

  • The Speck was $3.99, or $2.00 per serve
  • The Ciabatta is 58c per serve
  • Arugula adds 40c per serve
  • Olive Oil adds 30c per serve.

Always a tasty sandwich for $3.28 per serve.

Dinner

We were both looking forward to the Pork and Sage Rissoles on what is probably our last opportunity for grilling outdoors for a while. The recipe made four meals this time

  • The Ground Pork was on special $4.70, or $1.17 per serve
  • The Bacon was on special for $3.60 and we used ⅝, or 45c per serve
  • Sage came from our garden
  • 8 oz Panko breadcrumbs are $2.99 and we used half, or 38c per serve
  • A Pastured Egg is 50c or 13c per serve
  • Add 15c for Onion and other ingredients
  • The Coleslaw adds 85c per serve.

The Pork and Sage is a perfect combination – the aromatic Sage seems to amplify the porkiness of the meat. A great meal for $3.13 per serve.

Nov 4: Ahi Tuna Tataki with Stir Fried Vegetables and Noodles in a Ginger Sauce

Lunch

A “Steak Sandwich” where the Steak is a Portobello Mushroom in a Brioche Bun!

  • The Brioche Bun is 58c per serve
  • Arugula adds 25c per serve
  • The two Portobello Mushrooms were $3.99 or $2.00 per serve
  • Add 40c for Butter and Garlic.

A very tasty Sandwich for $3.23 per serve.

Dinner

For our Fishy Friday tonight we seared the Ahi Tuna and place it on Stir Fried Rice Noodles, Fresh Beans, Carrots and Baby Corn.

  • Twelve ounces of Ahi Tuna from Aldi is $5.62, and we shared ⅔, or $1.88 per serve
  • The Prince Edward Medley was $1.99 and we used half, or 50c per serve
  • The Rice Noodles were $2.99 and we used half, or 75c per serve.

A quite tasty meal for $3.13 per serve.

Nov 3: Sous vide and seared Bone-in Pork Loin Chops with Sauerkraut and Garlic Sage Spätzle

Lunch

We finished the par-baked Baguette by stuffing it with Arugula, Cream Cheese and Pickled Beetroot slices.

  • The half a Baguette was $1.29 or 65c per serve
  • Cream Cheese adds 36c per serve
  • Pickled Beets adds 45c per serve.

A quite tasty sandwich for $1.46 per serve.

Dinner

We had some large bone-in Pork Loin Chops from Whole Foods that we sous vide and then seared in Butter. We served with Sauerkraut and Garlic Sage Spätzle.

  • The 1.75 lbs of Pork Loin Chops were $7.86, or $3.94 per serve with a lot of pork left over.
  • Garlic Sage Spätzle was $4.49 or $2.25 per serve
  • Add 20c for Sauerkraut.

The Pork was cooked to perfection and very tasty. The Spätzle was very tasty and contributed to a great meal for $6.36 per serve.