Saturday, September 27, 2014

$70/Week Challenge - Day Two: Parmesan Pesto Ham and Roast Beef Gouda Grinder (Sub, Hero, Sandwich)


Ingredients:  
  • 1/4 lb Parmesan Pesto Ham (check your local deli)
  • 1/4 lb Roast Beef
  • 1/4 lb Gouda Cheese
  • 1 large seeded Italian or French Loaf of Bread
  • 4 T mayonnaise 
  • 1 T horseradish sauce (or to taste--I kept this mild for the kids)
  • 1  roasted red pepper (jarred)
  • 1/2 C mixed field greens
  1. Slice bread lengthwise.
  2. Mix horseradish and mayo and spread mixture on both sides of bread.
  3. Add all ingredients and top with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve with kettle potato chips, pickles, and pepperoncini.
  5. Enjoy! 

Total Cost:  $8.75, 6 servings

Monday, September 22, 2014

$70/Week Challenge - Day One: Mushroom Gouda Salisbury Steaks with "Potatoes Au Gratin" and Sauteed Spinach




Well, $10 for a dinner for five is a much bigger challenge than I anticipated.  I did go over budget, but am way under budget for tomorrow, so I am hoping that I will still keep to $70 for the week.  These "steaks" were a huge hit at my house, but the processed potatoes?  Never again.  I can come up with something not processed for $1.  Look for that recipe later this week.  This would pair perfectly with a 2009 Betz Family Clos de Betz Columbia Valley Red.  But since we are on a budget, it paired great with water and lemon.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey                                      $3.99
  • 1 packet of Mushroom/Onion soup mix                      $0.50
  • 1 egg                                                                                 $0.17
  • 1 14.5 oz can Beef Broth                                                 $0.89
  • 1 package box of processed potatoes au gratin           $1.00
  • 3 T butter                                                                        $0.25
  • 1/2 C milk                                                                       $0.16
  • 2 C water                                                                         freeish
  • 1 package pre washed baby spinach                            $1.50 (bogo)
  • 1 lemon                                                                            $0.50
  • 1 8 oz package sliced mushrooms                                 $1.99
  • 6 slices Gouda Cheese                                                    $1.20
  • 2 garlic cloves                                                                 $0.10
  • 2 T flour                                                                           N/A
  • 2 T olive oil                                                                      N/A                                                                   
  1. Prepare sodium laden, processed potato product per box directions. (seriously, this is the last time I will ever make this, $1 or not!  I can get the ingredients and make it fresh for around $1)
  2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine beef or turkey, soup mix, and egg.  Mix well.
  4. Shape meat mixture into six, equal sized oval shapes. Tip  half the meat mixture and then divide each half into thirds for a universal size
  5. Place steaks relatively spread out on a sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes, or until cooked through, turning over after 5 minutes.
  6. In a small saucepan over medium high heat, melt 2 T butter and whisk in 2 T flour.
  7. Slowly add beef broth and whisk until well combined.  Reduce heat to low.  Simmer for 10 minutes.
  8. In a small saute pan, add 1 T olive oil and lightly saute garlic that has been finely minced and add spinach and salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Add the juice of one small lemon to spinach.
  10. Remove spinach.  Add 1 T olive oil to the same pan and saute mushrooms until they have sweat and become soft (about five minutes).  Add salt and pepper (to taste).
  11. Top each "steak" with mushrooms and a slice of Gouda cheese.
  12. Return to oven for 2 minutes.  
  13. Enjoy! :) 
CAHD tip:  line your sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray for easy clean up!  It is the only dish that got done tonight.