Saturday, January 31, 2009
Week One: Day Six
Brunch -
Bagels with Cream Cheese (I grabbed two bagels from the local market for $1.00)
Coffee (on hand)
OJ
Dinner -
Pizza from the corner (again)
We were not 100% into this at the beginning (the first few weeks of this project are back dated). This was difficult for us as we were not used to cooking on a regular basis. We both love to cook, but with different schedules (he's in retail, I used to be working from 9 am to sometimes 11 at night) and decent pay, we got used to just ordering in so that we would have more time to go out for drinks with friends or play video games or just watch TV. During this first week of the project we weren't as focused on the plan as we currently are. It should also be noted that G loves to eat, and sometimes I skip meals.
In the coming weeks, though, there will be less pizza on the menu.
Bagels with Cream Cheese (I grabbed two bagels from the local market for $1.00)
Coffee (on hand)
OJ
Dinner -
Pizza from the corner (again)
We were not 100% into this at the beginning (the first few weeks of this project are back dated). This was difficult for us as we were not used to cooking on a regular basis. We both love to cook, but with different schedules (he's in retail, I used to be working from 9 am to sometimes 11 at night) and decent pay, we got used to just ordering in so that we would have more time to go out for drinks with friends or play video games or just watch TV. During this first week of the project we weren't as focused on the plan as we currently are. It should also be noted that G loves to eat, and sometimes I skip meals.
In the coming weeks, though, there will be less pizza on the menu.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Week One: Day Five
Lunch -
I didn't have a chance to eat.
Dinner -
Annie's Shells and cheese, 2 boxes, made as per the box instructions (G added a can of Skyline Chili to his)
Romaine salad with Buttermilk Dressing
The buttermilk dressing was easy. I mixed together 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper. G loved it.
I didn't have a chance to eat.
Dinner -
Annie's Shells and cheese, 2 boxes, made as per the box instructions (G added a can of Skyline Chili to his)
Romaine salad with Buttermilk Dressing
The buttermilk dressing was easy. I mixed together 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp garlic salt, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper. G loved it.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Week One: Day Four
Lunch -
Salami and provolove sandwich, with a pickle on the side
Dinner -
We had friends over to watch American Idol, as our friends were on it. So we cheated and had pizza from our corner pizza place.
Salami and provolove sandwich, with a pickle on the side
Dinner -
We had friends over to watch American Idol, as our friends were on it. So we cheated and had pizza from our corner pizza place.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Week One: Day Three
Lunch -
Chicken Caesar Salad - I made an extra chicken breast the night before for this.
Dinner -
Puttanesca
Garlic Bread
Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
The garlic bread was simple. I cut the baguette into slices and then topped each slice with a pat of butter, some garlic salt and parmesan cheese.
The salad was just romaine with the vinaigrette from the night before.
I love Puttanesca, and this simple recipe was easy to make and hit the spot.
Chicken Caesar Salad - I made an extra chicken breast the night before for this.
Dinner -
Puttanesca
Garlic Bread
Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
The garlic bread was simple. I cut the baguette into slices and then topped each slice with a pat of butter, some garlic salt and parmesan cheese.
The salad was just romaine with the vinaigrette from the night before.
I love Puttanesca, and this simple recipe was easy to make and hit the spot.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Week One: Day Two
Lunch -
Ham and Swiss Sandwich
Dinner -
Chicken with Olives and Capers
Roasted Rosemary and Parmesan New Potatoes
Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
The chicken recipe can be found on Epicurious by clicking the link above. The potatoes are washed and quartered, and put onto a baking sheet. I drizzled them with olive oil and sprinkled them with dried rosemary, kosher salt (both on hand) and parmesan cheese. I roasted them for 20 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through cooking.
The salad was simple again: Lettuce with a Mustard Vinaigrette. The vinaigrette is made from 3 parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar. Then whisk in spicy brown mustard, kosher salt and ground pepper to taste.
The chicken was very tasty, nice and juicy. I will definitely make it again.
Ham and Swiss Sandwich
Dinner -
Chicken with Olives and Capers
Roasted Rosemary and Parmesan New Potatoes
Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette
The chicken recipe can be found on Epicurious by clicking the link above. The potatoes are washed and quartered, and put onto a baking sheet. I drizzled them with olive oil and sprinkled them with dried rosemary, kosher salt (both on hand) and parmesan cheese. I roasted them for 20 minutes, shaking the pan once halfway through cooking.
The salad was simple again: Lettuce with a Mustard Vinaigrette. The vinaigrette is made from 3 parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar. Then whisk in spicy brown mustard, kosher salt and ground pepper to taste.
The chicken was very tasty, nice and juicy. I will definitely make it again.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Week One: Day One
Lunch -
I cheated and bought lunch. Way to start the project!
Dinner -
Mom's World Famous Porkchops
Wild Rice
Salad with Oil and Vinegar
The recipe for the Porkchops, courtesy of my mom, is pretty simple, but delicious. Take one of the chops and use the fatty side to grease a heated skillet over med. heat. Put two chops into the pan and add a mixture of 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1/4 cup water. Put a lid on the skillet so that it is slightly askew, turn the chops once during cooking and add 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1/4 cup water again. If the liquid cooks down completely during cooking, add more water and soy. I don't have the exact time for cooking, but it's about 10 minutes on the first side and 7 minutes on the second side.
The wild rice was on hand (rare for NYC, I'm sure). The salad was simply lettuce with a dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (all on hand).
Like I said, my mom's recipe for pork chops is delicious, so we were both happy and satisfied.
I cheated and bought lunch. Way to start the project!
Dinner -
Mom's World Famous Porkchops
Wild Rice
Salad with Oil and Vinegar
The recipe for the Porkchops, courtesy of my mom, is pretty simple, but delicious. Take one of the chops and use the fatty side to grease a heated skillet over med. heat. Put two chops into the pan and add a mixture of 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1/4 cup water. Put a lid on the skillet so that it is slightly askew, turn the chops once during cooking and add 1/4 cup soy sauce and 1/4 cup water again. If the liquid cooks down completely during cooking, add more water and soy. I don't have the exact time for cooking, but it's about 10 minutes on the first side and 7 minutes on the second side.
The wild rice was on hand (rare for NYC, I'm sure). The salad was simply lettuce with a dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (all on hand).
Like I said, my mom's recipe for pork chops is delicious, so we were both happy and satisfied.
Week One: Grocery List
Here is the grocery list for Week One:
Fresh Direct -
0.54 lb Domestic Parmesan - (Grated) $5.26
1 Breakstone's Sour Cream - (16oz) $2.59
1 Farmland Cultured Lowfat Buttermilk - (1 quart) $1.99
1 Farmland Whole Milk - (1/2 gallon) $2.39
1 Land O'Lakes Salted Butter - (4 sticks) $4.89
1 New England Fresh Grade A Large Brown Eggs - (1 dozen) $1.99
1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread - (8oz) $2.89
0.25 lb Citterio Genoa Salami - (Thin) $1.75
1.01 lb Mariah Thick Sliced Bacon, Rind-On $4.03
0.52 lb Pitted Sicilian Olives $3.11
4 Lemons - (Farm Fresh, Med) $2.00
1 Barilla Spaghetti - (16oz) $1.59
1 College Inn Chicken Broth - (48oz) $3.69
1 General Mills Basic 4 Cereal - (16oz) $4.99
1 General Mills Cheerios Cereal - (8.9oz) $3.89
2 Kraft Original Elbow Macaroni & Cheese - (7.25oz) $3.38
1 Lipton-Gefen Ranch Soup & Dip Mix - (2.4oz) $1.99
1 Newman's Own Caesar Dressing - (8oz) $2.29
1 Progresso Italian Style Peeled Tomatoes with Basil - (28oz) $1.99
1 Roland Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil, Jar - (4.2oz) $3.49
1 Roland Organic Traditional Buckwheat Soba Noodles - (12.8oz) $1.99
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - (3 pieces per pack, Grade A) $7.43
1 FreshDirect Gold Creamer Potatoes - (24oz) $3.99
2 Garlic - (Farm Fresh, Med) $0.84
1 Italian Parsley - (Farm Fresh) $1.49
3 Jumbo Carrots - (Farm Fresh) $1.29
Delivery Fee - $5.79
Total - $83.01
Local Market
Lettuce $4.99
Pork Chops $4.24
Romaine $2.00
Kalamata Olives $4.16
Soy Sauce $2.99
Caesar dressing $2.29
Pickles $4.49
Bread $3.99
Celery $1.99
Baby Carrots $1.50
Provolone (organic-crap) $6.49
Annies Shells and Cheese $3.38
Brown Mustard $1.79
Mayo $2.99
Cinnamon Toast Crunch $4.49
Swiss Cheese $2.20
Ham $2.94
English Muffins $3.39
Spam $3.99
Baguette $1.99
Total - $66.29
Grand Total for the week: a whopping $144.54 - oops!
Snacks for the week are the celery and baby carrots with Ranch Dip (made from the sour cream and a packet from the "Ranch Soup" mix) for me and Spam sandwiches on English Muffins for G. We don't eat breakfast that much, but that's what the cereal is for (we had coffee already). Lunches were Ham and Swiss sandwiches and Salami and Provolone sandwiches (unless noted).
Fresh Direct -
0.54 lb Domestic Parmesan - (Grated) $5.26
1 Breakstone's Sour Cream - (16oz) $2.59
1 Farmland Cultured Lowfat Buttermilk - (1 quart) $1.99
1 Farmland Whole Milk - (1/2 gallon) $2.39
1 Land O'Lakes Salted Butter - (4 sticks) $4.89
1 New England Fresh Grade A Large Brown Eggs - (1 dozen) $1.99
1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Spread - (8oz) $2.89
0.25 lb Citterio Genoa Salami - (Thin) $1.75
1.01 lb Mariah Thick Sliced Bacon, Rind-On $4.03
0.52 lb Pitted Sicilian Olives $3.11
4 Lemons - (Farm Fresh, Med) $2.00
1 Barilla Spaghetti - (16oz) $1.59
1 College Inn Chicken Broth - (48oz) $3.69
1 General Mills Basic 4 Cereal - (16oz) $4.99
1 General Mills Cheerios Cereal - (8.9oz) $3.89
2 Kraft Original Elbow Macaroni & Cheese - (7.25oz) $3.38
1 Lipton-Gefen Ranch Soup & Dip Mix - (2.4oz) $1.99
1 Newman's Own Caesar Dressing - (8oz) $2.29
1 Progresso Italian Style Peeled Tomatoes with Basil - (28oz) $1.99
1 Roland Anchovy Fillets in Olive Oil, Jar - (4.2oz) $3.49
1 Roland Organic Traditional Buckwheat Soba Noodles - (12.8oz) $1.99
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - (3 pieces per pack, Grade A) $7.43
1 FreshDirect Gold Creamer Potatoes - (24oz) $3.99
2 Garlic - (Farm Fresh, Med) $0.84
1 Italian Parsley - (Farm Fresh) $1.49
3 Jumbo Carrots - (Farm Fresh) $1.29
Delivery Fee - $5.79
Total - $83.01
Local Market
Lettuce $4.99
Pork Chops $4.24
Romaine $2.00
Kalamata Olives $4.16
Soy Sauce $2.99
Caesar dressing $2.29
Pickles $4.49
Bread $3.99
Celery $1.99
Baby Carrots $1.50
Provolone (organic-crap) $6.49
Annies Shells and Cheese $3.38
Brown Mustard $1.79
Mayo $2.99
Cinnamon Toast Crunch $4.49
Swiss Cheese $2.20
Ham $2.94
English Muffins $3.39
Spam $3.99
Baguette $1.99
Total - $66.29
Grand Total for the week: a whopping $144.54 - oops!
Snacks for the week are the celery and baby carrots with Ranch Dip (made from the sour cream and a packet from the "Ranch Soup" mix) for me and Spam sandwiches on English Muffins for G. We don't eat breakfast that much, but that's what the cereal is for (we had coffee already). Lunches were Ham and Swiss sandwiches and Salami and Provolone sandwiches (unless noted).
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Welcome to StreetEpicure!
ep‧i‧cure [ep-i-kyoor]
–noun
1. a person who cultivates a refined taste, esp. in food and wine; connoisseur.
2. Archaic. a person dedicated to sensual enjoyment.
—Synonyms 1. gastronome, gourmet, epicurean. 2. voluptuary, sensualist, gourmand.
—Antonyms 1. ascetic.
From:
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved September 06, 2006, from Dictionary.com
What is a StreetEpicure then?
The idea is that food is a fun experience, but like many, I find that reviewers and recipe makers have limitless budgets and are a little on the highbrow side. There's nothing wrong with that, but there are thousands of restaurants in New York (and not all of them are in Manhattan, and the rest are not all in Brooklyn) that aren't meant to be highbrow. A good restaurant in this city does not mean that you have to have shaved truffles and American Kobe beef on the menu. A StreetEpicure realizes this and explores all of his or her options. From fast food to casual neighborhood places to more upscale restaurants, I will search for good taste. Outside of restaurants, I will also look for great food purveyors for cheeses, meats and vegetables. Wanting to entertain at home? I will look for recipes that will taste good and impress your guests.
UPDATED 2/26/09: After my second post to this blog, I never updated it. After my recent career move (aka: taking a break), I've decided to start this blog up again, but with a slightly different focus. This time around, I'm going to share my experiences cooking on a budget.
I live in NYC with my SO, G, and food, like everything else in this city, is expensive. We have a kitchen that is as big as a common suburban closet. It has limited counter space and not enough room for two of us at the same time. Prep can be a difficult process with me in the kitchen and G chopping at the coffee table in the living room/bedroom. With limited space and a limited budget, can I make it better than Ramen every night? I'd better!
I'm in week five of this experiment so far, you'll see that in the first couple of weeks, the grocery bills were a bit on the high side. We had some staples, but were coming from eating out and ordering in for almost all of our meals, so we were a little short on some things. Plus, I wasn't sure what the budget for the two of us should be. The goal is to get it to $50.00, or less, a week per person. As of now, I am not clipping coupons, although I haven't ruled it out. I'm lazy, so my grocery shopping is done online, through Fresh Direct, and they don't do coupons.
The format will be simple, I'll post the grocery list, menus and then any relevant recipes along with my review (recipes for things like simple sandwiches will not be posted). Feel free to make suggestions for recipes.
Let the StreetEpicure project begin!
–noun
1. a person who cultivates a refined taste, esp. in food and wine; connoisseur.
2. Archaic. a person dedicated to sensual enjoyment.
—Synonyms 1. gastronome, gourmet, epicurean. 2. voluptuary, sensualist, gourmand.
—Antonyms 1. ascetic.
From:
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved September 06, 2006, from Dictionary.com
What is a StreetEpicure then?
The idea is that food is a fun experience, but like many, I find that reviewers and recipe makers have limitless budgets and are a little on the highbrow side. There's nothing wrong with that, but there are thousands of restaurants in New York (and not all of them are in Manhattan, and the rest are not all in Brooklyn) that aren't meant to be highbrow. A good restaurant in this city does not mean that you have to have shaved truffles and American Kobe beef on the menu. A StreetEpicure realizes this and explores all of his or her options. From fast food to casual neighborhood places to more upscale restaurants, I will search for good taste. Outside of restaurants, I will also look for great food purveyors for cheeses, meats and vegetables. Wanting to entertain at home? I will look for recipes that will taste good and impress your guests.
UPDATED 2/26/09: After my second post to this blog, I never updated it. After my recent career move (aka: taking a break), I've decided to start this blog up again, but with a slightly different focus. This time around, I'm going to share my experiences cooking on a budget.
I live in NYC with my SO, G, and food, like everything else in this city, is expensive. We have a kitchen that is as big as a common suburban closet. It has limited counter space and not enough room for two of us at the same time. Prep can be a difficult process with me in the kitchen and G chopping at the coffee table in the living room/bedroom. With limited space and a limited budget, can I make it better than Ramen every night? I'd better!
I'm in week five of this experiment so far, you'll see that in the first couple of weeks, the grocery bills were a bit on the high side. We had some staples, but were coming from eating out and ordering in for almost all of our meals, so we were a little short on some things. Plus, I wasn't sure what the budget for the two of us should be. The goal is to get it to $50.00, or less, a week per person. As of now, I am not clipping coupons, although I haven't ruled it out. I'm lazy, so my grocery shopping is done online, through Fresh Direct, and they don't do coupons.
The format will be simple, I'll post the grocery list, menus and then any relevant recipes along with my review (recipes for things like simple sandwiches will not be posted). Feel free to make suggestions for recipes.
Let the StreetEpicure project begin!
