Jul 29, 2010

buffalo baked potatoes

Kate wanted to make baked potatoes for her lunch.
 Yes, the second potato dish in as many days. You know how we like to double up on the good things! Well, I couldn't say no, but I did ask her to make something with it. She chose to steam broccoli and make a cheese sauce.

She baked some huge potatoes in the toasted oven (less hot than the big oven) and steamed some of the florets.

She made a killer cheese sauce using a simple bechamel sauce that she seasoned and put about a cup of Daiya cheddar in. To make it special she added diced tomatoes and Frank's Hot Sauce - the original Buffalo Sauce , uh, sauce.

This was phenomenal! I added some sliced red cabbage onto mine, some extra hot sauce and there was no need for any wings to be involved except when the flavors took to flight.

Fabulous, Kate. So glad you made baked potatoes.

Cost Breakdown:
6 huge Russets: $4.50
broccoli: $3
Daiya: $2
Almond milk: $1
tomato, cabbage and Frank's: $1.50
Total to feed 6 people:
$12.00




Jul 28, 2010

caramelized chickpea and chard over polenta

This dish started out so well!
I caramelized onions with chickpeas and garlic. The onions became sweet and the chickpeas were beautifully crispy. Then I put chard in it. Well that ruined it for the kids. I put it over a creamy polenta and sprinkled it with lemon zest.

When I tasted the chickpeas and onions, they were lovely. Delicious, sweet and a bit salty. The chard I'm afraid is too earthy. Kale or spinach would be much better in this dish. I've now tried over and over to make chard but the flavor is too deep for my family. I thrown in the towel and given up! There are some things that are not sanctioned by my family; chard is one.
 Sniff. Sniff.

Cost Breakdown:
polenta with almond milk: $2
chickpea: $2
chard: $3
onion, garlic, spices: $1
Total to disappoint a family of 5:
$8.00