Blogging seems to have taken a back seat to the endless Christmas activities and crafts. I know I told you all that I would be documenting my endeavors through Jamie's book and I must be honest, I have made quite a few of the recipes since my last post. The fastest way for me to do as I promised and to get back to my next project/s, is for me to dump them all in this one post and give you a quick review. To cute down on time I am also borrowing all the enticing pictures from JO's site. (actually I just never got around to taking the pictures)
Steak Sarnie...Crispy Baby Potatoes
Cheese Mushrooms...Beet Salad
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| Hearty, Delicious, Crowed Pleaser |
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| Yes they taste just as good as the picture looks. |
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| Beet Salad |
Lets break it down
Time: 23.47 minutes ***I did not make the potatoes, the bread to me is enough starches***
Cost: $2.15 roughly per serving. This is hard to figure due to the fact that you could use many different cuts of meat, creating a price jump. We bought a whole cow and I am not sure what each steak cost us.
Rating: Tom ***, Brandi ***, Haylie :-( (she ate the steak but nothing else)
Side notes: Cut your meat really thin. It was a little hard to eat with the bigger chunks I cut.
You may not like beets, but do not count them out until you have tried them made this way. I used fresh beets instead of the vacuum packed beets. I am not pulling your leg, this salad is amazing. A dear friend can contest to the flavor of this salad, I packed it along on one of our hiking adventures.
The mushrooms....what can I say....I am in love. Even though, I did not actually make them with this meal. I have had these before and they are worth every single flavor loaded bite.
Chicken Pie, French-s Style Peas
Sweet Carrot Smash
Break Down
Time: 20 minutes
Cost: $1.15 This includes even the sides. Two bonuses, I got 3 meals out of my one whole chicken. If you really want to be frugal then I suggest buying a whole chicken vs just the chicken breast. My one chicken made; chicken pie, chicken & dumpling soup, enchiladas, and 5 quarts of chicken stock. A whole chicken was $9 for 5 lbs. Two chicken breast normally run $5. Another frugal idea, use 1 sheet of puff pastry for this meal and then the other sheet to make beef wellington.
Rating: Tom**, Brandi *, Haylie **
Side Notes: I felt that this pie was lacking a little more substance. It seemed to be just a lot of the puff pastry, and nothing else. It was very flavorful but not quite the same as a good pot pie. When I make this again I will will add more veggies, maybe even some parsnips to "beef it up".
Carrots- yummy, yummy, yummy. Tom loved the carrots, so simple so fast. Haylie loves carrots and she enjoyed them prepared this way.
Peas- ummm yeah, I still don't like peas. (sorry dad) My dad would very much enjoy this side dish.
Sloppy Joes
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| I have to say my sloppy joes look WAY WAY different then these. |
Break Down
Cost: $1.15 CHEAP!!!!!!! Splurge and get organic, pasture grazed ground beef.
Time: 15 minutes
Rating: Tom *****, Brandi ****, Haylie *
Side Note: I don't know anyone that has ever made sloppy joe's and then wrapped them in a tortilla. I must admit I have not tried it wrapped in a shell. I just top a burger bun with the meat and cheese, like the traditional way. This sloppy joe mix has to be the best I have ever had. I am not a huge fan of hamburger but I definitely enjoy it in this mix. Its spicy and sweet. We have a favorite "go to" restaurant here in town called "The Porch" and one of my parents favorite meal, are their sloppy joe's. However they put a spin on the standard sloppy joes and instead of serving them on hamburger buns they top cornbread with the mix. Next time, I think I will try this method. That should drop the price even more if you make your own cornbread. One last thing, this is not in his 30 minute meal book, but I had to throw it in as Tom absolutely loved it.
That is all I have for now. Let me know if I can improve these post in any way? Maybe I need pictures of Haylie preparing them.?.? I am just hoping to encourage you to try your hand at cooking. Reading a recipe is easy and the end result is so satisfying. Once you get comfortable with the adding ingredients together venture out and try preparing a meal with no recipe. Creating a meal to me nourishes the mind, body and soul.
