Falling Behind

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

Hearty, Delicious, Crowed Pleaser

Yes they taste just as good as the picture looks. 

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

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.