Eating on $10 day isn't impossible--but requires a little planning. When going about how to start this project, I decided that during the first week I should try to make Pantry dishes. aka using up as many items I already have in my pantry. It's a good way to save money initially (by not spending) and it also helps me do a 'spring cleaning' of sorts for items that have been sitting on my shelf for too long.
Canned Items:
Garbanzo Beans (hummus?), Spicy Corn Relish, Salsa, Vodka Sauce, Peanut Butter, No-Salt Tomato Sauce, Pesto Sauce, Jam, Mint Jelly, Aji de Amarillo Paste, Tahini, Dijon Mustard, Wasabi, Pickled Ginger
Starches/Carbs
Shell Pasta, 6 packets, fancy pasta, Mediterranean Curry Couscous, Basmanti Rice, Sushi Rice, Whole Wheat Bread loaf, Hamburger buns-4, Pita Bites, Stacy's Pita Chips, Potato Chips, popcorn
Dairy
Tapioca, Yogurt, Sliced cheese (cheddar, pepper jack), Parmesan Cheese, Half & Half, Butter
Protein
Pepparoni, Kashi Granola Bar, Pine Nuts, Frozen tofu squares
Fruits/Vegetables
Onions, Plums, Dried Seaweed (for sushi), Frozen Eggplant/Zucchini slices, Frozen Okra
Desserts
Lemon Chalet Cream cookies, Smore Ice cream, Graham Crackers, Marshmallows, Chocolate Bars
Frozen Meals:
Spanikopita
Pantry Staples:
Whole Wheat and All-Purpose Flour, Corn meal, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Balsamic Vinegar, White wine Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Miren, Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce
It may seem like a whole lot of nothing, but I'm hoping I can use this list to plan a few meals around this stuff. A few ideas have already come to mind: an eggplant pasta? Hummus? Veggie Sushi for lunch one week? We shall see. Do you see any ideas from this list I need to jump on? Let me know..
8.29.2010
Restaurant Week
(or Two) Recap
So this is a little late, but I made a last-minute reservation at Zaytinya on Thursday and wanted to eat there before recapping Restaurant Week. Here's what I thought:
Vermilion
Really great night out--we opted for the Chef's dinner (four courses) instead of RW's three and it was worth the additional $10. We had a Crab Cake BLT for an appetizer, Halibut with Okra, a delicious Filet, and tasty dessert of chocolate and raspberries. We arrived a little early and had a drink at the bar---and if I go back, I would definitely try out the bar food next. There were some tasty sliders and other appetizers that looked great, and the bar had a really nice lounge to hang out in.
Tallula
Solid. All you have to do is offer an entire menu that includes duck on the menu, and I'm already ecstatic. I've eaten at the gastro pub attached next door, EatBar, many times, which is great but slightly salty overall. I was really happy how much Tallula's menu expanded on EatBar's ideas. I started with some homemade pasta, moved on to the duck, and ended with a cheese plate (my weakness). All amazing. I want to go back and try all their homemade pastas, because that's my weakness.
Zaytinya
This was a last-minute reservation (when our original plans fell through) because Megan and I figured out Zaytinya extended Restaurant Week. THANK YOU. It was such a great meal---five courses of hot, cold, savory, and sweet mezze meals. Megan and I chose two out of the four options for each course, and weren't disappointed in any of the ten dishes we ate (the two lamb dishes stand out even five days later). I know they say not to eat ethnic during RW because it's affordable all the time, but this was a great experience and allowed us to try a wide variety of the restaurant's best dishes. There are almost TOO many choices when you're ordering mezze meals, and this gave me a great introduction to a really tremendous restaurant.
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| Halibut at Vermilion |
Really great night out--we opted for the Chef's dinner (four courses) instead of RW's three and it was worth the additional $10. We had a Crab Cake BLT for an appetizer, Halibut with Okra, a delicious Filet, and tasty dessert of chocolate and raspberries. We arrived a little early and had a drink at the bar---and if I go back, I would definitely try out the bar food next. There were some tasty sliders and other appetizers that looked great, and the bar had a really nice lounge to hang out in.
Tallula
Solid. All you have to do is offer an entire menu that includes duck on the menu, and I'm already ecstatic. I've eaten at the gastro pub attached next door, EatBar, many times, which is great but slightly salty overall. I was really happy how much Tallula's menu expanded on EatBar's ideas. I started with some homemade pasta, moved on to the duck, and ended with a cheese plate (my weakness). All amazing. I want to go back and try all their homemade pastas, because that's my weakness.
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| Mezze at Zaytinya |
This was a last-minute reservation (when our original plans fell through) because Megan and I figured out Zaytinya extended Restaurant Week. THANK YOU. It was such a great meal---five courses of hot, cold, savory, and sweet mezze meals. Megan and I chose two out of the four options for each course, and weren't disappointed in any of the ten dishes we ate (the two lamb dishes stand out even five days later). I know they say not to eat ethnic during RW because it's affordable all the time, but this was a great experience and allowed us to try a wide variety of the restaurant's best dishes. There are almost TOO many choices when you're ordering mezze meals, and this gave me a great introduction to a really tremendous restaurant.
Crispy Kale!
Christina's directions were pretty straight forward: clean the kale (then dry it!), toss it with some sesame oil, diced garlic, and salt, and then place in the oven until it's crispy. Make sure the kale is dry--it will take longer to crisp up if there is too much moisture--drizzle plenty of oil and garlic salt (for added garlic flavor!) over it and place it in a 375 degree oven. We cooked ours for about 15 minutes, but check it every 5 to see how crispy it is. It should go from this:
Out of the oven, I drizzled more sesame oil over it to keep that flavor nice and abundant, and then broke off the leaves from the stem and served it in a bowl. Hardly any prep---and such a great reward: the kale was crispy and, while it's a bit much to eat on its own without other dishes to balance the flavors, as a topping it should really be tried more often.
8.27.2010
September Food Project
The first week of my food blog I had a panic attack after seeing how much a vegetarian lifestyle could cost me. In the end, the extra shopping evened out with the cheaper meals out, but it still made me think more about expenses. If it's one thing I can always justify it's a good meal, which usually means I go over my food budget by $100-200 in a bad (or delicious) month.
So September, I'm trying something new: to stay under budget. For me, that's would be $400. I usually divide this up between groceries and eating out---but this month I'm going to do something different. The idea is to spent no more than $10 a day---that's $300 for the month--and then have an additional $25 each week that work as a buffer.
$10 seems really low---I spend that much for lunch---so to be successful I've already started working out some ground rules:
1. Bringing lunch to work, and including homemade items like hummus, sandwiches, and cheap items like yogurt, granola bars, and fruit.
2. Hearty Family style dinners that will last for 2-3 leftover meals. (I'm thinking pastas, rice dishes, etc. instead of meat and sides).
3. Less Alcohol/Soda. I have a separate 'Amusement' budget for going out---but when you're strapped for a cash even a $2 coke will cost you dearly.
...plus anything else I can come up with by September 1. Do you have any tips for me? Any good cheap-and-delicious recipe sites I should check out? Let me know in the comments...
So September, I'm trying something new: to stay under budget. For me, that's would be $400. I usually divide this up between groceries and eating out---but this month I'm going to do something different. The idea is to spent no more than $10 a day---that's $300 for the month--and then have an additional $25 each week that work as a buffer.
$10 seems really low---I spend that much for lunch---so to be successful I've already started working out some ground rules:
1. Bringing lunch to work, and including homemade items like hummus, sandwiches, and cheap items like yogurt, granola bars, and fruit.
2. Hearty Family style dinners that will last for 2-3 leftover meals. (I'm thinking pastas, rice dishes, etc. instead of meat and sides).
3. Less Alcohol/Soda. I have a separate 'Amusement' budget for going out---but when you're strapped for a cash even a $2 coke will cost you dearly.
...plus anything else I can come up with by September 1. Do you have any tips for me? Any good cheap-and-delicious recipe sites I should check out? Let me know in the comments...
8.22.2010
Escape to Brooklyn
This weekend I decided to escape DC to visit my sister in Brooklyn. I ran into a friend on the bus, and she inevitably asked what Alicia and I would be eating this weekend--because when the Weaver sisters get together, it's usually a food-centric trip.
Friday Night I got in around 8:30, and we went to try Hancos—they are known for Bin Maih Sandwiches and Bubble Tea. Alicia lives super close to this place, and got really excited last month when it was featured on This American Life on NPR. Really, really awesome sandwiches. I had the Classic sandwich (ground pork, ham, pate) and Alicia had the Grilled Pork. We ordered them mild--and then added on our own saracha at home. Great way to start my vacation.
Saturday we started off at the Brooklyn Flea Market. Alicia and I meant to grab some lobster rolls, which she said were amazing, but when I realized they were the much-anticipated Red Hook Lobster Rolls that just arrived in DC, I decided to go for something I could not immediately grab at home. Hello Papusas:
We ordered four: a jalapeno, cheese, zucchini, and pork (all ingredients are cooked into the dough and then served with sour cream, pickled cabbage, salsa, and jalapenos). Zucchini was amazing, and was a great pairing with the incredibly spicy jalapeno.
After papusas, we walked them off by walking to the Prospect Park Farmers Market. Lots of really amazing produce was there for the taking: peaches, tomatoes, eggplant. I made Alicia grab some delicious looking Kale so we could make this crispy kale recipe Christina told me about back during my Vegetarian month. I'm thinking that will be our treat before dinner.
Friday Night I got in around 8:30, and we went to try Hancos—they are known for Bin Maih Sandwiches and Bubble Tea. Alicia lives super close to this place, and got really excited last month when it was featured on This American Life on NPR. Really, really awesome sandwiches. I had the Classic sandwich (ground pork, ham, pate) and Alicia had the Grilled Pork. We ordered them mild--and then added on our own saracha at home. Great way to start my vacation.
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| Papusas at the Brooklyn Flea: Two for $5! |
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| Looks like a mess, but very tasty |
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| Grand Army Plaza Market |
8.15.2010
DC Restaurant Week: What should I eat?
This upcoming week is Restaurant Week in DC and, as I've missed out on the past two because I was broke, I'm really excited about my upcoming dinner plans. I wanted to pick the pricier places that are suppose to be amazing, and see what the kitchens could do. This week I've made two reservations: Tallula and Vermilion.
Vermilion is my first stop of the week--I snagged a last-minute later reservation for Wednesday night. It's a place I've never been, but should go to at least once. Reviews have been hit or miss lately, so it might not a crap shoot--but I'm hoping the Here's the menu:
I'll be back at the end of the week with pictures and my thoughts on the meals!
Vermilion is my first stop of the week--I snagged a last-minute later reservation for Wednesday night. It's a place I've never been, but should go to at least once. Reviews have been hit or miss lately, so it might not a crap shoot--but I'm hoping the Here's the menu:
- Dinner appetizers: Gazpacho with peaches, ricotta salata, and kalamata tapenade; squid two ways with shelling beans, celery, focaccia, and saffron vinaigrette; stuffed roma tomatoes
spiced luganega sausage, farro, vin cotto & brad’s goat cheese - Dinner entrées: Goat-cheese raviolo with roasted beets and walnut froth; bistro filet with potato confit, shallots two ways, and salsa verde; pan-roasted Arctic char with parker-house panzanella and pickled red onion.
- What I'll Get: Slightly disappointed in this selection, but I'm sure it'll still be delicious. Maybe the squid and then the filet?
- Dinner appetizers: Tomato-and-cantaloupe soup with blue crab; ahi-tuna tartare; pan-seared scallops; soft-shell crab; bison carpaccio; frisée salad; bibb-lettuce salad; mixed baby greens; corn-and-smoked-potato agnolotti; saffron fettuccine with rock shrimp, calamari, and chorizo; cavatelli with veal sausage, escarole, and chili flakes.
- Dinner entrées: Pan-roasted duck breast with roasted peaches, turnips, and vin cotto; olive-oil-poached salmon with mizuna, beets, and pickled trumpet mushrooms; roasted whole branzino with zucchini tian, pickled green garlic, and preserved-lemon vinaigrette; hangar steak with potato galette and salsa verde; halibut with mussels, clams, and bouillabaise broth; duo of pork with black-eyed peas, collards, and okra stew.
- What I'll Get: Definitely the duck for my entree, the saffron fettuccine seems really cool--I wonder if it's homemade? Appetizer will most likely depend on my mood that day.
I'll be back at the end of the week with pictures and my thoughts on the meals!
8.13.2010
Ray's Hell Burger Too
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| Hanoi Style Wild Board Burger: Amazing!! |
What's Fantastic:
- The Wild Board burger (shown above). Served 'Hanoi style' which interprets as asian marinade and a tangy coleslaw on top. It looks simple, but the flavors are really amazing. Must be served well done, but excellent all the same.
- Smaller sizes. My main complain against Hell Burger is the enormity of the burgers. It's a fantastic burger, but one you have to eat on an empty stomach because it's HUGE. I like taking guys here because they appreciate the meat orgy—but if I'm picking a burger place for myself I'd rather go into DC to Good Stuff. Not any more. Offering a smaller (and cheaper!) burger size, Hell Burger Too suddenly makes itself a closer and equally delicious option.
- Servers! Although I love the crazy feel of the original Hell Burger--finding a seat, ordering quickly and with cash--Hell Burger Too not only accepts credit cards but also acts more like a sit down restaurant.
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| Venison Burger....blah with a side of ugg |
- Alicia had the Venison Burger—the other 'wild meat' on the menu—and that was...adequate. Best description is that it had one note. Served with a chestnut puree and our cherry-brandy glaze, the dish missed a pizazz that made me want to keep eating. I added salt to give it a little zing, and Alicia suggested balsamic...we're not really sure what it needs, but it doesn't feel complete yet. Definitely not worth the $12 price tag.
- Other wild meats? There was a vegetarian option on the menu, but what about the other promised meats originally hinted about: "elk, antelope, wild duck and ostrich" I'd love to see those on a plate.
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