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The $10 Challenge.

Posted by Nate | Filed under Recipes, Talk

So, as mostly everyone out there we are watching our budget pretty close. As one of our biggest expenses is food (I wonder why), my wife offered me a challenge last night. Go to the store and buy dinner for the two of us for less than $10!

As I am a competitive person and like challenges I said no problem! So, off to the store I went. On the way many things passed through my head. Fish, probably not, Chicken, maybe but not in the mood, Steak, yes but again probably too expensive, Pork, yeah I could do that.

What would I want to do with it, definitely grill, Veggies? Not Sure. Once I got to the store I went right to the seafood department. Nope nothing there. Browse past the beef, nope too expensive like I thought. Pork, found some great chops, so I put them in my basket. Checked the chicken, no not inspired.

As I head to the produce I passed by the beef again and took a look. Always in the “Angus section” there is something a little different. Not sure if that’s because people who buy Angus may be a little more skilled, a little more discerning, not sure. But something out of the corner of my eye, I see some Tri Tip Steaks. YES!

I rush back to put the pork back in place then now to the produce. Picked up some green beans, red potatoes and a red onion.

So the Menu – Grilled Tri Tips with Roasted Red Potatoes, Chilled Green Beans and Red Onion Jam.

Red Onion Jam 1/2 Red Onion, Diced 1/4 c. Red Wine Vinegar 1/4 c. Water 2 tbls. Sugar 1 tbls. Honey 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes Salt - Combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat until all the liquid has evaporated.

With the dish I made a chilled Green Bean salad that had the blanched green beans, blanched red onions, olive oil, truffle oil and a touch of basil.The potatoes were pan roasted until tender, then I removed the oil, tossed in some whole butter, tarragon and salt and pepper.

The is the final dish. As a fathers day gift the other day I received some of my favorite aged Balsamic so I used a little and drizzles over meat and salad.

And Guess WHAT? Total=$9.58, now that was a success. Two people for less than $5 each!

Tagged : Aged Balsamic, Basil, C Water, Corner Of My Eye, Fathers Day Gift, Green Bean Salad, Green Beans, Head Fish, Medium Heat, Olive Oil, Onion Jam, Red Onion, Red Onions, Red Pepper Flakes, Red Wine Vinegar, Roasted Red Potatoes, Salt And Pepper, Steaks, Tarragon, Tri Tip

Comments (4) | June 25th, 2009