Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day by Leanne Brown
My rating: 4/5 cats
JANUARY PROJECT IS OVER!!
this is a perfect project for january resolutions, with its dual ambitions of eating healthy and saving money. i will start project tomorrow, since i still have so many soft cheeses and smoked meats from new years, and it would not be frugal to just throw it all away. tonight: gout, tomorrow: good and cheap.
and oops—i remember reading erica’s awesome review of this book in the wayback but did not realize /remember it was THIS book when i picked it out for project. go read her review while i stuff my face full of brie and pears.
*okay, so—it’s already jan. 5 and i have made exactly ONE dish from this book! this is not a great start to a project, but considering what a disappointment i was in 2016, it’s going to take me some time to shake that year off and make 2017 my bitch.
PASTA WITH EGGPLANT AND TOMATO
salt: already on hand
rigatoni: $1.00 on sale
olive oil: already on hand
eggplant: $1.29/lb
garlic: 84¢
chile flakes: already on hand
diced canned tomatoes: $1.25 on sale
parmesan cheese: $2.99
basil: $1.99
pepper: already on hand
i made twice as much pasta as it said because they claim 8 ounces serves “3, or 2 very hungry people,” but they never met me and sean of the house. we HUNGER! of course, having said that, the reason i still haven’t made more than the one recipe is because s.o.t.h. keeps coming home too exhausted to do more than graze on the giant box o’christmas candy before falling asleep. so much for resolutions! but this is what it made:
and it was pretty tasty and pretty cheap! living poorish in new york, you learn how to buy food responsibly; i know that vegetables tend to be cheaper at the organic store, while garlic and canned goods are cheaper at the supermarket, so it involves some scurrying, but cheap can be done! LGM!
here is a sensible portion:
more soon, i promise!
SPICY PANZANELLA
2 cucumbers: 69¢ each
2 medium tomatoes: 69¢/lb
zucchini: 99¢/lb
old bread: already on hand
olive oil: already on hand
jalapeño: $1.99/lb
lime: 25¢
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
in the “additions” section, they suggested other fruits and veg that could be added, so i tossed in some other things i had lying around: red onion, and mooshy, spotty pears.
so, this whole thing cost about $4, since i had most of the ingredients already on hand. and considering i spent $16 on a bag of cat food that same day, it was very helpful to know i can eat for so cheap while my cat sits on her golden throne and gloats about her fancy salmon kibble. it is also an excellent way to use old stale baguettes and mooshy, spotty pears.
very tasty, but i think next time, i double the dressing-part, since some of my baguettes weren’t drenched enough.
SPICY, CRUNCHY, CREAMY POLENTA
salt: already on hand
cornmeal: already on hand
spinach: $1.25 store brand on sale
garlic: already on hand
anchovy: $2.59
olive oil: already on hand
chile flakes: already on hand
eggs: already on hand
parmesan cheese: $3.19
pepper: already on hand
this was very delicious, however, there is no universe in which 1/2 c. polenta feeds two people. i gobbled it all up while sean was doing stuff in the other room and had to make him an additional portion later on. also, the method they gave for “steaming” the egg was unappetizing and hard-cooked the yolk too quickly. i recommend just frying the egg like a normal human. otherwise, a good and filling cheap meal.
PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY GRANOLA BARS
vegetable oil: already on hand
oatmeal: $3.99 – store brand, on sale
peanut butter: $7.99
jelly (blueberry-lemon): already on hand
salt: already on hand
from the ‘additions’ section:
shredded coconut: already on hand
so, mostly cheap here—did you know that oatmeal costs 7 dollars? no wonder ponies are rich-people status symbols. jeez. but the store brand is for people who can only (barely) afford to have cats as pets, so we are in business. and yeah, i could have brought the price down further by buying a cheaper peanut butter, because 8 dollars for peanut butter is dumb, but that’s the one item i have unwavering brand loyalty to; anything other than skippy is not peanut butter, but an abomination. these turned out good; they were a little crumbly, so they didn’t make elegant bars, but they taste damn fine.
CAULIFLOWER CHEESE
salt: already on hand
cauliflower: $4.99
butter: already on hand
garlic: already on hand
chile flakes: already on hand
flour: already on hand
milk: already on hand
cheddar cheese: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
from the ‘additions’ section:
lemon zest: 50¢
basil: $1.99
cauliflower! and cheese! an excellent combination. oh, and i added the leftover spinach from the polenta recipe, which flexibility is what this book is all about; using stuff you have on hand to adjust the recipes and bask in the savings. this got soupier than i thought it would; i could probably have done with more cheese in it (but when don’t i want more cheese?), but we both fell upon the casserole dish like a couple of ferocious vultures, so i call that a success.
the next night, to make it less soupy, i added bread crumbs, the extra parmesan cheese from the polenta, and some bacon bits, and it was even more tasty.
COCONUT AND LIME OATMEAL
oatmeal: already on hand
salt: already on hand
coconut: already on hand
lime: 25¢
this is from a chapter with many suggestions about what to throw into oatmeal to make it different kinds of tasty. i chose this one since i already had the coconut on hand, and it was also the most interesting of the options, being a combination i had never before considered. the recipe called for unsweetened coconut flakes and sugar, but since i already had sweetened coconut flakes on hand, i just used those and omitted the sugar. verdict: surprisingly good! never in a million years would i have thought to fancy-up oatmeal in this way, but it really worked! a tropical delight!
BRUSSELS SPROUTS HASH AND EGGS
brussels sprouts: $3.88
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
butter: already on hand
garlic: already on hand (this is the last of the 84¢ garlic bulb i used in the pasta, the polenta, and the cauliflower)
eggs: already on hand
lemon juice: already on hand (this is the lemon i stole the zest from for the cauliflower, which is why it looks all naked and gross here)
there were “supposed” to be olives, but i saved money by not buying ingredients that are revolting.
i decided to let sean of the house make this, so he could earn his keep. i helped out with the mise, but the rest was all him, as i stretched out exhaustedly on the bed and waited to be served like a princess. this is a really delicious, light and fast meal, and the only thing better than sprouts
is sprouts covered in golden yolky goodness
AVOCADO MILKSHAKE
avocados: $1.49 each
milk: already on hand
vanilla extract: already on hand
lime juice: already on hand
salt: already on hand
sugar: already on hand
fast and delicious! i had to wait an extra day to make this because even with the paper bag trick, the avocados were not ready to be eaten. but they were worth waiting for. i mean, i think they were. i only got half of one because i offered a SIP of mine to sean as he was passing, and that was the end of that, and since he liked it so much, i made him one all his own. i assume there will be more of these in my future, since he can’t stop talking about them, so i’ll have a better sense of what they tasted like then. they were not easy to photograph, though.
the amount missing from the top is how much i actually got to drink:
maggie was not as in love with them as sean was
PEANUT SAUCE
1 jalapeño: 6¢
garlic: 68¢
1 shallot: 30¢
vegetable oil: already on hand
coconut milk: $1.19
sugar-free peanut butter: $3.29
soy sauce: already on hand
from the ‘additions’ section:
turmeric: already on hand
sesame oil: already on hand
i went to the REALLY cheap produce place today, which i rarely do, since it’s easier to go to the organic store on the way home and not have to go behindy. but, i mean—6¢ for a freaking jalapeño?? that’s hard to beat. and this sauce is amazing, and will be used in two recipes this week, both of which will feature REALLY cheap produce.
PEANUT CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH COCONUT RICE
rice: already on hand
coconut milk: $1.19
salt: already on hand
chicken: $5.15
pepper: already on hand
vegetable oil: already on hand
broccoli: $1.75
peanut sauce (see above)
cilantro: 50¢
i will definitely be making the coconut rice again; maybe with shrimp and broccoli and cashews next time. i liked this recipe, but it did take some time to whip up, with the sauce and the rice and the chicken and blah and blah. like the avocado milkshake, this one tasted much better than it looked.
SPICE OIL
1 clove garlic: already on hand from peanut sauce
vegetable oil: already on hand
chile flakes: already on hand
peppercorns: $2.59
star anise: $1.99
cumin seeds: $1.99
salt: already on hand
this recipe mocked my spice pantry with much bellowing of WHY DON’T YOU HAVE STAR ANISE, KAREN?? HUH???, etc etc. also—it was a bitch to find star anise. ground anise, sure. star anise took me four stores. this spice oil, along with my leftover peanut sauce, will be used as a component in a dish that is chilling/flavormelding in my fridge right now. i will report back on it tomorrow.
before straining:
and after:
COLD (AND SPICY?) ASIAN NOODLES
noodles: $3.49
soy sauce: already on hand
scallions: 89¢
cucumber: 50¢
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
additions
spice oil (see above)
peanut sauce (see above)
grated carrot: 41¢
the question mark in the recipe name depends upon whether or not you use the spice oil. i did, and it was marvelous. and, yes, very spicy! one of my favorite things in life is cold sesame noodles, but i’ve never tried to make them myself, because i figured it would be really tricky to make the sauce right, since i am very particular about my cold sesame noodle sauce. this was pretty close to perfect, although in the future i will probably not use cucumbers because they got a bit slimy. also, i did not grate my carrots because i like the crunch.
CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI MUFFINS
zucchini*
flour: already on hand
oats: already on hand
sugar: already on hand
cocoa powder: already on hand
baking soda: already on hand
salt: already on hand
eggs: $3.99—i could have gotten cheaper eggs, but sean is on an organic egg kick and these were on sale
yogurt: 50¢ each—i needed 8 oz, and these were 5.3 oz each
*i bought zucchini and beets, and the nice lady at the organic store weighed them together, saying “same price,” so i’m not sure what was what, but i think they were $1.99/lb and everything came to $3.88
i was not in love with these. the oatmeal texture was unpleasant to me, and it marred my muffin experience, but the flavor was good. next time, no oatmeal and maybe less zucchini. i grated way too much and decided to toss it all in, which was fine, but made it less chocolate-y.
MASHED BEETS
salt: already on hand
beets: see note above
butter: already on hand
garlic: already on hand
chicken broth: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
this recipe was my first true failure. for this project, not in life. it started out fine, but i misread the instructions and forgot to dice the beets after they had been boiling for hours and hours, and when i tried to mash them, they just WOULD NOT. which made me very frustrated because surely i’m strong enough to mash beets. especially beets that have been boiled within an inch of their lives. but no. they kept skidding out from under my potato masher and it was late and i got mad at them and left them on the stove in the covered pot as punishment and the next day when i went to dice them and mash them properly, they were covered in white mold. so, this one was a waste. the recipe suggested using a food processor, but mine is too tiny to be useful, and since it said OR potato masher, i went with the lo-tech. to my dismay. here’s how it looked in the book, at least:
i did learn one thing from the experience. not about the utility of a food processor, but i learned that it is NOT, apparently, funny to fill one’s hands with beet-colored water,
smear it all over one’s face, and rush to the bathroom holding a palmful of red water and beet flecks, fake anxious breathing and gasp “i had an…accident” when sean is in the bathroom listening to music and drinking beers, unwinding from his day.
NOT FUNNY. except that it was.
DARK AND SPICY CHILI
cumin: already on hand
oregano: already on hand
cinnamon: already on hand
cocoa powder: already on hand
canned chipotle chiles in adobo: $1.79
ground beef: $7.39
chorizo: $5.99
onions: 92¢
garlic: 76¢
peppers: $2.99
carrots: 49¢
black beans: 99¢ each
canned tomatoes: $2.29 (one can already on hand)
salt: already on hand
scallions: 59¢
cilantro: 50¢
toppings/additions:
cheese: $2.50
chips: $4.29 (next day on sale for $2.50, so i bought more)
yellow rice: $1.50
the recipe also called for coriander, but i skipped it since i was already using cilantro and i didn’t want to buy another damn spice, especially since this recipe was more expensive than a lot of the others because—meat. stupid meat, you cost too much money for this project, even if it’s the family-size dealie.
this was fine, but i do not care for carrots in my chili, and the chili i usually make is superior to this one. this one was nowhere near spicy enough for my tastes, and why oregano? such a bizarre array of spices to deliver a chili that is not as good as mine. but—meat and beans and cheese—hard to go wrong with those ingredients. this is a picture of it all in the pot, before i covered it all up with cheese and other goodies:
SWEET OR SAVORY PINEAPPLE SALAD
is tonight. spoiler alert—it’s going to be sweet.
1 can pineapple: $1.99
sugar: already on hand
lime zest: 25¢
salt: already on hand
ohhhh, what a DIFFICULT RECIPE!! add salt and sugar and lime zest to canned pineapples! where will i get these skillz?? hilarity aside, this was tasty, and honestly, i could do without the salt and sugar and just go with the zest and be perfectly happy. or, you know, just the pineapples.
i followed all the directions, including putting the juice from the can into a glass and drinking it.
and the rest was just this:
ta-daaaa!
CHORIZO AND WHITE BEAN RAGÚ
butter: already on hand
onions: 81¢
garlic: already on hand
jalapeño: $1.20
chorizo: $5.99
pureed tomatoes: $1.49
cannellini beans: $2.59
egg noodles: $2.19
okay, so i was a little irresponsible this time.
but, in life, sometimes convenience trumps financial concerns, and the temptation of going to just one store instead of two (or three); of making a straight path home instead of taking even a one-block detour, is too powerful to resist. and so, instead of getting my jalapeño for 6 from the cheapest produce store, or even the measly $1.99/lb from the organic store, i went to the key food, where i knew i could get everything at once. however, i did not realize that they only sold jalapeños in a package dealy, so i was forced to buy a million of them, even though i chose the smallest package, and that they would be $3.99/lb. which is not going to make me miss my rent or anything, but it ain’t 6 cents. also, to add naughtiness to irresponsibility, i did NOT buy dried beans and make ’em myself because it was already late and i didn’t have the time for beanstones to turn into softbeans. but the cans were on sale, and i bought the store brand tomatoes to make up for it. but then i went all
again, and instead of buying any of the pasta options that were on sale, i was very much craving egg noodles, so egg noodles were what i bought.
thumbs-up to this one, although it definitely needed some salt. “salt to taste” doesn’t even begin to cover it. but i would make this again.
okay—i made all the recipes within the confines of the month, but i am just too too sleepy from work and assorted other hardships to write them up. hopefully tomorrow. but for now—pictures for one and teaser for the final recipe.
THINGS! ON! TOAST!
i was very excited about this section of the book, which boasts many things to be put on many toasts. things on toast is, to me, a perfect snack. or meal. i made four of the recipes:
this picture is ingredients for all four:
bread: $3.29
you need bread for all of them, obvs, and you take that bread and fry it in butter and sprinkle salt and pepper on it
and then you plop some of the following toppings on ’em.
CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND CHEDDAR
butter: already on hand
red onion: $1.24
cheddar cheese: $2.49
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
anything with cheese on it is going to be great, so this one was a no-brainer. i love caramelized onions, although i rarely do it with red ones. from now on, i will caramelize all onions indiscriminately.
AVOCADO
avocado: $1.49
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
chile flakes: already on hand
lime juice: already on hand
i make avocado toast all the time, but i just make it with red pepper flakes and avocado. the lime juice addition is a revelation and this was my favorite toast, because it took something i already loved and improved upon it.
APPLE CHEDDAR
cheddar cheese: $2.49
apple: $1.03
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
apples and cheddar. always a winning combination and a very familiar one, as i am one of those french freaks who prefers cheese to ice cream on my apple pie. nothing new to the table here, but as delicious as expected.
the recipe didn’t say to, but i thought it would be more fun if the cheese was melted.
and i think i was right.
SAUTÉED MUSHROOMS
butter: already on hand
mushrooms: $1.99
garlic: 72¢
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
very nummy. i got the mushrooms just right, with the almost-soggy but still a bit chewy texture, the perfect buttery sheen and little pops of garlic. things on toast is the way i wanna live my life.
DECONSTRUCTED CABBAGE ROLLS
butter: already on hand
sausage: $3.75
onion: 62¢
garlic: already on hand
cabbage: $1.62
salt: already on hand
pepper: already on hand
rice: $1.29
lentils: $2.78
puréed canned tomatoes: $1.34
this was also pretty tasty, although i much prefer my cabbage rolls to be constructed. i like to eat food that is in tidy little bundles.
this:
just doesn’t look pretty. the topping looks too sticky and tacky and perhaps made of vinyl. although it looked better when i deconstructed it further:
so that was january project! sorry it took me so long to finish writing! does not bode well for 2017 but oh well!
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