January 5, 2009
Asian Coleslaw
I make this frequently, to go with just about any type of meal. It’s good with potstickers. burgers, or a meat-and-potatoes meal that needs a green side. Cabbage is one of the most inexpensive vegetables in the winter, or any other season, for that matter. This is also really quick to make; I often just throw it together before work and throw it in the fridge to chill all day. It is quicker with the already shredded, bagged coleslaw mix, but you save a lot by chopping your own veggies.
1 bag coleslaw mix ($1.79) OR 1 med. size cabbage, roughly chopped into long, thin shreds (about $1.00)
If you are using a whole cabbage, add 2 carrots, peeled and grated ($ 0.18).
6 green onions, chopped ($ .40)
Put vegetables in large bowl or storage container with lid.
In a bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, mix:
2 TBS. sesame seeds
2 TBS. brown sugar
a dash red pepper flakes
3 TBS rice wine vinegar
1 TBS sesame oil
1/4 cup canola oil.
(I did not include prices, because I have all these things on hand as pantry staples, and the recipe uses such small amounts. I will estimate the cost is around $ .80). Whisk dressing ingredients together briskly, and pour over cabbage mixture. Stir dressing and cabbage mixture together til blended. Cover bowl and and refrigerate for 4 or more hours. Stir before serving. It keeps in the refrigerator for about 2 days. Leftovers can be packed in smaller containers and sent in a packed lunch; they go great with sandwiches, soups, and leftover stir fry as well.
Cost when made with bagged coleslaw mix: $2.99 for 4 servings, or $ .75 a serving.
Cost when made with whole cabbage: $2.38 for 4 servings, or $ .60 a serving.
November 24, 2008
Pear Gorgonzola Salad with Cranberries and Walnuts
This is a really simple and easy recipe that tastes really expensive.
Ingredients:
Salad Mix. I use a variety of things, such as spinach, romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, spring mix, baby lettuce mix. One bag costs about $2.00, or a head of dark-leaf lettuce for about $1.29.
1/2 pear (or an apple, if that is what you have on hand), about $ .45.
1/2 smallish block Gorgonzola cheese, or small tub of Gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbles, about $1.25 for block cheese and $2.00 for pre-crumbled.
Generous handful of walnuts. $1.15.
Generous handful cranberries. $ .50.
1/4 of a large red onion. $ .50.
Vinegarette dressing of red wine vinegar and olive oil (negligible)
Total cost: $5.85 (or less if you use a head of leaf lettuce or clean your own bunches of spinach. Serves 2.
Instructions:
Wash and drain salad mix. Cut onion into thin wedges, cut 1/2 pear or apple into thin wedges, add to bowl. Crumble blue cheese onto ingredients in bowl. Coarsely chop walnuts, sprinkle walnuts and cranberries into bowl. Mix olive oil and red wine vinegar together, to taste, and pour over salad. Toss and serve.
