$20 for Groceries for a Week
Dave challenged me. I accepted.
Ring the dong, cause we're on like Donkey Kong!
Now.. I'm not one to take the easy way out and just buy a bunch of ramen and kraft. I wanted to do this and still use REAL FOOD. So I went through my cupboards to see what could be stretched through the next week... a wide array of seasonings... some pasta, noodles and macaroni... and bajillion different cheeses... and of course staples like milk, butter, flour.. a lifetime supply of cream of mushroom soup. "I can do this".. I thought.
So I set off early on Sunday morning to my least favorite store in the world... Super Wal-Mart. But my little bit of research online on the topic "$20 grocery list" told me that Wal-Mart was the way to go... even if I can seriously feel my I.Q. drop and any bit of class I might have melt away as I walk through the huge sliding glass doors.
But as I perused the sadly plastic wrapped uniform cuts of meat... lo and behold my eyes spied an entire shelf of organ meats. It was as if the Offal Gods were smiling down on me and my $20 budget challenge... oh yes... we would win. The shelves were LOADED with innards I didnt think could be found outside of ethnic markets miles away from my little white bread town. Beef kidney... tripe... seperately packaged chicken hearts, gizzards.. and turkey necks!
Oh yes I am sure you all are sure I've lost it now.... but I have to take Bourdain's side on this one. Offal is some good shit. Okay not literally... but you get the point.
In the end... this was the loot...
5 lbs Russet Potatoes $2.24
3 lbs yellow onions $1.98
Jasmine Rice $1.54
Mustard Greens $.98
6 Chicken Thighs $3.06
Stew Beef $3.35
Chicken Livers $1.33
Beef Kidney (3 whole) $2.35
Green Onions $1.17
Grand Total (after tax) $18.00
Now.. what am I making with the above grub you ask?
Well this is the weeks menu-
Monday-
Fried Chicken Livers, mashed potatoes & Mustard Greens
Tuesday-
Home made Mac & Cheese
Wednesday-
Chicken Thighs slow cooked in cream of mushroom soup over rice
Thursday-
Soba Noodles with stir fried brocolli
Friday-
Chicken Teriyaki
Saturday-
Steak & Kidney Pie
The best part is there is still half a pound of chicken livers.. and another 2 kidneys that I can stretch over to next week..... might Dave take a challenge part 2??
posted by Lea | 1/09/2007
4 Comments:
I would've used that extra $2 on a scratcher! TWOO DOLLARS!!!
that's awesome! i totally agree with you about the yummy organs. it sucks to have to go to walmart, and i think they are despicable, but when the budgets tight they really do offer much cheaper options. :-( it's just a moral sacrifice. Tyler and I fed ourselves for generally 30-40 dollars a week in college shopping at super walmart. i hate to admit that, but sometimes, when you're just that broke, it happens! i can't wait to see all the dishes.
My jaw dropped when I read that list. Chicken liver here costs 99p, so I guess $1.70 (ish?) for 400g. I hate this country and its crazy pricing sometimes.
Still, back in the days before people read my blog, I did a similar thing and managed breakfast lunch and dinner for a week on about £18, eating well. I should try it again soon- and this time, chicken liver will feature!
You said the 'W' word!! You are probably going to burn for that!!
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