tinaignatiev

1med. potato, 126g = 10.55¢ ($1.88/5lb)
2T Daisy = 9.86¢ ($2.17/22oz)

1T bacon bits = 8.23¢ ($1 for ?? pkg storebrand)

½ head excluding outer leaves, 280g cabbage = 24.38¢ (35c/lb)

1t bacon grease from Gwaltney's 40% Less Fat =3.31￠ (2.38 12oz raw package)

1t cayenne=0.02￠ ($1.98 for 7.25oz/2cups)

53￠ 14min | 301cal 47carb 9fat 12pro 1ofiber 18%Calcium 12%Iron 214Sodium 1,358Potassium 14Cholesterol

NOTICE: I'll be leaving here tomorrow at six in the morning and staying with my grandmother for a reunion and to take care of some legal business. I made this post by the SKIN of my teeth so I don't have one prepared for tomorrow. Back on Sunday!

I hope you saved the bacon fat! It's not what you'd expect to see on a diet blog, but that one teaspoon of grease adds just 30 calories with 9 fat and tons of flavor!

We don't buy bacon often-- maybe six times a year-- and it's always for a special purpose like bacon-wrapped waterchestnut appetizers for a party of the delicious Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing recipe from America's Test Kitchen. I debated whether or not to have a “cost” for the drippings, and decided to throw in a guess based on volume without considering evaporation. You can't buy bacon without getting the grease, though. It's not like vegetable peelings where you could just eat skin-on. Let is not be said that I'm a cheat!

The cabbage is loaded with fiber, the potato with potassium. Wash a potato. Microwave under a bowl for three minutes. Put just a couple of tablespoons of water in the bottom of a pot placed on high heat. Quickly chop the cabbage. Add to the pot with the bacon grease and cayenne. Be warned that 1t is a generous serving! Turn the potato over, and microwave an additional three minutes under a bowl. Top potato with Daisy and bacon bits. Plate cabbage, enjoy!

This meal is about half of our cost goal, ranks on the lower end of calories, and takes just 14 minutes to cook. What a winner!

My inspiration:

• 1/4c. Vegan Broth from 1/8 cube 5.16¢($3.30/8cubes at Organic store)
• 2T, 36g peanut butter 29.73¢ ($3.70/lb ground fresh at the organic store)
• 1/2t cayenne 1.03¢ ($1.98 for 7.25oz/2cups)
• 1.5T cider vinegar 11.72¢ ($5/32oz at organic store)

• 1/4c. Vegan Broth from 1/8 cube 5.16¢($3.30/8cubes at Organic store)
• 2T, 36g peanut butter 29.73¢ ($3.70/lb ground fresh at the organic store)
• 1/2t cayenne 1.03¢ ($1.98 for 7.25oz/2cups)
• 1.5T cider vinegar 11.72¢ ($5/32oz at organic store)

• 1lb Medium Hard tofu=$1.59 at Asian Market
• 1c. flour*, 125g= 6.91¢ ($12.38 for 50lb bag)
• 1t* cayenne=0.02￠ ($1.98 for 7.25oz/2cups)
• 1T salt,* 19g 0.93¢ (88¢/4lbs)

• 6c. flour, 750g 41.45¢ ($12.38/50lbs warehouse store)
• 2T brown sugar 3.38¢ ($1.28 for 227t Storebrand)
• 3.5t salt , 22g 1.08¢ (88¢/4lbs)
• .75oz yeast 9.75¢ ($4.16/2lbs warehouse store)
• 1/4c. unsalted butter 79.75¢ ($6.38/4lbs Warehouse store)
• 2c. Tap water (more or less free)

• 1lb split peas 68¢ (68¢ for 1lb bag)
• 60g carrot peelings/gratings= 6.70¢ ($2.50/5lb at warehouse store)
• 2 Wyler's low-sodium bouillon cubes=24.67¢ (15 for $1.85)
• ½ onion minced, 55g= 6.14¢ (3lbs for $1.50)
• 4 bay leaves 14.98¢ ($1.76 for 3g bottle~47 bay leaves)
• 1T thyme 5.44¢ ($4.08 for 75t bottle)
• dash salt, 1g .000491¢ (88¢ for 4lb)
• 2t, 4g black pepper 6.21¢ ($3.48 for 8oz)

• 6c. flour, 750g 41.45¢ ($12.38/50lbs warehouse store)
• 2T brown sugar 3.38¢ ($1.28 for 227t Storebrand)
• 3.5t salt , 22g 1.08¢ (88¢/4lbs)
• .75oz yeast 9.75¢ ($4.16/2lbs warehouse store)
• 1/4c. unsalted butter 79.75¢ ($6.38/4lbs Warehouse store)'
• 2c. 120 degree F Tap water (more or less free)

Two of the biggest struggles people face today are obesity and debt. A generation of restaurant-reliant eaters too often overspends on meals that don't meet their dietary needs. I plan to share one healthy affordable meal each day from June 15, through June 30, 2009. After that I'll update as new recipes are discovered and researched.

Meals must fall between 300 and 500 calories and be about a dollar or less. Each post will include a photo of the finished plate, cost of the meal, time investment, and nutritional information. Links will be provided to any recipes or coupons used. I will test for and provide recommendations for vegan versions when possible. Some recipes will use meat or eggs in ways that are not easily replaced, though.

A new post will appear each day for just over two weeks. If this is successful, I'll follow it with a series on beauty basics, gardening and lawn management, or cleaning. I welcome your comments.

My inspiration: