So today, while waiting on the snow, I was watching TV and since I hate soap operas but wanted to stay in tune with the weather situation, I was flipping through channels and caught the last few minutes of a show on the food network about $10 dinners for four. And so, when I saw what she made, I thought, wow, I can do that meal better. And so here is my take on her onion soup, salad and breadsticks. First of all, I love the bread on top of the soup and toasted with cheese. And so, here it goes:
4 large onions ($1.38 for 7 equals .20 each so .80 total)
Beef bouillon cubes times 6 (equals about .30 total)
4 slices of french bread (16 slices for $1.39 equals .09 each slice so .36 total)
4 tablespoons margarine (.25)
1/2 head of lettuce ($1.09 / 2 equals .55)
8 tablespoons ranch dressing (which she didn't count--.50)
1 tomato (.33)
1 cucumber (.33)
4 slices mozzarella cheese ($2,59 for 12 slices so .88 total)
I made almost the exact same meal, for $4.30
And yes those are the real current prices.
PREP:
Slice all onions in half forming a half circle and then slice them thinly. (no chopping)
In a pan, add your 4 tablespoons margarine and your onions and caramelize them. Then break up your cubes of beef bouillon. I put them in a ziplock bag and smash them with a rolling pin if they are too hard. Sprinkle this over your onions and margarine mixture and slowly add 4-6 cups of water. Stir until it is nice and bubbly. In four oven safe bowls, fill with your onion soup leaving enough room at the top for the bread slices. Toast the bread slices and place them gently on top of the soul in the bowl. Cover each bread slice with the cheese slice, don't worry about overhang, it is a great crispy treat. Bake for about 5 minutes at 400 degrees or until cheese is melted and BEGINNING to turn golden.
Slice lettuce or tear it, dice tomato, slice cucumber thinly. Toss together with the 8 tablespoons of dressing and serve on a plate. Remove the bowls of soup and place beside the salad on the plate. Serve.
We can always cut costs. There are specials and deals and coupons and we should take advantage of them. I know it sounds silly but with the printing costs being what they are and companies putting coupons in the papers at least 2 times per week, are we really going to waste them? USE THEM! Don't be embarrassed either. The stores are reimbursed for the money lost.
Why did I do this blog? Because there are going to be times when money is super tight. We almost always go through times when we wish for more but simply can't do it financially. This is a wonderful meal. Especially on days when you are not in the mood to spend even 30 minutes on making a meal. Now there are some add on's if you want it to be more filling and more protein laden. Brown off seasoned ground beef or beef carne picada (sold at Wal-mart) and nice fresh button mushrooms and add these to the onion soup concoction. This will add cost but by using just a half a pound, you add texture and flavor and proteins and it becomes a filling dinner. It is still a simple dish and the meat and mushrooms can be cooked at the same time as the onions. If you would like to remove the cheese and bread, and add a little flour as you finish sauteing the onions, meat and mushrooms, this becomes a savoury thick dish that can be served over rice. Variations are a wonderful part of life. Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Have I done any good?
There is a talk that I love that brought to mind the change in the title of this blog. "Remember This: Kindness begins with me" In that talk, there is a specific quote from President Monson of the Mormon Church that I also love. I will type it below for your viewing:
"I please with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certain everyone is included and feels loved and valued".
The speaker, Mary N. Cook of the Young Women's General Presidency, goes on to say:
"We can follow the example of the good Samaritan and 'change the world' of just one person by being benevolent. I would like to invite each of you to do at least one Samaritan-like act this coming week. It may require that you reach beyond your usual friends or overcome your shynes. You may courageously choose to serve someone who doesn't treat you well. I promise that if you will extend yourself beyond what is easy to do, you will feel so good inside that kindness will start to become a part of your everyday life. You'll se that benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school. 'Remember this: kindness begins with me.' "
There are several things that are brought to mind when I read and remember this talk, first, I am old. (giggle) This talk actually took place in 2011. But I remember the lesson from way back when I was a child. In our church the 13th article of faith states the following: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
Now lots of people remember that lost part easily because it does talk about endurance and seeking after good things, but for me, I love the part of it that says: "and in doing good to all men;". We believe in doing good to all men in spite of their circumstances. Somewhere in my tutelage, I remember someone teaching me to never judge and say I'm not going to help someone because they will probably drink it away or they made their bed so now they lie in it? The Savior didn't think that way and in fact offered his service and love to all. The love of the Savior is shown in so many incidences but one of my favorites that goes along with this train of thought that I have started is, that of the harlot. She was about to be stoned to death when the Savior intervened and stopped the stoning by saying: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." This is such an important lesson in doing the little acts of kindness that will change a life. Never judge or analyze why they are in the circumstances. Just serve. Serve others. It should never be a choice to serve only the ones that look like they are down on their luck verses the person you presume is a druggie. I have been guilty of it. I have been afraid. But now, it matters not. I have learned my lessons. I will talk about that in another blog. For today, well, serve others without restraint and without pause and without judgment. It will change you and change your life.
So,,,for your pleasure please enjoy the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIeA_5yYgB4
"I please with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certain everyone is included and feels loved and valued".
The speaker, Mary N. Cook of the Young Women's General Presidency, goes on to say:
"We can follow the example of the good Samaritan and 'change the world' of just one person by being benevolent. I would like to invite each of you to do at least one Samaritan-like act this coming week. It may require that you reach beyond your usual friends or overcome your shynes. You may courageously choose to serve someone who doesn't treat you well. I promise that if you will extend yourself beyond what is easy to do, you will feel so good inside that kindness will start to become a part of your everyday life. You'll se that benevolence can bring joy and unity to your home, your class, your ward, and your school. 'Remember this: kindness begins with me.' "
There are several things that are brought to mind when I read and remember this talk, first, I am old. (giggle) This talk actually took place in 2011. But I remember the lesson from way back when I was a child. In our church the 13th article of faith states the following: "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul, We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
Now lots of people remember that lost part easily because it does talk about endurance and seeking after good things, but for me, I love the part of it that says: "and in doing good to all men;". We believe in doing good to all men in spite of their circumstances. Somewhere in my tutelage, I remember someone teaching me to never judge and say I'm not going to help someone because they will probably drink it away or they made their bed so now they lie in it? The Savior didn't think that way and in fact offered his service and love to all. The love of the Savior is shown in so many incidences but one of my favorites that goes along with this train of thought that I have started is, that of the harlot. She was about to be stoned to death when the Savior intervened and stopped the stoning by saying: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." This is such an important lesson in doing the little acts of kindness that will change a life. Never judge or analyze why they are in the circumstances. Just serve. Serve others. It should never be a choice to serve only the ones that look like they are down on their luck verses the person you presume is a druggie. I have been guilty of it. I have been afraid. But now, it matters not. I have learned my lessons. I will talk about that in another blog. For today, well, serve others without restraint and without pause and without judgment. It will change you and change your life.
So,,,for your pleasure please enjoy the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIeA_5yYgB4
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