 |
Ben - 218 :s, Sean - 270 :(, Jess - 276!!
 |
7.10.09
YAHTZEE!!!
Some seriously competitive, Coopers fuelled Yahtzee.
Ben - 218 :s, Sean - 270 :(, Jess - 276!!
Ben - 218 :s, Sean - 270 :(, Jess - 276!!
THEME PICTURE!
You've just taken a bite of an apricot to find that the inside of it tastes like actual feces...
You're warming up for a role in a Shakespeare play...
You've bought a pair of shoes only to find when you return home that they are drastically different sizes...
Jess = Stabber, Sean = Stabbee, Ben = Shocked Onlooker...
You went to get a tattoo of a swallow on your neck and the guy actually gave you swastika...
 |
You're warming up for a role in a Shakespeare play...
 |
You've bought a pair of shoes only to find when you return home that they are drastically different sizes...
 |
Jess = Stabber, Sean = Stabbee, Ben = Shocked Onlooker...
 |
You went to get a tattoo of a swallow on your neck and the guy actually gave you swastika...
 |
Our new house guest
At long last! Benim has arrived on our fair shores and has taken up residence in the apartment!
 |
| From Jess and Sean Make Themselves! |
4.10.09
Menu Planning
In an effort to save money, menu planning is in order! (Not just because were jobless, but because being thrifty is too easy and so worthy of pre-planning.)
Have a look - it's easy!
First - Research and pick a variety of dishes (look online, peruse cookbooks) for the nights you expect to stay in and cook (in our case - every night is cooking night ;)
Second - Highlight items to put on shopping list. Pick recipes that comprise things you already have around the house - work with what you've got (this way nothing goes to waste and there's less to spend on the grocery list).
Third - Plan a time early in the week to go grocery shopping. I tend to go to Kensington market for produce since everything is local and fresh and there are a number of vendors with comparable prices to bargain between. Then a trip to the grocery store for other items - keep in mind different grocery stores have drastic price differences. In Toronto: Price Chopper and No Frills are your best bets. Whereas canned items can be anywhere from $1.89 + at Loblaws, you can rely on finding the same or similar cans for anywhere from $0.67 to $1.00... that's around a dollar in savings on each item! If you want (and have the time) t0 be extra thrifty, go through your local flyers to see which grocery stores have the best deals for the items on your list (you don't necessarily have to go to different grocery stores, just pick the one that seems to cater most to your list).
I realize how incredibly nerdy all this planning and attention to detail may sound but once you realize how much this effects your weekly spending budget, it becomes pretty clear that you're obviously a WINNER at life!! Fresh, healthy, local, taaaaasty meals with lots of variety AND the savings put money in your pocket for spending higher on the priority list.
This week I've chosen the following variety: Stew, Potato Salad, Curry, Asian Stir Fry and a Barley dish.
1) Vegetable Bean Stew w Couscous
EVOO
Onion
Red pepper
1 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
garlic
Sweet potato
Tomato
1/4 cup water
1/2 tbs lemon juice
1 can chickpeas
Red pepper flakes
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp cayenne
salt
Zucchini
2 cups cooked couscous
Heat oil. Add onion, red pepper, coriander, cinnamon, cook stirring occasionally, until onion is soft. Stir in sweet potatoes and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, water, lemon juice, and chickpeas. Add seasonings. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 more minutes.
Mix zucchini into potato mixture and cook, covered, until sweet potatoes are tender (about 5 more minutes). Salt.
To serve, spread couscous around edge of a platter and spoon vegetable mixture into center. Add hot sauce, if desired.
2) Potato Salad
4 medium/large potatoes
2 spring onions
tahini sauce, to taste (recipe below)
Salt and pepper to taste
Tahini Sauce
2 large T tahini
Juice of one lemon
1 clove garlic
Parsley
Water
Salt to taste
Peel the potatoes and chop into your preferred size of chunks. Boil until soft, then drain.
Chop spring onion small.
Mix potatoes, spring onion, and tahini sauce; season to taste.
Tahini Sauce
Put the lot in a blender, and blend. Quantity of water to add depends on how thick you like your sauce. More lemon juice can be added if preferred.
3) Curry Lentils and Spinach
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup brown lentils
1/4 cup brown rice
1 10-ounce package chopped frozen spinach, thawed
3 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
1 package firm tofu, diced
Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. (onion may be browned in a frying pan first if desired) Cook on low for 6 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end of cooking.
4) Stir-Fry Teriyaki Broccoli N’ Sprouts
1/2 garlic clove, chopped
1 scallion, chopped
200 g broccoli florets, chopped
300 g bean sprouts
150 g firm tofu, diced
100 g mushrooms, sliced
6 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
Rice
- In a cup, combine the soy sauce, teriyake sauce, water, sesame oil and flour.
- In a wok, heat oil and fry the garlic and scallion.
- Add the mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes
- Add the broccoli and the mixture and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add the sprouts and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add the tofu and simmer again for another 1 minute.
- Serve over rice.
5) Black Eyes and Barley
2 16oz cans black-eye peas, rinsed & drained
1/8 tsp salt
1c chopped onions
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2c chopped celery
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/3c uncooked barley
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1 cup water (can substitute 2 cups soymilk)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf, broken in half
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a 1 3/4 QT casserole, or spray w/ Pam.
In large bowl, combine all ingred. Place in casserole, cover tightly, bake 1 1/4 hours.
Stir once, halfway through cooking time.
Discard bay leaf before serving.
________________________
The best part about all this planning is that there are always leftovers for lunch, which makes for more savings!
Here's how much we spent on groceries for breakfast, 5 dinners and leftover lunches during a work week: 32.86$
Here's how that might compare to eating out:
- Lunch x 5 @ 7$= 35$
- Dinner x 5 @ 8$ = 40$
... Not including breakfast costs and estimating at 7-8$ per meal and you've spent: 75$!
All it took was a little menu research time, shopping time and cooking time... and we've saved cash for outings and entertainment!
Have a look - it's easy!
First - Research and pick a variety of dishes (look online, peruse cookbooks) for the nights you expect to stay in and cook (in our case - every night is cooking night ;)
Second - Highlight items to put on shopping list. Pick recipes that comprise things you already have around the house - work with what you've got (this way nothing goes to waste and there's less to spend on the grocery list).
Third - Plan a time early in the week to go grocery shopping. I tend to go to Kensington market for produce since everything is local and fresh and there are a number of vendors with comparable prices to bargain between. Then a trip to the grocery store for other items - keep in mind different grocery stores have drastic price differences. In Toronto: Price Chopper and No Frills are your best bets. Whereas canned items can be anywhere from $1.89 + at Loblaws, you can rely on finding the same or similar cans for anywhere from $0.67 to $1.00... that's around a dollar in savings on each item! If you want (and have the time) t0 be extra thrifty, go through your local flyers to see which grocery stores have the best deals for the items on your list (you don't necessarily have to go to different grocery stores, just pick the one that seems to cater most to your list).
I realize how incredibly nerdy all this planning and attention to detail may sound but once you realize how much this effects your weekly spending budget, it becomes pretty clear that you're obviously a WINNER at life!! Fresh, healthy, local, taaaaasty meals with lots of variety AND the savings put money in your pocket for spending higher on the priority list.
This week I've chosen the following variety: Stew, Potato Salad, Curry, Asian Stir Fry and a Barley dish.
1) Vegetable Bean Stew w Couscous
EVOO
Onion
Red pepper
1 tsp coriander
1/4 tsp cinnamon
garlic
Sweet potato
Tomato
1/4 cup water
1/2 tbs lemon juice
1 can chickpeas
Red pepper flakes
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp cayenne
salt
Zucchini
2 cups cooked couscous
Heat oil. Add onion, red pepper, coriander, cinnamon, cook stirring occasionally, until onion is soft. Stir in sweet potatoes and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, water, lemon juice, and chickpeas. Add seasonings. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 more minutes.
Mix zucchini into potato mixture and cook, covered, until sweet potatoes are tender (about 5 more minutes). Salt.
To serve, spread couscous around edge of a platter and spoon vegetable mixture into center. Add hot sauce, if desired.
2) Potato Salad
4 medium/large potatoes
2 spring onions
tahini sauce, to taste (recipe below)
Salt and pepper to taste
Tahini Sauce
2 large T tahini
Juice of one lemon
1 clove garlic
Parsley
Water
Salt to taste
Peel the potatoes and chop into your preferred size of chunks. Boil until soft, then drain.
Chop spring onion small.
Mix potatoes, spring onion, and tahini sauce; season to taste.
Tahini Sauce
Put the lot in a blender, and blend. Quantity of water to add depends on how thick you like your sauce. More lemon juice can be added if preferred.
3) Curry Lentils and Spinach
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup brown lentils
1/4 cup brown rice
1 10-ounce package chopped frozen spinach, thawed
3 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tsp salt
1 package firm tofu, diced
Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. (onion may be browned in a frying pan first if desired) Cook on low for 6 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end of cooking.
4) Stir-Fry Teriyaki Broccoli N’ Sprouts
1/2 garlic clove, chopped
1 scallion, chopped
200 g broccoli florets, chopped
300 g bean sprouts
150 g firm tofu, diced
100 g mushrooms, sliced
6 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
Rice
- In a cup, combine the soy sauce, teriyake sauce, water, sesame oil and flour.
- In a wok, heat oil and fry the garlic and scallion.
- Add the mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes
- Add the broccoli and the mixture and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Add the sprouts and simmer for 1 minute.
- Add the tofu and simmer again for another 1 minute.
- Serve over rice.
5) Black Eyes and Barley
2 16oz cans black-eye peas, rinsed & drained
1/8 tsp salt
1c chopped onions
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2c chopped celery
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/3c uncooked barley
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1 cup water (can substitute 2 cups soymilk)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf, broken in half
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly oil a 1 3/4 QT casserole, or spray w/ Pam.
In large bowl, combine all ingred. Place in casserole, cover tightly, bake 1 1/4 hours.
Stir once, halfway through cooking time.
Discard bay leaf before serving.
________________________
The best part about all this planning is that there are always leftovers for lunch, which makes for more savings!
Here's how much we spent on groceries for breakfast, 5 dinners and leftover lunches during a work week: 32.86$
Here's how that might compare to eating out:
- Lunch x 5 @ 7$= 35$
- Dinner x 5 @ 8$ = 40$
... Not including breakfast costs and estimating at 7-8$ per meal and you've spent: 75$!
All it took was a little menu research time, shopping time and cooking time... and we've saved cash for outings and entertainment!
Chickpea and Black Bean Salad
Sooo tasty. Lime gives it a great fresh kick. Good for leftovers. How good are black beans?!?!
Ingredients:
2 cups (500 mL) chopped green beans
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chickpeas
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) black beans
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1 cup (250 mL) corn kernels
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh coriander
Chili lime Dressing:
1/4 cup (50 mL)
vegetable oil 1 tsp (5 mL)
grated lime rind 3 tbsp (50 mL)
lime juice 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL)
chili powder 1 tsp (5 mL)
granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
Preparation:
In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook green beans until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and chill in cold water; drain and set aside.
Drain and rinse chickpeas and black beans; drain well and place in large bowl. Add red pepper, corn and onions; set aside.
Chili Lime Dressing:
Whisk together oil, lime rind and juice, chili powder, sugar and salt ; pour over beans and toss to coat.
Add green beans and coriander; toss.
Ingredients:
2 cups (500 mL) chopped green beans
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chickpeas
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) black beans
1 sweet red pepper, diced
1 cup (250 mL) corn kernels
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh coriander
Chili lime Dressing:
1/4 cup (50 mL)
vegetable oil 1 tsp (5 mL)
grated lime rind 3 tbsp (50 mL)
lime juice 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL)
chili powder 1 tsp (5 mL)
granulated sugar
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
Preparation:
In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook green beans until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain and chill in cold water; drain and set aside.
Drain and rinse chickpeas and black beans; drain well and place in large bowl. Add red pepper, corn and onions; set aside.
Chili Lime Dressing:
Whisk together oil, lime rind and juice, chili powder, sugar and salt ; pour over beans and toss to coat.
Add green beans and coriander; toss.
1.10.09
30.9.09
29.9.09
Tonight, Tonight
Some simple arithmatic:
Wine
+
Pizza
=
FEAST!
POTATO + MUSHROOM PIZZA
- 2 Medium sized potatoes
- 2 Mushrooms
- 4 Tortillas
- 2 Sprigs of rosemary
- 3 Spring onions, chopped
- A bit of cheddar cheese
- A bit of cream cheese
__________________________
Preheat the oven to 350/180 or something, the normal temperature. Chuck some water on to boil. Bit of salt in the water. Cut the potato and mushrooms into thin slices, a bit thicker than chips. Throw the potato slices in the water and leave to boil for 10 minutes or so. Grab your tortillas, chuck them on a baking tray, grate a bit of cheese on top of a tortilla and spread it around a bit. Chuck the other tortilla on top. The cheese in the middle will help the tortillas stick together and make one big pizza dough kinda base (Pizza base idea courtesy of Laur E). Take your spud slices out of the water and put them on some paper towel to dry out a bit. Spread some cream cheese onto your double thick tortillas as you would with tomato paste on a regular pizza. Make a thin layer of your mushrooms on top of the cream cheese, make a decent layer of potato on the mushrooms, chuck some rosemary and spring onions on top, a bit of pepper and then a bit more grated cheese over the top, chuck it in the oven until the edges of the tortillas are a bit brown. Cut up and enjoy with a nice glass of chardonnay (Chilean in this case).
Eating this gear...watching Deadwood....Bloggin....maybe a cheeky puzzle session....Life.
Wine
+
Pizza
=
FEAST!
POTATO + MUSHROOM PIZZA
- 2 Medium sized potatoes
- 2 Mushrooms
- 4 Tortillas
- 2 Sprigs of rosemary
- 3 Spring onions, chopped
- A bit of cheddar cheese
- A bit of cream cheese
__________________________
Preheat the oven to 350/180 or something, the normal temperature. Chuck some water on to boil. Bit of salt in the water. Cut the potato and mushrooms into thin slices, a bit thicker than chips. Throw the potato slices in the water and leave to boil for 10 minutes or so. Grab your tortillas, chuck them on a baking tray, grate a bit of cheese on top of a tortilla and spread it around a bit. Chuck the other tortilla on top. The cheese in the middle will help the tortillas stick together and make one big pizza dough kinda base (Pizza base idea courtesy of Laur E). Take your spud slices out of the water and put them on some paper towel to dry out a bit. Spread some cream cheese onto your double thick tortillas as you would with tomato paste on a regular pizza. Make a thin layer of your mushrooms on top of the cream cheese, make a decent layer of potato on the mushrooms, chuck some rosemary and spring onions on top, a bit of pepper and then a bit more grated cheese over the top, chuck it in the oven until the edges of the tortillas are a bit brown. Cut up and enjoy with a nice glass of chardonnay (Chilean in this case).
Eating this gear...watching Deadwood....Bloggin....maybe a cheeky puzzle session....Life.
| From Jess and Sean Make Themselves! |
Operation: Decoration - Completion
Since moving into this apartment we've been slowly opening the piles of boxes and removing the hundreds of little frames inside. Each frame needed to be removed carefully from its delicate newspaper cocoon to be hung.
We did this weeks ago.
Only a couple of days ago did we clear the frames off the table by hanging them on the walls of the apartment.
Check it out.
We did this weeks ago.
Only a couple of days ago did we clear the frames off the table by hanging them on the walls of the apartment.
Check it out.
The bartering system
Thanks to Kyle MacDonald (aka the oneredpaperclip guy) I've been perusing the bartering section of craigslist and loving the idea of using bartering for everything. EVERYTHING!
The first thing I see in the section is "Website for tiling my bathroom". Is there a more perfect example of bartering? "I can do something, you can do something.... lets work it out yo!".
So...Anyone wanna pay my rent in exchange for something? I can:
- Cook and deliver you (a vegetarian) dinner every day for the month.
- Make you a line of custom T-Shirts with YOUR FACE on them.
- Do your grocery shopping for you (you provide the funds).
- Create you a magnificent piece of art.
OR
Does anyone want to find me a job in exchange for:
- An entire can of pea soup?
- Half a box of tissues?
- A well used map of the USA?
- Nude photos of Whoopi Goldberg?
Sounds good right?!
I'm gunna go and pickup my turntable in exchange for my netbook...
peace
sean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issei_Sagawa
The first thing I see in the section is "Website for tiling my bathroom". Is there a more perfect example of bartering? "I can do something, you can do something.... lets work it out yo!".
So...Anyone wanna pay my rent in exchange for something? I can:
- Cook and deliver you (a vegetarian) dinner every day for the month.
- Make you a line of custom T-Shirts with YOUR FACE on them.
- Do your grocery shopping for you (you provide the funds).
- Create you a magnificent piece of art.
OR
Does anyone want to find me a job in exchange for:
- An entire can of pea soup?
- Half a box of tissues?
- A well used map of the USA?
- Nude photos of Whoopi Goldberg?
Sounds good right?!
I'm gunna go and pickup my turntable in exchange for my netbook...
peace
sean
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issei_Sagawa
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