Grocery List, 071413

Wednesday I got a 3-day Notice to Pay or Quit. Thursday night I got a new notice, that we have yet a new manager, or rather, managers. A his-and-her matching set of tenants-turned-on-site managers. I wrote them a letter, attached it to a CD which held a copy of the tome I'd written the last manager, imploring them to read the letter on the CD which explains my reasons for withholding July rent, asked them to withdraw the 3-day notice to pay or quit and tell me what the plan is for repair. Today I received a notice from the last property manager who wants to look at my water heater. I don't know what's going on.

So where does this leave me with the food thing? This week:
Spaghetti with Chilli, Sardines, and Oregano (I will make it this time, I swear)
Grilled Tuna Tacos
Sautéed Margarita Shrimp
Cinnamon Peach Cobbler

Grower's Direct:
pie apples: $2.87/5.85 lb
vine-ripened tomatoes (2): $0.81/0.63 lb
peaches (3): $1.39/1.56 lb
cherries: $3.24/1.63 lb
limes (2): $0.21/0.27 lb
green onions: $0.39/bunch
avocado: $0.99
jalapeno: $0.09/0.07 lb
cilantro: $0.49
baby arugula: $2.49
fresh mint: $1.29
TOTAL: $14.26

Ralph's:
ancho chili powder: $1.99
Fage yogurt: $3.49
ahi tuna: $27.74
shrimp: $10.49
TOTAL: $43.71

Grand Total: $57.97
Total for the year: $1036.05

............................................................................
And while unpacking the groceries, the new managers, the couple, came by and took a look around. He took photos with his cell phone to send to the new owner. Asking what it would take to get a check from me, I let him know I'm not unreasonable. If they can let me know what the plan is for the apartment along with the timeline for getting it fixed, I'll give them a check. No sooner.

Summer Herb-Stuffed Pork Chops

Mixing and matching mains and sides from the selections in the latest magazine, I figured I'd go with these chops. Enough for two, this means I'll have chops for dinner twice. The magazine recommends roasted potatoes and steamed green beans for sides, which would've been colorfully eye-pleasing, but I'm glad I rocked the cauliflower.

Summer Herb-Stuffed Pork Chops
adapted from Cooking Club
click to print

2 boneless center-cut loin pork chops (3/4 inch thick)
3 tbsp chopped mixed fresh herbs (basil, dill, parsley and/or chives)
1/4 tsp coarse salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 c minced shallots
1/3 c chicken stock
1/3 c white wine or additional chicken broth

With small sharp knife, make horizontal slice in each pork chop to create a pocket, being careful not to cut all the way through.


Spoon herbs into pocket; sprinkle pork with salt and pepper.


Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat until hot.


Add pork; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.


Add shallots; cook over medium heat 30 seconds, stirring frequently.


Add stock; bring to a boil.


Cover; reduce heat to low, simmer 15 minutes or until pork chops are tender and pale pink in center. Remove pork; cover loosely with foil.

I stopped cooking the chops after 8 minutes. I hate overdone chops and overdone is my tendency.

Add wine to skillet; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.

Oops, I turned my back longer than the 3 minutes but not so long that it was ruined.

Spoon sauce over pork.



It was a good thing I didn't cook the chops the entire 15 minutes. They would definitely have been overcooked. These turned out essentially perfect after resting for about 10 minutes. As for flavor, the chops were pretty good but I wouldn't call them stellar. I might do these again with a variety of herbs as suggested. I only used basil out of laziness. If additional herbs were added, there might be a fresh kapow happening.

Cost:

• boneless center-cut loin pork chops: $6.59
• fresh basil: $1
• olive oil: $0.06
• shallots: $1
• chicken stock: $0.06
• white wine: $1.50

Total: $10.21 or about $5.11 for each of two servings.

Thyme-Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Salt

Looking for a side dish to accompany some pork, I thought this one would do. My expectations weren't high and were blown out of the water. Originally written to include broccoli, I used a whole head of cauliflower instead. It's hard to buy a 12-oz head of either broccoli or cauliflower and I didn't want to have a bunch of each languishing in the fridge.

Thyme-Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Salt
adapted from Cooking Club
click to print

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, minced
24 oz. cauliflower, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slabs
8 (4-inch) sprigs fresh thyme
1 1/2 tbsp grated lemon peel
3/4 tsp coarse sea salt

Heat oven to 425ºF.

Combine oil and garlic in small cup.


Place thyme sprigs on baking sheet.


Arrange cauliflower in single layer on baking sheet.


Brush garlic and oil over both sides of broccoli and cauliflower.

Don't sweat it if you don't have a brush. Just spoon the oil and garlic over the slices and smear it around. My brush didn't scoop up the garlic and I wound up doing almost exactly that.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are browned and tender.

I went for 25 minutes and the cauliflower was just past crisp-tender.

Place on serving platter; lightly crumble a few of the roasted thyme sprigs over the top.


Combine lemon peel and salt in small cup; sprinkle over vegetables.



I wish I'd spent 2 seconds of energy and effort into making the final picture pretty so you'd be tempted to try this recipe because it's awesome! Slicing the cauliflower is a slight annoyance but sticking to it and getting slices of even thickness results in a tantalizingly delicious side dish. The crisped thyme is excellent and the salty zest at the end puts it over the top. Most definitely gonna do this one again.

Cost:

• extra-virgin olive oil: $0.27
• garlic cloves: $0.24
• cauliflower: $1.69
• fresh thyme: $1
• lemon peel: $0.34
• sea salt: $0.21

Total: $3.75 or about $0.94 for each of four delicious servings.

Cost of Take-Out Lunch, Week Ending 071213

Monday: Carl's Jr on a coworker
Tuesday: Jack in the Box for two: $10.89
Wednesday: Bravo Burgers for two: $25.52
Thursday: Carl's Jr on a coworker
Friday*: Jack in the Box salads for two: $12.07

Total: $48.48
Total for the year: $904.77

*Played golf after work, got my second birdie ever. Good day!

Grocery List, 070713

Tuesday I got a notice on my door stating we have a new apartment manager. And it reminded me rent is due on the first, please make check payable to the management company. Hint, hint. You're late. Wednesday night I got another notice on my door reminding me rent is due on the first, please make check payable to a different company. Hint, hint, you're still late! Friday I got a different notice, now they want to look at the apartment. Maybe we'll get somewhere.

This week, I'm going to do the Ramsay spaghetti I meant to do a couple weeks ago in addition to pork chops, roasted cauliflower and broccoli and maybe Baby Ruth "Ice Cream" Sandwiches.

Sprouts:

• herb garden (thyme, oregano, and rosemary): $9.99
• boneless pork chops: $6.59
• baby arugula: $3.49
• broccoli crowns: $1.12/1.27 lb
• cauliflower: $1.69/1.92 lbs
• garlic: $0.34/each
• lemon: $0.34/each
• red jalapeno: $0.30/0.06 lb
• Total: $23.81 (including my $0.05 off for bringing a bag)

Costco:

• whipping cream: $3.89
• chocolate chips: $6.99
• Total: $10.88

Grand Total: $34.69
Total for the year: $978.08

Baked Oatmeal, Take 3

I thought another slight reduction in sugar with some additional apples to maintain moisture was the next step for this oatmeal. Also, I realized when eating Take 2 that making six servings out of a batch of baked oatmeal is just way too much food. I'd still be stuffed at lunchtime, which spoils the whole "time to eat lunch" mentality at work. This time, I'm cutting the oatmeal into eight pieces.

Baked Oatmeal, Take 3
adapted from Take 2
click to print

2 tbsp butter
3 c old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 c slivered almonds
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 c whole milk
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 large apples, 1 shredded, 1 finely diced

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Place the 2 tablespoons butter in an 8x8" baking dish and melt the butter in the oven while it preheats, pulling the dish out after about 5 minutes. Tilt the dish and let the butter coat it about evenly.

Meanwhile, combine the oats, sugars, almonds, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl.


Whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a separate bowl.


Stir in the grated and diced apples.


Add the egg mixture to the oats and combine until moistened throughout.


Transfer to the dish with the melted butter.


Bake for 30 minutes or until edges are golden brown.



At this point I've halved the original amount of sugar and I didn't miss it. The apples are still good though I wish I'd either grated both apples or peeled them. Before baking I think they look so pretty among the oats and nuts but after baking you can't tell they're in there until you eat them and they're not all that. The slivered almonds, wowie, that's where it's at. They offer fantastic texture contrast.

Cost:

• butter: $0.14
• 3 c old-fashioned rolled oats: $0.72
• 2 tbsp sugar: $0.06
• 2 tbsp brown sugar: $0.06
• 1/2 c slivered almonds: $5, SWAG
• 2 large eggs: $0.62
• 1 c whole milk: $0.35
• 2 tbsp maple syrup: $0.50
• 1 tsp vanilla extract: $0.08
• 2 large apples: $2.04

Total: $9.57 or about $1.20 for each of eight servings.

Cost of Take-Out Lunch, Week Ending 070613

I did well, bringing my lunch daily for nearly a month. My lunching co-worker is off his crazy Beyonce diet so I'm beginning to falter. There's only so much pbj a person can handle.

Monday: Carl's Jr. Low-Cal $6 burger on a coworker
Tuesday: California Fish Grill for two: $22.65
Wednesday: Carl's Jr. Original $6 Burger: $4.85
Thursday: holiday
Friday: PTO

Total: $27.50
Total for the year: $856.29