March 26, 2009

The Change That Adds Up…Week 5

For the past few weeks I have been showing you the meals we have had here at home instead of going out to a restaurant to eat. A place like Outback, or Applebee’s or a steakhouse in general. But what about those weeks when you just want a great burger?

For me, if I think burgers, I think Red Robin. But even a night of burgers adds up…

2 Red Robin Burgers & Fries – $17.90
2 drinks – $4.50
Kid’s Meal – $4.95
Tax & Tip – $7.65
Total – $35.00

That’s burgers and fries, people. For 2 adults and a toddler. Eeek.

Here’s what we did…

I bought chuck roast on sale for $1.79 a pound this week, and Jon ground it. I bought lots of it, actually, and now we have several bags of ground meat just waiting on me in the freezer. I have really started loving that meat grinder. How sad is that? But seriously, it made excellent burger meat. Not too fat, not too lean – just right. I made patties just over half a pound each, and about a 1/4 pound for Seven.

I also found some amazing cheese in Amish country when we were there last week. The flavor I was most eager to try was Vidalia Onion White Cheese. I grated about 3 ounces, and added it to some regular store-bought grated cheddar. It was a great choice.

We carmelized some onions in a frying pan while the burgers were cooking – on the indoor griddle – and added them to the gobs of melted cheese we tossed on the cooked burgers. So SO good. A little spinach, a slice of tomato, some ketchup, mayo – one big, beautiful burger.

Fries are fries if you ask me. Just open a bag of Steak Fries and throw them in the oven. It’s healthier than frying them…but if you want to amp them up a bit, throw some cheese on them and dip them in Ranch Dressing. We just used ketchup, though.

Here’s how we added up our savings:

1 1/2 pounds Meat – $2.70
Cheese – $1.50
Fries – $1.50 (half bag of frozen french fries)
Veggies – $1.00
Drinks – $1.00
Buns – $1.00
Total – $8.70

Burgers are very easy to make, and I really recommend giving them a shot. If you can get your hands on any of that Vidalia Onion Cheese – get it! I think using it in Mac & Cheese or mashed potatoes would be awesome. The product I used is made by Heini. Please don’t stop and think about that. Please. I know it’s their name…and yet, I had to giggle every time I stopped to buy Heini Cheese. Heini Cheese. Hiiiiinnnneeeeyyyy Chhhheeeeeesssse.

Oh just grow up and make those burgers already.