Another $8 Menu

Keeping to the budget of $8 per day per person is definitely not easy but it is doable. Again I am going to emphasize the concept of changing one's mindset as to what a main course is. To keep to this budget the amount of animal protein in a weekly diet needs to be reduced to a few meals. For my household that means Shabbat and special occasions; for the most part. Today's menu will include a meat based dinner however. Keep in mind the prices of groceries might be different where you are located - I try to use pricing from stores and sources that are national.

Day 2 * indicates recipe is included

Breakfast - Steel Cut Crockpot Oats w/ Raisins & Cinnamon* .61 cents per serving

Milk 4 oz. .40 cents

1 banana .27 cents

Coffee 8oz. .75 cents

Total Per Person $2.02

Lunch - 2 hard boiled eggs .28 cents

Thousand island dressing 2 oz. .40 cents

½ cucumber sliced .25 cents

1 sliced roma tomato .32 cents

1 cup shredded romaine lettuce .31 cents

1 dinner roll .25 cents

1 apple .39 cents

Kids - Juice box .55 cents

Adults - 16 oz. iced tea (unsweetened) .02 cents

Totals: Adult $2.22 Kids $2.75

Dinner - Meatloaf w/ sweet glaze & roasted Sweet potatoes* $1.84

1 cup chopped romaine .31 cents

¼ sliced cucumbers .13 cents

½ sliced roma tomato .16

1 tablespoon diced red onion .07 cents

Homemade croutons .08 cents

2 tablespoons homemade Italian Vinaigrette .20 cents

8 oz water $0.00

Homemade parve brownie .35 cents

Totals: $3.13

Daily Total per person : $7.90

Steel Cut Crock Pot Oats w/ Raisins & Cinnamon

Parve

Serves 4

Try this for a warm Shabbat morning breakfast

Ingredients:

4 cups water $0.00

1 cup steel cut oats.60 cents

½ teaspoon kosher salt .01 cents

1 to teaspoons pure maple syrup .52 cents

½ cup raisins .88 cents

2 teaspoons cinnamon .40 cents

Step -By- Step Directions:

1. Place all ingredients into the crock pot and cook overnight on low.

2. Divide between 4 bowls and serve.

Sheet Pan Meatloaf w/ Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Meat

Makes 2 meatloaves - each serves 6 for 12 servings total

This is a great recipe as it makes two meals - serve one and freeze the second for an easy meal another night!

Ingredients:

For the Meatloaf:

½ cup diced onion .20 cents

1 tablespoon minced garlic .19 cents

2 lb. ground beef $13.50

2 large eggs lightly whisked .28 cents

1 ½ cups quick-cooking oats $1.80

1 cup tomato juice .48 cents

2 ½ teaspoons salt .16 cents

1 teaspoon black pepper .48 cents

4 sweet potatoes cut in 1" slices $2.40

2 tablespoons olive oil .38 cents

1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme .36 cents

1 teaspoon garlic granules .22 cents

1 ½ teaspoons salt .08 cents

1 teaspoon black pepper.48 cents

For the Sauce:

½ cup ketchup .76 cents

2 teaspoons honey .15 cents

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard .10 cents

Step -By- Step Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft and translucent, adding garlic in the last minute, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

2. On a large sheet pan, arrange the sweet potatoes in an even layer leaving space for the meatloaf. Drizzle with olive oil, rubbing to coat potatoes on all sides. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt, dried thyme, garlic granules, and 1 tsp black pepper.

3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, quick oats, eggs, tomato juice, sautéed onion, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined and all the ingredients are well mixed together, showing no individual streaks.

4. Place the prepared meatloaves on the large sheet pan, shaping it into two loaves Place in the preheated oven and prepare the ketchup topping.

5. In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, honey, and mustard. Whisk to combine.

6. Once the meatloaf is browned and reaches 150°F, about 40-50 minutes, spread the ketchup mixture over the top and return to the oven to caramelize, 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool 10 minutes before cutting.

7. Divide the sweet potatoes into two equal portions and freeze with one of the loaves for a meal another night.