Date Night Gourmet Style

Remember I was bored with some of the drinks I was making??

So, I cracked open an old cookbook and found a new recipe. Gimlets are old fashioned cocktails, made of gin and lime and sugar. And, honestly, on a Saturday night, drinking a virgin Gimlet sounds way cooler than limeade. We have lots of basil still producing, so I decided to try it with the lime. A definite winner.

So, here's our virgin basil lime gimlet. Good stuff.

Part of the reason that my dear husband turned into the tomato king. Along with salsa and spaghetti and 100 quarts of tomatoes stacked neatly in the basement. But, we always return to the basil and tomato salad. This is our last one of the season. Darn floods got our tomatoes. Oh, I am already longing for next summer!

This night, we had a coursed dinner. So, salad, then cream of onion soup with garlic parsley croutons.

Followed by salmon vera cruz style.

And my favorite ice cream. I don't care if it is store bought. I waited for the Blue Bell man to get it fresh off the truck for me. Totally worth it. It's gooooooooood.

This week, my sweet husband is going to the game on Saturday afternoon, so he'll be home late. So, I'm thinking of dessert and coffee. Stay tuned, and I'll show you what I make!

Park Day

Remember my quest to check out all the parks in my county? We took a break for the hot months of summer (this old mama can't handle the heat during August and September), but we're back at it in full force.

This week's park is open green space in the middle of a small downtown area. There is a new playground and splash fountains to play in. It was plenty warm for the boys to have fun in the water. Not for too much longer, though. I felt the first cool morning just today!

We're on track to hopefully hit all the parks by the end of the year. My original goal of seeing them all before Labor Day was a bit ambitious. Christmas is more like it. Only 25 more to go!

Kroger Bargain Meal September 27

I delayed the Kroger meal to Tuesday, because we actually ate this last night. I had every intention of taking an awesome picture of our yummy food. And, well, life gets in the way. I had an errand to run just before supper time, and I put the meatballs in the crock pot to simmer while we were gone. And I forgot to plug it in.

So, we rushed home, I threw everything on the stove, and in 20 minutes, we had supper. Pictures were somehow forgotten.

Everyone was fed and happy, and that was more important at the moment. So, close your eyes, picture this fabulous meal, and then make it soon!

Porcupine meatballs--$3.59
Rice--1 cup uncooked--$0.20
Black eyed peas--on sale (frozen)--$0.88
Cherry tomatoes--on sale--$0.99

Total cost of this meal--$5.66

Meatballs
1 pound ground beef--on sale $1.79
1/2 cup finely diced onion--on sale 3 lbs/$1.50--$0.15
1/2 cup uncooked rice--$0.10
1/2 cup water
Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
1 large can crushed tomatoes--$1.50 (you could use on sale spaghetti sauce or tomato soup, too)
1 T worcestershire sauce--$0.05

Combine beef, onion, water, and rice and mix well. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into small meatballs. Brown in frying pan, then remove from pan. Add tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, and spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder) to taste. Bring to a simmer, add in meatballs, and then allow to simmer for 30 minutes until meatballs (and rice) are cooked through. Serve over rice with roasted cherry tomatoes and black eyed peas on the side.

Enjoy your $5 dinner! And, for more inspiration, as always, check out the bargain meal of the week at 5dollardinners.com!

Menu Plan Monday

Another week, another fabulous menu plan. Our garden is in the lull between summer and fall. We still have a few eggplant, lots of peppers, and some green beans. Our fall vegetables are coming right along, but not quite ready for harvest. Luckily, our local Korean grocery store has lettuce 2/$1, so lots of salads around here this week!

Friday: taco soup (would have been tacos, but I forgot to buy tortillas)

Saturday: Thai beef (lunch), salmon a la vera cruzana, tomato/basil salad, cream of onion soup with garlic parsley croutons, ice cream (supper)

Sunday: out (lunch), tortilla soup (supper)

Monday: porcupine meatballs, rice, black eyed peas, roasted cherry tomatoes, salad

Tuesday: fettucini alfredo with sauteed chicken, salad

Wednesday: hummus, baba ghanouj, tabouli, pita bread

Thursday: tomato soup with a swirl of pesto, chicken salad

Friday: "real" tacos--I promised the family!