Thursday, August 7, 2014

How Much can you Save if you Cook at Home?


Why is the Kitchen Bouquet a "Super Secret". KB is used a lot in commercials to make the food look good. I like it because it seals the meat and gives a great "crisp" to the outside of the roast, and it also adds a wonderful flavor. On beef and pork it's fabulous. Makes an unbelievable "homemade" gravy. I'll have a future post on how to make outstanding homemade gravy.
"Super Secret"
This meal is very simple to make, so it won't be  overwhelming even to all you newbies out there. The protein in this entree is a center cut pork roast. The one I have is a little over 3 pounds. The roast should be cut in 1/2. Save the other half for a boneless pork chop dinner. So you can already see some savings.
Center Cut Pork Loin
2nd. Best Cut
$2.00/  3 pounds
5 Pound Bag/ 80 Ounces
$3.00
Let's do some math. Roast cost  $2.89 Lb. x 3.39 Lb.s = $9.68 ~ 2 = $4.84 per meal ~ 3 = $1.61 Per person. This is based on a third of a pound per serving. Potatoes, 5 Lb. bag or 80 ounces. Cost = $3.00 or less than .04 per ounce. Serving 8 ounce x 3 = 24 ounces
Will be a little darker
with Kitchen Bouquet
24 ounces x .04 = .96 cents ~ 3 = .32 cents per serving. The potatoes will yield 4 meals.  Enough with the numbers for now, let's cook this bad boy. Here's another bonus, the potatoes and the roast go in the oven at the same time. So far the entree is costing us a $1.93. per person. (I am a member of BJ's wholesale Club, and the prices shown are what I paid for the items).  Preheat oven to 375 degrees, salt and pepper half the roast and coat with Kitchen Bouquet. Place fat side up in a roasting pan. Remember, it' s a little under two pounds, so after a half hour of cooking you need to check the internal temp. with a meat thermometer. When the temp. is between 150 and 160 degrees, take it out of the oven and cover with foil. The roast needs a nice rest, about 20 minutes, the potatoes may not be done yet, but guess what, you have time to prepare the rest of the meal. Did you ever wonder, how your Mom got everything to the table and everything was hot? This is how it's done. Saute the cabbage, 3" chunk off the  front should be enough. Cost per pound .48 cents ~3 = .16 per person. One cabbage yields 3 meals.It keeps a good 10 days in the fridge. Total cost per meal per person $2.09 cents. All fresh, nutritious and number one, IT WAS EASY!  You can use this formula in any meal planning, it even saves Gas. I didn't factor that in, so that can be your homework. What would this  meal cost if you went to a restaurant? I hear you, if and when we go, it's always ice water with lemon. Next post, "What's for Dessert? Enjoy the video.