Getting more for less...

Was thinking about blogging today on my food blog and realized, I don't have to have separate blogs for travel and cooking. This blog's title is Vistas, Vittles and Venues. It can handle all of it. So, hold on to your hats, it's about to get food-y in here!

In a renewed effort to increase our savings and cut back on our spending, I've been purposefully cooking more at home and we're eating out less. It's no surprise that this definitely saves money. And with only a little practice, what you cook at home is just as good if not better than what you can get in a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I understand the desire to be treated out with no worries of the cleanup. But, we've chosen to allow those moments to become more special by having fewer of them.

So, here is my most recent:

Flank Steak Taco Dinner
Salsa
Guacamole
Rice
Beans
Corn Salad
Cascades Sour Cream

How we did the Steak~
Allow it to sit on the counter (in packaging or on a plate) to come to room temperature (30 min.)
Season generously with Salt and Pepper, both sides
Squeeze Lime juice over steak
Heat an Iron Skillet (or other skillet) on Medium High. Allow it to get hot before adding a Tablespoon or 2 of oil. Then lay the steak into the pan and sear for 3-4 minutes. Turn the steak over and sear on the other side another 3-4 minutes. Depending on thickness of your steak, and the doneness you prefer, it may need a few more minutes on each side. When done, remove to cutting board and allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing. This made enough for 3 people plus 1 more meal.

We reheat our tortillas over open flame on our gas stove.

The next day, I seared and cooked a chicken breast (same seasoning, same method but covered the pan and reduced the heat to med-low to allow the chicken plenty of cooking time without burning) and we fed 3 again. The next day we had just enough left over to make quesadillas (6 of them) for lunch. All I had to do was add one more can of beans. We still have salsa left to have as a snack tonight or tomorrow and some beans to add to our soup beans for tomorrow night.

This meal (which made 3 meals for 3 people) total cost was less than $15.00! That's 2 suppers and 1 lunch people!

Hmmm, wonder what Vista or Venue we're going to get to visit with all the money we'll be saving?