June 1st - Already over budget

Today I felt like having something warm and toasted for dinner, so I think I searched (in epicurious) for chicken sandwich.  Here is what I found: Tuscan-Style Grilled Chicken Sandwich.  It sounds kinda boring, but all the reviews were all "my husband asked me to add this to the rotation" and other house wife quotes, so I tried it. Because I am a (working) housewife. And it was VERY good. I'd say a 9 or 10. It also gets bonus points for looking really restaurant-y.

I went over budget mostly because I was buying Hanaoka food staples with this dinner run, including Floridas Natural Orange Juice (we've tried every OJ, this is the best,) floss, and iceberg lettuce for lunch sandwiches.  Wait, I still went over budget just for the dinner. Dang.

French Bread -           $1.49
Fresh Mozzarella       $4.49
Mixed Baby Greens   $3.99
Roma Tomato            $0.42
TOTAL                    $10.39

Turns out we had a tomato in the fridge already..and mozzarella is expensive.  I'm starting the blog off great by going over my budget and not including pictures as we were starving and ate a whole loaf of french bread in 5 minutes. On to the one good thing, the recipe! This is my adaptation of the Epicurious recipe.

1. Mix 1/4 cup mayo and 4 teaspoons pesto. Set aside.

2. Cook boneless, skinless chicken (it says to BBQ it but we don't have one) with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook slowly so it stays soft on the outside.  When done, cut slices off (like shaving off the edges)

3. Slice pieces of fresh mozzarella and tomato.

Once you are ready to eat, broil a loaf of french bread for about 30 seconds (sliced open like a sandwich) I bought my bread at Vons.
Remove from oven, spread with the pesto-mayo mixture, top with mozzarella, chicken, tomato, and a handful of baby greens (Make it easy on yourself and buy the package that says "Baby Greens") then put a bit more pesto-mayo on top, and heres the key: splash a teeny bit of balsamic vinegar on top, then close up your sandwich. Enjoy!

Let me know if you try it out and if you liked it! (Or any suggestions)

Cereal for Dinner

I’ve always loved food, but more of the eating and less of the making, and I’m not really a foodie because I’m not too particular about what I eat;  If it’s free and smells good, I’ll eat it.  I am the girl that waits in the taste tester line for the microwaved “Mexican Flautas” and chewable “Fibre Choice Child Gummies”  at Costco.     

Now that I am married and responsible for healthy and fulfilling meals for two, I can’t pretend that a bowl of Mini-Wheats at 6pm and 9pm is a well rounded dinner. 

I'll try to spend $200 a month on groceries (just the food, that won’t include things like toothpaste) and create tasty and healthy meals, while trying not to forget anything in the back of the fridge.

Please read the “About Me” Section to see why more about why I started this blog and what it will (and won't) be,  let me know if you have any questions and thanks for visiting!