so, i have to say, i'm not a huge fan of going out to eat. [hence the meal plans.]
1. [not to pat myself on the back, but] i can totally make 99% of meals we eat out, in our own kitchen.
[honestly i think anyone can! as long as you can follow a recipe, you're half way to becoming a chef.]
2. i can do #1 for a fraction of the cost we would pay out.
3. it's way more comfortable at home.
thursday night, major barber & i went out to eat with a couple of good friends & a few guys from out of town.
leaving the men up to picking the location, they chose a steak house.
[disclaimer: i hope everyone appreciates my candor...i wouldn't normally discuss dollar amounts like this, but i just want to break it down now on the reals.]
our bill [including tip & a couple drinks for hubs] was $125!!
i don't know about you, but that's a week of groceries in our house.
after two loaves of bread & butter, i took 3 bites of my HUGE ny strip steak entree, & i was full.
SO...that leads me to...
[actually, last night...AND breakfast today!]
steak & caramelized onion paninis
2 slices fresh italian bread
2 slices sharp white cheddar
1/4 c caramelized onions
2 oz leftover steak, thinly sliced
2 oz butter, softened
butter outside of bread. inside, layer cheese, steak, onions, cheese.
[i always do a top & bottom layer of cheese in my paninis, because it helps hold everything in.]
cook in a panini press, or in a frying pan over medium heat, until golden brown.
after dinner, there was
STILL leftover steak!! benjamin was positive it was for him, so he sat patiently waiting.
[he never got it.] instead, i cut it into a small dice &, along with the leftover onions, saved it for a saturday morning breakfast scramble...& made 1 restaurant meal into 3.