Traditional Food is Cheap #1: Swiss Steak

Over the last few years different people have told me that they eat fast food and highly processed packaged food because it is cheaper.  I feel much compassion for the pain I've seen in the world recently and I don't mean any offense, but I've got just a few things to say about this.

I'm committed to the principle that real food is not expensive.  The adverse argument is a sales job that marketers have done to the young ones of the world.  Traditional food is not expensive.  There is a time commitment; organization is required.  But I ask you to tell me what is more important than what you and your loved ones eat.

So I've decided to price a few traditional dinners as carefully as possible and come up with an approximate cost per serving.  This is based on an Alton Brown recipe.  I've actually got a little bit of a crush on Alton Brown.  Don't tell anybody.

Swiss Steak  (Makes 8 servings)
2 lbs chuck steak, purchased this week at $3.99 / lb ($1.00 per serving)

2 t. salt (Less than $.01 per serving)

1 c. flour -$1.99 for 5 lbs; 1 c. flour = 4.3 oz (Approximately $.01 per serving)

1/4 c. canola or grape seed oil  - $3.19 for 24 ozs ($.03 per serving)

1/2 a yellow onion, thinly sliced ($.05 per serving)

2 stalks of celery - $.06
1/2 of small can of tomato paste - $.59 per can ($.04 per serving)
14.5 oz can diced tomato - $.69/can ($.08 per serving)
14.5 oz can beef broth - $1.29 per can ($.16 per serving)
1T.  Worcestershire sauce - $2.39 for 5 fl ozs or less for larger jars.  1T=1fluid oz = $.48 or ($.08 per serving)
1 t. oregano - $4.59 per .75 oz jar or 4.5 t. or ($.13 per serving)
1 t. paprika  - $2.95 for 1 oz jar; 1 oz = 6 t.($.06 per serving)


Cost per Serving: $1.70 for Swiss Steak plus the cost of the rice and vegetable.

Cut the meat into manageable size pieces.  Dry each piece with a paper towel.  Add oil to a stew pot and get it hot.  If you drop a drop of water into hot oil it should sizzle up. 

Combine the flour and salt and dropped the meat into the flour a bit at a time to coat, then drop pieces into the pan.  Keep the meat moving as it browns.   

Removed browned meat from the pan and add more until all is brown.  Keep the browned meat in another pan on the side.  A pie plate is what my mother used.

Now add the vegetables to the pan.  Add a little more oil if needed and stir until they soften and sweeten.  Return the meat to the pan and add the remaining ingredients.  Continue cooking on low for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours with the lid on.   And yes, babies like it.

When you get close to eating, make a pot of white rice and a vegetable or salad.  By the way, I buy medium grain rice for 5 lbs for $8.29 or $1.66 per pound.  What do you suppose 3 cups of cooked rice costs?  Slice 4 carrots and cook them, drain, add a tablespoon of butter, salt and a pinch of dill.  This isn't that hard. 

And it doesn't last long here.  But if you get some left overs off this, that would be a good thing.
 

Shared with Kelly the Kitchen Cop's Hearth and Soul Hop
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/03/real-food-wednesday-3211.html and

Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday



and Prairie Story Recipe Swap

http://prairiestory.blogspot.com/2011/03/recipe-swap-thursday-27.html

Where Does Flavor Come From?

Where does flavor come from, Mommy?  Well, Dear.  Flavor comes from real food.  Some nice people are suing Taco Bell saying that the meat in their tacos isn't all meat and has a bunch of chemicals in it.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/01/25/wheres-beef-taco-bell-sued-ingredients/

Actually, Dear, all fast food has chemicals in it.

Some people are saying that we need the chemicals for flavor, that the chemicals make it taste good.  But those are bad people and you are never to talk to them. 

Chemicals are imitation flavor.  Remember that, now! 

Mommy doesn't know why people would be confused about taco seasoning.  Because it is really easy.  We have our own taco seasoning recipe that tastes good, is easy to make and is made of real dried herbs and spices from our cabinet at home. 

Here is how we make it

Taco Seasoning Mix.
2 t. dry minced onion
1 t. salt
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. dried minced garlic
1/4 t. dried oregano
1/2 t. ground cumin

See?  It's really very easy.  We get hamburger from the freezer, cook it, add the mix that Mommy makes and put it in the taco.  This recipe makes the equivalent of one of those packaged taco seasoning mixes from the store.  This isn't a perfect solution, but have your read the ingredients of those packages?

Remember that this whole thing just isn't brain surgery.

Shared with culinarybliss.blogspot.com
and prairestory.blogspot.com


and TheNourishingGourmet.com
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2011/01/pennywise-platter-thursday-january-27th.html