GOURMET MEALS FOR $5 OR UNDER: MEAL 2 OF 25

GARDEN SALAD W/ BEEF PATTIES & A BUN

Total Cost: $2.77/serving

Total Preparation Time: 10 min

This meal can serve as lunch or dinner. In fact, my husband and I find that salads can be very satiating, if a source of animal protein is added like chicken or tuna. I also like to incorporate the left-overs from supper the night before into my lunches the following day. 

If you remember, I had 7 beef-and-vegetable patties left from cooking late last night, so I borrowed one to save time and energy. Time was a factor. I knew that my son, who was supposed to be napping, was instead interested in practicing his recently acquired walking skills in the safety of his crib. How did I know that? Periodically, I heard something drop like a bag of potatoes, express its frustration and try whatever it is that made it fall in the first place again. Gotta love the boy's determination!

Understandably, my time was limited and I needed to think of something quickly, and a big salad seemed like a great partner for the left-overs I had resting in the fridge. The ingredients and their respective costs were as follows:

MEASURE	WEIGHT (g)	INGREDIENT	COST PER PACKAGE ($)	TOTAL COST ($)	COST PER SERVING ($)
½ cup	15	Kale, chard & spinach mix	2.98/5oz	0.31
½ cup	12	Watercress	1.48/bunch	0.15
½ cup	12	Organic arugula	2.48/5oz	0.21
½ cup	7	Italian parsley	0.97/bunch	0.08
N/A	3	Fresh basil	3.99/potted herb	0.08
1	60	Carrot	3.98/5lb	0.11
¼	45	Avocado, large	1.48/each	0.37
½	42	Lemon	3.98/3lb	0.12
TOTAL				1.43	1.43

It took 8 minutes to prep and mix the ingredients. The remaining 2 minutes were spent warming up the patty in the microwave and cutting the bun in half. I even managed to put everything I haven't used back in the fridge.

MEASURE	WEIGHT (g)	INGREDIENT	COST PER PACKAGE ($)	TOTAL COST ($)	COST PER SERVING ($)
1	68	Multi-grain bun	0.19/bun	0.19
1	110	Beef & vegetable patty	1.48/bunch	1.15
TOTAL				1.34	1.34

And the grand total is...$2.77! That is one inexpensive, satisfying and nutritious meal. Not to mention, it took barely any time to prepare! The salad could be replaced with steamed vegetables or fresh carrot and celery sticks for equally healthful, easy-to-make meals.

	TOTAL COST ($)	COST PER SERVING ($)
GRAND TOTAL	2.77	2.77

On a final note, I have to acknowledge the man who works tirelessly behind the scenes to make this happen. He accompanies me on all shopping trips, testing (or should I say, tasting) the ingredients, and is often present during the cooking and measuring process- the role that he took on bravely, yet that tires him out tremendously and, I am sure, bores him at times.