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I do this all the time, as the lady and I are saving for a condo, so are watching the budget... here's one of my favorites:
For the veggie:
1 bunch of asparagus rinsed and cut into 2" lengths. ($2)
1/2 a stick of butter. ($.50)
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. ($.20)
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried). ($.10)
1/4 teaspoon salt ($.02)
1/4 teaspoon pepper ($.02)
Large pinch of Grated Parmesean Cheese ($.20)
You may substitute Green Beans (bit cheaper, typically) for the veggie (but then also should substitute Thyme instead of Rosemary), if you so desire.
Melt the better is a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Add balsamic vinegar. Add vegetable. Add spices. Turn veggies every minute or two for the next 12-or-so minutes. Lower heat if veggies start to darken. Drain excess liquid, and serve veggies sprinkled with parmesean cheese.
For the Starch:
3 to 4 Medium Sized Red Potatoes. ($2)
1/2 stick butter ($.50)
Pepper to Taste (negligible)
Salt to Taste (negligible)
Peel and Cut potatoes into 1-2" sections (roughly 4 sections per potato). Fill medium pot with water, and bring to boil. Lightly Salt Water, and add potatoe sections. Boil for roughly 10 minutes, until "fork-soft" (where a fork can easily slide into a section, but not yet break it apart... you have about a minute window here that, if you overshoot it, you're making mashed potatoes). Cut butter into 4 sections, Drain Water (leaving potatoes in the pot), and add butter sections to pot. Salt and pepper top of potatoes (I add a bunch of pepper, and a dash of salt). Cover Pot. Wait 1-2 minutes (butter's melting, Potatoes are stiffening). Open lid, and gently stir so that potatoes are evenly peppered. Serve.
That leaves you with a little under $5 to purchase some form of meat to marinate and grill up on the grill.... or you can do something like buy bone-in chicken-breasts... debone them yourselves (costing you about $2 -$3 total), and still have enough for veggies to make yourself a nice little starter-salad.
if you'd prefer something more than water, Ice Tea's always an inexpensive drink, as, with the cost of sugar and tea-bags (made by the pitcher), it only costs you about $.20 for 4 glasses of the beverage
Hope you can use something here.
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-D.
ICQ: 202-96-31
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