Super Tender Meatloaf

I don't usually enjoy meatloaf because it's almost always too dense and dry; which I think is a lot of peoples issue with it. I decided to do meatloaf with a twist, I added chopped carrots and onions to give it some more flavor and moisture. Here is my recipe as follows:

3 pieces of stale bread (I set it out overnight to dry it out, you can use a couple cups of dried prepared breadcrumbs)

One pound ground beef, (if making enough for 4 people I would use 1.5 pounds ground beef). I buy family packs of meat and  freeze them in one pound increments. I also make them flat so they store in the freezer easier and thaw much faster.

Next, I added one large carrot chopped ( I do this in the food process but you can do it any way you like, as long as the pieces are small); One medium onion, Two eggs, Three "squirts" of ketchup, One tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce and ground beef of course. I put in One teaspoon sage for the savory quality, though you can omit this. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly with clean hands.

Form into a "loaf" and bake for one hour at 350 F or 35-40 minutes at 400 F. I prefer the longer cooking because it makes it more tender. You can mix and loaf (keep it covered in fridge) this the night before and pop it into the oven the next day.

This is how it looks before it has the layer of ketchup.

My favorite side dish is next and it's very simple. I cut some whole yukon gold potatoes in half and then into quarters. The amount of potatoes depends upon hold many people you are serving. I usually do about 4 small potatoes to a person, sometimes a little more. Then I boil them in shallow water for 10 minutes. This is what they look like after: 

Next, I toss them with some olive oil or any that you have on hand, salt, pepper, and any green herb you have. I used dried parsley flakes for color. 

Then, I bake them as long as the meatloaf takes, occasionally removing from oven and tossing them in the pan. They are done when fork tender. Here is the final product.

Cost break down for this meal:

Ground beef: 1.99 LB

Carrots, Bread and Onions, Approx $1.25

Seasoning Approx $.50

Potatoes Approx $1

Total cost of meal for two people: $4.74 - If you add more beef it would be $5.74 approx.

Chicken Lo Mein

There is a little bit of prep work involved in this recipe depending on what vegetables you choose to use and the tools available to you. I started with cutting up 4 large carrots, julienne style:

I am reserving approximately half for my meatloaf the next day. I cut the julienne strips into have lengthwise, as to make them easier to eat. I sliced one large onion and added it to the carrots. You can substitute shredded carrots from the store, but I didn't have them. Cutting your own carrots saves money.
I had approx 2-3 cups of left over sweet and sour cabbage that I am also going to add. Where I live, cabbage is .39 cents a pound at the moment so it's an inexpensive way to add veggies to your meal. I parboiled (boiled them for a couple of minutes and then shocked with cold water) the carrots and onions to make them softer for the stir fry.
                                      
Next I browned cut up chicken leg and thigh quarter meat (you can use white breast meat if that's what you have on hand; I would only use a couple since this is going to make a lot of food with the veggies and noodles).
Here is a picture of the meat while cooking: (yes it looks gross, probably because of the soy sauce)

The meat was marinated in a cup of soy sauce and before browning I added 2 tablespoons of corn starch.

Next, I sauteed the vegetables together, this should only take a few minutes on medium high heat:

I added the meat to the vegetable mixture and seasoned as follows:
2-3 tablespoons of oyster sauce (depending on your own taste)
2-3 tablespoons of sesame oil
1 table spoon fresh garlic, You can add a little powder garlic if fresh is too much for you
You can add salt if you wish, I didn't because the meat was marinated in soy sauce.

Here is everything together with sauce's:

Next, I boiled the fettuccine. You can use spaghetti or packets of ramen noodles. I happen to enjoy the larger noodles. I used 6 oz of a 12 oz package of fettuccine, I also broke them in half. Boil per package instructions usually 9-10 minutes depending on how soft you like your noodles. You may want to under cook by a minute or so because they will be added to another warm pan which will continue cooking.
                                         
Once strained, I added to the meat and veg mixture, tossed completely and served. You can add another dash of sesame oil to your own bowl if you would like, my husband loves it and adds it to even ramen noodles.

It doesn't look that pretty but it was delicious. The over exposure of the camera doesn't help either.
A break down of money spent on this meal follows:

Approx $1.00 for the dark meat chicken (bought a 10lb bag of leg and thigh quarters for 5.90)
Carrots $.80 cents
Cabbage $.30 cents
Onions  $.50 cents
Noodles $.50 cents
Seasoning and sauce approx $1

Total: $4.10 for a meal that serves 4 people. Husband and I will be eating leftovers in a couple of days.

Grocery Store Tip #1

The biggest tip I have for going grocery store shopping on a budget: take cash. I set aside an amount of money that I want to spend at the store for that week. Taking cash ensures that I do not go over my budget and impulsively buy items I don't need. I take a list, broken up into categories by isle's of the items I need. Taking a calculator can really help you to stay on course. Don't forget to include tax into your figures when calculating what is in your cart.

I know it's hard to see, but this is a picture of a real list that I will be taking to the store. Also, making a list ensures you get everything you need without having to use more gas (=more money) to run back to the store.