One of the best ways to save money while still making delicious food is to concoct your own seasoning mixes at home. Typically grocery stores sell mixes in quantities you'll probably never use, for prices somewhere north of $7.00.
Instead, use that same $7.00 to buy a whole bottle of one spice with a wide range of applications. For example, a nice bottle of chipotle pepper or smoked paprika will offer your seasonings a depth you're not likely to find in a typical grocery store mix. By adding a couple of these higher end spices a month you'll soon have a cornucopia of options in your pantry, without having put too much of a hurt on your wallet. And, once you've collected a fair stash, you can experiment until your heart (and taste buds) are content.
This recipe combines the smoky heat of chipotle with the interest of cinnamon and allspice. The garlic powder and onion powder add some savoriness, and homemade applesauce lends a nice sweetness to the dish.
I wanted to create something that reminded me of grilled food, since, well it has been too damn cold to grill and I missed that flavor.
I'm not sure how much homemade applesauce will save, but it's so far and above anything you'll find in a store that it's not to be slept on.
Finally, this recipe does call for one piece of special equipment. It's a ricer. You can pick up a real nice one for about $20 and you'll never have to worry about it again.
Well, that's that. Now for the recipe.
Think Spring Chops with Apple Sauce and Green Beans
Ingredients
3 halves of butterflied pork chops ($3.62)
2 tsp. Garlic Powder (0.28)
1 tsp. Onion Powder (0.25)
1 tsp. Chili Powder (0.28)
1/2 tsp. Chipotle Powder (0.17)
1/2 tsp. salt (.03)
1/8 tsp. Allspice (0.25)
1/8 tsp. Cinnamon (0.26)
1/8 tsp. double fine dry Mustard (0.08)
2 T Olive Oil (0.40)
For Apple Sauce
2 lbs Apples (Macintosh or similar) (2.50)
2 tsp. white sugar (0.07)
Shake of Cinnamon (0.02)
1 cup water (tap)
For Green Beans
5 oz. (half bag) Frozen Organic Green Beans (1.35)
total: $9.56
Preparation
Chops
1. Wash and dry chops
2. Mix all spices to make a seasoning
3. lightly coat chops with about 1 T of olive oil
4. Rub seasoning over chops, cover, marinate in fridge for at least an hour
5. Heat rest of olive oil in iron skillet at med. high, high
6. Sear chops for about 1 minute on either side in hot skillet
7. Broil chops for 4 minutes, then 3 minutes.
8. Rest for at least five minutes before serving.
Applesauce (make while chops marinating)
1. Wash and quarter apples.
2. Add to a pot with 1 cup H20
3. Cook over high heat for about 5 minutes.
4. Squeeze cooked apples through ricer into bowl and discard skins.
5. Add sugar, cinnamon and mix.
Green beans
Heat in Microwave.
Enjoy!
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