By: Revanche

Giving “invalid fare” a new meaning

December 11, 2009

Warning: the ultimate comfort food meal up ahead!

Possibly the least frugal mac and cheese ever?

My friend had an emergency root canal just when I was planning a nice housewarming dinner, so Hangar Steak with Shallots or Funny About Money’s son’s Steak Mirepoix had to be canceled in favor of something more dental victim friendly.

Many thanks to L.A.Daze for both heading off disaster and inspiring the direction of dinner!

This 9 by 13 inch pan is probably more than a 10-serving dish. But we’re pigs.

I borrowed this recipe from Culinary Adventures of a New Wife: Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese.  I meant to make the cheap version, leaving out half the ingredients, but somehow that plan got turned around and I only cut back on a few items. 

 
Dinner served hobo-style: we’re still unpacking, so half the furniture is just cardboard boxes.

2 8 oz. boxes quinoa  pasta  — Just used mini fusilli pasta [$1.66]
2 tbsp butter  [$1.99]
1/3 cup flour — nearly 2/3 cup to thicken up the sauce [had on hand, ~$0.10]
1 1/2 cup milk — [had on hand, ~$0.50]
1/4 cup chicken broth — 3/4 cup to stretch the sauce [had on hand, ~$1]
1 cup low fat sour cream — [$0.75]
1/2 lb Velveeta, cut into cubes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp ground mustard — [had on hand, $0.10]
1/2 tsp ground black pepper — [had on hand, $0.10]
1/4 tsp coarse garlic salt — [had on hand, $0.10]
2 cups reduced fat shredded cheddar — [$2.50]
1/2 -1 cup frozen peas — 12 oz of peas and pearl onions [$2.00]
12 oz of frozen langostino tails — [$9.00]
Total: $18.00 

Surprisingly, it only worked out to about $1.80 per serving even with the premium langostino tails and really heaping servings.  And I really liked it more chicken broth and no Velveeta. I went really heavy on the peas, luckily they were perfectly sweet.    

What’s your favorite comfort food or perfect pick-me-up meal? 

3 Responses to “Giving “invalid fare” a new meaning”

  1. L.A. Daze says:

    🙂 Yay! Glad to be of service!

    It looks so good. Love the addition of the peas. I’m happy it’s lunch time because now my tummy is seriously rumbling.

  2. Oh yeah!! I made mac and cheez last week. It’s one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. I make it the way my mom did: pasta, cheez, condensed milk, and canned tomatoes. Heaven.

  3. Revanche says:

    @L.A. Daze: Y’all are so helpful on Twitter!

    @FZ: Ok, I need to get your recipe.

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