Sunday Cooking Extravaganza - Meatloaf, biscuits, chard, turnips

Well, with two parties on Saturday (lunchtime kid's birthday and dinnertime BBQ), I didn't have to cook at all. But I made up for it on Sunday. A bunch of new (to me) recipes:

First up: beef and lentil meatloaf. I bought ground beef because I always seem to find recipes that call for it. But when I buy it, I never remember what they are. So I told my mom that I was going to make meatballs, and she said "meatloaf is easier". So I decided on meatloaf, but also wanted to stretch it with lentils. A search for "meat and lentil meatloaf" turned up a lot of recipes for lentil loaf, but absolutely nothing for a combination of the two. So, I made this up, starting with the meatball recipe.


Beef and Lentil Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef (free range): $5
1.5 c. cooked lentils: 0.20
1/3 c. oats: 0.10
1 carrot, shredded: 0.15
1/2 onion, diced: 0.15
2 cloves garlic: 0.10
1 T canola oil: 0.03
1/2 tsp italian seasoning: 0.05
S&P to taste
Total: $5.78 for 12 slices, or $0.48 per slice.

I sauteed half the onion in canola oil. Then I decided that it wasn't enough onion. So when I assembled the meatloaf, I added another 1/2 onion raw.

After sauteing the onion, mix all ingredients in a bowl. Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray. Put meatloaf in the pan. Bake at 350F for one hour.

I should have added an egg, because it did fall apart a little bit. Still, very tasty. And frugal!


I made Martha Stewart's soda biscuits (thanks to my neighbor Michelle for serving them to me last week. I had to google the recipe as soon as I got home.)

Soda biscuits:
1 3/4 c. AP flour: 0.22
1 tsp salt: 0.01
1 1/2 T sugar: 0.02
1 1/2 tsp baking soda: 0.05
2 tsp baking powder: 0.15
5 T butter: 0.31
3/4 c. buttermilk: 0.48
Total: $1.24 for 8, or $0.15 per serving.

I also made sauteed chard with bacon, courtesy of Perfect Vegetables. (Only one slice of bacon.)
1 bunch chard: 2.00 (approx)
1 slice bacon: 0.28
1/2 onion: 0.15
1 clove garlic: 0.05
Total: $2.48 for 4 generous servings, or $0.62 per serving.

And finally, turnip chips, inspired by Mark Bittman. I cut the oil by 2/3. They weren't sliced thin enough (mostly they were 1/4 inch). I really hate turnips, unless they are baby turnips. But these weren't so bad. Best turnip recipe I've found that doesn't include a pound of bacon.


Turnip chips:
4 large turnips: 1.50
1 T canola oil: 0.03
s&p to taste
Total: $1.53 for three large servings, or $0.51 per serving.

Slice turnips 1/8 inch thick. Toss with oil, S&P. Bake on parchment lined sheets at 400F for 10 min. Flip. Bake another 10-15 min.

Total for the meal per person: $1.76



I love the CSA, but it does make for some interesting meal combinations from time to time.

Oh, and I burned the bacon. I got distracted. It happens.