After a recent trip to Billings where Farmer Boy and I decided to eat at a national seafood restaurant, I decided a Frugal Feasting Friday post was long overdue. The total bill for the lunch portions, no desserts and water as our beverage, came in at a whopping $43.46, tip included. That's a total of $21.73 per person! By cooking a similar meal at home, you could see a savings of more than 85% per person.
So, on with a new Frugal Feasting Friday recipe for you and your family to try. Let me know if you like it.
Parmesan Crusted Fillet of Cod served with Asparagus Bundles and Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Most of you already have a favorite homemade mashed potato recipe. To "herb" them, simply stir in chopped fresh parsley and chives. The asparagus bundles (link) are Mrs. Trisha Yearwood's recipe from the Food Network website.
Parmesan Crusted Fillet of Cod
4 cod fillets, patted dry ($6.64 ea.)
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise ($.0.10)
1/2 tsp. mustard ($0.01)
1 oz. parmesan cheese, grated ($0.60)
1/4 c. homemade seasoned bread crumbs ($0.11)
salt to taste
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly sprinkle cod fillets with salt. In a small bowl combine mayonnaise and mustard. Generously spread the mayonnaise mixture over the cod fillets. Combine the parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Pat the breadcrumb mixture over the cod fillets. Bake at 350 degrees until top begins to lightly brown and fillets are flakey, about 18-20 minutes.
Serves 4
Here's the breakdown:
Homemade Herbed Mashed Potatoes: $0.95
Parmesan Crusted Fillet of Cod: $7.46
Grand Total: $11.81 OR $2.95 per person for a family of 4
This Frugal Friday Feast used store bought ingredients, only the parsley and chives were homegrown. But as always, the purchased ingredients were found at deeply discounted prices. When maintaining a frugal grocery budget, one has to be flexible and creative. For instance, if asparagus is not in season and on sale, substitute a fresh vegetable that is on sale (broccoli, yellow squash, sliced fresh tomatoes). If your grocer is charging more than 20 cents per pound for potatoes, substitute herbed rice. Since the fillet of cod was 40% off at the seafood counter it was prepared the same day it was purchased.
This looks so good! I will have to try the cod sometime. Thanks for your recent visit to my blog. Have a blessed weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Regina,
DeleteThanks for the return visit. The Parmesan Crusted Fillet of Cod was a HUGE hit with my family ... even Farmer Boy who isn't a fan of seafood. I hope y'all like it too.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
This plate look delish! I'll be giving the fish recipe a try as we have started Lent this past Wednesday and therefore I don't eat meat on Friday. I'm always looking for some tasty fish recipes and this looks great. I'm also curious as to what herbs you use in those potatoes. It all looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Silvana,
DeleteI used fresh chopped parsley and fresh snipped chives in the herb mashed potatoes. During the winter months we grow fresh herbs in containers near the south facing windows in our mud room. Something fresh, even if it's just herbs, is so wonderful to have when there is several feet of snow outside.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
Looks delicious to me! I got asparagus on sale and enjoyed it with Greek pork chops last night.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. Laura,
DeleteI was planning on cooking fried pork chops for supper this evening but, after watching Food Network's DDD, I'm thinking about preparing Stuffed Pork Chops. Just trying to decide what I'd like to stuff them with ... maybe some feta cheese, basil, diced seeded tomatoes, garlic, ... I'm off to the kitchen.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
It all looks so good Mrs. B! I think I am going to have to try your recipe for the fish but I'll be using catfish since that is what I have in the freezer at the moment. I can't wait for asparagus to come down in price. It is something that I treat myself to every year. I do have an asparagus patch in the garden and this will be the first year that it is ready for me to harvest. I have been waiting rather impatiently for 3 years now to let it establish itself. ;) Not picking those tender stalks has taken all my willpower. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie,
DeleteThis method is delicious on catfish. It takes a long while to get an asparagus bed going but it is well worth the wait.
Blessings,
Mrs.B
So true, our home cooked meals are far more economical, and so satisfying to create a delicious meal for the folks we love! This looks great!
ReplyDeleteHello Mountain Mama,
DeleteThank you for stopping by and vising my little corner of "blogland". It has been quite a while sine I regularly posted any Frugal Feasting Fridays. I have recently been inspired and have a couple more scheduled this month. I hope my readers find inspiration from them.
Blessings,
Mrs.B