Anonymous wrote:I did not suggest that she make every single dish on the list.

You do not know how much food costs. Big box of dry beans? Less than two dollars. A chunk of prosciutto small enough to season a soup (bacon an easy substitute) less than two dollars even at Whole Paycheck. Carrots? Leeks? Red Peppers? Fresh veggies are not that expensive unless you insist on organic. Lemons? A big bag for less than three dollars? Eggs - $1.29 maybe? I said a lemon-olive oil dressing. To those who truly cannot cook that means a mixture of fresh lemon juice whisked with a small piece of chopped ginger and 2-3 tbs of normal olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper.

You know, the problem is you keep talking about two dollars of this -- so cheap -- and a dab of this expensive ingredient and whisked with a bit of chopped ginger, so cheap, who could possibly complain about buying two dollars worth. And fresh veggies! So cheap they pay for themselves, right. But by the time you are done, you have spent a whole paycheck. Really, it's obvious you have no idea what it means to actually have, say, $6, to spend on a dinner for 5 people. That's what it means to cook cheaply. Yes, you are correct that green lentils are very cheap. But have you ever prepared green lentils with salt and nothing -- NOTHING -- else?

Endives will be no more than a dollar or so for the three or four pieces needed. Baking chocolate can be found even at Shoppers FW -- about 2.19 for a box. Sugar and flour have hit historic highs on the commodity prices due to the war -- they might run you as much as three dollars apiece for a five-pound bag. I said 'cheap' fish. Coconut milk can be bought for about $1.50 a can and you only need one or two.

Cherry tomatoes? A couple of bucks for a box with 30. Capers can be bought for less than 1.50 in a jar. Trader Joe's risotto? Big box for $5. I use cubes for stock - yes, about $1.79 a box. Onions are less than fifty cents apiece. Yes, a wedge of parmesan will run you five or six dollars -- unheard of extravagance! Four sticks of butter will cost almost as much. Little packet of cilantro at Giant -- less than two dollars. Apples, pears, and oranges are the most economical fruits -- unlike strawberries, cherries, mangoes, or even grapes. When I say cream I don't mean Cool Whip. I mean Self Whip -- as in the kind you buy in the big container in the dairy section. That will set you back another three dollars, though. Fresh raspberries probably go about $3-4 a pint, which I why I suggested them for garnish only. Look for a big bag of frozen raspberries at Trader Joe's if you can cough up the requisite four bucks. Goat cheese -- again, one small round would suffice for the recipe and that would cost five or six bucks max.

Anonymous wrote:I did not suggest that she make every single dish on the list.

You do not know how much food costs. Big box of dry beans? Less than two dollars. A chunk of prosciutto small enough to season a soup (bacon an easy substitute) less than two dollars even at Whole Paycheck. Carrots? Leeks? Red Peppers? Fresh veggies are not that expensive unless you insist on organic. Lemons? A big bag for less than three dollars? Eggs - $1.29 maybe? I said a lemon-olive oil dressing. To those who truly cannot cook that means a mixture of fresh lemon juice whisked with a small piece of chopped ginger and 2-3 tbs of normal olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Let it go. Your food sounds gross. I would prefer a good bowl of chili.

I did not suggest that she make every single dish on the list.

You do not know how much food costs. Big box of dry beans? Less than two dollars. A chunk of prosciutto small enough to season a soup (bacon an easy substitute) less than two dollars even at Whole Paycheck. Carrots? Leeks? Red Peppers? Fresh veggies are not that expensive unless you insist on organic. Lemons? A big bag for less than three dollars? Eggs - $1.29 maybe? I said a lemon-olive oil dressing. To those who truly cannot cook that means a mixture of fresh lemon juice whisked with a small piece of chopped ginger and 2-3 tbs of normal olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper.

OMG if anyone has time I would pay you to go online and price out that list and post it back here - enough for 25 people!!!!

hysterical

Anonymous wrote:Continuing -- I assumed possession of a standard spice rack and baking ingredients and ample time.

If I had nothing in my kitchen and little time I would either follow the Costco PP's route or do a taco bar with fruit and ice cream for dessert.

I have made and served every dish I listed to guests many times. I maintain that most of them are inexpensive. Good luck with your event.

Green lentils
Prosciutto
Carrots
Leeks
Lemon-Olive Oil
Oil
Beans
Cherry Tomatos
Capers
Yellow Raisins
Cauliflower
Chicken
Curry
Fish
Coconut Milk
Red Peppers
Risotto
Stock
Onions
Parmesan
Butter
Shrimp
Chickpeas
Cilantro
"Good Cheese"
Dates
Apples
Pears/Oranges
Lemons
Eggs
Cream
Raspberries
Goat cheese
Endive
Baking Chocolate
Flour
Nuts
Sugar
Ginger

Continuing -- I assumed possession of a standard spice rack and baking ingredients and ample time.

If I had nothing in my kitchen and little time I would either follow the Costco PP's route or do a taco bar with fruit and ice cream for dessert.

I have made and served every dish I listed to guests many times. I maintain that most of them are inexpensive. Good luck with your event.

Chocolate mousse must be made well in advance. Chicken curries, lentils, and bean dishes can too.

Anonymous wrote:Bacon wrapped dates are great, never heard of prunes and bacon before.

Constipation cure?

Bacon wrapped dates are great, never heard of prunes and bacon before.

That sounds great . Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:BBQ pulled pork is always a hit.

You can get this pulled pork BBQ at Costco, it is excellent, (just the pork, you need to buy BBQ sauce) it is about $11 and feeds 10 people, so get 3 of those, some bbq sauce, some rolls, baked beans, chips, salad and fruit or ice cream for dessert.

BBQ pulled pork is always a hit.