Being cheap is stylish now, right? Everything seems to be "recession-busting" or "recession-proof". It almost makes you want to go out and spend your money on lobster tails and blow just prove them all wrong!
I didn't make lobster tails and blow for dinner, so don't get too excited. What I did do was have 4 people for dinner and accidentally made it for under $20 (not including booze and staple items). Here's the menu:
Appetizer: White bean dip. Canned beans are cheap. Dried beans are even cheaper, so if you have the time, soak them and cook. If you don't, spring for the .89 cent can of white beans. Puree in a food processor with a clove of garlic, enough olive oil to make it the consistency you want, salt, and some spices if you choose (thyme and cayenne work well). Buy a bag of pitas for $2.79, brush them with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toast. Serve with the dip.
Main Course: Mussels. These briny little devil are cheap, but look fancy. Plus shellfish makes people think you spent a fortune, but a bag of mussels that can feed 4 will set you back about $5. There are a million variations on how to cook them, but basically you steam them in an aromatic broth until they open. Serve with crusty bread ($3). Here's a basic recipe to start.
Salad: Watercress and spiced nuts. This is a bit of the cheat, as I had already bought the nuts in bulk, and that allowed me to get the more expensive watercress ($4 for 2 bunches). The nuts you saute in a pan with a little butter and any sweet/spicy blend you like- I used a curry powder. Melt the butter, add the nuts and spice, throw in a small amount of sweet (maple syrup, brown sugar, white sugar), and cook until they look toasty and good. Toss with the watercress and dress with olive oil and a light colored vinegar.
Dessert: We stopped at the Italian bakery on the way home and bought cannolis. This set us back $7.
And our grand total? Around $20. Plenty of money left over for your lobster tail and blow fund.
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