10 Dollar Dinners....Easier Than You Think

Most people probably never take the time to break down the cost of each meal they prepare.  I do it often.  I just like to know...maybe justify to my husband a little when he sees the grocery receipts.

I was recently challenged to use the Kroger ad and only buying what was on sale try to spend $10.00 on a dinner for my family of 4.  I really thought this would be a piece of cake but when you break it all down it seemed a little more daunting.

So, Kroger ad in hand, my youngest son and I set off on our quest.  I never realized what a good lesson in budgeting your money this could be.  My son was such a good helper and he scanned the shelves for the cheapest items as well as kept the running total so I was sure not to go over.

Here is what I bought and the breakdown in cost:

1 lime= .75
2 small mangoes=2.00 (I know..it's a splurge)
1 bag of long grain brown rice= $1.00
1 can of black beans= .60
1 can of pineapple tidbits = $1.09
2.23 lb bag of freshly frozen Tilapia = $4.44

 Total bill = $9.88
Total per serving (2 adults, 2 kids) = $2.47
Not too bad, really.  I had hoped to get a red pepper but I just really refuse to spend over $2.00 for one this time of year and that's what they were going for.

Fruity Tilapia with Black Beans over Brown Rice

1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of pineapple tidbits juice and all
1 lime juice and zest
Tilapia, a little over 2 lbs, frozen
2 small mangoes, peeled and diced
2 tsp cumin (I had that already)
salt/pepper to taste
a drizzle of olive oil
*prepared brown rice*

I used 4 cups of water and 2 cups of rice on a low boil for 45 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.

While that is cooking heat a large skillet on a medium heat.  Add a drizzle of olive oil and add the fillets.  sprinkle them with salt, pepper and the cumin.

In a bowl add the remaining ingredients.  You could also add all of these things to the skillet when the fish is cooked but I like to let it sit for a minute and come together a little bit.

This is actually really good by itself :)

When the fish is done reduce heat and add the contents of the bowl.

  Let heat through and reduce just a little.
Serve immediately over a bed of brown rice. 

This was a very simple dish to put together.  Other than the time of the rice cooking it would have only taken about 20 minutes.  You could use a quicker cooking brown rice but this was what was on sale and I couldn't pass up $1.00 rice!

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 Amee's Savory Dish