Ah, a challenge that involves math. How fun. The theme was supplied by Cady at $40 a Week, which as you might see coming, was to spend $40 a week on groceries (per person) and come up with a meal based on those constraints.
Here, I will admit my laziness at not entirely sticking to the challenge as written. Although our grocery budget (for 2) is about $80/week, I didn’t specifically track that and actually, this week, I think we were a tad over since we decided to stock up on some wine.
But, through the magic of calculations, I deduced that if the budget was $40/week, that would work out to $5.72/day. Times two that’s $11.44 per day for two. And sure, that would mean that fish tacos are the only meal of the day but I am assuming that eating out doesn’t count. Right?
Plus, if I don’t see what jwa eats during the day and he doesn’t actually see what I eat — well, then that too doesn’t count. For the record, I had a cereal bar for breakfast and a turkey and cheese sandwich (and cup of lentil soup) for lunch. And I uh, found them. Yeah. I found them so they were free. So, I get the whole $11 amount for the dinner. Hooray!
fish: $4.50
4 corn tortillas: $1
romaine lettuce: $1
1 can beans: .99
1 cup shredded cheese: $1
tomatoes: $1
lime: .33
jalapeno: .20
cilantro: .79
assorted spices: free (‘cuz I already had them)
oil: free (see assorted spices)
Total: $10.81 Woo!
This recipe is based on one from Bobby Flay which I’m sure is in one of his cookbooks. And yeah, I still am not a fan but whatever. I’ll use his recipe as long as I don’t have to interact with him or anything. ‘Cause that would be annoying.
Fish Tacos
(Feeds 2)
1/2 pound white flaky fish, such as mahi mahi, tilapia or turbot, which is what I used
1/4 cup canola oil
1 lime, juiced
1 tbsp chili powder
1 jalapeno, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
4 flour tortillas
Garnish:
Shredded romaine lettuce
Hot sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped cilantro leaves
Chopped cherry tomatoes
Place fish in a medium size dish. Whisk together the oil, lime juice, chili powder and jalapeno and pour over the fish. Let marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
Preheat a pan over medium heat. Remove the fish from the marinade place into the hot pan. Grill the fish for 4 minutes on the first side and then flip for 30 seconds and remove. Let rest for 5 minutes then flake the fish with a fork.
Wipe the pan out and return it to the heat. Place a tortilla in the pan and heat for about 30 seconds per side. Divide the fish among the tortillas and garnish with any or all of the garnishes.
Thanks again to $40 a Week for a great and challenging theme!
there is nothing I like more in tacos than fish (well, ok, shrimp too). these look lovely.
I found your blog quite by accident recently and have enjoyed your posts and pictures!
Did i say you did a terrific job on this recipe? Well, you did! Cheers!
OMG, I commented and then closed the window before I posted. Trying again!
Yum! Dude, I freaking hate Bobby Flay. I’m sure somewhere deep down he’s a very nice person. Okay, that’s not true. He comes off as smarmy-to-sexist on every TV show I’ve seen him do, although to be fair I think that the sexism is just the net effect of him acting really patronizing (as he often does) while he happens to be cohosting with a chick. It’s still not good.
What is turbot, anyway? Last night I was so craving salmon, which is definitely not turbot. I don’t know what we’re going to do for fish here in the Bay Area now that there’s been that horrible oil spill. Buy fish from thousands of miles away and use up more oil getting it here? Not eat delicious delicious seafood ever again? Move? Gah.
Thanks for participating! I look forward to trying this recipe once I sort out the whole fish thing 😀 And the roundup should be up in a couple of hours!
melissa: thanks! and welcome ! 🙂
Jann: Thanks, as always!
Cady: Glad you retyped your post! Yeah, Bobby Flay is a tool. Turbot is a “flatfish native to marine or brackish waters of the North Atlantic.” So says wikipedia. I just know it’s cheap and plentiful at Trader Joe’s 🙂
That’s horrible about the oil spill 🙁
Although I tend to agree that Bobby Flay is a major nuisance in-person, I think since he already has the reputation that he tends to overdue the persona. I have seen him in the restaurant and outside by the markets. Let me tell you, not only is his recipe for fish tacos amazing, but his spicy smoked chicken will actually run you a bit less (I figure just under 10 dollars) since you can get decent whole chicken for just over a dollar/lb. Nothing wrong with cutting up the pieces at home (and save yourself a good 2-3 bucks over pre-portioned pieces). Despite that, I still think the fish tacos are good eats to share with your better half. Well done.