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| Cans of Mixed Nuts |
I had received a $5 Extra Care Bucks coupon that would have expired on September 30. So, today, I went to the pharmacy to redeem it. I wasn't sure on what to spend it. Did I want to buy a box of cotton swabs ($1), a couple of lint rollers ($1 each; I use them to remove cat fur from the upholstery), and a box of cereal ($1.99 for cornflakes)? Did I want some transparent Pears soap ($1), a crossword puzzle book ($1), some socks ($1 per pair) or a bag of Lindt chocolate truffles ($4.99)? They are all items I will use or consume, but I didn't really need any of them (except, perhaps, the lint rollers).
I settled on these two cans of lightly mixed nuts, instead. A 10.3 oz. can for $6.29; on sale this week for buy one, get one free. So, two cans of mixed nuts for $6.29, minus the $5 coupon; I paid a total of $1.29 for both cans. I know that some of you manage your coupons and rebates to get free groceries, but I think two cans of nuts for $1.29 is a good bargain, don't you?
They will be set aside for the October prayer gathering, to be served as one of the snacks prior to the prayers being said and dinner is served.
I have made a tentative menu for the prayer gathering dinner:
Snacks: Mixed nuts; spicy garbanzo beans; and maybe one or two other items
Dinner:
Roast chicken
Beef curry
Smoked sausage sauted with onion leaves
Cashew curry (from freezer)
Salad (cucumber/tomato/red onions/boiled eggs)
Green beans or asparagus
Tomato chutney
Rice
Bread rolls
Butter
Desserts:
Fresh fruit platter
Flan (2 boxes in cupboard)
Maybe a pie or a cake
Or yogurt and treacle
Assorted drinks
There's chicken for those who don't eat beef, there's cashew and vegetables for anyone who is vegetarian, there's fresh fruit for those who need to avoid puddings and cakes.
I have a separate budget for the prayer gathering dinner. So far, I have spent $4.49 for the smoked sausage and $1.29 for 2 cans of mixed nut. Since I want to use up some items I have in my freezer and pantry, I will use a package of the cashew curry I have in the freezer (cooked for the almsgiving I didn't hold, last year) and 2 packages of flan mix (again, bought for the almsgiving and not used).
I am hoping to find some beef and whole chicken on sale between now and October 21. Everything else, other than the drinks, will be bought on the day before or on the day of the prayer gathering dinner. I am also planning to cook the beef curry earlier in the month and freeze it, so I don't have as much to cook on the day of the prayer gathering. There will be around 20 people, if everyone comes (but, quite often, all don't come).
Do you have any other suggestions for the menu? I debated whether to have some fish, as well; either a curry or something like baked salmon. What do you think?
The menu looks delicious and everyone appears to be well catered for. I say keep it simple. You don't want to give yourself too much work to do. X
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't want to get too tired, although one of my friends said she can come to help; she'll make the salad and cut up the fruits, etc., but she won't cook. :)
DeleteTo me, I think you have plenty of food. However, I don't know what your prayer meetings are usually like. What are onion leaves in the smoked sausage and onion leaves dish?
ReplyDeleteI usually end up with too much food, even after sending plates of it home with some. However, I don't want to find out that I didn't cook enough for all, either!
DeleteThe onion leaves are scallions/spring onions; I just call them onion leaves. Sometimes, I cook the smoked sausage with leeks, instead. Slice and saute the sausage, cut the scallions in about inch long pieces, add to the sausage, season with chili powder. A quick dish to prepare.
Got it. Spring onions.
DeleteOnion leaves is a direct translation of what we call them in Sinhalese, my 1st language. :)
DeleteThat was an excellent deal, Bless! Sorry I don't have any menu suggestions as I don't entertain and can't even seem to manage to produce a dinner menu for my own household these days. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nathalie. I think you are selling yourself short - you are managing to pull together items to cook for dinner, each night, aren't you? Even without a planned menu? A protein, a vegetable or two, and a starch. My dinner last night was a tuna salad sandwich, with grapes for dessert. I should have had a salad with that for vegetables, but I didn't. I don't know what I'll have for dinner tonight, but there's tuna salad left, or I could take some cooked chicken from the freezer, microwave it, and have that with a salad. :) This prayer gathering dinner and the almsgiving lunch are about the only two meals I'll plan in advance and make a menu, etc.
DeleteYou have a big variety in the dinner you plan to serve. Surely everyone will be happy. As much as I love fish I would not add to your already large menu. May I ask is it usual to offer such a large variety? I'd certainly be stressed at making and serving all that food. Will you take some time off work to get ready?
ReplyDeleteSandy, yes, most of the time, the hostess will offer a wide variety of dishes. In fact, my menu is fairly simple. My mother would have insisted on having shrimp or fish (or both) and another couple of vegetable dishes (I keep hearing her voice in my head when I prepare these meals!). :)
DeleteI am not planning on taking any time off work to prepare for the meal, but, I could, if I feel the need for it, closer to the date.
I am like everyone else, you have plenty. Don't stress over the meal. People who are coming want to be there no matter what you serve. And I think the nut deal is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. I will firm up the menu over the next couple of weeks and adjust the amounts based on how many will be attending, but I think there will be plenty of food. :)
DeleteThe menu sounds perfect and you've put a lot of thought into catering for everybody's tastes. Just don't overdo it this year, she says in her stern voice! It would be such a shame to prepare it all and have to cancel again. xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Suzanne. Yes, I am telling myself that very same thing! My plan is to cook the beef curry ahead of time and freeze it. Even the smoked sausage could be cooked ahead of time. It's not the cooking that will tire me out, it will be the cleaning! But I am not going to stress too much about it. It's close enough to Halloween - a few natural spider webs in the corners can be passed off as décor! :D
DeleteGreat deal on the nuts.. Gotta love CVS..
ReplyDeleteYour menu sounds really good.. and seems like plenty of food to me..
Thank you, Judy. I think the menu will work out nicely.
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