BrokeAss Gourmet

BrokeAss Gourmet

Tekka-Avo Maki

If I have one decidedly non-BrokeAss food habit, it’s sushi. No doubt about it, fish that is good enough to be served raw will cost you, which is why I was so stoked to find sashimi-grade yellow fin tuna on sale at Safeway, of all places. I added an avocado, some carrots, nori, sesame seeds and rice to my shopping basket and an hour later I had a yummy sushi dinner for two and plenty of money left over for Sapporo.

Note: if you have a sushi-rolling mat, great, but it’s not necessary.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb. sashimi grade yellow fin tuna $5
  • 6 sheets nori $2.50 for 12
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced $1.50
  • 2 carrots, shredded $1
  • 1 cup sushi rice, cooked according to package directions and cooled to room temperature $2.50 for 24 oz.
  • 1 tbsp. rice vinegar $1.50 for 10 oz.
  • 1 tbsp. sesame seeds $1.50 for 1 oz.

Directions

  1. Drizzle the rice vinegar over the rice. Set aside.
  2. On a clean surface, slice the tuna into strips about the length and width of your finger (gross, I know). Set aside.
  3. Place a sheet of nori, shiny-side-down on a clean cutting board or sushi mat. Wet your hands completely and scoop up a handful of rice. Press an even layer of rice from the bottom of the nori, up about 3/4 of the way.
  4. Arrange 1 or 2 pieces of tuna tuna, avocado and some carrot in an even line at the bottom of the nori sheet, on top of the rice layer. Roll the nori tightly, encasing the tuna, avocado and carrot. Use a little water to seal the end if necessary. If you have a sushi mat, you can use it to roll the sushi at this point. Repeat with remaining nori, rice, tuna, avocado and carrot.
  5. Slice the sushi into 1" or 1 1/2 " pieces. Sprinkle lightly with sesame seeds.
  6. Serve garnished with your favorite sushi accompaniments. I prefer lemon, soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger.

Makes about 30 pieces of sushi.

Category: Meals

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Garlic Fries

  • Prep Time 0:10
  • Cook Time 0:15
  • Estimated Cost $6.00
  • 4 Comments

These garlicky fries are a staple at ballparks, but they can stand up to a fancy steak equally well. The Parmesan can obviously be left out for vegans, but it adds a nutty, salty layer that compliments the garlic perfectly.

Ingredients

  • 1 large Russet potato, scrubbed and cut into 3" sticks $1
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil Pantry
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped finely Pantry
  • 1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped $1
  • salt and pepper to taste Pantry
  • 3 tbsp. grated Parmesan $4 for 12 oz.

Recipe Serves 2

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  2. Toss potatoes with olive oil and spread in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Flip with a spatula and bake for another 5 minutes or until fries are golden-brown.
  3. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Once cool, toss with garlic, parsley, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve hot.

Louisiana Hot Links with Mustard Slaw

  • Prep Time 0:10
  • Cook Time 0:10
  • Estimated Cost $11.00
  • 2 Comments

My dad really is the greatest. He taught me how to drive, how to throw a football and how to do my taxes. At the Giants-Padres game on Tuesday, he introduced me to the joys of the combination of a Louisiana hot link (a spicy reddish beef sausage popular at AT&T Park and, I presume, in Louisiana) garlic fries and beer. The Giants lost, but I didn’t really mind—I was quite happy with my dinner and company.

Be sure to serve these with BrokeAss garlic fries.

Ingredients

  • 2 Louisiana hot links $4
  • 1/2 head red cabbage, thinly sliced $1
  • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise Pantry
  • 1 tbsp. grainy mustard $3 for 8 oz.
  • 1 very small bunch cilantro, chopped $1
  • 1/2 small white onion, finely chopped $0.50
  • 2 Dutch Crunch rolls, split lengthwise $1.50
  • salt and pepper to taste Pantry

Recipe Serves 2

Directions

  1. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill sausages for 3-5 minutes on each side or until plump with visible grill marks.
  2. While sausages cook, whisk mayonnaise and mustard together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss with cabbage and cilantro. Set aside.
  3. To assemble, place a sausage in a roll and top generously with the mustard slaw and chopped onions. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Pork-Kale Gyoza

  • Prep Time 0:25
  • Cook Time 0:10
  • Estimated Cost $8.00
  • 4 Comments

Pork and kale are married in this simple yet impressive take on the gyoza. Tofu replaces the pork easily for vegetarians, as does ground chicken or even chopped shrimp. Be sure you have a frying pan with a fitted lid.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb lean ground pork, preferably grass-fed $3
  • 6 large kale leaves, stems removed $1.50
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed Pantry
  • 1 small piece ginger, peeled $1
  • 1 small bunch cilantro, including stems $1
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce plus more for dipping Pantry
  • 30 round potsticker wrappers $1.50
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided Pantry

Directions

  1. Combine kale, garlic, ginger, cilantro and soy sauce in a blender or food processor until finely chopped. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook until browned, 3-4 minutes. Add kale mixture and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Allow to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. To assemble the gyoza, place a potsticker wrapper on a clean, dry surface. Brush the edges lightly with water and place about 1 1/2 tbsps of filling in the center of the wrapper. Fold in half and press the edges to seal completely. Place on a clean plate. Repeat until all wrappers and filling are used up.
  4. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the gyoza in the hot pan until they are lightly golden brown and crisp on the bottom.
  5. Pour 2 tbsp water over the whole pan and quickly cover the pan with its fitted lid. Allow the gyoza to steam for about 1 minute. Remove lid (keeping heat on) and let the excess liquid evaporate for a few minutes.
  6. Serve hot with soy sauce, chili sauce or rice vinegar.

Makes 30 gyoza.

Almond-Fig Shake

  • Prep Time 0:05
  • Cook Time 0:00
  • Estimated Cost $6.50
  • 2 Comments

2 weeks ago, my parents brought me the best present ever: fresh figs from their tree. I knew I would be tempted to eat nothing but figs until they disappeared unless I froze some of them, so I removed their stems, sliced them in half and packed them in an airtight container. Boy am I glad I did because this dairy-free yet creamy shake was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Feel free to experiment with soy, hemp or regular milk.

Ingredients

  • 15 fresh figs that have been halved and frozen $4
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 cup almond milk $2.50 for 32 oz.

Recipe Serves 2

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add more almond milk if necessary to achieve desired texture.