Dining at Home

Justin and I have started this little ritual of making a fabulous meal once a week. Some of you are thinking, "okay, big deal" but to us it is. Justin and I only get to spend Sunday and Monday evening together because we work opposite schedules. He eats dinner at work 5 nights a week (at a fine dining establishment, lucky bastard) and I eat not-so exciting food, all alone. Typically we used to make a decent meal or more than likely, would go out for dinner. Well, obviously that is costly so in an effort to spend some time in and save some $, I thought this would be something fun we could do. Afterall, it's more fun to go out on those beautiful summer nights instead of dreary, dark winter evenings.

I have been the one watching the cooking shows, planning menus, shopping, and executing the meals. Afterall, Justin can cook, I can't, and I figured it was about time I learned. Tonight, Justin is cooking.

As we speak (rather, as I type) he is preparing the following:

• Goat cheese and red beet mixed greens in a garlic, chardonnay vinaigrette
• Coconut marinated seared scallops, with a red pepper foam
• Proscuitto-wrapped bocconcini, baked & topped with a blueberry icewine reduction
• Teriyaki marinated, grilled 8oz filet mignon
• 4oz grilled rock lobster tail
• A bottle of bold red, to be decided. (likely Sandhill 2 or Napa's Canonball)

Seems extreme but also SO delicious. I am very much looking forward to it! Now, I stick to my belief that eating at home isn't always a "cheap" option, especially if you don't have a lot of the basics on hand. Although this isn't a "cheap" meal by any means, let's do a comparison.

Based on a few restaurants we've been to, I can confidently price this meal, for 2 at approximately $350 with tax and tip.

To buy all of the stuff required (aside from basic marinade ingredients etc) this meal cost me $85 to purchase at the grocery store/ liquor store.

That's a bit more reasonable, eh?

Oh! Justin just said course #1 is ready! Gotta gooooooooooo...  :)