$4 Dinner for Two

Two of my goals for this year are eating healthy and spending less money. This dinner encompases both of those goals wonderfully. (Look for the cost breakdown at the end of the blog.)

Seasoned Pork Cutlet Sandwich with Romaine Lettuce and Tomato on Earthgrains Thin Bun

Broccoli

Sauteed Portabella Mushrooms

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Chips

1 large sweet potato (makes enough for about 4 servings)

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Peel and thinly slice sweet potato (I used my food processor). Drizzle olive oil over slices and add seasonings. Toss or stir potatoes until evenly covered. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray. Place sweet potato slices onto cookie sheet, making sure that they are not overlapping. Bake for 30 minutes or until edges start turning brown. The chips will become crispier as they cool down.

**What I would've done differently** Instead of baking the sweet potatoes at 425 degrees, I would've baked them at a lower temperature for a longer time. I think this would've prevented a lot of the burnt edges. I'm sure these could be baked in the morning or the next day and stored until ready to eat.

Seasoned Pork Cutlet

2 Pork Cutlets

McCormick Grill Mates seasoning (or seasonings of your choice)

In order for the meat to cook evenly, I like to let it sit, covered, at room temperature for about a half hour before cooking. Preheat your skillet (I used cast iron for this, but if not using cast iron or non stick, make sure to spray your pan or put a little olive or canola oil in it). Sprinkle seasonings on both sides of pork and rub in.

Put cutlets into pan. Cook on each side for about 5-10 minutes until done.

Sauteed Portabella Mushrooms

4 oz Portabella Mushrooms (serves 2) (A lot of times sliced mushrooms will be the same price as whole.)

1 tsp unsalted butter

1 Tbl olive oil

*Most sauteed mushrooms are made with a lot of butter, by subsituting some of that with olive oil, you still get that great, sauteed taste, but it's a little healthier for you.

Garlic (fresh or powdered)

Onions (fresh or powdered)

Melt butter in pan with olive oil over med-high heat. If using fresh garlic and onion, satuee these before adding the mushrooms. If using powdered garlic and onion, add with the mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms develop a dark brown color. Usually about 10-15 minutes.

**Tip for storing mushrooms: If you're only using half a package, only wash what you will use and store the rest of the mushrooms in a brown paper sack. This will keep the mushrooms fresh a little longer than storing in plastic containers or bags.

Steam the broccoli.

Toast the buns and serve with condiments of your choice.

Cost Breakdown:

EarthGrains 100% Whole Grain Thin Buns = $.62 for 2 buns

Bird's Eye Broccoli = $.99 for 1 bag

Sliced Portabella Mushrooms = $.75 for 1/2 container

Sweet Potato Chips = $.79 for 1 sweet potato

Total cost for dinner for two = $3.15

(Plus, there were some Sweet Potato Chips and Broccoli leftover that I had for lunch the next day!!)