Holy shit at the money people spend on food!
And I was the exact same way when I landed my first job out of college. You know what I’m talking about–biscuit and Starbucks on the way to work, lunch out with coworkers and pizza and beer at the local tavern for dinner! Every night! All week! Professional money spender! And more beers and dinners on the weekends! Woohoo!
Wait. Where did all my money go? And how the hell did I gain 40 pounds in six months? If you’re nodding your head you’ve fallen into the brand-new-job-big-salary-eat-out-because-I-can trap. And you have to stop it. It’s killing your bank account, it’s killing your financial freedom and it’s killing you. (Literally–I was on the edge of type 2 diabetes and had hyperglycemia during routine physicals.)
What you know you need to do: *STOP EATING OUT*
But how??? How do I stop eating out??? Fast food is soooo good! And cooking is soooo hard! Well, first off, not really–you’re just attuned to that garbage ‘food’. You’re going to break free of both these stereotypes and someone has already invented it…..
Instant Pot. It’s the Instant Pot. Instant Pot. Instant Pot.
!STOP!–If you do not own a Instant Pot I highly recommend you go buy one from Amazon
BOOM! $80 investment. We’re going to make that back in…. five days. Are you ready? We’re going to make enough food for dinner AND left overs for lunch.
I’m going to give you some of my super-secret-I-eat-this-every-week-Instant Pot-meals that are delicious, cheap, filling and easy. Yes. The Instant Pot makes all of those possible.
MEAL 1: Thick Cut Porkchop with Potatoes and Carrots
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1 Can Beef Broth (50 cents)
1 Packet Brown Gravy Mix (50 cents)
1 Packet Onion Soup Mix (50 cents)
1 Package of 4 Thick Cut Porkchops ($7)
6 Carrots (50 cents)
4 Large Gold Yukon Potatoes ($2)
Sack o’ Salad ($2)
Total cost for lunch and dinner: $13/4 about $3 each.
Spray or wipe Instant Pot with cooking oil. Add beef broth, gravy mix and onion soup mix and stir. Place porkchops in broth. Chop carrots and potatoes and add to top of porkchops. That’s it.
PREPARE THIS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED FOR THE NEXT DAY! Put it in the refrigerator and pull it out in the morning. Cook on low for 8 hours. When you get home make your salad and dig in. Use the left overs for lunches and/or dinner for during the week.
MEAL 2: Sausage, Potato and Kale Soup
Servings: 4
1 Pound Italian Sausage ($4)
1 White Onion ($1)
1 32 Oz Box of Chicken Stock ($1.50)
1 Bag of Prewashed Kale ($3)
3/4 Cup Heavy Cream ($1)
5 Large Gold Yukon Potatoes ($2)
1 Head of Garlic ($1)
Total cost: About $14/4 = 3.50 a serving
Brown italian sausage with chopped garlic and chopped onion. While meat is browning add to Instant Pot the 3/4 cup of heavy cream, chicken stock, and chopped yukon potatoes. Add browned sausage and top with half the bag of kale. (I get two recipes per bag of kale).
PREPARE THIS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED FOR THE NEXT DAY! Put it in the refrigerator and pull it out in the morning. Cook on low for 8 hours. When you get home dig in! Use the left overs for lunches and/or dinner for during the week.
MEAL 3: Super Awesome Easy Chili
Servings: A Lot (6-8?) — I eat this all the time and it’s delicious. Stores really well in the refrigerator (and chili gets better over time!)
3 Cans of Black Beans ($2)
2 Cans of Hot Chili Beans ($1)
2 Cans of Red Kidney Beans ($1)
8 Cans of Diced Tomatoes ($6)
1 Pound of Ground Beef ($4)
1/2 Cup of Chili Powder ($1)
1/4 Cup of Garlic Powder ($1)
1/4 Cup of Onion Powder ($1)
3 Tablespoons of Cumin ($1)
3 Tablespoons Black Pepper ($1)
Edit: The spice proportions are correct! This makes nearly two gallons of good (about 7L).
Edit: Salt to Taste($1)
Total cost = $20/8 = About $2.50 per serving
Drain the tomatoes and kidney beans but don’t drain the black or chili beans. Brown the ground beef. Add everything to the Instant Pot and stir like crazy…. and that’s it!
PREPARE THIS BEFORE YOU GO TO BED FOR THE NEXT DAY! Put it in the refrigerator and pull it out in the morning. Cook on low for 8 hours. When you get home dig in! Use the left overs for lunches and/or dinner for during the week.
It’s easy guys. It’s really easy. You spend 15 minutes a night and you make tons of food for lunch and dinner and you save a LOT of money! AND ITS GOOD FOR YOU! (better than Wendy’s–that’s for sure!) AND ITS EASY!
MEAL 4: Baked Potato
Servings: As many potatoes as you bake
1 Potato
Cover in tin foil and place directly in Instant Pot. Cook on low 4-6 hours or keep on warm all day.
MEAL 5: Vegetable Soup
Servings: However much you want to make
Tomatoes, Potatoes, Green Beans, Zucchini, Carrots, Peas, or Onions
Vegetable Stock
Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper
Add vegetables in any proportion you desire to Instant Pot and add vegetable stock until covered. Season to taste. Cook on low until vegetables are tender.
Stop spending your money on eating out and go full Instant Pot! I am much happier and much wealthier!