Valentine Dinner on a Budget

photo courtesy of hostels247.com

Let me start this post by saying we are buying a house. The next thought that comes to mind is…BUDGET!

I would love to be able to go out with my husband for a nice romantic dinner.  Get a babysitter for Anne, go to our favorite Sushi place in Tacoma, WA, maybe even buy a new dress to wear, but let’s get serious…it is NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

Cost of Babysitter: $15.00/hour – $45.00
Cost of Dinner: $75.00
Cost of New Dress: 75.00
Total: $195.00

Instead I am planning a nice quiet night in for our Valentine’s Day dinner on a tight tight budget!

Keep in mind that Anne is only 15 months and still goes to bed around 6:45. We are going to eat very light with her and then have our dinner after she heads to bed.

Our menu:

Cheese-Baked Chicken
Homemade Rice Stuffing
Marinated Green Bean Salad
Homemade petite lemon souffles

Doesn’t that sound yummy!

I am going to post the ingredients and cost here and if you want the recipes leave a comment and I will email them to you!

P.S. If something is listed at $0.00 it is because it is a common ingredient that is most likely already in your fridge or pantry.

2 tablespoon slivered almonds – $1.50
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion – $0.49
1/3 cup uncooked long-grain rice – $1.00
3 tablespoon of butter or margarine – $0.00
1 cup water – $0.00
1 chicken bouillon cube (this is always in my pantry) – $0.00
1 teaspoon lemon juice (also always in my pantry) – $0.00
1/2 teaspoon salt – $0.00
1 4-ounce can chopped mushrooms, drained – $0.79 

Marinated Green Bean Salad

1/4 dairy sour cream – $0.21
2 tablespoons Italian dressing (always in my fridge) – $0.00
1 8-ounce can cut green beans, drained – $1.29
1 tomato, peeled, cubed, and drained – $0.50
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion – $0.49

Homemade Petite Lemon Souffles

2 slightly beaten egg yolks – $0.22
2 tablespoon butter or margarine – softened – $0.00
2 tablespoon sugar – $0.00
Dash of Salt – $0.00
1/4 teaspoon lemon zest – $0.79
2 tablespoon lemon juice (also always in my pantry) – $0.00
2 egg whites (see cost of eggs above)
2 tablespoons sugar $0.00

Grand Total for Staying In: $10.73

Yes, I think we will stay in this year and have a nice quiet dinner at home. Maybe I will even splurge on a couple of candles to put in the candlesticks that someone so generously gave us as a wedding gift.

Happy menu planning!

Let me start this post by saying we are buying a house. The next thought that comes to mind is…BUDGET!

I would love to be able to go out with my husband for a nice romantic dinner.  Get a babysitter for Anne, go to our favorite Sushi place in Tacoma, WA, maybe even buy a new dress to wear, but let’s get serious…it is NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

Cost of Babysitter: $15.00/hour – $45.00
Cost of Dinner: $75.00
Cost of New Dress: 75.00
Total: $195.00

Instead I am planning a nice quiet night in for our Valentine’s Day dinner on a tight tight budget!

Our menu after the jump!

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