Monday Taco $7.46

Tacos are a huge fan favorite at our house.  My kids love the independence afforded them by "taco bar"!  We've done this for birthday parties, kid pick night, and pretty much anytime I "needed" a quick fill in for dinner.

The recipe is pretty self explanatory, and most of you "know" how to make tacos... so here goes the cost breakout/recipe demo.

1 package Fit & Active Lean Ground Turkey ($2.49)

1 package Aldi's Taco Seasoning (.33)
water per directions on taco seasoning ($0.00)

4 taco shells - $.99 for a whole box of 10 shells (.40)

4 soft tortilla shells - $.89 for 10 (.36)

1 cup lettuce $.50 (1/2 heart from pkg of 3 romaine hrts)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ($1.15)
salsa ($.50 - 1/4 of newly bought container)
sour cream (1/4 of .89 container = .22)
black olives (1/8 of $1.19 can already open) $.15

These tacos cost about $6.10 for a fun family night around the table with everyone feeling like they owned the creation of their own meal!  And, my kids are so much more likely to eat their own creations without coersing.
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As an added treat tonight, we're having guacamole.  This can get a touch pricey if avocados are $1.69 each and you use a $.99 seasoning package, but Aldi had them on sale for .89 yesterday - so Joe and I will enjoy a huge bowl of guac (kids won't touch it) for $.94...  here's my recipe

1 avocado, soft and ripe

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp seasoning salt (like Lawry)
1/8 tsp garlic pwdr or 1/4 tsp garlic salt

Aldi's Blue Chips ... 1.69 ... we'll use 1/4 bag (.42)

cut open avocado, use spoon to grab all the yummy delicousness inside, season, and mash well.  Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes if possible to marry the flavors.  Some friends say that if you put the avocado stone in your guac it won't turn brown.  I've also read that if you use a wooden spoon to remove the flesh from the skins it will help.  The brown that sometimes sits into guacamole is oxidation ... if you eat your guac fast enough it won't happen.  That's my solution!

Now, some folks like their guac with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, or sour cream.  I would certainly use leftover cilantro from the Southwest salad, but I gave it to Barbara (nice cost savings for her :-) ), and sometimes I add REALLY finely chopped onion, but Joe prefers it just avocado and spices. 

In reality, if you have blue taco chips at my house we'll eat far fewer taco shells, and eat the blue chips instead.  Blue chips are a real treat for us because we usually eat the whole bag in one sitting.
Aldi also has great black beans... they're $.59 per can (not making this up, folks!).  Mash, and heat for a great healthy refried beans alternative.

In total... a rather expensive meal by the standards we've set so far... but WELL under the $10 threshhold.
$7.46 for blue chips, guacamole, and fully stuffed adult sized tacos.