Hey y’all! Welcome back to another episode of Daniel Eats!
We are on Day #2 of our 14-Day Budget for $50. And, I have to say, I believe I am going to be successful. I might just do 7 Days for $25 haha to keep it K.I.S.S. simple.
Well, today we have Dirty Rice as our second Budget Meal this week.
My Aunt Shiela used to make this for me and my siblings growing up—she used a box of Zatarain’s Dirty Rice. It was a very tasty bite. I don’t necessarily remember her adding any extras—other than Tabasco—her trademark “secret ingredient”. Ooops. haha 😆
Today, I am going to make mine a little different—I will be including Onion, Tomato, and Jalapeño. Which, I believe, is the holy trinity of an any meal.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a box of Zatarain’s Dirty Rice—so I will have to “eye-ball” my flavors. The largest flavor I remember is Beef extract-or fat-or flavoring idk. I will have to look up the seasonings.
Okay—time-out—I just read a recipe that called for adding flour. What?? They also typically cook the beef first—followed by adding the rice.
Well, would it be crazy to fry my rice first, with onion and jalapeño? Set aside—cook ground beef—and then reincorporate? We will see what route I choose.
Today’s meal totals a whopping: $4.00–the bag of rice I bought at the dollar store for $1.25–and the ground turkey at fred meyer for about $2.79. Tomato, onion, and jalapeño are about a $1 total. I am only using less than $.50 of the rice.
Cheap, tasty—and filling! I have about $41 left in my budget for another 12 days. EASY.
This was a particularly exciting cook—as the power went out towards the end. Thankfully rice was just about done, so it all worked out well!
Today was a beautiful 73 degrees here in Eugene, Oregon—and tomorrow is forecasted to be rainy. We will have to see.
Welp—thanks for reading—I wish you all well 💛
Daniel Out.
About the Author:
Daniel is a 29-year-old, and self-proclaimed traveler, energy-worker, caregiver, activist, and long-time foodie. He enjoys spending time in nature, going for long road-trips, meditating, and spending time with his friends and family.
He finds purpose through his day-job as a caregiver—and is in the process of completing an Associate Degree in Human Services. While concurrently enrolled in classes, and caregiving, Daniel is working towards opening a Non-Profit Charity: Love Gives—whose mission statement is: “Love In Action”, aimed at providing Direct-Cash Payments to those In-Crisis (ie. unhoused, hungry, veterans, recovering-individuals, abuse-survivors). If you are interested in working with, or making a donation, please email: love.gives@outlook.com and find them on
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