Slow Food USA says that real food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food, and they’re right! With that in mind I set out to join their $5 challenge, in which the meal should cost $5 or less per person.
Our family loves salmon and asparagus, so this one was easy, I just needed to nail down my technique. For cost reference, we are feeding a family of 5 – two adults and 3 children (7 & under).
Cost breakdown:
$10.49 Salmon $6.99/lb (1.5 lbs)
$7.00 Asparagus (2 lbs)
$2.00 Misc. Cooking Seasonings
Total: $3.90/person
Salmon
- 1/3 Cup Soy Sauce
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons Minced Garlic (adjust to taste!)
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Warm the soy sauce in a measuring cup (I used the microwave) and then add in the brown sugar, garlic and lemon juice. Stir.
- Place your salmon on a sheet of foil, you’ll want it to be large enough to fold over the fish to create a package with room for air flow. I had a full 1.5 lb piece of salmon, so I used a piece of foil on bottom, and then a piece on top, crimping around all of the edges to seal up the ‘package’.
- One you place your salmon on the foil, lift up the edges to prevent liquid from coming out and then pour the soy sauce mixture over your salmon. You can use a brush to be sure to coat everything. Lightly salt & pepper the salmon.
- Seal up the salmon in the foil leaving some ‘head space’ over the salmon (I like to dome the foil a bit) and bake for 12-15 minutes.
Asparagus
- 1 Pound of Asparagus
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
- 2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice
- Sprinkle (1 Teaspoon) Parmesan Cheese (I used the shake type)
- Trim and rinse the asparagus. In a measuring cup, warm olive oil and butter (I use the microwave). Add the other ingredients and mix. Spread the asparagus out on a baking sheet or dish and pour the mixture over it, use your hands to coat the asparagus well.
- Bake at 475 degrees for 12 minutes, shuffle around the asparagus to be sure everything is still well coated about half way through.
This is one of our favorite meals. It takes about 10 minutes to prep, about 12 minutes in the oven and then you’re ready to make plates. It’s so simple and healthy, and our whole family loves it! I hope yours does too!
Want more?
We used baked potatoes, but add whatever you like! Sweet potato fries, brussels sprouts, green beans?
*Image by Brybs
