Go "Fusion" To Spice Up A Day, On A Budget

"Chef On A Shoestring" Akhtar Nawab Has Indian Roots, Grew Up In Kentucky, And Has Manhattan Eatery!

(CBS) 

Roasted Chicken, Brussels Sprouts and Curry

INGREDIENTS:

1 three-and-a-half-pound chicken
2 ounces butter, softened
4 sprigs thyme
2 cups Brussels sprouts, split in half
2 cups parsnips, with core removed
4 teaspoons curry powder
4 teaspoons olive oil

METHOD:

Pre-heat the oven to 400°F

Toast the curry powder until aromatic, about a minute and let cool. Then, rub chicken with butter.

Season the chicken generously with the curry powder, salt and pepper.

Place the chicken in a large baking dish and place in the oven.

Halfway through the cooking - about 20 minutes - add the Brussels sprouts, parsnips and thyme. Continue to cook everything together until the vegetables are tender, about another 20 minutes.


Banana Bread Pudding with Cardamom

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 pinch ground cardamom
1 loaf brioche, diced
2 bananas
vanilla ice cream or gelato

METHOD:

Combine the sugar, milk and heavy cream in a medium-size mixing bowl.

Then add eggs, one at a time, as well as the cinnamon and the cardamom, whisk until smooth.

Add sliced bananas and diced bread and leave to soak for about 10 - 15 minutes.

Spoon into a baking dish and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or gelato.


So, how did Akhtar do with our $40 budget?

1ST COURSE
Beets $3.87
Thyme $1.49
Garlic .39
Cumin Seeds $2.99
Honey $2.19
Dijon $2.69
Pistachios $2.00

2ND COURSE
Whole Chicken $6.36
Brussels Sprouts $2.00
Curry Powder $1.99

3RD COURSE
Heavy Cream $1.19
Cardamom $4.69
Brioche $3.49
Bananas .62
Parsnips 1.99
Ice Cream $1.99

TOTAL COST = $39.94!

[credibility2]

One doesn''t have to use all of these exact ingredients, nor spend this much. Whether a person is low-income or newly unemployed doesn''t mean you can''t cook creatively and without using processed food. Enjoy getting ideas from these types of presentations. And, the $40 budget was for four people. I wonder how much the average American wastes going to fast food restaurants, thinking they''re buying good food for their family. The same thing is true of going grocery shopping for families. A lot of junk is purchased like pop, sport''s drinks, snacks, unhealthy cereals, overly processed white bread, etc. I''m sure more money is spent on this type of junk.

[luciamia1]

I agree. This is arrogant and stupid. Brioche? Gelato? Heavy cream? Pistachios? Etc., etc. Maybe in the unreal world you guys inhabit. I''m newly unemployed. Think Spanish Rice and a return to the cheap casserole. Get your head out...and get someone on there who knows how to cook for poor (and the newly poor) folks. You don''t do gourmet on $405 worth of unemployment benefits a week.

[jerrem]

I was doing my usual channel surfing this morning and ran across your shoestring gourmet meal done with a "skimpy $40 budget". Come on guys are kidding me. Most of Americans can''t afford $40 family meals!!!
Want to do a real service show how to do family meals on a budget of $10. Be really creative and show us how a real family on a real budget can do it!!

[jerrem]

I was doing my usual channel surfing this moring and ran across your shoestring gourmet meal done with a "skimpy $40 budget". Come on guys are kidding me. Most of Americans can''t afford $40 family meals!!!
Want to do a real service show how to do family meals on a budget of $10. Be really creative and show us how a real family on a real budget can do it!!