Shoe String Smackdown

Recently I held a friendly competition at my house with some of my best cooking buddies. We often challenge each other to see who can come up the wildest dishes on a theme. This year's theme was Dinner for 4 on a shoestring. We had to produce a gourmet meal for 4 and keep the grocery tab under $35.00. I came in at 17.59 with the following menu:

Sweet Onion Canapes

Creamy Zucchini Bisque garnished with Roasted Red Pepper Coulis


Grilled Limoncello Chicken with Orange Rhubarb Chutney
Hand Made Curried Fettuccini with Cilantro Oil Drizzle
Sesame Green Beans


Bananas Foster

It was a real eye opener for me to realize how inexpensively you can eat like a real gourmand! Here is the recipe for the Onion Canapes.

Sweet Onion Canapes

Yields 2 dozen

1 large Vidalia onion, or sweet onion, minced.

¼ cup mayonnaise

1 large egg yolk or 2 egg whites

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon sugar

Pinch ground red pepper

24 slices mini party rye bread

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Heat oven to 375F Combine onion, mayo egg and seasonings in mixing bowl.

Top with onion mixture and Parmesan cheese Arrange on baking sheet and bake until puffy, 15-20 minutes.

Serve hot.

43 calories each