Bachelor on the Cheap

Spruce up your drinks with home made syrups

By Mike Thayer

A vanilla syrup to have with my morning coffee

Regular readers know that I'm into flavored whiskeys, such as Revel Stoke Vanilla flavored whiskey .  I'm also into flavored coffee (hazelnut is my fave) and flavored tea (peach is SO good, but so is an Arnold Palmer). Heck, I like to flavor a simple glass of water, usually with a squeeze of fresh lime, sometimes I'll use one of those RealLime squeezer things and lately, it's been On The House Sweetened Lime Juice.

But I got to thinking, why pay extra for a flavored whiskey?  Why pay almost $4 for a bottle of sweetened lime juice?

Make your own sweetened syrup to add to your adult beverage, coffee, tea or water.  It's a great add to a smoothie too!

Today I'm making my own syrups, so far I've made a lime syrup and a vanilla syrup and they taste delicious.  They will keep in the refrigerator for better than two weeks and I'll have an assortment of syrups to choose from, spending pennies on the dollar compared to buying some kind of beverage that's already flavored or a store bought syrup.  I've got lime syrup for cocktails and to simply flavor a glass of water.  I've got vanilla syrup to flavor coffee, tea and yes, cocktails.  Seriously, why buy a vanilla flavored whiskey or vodka at $20 for a 750ml bottle when you can buy a Texas fifth (1.75L) for $14 and add a simple syrup to it?  Making your own syrup and adding it to a drink, be it a cocktail, coffee, tea, smoothie or water, saves you money without a sacrifice in flavor, and it doesn't take much time at all to make it!

Formula:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon flavoring

It's an easy formula, if you want more just double the 1-1-1 configuration.

Directions:

Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Continue to cook at a rapid simmer (that means you have to stir constantly for those of you who live in Haysville) for about 8 minutes.  You want the syrup to thicken up a bit.  Remove from heat, stir in the flavoring and let cool.  Once cool, transfer to a squeeze bottle (available at Dollar Tree for $1.25) and refrigerate. 

Adding one Tablespoon of syrup to any kind of drink changes the flavor profile in a very good way.  But it does add about 50 calories to whatever you're inhaling so if you're counting calories, you may want to either cut back on the sugar, or use a sugar substitute.  Flavor results will vary, but play with it, it'll still be good and cost saving.  That's next on my experimenting, cutting the sugar with some Monk Fruit sugar substitute which I hear is pretty good.

The flavor options are pretty much endless too...  The flavors of orange, lemon, cherry, mint and yes even chocolate would work well with so many drink options.  Don't limit yourself!  Have fun with it.  I haven't quite worked out the Hazelnut flavor for my morning coffee yet, but I will be making an attempt with Nutella here in a bit, and I won't have to add any sugar.

Spruce up your drinks with home made syrups, you'll thank yourself for saving some money AND delivering some great flavor that you did yourself.

$pend Wisely My Friends...

 

The Bachelor on the Cheap guide to making wine selection and food pairing easier - Pinot Noir

By Mike Thayer

This is the sixth of an ongoing series of wines and food pairings

Wine, it's the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, a go-to for a casual get-together/party and a holiday meal is complimented by it.  Whether it's a meal for two, a small party for friends or a gathering of family, having the right wine elevates the occasion. 

And while most people follow the basic rule of thumb - red wine for beef and white wine for chicken - selecting the right wine can still be challenging.  What KIND of red for that roast beef?  Or, What KIND of white for that lemon chicken dish?  Does dessert call for a different wine?

The choices are many and can be intimidating, with the reds there's Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel; Syrah/Shiraz; Malbec; Pinot Noir; Nebbiolo; Sangiovese; Grenache and all kinds of red blends to choose from.

With the whites there's Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; Moscato; Pinot Grigio; Riesling; Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Torrontes, Albarino and yes, white wine has it's share of blends as well.

So you walk into the liquor store in need of a bottle of wine for a dinner date or special occasion... 

Sure, you can rely on the store attendant to help you with a selection but that can be hit or miss.  A good attendant will ask you if you prefer wines on the sweeter or dryer side and what you might be pairing it with.  But keep in mind the attendant's palate is different than yours, their sweet and dry preferences are different than yours and they might try to push a particular brand on you that's in the store's best interest, not yours.  So why not walk in the store knowing what you need?  That's what this guide is for, to help you with food pairings, what is sweet, what is dry and getting a good wine for under $15 a bottle.  That's the Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly thing to do, get something nice, without paying too much for it.

For previous reviews, click on the link below:

• The first wine and food pairing article featured Merlot. 
• The second article featured Cabernet Sauvignon. 
• The third article featured Zinfandel
• The fourth article featured Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz
• The Fifth article featured Malbec

Today's featured wine:  Pinot Noir

First cultivated in Burgundy, France, the Pinot Noir grape is now grown all over the world.  The appeal of Pinot Noir is how versatile it is with food pairings, it's a red that can go with just about anything.  Think about that next date, you're at a quaint restaurant, a candlelit table for two...   You're having steak, your date is having salmon, what kind of wine can you share?  Get a bottle of Pinot Noir!  With flavors of cherry, plum, spice, and some earthy notes, this food friendly wine has soft tannins and a bright acidity.  It's a lighter bodied red wine with a smooth finish.  Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for a charcuterie board that includes ham, goat cheese and olives.  And in thinking of the diversity of a charcuterie board and all those great options, think pizza and all the great topping options...  Yes, pizza and Pinot Noir is a great match!  Pot Roast, roast turkey, roast chicken, glazed ham, rack of lamb, the aforementioned steak and salmon, they're all complimented by a glass (or two) of Pinot Noir.  This wine is also excellent with mushroom anything, asparagus and roasted root vegetables.  It pairs well with hummus (w/roasted red pepper is a personal favorite), gnocchi, ravioli, risotto and here's a really good one, spinach & artichoke dip.    For dessert, think chocolate, decadent brownies, chocolate covered strawberries or a chocolate mousse.  And like other red wines, serve it slightly chilled, at 60 - 65 degrees (refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving).

Bachelor on the Cheap Recomendation: Bread & Butter Pinot Noir - $14.99.  Here's the description:  Bread & Butter Pinot Noir is all about that juicy red fruit. Think cherries and raspberries with a touch of cassis. Delicate hints of cedar, smoke, and bay leaf cut the sweetness of the fruit, creating a nicely balanced bouquet. That luscious fruit bouquet continues onto the palate, where it’s joined by soft flavors of oak and savory notes. With a long and beautifully smooth finish, this Pinot Noir will melt in your mouth.

And something to consider, subscribing to a wine club.  Here's one that I've tried and I have to say every bottle I sampled was something I would order again.  WineShop at Home

Next Up in the series:  Nebbiolo

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Sonic's Big Dill Cheeseburger is a must try

By Mike Thayer

It's a must try

As a kid, I hated pickles, couldn't stand them.  And I wasn't satisfied with just didn't picking them off a fast food burger - didn't want the pickle juice residue flavor...  I would special order burgers without pickles.

My how the palate changes over the years.  Now I don't like having a burger without them!

Enter Sonic's Big Dill Cheeseburger

Sonic introduced the burger in late April, I couldn't wait to try it.

Here's the description from the Sonic website:  Crispy pickle fries, a creamy dilly ranch, chopped lettuce, crinkle cut pickle slices & melty American cheese layered on a 100% pure seasoned beef patty on a toasted brioche bun.

This burger is DILLICIOUS!  See what I did there... with the "Dill" licious...?  You get fried dill pickle in every bite.  A little crunch from the pickle, a little crunch from the breading, it's a nice fried twang to accompany the all beef patty and melted cheese.  And that awesome pickle twang is reinforced by the crinkle cut pickle slices, then there's the nice finish with the crisp lettuce and warm, toasty, brioche bun.  What an awesome bite!

You get fried dill pickle in every bite

Costing me $9.45 for a large combo meal to include tots and the iconic Sonic Cherry Limeade, I'm giving the Sonic Big Dill Cheeseburger 4 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  The only thing holding this burger back from a 5 star rating was the lack of dill in the ranch dressing.  There wasn't enough dill punch, it's almost like the dressing wasn't even there, getting lost in the burger and pickle goodness.  Perhaps put another layer of dressing on the bottom bun for a bit more oomph? 

This burger is worthy of a repeat buy, I'd have another right now, but I'm working on the Cherry Limeade...

$pend Wisely My Friends...

The Sonic visited on this occasion is located at 7702 E Harry St, Wichita, KS 67207.  The service was fast and friendly, I received my order in one classic rock song, listening to Too Late For Love by Def Leppard on 104.5 The Fox.

 

 

 

 

The Bachelor on the Cheap guide to making wine selection and food pairing easier - Malbec

By Mike Thayer

This is the fifth of an ongoing series of wines and food pairings

Wine, it's the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, a go-to for a casual get-together/party and a holiday meal is complimented by it.  Whether it's a meal for two, a small party for friends or a gathering of family, having the right wine elevates the occasion. 

And while most people follow the basic rule of thumb - red wine for beef and white wine for chicken - selecting the right wine can still be challenging.  What KIND of red for that roast beef?  Or, What KIND of white for that lemon chicken dish?  Does dessert call for a different wine?

The choices are many and can be intimidating, with the reds there's Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel; Syrah/Shiraz; Malbec; Pinot Noir; Nebbiolo; Sangiovese; Grenache and all kinds of red blends to choose from.

With the whites there's Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; Moscato; Pinot Grigio; Riesling; Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Torrontes, Albarino and yes, white wine has it's share of blends as well.

So you walk into the liquor store in need of a bottle of wine for a dinner date or special occasion... 

Sure, you can rely on the store attendant to help you with a selection but that can be hit or miss.  A good attendant will ask you if you prefer wines on the sweeter or dryer side and what you might be pairing it with.  But keep in mind the attendant's palate is different than yours, their sweet and dry preferences are different than yours and they might try to push a particular brand on you that's in the store's best interest, not yours.  So why not walk in the store knowing what you need?  That's what this guide is for, to help you with food pairings, what is sweet, what is dry and getting a good wine for under $15 a bottle.  That's the Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly thing to do, get something nice, without paying too much for it.

For previous reviews, click on the link below:

• The first wine and food pairing article featured Merlot. 
• The second article featured Cabernet Sauvignon. 
• The third article featured Zinfandel
• The fourth article featured Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz

Today's featured wine:  Malbec

According to Wine Folly, Malbec has been a popular blending grape in France for years, but thanks to Argentina, Malbec has become popular in it's own right.   This is a very fruity wine with a deep purple color and full body.  Carrying notes of blackberry, black plum, and black cherry, the wine also has savory notes such as black pepper, spice, sweet tobacco and cocoa.  Typically higher in alcohol content than other wines it also has a short finish, to mean it doesn't stay on your tongue long.   Because of that short finish, Malbec pairs well with leaner meats like a flank steak rather than a ribeye.  Pork loin dishes are a nice pairing as is poultry with dark meat and leaner cuts of lamb.  Game meats such as bison, venison and ostrich are also good.   For folks seeking lighter fare, Malbec pairs well with goat and blue cheeses.  Mushrooms are excellent with this wine as are stuffed peppers.  For dessert, think chocolate desserts and/or salty caramel.  Serve Malbec in a wide bodied glass to take full advantage of the fruity aromas.   And like other red wines, serve it slightly chilled, at 60 - 65 degrees (refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving). And you've heard the phrase, "Let the wine breathe?" Malbec benefits from decanting (that means pour the wine out of the bottle and into a decanter for those of you who live in Haysville). Go with a Malbec made in Argentina, that's where the best ones come from.

Bachelor on the Cheap Recomendation: Alamos Malbec - $10.99.  Here's the description:  Alamos Malbec captures the spirit and terroir of Argentina’s signature variety. Grown at high-level altitudes, our Malbec offers layers of dark cherry and blackberry with a velvety mouthfeel. This complex red wine pairs beautifully with a wide range of cuisine and is recognized for its pronounced freshness.

And something to consider, subscribing to a wine club.  Here's one that I've tried and I have to say every bottle I sampled was something I would order again.  WineShop at Home

Next Up in the series:  Pinot Noir

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Why should businesses use Bachelor on the Cheap?

Because every customer experience is a big deal.

~ Mike Thayer

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Being a bachelor and living life well but with a budget in mind, I review Wichita Metro Area businesses, find the great deals and report on the best product and/or services available. I post my shopping experiences online, benefiting customers and businesses alike.

Book a shopping review for your business today!  Bachelor on the Cheap Shopping: Product/service reviews for your business

Buy me a coffee

Bachelor on the Cheap is a FREE resource for finding the best places to shop & get services in the Wichita Metro.

Help support the continued content for Wichita Shopping & Service reviews by buying me a coffee. Your support is much appreciated!

~ Mike

www.buymeacoffee.com/bacheloront

The Bachelor on the Cheap guide to making wine selection and food pairing easier - Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz

By Mike Thayer

This is the fourth of an ongoing series of wines and food pairings

Wine, it's the perfect beverage for a romantic dinner, a go-to for a casual get-together/party and a holiday meal is complimented by it.  Whether it's a meal for two, a small party for friends or a gathering of family, having the right wine elevates the occasion. 

And while most people follow the basic rule of thumb - red wine for beef and white wine for chicken - selecting the right wine can still be challenging.  What KIND of red for that roast beef?  Or, What KIND of white for that lemon chicken dish?  Does dessert call for a different wine?

The choices are many and can be intimidating, with the reds there's Merlot; Cabernet Sauvignon; Zinfandel; Syrah/Shiraz; Malbec; Pinot Noir; Nebbiolo; Sangiovese; Grenache and all kinds of red blends to choose from.

With the whites there's Chardonnay; Sauvignon Blanc; Moscato; Pinot Grigio; Riesling; Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Torrontes, Albarino and yes, white wine has it's share of blends as well.

So you walk into the liquor store in need of a bottle of wine for a dinner date or special occasion... 

Sure, you can rely on the store attendant to help you with a selection but that can be hit or miss.  A good attendant will ask you if you prefer wines on the sweeter or dryer side and what you might be pairing it with.  But keep in mind the attendant's palate is different than yours, their sweet and dry preferences are different than yours and they might try to push a particular brand on you that's in the store's best interest, not yours.  So why not walk in the store knowing what you need?  That's what this guide is for, to help you with food pairings, what is sweet, what is dry and getting a good wine for under $15 a bottle.  That's the Bachelor on the Cheap wallet friendly thing to do, get something nice, without paying too much for it.

The first wine and food pairing article featured Merlot.  The second article featured Cabernet Sauvignon.  The third article featured Zinfandel

Today's featured wine:  Syrah a.k.a. Shiraz

Two spellings for the same grape?  What the heck?  This one can be a bit confusing for new wine drinkers.   According to Wine Folly, the Syrah grape originated in the legendary wine-producing area of the Rhone Valley in France, way, way back.  Eventually, the grape was taken to Australia and became the most-planted grape in that country.  But they don't call it Syrah there, it's called Shiraz instead.   The grape has since become quite popular and is now being grown around the world.  Basically put, it's the same grape, Syrah is the French way to spell it, Shiraz is the English way.  Enough on the grape history lesson.  Syrah/Shiraz tends to be on the drier side, but not as dry as a Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Syrahs have fruity notes of black cherry, blackberry and plum along with spice notes such as clove and licorice.  In the finish there are hints of espresso and dark chocolate.  With above average alcohol levels and moderate tannins, this fruity/spicy wine pairs well with barbecue and it really doesn't what kind of meat.  Pork ribs, beef ribs, bbq chicken and just about any grilled fare from hamburgers to a leg of lamb go nicely with Syrah.  When it comes to cheeses, Syrah pairs well with blue cheeses and salty ones such as pecorino or halloumi.   Do NOT drink Syrah with seafood or salads and while it pairs nicely with dark chocolate, you might want to find another wine to drink with any other kind of dessert.  Serve Syrah with a slight chill, 60 - 65 degrees, not quite room temperature.  With its higher alcohol content, if not slightly chilled, the flavors will be dulled.  Put in your fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.

Bachelor on the Cheap Recomendation: Yellow Tail Shiraz- $8.99.   Here's the description:  Ripe Cherries and strawberries, spice, and vanilla aromas. Yellow Tail Shiraz is bold and well balanced, with earthy tones and lingering fruit on the tongue.

And something to consider, subscribing to a wine club.  Here's one that I've tried and I have to say every bottle I sampled was something I would order again.  WineShop at Home

Next Up in the series:  Malbec

$pend Wisely My Friends...

HelloFresh vs. EveryPlate: Which meal subscription service is better?

Timely, cold delivery, both services

By Mike Thayer

I recently received and reviewed a meal subscription service, HelloFresh.  In a Bachelor on the Cheap series, I sampled four meals and the reviews included an assessment of cost, shipping, tracking, ingredient quality, ease of prep, instructions and most importantly, taste. 

I received the following four meals that serves two people per meal and the delivery included all the base ingredients and instructions for the following selections (links to reviews of those meals are below):

• Meatloaf A' La Mom
• Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti
• Taqueria Pork Bowls
• Citrus Pork Tacos

No worries about food spoilage, both services

I've done the meal kit thing before, subscribing with EveryPlate last year and that was overall a good experience.  EveryPlate, a sister company to HelloFresh, was actually cheaper than the grocery store*.  I did end up cancelling my subscription after a bit however and for two reasons.  The EveryPlate menu options at the time were pretty limited and I started to travel a lot with a new job.  *During the time I was an EveryPlate subscriber, they were running an introductory price of $1.99 per meal for you first couple shipments.  After that, the price goes up and then the cost savings vs. a grocery store becomes negligible.

I was impressed with the HelloFresh shipment, the tracking was spot on and the packaging was top notch.  The quality of ingredients was also top notch from the meats, fresh produce, dry ingredients, to the packaged sauces.  The recipe cards are an easy read, the instructions clear, so even if you're not an experienced cook, no worries!  The most impressive of all that though, the meals are individually wrapped. 

HelloFresh packaging is superior to EveryPlate.

Contrast that to my experience with EveryPlate, which was boxed up nicely and remained cold through delivery, but shipments were always very simply packed.  All meats were lumped together, all other meal ingredients were lumped together into one large box, so you had to sort through everything, the produce, the sauces, the dry ingredients, using the menu cards to pick out what was needed for each meal.  HelloFresh eliminates that task (part of their elevated price).  While the meats are packed separately, all the other ingredients for each meal is wrapped in it's own, labelled and secure brown bag.  No sorting, no digging, no having to read menu cards to select the necessary ingredients, it's all ready to go for you with HelloFresh. 

The packaging affects meal prep time.  Both services list prep times and a cook time on their recipe cards.  Because HelloFresh packages their meals in it's own unique bag, their prep time is accurate.  EveryPlate's prep time....  Not so much.  I realize they are gauging prep time from the point you have all ingredients out, organized and ready for washing, slicing and dicing... But if you ask me, having to sort through a big box of potatoes, carrots, zucchinis, onions, garlic, sauce and seasoning packets to pick out the right ones for a particular meal - that's prep time too!

Which meal would you prefer?

Instructions are essentially the same for both services, you can see the sister company similarities here, the only major difference being HelloFresh prints their meal cards using the Landscape format, EveryPlate uses Portrait.  Everything was easy to read and follow and both services provide Chef Tips and making preparation easier.  And in terms of ingredient quality, it's high quality, both companies, sister companies after all.

Meal vs. Meal.  I enjoyed all the meals from both services, but I would have to give the nod to HelloFresh which has a larger menu and greater variety, we're talking 28 menu options vs. 13.  Both services offer the ability to upgrade for an additional charge.  HelloFresh also offers more add-on choices than EveryPlate.

Both services have a website and app that makes managing your account easy and you can skip meals, pause delivery or cancel your subscription at any time without paying any additional fees.

Both services are convenient, all the meals are tasty and fun to cook, so what this comparison boils down to is price.  HelloFresh is more of an upscale meal subscription service offering greater meal variety, more ingredients and smart, prep convenient packaging.  EveryPlate seems to be focused on affordability without sacrificing product quality, but simpler meals on their menu with fewer ingredients to work with and prep at meal time.  

Overall, I have to go with HelloFresh if I had to pick one service over the other.  EveryPlate is cheaper, but HelloFresh is more convenient with the smarter packaging and the meals are little more exciting.  And while EveryPlate has a lower cost per meal rate, I'd rather pay a little extra for a nicer meal.  With either service, if you don't feel like spending a lot of time at the grocery store, here ya go.

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh vs. EveryPlate

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Citrus Pork Tacos

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Taqueria Pork Bowls

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. going to the grocery store

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. the local grocery store - Griddled Onion Burgers with Creamy Dijon Aioli & Frites

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. the local grocery store - Greek Pork Meatball Bowls

 

 

Timely, cold delivery, both services

By Mike Thayer

I recently received and reviewed a meal subscription service, HelloFresh.  In a Bachelor on the Cheap series, I sampled four meals and the reviews included an assessment of cost, shipping, tracking, ingredient quality, ease of prep, instructions and most importantly, taste. 

I received the following four meals that serves two people per meal and the delivery included all the base ingredients and instructions for the following selections (links to reviews of those meals are below):

• Meatloaf A' La Mom
• Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti
• Taqueria Pork Bowls
• Citrus Pork Tacos

No worries about food spoilage, both services

I've done the meal kit thing before, subscribing with EveryPlate last year and that was overall a good experience.  EveryPlate, a sister company to HelloFresh, was actually cheaper than the grocery store*.  I did end up cancelling my subscription after a bit however and for two reasons.  The EveryPlate menu options at the time were pretty limited and I started to travel a lot with a new job.  *During the time I was an EveryPlate subscriber, they were running an introductory price of $1.99 per meal for you first couple shipments.  After that, the price goes up and then the cost savings vs. a grocery store becomes negligible.

I was impressed with the HelloFresh shipment, the tracking was spot on and the packaging was top notch.  The quality of ingredients was also top notch from the meats, fresh produce, dry ingredients, to the packaged sauces.  The recipe cards are an easy read, the instructions clear, so even if you're not an experienced cook, no worries!  The most impressive of all that though, the meals are individually wrapped. 

HelloFresh packaging is superior to EveryPlate.

Contrast that to my experience with EveryPlate, which was boxed up nicely and remained cold through delivery, but shipments were always very simply packed.  All meats were lumped together, all other meal ingredients were lumped together into one large box, so you had to sort through everything, the produce, the sauces, the dry ingredients, using the menu cards to pick out what was needed for each meal.  HelloFresh eliminates that task (part of their elevated price).  While the meats are packed separately, all the other ingredients for each meal is wrapped in it's own, labelled and secure brown bag.  No sorting, no digging, no having to read menu cards to select the necessary ingredients, it's all ready to go for you with HelloFresh. 

The packaging affects meal prep time.  Both services list prep times and a cook time on their recipe cards.  Because HelloFresh packages their meals in it's own unique bag, their prep time is accurate.  EveryPlate's prep time....  Not so much.  I realize they are gauging prep time from the point you have all ingredients out, organized and ready for washing, slicing and dicing... But if you ask me, having to sort through a big box of potatoes, carrots, zucchinis, onions, garlic, sauce and seasoning packets to pick out the right ones for a particular meal - that's prep time too!

Expert Gardener Potting Mix is just as good as Miracle Grow and costs a lot less

By Mike Thayer

Everybody loves good looking plants and a lush look be it container plants indoors, containers outside on a patio or deck or even a full fledged backyard garden. 

Enter Expert Gardener Potting Mix

I do a lot of container gardening with a mix of flowers and veggies.  I like container gardening because it's so portable, I can easily transfer containers from one spot to another, enhancing the look of one living space, or creating another.

My preferred potting soil is Expert Gardener Potting Mix, available at Walmart for just $4.74 for an eight quart bag.  This mix provides all the nutrients plants need to get a great start in whatever planting vessel you choose.  Good for both indoor and outdoor plantings, this soil is light and won't weigh down your pots and containers.  And don't throw away the packaging, which includes tips and charts on repotting, transplanting and how much soil you need.

A happy tomato!

Why pay $5.99 for a bag of Miracle Grow potting mix, which I used to use, when you can get the Expert Gardener brand for $4.74?  Save yourself $1 + a bag for essentially the same thing.  I've used this stuff for two seasons now and see no difference in plant growth.  Expert Gardener does the same job as Miracle Grow and it's cheaper.

Expert Gardener Potting Mix is great for indoor containers, outdoor containers and as a nutrient rich top dressing for full fledged backyard gardens.  I'm giving it 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars.  It's a repeat buy!

$pend Wisely My Friends...

 

Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Taqueria Pork Bowls

By Mike Thayer

Easy to follow recipe, eat in 20 minutes!

This is the fourth post in a series of HelloFresh meal kit reviews

I'm reviewing the ready meals from HelloFresh in another Bachelor on the Cheap series, having received a shipment of four meals.  My first post was a review of "Meatloaf A' La Mom" to include a comparison to another meal subscription service, EveryPlate.  Links to other related articles are posted below.

The four meals received in the shipment serves two people per meal and the delivery included all the base ingredients and instructions for the following meals:

• Meatloaf A' La Mom - The first meal I tried, quite tasty!
  
• Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti - Excellent, with a great sauce
  
• Taqueria Pork Bowls - Today's featured review
  
• Citrus Pork Tacos - Delicious and the early favorite of the four

For my fourth and last HelloFresh meal of this shipment, it was Taqueria Pork Bowls with Corn Esquites, Sour Cream & Cilantro.    The visual on this recipe card really appealed to me, perhaps I saved the best for last?

Prepared as instructed

Pulling the package of ground pork and the "Taqueria Pork Bowls" meal bag from the fridge, I clipped up the recipe card and went to work.  The prep time for this meal is just 5 minutes with a cook time of 20 minutes.    That's an easy peasy meal and the quickest one of the bunch.  This recipe included making Corn Esquites, the popular Mexican street food combining lightly charred corn, mayo, cheese, chili powder and lime juice.

The aromas emanating from the kitchen were awesome and my mouth was watering before I sat down to eat.  "Seriously," I said to myself, "all those great smells generated in just 20 minutes?"

Yes.  The rice was very aromatic, with the nutty notes of the Jasmine in the air.  The Southwest Spice and chili powder, the lightly charred corn, the lime, jalapeno and cilantro all combined to make my kitchen and dining room smell like a quaint Mexican Cantina.

This is a FANTASTIC bowl, a great, easy to follow recipe, a flavor bomb of Taqueria deliciousness!  All of the meals I received from HelloFresh were delicious, but this was hands down my favorite.  I wanted to eat the second serving it was so good, but refrained in order to have something for lunch tomorrow.

I am pleased with the flavors and easy to follow recipes that HelloFresh provides.  I've sampled all four of the meals that were delivered.  I'll be rating this service and tell you which one in the HelloFresh vs. Everyplate Meal Kit Challenge I prefer.  I'll break things down such as meal prep, variety, recipe instructions, the quality of the ingredients and most importantly the flavors at meal time.  Stay tuned.

$pend Wisely My Friends...

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh vs. EveryPlate

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Citrus Pork Tacos

Related: Meal Kit Review: HelloFresh Italian Chicken Over Lemony Spaghetti

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. going to the grocery store

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. the local grocery store - Griddled Onion Burgers with Creamy Dijon Aioli & Frites

Related: EveryPlate meal kit club vs. the local grocery store - Greek Pork Meatball Bowls