Fuel your ski legs on a budget.

Some friends and I just took an awesomely awesome trip to Mammoth. Seriously, awesomely awesome. And throw in the words ridiculous, epic, and booyah, and that pretty much sums up the trip.

I, of course, loved being executive chef on the trip, and planned the meals around a hearty and tasty, but definitely on a budget since we're spending so much money on the slopes theme.

Friday night dinner:

Chili a la TVP (adapted from my friend TVP's recipe)
1 lb lean ground beef ($2 frozen from costco)
1 lb ground turkey breast ($7 from TJ's)
2 packets Lawry's chili seasoning ($2.50)
1/2 diced onion ($.50)
1/4 jar Pepperoncinis, with brine ($.75)
3 cans diced tomatoes ($3)
1 can pinto beans ($1)

Total: $16.75

served 5 hungry skiers as main course, coupled with some of those DIY biscuits, crackers, and shredded chedder.

Saturday night's dinner was a bit more elaborate with 9 hungry mouths, so I'll just post the winning risotto recipe:

Mushroom risotto
arborio rice ($2)
1/2 diced onion ($.50)
1 1/2 boxes chicken broth ($3)
1/2 pkg chopped crimini mushrooms ($.75)
1 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese ($3)

Total: $9.25

served 9 hungry skiers as one dish among many

yum! and look how cheap!