About Me
My name is Patrick. I am a recent college graduate navigating adult life by myself for the first time. In doing so, I began budgeting in an attempt to make sure my hard earned money is used in the most productive ways possible. Every week, I have a budget of $100 to feed myself and my partner. With that budget, I typically make the same breakfast, lunch, and dinner the entire week. Sometimes this is meal-prepped, and others I make each meal the day of.
My Purpose
My goal with this blog is to document the recipes I take from content creators on social media and critique them based on four categories: affordability, time commitment, nutrition, and taste. I often find these content creators claim their recipes are cheap and take little time to make, but reality does not always match those claims. In my posts, you will receive a brief description of the dish, my verdict, a list of ingredients, and cooking instructions. The verdict is always before the ingredients and instructions so you can quickly determine whether or not each recipe is worth considering. It is important to note that I am not a trained chef, but instead an average home cook. This perspective provides valuable insight into the time frame that another typical home cook would require to prepare these recipes.
Analyzing Recipes: A Four-Pronged Approach
Affordability: Navigating the realm of budget-friendly cooking is essential for many, including recent graduates like myself. When it comes to affordability, I will talk about the total cost of groceries for the recipe both on a total and per serving basis. Some reviews will also contain weighted costs, such as the cost of the exact volume of butter used. By breaking down the expenses associated with each dish, I aim to demonstrate how each meal fits in my $100/week budget.
Time Commitment: Time is a precious commodity, especially when balancing work, personal life, and cooking responsibilities. I will explain the time commitment required for each recipe from the start of the preparation process to the garnishing of the final product. By detailing the entire cooking time, I’ll help readers gauge whether a recipe fits into their busy schedules and cooking preferences.
Nutrition: Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is paramount for overall health and well-being. Each recipe review will evaluate the nutritional content of each recipe, considering factors such as macronutrient composition, serving sizes, and ingredient quality. By highlighting the nutritional benefits and potential drawbacks of each dish, I’ll empower readers to make informed decisions about their dietary choices and find recipes that align with their health goals.
Taste: At the heart of every recipe lies its taste and flavor profile. Here, I’ll provide an honest assessment of the overall taste experience offered by each dish, considering factors such as seasoning, texture, and flavor complexity. Through detailed taste evaluations and personal anecdotes, I’ll convey the subjective culinary experience of each recipe, helping readers determine whether it’s worth trying based on their taste preferences and culinary expectations.
Concluding Thoughts
If there are recipes you would like me to consider giving a review for, please comment on my most recent recipe review or leave a comment on my Threads page here. Further, if there are any other features of the reviews you want or if my content is not up to your standards, please kindly let me know in the comments. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
