How much do you spend on average for Dinner?

[AnyDream]

Oh Trill, I'm falling about here . Up here in the "city" lamb loin chops is a ChaChing dinner...up to $25/kg depending on where you shop...same goes for rack of lamb. I do remember a time when it was practically the cheapest thing in the butcher shop but no more! *sigh* I've been buying up lamb shanks for the deep freezer at $4/kg, I think someone's made a labelling mistake at our shop because the rival's selling them for $10/kg...although I did notice the price went up by a dollar as soon as the coolish evenings started . I'm sorry I have such a whiney note in my voice, but lamb is my absolute FAVORITE but it costs a fortune!!! We mostly have roast lamb - because that's the most economical way to have it - but not often.

ETA
Couldn't say how much we spend per meal, I'm feeding four (one with a very big appetite) and I often cook something, stretch it out with extra veggie, then it's 2 nights dinners. Pot roasts and silverside (slowcooker of course) is a good option which will do 2 nights, add some cauli cheese (which *everybody* loves) and it's quite a substantial meal with a few other veggie on the side. I also chuck a can or two of beans or lentils in with every stew I do, it means you can get away with using less meat but still have leftovers for the following night. Can you tell I'm a big fan of not having to cook every night? Other things that stretch the budget:

Pasta - using a jar sauce (sorry) but add a few interesting ingredients, like a single chorizo, sliced & fried, mushrooms, a sprinkle of olives. Serve with a side of steamed veggie
Veggie fritters - my family are mad for these - no matter what I put in them - because it's practically the only 'fried' type food we have. Serve with fried tomatoes or anything you have on hand really.
Ratatouille - I make a big batch in summer when all the veggies are cheap, then freeze. It's an instant dinner-stretcher, good for when you have leftovers but not enought for a whole meal - just add ratatoiulle. Also good for disguising cheap cuts of meat (bake in ratatouille - mmmm)
Have a designated easy-tea night - open a can of soup (or get a container out of the deep freeze) and have it with grilled cheesies. Or scrambled eggs. Or baked beans. Whatever your family likes that's quick and brainless.