The economist Milton Freedman once said “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
But there is the Random Lunch Challenge.
Our aim is to get the best bargains and sales at the market on a Saturday to concoct an interesting, tasty and substantial enough lunch for 4 under $10.
Not free, but cheap.
It is random.
It is getting more challenging.
This week, boys got that bit more risky in choosing something to cook.

On passing the fishmongers, one boy saw something for $7 a kilo.
Fresh sardines.
Those tasty, eat ’em bones and all little fishies that boys used to devour from the tin when they were younger.

Very enthusiastically, half a kilo was bought and with very little input from yours truly, boys went on to purchase some sourdough to make toast, some red capsicum to grill with a glug of “Good” olive oil to create a soft unctious sweet bed to lay the fried sardines on (topping the toast), sprinkled with smoked paprika and a squeeze of lemon juice. An unconscious Spanish flavour palette- flavours pulled together from their experience.
Love their thinking.                                          
Loved the result–in the end.
Loved that it cost  $7.50 with 1/4 loaf left (to later make crunchy fattoush style salad).
Love that boys learned  that it is always good to check with the fishmonger if the fish have been scaled and gutted.