Posted on 02/18/2009 2:24:13 PM PST by JRandomFreeper
Chick peas are a wonder.
Blenderize them with squeeze of lemon, some tahani or other nut paste and you have humus. You can season it any way you want, roasted peppers, cayenne.. Makes a great substitute for dip or sandwich spread.
Cost pennies on the dollar if you buy them dry and soak and cook them yourself.
When the melamine issue was going with dogfood, I used them to make my own for months..Hounds loved it.
Just wait until bottom round roast is on sale (or picnic roast if you want to make pork jerky).
I got some dried fava beans recently at a middle-eastern grocery that are also quite large and chewy even after soaking and long cooking.
They were probably old. Beans can be impossible if old. I've gotten stuck with recalcitrant chickpeas. Patronize a store with high turnover. Soaking 24 hours is a must
Just long enough to ger rid of the tire marks.
I found several jerky recipes today. We’ve made jerky in the past, but these look better. At least that would be a good fill in if there comes a time we can’t buy or afford meats. Also, bullion to add to rice and veggies or just to drink at times.
We'll introduce them to long-term storage and that other stuff later.
/johnny
Crock pot is another tool to tenderize less than perfect cuts of meat and the lid doesn’t become a flying projectile and doesn’t require constant supervision.
They are the meatiest bean....that's why people eat them in falafels. It's a poor mans meat substitute of sorts. Chickpeas are higher protein then other beans. Are my favorite bean. I prefer to make a stew or thick soup with them
Soak 24 hours then pressure cook
Sorry, I was answering a question.
Raccoon and Opossum are thick this year, although I prefer not to eat those, but would, if TVP were the alternative.
/johnny
I cooked my wife a roast chicken with fried potatoes and mushrooms as my Valentine’s day gift. We’ve had leftovers as soup, sandwiches and fried chicken since Saturday. That $15 roaster goes a long way.
One way to stretch the food budget is to use meat, not as a main dish, but included in other dishes like casseroles, stews, etc. We Americans eat too much meat, and it shows. If you really want to cut your food costs, cut your meat consumption by including it as an ingredient to a dish, rather than as the main entree. Everyone gets some meat and no one fills up on just meat.
Learn to eat leftovers. Some folks refuse to. If times get tough, they had better learn how. If you don't want it for two meals straight, freeze the extra and use it again a few days later. Waste not, want not.
If you have extra vegetables, meat, macaroni after a meal save it in the frig and once a week, make a pot of soup/stew from everything you saved during the week.
We are in West Texas, but in town. We have squirrels and lots of dove. Unfortunately, we don’t have much water around here so fishing is not an option.
But you are right, and have the right mindset. Use everything but the cluck.
Even the bones and scraps can be used to make stock.
/johnny
I'd say. Lamb is $12.99/lb with fat and bone. I haven't bought steak since it went over $15/lb. The chicken was $2.09/lb.
I learned at granny’s knee how to be frugal so cooking for hard times is nothing out of the ordinary. I’m off to make some sweet and sour pork from some pork from the freezer I’d bought on sale and a bag of rice (not the expensive instant kind). Around here it’s stock up on sales and keep the pantry and freezer full.
I used to have a garden but time and water became an issue but if things get really bad it’s always an option. I have plenty of canning jars waiting to be filled. There’s plenty of wildlife and fish off the back porch so no worries here.
But after thinking about it, we live within a mile of the lake, fish hard about 3-4 times a year, and freeze the catches after prep.
Might be a worthwhile road trip to the nearest lake if you have a big enough family that enjoys fish.
Besides, God doesn't count days spent fishing against your allotted total. ;)
/johnny
So, why do you think your ancestors fled Europe?
Very similar use of foods here, and it’s very inexpensive and tastes great. Leftovers make great soups...if you have a basic understanding of what goes well together it makes cooking easy and eventually you don’t need to measure too close, and can substitute if out of something.
Two great ways to save GOBS of money:
1) Bake your own bread
2) Make your own soups
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.