I’ve been working on my own version of “Plumpy Nut” to get us through the really tough times. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumpy%27nut<<<
Yes it would work, and if I were making it, I think that I would use the honey and cinnamon that we were talking about being so good for you, in place of the powdered sugar.
Might work with a little cocoa added too.
In my normal way, I have to play with recipes.
But the thought of honey and cinnamon on toast still sounds good to me and if it is really good for me, then so much the better.
[For it to be healthy, stir honey and cinnamon into the peanut butter...LOL...granny]
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf263070.tip.html
RE: Potato Candy
Post by marisa0407
I have been making this for years also. I decided to try a switch one day with over ripened bananas and everyone loved it. Smash up a banana instead of the potato! If you like the old favorite peanut butter and banana sandwiches you’ll like this. I haven’t done it yet but also thought of adding some marshmallow fluff to the peanut butter layer, like the fluffier nutter sandwich.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by jcjnlj
I thought my family was the only one who made potato candy until I saw these postings. I learned to make it from my mother who learned it from her father who learned it from his mother who had Irish ancestry. I have taught my daughter to make it so we now have 5 known generations of potato candy makers! My mother was from SW Pennsylvania and always made this delightful treat at Christmastime.
RE: Potato Candy
Post By Ashley
This candy has been in my family for years. Its an old Irish tradition. Try adding a little cream cheese in with the mashed potato, vanilla, and sugar. You can’t taste it ( I promise, I HATE cream cheese) but its makes your dough easier to roll and it doesn’t crack as easily.
RE: Potato Candy
Post By A FRIENDLY WEST VIRGINIAN
Those are otherwise known as Peanut butter pinwheels. Delicious. I think there are three different names. You can find many recipes for them.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by miladyaces
My family has made this for years, but has anyone ever tried using Instant Potatos for this? Also, has anyone tried substituting Splenda for Pwd Sugar? or know of a substitute for Pwd Sugar? My parents now have dietary restrictions and I’m trying to find alternative ways for making some of our favorite Christmas goodies. My mother is allergic to peanuts, so I’m going to use Sunbutter (sunflower butter) instead. She is also allergic to Milk protien (and soy), so I will use Rice milk (to rehydrate the potatos). Any other suggestions are welcome. I’ll let you know how it comes out.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by jess_admin
Use a small potato or you will wind up in a mess. This recipe is well over 55 years old because my grandmother also made it, usually at Christmas. Peel and cook the potato with a pinch of salt until done and drain off water. Add a box of confectioners sugar until no more sugar will roll into the “dough”. Spread dough out onto a counter and roll to about 1/4 inch thick. Spread with peanut butter. Roll as for a jelly roll several times and cut lengthwise and then cut into bite size pieces. Store in airtight container.
Rene
RE: Potato Candy
Post by jess_admin
You are exactly correct with recipe.
Although I put 1/2 tsp of vanilla in the potato mix prior to conf sugar.
Carole
RE: Potato Candy
Post By Connie
Can you microwave the potato instead of boiling it?
RE: Potato Candy
(Guest Post) (11/17/2008)
I learned how to make this candy about 25 years ago. When my children come to Christmas dinner, they expect this candy to be made. My daughter makes it all year round for her children. It is so cheap and easy to make. I am real surprised to see so many people have heard of this. And the way it tastes, oh my. But be careful. You can get a serious belly ache if you eat too much.
RE: Potato Candy
Post By Melissa from GA
My mom still makes Potato candy! Check out my web site and click on recipe and there it is. www.easysite.com/CWNitFamily
It’s REALLY sweet! Hope you enjoy it!
RE: Potato Candy
Post By lynda kenny
I learned there was a recipe but without cooking the potato. Does anybody knows about it?
RE: Potato Candy
Post By she
You do not use HOT mashed potatoes! it takes way more XXXX sugar! Use COLD mashed potatoes! I was raised in PA! Any of YOU?
RE: Potato Candy
Post By Cindy
I would like to thank everyone for their recipes for the potato candy. My grandmother used to make this every Christmas and I always looked forward to it when we went to her house. She passed away over 20 years ago and I was never able to get her recipe. My aunt had given me a recipe, but it never contained the potato and didn’t taste right. Thank you again. Now I can continue the tradition with the correct recipe.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by badwater
The secret to this amazing & cheap candy is to make it while the potato is hot. Boil a small (one that fits in your hand is fine) potato till it’s tender or done. Peel as fast as you can, don’t allow for the potato to cool. The powdered sugar adheres better with the heat of the potato. Mash the potato with a fork, while hot, in a bowl & stir in sifted powdered sugar till you make a stiff batter. Small lumps of potatoes are fine. Roll out your dough to a thin layer, spread with peanut butter of any variety & roll up jelly roll style. Wrap with wax paper and chill at least an hour till firm. Slice crosswise into medallions with a pretty design, this should make alot of pieces. Store covered in the fridge if it lasts that long. Enjoy. My Mom used to make this for us, when we were growing up.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by huggy46
Got it right so far. After the potatos are peeled mash them and add powdered sugar to it till you get a dough you can roll out. Then spread peanut butter on it. Roll it up in a log fashion and wrap in wet dish towel and put it in the frig for a couple of hours and then get it out and slice into 1/2” pieces. Remember a small potato makes a lot of the dough.
RE: Potato Candy
Post By Barbara J Snyder
That is a Pennsylvania dutch recipe from way back. Grandma made it when my mom was small and I don’t make it that much because it is sweet. But good.
RE: Potato Candy
Post by JoanM09
It taste awesome. Want to thank you all for your help. After I read the recipe it all came back to me. Again thank you all for your help. I have some Grandkids that are going to learn this.
Again Thank you
Joan
Request: Potato Candy
Post by Laurel_admin
This candy has been in our family ever since I was a small child. We all love it and it is easy to make. It is called potato candy. This the recipe 1 small potato - 1 (1lb) box powdered sugar- peanut butter. Peel and boil potato until tender. Mash with powdered sugar. Roll on flat surface and spread with thin coat of peanut butter. Roll like a jelly roll. Chill at least one hour and slice into thin strips.
Carol from Missouri.
Answers:
RE: Potato Candy
My mother in law made this for years. We have been looking and looking for the recipe and are so thankful to find this posted. Mom developed Alzheimer’s and passed away so we have been at a loss as to the recipe. Thank you (12/22/2004)
By guest
RE: Potato Candy
This sounds so easy, and economical too. Having never heard of this before, I have a a few questions. What do you do after you slice it? Must it be eaten right away? Do you dry it first? Can you, and how do you, store it? I really want to try this one. Thanks!
By msjudishome
RE: Potato Candy
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! I remember when I was a kid my Mom would make this. If I remember right. Seems like she also used some chocolate too, but I’m not sure. It was back when I was little.
By Vickie
RE: Potato Candy
I have been making that candy too, only I don’t use the potato. Just butter, powdered sugar, and peanut butter. (12/23/2004)
By shannon in NC
RE: Potato Candy
It is good to know that someone else on this planet has heard of, and loves to eat, this wonderful candy! I got the recipe from my mother who got it from her mother-in-law. Nobody I have met has ever heard of it. To answer msjudishome’s questions, you can eat it right away or not. Personally, I like to let it sit a couple of days, but that is personal preference. To store it, I put it on a paper plate with wax paper between layers and wrap it in aluminum foil. (12/29/2004)
By Dawn - Colorado
RE: Potato Candy
Great idea! We’re going to give this ago but we’re going to use sweet potato instead ;-) (07/27/2005)
By ButteryHOLsomeness
RE: Potato Candy
Did you drain the potato or leave it in the water the potato was boiled in? Make sure the potato is taken out of the water, let some of the steam come off, then mash it. The only thing I can think of to turn it like gravy would be to leave the potato water in the recipe. Susan from ThriftyFun
By ThriftyFun
RE: Potato Candy
I never knew so many people know about this candy. I have a lot of friends I told and none of them knew about it. I learned it from my mom and she learned it from hers.
By Snavely
RE: Potato Candy
My grandmother taught me to make potato candy when I was a child and it has become a tradition in our family - this year at our family holiday gathering we are teaching all the grandchildren from ages 2 - 10 to make it. The fun part is when you add a small amount of the powdered sugar to the mashed potato (a very small potato is used-about the size of a large egg) and the potato becomes liquid, then continue to add more powdered sugar until the consistency of pie dough. We have used food coloring to color the dough and we prefer the Super Chunk Peanut Butter to spread on the candy before rolling up. (12/19/2006)
By Cher - California
RE: Potato Candy
I’m so glad to see so many people still hold to family traditions as does my family. I remember this candy when I was a little kid, and I looked forward to Easter because I knew my grandmother would be making potato candy! From what I remember, after she formed them into egg shapes, she put them on a waxed papered cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for a bit to let them set up better. Then she would dip them in melted chocolate she had melted in a double boiler. I also remember she used to make many flavors of this candy. She used extracts like MAPLE, Peppermint, Strawberry, peanut butter, etc. They are all really good, but MAPLE is my favorite!
By LoneWolf1038
RE: Potato Candy
Here is another potato candy recipe by one of our church ladies . Potato Candy 1 lb powdered sugar 1/2 lb. coconut 2 1/2 T. oleo 1 t. vanilla 1 t. almond extract 1/2 c. + 2 T. instant potatoes 1/2 c. + 2 T. warm water Beat potatoes, water and oleo. Add powdered sugar, extract flavoring, and coconut gradually. Spoon on waxed paper. If dipped in chocolate, let candy cool. Dip in melted chocolate chips and cool again. Note: I would think any flavoring could be substituted.
By Dianne from IL
RE: Potato Candy
I tried this candy in Philly. They made it the same way, but rolled it in a ball and tossed in a bag with cinnamon. Then removed from bag and served. They called it Irish Potatoes and had it for St. Patrick’s Day
By Debbie
Recipe: Potato Candy
Post by Laurel_admin
Ingredients:
* 1 small Potato (the size of an egg or as close to as possible)
* 1 lb. box. Confectioners Sugar (sifted)
* Peanut Butter (any style)
Directions:
Boil the potato till complete cooked. When done, while potato is hot, in a large bowl, peel it and mash it. Immediately, add the sugar and knead into dough. Roll it thin on wax paper, either into a circle or rectangle. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter over the entire potato dough. Roll it up as you would a jelly roll. Wrap in waxed paper & chill for 30 minutes. Slice and store in an air-tight container.
**This is quick & good. Mom used to make this. Great gift idea especially if you’re short on funds.
By Terri H.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000892.tip.html
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Ramia S. (Guest Post) (02/11/2009)
These two are always on the menu when things get tight. Good old potato soup and soup beans. I make my soup beans with 2 cans chick broth one can butter beans one can navy beans, small onion cut up salt pepper and a bay leaf. Let simmer until beans and onion are soft..cheap and yummy.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By R. Liberty (Guest Post) (02/10/2009)
My mom made this for us when we were young. She worked 2 full time jobs and cared for 3 kids on her own. This is one of my faves! I’m going to make it tomorrow night. Take some ground beef or turkey, whatever is cheapest, brown it with half an onion or a full onion depending on how much meat you used. Add water. Add some shredded cabbage. Cabbage holds for a long time and is so cheap. Let the cabbage cook down slightly and add soy sauce. Thicken sauce with cornstarch or flour. Pour over rice so cheap and you can throw any veggies you have handy!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Heather (Guest Post) (02/06/2009)
Cheap recipe my grandmother made up
1 pound of ground meat
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of dark red kidney beans
1 can of water
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon of italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
rice
Add ground meat, italian seasonsing, pinch of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper to skillet. Brown ground meat and seasonings. If there is grease left over after browning meat drain it. Put ground meat back in skillet and add tomato paste, kidney beans, and water. Mix and bring to a boil. Then simmer for about 10 minutes. Add cayenne pepper and salt to taste before serving. Serve over cooked rice.
It’s cheap, easy, and quick and it taste like a mixture of chili and spaghetti. My family loves it.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (02/06/2009)
Total $2 Bleu Cheese Turkey burgers dinner-
also quick and easy
1 lb ground turkey (I get for $1 per lb)
4 slice bacon raw cut into very small pieces
1 ts montreal chicken spice (or whatever you prefer)
4 tb bottled bleu cheese dressing (chunky if possible)
mix the bacon and spices with the turkey and form into 4 patties. Fry in skillet over med high heat until seared-lower heat to low and put lid on pan and cook for another 5 minutes. About 1 minute before serving put 1 tb of dressing on each patty.
In the meantime I drained a can of corn and “fried it” with a little butter and a little of the chicken seasoning. We love our corn this way.
I also made a quick batch of drop biscuits (boxed-just add water) and opened a can of peaches.
Turkey $1
Corn .33
biscuits .25
bacon .50 or less
dressing .25 (maybe- I paid .99 for the whole bottle)
peaches .69
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Brandie S. (Guest Post) (02/02/2009)
shepards pie
1 lb ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can brown gravy
5-6 potatoes
1 can corn
shredded cheese
fry ground beef to brown
boil and mash potates
mix cream of mushroom soup
brown gravy and beef in caserole dish
cover with corn
then smother mashed potatoes on top
sprinkle with cheese
bake in oven 375 for 20 min
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By John (Guest Post) (02/01/2009)
This is a great site, my buddy and I have been tryin to cut corners lately on expenses and this is definitely a big help.
A personal favorite of mine is this easy Beefaroni
1 pound ground beef
2 boxes of Mac’n Cheese
1 Jar Spaghetti Sauce (I find Prego works the best)
half cup of milk
half stick of butter/margarine
Make both boxes of Mac’n Cheese as directed
Brown the ground beef and drain grease.
Mix everything together in a large bowl or pot with spaghetti sauce and heat to desired temp.
This recipe is cheap, tasty, and makes a lot of helpings.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By feeding 5 (Guest Post) (01/25/2009)
I hope these aren’t already posted but they are quick easy and cheap meal.
2 deep dish pie crust (or if you make your own)
chicken (cooked, no bones and cut up)
1 large can of mixed veggies
1 can of cream of? soup
bake 1 pie crust while cooking the chicken
mix chicken, veggies and cream of soup and put it in the baked pie crust. then top with the other pie crust and bake in oven till top of crust is golden brown.
easy chicken pot pie...my family loves it...
I also make Salisbury steak that are cheap and easy to make.
2 cans of diced
1 pack of onion soup mix
1 Tsp of flour
ground beef or ground turkey
Make ground beef or ground turkey in patties
mix tomatoes, onion soup and flour together, lay patties in oven proof dish and top with the tomatoes mixture. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes (just till meat is done), and it makes a nice gravy for potatoes or rice.
How about a southern soul food called hoppin John
It is what ever kind of meat you got it don’t matter. I have made it with ground beef, ground turkey, pork deer and beef. I have even made it with more than just one kind of meat:
1 onion
blackeye peas
rice
I put garlic powder and Cajun seasoning in mine along with salt and pepper
Cook meat and onion and add black eyed peas, and seasonings cook for about 45 minutes until everything is thoroughly cooked. Pour over cooked rice and yummy!
Hope they help! Lord knows they did for me and still do! Good luck!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (01/25/2009)
Even my 11 yo son who doesn’t like cabbage likes this dish. Purchasing everything on sale you can make this for about $5.00 total.
Creamed corned beef and cabbage soup
2 cups white sauce
1 cup cheese (I’ve used cheddar, mozz, velveeta)
1 head cabbage (cut into bite size pieces or strips)
1/4 to 1/2 lb corned beef (from deli or you can use 1 can of corned beef)
2 beef boillion cubes dissolved in 1 cup hot water
1 cup leftover mashed potatoes or buttered bread crumbs for a topping (optional)
Make the white sauce and add the cheese to melt it.
Chop up the beef into small pieces (like for hash) and saute in large pot until hot. Remove to a bowl.
Put boillion cube water in the pot and add all of the cabbage. Cook over medium heat with lid on pot for about 10 minutes until cabbage is cooked through. Remove the lid and add the meat and turn up heat, stirring constantly until the water is mostly gone. Pour the cheese sauce in and mix well. Pour into a 9 X 12 baking dish or cake pan, top with potatoes or crumbs (if desired) and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes until bubbling.
I serve this in bowls along fresh ground pepper and homemade bread or biscuits and a can of fruit. Serves 4 hungry people-usually there are leftovers also.
You can leave the meat out and use as a side dish also. You can also add some chopped onion, carrots or celery with the cabbage.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Carol M. (Guest Post) (01/21/2009)
Here is a cheap fast meal or snack. Two cans biscuits one small jar of spaghetti sause flatten biscuits spread sauce and cheese or hamburger, pepperoni etc. Bake at 400 for 10 minutes. My family loves them.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Donna (Guest Post) (01/20/2009)
Sometimes its about just using what you’ve got on hand. Here’s what my 11 year old son put together for dinner tonight.
1 can tomato soup ( I buy at the dent store-usually about .25 per can)
1 can beef broth (see above)
1 can black beans (always buy a bunch of beans when they’re on sale)
1 can great north beans
leftover taco meat already cooked(ground turkey with taco seasoning, onions-had about 1 1/2 cups leftover-ground turkey regularly goes on sale for $1.00 lb)
1 tps chili powder
Add all to pot and heat and stir till muffins were done. Served with cheddar cheese.
1 box mix Corn bread made into muffins. (Jiffy or Washington mixes usually about .25 box)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Young wife (Guest Post) (01/18/2009)
These recipes on here are great! I have one for you all to try! I prefer home grown food, but canned can work two.
Green beans, ham, and potatoes
Two cans of green beans with potatoes
One can chunk ham ($1.00 at dollar stores)
I throw all this in the crock pot for a few hours or cook on the stove for twenty minutes or so. we love it! hope it wasn’t already posted.
Good luck everyone. My husband is laid off too! we’ve had to really cut back.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Ella (Guest Post) (01/17/2009)
I grew up with 3 siblings and my mum was a single mother. she always made cheap meals with things that are in the cupboard.
GROUND BEEF AND GREEN BEANS
this sounds really odd but tastes delicious. don’t judge it before trying it!
1 lb. ground beef
garlic
diced onion
1 small can tomato sauce (or half of a big can)
1 c. water
1/3 c. soy sauce
2 cans green beans
brown ground beef with onion and garlic. salt pepper to taste. when ground beef is cooked thoroughly add the tomato sauce, water, soy sauce and green beans. bring to a boil and simmer for 10 mins. serve over white rice.
CHICKEN ADOBO
so yummy! you can really leave this cooking for a while to get lots more flavor but if you’re in a hurry it’s pretty fast and will still taste great.
4 chicken breast, cut up into bite size pieces
LOTS of garlic
3/4 c. soy sauce
3/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp. pickling spice
water
cook chicken in a pot with garlic just until white. add apple cider vinegar, soy sauce and cover with water. put pickling spice in a tea ball and add to pot. cook until chicken is finished.
TACOS DE PAPA
this is really easy and really cheap! and soooo yummy!
corn tortillas
instant mashed potatoes, made according to directions
shredded cheese (white or yellow is fine)
oil for frying
warm up corn tortillas in microwave. put a couple spoonfulls of mashed potatoes on one side and fold in half. MAKE SURE THE TACO IS CLOSED! fry in oil until golden brown. add cheese. add sour cream or salsa or avocado. cheap filling meal!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By sherry (Guest Post) (01/16/2009)
Hi! One of my favorites and actually cooking today is smoked sausage and potato “stew”. Use your own judgment on how much you need to feed your family. Brown cut-up smoked sausage with an onion or seasoning blend in a pot. (Cooks well in stainless steel pot). Add as much potatoes as you like and fill just to the top of the potatoes with water, bring to a boil and let it simmer until most of the water is gone. We actually eat this over rice with a veggie on the side. I know its not the healthiest but very filling cheap meal. Thanks for all of the other recipe ideas I hope this one helps!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Robin (Guest Post) (01/16/2009)
Here is something. CHEAP! It is about 5.00 and it goes a long way. We are on a budget also.
Bag of 15 bean soup
1 lb of Hamburger Meat
Onion
Salt and pepper
Garlic
I use my crockpot and put it on low the night before with everything but the hamburger meat. The next morning I put it on high and fry my hamburger meat (drain) and put it in there. I serve it over rice or put rice in it to cook. FILLING! If you are really on a budget and want to get another day out of it or meal then dice some potatos up and add them to it. Really good!
Another meal is Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken legs are cheap
1 pack of chicken legs
1bag of egg noodles
2 cans of veg all
salt and pepper
Boil your chicken then debone it. Save your chicken broth and start boiling your egg noodles and put the chicken in that you deboned and the 2 cans of veg all. So very good! Goes a very long ways also and with it being so cold good warm soups!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By hope (Guest Post) (01/16/2009)
Thank you all for these. As with everyone else and the economy, I am very glad I found this site. We have a dollar tree which carries food items. Taking recipes to see what I can find there to make with these recipes.
Also for picky eaters, who do not like mushroom soup..substitute milk and flour as a cream sauce; also ground turkey or chicken instead of hamburger.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (01/15/2009)
Eric, you brought back memories of one of my favorite breakfasts at my Nanna’s house! Gravy and bread. She made the most divine flour gravy ever. I have never been able to duplicate it. Talk about not healthy, but I would give anything right now for her to come and make me a plate of that stuff.
She used lard, flour, and evaporated milk and served it over home made bread. Oh my!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By worried mom & wife (Guest Post) (01/14/2009)
I am so glad I found this site. My husbands hours have been cut and I wasn’t sure what we would do. Thank you all.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Shannan (Guest Post) (01/14/2009)
Here’s a really cheap but so good recipe. Hope everyone gives it a try.
1 lbs. hamburger
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cans mushroom slices, drained well
Cook hamburger until done. Drain well.
Place hamburger back in pan and add all other
ingredients and cook over low heat for 10 min.
Serve over buttered bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post by Eric R. (1) | (01/14/2009)
Contact
I was a kid in the 70’s when times were tough like this. My mom used to make this usually when I came home for lunch. I still make this from time to time.
Make 3 or 4 slices of toast, butter and stack them on a plate. Slice the stack into roughly 1” squares. Take a can of condensed cream of chicken soup and heat it up with 1/2 a can of milk instead of the whole can of water they call for. Pour the hot soup over the toast chunks.
Simple, hot, filling and cheap. Really great comfort food on a cold winter day. And, in my case anyway, it reminds me of mom.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Brandy (Guest Post) (01/13/2009)
I didn’t see anyone mention eggs which make a great cheap meal and so long as you keep it under 2 eggs a day, they are actually good for you.
When I was in Spain, we ate tortilla espanola all the time (at least twice a week). It’s basically eggs and potatoes cooked in olive oil. In some regions they also add onions. We would eat it with a salad and bread. It also reheats pretty well if you happen to have leftovers. Here’s an excellent site that show you (with pictures) how to make it:
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/recipes/tortilla.htm
I also like to make quiche for an easy healthy meal. Even my 4 year old loves it. Serve it with a salad and you’re done. Here’ the recipe I use except I use whatever cheese I have on hand:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Crustless-Spinach-Quiche/Detail.aspx
I also like to make baked eggs because they’re quick and easy but so delicious. Simply crack eggs into a greased baking dish and salt and pepper to taste. Dot the whites with a little bit of butter and sprinkle with the cheese of your choice (I’ve tried parmesan, mozzarella and asiago. All were good). Bake at 375 degrees until the eggs are set. I serve it with sliced pears and canned green beans.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Christina D (Guest Post) (01/12/2009)
Some really easy ones that I use, being on a tight budget:
Buttered Bow-Tie Pasta
—
Cook Bow-Tie Pasta according to directions and drain.
Add 1-2 tbsp butter or margarine
Add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil
Add in dried or fresh basil to taste
Salt and Pepper to taste
Stir fry with rice. Frozen stir fry veggies are cheap and rice is cheap too. Also this is healthy. If you have the money, you can also buy some chicken and add it in. Add in Teriyaki sauce to make the veggies tastier.
Paste
—
Cook some macaroni noodles and drain.
Add undiluted cream of mushroom soup until the macaroni is pretty well covered.
Salt and pepper to taste.
I loved paste as a child. :)
Homemade bean burritos. Get some tortillas, pinto beans and canned green chilies. Cook the pinto beans and refry them to make refried beans. Mix in the green chilies and put them in the tortillas. Cover with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa or whatever your heart desires. Or cover with enchilada sauce and bake them to make easy enchiladas.
Think about making oatmeal (not the instant already flavored kind) or cream of wheat for breakfast instead of buying sugary cereals. It’s very very cheap and much healthier for you.
Cut candies and sugary items completely out of your budget! It will save you lots of money and probably your health/weight as well.
Additionally, for cheap bread, check and see if there is a wonder bread or sara lee bakery outlet near your house. Good bread is so much cheaper there than at walmart or other grocery stores, it saves me a bundle and I can buy healthy, good, whole wheat bread (a 2 lb loaf of multigrain is $1.30!), rather than that really processed nutritionally useless stuff that costs $1 for 1 1/2 lbs anyway.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By wyco (Guest Post) (01/10/2009)
Great Ideas!
I make Chicken Quesodilla’s sometimes and they are cheap and taste great...
1 can chicken broth
1 lb boneless chicken breast
pkg. flour tortillas
1 bag shredded cheese
Cook the chicken breast in the chicken broth for about an hour or so (until cooked and easily falls apart) start shredding the chicken up and cook until all juices are gone.
To prepare the queso you need to heat up a skillet and butter it, once it’s hot enough (I usually use a med heat to brown the tortilla). Place a tortilla in the skillet flat, add chicken and shredded cheese to half the tortilla, when you have desired amount placed then flip the bare half of the tortilla over the chicken and cheese and smash down with a spatula. Lift to see if down side is browned and flip to other side to brown it.
They are Delicious and easy to make. You can add garnishments like diced tomatoes with green chilies or sour cream, guacamole whatever you like to top them.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Heather (Guest Post) (01/08/2009)
I love this web site! Here are a couple to try that are my personal favorites;
1 box mac and cheese
1 can tuna
1 can cream of mushroom soup
optional- 1 small can peas
Make Mac and cheese as directed, then mix all the ingrediants together.
The past week I have been really broke....The reason why I am here... I tried this yesterday and it made the favorites list.
1 lb deer burger
1 egg
ketchup (squeeze as much as you are willing to give up)
Mix together and fry like hamburgers. Then put cheese on top.
The ketchup and egg take away the gamey taste and it is something different then a plain hamburger.
Cheap but HEALTHY
Post By Rebecca (Guest Post) (01/07/2009)
A lot of the recipes on this page are cheap but can hardly be called healthy. You can get plenty of protein in your diet without meat too - and it’s way cheaper to leave it out (look into using beans, lentils, seeds, nuts and dairy).
A good way to make a healthy, hearty and cheap meal is to make a soup. Almost all the items are optional. If you don’t have something, leave it out. Here are my favorites that come out to way under a dollar a serving, even if you use the meat.
Italian Sausage Soup
1 lb. ground sausage
1 onion, diced (or use onion powder)
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 small or 2 large zucchinis, diced
1 large or 2 medium potatoes, diced
4 cups broth (any meat or veg stock)
1 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes including liquid
1 can Great Northern beans
1 can Kidney beans
1 package frozen spinach
basil
garlic powder
1/2 cup barley
To keep meals balanced but cheap remember your options:
Protein: meat, beans, lentils, seeds, nuts, dairy
Starch: potatoes, pasta, barley, bread
Stay heavy on the veggies and light on the starch, adding just enough to fill you up. Cream soups will always be less healthy than non-cream soups and tomatoes go a long way in adding flavor for pennies.
When I have a non soup meal, I try to fill half my plate with veggies. Just defrost some frozen mixed veggies and drain off water. In a pan, heat about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and add dry seasonings like basil, oregano, sage, thyme garlic and onion powders. Then add the veggies and they go from boring to WOW. Dry seasonings are a CHEAP and HEALTHY way to add flavor and diversity to your meals.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Kim (Guest Post) (01/06/2009)
My mom used to make this for us as kids. Cut up a few potatoes into even sized slices (think thin, but not as thin as potato chips). Fry them in a pan with a small amount of oil. Add salt and pepper. Just before they start to brown, add some cut up hot dogs or kielbasa or polish sausage. Fry it all together until edges are brown and potatoes are soft. It’s yummy and stretches your potatoes and meat a long way.
At home, I make cheap quesadillas. I use any kind of cheese I have on hand and sometimes add pieces of chicken (even canned chicken works) or left over hamburger or sausage. Heat the tortillas on the griddle with cheese and fillings inside. Serve with salsa (which I find cheap at Aldi). I sometimes add a side of black beans. It’s my kids’ favorite lunch and not too fattening or bad for them.
Another cheap recipe I wanted to share was for some rolls/quick biscuits. It’s my grandma’s recipe and it only makes 6 biscuits, but they are so yummy—a great addition to any meal and fairly cheap—goes great with soups and stews. Take a cup of flour and add a half cup of mayonnaise (yes, sounds weird, but super good) and a half cup of milk. Mix it up and drop into greased muffin cups. Bake for about 10 minutes or so at 350 (until the tops start to turn golden).
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Donna (Guest Post) (01/06/2009)
This is what I made last night-cost is about 2.50 for family of four depending on how good you are at shopping.
2 chicken breasts (I purchase whole chicken cut up for 1.00 lb so this is about 75 cents worth of chicken)
1 bag stir fry vegetables (1.00 bag)
1 pkg teriyaki noodles (75 cents)
Cook the noodles according to the package directions.
Cut chicken off the bone and then cut into strips or small chunks. Stir fry in oil adding about 1 tb of teriyaki sauce if you have it. If you do not have teriyaki use soy sauce and a little brown sugar. Stir fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on high and then add the bag of vegetables. Keep heat on high and stir to keep from burning.
The stir fry and the noodles should be done at about the same time. I serve this on one large platter. If you want to have soup it is easy to do egg drop, just use chicken broth that you add some soy sauce to and then slowly stir in a beaten egg. Adding soup will add about a buck to the cost of the meal.
Serving cheap meals depends on your ability to shop. I always buy on sale with coupons and I also go to the Pennywise place that has dented cans. I get broth for 10 cents, and baked beans for the big cans are around 50 cents. Also, if you have surplus bread store you can get stuff cheap there.
I think our average cost per meal for 4 is around 2.50 right now. Its only that high because my hubby really likes meat.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post by Anonymous (21) | (01/05/2009)
love this site!! here is one for you meatball hoogies
buns
2lbs hamburger made into meatballs
1 jar chunky spaghetti sauce
1 15oz tomato sauce
you can add your foavorite spices i like italian seasoning.We like to top with it with cheese.I did the whole thing for $7.oo for a family of four.
RE: Cheap Meals Navy Bean/Meatball soup
Post By Glenn (Guest Post) (01/02/2009)
I have recently found the need to cut back on grocery bills but cant go too frugal as my and my families palates cant stand too drastic a change (yet).
I’ve taken an old Persian recipe for meatball soup and modified it for my need.
Add 1/2 lb. 75% lean ground beef with 1/2 lb. 95% lean ground turkey 2 slices of white bread, and bread crumbs and an egg to keep it together, add more bread crumbs until consistency is right.
Roll into meatballs and add to navy and lentil beans with some veggies starting to go soft.
1/4 cup Navy Beans (1/4 bag dried beans)
1/4 cup lentils
1/2 medium yellow onion
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground turkey
1 egg
4-5 medium size carrots
mushrooms
1/4 cup white rice
about 1/2 gallon of water
Soak beans overnight.
Fry meatballs in deep pot until browned, remove them from pot and let them drain on a paper towel.
Add some olive (or veg) oil to pot and cook carrots until they start to soften, add mushrooms then onions.
Add the rest of the ingredients, water and let it simmer until beans are tender (about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs.)
You may need to add more water to keep it soupy or let it reduce for a more solid stew like consistency.
It is loaded with protein and carbs and will hold any appetite over for many hours and it runs about 4-6 bucks per pot.
You can add pieces of steak, turkey or chicken, hot sauce or whatever to kick it up for leftovers.
I had 5 meals before I got tired of it.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By ALM (Guest Post) (12/29/2008)
This is a favorite and takes about 15 minutes and is cheap if you coupon. We call it Swedish meatballs although it’s not how Swedish meatballs are meant to be made.
Egg Noodles
Ground Beef
Brown gravy Packets
Sour Cream
Salt and/or Pepper to taste
Cook Egg Noodles till tender to preference
Cook Ground Beef / salt season to taste
Prepare gravy by package directions BUT omit a 1/2 portion of water. For example if the directions suggest 1 1/2 cups of water only use 1 cup or if the directions call for 1 cup of water use 3/4 cup.
Do not walk away! Heat mixture and STIR nonstop and then after the mixture is at a rolling boil - In lieu if the 1/2 portion of water missing - add 2 heaping teaspoons of sour cream to the rolling boil.
Take time to stir and stir or you’ll end up with an icky looking gravy. Serve mixed all together or let others add their own gravy.
The biggest issue would be not having enough gravy...For a family of 6 we use 4 packets per meal. (We like gravy :D)
Served with biscuits, this meal is a family favorite.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Em (Guest Post) (12/28/2008)
A big salad - purchase whole heads of lettuce at farmer’s market/Produce Junction. (The bagged stuff is too expensive.) - add beans (drained) and cheese (bought in bulk) for protein and add as many other veggies (on sale that week) as you want. Grilled asparagus, zucchini and onions are great. Make your own dressing:
6 Tbls. Oil, 3 Tbls. vinegar (balsamic), 1 tsp. mustard (dijon) with salt & pepper to taste. What you don’t dress can be lunch the next day at work. Less meat is more savings. Beans are the cheapest/healthiest way to save money. Stop drinking soda! It costs way too much and will make you less healthy (Doctor bills are expensive!)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Maxine (Guest Post) (12/27/2008)
Thanks Everybody! Some awesome ideas here! I can’t wait to try them! :) -Maxine
Thrifty Caserole
Post By Gina (Guest Post) (12/22/2008)
My grandmother made this very often and it feeds about family of 3-4 for under $10
1lb Ground Beef
1 Package Egg Noodles
1 14.5oz Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can of Mexicorn
Cook and drain Noodles
Cook and drain hamburger
In a large soup pot or large round pot mix noodles, hamburger, soup, and mexicorn. Cook on low stirring frequently till its warm enough to eat. Add salt and pepper to taste..ENJOY!!
*NOTE* you may add more mexicorn or cream of mushroom soup to desired amount. I love this recipe for pot lucks.
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RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Addison (Guest Post) (12/19/2008)
Here’s a casserole I’ve loved since I was little:
1 Pack of elbow noodles
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 big can of tuna
1 small can of tuna
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 Bag of Shredded Cheese (I use one bag, but you don’t have to use that much!)
Little butter and milk.
(-Also, this is not necessary but I like to top this casserole with crushed lays original potato chips, very yummy!)
Just cook your elbow noodles and drain, then add your cans of tuna (drained), sour cream, cream of mushroom, shredded cheese, butter and milk. Heat all of this on medium for about 7-10 minutes, stirring quite frequently. Then, put all of that mess into a casserole dish, bake for 10 mins. on 400, and then if you have decided to use Lays, crush those suckers up and throw ‘em on top. Everyone loves this meal, and it’s very filling! I like mine with a little hot sauce, but I guess that’s just the Texan in me!
Be sure to salt your noodles a LOT when you’re first cooking them, makes seasoning a lot easier later. (:
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Donna in Ms (Guest Post) (12/16/2008)
Hi-here is a cheap meal recipe. I buy everything on sale and use every leftover. I love to cook, but I hate having the same thing a lot. I have always had a really tight food budget so I have tons of meal recipes. This will feed 4 really hungry people. Skip the cheese if you don’t have it on hand. I’ve also made this with leftover ham and it was good. I don’t know that exact cost of this but I buy pasta when its 3lb for $1 and soup when its .50 or less and the meat is negligible since it is leftovers.
Easy Tetrazini
½ lb spaghetti cooked per package directions
1 cup cubed cooked chicken or turkey (whatever you have leftover)
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 cup water
2 tb butter or margarine
1 cube chicken bouillon
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese or velveeta or swiss
Preheat oven to 350.
While the spaghetti is cooking combine the meat, soup, water, butter, bouillon and ¼ cup of the cheese in a medium saucepan and heat over medium until it is warm and the cheese is melted. Drain the spaghetti and put back in the pot. Pour the sauce over and mix well. Pour the mixture into a buttered 2 qt casserole or 8 X 8 glass baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Serve with green beans or salad and bread or rolls or biscuits.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Keith (Guest Post) (12/11/2008)
In the winter at the fire station, we created a meal out of what we found in the cabinets, that sounds pretty bad, but tastes really good...and probably only costs about $2...
1 or 2 packs of chicken rammen noodles (cook as usual, but remove all the broth when done)
1 can chicken (tuna can style)
bacon ranch dressing to taste (gives it flavor, and makes it creamy)
mix all of these together, and you have a winter lunch favorite at the fire house...
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By bossybabythegreat (Guest Post) (12/08/2008)
This site saved me from a lot of headache. I was so worried because I didn’t have a lot at all. For the past three months, we have been laid off and really struggling. Anyways here’s a real tasty soup.
Sausage Soup
1/2 polish sausage
4 or 5 potatoes if they are small
family size green beans in a can
1/2 onion
First peel potatoes. then cut them in to cubes or do them like fried potatoes. Then dice the onions in to small or big pieces. Then cut the polish sausage in the middle then cut the halves in chunks. Put sausage, onion, potatoes and greenbeans in a big pan. Add enough water to it to cover it all and salt, pepper, seasoning salt, and, if you want, garlic salt. Put it on high and wait till the potatoes are cooked and there you go. My husband is very picky and I am too and we both love this soup.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Caryn (Guest Post) (12/08/2008)
THe crock pot’s great because you can cook cheap cuts of meat all day so they come out nice and tender.
Also
I make a Keilbasa recipe We really like
Cut up one keilbasa (the package with one piece folded into an oval) prety small so it stretches and throw it in your crock pot or a casserole dish Add rice or potatoes, canned or frozen corn and undrained canned tomatoes. make sure you watch the liquid levels if you use rice.. IF you don’t liek the rice that well cooked you could cook the rest and serve over seperately prepared rice
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By IndigoChild (Guest Post) (12/06/2008)
A personal favorite from a family of five:
1 package of Eckrich Smoked Sausage
1 package of Lipton Rice Sides (Mushroom)
Cook the rice as instructed. Cube the sausage and add halfway through cooking time.
I know Eckrich & Lipton aren’t really cheap, but I imagine a cheaper substitute would work just as well.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (12/05/2008)
1 pound hamburger
2 boxes beef of rice a roni
brown hamburger
prepare rice a roni as instructed on box and add grown beef half way thru rice cooking
cheap, feeds 6
add a lettuce and tomatoe salald, it’s yummy
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By PMS (Guest Post) (12/04/2008)
CHEAP N TASTY
This is great for breakfast, Dessert or After school treat...kids and adults both love em! (My Momma used to make this when we were little)
1 can of regular biscuits (the small ones)
Just place biscuits on baking sheet. Then take a teaspoon and push it into the center of each biscuit. Fill the depression with a teaspoon full of your favorite Jelly or Jam, then sprinkle sugar on top and bake following the instructions on the biscuits.
NOTE: LET COOL. Extremely hot center when fresh out of oven! Another version. After they are cooked, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Yummy!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By KP, Seattle (Guest Post) (11/30/2008)
I love to squeeze every penny out of my meals. I am often dismayed at the lack of nutrition or missing general health cheap meals create. Ever wonder why the poorest of us are often the obese, and the fat kids turn out to be from families with strict budgets? Our family tries very hard to keep the starchy meal in a box or noodle meals to a minimum. I work really hard at my job, and work even harder stretching those pennies to feed my family with health. Here are some fresh recipes we can stretch for days.
Whole chicken
Seasoned on the outside with garlic salt & Pepper
Bake uncovered until skin golden
- serve with steamed frozen veggies and brown rice.
(Brown rice may cost more in the bag, but will fill you up faster than white, and has LOADS of nutrition).
SAVE ALL OF THE SKIN & BONES (even if they have been gnawed on).
That night, put the chicken carcass, all the bones, skin, pan drippings into a pot with water to cover.
Add 1 onion. 1 celery stick, 1 carrot (these can be the old ones you saved in the freezer before they spoiled, the ends that were cut off, and the peels you saved).
Bring to a boil, reduce to low, then cook for as many hours as you can before you need to be done for the night. Pick any remaining meat from bones before throwing out. Allow broth to cool before putting in fridge. In morning, remove fat from broth.
When ready to make large stock pot of soup, bring broth to boil, add random spices such as thyme, oregano, bay leaf, garlic. Stir in chopped carrots, celery, potatoes. Cook until tender. Stir in 1 can of corn & its water. Stir in any extra chicken from bones and leftovers from night before.
If you have any rice on hand, good to stir in now. We like brown rice, so we add already cooked brown rice. Could also add beans.
Add salt to taste. If you have a lime, or lime juice, a few drops to a bowl before serving really kicks up the flavor. I also like to add a little dash of Tabasco sauce to liven up the flavor. A little bit of cheese would work sprinkled over the top.
We get 1 chicken to feed a family of four over 3-4 days. We are so thankful for that little chicken, and the fresh veggies we have. We keep our budget on track and don’t compromise our health with those processed foods.
Another favorite is to soak a 1lb bag of pinto beans overnight. The next morning, we boil the beans till tender with 1 onion added. I add a scant few drops of liquid smoke (from the spice isle) to make up for the lack of smoked ham hock, and when beans are done, we stir in a large can of chopped tomatoes, juice and all. These feed us all wonderfully, stuff us with good nutrition, and only cost about $1.89 to feed four of us this for lunch over 3-4 days. Great over mashed potatoes. If you have any corn tortillas, you can bake a layered casserole of these beans, tortillas, and salsa over the top with cheese for browning on the top. YUM! Enjoy!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Grammy in Michigan (Guest Post) (11/28/2008)
One of the least expensive meals I know is also one of the easiest. We call it That Stuff With The Elbow Macaroni. To prepare, pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom of a medium-size sauce pan. Over medium heat, saute 1 clove of garlic finely minced, 1 onion and 1 green pepper, both diced, and 2 generous cups of elbow macaroni.
Stir somewhat frequently to prevent the macaroni from burning or sticking. When the macaroni has turned a nice golden color, add 3 cups of tomato juice, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce and a couple of good shakes of hot pepper sauce. Cover and cook over low heat until the macaroni is cooked, about 10 or 15 minutes. Stir it every once in a while.
You may have to add more tomato juice if this gets too dry before the elbows are cooked to your liking. We usually eat it with warm, crusty French bread and a tossed green salad. It makes enough for five or six people. You should be able to prepare this for about 50 cents per serving if you don’t include the cost of the bread and salad fixings. In addition to good flavor and economy, this recipe is low in fat, which is always a plus.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Mellissa (Guest Post) (11/25/2008)
This is a great time of year to buy a couple cheap turkeys (as many as your freezer can handle), I see them on sale for $7.99 for a 20+lb one. Just cook them and freeze the meat portioned out, like 2 cups per container, in Ziploc or Tupperware/ gladware for use in various soups, stews, chilis, casseroles, etc. Also take your turkey carcass once you have removed all the meat and make it into homemade stock or soup, just discard all the bones before serving! Soup and stock can be frozen into Ziploc bags and stores well for several months!
You can use cooked turkey in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, or get creative and use it in place of cooked or shredded beef or pork. Depending on the size of your turkey and your family, one bird could feed your family for a week.
When we were kids, my mom (a single mom) made turkey a lot all winter long and we feasted off turkey enchiladas, turkey noodle casserole (instead of tuna), turkey soup, turkey and gravy over rice or mashed potatoes, turkey broccoli casserole, BBQ shredded turkey sandwiches, and the list goes on and on and on. Sure we got tired of turkey almost every night, but little did us kids realize how much money all that turkey saved my mom and allowed us to eat better than pancakes and generic mac n cheese and ramen all the time.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Ruby W. (Guest Post) (11/18/2008)
Another meal my dad used to make my brother and I when we were younger and struggling was beanie weenies. Most people know what this is. If not just cook a can of baked beans and boil a few hot dogs (or is like me you don’t eat hot dogs then sausages) chop up the cooked sausages and add them to the pan of cook beans :) Great for Kids and College students!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Ruby W. (Guest Post) (11/18/2008)
So before you say gross just try it. I am a college student and my budget is really tight but I get tired of eating sandwiches and ramen noodles so one day I decided to spice it up.
I cook a pack of Ramen noodles (usually chicken flavor when I do this unless I have to grab whatever is in the cabinet but it works with other flavors) After I drain the water from the noodles (leaving a tiny bit of hot water) I mix in the seasoning and a few drops of hot sauce. After they are seasoned well I put cheese in them and make sure it melts entirely.
Finally for the finishing touch I throw in chopped pieces of whatever leftover meat is in the fridge (usually chicken or sandwich meat lol) My boyfriend loves it and although it is not Roasted Salmon with Herb Risotto and Lobster sauce it is quite filling and yummy :)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By kevin (Guest Post) (11/18/2008)
Here is a good one: one pound hamburger, 2 can vegetarian veg soup
2 cans Franco American spaghetti. Tastes awesome and everyone loves it. Lots of veggies also.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Stacy (Guest Post) (11/17/2008)
Here’s a good one for cold weather and warm bellies.
Chili Casserole
1 lb. Ground Beef
1 can red kidney beans
1 sm. onion
1 can tomato soup
3-4 medium potatoes cubed
Chili powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Brown the beef along with the onion. Drain. Put into a 9x11 pan. Add the beans and potatoes and stir together. Then pour the soup with a little bit of water over the rest, as well as the spices , and stir until everything is covered. Cover with foil and bake for about 1/2 hour, or until the potatoes are done.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jessica (Guest Post) (11/16/2008)
Just wondering does anyone have meal ideas that aren’t thrown together? My family [there is 10 of us - me, my husband, 2 kids, sister & boyfriend, mom & dad in law] and they are all picky. I need cheap but good meals no casseroles let me put it this way any ideas would work! Thank you, 23 year old trying to keep food on the table. lol Jessica
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Lsouth (Guest Post) (11/12/2008)
My go to cheap and fast meal (if you have a Trader Joes) is their Cuban Black Beans - they are seasoned perfectly - just heat and serve over rice. Even my kids love them. - They are $1.29 a can. 2 cans will feed 4-5 with rice.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jason (Guest Post) (11/12/2008)
Spicy Egg Noodles and Black Beans
1 can of black beans
3 servings of blue dragon egg noodles
red pepper powder (use judgment)
1 small can of tomato sauce
3 table spoons olive oil
The noodles cook in the micro if placed in water for 2-3 min. Drain the water and then add the olive oil mix with the noodles. then add the beans after rinsing and the tomato sauce. Put however much red pepper powder on that will fit your taste and mix evenly. Micro for an additional 2-3 min and your done. best of all its healthy and very cheap and should feed 3.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000892.tip.html
Cheap Meals gourmet style
Post by learningtobecheap (4) | (11/03/2008)
We don’t eat a lot of meat in our family, maybe 3 times a week and other proteins the rest of the week. To make my life easier with feeding 3 people I will buy a whole cooked chicken and use it for 2 meals. This is perfect for me because I don’t enjoy cooking meat and it always comes out chewy. At safeway I buy one for 8.00 or at my local organic store it’s 9.00. I prefer the organic as it is raise cage free and seems to have a better seasoning at the store I go to.
I will usually use the breast the first night and make an indian curry:
Day 1
2 chicken breast diced up
salt / pepper
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 potato
1/4 onion
2 tbs. masala or curry or 2 tbs curry paste (whatever you use it will be fine)
1 cup basmati rice (I buy this in bulk at an indian grocery, at
williams - sonoma I bought a small box of this for 6.00 but at the indian grocery I found the same brand for 8.00 but it was a large sack that has lasted 6 months)
this feeds 4 people
optional: naan bread can be used in next days meal as well.
Day 2
Diced up chicken from previous night
left over naan
any kind of veggies you have (I like to use lettuce/tomatoe/jalapeno, but you can use anything that you want to not waste in your fridge)
sour cream or hummus
As a side dish I usually will boil 2 corns broken in half and then sprinkle them with cumin and drizzle a lime on them
feeds 4
If you want to be resourceful then on day 3 why not boil the bones and add some veggies and some type of noodle or rice and make a soup out of it; serve with open faced grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches
Thats 3 easy meals using one bird. Saves cooking time, room for error and money
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Rachael (Guest Post) (10/29/2008)
I have a few cheap meals too. First cut up potatoes in cubes and cook in skillet til tender, add several eggs and some cheese and cook until eggs are done. Yummy for breakfast.
cook 1 pck velveeta shells and cheese or the generic version is great too. Mix in a can of tuna and put in a baking dish. add shredded cheese on top and cook for 10-20 mins.
Another version of the shells and cheese is cook shells and cheese like normal. mix in tuna and cream of mushroom soup. add cheese on top and crumbles lays potato chips. bake for about 30 mins. I buy the grab bag of chips from convenience store for $1. tuna is 50 cents. shells and cheese is $1.50. cream of mushroom soup is $1 and shredded cheese is $1.80 for a whole bag. It feeds 4 kids for lunch.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post by freya1970 (54) | (10/27/2008)
One day I decided to take $10 and buy as much as I could to make 4 meals for 4 people. Here is a recipe I made up during this time that my husband loves and he doesn’t even normally like lentils!
Curried Lentil Stew
1 onion
1 cup brown lentils
1tsp salt
2 tsp curry powder
1 carrot diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
Pepper to taste
Red Chili flakes (optional, for extra spice)
In a large saucepan, dice onion and fry with a bit of oil until transluscent. Add 2 cups of water or broth and the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil then simmer for 30 mins. Serve with homemade bread :)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By JamieLan (Guest Post) (10/22/2008)
My brother made this- he called them “Prison Tacos”
Ingrediants:
Ramen noodles Oriental flavor
Can of Tuna
Shredded Cheddar Cheese as much as you like!
Flour Tortillas
Make the ramen noodles, but drain the water before you add the seasoning, then add a can of tuna (drained) and the cheddar cheese. Warm then fill the warmed flour tortillas with the noodle, tuna, cheese mixture. Sounds strange, but YUM YUM!!!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By JamieLan (Guest Post) (10/22/2008)
My brother made this- he called them “Prison Tacos”
Ingredients:
Ramen noodles Oriental flavor
Can of Tuna
Shredded Cheddar Cheese as much as you like!
Flour Tortillas
Make the ramen noodles, but drain the water before you add the seasoning, then add a can of tuna (drained) and the cheddar cheese. Warm then fill the warmed flour tortillas with the noodle, tuna, cheese mixture. Sounds strange, but yum, yum!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Nicole (Guest Post) (10/17/2008)
My mom was very young when she had her two children (she was 16 when I was born). By the time I was 7, my mom and dad split.Living by herself and trying to feed two kids when she was in her early twenties was a struggle. She use to make two meals all the time because of how cheap they were. Now I’m in my early twenties with a toddler and two step daughters and I make the same meals!
Hamburger and Potatoes
1lb ground hamburger meat
1 to 2 cans of sliced can potatoes
salt and pepper to taste
Mix everything in a large skillet. Cook until meat is no longer pink and potatoes are heated. Top with ketchup. That’s it! (l like to drain a little of the grease before eating). I sometimes add corn to this depending on my mood!
Ranch Mac
Elbow macaroni noodles (as much as you want)
Ranch dressing (as much as you want)
Cook noodles according to directions. Drain
add ranch dressing. That’s it! I know this sounds really gross but it is so good! It’s actually my favorite meal! The great thing is you can make enough for one person or multiple people!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Holly (Guest Post) (10/11/2008)
Really great site! Here are some of the cheap meals I cook. I tend to cook a lot of chicken such as barbecued chicken in the oven, first pour a small amount of barbecue sauce in the bottom of the pan and sprinkle with brown sugar then put skinless chicken thighs on top and add more barbecue sauce to cover top of chicken and sprinkle again with a little brown sugar and bake till done. You can also bake skinless chicken thighs with a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup.
I usually cook about six pieces of chicken per recipe and have vegetables, and a side dish and maybe cheap rolls that you can freeze the unused portions for another meal. A piece of sliced bread with butter is another option and you can also freeze bread so it doesn’t go stale quickly. I also bake chicken thighs with the skin on with garlic powder and a little salt and black pepper and bake till done. Shepard’s pie is another cheap meal just brown about a pound of ground meat with a carrot that’s shredded. I use a peeler and shred it into the pan of ground meat season with pepper, garlic powder or whatever seasoning you may have. Cook till meat is done and carrot is soft and put in a casserole dish with about 2/4 cup of water and top with mashed potatoes. I usually use the boxed Idaho instant potatoes bake about 25-30 minutes.
I sometimes bake a whole chicken with seasoning on top and stuff the cavity with celery and onion and will make soup out of the rest of the chicken that I usually pick the bones clean and put into a pressure cooker or you can use a large pot and add carrots, celery, onions salt and pepper and chicken stock from the box and water add salt and pepper and any other seasonings you may have and when the vegetables are cooked you can add some egg noodles.
We usually have the soup for two meals. Baked potatoes are a good side dish you can bake them in the oven or microwave just be sure to wash them off and poke a few holes in them with a fork. I also peel potatoes and cut them in round slices and put butter or spray a pan with non stick spray and add seasoning (I use Tony Chachere’s) to the them and bake. I hope these recipes help with tight budgets I know they have for me. God bless.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Donna A (Guest Post) (10/11/2008)
I love this site Thank You! Here is a real cheap meal.
1 pound of ground meat, cooked
Large can of Ranch beans
Two cans of corn or one small bag of frozen corn
Mix together
Float with oyster crackers
This is one of my kids favorites!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post by rollrkoastr (1) | (10/06/2008)
Back in the early 80’s my dad made about $200 a week and had a wife and 3 kids to feed.. mom always made plenty of food to fill us up. This is one i still make today for my family.
Pizza
ChefBoyardee Cheese Pizza Mix (they have ones for 2 pizzas thats what i buy to feed my husband and 3 kids..less then $3 a box)
Hamburger meat - cook till brown then drain
chopped onions and bell peppers ..optional to your taste
cheddar cheese- shredded
the pizza mix comes with dough, tomato sauce and a packet of cheese (find this in the spaghetti noodles/sauce isle or next to hamburger helpers)
prepare to box directions (kids can help)
add your toppings and bake per box directions till cheese is melted and crust edges are done. mom made this in the electric skillet as well.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jodie (Guest Post) (09/26/2008)
My husband lost his job and I have a family of 6 to feed. My advice is: replace chicken or beef broth with bullion and water, make ramen noodles with leftover (or canned) chicken and a can of corn. Make 1 or 2 meatless meals a week, lentils can taste great and are CHEAP!! A great meal is homemade corn bread (trust me, it’s easier then you think), a can of baked beans and a can (or frozen) corn. My family’s fave recipe is:
Rice with Bugs
4 bullion cubes
4 cups of water
2 cups rice
4 Tbls butter
1-2 cups of dried fruit (we like dried berries or cherries)
a shake or two of garlic and onion powder
1-2 Tbsp dried parsley
Melt butter add rice, garlic and onion powder, parsley, dried fruit. Mix for a min or 2 then add water and bullion. bring to boil, cover, bring heat down to a simmer and simmer for 20 min. Take off heat and let sit for 5 more min.
(We call this “Rice with Bugs” because my friends 4 year old said that the fruit looked like bugs!!)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Angela (Guest Post) (09/22/2008)
Simple treat! Cut flour tortillas in triangles and fry in canola oil, after they turn golden brown, lay on paper towel and cover with cinnamon and sugar, YUM YUM
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By heather (Guest Post) (09/12/2008)
A good cheap and healthy snack
If you shop at the stores with buy 1 get 1 free then you know how much cereal they have.
Take half box of your fav healthy cereal (my fav is the special K chocolaty delights ((always on sale at publix))
In microwave melt together 3/4 cup fav peanut butter and 1/2 cup of honey, mix cereal in and spread into 8x8 baking dish, stick in refrigerator for 30 min and enjoy (they do get a tad crumbly so make sure you eat it over a paper tower or plate.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Suzy (Guest Post) (09/11/2008)
Thanks for all of the great ideas! A lot of them remind me of when I was a kid. My mom came up with some really good cheap meals! That is what we are getting back too. I am just sitting here paying the bills and making out my grocery list. I’m glad I found this site. About once a week I make what we call Taco Casserole. It varies a bit depending on what I have. I am feeding a family of 5 so you can cut this in half for a smaller meal.
1/2 lb. ground beef (browned) if you have it or else just skip the meat.
1 package of dry taco seasoning
2 31 oz. cans of refried beans
colby jack cheese shredded
tortilla chips (slightly crushed) (You can save those crumbs from the bottom of the chip bags for this recipe.)
Other optional ingredients: black olives, diced tomatoes, guacamole, green chilis, etc.
If you have ground beef, brown it and add the package of taco seasoning with a bit of water.
Spread one can of refried beans into the bottom of a 9x13 pan, (if no hamburger then mix the taco seasoning into the refried beans first. Otherwise spread seasoned hamburger on top of the beans and shred cheese on top of the hamburger. Then add the second can of refried beans on top of that. Shred more cheese and then add any of the optional ingredients. Then put lightly crushed tortilla chips over the top. Shred more cheese on that and cover with aluminum foil. Put in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
hawaiian sandwich
Post By Bobby (Guest Post) (09/08/2008)
Toast bread, after toasted spread mayonnaise on bread. Put one slice of dole pineapple on toast and cover with American cheese. Then place in oven until cheese is melted and poofy. serve with tater tots. So delicious and sweet. mmm
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Caleigho (Guest Post) (08/28/2008)
I am living on a tight budget myself, so being able to eat cheap is important.
Wraps. Go buy a package of burritos, (you can buy 20 for around 1.50 here) and chop up sliced turkey, ham, or chicken unti it’s diced to your taste. Add a bag of shredded cheese, and you have a decent meal.
Other meals..hash. Good for a cold night. If you have a crock pot, peel potatoes, carrots, a bit of onions, and roast, or hamburger meat, which ever you like. Let it sit for about 5 hours and you have a hearty meal. The leftovers taste as good as the stew itself for days afterward.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Angel (grad student and mother of 2) (Guest Post) (08/27/2008)
I am so glad I found this site. I got tons of ideas from it. I have to add a few. Cheap to me is feeding a family of 4 for less than 6 or 7 bucks a meal! These examples pretty much stay below that:
Chicken Quesadillas:
4 Flour tortillas
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
2 cups of shredded cheese (mont jack, cheddar, or taco blend)
sour cream if you want
Brown 2 chicken breasts (season with salt and pepp) and shred them really small.
Add to it a can of diced tomatoes with chiles
Simmer for about 5 min
Put 1/4 of the chicken mixture on half of a tortilla and add 1/2 cup of the cheese. Fold it in half and place aside. Repeat with all tortillas. Rinse your pan and place it back on stove. Heat it over medium and put a little butter in the pan. Fry each tortilla with the mix in it until brown. Flip it over and cook til brown on the other side. My family LOVES these. I like mine with sour cream. Sometimes I put spanish rice on the side (rice a roni) You could use beef or even shrimp as an alternative to the chicken.
Frito casserole
1 lb ground chuck
1 pkg pepper and onion stir fry
1 small can corn
2 cups montery jack or cheddar cheese
1 can refried beans (optional)
1 med size bag of fritos
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
Brown ground beef until no longer pink, drain. Add pepper stir fry, tomatoes and refried beans, simmer for about 10 minutes. Add corn and simmer about 2 more minutes. In a casserole dish, put 1/4 of the fritos in the bottom followed by 1/2 of the meat, and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat once. Last, put the remainder of the fritos on top and cover with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20 min, or until bubbly. Sour cream goes really well with this.
Stromboli
2 loaves frozen bread dough (with garlic bread in freezer section of grocery store)
1 jar pizza sauce
1 pkg pepperoni
3 cups mozz cheese
parsley
Thaw and cut bread dough into 4 pieces. Roll out each one into a large rectangle (about 1/4” thick)
Sprinkle with parsley, place pepperonis and 1/4 of cheese onto it. Then simply and carefully roll it up and place onto a cookie sheet. Place slits in the top, brush with egg wash (1 egg, 1 tsp water beaten together) and bake at 375 for about 20 min. Until brown. I like to brush the finished product with garlic butter. mmm
That’s about all for now. I hope this helps someone! Take care.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Kimberly (Guest Post) (08/27/2008)
I love this site! My boyfriend and I are having to REALLY cut down on our food spending. His specialty is the tater tot casserole. My sister makes a chili in the winter that has the family crazy! They think its COMPLETELY homemade, but its not! I’m not sure how much of each of these but, here are the ingredients... Chili Starter, Mexicorn, Corn, Ground beef or turkey and some spegetti noodles. I personally love to add sourcream, fritos corn chips and shredded cheese to finished chili. Sounds gross but so freaking awesome! Fed 3 of us girls and still is! Thanks to everybody on here!
P.S
Other cheap meals are Fried Rabbit with Rabbit gravy and Fried Squirrel with Squirrel gravy. Fried breaded deer meat. Deer Stew. Polk Salad with scrambled eggs in it. Of course, I had to eat this when I grew up in the sticks. Its not that bad when you keep telling yourself, “This is chicken. This is chicken.” Today, I live in the city and I like to preserve wildlife.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jodi K (Guest Post) (08/27/2008)
Less than 3 bucks. Feeds 5-6people. 1 can baked beans. 1/4 cup brown sugar. 1 box macaroni style pasta.
Cook pasta according to package. Drain and add beans and brown sugar, heat until warm. Serve with cornbread.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Kristina (Guest Post) (08/27/2008)
These are all really good ideas. Try this one:
1 pack of Mac&Cheese
1 pound hamburger meat
tomatoes (canned)
Just cook the Mac&Cheese as instructed on the box. Fry the hamburger meat and add it to the Mac&Cheese together with the tomoatoes.
10 min. max
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Tiffany (Guest Post) (08/20/2008)
Here’s a cheap and easy recipe my sister gave me a few years ago....My two boys LOVE it!
Tater-tot casserole
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cans cream of mushroom soup
small bag of tater tots
1 cup shredded cheese (any kind you like)
Brown ground beef and drain. Mix in cream of mushroom soup and put this mixture in an 8x8 casserole dish. Throw on a decent layer of tater-tots on top of meat mixture, then add shredded cheese to the top. Bake at 425 or 450 for about 15-20 minutes (long enough for tots to bake). VERY YUMMY!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Nicole (Guest Post) (08/15/2008)
Breakfast Tacos for Supper
Heat up soft tortillas in the microwave.
Cook up scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, churizo, whatever sounds good.
You can add salsa or leave them plain.
Yummy!
Another cheap meal, bean burritos.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Rebecca (Guest Post) (08/14/2008)
I have a cheap meal for you. Brown 1 pound of hamburger meat add 1 can of tomato soup mix it and salsa mild or or whatever you like mix it all together I add 1package of cheese on top of the meat than I add tortilla on top to cover the meat than I add another bag of cheese and cover until the cheese has melted. It does not matter about the cheese. Use your favorite cheese to go with that open up a couple of whole corn add some green peppers out of the can and and some red peppers out of the can.
Warm it up I like to put cheese in mine for dessert take you some brownie muffins cut the tops of off them poke a hole in th middle of your muffin not all the way though and some fudge sauce or chocolate sauce heat up in microwave until warm add vanilla ice cream more fudge on top and place top of muffin on ice cream.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jessica (Guest Post) (08/06/2008)
Here’s one my dad used to make us when I was a kid. Buy the cheapest mac n cheese(we like aldis). Make as directed. Hot dogs, and a can of corn. After you make the mac n cheese, mix together cut up hot dogs, and the corn.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Lori (Guest Post) (07/22/2008)
Here are a couple of cheap (and easy) meals.
Chunky Sirloin Burger Soup—heat 1 can on the stove or microwave and serve it over 3 cups of cooked white rice. I put 1 1/2 cup of rice in a bowl, and half of the coup over each bowl. I always clip coupons for the soup and use them on double coupon day. This is an easy meal for 2, and costs about $3. I work 2 jobs and it’s great for a night when I’m worn out and don’t feel like really cooking. Meat, rice and veggies all in one bowl.
Chili Mac is great too! A great way to S T R E T C H that chili out is to cook plain macaroni noodles and mix it with the chili. If you have shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkle some on the top. As a child my mom made lots of Chili, and she made Chili Mac with the leftovers to get one more meal out of it. You can always freeze the chili for later.
Easy chili recipe
2 lb of browned ground hamburger (or deer meat if you can get it, it’s FREE)
1 diced medium sweet onion, I throw it in with the hamburger.
2 cans of chili beans (whatever is on sale)
2 cans of tomato sauce
2 cans of petite diced tomatoes
1-2 cans of water
1 package of williams chili seasoning. I don’t skimp on that...but there are lots of reasonable chili seasonings out there. I add salt to taste, because the williams seasoning is salt free.
Good luck with your cooking!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By sugarplumbabe (Guest Post) (07/18/2008)
Thank you to all of you that have contributed to this site. I’ve raised 7 kids (4 of them step kids) and cheap meals is a way of life for me. I now teach nutrition to young moms on a fixed income. I will be sharing these recipes with them. Thanks for your input.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Laurie (Guest Post) (07/16/2008)
Here’s a couple more that we LOVE!
POTATO SOUP
1 white potato per person
1 large onion
1 can evaporated milk (2 if more than 6 potatoes)
half stick of butter
water
salt and pepper
Peel and cube one potato per person and place in a large soup pot, salt and pepper to taste, just cover with water—not too much—just cover the potatoes up —boil until tender. Reduce heat—do not drain! Add half a stick of butter, let melt. Place back on heat—medium. Add evaporated milk—cook until it JUST starts to boil—don’t let it boil hard..
You can sprinkle with cheese, bacon, green onion if you want—this, however, is very good just as it is...serve with crackers...and a half a sandwich. This is a thin soup, but if you want it thicker—put 1T cornstarch in .5 cup water—dissolve, then add to final mixture, stirring until thickens.
CHILI BEANS
This is a wonderful recipe, and it is cheap to make!!
2 (15.5 oz) cans red kidney beans
1 pound hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
green pepper if you can find them cheap, chopped
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (8oz) can tomato paste
1-2 T chili powder
1 T. Balsamic vinegar
1 T. Worcestershire
1 t. Tabasco
1 t. garlic
1 t. oregano
1/2 t black pepper
2 bay leaves
Mix all and simmer. Very healthy and high fiber meal. Adjust the seasoning to what is in the pantry—you don’t want to break the bank for spices—all you REALLY have to put in it is chili powder.
PANCAKES
Use a mix, or try this homemade recipe—serve with canned fruit and a breakfast meat if its in the menu—make them nice and you won’t realize you’re eating cheap
Make them really nice by heating a cheap bottle of syrup a bit in the microwave. Add a T of chopped pecans on top—just a tiny bit. Sprinkle a bit of powdered sugar on top. Serve with a small handful of blueberries or a couple of fresh strawberries—you can make those go a long way and give the feeing that you’re eating a grand meal.
3 cups flour
1 t. baking powder
3 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
2 T. sugar
2 c. milk
1 c. plain yogurt
2 eggs
butter (for greasing griddle)
This will feed a bunch for cheap, cheap, cheap!
FRENCH TOAST
1 egg, well beaten
1 T. milk
1 slice bread
1 T. butter
dash of cinnamon
mix egg, milk and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt butter in a skillet.
dip bread into the egg mixture, then brown on both sides in the skillet. Serve with syrup or jelly.
FUN CHEAP SWEETS
oil for deep fat fryer
1 can of cheap biscuits
white sugar or powdered sugar.
Cut the biscuits in fourths—fry in hot oil until slightly browned, roll immediately in sugar or powdered sugar—serve hot! A really cheap, but really special treat!
OATMEAL (Make it VERY special, you won’t know it’s cheap at all)
3 c. skim milk
1/2 cup brown sugar (extra for sprinkling on top in bowl)
3/4 t. cinnamon
dash salt
1.5 cup old-fashioned oat meal
2-3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 T. butter
2 t. vanilla
Place all ingredients in a heavy pot over medium-high heat and get comfy—to make this really good, you will need to stir non-stop for a good while-about 10 minutes—this is REALLY worth it, though—this is delicious oatmeal—you won’t believe how good it really is...don’t let it stick—reduce heat as needed—turn burner off, but leave pot on the burner—continue stirring until it cools enough that you are sure it won’t burn now—cover and let sit about 15 minutes.
Serve with a little more brown sugar on top—maybe a few slices of banana—maybe a couple of pecans. Serve with a can of fruit—to add protein—boil one egg per person
GRITS are CHEAP and filling—serve with eggs and a breakfast meat, and fruit.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (07/15/2008)
4 words - pigs in a blanket.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Laurie Ashley (Guest Post) (07/15/2008)
Get ready for some REALLY cheap meals here.
HOMEMADE SALMON CAKES
1 can salmon, cleaned
4 white potatoes, peeled, cooked, mashed
a few bread crumbs (can be canned, or you can just use some bread ends, stale bread, hotdog buns, hamburger buns—whatever—you just need a little—about a half a cup in all)
1 egg
can add chopped onion
form into patties—they should be nice and sticky
fry in hot oil—these are GREAT!
I serve them with a can of peas mixed with a can of carrots and one of those cheap boxes of mac and cheese (store brand).
It feeds my whole family for about $8.
NOODLE STUFF
1 package egg noodles
1 pound hamburger, cooked and drained
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can tomato paste
several cans of water
brown and drain meat, add taco seasoning mix, tomato paste, water
cook noodles, drain
add all and serve....really tastes great and VERY cheap!!
SMOKED SAUSAGE AND RED RICE
1 pound of smoked sausage or polksa kielbasa—whatever you like, sliced to your liking—I go about .75inch...
1 1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 (15.5oz can tomato sauce
1 can cold water
onion and bell pepper, optional
2 T oil
brown onions and peppers if used
add rice—stir in oil and brown a little
add sauce and water, bring to a boil
place sliced sausage on top, cover and reduce heat
CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE
1 can corned beef
1 head cabbage
a little oil
clean adn slice cabbage as desired
boil in salted water to desired tenderness
drain
place a couple of T of oil in the bottom and sort of saute the cabbage just a bit
put in a can of corned beef, use a fork to tear it up and mix it around
SO GOOD, SO HEALTHY and costs about $5 for the family
Serve with cheap mac and cheese and cornbread—make Jiffy—costs about a buck
TURKEY DINNER
1 slice of deli turkey per person—you’ll need to get this specially cut at the deli because you need it to be pretty thick
1 package stuffing, fixed according to directions
1-2 jars of turkey gravy
place about a half a cup of stuffing on each piece of turkey and roll them, place in a baking dish, cover with gravy, bake
serve with a can of green beans a can of jellied cranberry sauce and a can of sweet potatoes or yams with a little brown sugar and a pat of butter after plating
It’s very cheap, but it won’t feel cheap!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Jennifer Batiste (Guest Post) (07/09/2008)
Try this one. When I was younger my dad made this for us 5 kids and we loved it.. 1lb of hamburger, fry until fully cooked, mix with a family size of pork n beans. Bread is really good with this if you have it. I have 8 children and this one meal they love and if mad on thursday will become sundays meal.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By (Guest Post) (07/08/2008)
I figured this out one night when i thought I had the right ingredients for stroganoff. It is still a little similar.
1 bag of frozen egg noodles
1 lb of hamburger
1 package of country gravy mix
boil egg noodles for 20 minutes. While noodles are boiling cook hamburger until brown. Then in the hamburger add the water needed for the country gravy mix and then add country gravy mix. Stir until thick.
When the egg noodles are done. Mix everything together. I had to add pepper and salt to taste.
It ended up really good.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By JC (Guest Post) (06/23/2008)
Oooh, I have one for pasta & crab or shrimp and it’s super fast & simple plus it’s inexpensive!
Boil angel hair pasta
Drain
Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Mix in crab meat or shrimp.
That’s it. Serve w/ toasted garlic bread and a tossed salad.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Keri (Guest Post) (06/17/2008)
Here’s another idea for a cheap meal I came up with one night when there was more month than paycheck at the end of the month!
Enchilada Sauce Soup
1 lb hamburger or ground turkey, browned and drained
1 large can red enchilada sauce
1/2 lb frozen mixed veggies
1/2 lb tri-color rotini pasta
seasoning packet from beef ramen soup (save noodles for another use)
Combine all ingredients in a pot. Add 1 enchilada sauce can of water. Cook until veggies are tender and pasta is cooked to your liking.
This recipe is also really good when made with leftover taco meat or shredded chicken.
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Keri (Guest Post) (06/17/2008)
Wow! These are some great ideas!! I learned some great ideas for cheap meals when I was a nanny for a family with four boys. I’m sure you all know how much growing boys can eat, so it was essential to have cheap meal ideas to keep them fed without “losing the farm”! Here’s my favorite. It sounds a bit odd, but it sure tastes great!
1 lb hamburger or ground turkey
1 lb wide egg noodles, cooked al dente and drained
Ketchup
Seasoned salt
Cook the hamburger or ground turkey until no longer pink, crumbling up as it cooks. Drain off fat. Mix in cooked noodles, enough ketchup to make it all moist, and seasoned salt to taste. Serve with veggies or some salad and you’ve got a cheap, quick meal that everyone will love!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By guest (Guest Post) (06/06/2008)
Yummy cassarole favorite
2 lbs of grond beef or ground turkey
1 package of broad noodles
2 cans of mushroom soup
1 can of celery soup
salt and pepper to taste
-Cook and drain the meat, add cooked noodles,soup and salt/pepper and mix in a big pot.
Really Tasty and goes a long way!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Nicole (Guest Post) (05/20/2008)
I learned how to make this when I was a child in Brownies (Girl Scouts) and we called it Brownie Stew, not because it has brownies in it. Cook chopped hamburger meat, or turkey, drain. Add to vegetable soup or minestrone. That’s it. Delicious with garlic bread!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Kari (Guest Post) (05/14/2008)
Here’s one to try- kind of like goulash
elbow macaroni
browned ground hamburger
can of diced tomatoes
any kind of cheese (cubed mozzarella works well)
corn if you want
Mix all the ingredients and serve warm or cold!
Another idea:
grilled/baked chicken cubed
can of mandarin oranges
box of wild rice w/seasoning mix
Cook rice and chicken and mix them all together with the oranges.
Also good warm or cold:)
Spaghetti cooked served cold with ranch dressing
When in season avocados sliced with sliced tomatoes on bread (sandwich)
RE: Cheap Meals
Post by CindyM56 (49) | (05/13/2008)
Now, since you’ve seen umpteen dozen entres, and they all sound scrumptious! Here’s something cheap and sweet. I know you guys are gonna think I’m nuts! Well, I am! But that’s beside the point. The best way to make this is with sweet cornbread, but some don’t like it sweet. If you aren’t making cornbread from scratch, the best in my books are those little boxes of jiffy. They are usually about 3 for $1. at the dollar store, make up two or three of em, so the cornbread will be kinda thick.
When it’s done cooking, cut a big square out, slice it open, slap some butter in there, and pour pancake syrup on it! I know, everybody is going ew! I did too the first time around. But we were poor, broke and I had a sweet tooth that was on the verge of sending me out to steal a candy bar or something! Not really, but it was bad. My friend fixed this and I thought she’d lost her mind. She finally convinced me to try it and I’ve been a fan ever since, and so will you if you’ll only give it a try! I guarantee it tastes better than you’ll think! That’s a poor man’s dessert right there!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By heather. (Guest Post) (05/02/2008)
Thanks everyone for all the ideas.
My mom used to make this and my family loves it now. Plus its really simple and quick.
1 package breakfast sausage links.(regular not the sweet ones)
penne noodles
big can of tomato sauce
salt pepper and basil
Cook sausages in frying pan, cook and drain noodles then mix everything together.
I save money on seasonings by buying them bulk at Winco. Health/natural food stores usually have bulk seasonings also. Then I can just buy what I will use and not pay $4 (or more) for an ounce
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By nicholas (Guest Post) (04/12/2008)
Fried rice is very easy. Take some chicken or pork and cook it in a non stick frying pan. Then put in some chopped garlic and onion. for health reasons put in some chopped collard greens (they are cheap and healthy.) Add some mushrooms, broccoli, some soy sauce and a little bit of fish sauce. Make sure it all stays moist. If needed you can put in a bit of oil in the beginning. Lastly add about four servings of rice. This will be great left over as well. You can also add a couple of eggs for protein. if you do not have meat, it still tastes great!
RE: Cheap Meals
Post By Mel (Guest Post) (04/05/2008)
One of my favorite things my mom made us as kids was “pea patch chicken”. Take as many chicken pieces as you need (usually she would make 6 pieces, and whatever we had on hand, legs, thighs, boneless skinless breasts, etc) and brown them in a large skillet with some oil, salt and pepper. Once the chicken is well browned, and over half way done, add 1 family size can of cream of mushroom soup and a 16 oz bag of frozen peas. Then cover and simmer on medium until the chicken is completely cooked. Serve over hot rice.
Another thing she would make that us kids love is hamburger gravy...you brown hamburger and either add brown gravy or a family size can of cream of mushroom soup and serve it over hot rice. Sometimes I add sliced up mushrooms and onions and sauté them with the hamburger and stir in some sour cream at the end. You can serve that over hot pasta or rice.
And lastly, my favorite things to make when we are broke or in a hurry is a box of pasta roni or rice a roni and add some cooked meat to it and/or some “matching” veggies. For example, to the broccoli and cheddar rice a roni, I add chopped cooked chicken, a bag of frozen cooked broccoli and sprinkle some cheddar cheese on top. For the shells and cheddar pasta roni, I would mix it with some cooked broccoli and diced ham. with the mexican rice a roni, add a can of kidney beans, a bag of frozen corn and some taco meat, and top it with salsa and sour cream. You can even serve it with tortilla chips or as a burritto filling. And to the red beans and rice, I’ll add some browned sausage, bell pepper, andsome tobasco. All of those boxed sides, I just use as a base and create a real meal and it really stretches to make a few meals. I will cook 2 boxes at a time and it feeds me and my husband for dinner and lunch the next day (and he’s a big eater) and sometimes even another lunch for me the following day.
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Cajun Clark’s Fortnight Recipe: Candy and Blackeye Peas
By Cajun Clark
Yep, betcha that title got your attention. You’re probably asking yourself how can da ol’ mon put candy and blackeye (pronounced blackeyed) peas in the same Fortnight? The answer’s easy enough, just keep reading.
First for the Candy. After all, it’s still the Holiday Season in many parts of the world. If it’s not, that’s not a problem because most folks like sweets. Enough said, here ya go:
Divinity Fudge
# 3 cups sugar
# 1/2 cup corn syrup
# 1/2 cup cold water
# 2 egg whites
# 1 teaspoon vanilla
PLACE sugar, syrup and water in a pan over slow fire, stir only until sugar is dissolved, then cook until a little tried in cold water forms a soft ball.
BEAT egg whites until stiff, CONTINUE beating and POUR 1/2 the syrup slowly over the beaten egg whites, CONTINUE beating while cooking the rest of the syrup, until it forms a hard ball when tried in a cup of cold water and cracks when hit against the side of the cup. ADD this syrup gradually to the syrup an egg mixture, add vanilla and continue beating until candy is thick enough to drop from a spoon. Nut meats may be added just before candy is ready to spoon.
Note: Divinity, Fudge and English Toffee are the three candies that disappeared, nearly within a matter of minutes, any time Caj’s Mother made them; which was usually for the holidays. Years later, when Caj’s youngest brother, later his twin nephews, wanted divinity, they learned how easy it was to make, and did so. Oops, gotta go, it’s not a good idea to drool on ones’ computer keyboard.
Sees Fudge (G.V.)
# 1/2 pound butter
# 8 ounces marshmallow crème
# 24 ounces chocolate chips
# 2 teaspoons vanilla
# 2 cups chopped nuts
BOIL 4 1/2 cups sugar and large can of evaporated milk; COUNT 6 minutes from rolling boil. POUR over dry ingredients; MIX well. POUR in buttered pan and REFRIGERATE.
Pralines (KWKH)
# 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
# 1 cup white sugar
# 1/2 cup evaporated milk
# 1/4 teaspoon salt
# 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
# 1/2 pound pecans
BOIL to soft ball stage STIRRING constantly. BEAT ‘til thickened. DROP from spoon onto buttered platter.
Pecan Pralines
# 3 cups sugar
# 1 teaspoon baking soda
# 1 cup buttermilk
# Pinch of salt
# 2 tablespoons butter
# 2 1/3 cups pecans, chopped
COOK in 3 quart double boiler as it forms up in cooking.
COMBINE sugar, soda, buttermilk and salt. COOK briskly, stirring frequently, scraping bottom and sides, for 5 minutes.
ADD 2 tablespoons butter and 2 1/3 cups chopped pecans.
STIRRING continuously, not forgetting bottom, for 5 minutes or ‘till forms soft ball in cold water. REMOVE from heat. LET cool a little, then BEAT ‘till thickened and creamy. THEN immediately drop by teaspoonful on wax paper. FOR finishing touch, dot with 2/3 cup pecan halves.
Okay, now that you’re drooling on your keyboard, it’s time for the rest of the story. In The South, the Southern United States, there’s a tradition that’s been around a long, long time.
New Year’s Day, if you want to have a prosperous year, calls for a meal of blackeye peas, greens (or cabbage) and cornbread. Yep, you got it, it’s mandatory. Been a requirement for as long as a couple of Southern Ladies in their 70s remember. With this being true a short dissertation on those three dishes is in order, and this is where the problems begin. Because you’re faced with decisions, decisions, decisions.
For example, you can find canned, frozen and dried blackeye peas. The first two make things easy, but the true Southern cook will only use the dry ones that you find in the clear package with cooking directions on the back.
Assuming you’re using this variety, that you’ve soaked them overnight, drained off the water, added new water, you now need to decide what else to add when you cook them. Which is the problem. Some folks use hog jowls, others salt pork, while still others bacon or tasso. The decision is yours but the one point all agree on is you have to have plenty of meat in your beans. Finally, some folks add onions, chopped or dehydrated. Then there’s green chilies, bell peppers, and it goes on and on. Spices are no exception: salt, pepper, garlic...
Blackeye peas out of the way you’ve reached your next decision. What kind of Greens! Turnip? Mustard? Collard? Cabbage? If you already stressed out you can use canned or frozen greens. Cabbage is the fresh variety you get to chop, slice or even cook in quarters for that matter. Again you’re faced with what seasonings to use and what meat to put in the pot for flavor. Good luck folks, there is no right answer.
Finally, you need to make a pan of cornbread. More decisions: jalapeno? cheese? both? plain? Maybe even the hot water variety. You’ll find recipes in Caj’s Big Book http://cajunclarks.com and in Cajun Clark Cooks Chicken, Pork, Fish and Small Wild Game http://cajunclarkcooks.com Which ever way you go, whatever road you take—Happy New Year! May peace and prosperity abound in your life in 2004.
Now this menu may also be a tradition in other parts of the States, maybe even in other countries, and if it is ol’ mon Caj would like to hear from you. mailto:cajclark@cajunclarks.com Truth be known, da ol’ mon would like to know how you celebrate your special holidays, and the recipes you make for those days.
Because as you know, da ol’ mon is writing another cookbook: Cajun Clark’s Friends’ Holiday Cookbook. This one-of-a-kinder will feature holiday customs from around the world and the recipes associated with them. For more information check out http://cajunclarkssweetandsassy.com/friends.htm
Please tell everyone you know that Cajun Clark’s Fortnight Recipe is published on the 7th and 21st of each month, and if they’re not a valued subscriber they should be. http://cajunclarkcooks.com/cajsfortnightrecipe.htm
Also, Fortnight is syndicated for the convenience of webmasters who would like it to magically appear on their web site. Send an email to: mailto:cajsfortnight@cajunclarkssweetandsassy.com
Oops, been forgetting to include one last bit of information. The Fortnight Archives are at: http://cajunclarkssweetandsassy.com/fortnightrecipeindex.htm
About The Author:
(c) Copyright 2003, Cajun Clark. All rights reserved. Email: mailto:cajsfortnight@cajunclarkssweetandsassy.com
Cajun Clark’s Cookbooks make great gifts that keep on giving, and when you give the print version you’ll never be forgotten. Take a look, there’s something for everyone:
http://cajunclarks.com/busyolmon.htm
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
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Quick Bars
Ingredients
* 2 cups flour
* 1 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 2 cups quick oats
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1/2 tsp. vanilla
* 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Directions
Combine sugars with oil, then add eggs. Sift in dry ingredients. Add quick oats and chocolate chips. Press into ungreased 15x10 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes. Do not over-bake!
Cool before cutting.
By Robin from Washington, IA
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Vegetable Blend For Cooking and Baking
Put your favorite vegetables in a blender with a touch of water or vegetable juice. Use in place of oil in your bread making or vegetable pie. If you want to, you can still add a little oil.
By Sandi
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Homemade Buttermilk (for baking)
Ingredients:
* 1 cup powdered milk
* 4 cups water
* 4 tablespoons lemon juice
* Pinch of salt
Directions:
Blend until milk is dissolved. Chill; keep in covered container in refrigerator.
By Chell
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Hot Corn Pudding
Ingredients
* 1 1/2 cups creamed corn
* 1 cup cornmeal
* 1 cup butter, melted
* 3/4 cup buttermilk
* 2 medium-sized onions, chopped
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 2 cups grated sharp Cheddar Cheese
* 3 jalapeno peppers, diced
Directions
Combine corn, cornmeal, butter, buttermilk, onion, eggs, and baking soda. Grease a 9 inch square baking dish. Pour half the batter into the dish. Sprinkle with half the cheese and then all the peppers. Cover peppers with remaining cheese, then the remaining batter. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees F. Cool about 15 minutes and cut into squares.
By Robin from Washington, IA
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
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Kid Approved Dinners
By Brandie Valenzuela
Have no fear, kid approved dinners are here!
While there is no guarantee that every child will devour the following meals, it is safe to say that the majority will!
“Muffin Tin Meatloaves”
* 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
* 1 cup soft bread crumbs
* 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
* 1/4 cup ketchup
* 1 1/2 cups zucchini, shredded
* 1 egg, slightly beaten
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except ketchup, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Place approximately 1/3 cup beef mixture into each of 12 medium muffin cups, pressing lightly; spread ketchup over tops. Bake 20 minutes or until centers are no longer pink. Remove meatloaves from pan.
“Cheese and Wiener Burritos”
* 8 flour tortillas
* 8 hotdogs/meat wieners
* 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1/2 cup ketchup or taco sauce
Heat wieners as directed on package. Heat tortillas. Place 1 hot wiener on lower third of each tortilla. Sprinkle each wiener with 1/4 cup of the cheese, and about 1 tablespoon ketchup or taco sauce. Fold in sides and roll up.
“Chili-Mac”
* 1 pound macaroni
* 1 pound ground beef
* 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 (28-oz) can tomatoes, undrained
* 1 quart tomato juice
* 2 cups chopped onions
* 3 cloves garlic
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1 bay leaf
* 1 (20-oz) can red kidney beans, drained
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a Dutch oven or large skillet, brown beef in oil, stirring frequently. Add undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, onions, garlic, salt and remaining seasonings. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in kidney beans. Cook for an additional 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Meanwhile, gradually add cooked pasta to the chili. Serve in bowls.
“Kid Size Pizzas”
DOUGH
* 1 package yeast
* 6 cups all-purpose flour (6 to 6 1/2 cups)
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 2 cups very warm water (125º to 130º degrees)
* 1/4 cup olive oil, room temperature
PIZZA SAUCE
* 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
* 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
* 1 clove garlic, minced
Topping Suggestions:
* Grated Mozzarella or Cheddar
* Pepperoni, salami or ham, sliced
* Olives, sliced
* Tomatoes, onions peppers or other vegetables
In large bowl, combine 5 cups flour, undissolved yeast and salt. Stir very warm water and olive oil into dry ingredients. Stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough. On lightly floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 4 to 6 minutes. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile prepare tomato sauce: in small bowl mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano and garlic. On lightly floured surface, divide dough into 16 pieces. Form into smooth balls; roll or pat to 7-inch circles. Place on greased baking sheets. Top each with 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce and selected toppings. Bake at 400ºF for 25 minutes or until crust is golden. Serve warm.
About The Author:
Brandie Valenzuela is a wife and homeschooling mom of three, who loves scrapbooking, cooking, and spending time with her family. In her spare time, she publishes “HomeMade Living”, a popular weblog for mothers, at http://homemadeliving.blogspot.com
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
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How To Grow Luscious Tomatoes
By Marilyn Pokorney
* The tomato is the most commonly grown vegetable in the States. Here are some tips on how to grow your own bountiful crop of tomatoes.
* Tomatoes should be grown in full sunlight.
* Tomato plants require abundant moisture.
* Tomatoes grow well in many types of soil but prefer fertile, well-drained soil with pH of about 6.5.
* Garden soil may be improved by adding rotted manure, leaf mold, peat moss, or other organic materials.
* The ideal tomato plant should be six to eight inches tall, dark green, with a stocky stem and well-developed root system.
* For each family member three to five plants should be grown for fresh eating. If production for canning is desired, then five to 10 plants person needs to be grown.
* Plant tomatoes when the weather has warmed and the soil temperature is above 60°F and air temperature is never lower than 45 degrees at night.
* Plant seedlings a little deeper than they were in the pots.
* Set out tomato plants in the evening or on a cloudy day.
* Mulching helps stop weed growth and water loss from the soil. Place a two to three inch layer of organic material such as compost, leaves, straw, grass clippings, hay, newspapers, or black or red plastic sheeting around the growing plants.
* Tomatoes can be grown on the ground or supported by stakes or cages. If using stakes put the stake in when planting As the plant grows taller, tie it loosely to the stake every 12 inches with soft fabric or twine.
* Tomatoes require at least one inch of water per week during May and June and at least two inches per week during July, August, and September. Water once or twice a week and to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
* Space dwarf plants 12 inches apart; staked tomatoes should be 12 to 18 inches apart. Allow 2 to 4 feet between non- staked plants.
* Rows should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart for staked plants and 4 to 6 feet apart for non-staked plants.
* A 10-20-10 fertilizer should be applied at planting time. Sidedress for the first time when the first fruits are one- third grown. Use about one to two tablespoons per plant. Mix the fertilizer into the soil then water, being careful not to get the fertilizer on the foliage. A second application should be made two weeks after the first ripe fruit and a third application one month later. Water the plants thoroughly after fertilizing. All fertilizers should be worked into the top six inches of soil.
About The Author:
Copyright: 2005 Marilyn Pokorney - Freelance writer of science, nature, animals and the environment. Also loves crafts, gardening, and reading. Visit her website here: http://www.apluswriting.net
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Live links at url:
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Grocery Store Gardening
By Ellen Brown
Grocery Store Gardening
I’m often asked if the fruits and vegetables purchased from a grocery store can be planted to produce more food. The answer is, yes! And not only can you plant fruits and vegetables, but nuts and spices, too. As with traditional gardening, the key to successful “grocery store gardening” is to keep an open mind and possess a willingness to experiment. And above all, have fun!
Start With Organic Produce
Certain chemical residues on commercially produced fruits and vegetables can interfere with their ability to grow roots or sprout seeds. Potatoes, for example, are sometimes purposely treated after harvest to keep them from sprouting and to extend their shelf life. The same can be said for foods that have been irradiated. Avoid them. Start with organically grown produce. It does not guarantee that your food is 100% free of chemical residues, but at least it has been exposed to as few chemicals as possible.
Be Aware of Hybrids
No matter what type of produce you’re trying to grow, unless it’s labeled “heirloom” (sometimes found at farmer’s markets), you have no way of knowing whether or not it has been cross pollinated. This means you may not get the results you expect, but try growing it anyway. You may be pleasantly surprised and you could wind up with something even better than you expected.
Growing A Grocery Store Garden
Here are simplified directions for growing various kinds of grocery store produce. In general, fruits and vegetables grow best in full sun. Use a soil-less mix or a high-quality potting soil mixed with vermiculite as your growing medium. Temperatures in the range of 70-80º F are usually ideal for germination. Try to keep soils evenly moist, without over-watering. Plants native to the tropics will appreciate an occasional misting. If you live in a cooler zone, move plants outdoors in the summer, but make sure to expose them to stronger light conditions gradually before leaving them out all day. Plants that remain in pots should be given a half-strength liquid fertilizer every few weeks once they reach a height of 8-12 inches tall.
Apples (also Cherries, Pears & Peaches)
Apple seeds need to be cold treated before they will sprout. Remove the seeds from the apple and allow them to cure for a few days. Place them in a plastic bag with damp sand or sphagnum moss and store them in the refrigerator for 3 months. After 3 months, plant the seeds 1/2 inch deep in a pot of moist, well-drained soil. Keep the pot in a sunny location. Seeds should sprout within 2-3 weeks. Apple trees cannot be grown indoors, so move seedlings outdoors in the early fall, giving them enough time to establish roots before winter.
Avocado (also Sweet Potato)
Carefully remove the flesh from the pit and clean it off. Push three or four toothpicks into the pit to suspend it (wide side down) over a glass filled with water. The pit should be submerged 1/2 inch into the water. Place the glass in a sunny window sill and roots should appear in a few weeks. Pits can also be started by planting them, wide side down, in a pot of moistened, well-drained potting soil. Once seedlings reach 6-8 inches tall, transplant them into a larger pot and pinch back the top one inch of the stem to encourage bushier growth. In the case of sweet potatoes, plant or suspend the pointed (narrow) end down.
Beans, Peas & Non-Roasted Peanuts
Use dried beans (like for soups) and raw, non-roasted peanuts. Pod beans and peas purchased in the produce department contain immature seeds that will not grow. Soak in water overnight. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in pots or sow directly outdoors after danger of the last frost has passed. Because legumes seldom produce when grown indoors, transplant container plants outdoors as soon as possible in early May or June.
Carrots, Turnips & Rutabagas
These root crops are biennials, which means they produce roots the first season and seeds the second season. If you want to harvest seeds from them, select healthy, fleshy root stock for planting and carry them over for a second season until they re-sprout. For most gardeners, it’s far more economical just to purchase seeds for these crops. But if you have the desire (and the patience), it’s possible to grow them for their seeds. .
Citrus (Oranges, Tangerines, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit, Kumquats, etc.)
This group produces plants that have a wonderful fragrance when kept indoors. Plant fresh seeds 1/2 inch deep in a pot of moist, well-drained potting soil. Place the pot in a sunny location and cover it with plastic to keep the soil moist. Seeds should sprout within 4 to 6 weeks. Once plants are a few inches high, remove the plastic. Let the soil dry slightly between each watering (keep kumquat soil evenly moist). Repot plants annually until they are growing in 8 to 10 inch pots.
Ginger & Horseradish
Select fleshy roots that are smooth and firm, not shriveled. Roots should have plenty of nodules on them. Cut the roots so that each slice contains a nodule. Lay it flat in a container and cover it with 1-2 inches of moist potting soil. Keep the pots moist and warm and watch for sprouts in a few weeks. Harvest rhizomes by digging them up when they reach the desired size.
Mango
Clean fruit from seeds. Plant seeds in a pot, laying them down flat in 1 inch of moist potting soil. Cover the pot with plastic and place it in a warm, sunny location. Remove the plastic when seedlings reach 2 inches tall.
Papaya
Clean coating off of seeds and plant 1/2 inch deep in a pot of moist potting soil. Cover the pot with plastic and place it in a warm, sunny location until the seeds sprout. Remove plastic when seedlings reach a few inches in height and continue to grow in a bright location.
Pomegranate
Let seeds cure for a few days before planting them 1/2 inch deep in moist potting soil. Cover the pot with plastic and place the pot in a sunny window. Seeds will sprout in approximately 2 months. Keep the soil moist, but do not mist the plant.
Other Plants To Try
Coffee beans (non-roasted), tomatoes, wheat, rye, oats, lemon grass, taro, potatoes, green onions, garlic, pineapple, sunflowers, water chestnuts, popcorn, and raw spices (fennel, anise, sesame seed, celery seeds, etc.). In the case of peppers, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and eggplants, the seeds need to mature along with the fruit, so look for ripe or even overripe produce to use as seed stock.
About The Author:
Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at
http://www.sustainable-media.com
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
RE: Grocery Store Gardening
Post by Keelhauler51
Here in Florida (USDA Zone 9b), I grow bunch onions. I buy those small bunches of onions from the local supermarket and my wife uses them in salads.
I make sure she leaves about 2” or so of green leaves, and then I plant them in good, rich soil. They grow to maturity in about a year, during which I cut some of the leaves, which grow to 3’ high, and we use them for cooking, salads, etc.
At the end of the year, I dig up the onions - this has to be done before they begin to flower, as the bulb texture and flavor goes “off” when flowering begins. I usually have onions right around softball size, or sometimes larger.
One trick about growing onions: if you want them sweet, water them well. If you want them to be hot, restrict watering a bit.
RE: Grocery Store Gardening
Post by mikki
thanks, bulrush! I’ve been wanting to grow garlic for a long time and gave up after the first year. I live in WI so I’m going to follow your advice and try it. How long does your garlic last in the frig? weeks or months?
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RE: Grocery Store Gardening
Post by bulrush
Many things, especially fruits, are irradiated so they will NOT grow. You just have to try it. I do know that garlic cloves grow just fine, as I have done it. Buy a fresh garlic bulb at the store. Break apart the garlic into cloves, and plant each clove about 6-8 inches apart, about 6 inches deep, just like a tulip. Leave them in the ground, even during the winter. It will take 2-3 years for the new cloves to grow into larger pieces. But each year the stalks will sprout, grow, and eventually flower. Let the stalks die back, and pull up one when needed. Hang unusued cloves by their dried leaves in a cool dry place. Or put them in the bottom drawer of your fridge, uncovered. Moisture will cause them to rot.
To pull up a garlic clove, try to do it when the stalk is still green. Otherwise, the time of year doesn’t matter, you just need something to locate the clove. Take a spade and push down so you will be under the clove, then tilt the handle back, pushing up the clove. Sift through the dirt to find the clove, or pull on the green leaves to pull it out of the loosened dirt. If you don’t loosen the dirt, the leaves will break before you pull up the cloves.
I have done this in Michigan and our winters did not hurt the garlic at all. They all came back each year.
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RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post By Charlotte (Guest Post) (03/11/2007)
I put pinecones in the bottom of my containers. When the pinecones are wet they close up. This is also an indicator as to the plants moisture content in the bottom. When the soil rises or moves up in the pot the pinecones in the bottom have dried. The pot needs WATER.
Wet a pinecone and see for yourself.
Diapers have the water absorbing gel in them that will hold moisture near the roots. Tear a one up and work it in to the root area. Discard the plastic parts.
RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post By Sandy (Guest Post) (03/29/2005)
5 gallon buckets will do the trick. Drill holes in the bottom for drainage. Remember to water often. Container gardens dry out faster than regular in ground gardens. You can get 5 gallon buckets from bakerys, schools...
RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post by kidsNclutter (205) | (03/28/2005)
Friend plants tomatoes in a plastic 73-quart stoarge tote box. Holes drilled in bottom for drainage. Must water at least once daily as tomatoes need alot of water.
Would be cautious about replacing soil to build a garden, with rain & runoff it would probably get contaminated & you’re going to eat the produce.
RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post by valleyrimgirl (466) | (03/28/2005)
Containers...lots more watering and more daily work than....
If you wish to plant in the ground, why not look into the idea of digging out the dirt only where you wish to plant a garden or have a flower bed... and replace the dirt with good soil. This may be a more expensive alternative but you might be happier in the long run. This way you can ammend the new soil any way you wish. Your local nursery/garden center should be able to provide you with proper soil and additives like compost that would make great “stuff” for your plants to grow in.
Use the “bad” (treated) soil for building up an area or just “throw” it out. Are the ants really that much of a problem where you live that the soil needed to be permanently fixed?
RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post By Beth (Guest Post) (03/28/2005)
Take a look at http://www.containerseeds.com - this is a small family owned company with a very informative monthly newsletter to which you can subscribe for free. Also additional links are there.
RE: Container Gardening Advice
Post by cookwie (556) | (03/28/2005)
Make sure to plant in a container that will be deep enoughto accomodate the plant’s roots (carrots and potatoes need a lot of root space, for instance).
If you are looking for containers, almost anything that has holes in the bottom (you can make these with a drill) will work. Plastic laundry baskets, clay pots...
Just be sure to thoroughly mix all of your dirt or it will form a plateau in the container and the bottom dirt will be so compacted that water and roots can not travel down (learned the hard way from experience).
I had better luck planting in the ground than in containers, so I can’t recommend any plant varieties except for parsley, cilantro, oregano and rosemary.
By the way, rosemary originally grew out of the side of a cliff so even I couldn’t kill it!
Holly
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Decontaminating Soil Before Growing Vegetables
Q: Is there any way to decontaminate existing flower beds of dog and cat feces so that I could plant vegetables such as beans, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash?
Hardiness Zone: 10a
Bdasch from Port Aransas, Texas
A: Bdasch,
Dilution is the soil-lution. First, remove any visible feces from the existing beds. Then add in as much new organic-rich soil as possible. Make sure you till it in deeply. If you do this now, it’s probably a good idea to let the new soil settle in and over-winter in the beds before planting your vegetables next year. During this period of “rest”, cover the beds with black plastic. The heat generated by the plastic will help pasteurize the soil and further kill off any contaminants. It will also provide you with weed-free beds to start your vegetables with next year. Studies have also shown that certain plants like Sunflowers are capable of taking up contaminants from the soil as they grow. An alternative to the plastic might be to plant a crop of sunflowers for the remainder of this year and then cover the beds with plastic over winter. In any case, don’t plant any edibles until you get your soil tested. Contact your county extension agency for more information on how to have your soil tested. Make sure to tell them about your specific situation and concerns. If possible, avoid future contamination by designating specific areas outdoors for your dogs and cats to go to the bathroom (a fenced area for dogs and a sandbox for cats).
A second option is to build raised beds for your vegetables or grow them in containers.
Good luck!
Ellen
About The Author:
Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf35305629.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
* Growing Your Own Vegetables
* Vegetable Growing Guides
* Growing Vegetables From Seeds
* Growing Monster Vegetables
* Growing vegetables and chili tips
* Growing Fruits and Vegetables in Containers
* Ideal Plant Locations When Growing Vegetables
* When to Harvest Your Vegetables
* Preserving Your Potato Crop
* Harvesting and Preserving Vegetables
* Buy Vegetables Individually For Best Quality
* An Introduction to Lasagna Gardening
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Chili Seeds
Chili Seeds
Question:
I am looking for information about growing chili plants from existing fruit, seed storage and drying to get the seed.
Rajh from Australia
Answer:
Rajh,
Saving chili pepper seeds is easy. You don’t mention where you’re getting the existing fruit.
If you’re getting is from existing plants, allow some peppers to stay on the plants until they pass maturity and start to shrivel up. Then simply remove the seeds (they don’t usually require any cleaning), and lay them on a cookie sheet to dry in a warm, dark place. Once fully dry, store them in an airtight container until planting them next season.
Peppers saved from store bought peppers can be saved in the same way. If you are buying peppers from the produce department for seeds, you need to keep two things in mind. First of all, most peppers in the grocery store are hybrids so the seeds may not produce peppers that are true to the parent plant. Second, peppers from the produce department may have been treated with certain chemicals during production. These chemicals can sometimes render seeds sterile. If you’re looking in the produce department for peppers, head toward the organic department to minimize the probability of chemically treated fruits.
If you want to start some plants with the goal of saving seeds, stick to heirloom seeds and avoid the hybrids, which may not breed true to their parent type.
Ellen
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf90673124.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Related Links:
* Easy Way to De-seed Chiles
* Homemade Chili Recipe
* Uses For Leftover Chili
* Quick and Easy Chili Cheese Wagon Wheels
* Bad Luck With Seeds
* Amazing Vegetarian Chili
* Storing Seeds
* Make Lots of Chili
* Buying Brown Turkey Fig Seeds
* Cincinnati Chili Recipe
* 15 Minute Chili Cheeseburger Skillet
* Chili and Corn Bread
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RE: Chili Seeds
Post by tismom (6) | (03/13/2007)
To dry chili peppers from our garden after the peppers are picked from the vine, all we do is put them in a mesh bag (we save the bags from oranges, etc. from the store) and then hang the bag to dry the peppers. We hang ours in the garage where there is more air circulation with the windows open and the gargage door is often open when we are home.
The chili peppers become brittle, and I store them whole in a canister. At this stage, because they are so brittle, the seeds are loose, so removing the seeds is simple. Just snip off the end of the pepper and they fall right out.
They then should be planted the following growing season. We start our seeds inside because peppers do take longer to grow.
Good Friday is the ideal time to start pepper plants inside for us, as we live in a northern climate. Just be sure while handling the seeds to wash your hands well afterward, or wear plastic disposable gloves, because they are HOT and can burn your skin and also your eyes if you forget and rub your eyes!
One more thing, after the young plants grow inside and are quite tender, it is good to toughen them up gradually after they reach a height of several inches by setting them outdoors, increasing the time they are outside a little every day until they can be set out for almost the whole day so they will be healthy and hardy when it is time to set them in the garden. To water them inside, all they need is a mist spray of water every day, enough to wet the soil to reach the young roots.
We cover them with plastic (saran wrap) to hold in the moisture after misting, until they sprout, at which time we remove the plastic. I hope this information helps! It’s fun to start plants by seed... enjoy and good luck.
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68119919.tip.html
Chili Skillet
Ingredients
* 1 lb. ground beef
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
* 1 garlic clove, minced
* 1 cup tomato juice
* 1 can kidney beans, undrained
* 4 tsp. chili powder
* 1 tsp. dried oregano
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
* 1 cup canned or frozen corn
* 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
* olives, opt.
Directions
In a large skillet over medium heat cook beef, onion, green pepper, and garlic until meat is brown and vegetables are tender. Drain fat. Add tomato juice, kidney beans, chili powder, oregano, salt and rice; cover and simmer about 25 minutes or until tender. Stir in corn and olives; cover and cook 5 more minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook only until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. The best!
By Robin from Washington, IA
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf68119919.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Related Links:
* 15 Minute Chili Cheeseburger Skillet
* Chipotle Chili Chicken
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* Amazing Vegetarian Chili
* Make Lots of Chili
* Cincinnati Chili Recipe
* Chili Spaghetti
* Chili and Corn Bread
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf115017.tip.html
Growing vegetables and chili tips
By Gary Guzman
* Choose a good location. Preferably a west location as this side will have plenty of sun. Most vegetables like lots of sunlight. Especially green chili peppers, japapenos and other southwestern chili’s
* Vegetables and Chili plants love the long southwestern sunshine which is ideal for productive and abundant crop.
* Rototill the land or at least dig up the soil with a shovel to loosen the dirt/soil.
* Clear the spot or location of any large rocks, grass or weeds that may be in the area.
* Choose a good vegetable fertilizer and apply it over the soil.
* Chili or peppers do NOT like cooler temperatures. Plant them when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees fahrenheit during the night.
* A good fertilizer will have the following nurtients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are the three nutrients of concern to most gardeners. Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) are also needed. A good fertilizer will have a 4-10-6 mixture. Apply about 2 tablespoons per 50 sq ft.
* Consider growing vegetables and chili seeds that are suitable for your area. Call your local Nursery for information on what will grow well in your area. Many nurseries have vegetables and chili already planted as seedlings. These type of plants will do better for the novice gardener since they are already set to plant and grow!
* Remember its YOUR garden decide if you want vegetables seeds or grown container plants?
* Water is essential to your vegetable garden. Use a good Drip System or water by hose on a daily basis especially in the desert southwest. About 1.5” of water per week should do.
* Vegetables like low acid PH levels in the soil. You can always amend the soil with nutrients at a later date.
* Weeds will suck up all the nutrients from the soil. So remember to pull out all weeds whenever possible.
* Do NOT over water or have standing water over a long period of time. Overwatering is just as bad as little or no water!
* Try to buy tomatoes and chili that are resistant to “VFN”. What is “VFN”? Following is what this means: V=Verticillium F=Fusarium, and N=nematodes. These are fungii that causes plants to wilt.
* The above tips are normally for USDA zones: 7b-8a
About The Author:
Gary Guzman is the author of the above article: You can read it online at: http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/vegetabletips.htm";
http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com/vegetabletips.htm
Or visit his website at: http://www.guzmansgreenhouse.com
Gary Guzman has free valuable information on southwestern gardening.If you have any questions regarding gardening in general. email him at: gary@guzmansgreenhouse.com
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© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26437788.tip.html
When Should I Pick My Chili Peppers?
Question:
I am growing Santa Fe green chili peppers, they are about 8 inches long, but not sure if ready to pick? How do I know when to pick? Once picked how do I remove skin, for cooking. I know its tough skin, most say grill or broil, is there any other way?
Hardiness Zone: 6-7
Thank you,
Judy from Grand Junction, CO
Answer:
Judy,
Your peppers are ready for harvest when the pods are a glossy green color and they feel firm when you squeeze them (usually August). If you leave a few pods on your plants until September, you’ll be able to harvest some red ones. To remove your chilies from the plant, use a sharp knife of scissors and cut them off leaving them with at least 1 inch of stem. You can tie the stems together for drying and ground the dried pods into powders for sauces. The best way to remove the tough outer skins is by blistering or roasting them on a grill (do this outdoors!). Simply place them on a hot grill and turn them until all sides get evenly blistered. Try to avoid letting them get too black in one spot. If you want crisper chilies, plunge them into an icy bath immediately after blistering before peeling them. For softer, more thoroughly cooked chilies, remove them from the grill and seal them in plastic bags or place them in a covered pan with a damp cloth for 10-15 minutes and allow them to continue steam cooking. Make sure you wear gloves and protect your eyes before peeling off the skins. Peeling the skins is easiest if you start from the stemmed end of the chili and use a small paring knife to remove areas of skin that stay attached to the flesh. You can blister chilies in an oven using your broiler setting, but make sure you have some fantastic ventilation going! A small propane torch and a pair of tongs will work fine, too.
Ellen
About The Author:
Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf26437788.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf57029156.tip.html
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post By AILEEN (Guest Post) (01/28/2008)
Make lentil, or split pea soup you can usually find the recipe on bags of dried beans. For split pea just boil the ham bone for about 2 hours, remove and add dried peas and finely chopped carrots, celery and onion. You can also add broken of spaghetti. Try it it’s good! The ham will be very tender so you can add it to the soup too.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post By J.R. (Guest Post) (08/02/2007)
My favorite way is to boil it until meat is loose, and you can remove bones. Add a large can of crushed tomatoes, a can of Rotel tomatoes, (I use mild), one or two large chopped onions, and one cup of brown rice. Stir and return to boiling, addint salt and pepper,cover, and cook on low heat for about and hour. Check 2 or 3 times during cooking to be sure it is consistancy you like. If needed, a smaller can of tomatoes, tomato sause, puree, or tomato soup may be stirred in. More of any of ingredients may be used if larger batch is desired. I usually freeze some of it for later in a glass jars.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post by celticwench (11) | (07/31/2007)
My all time favorite use(s) for a ham bone are either homemade split pea soup or lima beans and hamhocks or use a ham bone instead. Just put the beans in water (sometimes soaking overnight) or use a crock pot, add onions and other vegys and had the ham bone and let cook most of the day on med-low heat, checking the water level once in awhile.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post by malinda (16) | (07/31/2007)
Put the bone in water in a big pot, add chopped cabbage and boil until cabbage starts getting soft, then peel potatoes and cut into small chunks, add to the pot and salt and pepper to taste. Let cook until all is soft and pour into soup bowls, serve with bread and butter and enjoy. Also, boil bone, add salt and pepper and add cubed potatoes. In another pot, cook farfalle (bow ties) until tender, drain. After potatoes are tender, add the bow ties and simmer for about 10 min. Serve.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post By Graycrab (Guest Post) (07/30/2007)
Make a boiled dinner.
Boil the ham bone in water - add cabbage wedges, potatoes, Rutabaga, carrots, wedged onions and some extra meat if you have it. cook til done. Yummy.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post By filiavita (Guest Post) (07/30/2007)
Any dry bean is better with a ham bone. My favorites are lima or blackeye peas. Soak beans overnight, rinse, add fresh water and hambone, season as needed, and simmer until done. You can make soup the same way. Choose a mixed dry bean, canned tomatoes, onion, celery, and bay leaves. Cook up some fresh cornbread and either one is cheap, filling, nutritous, and overall excellent meal.
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post By Donna (Guest Post) (07/30/2007)
I usually make Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
RE: How To Use A Ham Bone
Post by jess_admin (425) | (07/30/2007)
Hi, I have done this a couple of times with holiday hams. I just make a broth, similar to making a chicken or turkey stock. I would cover the ham bone in several cups of water. Add a cut up onion, some carrot and celery (with leaves), a bay leaf and some peppercorns. If you have some fatty meat to add, this will just make it richer. Simmer this for a few hours, stirring and breaking up the bone occasionally. Strain and cool to skim the fat off the top (I usually refrigerate overnight).
Then use the broth to make a bean soup. I get the package of 16 bean soup and follow the directions on the package but throw away the ham seasoning packet (or save it for something else) and use the broth instead of the water after the beans have soaked. It has always been delicious!
Jess
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14663433.tip.html
Vegetable Cheese Chowder
Ingredients
* 5 cups reserved liquid from vegetables and enough water to make 5 cups liquid
* 1-2 cups ham, cut up
* 1 cup cabbage, shredded
* 3 cups onion, chopped
* 1/2 box au gratin potato mix
* 1 cup milk
* 1 can green beans, reserve liquid
* 1 can carrots, sliced, reserve liquid
* Velveeta cheese
Directions
In a soup kettle, combine the reserved liquid from the green beans and carrots plus the water mixture. Add the ham, cabbage, onion, au gratin potato mix and milk. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the green beans, carrots and Velveeta. Cook on low heat until cheese is melted.
By Robin from Washington, IA
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf14663433.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Related Links:
* New England Vegetable Chowder Soup
* Chicken Chowder Soup
* Vegetable-Clam Chowder
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* Easy Clam Chowder
* Fancy Cheese Garnish For Salads
* Cheeseburger Chowder
* Vegetable Cheese Souffle’
* Turkey Chowder Soup
* Vegetable and Biscuit Casserole
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66080815.tip.html
Kamp Bar Cookies
Ingredients
* 1/2 stick butter
* 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
* 1 package butterscotch bits (6 oz.)
* 1 package chocolate chips (6 oz)
* 1 cup coconut
* 1 cup black walnuts
* 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Directions
Melt butter in 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs. Layer next 4 ingredients. Drizzle condensed milk over the top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes.
By Robin from Washington, IA
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf66080815.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
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Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32176458.tip.html
How Microclimates Affect Your Garden
By Ellen Brown
How Microclimates Affect Your Garden
How Microclimates Affect Your Garden
Chances are your garden has one or two areas where, despite growing successfully in other parts of the garden, plants seem to struggle. This might be due to a microclimate; a small area in your garden where the climate differs from the surrounding area due to small differences in topography. Things like hills, valleys, trees, and large bodies of water all have an influence on the growing “climate” of your plants. Once you understand the advantages and disadvantages that each type of microclimate has, you’ll be better equipped to successfully meet your plant’s growing requirements.
The Three Main Microclimates
Valleys
Advantages: Nutrients and topsoil regularly wash downhill from surrounding slopes making valley soil some of the richest and most fertile soil for growing plants.
Disadvantages: Cool air is heavier than warm air. It always pools and collects at the lowest point. Unfortunately, that means that garden plots located at the bottoms of valleys are usually subject to the earliest frosts in the fall, and the latest frosts in the spring. In fact, some valleys can be as much as 10 degrees cooler than nearby slopes. A lack of air circulation can also encourage conditions that support fungal diseases, especially in areas where soil lacks good drainage.
Hilltops
Advantages: Because warm air rises, temperatures tend to be more moderate at the tops of hills compared to the surrounding valleys or flat land. Air circulation is greater, so conditions do not favor the development of fungal diseases. In urban areas, balconies and rooftops create similar microclimates, but on a smaller scale.
Disadvantages: Whipping winds (especially in winter) can damage plants, dry out soil and cause the erosion of topsoil. Since water flows downhill, valuable organic nutrients can be quickly washed away.
Slopes
Advantages: Regular breezes can help cool hot temperatures in the afternoon. The warm air that rises over them in the morning helps keep frost at bay. In northern climates, slopes with a southern exposure tend to warm up more quickly than surrounding areas in the spring and remain frost-free longer in the fall. This translates into a slightly longer growing season and potentially, a larger harvest. Raised beds and terrace gardens (especially when facing south) can create microclimates like slopes.
Disadvantages: Gardening on a steep slope can be challenging in terms of water and wind erosion (unless terraced or sheltered by windbreaks). Over time, this can result in a wearing away of valuable topsoil and a lack of soil moisture due to excessive drainage. South facing slopes warm up earlier, which can leave early blooming plants more susceptible to damage from frost.
Other Influences on Microclimates
Bodies of Water
Advantages: Water warms up and cools down at a slower rate than the land that surrounds it. As a result, large bodies of water moderate surrounding air temperatures and give you a longer growing seasons by keeping frost at bay. The larger the body of water, the greater effect it will have on the surrounding environment.
Disadvantages: Winds tend to be stronger near large bodies of water. In climates where large bodies of water freeze over completely, the spring thaw can feel like it’s never going to arrive.
Urban Areas
Advantages: Urban areas, especially large cities, can be as much as one full hardiness zone warmer than the surrounding countryside. This is because urban areas contain large amounts of paved surfaces and concrete structures that absorb heat during the day and then radiate it back into the air at night. The advantage to gardening in a large urban area is that all this radiant heat keeps temperatures moderate in the spring, winter, and fall when plants are at a greater risk of damage from extreme cold. Tall buildings also protect plants by blocking or slowing down the wind.
Disadvantages: Unfortunately, paved surfaces and tall buildings trap summer heat, which can create a blistering environment for plants during the growing season.
Buildings, Walls, Trees, and Fences
Whether they are on your property or your neighbors, buildings, walls, and fences can all create miniature microclimates (little protective nooks) around your yard and garden. (The same is true for large rocks.) During the day, these structures absorb heat. At night, they radiate it back into the air. Depending on their orientation, they can protect plants from the sun, or prevent them from receiving it. Because walls and corners of building generate more turbulence when hit with wind, it is best to avoid planting plants that are easily dried out by strong winds. Don’t forget that buildings can also create “rain shadows” due to their eaves, or on the lee side of the house when rains are accompanied by strong winds.
About The Author:
Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com
Source: http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf32176458.tip.html
© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com
Related Links:
* How Air Pollutions Affect Your Garden
* Will Cutting Flowers Affect Next Year’s Growth?
* Home Remedies for Fungus Gnat and Damping-Off Control
* What’s Your Heat Zone? Check Out the AHS Heat Zone Map
* Preventing Weeds In a Flower Garden
* Spring on the “Path Garden”
* How Do You Affect The Growth Of Marigolds?
* Unusual Objects in the Garden
* Growing Vegetables in the Shade
* Create a Butterfly Garden
* Raised Veggie Garden
* Best Garden Ever