Posted on 07/22/2005 11:12:26 AM PDT by HungarianGypsy
After last week's thread I asked Mr. Gypsy if he would like me to ask how to make a PBJ sandwich. He said he thought it was too complex for him. This week's question is the best way to boil water.
There are times when we all have to stick to a budget. Whether it's that bachelor just starting out. Or if it's a family needing to stretch the paycheck. So, this week, what are your best budget recipes? Things that are yummy, nutritious, and most of all cheap. Boxes of macaroni and cheese or Ramen Noodles don't count. Although, if you want to include these in the recipe, that's just fine.
One thing I do is make spaghetti the traditional way. You need to use a spaghetti sauce that is extremely meaty. After mixing the spaghetti with the sauce, put it in a baking pan.
Sprinkle shredded Velveeta cheese over it, then parmesan cheese. Add garlic and salt to taste. Bake for 5-10 minutes.
Put two pieces of garlic bread on a plate, then spoon the baked spaghetti over it. Cheap and easy.
Now I just made myself hungry, but I'm sick and have no spaghetti sauce. Bummer.
I believe I usually set the oven to 350 degrees -- and make sure you use alot of shredded cheese.
Cooked Noodles
Butter
Italian Dressing
Parmesan Cheese
It's yummy, cheap but probably not too nutritious. 2/3 ain't bad. ;-) (Please add me to your food ping!)
I like making a big pot of taco meat - I brown the ground beef, then throw it in the crockpot with a jar of salsa and cook in on low all day. This is something I like to do when I'm getting together with friends. One will bring shells and tortillas, one will bring toppings, one will bring dessert, etcetera. I use a typical-sized jar of salsa with three or so pounds of ground beef so it makes a ton.
I freeze containers of Chili and soup. Meatloaf and the chicken from the soup will give you lotsa sandwiches.
Spices are the key to making lo-budget food taste like gourmet. Get a variety, and experiment. Most spices can be gotten fairly cheaply, and they tend to last a long time (unless you find one your taste-buds REALLY like).
One of my new favorites: Morton Hot Salt. Very tasty on salads, baked potatoes, fries, nachos, "mexican rice", etc.
There is a reason that spices have been much in demand all throughout history...
Brown one pound of ground meat. Salt and pepper. One chopped onion. Some fresh chopped garlic. Can of crushed tomatoes (or fresh chopped tomatoes. Cook together, then add a box of pasta of choice and water. Cook until pasta is just done. Serve with a simple salad and hot french bread.
Browned ground beef, pork and beans, chili sauce. Mix together and heat throughly. Serve open faced over toasted hamburger buns.
I like to cook several big meals on weekends, and then freeze or refrigerate the meals and leftovers to eat all week. Luckily, my hubby loves leftovers, so I make big batches of the recipe below.
Knoepfle Soup
1 family-sized can condensed cream of mushroom soup, made with two cans water (may need more later)
1 8 oz package cheese, shredded (we like Cheddar)
4 cups flour
5-6 large eggs
Pinch baking powder
Pinch baking soda
Salt and pepper to taste
Bacon bits (optional)
Heat soup and water (or milk, if you prefer) until very hot but not boiling, (to the simmering stage), stirring frequently. Meanwhile, mix flour, eggs, baking powder and soda into a firm dough (kneading not necessary), and cut with a knife or kitchen scissors into small dumplings. Drop into simmering broth, stirring frequently, and cook until all the dumplings rise to the top, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add cheese, stirring to blend, and bacon bits and serve. This serves at least 6, and keeps well for reheating.
Please add me to your ping list. Thanks :)
My college pasta recipe: cook noodles, toss with olive oil, basil, garlic, and parmesean cheese. Yum.
I LOVE that bridge pic on your profile page!
Basic Tuna Casserole
1 pkg med egg noodles ($1.59)
2 6oz cans chunk light tuna (if it's payday, use Albacore)($1.78)
1 pkg frozen peas ($1.69)
1 can Campbells Cream Mushroom Soup ($0.99)
Total cost = $6.05. It'll feed 4 people easy.
Cost per person = $1.51
Cook noodles, drain
In electric skillet, combine remaining ingredients. Cook on medium until peas are done (10 mins maybe)
Add noodles and mix well
Serve
I go visit relatives , just around dinner time, so you get invited. Invite friends over for a pot luck, you have alot of left overs !
spaghetti (or any kind of noodle), a can of tuna, and a can of cream of mushroom. I call it tuna goop. College food.
Add crushed potatoe chips on top before baking. Give an extra crunch.
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