Most Girbilists are not aware that food prepared by restaurants comes in bulk institutional packaging and can be prepared into meals in the home.
Back when we were raising children I fed the family on sixty dollars a month primarily preparing large quantities and keeping the freezer full of prepared dishes.
True enough if and when you can get it. Not Costco of Sams either. Although you can buy some things in bulk there.
...preparing large quantities and keeping the freezer full of prepared dishes.
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I still do that at 77 with only 2 of us. My recipes call for 1 gallon at a time.