My parents visited us last weekend. They don’t get to visit much being a few hours away, so we promised them some good meals. This is a change from previous visits when we would go out to eat and then look expectantly at them when the check came.
For the 24 hours they were here, we served them
- ham and turkey sandwiches
- smoothies
- low-fat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
- crock pot barbecue chicken
- whole wheat pancakes with turkey bacon
We like simple, cheap, and tasty recipes. At first, I thought Rachael Ray’s 30 Minute Meals might work. They’re simple, but not cheap.
OK, drizzle some EVOO on your lobster-stuffed filet mignon, sprinkle on some gold dust, grill 8 minutes on each side, and you’re done!
That may be a slight exaggeration, but the ingredients in her recipes just add up to more than we’re willing to spend. Yes, we could stockpile them to use later. However, we’ve gone through having the pantry filled with stuff that we use only now and then.
We don’t like stockpiling. We’re a simple folk.
Last night, CM made some excellent low-fat eggplant parmesan. It’s encouraging to know that we can eat good, healthy food for little money.
If you have any cheap, tasty recipes, please share!
(photo: toyfoto)
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you are dead on with rachel ray! i have one of her cookbooks, and they all sound great but i never have all of the ingredients on hand. although, i do have a surplus of gold dust that i need to start cooking with.
matt and i love stuffed peppers. if i’m feeling vegetarian, i’ll just stuff them with quinoa or cous cous sauteed with onions, garlic and tomato. but if the husband needs to eat something with parents, i’ll throw in some ground beef or turkey. stuff the mixture into hollowed out bell peppers, bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
the recipe is very forgiving. i usually throw in whatever spices i have handy, and maybe some parmesean cheese. very simple and inexpensive…
e.
oo, stuffed peppers sound good! CM doesn’t like spicy, but we should be able to get some pretty tame bell peppers.
(and we don’t think you’re crazy – just really like commenting, right?)
1. peanut butter.
2. jelly.
3. bread.
4. one can of diet coke.
Ok, I feel a bit retarded, but when I read the think about the pancakes and bacon, I imagined bacon inside of the pancake like blueberry pancakes or something like that.
It kinda freaked me out, but I think I know what you meant now. Pancakes with a side of bacon. *whew* Glad I thought that one through.
travis – i’m partial to PBB’s (peanut butter and bratwurst), but good idea! every meal doesn’t have to be made on the stove. oh, did I say bratwurst? I meant banana.
sam – i think there’s something in the freezer section like sausages wrapped in pancakes. has anyone else seen that?
Every so often, we play a game that we love called, “eating our way through the freezer and pantry.” No shopping allowed until we are absolutely sure we cannot get one more meal out of at-home ingredients. It’s challenging, satisfying, resourceful and productive all at once! It’s also called “preparing for hurricane season so we don’t lose everything in the fridge. AGAIN.”
I’ve got some great recipes. Perhaps I will post them from time to time.
my favorite cheap meals at home:
1. aunt jemima whole wheat pancakes (everyone LOVES)
2. black beans and brown rice topped with shredded cheese and tomatoes (even the girls love)
3. barilla stuffed shells (makes TONS and the recipe is on the side of the box- if it isnt any more, i can send it).. quick and EASY and also a good meal to take to someone..
4. veggie plate- green beans, corn, salad, etc..
5. chili
i’m getting hungry as i type.. mmmm…
amy – that sounds like a fun game. it’s a strangely satisfying feeling to see an organized, nearly-empty pantry and fridge. what’s the strangest “meal” that you’ve thrown together with remaining food elements?
hambricks – we use the Aunt Jemima whole wheat mix – the stuff is great! i like putting sliced bananas on them
Have you seen the Rachel Ray cookbook for kids? Really! I don;t know many kids who will be asking for it as a gift.
Spaghetti is cheap.
Breakfast for dinner is cheap and my personal favorite.
Here’s one that isn’t expensive but can be time consuming to prep.
Chicken-Dorito Casserole
In a baking dish layer bottom with cooked white rice. Pour over that half can mushroom mixed with equal parts milk. Add a layer of Doritos Layer over that cooked shredded chicken breast. Drizzle over that half of the mushroom milk mixture you have left. Layer over that shredded cheese of your choice. Then repeat layers, one time, omitting rice. Cover with foil, bake at 425 til bubbly hot, about 25 minutes. Serve with sour cream and salsa.
Sounds ghetto, I know, but it really is good! It’s my families favorite.