Cheap and Easy Meals

April 10, 2008

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This is part of our Financial Literacy Month Question and Answer series

Question: How can I save money on my groceries? Everytime I go to the store my bill seems higher and higher! ~ Melanie

Answer: Everyone wants to save money, but few want to spend weeks eating nothing but beans and rice. You can cut your grocery bill without cutting your variety. One of the quickest way to cut your spending is by cutting out the meat. It’s amazing how many meat free meals you can find that your whole family can enjoy. Here are some suggestions:

1. Quiche can make a great dinner, especially when paired with a cup of fruit or applesauce. This is a dish made with just four eggs, some milk or cream, and whatever additions you may want to make. This is a great way to use up some of those “back of the fridge” items. I made one the other night with cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, fresh spinach and basil, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and some leftover asparagus. The kids ate it right up! Also good the next morning for breakfast.

2. Breakfast - it’s what’s for dinner. Not many moms have the time to put a large, hot breakfast on the table for the family. Save time and money by preparing pancakes and eggs, or French toast with a fruit topping for your family. Add in some frozen berries, bananas or apples.

3. Noodle and egg soup is a warm and satisfying meal for a cold day. Start with two cans of condensed chicken noodle soup. Add four cups of water and bring to a boil. Add two cups of egg noodles (preferably the short, thin soup variety). In a separate container, mix three eggs with a tablespoon of water. Slowly pour the mixture into the boiling soup so that the eggs cook up in strings. Serve with a grilled cheese layered with sliced tomatoes for the perfect meal.

4. Manicotti is an easy meal that looks like you spent hours cooking. Mix together a 12 oz container of ricotta cheese, two eggs, a tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder (you can also add any precooked veggies you might have, like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red bell peppers - finely chopped). Spoon the mixture into uncooked manicotti shells, and then place the stuffed shells in a casserole dish that has a thin layer of spaghetti sauce already in the bottom. Cover the shells with the remaining spaghetti sauce, top the whole dish with shredded mozzarella cheese and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake in a 375 degree oven until the shells are tender (about 35 minutes). For a change of pace, you can use the giant shells instead — even easier to stuff than manicotti shells.

5. Refrigerator vegetable soup can serve up a quick and nutritious meal that’s different every time. Get out all the vegetebles in your fridge (check the freezer, too) and dump them into a large pot. Cover with water (or use chicken broth), add some italian spices, a can or two of beans and your family will be well fed. Bake up some biscuits or rolls and make a salad while the soup is cooking and dinner will be ready in a flash.

6. Fried rice to the rescue. Heat 1 Tbl of oil in a skillet or wok, add an egg or two plus leftover rice and pasta chopped vegetables for a quick and satisfying fried rice dinner.

You can save a lot on groceries by staying away from the meat department. Keep your variety by making meatless versions of your favorite meals, and you will probably never even notice that the meat is gone.

Warmly, Cindy Morus

Posted by Cindy Morus | Filed Under Groceries and Food 

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