Hello all and happy midweek. I hope everyone is well this lovely day.
It is in the upper 30's this morning and partially sunny. It looks to be a lovely day ahead. I think we had our last night of 30's for a good while (hopefully for the season). Yesterday was a bit cooler, but it was great for doing yardwork (no sweating).
I talk a lot about food, I know. Food is something we all need, and one thing we can control in our budgets a bit. It is tough when you don't have big funds to buy anything you want, I understand that. I was there many decades ago.
There are inexpensive ways to extend what you do have on hand and still fill the bellies.
Basics that we should all have on hand - that help with any budget - big or small.
Beans and lentils - protein, inexpensive and good for you. Can extend any meal
Canned fish - it is the least expensive of canned (tinned) meats
Oats - a super grain to have. Breakfast, baking and a great extender in meats!
Rice and pasta - they can be added to about anything from soup to sides. Inexpensive
Peanut butter - good protein. A nice snack. baking, flavoring, sandwiches, etc.
Flour - not just baking, use for batters, coatings, gravies, pancakes, thickeners, etc.
Sugar - again not just baking, but seasoning and flavoring
Spices - can get at inexpensive stores and they can add great flavor to plain items
Potatoes - so many DOZENS of ways to fix!!!!!!!!!!
Carrots, onions - add flavoring and/or nutrition to a meal
Cabbage - pretty much the cheapest veggie per pound - it can be used in many ways
Squashes - great nutrition and fairly cheap to buy. Add to any meals or make soups
Canned tomatoes & tomato products - a must! Unlimited ways to use tomatoes in meals - from sauces to salads
Apples and bananas seem to be about the least expensive fruits - great for vitamins
Eggs - prices have come way down (or buy fresh) - great protein
Crackers - tortillas
Boullion - can add flavor to anything - especially different meats, soups, stews, etc.
MEAT - buy whatever is least expensive. Chicken and pork are usually the cheapest here. Ground meats of any sort - can season and flavor (bouillon) as you wish. Sausage can be found on sale a lot. Seasonal meats - turkey, ham, even ground beef and hotdogs at various times (summer).
Cheeses when you find on sale - adds to any meal or dish. Yogurt, milk can be used in many ways - not just drinking or eating as is.
Frozen veggies are nice to have on hand and can be pretty inexpensive. Canned as well and fruit too.
Corn meal - great for making corn bread, coating items for frying, added to all kinds of muffins and breads.
Now it may not be a lot of nutrition - but it sure will fill the belly and sometimes that is what it is all about. Maybe add an egg or pancakes - even a little syrup - Mmmmmmm!
(click on above to enlarge for easy reading - 3 parts)
Lastly - grow something - anything - if at all possible. Nothing like walking out the door and getting fresh goods. It saves on the grocery budget, and the taste can't be beat.
Think about gleaning as well - so many things that can be eaten for free. Mushrooms (know what you are doing), greens, nuts, even fruit - from abandoned places and the woods.
These items are not just great extenders but fairly inexpensive. They may not make a complete pantry - but they sure can stretch other foods and goods you have. I find the above items to be basics that I want in my pantry ALL the time.
Do you have any other items that fit the bill of extending and that are fairly cheap?
Let us know - it is always good to get new ideas.
Have a fantastic day - live, learn and share today!!!!!!!
On a trip to Costa Rica, I was impressed with the grocery stores. There was an aisle of rice & beans vs an aisle of boxed cereals. And stacks of eggs. Basics.
ReplyDeleteThey obviously know what to do the right way. So many things could be made with those items.
DeleteLove your poster...pinned it to my Lifestyle board on Pinterest. Interesting point by Miss Mona. Basics in a grocery store...unheard of in this country. You can buy almost anything in the grocery stores, not just the superstores. The Farmer and I bemoan all the unhealthy "food" in the aisles. And most of it is too expensive, which is unhealthy for your budget. If we can't pronounce it, we don't buy it. Speaking of food, our strawberries are going to town blooming! Even the wild strawberries in the yard, which Riley loves, are blooming with little green berries. Always loved fried mush! My sister-in-law used to get that when we would go to Bob Evans. The Farmer found a pourable recipe for unleavened bread and it is delicious. No rolling or patting out into a circle. Pour in the pan, flip several times and Bob's your uncle, done! The lowly cabbage has lots of health benefits. I found this on the internet..."Cabbage is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie cruciferous vegetable rich in fiber, vitamin K, and vitamin C, which aids digestion, supports heart health, and lowers inflammation. It contains potent antioxidants like anthocyanins (especially in red cabbage) that fight cell damage and boosts immune function." A favorite quick dish is cabbage and hamburger with onions in a skillet.
ReplyDeleteThe sun is lovely today, though the air is a bit sharp. Nevertheless, it is the day that has been given to us by our Creator and I am grateful. I see too many woman my age or younger who have trouble getting around, are depressed, angry and generally discontented with their lives. Looking at the gardens can be overwhelming with all that needs to be done, but I can still get outside, move around freely (for the most part) and care for the blessings given to us from the Creator.
Enjoy your day! I think we are at the end of the really cold temps.
It would be something to walk into a normal grocery and just see healthy and basic food. Yep, I always heard if grandma didn't know the ingredient - don't use it.
DeleteWow blooming berries, that is neat. I love cabbage fixed all kinds of ways.
It is sunny and I am thinking of going out now that it has warmed some. YES, I see women all the time who are so inactive and grumpy. I continue to do all I can - maybe slower - but I still maintain. I think getting outside boosts everything in our body and gives us that extra oomph! A glorious day of God.
My Mom always stretched canned tuna, salmon or chicken with a couple of hardboiled eggs whenever she made tuna salad, etc. I keep all of the items you mentioned in my pantry as well. Having ingredients rather than prepackaged food opens up a whole new world of possibilities. I also keep Vietnamese rice paper in my pantry. They're great to use up any leftover stir fry and make it into
ReplyDeleteAsian dumplings in the airfryer or oven. I also use them to make egg rolls as they're shelf stable. Just dip them in water and put the filling in and airfry or bake. Cookie
I love having hard boiled eggs in tuna salad. I like to add frozen peas as well to my tuna salad. Mom always did that, and my brother and I both still love it that way.
DeleteYes mam, having the ingredients makes for a much more diversified menu. I have never had rice paper - but I do also keep egg roll wrappers in the frig/freezer. I need to try rice paper.
I keep most of these things on hand - except bananas which I simply do not much like. They're good in a fruit salad or a peanutbutter and mayo salad, but that's all. Carrots are wonderful, sweet potatoes, red skin potaotes, all very basic to build a meal around. If I dont' have fresh green vegs then it's frozen except for canned corn and I like canned spinach.
ReplyDeleteCanned tuna, chicken, ham are always here too. :) Pasta, dried beans.
MaryB
We all have different tastes, so there is bound to be a different variety in our kitchens. I forgot sweet potatoes - not a huge fan, but they sure are healthy. Canned veggies and fruits can really add when fresh is not available.
DeleteNice to have the ingredients.
I do have corn meal, but have never made mush. I use it in muffins, and as a coating. I think I have most of what you have mentioned in my pantry. If I have two and use one item I try and replace the one I used as soon as I can. I will be replacing the dried kidney beans, and the navy beans as soon as possible. The price of those has risen a bit, but they are still less expensive than other things.
ReplyDeleteI purchase a great deal of my rice, beans and even spices in the International section of a store. So much less expensive.
God bless.
God bless.
The idea of replacing as you use one - is a great idea. Dried beans are so inexpensive and really nice to have on hand.
DeleteThe international section of stores or an international market is wonderful to visit. SO many options (different things) and the prices are usually better.
Great list, Cheryl. Cornmeal is a great item to have on hand. We like to make cornbread waffles. I also keep powdered milk on hand for recipes. Sue in MN
ReplyDeleteHi Sue. I have made cornbread waffles as well - yummy. I also keep powdered milk, great for using in baking and cooking. I know many people have an aversion to it, but it does come in handy.
DeleteI also include a lot of spices, herbs and items to make sauces. If for whatever reason we have to eat only what we have, I want these items to at least give us options to change things up a bit. If we're in a situation where we have to eat this way, we are going to need a few things to sustain our morale.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Spices can give us such variation in flavors. We would definitely need a little zip in our lives.
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