Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Simple Foods = Good Eats

There are many simple, yet frugal items that we can purchase and stock, that are so good - good for you - and filling.  These are things we should have in our food arsenal for those "just in case" SHTF days.
Remember - we never know or expect when things go wrong.  Weather, financial hardship, truck strikes,  health, job loss, terrorism - the list goes one.  Generally emergencies happen when you are least expecting them.  It is always smart to be prepared for anything.

DRY BEANS & PEAS
Beans are so very good for you and full of protein.  Many vegans use beans instead of meat.  They are versatile and can be prepared in so many ways.
 I keep a variety of dry beans and peas on hand.  So many uses for them.  Lima beans in the jar.
It doesn't matter what brand you buy - they are all good.  As you can see - Kroger, Wal-Mart, Dollar Tree, and ethnic stores are all represented.  I get them where they are the cheapest.

There are so many varieties to chose from.  In the ethnic store I go to, if there is one type - there are a 100 to chose from.  Every shape and color and different tastes.  You need to try new varieties and experiment a little.  Don't limit yourself - you may just find a new favorite.  Beans are very inexpensive.

I use not only for ham & beans, but also in soups and stews, as meat extenders in tacos & such (such a good food extender), smashed as in refried, side dishes, casseroles, you name it.  They can be canned for easy consumption in the case of emergencies or just for convenience.  Once cooked - beans and lentils can be made into  vegan burgers (they are yummy too).  Dips can be made from beans.
So many uses and so good for you.
They will last years and years in dry form if kept in a cool dry place.  NO, they may not cook as quickly when they are very old (nor maybe get as tender), but they will still provide you with nourishment, fiber, protein, and fill your belly!

PASTA
Pasta is so very versatile.  Most people think of it as something that goes under sauce or that is added to cheese.  It can be so much more.  There are flavored  varieties, different shapes and sizes, gluten free and not, wheat, plain, veggie  and on and on.
I love pasta!  We often receive fun varieties in gift baskets we get at Christmas.  My nephew and his wife get us a variety of things we probably wouldn't try without influence!




See - fun shapes and sizes, different flavors,  just a lot of variation!  I also have linguine, spaghetti, elbow macaroni & shells.

Pasta CAN be covered in sauce or cheese - but it can be added to soups and/or casseroles (great extenders).  Many pasta can be made as a side dish, stuffed, baked, used under stir fry dishes, made into jar mixes (for dry shelf stable meals) and so much more.
I have purchased little alphabet pieces of pasta at the grocery to add to soup mixes, which is fun.
I like to break up spaghetti and add to rice and make my own rice a roni style mix.
I use spaghetti to make our own lo mein type oriental meals.
There are just so many uses.

If I plan on keeping pasta for a long, long period of time - I freeze it for several days (to kill anything), bring to room temperature and then store in glass jars or in sealed tins/or tubs.  It will last for ages in kept cool and dry.

So there are two items to add to your deep pantry that are frugal and filling and in many instances very healthy.  These could literally save you and your family.

I am going to try to post about different items each week - so we can all keep low cost items at hand for whatever life may present us.

BE READY FOR WHATEVER MAY COME YOUR WAY - AND HAVE YUMMY EATS AS WELL!


24 comments:

  1. Good advice!
    What a fun basket of goodies from your nephew. I have never seen those types of pasta. Let us know what are your favorites.
    I'm still trying to find some beans that my teen son will eat. He doesn't like my pinto beans and cornbread, but will eat refried beans some. He'll eat canned kidney and black beans in chili and such. I think it is the texture of my homecooked beans? Maybe they are too mushy for him.
    None of us really like lentils either. I have tried fixing them different ways, and taco style was ok but not great.
    Any advice in getting my family to eat more beans?

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    1. I love trying new things. Sometimes it takes others to get out of comfort zone.
      Lentils are probably my least favorites. I can mix them in with meat and they are ok. I guess if I were real hungry they would be wonderful. I love split peas.

      Maybe don't cook them as long, to give them a heartier consistency. That might help - if they like canned beans - not cooking dry beans as long may help.

      Dry beans are cheap - so trying new ones doesn't cost a lot. Try something new from time to time. Garbanzo beans (chick peas) are also good for making hummus - bet they might like that.

      Also you might just smoosh beans up and add to soups or meatloaf as a thickener or added ingredient, thus getting beans & protein into them!

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    2. Thanks for the advice! I will check out some other beans. He loves the oasis market, so I'm sure he would like hummus. Oh he will eat baked beans too. Maybe it is just my home cooked pintos that he really doesn't like. ;)

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    3. Well, maybe just experiment a bit - you will hit the right combo!

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  2. Great ideas, Cheryl. I look forward to learning about new items each week. I have a question about rice storage. I had a small bag of Jasmine rice that I took out of the bag and put in a Mason jar and tightened the lid. I had it for maybe a year and a couple of weeks ago I wanted to cook some. When I opened the jar it smelled rancid. I rinsed it really well then cooked in fresh water, of course. It tasted "funny" - so I threw it out. Ouch! Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

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    1. Certain rices can only be kept for a limited time out of the freezer/refrigerator. They contain oils which can go rancid. Brown rice is another.
      White rice is safe to keep in a dry space for ages - but you need to be leery of many others.
      I will get together a list of those that have to be watched.


      Sorry you lost it. Unfortunately I think we have all had that happen at some point. Better safe than sorry.

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  3. I keep all my rice in the fridge as we get weevil here so easily. But I love beans and pasta, Have a ham bone just waiting for some beans right now.

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    1. YUM. I do too. Sounds so good!
      I keep all rice except white in cold storage.

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  4. We keep both dried beans and pasta on hand as they can be bought inexpensively and they last for a long, long time. Last time I bought pasta was from Kroger when it was 50¢ per box, a great stock up price.

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    1. You got that right. I do the same. I think I have enough spaghetti and elbow pasta to last a long, long time due to clearance sales!

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  5. I will pass on the hot pepper pasta. I store lots of beans and pasta. I keep dry beans and canned beans. We use them several times a week. I keep about 12 kinds that we use regularly. I stock up when pasta goes on sale. I have been know to buy 40 boxes. It lasts so long. I buy different shapes to change things up. I also have a bunch of GF pasta for my youngest now. My husband's aunt makes a dish called pasta pie. He and my kids love it. It is amazing what you can do when you are prepared.

    Both of these items are great for people that want to start a stockpile inexpensively. You can get an extra 2 every time you shop for very little money and will have a nice supply in no time.

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    1. I keep canned beans as well. I don't know that I have bought that many at one time, but could have if there were enough at the right price!

      Yes, the menus can be quite varied - just takes a little imagination.
      Thanks for agreeing that it is a great way to stock. It is about the most frugal way to get started.

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  6. Thanks, Cheryl. New rice will now be kept in the fridge. I just don't eat it as often now either. Look forward to your list.

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  7. You're so full of good ideas! I like to use canning jars with the white plastic reusable lids to hold all my beans and rice products.

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  8. Well thank you so much. I think it's just years of being frugal!!!!
    I love jars to store dry good in. I need to get busy and fill up my half gallon and gallon jars.

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  9. Cheryl, I have a question please. I was told by my great aunt years ago not to pressure can kidney beans, they are not safe because of a gas. Have you ever heard of this or canned kidney beans? I love cooked dried beans. Love this post (really love all your posts). Cindy Jane

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    1. Well I am not sure. I know a lot of people who can them, including my brother, and have never heard that. That is definitely something to consider. I know some beans supposedly have more 'gas' than others. Maybe one of our readers knows the answer. LADIES??

      Thanks. I am glad you like coming to visit.

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  10. Great ideas... I do try to keep beans in the house.

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    1. Thanks - they sure may come in handy some day! I love beans!!!!

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  11. The American Beauty pasta has been on sale a lot in the past couple of months. I've had coupons to make the price better so I have a lot of pasta!

    As for beans, I'm Hispanic and pintos were on the table every day with every meal... as was red chili sauce, homemade flour tortillas, and a small amount of chorizo for seasoning. Way more than you wanted to know, huh!? My grandma used to buy pintos in 25 lb. bags and sort out the rocks! I'd gather them and toss them in

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    1. mmmmm that sounds good. I had a friend/co-worker years ago that was the same way. Just about every meal every day contained those items. I don't think I ever saw bread at their house - it was tortillas.

      I don't believe I have heard of American Beauty brand.

      It is very cost effective to get those big bags and store them for use!

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  12. (Continuing)... I'd toss the rocks into the landscape rocks! So yes, I love me some beans! What I really wish I'd mastered was how to make my grandma's sauce and tortillas!! We went to New Mexico several times per year and brought back lots of dried red chili. My grandma would warn me to never touch them without gloves or I'd pee my pants! (I later learned that washing hands didn't always remove the *sting*. Let that be a lesson! Also, if you bite a seed, you'll cry. Ask my cousin lol 😭

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    1. I wish I had some recipes my Mom used to make. Theirs is a lost art at times. They just knew how to make things, as they did it so often.
      Oh my, that is funny. I am sure it never was for you or your cousin! Those seeds can GET you for sure!!!!!!

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