Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Frugal Feast - Don't Fret - It's Possible

 Here we are at the holiday season again.  Next week is Thanksgiving here in the U.S.  A feast is always anticipated.  WHY?  
Should we not be thankful everyday for what we have and celebrate each and every day that God has given us?  YES

This year many families are staying home and just having a simpler version of the holiday.  Many folks have been short on money for months and may not have the funds to do a big spread.  That is OK!!!!!!!
A feast can be anything - especially if you are sharing with someone you care about.

In the U.S. turkeys are like stupid cheap right now.  Frozen turkey can be purchased just about every where for .31 - .39 a pound!  You can't get anything else that cheap.
BUT if you can't shop or have no funds to shop or choose to just stay in - have something else!

You can have turkey, ham, chicken (fixed any way you choose), pork roast, pork chops, beef roast, lasagna, spaghetti, chili, meatloaf (or meatloaf burgers*), fish...........................etc..
Shoot fire and save matches - you can have a grilled cheese and tomato soup or a bologna sandwich.  Have whatever you have on hand and BE THANKFUL!

You can even get a bit creative with store bought pre-packaged foods (many can be purchased for little $ right now with sales or even purchased at the Dollar Tree).


Here's a simple idea using inexpensive food and jazzing it up a little.  Stuffing mix - add a can or 2 of chicken meat and a can of cream of chicken soup and a little water or milk.  Bake or heat on stove for a great side with meat added.  Potatoes - add some sour cream or extra cheese or even cream cheese.  Green beans - season up and go.  Have one of those little hams - bake it up with a little OJ over it or some peach jam - spiff it up.

Make your own stuffing - dry up some bread chucks (any kind) add in celery and onion (or celery seed if no fresh) - broth and/or cream of celery or chicken soup.  I always add an egg.  Super easy to make - bake until heated through and lightly browned on top.  Super frugal!!

*Meatloaf burgers (mentioned above).  Mix up your normal meatloaf and make burger patties out of it and fry.  No need for an oven and these taste just like meatloaf.  Easy and yummy.

I am not a big cranberry sauce fan - but I LOVE mixing whole berry sauce with mandarin orange slices (slightly drained - keep juice for other uses) and throw in a big handful of chopped walnuts or pecans.  YUM!  I also like whole berry sauce mixed with applesauce - it is such a good treat.  You could use as a salad or a dessert.
Cranberry sauce added to apples for a pie or crisp is super yummy too.  Sweet and tart.

Have potatoes?  Potatoes are super cheap right now.  Our Aldi has them for 1.89 for 10 lbs. and some places are cheaper.  10 lbs. of potatoes can go a long way!!!!  Cook up 2 or 3 and make yummy and comforting mashed potatoes (for a couple people).  Twice baked potatoes.  Fried, baked, smothered, potato soup, hash browns..........................breakfast, lunch and super!

SO - you aren't doing any special shopping or can't - OK.  Check your pantries and your freezers and add a little imagination to the mix and you can have a SUPER FRUGAL FEAST!!!!!

If you do shop - there are crazy wicked good deals going on right now.  Stock up on what you can and be prepared for the winter months ahead.

Remember to be thankful EVERY DAY for all you have.  What you have in your pantry or freezer could be an absolute miracle to another family.  IF you have the opportunity to help a family that is down and out this season - please do.
God bless you all.

STAY FRUGAL.  HAVE A SIMPLE FEAST.  BE FULL.  AND MOST OF ALL - BE THANKFUL!!!!!



22 comments:

  1. Grilled cheese sounds really good! I'm not a turkey fan but cook it for my hubby. I do like all the sides though!

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    1. I love me some turkey - but the sides are probably my favorites too.
      Nothing like a good grilled cheese sandwich!
      Have a great day!!

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  2. Love the ideas and your "shoot fire and save the matches" cracked me up. :D I'm from VA and I hadn't heard that saying. Thanks for the laugh!

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    1. Thanks. That was one of my Daddies sayings - he was full of them! I guess some things we just never forget!!

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  3. So true! My husband and I alone will have turkey breast and fixins, but I'd be just as happy with a soup and sand! Thank you for a wonderful post. Take care.

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    1. You are welcome. The food doesn't matter - it is the company and the thankfulness in our hearts.
      Have a good one.

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  4. Hubby and i are having a small meal....crockpot 3=ingredient turkey thighs. Put 2 thighs in while FROZEN to crockpot, add 1 can whole cranberry sauce and 1 package dry onion soup mix. Believe me, it is delicious!!! I got the recipe years ago from another blogger.

    We'll also have a small version of green bean casserole and a crustless pumpkin cheesecake (lowcarb). We plan to do a Zoom feast with our children and grandchildren...should be interesting!

    Great post as always...

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    1. That sounds yummy! I am glad you will get to see each other at least on Zoom.
      Hoping you have a blessed day

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  5. You're so right, Cheryl - be thankful! We are so spoiled with plenty and very blessed always. Thanksgiving blessings to you!

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    1. Yes Mam. We are quite spoiled. We live in a world of plenty and yet we complain every day about something. There are many who would be humbled and grateful for half of what we have.
      Blessings.

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  6. I always try to fancy up our meals on holidays, though it is generally pretty plain fare. Sour cream and dill to the mashed potatoes, a lemon in the belly of the chicken to add flavor, and Brussel sprouts with crumbled bacon or carrots with butter and brown sugar instead of plain mixed veg. It doesn't take much extra to do this and though I end up eating the sprouts by myself, it works.

    Take care and stay well!

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    1. Absolutely!!!! Your examples are perfect ways to fancy things up. Sour cream in mashed potatoes makes a huge difference - so rich. Everything you mentioned has my mouth watering.
      Just a little bedazzle and we have fun and fancy food!!
      Thank you. Have a good day.

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  7. This is so helpful for those who do not have a fortune to spend on one meal!

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    1. Thanks. I know many don't - and just want to give a few tips.

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  8. You are always so sensible and practical! Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Aahhhh thanks. I appreciate that. You have a great Thanksgiving as well!

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  9. Great idea with the cranberry sauce!
    Barb in PA

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  10. Right now the Ibotta app has all your Thanksgiving fixings free, via cashback. $9.98 towards a whole turkey is a free 3lb turkey roast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, mushroom soup, cranberry sauce. Unfortunately, the gravy mix and fried onions are sold out on the app. All free when you purchase at walmart and redeem.

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  11. I have watched several You Tube videos on Thanksgiving from the Dollar Tree.

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  12. A Thanksgiving dinner does not to be the Rockwell whole-family-around-the-table scenario. The first year the girls and I were by ourselves, we had a pot roast. Celebrations are what you make them. We bought a turkey from Meijer for $.31/pound. There will be just three of us so we'll have lots of good leftovers. Meijer had their sweet potatoes really cheap yesterday. Don't forget to give a donation if possible, however small, to the shelters. We are blessed and I believe in passing a blessing to others.

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    1. You are so correct - celebrations are not the food but the people.
      I love the deals you get this time of the year. So many and a great time to stock up.
      There are many in need and anything we can do to help is wonderful.

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