Meals with Simple Ingredients that Save Money

In today's economy, many families are searching to find ways to save on their grocery bills. Preparing meals that use left over's, and include ingredients that extend foods are just a couple of ways to cut that grocery bill.

My mother lived through the 'Great Depression' meaning her family taught her how to stretch food. Here I will share two exciting ways to enhance basic ingredients to stretch meals for less cost.

Meal #1

Beans with Corn Bread

Beans are an excellent source of protein and can make a meal with just a few extra ingredients added.

1 ham hock
1 package of pinto beans
salt
pepper
corn bread mix
1 egg
Pam spray

Place pinto beans into pan and cover with water one inch above the top of the beans. Soak overnight, in the morning, drain the beans and add the same amount of water with 1 tsp of salt. Bring the beans to a boil and lower heat, simmer for two hours, add the ham hock, simmer for three more hours or until the meat falls from the bone. The bean mixture should be thickened from cooking, make sure not to add any water once the beans become tender.

Mix up the package of corn bread with 1 egg and bake at 375 degrees per instructions in an 8 X 9 cooking pan coated with Pam spray.

Left over's can be stored in the freezer in an approved container until needed for the future meal.

Meal #2

Chili with Garlic/Cheese Bread

Frozen bean mixture
Chili powder
Onion (diced)
Tomatoes (diced)
Peeled potatoes (diced into small cubes)
Bay Leaf
Sour Dough Bread Loaf
Bre' Cheese
Large Garlic

Remove the frozen beans and ham hock mixture and thaw. Place beans, onion, tomatoes, potatoes, bay leaf, cumin, and chili powder into a pot, cook over low heat until the potatoes are tender. Depending on taste, canned tomatoes can be added with juice to cooking mixture. Be sure to add chili powder and cumin to taste.

Adding the potatoes, allows this chili meal to extend farther, feed more people, and gives it a different flavor than regular chili.

While cooking the Chili, skin the head of garlic, roll in olive oil, and roast in oven at 375 degrees until tender.

Slice bread, butter on top and place under the broiler. Once the bread is toasted on the top, turn and toast on bottom. When the bread is complete, spread garlic nubs on each slice, add a small amount of Bre' cheese and serve.

Cost of each meal is around $8.95.

Resources:

June Strom (my mother)
Personal Experience