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Healthy Frugal Cooking

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T O P I C R E V I E W
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 11:56:11 AM Hello Farmgirls! One of the biggest cost I have is my food bill. I want my family to eat healthy ( whole foods). But the challange is finding ways to make cheap healthy meals. I would love to have you ladies share any recipes you have that are frugal and healthy! Any takers? :) Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
JojoNH	Posted - Jan 31 2011 : 04:00:25 AM Some great tips and receipes! There are some great tips on another thread in Nifty thrifty that could help as well. The one thing that helps to reduce your grocery bill is to really look at what your spending your money on and then do an online search to see if you could purchase the same in bulk and have it shipped right to you. So far I have found places for all my baking needs, for less than the store and the gas to go there and back. . plus it is organic! Now I am searching out places to purchase the other items I need that I have not produced or have run out of. Also, if you purchase the "jumbo cans" of veggies you see, once opened, take out your serving size and then freeze the rest. . in serving sizes. It will save you tons of money and not load up your freezer all at once. ( did I mention you can purchase the jumbo size cans at walmart for under $3.00?) Keep the great recipes coming!! Joanna #566 JojoNH http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com http://www.Eastwooddesigns.com "For all your Promotional Needs" www.JoannasHomeStudio.com "Keeping traditions alive a stitch at a time"
vintagejenta	Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 1:35:14 PM Here's how I've been trying to go frugal - I use meat as a garnish, not the main portion of the meal. So soup, casseroles, and skillet meals are my favorite. For instance, I love using pre-cooked sausage. Not only does it freeze well, but it is fast and easy to use. But if I made just sausage/kielbasa as the main part of the meal, my boyfriend and I would probably eat three or four links. But if I slice it up and add it to a skillet of vegetables and beans, I only use two links and we get at least two meals out of it. You can also sub. meat for cheese or eggs or other, cheaper sources of protein. I sometimes even use cream cheese instead of sliced cheese because it is cheaper. Especially on sandwiches, cream cheese means I don't have to use cheese OR butter/mayonnaise. I'm lucky to live in a place where I can generally get seasonal produce for pretty cheap (in upstate NY), so often our meals are made mostly out of vegetables. In the spring, summer, and fall anyway. Lol. In winter are meals are sometimes made out of mostly pasta or bread! And soup, lots of soup. I also don't tend to use stock to make soups. Just buy meat that is bone-in and with seasonings and water, you can make pretty good stock as you are making soup. Yesterday afternoon I made chicken soup with cheap whole, bone-in chicken thighs/legs ($2.75 for three thigh/legs), red potatoes, frozen corn, frozen peas, fresh swiss chard, and bulk-purchased yellow onions. And I made a GIANT pot of soup. Oh, and dumplings made with flour, baking powder, salt, and milk. I made probably six or seven quarts of soup and fed four people, then had enough left over to send home two quarts with our two visitors and we still have probably two quarts left to eat ourselves. The whole thing probably cost less than $10. Soup freezes well, too. Another thing I've started doing along those same lines is that whenever I make a casserole or soup or something, I try to split it and freeze at least half. Since there are just two of us, we often can't eat all of our leftovers fast enough before they have to be thrown out anyway (I think cooking for a crowd is a genetic disease, lol...). After a month or so, you might feel like eating more of that yummy baked ziti or chicken soup you made earlier! Of course, I don't have a chest freezer... yet... so I haven't done much of that lately. Buying in-season produce in bulk and freezing it yourself can also be a good penny saver. And you get fresh-picked ripe fruits and veggies year-round! I wish I had more time to make bread because it really is so much cheaper than buying it. I particularly love Old Order Amish Bread (http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/old-order-amish-bread/), which uses no milk, no butter, and no eggs (talk about cheap!). This summer I'm also going to try and forage more (we have wild raspberries around our house and there are wild blueberries in a nearby state park) and plant some stuff if I can get raised beds. I also find that having a well-stocked pantry, while expensive about once a month, lets you get creative without having to go out and buy groceries three times a week because you forgot you were out of sugar or pasta. --------- http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com
Annie S	Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 1:20:36 PM Tammy, definetly going to try your recipes. After spending a lot of $$$$ at the grocery store, I decided this week that I have to use up what I have in the pantry and in the big freezer. One bad thing about where I live is the fact that it's a small town and the grocery store can raise it's prices to whatever they want. But I have found some good buys in there. I just have to use up what I have and not get any more for awhile. Also decided that I'm going to start doing homemade where ever I can. So I'm looking up on web sites to find ideas. Made one loaf of bread this morning and now I'm getting ready to make another. That's one way to save. DH has to have meat with every dinner, so can't go the veggie way with him. Going to try the recipes you all are sharing. Also, if any of you have homemade recipes for other things jot them down here. I'm anxious to see what you all have to share.
FieldsofThyme	Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 06:18:39 AM Tammy, I recently bought 3 packages of boneless chicken, marked down to about $2.30/pkg. and froze them. I baked up 3 lbs. of dry black beans with onions, salt and pepper and froze them. I thawed the chicken, boiled it, diced it for 2 meals. One meal was homemade chicken/spinach/feta pizzas, and used the remaining chicken to make Taco soup with some of the black beans, and found organic/free range broth on clearance for $1.49. I do have tomatoes in my freezer so those were used vs. canned. There are many ways to utilize marked down meat (when you have no other choice), baked up dry beans, and other good sale items, and still have a healthy meal. The taco soup recipe is at allrecipes, but we revamp ours with the dry beans, etc. Farmgirl #800 http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/ http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
msdoolittle	Posted - Jan 24 2011 : 7:40:10 PM Hey Tammy! Been doing frugal shopping myself. I kinda fell off the wagon last year on my grocery bill, so this year, I'm really tracking what I spend. I don't typically use coupons UNLESS it's for items I'd normally buy. I have posted this on my blog (link is below), but last month, we spent 458 on groceries, and this month so far, it is now at 170. I make my own bread, burger buns, hot dog buns, jams and jellies, pickles, and just today I taught myself how to make noodles. Good grief, I didn't realize that they were quite that easy...even though my first ones were, uh, pretty thick, but hey, the fill ya up. Of course, most all of that is carb-loaded. I try to stay as active as I can cause I really can't imagine counting carbs and calories...I'd totally fail at that! We eat a lot of eggs that we produce (which of course, are much healthier for you than store bought). I try to cook in the Crock Pot at least weekly. I try to use a lot of veggies in my cooking and I try to cut way back on added butter and oil. As you know, growing your own produce is a real money saver...we have a full garden and it helps a LOT. I'd say that really is the number one thing that saves us money. I'd say if you can make it yourself cheaper and it's better for you, go for it. Convenience foods are so expensive. And my gosh, as far as being healthy, I'd say that most anything you make at home (as long as it isn't fried or swimming in butter) SURELY has to be healthier for you in the long run than the absolute junk that they have in restaurants nowadays! P.s. I'm totally stealing your Ranch Dressing...I have a whole bed ful of lettuce and chard screaming for it, lol! FarmGirl #1390 www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 23 2011 : 3:32:25 PM Patricia I love making my own sprouts! They are full of nutrients and much cheaper to make at home. Making my own mayo. A couple of eggs, some oil, lemon juice & salt is all you need. You can make apples last longer if you wrap them individually in paper and store in a cool, dry place. I have had apples last for 3-4 months when stored like this Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
2quilter	Posted - Jan 20 2011 : 4:32:37 PM --just made my first bean sprouts....yum!!!! When life hands you scraps, make quilts!
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 20 2011 : 1:07:38 PM Here is a simple, healthy & cheap recipe Layered Tortilla Bake Makes 8 Servings Ingredients 1 pound VERY lean ground beef 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained & rinsed 1 pkg (1.25 oz) McCormicks 30% less sodium Taco Seasoning 1 pkg (10 oz) corn tortillas (12, 6-inch tortillas) - 1 cup (4 oz) shredded low fat cheddar cheese Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet;drain well. Mix in beans and taco seasoning mix. Reduce heat;simmer 5 min. Spray 9 x 13 " baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Cuttortillas in half; place half of them in bottom of baking dish, overlapping. Spoon half of beef mixture evenly over tortillas. Cover with remaining tortillas and then remaining beef mixture. Top with cheese. Cover; bake 25 min. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 19 2011 : 07:36:01 AM Here is the Smoky Tomato Soup Recipe I use. Ingredients Serves: Prep: 10min Cook: 1hr 5min Total: 1hr 15min NOTE: Ingredients for a changed serving size are based on a calculation and are not reviewed by the author or tested. Please also consider scaling up or down cooking containers as needed. •1 can (28 ounces) fire-roasted tomatoes •1/2 sweet onion, sliced •1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth •1 cup water •1 tablespoon smoked paprika •1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder •1 cup milk or buttermilk •1/4 cup fat-free greek-style yogurt •1 avocado, sliced Directions 1.Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2.Pour the tomatoes (with juice) into an 11" x 17" baking dish. Scatter the onions on top and bake for 1 hour or until the mixture is thick and the onions begin to brown. 3.Transfer the mixture to a blender. Add the broth, water, paprika, and chili powder and puree until smooth. 4.Heat the soup mixture in a pot over medium-low heat for 5 minutes or until heated through. Add the buttermilk and stir to combine. 5.Ladle into 4 soup bowls and garnish each with 1 tablespoon of the yogurt and the avocado slices. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
woolgirl	Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 09:37:05 AM We are on the base! Great Lakes has been around since the 40's, and is currently the only Navy recruit traning command. My husband works at one of the medical clinics that processes new recruits. I am certain he will even see your son! Will you be able to come for graduation? I would love to be able to show you all around! Farmgirl #1947
traildancer	Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 09:16:17 AM Woolgirl--I see that you are from Great Lakes. My son is entering the Navy next Tuesday and going to Great Lakes for basic training. When I told my dad, who was in the Navy during the Korean War, he asked if Keith was going to Great Lakes or "Dago". Sorry if anyone takes that as derogatory. That's not what he meant. But I was surprised that Great Lakes had been around so long. I thought it was a relatively new facility. The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour
woolgirl	Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 07:51:35 AM I am so excited to try your recipe Tammy! Farmgirl #1947
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 18 2011 : 07:31:23 AM Tina ~ I do have a recipe. I will post by the end of the day. You can also use organic canned tomato soup. Mix with 1/2 water, 1/2 milk and add smokey flavoring. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
blessedhomemaker	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 6:24:12 PM ooh, Tammy! That whole meal sounds good.Do you have a recipe for the smoky tomato soup? ~Tina My food blog~ http://mysimplenorthernkitchen.blogspot.com Psalm 62:5~ Find rest, O my soul, In God alone; my hope comes from him.
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 6:23:25 PM Wow I am impressed with the ideas and recipes. Here is the recipe i use for Ranch Dressing Ingredients -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup of milk 1 teaspoon parsley 1 teaspoon garlic powder or mashed fresh 1 teaspoon chopped onion 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper Mix together first 3 ingredients. Blend in remaining ingredients. Let set in fridge for about 30 min. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
woolgirl	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 5:28:13 PM Egg dishes are another idea for low cost, healthy meals. We do breakfast for dinner usually one night a week. We are so busy during the week that this is the only time we have to sit down to a big breakfast-type meal! Farmgirl #1947
2quilter	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 5:01:37 PM Well, I used my thrift-store 6-quart crock pot last night for the first time. It's large enough to put a whole chicken in (I can once again buy turkey breasts...yay!!!) It was kind of a paid to debone it, but the cats sure loved the scrap meat, and I got an entire bowl full of tender, juicy chicken... Tonight I made my version of chicken pot pie (minus the pie).... 2 cups cooked shreaded chicken, one cup of peas/carrots (frozen---sorry ladies, I don't have a garden yet), 2 cups of egg noodles, a can of cream of chicken soup and a little milk. Cook the noodles together with the peas/carrots to save time and conserve energy, when the noodles are done the peas/carrots will be too. Drain, and set aside. Add 1 can of cream of chicken soup, the shreaded chicken, and a little milk if necessary, then put the noodles/peas/carrots back in the pan. Stir thoroughly, and heat throughout. I garnished mine with a little shreaded cheese...and it was fabulous! Dinner, plus some left over for lunch tomorrow...with plenty of chicken left over to make something else tomorrow. When life hands you scraps, make quilts!
2quilter	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 4:54:51 PM Tammy, I would love it if you would post or email me with your ranch dressing recipe...... Thanks so much! When life hands you scraps, make quilts!
BarnChickCecily	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 3:58:12 PM I have just recently made a resolution to plan our meals in advance and shop accordingly with coupons on double coupon day at a place where you can get more off for using their cards (jayC or Kroger)... I am interested in the coupon mom and how she does it...only it confuses me and I didn't want to pay money to subscribe to her to save money. Farmgirl Sister # 241 www.thebarnchick.blogspot.com/
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 17 2011 : 08:23:19 AM Sheila that looks delicious! What a great way to get lots of veggies and fish. One of the things I am now doing is making my own salad dressings. We make Ranch, Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, Parmesan Vinaigrette, ect. I save between 1/2 and 3/4 of the cost of buyin premade ~ Plus it taste better. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
SheilaC	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 5:15:25 PM Here's one of my favorite pretty cheap meals (and everyone in my family loves it!!) It's a good way to use fish you catch yourself, as you don't need tons of fish for it. It's a really quick meal to whip up too, and quite hearty. Yummmm!!!! Fish Chowder 1 Tbsp veg. oil 8 cups of potatoes, cubed 2 c chopped onions 2 c sliced carrots 1 c sliced celery 1 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning (or even pepper/etc whatever herbs you want to use) 2 c water 2 chicken broth cubes 1 bag frozen corn 1 1/2 lb fish fillets cut into chunks (I just use whatever we have) 5 c milk (we use skim and it's great!) 1/3 c flour Put oil into soup pan, add potatoes, onion, carrots, celery and saute over med heat for about 4 minutes. Add seasoning, water, and broth cubes. Bring to boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 min until vegetables are tender. Add corn, fish, and 4 cups milk, return to a simmer. Whisk the flour into the remaining cup of milk until it's blended. Stir into the soup. Cook for 5 or so minutes until it thickens. And it's DONE!! Yummmmmm!!! http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 4:02:33 PM Elizabeth that sounds delicious! Yes you can grow a lot of things in containers. I am getting ready to plant winter lettuce in some containers. The other thing I am doing is my own sprouting in canning jars. Tons of good nutrients and great add ons for sandwiches, salads and soups. We make an avocado melt sandwich. I use whole grain english muffins. Half and toast them. Put one slice of tomato on a half. Add 1/2 an avocado on each muffin. Top with grated cheddar and put in the oven till cheese is melted. I serve it with smokey tomato soup. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
woolgirl	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 3:28:41 PM I have been trying to do the same thing. We are trying to have some more vegetarian meals to cut costs. Tonight we had falafel with advoado sauce. It was easy and very filling! I have been trying to more soups, especially with beans. We live in military housing, so we have no room to garden either, but I do a ton in containers. You'd be surprised what you can grow in them! Farmgirl #1947
earthmamaT	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 1:32:13 PM Tami I am in the same boat!! We just moved here before Christmas so no garden. Plus I look at carbs and gain weight. Right now I am trying whole grain carbs with the beans. One of our favorite dishes is to take lettuce greens and top them with hot, cooked udon noodles, chopped green onions & carrot strips. We serve it with asian dressing and a little soy sauce. Sometimes we shred chicken in to it as well. Really good and cheap to make. I can serve my family of 4 this for about 7.00 for the meal. Tammy ~ "Be the change you want to see in the world" Gandhi
simplefancies	Posted - Jan 16 2011 : 1:03:44 PM I too am struggling with the food bill and healthy eating. Grains and beans are inexpensive but truthfully, I struggle with weight and EVERY time I incorporate more of them I gain weight. I know that gardening greatly decreases the cost of groceries but having not fully established the garden at our current residence I don't have enough produce to go around. I would REALLY like to decrease the monthly grocery expense, increase our grain and bean consumption and loose weight. www.theporcelaindesk.blogspot.com 1 Tim. 6:8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.

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