Budget Saving Recipies

[Krayola]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!!!
I checked out the Hillbilly Houswife website. It had some good ideas, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of not having some kind of meat for dinner. We always had meat every night when I was growing up, even if it was jsut hot dogs. :lol2 She suggested just having beans, rice, and veggies for dinner some nights. I just can't imagine not having some chicken or beef too. What do you guys think? Is it normal to not have meat with dinner some nights?
I'd say try it out before you say no. We have had lentils with rice or beans and rice with mixed veggies and it is very filling and cheap. Not to mention the health benefits. Low fat, plus extra fiber. Cheap, filling and healthy. Just try it a couple of nights a week and see how it goes.

[tlword]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!!! I'll definately be trying some of them out. My mom used to make chicken and rice with cream of mushroom soup when I was a kid and it was really yummy. I should bring that one back.

I checked out the Hillbilly Houswife website. It had some good ideas, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of not having some kind of meat for dinner. We always had meat every night when I was growing up, even if it was jsut hot dogs. :lol2 She suggested just having beans, rice, and veggies for dinner some nights. I just can't imagine not having some chicken or beef too. What do you guys think? Is it normal to not have meat with dinner some nights?

I'm vegitarian and haven't had real meat, with the exception of fish, for years. But, if I remember reading various articles correctly, it is actually healthy to go without meat a couple times a week. And since meat is so expensive (and in my case the veggie equivilant to meat is even more expensive) it would probably save you a lot of money in the long run. Consider how much it is per pound for chicken or beef in comparison to how much per pound it is for dry beans and just look at the savings. Even if it is for only 2 meals a week. Plus, if you usually use a pound of meat per meal, you want to consider that a 1/3 to 1/2 pound of dry beans will give you about the same equivilant after being soaked, so there is even more $$ savings.

Just as a warning, though, if you do decide to replace a couple meat-included meals per week with bean-included meals your family will be a little gassy until their bodies get used to the increased complex-carbs. :lol2

[Robinski]

We eat a lot of pasta. Its a pretty cheap dinner. The kids really like pasta with parmesan cheese and green beans. Sometimes I'll make some bisquits to go with it. If you really can't get past not having meat, maybe buy some canned chicken to throw into some egg noodles, it's cheaper than fresh meat.

[wife]

Thanks for all the ideas guys!!! I'll definately be trying some of them out. My mom used to make chicken and rice with cream of mushroom soup when I was a kid and it was really yummy. I should bring that one back.

I checked out the Hillbilly Houswife website. It had some good ideas, but I just can't wrap my mind around the idea of not having some kind of meat for dinner. We always had meat every night when I was growing up, even if it was jsut hot dogs. :lol2 She suggested just having beans, rice, and veggies for dinner some nights. I just can't imagine not having some chicken or beef too. What do you guys think? Is it normal to not have meat with dinner some nights?

you know, actually America is the only nation that has meat at every meal (or most meals) Many times I will make spaghetti without meat and my family doesn't notice, chili too. Hubby and I are making an effort to eat a meatless dinner at least once a week. We are trying to save our meat eating for the good stuff and not cheap meat..

[Kliska]

We eat a lot of pasta. Its a pretty cheap dinner. The kids really like pasta with parmesan cheese and green beans. Sometimes I'll make some bisquits to go with it. If you really can't get past not having meat, maybe buy some canned chicken to throw into some egg noodles, it's cheaper than fresh meat.

Yeah, canned tuna is a good cheap way to go too; it goes good with noodles, esp. is you have Cream of mushroom soup to throw in with a bit of milk, and slap it in the oven. A cheaper version of tuna noodle casserole. I add a dash of onion or garlic powder, shredded cheese and crackers or chips if on hand.

[kmendel]

And, just for those of you that might not know..........beans are an excellent source of protein. My husband has chronic kidney disease.........we have to limit his protein to 60grams (6 oz) per day, so some of these meatless recipes will be good for us. Thanks!

Kathy

[Cd4u_2]

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com

[lisaann]

What are some of your bean and lentil recipes?

[Rebekah]

To add to the 'tuna and noodles' suggestions:

A favorite of mine growing up was a version of tuna casserole that my grandfather had gotten when he worked at the fire department. My mom made this a lot, and it should be pretty inexpensive.

1 box Mac and Cheese
A couple tins of tuna (drained)
An apple or two diced up and/or an onion or two (but the apple is really good in this)
Slices of American cheese

Make Mac and Cheese like box says. Add the tuna, diced apple and/or onion, and put into casserole dish. Top with slices of American cheese, and bake about 10 minutes (I think...not very long, anyway) until cheese is melted.

It sounds weird but is very yummy and different from the norm.

[Rebekah]

Also, to answer your question about having meat: you don't have to have meat at every meal. There's so many other sources of protein--just make sure you get it in somehow. Some ideas include:

1. Making stir fry with peanuts or cashews, veggies, and rice
2. Adding toasted pine nuts to pasta with alfredo sauce and broccoli
3. Adding egg to fried rice
4. Adding toasted almonds to green beans, cashews to brocolli, etc. with some brown butter sauce
5. Making sandwiches with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, sprouts, etc. Maybe a thinly sliced hardboiled egg.
6. Adding nuts, seeds and/or hardboiled egg to salad.
7. Nachos with beans instead of meat.

I'll let you know if I think of anything else.