I've given myself a new challenge - I'm making a plan to eat better for less. I'm trying different easy ways to save money on food, while remembering to enjoy the process. Food should be a source of pleasure, right.
With the current economy (which I believe is a door to something better!), I know lots of us are reassessing the way we spend money. Food is a huge expense for a lot of us, and it grinds me to go to the store every few days and spend $75 only to come home with 2 meals worth and a few odds and ends.
So, I'm making a commitment to look carefully at food spending, but I'm making it a game and a fun challenge. No angst or angonizing, no beating myself up over it. I'm staying out of the freak zone!
All that said, the first thing I recommend for those who want to join me is --- search your library's collection of "budget cookery" books. Check a few out. The one I started with is Cheap Fast Food by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross (authors of Desperation Dinners). I like a lot of the recipes and there are lots stategies for getting started.
Here is recipe number 1, from my friend Aileen in Houston.
Aileen's Taco Soup
1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans
1 can (15 oz.) pinto beans
1 can (15 oz.) black beans
1 can corn
1 can (14 oz.) stewed tomatoes
1 can Rotel Diced tomatoes & chilies (I use Mild and I often buy a store brand)
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix (or some salsa, cumin and chili powder if I don't have taco seasoning)
1 cup water
Mix all together (don't drain beans or corn), heat and serve.
I serve with shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, crushed tortilla chips, avacado cubes or homemade guacamole if the avacado is a bit too soft.
This is a very versatile recipe. You can use diced tomatoes, yellow or white corn, taco chips instead of tortilla, etc. I use the last crumbs in a bag because you want crushed after all. If I have a little leftover salsa, I just dump it in the pot. If you have some cilantro going to waste you can fling that in too. If I have leftover taco meat or chicken bits or pork shreds I throw those in too.
