Favorite frugal meals

Will · 12-17-2007, 02:20 PM

When I was growing up, Thursday night was "leftover" night. My mom would put all the leftover bits she couldn't get rid of in the last few days and put it in one giant hot pot.

I can't explain why but I really loved leftover night. Maybe it was the way all the food blended together into one giant surprise. Maybe it was because by Thursday, all the leftover food have soaked up extra flavor. Even now, whenever I go home for the holidays I still ask my mom to do a "hot pot" style dinner.

What's your favorite frugal meal?

Lynn · 12-18-2007, 09:51 AM

I love heating up a can of sardines in tomato paste (the Lido brand in the small green cans available at chinese supermarkets) and having that with toast.

Greg · 12-18-2007, 01:29 PM

I used canned soup as the sauce for pasta. Any canned soup will do. Any pasta will do.

Make pasta -- rotelle is my fave since its bite sized and grabs hold of sauce. 9-10 minutes for al dente.

Dump a can of soup (say, cream of mushroom) in a skillet to warm up. Whether it's condensed soup or not, I don't add any more water. If the soup is not condensed and is too liquidy, try adding some flour or more "stuff". Some canned mushrooms or a handful of spinach perhaps).

This meal makes me feel like I cooked it (even though I'm really just warming stuff up), is ready in less than 15 minutes, and often costs less than $2 per serving.

Julie Rains · 12-18-2007, 01:54 PM

I haven't done this in a while but I used to take tomatoes (fresh or canned) and saute in olive oil as a topping for noodles (usually with spaghetti) and add parmesan cheese. Greg's pasta/soup recipe reminded me of this.

Greg · 12-18-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Rains

... add parmesan cheese.

Yes! Lots and lots of cheese! I'm there with ya Julie.

soupkitchen96 · 12-19-2007, 11:35 PM

A can of tomato soup, some whole wheat bread, and olive oil for dipping. This wonderful combo saved me during college.

CFOontheGo · 12-21-2007, 07:23 PM

My frugal college meal....
top ramen with leftover vegetables and a scambled egg stirred in.
Budget egg drop soup!

mary0rone · 12-22-2007, 01:23 AM

I love that too!!!

Minus the vegetables unfortunately (but sooooo tasty.....)

Sophie · 12-25-2007, 01:31 AM

Diced potatoes and onions cooked in oil, and then doused in tomato sauce (ketchup) - something I loved as a child that my grandmother made for us.

Also my mum's potato pancake - grated potatoes pressed into an oiled frypan to form one giant pancake. Sometimes she would add in grated pumpkin or carrot to make it a little more nutritious.

Mmm, potatoes.

soupkitchen96 · 12-25-2007, 01:47 AM

mmmm.... delicious....

Potato pancakes will really hit the spot right now. You're making me so hungry Sophie!

I'm not a terribly good cook, but I do like to get Hungry Men dinners when they go on sale for $1.50 at the supermarket. Does that count as a frugal meal? The Rotissary Chicken is the best.

12-17-2007, 02:20 PM	#1
Will Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 339 Reputation: (19)	Favorite frugal meals When I was growing up, Thursday night was "leftover" night. My mom would put all the leftover bits she couldn't get rid of in the last few days and put it in one giant hot pot. I can't explain why but I really loved leftover night. Maybe it was the way all the food blended together into one giant surprise. Maybe it was because by Thursday, all the leftover food have soaked up extra flavor. Even now, whenever I go home for the holidays I still ask my mom to do a "hot pot" style dinner. What's your favorite frugal meal?

12-18-2007, 01:29 PM	#3
Greg Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California Posts: 160 Reputation: (47)	pasta and soup I used canned soup as the sauce for pasta. Any canned soup will do. Any pasta will do. Make pasta -- rotelle is my fave since its bite sized and grabs hold of sauce. 9-10 minutes for al dente. Dump a can of soup (say, cream of mushroom) in a skillet to warm up. Whether it's condensed soup or not, I don't add any more water. If the soup is not condensed and is too liquidy, try adding some flour or more "stuff". Some canned mushrooms or a handful of spinach perhaps). This meal makes me feel like I cooked it (even though I'm really just warming stuff up), is ready in less than 15 minutes, and often costs less than $2 per serving.

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12-18-2007, 09:51 AM	#2
Lynn Administrator Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 29 Reputation: (15)	I love heating up a can of sardines in tomato paste (the Lido brand in the small green cans available at chinese supermarkets) and having that with toast.

12-18-2007, 01:54 PM	#4
Julie Rains Wise Bread Blogger Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 226 Reputation: (66)	I haven't done this in a while but I used to take tomatoes (fresh or canned) and saute in olive oil as a topping for noodles (usually with spaghetti) and add parmesan cheese. Greg's pasta/soup recipe reminded me of this.

12-19-2007, 11:35 PM	#6
soupkitchen96 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 51 Reputation: (11)	A can of tomato soup, some whole wheat bread, and olive oil for dipping. This wonderful combo saved me during college.

12-21-2007, 07:23 PM	#7
CFOontheGo Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: CA Posts: 23 Reputation: (10)	My frugal college meal.... top ramen with leftover vegetables and a scambled egg stirred in. Budget egg drop soup!

12-22-2007, 01:23 AM	#8
mary0rone Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 Reputation: (10)	I love that too!!! Minus the vegetables unfortunately (but sooooo tasty.....)

12-25-2007, 01:31 AM	#9
Sophie Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sydney, Oz Posts: 19 Reputation: (10)	Diced potatoes and onions cooked in oil, and then doused in tomato sauce (ketchup) - something I loved as a child that my grandmother made for us. Also my mum's potato pancake - grated potatoes pressed into an oiled frypan to form one giant pancake. Sometimes she would add in grated pumpkin or carrot to make it a little more nutritious. Mmm, potatoes.

12-25-2007, 01:47 AM	#10
soupkitchen96 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 51 Reputation: (11)	mmmm.... delicious.... Potato pancakes will really hit the spot right now. You're making me so hungry Sophie! I'm not a terribly good cook, but I do like to get Hungry Men dinners when they go on sale for $1.50 at the supermarket. Does that count as a frugal meal? The Rotissary Chicken is the best.