No meat night...what do you make?

[Elite Silkies]

Fried eggs, biscuits and gravy. My DH is a big meat eater. My girls really have to work hard to feed him. He eats 8 fried eggs at a time. My husband and son eat a lot of food, and they never gain an ounce

I was lucky to spend under $1000 a month on groceries. But, I have started preparing 2 things, like a meat and a veggie instead of 3 things. That really cuts back on the cost.

I love fried rice and veggies. (Broccoli, Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, Peas and Cabbage) With a sweet and sour sauce. But, with the price of veggies now, it's even kind of expensive to fix that. (I put meat in it, so no one complains, but if you get a cheap meat and slice it really thin, with all the other stuff you really don't have to put that much meat in it.)

Beans, Cornbread and Fried Potatoes (I slice an onion and fry with the tators, it makes them really good)

Also, if I find a good deal on a large package of meat, we will have left overs.

Ramen Noodles are great.

 

[saddina]

Black bean & corn chili:

15oz crushed tomatoes
2 cups dried black beans (don't bother soaking)
16 oz corn (frozen is fine)
1 red onion chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp taco seasoning
2 cups water

Toss in crock pot 8 hrs on low. Serve with tortillias, leftovers are mixed with rice and become burritos for mr saddi's lunches.

 

[PineappleMama]

Pasta.

Saute garlic and onion until soft, add in canned (diced, pureed, whole-hand squashed-) tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar (I also add a bit of butter) and simmer until reduced. You can toss it in the blender (heat can crack your plastic food processor bowl lesson learned) or food mill or you can use it straight.

That's the basic 'recipe' for tomato sauce, but depending on mood/sales I'll also add peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, etc... I cook those with the garlic/onion. Also can add oregano, basil, or even herbes de provence depending on what it's being served with.

Sidenote: When I make a batch of meatballs I make a BIG BATCH... at least 1lb of beef and 1lb of pork... mix 'em, ball 'em and bake 'em... use some that day and freeze the rest in Dinner For Us size portions... so I can throw together 20 minute pasta AND have homemade meatballs without much fuss. Not much more work/mess to make extra. Do the same when making meatloaf... I make two whole ones (also prefer to use all/some pork), use half of one, then freeze the other three halves for later heat and eat.