What are your frugal and sustainable tips and tricks?

[Sally PB]

Ever think about adding rice?

Sometimes I make "taco rice." I mix brown rice with taco filling. Heat them together in a pan. Nice and filling.

Hubby, on the other hand, will NOT eat rice. No way, no how.

 

[Sally PB]

Do you save the grease for anything?

All grease (hamburger and bacon mostly) is poured off into a container that sits in the fridge until it's full, then tossed. I've thought about using it for something, but never have.

Maybe a suet cake this winter....

 

[saysfaa]

Cooking grease can help the burn barrel fires.

Lentils might be worth trying instead of rice. I've had mixed success with lentils and haven't figured out what all makes the difference. I put some plain black/brown ones under chili last night and really liked that. Actually, I liked those even when they were plain. Sometimes I think they need some help. Other times I think the "help" is the problem.

 

[Sally PB]

Lentils are another thing hubby will not eat.

Let me put it this way: He has never been hungry enough to eat either lentils or rice in any way, shape, or form.

That's ok. I'll eat his share!

 

[NanaK]

Beans in the taco meat. Sounds good!

I don't know that I've ever had lentils?? I'll have to give those a try.

I was raised saving bacon drippings in a jar in the fridge. No beef or sausage grease, just bacon. Most people here do this. You add just a little to a cast iron frying pan to fry eggs. Very yummy!

Beans and rice are always good too.
I can't imagine anyone not liking rice!
I love rice and tomatoes cooked together. Makes a nice side to go with something cooked on the grill.

 

[Sally PB]

I love rice and tomatoes cooked together

Sometimes I use a jar of home canned tomatoes as the liquid to cook my rice. 1 quart jar of tomatoes, 2 cups of brown rice.

 

[NanaK]

Sometimes I use a jar of home canned tomatoes as the liquid to cook my rice. 1 quart jar of tomatoes, 2 cups of brown rice.

I can make a meal out of it!
Hubby would take one look and say where is the meat?

 

[Sally PB]

I'm going to have to look up how to make red beans and rice. It sounds good. Ok, and cheap too!

 

[fuzzi]

Beans in the taco meat. Sounds good!

I don't know that I've ever had lentils?? I'll have to give those a try.

I was raised saving bacon drippings in a jar in the fridge. No beef or sausage grease, just bacon. Most people here do this. You add just a little to a cast iron frying pan to fry eggs. Very yummy!

Beans and rice are always good too.
I can't imagine anyone not liking rice!
I love rice and tomatoes cooked together. Makes a nice side to go with something cooked on the grill.

I like lentil soup.

 

[Sally PB]

Now I have 2# of taco meat for $6-8, so $3-4 a pound. 2# is a lot of taco meat for us, so it lasts for several meals of tacos and/or burritos.

Several meals turns out to be three meals for two people, so 6 servings. I used to buy about 2 pounds of hamburger for the same thing.