Making things from scratch instead of buying them premade can save us quite a bit of money, especially if you do it for most of your meals. Learn more here from Jonni McCoy, author of Miserly Meals: Healthy, Tasty Recipes Under 75 Cents Per Serving!
Eat on the cheap
The meal below, including dessert, only costs $1.32 to make per person when the supplies are bought on sale. Compare that to what it might cost you premade, or even in a restaurant, and that savings is just calculated on one meal! Do that for the 90 meals on average per month, and you can save a bundle!
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Ingredients:
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 packet taco seasoning mix or 3 Tablespoons Mexican Seasoning Mix (see recipe below)
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
Directions:
Pour the chicken broth in the bottom of a slow cooker. Dissolve the seasoning mix in the broth. Place the chicken breasts in the broth. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
After the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken into small pieces. Use in tacos, burritos, tostadas, nachos, etc.
Note: Substitute any type of meat: pork, beef, TVP, tofu, etc.
Cost per serving (1/4 lb.): $0.66
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 6 to 8 hours (slow cooker)
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 139; Fat 2 grams; Cholesterol 66 mg; Carbohydrates 2 grams; Fiber 0 grams; Protein 30 grams; Sodium 239 mg.
Mexican Seasoning Mix
This can be used for either taco or chili seasoning.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup flour
2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/4 cup onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons salt
4 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
Directions:
Put all of the ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend until powdery for 5 seconds or less (don't over blend). Use the "pulse" feature if your blender has one. Add more cayenne powder if you prefer it hotter.
Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Three (3) tablespoons of this mix equals one packet of store-bought taco or chili seasoning mix.
Cost per mix (3 T.): $0.26
Makes: 5 mixes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 19; Fat 0 grams; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 4 grams; Fiber 1 grams; Protein 1 grams;
Sodium 128 mg
Spanish Rice
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 clove garlic, pressed
15 oz. can of diced Mexican style tomatoes, or 2 cups salsa,
or 2 cups diced tomatoes plus 2 Tablespoons diced canned green chilies
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until bubbling. Remove from heat and serve.
Cost per serving (3/4 cup): $0.28
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 96; Fat 1 grams; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 21 grams; Fiber 2 grams; Protein 3 grams;
Sodium 522 mg
Salad with Ginger Dressing
Ingredients:
1/2 cup onion chunks
1/2 cup oil
1/3 cup vinegar (any type)
2 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons fresh ginger chunks
2 Tablespoons celery chunks
2 Tablespoons ketchup
4 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender, cover and blend for 30 seconds, or until smooth.
Refrigerate in a tightly covered container. Serve over salad, steamed vegetables, stir-fry, grilled chicken, or even pasta.
Cost per serving for dressing (2 T.): $0.10
Makes: 1 3/4 cups (14 servings)
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 80; Fat 8 grams; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 3 grams; Fiber 0 grams; Protein 0 grams;
Sodium 94 mg
Chocolate Meringue Drops
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon flour, white
1/2 Tablespoon water
Directions:
In a mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy, but not stiff. Turn the mixer to low while adding the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, flour and water. Once added, turn mixer to high and beat until the mix is thick.
Drop mix by heaping teaspoon onto baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes, or until the top of each cookie cracks slightly. Remove from oven and cool completely (about 10 minutes) without disturbing them. These should be eaten the same day they are baked. They do not store well -- they become chewy instead of crisp.
Option: For white meringue cookies, omit the chocolate. You can also add 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts to either recipe.
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Cost per serving (1 cookie): $0.02
Serves: 28
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Nutritional analysis per serving
Calories 24; Fat 0 grams; Cholesterol 0 mg; Carbohydrates 6 grams; Fiber 0 grams; Protein 0 grams; Sodium 4 mg
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About the author: No part of these recipes can be reprinted without permission. All recipes are used with permission from Miserly Meals by Jonni McCoy, copyrighted 2002, Bethany House Publishers. All Rights Reserved. Jonni McCoy is the author of Miserly Meals (2002 Bethany House), Miserly Moms: Living on One Income in a Two Income Economy(2001 Bethany House), and Frugal Families -- Making the Most of your Hard Earned Money (2003 Bethany House Publishing). Prior to motherhood, she spent 10 years at electronics firms such as Apple Computer and National Semiconductor. She presents seminars on living for less to women's groups and other conferences. She has been practicing her frugal ways since 1991. Jonni has appeared on several TV shows, including "The 700 Club," and radio programs such as "Family Life Today" and the "Dick Staub Show." She has also been featured in Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day magazines. Jonni and her husband, Beau, make their home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can visit her web site at www.miserlymoms.com.
