Discussions

Being on a budget,being single buying the same old boring foods what does 0ne do to change it up ?

Buy what's on sale and make up a meal based on that.

What are some of the "same old boring foods?"  
 
I'm looking for inspiration too. Maybe what you call boring might be something I never thought of.

And portion them to cook some and freeze some, more cost effective and then you can make more lasagnes, casseroles, etc

Let other shoppers know you are single, find another interesting single hungry shopper, pool your resources and get cookin.

lasagna, pulled pork, spaghetti sauce. Just a few staples that also freeze well. Use the left over chicken for soup, chicken pot pie, or a curry. Quesadillas or Tacos are another easy meal, chicken thighs (i like boneless), make a double serving of rice, it will keep all week in the fridge, or use the left over for a rice salad. Endless possibilities on Pinterest.

fuzzy slippers said "lasagna, pulled pork, spaghetti sauce. Just a few staples that also freeze well. Use the left over chicken for soup, chicken pot pie, or a curry. Quesadillas or Tacos are another easy meal, chicken thighs (i like boneless), make a double serving of rice, it will keep all week in the fridge, or use the left over for a rice salad. Endless possibilities on Pinterest. "

Cooked rice, as a leftover should be consumed within 2 days. Most people don't realize It's actually a high risk leftover. Definitely don't want to keep it and use it for a week.  
 
Hot potatoes, stored on a bbq or kept in foil all day can also make you very sick.

cold pasta salads  
charcuterie trays  
spicy grains and salad greens  
grilled beets, carrots, leeks, etc (great with cold pork slices)  
salsa on everything tastes summery  
turn juice into popsicles  
 
inexpensive summer treats

prairie gal said "    fuzzy slippers said "lasagna, pulled pork, spaghetti sauce. Just a few staples that also freeze well. Use the left over chicken for soup, chicken pot pie, or a curry. Quesadillas or Tacos are another easy meal, chicken thighs (i like boneless), make a double serving of rice, it will keep all week in the fridge, or use the left over for a rice salad. Endless possibilities on Pinterest. " Cooked rice, as a leftover should be consumed within 2 days. Most people don't realize It's actually a high risk leftover. Definitely don't want to keep it and use it for a week.     Hot potatoes, stored on a bbq or kept in foil all day can also make you very sick. "

I've probly eaten rice that was more than two days old a hundred times and I've never had a problem.

There is a really nice Canadian website (among others) called simply frugal. Lots of stretching the budget recipe ideas there, as well as coupons, freebies, deals, menu plan ideas and a lot more.  
 
http://www.simplyfrugal.ca/recipes/  
 
MrsJanuary is also another good Canadian website (recipes there as well under the menu tab).  
 
http://www.mrsjanuary.com/  
 
Googling Frugal recipes brings up lots too.  
 
Good luck and hope you find some more creative cooking!  
 

sick of the same old foods I am used to cooking & eating. My mother in law made this really awesome summer pasta salad she found in an old cookbook and I can't stop thinking about it! So I thought I would share with all of you who are also sick of the same old stuff!  
 
2 Cups Gemelli or spiral pasta  
1Cup Mayonaise  
2 Tablespoons lemon juice  
1teaspoon sugar  
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder  
1/2 Cup green onion  
4 Bacon strips cooked & crumbled  
4 Cups torn Romaine  
1 Cup snow peas trimmed & halfed  
1 Cup cauliflowerettes  
1 Cup broccoli florets  
1 red pepper diced  
1/2 Cup shredded cheese (calls for swiss but we used cubed marble)  
 
Combine mayo, lemon juice, garlic powder & sugar, set aside. Once pasta is cooked drain with cold water and toss with onions & 1/2 the bacon.  
Layer 1/2 the romaine in large salad bowl followed by pasta mixture layered then layer the rest of the veggies in portions and repeat. sprinkle top with remaining bacon. refrigerate. Makes 16 servings.  
 
I will be making this one a bunch this summer!  
 
 
 
 
Edited by hatsoff, 2015-06-05 09:56:09

I turn all my leftover rice into rice pudding!  
 
I turn all my leftover mashed potatoes into potato soup!  
 
Also, investing in a kitchen gadget like a slow-cooker might help you find new flavours look for them at yard sales to fit your budget.

I find by cooking larger meals/items and eating it several days keeps us on track budget wise.  
 
Roast a chicken and eat with mashed potatoes and carrots first night. Left over chicken is now sandwiches for lunch. Then I boil the bones, pick every scrap of meat off, add the left over carrots, few more veggies and noodles, makes at least 2 more meals for our family.  
 
Buy a large pork roast, cook in crockpot with bbq sauce. Eat on a bun with coleslaw. Freeze the left overs or use it for sandwiches, on top of potatoes or rice, or put on pizza for something different.  
 
Cook a large beef roast and eat with mashed potatoes and vegetable. Now you have left over meat for sandwiches. I shred the rest of the beef into a casserole dish, pour the gravy on top. Top with the left over vegetables, put the potatoes on top and now you have sheppards pie for a different take on the same meal.  
 
Pasta is cheap. You can make cream sauces, tomato, sauces, pasta salad etc.  
 
Eggs are a great protein. Scramble, hard boil, quiche, frittas.  
 
Pancakes are quick easy meal.