Need ideas for living off of my pantry

**mustang80** · 01-28-2003, 11:37 AM

Our money situation is very tight right now. It seems everyone has their hand out

I would like to try to live off of my pantry for the next month. I need some creative ideas. No meatless dishes, DH won't go for that-lol

I have chicken and ground beef in the freezer. I can always buy a ham from the pork butcher. I can get a butt end soup ham for $1.30 per pound.

We are not pork chop and steak people. Casseroles are fine, cause you can hide the meat

You ladies are the best! Thanks for your help!

Mommyof2lildivas · 01-28-2003, 11:50 AM

I'm not really good at this, but here is a recipe I use for ground beef and it lets me stretch it.

1/2 lb ground beef browned
A can of cream of mushroom soup
A can of whatever canned vegetable you have on hand
Mashed potatoes

You mix the ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, and vegetable together in a casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes. Cook on 350 for 30 minutes. It's my version of a sheperd's pie and my family always loves it.

Sending good thoughts on your situation your way!

**justjenn** · 01-28-2003, 01:36 PM

Sorry, I don't have any suggestions, but I just wanted to say good luck! I wish that I could do it, myself.

**sunshine** · 01-28-2003, 01:41 PM

Hamburger Casserole

Combine in casserole with cover:

1 lb. hamburger (I brown and drain mine first)
1 c. uncooked rice
1 c. diced carrots
1 c. onions, finely chopped (we use much less)
2 10-oz. cans tomato soup OR equivalent sauce
1 t. salt
pepper to taste
2 c. boiling water

Cover and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours.

Optional: sprinkle with 1/3 c. grated cheese 10 minutes before removing from oven.

Poor Man's steak

combine and mix well:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 c. fine bread or cracker crumbs
1/2 c. water
2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Pat out about 3/4" think on cookie sheet. Refrigerate overnight. Cut into pieces, dip into flur, and brown in small amount hot fat.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Lay pieces in baking dish or raster. Pour over:

1-2 c. mushroom or tomato sauce

Bake 1 1/2 hours.

Chicken? Around here we do roast sticky chicken (let me know if you need the recipe) and eat the meaty pieces for dinner. The next night I serve the smaller pieces, creamed over toast (this would be the wings and legs, deboned). Then I cook the carcass and make chicken noodle or chicken rice soup. The spices give the leftover dishes a wonderful taste.

For more ideas? Check out:

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/yf/foods/fn529w.htm

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/yf/foods/fn530w.htm

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/yf/foods/fn531w.htm

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/yf/foods/fn532w.htm

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/yf/foods/fn533w.htm

http://www.justpeace.org/better.htm

**sunshine** · 01-28-2003, 01:51 PM

Oops! Forgot one!

www.budget101.com Scroll down on the left and look for $10 Weekly Grocery List.

toile · 01-28-2003, 01:55 PM

Here a site for that! I feel like I share it TOO much but here it is again

Food Emergency Shopping List for any time that your food budget is severely restricted due to lack of money.

Bare-Bones-Empty-Wallet List for when you're really short on cash, and no food.

http://www.justpeace.org/shopping.htm

**Deni** · 01-28-2003, 04:23 PM

Do you have tuna in the pantry? How about creamed tuna on toast or muffins? It's pretty tasty and even my kids like it.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-29-2003, 01:23 AM

Danielle, how about hamburger vegetable soup? Just make it in the Crock Pot like a regular soup. Brown the hamburger and drain it well before you add it to the soup. If you want to get fancy, make it into small meatballs!

Does DH like chicken and dumplings? This is something the meat and potatoes guys usually like!

**Shell** · 01-29-2003, 11:18 AM

One thing I do when times are tough is make a lot of stir-fry's using up whatever I have in the pantry or fridge and also homemade soup. If your veggies aren't looking as fresh but are still good you can put them in your soup. We also ate a lot of oatmeal. It really fills you up and it good for you.

If you have a garden and have too much of one thing, why don't you swap with another neighbour for some of their produce.

**Ellise** · 01-29-2003, 08:30 PM

Here's one for you. It's a lot like the Chicken meals you can get at the store.

Chicken Breast (enough for your family) Cooked
White Gravy (I use the one in the little packets)
Instant or fresh mashed potatoes
Biscuit mix

Prepare mashed potatoes, Spread in bottom of 13x9x2 baking dish lightly greased (I use pam). Cook Chicken Breast till no longer pink inside, chop into cubes. Prepare gravy, add chicken to gravy, stir till well coated. Spread over potatoes. Prepare Biscuit mix, (if using boxed variety just follow the directions) spread evenly over chicken gravy mixture. Bake in preheated 350 degree oveb for about 20-25 minutes. I double this and make 2 meals for us one to eat, one to freeze

**Jerseygirl** · 01-31-2003, 08:34 PM

Chicken with cream of mushroom soup over rice little chicken, lots of rice, or over egg noodles
Red beans, rice, little bit of ground beef, chicken or pork, I usually add chopped tomatoes and green peppers
Omlets made with spinach, ham, cheese-whatever little bits are left.

**Posey** · 01-31-2003, 08:48 PM

Hello~~I would first suggest to write down everything to see where you stand with everything. Then try to make a plan and shop as little as possible.

Some cheap meals we eat are:

Hot Dog Casserole
*Slice up hot dogs
*Mix with 1 box of Jiffy Mix
*Sprinkle with cheese
*Bake according to box

Sloppy Jo's
*Brown hamburger with onion and green peppers..drain.
*Add ketchup and brown sugar
*eat with chips or veggies or whatever

Hamburger Casserole
*Brown hamburger with onion and drain
*Mix 1 can mushroom soup and 1 c. sour cream
*Serve over noodles

Hope this helps!

**Karla** · 02-01-2003, 02:45 AM

Here's one we had a lot when the kids were home.

box mac & cheese fixed per directions on box,
1/2 lb hb cooked
stewed tomato's or canned
taco seasoning or season yourself
mix all together, can be baked in oven, but I brown meat, mix tomato's & seasoning together, keeping warm and mix as soon as mac & cheese is done.

**MOMMYDEAREST** · 11-23-2005, 06:36 PM

MY KIDS LOVE TO EAT PIGS IN A BLANKET (WITH SAUSAGE OR HOT DOGS)...VERY SIMPLE & CHEAP. I HOPE THIS HELPS!!!

**hollyhill** · 11-24-2005, 01:55 AM

I had to chuckle about your meat loving DH <grin>.
We are in the same boat but unfortunately have already consumed all the meat in the freezer several weeks ago and can't afford any more. I will be getting paid for my part time work the end of this month and the first thing I will buy is some ground beef. My kids have been asking for hamburgers for ages and lentil paties just aren't the same

.

If I had chicken there are so many ways I would cook it. One of the children's and Dh's favourite recipe is baked chicken teriyaki. The sauce is made with soysauce, sugar ground ginger and garlic (and if you are lucky enough to have it , yeah sure, sesame oil). Marinate the legs and then bake in sauce. Scrumptious over rice.

The next day any remaining legs (even 3 will do) remove all the meat and add it to rice with vegies for a great fried rice!

I also boil all the left over leg bones (I know, many won't do this, but it is only my family eating it) for a wonderful chicken soup with a touch of teriyaki flavour.

For hamurger the best budget meal I have found is chilli. I make a huge pot with lots of dried kidney beans, onions, tomatoes spices.
The first meal I serve it with homemade cornbread.
the 2nd meal I serve chilli in tortillas to make quesadilas.
The 3rd meal I top baked potatoes with it.
If there is any remaining, I thin it with beef stock add additional vegies like corn and potatos to make chilli soup.

Yummmm, I am getting tired of tuna and beans. I can't wait till Dec 1 when I can buy some ground beef and chicken, Yummmm.