First, this article about feeding a family on a food-stamp budget in Baltimore. I continue to be very interested in the idea that eating nutritiously (and deliciously) must be possible for everyone, regardless of their budget. I also recognize, however, that it is not without a significant investment of time, thought, effort, and yes, money to accomplish this, particularly in the urban environment.
Secondly, a question of paradigm. Is it better to make a menu, then a list, and go to the store to buy what you need for that particular menu? Or is it better to have a well-stocked pantry from which you cook, ad lib, and replenish as needed? I think that I am trying to find that place in the middle, as usual.
Thirdly, I am compiling a list of "Pantry Dinners". The things that you cook to fill in a Sunday night or to balance an expensive dish on the menu or to pull together a meal when there seems to be nothing else to eat. Things like fried egg sandwiches. I would love your suggestions.
About your second question, I think I used to just keep myself stocked with things I thought I needed then try to cook from that and I ended up wasting quite a bit. Now I religiously buy what is on my list and only what is needed for my menu for the week and I seem to have cut down on waste and cost. But then I start the next week's menu with the odds and ends that didn't get used up from before, so I guess it's a mixture of both. Also I loved that article, now if only they can figure out a way to accept food stamps at CSA's and farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteI read that food stamp article, and I've been thinking lately that the time it takes to eat good food cannot be understimated. Honestly, I feel like that is a bigger challenge than the money issue. Or maybe, that it should be considered a part of the money issue - because you have to have income that supports you having the time to cook.
ReplyDeleteRegarding ideas for quick meals, I love the fried egg meal, and Brian eats peanut butter and jelly. :)
Thanks for sharing that article -- Chris and I both enjoyed it quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteHey girl, I'm certainly no gourmet cook, but I've learned a few tricks from my Southern Cajun friends down here. With ANY leftover cooked meat, from chicken to roast, steak, pork chops, sausage, you can brew up a beautiful pot of jasmine rice, chop up the meat or meats, saute it with onion and garlic, and toss all together with a generous dollop of cajun seasoning and salt, and it is DELICIOUS! Any leftover veggies or the remnants of salad in your fridge, and you have a perfect fridge-cleaning dinner that taste pretty darn good. Oh, don't be afraid to use chicken, beef, sausage, or any combination. I have a friend who throws in shrimp, chicken, beef roast, and sausage with her rice...yum!
ReplyDeleteOoo, our recent quick and easy meals include fritatta and fried rice. You can throw anything and everything into those! Also, I'm in serious need of the pasta dish you brought us, it was wonderful! Thanks ever so much and we miss you three!
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Okay, that last comment should have read, "I'm in serious need of the RECIPE for the pasta dish..."
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We have our staples. Dry beans, rice, oats, etc and then we use what we get from the csa. Of course if there's something we'd like on our menu, we add it to the list and go to the store every other week or sometimes once a month.
ReplyDeleteWe don't go to far of the regular list because it saves a ton of money each month, but we don't deny ourselves something if we want it :-)
I enjoyed reading the article you linked to, but wow! The comments were so harsh! Do you think those people actually read the whole thing?
ReplyDeleteI think it is very possible to eat well on a budget, and I hope to get more practice doing it once we have our own place. While I like making a weekly menu and getting inspired by cookbooks and recipes, I prefer to think about the ingredients I already have and go from there, especially because we do have a very well-stocked pantry and freezer, and ingredients tend to go unused for a long time.
My most common "pantry dinners" are pizza and quiche, since I always have the ingredients for the respective crusts and the toppings/fillings are so versatile. Both these dinners require a little forethought, since they take a little while, but they're always yummy and satisfying.
I have found over the years that I do better with a monthly menu. You purchase just what you need and save a lot of money. You also know what you are making and save a lot of headaches. Here is my blog entry on the subject http://frazzledmomparty.blogspot.com/2008/08/monthly-menus-make-life-easier.html
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